Heart Failure Beat

In this episode of the Heart Failure Beat, our hosts sit down with Dr. James Fang, immediate past president of the Heart Failure Society of America, to discuss highlights from his term and the advancements shaping heart failure care. Dr. Fang reflects on major scientific breakthroughs, including the SEQUOIA-HCM and FINEARTS-HF trials, and the role of GLP-1 agonists. He also emphasizes the societal importance of accessible treatments, especially with recent legislative changes impacting drug affordability. Dr. Fang highlights initiatives like the Heart Failure Research Foundation’s support for early-career investigators and the Journal of Cardiac Failure's expansion into Open Access, which together aim to foster collaboration and drive innovation. Tune in for insights on pivotal developments, the future of heart failure as a specialty, and the Society’s commitment to fostering a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

In this episode of Heart Failure Beat, Priya and Michael interview Dr. Partho Sengupta – cardiology artificial intelligence (AI) aficionado – who shares his expertise on the role of AI in transforming cardiovascular care, from diagnostics to personalized treatment. On Heart Failure Rounds, Michael discusses the latest research on nurse-led titration clinics and their significant impact on heart failure rehospitalizations and mortality. The episode wraps up with Priya’s review of the latest trials presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), highlighting new therapies and breakthroughs in cardiac and kidney care on From Failure to Function. A must-listen for clinicians interested in cutting-edge heart failure management.

On the July episode of the Heart Failure Beat, we celebrate the graduation of newly-minted advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologists. Michael and Priya welcome doctors Matthew Colna, Lekha Racharla, Benjamin Stoner, and Anas Jawaid to reflect on their PGY-7 year and look ahead on their first year as cardiology attendings. The EFFORT and CAST-HF trials, Arrhythmia-Induced Cardiomyopathy, and a Randomized Trial of Cholesterol Lowering With Evolocumab are also discussed.

In this month's episode, we welcome guests Stuart Prenner, MD and Kavita Sharma, MD to discuss what is quickly becoming the predominant form of heart failure in the United States: Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). As leaders of two of the few HFpEF specialty clinics in the country, Drs. Prenner and Sharma provide a number of insights involving the evaluation and management of HFpEF patients. On Heart Failure Rounds, Michael explores the use of ARNI and MRA drugs in patients with chronic kidney disease and Craig Beavers, PharmD breaks down Troponin and Treatment Effects of Omecamtiv Mecarbil: GALACTIC-HF on the JCF Spotlight.

On the May episode of the Heart Failure Beat, Michael and Priya welcome Amanda Vest, MBBS, MPH, FHFSA and Adrian daSilva-deAbreu, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D to discuss the evaluation and management of obesity in patients with heart failure. Heart failure cardiologists need to become comfortable managing obesity, a common co-morbidity among their patients. In the JCF Spotlight, Associate Editor Colleen McIlvennan, PhD, DNP, ANP, FAHA, FHFSA reviews an article published in the May issue. And finally, on a special Heart Failure Rounds, Michael shares an interview with transplant recipient, where he relives his experience through heart transplantation and makes recommendations for the role of re-branding and for palliative care throughout that journey.

On the April episode of the Heart Failure Beat, Priya and Michael take on adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) with guests Chetan Pasrija, MD, MS, and Ari Cedars, MD, and discover that it’s never too early to refer a patient with ACHD for advanced therapies. Andrew Sauer, MD, an associate editor of the Journal of Cardiac Failure, joins the episode for a new segment featuring a review of a recently published article on the STRONG-HF trial. Priya does a fast-track review of 4 trials in 4 minutes from ACC.24 and the ISHLT 44th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions on From Failure to Function and on Heart Failure Rounds, Michael reviews a recently published HFSA Scientific Statement on cognitive impairment in HF. This is a slightly longer episode jam-packed with fascinating tidbits of information, so settle into the full episode or explore the chapters to catch your favorite segment!

We are pleased to announce that we are back after a brief hiatus, with segments recorded around the holidays in late 2023. In this episode, our hosts will discuss the broad topic of women in heart failure. Firstly, they will explore the disparities in care that women face, particularly regarding advanced heart failure treatment and enrollment in clinical trials. Next, they will turn to the professional side of women in heart failure, where they will be talking with two leaders from Women in Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support (WiTMCS) - a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field and supporting women professionals in heart transplantation and mechanical support. Guests include Katherine Clark, MD, MBA, FACC, Ersilia DeFilippis, MD, FACC, FHFSA, and Eileen Hsich, MD, FHFSA.

Priya and Michael chat with the editors of the Journal of Cardiac Failure about what constructive disruption to scientific publishing means, touching on broad inclusion, double-blind peer reviews within seven days, being a platform for critical documents that help to define the field, mentorship, and what’s on the horizon for the JCF.

The newly released HF Stats℠ revealed that the incidence, prevalence, mortality and hospitalization rates of heart failure are increasing despite advances in treatment modalities, guideline recommendations, and strategies for implementation. Our hosts sat down with Dr. Biykem Bozkurt, the lead author on the 2023 HF Stats℠ annual report Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics: A Report of the Heart Failure Society of America at the HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023 to discuss trends, report outcomes, and next steps.  

On this episode, we bring you interviews recorded live at the HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting in early October 2023. The episode kicks off with a discussion with HFSA President James C. Fang, MD, FHFSA (00:50), followed by chats with three Late Breaking Clinical Trial presenters [Marat Fudim, MD, MHS (07:09); Marvin Konstam, MD (12:10); and James L. Januzzi, MD, FACC, FESC (17:55)]; and finally, a highlight reel with HFSA Social Media Catalysts Anju Bhardwaj, MD and Shashank S. Sinha, MD, MSc (25:20).