Heart Failure Beat

Each month, join the Heart Failure Society of America as we interview the top heart failure care providers on the latest breakthroughs in heart failure research and treatment. We will have candid conversations about the topics that face care providers on a daily basis. If you’re a cardiology provider, trainee, person living with heart failure, or just plain interested in hearing discussions about heart failure news from leading experts, this is the podcast for you! Listen and subscribe below.

Gene Therapy Breakthroughs in Genetic Cardiomyopathies

In this episode of the Heart Failure Beat, Dr. Eric Adler of UC San Diego Health joins the show to discuss his landmark gene therapy trial for Danon disease, recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Adler recounts the powerful bedside-to-bench-to-bedside story that led to the development of a groundbreaking treatment for this severe, genetic cardiomyopathy. He explains the mechanics and evolution of gene therapy, its promise in treating monogenic heart failure syndromes, and the early but encouraging clinical outcomes—like dramatic reductions in troponins and heart mass. The episode also explores regulatory and safety challenges, delivery limitations, and the critical role of patient advocacy. Whether you’re a heart failure specialist or a translational researcher, this conversation offers compelling insights into the future of precision therapies in cardiology.

07-19
28:06

From Triage to Treatment: A Roadmap for Cardiogenic Shock Response

In this episode of Heart Failure Beat, Dr. Shashank Sinha—Medical Director of the CICU at Inova Fairfax—joins hosts Dr. Priya Umapathi and Dr. Michael Beasley to unpack the 2025 ACC Expert Consensus Statement on Cardiogenic Shock. Together, they explore the updated SHARC classification, staging systems, and the S.U.S.P.E.C.T. mnemonic for early recognition. Dr. Sinha shares practical insights on invasive hemodynamics, shock team composition, and new data on mechanical circulatory support. Plus, hear his “Top 10 Takeaways” for managing this complex and dynamic condition. Whether you work in a tertiary center or a community hospital, this episode delivers guidance for real-world care.

06-21
35:40

Understanding Sex Differences in Heart Failure: Clinical Insights and Treatment Gaps

In this compelling episode of the HF Beat, join hosts Michael Beasley, MD and Priya Umapathi, MD and an esteemed panel of experts, including Dr. Eileen Hsich, Dr. Anu Lala, and Dr. Ilan Goldenberg, as they delve into the nuanced world of sex differences in heart failure. This conversation spans three key topics: identifying traditional and sex-specific risk factors for heart failure, addressing disparities in diagnosis and treatment, and exploring the implications of these differences on therapeutic responses and device-based interventions. Highlights include discussions on under diagnosis in women due to natriuretic peptide thresholds, CRT’s heightened benefits in women with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and the urgent need for inclusive clinical trials. With actionable insights and cutting-edge research, this episode equips heart failure clinicians with essential knowledge to better serve our heart failure patient population. Tune in to explore how advancing sex-specific research can transform heart failure care for all.

03-15
27:58

HF Stats 2024: Addressing the Growing Heart Failure Crisis

In this episode of the HF Beat, our hosts Michael and Priya sit down with Dr. Biykem Bozkurt, a leading expert in heart failure, to discuss the alarming rise of heart failure mortality rates in not just older patients but especially in our younger patients and certain minority groups. Dr. Bozkurt delves into the 2024 HF Stats report, highlighting concerning trends such as increasing incidence and prevalence, widening disparities in care, lack of available care, and the continued underutilization of guideline-directed therapies. We explore the root causes of these troubling statistics, including social determinants of health, access to care, and the impact of risk factors like obesity and diabetes. Dr. Bozkurt emphasizes the critical need for early recognition and treatment of risk factors to prevent heart failure progression and improve outcomes for all patients.

02-15
27:15

Driving Heart Failure Care Forward: HFSA’s Vision for 2025 with President Dr. Michael Felker

On this episode of HF Beat, Michael Felker, MD, FHFSA, current HFSA President, shares HFSA’s vision for the coming year, highlighting initiatives to expand patient and caregiver engagement, bolster research funding through the Heart Failure Research Foundation, and inspire the next generation of heart failure specialists.

