Age-stratified effects of intravenous ferric derisomaltose in heart failure with iron deficiency: insights from the IRONMAN trial.

Background: Intravenous iron therapy with ferric derisomaltose (FDI) has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and iron deficiency. However, its effects across different age groups remain unclear. This analysis of the Effectiveness of Intravenous Iron Treatment versus Standard Care in Patients with Heart Failure and Iron Deficiency (IRONMAN) trial explored the efficacy and safety of FDI across age groups.

Impact of SGLT2 inhibition on markers of reverse cardiac remodelling in heart failure: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Several landmark randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the efficacy of sodium-glucose co-transport 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in reducing all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality and heart failure (HF) hospitalizations. Much interest surrounds their mechanism of action and whether they have direct effects on reverse cardiac remodelling. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of placebo controlled RCTs evaluating the impact of SGLT2 inhibition on imaging derived markers of reverse cardiac remodelling in patients with HF.

An insight into healthcare professionals' perspectives on discussing implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation.

Aims: International studies have examined patients' views concerning the discussion of deactivating an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Findings reported that many patients were either not informed about the subject or were informed late in their illness trajectory. This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals' perspectives on discussing ICD deactivation and identify priorities for clinical practice and future research.

SGLT2 Inhibition in Heart Failure: Clues to Cardiac Effects?

Following the publication of several landmark clinical trials such as dapagliflozin in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, dapagliflozin evaluation to improve the lives of patients with preserved ejection fraction heart failure, and empagliflozin outcome trial in patients with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, sodium-glucose cotransport 2 inhibitors have been rapidly incorporated as a guideline-directed therapy in the treatment of heart failure. Moreover, their benefits appear to extend across the spectrum of left ventricular dysfunction which in some respects, can be seen as the holy grail of heart failure pharmacotherapy. Despite its plethora of proven cardioprotective benefits, the mechanisms by which it exerts these effects remain poorly understood, however, it is clear that these extend beyond that of promotion of glycosuria and natriuresis.

Viability and Outcomes With Revascularization or Medical Therapy in Ischemic Ventricular Dysfunction: A Prespecified Secondary Analysis of the REVIVED-BCIS2 Trial.

Importance: In the Revascularization for Ischemic Ventricular Dysfunction (REVIVED-BCIS2) trial, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) did not improve outcomes for patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. Whether myocardial viability testing had prognostic utility for these patients or identified a subpopulation who may benefit from PCI remained unclear.

Objective: To determine the effect of the extent of viable and nonviable myocardium on the effectiveness of PCI, prognosis, and improvement in left ventricular function.

Percutaneous Revascularization for Ischemic Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Background: Whether revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can improve event-free survival and left ventricular function in patients with severe ischemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction, as compared with optimal medical therapy (i.e., individually adjusted pharmacologic and device therapy for heart failure) alone, is unknown.

Exploring the prevalence, impact and experience of cardiac cachexia in patients with advanced heart failure and their caregivers: A sequential phased study.

Background: Cardiac Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that has a significant impact on patient mortality and quality of life world-wide, although it is poorly understood in clinical practice.

Aim: Identify the prevalence of cardiac cachexia in patients with advanced New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and explore its impact on patients and caregivers.

Design: An exploratory cross-sectional study.

Circulating biomarkers for management of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction.

Cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. Effective clinical management of CTRCD is impeded by a lack of sensitive diagnostic and prognostic strategies. Circulating molecular markers could potentially address this need as they are often indicative of cardiac stress before cardiac damage can be detected clinically.

Determinants of acceptance of patients with heart failure and their informal caregivers regarding an interactive decision-making system: a qualitative study.

Objective: Heart failure is a growing challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Technological solutions have the potential to improve the health of patients and help to reduce costs. Acceptability is a prerequisite for the use and a successful implementation of new disruptive technologies.

The prognostic role of mid-range ejection fraction in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: There is a paucity of studies investigating the impact of mid-range ejection fraction (mrEF) on clinical outcomes, including ventricular arrhythmias, in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to investigate the prognostic role of mrEF post STEMI and whether recommended medical therapy may modify future risk.

