Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Heart Failure: Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment for HFpEF and HFrEF
AbstractPurpose of ReviewChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is common in heart failure (HF), and it has a significant impact on the prognosis and quality of life of patients. Additionally, COPD is independently associated with lower adherence to first-line HF therapies. In this review, we outline the challenges of identifying and managing HF with preserved (HFpEF) and reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction with coexisting COPD.Recent FindingsSpirometry is necessary for COPD diagnosis and prognosis but is underused in HF. Therefore, misdiagnosis is a concern. Also, disease-modifying drugs for HF and COPD are usually sa...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - March 28, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Ischemic Heart Disease: What Is Known and New Perspectives
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThis review aims to evaluate current evidence regarding ventricular tachycardia ablation in patients with ischemic heart disease and explore novel approaches currently developing to improve procedural and long-term outcomes.Recent FindingsRecently published trials (PARTITA, PAUSE-SCD, and SURVIVE-VT) have demonstrated the prognostic benefit of prophylactic ventricular tachycardia ablation compared to current clinical practice. Advanced cardiac imaging provides a valuable pre-procedural evaluation of the arrhythmogenic substrate, identifying ablation targets non-invasively. Advanced cardiac mapp...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - March 27, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Is There a Mitochondrial Protection via Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Settings of Anticancer Therapy Cardiotoxicity?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide an overview of (a) protective effects on mitochondria induced by remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) and (b) mitochondrial damage caused by anticancer therapy. We then discuss the available results of studies on mitochondrial protection via RIC in anticancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity.Recent FindingsIn three experimental studies in healthy mice and pigs, there was a RIC-mediated protection against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and there was some evidence of improved mitochondrial function with RIC. The RIC-mediated protection was not confirmed in the two available studies in ca...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - March 21, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Pregnancy, Reproductive Factors, and Female Heart Failure Risk and Outcomes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent evidence on female-specific risk factors related to reproductive status or pregnancy.Recent FindingsPregnancy-related factors, including hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes, increase the risk of heart failure in women, while breastfeeding and hormone therapy may offer protection.SummaryHypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, placental abruption, younger maternal age at first live birth, younger maternal age at last live birth, number of stillbirths, number of pregnancies, onset...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - March 20, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited cardiac condition with potential for severe complications including sudden cardiac death. Early diagnosis allows appropriate risk stratification and prompt intervention to minimise the potential for adverse outcomes. The implications of poorly coordinated screening are significant, either missing relatives at high-risk or burdening low-risk individuals with a diagnosis associated with reduced life expectancy. We aim to guide clinicians through the diagnostic pathway through to novel treatment options. Several conditions mimic the condition, an...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - March 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acids as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Targets in Cardiac Fibrosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCardiac fibrosis is a crucial juncture following cardiac injury and a precursor for many clinical heart disease manifestations. Epigenetic modulators, particularly non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are gaining prominence as diagnostic and therapeutic tools.Recent FindingsmiRNAs are short linear RNA molecules involved in post-transcriptional regulation; lncRNAs and circRNAs are RNA sequences greater than 200 nucleotides that also play roles in regulating gene expression through a variety of mechanisms including miRNA sponging, direct interaction with mRNA, providing protein scaffolding, and encoding their o...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - March 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Cellular Alterations in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction
AbstractPurpose of ReviewImmune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has emerged as a pivotal advancement in cancer treatment, but the widespread adoption has given rise to a growing number of reports detailing significant cardiovascular toxicity. This review concentrates on elucidating the mechanisms behind ICI-related cardiovascular complications, emphasizing preclinical and mechanistic data.Recent FindingsAccumulating evidence indicates a more significant role of immune checkpoints in maintaining cardiac integrity than previously understood, and new key scientific data are available to improve our understanding of ICI-rel...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - March 2, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Evaluation and Management of Hyponatremia in Heart Failure
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide a contemporary overview of the pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of hyponatremia in heart failure (HF).Recent FindingsPotassium and magnesium losses due to poor nutritional intake and treatment with diuretics cause an intracellular sodium shift in HF that may contribute to hyponatremia. Impaired renal blood flow leading to a lower glomerular filtration rate and increased proximal tubular reabsorption lead to an impaired tubular flux through diluting distal segments of the nephron, compromising electrolyte-free water excretion.SummaryHyponatremia in HF is typically a condition of...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - February 27, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Digital Solutions to Optimize Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Prescriptions in Heart Failure Patients: Current Applications and Future Directions
We report on the efficacy, characteristics of the study, and population of published digital solutions for GDMT optimization. The following digital solutions are discussed: teleconsultation, telemonitoring, cardiac implantable electronic devices, clinical decision support embedded within electronic health records, and multifaceted interventions. Effect of digital solutions is reported in dedicated studies, retrospective studies, or larger studies with another focus that also commented on GDMT use. Overall, we see more studies on digital solutions that report a significant increase in GDMT use. However, there is a large het...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - February 16, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Impact of Frailty on Heart Failure Prognosis: Is Sex Relevant?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHeart failure (HF) is one of the most frequent causes of hospital admission in elderly patients, especially in women, who present a high prevalence of geriatric syndromes like frailty. Studies have suggested that frailty and its impact may also differ between males and females. Understanding how frailty may differently affect HF patients depending on sex is therefore imperative for providing personalized care. The aim of this review is to summarize the role of sex in the prognostic impact of frailty in HF patients.Recent FindingsNumerous studies have identified frailty as a significant predictor of...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - February 16, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Digital Solutions to Optimize Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Prescriptions in Heart Failure Patients: Current Applications and Future Directions
We report on the efficacy, characteristics of the study, and population of published digital solutions for GDMT optimization. The following digital solutions are discussed: teleconsultation, telemonitoring, cardiac implantable electronic devices, clinical decision support embedded within electronic health records, and multifaceted interventions. Effect of digital solutions is reported in dedicated studies, retrospective studies, or larger studies with another focus that also commented on GDMT use. Overall, we see more studies on digital solutions that report a significant increase in GDMT use. However, there is a large het...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - February 16, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Impact of Frailty on Heart Failure Prognosis: Is Sex Relevant?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHeart failure (HF) is one of the most frequent causes of hospital admission in elderly patients, especially in women, who present a high prevalence of geriatric syndromes like frailty. Studies have suggested that frailty and its impact may also differ between males and females. Understanding how frailty may differently affect HF patients depending on sex is therefore imperative for providing personalized care. The aim of this review is to summarize the role of sex in the prognostic impact of frailty in HF patients.Recent FindingsNumerous studies have identified frailty as a significant predictor of...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - February 16, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Contrast Echocardiography in Heart Failure: Update 2023
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe application of ultrasound-enhancing agents (contrast agents) has improved the accuracy and reproducibility of echocardiography. The review focuses on the currently approved and evolving indications for contrast echocardiography in patients with heart failure, specifically examining clinical studies conducted after the publication of the guidelines in 2017 and 2018.Recent FindingsThe current ASE/EACVI recommendations for contrast echocardiography are based on its accuracy and reproducibility in comparison to non-enhanced echocardiography or other imaging modalities like cardiac MRI. However, tis...
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - February 2, 2024 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research