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Cardiology Lifestyle Troubles, AI for Heart Block, and DAPT Differences
August 28, 2025
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Together with
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“Our ‘medical’ societies seem to prioritize business rather than their original mission of helping physicians take care of patients…”
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Venk Murthy MD, PhD on the AAP’s recent corporation-friendly vaccine recommendations.
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Happy 300th Cardiac Wire issue, everyone. Big thanks to all of our readers who spend their mornings catching up on cardiology news with us, and a huge thanks to our sponsors. You all make this publication possible.
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Cardiologists might be struggling with the same lifestyle challenges they counsel patients about, as a national survey of ACC members revealed significant gaps between what physicians’ recommend and how they act.
- Current lifestyle medicine guidelines encompass six core pillars: regular physical activity, whole-food plant-based eating, stress resilience, restorative sleep, positive social connections, and avoidance of risky substances.
- Despite CVD being the leading cause of death worldwide, lifestyle interventions aren’t common and still inconsistent, potentially due to physicians’ personal behaviors.
The ACC CardioSurve study surveyed 166 U.S. cardiologists about their training in lifestyle medicine and clinical recommendations across all six lifestyle pillars, revealing some striking disconnects…
- While 41% frequently recommended whole-food plant-based diets for CVD prevention, only 8% personally followed such diets, with most (68%) consuming omnivorous diets.
- Physical activity counseling was nearly universal (91%), yet only 69% of cardiologists met the guidelines themselves.
- Most cardiologists (87%) had never received formal training in lifestyle medicine.
Even with recognition of lifestyle medicine’s importance, cardiologists reported multiple barriers preventing both their compliance and how they counsel patients such as…
- Concerns about protein adequacy (28%).
- Cultural challenges (40%).
- Patient compliance issues (63%).
- Dissatisfaction with sleep quality (35%).
- Difficulty maintaining social connections (69%).
- Pervasive alcohol consumption (69% used alcohol, 34% weekly).
It’s also worth noting that the survey had a 31% response rate that may over-represent cardiologists with greater lifestyle interest, suggesting actual compliance rates could be even lower.
The Takeaway
It’s hard to be a model citizen when your job is stressful, but being a healthcare provider means your patients look up to you. While this survey is small and certainly doesn’t apply to all cardiac care professionals, it’s a good reminder to practice what you preach. The meaning of doctor is teacher, after all.
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Precision QRS Detection
QRS detection is essential for any ECG algorithm, and Monebo’s Kinetic QRS ECG Algorithm sets the standard for accuracy. Kinetic QRS accurately detects the QRS complex, no matter the amplitude, waveform, or noise levels.
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Circle CVI’s Cardiac CT Expansion
Watch this Cardiac Wire interview with Circle Cardiovascular Imaging’s Chief Product Officer, Scott Galbari as he sheds light on Circle CVI’s history with cardiac MRI and how the company is tackling the coming demand for cardiac CT.
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Vista AI Grows CMR Volume
Are your patients waiting weeks or months for cardiac MRIs? See Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s real-world results showing how Vista AI’s software for automated MRI scanning led to 50% more scan slots, without adding more scanners or staff.
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- HeartFocus Begins U.S. Shipments: French software developer DESKi started shipping its HeartFocus solution that enables healthcare professionals to perform AI-guided cardiac ultrasound scans with just a few hours of training. HeartFocus got FDA clearance in April, and DESKi raised $6M shortly after to support U.S. and international product launches. HeartFocus will initially be available on Butterfly Network’s handheld ultrasound scanners.
- AI Detection for Heart Block: Researchers in a JAMA Cardiology study successfully developed AIRE-CHB, an AI-enhanced electrocardiography model to predict complete heart block (CHB). Researchers used 1.16M ECGs from 190k patients to develop the AI, and found during validation that AIRE-CHB achieved superior performance than traditional bifascicular block detection (AUROC: 0.889 vs. 0.594). The AI also helped uncover that high-risk patients had an 11.6-fold increased CHB risk.
- Too Much TMAO = AAA: What you have in your gut could impact your heart, at least on the microbial level. Researchers studied 895 individuals to uncover whether trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota metabolite that’s a known CVD risk factor, predicts abdominal aortic aneurysm. They found that elevated TMAO levels were significantly associated with increased AAA risk, while higher levels also often predicted fast-growing AAA (≥4.0mm/year) and the need for surgical intervention across both cohorts.
- Philips Updates Cardiac Ultrasound Line: Philips launched an update of its cardiovascular ultrasound scanners on the eve of this week’s ESC 2025 meeting. Transcend Plus is an upgrade to the company’s EPIQ CVx and Affiniti CVx scanners that includes advancements in 2D and 3D cardiovascular image quality as well as AI tools ported over from Philips’ acquisition of DiA Imaging Analysis. Recently cleared enhancements include 2D Auto EF and 2D Auto EF Advanced for calculating ejection fraction, as well as additional support for ultrasound contrast imaging.
- DAPT Approach Varies By Sex: Antiplatelet strategies might be different according to a patient’s sex. A recent meta-analysis of 71k patients examined sex differences in dual antiplatelet therapy de-escalation after PCI and found that DAPT discontinuation reduced MACE in females but not males, while reducing major bleeding in males but not females. Ultimately, the study suggests aspirin discontinuation works best for women, while switching from P2Y12 inhibitors to clopidogrel was best for men.
