European heart journal
Audio Summaries

Blinded withdrawal of randomized treatment with low-dose digoxin or placebo in patients with heart failure: the DECISION trial

May 10, 2026

The DECISION trial aimed to determine the safety of withdrawing digoxin in patients with heart failure who were optimized on contemporary medical therapy. The study found that discontinuation of digoxin led to a significant increase in adverse cardiovascular events and clinical deterioration compared to placebo, suggesting that caution is warranted when stopping digoxin in this patient population.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition and haemocompatibility-related adverse events in patients with durable left ventricular assist device: the MOMENTUM-3 trial 

May 10, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAASi) is associated with a reduction in hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAE) in patients with durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). Their analysis of 1,855 patients from the MOMENTUM-3 trial revealed that RAASi therapy significantly lowered the rates of composite HRAEs, particularly non-surgical bleeding, suggesting that pharmacological modulation of neurohormonal pathways could enhance long-term outcomes in LVAD therapy.

Environmental risk factors and cardiovascular health

May 7, 2026

The authors aim to address the underrepresentation of environmental risk factors, such as air pollution, noise, and chemical contamination, in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment strategies. They synthesize current evidence on how these exposures contribute to cardiovascular health issues and propose the exposome framework to understand their cumulative impact. The review emphasizes the need for urgent research and policy changes to mitigate these risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Ultra-processed foods, lifestyle management, and cardiovascular diseases

May 6, 2026

This paper aims to address the increasing public health concern regarding the impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on cardiovascular diseases (CV) and to highlight the need for greater awareness among clinicians about these risks. The authors provide a comprehensive review of evidence linking UPF consumption to major CV risk factors and propose a framework for integrating UPF assessment into clinical practice, ultimately advocating for a more food-centered approach to cardiovascular health management.

A nurse-coordinated intervention programme vs standard of care after an acute coronary syndrome: the ALLEPRE trial

May 5, 2026

The ALLEPRE trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-coordinated prevention program (NCPP) compared to standard care (SOC) in managing cardiovascular risk after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The results demonstrated that the NCPP significantly reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and improved lifestyle factors such as exercise frequency, body weight control, and medication adherence among patients. These findings suggest that integrating a nurse-coordinated approach into healthcare could enhance secondary prevention strategies for ACS patients.

Cancer and heart failure: prevalence, incidence, and prognosis in Scotland

May 2, 2026

The authors investigate the prevalence, incidence, and prognosis of heart failure (HF) in patients with cancer and vice versa in a Scottish population over 50 years old. They find that individuals with heart failure have a slightly increased risk of developing cancer, and those with both conditions face a significantly poorer prognosis, with mortality rates attributed equally to cancer and cardiovascular disease. The study highlights the complex inter-relationships between cancer and heart failure, emphasizing the need for integrated care approaches for affected patients.

Direct oral anticoagulants vs warfarin in Asian vs non-Asian patients with atrial fibrillation: a patient-level meta-analysis from COMBINE AF

Apr 30, 2026

The authors aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus warfarin in Asian and non-Asian patients with atrial fibrillation, utilizing pooled patient-level data from multiple trials. They found that standard-dose DOACs significantly reduced the risks of stroke, major bleeding, and other adverse outcomes in Asian patients compared to warfarin, with even more favorable results than in non-Asian patients. Additionally, standard-dose DOACs did not increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in Asians, suggesting they are the preferred treatment option for this demographic.

Sex differences in pharmacological treatment of heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized trials

Apr 28, 2026

The authors investigate whether there are sex differences in the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for heart failure, given the historical underrepresentation of women in clinical trials. Their meta-analysis of 139 randomized controlled trials, involving over 292,000 patients, reveals no significant differences in treatment efficacy between men and women, suggesting that the lack of female representation is unlikely to have concealed important sex-specific differences. Nonetheless, they emphasize the importance of improving gender balance in future heart failure trials for ethical and societal reasons.

Multi-modality non-invasive cardiovascular screening and sex-specific outcomes: the Viborg Screening Program

Apr 28, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of multi-modality non-invasive cardiovascular screening on all-cause mortality in both sexes, using data from the Viborg Screening Program in Denmark. Their findings indicate that screening significantly reduced 5-year all-cause mortality among 67-year-olds, with a notable effect observed in both men and women, particularly among those without prior cardiovascular disease. This suggests that such screening could enhance population health outcomes.

Genetic determinants of childhood blood pressure and heart rate in relation to adult health outcomes: the consortium of childhood blood pressure

Apr 26, 2026

The authors aimed to elucidate the genetic determinants of childhood blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) and their potential implications for adult health outcomes. Through the largest genome-wide association study of its kind, they identified several novel genetic loci associated with childhood BP and HR, revealing moderate genetic correlations with adult BP traits. Their findings suggest that higher childhood BP genetic risk scores are linked to increased risks of various cardiometabolic conditions in adulthood, highlighting the importance of early interventions.