Clinical implications of the universal definition for the prevention and treatment of heart failure

Abstract

The diagnosis of heart failure (HF) primarily relies on signs and symptoms that are neither sensitive nor specific. This impedes timely diagnosis and delays effective therapies or interventions, despite the availability of several evidence‐based treatments for HF. Through monumental collaborative efforts from representatives of HF societies worldwide, the universal definition of HF was published in 2021, to provide the necessary standardized framework required for clinical management, clinical trials, and research. This review elaborates the key concepts of the new universal definition of HF, highlighting the key merits and potential avenues, which can be nuanced further in future iterations. We also discuss the key implications of the universal definition document from the perspectives of various stakeholders within the healthcare framework, including patients, care providers, system/payers and policymakers.

Prevalence of Anemia Among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients and Identification of Diagnostic Markers Associated with the Disease

“…The causes of anemia in the elderly are divided into three broad groups: nutritional deficiency, anemia of chronic disease (ACD), and unexplained anemia (UA) [31]. Anemia is a common comorbidity in COPD patients associated with reduced functional capacity, impaired quality of life, greater likelihood of hospitalization, and early mortality [32].…”

Microbiome-based risk prediction in incident heart failure: a community challenge

“…Analysis of multiple markers across various omics platforms has provided new opportunities to investigate the underlying factors and physiological processes involved in HF, particularly in the context of exploring potential biomarkers 4 . In particular, the human gut microbiome, which comprises trillions of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, is increasingly recognized as an important modulator of various aspects of human health and disease 5–10 . The gut microbiome has been suggested as crucial in the pathophysiology of HF 11–14 , where it has been shown to impact several mechanisms involved in development and progression, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction 15,16 .…”