Medscape Conference Coverage, based on selected sessions at the:
Heart Failure Society of America 10th Annual Scientific Meeting
September 10 - 13, 2006, Seattle, Washington

This activity is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the Heart Failure Society of America.


Featured Coverage
Irbesartan in Heart Failure with Preserved Systolic Function (I-PRESERVE) trial - Study Population Compared With "Real Life" and CHARM-Preserved
Almost half of heart failure patients present with "preserved systolic function" -- thus the rationale and baseline data for I-PRESERVE assume extra importance.
The Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Heart Failure With Normal Ejection Fraction
Which is the disease and which is the symptom - especially in patients who present with hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and/or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?
An Aspirin-ACE inhibitor Interaction? Analysis of Patients in the Atrial Fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial With Irbesartan for Prevention of Vascular Events (ACTIVE W)
The stories have circulated for years -- that aspirin and ACE inhibitors interactive negatively in heart patients. Now a substudy of ACTIVE W attempts to resolve this question.
NAPA - Nesiritide Administered Peri-Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Managing diuresis in acutely decompensated heart failure is always a challenge, but this new drug shows good results.
Selective Cardiac Myosin Activator CK-1827452
Trials of inotropic agents in heart failure patients have not proven very successful to date, but the first of a possible new class of agents, operating on a new principle, shows promise.
Conference News
External counterpulsation in HF: Evidence for benefit strongest in ischemic disease 9/28/06
[Heartwire]
Perhaps the controversial treatment can help a broader range of patients than currently receive it, but skepticism about its clinical value persists.
Ultrafiltration's advantages over diuretics in acute-decompensated HF trial didn't cost the kidneys 9/22/06
[Heartwire]
Peripheral ultrafiltration therapy and IV diuretics had similar effects on serum creatinine in the UNLOAD trial, according to a follow-up analysis. Also, ultrafiltration appears to remove more sodium compared with IV diuretics, while sparing potassium.
Serum uric acid pegged as biomarker, possible treatment target in HF 9/18/06
[Heartwire]
A drug that reduces serum uric acid levels didn't show clinical benefits in a broad group of chronic HF patients, except, perhaps, among those in whom those levels were initially the highest.
Adenosine-receptor antagonist may cut IV diuretic needs in acute HF, hint phase 2 studies 9/15/06
[Heartwire]
Preliminary signs are that the drug increases urine output without worsening renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.
Cardiac contractility modulation device boosts exercise tolerance, quality of life: FIX-CHF-4 9/15/06
[Heartwire]
An experimental implantable device that delivers nonexcitatory impulses to the heart may help enhance exercise tolerance and improve quality of life, results from a new study suggest. But questions of mechanisms, placebo effects, downstream functional changes, and risk/benefit issues remain.
Likely genetic marker for heightened response to ISDN-hydralazine therapy for HF identified 9/13/06
[Heartwire]
The combination therapy's beneficial effects in the A-HeFT trial may have been concentrated among patients bearing a gene variant associated with increased adrenergic tone.
Sildenafil in systolic heart failure with secondary pulmonary hypertension 9/12/06
[Heartwire]
Interim results from an ongoing double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT indicate that the drug may improve exercise tolerance and quality of life, compared with placebo. While the link with pulmonary hypertension is well established, researchers say the benefits of sildenafil may go even further.
Nesiritide shows hint of survival benefit in chronic-HF patients undergoing CABG 9/12/06
[Heartwire]
Perioperative infusion of the drug may improve outcomes after bypass surgery, according to a phase 2 study. Also, nesiritide's manufacturer has announced that one of the world's preeminent research organizations will lead a large randomized trial testing the drug's safety and effectiveness in acute decompensated heart failure.

 
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The materials presented here were prepared by independent authors under the editorial supervision of Medscape and do not represent a publication of the Heart Failure Society of America. These materials and the related activity are not sanctioned by the Heart Failure Society of America or the commercial supporter of the conference, and do not constitute an official part of that conference.
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