JACC This Week

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a major study on Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), revealing that extra-aortic arterial aneurysms are both common and clinically significant across a broad vascular spectrum. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive, head-to-pelvis imaging in LDS patients to detect and monitor potentially life-threatening aneurysms beyond the thoracic aorta.

In this episode, host Mitsuaki Sawano, MD, is joined by Dr. Shoichiro Yatsu, MD, to discuss his sub-analysis of the ADVENT-HF trial, recently published in JACC: Heart Failure. The study investigates the effects of peak-flow-triggered adaptive servo-ventilation (ASVPF) on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in patients with heart failure and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Compared to earlier studies using different ASV algorithms, ADVENT-HF highlights the safety and clinical value of ASVPF, showing meaningful improvements in sleep quality, symptoms, and quality of life. Dr. Yatsu also shares insights from managing legacy trial data collected over more than a decade.

This issue of JACC showcases a diverse yet thematically cohesive collection of articles that explore the complexities of cardiovascular medicine, from ethical dilemmas and patient-reported outcomes to emerging therapies and methodological innovations. Highlights include a poignant HeartBeats essay on the emotional weight of clinical decisions, debates on responder analyses, promising data on Factor XI inhibitors, and groundbreaking registry findings on balloon pulmonary angioplasty. The issue also features insights into risk prediction, statistical modeling in heart failure trials, rare case reports, and a continued commitment to ethically grounded anatomical education.

Dr. Valentin Fuster shares startling research showing that almost one-third of U.S. adults aged 30-79 face cardiovascular disease or high risks within the next decade. He emphasizes that the seeds of long-term risks can begin at just 30 years old. The discussion centers on the urgent need for early prevention strategies, particularly targeting young adults, to combat this leading health crisis. Insights into demographic disparities underline the importance of tailored interventions.

In this week's JACC podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster explores new insights into cardiovascular disease risk across the lifespan, real-world tools for predicting heart failure outcomes, and evolving interventional strategies like balloon pulmonary angioplasty and Factor XI inhibition. With a sharp focus on prevention, patient-centered care, and the power of both technology and clinical judgment, the episode delivers key takeaways from four major studies and two thought-provoking reviews.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster presents groundbreaking international research on balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) as a crucial alternative for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients ineligible for surgery. Drawing from nearly 500 patients across 18 centers, the discussion highlights BPA's promising outcomes and challenges, underscoring the importance of expert, high-volume centers for optimal safety and effectiveness.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster explores groundbreaking research on long-acting Factor XI inhibitors, highlighting their potential to reduce bleeding risks during invasive procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation. Experts discuss the promising safety profile and the ongoing quest to balance effective anticoagulation without increased bleeding.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses groundbreaking research validating the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) as a powerful real-world predictor of heart failure outcomes using advanced machine learning on outpatient data. Emphasizing the critical importance of patient-reported health status, he highlights that listening to patients remains essential even in an era dominated by AI-driven medicine.

In this video on a commentary in JACC's June 10 dedicated issue on the ACS guidelines, authors Renato D. Lopes, MD, PhD, FACC, and Remo H.M. Furtado, MD, PhD, discuss their commentary on the recent ACC/AHA ACS guidelines, emphasizing the need to adapt global recommendations to the diverse realities of Latin American healthcare systems. They highlight the importance of local data, regional disparities, and implementation science—including community education and multi-level interventions—to improve outcomes and guideline adherence in acute coronary syndrome care across Latin America.

JACC's June 10 dedicated issue on the ACS guidelines, author and former JACC Editor-in-Chief Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, speaks with current JACC Deputy Editor Rasha Al-Lamee, MD concerning the recent ACC/AHA ACS guidelines. Dr. Fuster speaks to this comprehensive update aligning more closely with international (especially ESC) standards in acute coronary syndrome care. The interview and accompanying commentary publishing in the June 10 issue speaks to the importance of improved methodological rigor, global stakeholder inclusion, and alignment in key recommendations (e.g., DAPT duration), while also allowing greater transparency in controversial decisions and envisioning the potential for a future universal ACS guideline.