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).

AI models capable of identifying RV, LV dysfunction in ECGs

Specialists used EHR data, imaging results and natural language processing to bring their advanced AI models to life. 

There has been fear of a small number of patient who experience myocarditis after COVID vaccination, but a new study found it is safe in patients with prior heart damage. Image courtesy of Banner Health. #COVID19 #COVIDvaccination

COVID-19 vaccines safe for patients with a history of heart damage

“These results provide reassuring data that may encourage patients with a history of myocarditis to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2,” one specialist said. 

Interventional cardiology procedure in a cath lab at Beaumont Hospital.

PCI boosts survival for ischemic HF patients with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation

Mortality rates can be especially high for ischemic HF patients presenting with FMR and LVSD, but PCI may offer some relief. 

Nurses caring for a COVID-19 patient in the COVID unit at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix.

Losartan fails to improve lung injuries in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Some of the study's findings even raised concerns that losartan could be harming these patients. 

lung cancer pulmonary nodule

Cancer, cancer-related death much more common among heart failure patients

Researchers examined data from more than 208,000 patients, sharing their findings in JACC: CardioOncology. 

Telehealth provided value for heart failure patients during COVID-19 pandemic

Overall, researchers found, 30-day readmission was less common when heart failure patients used telehealth to check in with a physician after discharge. 

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Pfizer finalizes $6.7 billion acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals, gaining key cardiovascular treatments

Etrasimod, an oral medication developed to treat certain inflammatory conditions, was at the center of Pfizer’s acquisition, but some key cardiovascular assets were also part of the transaction. 

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AI-powered ECG analysis could boost care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Advanced algorithms can pick up on key details in a 12-lead ECG that human readers are unable to see. 

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.