Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
University of Houston researcher Mingfu Wu has received a $3.1 million NIH grant to investigate left ventricular noncompaction, a serious heart condition that can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The study aims to uncover a common mechanism behind different genetic causes of LVNC and potentially identify new targets fo...
Researchers found a 44% lower risk of death from any cause after one year and 35% lower risk after two years among type 2 diabetes patients starting continuous glucose monitoring. CGM use also showed a reduced risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.
A study of 1.6 million patients found that the risk of developing chronic kidney disease or heart failure increases substantially over time after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Early, proactive management is crucial to reduce the risk of serious complications.
Even low levels of nighttime light exposure can lead to structural changes in the heart, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from 11,017 participants and found that those exposed to higher levels of light saw a thickening of the heart's walls and reduced flexibility during a heartbeat.
Researchers have developed a human engineered heart tissue model of diastolic heart failure, enabling treatment testing with SGLT2 inhibitors, which partially prevented disease development. The model demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of SGLT2i, improving ion exchanger function and preventing accumulation of ions in tissues.
Researchers identified microRNA-224 as a promising treatment target for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare disease that damages the blood vessels in the lungs and strains the heart. Blocking the molecule reversed key signs of the disease in animal models, improving blood vessel function and heart performance.
A new calculator predicts the impact of different treatment combinations on blood pressure, kidney function, and serum potassium levels. The calculator provides personalized estimates based on patient characteristics, which can help clinicians overcome uncertainty and prescribe effective therapies.
A large randomised trial found that targeted lead placement in cardiac resynchronisation therapy did not improve outcomes in patients with heart failure. The study compared targeted and standard lead placement and found no difference in death or first heart failure hospitalization rates.
Left atrial appendage closure during open-heart surgery is recommended for high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery to reduce stroke risk. The LAACS-2 trial found closure provided a 56% reduction in stroke risk for those at high risk, but no significant benefit for those at lower risk.
The TIME-HF trial found that a nurse-led intervention improving guideline-directed medical therapy uptake and clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure in India led to increased days alive and out of hospital and a 22% reduction in deaths at 2 years. This collaborative care model may serve as a blueprint for other settings with ...
A large randomized trial and meta-analysis found no evidence that metformin reduces cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and diabetes. Metformin remains beneficial for glucose lowering but lacks cardioprotective benefits.
A clinical trial found that AZD5462, a new oral medication, was well-tolerated and improved cardiac remodeling and blood flow in patients with heart failure. The results suggest that AZD5462 may be a promising treatment option for patients with chronic heart failure.
A phase IIb trial found that AZD5462, an oral relaxin agonist, improved cardiac function in patients with heart failure, particularly at the lowest dose, with no safety concerns noted. The study suggests that AZD5462 may be a promising addition to existing therapies for heart failure.
Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair improved heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. The TRIC-I-HF trial demonstrated a significant benefit in reducing hard clinical outcomes, including quality-of-life improvements and sustained reductions in mortality.
The H-HeFT trial found no significant difference in death or heart failure events with hydralazine–isosorbide dinitrate versus placebo in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. High treatment discontinuation rates emphasize the need for careful evaluation of hydralazine–isosorbide dinitrate's tolerability profile.
The PREMIUM trial suggests that dual antiplatelet therapy with a potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor plus aspirin is recommended for up to 12 months after a STEMI. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimum antiplatelet regimen in patients after a STEMI.
A virtual e-health system (VIRTUES) has been found to be as safe and effective as standard care for monitoring cardiac implantable electronic devices, with significant cost savings and patient satisfaction. The system uses transmission reports from the patient's device to provide real-time monitoring and communication with the physician.
The A-CLOSE trial found that extended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) provides greater protection against cardiovascular events, but clopidogrel monotherapy reduces bleeding risk. Long-term antiplatelet strategies should be tailored to each patient's clinical characteristics.
A digital strategy identified untreated patients with heart failure and invited them for specialist evaluation, resulting in a more than doubling of guideline-recommended SGLT2 inhibitor therapy. The approach showed promise in increasing timely access to effective treatments for this major public health issue.
A Swedish study found that short-term exposure to cold spells and higher ambient temperatures increased the risk of heart failure hospitalization within days. The study highlights the need for time-sensitive management and more urgent response strategies during heatwaves.
