Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
Researchers found sacubitril-valsartan to be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure, resulting in improved quality of life and reduced hospitalizations. The therapy offers incremental benefits at a lower cost than previously thought.
The CHART-1 trial, a large-scale cardiovascular study, investigated the use of bone-marrow stem cells to treat congestive heart failure. Although findings were neutral in the overall patient population, an exploratory analysis identified a sub-group that may benefit from cardiopoietic cell therapy.
A study of nearly 15,000 heart failure patients in the UK found that up to 80% were not receiving recommended treatments, leading to high rates of hospitalizations and deaths. Patients who received treatment were more likely to be prescribed at target doses, highlighting the need for improved adherence to guideline-recommended therapies.
The MORE-CARE trial found that remote monitoring of cardiac devices did not improve hard clinical outcomes, but showed cost savings and reduced in-office visits, with a 41% reduction in healthcare resource utilization
The DANISH trial suggests that ICDs should not be routinely implanted in all patients with systolic heart failure, particularly those with non-ischemic aetiology. However, younger patients may have a survival benefit with ICD implantation.
A recent study published at ESC Congress 2016 found that heart failure patients have a 2% increased risk of dying with each hospital admission. The research, which included over 450,000 patients from the UK, also showed that hospital admissions for patients with heart failure are projected to rise by 50% over the next 25 years.
A new study predicts that heart failure will more than double by 2040 and triple by 2060, with the majority of patients being elderly individuals. The study, which analyzed data from 5706 randomly selected elderly participants, found that the prevalence of heart failure increases with age and is higher in men than women.
A new trial found that remote monitoring of implantable cardiac devices did not reduce mortality or hospitalizations in heart failure patients. Despite widespread adoption, the study suggests that routine use of remote monitoring may not be necessary.
A study presented at ESC Congress 2016 found that nebivolol treatment prevented anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients. New echocardiographic techniques revealed significant alterations in heart function after chemotherapy, but no changes were noted in the nebivolol-treated group.
A new study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery suggests that patients with isolated moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation may benefit from surgical repair at an earlier stage than previously thought. The research, led by UAB/VA investigators, found severe underlying cardiac muscle damage in asymptom...
Researchers have developed an imaging technique that can accurately diagnose and prognosticate transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA), a type of heart failure. The test uses technetium 99m pyrophosphate and has been shown to correctly identify ATTR in 91% of patients, ruling out other forms of amyloidosis.
A Johns Hopkins study of over 13,000 participants found that severe obesity is a standalone high-risk factor for heart failure, but not other types of heart disease. Morbidly obese individuals were nearly fourfold more likely to develop heart failure even after controlling for risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Scientists have developed injectable gels that can be injected into the heart to shore up weakened areas and prevent heart failure. The gels, made from hyaluronic acid, provide mechanical support and limit scar tissue formation, preserving the heart's size and blood-pumping ability.
A new study found that hospitals with high ICU use perform poorly on measures of quality care for patients with heart attacks and congestive heart failure. These hospitals tend to have smaller numbers of heart attack and failure patients, are more likely to be for-profit, and serve low-income ZIP codes.
A study published in JAMA found that liraglutide did not improve post-hospitalization clinical stability in patients with advanced heart failure. The drug was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving 154 patients, but showed no significant effect on primary end points such as death and rehospitalizations.
The FIGHT study, led by University of Pennsylvania researchers, found that liraglutide had no significant impact on heart failure in patients with advanced heart failure. The therapy did improve blood sugar control and weight loss in diabetic participants but not in non-diabetic patients.
A Canadian study discovered that a specific kind of bile acid can prevent cardiac fibrosis, a condition leading to heart failure. Researchers are now exploring the therapeutic effect in humans and aiming to understand the molecular mechanisms behind this breakthrough.
A study of over 70,000 patients found that higher education was associated with a lower risk of developing heart failure after a heart attack. Patients with higher education levels had a 9-20% lower risk of early-onset and late-onset heart failure compared to those with primary education.
Resistant hypertension patients with sleep apnea are at higher risk of ischemic heart events and congestive heart failure compared to those without resistant hypertension. The study included 470,386 hypertensive individuals and found no significant differences in stroke and premature death risks between the two groups.
A new study found that patients who develop heart failure after their first heart attack are at a higher risk of developing cancer. After an average of 4.9 years of follow-up, 21% of these patients were diagnosed with cancer, compared to 8.2% of those without heart failure.
