{"title":"Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure: Uncovering Therapeutic Targets in the Atrial Substrate.","authors":"Danish Sultan, Bianca J J M Brundel","doi":"10.1007/s11897-026-00744-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-026-00744-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13391824/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146225788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elisavet Andrikopoulou, Rosalynn C Austin, Fahad Ahmad, Anne Marie Lunde Husebø
{"title":"Engaging Patients with Heart Failure in Diet and Nutritional Health Behaviors Through mHealth Applications - A Restricted, Systematic Review.","authors":"Elisavet Andrikopoulou, Rosalynn C Austin, Fahad Ahmad, Anne Marie Lunde Husebø","doi":"10.1007/s11897-025-00739-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-025-00739-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To examine recent mHealth interventions aimed at supporting diet and nutrition behaviours in heart failure (HF). The review included studies of mobile applications (apps) that incorporated at least one diet- or nutrition-related component published in the last 5 years, in English and targeted for a heart failure population. The review summarises diet and nutrition features and evaluation, engagement strategies within these apps, and reporting of how strategies relate to changes in nutrition-focused health behaviours in people with HF. The review was restricted by period (years) of articles retrieved, percentage of duplication in researchers checking the inclusion and data extraction, and number of databases searched. RECENT FINDINGS: A total of nine studies (2019–2023) met the inclusion criteria. No mHealth application was solely dedicated to diet or nutritional health behaviours in heart failure (HF). Engagement features included personalised feedback, goal setting, reminders, and gamification, which appeared to improve adherence. Ease of use and technical support facilitated patient technology uptake, whereas burdensome data entry and complex interfaces hindered it. MHealth apps exist for supporting HF self-care, but only a few include diet and nutrition support. Future app development should integrate robust diet and nutrition guidance alongside standard HF-care. Emphasis on user-centred design, including co-creation with patients and intuitive interfaces is essential to improve usability and engagement. Research is needed to incorporate diet and nutrition management integrate in mHealth tools for those with HF. </p>","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":"23 1","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12909509/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146200046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T Torfs, R J A Veltrop, G Lezzoche, S R B Heymans, J A J Verdonschot, M Nabben
{"title":"Metabolic Dysregulation in Laminopathies: Implications for Heart Failure and Cardiac Health.","authors":"T Torfs, R J A Veltrop, G Lezzoche, S R B Heymans, J A J Verdonschot, M Nabben","doi":"10.1007/s11897-025-00735-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-025-00735-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of the review: </strong>Laminopathies are a diverse group of genetic disorders caused by variants in nuclear lamina proteins, with heart failure being a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients. By shifting the perspective from distinct clinical phenotypes to a continuous spectrum of metabolic observations in laminopathies, this review aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic dysregulation in laminopathies and their impact on cardiac health.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Emerging evidence links A-type lamins to cellular metabolism, with systemic metabolic changes such as lipodystrophy, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia often detected in laminopathy patients before cardiac symptoms onset. At the molecular level, LMNA variants disrupt the regulation of genes involved in fatty acid, oxidation glucose utilization, and mitochondrial function. These disturbances increase cardiomyocyte susceptibility, promoting fibrosis and apoptosis. Metabolic dysregulation is a recurring observation across the laminopathy spectrum. Targeting metabolic pathways shows preclinical promise for improving cardiac outcomes in patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":"23 1","pages":"6"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12864387/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146103733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amitai Segev, Stephen P Wright, Nathaniel M Hawkins
