Research on heart failure and its treatment. Covers light exposure, heart-in-a-dish models, microRNA therapy, and surgical interventions.
A new study found that chronic exposure to PM2.5 is associated with increased risk of hospital admission for various cardiovascular conditions, particularly ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The study suggests that lowering annual average PM2.5 levels could decrease overall cardiovascular hospitalizations by 15%.
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a technique to promote cardiac regeneration by activating mitochondrial function in transplanted cells. The study found that activated mitochondria improved cardiac function and suppressed myocardial fibrosis, suggesting a new approach for treating severe heart failure.
A major new study reveals that heart attack survivors are at high risk of developing further serious health conditions, including heart failure, kidney disease, and depression. The research found that up to a third of patients developed heart or kidney failure, and 38% died within nine years.
A study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research reveals that a dynamic synergy between cell types facilitates cardiac renewal, challenging existing paradigms. Targeting the microenvironment rather than specific cell types is key to healing injured hearts.
Researchers developed a test to predict which heart attack patients are likely to experience dysfunction after receiving mechanical pumps. The test measures pulmonary vascular compliance and its adaptability, helping doctors prevent right ventricle failure.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a gene therapy that induces heart cell proliferation and improves cardiac function in an animal model of advanced heart failure. The treatment also shows promise in improving liver and kidney functionality.
A new approach has improved heart failure outcomes in an animal model by targeting ERR-alpha receptors. The treatment, called SLU-PP-332 and SLU-PP-915, boosted the metabolism to match the hypertrophy providing enough energy for the heart to sustain the extra activity.
Researchers developed a risk calculator to predict individualized risk of right heart failure after left heart pump surgery, tailoring care to each patient. The STOP-RVF calculator uses machine learning and considers variables such as pre-existing health conditions, medications, and demographic information.
A new tool, developed with a machine learning-based approach, can predict diuretic response in patients with ADHF. The BAN-ADHF score may lead to personalized strategies for effectively managing congestion in hospitalized patients.
A comparative effectiveness trial found that behavioral activation psychotherapy and antidepressant medication management significantly reduced depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure. Psychotherapy recipients experienced better physical health-related quality of life and fewer hospital visits.
A systematic review of 95 studies found that 3D camera system estimates, patient self-estimates, and the Lorenz method are accurate for estimating adult body weight. However, no method is foolproof, and alternative strategies should be available when patients are unable to provide an estimate.
A phase 3 trial has shown that the novel drug acoramidis achieves near-complete stabilization of TTR proteins, slowing or halting disease progression. The treatment reduced hospitalizations for heart-related events and increased distance walked over six minutes.
Researchers found that impaired autophagy can lead to cardiac dysfunction by depleting NAD+ levels, which activates a chain of events causing mitochondrial and cardiac damage. Inhibiting a key enzyme in this pathway may offer new therapeutic options for heart failure treatment.
A national study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that patients treated at home had a 0.5% mortality rate, compared to those in traditional hospitals. Home hospital care also resulted in fewer readmissions and adverse events, with consistent outcomes across diverse demographic groups.
A new study by UCL researchers suggests that a vest mapping the heart's electrical activity could help identify people at high risk of sudden cardiac death. The electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) vest combines signals with MRI images to generate 3D models, potentially predicting risk factors for life-threatening heart rhythms.
A study found that the common drug Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) increases plasma Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels in patients with cardiac failure, making them falsely positive on a debated Alzheimer's blood test. This could lead to misclassification of patients as having Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by NYU Langone Health found that patients from lower socioeconomic areas were less likely to fill their heart-failure medications, highlighting the importance of neighborhood-level interventions to improve access to lifesaving drugs. The research team plans to explore additional barriers, such as cost and language barriers,...
Patients with lower socioeconomic status in their neighborhoods have a higher risk of nonadherence to guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure. Neighborhood-level socioeconomic factors play a significant role in shaping healthcare outcomes.
Researchers have developed an AI-powered algorithm that can detect the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) with high accuracy, even in people with infrequent AFib episodes. This new tool has the potential to reduce the incidence of stroke and heart failure by identifying patients at increased risk and guiding targeted interventions.
A clinical trial found that stem cell-based therapy reduced daily hardship and improved physical and emotional health in patients with advanced heart failure. Patients who received the treatment had lower death and hospitalization rates compared to those on standard care.
