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).

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. 

CVRx Barostim illustration

CMS increases inpatient payment for implantable Barostim device

CVRx has now received improved outpatient and inpatient reimbursements for its implantable heart failure device in the last 12 months. The company's president says these updates will help more patients gain access to the Barostim technology. 

Novartis sues FDA over ‘unlawful’ approval of generic heart failure drug

The drugmaker argues that the FDA's recent approval of a generic version of Entresto should not be allowed for multiple reasons. Novartis sent multiple requests to the agency hoping to stop the approval, but the FDA denied each one. 

tirzepatide injections Zepbound Eli Lilly

Tirzepatide benefits obese HFpEF patients with and without type 2 diabetes

The diabetes drug, sold by Eli Lilly and Company under the brand names Zepbound and Mounjaro, was associated with better outcomes, improved symptoms and more significant weight loss than a placebo.

doctor with overweight patient who may be treated with TAVR or surgery

Bariatric surgery improves heart health, survival in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea

A team of Cleveland Clinic specialists tracked data from more than 13,000 patients, focusing on all-cause mortality and long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

merger acquisition M&A business

Edwards Lifesciences agrees to acquire JenaValve, Endotronix for $1.2B

While JenaValve is known for its Trilogy Heart Valve System, a device designed specifically to treat aortic regurgitation, Endotronix specializes in developing heart failure technologies. The news comes after Edwards sold its critical care business for $4.2 billion in June, saying it would double down on its structural heart portfolio. 

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.