The registry seeks to evaluate RAASi treatment patterns in clinical practice compared to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Also included this month is an article examining how kidney function assessments can be used in future trials of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) clinical trials to achieve better outcomes for study subjects and patients.
WASHINGTON, DC (JUNE 10, 2025) – Current heart failure guidelines strongly recommend treating patients with HF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 40%) (HFrEF) (and some cases of HFpEF) with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASis) to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. However, target doses of RAASis are often not achieved or sustained due in part to concerns around hyperkalemia (HK), particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The June 2025 issue of the Journal of Cardiac Failure (JCF), now online, includes an overview of the CARE-HK in HF (Cardiovascular and Renal Treatment in Heart Failure Patients with Hyperkalemia or at High Risk of Hyperkalemia registry, a noninterventional, multinational, multicenter study that seeks to evaluate RAASi treatment patterns in clinical practice compared with GDMT.
“The June 2025 issue of JCF offers timely and critically important insights into the complex interplay between heart failure, hyperkalemia, and kidney function—issues that continue to challenge clinicians worldwide,’ said JCF co-editors-in-chief, Anu Lala, MD and Robert J. Mentz, MD. “This issue delivers actionable science that can directly inform and improve clinical decision-making.”
This issue brings to the forefront several notable contributions as outlined below.
Key Highlights include:
Cardiovascular and Renal Treatment in Heart Failure Patients With Hyperkalemia or High Risk of Hyperkalemia: Rationale and Design of the CARE-HK in HF Registry
Inertia Is Not an Option: Laying the Foundation for a Consensus on the Assessment of Kidney Function in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
A new registry seeks to evaluate Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) treatment patterns in clinical practice compared to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in patients with HF and current or at high risk for hyperkalemia. This is otherwise known as CARE-HK in HF (Cardiovascular and Renal Treatment in Heart Failure Patients with Hyperkalemia or at High Risk of Hyperkalemia).
The Heart Failure Collaboratory (HFC) has assembled an expert group of heart failure and kidney specialists, along with US Food and Drug Administration representatives, to focus on the specific challenge of how kidney function should be assessed in the setting of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) clinical trials. Their goal is to reduce the bidirectional heart-kidney barriers to therapies for ADHF patients. It also explores how kidney function assessments can be used in future trials of ADHF drug and device development to achieve better outcomes for study subjects and eventually patients in the community.
The full line-up is as follows:
Original Research Papers
- Improving the Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction by Including Left Atrial Strain in the Algorithm
- Association Between Age or Duration of Diagnosis in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Response to Mavacamten Treatment: Exploratory Analysis of the EXPLORER-HCM Trial
- Differential Prognostic Impact of Clinical Congestion between Preserved versus Reduced Ejection Fraction in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Findings from the Japanese Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure Registry
- Assessment of Noninferiority in Terms of 6-month Morbidity and Mortality Rates of a Hospital-at-home Care Pathway for Patients With Acute Heart Failure: FIL-EAS-ic Study Protocol
Methodology and Design
State-of-the-Art-Review
Patient Focus Summary
Perspective
Brief Reports
- Iron Deficiency and Exercise Capacity in LVAD patients
- Differences Between Ischemic and Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy in Heart Failure Related Cardiogenic Shock
- Effect of Initiation With Sacubitril/valsartan on Blood Neurodegeneration Markers in HFrEF
- Influence of Environmental Temperature on the Occurrence of Driveline Infection in LVAD Patients
Research Letter
JCF Ignite!
HFSA Society Page
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