{"title":"Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Systematic Review.","authors":"Amitai Segev, Stephen P Wright, Nathaniel M Hawkins","doi":"10.1007/s11897-025-00723-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-025-00723-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence, diagnostic accuracy of natriuretic peptides, prognosis, treatment response, and pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). RECENT FINDINGS: Diastolic dysfunction was highly prevalent in COPD, with a pooled prevalence of 43.4% (95% CI 32.5–54.9%). Among studies reporting severity, dysfunction was mild in 42.1%, moderate in 16.5%, and severe in 3.2%. HFpEF was rarely reported (n = 5 studies) with prevalence ranging from 18% to 50%. Natriuretic peptides showed high negative predictive value (0.80–0.93) but low positive predictive value (0.12–0.41) for HFpEF diagnosis (n = 2 studies). Prognosis was worse in patients with both COPD and HFpEF. Three large trials (PARAGON-HF, DELIVER, FINEARTS-HF) showed consistent relative treatment effects in patients with and without COPD, with greater absolute benefit in those with COPD due to higher event rates. The pathophysiology of HFpEF in COPD is multifactorial, involving hyperinflation, cardiac remodeling, vascular stiffness, and inflammation. HFpEF is common in patients with COPD, associated with worse prognosis, and driven by multifactorial mechanisms. Despite diagnostic challenges, evidence supports use of guideline-directed therapies in this population. </p>","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":"23 1","pages":"7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146103808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonas Erzeel, Marnicq van Es, Wilfried Mullens, Pieter Martens
{"title":"Evolving Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism: a Narrative Review on Differences between Steroidal MRAs, Non-Steroidal MRAs and Aldosterone Synthase Inhibitors in Cardiorenal Disease.","authors":"Jonas Erzeel, Marnicq van Es, Wilfried Mullens, Pieter Martens","doi":"10.1007/s11897-026-00740-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-026-00740-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review explores the evolution of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) in cardiorenal disease, comparing steroidal MRAs with newer non-steroidal MRAs and emerging aldosterone synthase inhibitors (ASIs). It examines their efficacy, safety, and positioning in heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), aiming to guide optimal treatment across cardiorenal diseases.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Steroidal MRAs remain foundational in HF with reduced ejection fraction, but are underused due to hyperkalemia, worsening renal function, and hormonal side effects. Non-steroidal MRAs have demonstrated cardiorenal benefits in high-risk populations (e.g. diabetic kidney disease) while mitigating some safety concerns. Emerging ASIs directly inhibit aldosterone synthase, reducing aldosterone levels and potentially preventing breakthrough. Ongoing trials are further defining their roles as standalone or combination therapies. Non-steroidal MRAs expand the use of mineralocorticoid receptor blockade into populations underserved by steroidal agents. Ongoing studies will establish the role of direct aldosterone synthase inhibition.</p>","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":"23 1","pages":"5"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146084347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Teresa Castiello, Loreena Hill, Sharon Man, Sheref Elseidy, Daniel Griffin, Mark J Schuuring
{"title":"Digital Solutions in HF Education: What Can Patients and Clinicians Gain?","authors":"Teresa Castiello, Loreena Hill, Sharon Man, Sheref Elseidy, Daniel Griffin, Mark J Schuuring","doi":"10.1007/s11897-025-00738-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-025-00738-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Heart failure (HF) imposes an expanding global health burden, necessitating innovative approaches to education for both patients and clinicians. This review evaluates the evolving landscape of digital health tools in HF education and examines how these technologies may enhance accessibility, personalisation, and engagement in contemporary care.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Emerging evidence demonstrates that digital solutions-ranging from remote educational platforms and interactive applications to AI-assisted learning and immersive reality technologies-can meaningfully improve patient self-management, support clinician knowledge acquisition, and strengthen overall care quality. These tools offer substantial advantages, including remote access to high-quality information, dynamic and interactive learning experiences, and opportunities for continuous monitoring. Nonetheless, challenges persist, particularly regarding equitable access, digital literacy, data quality, and integration into existing clinical workflows. Digital technologies hold considerable promise in optimising HF education for both patients and clinicians. When effectively implemented, they have the potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical decision-making, and support more efficient healthcare delivery. Continued innovation-particularly in AI, virtual and augmented reality, and personalised learning systems-will be essential to address remaining limitations and fully realise the transformative potential of digital HF education.</p>","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":"23 1","pages":"4"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12789199/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145932457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michelle M van Rijn, Tiny Jaarsma, Heleen Westland
