Topics and Trends in Most Cited Heart Failure Treatment and Management Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Heart Failure Treatment and Management research in the Class of 2026?

HFpEF, obesity, GLP-1 agonists, and cardiovascular-death endpoints define the Class of 2026 heart failure cohort, with semaglutide and tirzepatide trials driving early citation weight. Obesity, GLP-1 therapy, type 2 diabetes, and BMI rose sharply from Class of 2025, while SGLT2 inhibitors, heart failure hospitalization, and natriuretic peptides receded among top-cited papers.

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At a glance

Field
Heart Failure Treatment and Management
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
6,978
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, Obesity, GLP-1 receptor agonist, Cardiovascular death, Semaglutide
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
59–726
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 6,978
72618m citations

Tirzepatide for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Obesity

Milton Packer et al.New England Journal of Medicine202410.1056/nejmoa2410027

CorrespondingMilton PackerInstitutionBaylor University Medical Center, United States

Heart failure with preserved ejection fractionObesitytirzepatideglucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonistGLP-1 receptor agonistCardiovascular eventsweight lossBody mass indexCardiovascular deathWorsening heart failure eventsKansas City Cardiomyopathy QuestionnairePatient-reported outcomesPlacebo-controlled trialLeft ventricular ejection fractionSubcutaneous administrationTime-to-event analysisHazard ratiogastrointestinal adverse eventsClinically meaningful improvementdual incretin receptor agonist
#2 of 6,978
54918m citations

Finerenone in Heart Failure with Mildly Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction

Scott D Solomon et al.New England Journal of Medicine202410.1056/nejmoa2407107

CorrespondingScott D SolomonInstitutionBrigham and Women's Hospital, United Kingdom

FinerenoneHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionHeart failure with mildly reduced ejection fractionNonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonistSteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonistsLeft ventricular ejection fractionCardiovascular deathWorsening heart failure eventsHeart failure hospitalizationUrgent heart failure visitHyperkalemiaHypokalemiaRandomized controlled trialDouble-blind randomized controlled trialComposite EndpointRate ratioHazard ratioPlacebo-controlled trialMineralocorticoid receptor antagonistsCardiovascular safetyHeart failure morbidity and mortalityFINEARTS-HF trialGuideline-Directed Medical TherapyMulticenter trialRecurrent event analysisDrug safetyPlaceboTime-to-event analysis
#3 of 6,978
38818m citations

Semaglutide in Patients with Obesity-Related Heart Failure and Type 2 Diabetes

Mikhail N Kosiborod et al.New England Journal of Medicine202410.1056/nejmoa2313917

CorrespondingMikhail N KosiborodInstitutionSaint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, United States

SemaglutideHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionType 2 diabetesObesityGLP-1 receptor agonistBody mass indexKCCQ Clinical Summary ScoreBody weight reduction6-minute walk distanceHierarchical composite endpointWin ratioC-reactive proteinRandomized controlled trialPlacebo-controlled trialSerious adverse eventsSymptom burdenFunctional impairmentweight lossCardiometabolic diseaseInflammationWorsening heart failure eventsOnce-weekly dosingSecondary endpointsObesity-related HFpEFClinical trial designSTEP-HFpEF DM trialCardiovascular eventsAnti-inflammatory effectDiabetes managementQuality of life
#4 of 6,978
22618m citations

Semaglutide versus placebo in people with obesity-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a pooled analysis of the STEP-HFpEF and STEP-HFpEF DM randomised trials

Javed Butler et al.The Lancet202410.1016/s0140-6736(24)00469-0

CorrespondingMikhail KosiborodInstitutionBaylor Scott & White Research Institute, United States

SemaglutideObesity-related HFpEFHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionSTEP-HFpEF trialSTEP-HFpEF DM trialPooled analysisRandomized controlled trialGLP-1 receptor agonistType 2 diabetesweight lossBody weight reductionPlacebo-controlled trialCardiometabolic diseaseKansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaireexercise function6-minute walk distanceC-reactive proteinNatriuretic peptidesCardiovascular eventsObesityDiastolic dysfunctionQuality of lifeSymptom burdenWeight managementCardiometabolic risk factorsHeart failure phenotypingAnti-obesity medicationDiabetes-related comorbiditiesSecondary analysisPatient-reported outcomes
#5 of 6,978
22218m citations

2023 Focused Update of the 2021 ESC Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure

Authors/Task Force Members: et al.European Journal of Heart Failure202410.1002/ejhf.3024

CorrespondingTheresa A. McDonagh, Marco MetraInstitutionUnited Kingdom., United Kingdom