A randomized clinical trial found that excluding aspirin from the antithrombotic regimen in LVAD patients improved adverse event rates by a significant reduction in non-surgical bleeding. The study results suggest that an aspirin-free regimen is safe and may improve longevity, morbidity, and quality of life for these patients.
Adults with congenital heart disease are at increased risk of death or cardiovascular complications after hospitalization for heart failure. However, those who received recent cardiology care before hospital admission had lower rates of death and major complications.
Despite its cost-effective prevention for recurrent events, cardiac rehabilitation remains inaccessible to many due to lack of social support, particularly in poorer countries. Home-based rehabilitation and comprehensive lifelong healthy behavioral programs may help address these barriers.
A study published in Med suggests that low-dose radiation therapy can improve heart function by reducing inflammatory immune cells and scar tissue in the heart. Researchers found improved pumping capacity and increased survival of mice with heart failure after receiving radiation therapy.
Thirty-two institutions earned the SET-10 distinction, with top ten recognized globally for their dedication to advancing scientific knowledge in interventional cardiovascular medicine. The rankings span six categories and acknowledge excellence within and outside the United States.
A groundbreaking study published in JAMA found that excluding aspirin from the antithrombotic regimen for patients with a fully magnetically levitated left ventricular assist device (LVAD) resulted in a significant decrease in major nonsurgical bleeding events. This approach is safe and beneficial, challenging conventional practice and...
Adults with lower household incomes are less likely to receive cardiologist involvement during heart failure hospitalizations. Socioeconomic factors may influence the quality of care provided to these patients.
Researchers found that removing aspirin from treatment while continuing vitamin-k antagonists in patients with modern left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) did not increase clotting-related risks or pump malfunctions. Aspirin avoidance was associated with a reduction in bleeding events, lower hospital days, and decreased cost of care.
A randomized clinical trial of 2,858 patients with new-onset and worsening chronic heart failure shows that torsemide and furosemide have no significant difference in clinical or patient-reported outcomes at 12 months. Torsemide is associated with better outcomes for patients with de novo heart failure.
A three-year intensive treatment strategy to lower systolic blood pressure below 120mmHg significantly reduced cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, and death, compared to standard treatment. The study found that participants in the intensive group experienced fewer major vascular events and deaths over a two-year period.
A randomized controlled trial suggests that a more liberal approach to red blood cell transfusions for heart attack patients with anemia may benefit outcomes without significant risk. The study found no statistically significant difference between two transfusion strategies, but results suggest a possible benefit of liberal transfusions.
Patients with heart failure treated with dapagliflozin experienced frequent initial estimated glomerular filtration rate declines, but without increased cardiovascular or kidney event risks. The study suggests that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors can be safely continued in patients experiencing eGFR decline.
A natural language processing model was validated to identify heart failure hospitalizations in a multicenter clinical trial, demonstrating its potential to improve the efficiency of future trials. The study suggests that natural language processing can be used at scale to identify clinical events, but further research is needed.
A randomized clinical trial found that avoiding aspirin as part of an antithrombotic regimen reduces bleeding events without increasing thromboembolism risk in patients with advanced heart failure treated with left ventricular assist devices. The study suggests that aspirin avoidance may be a viable option for these patients.
A new risk calculator estimates a person's risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the next 30 years by combining measures of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health. The PREVENT risk calculator uniquely quantifies risks for CVD for each biological sex, without including race as a factor.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo have tested a synthetic molecule called AD-9308, which has shown potential in treating heart failure by activating the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2. The study found that the molecule improved mitochondrial filtration, eliminating cellular pollutants and boosting heart function by up to 40%.
The American Heart Association has selected five finalists in its 6th annual Health Tech Competition to present their innovative technologies. The competition aims to drive technology innovation and transform the landscape of heart and brain health.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that poor sleep is significantly associated with a 15% greater risk of experiencing atrial fibrillation the next day. The researchers suggest strategies like going to bed at a reasonable time, avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bedtime, and exercising regularly to improve general sleep quality.
Dr. Marc A. Pfeffer will receive the 2023 Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award for his remarkable teaching and mentoring career, which has inspired numerous professionals in cardiovascular medicine. He is credited with directly mentoring 58 individuals throughout their careers.
A new classification system for heart attacks based on heart muscle damage is released, offering a more differentiated definition and improving understanding of acute atherothrombotic MI. This system has the potential to stratify risk more accurately and lay the groundwork for development of injury-stage-specific therapies.