01-11
21:23

A Year With HFSA: Dr. James Fang on the State of Heart Failure Care

In this episode of the Heart Failure Beat, our hosts sit down with Dr. James Fang, immediate past president of the Heart Failure Society of America, to discuss highlights from his term and the advancements shaping heart failure care. Dr. Fang reflects on major scientific breakthroughs, including the SEQUOIA-HCM and FINEARTS-HF trials, and the role of GLP-1 agonists. He also emphasizes the societal importance of accessible treatments, especially with recent legislative changes impacting drug affordability. Dr. Fang highlights initiatives like the Heart Failure Research Foundation’s support for early-career investigators and the Journal of Cardiac Failure's expansion into Open Access, which together aim to foster collaboration and drive innovation. Tune in for insights on pivotal developments, the future of heart failure as a specialty, and the Society’s commitment to fostering a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

11-16
19:00

How AI Can Revolutionize Heart Failure Care

In this episode of Heart Failure Beat, Priya and Michael interview Dr. Partho Sengupta – cardiology artificial intelligence (AI) aficionado – who shares his expertise on the role of AI in transforming cardiovascular care, from diagnostics to personalized treatment. On Heart Failure Rounds, Michael discusses the latest research on nurse-led titration clinics and their significant impact on heart failure rehospitalizations and mortality. The episode wraps up with Priya’s review of the latest trials presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), highlighting new therapies and breakthroughs in cardiac and kidney care on From Failure to Function. A must-listen for clinicians interested in cutting-edge heart failure management.

09-21
47:19

Shifting the Paradigm of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship Training

On the July episode of the Heart Failure Beat, we celebrate the graduation of newly-minted advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologists. Michael and Priya welcome doctors Matthew Colna, Lekha Racharla, Benjamin Stoner, and Anas Jawaid to reflect on their PGY-7 year and look ahead on their first year as cardiology attendings. The EFFORT and CAST-HF trials, Arrhythmia-Induced Cardiomyopathy, and a Randomized Trial of Cholesterol Lowering With Evolocumab are also discussed.

07-20
50:21

HFpEF: The Future is Now

In this month's episode, we welcome guests Stuart Prenner, MD and Kavita Sharma, MD to discuss what is quickly becoming the predominant form of heart failure in the United States: Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). As leaders of two of the few HFpEF specialty clinics in the country, Drs. Prenner and Sharma provide a number of insights involving the evaluation and management of HFpEF patients. On Heart Failure Rounds, Michael explores the use of ARNI and MRA drugs in patients with chronic kidney disease and Craig Beavers, PharmD breaks down Troponin and Treatment Effects of Omecamtiv Mecarbil: GALACTIC-HF on the JCF Spotlight.

06-29
36:56

Obesity in Heart Failure: This Is Our Lane!

On the May episode of the Heart Failure Beat, Michael and Priya welcome Amanda Vest, MBBS, MPH, FHFSA and Adrian daSilva-deAbreu, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D to discuss the evaluation and management of obesity in patients with heart failure. Heart failure cardiologists need to become comfortable managing obesity, a common co-morbidity among their patients. In the JCF Spotlight, Associate Editor Colleen McIlvennan, PhD, DNP, ANP, FAHA, FHFSA reviews an article published in the May issue. And finally, on a special Heart Failure Rounds, Michael shares an interview with transplant recipient, where he relives his experience through heart transplantation and makes recommendations for the role of re-branding and for palliative care throughout that journey.

05-16
01:23:32

Is ACHD just HF by a different name?

On the April episode of the Heart Failure Beat, Priya and Michael take on adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) with guests Chetan Pasrija, MD, MS, and Ari Cedars, MD, and discover that it’s never too early to refer a patient with ACHD for advanced therapies. Andrew Sauer, MD, an associate editor of the Journal of Cardiac Failure, joins the episode for a new segment featuring a review of a recently published article on the STRONG-HF trial. Priya does a fast-track review of 4 trials in 4 minutes from ACC.24 and the ISHLT 44th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions on From Failure to Function and on Heart Failure Rounds, Michael reviews a recently published HFSA Scientific Statement on cognitive impairment in HF. This is a slightly longer episode jam-packed with fascinating tidbits of information, so settle into the full episode or explore the chapters to catch your favorite segment!