{"title":"Interventions to Enhance Interoception and Symptom Attribution in Patients with Heart Failure: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Michelle M van Rijn, Tiny Jaarsma, Heleen Westland","doi":"10.1007/s11897-025-00733-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-025-00733-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Timely recognition and interpretation of symptoms are crucial for effective self-care in heart failure (HF). However, many patients struggle to detect bodily sensations and interpret their meaning, leading to poor outcomes. Interoception and symptom attribution are central to this process but are often impaired. This scoping review aims to describe interventions and their characteristics aiming to enhance interoception and symptom attribution in patients with HF.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent findings indicate that patients' attributions of the causes of their symptoms strongly influence self-care, and growing attention to interoception suggests that increased awareness of bodily sensations can improve self-care symptom management. Interventions targeting interoception and symptom attribution may help improving HF patients' symptom perception and self-care symptom management. Both constructs are closely connected and contribute to timely symptom management. The heterogeneity of interventions reflects the complexity of symptom perception in HF and highlights the need for personalized, multicomponent approaches to strengthen self-care and improve outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":"23 1","pages":"3"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12722434/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145803426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kristin E Sandau, Stacy A Al-Saleh, Christin Quarry, Samantha Conley
{"title":"Self and Dyadic Management of Patients and Care Partners Living with Durable Ventricular Assist Device: Emerging Science, Studies, and Frameworks to Advance Precision Health.","authors":"Kristin E Sandau, Stacy A Al-Saleh, Christin Quarry, Samantha Conley","doi":"10.1007/s11897-025-00737-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-025-00737-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The goal of this paper is to advance precision health among patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and their informal care partners by examining the science of patient, care partner and dyadic management. We (1) describe the current state of self- and dyadic management science in LVAD, and (2) offer frameworks to guide LVAD patient, care partner and dyadic management research.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>While frameworks for family and self-management exist for other chronic conditions, dyadic frameworks are rarely used for LVAD patient-care partner dyads, thus limiting research. A handful of primarily qualitative studies describe self-management tasks and skills, but facilitators, barriers, processes, behaviors and outcomes of self- and dyadic LVAD management need more study. In this paper we summarized current progress in self- and dyadic management science in LVAD and offered a preliminary framework to guide research. Future studies should include both care partners and LVAD patients, with thoughtfully selected frameworks to guide more inclusive research in LVAD self- and dyadic management, with the goal of designing the right intervention for the right person at the right time.</p>","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":"23 1","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12718229/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145793569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lourdes Vicent, Rafael Salguero-Bodes, Fernando Arribas-Ynsaurriaga, Roberto Martín-Asenjo
{"title":"Sex and Gender Aspects in New-Onset Heart Failure Prognosis: A Review of Recent Advances.","authors":"Lourdes Vicent, Rafael Salguero-Bodes, Fernando Arribas-Ynsaurriaga, Roberto Martín-Asenjo","doi":"10.1007/s11897-025-00730-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11897-025-00730-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review examines sex-based differences in prognosis and management of new-onset heart failure (HF), focusing on biological, clinical, and sociocultural determinants. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent cohort studies and registries show that women with new-onset HF are older, more often present with HFpEF, and have lower early mortality but higher rehospitalization and worse quality of life. Men frequently present with HFrEF and ischemic etiology, experiencing higher short-term mortality. Emerging biomarkers, including galectin-3 and GDF-15, display sex-specific prognostic value. Persistent underrepresentation of women in clinical trials and disparities in access to guideline-directed therapy remain critical gaps. Sex and gender substantially influence new-onset HF presentation and outcomes. Tailored diagnostic thresholds, sex-informed therapeutic strategies, and equitable research designs are essential to improve care. Future studies should integrate intersectional perspectives and precision medicine approaches to address disparities and optimize prognosis for all patients. </p>","PeriodicalId":10830,"journal":{"name":"Current Heart Failure Reports","volume":"23 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145780523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}