The study analyzed global data from the past three decades, revealing an overall increase in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) prevalence but a decrease in mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The burden of HHD is particularly concerning for healthcare systems due to higher prevalence with lower mortality rates.
Researchers investigated the paradoxical prognosis of cardiac sarcoidosis, finding that isolated heart condition patients have poorer outcomes due to history of atrial fibrillation and impaired heart function. Steroid treatment responds equally well in both groups.
Researchers found that Porphyromonas gingivalis inhibits autophagosome-lysosome fusion, worsening cardiac remodeling and causing cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction. The study suggests that treating this oral infection could help prevent fatal heart attacks.
Mutations in the PRDM16 gene alter heart muscle cell metabolism, leading to weakened hearts and increased risk of congenital heart failure in women. Female mice with this genetic defect experience significantly more heart problems than males.
A study by researchers from National Institutes of Health and Glasgow University found that amlodipine does not activate calcium channels, contradicting earlier concerns. The medication remains a recommended first-line treatment for high blood pressure, reducing deaths from hypertension.
Research reveals increased sympathetic nerve activity and reduced exercise capacity in patients with heart failure resulting from anthracycline chemotherapy. Sympathetic neural overdrive is associated with skeletal myopathy and decreased cardiac function.
Leading professional organizations announce first-time multidisciplinary consensus guidelines for essential and comprehensive care centers in the US. The guidelines aim to address known variation in outcomes at different centers, providing structure, process, and outcome components necessary for quality care.
A study showed that yoga therapy can improve heart failure patients' endurance, strength, balance, symptom stability, and overall quality of life. Additionally, echocardiographic parameters revealed improved left ventricular systolic function in the yoga group compared to the non-interventional group.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that BNP levels are high in end-stage heart failure patients with cardiogenic shock, but no longer a reliable predictor of clinical outcomes after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation. This study suggests reevaluating routine use of BNP testing for these patients.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have developed a modified messenger RNA that can temporarily induce cardiomyocyte cell division, leading to reduced infarct size and improved heart function. The treatment has shown promise in mouse and pig models without increasing the risk of deadly arrhythmias.
Research reveals that heart transplant recipients from economically disadvantaged areas are at a greater risk of graft failure and mortality, with a 10% increased relative risk compared to those from non-distressed communities. The disparity in outcomes has widened since the implementation of the 2018 UNOS Heart Allocation policy.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that stressful life events and poor sleep are major contributing factors to irregular heart rhythms after menopause. The study analyzed data from over 83,000 women aged 50-79 and found a significant association between stress, insomnia, and atrial fibrillation.
A recent clinical trial led by Professor Holger Thiele found that ECLS does not reduce 30-day mortality after cardiogenic shock, but is associated with more complications. The study involved 420 patients and compared ECLS therapy with standard intensive care unit treatment.
The HEART-FID trial found that ferric carboxymaltose did not improve a composite outcome of death, heart failure hospitalizations, and exercise function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency. The study met its primary endpoint for safety but fell short of demonstrating efficacy.
A focused update of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Heart Failure Guidelines incorporates latest evidence-based treatments for improved patient outcomes. New recommendations include SGLT2 inhibitors and intensive treatment strategies to reduce hospitalization and mortality.
The Texas Heart Institute has received a five-year, $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance organ bioengineering. The project aims to develop transplantable bioartificial hearts to combat end-stage heart failure.
A new study found that catheter ablation significantly lowers the incidence of cardiovascular events and death in very old patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The researchers compared 208 patients who underwent AF ablation with those who received medical therapy only, finding a lower risk of both cardiovascular events and de...
A new study found that a simple blood test can predict the risk of progressive heart and kidney disease in people with Type 2 diabetes. The test measures levels of four biomarkers, which fell after treatment with canagliflozin, a type 2 diabetes medicine.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed an AI model that screens electrocardiograms (ECG) for signs of atrial septal defects (ASD), a common adult congenital heart disease. The model correctly detected ASD in 93.7% of cases, outperforming traditional methods.
A French study found that recreational drug use was associated with a nearly 9-fold higher rate of death or need for emergency intervention in cardiac intensive care patients. The study detected various substances in 1 in 10 patients, with cannabis being the most frequently detected substance.