HFA Cardio Talk

Heart Failure Association of the ESC
  • 3.3 (3)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The HFA Cardio Talk provides the opportunity to anyone interested in Heart Failure to receive updates in the field with very specific and diverse topics, go on a deeper subject of an HFA course and to listen to a discussion of key opinion leaders with junior HF specialists. Each month, a new episode lasting approximately 15 minutes and taking the form of a conversation between a member of the HFA Young community and an internationally renowned expert is released. You can also be interested in other ESC podcasts: ESC Cardio Talk, EHRA Cardio Talk and ESC TV Today. Check them out!

  1. Valvular heart disease: a new chapter in heart failure management

    6D AGO

    Valvular heart disease: a new chapter in heart failure management

    With Giulia Bruno, Hospital Limerick, Limerick - Ireland and Piotr Ponikowski, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw - Poland. In this episode, Giulia Bruno is joined by Piotr Ponikowski to explore the complex interplay between valvular heart disease and heart failure. As our understanding of secondary mitral and tricuspid regurgitation evolves, new questions are emerging around prognosis, optimal timing of intervention, and the role of transcatheter therapies. Together, they discuss how to approach management in these patients, the importance of guideline-directed medical therapy, and whether treating the valve can truly improve outcomes. This conversation highlights the challenges, current evidence, and future directions shaping this rapidly evolving field. Recommended readings: 2025 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease: Developed by the task force for the management of valvular heart disease of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf194 2023 Focused Update of the 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure: Developed by the task force for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) with the special contribution of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad195 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehab086 Coats AJ et al. The management of secondary mitral regurgitation in patients with heart failure: a joint position statement from the HFA, EACVI, EHRA, and EAPCI of the ESC. European Heart Journal. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehab086 Stone GW et al. Transcatheter Mitral-Valve Repair in Patients with Heart Failure. NEJM. 2018 (COAPT). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1806640 Stone GW et al. Five-Year Follow-up after Transcatheter Repair of Secondary Mitral Regurgitation. NEJM. 2023. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2300213 Sorajja P et al. Transcatheter Repair for Patients with Tricuspid Regurgitation. NEJM. 2023 (TRILUMINATE Pivotal). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2300525 Iliadis C et al. Acute heart failure and valvular heart disease: a scientific statement of the HFA, ACVC and EAPCI of the ESC. European Journal of Heart Failure. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.70043 This 2026 HFA Cardio Talk podcast series is supported by Bayer in the form of unrestricted financial support. The discussion has not been influenced in any way by its sponsor.

    20 min
  2. Post myocardial infarction – how to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart failure

    MAR 1

    Post myocardial infarction – how to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart failure