The new scientific statement highlights the potential of commonly used medications and nutritional supplements to cause or worsen heart failure. Healthcare providers should inform patients about all prescription and over-the-counter medications they may be taking, as well as nutritional supplements, to prevent drug-drug interactions.
A recent study reveals that nearly 60 percent of people have preclinical heart failure stages A and B, with stage B individuals at increased risk for death. The findings highlight the importance of targeting prevention efforts at the earliest HF stages to avoid death, particularly among men and older adults.
A high BMI in youth increases the risk of heart failure, even after adjusting for recent weight changes. Stable weight throughout life may be the best approach to reduce this risk. Excessive weight at a young age puts individuals at a far higher risk of heart failure compared to maintaining a healthy weight.
A new video has been found to help patients with advanced heart failure choose comfort care over more aggressive treatments. Patients who watched the video were more likely to opt for comfort care and had a better understanding of their treatment options.
A new electric mesh device has been developed to wrap around the heart and deliver electrical impulses, improving cardiac function in experimental models of heart failure. The device is designed to mimic the properties and functions of heart tissue, closely imitating its elasticity and conductivity.
A study found that 24 months of treatment with antidepressant escitalopram did not improve mortality, illness, or mood in patients with chronic heart failure and depression. Depression was shown to be an independent predictor of mortality and rehospitalization in these patients.
Scientists have developed a detailed computational model of the electrophysiology of congestive heart failure, allowing them to simulate subtle changes at the cellular and tissue levels. The 'virtual heart' model also helps researchers plan a new strategy against a specific form of fibrillation associated with heart failure.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that black individuals with atrial fibrillation have a significantly increased risk of stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease (CHD), and all-cause mortality compared to white individuals. The rate differences for these outcomes were found to be approximately 1.5- to 2.0-fold greater in ...
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that blacks with atrial fibrillation have nearly double the risk of adverse outcomes compared to whites. The study analyzed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study and found significant racial differences in outcomes related to AFib.
Researchers at George Washington University are studying a potential new treatment for heart failure by restoring parasympathetic activity to the heart, which could improve cardiac function. The study uses high-speed optical assessments of heart function to identify heart-specific benefits of oxytocin nerve activation.
A UCLA-led study estimates that nearly 28,500 deaths in the US could be prevented annually through use of a new FDA-approved class of cardiovascular medication. The therapy helps reduce mortality in patients diagnosed with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction by enhancing protective hormonal systems.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that teenage body weight is a significant predictor of heart failure risk in adulthood. Men with a BMI of 20 or higher had a significantly increased risk of heart failure, with the risk rising steeply with increasing body weight.
Research of over 1.6 million Swedish men reveals that being overweight as a teenager significantly increases the risk of heart failure in early middle age. The study found a nearly ten-fold increased risk for those with a BMI of 35 or more, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight from an early age.
A global study found that patients with type 2 diabetes admitted to the hospital for congestive heart failure face a high risk of mortality, highlighting the need for increased attention to this critical condition. The study suggests that heart failure outcomes should receive equal scrutiny as other cardiovascular events in future rese...
A study found that a biomarker linked to increased cardiovascular risk is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, heart failure, and death. The study suggests that measuring the biomarker twice over time can provide better risk characterization.
The new guidelines call for population-based approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease, with adapted target levels for blood pressure and lipids. Reducing population risk by 1% can prevent 25,000 CVD cases and save €40 million per year.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that nearly 25,000 patients developed heart failure within four years of their first heart attack. The risk factors for this condition include older age, socioeconomic deprivation, and comorbidities such as diabetes.
A subgroup analysis from the ATMOSPHERE trial found that aliskiren was not superior or non-inferior to standard treatment with an ACE inhibitor in heart failure patients with diabetes. In those with diabetes, aliskiren was associated with a lower risk of symptomatic hypotension but did not demonstrate better cardiovascular outcomes.
A study of over 20,000 patients with heart failure found that flu vaccination was associated with a 35% lower risk of developing dementia. Those who received the flu vaccine more than three times had a 55% lower risk. The researchers suggest that vaccination may reduce inflammation and prevent brain damage
A study of over 4,000 heart failure patients found that exercise was associated with an 18% lower risk of all-cause mortality and an 11% reduced risk of hospitalization. Exercise benefits were consistent across all patient characteristics, including severity, age, and gender.
