Articles tagged with Heart Failure
A new study reveals an independent association between sleep apnea severity and increased high sensitivity troponin T levels, a marker of early myocardial injury. Higher levels were associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and heart failure.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital have found that enriched bone marrow stem cells secrete hormones that replicate the positive impact of stem cells on treating animals with chronic kidney disease and heart failure. The discovery opens up a potential new treatment approach by eliminating the need to inject stem cells.
A Dartmouth researcher found that oxygen can keep dying heart cells alive by providing spikes of oxygen. This discovery could lead to new treatments for congestive heart failure, which is often caused by cell death due to lack of oxygen. The research suggests that controlled breathing exercises may also have health benefits.
A new study aims to investigate the potential of exercise in treating and preventing heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFPEF). The OptimEx study will examine the effects of different exercise protocols on HFPEF, including their impact on pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical outcomes.
A University of Michigan study found that following a low-sodium DASH eating plan for 21 days can lower blood pressure similar to taking anti-hypertension medicine. The diet improves left ventricular relaxation and reduces diastolic chamber stiffness, leading to better heart function.
Researchers have developed a new implantable device that reduces symptoms of central sleep apnea by 56% and improves sleepiness and quality of life. The device, which stimulates the diaphragm to breathe during sleep, has shown significant promise in treating this condition.
Myocardial interstitial fibrosis is a major therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of heart failure. The FIBRO-TARGETS project will accurately identify key mechanisms involved in fibrosis and define therapeutic approaches to target these mechanisms.
The ATOMIC-AHF study found that omecamtiv mecarbil showed greater dyspnoea relief in the highest dose cohort compared to placebo, with significant dose-related and plasma concentration-related trends. The study also revealed increases in systolic ejection time and reductions in heart rate without decreasing blood pressure.
Patients with heart failure who see a physician within a month of hospital discharge have better survival rates compared to those without follow-up care. Continuity with a familiar physician is most beneficial, reducing risk of readmission and death by 3-8%.
A recent study published in the journal Cell highlights the natural regenerative capacity of cardiac stem cells that reside in the heart. These cells are responsible for repairing and regenerating muscle tissue damaged by a heart attack, which leads to heart failure.
A study found that heart failure patients with left bundle-branch block (LBBB) and longer QRS duration had lower risks of death, cardiovascular events, and readmission after pacemaker implantation. These findings suggest using QRS morphology and duration to identify patients who will benefit most from the procedure.
Patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation who undergo surgery early after diagnosis have improved long-term survival and lower risk of heart failure. Long-term survival rates were significantly higher for those who had surgery within three months of diagnosis compared to those who avoided surgery.
A study published in JAMA found that early surgical correction of mitral valve regurgitation was associated with greater long-term survival and lower risk of heart failure compared to initial medical management. This is particularly true for patients without American College of Cardiology guideline class I triggers.
Researchers discovered a new molecular pathway causing heart failure and showed that JQ1 blocks this pathway to protect the heart. The compound works within the cell's nucleus, preventing damaging stress responses.
A study published in Cell reveals the key role of bromodomain and extraterminal domain proteins in activating genes contributing to heart failure. BET-inhibiting drugs show promise as a new treatment avenue.
Researchers have shown that inhalable gene therapy can completely reverse pulmonary arterial hypertension in rat models and reduce expression of SERCA2a, an enzyme critical for calcium pumping. This approach may offer a promising therapeutic intervention for PAH patients.
A systematic review found that short-term air pollutant exposure raises the risk of heart failure hospitalization and death. Modest reductions in major pollutants could prevent thousands of hospitalizations and save millions annually.
Two angiotensin-receptor blockers, telmisartan and valsartan, have been shown to reduce hospitalization for heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers found a lower risk of cardiovascular illnesses associated with these drugs compared to other treatments.
A study found that collaborative care with brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) screening reduced the combined rates of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure. BNP levels above 50 pg/mL identified patients at higher risk for cardiovascular events.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that heart failure patients are more likely to develop cancer, with a significant increase in mortality rates. The study suggests that side effects of cardiovascular treatments and inflammation may be contributing factors.
