Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
The EVEREST trial showed that tolvaptan improved signs and symptoms of acutely decompensated heart failure, with significant reductions in body weight and improvements in dyspnea. Long-term use did not differ from placebo on survival endpoints, but tolvaptan may be a potential therapy for patients with heart failure.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that African Americans have weaker muscle contraction in three main regions of the heart, increasing their risk of heart failure. In contrast, Chinese Americans' hearts had a stronger squeezing function and contracted more quickly than other ethnic groups.
A new study found that serial outpatient administration of nesiritide did not significantly improve outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure. The trial, FUSION II, tested the safety and efficacy of this treatment approach and showed no evidence of renal harm or excess mortality.
The EVEREST trial shows that oral tolvaptan improves patient-assessed global clinical status, body weight, and reduces dyspnea in hospitalized heart failure patients, while also measuring long-term effects on mortality and hospitalization rates.
A study found that tolvaptan improves symptoms such as congestion and breathing difficulty, but has no effect on long-term mortality or re-hospitalization rates. The medication also showed promise in reducing fluid accumulation and improving sodium levels in patients with hyponatremia.
A new noninvasive test may identify patients with stage II and III nonischemic cardiomyopathy who are likely to benefit from an ICD. The test, called abnormal T-Wave Alternans (TWA), shows that patients with a normal test have a very good prognosis and are unlikely to benefit from the device.
A survey found significant variation in the use of captopril, an adult heart drug, in children with congenital heart failure across the UK. The discrepancies may lead to ineffective treatment and increased risk for children.
Increased expression of an accessory subunit of L-type calcium channels is linked to altered channel behavior in human heart failure. Researchers have identified a causal role for this protein overexpression in the development of cardiac dysfunction.
Eating whole-grain breakfast cereals seven or more times per week was linked to a lower risk of heart failure in an analysis of the Physicians' Health Study. The study found that those who ate such cereals had a 28% lower risk of developing heart failure.
A new study shows that Transcendental meditation significantly improves heart function and quality of life for African Americans with congestive heart failure. The technique was found to reduce symptoms such as depression and rehospitalizations, leading to improved survival rates.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that depression is independently associated with worse outcomes in heart failure patients. Symptoms of depression were common in this population and depressed patients were over 50% more likely to die or be hospitalized for their heart condition than non-depressed patients.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a new strategy against heart failure by targeting the adrenal gland. By blocking GRK2, an enzyme that regulates fight or flight hormones, they were able to reduce hormone production and improve heart function.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that an enzyme important in fetal heart-cell development regulates cardiac hypertrophy, a key step in congestive heart failure. The study found that inhibiting this enzyme can prevent the onset of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
A new study reveals that mice lacking a critical gene develop postpartum cardiomyopathy, a condition where prolactin-blocking drug bromocriptine reverses symptoms. The research found increased levels of cathepsin D, an enzyme that damages heart muscle, in PPCM patients.
A study published in Cell Metabolism reveals that the MAT1 gene plays a crucial role in regulating energy production in heart cells. Researchers found that infant mice lacking MAT1 developed catastrophic heart failure, highlighting the importance of this gene in maintaining cardiac function.
Researchers from Indiana University found that active patient involvement during treatment of chronic heart failure, coupled with collaboration between healthcare teams, significantly improves quality of care. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, reducing salt intake, and managing stress are also crucial for longer survival rates.
A large international study involving 83 sites will test 3,000 patients to evaluate the impact of exercise training on death and hospitalization in heart failure patients. The trial, called HF-ACTION, is the largest randomized clinical trial of exercise training ever performed.
A study of over 100,000 acute heart failure patient episodes found that obese patients had a substantially lower in-hospital mortality rate compared to lean patients. The findings suggest that nutritional/metabolic support may have therapeutic benefit in specific patients hospitalized with heart failure.
A study found that four out of five hospital performance measures for heart failure were not linked to improved patient outcomes. The measures, developed by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, include discharge instructions and evaluation of left ventricular systolic function.
Researchers found that existing quality-of-care indicators for heart failure patients may not accurately predict mortality rates. A new beta-blocker measure was associated with improved patient outcomes and could potentially save an additional 19,000 lives per year.