A new study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that flu vaccination reduces hospitalization risk for heart failure patients. The research analyzed over 60,000 patient records and found a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular hospitalization after vaccination.
A study of nearly 12,000 heart failure patients found that one year after hospitalization, 68% had returned to work, while 25% remained unemployed. Younger patients, those with higher education levels, and men were more likely to return to work.
The new guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure, including the use of LCZ696 and adaptive servo-ventilation. The guidelines also introduce a new category for patients with mid-range ejection fractions and provide novel recommendations for preventing and treati...
CHF patients with predominant central sleep apnea (CSA) are at higher risk for death and unplanned hospitalization, particularly those in the most severe NYHA class. ASV therapy has been shown to be effective in treating CSA, but its impact on mortality rates remains unclear.
A simple screening test can accurately predict the severity of heart disease in patients with heart failure. The test calculates a patient's sarcopenia score based on their age, grip strength, and calf circumference, making it a useful evaluation method for daily clinical practice.
A new implantable VAD designed specifically for small children has shown encouraging results in a study using living sheep. The device, called the Infant Jarvik 2015, offers improved hemolysis profile and increased flow rate compared to its predecessor, paving the way for potential clinical trials.
New techniques and devices are being developed to treat heart failure, mitral valve regurgitation, and coronary artery lesions. Studies show high procedural success rates and improvements in heart function and quality of life.
Researchers have discovered a gene signature that characterizes the transition from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) to heart failure. The study found increased expression of fibrotic and inflammatory genes, as well as changes in heart muscle cell proliferation and metabolic profiles.
Patients treated with processed autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) demonstrated symptomatic improvement and reduced heart failure hospitalizations. The ATHENA trial results showed a trend towards lower rates of angina, despite no improvement in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) or ventricular volumes.
A new device enables real-time monitoring of central venous and pulmonary artery pressures in patients with single ventricle Fontan anatomy, reducing the risk of heart failure. The first implantable hemodynamic monitor has been successfully placed in two patients, showing early safety and feasibility.
Autologous cardiac cells, particularly atrial appendage-derived cells, show promise for gene and RNA therapies in heart failure. The review discusses financial and authority-based restrictions influencing research in this field, highlighting the potential of autologous tissues as cell therapy sources.
Myotonic dystrophy causes wasting of skeletal muscles and arrhythmia due to mutated RNA sequences that alter gene regulation. Researchers identify altered SCN5A splicing as key factor in cardiac dysfunctions, paving way for potential treatment restoration of normal heart function.
Researchers are exploring new treatments for heart failure using transplanted umbilical cord cells, activated endogenous cardiac stem cells, and immune therapy. A clinical trial assessing the safety of allogenic umbilical cord lining sub-epithelial cells is also underway.
A murine model has been developed to study the mechanisms of reverse cardiac remodeling, a process where the heart returns to its normal structure and function after injury. The model shows that normalization of left ventricle structure and function is accompanied by improved cardiac myocyte function and reduced expression of genes ass...
A study by researchers at the Heart Failure Center of the University of São Paulo suggests that wearing a respirator mask can lessen the impact of vehicle emissions on people with heart failure. The results also indicate that this type of mask can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease for healthy individuals.
A phase 2 clinical trial shows significant benefits from stem cell therapy in patients with class III and IV heart failure. After 12 months, patients receiving the treatment had a lower rate of deaths, cardiovascular hospitalizations, and clinic visits for sudden worsening of heart failure symptoms compared to those receiving a placebo.
A new study finds that end-stage heart failure patients who received stem cell therapy experienced a 37 percent reduction in cardiac events, including deaths and hospital admissions. The treatment showed fewer side effects and complications compared to the placebo group.
The ATMOSPHERE trial found aliskiren alone or in combination with enalapril had no significant benefit on mortality and hospitalization rates in patients with heart failure. However, adding aliskiren increased the risk of symptoms like low blood pressure and elevated potassium levels.
A new device that monitors lung fluid accumulation reduces heart failure-related hospitalizations by over half and death rates by 39% compared to standard care. Patients who used the Edema Guard Monitor took medication earlier, preventing pulmonary congestion from reaching advanced stages.
Investigational stem cell therapy derived from a patient's own blood marrow significantly improved outcomes in patients with severe heart failure. The study found that the treatment reduced deaths by 37% and hospitalizations by 49% compared to placebo.