A study by UTHealth researchers found that consuming high amounts of glucose can cause stress on the heart, leading to poor pump function and increased risk of heart failure. The study discovered a single molecule, G6P, which can accumulate from excessive sugar intake and induce damage to the heart muscle.
A new study presented at Heart Failure 2013 found that ambulatory levosimendan improved event-free survival by 50% compared to placebo in patients with end-stage heart failure. However, it failed to show significant improvements in functional capacity and quality of life.
The RELAX-AHF trial demonstrated serelaxin's efficacy in relieving dyspnea in HFpEF patients, particularly within the first 24 hours. The VIVIDD trial also showed vildagliptin to be non-inferior to placebo in improving LVEF in HFrEF patients with type 2 diabetes.
Research presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2013 found that heart failure accelerates the natural process of aging and favours early onset of male 'menopause', also known as andropausal syndrome. The prevalence of AS was four times higher in men with heart failure compared to healthy peers.
A randomized double-blind trial showed that Coenzyme Q10 decreases all-cause mortality by half, improving survival in severe heart failure patients. The study found that CoQ10 also significantly lowers cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations for heart failure.
Researchers analyzed nearly 1 million heart failure admissions over 14 years, finding mortality and length of stay peak in January and Friday admissions. The study suggests staffing levels may contribute to seasonal variations in mortality and length of stay for these patients.
Despite improvements, one-third of advanced heart failure patients don't survive three years. The study found decreased mortality and sudden cardiac death rates, but patient mortality from progressive heart failure increased.
A recent study found that mild hypothyroidism can have a higher mortality risk among patients with heart failure, especially in African-American populations. The research suggests that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach may not be suitable for assessing risk and determining treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism.
A clinical trial of 75 patients with acute decompensated heart failure found that aggressive fluid and sodium restriction had no impact on weight loss or clinical stability at three days. Instead, these restrictions were associated with an increase in perceived thirst.
Researchers found that patients with heart failure and heart attack face a high risk of death and re-hospitalization within the first year after discharge. The risk of re-hospitalization for heart failure takes more than 43 days to decline significantly, highlighting the importance of post-discharge care.
A study published in the American Heart Association found that middle-aged individuals who improved their fitness levels reduced their heart failure risk by 20% for every one MET improvement. This research highlights the importance of incorporating regular exercise into mid-life routines to decrease the risk of heart failure.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are associated with a higher risk of device-related complications compared to single-chamber ICDs. The study analyzed over 32,000 patients and discovered that rates of complications were lower for single-chamber devices.
Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers have identified a protein, GDF-11, that reverses the effects of aging on mouse hearts. The protein was found to reduce heart size and thickness, similar to healthy younger mice.
A study found that growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) declines with age and can reverse signs of cardiac aging in old mice. The discovery sheds light on the underlying causes of age-related heart failure, offering a potential treatment strategy.
Researchers identified five trajectories for patients with end-stage heart failure, providing a framework to predict the path to death and improve quality of life. The study's findings can help caregivers plan for the last months of life, enabling patients to gain control over their illness.
A study published in Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that grapes reduce heart failure associated with hypertension by increasing antioxidant defense genes in the heart. Grapes are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which help improve glutathione levels and reduce oxidative stress.
Scientists identify mitofusin 2 as key player linking mitochondrial quality control to Parkinson's disease and heart failure. The discovery may lead to new genetic forms of Parkinson's disease diagnosis and improved treatment options.
By 2030, heart failure costs are projected to exceed $70 billion, with 8 million people affected, up from 5 million in 2012. Improved prevention and treatment strategies are needed to address this growing burden.
Researchers found that shock wave-facilitated cell therapy improved left ventricular ejection fraction and reduced major adverse cardiac events in patients with chronic postinfarction heart failure. The treatment used high-dose ultrasound to precondition the target heart tissue before administering bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells.
A common EKG test may predict serious cardiovascular illness in people with left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), a previously thought benign condition. The study found those with LAFB had a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and death.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal has found no evidence that digoxin increases mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study analyzed data from over 3,400 patients and found that digoxin was not associated with an increased risk of death or hospitalization.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that both black and white Americans have a similar lifetime risk of heart failure, ranging from 20 to 45 percent. The study explored the long-term risk of heart failure in different race groups and found that higher blood pressure and body mass index increased the risk.
