Articles tagged with Heart Failure
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have demonstrated the long-term therapeutic effectiveness and safety of S100A1 gene therapy in a large animal model of heart failure. The therapy works by restoring normal levels of the calcium-sensing protein, preventing and reversing cardiac dysfunction.
A study in JAMA found that stress cardiomyopathy (SC) affects postmenopausal women primarily, but also younger patients, men, and those without an identifiable stressful trigger. CMR imaging identified specific criteria for diagnosis, which showed complete normalization of LV function after follow-up imaging.
A study published in Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing found that heart failure patients who followed doctor's advice for self-care had lower levels of myocardial stress and systemic inflammation. This suggests that effective self-care behaviors can influence health outcomes through multiple cardioprotective means.
Researchers from Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry discovered a potential therapeutic strategy for managing heart failure by modulating the interaction between hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and nitric oxide. The study found that this 'cross talk' can have positive effects on heart health and may lead to new drug therapies.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine developed a gene therapy called SERCA2a that stabilized or improved cardiac function in people with severe heart failure. Patients receiving the high-dose therapy experienced substantial clinical benefit and significantly reduced cardiovascular hospitalizations.
A study of 36,261 patients found that diastolic dysfunction was associated with a higher mortality rate, particularly in moderate and severe cases. The researchers suggest that early identification of advanced diastolic dysfunction may lead to earlier interventions and improved outcomes.
A US EPA study has found that peat wildfire smoke is associated with a significant increase in emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular effects. The study discovered a 37% rise in ER visits for people experiencing symptoms of heart failure during a period of dense smoke exposure.
The European Society of Cardiology recommends redefining cardiac hypertrophy as myocardial remodelling to account for changes in non-myocyte cells and cell division. This change aims to improve communication among researchers and clinicians, leading to better risk stratification and treatment.
A study published in Panminerva Medica reveals that Pycnogenol and CoQ10 taken as an adjunct to medication strengthens the heart, improving blood volume output, physical fitness, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. The combination also showed significant improvements in patients' quality of life, including reduced symptoms and increa...
A new meta-analysis study found that three-lead cardiac pacemakers implanted in those with heart failure fail to help up to 40 percent of patients. Patients with less severe electrical disturbance in their hearts did not receive any benefit from these devices.
A new study reveals that patients implanted with the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are at a higher risk of internal bleeding than those who received an earlier model. The research found nearly 22% of patients experienced gastrointestinal bleeding, while eight percent suffered from major adverse neurological events.
A national study found that optimally implementing key guideline-recommended therapies for all eligible heart failure patients could prevent up to 67,996 deaths annually. The study highlights the potential health benefits of more consistent use of evidence-based treatments.
A study published in Clinical Cardiology reveals that CRT significantly improves libido, erectile dysfunction, and sexual performance in men with chronic heart failure. The therapy improves functional capacity and ejection fraction, leading to better sexual health outcomes.
A study found that elderly patients with heart failure symptoms who have high levels of biomarkers copeptin and NT-proBNP in their blood have an increased risk of all-cause death. The combination of these biomarkers provides greater prognostic information, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for treatment.
A study found that postmenopausal women who ate more baked/broiled fish had a 30% lower risk of heart failure compared to those who rarely ate it. Darker fish, such as salmon and mackerel, were associated with a greater risk reduction than lighter fish.
Researchers at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre have identified a protein called PINK1 as a potential trigger for heart failure. The absence of this protein causes heart cells to produce less energy, leading to cell death and hypertrophy.
Recent meta-analyses show telemedical monitoring can improve overall survival by 17-47% in CHF patients. Two trials presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2011 found benefits in specific subgroups, including those with prior decompensation and no depression.
Patients with mild to moderate dyssynchrony and preserved contractile function benefit most from CRT-D, according to the latest MADIT-CRT trial analysis. The study found that improvements in synchrony and contractile function are associated with reduced death and heart failure events.
A sub-analysis of the EMPHASIS-HF trial found eplerenone significantly reduced new onset atrial fibrillation and flutter in patients with class 2 heart failure. The benefits of eplerenone were similar in patients with and without atrial fibrillation at baseline.
A novel therapy that stimulates the nerve controlling diaphragm has been shown to improve breathing patterns, reduce blood oxygenation levels, and lower heart rate in patients with both heart failure and central sleep apnea. This treatment offers a promising alternative to existing therapies like CPAP for patients with heart failure.
