Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys discovered that blocking an energy transfer enzyme shifts mammalian hearts into a regenerative state, promoting regeneration and improving recovery after a heart attack. By modulating heart cell metabolism, scientists can potentially awaken the heart's dormant regenerative abilities.
A new study found that drones can significantly reduce the time between cardiac arrest reporting and defibrillation, particularly in rural and congested areas. By combining fixed AEDs with drones, access times can be reduced by up to 3.76 minutes, with over 95% of cases covered within five minutes.
A new blood test and scoring system could reduce hospital visits for patients with chest pain by up to 34% by triaging them at home or to their general practitioner. The study found that 165 patients out of 483 assessed by ambulance crews using the test and scoring system were left at home, compared to 19 out of 539 without the test.
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) presents 28 studies at TCT 2026, highlighting advances in minimally invasive interventions, pharmaceutical therapies, and breakthrough technologies. Key findings include improved outcomes for patients with heart and vascular disease.
A Swedish study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that patients treated with finasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia experienced fewer serious complications after an acute heart attack. The risk of serious complications was 20.8% among those treated with finasteride, compared to 24.3% among matched controls.
The Marcus Foundation has awarded $28.7 million to advance a clinical trial testing a stem cell-based therapy designed to regenerate damaged heart tissue after a heart attack. Researchers aim to develop approaches that could reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
Senescent cells that stop dividing but don't die can become abnormally active, causing inflammation and instability in blood vessel plaques. The study found that losing key regulatory proteins activates the CD38 enzyme, leading to a higher risk of blood clots and cardiovascular events.
A University of Cincinnati research team will examine how microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in the body and affect cardiovascular health, with a focus on potential toxicity and worsening outcomes after a heart attack. The five-year study aims to advance understanding of microplastic impact on heart diseases.
A major international study has identified ways to detect patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at serious risk of sudden death, heart failure or other dangerous outcomes. The findings will help save lives by improving the ability to determine who is at greatest risk and spare low-risk patients from unneeded heart implants.
A large prospective study found that incorporating imaging and blood biomarker data into risk assessment improves prediction of adverse cardiac events in people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study used clinical history, cardiac MRI, and blood biomarkers to predict outcomes, providing fuller and more accurate predictions.
Dr. Rebecca T. Hahn, MD, is the first imager to receive the TCT Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Operator Award for her groundbreaking work in imaging structural heart procedures. Her unparalleled expertise has redefined the role of imaging in cardiovascular care.
Patrick T. O'Gara, a master clinician and educator, will receive the TCT 2026 Career Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work in interventional cardiology. The award recognizes his clinical excellence, pioneering research, and mentorship of the next generation of physicians.
A new trial found that using a microaxial flow pump before and during cardiac stenting procedures for high-risk heart attack patients with severe heart attacks did not reduce heart damage. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, also showed increased bleeding complications.
A new study from Tulane University found that women with high predicted cardiovascular risk face nearly double the risk of hip fracture. The association was stronger in women under 65, and higher cardiovascular risk was linked to fractures in weakened bones in major areas.
Registration is now open for TCT 2026, the annual scientific symposium of CRF, taking place October 31 - November 3 in San Diego. The event will feature a dynamic program with groundbreaking research and expert-led tutorials.
A new study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that digital CBT significantly reduced cardiac-related anxiety and improved patients' quality of life and physical function after a heart attack. The treatment showed stable benefits up to one year after completion.
A new injection therapy uses self-amplifying RNA to prompt the body's release of the natural heart-protective hormone ANP for several weeks. This approach aims to reduce harmful scarring, preserve healthy heart muscle and improve heart function after a heart attack.
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may prevent further tissue damage following a heart attack, significantly reducing the risk of further life-threatening complications. Researchers found that these drugs improve blood flow to the heart by activating potassium channels, relaxing constricted blood vessels and reducing heart damage risk.
A study from the University of Copenhagen found that children with multiple tooth cavities or severe gingivitis have a significantly higher incidence of stroke, heart attack, and coronary artery disease as adults. Lifestyle factors may play an important role in this correlation.
Researchers developed an AI tool called ONCO-ACS to predict the risk of secondary heart attacks in cancer patients after a heart attack. The tool combines cancer-related factors with standard clinical data to provide reliable information for doctors to balance treatment benefits and harms.
