Merck's sotatercept (Winrevair) has shown positive topline results in the Phase 3 ZENITH trial for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) functional class III or IV. The trial met its primary endpoint, indicating a potential new treatment option for this challenging condition.
Obicetrapib/Ezetimibe Combination Reduces LDL Cholesterol
NewAmsterdam Pharma announced positive topline data from the Phase 3 TANDEM trial, revealing that a fixed-dose combination of obicetrapib and ezetimibe nearly halved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in patients who had not achieved sufficient LDL-C reduction with statins alone. This combination therapy presents a promising approach for individuals with persistent hypercholesterolemia despite statin treatment.
Advancements in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Edwards Lifesciences reported real-world results suggesting improved outcomes with the Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia TAVR valve compared to older-generation models. The data indicated a shift toward better clinical results, lower gradients, and a reduction in paravalvular leaks, marking a significant advancement in TAVR technology.
Other Notable Cardiology Updates
- Hunting and Heart Health: The American Heart Association advises hunters to be mindful of heart health risks associated with physical exertion, cold temperatures, and the excitement of hunting.
- Pacemaker Implants: A Michigan cardiologist is suing Trinity Health Muskegon, alleging whistleblower retaliation after raising concerns about potentially unnecessary pacemaker implants performed by another doctor.
- Mortality Prediction: A machine learning algorithm, RF-SLAM, accurately predicted all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
- Dapagliflozin and New-Onset Diabetes: The SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin (Farxiga) was linked to a reduced incidence of new-onset diabetes in patients with cardiovascular or kidney disease, according to a pooled trial analysis.
- SGLT2 Inhibitors in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and concurrent diabetes showed better clinical outcomes when treated with SGLT2 inhibitors.
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A large meta-analysis supported the kidney and cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
- Cilostazol and Carotid Artery Stenting: In a Japanese trial, cilostazol, when added to other antiplatelet medications before carotid artery stenting, reduced the risk of in-stent restenosis at 2 years.
- Cardiac Allograft Dysfunction: Heart transplant recipients with donor-specific antibodies and concurrent allograft dysfunction may have a poor prognosis, even without evidence of antibody-mediated rejection on endomyocardial biopsy.
- Cardiomyocyte Regeneration: The regenerative capacity of human cardiomyocytes is minimal in heart failure, but left ventricle support device therapy was associated with a more than sixfold increase in cardiomyocyte renewal.