The new ESC Guidelines on cardiac rehabilitation emphasize its benefits for patients with various heart conditions, improving heart health and reducing the risk of cardiac events. The guidelines also highlight the importance of individualized programs, patient-centered care, and cost-effectiveness.
Dr. Sebastian Spethmann joins JMIR Cardio as Editor-in-Chief, bringing expertise in heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and digital health. He aims to integrate digital advancements into routine clinical care, enhancing cardiovascular health systems and patient outcomes.
The 2026 ESC Guidelines on heart failure introduce significant changes, including a staging approach and removal of the mildly reduced ejection fraction phenotype. New recommendations focus on prevention, early treatment, and patient education, with updated therapies for specific patient populations.
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) presents 28 studies at TCT 2026, highlighting advances in minimally invasive interventions, pharmaceutical therapies, and breakthrough technologies. Key findings include improved outcomes for patients with heart and vascular disease.
A new study develops methods for clinicians to assess patient risk and builds an understanding of HFpEF's mechanisms, which could lead to new treatments. Researchers found potential mechanistic and molecular changes contributing to the condition.
A digital wellness program combining guided movement, breathing, and meditation exercises reduced anxiety and depression symptoms in adults with chronic medical conditions. The program also improved quality of life and fatigue, with no significant difference found between the self-directed and telephone-supported versions.
Scientists at King's College London discovered that urolithin A improves heart function, reduces scarring and prevents harmful enlargement of the heart in a type of heart failure. The compound has already been evaluated in human studies and shows a favorable safety profile, offering a promising new treatment target.
Researchers at Murdoch Children's Research Institute have made a breakthrough in gene therapy, restoring heart function in lab-grown patient heart tissue and mouse models with genetic heart disease. The therapy may also correct other genetic heart diseases, including those caused by the MYH7 gene and TTN truncating variants.
Dysregulated neutrophils may play a key role in persistent low-grade inflammation seen in chronic coronary syndrome. Researchers found that neutrophils from patients with stable coronary artery disease do not die as they should, persisting and remaining highly active.
A meta-analysis of nearly 1,900 studies found that climbing stairs significantly reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Regular stair climbing was associated with lower risks of heart-related problems and major cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
The Marcus Foundation has awarded $28.7 million to advance a clinical trial testing a stem cell-based therapy designed to regenerate damaged heart tissue after a heart attack. Researchers aim to develop approaches that could reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
A new ACC Scientific Statement highlights the importance of considering cognitive impairment and frailty in cardiovascular care for older adults. The statement outlines practical strategies for prevention, screening, assessment, and management, aiming to improve outcomes such as independence, mobility, and caregiver burden.
A U-shaped association exists between LVEDD and mortality in HF, suggesting high risk for both abnormally small and large ventricles. The findings support integrating LV size assessment into routine risk stratification to guide personalized management.
Researchers created the most detailed map of gene regulation in human heart failure, revealing how genes are controlled in specific cell types. The study identified key shifts in cell composition, gene expression, and regulatory networks, pointing to new precision medicine therapies.
Heart failure affects over 60 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of hospitalization among older adults. The new expert statement highlights the importance of prevention and early intervention in reducing risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that a single daily dose of a polypill significantly enhances cardiac function and reduces hospitalizations for patients with heart failure. The treatment, which combines three types of medications, shows promise as a simplified approach to optimal therapy.
Researchers developed DeepHHF, an AI model that identifies patients at high risk of heart failure up to five years in advance. The model analyzes standard ECG recordings and detects subtle abnormalities that are often imperceptible to the human eye.
Researchers found minor cardiac dysfunction can predict microscopic tissue degradation in brain regions associated with Alzheimer's disease, leading to poor long-term memory performance.
The updated international definition of heart failure introduces a new classification system emphasizing earlier detection and personalized treatment. The revised framework standardizes terminology, recognizing that heart failure is not a static condition.
Expanding heart failure care to pharmacists and nurse practitioner-led medication management can save approximately 10 lives and prevent 25 hospitalizations per 1,000 patients. This service is estimated to be cost-effective and improve patient outcomes, providing a roadmap for a stronger healthcare system.
A new oral drug AC01 has been shown to improve heart function and be well-tolerated in patients with chronic heart failure. The study found no serious side effects and suggested potential clinical benefits, warranting further investigation.
