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.

Viewpoints: Scarcity of dental care; Surprise budget buster awaiting states on retiree health costs

We know that too many Americans can't afford primary care and end up in the emergency room with asthma or heart failure. But in the debate over health care coverage, less attention has been paid to the fact that too many Americans also end up in the emergency room with severe tooth abscesses that keep them from eating or infections that can travel from decayed teeth to the brain and, if untreated, kill.

10 Apr 2012

First study to examine long-term effects of climate change on life expectancy

New research from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) suggests that seemingly small changes in summer temperature swings-as little as 1-C more than usual-may shorten life expectancy for elderly people with chronic medical conditions, and could result in thousands of additional deaths each year.

10 Apr 2012

Higher blood glucose levels may improve survival rates for heart failure patients with diabetes

Lowering glucose levels for people with diabetes is normally critical to improving health outcomes. But for those with heart failure, that might not always be the case, say UCLA researchers.

10 Apr 2012

UofL wins NIH grant for cardiac clinical research center

During his 18-year tenure at UofL, Dr. Roberto Bolli has generated more than $100 million in grants for basic research from the NIH. Today, Bolli joined with University of Louisville President James R. Ramsey to announce a new NIH grant he has won for clinical research, a seven-year, $3.4 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to establish one of seven regional centers across the United States in the Cardiac Cell Therapy Research Network.

10 Apr 2012

RegeneRx wins four patents in Israel, Mexico

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the Company has received an issued patent in Mexico and allowances of three additional patent applications in Mexico and Israel.

10 Apr 2012

Stealth announces results from three Bendavia Phase I clinical trials for mitochondrial dysfunction

Stealth Peptides Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for diseases with unmet medical needs, announced today the results from three Phase I clinical trials of Bendavia, a novel compound that targets the mitochondrion to treat mitochondrial dysfunction, including ischemia reperfusion and microvascular injury.

9 Apr 2012

Left ventriculography being routinely performed during coronary angiogram

An invasive heart test used routinely to measure heart function is being dramatically overused, especially among patients who recently underwent similar, more effective tests, according to a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

7 Apr 2012

CCTRN selects MHI as one of seven U.S. centers of excellence

The Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN), a nationwide U.S. network funded by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has selected the Minneapolis Heart Institute- (MHI) as one of its seven U.S. centers of excellence.

5 Apr 2012

ASN participates in ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely campaign

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the world's leading kidney organization, joins the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, eight other leading national medical specialty societies, and Consumer Reports in the new Choosing Wisely campaign that helps health care professionals and patients avoid wasteful and sometimes harmful medical interventions.

5 Apr 2012

Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute performs most adult heart transplants of any U.S. medical center

For the second year in a row, the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and Comprehensive Transplant Center performed the most adult heart transplants of any U.S. medical center, according to government statistics.

4 Apr 2012

Tai Chi improves cardiovascular function and body strength in older adults

Exercise which can achieve both cardiovascular function and muscle strength "would be a preferred mode of training for older persons", say investigators.

4 Apr 2012

Merck announces data from ZOSTAVAX Phase III study on shingles

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that data from the pivotal Phase III study with ZOSTAVAX(Zoster Vaccine Live) in adults ages 50 to 59 were published in the April 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

3 Apr 2012

Allowing the heart to rest can reverse structural changes in myocytes after heart failure

Structural changes in heart muscle cells after heart failure can be reversed by allowing the heart to rest, according to research at Imperial College London. Findings from a study in rats published today in the European Journal of Heart Failure show that the condition's effects on heart muscle cells are not permanent, as has generally been thought. The discovery could open the door to new treatment strategies.

2 Apr 2012

Studies use three genes to reprogram fibroblasts into myocytes

The latest research developments to reprogram scar tissue resulting from myocardial infarction (MI) into viable heart muscle cells, were presented at the Frontiers in CardioVascular Biology (FCVB) 2012 meeting, held 30 March to 1 April at the South Kensington Campus of Imperial College in London.

2 Apr 2012

New guidelines offer guidance on how and when to switch between RA drug classes

A trend toward more aggressive treatment in patients just starting to develop rheumatoid arthritis is among the most important changes in treatment guidelines for the disease, according to updated American College of Rheumatology recommendations published today in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. The trend may proceed from emerging opinions that joint damage caused by RA is irreversible, and that early, intensive therapy better preserves physical function, quality of life and capacity to work.

2 Apr 2012

New ACR guidelines recommend use of topical NSAIDs for older patients with knee OA

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Subcommittee on Osteoarthritis Guidelines has approved and issued several updates to clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA).

31 Mar 2012

Cambridge Heart fourth quarter total revenue decreases to $557,000

Cambridge Heart, Inc., a developer of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cardiac disease, today reported results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011. Full financial statements and corresponding commentary can be found in the Company's Form 10-K, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2012.

31 Mar 2012

Nile Therapeutics to sell 3.6 million shares of common stock

Nile Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel therapeutics for heart failure patients, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell 3.6 million shares of its common stock at a price per share of $0.40 for aggregate gross proceeds of $1.44 million.

31 Mar 2012

Paying doctors and hospitals for better outcomes may not pay off

Medicare's largest effort to pay bonuses to hospitals that hit key performance measures -- or dock them if they miss -- did not lead to fewer deaths for heart attacks and heart bypass surgery, a new study finds. The analysis could lead to a reexamination of the idea of paying providers based on quality metrics, rather than on volume, which is key to the health law.

30 Mar 2012

Positive results from Nile's cenderitide Phase 1 trial on chronic heart failure

Nile Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel therapeutics for heart failure patients, today announced results from its recently completed Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety and tolerability of subcutaneous bolus and subcutaneous infusion of cenderitide in patients with chronic heart failure.

29 Mar 2012