Heart Failure News and Research

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Heart failure (HF) is a condition in which a problem with the structure or function of the heart impairs its ability to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the body's needs. It should not be confused with cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction.

Left ventricular assist device increases incidence of internal bleeding in heart failure patients

The incidence of internal bleeding was higher in the most commonly implanted heart device than in an earlier model, according to two studies at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

13 Jun 2011

Unique approach improves discharge disposition and older patient's outcomes

The rehospitalization of senior patients within 30 days of discharge from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) has risen dramatically in recent years, at an estimated annual cost of more than $17 billion.

13 Jun 2011

Preliminary results from Edison's EPI-A0001 28-day phase 2A trial against Friedreich's ataxia

Edison Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today preliminary results obtained on a 28-day phase 2A clinical trial in Friedreich's ataxia. While the primary endpoint of glucose disposition index did not show statistically significant improvement, EPI-A0001 did significantly improve neurological function as assessed by the Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale.

10 Jun 2011

ST2 biomarker can help indicate prognosis in ambulatory cardiovascular patients

The novel cardiac biomarker ST2 was highlighted in a presentation at last month's 2011 Heart Failure Congress of the European Society of Cardiology in Gothenburg, Sweden. As this study and others have demonstrated, a patient's ST2 level can help a physician better predict prognosis in ambulatory, chronic heart failure patients, which can allow physicians to more appropriately tailor care.

10 Jun 2011

Thymosin beta 4 can transform adult epicardial stem cells into functional heart muscle

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) can activate a unique subpopulation of resident adult epicardial stem cells such that they recapture embryonic potential, proliferate, migrate and differentiate into functional heart muscle (cardiomyocytes), according to a research paper published online today in Nature.

9 Jun 2011

Drug that makes the failing heart heal itself

Researchers have found that a drug can heal heart muscles in mice. Earlier it was considered that this damage to the heart is permanent but this new findings refutes earlier beliefs.

9 Jun 2011

ACAAI issues updated guidelines for treating stinging insect hypersensitivity

Spring and summer bring bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets and, this year, updated advice for those who are allergic to these pesky stinging insects. More than half a million people go to emergency rooms and at least 50 die each year from insect stings.

9 Jun 2011

DASH diet comes out on top

DASH diet, often recommended to help adults lower their blood pressure has ranked over more popular options in a ranking of 20 diets by U.S. News & World Report. The DASH diet, the magazine concluded, was the best overall. Government approved DASH standing for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension was chosen by the magazine’s panel of nutrition experts among other things, being nutritious, easy to follow and protecting against heart disease and perhaps diabetes.

8 Jun 2011

Millennium reports results from two VELCADE based combination studies against multiple myeloma

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company with its parent company Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today reported results from two studies of VELCADE (bortezomib) for Injection based combinations in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM).

8 Jun 2011

FDA grants orphan drug designation for Edison's EPI-743 to treat inherited mitochondrial diseases

Edison Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the United States Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation to EPI-743 for treatment of inherited mitochondrial respiratory chain diseases.

8 Jun 2011

Key heart failure therapies could prevent nearly 68,000 deaths each year

A national study has found that nearly 68,000 deaths potentially could be prevented each year by optimally implementing key national guideline-recommended therapies, including critical medications and cardiac devices, for all eligible heart failure patients.

7 Jun 2011

Novel technique promises to reduce damage after heart attack

Scientists at the University of Leicester are investigating a novel technique that promises to protect heart muscle from life-threatening damage following a heart attack - simply by squeezing an arm. Heart attacks are the major cause of premature death in England, with massive implications for survival and costs of long-term health care.

7 Jun 2011

Gleevec shows significant overall survival benefit for patients w/ GIST after 3 years of adjuvant treatment vs. 1 year

Novartis announced new data today showing a significant improvement in both recurrence-free survival and overall survival for patients taking Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate)* tablets for three years after surgery to remove KIT (CD117)-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (KIT+ GIST) compared to one year of treatment. These data will be presented at the 47th American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) plenary session on Sunday, June 5.

6 Jun 2011

Older adults with subclinical hyperthyroidism may face higher risk of dying

A common hormone abnormality in older adults—a mild form of overactive thyroid called subclinical hyperthyroidism—is linked to a much higher risk of dying, a new study finds. The results will be presented Sunday at The Endocrine Society's 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston.

6 Jun 2011

Study affirms effectiveness of palliative care discussions before LVAD surgery

For patients with severe heart failure, an implanted mechanical pump known as a Left Ventricular Assist Device can be a life-sustaining treatment. Even though the technology involves risks, few patients and their families tend to talk explicitly about the "what ifs" before surgery takes place.

4 Jun 2011

ZYTIGA clinical study data on prostate cancer to be presented at ASCO 2011

Data related to ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate) will be presented at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

3 Jun 2011

Study to determine how vitamin D affects cardiac structure, functions in blacks with hypertension

A Wayne State University School of Medicine physician researcher has received a $1.9 million National Institutes of Health grant to study the role of vitamin D in halting and reducing subclinical cardiac damage in African-Americans suffering from high blood pressure.

3 Jun 2011

Itraconazol may keep prostate cancer from worsening and delay need for chemotherapy in men

The oral antifungal drug itraconazole, most commonly used to treat nail fungus, may keep prostate cancer from worsening and delay the need for chemotherapy in men with advanced disease.

3 Jun 2011

Angiotensin receptor blockers do not increase risk of cancer: FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that a group of medications used to control high blood pressure, called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), do not increase the risk of developing cancer in patients using the medications.

3 Jun 2011

KGI scientists identify new gene regulator that keeps hearts healthy even under intense exercise

Providing a medical explanation for why exercise is good for the heart, a team of scientists from Brazil pursuing a study that started in Dr. Ian Phillips' lab at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) has discovered a new gene regulator called MicroRNA 29 that keeps hearts healthy even under intense exercise.

3 Jun 2011

Heart Failure News and Research

Further Reading

Left ventricular assist device increases incidence of internal bleeding in heart failure patients

Unique approach improves discharge disposition and older patient's outcomes

Preliminary results from Edison's EPI-A0001 28-day phase 2A trial against Friedreich's ataxia

ST2 biomarker can help indicate prognosis in ambulatory cardiovascular patients

Thymosin beta 4 can transform adult epicardial stem cells into functional heart muscle

Drug that makes the failing heart heal itself

ACAAI issues updated guidelines for treating stinging insect hypersensitivity

DASH diet comes out on top

Millennium reports results from two VELCADE based combination studies against multiple myeloma

FDA grants orphan drug designation for Edison's EPI-743 to treat inherited mitochondrial diseases

Key heart failure therapies could prevent nearly 68,000 deaths each year

Novel technique promises to reduce damage after heart attack

Gleevec shows significant overall survival benefit for patients w/ GIST after 3 years of adjuvant treatment vs. 1 year

Older adults with subclinical hyperthyroidism may face higher risk of dying

Study affirms effectiveness of palliative care discussions before LVAD surgery

ZYTIGA clinical study data on prostate cancer to be presented at ASCO 2011

Study to determine how vitamin D affects cardiac structure, functions in blacks with hypertension

Itraconazol may keep prostate cancer from worsening and delay need for chemotherapy in men

Angiotensin receptor blockers do not increase risk of cancer: FDA

KGI scientists identify new gene regulator that keeps hearts healthy even under intense exercise

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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