TCTMD’s Biggest News of 2024: Stories, Videos, and More
Sugar substitutes, substance abuse, GLP-1 drugs, and the biggest clinical trials of the year—each had their place in our top 10.
Large, practice-changing clinical trials—those presented at the big cardiology meetings—made up half of our most-read stories. But the other contenders in 2024 reflect more quotidian concerns of TCTMD readers, relating to issues they hear about from patients or that are changing the way they practice medicine. Not surprisingly, the booming popularity of GLP-1 inhibitors left its mark as well.
Scroll on to read our top 10 news of the year gone by, as well as our biggest feature stories, videos, opinion pieces, and podcasts.
1. Another Beta-blocker Blow: REDUCE-AMI Confirms No Benefit After Acute MI
The latest study to undermine the role of these long-standing agents suggests their use harkens back to a bygone era.
2. Another Low-Cal Sugar Substitute Linked to Cardiovascular Risks
Following earlier work on erythritol, these latest findings boost concerns about not-so-sweet effects of sugar alcohols.
3. Injectable Semaglutide Shortage Forces Physicians to Pivot
As demand for the drug continues to rise, alternatives like the new oral formulations and other injectable GLP-1s inevitably must be put into play.
SEE ALSO: Cheaper Version of Tirzepatide for Weight Loss Now Available, Lilly Says
4. Long-Awaited RCT Data Show Survival Benefit With Impella CP: DanGer Shock
These eagerly awaited results, specific to STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock, are striking and will impact the field. But experts agree: much work lies ahead.
5. EARLY TAVR Breaks New Ground for Preemptive Treatment of Asymptomatic AS
While discussions about the lack of a mortality effect will continue, some say the findings from this long-awaited trial may be enough to change guidelines.
6. ACURATE IDE Trial Misses Primary Endpoint in All-Risk TAVI Patients
Many had hoped another TAVI device would help spur more competition, but these results call into question the prospects of FDA approval for the Acurate neo2 valve, which is already in use globally.
7. STEP-HFpEF DM Trial Hints at Semaglutide HF Effects Beyond Pounds Shed
The results are suggestive of disease-modifying benefits of semaglutide independent of weight loss, says Mikhail Kosiborod.
SEE ALSO: FLOW: Semaglutide Scores Big in Diabetic Patients With CKD
8. Steady Rise in CVD Deaths Linked to Substance Abuse, US Data Show
No demographic was immune to CV deaths tied to alcohol, opioids, and other drugs over the last two decades.
9. FDA Approves First Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement Device
Edwards Lifesciences says there are “favorable trends” in hard outcomes among patients who have completed 1-year follow-up.
10. SAVR After Failed TAVI on the Rise, With High Mortality
Notably, all cardiac surgeries after TAVI are increasing. Treating this high-risk group will be a new challenge for surgeons.
Top Features
Regulatory approvals and late-breaking trials deserve fast coverage, but they often need to be explored in more depth after the fact. Other trends in cardiology also warrant higher word counts and more conversations. Here are some of TCTMD’s best feature stories of 2024.
Initial US Commercial TriClip Cases Offer Hope, but Reimbursement Still a Big Question
Can ‘Body Roundness Index’ Replace BMI? That Depends, Say Experts
After DanGer Shock’s Win in AMICS for Impella: What’s Next?
The Promise of Pulsed-Field Ablation: Cautious Optimism Amid Some Unknowns
Once Burned, Twice Shy, Cardiologists Ditch X for Bluesky
Find all TCTMD features here.
Top Videos
Videos exploring several buzzy trials drew many viewers after being featured in our Beyond the Data and On Record series. A tricky live case also made the list.
Beyond the Data: EARLY TAVR and TAVR UNLOAD
Live Case: Native RCA CTO PCI in Post-CABG Using Antegrade Wiring
On Record: The DanGer Shock Trial
Beyond the Data: RESHAPE-HF2 and MATTERHORN
Find the TCTMD video center here.
Top Opinions
Our cardiologist-authored Off Script blog explored some touchstone topics in 2024, as did Fellow Talk by early-career physicians, and our Conversations in Cardiology series led by Morton Kern, MD.
Racism Is Still Here—Some of Us Are Just Too Blind to See It
Talking Politics With Patients? In This Election, I Can’t Hold My Tongue
Evoque and Patisiran: A Tale of Two Regulatory Journeys
Free Tuition Won’t Improve Diversity in Medical School
What Rowing in the Olympics Taught Me About Training in Cardiothoracic Surgery
Find all TCTMD blogs and opinions here.
Top Podcasts
Cardiometabolic Health, Part 2
The Future of Pharma Trials: Part 1
August 2024: Picturing HCM Ahead of ESC
Ethics of AI Detection of Subclinical Disease With Michael Mack
Find all TCTMD podcasts here.
Shelley Wood is the Editor-in-Chief of TCTMD and the Editorial Director at CRF. She did her undergraduate degree at McGill…
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