04-26
49:52

Nuances of HF Care for Women and a Special Visit from Members of Women in Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support (WiTMCS)

We are pleased to announce that we are back after a brief hiatus, with segments recorded around the holidays in late 2023. In this episode, our hosts will discuss the broad topic of women in heart failure. Firstly, they will explore the disparities in care that women face, particularly regarding advanced heart failure treatment and enrollment in clinical trials. Next, they will turn to the professional side of women in heart failure, where they will be talking with two leaders from Women in Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support (WiTMCS) - a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field and supporting women professionals in heart transplantation and mechanical support. Guests include Katherine Clark, MD, MBA, FACC, Ersilia DeFilippis, MD, FACC, FHFSA, and Eileen Hsich, MD, FHFSA.

04-04
42:39

Decoding the Trends Discovered Through HF Stats℠

The newly released HF Stats℠ revealed that the incidence, prevalence, mortality and hospitalization rates of heart failure are increasing despite advances in treatment modalities, guideline recommendations, and strategies for implementation. Our hosts sat down with Dr. Biykem Bozkurt, the lead author on the 2023 HF Stats℠ annual report Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics: A Report of the Heart Failure Society of America at the HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023 to discuss trends, report outcomes, and next steps.  

12-14
11:56

Highlights from the HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

On this episode, we bring you interviews recorded live at the HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting in early October 2023. The episode kicks off with a discussion with HFSA President James C. Fang, MD, FHFSA (00:50), followed by chats with three Late Breaking Clinical Trial presenters [Marat Fudim, MD, MHS (07:09); Marvin Konstam, MD (12:10); and James L. Januzzi, MD, FACC, FESC (17:55)]; and finally, a highlight reel with HFSA Social Media Catalysts Anju Bhardwaj, MD and Shashank S. Sinha, MD, MSc (25:20).  

11-16
41:54

Ambulatory PA Pressure Monitoring in Heart Failure: Concepts and Controversies

Our co-hosts interview Jacob Abraham, MD, about navigating the concepts and controversies surrounding Ambulatory PA Pressure Monitoring for heart failure patients. 

08-24
54:08

From Policy to Practice: The Evolution of Heart Transplant Allocation, UNOS and What Lies Ahead

In this month's featured discussion, our co-hosts interview Jeffrey Teuteberg, MD, and Shelley Hall, MD, on the 2018 update to the UNOS allocation system for donor hearts and where the heart transplant community is moving to in the future regarding this issue.

07-27
53:26

Coronary Revascularization in Ischemic Heart Failure

In this month's featured discussion, our co-hosts welcome Yousif Ahmad, BMBS, MRCP, PhD, and review the evidence supporting coronary revascularization in patients with ischemic heart failure.

06-24
43:34

Pearls and Pitfalls for the General Practitioner Treating Heart Failure

The program's hosts, Michael Beasley, MD, and Priya Umapathi, MD, interview Clyde Yancy, MS, MSc, as well as Robert Centor, MD, MACP, about best practices and strategies for managing adult heart failure patients in internal medicine practice and beyond.

05-26
52:27

Economic Considerations in the Management of Heart Failure

Our co-hosts interview Paul Heidenreich, MD, FHFSA a co-author of the 2022 ACC/AHA/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure about economic considerations in the management of HF. On "From Failure to Function", Priya dives into the late breaking trials from ACC.23 and Michael reviews three papers on HFpEF on HF Rounds.

03-23
48:00

Tachy Beats with Preethi Pirlamarla, MD: AHFTC Faculty Promotion Tips

Attention aspiring Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology faculty, this quick segment is for you! Looking for good advice on succeeding as an early career faculty member? Tune in as Michael Beasley, MD, interviews Preethi Pirlamarla, MD, on her ACC.org publication, Academic Medicine: Demystifying the Appointment Process.

03-16
10:17

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