Methods: 533 consecutive patients from a single large-volume centre who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included.

Artificial intelligence supported patient self-care in chronic heart failure: a paradigm shift from reactive to predictive, preventive and personalised care.

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most complex chronic disorders with high prevalence, mainly due to the ageing population and better treatment of underlying diseases. Prevalence will continue to rise and is estimated to reach 3% of the population in Western countries by 2025. It is the most important cause of hospitalisation in subjects aged 65 years or more, resulting in high costs and major social impact.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) functionality: patient and family information for advanced decision-making.

Unlabelled: As the number of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) implanted continues to rise, there is a growing challenge to ensure patients and family members are adequately equipped for involvement in future end-of-life decisions concerning their device.

Objective: To explore patients', family members' and professionals' attitudes and understanding towards discussing ICD deactivation.

Methods: Case study approach using qualitative interviews and framework analysis.

An exploration of the prevalence and experience of cardiac cachexia: protocol for a mixed methods cross-sectional study.

Background: Cachexia is a complex and multifactorial syndrome defined as severe weight loss and muscle wasting which frequently goes unrecognised in clinical practice [1]. It is a debilitating syndrome, resulting in patients experiencing decreased quality of life and an increased risk of premature death; with cancer cachexia alone resulting in 2 million deaths per annum [2]. Most work in this field has focused on cancer cachexia, with cardiac cachexia being relatively understudied - despite its potential prevalence and impact in patients who have advanced heart failure.

Inadequate Communication Exacerbates the Support Needs of Current and Bereaved Caregivers in Advanced Heart Failure and Impedes Shared Decision-making.

Background: Clinicians face considerable challenges in identifying patients with advanced heart failure who experience significant symptom burden at the end of life. Often, these patients are cared for in the community by a loved one who has limited access to support from specialist services, including palliative care.

Aim: The aims of this study were to explore caregivers' experience when caring for a loved one with advanced heart failure at the end of life and to identify any unmet psychosocial needs.

Patient and Professional Factors That Impact the Perceived Likelihood and Confidence of Healthcare Professionals to Discuss Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Deactivation in Advanced Heart Failure: Results From an International Factorial Survey.

Background: Rate of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantations is increasing in patients with advanced heart failure. Despite clear guideline recommendations, discussions addressing deactivation occur infrequently.

Aim: The aim of this article is to explore patient and professional factors that impact perceived likelihood and confidence of healthcare professionals to discuss ICD deactivation.

'The importance of planning for the future': Burden and unmet needs of caregivers' in advanced heart failure: A mixed methods study.

Background: While studies have evaluated caregiver outcomes in heart failure, the burden and support needs when caring for someone with advanced heart failure at the end of life have yet to be outlined.

Aim: To identify psychosocial factors associated with caregiver burden and evaluate the support needs of caregivers in advanced heart failure.

Design: A sequential mixed methods study comprising two phases: (1) postal survey with advanced heart failure patients and their caregivers and (2) interviews with current and bereaved caregivers.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) deactivation discussions: Reality versus recommendations.

Background: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a cornerstone in the treatment of life-threatening arrhythmias. As rates of device implantation continue to rise throughout Europe, European and International guidelines recommend professionals discuss deactivation with patients. In reality the appropriate therapeutic management of an ICD at the end-of-life remains uncertain in the minds of professionals and patients.

Patients' perception of implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation at the end of life.

Background: Individualised care at the end of life requires professional understanding of the patient's perception of implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the evidence on patients' perception of implantable cardioverter defibrillator deactivation at end of life.

Design: Systematic narrative review of empirical studies was published during 2008-2014.

Late gadolinium enhancement is common in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and no clinical risk factors for sudden cardiac death: A single center experience.

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is used in the diagnosis and risk stratification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and can detect myocardial replacement fibrosis (anindependent predictor of adverse cardiac outcomes) using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Methods: We retrospectively analysed CMR studies carried out over a 2 year period identifying those which were diagnostic of HCM. 117 cases were analysed.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in two preoperative patients with pain.

Reversible stress-induced cardiomyopathy, i.e., Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, rarely presents in preoperative patients.