TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for June 2022

Our top stories this month ran the gamut from research out of TVT 2022 to good news for the novel weight-loss drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro; Eli Lilly), reassurance on paclitaxel-coated balloons in PAD, drug cost concerns in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and more. Two of the most-read articles, a feature and an Off Script blog, explored how the loss of US abortion protections will worsen cardiology care. Another feature article looked at a timely topic—the risk-benefit trade-off for cardiologists returning to in-person meetings while COVID-19 remains a concern.

1. TVT No Stroke Reduction With Embolic Protection in TAVI, Two Studies Suggest

The registry data and meta-analysis aren’t definitive, and clearer answers are anticipated from the PROTECTED-TAVR trial.

2. SURMOUNT-1: Tirzepatide Drastically Reduces Weight in Obese Patients

Trials in higher-risk individuals are needed to tease out whether the weight loss also improves CV outcomes, an expert notes.

3. FEATURE As US Abortion Protections Are Lost, Cardiologists Brace for Impact

With Roe v. Wade overturned, decisions for pregnant women with high-risk cardiac conditions could become even more fraught.

4. FEATURE Risking COVID-19 for Professional Gain? Spring’s In-Person Meetings in Hindsight

No one interviewed by TCTMD fell seriously ill, and most had plans to attend future meetings. All felt conflicted about the path forward.

5. OFF SCRIPT To Save a Dying Mother

Pregnant patients and new mothers can, and do, develop sudden and devastating cardiovascular conditions that take their lives.

6. Five-Year Paclitaxel DCB Data Attest to Long-term Safety, Efficacy 

The IN.PACT Global patients show no signs of increased mortality over time, with about 70% remaining free from TLR.

7. EMERGE: Early Angiography Doesn’t Boost OHCA Survival After NSTEMI

With four trials cementing the futility of early imaging in NSTEMI OHCA, the next challenge is to look for any subgroup benefits.

8. TVT Non-COAPT-Like Patients Fare Well With MitraClip, EXPAND Suggests

Registry results imply that HF patients who wouldn’t have been eligible for COAPT—even the very sick—did well with TEER.

9. Quadruple Therapy Costs Prohibitive for Many HFrEF Patients

Regardless of their Medicare plan, every patient hits catastrophic coverage by year’s end at current pricing, new numbers show.

10. ‘Less Is More’ for Patients With AF and Stable CAD: AFIRE Analysis

Total thrombotic and bleeding events were reduced when rivaroxaban was used alone rather than with antiplatelets.

Be sure to check out two other feature articles recently published on TCTMD—Climate Cardiology: If Not Now, When? and Minorities, Poorer Patients Missing Out on Structural Heart Care. On Rox Heart Radio this month, Roxana Mehran, MD, talks with Lindsey Cilia, MD, and Maya Serhal, MD, about the job search, work-life balance, and more as they kick off their cardiology careers. And on the Heart Sounds podcast, Shelley Wood covers a wide swath of topics including abortion access, catching COVID, climate cardiology, and more.