A genetic mutation in a single amino acid change in the beta1-adrenergic receptor affects its response to certain beta blockers. The Arg389 variant of the receptor is more sensitive to carvedilol, leading to reduced cAMP signaling and potentially poorer treatment outcomes for black patients.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a new formula to determine the initial dose of digoxin for patients with congestive heart failure. The formula uses blood digoxin levels, kidney function, and ideal body weight to provide more accurate dosing recommendations, reducing the risk of overdose or underdose.
A UK review concludes that an implantable pump can help patients with rapidly deteriorating heart failure live and recover strength while waiting for a transplant. However, the device's use is limited due to high costs and quality-of-life restrictions.
A study published in JCI found that overexpression of CaMKII altered sodium channel function, leading to increased susceptibility to ventricular tachyarrhythmias in mice. Additionally, proteasome composition differed between Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, with CD showing increased degradation of an NF-kappa-B inhibitor.
Researchers found CaMKII alters Na+ channel function, leading to VTs in mice with heart failure. Overexpression of CaMKII increased susceptibility to life-threatening arrhythmias.
Researchers found that diastolic heart failure patients have severely reduced exercise tolerance despite normal leg blood flow, suggesting other factors such as muscle oxygen use contribute to symptoms. The study suggests targeting these additional factors could help develop effective treatments for this common form of heart failure.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center present several studies on cardiovascular diseases, including the molecular roots of atrial fibrillation, genes influencing heart transplant rejection, and the cost of end-stage heart failure. Additionally, they explore the potential of stem cells to repair cardiac damage in patients wi...
Tolvaptan has been shown to improve patients' serum sodium levels within hours, with sustained normalization during long-term therapy. The treatment also improved mental performance in patients with low serum sodium levels.
A study by Duke University Medical Center cardiologists found that women tend to live longer with heart failure than men, having a less severe form of the disease. The research suggests that understanding these gender differences can help physicians tailor prevention or treatment strategies to specific patients.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients who undergo angioplasty to open their totally blocked coronary arteries days after a heart attack do not reduce their risk of having another heart attack, going into heart failure, or dying. The study, which involved over 2,166 patients on five continents,...
A new study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that depression itself increases mortality risk in heart failure patients, not the use of antidepressant medications. The study analyzed over 1,000 depressed patients with heart failure and found a 15% higher death rate among those who were depressed.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers has found that people with psoriasis are more likely to develop heart disease, including heart attacks and heart failure. The study, which followed 622 adults with psoriasis and a control group of 622 people, found significant increases in cardiovascular events among those with psoriasis.
Researchers developed a seven-point system to gauge the seriousness of heart failure in elderly patients. The system estimates patient survival based on factors such as advanced age, coronary artery disease, and low blood pressure.
A study found that patients with low systolic blood pressure at hospital admission had poor outcomes, including higher mortality rates and rehospitalization. Higher systolic blood pressure was associated with lower risk of death in the long term.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that difficulties in the heart's ability to fill with blood are a frequent cause of heart failure, and can be just as deadly as deficiencies in pumping. The study suggests that filling problems are often undiagnosed and highlights the importance of testing for abnormalities in the heart's filling phase.
A study found that heart failure patients with higher systolic blood pressures had lower death rates compared to those with lower pressures. Lower systolic pressures may indicate more advanced disease and a poorer prognosis.
A study found that heart failure is associated with more common factors than previously believed, including preserved ejection fraction and diastolic dysfunction. Patients with preserved ejection fraction were older and less likely to be smokers, while those with reduced ejection fraction had higher mortality rates.
Researchers developed a treatment using mechanical Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) and certain drug therapies to shrink enlarged hearts and enable normal function. The therapy improved quality of life in 88% of patients who received the full combination, with nearly all recovering from heart disease five years later.
Patients with heart failure who started statin therapy had a 24% lower risk of death and a 21% lower risk of hospitalization compared to non-users. The study, published in JAMA, found that statins effectively lowered LDL cholesterol levels and improved clinical outcomes.
A study by Saint Louis University researchers found that heart failure drug use plummeted after two negative articles were published in prominent medical journals. The study showed that doctors quickly changed their treatment practices when confronted with potential safety risks, highlighting the significant influence of medical public...
