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).

Thumbnail

Ambardekar discusses findings of risk perception study, patient education

In an interview with Cardiovascular Business, the lead author of a new study discussed his team's findings in greater detail and offered recommendations based on the research.

Heart failure patients, physicians differ significantly in risk perception

Neither doctors nor patients are particularly accurate at assessing the risk of advanced heart failure (HF), according to new research. Physicians tend to overestimate the risk, while patients dramatically underestimate it.

Race, weight gain could help predict women at risk for heart disease

According to some new research from the University of Pittsburgh, a physician could determine a woman’s risk for developing heart disease by their race and identifying where on their bodies they store fat.

Thumbnail

Death risk doubles for heart patients with depression

Depressed patients with coronary artery disease are twice as likely to die compared to heart patients without depression, according to new research.

Thumbnail

Cooling cardiac arrest patients for 48 hours could be beneficial

Physicians have long used cooling methods to help patients wake up after suffering a cardiac arrest, and researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark are exploring how to make the approach even more effective.

Thumbnail

Big promises? Questionable stem cell therapies marketed to heart failure patients

In a research letter published online July 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine, four physicians from the St. Louis University contacted 61 centers offering stem cell therapy, which is not approved by the FDA, to heart failure patients.

Thumbnail

LSU research paves way for treatment to prevent brain damage after cardiac arrest

New research from Louisiana State University (LSU) in New Orleans could lead to a treatment that prevents long-term sensory problems that arise from brain damage that can occur in survivors of cardiac arrest.

Thumbnail

3 U.S. airports now offer CPR training kiosks

Three airports around the U.S. have joined an American Heart Association initiative to provide hands-only CPR training kiosks for passengers waiting for flights.

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.