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).

Medtronic has launched VitalFlow, a new all-in-one extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system designed to provide clinicians with a user-friendly experience. According to Medtronic, its goal with the VitalFlow system was to develop a simple, straightforward ECMO device that helps clinicians by making everything as intuitive as possible.

Medtronic launches new all-in-one ECMO system after acquiring longtime partner

According to Medtronic, its goal was to develop a user-friendly ECMO device that makes patient care as intuitive as possible.

Endotronix, an Illinois-based healthcare technology company, has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for its Cordella Pulmonary Artery (PA) Sensor System, which uses PA pressure-guided therapy to manage and treat heart failure patients.

Implantable PA sensor for heart failure linked to positive 1-year outcomes

The new Cordella device from Endotronix, now an Edwards Lifesciences company, uses an implantable device to track the patient's pulmonary artery pressure and other helpful health data.

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Heart Failure Society of America to livestream late-breaking studies after meeting cancellation

The show will go on. After HFSA was forced to cancel its annual meeting due to Hurricane Helene, the group will now be livestreaming a series of late-breaking clinical sessions for anyone who had previously registered.

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Heart Failure Society of America cancels annual meeting in Atlanta due to Hurricane Helene

The news comes just one day before HFSA 2024 was scheduled to begin. HFSA is already considering the possibility of virtual sessions, but its primary concern is the safety of attendees. 

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Watchdog group, fearful of fraud, wants more oversight for remote patient monitoring

Cardiologists and other physicians may soon need to provide much more information when ordering remote patient monitoring for Medicare patients.

cardiologist patient heart compensation starting salary 2022 interventional cardiologist

LBBAP limits hospital readmissions after TAVR

Left bundle branch area pacing is associated with better long-term outcomes than traditional right ventricular pacing when patients require PPMI after TAVR, according to new research in Heart Rhythm

Boston Scientific has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its INGEVITY+ pacing leads to be used for left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) when connected to a single- or dual-chamber pacemaker.

FDA approves Boston Scientific leads for left bundle branch area pacing

Boston Scientific's INGEVITY+ pacing leads were originally approved by the FDA back in 2019. They can now be used for LBBAP, a new alternative to biventricular pacing.

Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), and a cardiologist and the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine at the Yale school Medicine, explains some of the key technology advances he is watching across cardiology.

JACC editor excited by progress during a 'very important moment' for cardiology

Harlan Krumholz, MD, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, explains some of the key technology and treatment trends he has his eyes on.

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Tom Price, MD, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), said one way to address the growing shortage of physicians is to expand medical resident positions, but these are tied to Medicare spending so alternative means may be needed.

"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.