The Cardiovascular Research Foundation has announced a comprehensive lineup of 28 late-breaking clinical trials for TCT 2025, the premier annual symposium in interventional cardiovascular medicine, scheduled for October 25-28 at San Francisco's Moscone Center. The program showcases pivotal advancements in minimally invasive procedures, drug delivery systems, and diagnostic technologies designed to reshape cardiovascular treatment paradigms worldwide.
Innovative Drug-Eluting Technologies Take Center Stage
Among the most anticipated presentations are the one-year results of the SELUTION DeNovo trial, led by Christian M. Spaulding. This randomized study compares percutaneous coronary intervention using a sirolimus-eluting balloon combined with provisional stenting against the conventional approach of systematic drug-eluting stent implantation for de novo coronary lesions. The trial's findings could redefine interventional strategies by offering nuanced understanding of vascular healing and restenosis suppression through sirolimus drug delivery.
Complementing this research, Donald Cutlip will present data on sirolimus-eluting balloon versus repeat drug-eluting stenting or balloon angioplasty for in-stent restenosis, addressing a critical challenge in interventional cardiology where traditional approaches often fall short.
Advanced Plaque Modification Techniques
The symposium will feature groundbreaking comparisons of intravascular lithotripsy against conventional mechanical plaque modification techniques. Suzanne J. Baron will present the Short-CUT trial, a randomized comparison of intravascular lithotripsy versus cutting balloon treatment in calcified coronary artery disease. The VICTORY trial will further evaluate intravascular lithotripsy against super-high-pressure non-compliant balloons for calcified and refractory coronary lesions.
These studies evaluate the mechanobiological impact and procedural efficacy of lithotripsy—a novel modality employing sonic pressure waves to fracture calcific plaques. The findings could optimize lesion preparation protocols and improve stent expansion in heavily calcified vessels, addressing a notorious challenge in interventional cardiology.
Structural Heart Disease Innovations
The program extensively covers valvular heart disease with several landmark presentations. David J. Cohen will present the PREVUE-VALVE study, providing critical epidemiological data defining the prevalence of valvular disease among older Americans, highlighting the rising clinical burden and need for optimized screening pathways.
Michael J. Mack will deliver seven-year clinical and echocardiographic follow-up results from the PARTNER 3 low-risk randomized trial, offering invaluable insights into the durability and safety profile of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in a broader demographic.
Technological innovation in mitral valve interventions features prominently with Paul Sorajja presenting one-year outcomes from the SUMMIT Severe MAC Cohort using the Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve System in patients with severe mitral annular calcification. David Daniels will showcase one-year outcomes from the ENCIRCLE trial using the SAPIEN M3 balloon-expandable valve for percutaneous transseptal transcatheter mitral valve replacement.
Bioresorbable Scaffold Technology
David Erlinge will present long-term clinical outcomes from the INFINITY-SWEDEHEART randomized trial, contrasting the Bioadaptor device—a novel bioresorbable scaffold—against contemporary drug-eluting stents in coronary artery disease. Lei Song will contribute two-year results from the IRONMAN-II randomized controlled trial evaluating sirolimus-eluting iron bioresorbable scaffolds.
Artificial Intelligence Integration
The symposium embraces technological advancement with Timothy D. Henry presenting findings from a multicenter U.S. registry on AI-enabled ECG interpretation in STEMI patients. This study exemplifies the transformative interface of artificial intelligence with acute cardiovascular care, promising earlier detection and swift therapeutic escalation.
Complex Revascularization Strategies
Several trials address challenging clinical scenarios. Ruben de Winter will present the PROCTOR trial, offering a landmark comparison of percutaneous coronary intervention in native coronary arteries versus saphenous vein grafts in post-coronary artery bypass surgery patients. The study will shed light on procedural success rates, graft patency, and long-term clinical endpoints.
Shamir R. Mehta will present results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examining the effects of intracoronary low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator as an adjunct to primary PCI in STEMI patients with large thrombus burden, potentially advancing reperfusion strategies and mitigating microvascular obstruction.
Pulmonary Embolism Management
Robert A. Lookstein will present results from STORM-PE, a randomized controlled trial of mechanical thrombectomy with anticoagulation versus anticoagulation alone for acute intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism. This multicenter investigation assesses whether adjunctive thrombectomy enhances clot clearance and improves hemodynamic parameters without increasing bleeding risk.
Advanced Hemodynamic Support
Rui Wang will present a prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing hemodynamic support with a novel percutaneous ventricular assist device versus intra-aortic balloon pumps in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention, providing crucial data on circulatory support strategies.
The TCT 2025 program represents an unparalleled confluence of scientific breakthroughs and clinical insights, reinforcing its standing as the preeminent forum equipping cardiovascular specialists with the latest evidence to enhance patient survival, quality of life, and procedural safety. The symposium continues its four-decade legacy as a beacon for cutting-edge cardiovascular science, merging rigorous research with transformative clinical applications.
