Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Audio Summaries

Intracoronary Imaging-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Sep 16, 2026

The authors aimed to re-evaluate the efficacy of intracoronary imaging (ICI)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to angiography-guided PCI, particularly in light of recent trials showing no benefit. Their updated meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials involving over 24,000 patients found that ICI-guided PCI significantly reduced various cardiovascular events, including target lesion failure and cardiac mortality, while also revealing geographic and lesion characteristic heterogeneity as key factors influencing trial outcomes.

Physiological Left Atrial Staging and the Risk of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Sep 9, 2026

The authors aimed to characterize the hemodynamic and functional states of the left atrium (LA) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and develop a novel LA staging system to predict the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF). Their findings indicate that this staging system is significantly associated with an increased risk of NOAF and provides additional predictive value beyond existing risk models. This framework enhances understanding of LA adaptation to diastolic dysfunction in HCM and may inform AF surveillance strategies.

Genetic Determinants of Early Heart Failure in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Prospective NC-DEFINE Study

Sep 9, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether ultra-rare variants in cardiomyopathy-associated genes are linked to the risk of early heart failure (HF) in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Their findings indicate that the presence of likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants significantly increases the risk of severe HF in neonates with HLHS, suggesting that genetic screening could be beneficial for early risk stratification and tailored treatment in this vulnerable population.

Clinical Considerations for the Care of the Tactical Athlete With Cardiovascular Abnormalities: A Scientific Statement From the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association

Sep 4, 2026

The authors aim to provide comprehensive guidance for clinicians caring for tactical athletes—such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and military personnel—who have cardiovascular abnormalities or are at risk for cardiovascular disease. This scientific statement addresses the unique occupational demands these athletes face and outlines clinical considerations across various cardiovascular conditions, emphasizing the importance of preparticipation evaluations and the potential impact of cardiovascular events on team and community safety. The document is structured into 11 sections, each detailing specific cardiovascular issues relevant to tactical athletes, supported by literature reviews and expert insights.

Cold Spells, Heat Waves, and Nonoptimal Air Temperature and Risk of Heart Failure Hospitalization in Sweden

Sep 2, 2026

This study aimed to investigate the associations between short-term exposure to cold spells, heat waves, and nonoptimal temperatures with heart failure (HF) hospitalization in Sweden. The findings revealed that cold spells and lower temperatures increased the risk of HF hospitalization, particularly with delayed effects, while higher temperatures also raised hospitalization odds but with more immediate effects. Overall, the research highlights the significant impact of extreme temperature events on heart failure exacerbations in a high-latitude context.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Myocarditis and Its Impairment, 1990-2023

Sep 2, 2026

The authors aimed to estimate the global, regional, and national burden of myocarditis from 1990 to 2023, analyzing trends in prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality. They found that while age-standardized rates of DALYs and mortality decreased significantly, the absolute number of incident cases increased due to population growth, highlighting persistent disparities across age groups and socio-demographic indices. These results underscore the need for targeted strategies to improve early diagnosis and reduce the burden of myocarditis, especially in vulnerable populations.

Effect on Lipoprotein(a) Oxidized Phospholipids of Lepodisiran, an Extended-Duration siRNA Targeting Lipoprotein(a)

Aug 31, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of lepodisiran, an extended-duration siRNA targeting lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], on levels of oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) associated with apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] and apolipoprotein B (apoB) in a phase 2 trial. The study found that lepodisiran significantly reduced OxPL-apo(a) and OxPL-apoB levels, with reductions correlating closely with the decrease in Lp(a), suggesting a potential biological mechanism for its cardiovascular effects. However, the authors caution that these findings do not confirm clinical benefits and highlight the need for further investigation in ongoing trials.

Stent Retriever Thrombectomy in Patients With Myocardial Infarction The Open-label, Multicenter NATURE Superiority trial

Aug 31, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether stent-retriever thrombectomy, in addition to conventional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), reduces infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and large thrombus burden. The study found that patients receiving stent-retriever thrombectomy had significantly lower infarct sizes compared to those undergoing conventional PCI alone, with no major adverse cardiovascular events reported in the stent-retriever group at 3 days and only one at 30 days. These results suggest that stent-retriever thrombectomy may be a beneficial intervention for this high-risk patient population.

Addition of Computed Tomography-derived Fractional Flow Reserve in the diagnostic pathway of patients with stable coronary artery disease: the FUSION randomized controlled trial

Aug 31, 2026

The FUSION randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the impact of adding Computed Tomography-derived Fractional Flow Reserve (FFRct) to the diagnostic pathway for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 50-90% stenosis on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA). The study found that incorporating FFRct significantly reduced the rate of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) without obstructive CAD at both 90 days and 1 year, while showing no differences in revascularization rates, quality of life, or costs compared to usual care.

Protocol-Based Implementation of Early Intensive Lipid Management After Acute Coronary Syndrome: The BRIDGE Trial

Aug 31, 2026

The BRIDGE Trial aimed to determine whether a protocol-based implementation strategy could improve the timely achievement of guideline-recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets in patients after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The results indicated that this structured approach significantly increased the rates of achieving LDL-C levels below 70 mg/dL and 55 mg/dL compared to standard lipid management. These findings suggest that an algorithm-based care pathway can enhance the implementation of intensive lipid-lowering therapy in routine clinical practice following ACS.