WASHINGTON, DC (JANUARY 13, 2026) – A novel approach to removing excess fluid through the skin and a new strategy to prevent right ventricular failure after LVAD implantation are among the highlights of the January issue of the Journal of Cardiac Failure (JCF). Together, these studies point to emerging ways clinicians may better manage congestion and improve outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure.
The issue also highlights an HFSA scientific statement that reframes heart failure as a preventable condition, along with additional original research and clinical insights spanning prevention, inpatient management, and advanced therapies.
Articles in the January issue also include:
Despite advances in hemocompatibility with the HeartMate 3 LVAD, hemodynamic-related complications - particularly right ventricular failure (RVF) - remain a major source of morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates a comprehensive, upfront right ventricular protection strategy that combines hemodynamic, ventilatory, and pharmacologic optimization immediately following LVAD implantation. The findings offer a promising roadmap for improving outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support.
Enhancing Sweat Rate for In-Hospital and Home-Based Decongestive Therapy
This innovative study explores fluid and salt removal via the skin as a novel approach to decongestion in patients with heart failure and volume overload. Using a device designed to enhance eccrine sweat gland activity, investigators demonstrated meaningful weight loss and improvements in congestion during hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure, as well as continued benefits following discharge during home-based therapy.
Notably, patients experienced improved congestion scores, reductions in NT-proBNP levels, and enhanced quality of life - despite reductions in diuretic dosing - highlighting the potential role of nontraditional decongestive strategies in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Reappearing in the January issue, this landmark joint scientific statement from HFSA and ASPC reframes heart failure as a preventable condition rather than an inevitable outcome. Published concurrently in the Journal of Cardiac Failure (JCF) and the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the statement presents the first national framework integrating preventive cardiology across the full continuum of heart failure—spanning risk identification in healthy individuals to secondary and tertiary prevention in patients with advanced disease, including LVAD and heart transplant recipients.
The full line-up for the JCF January issue is as follows:
Original Research Papers
- Enhancing Sweat Rate for In-Hospital and Home-Based Decongestive Therapy
- Impact of Embedded Interdisciplinary Heart Failure Teams on Achieving Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Within Community-Based Cardiology Practices
- Editorial: Patient Focus: Teamwork to Make the Heart Work: An Explanation of the Impact of Embedded Interdisciplinary Heart Failure Teams on Achieving Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy in Community-Based Cardiology Practices
- Editorial: It takes a village: integrating the interdisciplinary heart failure team to optimize guideline-directed medical therapy
- Changes in Seated Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Response to Titration of Heart Failure Medications During Ambulatory Monitoring
- Mitigating Post-operative Right Ventricular Dysfunction After Left Ventricular Assist Device: The RV Protection Study
- Psychosocial Risk Assessment for Heart Transplantation: Evaluating for Bias and Impact on Post-transplant Outcomes
HFSA Scientific Statement
State-of-the-Art-Review
- Acute Heart Failure: Transitioning From Symptom-Based Care to Remission
- The Role of Lactate Metabolism in Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Implications
Perspectives
- In Transplant We Trust? Perspectives on the Erosion of Trust in the United States Transplant System
- JCF in Case you Missed It! ESC Heart Failure Congress 2025
Brief Reports
- Effects of Finerenone on Readmissions for Heart Failure: Insights From the FINEARTS-HF Trial
- Amiodarone Association With Severe Primary Graft Dysfunction and Vasoactive Inotropic Score After Heart Transplantation
- Efficacy of Heart Failure Medications in Fontan Circulation: A Systematic Review of Evidence and Gaps in Pharmacological Strategy
- Albuminuria, Kidney Function and Heart Failure Risk in Type 2 Diabetes: Participant-level Pooled Analysis from the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE Trial
Research Letter
- Time-to-Diuretics in Acute Heart Failure Management: Striking the Balance Between Speed and Accuracy
JCF Ignite!
ECT Spotlight
Letter to the Editor
View the full issue online. For interviews with authors, please contact Laura Poko at lpoko@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: Laura Poko, 301-798-4493, ext. 226, lpoko@hfsa.org