Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump as much blood as the body requires. This ineffective pumping can lead to enlargement of the heart as the myocardium works harder pump the same amount of blood. Heart failure may be caused by defects in the myocardium, such as an a heart attack infarct, or due to structural issues such as severe heart valve regurgitation. Heart failure can be divided into HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The disease is further divided into four New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes. Stage IV heart failure is when the heart is completely failing and requires a heart transplant or hemodynamic support from a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Anjali Owens, MD, medical director, Center for Inherited Cardiac Disease, associate professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the need for standardization in HCM care. #ASE #ASE23 #ASE2023 #HCM

More consistency, standardization still needed when treating HCM

Anjali Owens, MD, discussed the past, present and future of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy care in the United States. "What we are aiming to do is develop a minimum standard for assessments of patients with HCM so they are getting properly diagnosed and managed," she explained. 

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Expanding Medicaid linked to better care for heart patients

New research, based on data from approximately 143 million patients, focused on prescriptions for heart failure, atrial fibrillation and other significant cardiac conditions. 

Lisa Salberg, CEO of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) explains how the group has helped improve HCM patient care.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association has helped advance HCM care

The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) has helped guide and advance HCM care not only for patients, but also for hospitals and physicians. 

The 25 best U.S. cardiology hospitals ranked

U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings of heart hospitals named Cleveland Clinic No. 1, once again, but there were many changes among the other top 25 hospitals. 

the words "FDA recall" on a board

FDA announces recall of nearly 8,000 Impella blood pumps due to risk of injury or death in TAVR patients

There have been 30 complaints so far about this issue, including 26 injuries and four deaths.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

Atrial fibrillation after TAVR linked to much higher risk of death, heart failure

Researchers tracked data from nearly 7,000 TAVR patients for two years, focusing on all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations.

the words "FDA recall" on a board

Medtronic recalls nearly 350,000 implantable heart devices after 22 injuries

The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall, meaning the use of these devices could cause serious injuries or death.”

Artificial intelligence (AI) model using chest x-rays to evaluate cardiac function

No echocardiography, no problem? AI evaluates cardiac function using chest X-rays

Researchers think their new AI model could be especially helpful in areas where qualified physicians and/or ultrasound technology are in short supply.

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.