Acute decompensated heart failurechronic heart failureHeart failure with reduced ejection fractionHeart failure with mildly reduced ejection fractionHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionSGLT2 inhibitorsGuideline-Directed Medical TherapyIron deficiencyIron supplementationAnemiaType 2 diabetesCardiovascular risk reductionDiuretic TherapyRenin-angiotensin system inhibitionBeta-blockersMineralocorticoid receptor antagonistsCardiac resynchronization therapyHeart failure hospitalizationCardiovascular deathClinical practice guidelinesevidence-based medicineHeart failure managementComorbidity ManagementLeft ventricular ejection fractionNatriuretic peptidesFerric carboxymaltoseChronic Kidney DiseaseRandomized controlled trialRisk stratification
#6 of 6,978
21918m citations

Semaglutide versus placebo in patients with heart failure and mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction: a pooled analysis of the SELECT, FLOW, STEP-HFpEF, and STEP-HFpEF DM randomised trials

Mikhail N Kosiborod et al.The Lancet202410.1016/s0140-6736(24)01643-x

CorrespondingMikhail KosiborodInstitutionSaint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, United States

SemaglutideHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionHeart failure with mildly reduced ejection fractionGLP-1 receptor agonistPooled analysisRandomized controlled trialSELECT trialFLOW trialSTEP-HFpEF trialSTEP-HFpEF DM trialPlaceboCardiovascular eventsObesityType 2 diabetesChronic Kidney DiseaseLeft ventricular ejection fractionweight lossHeart failure hospitalizationCardiovascular deathAll-Cause MortalityKansas City Cardiomyopathy QuestionnairePatient-reported outcomesComposite EndpointRenal outcomesCardiometabolic diseaseBody weight reductionHeart failure symptomsDiabetes managementSemaglutide cardioprotective effectsSecondary analysis
#7 of 6,978
18018m citations

Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with obesity and prevalent heart failure: a prespecified analysis of the SELECT trial

John Deanfield et al.The Lancet202410.1016/s0140-6736(24)01498-3

CorrespondingJohn DeanfieldInstitutionUniversity College London, United Kingdom

SemaglutideGLP-1 receptor agonistMajor adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)Heart failureHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionHeart failure with reduced ejection fractionAtherosclerotic cardiovascular diseaseObesityOverweightCardiovascular deathAll-Cause MortalityHeart failure hospitalizationNon-fatal myocardial infarctionNon-fatal strokeSELECT trialRandomized controlled trialDouble-blind randomized controlled trialBody mass indexSubcutaneous administrationDrug TitrationNew York Heart Association functional classDiuretic TherapySecondary analysisHazard ratioComposite EndpointSerious adverse eventsEjection fraction classificationWeight managementCardiometabolic riskClinical trial registration
#8 of 6,978
14318m citations

2024 Clinical practice guidelines for Chronic heart failure

А. S. Galyavich et al.Russian Journal of Cardiology202410.15829/1560-4071-2024-6162

CorrespondingА. S. GalyavichInstitutionRussian Society of Cardiology, Russia

chronic heart failureClinical practice guidelinesHeart failure managementHeart failure diagnosisVentricular dysfunctionmyocardial diseasesevidence-based recommendationsStandard of careTherapeutic strategyClinical decision-makingheart failure specialistscardiology practiceTreatment algorithmDisease management protocols
#9 of 6,978
12918m citations

2024 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Treatment of Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

Thomas M Maddox et al.Journal of the American College of Cardiology202410.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.024

CorrespondingThomas M MaddoxInstitutionSaint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, United States

Heart failure with reduced ejection fractionGuideline-Directed Medical TherapyExpert Consensus Decision PathwayBeta-blockersACE inhibitorsAngiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitorMineralocorticoid receptor antagonistsSGLT2 inhibitorsAngiotensin receptor blockersSequencing of Medical TherapyLeft ventricular ejection fractionCardiac remodelingNeurohormonal ActivationDevice therapyCardiac resynchronization therapyImplantable cardiac deviceClinical decision-makingComorbidity ManagementRenal Function MonitoringHyperkalemiaDiuretic TherapyIvabradineHydralazine-Isosorbide DinitratePatient-Centered CareRisk stratificationHeart failure hospitalizationDrug TitrationMultidisciplinary Heart Failure TeamHealth disparities in heart failureShared Decision-Making
#10 of 6,978
10818m citations

Effects of tirzepatide on circulatory overload and end-organ damage in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity: a secondary analysis of the SUMMIT trial

Barry A Borlaug et al.Nature Medicine202410.1038/s41591-024-03374-z

CorrespondingBarry A. BorlaugInstitutionMayo Clinic, United States

tirzepatideHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionObesityGlucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptorGLP-1 receptor agonistcirculatory volume expansionpressure overloadcardiovascular-kidney end-organ damagesystolic blood pressureestimated blood volumeC-reactive proteinInflammationRenal functionUrine albumin-creatinine ratiomicroalbuminuriaNatriuretic peptidestroponin TCardiovascular deathAcute decompensated heart failureKCCQ Clinical Summary Score6-minute walk distancemyocardial injurySUMMIT trialRandomized controlled trial
#11 of 6,978
9418m citations

