Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
A meta-analysis of prospective studies reveals that individuals with non-O blood groups (A, B, AB) are at a higher risk of heart attacks and overall cardiovascular mortality. The study found a 9% increased risk of coronary events and cardiovascular mortality in non-O blood group carriers compared to O blood group carriers.
A randomized clinical trial found that ivabradine did not improve outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Elevated heart rate is a predictive factor of worse outcomes in these patients, contradicting previous research that suggested benefits for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
A new classification system identifies distinct patient profiles with varying outcomes in acute heart failure hospitalizations. The study provides valuable insights for early triage and treatment decisions.
A study of over 20,000 heart failure patients found that unemployment is associated with a 50% increased risk of death and 12% higher risk of rehospitalization for heart failure. Employment status was also linked to morbidity and mortality in younger patients.
Serelaxin, a hormone with vasodilatory effects, failed to improve cardiovascular outcomes in the phase 3 RELAX-AHF-2 trial. Despite initial promising results from previous studies, serelaxin showed no significant benefit in reducing worsening heart failure or all-cause mortality.
In a recent editorial, Saint Louis University cardiologist Paul J. Hauptman emphasizes the need for patient-centric symptom relief as a primary goal in treating worsening heart failure. His review of the TRUE-AHF trial suggests that ularitide has limited short-term effects and may not improve longer-term survival.
A study published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology shows that left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) can fully restore heart function in some patients. Researchers found that 38% of individuals who recover enough to allow device removal demonstrated equivalent heart function to healthy individuals.
Researchers used patient's own muscle stem cells to create patches that were surgically glued onto the surface of patients' hearts. One year after treatment, patients showed improvements in exercise capacity and heart function, suggesting this cell patch may be a viable therapy for treating heart failure.
Research published in ENDO 2017 found that patients with more severe heart failure are associated with higher TSH and T4 levels, lower T3 levels, and increased risk of needing mechanical assistance or death. Subclinical hypothyroidism is also linked to worse survival outcomes.
A study found that heart failure patients who transition to skilled nursing facilities are 50 percent more likely to end up back in the hospital. The researchers identified a key factor in estimating likelihood of rehospitalization as the patient's ability to carry on daily activities upon entering the facility.
A new study from MU researchers has identified a protein that can be targeted to decrease post-heart attack injury and prevent heart failure in a mouse model. The research used ultrasound technology to deliver a protein inhibitor directly to the hearts of mice, resulting in a 72% decrease in heart damage compared to control groups.
A German survey found that overall awareness of heart failure has not increased over the past decade, with many adults lacking knowledge on its causes, presentation, prognosis, and treatment. The study emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about heart failure to improve early recognition and treatment.
A new study found that patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) taking digoxin are at a higher risk of death, regardless of heart failure status. The risk increases with higher levels of digoxin in the bloodstream.
A small case report suggests that Zika-linked birth defects may only be 'tip of the iceberg' when it comes to cardiovascular complications. Eight of nine patients developed dangerous arrhythmias and six experienced heart failure, with symptoms manifesting on average 10 days after initial complaints.
A study published by the American College of Cardiology found that marijuana use is associated with a higher risk of stroke and heart failure. Even after accounting for other health conditions and lifestyle risk factors, marijuana use was independently linked to a 26% increase in stroke risk and a 10% increase in heart failure risk.
Patients with Type 2 diabetes and acute heart failure have a significantly lower risk of death if they have high systolic blood pressure, but are more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure. The study found that those with a systolic blood pressure above 150 mmHg were 45% less likely to die, but 47% more likely to be hospitalized.
Research reveals PPCM is a global disease, presenting uniformly despite differences in healthcare systems and ethnic groups. Women with PPCM often experience heart failure and blood clots, highlighting the need for increased awareness and timely treatment.
Two studies presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found that US heart failure patients experience higher hospitalization rates and mortality during winter. The studies also showed increased costs per hospitalization for heart failure during the colder months.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a molecule that works to restore balance to pathways responsible for chronic and acute heart failure. The new drug, developed through genetic mapping technology, has shown safety and efficacy in phase II clinical trials.
