Highlights include the HF STATS 2024: Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics An Updated 2024 Report from the Heart Failure Society of America; original research on patients hospitalized for acute HF who develop atrial fibrillation; and a state-of-the-art review on Baroreflex Function in Cardiovascular Disease

WASHINGTON, DC (JANUARY 14, 2025) – The latest issue of the Journal of Cardiac Failure (JCF) is now online, featuring a compelling collection of impactful articles in heart failure (HF) research. This issue brings to the forefront several notable contributions as outlined below. 

“The January issue looks at several unique studies as summarized briefly below” said JCF co-editors-in-chief, Anu Lala, MD and Robert J. Mentz, MD.

Key Highlights include: 

HF Stats 2024: Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics 

Patients Hospitalized for Acute HF who Develop AF or Convert to Sinus Rhythm 

High cDPP3 in cardiogenic shock: ACCOST-HH trial 

Adaptive CRT Algorithm and Healthcare Utilization and Cost 

Baroreflex Function in Cardiovascular Disease

HF Stats 2024: Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics 

The latest findings on heart failure (HF) published by Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) reveal a concerning rise in the prevalence, mortality, and impact of this debilitating condition in the United States. According to the HF Stats 2024: Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics, approximately 6.7 million Americans over the age of 20 currently live with heart failure, a figure projected to rise to 8.7 million by 2030, 10.3 million by 2040, and a staggering 11.4 million by 2050. 

“The shifts in age distribution, worsening in mortality rates, widening racial and ethnic disparities –which may be a reflection of systematic and structural barriers to appropriate and timely health care – should be a wake-up call for clinicians, payers, legislators, funding agencies, and the overall healthcare system,” said Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine and chair of the HFSA Data in HF Committee. 
 

Patients Hospitalized for Acute HF who Develop AF or Convert to Sinus Rhythm 

Patients who are hospitalized for acute heart failure often also have atrial fibrillation. Heart failure can cause atrial fibrillation and vice versa. However, it is not clear how many patients convert to sinus rhythm or develop atrial fibrillation in the hospital and how this relates to outcomes. In this post-hoc, secondary analysis of the PROTECT study, a minority of patients returned to sinus rhythm or developed atrial fibrillation. This occurred mainly within 24 hours of hospital admission. Although patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and those who developed atrial fibrillation had longer lengths of hospital stay, they did not have worse outcomes. 

The patient focus summary is also focused on this paper this month. These summaries help people living with heart failure better understand the research that may impact their treatments.
 

The full line-up is as follows:  

Original Research Papers  

• Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized for Acute Heart Failure who Develop Atrial Fibrillation or Convert to Sinus Rhythm
  • Patient Focus: Beating to your Own Rhythm: An explanation of “Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized for Acute Heart Failure who Develop Atrial Fibrillation or Convert to Sinus Rhythm” 
• Validation of a Supportive and Palliative Care Indicator Tool among Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure 
  • Editorial: "Do We Need More Tools? Searching the Toolbox for Ways to Identify Palliative Care Needs in Patients with Heart Failure" 
• High circulating dipeptidyl peptidase 3 predicts mortality and need for organ support in cardiogenic shock: An ancillary analysis of the ACCOST-HH trial 
  • Editorial: "cDPP3 in Cardiogenic Shock: More than just a prognostic marker?" 
• Association of Psychosocial Risk Factors With Quality of Life and Readmissions 1-Year After LVAD Implantation 
  • Editorial: "Psychosocial Risk to Predict Outcomes after LVAD implantation: A small step forward in predicting human behavior" 
• Association Between use of an Adaptive Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Algorithm and Healthcare Utilization and Cost 
  • Editorial: CRT Algorithms: Harvesting Low-Hanging Fruit

HFSA Statement 

• HF Stats 2024: Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics An Updated 2024 Report from the Heart Failure Society of America 

State-of-the-Art Review 

• Baroreflex Function in Cardiovascular Disease 

Perspectives 

• "Highlights for the heart failure cardiologist from the 7th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension: Are we out of the woods yet?" 
• The Power in Our Patients’ Hands: Exploring LVAD and Suicide 
• Should We Systematically Screen for the Amyloidogenic V142I Variant? 
• European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024 Meeting: Heart Failure Highlights 

Brief Reports 

• Aortic Pulsatility Index as a Marker of Weaning to Native Recovery in Patients Supported with an Impella CP for Cardiogenic Shock 
• "Association of Amiodarone Use Prior to Orthotopic Heart Transplant with Post-Transplant Graft Dysfunction and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" 
• Readability and Accessibility of Patient Education Materials for Heart Failure in the United States 
• Are two Gliflozins different: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Study to Assess Effect of Remogliflozin compared to Empagliflozin on Biomarkers of Heart Failure in Indian Patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus with Chronic Heart Failure (REMIT-HF study) 

Research Letters 

• Feasibility and Reproducibility of Performing Maximal Incremental Exercise with Addition of Invasive Hemodynamic Measurements 

JCF Ignite! 

• Emerging Adults: A Group Caught in the Middle 

Letters to the Editors 

• "Letter to the editor: Regarding: “The Power in Our Patients’ Hands: Exploring LVAD and Suicide”
• "Response to letter to the editor: Regarding: “The Power in Our Patients’ Hands: Exploring LVAD and Suicide”
   

View the full issue online. For interviews with authors, please contact Alyssa Altonen at aaltonen@hfsa.org. 
 

About the Journal of Cardiac Failure

The Journal of Cardiac Failure (JCF) publishes the highest quality science in the field of heart failure with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, mentorship, multidisciplinary partnerships, and patient-centeredness. Published papers span original investigator-initiated work to state-of-the-art reviews, guidelines and scientific statements, expert perspectives, early career and trainee spotlight pieces, patient and patient-partner narratives. JCF also emphasizes the power of language and prioritizes innovative approaches to dissemination of published work to reach and impact the broader heart failure community.

About the Heart Failure Society of America

The Heart Failure Society of America, Inc. (HFSA) represents the first organized effort by heart failure experts from the Americas to provide a forum for all those interested in heart function, heart failure, and congestive heart failure (CHF) research and patient care. The mission of HFSA is to provide a platform to improve and expand heart failure care through collaboration, education, innovation, research, and advocacy. HFSA members include physicians, scientists, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, trainees, other healthcare workers and patients. For more information, visit hfsa.org.

Media Contact: Alyssa Altonen, 301-798-4493, ext. 226, aaltonen@hfsa.org