Researchers found a relationship between discretionary heart failure admissions and higher readmission rates. Hospitalization after heart attack shows no correlation with readmission rates, contrary to expectations.
A six-month study found that younger patients and those with lower health literacy were less likely to stick with telemonitoring technology. Despite this, patients who initiated the system showed high participation rates, with over half continuing to participate three days a week.
A Canadian study found that 12% of heart failure patients had moderate to severe vertebral compression fractures, a sign of osteoporosis. Only 15% of these patients were being treated for osteoporosis, despite having a higher risk for fractures.
Researchers analyzed data from studies on atrial fibrillation, finding that AFib significantly increases the risk for stroke, heart failure, and death. The studies suggest that AFib has a substantial economic impact on the US healthcare system, warranting further investigation to understand its true costs.
Research finds that women with heart failure who suppress their emotions tend to have higher symptoms of depression and anxiety, even with knowledge about their illness. This suggests that clinicians should consider individual coping styles when educating patients about their condition.
Research suggests that a balanced diet with mono- and polyunsaturated fats can improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure. By providing sufficient energy to the heart, a damaged heart can maintain its normal metabolic profile and utilize its preferred energy source.
A study found nearly one in five patients with heart failure have low health literacy, which is associated with a higher all-cause risk of death. Patients with low health literacy were more likely to have coexisting illnesses and had a higher risk of mortality after adjusting for demographic variables.
A study found that tai chi significantly improved mood and exercise self-efficacy in chronic heart failure patients without affecting physical differences. Researchers suggest tai chi as a safe alternative to conventional exercise training for improving daily life.
Patients with chronic heart failure who practiced tai chi had improved quality of life and increased exercise self-efficacy compared to those in an education group. The study also found no significant differences in physical fitness between the two groups.
A study found that HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors. Patients with high baseline HIV-1 RNA levels also showed a higher risk of heart failure.
Cardiac specialists will use new guidelines to determine who should receive a mechanical heart-pumping device. The guidelines have the potential to change clinical practice patterns for patients with severe heart failure. Dr. Morgan's presentation at the ISHLT annual meeting in San Diego highlights the importance of these changes.
Researchers found that death rates within 30 days of initial hospitalization dropped by half, and one-year mortality fell by 20.6%, among U.S. veterans age 80 or older hospitalized for heart failure from 1999 to 2008. Improved outcomes were seen in the 90+ age group, where 30-day and one-year death rates decreased by 11% and 26%, respe...
A recent survey by the ACC/AHA/HFSA found that heart failure programs in the US are struggling to find the right mix of clinicians to manage this growing patient population. The study concludes that staff ratios remain the same despite program growth, indicating under-staffing with reduced financial resources.
A UCLA-led study found that adherence to national guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure significantly lowered mortality rates. Six out of seven individual measures were associated with improved patient survival over 24 months.
The company's lead drug candidate, omecamtiv mecarbil, directly activates cardiac myosin, increasing cardiac function without changing contraction rates. This novel mechanism may provide a new therapeutic strategy for improving cardiac performance in patients with systolic heart failure.
A study published in Circulation found that patients with mild heart failure and left bundle branch block significantly benefit from CRT-D therapy, experiencing a 53% reduced risk of heart failure events. The therapy also effectively prevents cardiac remodeling and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
A study found that elderly Medicare black patients have higher 30-day hospital readmission rates for conditions like congestive heart failure and pneumonia compared to white patients. The disparities are related to hospitals that disproportionately care for black patients, suggesting a systemic issue with the healthcare system.
A new study found that patients with implanted wireless devices to monitor pulmonary artery pressure had a 39% reduction in heart-failure related hospitalisations compared to those receiving standard care. This innovative approach shows promise for reducing healthcare costs and improving patient management.
A new study found that cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) is significantly more beneficial for women than men in preventing heart disease. Women experienced a 70% reduction in heart failure and a 72% reduction in death, compared to 35% and 45%, respectively.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy significantly reduces mortality among patients with mildly symptomatic or advanced heart failure, improving long-term outcomes. The addition of CRT to optimal medical therapy or ICDs can be extended to a wider proportion of patients, benefiting the growing population affected by heart failure.