- CorrectSequence’s First CS-101 Patient: CorrectSequence Therapeutics successfully treated its first sickle cell disease patient in China using CS-101, a high-precision base-editing therapy. The 21-year-old Nigerian woman reportedly achieved sustained fetal hemoglobin increases and remained crisis-free for six months post-treatment. CS-101 uses transformer Base Editing technology to reactivate γ-globin expression, producing functional hemoglobin that prevents sickling. Phase 2/3 pivotal trials are beginning with global recruitment underway.
- BSCI’s Wallstent Recall: The FDA issued a Class I recall for over 26,000 Boston Scientific Carotid Wallstent Monorail Endoprosthesis devices due to delivery system withdrawal resistance that can cause serious patient harm. The defect may injure blood vessels, damage stents, or release debris potentially causing strokes. Boston Scientific reported six cases requiring additional treatment but no deaths. The company issued an urgent removal letter in July, instructing customers to immediately stop using affected devices and return remaining inventory.
- More Data on Orchestra BioMed’s AVIM: Orchestra BioMed announced new results showing its AVIM therapy significantly reduces blood pressure in pacemaker patients with uncontrolled hypertension. The study demonstrated up to 19 mmHg systolic blood pressure reductions, improved cardiac volumes, and reduced workload without affecting stroke volume. Studies have also shown that AVIM therapy works across different pacing lead locations and could encourage positive cardiac remodeling. The therapy currently has FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and targets over 7.7M U.S. patients.
- Abbott’s Esprit CE Mark: Abbott received CE Mark approval for its Esprit BTK System dissolving stent that treats peripheral artery disease below the knee. The stent is made from dissolving suture-like material and delivers everolimus while providing vessel support before completely resorbing. The CE Mark stems from the LIFE-BTK trial that showed 48% fewer repeat procedures compared to standard balloon angioplasty over two years. This new approval could help address limited treatment options for the 50M Europeans with PAD.
- Repatha’s Expanded Use: The FDA expanded the approved use for Amgen’s Repatha (evolocumab) to include adults at increased cardiovascular risk due to uncontrolled LDL cholesterol, removing the previous requirement for existing cardiovascular disease diagnosis. Repatha is an injectable PCSK9 inhibitor that has already treated over 5M people worldwide and helps lower LDL-C by preventing receptor degradation in liver cells. This expansion adds to Repatha’s FDA approval as a monotherapy for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients.
- NC State Health Plan + Hello Heart: The North Carolina State Health Plan partnered with Hello Heart to serve up to 55,000 plan members in rural communities experiencing heart disease risk factors. The free program provides Hello Heart’s connected blood pressure monitors, tracking apps, and personalized health insights for hypertension, high cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risks. The partnership hopes to reduce healthcare costs while improving access to heart health management for members who struggle to reach traditional care facilities.
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Siemens Healthineers’ Echo Education Hub at ASE 2025
Attending ASE 2025? Swing by the Siemens Healthineers Echo Education Hub to explore real-time imaging and smart simulators while hearing from the experts. Experience hands-on learning about the latest in AI-powered cardiac imaging, covering everything from TTE, TEE, and ICE, to CPACS automation and structured cMR reporting.
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Streamlining Cath Lab Hemodynamic Workflows
Is your hemodynamic solution keeping your cath lab efficient? Merge Hemo is a cath lab hemodynamic monitoring solution, providing a Best in KLAS user experience, while enhancing clinical workflows, automating data collection, and streamlining inventory management.
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- PIA Medical Processes It All: Need an analysis like calcium scoring, strain or even FFR? PIA Medical began as a Core Lab and can handle creative cardiac research and clinical trials along with the full breadth of clinical analyses available today.
- Rethink Your Workflow with GE HealthCare: Just 15 minutes could change the way you think about cardiovascular IT. Register now for GE HealthCare’s August 28th webinar on how technology can help care teams replace paperwork with automated reporting, integrate tools that speak the same language and standardize reporting, inventory, and billing all in one platform.
- Tempus Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for Tempus ECG-Low EF: Tempus announces the expansion of its Tempus ECG-AI portfolio with Tempus ECG-Low EF, software intended for use to analyze 12-lead ECG recordings and detect signs associated with having a low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF less than or equal to 40%) in patients 40 years of age or older at risk of heart failure. It is not intended as a stand-alone diagnostic and positive results may suggest the need for further clinical evaluation. For Full Indications for Use, visit here.
- Addressing Coronary Artery Disease: Learn how the AGENT™ Drug-Coated Balloon provides a new treatment option for in-stent restenosis in the U.S. Rx Only. (Sponsored by Boston Scientific)
- The Largest Registry on Plaque Analysis in CAD: What if 50% of your CCTA patients could benefit from an adjustment to their treatment plan? Read more about Heartflow’s DECIDE registry that demonstrates how Heartflow Plaque Analysis using its Plaque Staging software empowers physicians with clinical insights that lead to real-world impact.
- Explore Vitrea Advanced Visualization: Discover Canon Medical Healthcare IT’s suite of advanced imaging workflows designed to increase efficiency in cardiovascular imaging, and facilitate the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. These cutting-edge tools support the delivery of faster, more accurate care while integrating seamlessly into clinical workflow.
- Us2.ai’s AI HF Now Possible with Handheld Echo: The latest research shows Us2.ai’s software can take handheld echocardiography beyond its standard applications. Read this EHJ study about how swiftly and accurately Us2.ai’s HF detection software detects LVEF, closely matching expert human analysis of standard cart based echocardiograms.
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