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).

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Heart failure deaths on the rise among young adults

After staying mostly consistent between 1999 and 2012, age-adjusted mortality rates rose sharply through 2019. 

Ancora Heart AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System heart failure FDA

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears AI-powered Apple Watch competitor, grants breakthrough designation to new heart failure device

Ancora Heart received the FDA’s breakthrough device designation for its AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System, a new minimally invasive transcatheter device designed for the treatment of heart failure.

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Restricting salt intake too much may backfire for some heart patients

Limiting salt is a common recommendation for patients hoping to improve their heart health or lose weight. According to a new analysis of more than 1,700 patients, however, going too far with such restrictions can lead to worse outcomes. 

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Cardiologists applaud new research on social/structural determinants of health among heart patients

The American Heart Association and Association of Black Cardiologists announced the winners of a six-month data challenge, describing health equity as "one of the most pressing areas in healthcare.”

Early follow-up care boosts outcomes, including survival, among heart failure patients

Researchers tracked data from more than 450,000 patients treated over the course of 15 years, sharing their findings in JAMA Network Open.

Study suggests an increase in patient safety for heart attack patients

Care for heart patients shows considerable improvement, but 'bold reforms' still necessary

A new analysis found that patient safety has improved for many cardiac patients—but is it enough?

focused rotary jet spinning Harvard heart model ventricle biofabrication

New manufacturing technique for artificial hearts a 'major step forward’

Focused rotary jet spinning appears to hold some key advantages over 3D printing and other techniques. Engineers at Harvard think it could represent the future of organ biofabrication. 

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Could an effective breast cancer therapy be bad for the heart? NIH awards $3.1M to find out

Researchers will examine stress test results, CT images, and blood tests for women who undergo estrogen depletion as a treatment for breast cancer.

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Around the web

Health Imaging
Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

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

Health Imaging
New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

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