Researchers will compare non-transplant eligible patients with implanted devices to those with current medical therapy, examining potential benefits for patients less advanced than current LVAD recipients.
A national audit of heart failure treatment in England and Wales found that patients admitted to general wards were twice as likely to die as those in cardiology wards. Women and older adults fared worse in terms of appropriate investigations and treatment.
A DNA sequence variant, impairing kidney function channels, is associated with an increased risk of heart failure. The variant may be treated with drugs used for high blood pressure.
A study published in JAMA Network found that candesartan was linked to a lower risk of death at 1 and 5 years, compared to losartan, in patients with heart failure. The analysis of data from an HF registry involved 30,254 patients treated with either candesartan or losartan.
A study of over 100,000 patients found that 22.5% received ICDs without evidence-based guidelines, associated with higher risk of death and complications. The rate of non-evidence-based ICD implants varied by physician specialty and site.
A new study finds that even small changes in troponin levels can forecast worsening outcomes in heart failure patients, with accuracy comparable to traditional risk-factor prediction models. The introduction of highly sensitive troponin assays has improved detection and allowed for the identification of high-risk subgroups.
A large European study found that better-educated men and women had nearly half the risk of hospital admission for heart failure than the least well educated. The study, led by Dr. Eva Prescott, also found a socioeconomic gradient in echocardiographic indicators of both systolic and diastolic dysfunction.
A study led by Emory University School of Medicine found that patients with low health literacy are more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure. Adults with lower REALM-R scores were 55% more likely to be admitted, with those from low-income backgrounds and without a college education facing higher risks.
A study using advanced imaging technologies has shed new light on left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC), a cardiomyopathy associated with heart failure, stroke, and arrhythmias. The research reveals that developing cardiac risks appear to progress over time in patients with LVNC.
A new study found that automated remote patient monitoring did not improve outcomes for heart failure patients, despite daily interactions with healthcare clinicians. The system was compared to usual care based on national guidelines and showed no effect on hospitalization rates or mortality.
A telephone call-in program designed to improve doctor-patient communication for heart failure patients failed to show improved patient outcomes, according to a Yale University study. The six-month study tested a telemonitoring system that allowed patients to send daily information about their condition to their doctor.
Researchers discovered reusing explanted ICDs with sterilized batteries is safe for patients. Shorter sleep duration linked to carotid artery thickening in men, while rapid body cooling improves heart function after CPR. Intravenous iron treatment boosts quality of life and kidney function in some chronic heart failure patients.
A new biomarker, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), has been found to be associated with the development of heart failure or cardiovascular death in older adults. Higher concentrations of cTnT were linked to a greater risk of both outcomes, independent of traditional risk factors.
A Nova Southeastern University researcher has discovered a novel method using gene therapy to block beta-arrestin 1, a protein that contributes to heart failure. The approach aims to reduce the severity of heart failure by targeting the increase of aldosterone production in the body.
Researchers found that people taking anti-clotting medication often unaware of dangers of taking herbal supplements, posing a risk to patient safety. Overweight black teenagers are at high risk for cardiovascular disease due to non-traditional risk factors such as insulin resistance and family history of heart attack.
A new blood test detects low troponin T levels, associated with increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death in older adults without symptoms. The study found that elevated troponin levels over time can indicate a higher risk of developing heart disease.
A new therapeutic implant has been proven to synchronize and strengthen a fading heart beat, reducing the risk of death by 24% compared to current treatment. The device therapy, called cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), also improves quality of life and reduces hospital admissions for worsening heart failure.
A Mayo Clinic study found that morbidly obese heart failure patients who underwent bariatric surgery experienced significant improvements in disease symptoms and quality of life. The surgery led to better breathing during exercise and reduced swelling in the legs, even if most patients remained obese after weight loss.
A 44-year-old sailor received a groundbreaking treatment for severe myocarditis, which caused inflammation of his heart muscle and led to heart failure. He was implanted with two small ventricular assist devices, making him the first person in North America to receive this life-saving therapy.
Researchers at UIC are investigating both acquired and familial causes of heart failure with a focus on identifying markers for diagnosis and targets for cures. The five-year funding supports an ongoing program-project grant led by R. John Solaro, which looks at the underlying maladaptive changes that lead to heart failure.