Effect of Semaglutide on Cardiac Structure and Function in Patients With Obesity-Related Heart Failure

Scott D Solomon et al.Journal of the American College of Cardiology202410.1016/j.jacc.2024.08.021

CorrespondingScott D. SolomonInstitutionBrigham and Women's Hospital, United States

SemaglutideHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionObesity-related HFpEFObesityCardiac remodelingLeft atrial volumeRight ventricular enlargementEchocardiographyE-wave velocityE/A ratioE/e′ averagediastolic functionLeft ventricular massLeft ventricular systolic functionGLP-1 receptor agonistweight lossBody mass indexType 2 diabetesatrial fibrillationSTEP-HFpEF trialRandomized controlled trialAnalysis of covariance (ANCOVA)Disease-modifying therapyexercise functionCardiac structurePlacebo-controlled trialMitral inflow velocityAtrial remodeling
#12 of 6,978
8618m citations

Effects of Semaglutide on Heart Failure Outcomes in Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease in the FLOW Trial

Richard E Pratley et al.Journal of the American College of Cardiology202410.1016/j.jacc.2024.08.004

CorrespondingRichard E. PratleyInstitutionAdventHealth Translational Research Institute, United States

SemaglutideType 2 diabetesChronic Kidney DiseaseHeart failureCardiovascular deathGLP-1 receptor agonistFLOW trialRenal dysfunctionKidney replacement therapyRenal composite endpointRandomized controlled trialPlacebo-controlled trialOnce-weekly dosingHeart failure hospitalizationUrgent heart failure visitDiuretic TherapyVasoactive therapyNew York Heart Association functional classHeart failure with reduced ejection fractionTime-to-event analysisHazard ratioSecondary analysisCardiovascular risk reductionAdjudication committeeDiabetic kidney diseaseComposite EndpointHigh-risk cardiometabolic populationRenal outcomesGLP-1 receptor agonist cardioprotection
#13 of 6,978
7818m citations

Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin in Patients With Acute Heart Failure

Zachary L Cox et al.Journal of the American College of Cardiology202410.1016/j.jacc.2024.02.009

CorrespondingZachary L. CoxInstitutionLipscomb University, United States

DapagliflozinAcute decompensated heart failureSGLT2 inhibitorsEfficacySafetyHeart failure with reduced ejection fractionHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionClinical trial designCardiovascular eventsHeart failure hospitalizationAll-Cause MortalityCardiovascular deathNatriuretic peptidesRenal functiondiuresisNatriuresisGlycemic controlType 2 diabetesRandomized controlled trialPatient-reported outcomesQuality of lifeAdverse eventsDrug safetyIn-hospital initiation of therapycardiorenal syndromeFluid OverloadGuideline-Directed Medical TherapyLength of stayReadmission rates
#14 of 6,978
6418m citations

Inflammation in Obesity-Related HFpEF

Subodh Verma et al.Journal of the American College of Cardiology202410.1016/j.jacc.2024.08.028

CorrespondingMikhail KosiborodInstitutionUniversity of Toronto, Canada

Obesity-related HFpEFInflammationC-reactive proteinSemaglutideGLP-1 receptor agonistBody weight reductionSTEP-HFpEF trialSTEP-HFpEF DM trialRandomized controlled trialPlacebo-controlled trialKCCQ Clinical Summary Score6-minute walk distanceHierarchical composite endpointWorsening heart failure eventshealth statusFunctional impairmentexercise functionBody mass indexBiomarker stratificationPooled analysisWeight loss and inflammation relationshipbaseline characteristicsType 2 diabetesObesityCardiometabolic diseaseTreatment effect heterogeneityP interaction analysisClinical trial endpointsAnti-inflammatory effect of semaglutide
#15 of 6,978
6318m citations

Inflammation in heart failure: pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies

Jacinthe Boulet, Vikas S Sridhar et al.Inflammation Research202410.1007/s00011-023-01845-6

CorrespondingMichel WhiteInstitutionMontreal Heart Institute, Canada

Heart failureInflammationcytokineschemokinesinnate immune systemadaptive immune systemHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionHeart failure with reduced ejection fractionEjection fraction classificationInflammatory biomarkerspro-inflammatory pathwaysAcute decompensated heart failurechronic heart failureGuideline-Directed Medical Therapyanti-inflammatory therapyTNF-alphainterleukin-6C-reactive proteinNLRP3 inflammasomeCardiac remodelingMyocardial fibrosisimmune-mediated cardiac injuryHF syndrome phenotypesnovel biomarkerstherapeutic trials targeting cytokinespathophysiology of heart failuretargeted immunomodulatory therapyDisease phenotypingfuture therapeutic pipeline
#16 of 6,978
6318m citations

