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).

HFSA 2023 image courtesy of the Heart Failure Society of America

HFSA announces late-breaking research for 2024 annual meeting

In addition to more traditional presentations, this year's meeting will also include "Rapid Fire" sessions designed to pack a lot of late-breaking data into a relatively small amount of time.

AISAP, an Israeli healthcare technology company focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance medical imaging results, has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its new point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) software platform, AISAP Cardio.

FDA clears AI-powered POCUS platform for structural heart disease, heart failure

The cloud-based platform was designed to help even inexperienced users scan and diagnose a majority of common heart issues within minutes without leaving the patient’s side.

HeartMate 3 LVAD abbott

No aspirin, no problem: FDA approves key update for Abbott heart pumps

Patients have typically been told to take aspirin and an oral anticoagulant following treatment to help combat the risk of blood clots. Now, they can skip the aspirin altogether.

V-Wave has gained considerable attention or its Ventura Interatrial Shunt System, a small implantable device designed to reduce pressure on the left atrium and the lungs in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The Ventura device includes a nitinol hourglass-shaped frame that anchors to the patient’s fossa ovalis in a way that prevents migration or embolization. It is implanted via an interventional procedure with fluoroscopy and echocardiography guidance.

Johnson & Johnson to acquire heart failure specialists V-Wave for up to $1.7B

V-Wave has gained considerable attention for its Ventura Interatrial Shunt System, a small implantable device designed to reduce pressure on the left atrium and lungs of HFrEF patients.

CMR of a patient showing evidence of myocardial hypertrophy

MRI results help cardiologists predict heart failure risk

"This breakthrough suggests that heart MRI could potentially replace invasive diagnostic tests," one specialist said. 

physician tracking patient data and reporting on outcomes

Cardiology groups introduce new performance, quality measures for heart failure

The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and Heart Failure Society of America worked together on the updated document, adding three new performance measures and six new quality measures. They did not remove a single recommendation from the previous document published in 2020.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

10 key updates from new American College of Cardiology inpatient heart failure recommendations

The new expert consensus decision pathway replaces a similar document from 2019 and is to be used in conjunction with heart failure guidelines published in 2022 by the ACC, American Heart Association and Heart Failure Society of America.

Bayer finerenone Kerendia heart failure MOONRAKER

Bayer’s finerenone benefits heart failure patients

Finerenone, sold under the brand name Kerendia, is already approved by the FDA for reducing heart and kidney risks in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. Bayer plans on presenting the new data in full at ESC Congress 2024 in London. 

Around the web

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

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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