    With Liemena Harold Adrian, Syarifah Ambami Rato Ebu General Academic Hospital, Surabaya - Indonesia and Shelley Zieroth, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg - Canada.  In this episode, Liemena Harold Adrian and Shelley Zieroth discuss heart failure in post–myocardial infarction patients, covering how myocardial infarction leads to the development of heart failure despite advances in reperfusion and acute care. The conversation addresses the epidemiology and underlying pathophysiology, approaches to early prevention and screening, diagnostic tools, as well as key interventions in the acute and early post-MI phases that may alter heart failure trajectories. They outline management with guideline-directed medical therapy, review current studies on heart failure–modifying therapies (such as the DAPA-MI and EMPACT-MI trials), and address indications for advanced therapies in post-MI populations. The episode also highlights the importance of early diagnosis, prompt recognition, and key evidence gaps in the field. Recommended readings: Akhtar KH, Khan MS, Baron SJ, et al. The Spectrum of Post-Myocardial Infarction Care: From Acute Ischemia to Heart Failurehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2024.01.017. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. (2024); 82: 15-25. DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2024.01.017. Butler J, Hammonds K, Talha KM, et al. Incident Heart Failure and Recurrent Coronary Events Following Acute Myocardial Infarctionhttps://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae885. Eur Heart J (2025); 46: 1540-50. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae885. Butler J, Jones WS, Udell JA. Empagliflozin after Acute Myocardial Infarction. N Engl J Med (2024); 390: 1455-66. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2314051. Fioretti F, Butler J, Udell JA, et al. Empagliflozin after myocardial infarction with or without diabetes and chronic kidney disease: Insights from EMPACT-MI. ESC Heart Failure (2025); 12: 3940-3952. DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.15393. Hernandez AF, Udell JA, Jones WS. Effect of Empagliflozin on Heart Failure Outcomes After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Insights From the EMPACT-MI Trial. Circulation (2024); 149: 1627–1638. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.069217. Jenca D, Melenovsky V, Stehlik J, et al. Heart Failure after Myocardial Infarction: Incidence and Predictors. ESC Heart Failure (2021): 8: 222-237. DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.13144. Lala A, Beavers C, Blumer V, et al. The Continuum of Prevention and Heart Failure in Cardiovascular Medicine: A Joint Scientific Statement from the Heart Failure Society of America and The American Society for Preventive Cardiology. Journal of Cardiac Failure (2026); 32: 75-105. Petrie MC, Udell JA, Anker SD, et al. Empagliflozin in Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with and without Type 2 Diabetes: A Pre-specified Analysis of the EMPACT-MI Trial. Eur J of Heart Fail. (2025): 27: 577-588. DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3548. Zieroth S, Rizi SS. Time Is of the Essence. JACC: Heart Failure (2023): 11(6): 713-714. DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2023.03.022 "This 2026 HFA Cardio Talk podcast series is supported by Bayer in the form of unrestricted financial support. The discussion has not been influenced in any way by its sponsors."

    18 min
  3. The evolving landscape in the treatment of amyloidosis

    FEB 1

    The evolving landscape in the treatment of amyloidosis

    With Felix Lindberg, Karolinska Institutet & Södersjukhuset Hospital, Stockholm – Sweden and Marianna Fontana, National Amyloidosis Center, University College London, London – UK. In this episode, Felix Lindberg and Marianna Fontana discuss the evolving landscape in the treatment of cardiac amyloidosis. After exploring the pathophysiology of cardiac AL and ATTR amyloidosis and recent years' insights about the epidemiology of these conditions, they focus on the transformation that has occurred in the therapeutic options for cardiac ATTR amyloidosis. The conversation addresses the key mechanistic differences and trial data on stabilizers and silencers, how to approach patient selection for these therapies, as well as emerging therapies including anti-amyloid antibodies. The discussion also highlights the importance of early diagnosis and key red flags that should elicit suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis. Suggested reading: Vutisiran in patients with transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. Fontana M, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025. Tafamidis treatment for patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. Maurer M, et al. N Engl J Med. 2018. Efficacy and safety of acoramidis in tranthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. Gillmore JD, et al. N Engl J Med. 2024. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing with nexiguran ziclumeran for ATTR cardiomyopathy. Fontana M, et al. N Engl J Med. 2024. Conventional heart failure therapy in cardiac ATTR amyloidosis. Ioannou A, et al. Eur Heart J. 2023. Nonbiopsy diagnosis of cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis. Gillmore JD, et al. Circulation. 2016. Current landscape of therapies for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. Griffin JM, et al. JACC Heart Fail. 2025. Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: from cause to novel treatments. Fontana M, et al. Eur Heart J. 2026. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac amyloidosis: a position statement of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases. Garcia-Pavia P, et al. Eur Heart J. 2021. This 2026 HFA Cardio Talk podcast series is supported by Bayer in the form of unrestricted financial support. The discussion has not been influenced in any way by its sponsor.

    15 min
  4. Conduction system pacing: the right choice in heart failure?

    JAN 5

    Conduction system pacing: the right choice in heart failure?