A new AI tool has been developed to predict the chances of death, major bleeding, or another cardiac event in cancer patients who have had a heart attack. The ONCO-ACS score combines cancer-related factors with standard clinical data to provide individualized treatment recommendations.
Researchers have uncovered a new understanding of how cardiac events are interconnected with the brain and nervous/immune systems. They found that sensory neurons in the vagus nerve detect injury and transfer signals to dedicated brain structures, leading to activation of the immune system.
Researchers have shown that human hearts can regrow muscle cells after a heart attack, paving the way for new treatments to reverse heart failure. The discovery was made possible by pioneering techniques that use living tissue samples taken from patients during bypass surgery.
Researchers identified a way to suppress daily fluctuations in immune cells' activity, which may prevent tissue damage during daylight hours. A drug that targets neutrophils was found to alleviate inflammation and protect against infections.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that early normalization of weight can protect the heart from childhood overweight. Researchers found that individuals who had normal weight in young adulthood after being overweight as children had a lower risk of heart attack compared to those who remained overweight.
A large study found that people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, particularly in younger adults. The research also showed that sudden cardiac death contributes to shorter life expectancy for those with diabetes.
Researchers have identified a distinct type of frailty in younger people driven by cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses, leading to poor outcomes and premature death. The study calls for routine frailty assessments in all heart attack patients, regardless of age.
A new study found that current cardiac screening tools are not optimal and fail to identify half the people who are at risk of having a heart attack. The researchers assessed the accuracy of widely used tools, including ASCVD and PREVENT calculators, and found that nearly half of patients would not have been recommended for preventive ...
A new patch developed by Texas A&M University researcher Dr. Ke Huang may offer a way to help the heart heal after a heart attack by delivering interleukin-4 directly to damaged heart tissue. The patch uses a microneedle system to promote repair and improve heart function without affecting the rest of the body.
Researchers found that waiting to treat narrowed coronary arteries after a heart attack is safe and can reduce the number of stent procedures. An MRI scan at a later stage can provide reassurance for patients.
Researchers analyzed insurance claims data from US health insurers to demonstrate the cardiovascular benefits of semaglutide and tirzepatide. Both GLP-1 drugs provide cardioprotective effects, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack by 18% and 13%, respectively.
A tailored approach to vitamin D3 supplementation in heart attack patients reduces their risk of a second heart attack by half, according to a new study from Intermountain Health. The study found that monitoring and adjusting blood levels of vitamin D3 to optimal levels significantly reduces cardiovascular risk.
A study of 40,000 patients found that those with no coronary artery calcium have lower risk of death from all causes, including non-cardiac medical conditions. Patients with any level of CAC are 2-3 times more likely to die than those without CAC.
A naturally occurring gene called Cyclin A2, normally silenced in humans, can make new functioning heart cells and aid in the heart's repair. The breakthrough discovery could lead to new techniques for repairing damaged hearts as an alternative to transplants or implanted cardiac devices.
A new approach to PET imaging can identify patients at risk of poor functional recovery after a heart attack by visualizing CXCR4, a cellular protein involved in inflammation. This technique enables timely implementation of treatments to mitigate inflammation and prevent heart failure progression.
A new AI-based risk assessment tool, GRACE 3.0, has shown better predictability of future risk for heart attack patients compared to traditional methods.
A landmark study analyzed health data from over 600,000 patients across 10 countries to assess patient risk for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). The AI-powered model GRACE 3.0 predicts risk more accurately and guides personalized treatment decisions.
A multidisciplinary panel published in the Journal of Pediatrics advocates for accelerated diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia, a life-threatening genetic condition. Universal lipid screening is recommended to identify affected children at high risk of heart disease decades earlier than those without the condition.
A new study found significant racial disparities in the care of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Florida. Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients were less likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a recommended treatment, compared to non-Hispanic white patients. This disparity resulted in ...
A new Mayo Clinic study found that many heart attacks in people under 65 are caused by factors other than clogged arteries, particularly in women. The study revealed that spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), embolism, and stress-related triggers accounted for over half of heart attacks in women under age 65.
A major new analysis from the REBOOT trial reveals that women treated with beta-blockers after a heart attack had a higher risk of death, reinfarction, or hospitalization for heart failure. The study also found that women presenting with infarction had a worse cardiovascular profile and a significantly worse prognosis than men.
