Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
The CIBIS-II trial found that beta-blockers significantly reduced deaths from all causes by 34 percent and sudden deaths by 44 percent among patients with mild or moderate heart failure. The results support the use of beta-blockers in treating stable patients with this condition.
A new study led by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill confirms the safety of digoxin, a commonly prescribed medicine for heart failure. The study found that taking digoxin at low doses and monitoring blood concentrations can significantly reduce toxicity risk.
A Norwegian study found that depressed men with congestive heart failure are more likely to perceive themselves as physically limited, even if their physicians rate them highly. In contrast, women with the condition tend to have a more realistic assessment of their abilities.
Adding beta-blocker metoprolol to standard treatment for heart failure increases survival by about 35 percent, according to a large international study. The study, called Metoprolol CR/XL Randomized Intervention Trial in Heart Failure (Merit-HF), was conducted in the US and 13 other countries.
Patients with congestive heart failure who exercised had higher survival rates after four years compared to those who did not, with a 92% versus 64% rate of survival. The study's findings support the potential benefits of exercise for patients with this condition and underscore the need for further research.
A recent study published in the American Heart Association meeting reveals that hypertension is a significant risk factor for heart failure among urban African Americans. The study analyzed data from cardiac catheterization patients and found a higher prevalence of heart failure among African Americans compared to Caucasians.
A new surgical procedure that repairs the mitral valve may help extend and improve lives of people with severe CHF, offering an alternative to heart transplantation. The operation has shown promising results, with one-year survival rates reaching 80% and two-year survival rates at 70%.
Researchers found that blocking beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (BARK) can prevent heart failure in mice genetically engineered to develop the disease. The study suggests a fundamental abnormality in the beta-adrenergic receptor system is at the root of causing heart failure.
Duke researchers develop a molecular decoy protein that blocks the signaling pathway leading to heart cell growth in response to high blood pressure. The study provides a potential single-drug therapy strategy for treating congestive heart failure.
A recent MGH study found that only 31% of patients with heart failure were prescribed ACE inhibitors in 1994, despite their proven effectiveness in reducing death and disability. The study suggests a lack of knowledge and unrealistic assessments may contribute to the underprescription of these medications.
A new study surveyed 26 men and 26 women with congestive heart failure, using standardized measurements to assess their quality of life. Women scored higher than men in physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, mental health scores, depression, and feelings of peacefulness.
Researchers found high levels of proinflammatory cytokine TNF in individuals with congestive heart failure (CHF), which can damage the heart. Inhibiting TNF through treatment improved patients' signs and symptoms of cardiac failure, including exercise tolerance and heart pumping ability.
A six-month aerobic exercise program improved the functional capacity, strength, and independence of heart failure patients aged 61-91. The study showed a 22% increase in physical fitness, with 43% of patients completing the trial and experiencing significant improvements.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have successfully revived flagging heart cells in laboratory vials using gene therapy. The treatment, which targets a protein kinase involved in heart muscle contraction, shows promise as a potential new drug target for treating congestive heart failure.
Researchers discovered an electrical abnormality in heart failure patients that prevents their hearts from recovering normally after each beat. This erratic and unstable ability to recover affects millions of Americans with heart disease, leading to potentially life-threatening rhythm disturbances.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center investigated the role of cytokines in treating heart disease. Amlodipine, a widely prescribed medication for patients with heart failure, was found to lower plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in heart patients over a period of 26 weeks.
A long-term trial found that treating hypertension reduces heart failure risk, even in those with severe heart disease. The study showed significant benefits for patients over 80 and those who had a heart attack before the trial.
High blood pressure can lead to enlargement of heart cells and a silent defect in the heart's pumping mechanism. The researchers found that this defect reduces contraction in each heart cell, contributing to heart failure. Developing novel treatments may be possible with improved understanding of the molecular defects.
A significant NIH study found that digitalis reduces hospitalizations for heart failure patients by 6-10%. The study, which followed over 6,800 patients with heart failure, also showed that digitalis can benefit patients whose symptoms are not controlled by other drugs.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study reveals that women with non-ischemic heart failure have a significantly higher survival rate than men, even after accounting for differences in age and other factors. In contrast, men with ischemic heart failure were more likely to die prematurely.
A new system, Home Health Monitor, developed by Dr. Boaz Avitall, closely monitors congestive heart failure patients in their homes, resulting in fewer readmissions and lower healthcare costs. The system detects complications early and makes patients feel secure, reducing hospitalization rates.