Top 5 Heart Failure Content of 2023

In our top 5 most-viewed heart failure (HF) content of the year, a subanalysis of CHIEF-HF trial Fitbit data indicated that patients with HF benefit from increased daily step counts; a mobile app positively influenced self-care and potentially survival outcomes; a study suggested a link between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and an increased risk of new-onset HF; Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, emphasized the importance of preventing atrial fibrillation (AFib); and researchers expressed caution over evolocumab based on FOURIER trial data inconsistencies, sparking dispute from Amgen and a call for complete restoration of the trial data.

Here is our top 5 most-viewed HF content from 2023. Click here to check out all of our HF coverage.

5. Heart Failure Outcomes Likely Improve With Higher Daily Step Counts

A subanalysis of Fitbit data from the CHIEF-HF trial revealed that patients with HF who increased their daily step count by 1000 steps experienced clinically significant improvements in HF-related outcomes, as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Participants who walked 1000 steps per day had lower KCCQ Total Symptom and Physical Limitation scores compared with those walking 2000 or 3000 steps per day. These findings highlight the link between increased activity and better health status in patients with HF; additional research is needed to validate these findings and explore the interpretation of wearable device data in chronic disease contexts beyond HF.

Read the full article here.

4. App Effectively Maintains, Manages HF Self-Care Following Discharge

The Heart Failure Health Storylines (HFHS) mobile health app, which is designed for postdischarge self-care in patients with HF, positively impacted patients’ ability to maintain and manage recommended care regimens, potentially influencing survival outcomes. According to research, the app users demonstrated increased confidence in behaviors such as medication adherence, exercise, low-sodium diet, obtaining health information, and recognizing health changes compared with those using only discharge instructions. The findings suggest that incorporating mobile health apps in postdischarge care strategies could optimize patient education, adherence to self-care, and reduce HF-related readmissions and health care costs. The study emphasized the importance of supplementing discharge instructions with mobile app use for improved self-care confidence among patients with HF.

Read the full article here.

3. New Potential Link Found Between Heart Failure, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A study from Germany revealed a potential link between CTS and an increased risk of new-onset HF, suggesting that transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis may be more frequently detected in individuals with CTS. The study, based on data from 163,796 patients, found that the CTS cohort had an 8.4% incidence of HF compared with 6.2% in the no-CTS cohort over a 10-year period. Older age was a significant factor associated with a higher risk of developing HF in individuals with a history of CTS. The study suggests a potential role for surgeons and general practitioners in the early detection of internal diseases, offering opportunities for better treatment and prognosis.

Read the full article here.

2. The Importance of Examining and Preventing Atrial Fibrillation

Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, recipient of the Honorary Fellow of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) award, delivered a lecture on the prevention of AFib at the ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention. In an interview, Benjamin discussed various aspects of AFib, including risk factors, prevention strategies, connections between AFib and noncardiovascular health conditions, and long-term data on stroke. She emphasized the imperative to focus on preventing AFib and shared insights on the importance of early intervention and managing risk factors to reduce the burden of AFib.

Listen to the podcast here.

1. Experts Issue Caution for Evolocumab Following New Review of FOURIER Data; Amgen Disputes the Claims

Researchers from Spain and Canada issued a warning about the use of evolocumab (Repatha), a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor, based on their analysis of inconsistencies between the FOURIER trial's Clinical Study Report (CSR) and the publication of primary trial results in 2017. The researchers found a 41.4% inconsistency rate between FOURIER clinical events and those noted by the local clinical investigator for the CSR, raising questions about the trial's mortality data. Amgen, the maker of evolocumab, disputed the findings, stating that there were limitations to the analysis and that the integrity and validity of the FOURIER trial and results are sound. The researchers called for a complete restoration of the FOURIER trial data.

Read the full article here.