Late-breaking clinical trials and science at TCT 2025 will present pivotal data on novel therapies, devices, and techniques aimed at preventing and treating cardiovascular conditions. The symposium delivers high-impact findings that shape clinical practice and enhance outcomes for patients with heart and vascular disease.
The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) has updated its transfusion standards to recommend giving more-frequent blood transfusions to patients suffering from myocardial infarction, particularly those with low hemoglobin levels. This new guideline aims to prevent recurrent heart attacks and deaths among anemic patients.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have identified a potential early warning system for Takotsubo syndrome in ICU patients using electrocardiogram patterns and blood markers. Critical care nurses with advanced ECG skills can play a key role in recognising early signs of the condition.
A new study found that scar tissue in the heart of healthy male endurance athletes aged 50 or older may increase their risk of abnormal heart rhythms and sudden cardiac death. The research used magnetic resonance imaging and ECG recorders to track the participants' heart activity over two years.
Heart attacks often don't follow a Hollywood script, says UTA expert Ann Eckhardt. Symptoms can be complex and mild, with discomfort or pressure rather than pain. This misperception leads to delayed medical attention, increasing the risk of negative consequences.
A study of over 2,500 adults aged 50-80 found that nearly 1 in 6 take aspirin for cardiovascular protection without a history of heart disease. Despite revised guidelines reducing aspirin use for primary prevention after age 70, many patients are unaware of the increased risk of bleeding.
A study of 273,770 individuals with cardiovascular disease found that increasing lipoprotein(a) levels significantly increases the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events. Treatment with high-impact LDL-C lowering therapies may help reduce this risk.
The summit features live case demonstrations, interactive debates, hands-on training, and the latest evidence-based practices in structural heart care. Attendees will witness innovation in action, exploring breakthroughs in surgical techniques, transcatheter interventions, and personalized treatment strategies.
A Michigan Medicine study suggests that higher out-of-pocket costs for initial cardiac rehabilitation sessions are a major barrier to participation. Patients who shared the cost of their first session attended more sessions than those who paid nothing, but still had lower odds of completing over 24 sessions.
Very intensive lipid-lowering therapy significantly regresses atheroma volume at the lesion level compared to statin therapy alone. This study found greater enlargement of the minimum lumen area and more frequent transition to stable plaque phenotypes with alirocumab treatment.
Treatment with prehospital pulse-dose glucocorticoid improved acute parameters, but did not reduce final infarct size after 3 months. The trial was likely underpowered due to smaller-than-anticipated final infarct sizes.
Researchers have gained new insights into the cellular reactions to a cerebral infarction, identifying specific cell types and their roles in the early phase after a stroke. The study's findings hold promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies to promote nerve tissue regeneration after a stroke.
A new study has identified CCL27 and TNFRSF14 as genetic markers in inflammation that may contribute to stroke recurrence. These findings could lead to novel drug targets to mitigate disability and mortality after a first stroke.
Researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine will investigate how injured heart cells communicate with other cells throughout the body using microvesicles known as exosomes. The study aims to understand how specific molecules, such as microRNAs, facilitate communication pathways between cells in the heart and vasculature.
The study found that patient outcomes for six critical conditions worsened at urban hospitals, while rural hospitals experienced smaller declines, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to reduce excess deaths in future crises.
A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that daily cannabis users had a 25% increased risk of heart attack and a 42% increased risk of stroke compared to non-users. The study also found significant cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use, including coronary heart disease and the combination of heart attack and stroke.
A study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research reveals that a dynamic synergy between cell types facilitates cardiac renewal, challenging existing paradigms. Targeting the microenvironment rather than specific cell types is key to healing injured hearts.
Researchers develop injectable hydrogel electrodes for treating ventricular arrhythmia, providing a potential solution to painful defibrillation and improving quality of life. The novel pacing modality addresses the pathophysiology of re-entrant arrhythmia and offers a promising alternative to existing therapies.
A new classification system for heart attacks based on heart muscle damage is released, offering a more differentiated definition and improving understanding of acute atherothrombotic MI. This system has the potential to stratify risk more accurately and lay the groundwork for development of injury-stage-specific therapies.