TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for February 2020

Announcements out of the US Food and Drug Administration as well as conference news from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) meeting and the International Stroke Congress made up almost half of our top stories this month. Also making the list were new data on late events after stenting and more debate over PCI versus CABG in left main disease. In a repeat visit to TCTMD’s top 10, a provocative analysis focused on Impella (Abiomed) in acute MI complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS) that first aired at last year’s American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions returned, now published in JAMA.

1. FDA Approves New Lipid-Lowering Drug, Bempedoic Acid

The oral, once-daily, non-statin drug was cleared for adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

2. TAVR Tussle at US Surgery Meeting Threatens to Widen Surgeon-Cardiologist Wedge

Physicians had a range of reactions to TAVR trial criticisms, but STS leaders say they stand for balanced discourse.

3. FDA: Abbott Recalls NC Trek RX and NC Traveler Coronary Catheters

Some of the dilatation catheters are not deflating properly. One patient has died from postprocedural complications.

4. Stent-Related Adverse Events Continue Out to 5 Years: Meta-analysis

For middle-aged men and women expected to live another 20 years, the risk of these events is very real, say experts.

5. Impella Redux: JAMA Publication Post-AHA Renews Push for More Data

The second of two observational studies that first stirred debate at AHA 2019 is now in print, roiling the AMICS waters anew.

6. BBC Makes New EXCEL Allegations, Says Investigators Ignored Safety Concerns

The latest revelations say the DSMB and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) had mortality concerns that weren’t shared, but the ESC disputes this.

7. SYNTAX Score Predicts Long-term Benefits of Left Main PCI and CABG: MAIN-COMPARE

For those with low-to-intermediate anatomic complexity, PCI and CABG fared equally at 10 years.

8. PCI for Preventing Death in Unstable vs Stable CAD: New Data, More Soul-searching

A new meta-analysis, a patient perspective, and a trio of physician voices highlight the need for harmony amid the howls.

9. Dedicated Structural Heart Training Pathway in the Works for Surgeons

At STS 2020, one physician said he’s hopeful that a new fellowship paradigm will take shape within the year.

10. Another Neuroprotective Agent Fails in Acute Stroke . . . Or Does It?

Nerinetide appeared to have beneficial effects in the 40% of patients who did not receive alteplase.