Four pillars of heart failure therapy should be rapidly and simultaneously introduced

Management of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction consists of a combination of older, tried-and-true medications and recently developed, novel pharmacological therapies. Known as the “four pillars” of heart failure therapy, these medications are beta blockers, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), mineralcorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i). The latest clinical evidence shows patients with heart failure should be put on these drugs all at once.

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New devices help bridge gap in guideline-directed medical therapy

Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with heart failure consists of rapid initiation of beta blockers, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), mineralcorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i). However, a gap occurs when patients are put on these medications but still have symptomatic heart failure. A new set of support devices approved by the FDA in the last three years is helping to bridge this gap in GDMT.

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Sumeet Asrani, MD, named chief of hepatology and liver transplantation, Baylor Scott & White Transplant Institute

Sumeet Asrani, MD, MSc, has been promoted to chief of hepatology and liver transplantation, Baylor Scott & White Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute. Dr. Asrani has served as the medical director of the Center for Advanced Liver Disease since 2016. In addition, he has provided clinical care at both Baylor University Medical Center (Baylor Dallas), part of Baylor Scott & White Health, and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Waxahachie.  

In the past five years, Dr. Asrani, who is nationally and internationally recognized in hepatology and transplant hepatology, restructured the research enterprise of BSWH Transplant Institute. He has been instrumental in making the name of the institute and Baylor Scott & White Health a widely recognized presence in the national and international academic world. Dr. Asrani has published 140 peer-reviewed publications and more than 300 abstracts, has given more than 125 national and international presentations, and mentored more than 30 trainees to help advance their medical careers.

In commenting on his new role, Dr. Asrani says, “The depth and breadth of our division, as well as the close relationships with our surgical colleagues, is refreshing and invigorating. We have the opportunity to build on this foundation and strengthen our leadership position in the field. At the end of the day, as long as we don’t lose sight of the fact that the needs of the patient come first, we will succeed in our mission of providing outstanding service throughout the continuum of care.”

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Baylor Scott & White Transplant Institute begins liver transplant evaluations in Round Rock, Texas

Patients who live in the Austin area can now undergo liver transplant evaluations (LTE) at the Baylor Scott & White Transplant Hepatology Clinic in Round Rock, Texas. The first LTEs outside of Baylor University Medical Center (Baylor Dallas), part of Baylor Scott & White Health, and Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth, began the last week of January.

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