Indole-3-Propionic Acid Protects Against Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Yu-Chen Wang et al.Circulation Research202410.1161/circresaha.123.322381

CorrespondingYu-Chen WangInstitutionUniversity of California, Los Angeles, United States

Heart failure with preserved ejection fractionDiastolic dysfunctionIndole-3-propionic acidGut microbiota dysbiosisTryptophan metabolismMetabolomicsNicotinamide N-methyltransferaseSIRT3NicotinamideNAD+/NADH ratioAryl hydrocarbon receptorNAD+ salvage pathwayoxidative stressInflammationIntestinal epithelial barrier dysfunctionMetabolic alterationsObesityDiabetes MellitusMouse model of HFpEFDietary supplementationSirt3 knockdownNnmt knockdownNnmt overexpressionGut-heart axisHuman HFpEF cohortsGut bacteria-derived metabolitesCardiac energeticsComorbidity-driven heart failureTherapeutic microbiome modulation
#17 of 6,978
6318m citations

Semaglutide and NT-proBNP in Obesity-Related HFpEF

Mark C Petrie et al.Journal of the American College of Cardiology202410.1016/j.jacc.2024.04.022

CorrespondingMikhail KosiborodInstitutionUniversity of Glasgow, United Kingdom

SemaglutideNatriuretic peptidesObesity-related HFpEFHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionGLP-1 receptor agonistObesityBody weight reductionSTEP-HFpEF trialSTEP-HFpEF DM trialType 2 diabetesKCCQ Clinical Summary Scorehealth statusRandomized controlled trialDouble-blind randomized controlled trialSecondary analysisMechanical unloadingHF pathobiologyBiomarker stratificationCardiac wall stressWeight managementHeart failure symptomsFunctional impairmentDual primary endpointsTertile analysisCardiometabolic diseaseGLP-1 receptor agonism in heart failureBiomarker-guided treatment response
#18 of 6,978
6218m citations

Finerenone and Kidney Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure

Finnian R Mc Causland et al.Journal of the American College of Cardiology202410.1016/j.jacc.2024.10.091

CorrespondingFinnian R. Mc CauslandInstitutionBrigham and Women's Hospital, United States

FinerenoneHeart failureHeart failure with mildly reduced ejection fractionHeart failure with preserved ejection fractionChronic Kidney DiseaseType 2 diabetesRenal outcomesRenal dysfunctionUrine albumin-creatinine ratioAlbuminuriamicroalbuminuriaMacroalbuminuriaKidney failureDialysisRenal transplantationMineralocorticoid receptor antagonistsNonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonistRandomized controlled trialPlacebo-controlled trialFINEARTS-HF trialKidney-protective effectsRenal composite endpointLeft ventricular ejection fractionPrespecified analysiscardiorenal syndromeHazard ratioDisease progression biomarker
#19 of 6,978
6018m citations

The traditional Chinese medicine Qiliqiangxin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Iokfai Cheang, Wenming Yao, Yanli Zhou et al.Nature Medicine202410.1038/s41591-024-03169-2

CorrespondingHaifeng Zhang, Anthony Rosenzweig, Zhenhua Jia, Xinli LiInstitutionFirst Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China

Qiliqiangxintraditional Chinese medicineHeart failure with reduced ejection fractionNatriuretic peptidesLeft ventricular ejection fractionRandomized controlled trialDouble-blind randomized controlled trialPlacebo-controlled trialHeart failure hospitalizationCardiovascular deathComposite EndpointHazard ratioGuideline-Directed Medical TherapyAll-Cause MortalityAdverse eventsClinical outcomesMulticenter trial
#20 of 6,978
5918m citations

Ferric carboxymaltose and exercise capacity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and iron deficiency: the FAIR-HFpEF trial

Stephan von Haehling et al.European Heart Journal202410.1093/eurheartj/ehae479

CorrespondingStephan von Haehling, Stefan D. AnkerInstitutionUniversity Medical Center Goettingen, Germany

Heart failure with preserved ejection fractionIron deficiencyFerric carboxymaltoseIron supplementation6-minute walk distanceExercise capacityDouble-blind randomized controlled trialPlaceboserum ferritintransferrin saturationNew York Heart Association functional classpatient global assessmentPatient-reported outcomesSerious adverse eventsAdverse eventsFAIR-HFpEF trialMulticenter trialPrimary endpointSecondary endpointsPatient recruitmentElderly patientsSex differencesBiomarkersFunctional Capacity Assessmentanemia in heart failureclinical trial powerSymptomatic heart failureIron homeostasis
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Heart Failure Treatment and Management Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/heart-failure-treatment-and-management/2026. Accessed 2026-07-13.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459