Igor F. Palacios, MD, is honored for his groundbreaking work in structural heart disease interventions, including mitral balloon valvuloplasty and the percutaneous pericardial window technique. He has mentored hundreds of physician leaders worldwide through his kindness, generosity, and passion for patient-centered care.
A meta-analysis of studies found that guideline-recommended heart failure therapies protect heart function in patients treated for cancer. RAAS inhibitors and beta-blockers improved left ventricular ejection fraction, while mineralocorticoid antagonists showed encouraging protective effects.
The American Heart Association's Primary Care Perspectives platform provides practical education and tools to identify cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic risk factors connected to heart failure. This initiative aims to improve long-term outcomes and reduce preventable disease progression by supporting earlier identification and mana...
Adults with lower measured glomerular filtration rates had a higher risk of all-cause mortality, kidney failure, and major adverse cardiovascular events. Lower GFR values were also associated with increased hospitalization for heart failure and acute kidney injury.
Researchers at Max Delbrück Center uncover a previously unknown genetic mechanism regulating RBM20 protein in heart cells. The discovery reveals multiple transcription start sites for the gene and highlights the importance of isoform balance in disease progression.
A simple, seven-second X-ray scan can accurately detect the severity of pulmonary valve regurgitation in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot. The test uses dynamic chest radiography and requires minimal radiation, offering a more accessible diagnostic option for those who cannot undergo traditional methods.
New York Valves 2026 will unveil groundbreaking clinical science and innovation in transcatheter aortic valve replacement and mitral/tricuspid valve therapies. The conference features 22 late-breaking clinical science presentations that aim to transform the treatment of structural heart disease.
The first national audit of advanced heart failure referrals reveals significant gaps in access to life-prolonging therapies, particularly for women. Women represent just 1 in 3 referrals, despite comparable disease burden.
Researchers from The University of Osaka found that treatment with five mRNAs effectively promoted cardiac repair and extended survival in mice with heart failure. The study showed that simultaneous administration of five therapeutic mRNAs reduced heart tissue damage and improved heart function.
A new study by the University of Ottawa suggests that a tiny molecule, methylglyoxal, plays a major role in triggering neurological disorders after a heart attack. The molecule accumulates in the brain following a heart attack and is linked to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
A cohort study found two-thirds of newly diagnosed heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction didn't undergo left ventricular ejection fraction reassessment, limiting treatment opportunities. Guideline-directed medical therapy was also underutilized among persistent heart failure patients who benefit most from it.
Researchers identified a key protein called PERM1 that is restored in patients whose hearts recover after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. PERM1 regulates energy production and contractile function in heart cells, and its normalization is associated with improved cardiac function.
Patients with congenital heart defects are more likely to experience a first acute heart attack at an earlier age, averaging 58 years old. Despite this, there is no difference in mortality rates or risk of further heart attacks between the group with congenital heart defects and those without.
A major international study has identified ways to detect patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at serious risk of sudden death, heart failure or other dangerous outcomes. The findings will help save lives by improving the ability to determine who is at greatest risk and spare low-risk patients from unneeded heart implants.
Researchers found a high-risk subgroup of patients with the 'lemon-on-sticks' phenotype, characterized by low BMI and high WHR, who had poor outcomes and higher all-cause mortality rates compared to other phenotypes. This study highlights the need for personalized therapy in heart failure.
The HF-REVERT trial found that CDR132L improved secondary endpoints, including LVEF and NT-proBNP, but not the primary endpoint of LVESVI. Target engagement was confirmed by decreased plasma levels of microRNA-132. The therapy was well-tolerated with no significant safety concerns.
Treatment with digitalis glycosides reduces worsening heart failure events in HFmrEF and HFrEF patients, suggesting its use as additional therapy to reduce worsening heart failure events. The study found no significant interaction with other important study characteristics.
Researchers found that low-dose digoxin and digitoxin reduced worsening heart failure events in patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. The treatment was generally well-tolerated and safe, offering a cheap and effective option for managing the condition.
In patients with symptomatic rheumatic heart disease, digoxin significantly reduced the risk of a composite of all-cause death or new-onset or worsening heart failure. The treatment had little risk of toxicity, making it a promising therapeutic option for these patients.