A new study validates the Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS) as a reliable predictor of serious adverse events in acute heart failure patients. The OHFRS, combined with NT-ProBNP blood test results, improves prediction accuracy, enabling safer hospital discharge decisions and reducing unnecessary admissions.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute of Technology discovered hydraulic forces aid heart filling. The study suggests reducing atrium size can improve heart function in patients with heart failure.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that increased physical activity and lower body mass index (BMI) are associated with a reduced risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a subtype of heart failure. The research, which pooled data from three cohort studies invol...
Research from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that inactivity and excess weight are strongly associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, which has a poor five-year survival rate of around 30-40%. Increasing physical activity levels and reducing weight may be crucial for combating this growing disease.
Activated T-cells play a crucial role in promoting heart failure after a heart attack by attacking heart muscle tissue. Targeting specific T-cell subsets at defined stages of disease may represent a better therapeutic approach to improve heart failure outcomes.
A Swedish study found that patients registered in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry had a remarkable 35% lower risk of death compared to unregistered patients. This improvement is attributed to better medication and quality care, with registered patients more likely to receive essential heart failure medications.
A new study published in Circulation shows that supervised exercise training can improve the pumping function of a damaged heart and reduce hospitalization rates. Patients who performed 3,000 steps in 30 minutes at moderate intensity experienced significant benefits, including decreased strain on the heart and improved oxygen uptake.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina discover a peptide that reverses cardiac fibrosis and improves heart function without toxicity. The study uses a transverse aortic constriction mouse model to demonstrate the peptide's effectiveness in halting and reversing fibrotic ventricular wall thickness.
A study analyzing over 1.5 million Medicare records found that ICU care for COPD, heart failure, and heart attack patients may not be more beneficial than regular hospital care, with significant differences in cost of care.
The updated guidelines include two new medications approved by the FDA as safe and effective treatments for heart failure in women. WomenHeart sees these guidelines as an important addition to treatment efforts to achieve positive outcomes for women with the disease.
Researchers developed a novel noninvasive technique to measure leg oxygen consumption in heart failure patients, revealing differences between dilated and stiff hearts. This breakthrough could lead to targeted therapies aimed at increasing blood flow and improving exercise capacity.
Researchers developed a diagnostic test to identify patients with cardiac amyloidosis, a condition caused by abnormal protein deposits in the heart. The new test uses retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) to estimate the likelihood of ATTR amyloidosis in patients with congestive heart failure.
Researchers aim to create a new generation of advanced pacemakers using bio-electronic implants that respond to physiological feedback in real time. The technology has the potential to treat cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and other conditions, extending patients' lifespans and improving quality of life.
A new study published in Family Practice found that heart failure survival rates have not improved since 1998. The research team analyzed medical records from over 54,000 patients with heart failure and found varying survival rates based on age, gender, health conditions, and blood pressure.
A recent international multicenter study has identified a molecule that can help personalize treatment for heart failure. Researchers have found that an excess of lysyl oxidase-like 2 produces fibrosis of the cardiac muscle, impeding its normal functioning and stimulating HF development. The elimination of this excess repairs fibrosis ...
A study found that women with preeclampsia exhibit early signs of cardiac dysfunction, which persist after pregnancy. The research suggests a higher risk of heart disease in African-American women, emphasizing the need for close follow-up care.
Researchers developed a customizable soft robotic sleeve that fits around the heart and helps it beat, reducing the risk of clotting and improving cardiac function. The device may one day aid in cardiac rehabilitation and recovery, potentially restoring quality of life for patients with heart failure.
Scientists at the University of Utah have discovered a unique biomarker in the hearts of patients with advanced heart failure who have shown signs of recovery. The biomarker is related to the transverse system, which appears relatively intact in responders.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that alcohol abuse increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack and congestive heart failure, similar to other well-established risk factors. The researchers analyzed data from California residents with ambulatory surgery or emergency care and found...
Researchers will create a detailed map of the heart's nerves to develop new therapies targeting neural structures and improve electrical stimulation therapies. More than 800,000 US deaths annually from cardiovascular diseases link to the autonomic nervous system.
Researchers are exploring the dynamics between a gene that regulates fat metabolism and a protein that makes lipid droplets available for energy in heart cells. They hope to understand how this imbalance can lead to heart failure and find ways to intervene, such as by regulating lipid use and maintaining balance.
