Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
A retrospective analysis of 4,054 study participants found that enalapril, an ACE inhibitor commonly given to patients with heart failure, is effective in both black and white populations. Despite equal response rates, black patients still had increased rates of progression to heart failure.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that cardiac resynchronisation therapy systems improved NYHA functional class, six-minute walk distance, and quality of life for patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure. The treatment also reduced hospitalisations by 50% and hospital days by 77%.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that nearly one in four metformin prescriptions were given to patients with contraindications. The study suggests that providers may not be adequately documenting the risks of lactic acidosis and should consider counseling patients on metformin use.
A new study suggests that smaller aneurysms are often safer left untreated, with potential benefits including reduced risk of complications and cost savings. The research found nearly 98% survival rate among patients undergoing AAA surgery at participating VA hospitals.
Researchers found that elevated troponin I levels may predict future heart failure in cancer patients, even if the heart appears to be functioning normally. ACE inhibitors have shown promise in restoring cardiac function and preventing cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines.
Chronic heart failure affects 5 million US people, with poor hospital outcomes and high readmission rates. Researchers conducted large placebo-controlled trials to develop treatment guidelines for this condition.
A new blood test, Triage BNP Test, has been shown to accurately diagnose congestive heart failure (CHF) with a high accuracy rate of nearly 90% in a multinational trial. The test detects elevated levels of the hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which signals a failing heart.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a gene therapy approach that inhibits phospholamban, a protein blocking normal calcium flow in the heart. This treatment strategy has shown promise in improving contraction and relaxation in diseased cells.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College and University of Barcelona found that moderate drinking from one to four drinks a day improved heart function in men with alcohol-related heart failure. The study suggests a threshold drinking level for alcohol-related heart damage, below which there is no harm.
A large study of men's health habits found that a prudent diet significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study indicates that avoiding weight gain and eating a balanced diet may substantially reduce this risk, highlighting the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing the disease.
Researchers tested BNP levels in 325 patients with dyspnea, finding those with high levels had a 51% chance of developing congestive heart failure or dying within six months. The study supports the use of BNP testing as a tool for diagnosing patients at risk of congestive heart failure.
Elderly women with depression are nearly twice as likely to develop heart failure over a 14-year period. Depression also increases the risk of physical illnesses like hypertension and diabetes that contribute to heart disease.
Researchers will study the effects of aging on the heart and evaluate an endurance exercise-training program's ability to improve diastolic function and serve as a therapy for congestive heart failure. The study aims to identify the precise dose of exercise necessary to restore normal diastolic function.
UCSD researchers identified a gene, KChIP2, that regulates critical electrical currents in the human heart and is associated with increased vulnerability to arrhythmias. The study found that a defective version of this gene can lead to malignant heart rhythms and sudden death in patients with heart failure.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a treatment for heart failure by correcting a specific cellular defect. Beta blockers prevent the excessive phosphorylation of the ryanodine receptor, allowing it to respond to signals and release calcium ions as needed. This finding offers new hope for treating heart failure.
A recent study found a significant association between low systolic blood pressure levels (below 130) and cognitive impairment in older patients with heart failure. The researchers suggest that routine management of heart failure should include assessment of cognitive performance to detect early signs of cognitive dysfunction.
Valsartan has been shown to improve symptoms and outcomes in patients with heart failure, reducing morbidity by 13.2% and hospitalizations by 27.5%. The study also found significant improvements in quality of life and ejection fraction.
A landmark clinical trial at 22 medical centers has found that implanted heart pumps with wearable controls significantly increase the likelihood of terminally ill heart failure patients surviving a year, with a 52.1% one-year survival rate compared to 24.7% for those receiving medication and medical monitoring.
Acupuncture was found to significantly reduce sympathetic nerve activity in critically ill chronic heart failure patients, but blood pressure and heart rate remained unaffected. Further study is needed to confirm the treatment's effectiveness and potential benefits for patients with severe heart failure.
Research studied deaths of 508 patients with terminal heart failure, finding that men were most likely to die near dawn, while women were at highest risk in the early morning. The study suggests hormonal patterns and daily biological ebb and flow may contribute to these findings.