    With Maria Tereza Sampaio de Sousa Lira, Federal University of Pernambuco - Brazil and Anja Zupan Meznar, University Medical Centre Ljubljana - Slovenia. This episode will discuss when conduction system pacing (CSP) may be the appropriate pacing strategy for heart failure patients, particularly those with pacing-induced dyssynchrony or suspected pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM). Key talking points include: Clinical clues and diagnostic approach to PICM Differentiating PICM from other causes of LV dysfunction When to consider CRT upgrade in pacemaker patients Insights from the BUDAPEST-CRT upgrade trial Advantages and limitations of CSP (His-bundle and left bundle branch pacing) Practical take-home message for clinicians managing HF patients with pacemaker This 2026 HFA Cardio Talk podcast series is supported by Bayer in the form of unrestricted financial support. The discussion has not been influenced in any way by its sponsors.

    13 min
  5. A multidisciplinary team approach to HF

    12/01/2025

    A multidisciplinary team approach to HF

    With Felix Lindberg, Karolinska Institute & Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm - Sweden, Martha Kyriakou, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia - Cyprus and Maggie Simpson, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh - UK. In this episode, Felix Lindberg, Martha Kyriakou, and Maggie Simpson discuss multidisciplinary care in heart failure, exploring why HF complexity and multimorbidity make coordinated, team-based management essential. They outline the key professional roles and how they can work together to support continuity across the HF trajectory, from diagnosis and optimisation, through decompensations, and transition to advanced therapies and palliative care. The discussion also addresses real-world gaps in implementation, and considers how the expanding roles of nurses, pharmacists, and allied professionals, alongside emerging digital tools, may shape the future of multidisciplinary HF care. Proposed reading:  Examining the clinical role and educational preparation of heart failure nurses across Europe. A survey of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (ACNAP) of the ESC. Hill et al. 2025. Eur J Heart Fail. DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3519 Multidisciplinary Care in Heart Failure Services. Sokos et al. 2023. J Card Fail. DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2023.02.011 The Core Curriculum for Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Professionals. Neubeck et al. 2023. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvad035 How to handle polypharmacy in heart failure. A clinical consensus statement of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC. Stolfo et al. 2025. Eur J Heart Fail. DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3642 Pharmacist- and Nurse-Led Medical Optimization in Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Zheng et al. 2023. J Card Fail. DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2023.03.01 Nurse-led diuretic titration via a point-of-care urinary sodium sensor in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (EASY-HF): A single-centre, randomized, open-label study. Meekers et al. 2024. Eur J Heart Fail. DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3429 Heart failure disease management: a systematic review of effectiveness in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Kalogirou et al. 2020. ESC Heart Fail. DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.12559 What Are Effective Program Characteristics of Self-Management Interventions in Patients With Heart Failure? An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis. Jonkman et al. 2016. J Card Fail. DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2016.06.422 Comparative effectiveness of transitional care services in patients discharged from the hospital with heart failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Van Spall et al. 2017. Eur J Heart Fail. DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.765 This 2025 HFA Cardio Talk podcast series is supported by Bayer AG in the form of an unrestricted financial support. The discussion has not been influenced in any way by its sponsor.

