Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
A new experimental drug has shown to completely prevent arrhythmia-related deaths in mice with the same molecular defect as people with heart failure. The drug works by patching a leak in the heart's calcium channel, which can trigger fatal arrhythmias, and has great potential for slowing the progression of heart failure.
AstraZeneca has submitted a regulatory application to the European Union for the use of Atacand in treating heart failure. The CHARM study programme showed that Atacand reduces both cardiovascular deaths and hospital admissions across a broad spectrum of patients with chronic heart failure.
Mayo Clinic researchers found gene mutations that disrupt stress signaling in the heart, making it vulnerable to damage. The study, published in Nature Genetics, may lead to new treatments for heart failure.
Increasing SERCA2a expression could correct heart failure without causing arrhythmias, a well-known side effect of current treatments. The study found that rats with overexpressed SERCA2a had lower incidence of arrhythmia and smaller injured area of heart muscle.
Researchers have found that urocortin II administered intravenously significantly enhances heart muscle cell contractions in mice with congestive heart failure. The hormone targets the CRF2 receptor, leading to improved cardiovascular function and a potential new treatment for heart disease.
A new analysis found that Atacand(R) improved NYHA functional class in a broad spectrum of CHF patients, with 35.4% showing improvement and 9% worsening. The medication also reduced the development of atrial fibrillation and Type II diabetes mellitus in these patients.
A multi-center trial comparing three medications in patients with heart failure showed no significant differences between warfarin and antiplatelet therapies in terms of death, non-fatal heart attacks and strokes. However, hospitalizations for worsening heart failure were significantly less frequent in patients treated with warfarin.
A recent study found that over half of patients with heart failure could benefit from implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), but Medicare's current guidelines exclude them. ICDs can prevent sudden cardiac death by monitoring heart rhythm and shocking the heart back into a normal pace.
Researchers studied 35 men with CHF who did not use nitrates. Sildenafil improved erectile dysfunction and reduced depression in the group that took it for six weeks, without causing dangerous drops in blood pressure.
A recent study published by the NIH found that implantable defibrillators significantly reduce deaths in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. The study, which included over 2,500 participants, showed that implanted defibrillator therapy reduced deaths by 22%, while amiodarone therapy did not have a significant impact.
The SCD-HeFT trial showed that implantable cardiac defibrillators can reduce total mortality in patients with moderate to severe congestive heart failure. Patients who received an ICD had a three-year mortality rate of 17.1%, compared to 22.3% for those receiving placebo and 24% for those receiving amiodarone.
Researchers developed gene therapy targeting phospholamban, a protein contributing to heart failure. Studies in rats showed improved heart function and reduced scar tissue formation after treatment.
Researchers are studying how the heart changes its energy source from fat to glucose in end-stage heart failure, which may improve pumping function and treatment outcomes. The new program aims to bridge the gap between basic genetic data and clinical trials for heart failure patients.
A study by Duke University researchers found that beta blocker therapy for heart failure reduces societal costs by $3,959 per patient over five years. The treatment also improves survival rates and reduces hospitalizations. However, the authors suggest that Medicare coverage of medication costs could increase benefits.
The study found that 40% of miscarriages can be attributed to embryonic congestive heart failure, which can be identified using Doppler technology. The condition is characterized by increased free amniotic fluid and depressed myocardial contractility.
A study developed a risk index to predict mortality in heart failure patients based on demographic and vital sign features, identifying low- and high-risk individuals. The model revealed that older age, lower blood pressure, higher respiratory rate, and hyponatremia are associated with increased mortality.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered two genetic regions linked to heart function and survival in patients with heart failure. The study found that genetic variations on chromosomes 13, 18, 2, and 4 affect cardiac function and survival, providing potential targets for new therapies.
Researchers successfully restored heart cell function by inhibiting the ßARK1 enzyme in laboratory-dish experiments using a gene therapy approach. The study's findings suggest that blocking this enzyme could increase signaling and improve heart function in individuals with end-stage heart failure.
Elderly Americans with heart failure consume significantly more healthcare resources than those without the condition, with average four-year costs of $27,822. Diastolic heart failure is estimated to be more prevalent in the elderly population and may require further study due to limited clinical trials.
A new implantable device called OPTIMIZER II has shown promise in treating heart failure by strengthening the heart's contraction using an electrical signal. The study enrolled 25 patients with moderately severe heart failure and found a statistically significant improvement in ejection fraction and quality of life.