A study by researchers from the Netherlands discovered a clear association between higher levels of N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and brain damage, including smaller gray matter volume and poorer white matter organization. This finding suggests a close link between cardiac dysfunction and subclinical brain damage.
Researchers found that myocarditis is affecting both children and adults worldwide, with men being twice as likely as women to develop severe reactions. Early diagnosis is key to preventing long-term heart damage, and new investigational therapies are soon to be tested.
A new sensor system can detect worsening heart failure conditions in patients with high accuracy, potentially preventing hospitalizations and death. The system, developed by Boston Scientific, uses a suite of sensors to track heart rate, activity, breathing, and other physiological measures.
Researchers at UAB found that a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce heart inflammation and failure in aged mice, as opposed to a Western-style diet high in omega-6 fatty acids. The study identifies key lipid signaling pathways involved in the disease process.
Researchers found that generic medicines used to treat heart failure can cost significantly different amounts across pharmacies, ranging from $20.19 to $256.77 per month. The study suggests that uninsured patients may struggle to afford these medications due to the wide price variations.
A study found significant price differences for generic heart failure medications among retail pharmacies, with prices ranging from $12 to over $398 for a single drug. This variation raises concerns about the affordability of these essential drugs for those without insurance or restricted access.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery significantly reduced the risk of heart failure by nearly 50% compared to intensive lifestyle modification. The study also showed lower rates of atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and hypertension in the bariatric surgery group, which lost more weight over time.
A high-protein diet from mostly meat may increase the risk of heart failure in postmenopausal women. The study found that total dietary protein intake was significantly higher in women who developed heart failure compared to those who did not, while vegetable protein intake appeared to be protective.
A multicenter trial found that 13 out of 36 advanced heart failure patients treated with LVAD and intensive drug therapy recovered enough heart function to have the device removed. The study suggests that these devices can be used to reverse heart failure, especially when combined with drug therapy.
A new study led by Indiana University researcher Susan Pressler will examine the impact of computerized cognitive training exercises on heart failure patients with memory loss. The study aims to determine if brain training programs, such as BrainHQ, can improve memory and quality of life for these patients.
A clinical trial is testing a new device that could ease heart failure symptoms in patients with preserved ejection fraction. The Corvia Medical InterAtrial Shunt Device makes a small hole to redistribute blood and reduce pressure, allowing patients like Jimmy McMillan to breathe better and live more comfortably.
Gladstone scientists identified two chemicals that improved cardiac reprogramming, increasing cell production and quality. The discovery brings the technology closer to regenerating damaged hearts and treating heart failure.
Researchers are testing stem cell therapy to reprogram heart cells in patients with HFpEF, a condition causing severe disability and high mortality. The trial aims to improve treatment options for this growing epidemic, which disproportionately affects women and African-Americans.
A clinical trial found no association between caffeine ingestion and arrhythmic episodes in patients with heart failure. The study included 51 patients who received high doses of caffeine or placebo over a five-hour period, with no evidence of an arrhythmogenic effect.
A pivotal Phase III clinical study is exploring the impact of vericiguat on patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The trial aims to assess whether adding vericiguat to standard treatment can improve heart and vascular function, reducing the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting ANGPTL2 production can benefit both mice and human cardiac muscle cells with therapeutic effects in reducing heart failure progression. Moderate exercise previously found to reduce ANGPLT2 levels can now be replicated through gene therapy.
A new University of Toronto study reveals widespread differences in protein biochemistry between healthy and diseased hearts, shedding light on the molecular causes behind dilated cardiomyopathy. The researchers mapped changes in protein signalling pathways, uncovering hundreds of signalling pathways that go off course in DCM hearts.
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute researchers collaborate with DoD and VA to study cardiac progenitor cells for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a condition affecting millions. The clinical trial aims to improve symptoms and treatment options for patients.
A large study found that atrial fibrillation is associated with a wide range of serious events, including heart attacks, chronic kidney disease, and sudden cardiac death. The risk of these events is higher than stroke, prompting calls for interventions to reduce non-stroke outcomes.
Researchers found that certain lipid mediators can delay the onset and progression of heart failure. The lack of standard drugs stimulating these mediators suggests a need for re-evaluation of current treatment protocols to improve disease outcomes.