JACC This Week

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster reviews groundbreaking studies from the April 22, 2025 issue of JACC, covering key findings in valve replacement, pregnancy-related cardiovascular risk, and post-MI therapy. Plus, two cutting-edge reviews explore atrial fibrillation ablation and conduction disturbances after transcatheter valve procedures.

In this podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster reviews a pivotal study comparing the five-year outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in low-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. The study found that both treatments yielded similar mortality and stroke rates, reinforcing TAVR's non-inferiority to surgery, though long-term outcomes in younger patients and the impact of pacemaker implantation remain areas of concern.

Hosts Mitsuaki Sawano, MD, and co-host Satoshi Shoji, MD, welcome Kenji Inoue, MD, to discuss the DROP-Asian ACS study—a multicenter trial evaluating the 0/1-hour algorithm for chest pain assessment across 12 hospitals in five Asian countries presented as a Late Breaking Clinical Trial at the ACC.25. Dr. Inoue shares key findings from this cluster-randomized trial of nearly 4,000 patients, highlighting the algorithm's practicality in Asia's diverse healthcare settings. Despite regional differences, the 0/1-hour approach—requiring only two high-sensitivity troponin measurements—proved effective and accessible, even in low-resource environments. He also reflects on presenting at ACC, the importance of early preparation, and the growth that comes from taking on complex international research. Dr. Inoue encourages young clinicians to embrace challenges and actively engage with global networks for clinical research development.

In a rapidly changing world marked by societal divisions, technological advances in healthcare, and shifting views on expertise, the JACC Journals remain dedicated to advancing global cardiovascular health through a science-based and humanistic approach. Committed to evidence, integrity, and humanity, JACC focuses on rigorously evaluating research, guided by facts rather than ideology, and strives to address healthcare inequities while respecting patient autonomy. As a trusted platform, it emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity to improve cardiovascular health worldwide. By providing actionable science for clinicians and accessible insights for patients, the JACC Journals aim to lead the way in advancing cardiovascular medicine, fostering trust, and making a lasting impact on global health.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster summarizes two pivotal studies from the April 15, 2025 issue of the JACC. The first paper discusses how adding cardiac troponins to traditional risk factors modestly improves cardiovascular risk prediction, while the second highlights how early cardiovascular health and genetic factors can predict hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of early interventions and pre-pregnancy care to improve maternal health outcomes.

In this podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a recent study on the use of cardiac troponins in predicting cardiovascular disease risk, showing a modest improvement when added to traditional risk factors. While the findings suggest potential benefits in population health, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on the eight core modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease rather than solely relying on biomarkers like cardiac troponins.

In this podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a groundbreaking study from JACC that explores how genetic risk and cardiovascular health in the first trimester of pregnancy predict hypertensive disorders, such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and eclampsia. The research highlights the potential of improving cardiovascular health early in pregnancy as a preventive measure, especially for those at high genetic risk, and calls for more accessible, community-based interventions to better support maternal health.

JACC Associate Editor Khurram Nasir, MBBS, FACC, speaks with author Michael J. Koren, MD, FACC, on his Featured Clinical Research study published in JACC and presented at ACC.25. This randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging phase 2 study assessed efficacy, safety, and tolerability of AZD0780, a small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor. The study randomized 428 patients (426 started treatment) with hypercholesterolemia on standard-of-care statin therapy to daily oral administrations of AZD0780 1, 3, 10 or 30 mg, or matching placebo for 12 weeks. AZD0780 significantly reduced LDL-C levels versus placebo at all doses (from 35.3% to 50.7%) and demonstrated a safety and tolerability profile similar to placebo. These findings support further development of AZD0780 as part of a simple, oral regimen for lowering LDL-C beyond that achieved with statin therapy.

This interview with JACC: Associate Editor Neha J. Pagidipati, MD, FACC, and author Kausik Ray, MD, FACC, reviews Dr. Ray's phase one study on solbinsiran, an siRNA therapy targeting ANGPTL3 to reduce triglycerides and cardiovascular risk. Dr. Ray explains the study's findings, including significant reductions in triglycerides, ApoB, and LDL, with a favorable safety profile. The conversation also touches on the broader landscape of ANGPTL3 inhibitors, the implications of HDL reduction, and the anticipation of phase two results to be presented at ACC 2025.

Join here for an insightful discussion with Federico Pappalardo, MD and Sanket Dhruva, MD, FACC on the groundbreaking ALT-SHOCK 2 RCT, the largest randomized trial on intra-aortic balloon pump therapy in heart failure cardiogenic shock. Learn about the trial's key findings, implications for clinical practice, and the future of mechanical circulatory support in this critically ill patient population.