Researchers tested mononuclear bone marrow cell transplant injections in patients with severe ischemic heart failure and found improved blood flow, reduced chest pain, and increased exercise capacity. Treated patients showed significant reductions in reversible defects and improvements in oxygen consumption and metabolic equivalents.
A new study found that systolic heart failure patients who received a one-hour education session with a nurse educator had a 35% lower risk of re-hospitalization or death within 180 days of discharge. The patients scored better on measures of following self-care regimens, such as salt and fluid intake restrictions.
A recent study by the American Heart Association found that heart failure patients often leave the hospital without receiving life-prolonging therapies or complete discharge instructions. The study, which analyzed data from over 33,000 patients, highlights the need for hospitals to improve their adherence to established guidelines.
A Canadian study compared outcomes for patients with elevated cardiac markers who received a home health nurse-delivered disease management program versus those without. The results showed significant reductions in hospitalization days for congestive heart failure and angina. A commentary highlighted the need for a national program to ...
Elevated G-alpha-i levels in aging hearts lead to decreased cardiac function, but beta-blockers show promise in reducing these levels and improving heart function. The study's findings suggest that targeting G-alpha-i could be an effective way to protect the heart from age-related decline.
A study found that disrupting PI3Kgamma preserves beta-adrenergic receptors on heart cells, leading to improved heart function and longer survival in mice. The loss of beta-adrenergic receptors contributes to heart failure, but this intervention may provide a new therapeutic approach.
The System 100 Fluid Removal System has been shown to be safe and effective in reducing fluid overload in heart failure patients. By removing excess fluid, patients experience improved symptoms and reduced hospital length of stay.
Two studies presented at the Heart Failure Society of America annual conference show that an experimental respiratory-pacing device, inTone TM, significantly improves heart failure patients' ejection fraction, pulmonary artery pressure, and quality of life. The device's non-invasive therapy is delivered through a 15-minute session twic...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center report that pioglitazone and rosiglitazone can cause or exacerbate heart failure and pulmonary edema in certain patients, highlighting the need for cautious prescribing practices.
The CHARM Programme demonstrates clear benefits of Atacand in treating heart failure, reducing risk by 23% in ACE-inhibitor intolerant patients and 15% in those taking conventional therapy. Additionally, Atacand shows a trend towards reduced cardiovascular death and hospitalizations in patients with preserved left ventricular function.
A new study aims to investigate how physicians treat end-stage heart failure patients, focusing on the use of inotropic drugs. The research hopes to provide a framework for selecting care options, including palliation, for older heart failure patients near the end of life.
Researchers found that 13.5% of patients with heart failure were prescribed metformin or thiazolidinediones in 1998-99, increasing to 24.4% by 2000-01. These medications are recommended against for patients with significant heart failure symptoms due to potential side effects.
A study published in The Lancet found that carvedilol significantly reduces mortality and improves average life-expectancy by eight years compared to metoprolol. Additionally, carvedilol shows promise in improving ventricular function for patients with heart failure due to coronary artery disease.
A recent study found that heart failure patients cared for by cardiologists had significantly lower one-year death rates compared to those treated by other types of physicians. The study analyzed data from 38,702 Canadian patients and found that cardiologist-managed patients had a mortality rate of 28.5%, compared to 31.7% for general ...
Researchers developed a guideline to identify low-risk heart failure patients for targeted home treatment, reducing unnecessary hospital stays. The study used data from over 33,000 cases and identified nearly 16% of patients as low risk, promising success in similar contexts.
Researchers found that patients with combined devices showed significant improvements in quality of life, physical functioning, and exercise capacity compared to those without the devices. The study's findings have implications for treating heart failure, a disease with a five-year mortality rate of 50 percent after diagnosis.
Researchers highlight importance of controlling blood pressure and vascular risks in heart failure management. They propose a new classification system for heart failure stages, emphasizing the need for early intervention.
A large-scale prospective trial will determine whether exercise can reduce mortality for patients with heart failure or any other disease. The study, led by Duke University, aims to find out if exercise has an effect on reducing hospitalizations among heart failure patients.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins discovered a compound that doubles the hearts' ability to contract and relax, stimulating the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide. This improvement is particularly notable in failing hearts, without any reported toxicity.
