Frederick A. Masoudi

Relaxin in Acute Heart Failure

Despite the high prevalence and poor outcomes of acute decompensated heart failure, few effective therapies exist. In a manufacturer-sponsored, dose-ranging, phase II trial, investigators evaluated the effects of relaxin, a naturally occurring vasodilator involved in hemodynamic changes during pregnancy. They enrolled 234 patients within 16 hours of presentation for acute heart failure characterized by dyspnea, radiographic pulmonary congestion, elevated natriuretic peptide levels, mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency, and systolic blood pressure …

Effects of Delayed Defibrillation After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

In the U.S., in-hospital cardiac arrest occurs about twice as often as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and is associated with poor survival rates.

Strategies to Improve Door-to-Balloon Times for STEMI

When reperfusion therapy is provided promptly to patients with ST-segment-elevation MI (STEMI), survival benefits are substantial. However, few

Outcomes with LVADs Are Exceedingly Poor in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in patients with refractory advanced heart failure is increasing, both as a “bridge” to cardiac

Diagnosing Heart Failure in the Person with Dyspnea and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Establishing the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in people presenting with dyspnea can be challenging when they lack corroborative structural

Telemedicine for the Management of Patients with Heart Failure

Despite the conceptual appeal of telemedicine to support heart failure (HF) care, clinical trial results have been mixed. In the unblinded, multisite

Acute Myocarditis: A New Perspective

Data on the diagnosis and prognosis of acute myocarditis are relatively thin; recommendations regarding diagnostic tests such as endomyocardial biopsy

Hemodynamic Support After Cardiac Surgery: Levosimendan Strikes Out Again

Low cardiac output syndrome, a significant complication after cardiac surgery, is often treated with vasoactive medications or mechanical support. A

Can Levosimendan Help to Prevent Low Cardiac Output Syndrome

Low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac surgery is associated with poor outcomes. Prior small trials have suggested that the inotrope and calcium sensitizer levosimendan, which has not been FDA-approved, may be beneficial. In a manufacturer-sponsored trial (NCT02025621), 882 patients (median age, 65; 20% women) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, who were scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, were randomized to receive levosimendan or placebo. …

Oral Iron Repletion for Patients with Heart Failure

Iron deficiency is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with adverse outcomes, including death and functional impairment.