Top Takeaways from 2025: EP with DJ Lakkireddy, MBBS, FACC
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
Release Date: 12/17/2025
Cardiovascular-Kidney Therapies in CKD
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
Heart and kidney disease are closely linked, as individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events and heart failure. Because this cardiometabolic connection is so strong, identifying high‑risk individuals early is essential to preventing progression of both conditions. A holistic approach—including guideline‑directed therapies that target blood pressure, glucose, and inflammation—can simultaneously lower the risk of heart disease and slow kidney decline. Newer treatments now allow clinicians to address...
info_outline
Prasugrel Benefits Patients With Diabetes and Multivessel Disease Post-PCI: TUXEDO-2 Trial
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
The findings from the TUXEDO‑2 trial provide important clinical insights for managing high‑risk patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary disease undergoing stenting. By directly comparing ticagrelor and prasugrel within a dual antiplatelet therapy regimen, the trial helps clarify whether one agent offers superior protection in this complex population. These results may influence clinical decision‑making, particularly if meaningful differences in outcomes are demonstrated. In this interview, Sidney C. Smith Jr., MD, MACC and Sripal Bangalore, MD,...
info_outline
The Power of Nutrition: GOFRESH Trial
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
The GOFRESH trial showed that providing DASH‑patterned groceries through a structured grocery‑ordering strategy meaningfully lowered systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol among Black families living in a Boston‑area food desert. These results highlight the powerful role of nutrition by showing that accessible, culturally relevant food‑as‑medicine strategies can deliver measurable cardiovascular benefits while helping reduce disparities and equipping patients with practical tools for healthier living. In this interview, Cindy L. Grines MD,...
info_outline
OCEAN Trial: Antithrombotic Therapy after Successful Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
The OCEAN Trial found that rivaroxaban did not significantly reduce the incidence of stroke, systemic embolism, or new covert embolic events compared with aspirin in patients at high risk for stroke who had undergone catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AFib) at least one year earlier. The central question—whether patients with a successful AFib ablation can safely discontinue anticoagulation—remains unresolved. Overall, the trial reinforces the importance of individualized risk assessment rather than routine discontinuation of anticoagulation...
info_outline
NOTIFY-PICTURE Trial: Real-Time Notification of AI-Derived Incidental CAC on Statin Initiation
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
What exactly is incidental coronary artery calcification, and what does it mean when artificial intelligence identifies these calcifications? Incidental coronary artery calcification refers to calcium deposits in the coronary arteries that are detected on imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons. AI now enables clinicians to repurpose routine clinical images to efficiently and scalably assess an individual’s risk of atherosclerotic coronary disease. How best to translate these AI‑driven insights into meaningful changes in patient care,...
info_outline
VESALIUS-CV Trial: Effect of Evolocumab in Patients at CV Risk without Prior MI or Stroke
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
The VESALIUS‑CV trial demonstrated that adding the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab to optimized lipid‑lowering therapy significantly reduced the risk of first major cardiovascular events by 25% in high‑risk adults without prior heart attack or stroke and cut the risk of first heart attack by 36%. These results confirm that intensive LDL‑C lowering with evolocumab provides meaningful primary‑prevention benefits in patients with atherosclerosis or diabetes, achieving substantial event reduction over more than four years of...
info_outline
ACCEL Lite: Hypertension Treatment Trials in the Elderly for Brain Health
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
Is the evidence convincing that intensive antihypertensive therapy protects brain function and helps prevent dementia? Research increasingly shows that high mid‑life blood pressure is a strong predictor of later cognitive decline. Emerging data further indicate that intensive blood‑pressure lowering can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia while remaining safe for many older adults. In this interview, Glenn A. Hirsch MD, MHS, FACC and Paul K Whelton, MB, MD, MSc discuss “Hypertension Treatment Trials in the Elderly for Brain...
info_outline
ACCEL Lite: SURPASS-CVOT: Effect of Tirzepatide Versus Dulaglutide on MACE
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
In patients with Type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), tirzepatide was non‑inferior to dulaglutide for major cardiovascular events while providing superior kidney protection, lower all‑cause mortality, and greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight. Compared with dulaglutide, a GLP‑1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide demonstrated broader metabolic and clinical benefits. By using dulaglutide as the active comparator rather than a placebo, the trial demonstrated tirzepatide’s strong cardiovascular and metabolic...
info_outline
CAUGHT-CAD: Combining Coronary Calcium Score with Treatment on Plaque Progression in Familial CAD
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring provides important prognostic value, particularly for individuals at intermediate risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) or those with a family history of the condition. Incorporating computed tomography calcium scoring into a structured disease‑management program may help prevent the progression of coronary plaque, although this strategy has not yet been evaluated in a randomized trial. In this interview, Allen J. Taylor, MD, FACC and Dr Nitesh Nerlekar, MBBS, PHD discuss the CAUGHT-CAD Randomized Trial: Effects of Combining...
info_outline
AI-Enabled Nationwide Opportunistic Screening of Non-Contrast Chest CT for Death and CV Outcomes
ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research
AI technology transforms routine chest computed tomography (CT) scans by precisely quantifying—rather than simply detecting—key cardiovascular imaging risk factors such as heart calcification, aorta calcification, and fat around the heart. By shifting from binary “yes or no” findings to actual measurement, clinicians can more accurately identify high‑risk patients and intervene earlier to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. Patients with these imaging risk factors who were already using preventive therapies like statins and aspirin showed lower cardiovascular...
info_outlineIn this interview, DJ Lakkireddy, MBBS, FACC and Alison L. Bailey, MD FACC, discuss the Top Electrophysiology Takeaways from 2025 including trials CLOSURE-AF, ALONE-AF, NEMESIS-PFA, and more.
Suggested Materials:
1. Verma A, Birnie DH, Jiang C, et al. Antithrombotic Therapy after Successful Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. Published online November 8, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2509688
2. Landmesser U, Skurk C, Kirchhof P, et al. Catheter-based left atrial appendage CLOSURE in patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk of stroke and bleeding as compared to best medical therapy: Rationale and design of the prospective randomized CLOSURE-AF trial. Am Heart J. Published online September 12, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2025.09.005
3. Kim D, Shim J, Choi EK, et al. Long-Term Anticoagulation Discontinuation After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: The ALONE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2025;334(14):1246-1254. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.14679
4. Lakkireddy D, Katapadi A, Garg J, et al. NEMESIS-PFA: Investigating Collateral Tissue Injury Associated With Pulsed Field Ablation. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. 2025;11(8):1747-1756. doi:10.1016/j.jacep.2025.04.017
5. Wazni OM, Saliba WI, Nair DG, et al. Left Atrial Appendage Closure after Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(13):1277-1287. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2408308
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Subscribe to ACCEL