Researchers at Yale University found that even though one of three approved loop diuretics offers more benefits, it is rarely prescribed due to cost concerns. The study compared the effectiveness of toresemide, furosemide, and bumetanide in treating heart failure.
A UCLA study found that heart failure medications recommended by national guidelines are highly cost-effective in saving lives and may also provide savings to the healthcare system. The combination of these medical therapies demonstrated the greatest gains in quality-adjusted life years for heart failure patients.
Researchers found that moderate-to-severe depression in heart failure patients increases their risk of death by almost 60% and emergency room visits by 35%. The study's lead author emphasizes the need for tailored treatment programs to manage depression in these patients.
A recent international study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that darbepoetin alfa, a commonly used anemia drug for heart failure patients, does not reduce the risk of death or hospitalization. The treatment only increased hemoglobin levels but did not provide any significant clinical benefits.
A commonly used erectile dysfunction drug, sildenafil, was found to be ineffective in treating patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. The RELAX study, a multicenter trial of 216 patients, showed no benefit from the drug in improving maximum exercise ability or walking distance.
A study published in JAMA found that adding aliskiren to standard therapy did not improve long-term outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The results showed no significant reduction in cardiovascular death or rehospitalization rates at 6 or 12 months after discharge.
Researchers found that digoxin was associated with a 34% reduction in 30-day all-cause hospital admission among ambulatory older patients with chronic heart failure. Digoxin also did not increase all-cause mortality during the first 30 days of follow-up.
A multicenter trial of sildenafil for diastolic heart failure failed to confirm results of smaller studies, finding no improvement in exercise capacity or cardiovascular structure and function. The study's lead author notes that the disease process may be different and not responsive to this category of drug.
A 24-week trial found no significant improvement in exercise capacity or clinical status for patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction treated with sildenafil. Renal function worsened and adverse events increased in the sildenafil group, contradicting previous findings on PDE-5 inhibitors.
The REMINDER trial found that eplerenone significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure in patients after a heart attack. Patients taking eplerenone had a 38% lower risk of poor outcomes compared to those given a placebo.
A recent study published by the American College of Cardiology found no significant benefits from using the blood pressure-lowering medication aliskiren to treat patients with recent heart failure hospitalizations. However, patients on aliskiren did show improved NT-proBNP levels, which can help physicians plan treatment.
A simple blood test screening and targeted care program effectively prevented heart failure in asymptomatic patients over 40 years old with risk factors for the condition. The five-year study showed a significantly lower number of patients experiencing new onset heart failure requiring hospitalization or left ventricular dysfunction.
A Phase 3 clinical trial by Cleveland Clinic and Sahlgrenska University Hospital found that darbepoetin alfa does not reduce the risk of death from any cause or hospitalization for worsening heart failure in anemic patients. Despite increasing hemoglobin levels, treatment did not provide improved health outcomes.
A study at Henry Ford Hospital found that patients taking GLP-1 medications had a reduced risk of hospitalization for heart failure and fewer deaths. The retrospective study included 4,427 diabetic patients and adjusted for various factors to identify the effect of GLP-1 medication use.
Researchers developed an innovative tool, IMRS-HF, to predict 30-day hospital readmissions in heart failure patients. The tool uses a statistical model that analyzes several variables and provides a risk score for physicians, helping ensure healthier discharge conditions.
A study reveals that Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, can be deadly when compounded by other co-morbidities. Researchers found that severe hypotensive heart failure and low blood pressure are linked to high mortality rates in women, highlighting the need for improved diagnosis and treatment guidelines.
A multicenter study found that even minor weight loss is associated with worse health outcomes among patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator devices. Patients who lost more than 2 kilograms during the 12-month observation period had a significant increase in risk of heart failure or death.
Researchers found African-Americans have a 1.4-fold greater risk for heart failure compared to their white counterparts after breast cancer treatment. The study also highlights the importance of closer monitoring and pretreatment with cardioprotective drugs.