Heart Failure

Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption might actually be a good thing for the heart and heart diseases, according to the recent results of a study out of Norway.

In a nationwide cross-sectional comparison of organizational structure for chronic disease management, less attention was given to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than chronic heart failure.

Proactive identification of cognitive impairment and compensatory destigmatized patient/familial psychoeducation regarding “forgetfulness” in hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure may reduce readmission rates substantially.

The 30-day readmission risk was reduced 25% by a collaborative program model employing discharge planning and telephonic follow-up for high-risk patients with CMS penalty diagnoses.

Last year, an FDA advisory panel called for an updated label for saxagliptin, but the agency is still gathering information.

The 3 core measures of acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia are the leading causes of hospital admissions and expenditures. Our study sets the benchmark foundation for outcome evaluations of CMS’s value-based purchasing program and the Affordable Care Act.

Social support is becoming increasingly crucial to maintain a regular exercise regimen for heart failure patients, according to a recent study.

The findings suggest that addressing heart patients' social needs is the first step toward getting them to exercise more.

A study finds that a commonly prescribed therapy reduces activity in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Hospitals that face penalties from CMS for failing to reduce readmission rates have looked to telehealth as a potential tool to keep track of patients after discharge. A study presented by a UCLA researcher did not meet its end point but offered some insights for future work.

A study presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting has found that cancer increases cardiac stress, which is further accentuated by chemotherapy.

The Swiss drug giant Novartis is looking at alternate pricing models for its heart failure drug Entresto, which is expected to gain FDA approval in August.

In the United States, where 1 in 680 people between 20 and 50 years old are survivors of childhood cancer, the impact of long-term health consequences is a cause for concern, and even more so because this population is increasing.

To promote collaboration and efficiency, the MD Anderson Cancer Center developed an interdisciplinary team—based Heart Success Program to coordinate the management of concurrent cardiomyopathy and HF while the patient is receiving cancer treatment.

With the prognosis for many cancers improving, we are seeing an appropriate sharpening of focus on the cardiovascular risks of patients who have survived cancer or are being treated for cancer, as well as a growing recognition of the impact this competing morbidity has on both short- and long-term health outcomes.

The results of an ongoing study, presented at the annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology in Seville, Spain, identified a 5-fold increased risk of death in heart failure patients who were depressed.

Coverage from the 64th Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

Remote monitoring for heart failure patients resulted in fewer hospitalizations and deaths than a similar group of patients receiving usual care during a 4-month study, but the benefits didn't last beyond the study period.

Onglyza (saxagliptin), developed by AstraZeneca, was found to cause an increased risk of heart failure.

The study, which will presented next week at the meeting of the American College of Cardiology, defined how much avoiding diabetes, obesity, and hypertension before age 45 matters if one is later diagnosed with heart failure.

A disease management program at the University of Minnesota revealed only some targeted chronic diseases benefitted from the program while others were unaffected.

When discharge summaries contain detailed information and are sent quickly to primary care physicians, they can help reduce hospital readmissions, according to studies from researchers at Yale School of Medicine.

Outcomes for certain cardiac arrest patients were better for those admitted to teaching hospitals during national cardiology meetings compared with patients admitted on non-meeting days, according to a new study in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The Senate introduced legislation this week that would require Medicare to consider patients' finances when deciding whether to punish a hospital for readmission numbers.

As the bill for providing healthcare in the United States continues to grow, hospitals are finding that many of their expenses can be chalked up to patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart failure taking avoidable trips to the emergency room (ER).