Preliminary research suggests that famotidine, a heartburn medication, can help decrease the effects of chronic heart failure by blocking a chemical reaction that damages diseased hearts. However, more testing is required to verify the results, including dosage and safety issues.
A new candidate biomarker, galectin-3, has been identified as a potential marker for heart failure diagnosis and prognosis. Elevated levels of this inflammatory protein can help diagnose heart failure and identify patients at risk of dying within 60 days.
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation releases comprehensive global guidelines for managing heart failure patients prior to transplantation. The guidelines aim to enhance patient care, optimize outcomes, and improve resource allocation.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that GRK2 protein levels are elevated in patients with failing hearts compared to those with normal heart function. The study suggests that GRK2 could be a biomarker for heart failure and potentially predict patient response to treatment.
The US FDA has approved a new totally implanted artificial heart, providing hope for patients with severe heart failure. The device is designed for those who are not eligible for a heart transplant and have a short life expectancy without the device.
A new genetic component of heart disease has been identified, with the ILK protein found to play a critical role in regulating cardiac contractility. Loss of ILK in heart cells results in cardiomyopathy and heart failure, highlighting the importance of this molecule in vital physiological processes.
A landmark study found that routine follow-up by a nurse improved heart failure patients' functionality and reduced hospitalizations. The study showed significant benefits for both African-American and Hispanic communities, with nurse-managed patients experiencing fewer limitations in physical activities.
A recent study using APPROACH data compares survival outcomes between medically treated and surgically treated patients with heart failure. The findings suggest that revascularization may not offer significant benefits in terms of risks versus benefits.
Research suggests that ACE inhibitors can reduce the risk of serious circulatory problems, including heart attack and stroke, in patients with hardening of the arteries. The benefits of ACE inhibitors for these patients are comparable to those seen in patients with existing heart failure.
Researchers have devised a new way to visualize and quantify the activity of key enzyme PKA, linked to heart failure. This innovative technique combined computer modeling with fluorescence-imaging in living cells, uncovering new details in molecular control.
A new analysis shows that digitalis is relatively safe for patients with diastolic heart failure, a condition affecting an estimated 5 million US adults. The study, involving 988 patients, found no overall detrimental effect of digitalis on death or hospitalizations.
A study by Thomas Force and his team found that Gleevec, a 'miracle' cancer drug, can cause heart failure in patients with CML due to its effect on the Abelson tyrosine kinase protein. The researchers also discovered that second-generation Gleevec drugs may have similar toxicities.
Diastolic heart failure is increasingly common, now accounting for over half of heart failure cases. Women, particularly elderly women, are disproportionately affected. Therapies for diastolic heart failure may need to be distinct from those for systolic heart failure.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a gene mutation causing chaotic electrical activation of the heart muscle and atrial fibrillation. The study found that a specific genetic mutation in the KCNA5 gene leads to susceptibility for atrial fibrillation, providing new insight into its mechanism.
Study reveals rats' hearts can withstand severe hypothermia with minimal oxygen loss, highlighting the importance of continued CPR efforts. However, prolonged exposure leads to fatal heart failure upon rewarming, suggesting improved cardiac output as a key factor in survival.
Researchers identified a common genetic variation that determines response to beta-blockers in patients with heart failure. The Arg-389 variant showed a 38% reduction in death rate among those with two copies of the gene. This discovery may lead to personalized medicine for heart failure treatment.
A study found that increased nighttime blood pressure may be associated with a higher risk of developing congestive heart failure. Analyzing data from 951 elderly men, researchers discovered that a 9–mm Hg increase in nighttime ambulatory diastolic blood pressure and non-dipping blood pressure patterns were significant predictors of CHF.
Patients who developed heart failure had almost four times the increase in risk of death during follow-up. Implantable defibrillators increased the risk of first hospitalization for heart failure and recurrent hospitalizations by 39% and 58%, respectively.
A study of nearly 600 female heart failure patients revealed that women had better outcomes with lower VO2 levels and less need for a heart transplant. The results challenge the current 'gold standard' for assessing treatment options, highlighting the importance of considering gender differences in heart failure management.
A new study found that air pollution increases the risk of death by 32% for people with diabetes, 28% for those with COPD, and 27% for those with congestive heart failure. Lowering air pollution levels can lead to improved health outcomes and longer lifespans.