Universal Definition of Heart Failure: A Step in the Right Direction
To respond to the need for a universal definition of heart failure (HF), a committee comprised of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (HFA/ESC), and the Japanese Heart Failure Society (JHFS) members, across 14 countries and six continents, assembled a consensus document resulting in the new Universal Definition and Classification of HF.
Pearls and Pitfalls When Treating Heart Failure
In a recent episode of Heart Failure Beat, hosts Michael Beasley, MD, and Priya Umapathi, MD, interviewed renowned experts Clyde Yancy, MD, MSc, an advanced heart failure cardiologist, and Robert Centor, MD, MACP, a master clinician internist, about the best practices and strategies in managing adult patients with heart failure, particularly in internal medicine. Additionally, Michael discusses a case-based study on the evaluation of heart transplant candidates with high HLA sensitization from JACC: Heart Failure, and Priya shares key takeaways from the ISHLT 2023 annual meeting.
2023 Advanced Heart Failure Symposium
During this year’s virtual Advanced Heart Failure Symposium, which takes place Friday, September 22, 2023. Participants spend a day evaluating treatment options for heart failure patients needing more than just GDMT. There are three tracks available: Atypical, Advanced, and AHF in Critical Care. Attendees will learn about alternatives for patients not responding to GDMT and recognize when to refer them for advanced therapies. Access to all tracks is available post-live stream. The symposium is presented by the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, a specialty organization dedicated to advancing nursing education, clinical practice and research to improve heart failure patient outcomes.
Nurse Practitioners and Managing Patients With Heart Failure
Researchers investigated the capacity of nurse practitioners (NPs) in managing the complexities of heart failure (HF) patients through a multifaceted approach. Other studies have demonstrated that NP care in HF results in reduced readmissions, timely visits, decreased costs, and improved quality outcomes. Researchers concluded that NPs deliver comprehensive, patient-focused care across all phases of heart failure, with the ability to navigate and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to assure the best treatment for their patients. Telehealth, which saw heightened use during the COVID-19 pandemic, offers potential in HF management, particularly in boosting access and reducing readmissions. Researchers suggest that future studies should explore NP-led clinics, cost efficiency, and care quality.
CardioNerds Rounds: HFpEF Diagnosis and Management
In a recent episode of “CardioNerds Rounds,” Dr. Loie Farina, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Fellow at Northwestern University, and Dr. Jane Wilcox, Chief of the Section of Heart Failure Treatment and Recovery at Northwestern University, discussed the nuances of HFpEF diagnosis and management. Two cases were presented: An elderly woman with a history of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and other medical conditions presenting with worsening shortness of breath; and a woman in her 70s with a history of various health conditions presenting with shortness of breath during exercise and leg swelling. Key takeaways of the episode include diuretic therapy is necessary for symptomatic relief in patients with HFpEF and congestion, determining if the patient has HFpEF is critical and, if confirmed, identifying its cause.
Heart Failure Misconceptions
A frequently updated website by the American College of Cardiology looks at, among other things, the signs, symptoms, and most common causes of heart failure (HF). Treatment, including lifestyle changes and medications, are also discussed. Living with heart failure, questions to ask, recent news about HF, and dedicated sections for caregivers and clinicians round out this informative website.
HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023
The HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) is an event for heart failure teams and showcases top heart failure science, research, and management practices, while also offering networking opportunities. ASM 2023 will be held October 6-9, 2023, at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland. Patient education panels and workshops include “HFSA Heart Failure Patient and Caregiver Day 2023”, “Engaging Cardiovascular Team Clinicians in Clinical Trial Research and Quality Improvement”, and the “1st Annual HFSA Case Competition.” Exhibits, posters, and scientific sessions round out the agenda.
SGLT-2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure: A Review of Current Evidence
Researchers reviewed the current evidence surrounding sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, traditionally used as anti-hyperglycemic drugs, as they have emerged as a significant treatment for heart failure (HF), proving effective across varying degrees of heart function (left ventricular ejection fraction or LVEF). Their therapeutic potential was first indicated in a 2013 trial for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subsequent studies reaffirmed the effectiveness of SGLT-2 inhibitors in decreasing HF hospitalizations and cardiovascular death, suggesting their benefits aren’t solely based on their anti-hyperglycemic properties. Researchers noted the importance of properly integrating SGLT-2 inhibitors into HF treatment plans to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
