European heart journal
Audio Summaries

Accelerated epigenetic ageing in congenital heart disease: the AccelerAGE study

Jun 11, 2026

This study investigates whether adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) experience accelerated epigenetic ageing compared to healthy controls and how this acceleration relates to the complexity of their condition. The findings reveal that individuals with moderate and complex CHD exhibit significant age acceleration, while those with simple disease show ageing patterns similar to healthy peers. These results highlight the need for integrating biological ageing metrics in clinical follow-up to better manage age-related complications in this population.

Statins and survival free of incident frailty among older US veterans

Jun 9, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate whether statin use is associated with a reduced risk of developing incident frailty among older US veterans. Their study found that veterans who initiated statin therapy were significantly less likely to experience frailty compared to non-initiators, suggesting that statins may play a protective role against frailty in this population. Additionally, similar benefits were observed in pre-frail veterans, highlighting the potential of statins as a modifiable risk factor for frailty.

ACADM-mediated fatty acid β-oxidation pathway in atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm

Jun 5, 2026

This study investigates the distinct roles of lipid metabolic disturbances in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Through lipidomic analysis and multi-omics approaches, the authors identify significant differences in lipid profiles between the two conditions, particularly highlighting the Acadm-mediated fatty acid β-oxidation pathway as a key factor in AS but not in AAA. The findings suggest potential avenues for differential diagnosis and targeted treatments based on these lipid metabolic characteristics.

Predicting lifetime cardiovascular risk and benefits of preventive treatment in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: the SMART-REACH2 model

Jun 5, 2026

The authors aimed to develop the SMART-REACH2 model to estimate the lifetime risk of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events and the benefits of preventive treatment in patients with established atherosclerotic CV disease, incorporating geographical and sex-specific variations. The model was validated in a large cohort and demonstrated adequate performance across different risk regions, providing insights into potential gains in CV disease-free life expectancy with intensified treatment. This tool aims to enhance shared decision-making in clinical practice as recommended by current guidelines.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Jun 5, 2026

The authors aim to review the evolving understanding of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), particularly focusing on the shift from a phenotype-first to a genotype-first approach in its diagnosis and management. They highlight the implications of this transition for identifying and treating patients at risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias, especially among young individuals and endurance athletes.

Extracellular vesicles in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Jun 5, 2026

The authors investigate the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the mechanisms underlying atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and their potential as therapeutic targets. They highlight how EVs from various cell types contribute to inflammation, plaque formation, and instability in atherosclerosis, suggesting that manipulating EVs could provide new strategies for monitoring and treating this condition. The study emphasizes the need for further exploration of EVs as biomarkers and therapeutic agents in atherosclerosis management.

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after abbreviated dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta-analysis

Jun 5, 2026

This meta-analysis investigates the optimal timing for aspirin discontinuation after a short course of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), comparing it to continued DAPT. The findings indicate that discontinuing aspirin at either ≤1 month or 3 months while continuing P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy results in similar rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), with reduced bleeding risks; however, early discontinuation may increase the risk of stent thrombosis, particularly in high-risk patients.

RNA splicing and cardiovascular disease: a guide for cardiologists

Jun 5, 2026

This review explores the role of alternative RNA splicing in cardiovascular disease, focusing on how cardiac-specific splicing programs influence heart development, function, and disease progression. The authors aim to highlight diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities arising from advancements in transcriptomics and splicing modulation strategies, while addressing the challenges of translating these findings into clinical practice for cardiovascular conditions. Ultimately, they position RNA splicing as a promising target for precision medicine in cardiology.

Safety of low lipoprotein(a) levels: the FOURIER trial

Jun 3, 2026

The authors of the FOURIER trial aimed to investigate the safety of low lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels in patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), particularly concerning the risk of adverse events such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Their findings indicated that low Lp(a) concentrations were not linked to an increased risk of serious adverse outcomes, but were associated with a higher prevalence and incidence of DM. Notably, treatment with evolocumab did not elevate the risk of DM, even in patients with significantly reduced Lp(a) levels.

Ferroptosis promotes aortic stenosis through 5-lipoxygenase

Jun 2, 2026

The authors investigate the role of ferroptosis, specifically through the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5) pathway, in the progression of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) leading to aortic stenosis. They demonstrate that intra-leaflet hemorrhage and lipid peroxidation are key contributors to valvular ferroptosis, and targeting the ALOX5-ACSL4 axis may offer a novel therapeutic approach to mitigate valve thickening and dysfunction. Their findings suggest that ALOX5 inhibition could serve as a promising clinical intervention for patients with CAVD.