    16 min
  6. Heart failure in adult congenital heart disease patients

    10/30/2025

    Heart failure in adult congenital heart disease patients

    With Sotiria Liori, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - Greece and Julie De Backer, Ghent University Hospital - Belgium. In this episode, Sotiria Liori and Julie De Backer discuss heart failure in adult congenital heart disease patients — covering how congenital lesions and prior repairs shape epidemiology and mechanisms (ventricular remodeling, valvular and conduit dysfunction, arrhythmias), as well as clinical assessment with imaging, biomarkers, and hemodynamics. They outline management with guideline-directed therapy, rhythm considerations, indications for advanced therapies (MCS and transplant), and pregnancy counseling. The episode also highlights multidisciplinary care models and key evidence gaps. Proposed reading:  General Principles of Heart Failure Management in Adult Congenital Heart Disease. Tompkins R, Romfh A. Heart Failure Reviews. 2020;25(4):555-567. doi:10.1007/s10741-019-09895-x Chronic Heart Failure in Congenital Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Stout KK, Broberg CS, Book WM, et al. Circulation. 2016;133(8):770-801. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000352. Relation Between New York Heart Association Functional Class and Objective Measures of Cardiopulmonary Exercise in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. Das BB, Young ML, Niu J, et al. The American Journal of Cardiology. 2019;123(11):1868-1873. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2019.02.053.  Heart Failure and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease from 15 Countries. Lu CW, Wang JK, Yang HL, Kovacs AH, et al; APPROACH‐IS consortium, the International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ISACHD) *.J Am Heart Assoc. 2022 May 3;11(9):e024993. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.121.024993. Epub 2022 Apr 26. Pharmacological Therapy in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Growing Need, Yet Limited Evidence. Brida M, Diller GP, Nashat H, et al. European Heart Journal. 2019;40(13):1049-1056. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy480. Advanced Heart Failure Therapies For Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. Givertz MM, DeFilippis EM, Landzberg MJ, et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2019;74(18):2295-2312.doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2019.09.004. A Review of Heart Transplantation for Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. McMahon A, McNamara J, Griffin M. Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. 2021;35(3):752-762. doi:10.1053/j.jvca.2020.07.027. Heart Failure in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: From Advanced Therapies to End-of-Life Care. Crossland DS, Van De Bruaene A, Silversides CK, Hickey EJ, Roche SL. The Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2019;35(12):1723-1739. doi:10.1016/j.cjca.2019.07.626. This 2025 HFA Cardio Talk podcast series is supported by Bayer AG in the form of an unrestricted financial support. The discussion has not been influenced in any way by its sponsor.

    22 min
  7. Inotropes and vasodilators in heart failur

    10/15/2025

    Inotropes and vasodilators in heart failur

    With Tim Balthazar, University Hospital of Brussels - Belgium and Luca Fazzini, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo - Italy. In this episode of HFA CardioTalk, Luca Fazzini interviews Tim Balthazar on the contemporary use of vasodilators and inotropic agents in heart failure. The conversation explores the gaps in current guidelines, the hemodynamic profile of patients suited for vasodilator therapy, and the rationale behind choosing specific inotropes in different clinical settings. Tim Balthazar further discusses the management of patients on chronic beta-blocker therapy presenting with signs of hypoperfusion and the challenges in designing randomized trials in this field. The discussion also touches on the role of inotropes in palliative care, as well as future perspectives and emerging pharmacological strategies. This 2025 HFA Cardio Talk podcast series is supported by Bayer AG in the form of an unrestricted financial support. The discussion has not been influenced in any way by its sponsor.

    20 min
  8. The future of trials in heart failure

    10/01/2025

    The future of trials in heart failure

    With Gregorio Tersalvi, Mayo Clinic, Rochester - USA, and Faiez Zannad, University of Lorraine, Nancy - France.   In this episode of HFA CardioTalk, Gregorio Tersalvi interviews Faiez Zannad on the future of trials in heart failure. Together, they explore how the landscape of heart failure trials has evolved, the major challenges in trial design today, the relevance of current and emerging outcomes, and the vision for the next decades of heart failure research. The discussion also touches on lessons learned from landmark trials and advice for young clinicians and researchers who aspire to become trialists.   Recommended readings:  Zannad F, Pitt B. The Future of Clinical Trials. Circulation 2024 Jun 4;149(23):1783-85. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.066982.   This 2025 HFA Cardio Talk podcast series is supported by Bayer AG in the form of an unrestricted financial support. The discussion has not been influenced in any way by its sponsor.

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The HFA Cardio Talk provides the opportunity to anyone interested in Heart Failure to receive updates in the field with very specific and diverse topics, go on a deeper subject of an HFA course and to listen to a discussion of key opinion leaders with junior HF specialists. Each month, a new episode lasting approximately 15 minutes and taking the form of a conversation between a member of the HFA Young community and an internationally renowned expert is released. You can also be interested in other ESC podcasts: ESC Cardio Talk, EHRA Cardio Talk and ESC TV Today. Check them out!

Information

  • Creator
    Heart Failure Association of the ESC
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The entire contents of these podcasts are subject to ESC copyright (all rights reserved).
  • Show Website
    HFA Cardio Talk

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