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).

heart drugs with stethoscope

Sotagliflozin the first drug of its kind to limit heart attacks, strokes in high-risk patients

Sotagliflozin, a dual SGLTI and SGLT2 inhibitor, can significantly reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes, CKD and additional cardiovascular risk factors, according to a new study of more than 10,000 patients. 

pharmaceutical drug approval process

Osteoporosis drug shows potential to treat heart disease

Researchers used advanced AI to see if any FDA-approved medications could potentially reverse one of the mutations behind dilated cardiomyopathy. Risedronate, a popular osteoporosis medication, is the one candidate that got the job done.

Thumbnail

Veterans with heart disease often receive better care through VA than they would elsewhere

Military veterans face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, making it especially important to ensure they receive high-quality care.

the words "FDA recall" on a board

FDA announces new recall of Johnson & Johnson heart pumps over safety concerns

No devices need to be returned at this time. However, the FDA warned, using these heart pumps without reviewing the updated instructions could result in "serious injury or death.” 

female cardiologist

Interventional heart failure: An evolving cardiology subspecialty with a bright future

IHF cardiologists can come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share the same goal: to ensure complex heart failure patients receive the best care possible. 

Cardiologist heart

Treating a broken heart: Beta-blockers improve survival in patients with takotsubo syndrome

Takotsubo syndrome, commonly known as “broken heart syndrome,” is often treated as if it was heart failure, but the optimal clinical approach remains a bit of a mystery.

Thumbnail

THT 2025: Late-breaking clinical trials announced for CRF’s heart failure conference

The annual conference is now in its fourth year. Attendees are encouraged to leave their ties, jackets and skirts at home and embrace a more casual dress code.

heart patient stretching at home

Heart failure patients see benefits from home-based rehab

Many heart failure patients still skip cardiac rehab altogether. Offering a home-based option could potentially help reverse that trend. 

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.