Current heart failure reports
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Despite optimal medical therapy, many heart failure patients progress to end-stage disease associated with reduced quality of life and poor outcome. However, these patients can benefit from current novel cardiac support strategies, including ventricular assist devices (VADs), cardiac support devices (CSDs), and future cell- and/or matrix-based therapies. The most exciting goal in using VADs and CSDs is to achieve reverse remodeling, suppression of remodeling gene programs, and activation of myocardial recovery programs, which will improve left ventricular shape, size, and function. ⋯ Passive CSDs (eg, Acorn devices) are very promising as long-term devices for therapy of end-stage heart failure and reversal of structural and biochemical remodeling. Expanding CSD use to include preventing progressive adverse left ventricular remodeling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction requires further study. The combination of cell- and/or matrix-based therapies with CSDs is under investigation.
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Curr Heart Fail Rep · Dec 2008
ReviewPrevalence and management of central sleep apnea in heart failure patients.
There is increasing awareness of sleep-disordered breathing, which may manifest as obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea (CSA), or a mixture of the two. Obstructive sleep apnea and CSA are strongly associated with heart failure (HF) and risk factors for developing HF. CSA may be considered a manifestation of the pathophysiology of HF; hence, approaches to optimize pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of HF should help to ameliorate CSA. ⋯ Treating CSA poses significant challenges. Presently, the role of routine continuous positive airway pressure remains unclear, although newer ventilatory strategies may prove effective. Currently, CSA treatment involves standard optimal HF therapies, although growing evidence indicates that newer ventilation modes and cardiac resynchronization therapy may prove to be useful.
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Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of heart failure that occurs in women within 1 month of predelivery and 5 months postdelivery. Echocardiography demonstrates features of cardiomyopathy with impaired ejection fraction; global dilatation and thinned-out walls are sometimes present. The symptoms and signs of PPCM are similar to those in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. ⋯ The types and levels of monitoring required for an individual patient vary widely depending on the severity of the cardiac decompensation and response to initial therapy. The syndrome carries a high morbidity and mortality, and diagnosis is often delayed. This review summarizes recent data charting the incidence, recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of PPCM, and outlines the current treatment options available.
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Curr Heart Fail Rep · Sep 2008
ReviewPercutaneous ventricular assist devices for cardiogenic shock.
Cardiogenic shock complicates up to 7% of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions and 2.5% of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions, with an associated mortality of 50% to 70%. Primary cardiac pump failure is followed by secondary vital organ hypoperfusion and subsequent activation of various cascade pathways, resulting in a downward spiral leading to multiple organ failure and, ultimately, death. Immediate restoration of cardiac output by means of percutaneous ventricular assist devices restores hemodynamic -stability and is an important advance in the management of patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and cardiogenic shock. This article reviews available evidence supporting the use of percutaneous ventricular assist devices in patients suffering from cardiogenic shock.
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Curr Heart Fail Rep · Jun 2008
ReviewAnemia and the potential role of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in heart failure.
The recognition of the high prevalence and the independent prognostic role of anemia in heart failure (HF) has contributed to intensification of the search for an effective treatment. A central role of erythropoietin in cardiorenal anemia syndrome has been proposed. ⋯ The recognition of the pleiotropic effect of erythropoietin has expanded targets of therapy. The ongoing outcomes trial with darbepoetin alfa will determine the role of this novel therapy in the treatment of HF.