The Val-HeFT study found that valsartan significantly reduced total heart failure hospitalizations and morbidity, with a 27.5% delay to first hospitalization. Valsartan also attenuated the increase in norepinephrine levels associated with heart failure.
A new study funded by the NHLBI shows that a type of implantable heart pump can extend and improve the lives of terminally ill patients with end stage heart failure. The HeartMate LVAD was shown to have a 52% one-year survival rate, compared to 25% for those receiving standard medical management.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that allopurinol, a medication commonly used to treat gout, can improve heart muscle efficiency and reduce energy consumption in patients with congestive heart failure. The study showed a 20% reduction in energy consumption without affecting contraction strength.
Men with stable chronic heart failure experienced improved sexual activity and quality of life after regular cycling. The study found significant improvements in endothelial function, measured through brachial artery dilation and oxygen uptake, resulting from the exercise routine.
A survey found that nearly two-thirds of GPs are unaware that insulin resistance is present in 92% of people with type 2 diabetes. This lack of understanding can lead to suboptimal treatment, as insulin resistance improves glycaemic control and reduces cardiovascular complications.
A survey of practice nurses found that 85% are underestimating the prevalence of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients. This lack of awareness can lead to inadequate treatment and education, highlighting the need for increased understanding of insulin resistance as a fundamental cause of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center are testing two forms of behavior management to help patients with chronic heart failure manage their illness. The 18-week course and weekly tip sheets aim to teach patients how to monitor their reactions to stressful events and make lifestyle changes.
A new study by Yale University aims to investigate the effectiveness of a tailored home-based exercise regimen on quality of life and functional capacity in heart failure patients. The research also seeks to assess the program's financial practicality and potential cost savings compared to traditional care.
Researchers found that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are better at predicting adverse outcomes compared to traditional methods. Elevated BNP levels identified patients at high risk of dying or developing heart failure, even in those with no detectable heart damage.
The CorCap Cardiac Support Device is a potential innovative treatment for heart failure that supports the heart and prevents further enlargement. Researchers have found that the device can slow or even halt the progression of heart failure by stopping the enlargement of the cardiac muscle.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital successfully used gene therapy to improve survival rates and energetic state of the heart in a rat model with heart failure. The study suggests a potential new treatment option for patients with cardiovascular diseases.
The new guidance aims to address the under-treatment of heart failure by providing step-by-step recommendations for prescribing ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. It is expected to encourage more doctors to adequately treat patients, improving survival and quality of life.
Researchers found that patients with either a third heart sound or elevated jugular venous pressure were more likely to have progressive heart failure and subsequent hospital visits due to heart failure. The study highlights the importance of physical examinations in predicting outcomes for heart failure patients.
A new study at Duke University Medical Center reveals that depressed heart failure patients are twice as likely to die or be re-admitted to hospital within three months and one year. The researchers recommend testing for depression in all CHF patients to improve outcomes.
A UK population study found that an estimated 3.1% of adults aged 45 and older had definite or probable heart failure, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis and targeted screening to alleviate symptoms and improve prognosis.
A recent Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that 88.5% of patients admitted to hospital with congestive heart failure underwent left ventricular testing, but only 23% received target doses of ACE inhibitors as prescribed in clinical trials. This underdosing rate is lower than previously reported rates in Europe and the US.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that a protein called parvalbumin can improve heart function in laboratory rats by restoring normal relaxation rates. The researchers hope to one day use this protein as therapy for progressive heart failure, a growing medical problem affecting millions of Americans.
Researchers found that half of patients admitted to hospital with life-threatening symptoms of heart failure had diastolic heart failure, a previously under-studied disorder. The study emphasizes the need for further research into treatment options for this common form of heart failure.
A new clinical trial will compare the effectiveness of aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin in preventing heart attacks, strokes, and deaths in patients with chronic heart failure. The study, funded by the VA, will enroll 4,500 patients and provide insights into which medication is most effective, safe, and cost-efficient.
The Val-HeFT study showed significant effects of an AT1-receptor blocker on mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure when added to ACE inhibitor therapy. The CHARM study programme aims to provide more definitive data on the benefits of AT1-receptor blockers in treating heart failure.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that African-Americans are 30% more likely to die from diastolic heart failure than their white counterparts. The study controlled for various factors such as age, gender, and disease severity, but the disparity persisted, suggesting a combination of genetic and treatment differences.