Researchers at Emory University have developed an innovative technique for biventricular resynchronization that minimizes risks and eliminates ionizing radiation. The new approach uses tiny incisions and specialized tools to connect leads to the heart, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional methods.
A new international study found that the life-saving effect of eplerenone began soon after patients started taking the drug following their heart attacks. The study showed a significant reduction in deaths and hospitalizations among heart attack patients with heart failure, especially when combined with other heart medications.
A gene mutation that improves heart failure in mice is fatal in humans, highlighting the need for human-specific studies. Researchers found that inhibiting PLN gene in mice restored impaired calcium signaling and muscle contraction, but led to lethal heart failure in humans.
Researchers have pinpointed a genetic defect in the phospholamban protein as the cause of inherited dilated cardiomyopathy. The discovery may lead to targeted treatment for this disorder, which affects 4.7 million Americans and costs $17.8 billion annually.
A team of researchers has identified a genetic mutation in phospholamban that disrupts calcium regulation in the heart, leading to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying heart failure and holds promise for future treatments.
Researchers found a mutant protein, phospholamban (PLN), that disrupts calcium signaling in heart muscle cells, leading to contractile dysfunction and heart failure. The study provides insight into the fundamental signals that tip a diseased heart into failure.
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that pacemaker therapy reduced death from progressive heart failure by 51% and hospitalizations by 29%. The device range in cost $20,000 to $50,000 and improves quality of life for heart failure patients.
A genetic defect in muscle growth and survival is linked to human heart failure, causing the heart muscle to lose its ability to adapt to stress. Researchers identified a specific gene mutation that disrupts normal stretch activity, leading to enlarged hearts with thin ventricular walls.
A six-year study of 100 heart failure patients who received the HeartMate device at Michigan Medicine found excellent one-year survival rates and improved hospital stays. Eighty-two percent of patients were able to go home, and problems with the device have decreased as doctors gain experience.
A landmark study found that left-ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for heart failure patients cost $196,699, similar to liver transplantation ($250,000). The device has been shown to significantly improve survival and quality of life. Improving management of these critically ill patients could reduce costs.
Starting beta-blocker before discharge in heart failure patients significantly improves usage, reducing death and morbidity by over 35%. Early hospital-initiated therapy boosts 91% 60-day medication adherence rate.
Researchers found that patients with diastolic heart failure have severely reduced exercise capacity and quality of life, similar to those with classic congestive heart failure. The study supports the existence of a second type of heart failure, highlighting the need for intensive research and treatment development.
A new study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine has confirmed the existence of diastolic heart failure, a condition that affects older adults' quality of life and exercise capacity. People with this condition experience severely reduced physical ability and increased neuroendocrine activity.
A recent study from the Framingham Heart Study has shown a small but significant improvement in heart-failure survival rates since the 1990s. This increase is attributed to the widespread adoption of proven-effective medications such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and aldosterone antagonists. The findings suggest that treating patie...
A new NHLBI study has found improved heart failure survival rates, with deaths decreasing by 12% per decade for both men and women. The study, which analyzed data from 10,317 participants over 50 years, also revealed a significant drop in new cases of heart failure among women during the same period.
A large study of older adults with heart failure found that those with diastolic heart failure had significantly higher mortality rates than those with systolic heart failure. Diastolic heart failure, which affects the heart's main chamber filling with blood, has a much higher prevalence among elderly patients and is responsible for mo...
Researchers are exploring a new stem cell therapy, called therapeutic angiogenesis, to grow new blood vessels in damaged heart muscle. The treatment, which uses cord blood stem cells, aims to improve outcomes for people with severe coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
Researchers found that genes, rather than blood pressure or age, significantly impact heart function and the risk of developing diastolic heart failure. The study suggests that an individual's genetic makeup may be programmed from birth, determining their future heart health.
Researchers found a genetic link between a specific enzyme and increased risk of heart failure in alcoholics, with those having two copies of the D allele facing a 16 times greater risk. This discovery opens up possibilities for uncovering other genetic predispositions for various alcohol-related diseases.
The study of over 5,000 participants found a significant association between excess weight and increased risk of heart failure in both men and women. Obesity was independently linked to an increased risk of heart failure, even after accounting for other risk factors.
Researchers found omapatrilat to be effective in treating heart failure, with some indications of superiority over standard ACE inhibitors. Patients with both hypertension and heart failure showed the greatest benefit from omapatrilat.