The Kantrowitz CardioVad System is a new category of cardiac assist device that boosts the patient's own heart while preserving independence. By taking over up to 50% of the heart's function, patients can release themselves for short periods without compromising their condition.
The COPERNICUS trial demonstrates a significant survival benefit of carvedilol in patients with advanced heart failure, reducing mortality rates by 35%. The study involved over 2,200 patients and showed that carvedilol decreased mortality rates compared to placebo.
Patients with chronic heart failure who underwent exercise training showed significant improvements in left ventricular function and blood circulation, including increased stroke volume and reduced heart enlargement. Long-term exercise training was also associated with a reduction in total peripheral resistance.
A molecular-level malfunction in patients with heart failure can be repaired with existing treatments, suggesting a new approach to treating the root cause of the disease. The research reveals that a malfunctioning calcium channel is responsible for the defect, and beta blockers may prevent or reverse its development.
A study by Duke University Medical Center has shown that blocking a key enzyme pathway can prevent the onset of heart failure. The researchers found that blocking ß-adrenergic receptor kinase (ßARK) after a heart attack preserves heart function, providing a promising new avenue for treating and preventing heart failure.
A follow-up study of ENBREL (etanercept) treatment for chronic heart failure found sustained improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and no increase in adverse events. The study involved 12 patients treated with ENBREL for nine months, showing continued tolerability of the drug.
Researchers have successfully delivered additional copies of a gene called SERCA2a to muscle cells from failing human hearts, enabling them to function normally. This breakthrough could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for heart failure, which affects millions worldwide.
A study of 2,708 participants found that beta-blocker bucindolol did not reduce death from heart failure. The results contrast with other trials and raise questions about the use of beta-blockers in advanced heart failure.
A recent University of Maryland Medical Center study found that coenzyme Q10 has no detectable benefit in improving heart function or relieving symptoms for patients with congestive heart failure. The six-month study, involving 46 patients, showed no difference in heart function between those taking CoQ10 and a placebo.
Omapatrilat, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, has been shown to improve cardiovascular function and reduce death rates and hospitalization for worsening heart failure. The drug may offer a potential breakthrough in treating congestive heart failure, which kills over 44,000 annually.
New research suggests that inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may improve signs and symptoms of chronic heart failure. Studies using ENBREL, a TNF receptor inhibitor, have shown promising results in patients with moderate heart failure.
A new study published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine found that depressed mood is significantly related to increased mortality risk among people with congestive heart failure. Patients with severe depression were four times more likely to die within two years than those without depression.
A study by OHSU researchers found improved quality of care to be the major factor behind declining hospital mortality rates for heart failure patients in Oregon. The study analyzed data from 1991-1995 and concluded that better treatment and care were key contributors to the lower death rate.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that adding spironolactone to standard treatment regimens for heart failure reduced mortality by 30 percent. The research confirms aldosterone's role in heart failure pathophysiology and opens the door to more effective treatment options.
Researchers observed a substantial reduction in mortality for heart failure patients who received the Aldactone medication regimen, reducing deaths by 30 percent. The study found that aldosterone blockade played an important role in this reduction and opens the door to developing more effective treatment options.
A Phase I study published in Circulation demonstrates that ENBREL improves quality of life scores and increases functional status in patients with advanced heart failure. The study found no significant adverse effects from ENBREL treatment, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit for chronic heart failure patients.
The largest health system study of its kind reveals a chronic heart failure epidemic in the US. Researchers found that annual heart failure cases more than doubled at Henry Ford Health System from 1989-1997, with prevalence rising to 20 cases per 1000 patients.
A Phase II/III clinical trial with ENBREL (etanercept) in chronic heart failure patients is underway, based on positive results from a Phase I study. The trial aims to evaluate cytokine inhibition as a new approach to studying chronic heart failure.
A new study by the NHLBI suggests that black patients with congestive heart failure are at a higher risk of death and disease progression compared to white patients. The study found significant racial differences in survival rates among patients treated with an ACE inhibitor.