Venk Murthy MD, PhD

Hey there ladies and gents, this issue of Cardiac Wire features almost entirely research presented at this year’s AHA 2025 Scientific Sessions, and we’ll return to our regular coverage in the next issue.

As part of the research presented at AHA, we also had the opportunity to hear from one of Cardiac Wire’s contributors, Roshan Modi, MD, who presented his research on ECMO during the conference’s digital poster sessions. You can watch our interview with Dr. Modi here to learn more.

Cardiology

The Best of AHA 2025

Cardiology conference season is coming to a close, and what better way to end the year than with the AHA 2025 Scientific Sessions meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. From major pharma studies to smaller companies solving big problems and every cardiac subspeciality in between, here are Cardiac Wire’s top takeaways from AHA 2025.

AHA 2025 Research Favored Post-Procedure: Many of the late-breaking studies presented on the stage at AHA evaluated post-procedural therapies with anticoagulants and antithrombotics like rivaroxaban, aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, and clopidogrel, signaling that many procedures like PCI and AFib ablation are maturing, but their post management is still being dialed in.

AFib Studies Were Abundant: Speaking of AFib, several of the late-breakers were centered around managing patients post ablation and preventing recurrence. Major studies like ADAPT AF-DES, OCEAN, and OPTIMA-AF focused on preventing future complications, while DECAF alluded to coffee’s potential AFib protection.

Cardiology Access Needs Expanding: From cardiology deserts, to the cost of proper imaging, and the lack of patient education on the different cardiovascular risks, the conversations and studies at AHA underscore just how important proper care access is for the heart.

No Truly New Drugs: Aside from Bayer’s Kerendia earning an HF indication earlier this year, no new cardiovascular drugs were approved in 2025, and the researchers as well as booths at this year’s AHA reflected this, with a strong focus on future drugs or meds with new CV indications.

Warming Up to Prevention – One of the biggest takeaways from the research and conversations at AHA is that cardiology in general is shifting to earlier detection (with the help of AI) and earlier treatment, but many physicians now agree that taking care of your heart health is better than trying to fix it after a major cardiovascular event.

How AHA Sees the Heart – Many cardiology conferences either focus on a sub-specialty of the heart, or on specific technologies and modalities that practitioners rely on, but AHA is more about the heart as a system than an organ. It was clear from this year’s research and the AHA’s continued focus on the spectrum of cardio-kidney-metabolic disease that treating the heart goes beyond the atria, ventricles, and vasculature (even if not all cardiologists agree).

Making the Leap to Outsource Post-Processing

Interested in how to outsource cardiac image post-processing, but not sure where to start? PIA walks you through how to assess and compare vendors, understand pricing models and payment options, and outline your requirements to identify vendors who meet your clinical needs. 

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

The All in One Cardiac Imaging Solution

Ready for an all-in-one solution that supports all of your MR and CT needs? See how Circle Cardiovascular Imaging’s cvi42 can streamline your core reading and reporting workflows within a single, customizable platform.

The Wire

• Zalunfiban for STEMI: In big news for emergency STEMI response, the CELEBRATE trial presented at AHA 2025 suggests that CeleCor Therapeutics’ subcutaneous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor zalunfiban significantly improves post-STEMI outcomes. In 2.4k patients, zalunfiban improved infarct-related artery patency before catheterization (52% vs. 45%) and reduced 30-day adverse events by 21% compared to placebo. While severe bleeding rates were similar, mild-to-moderate bleeding increased and longer ischemic times will need a closer look in future studies.

• Merge Connects with Us2.ai: Merge will be integrating Us2.ai’s AI solutions for echocardiography into its Merge Cardio platform under a new agreement between the companies. Merge Cardio users will be able to detect a wide range of echo parameters and perform expanded cardiac measurements, with Us2.ai’s color-coded icons easily identifying disease origins. The partnership will also give users new opportunities for better clinical outcomes and additional reimbursement opportunities.

• DAMSUN and Digital Stethoscopes: Giving insights into how digital stethoscopes can expand care access, the DAMSUN-HF study in Ghana evaluated Eko Health’s AI-enabled stethoscope for detecting HFrEF in resource-limited settings. Tested across 115 patients with HF symptoms, the device identified ejection fractions of ≤40% with 96.9% sensitivity and 95.1% negative predictive value. Over 90% of participants completed a hub-and-spoke workflow including AI assessment, confirmatory echocardiography, and cardiologist interpretation.

• Coffee Reduces AFib Recurrence: Love coffee? Me too, especially after the DECAF randomized trial found that coffee consumption in atrial fibrillation patients was associated with reduced recurrence. Among 200 patients undergoing electrical cardioversion for sustained AFib, drinking an average of one cup of coffee daily resulted in a 39% lower risk of AFib recurrence over 6 months compared to abstinence. The results challenge conventional caffeine avoidance and could be due to prolonged atrial electrical recovery, adenosine receptor blockade, increased physical activity, and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Addressing Cardiology Deserts: The Association of Black Cardiologists launched the “Every Heart Counts: ABC Cardiology Deserts Campaign” to address cardiovascular health disparities. Cardiac Wire spoke with ABC’s President, Dr. Anthony Fletcher, MD about the results of a recent national survey which revealed that 40% of Americans lack knowledge about HDL and LDL cholesterol, with higher rates among Black (54%) and Hispanic (49%) respondents. Only 36% know their cholesterol levels. The Amgen-supported initiative targets underserved regions, particularly Southern states, through provider education, expanded screening, and community engagement.

• DOAC Monotherapy Post-PCI: Another big one from AHA, the ADAPT AF-DES trial suggests that AFib patients with stable coronary disease at least one year post-PCI + drug-eluting stent implant had better outcomes with DOAC monotherapy versus DOAC plus clopidogrel. Among 960 patients, net adverse clinical events were significantly lower with monotherapy (9.6% vs 17.2%), driven by reduced bleeding (5.2% vs 13.2%), with no difference in ischemic outcomes. The findings support current guidelines recommending oral anticoagulation alone beyond one year post-PCI.

• OCEAN and Rivaroxaban vs. Aspirin: Up next, the OCEAN trial found no difference in stroke and adverse outcomes between aspirin and rivaroxaban following successful AFib ablation. Over 36 months and across 1.3k patients, stroke/systemic embolism rates were similarly low in both groups (0.8% vs 1.4%) and event rates were unexpectedly low overall, with composite stroke, systemic embolism, or new embolic stroke risks of 0.33-0.66%.

• OPTIMA-AF and Antithrombotic Lengths: Then the OPTIMA-AF trial found that one month of dual antithrombotic therapy (DOAC plus P2Y12 inhibitor) was noninferior to 12 months of therapy. Researchers followed 1.1k AFib patients undergoing PCI for stable coronary disease and found that death or thromboembolic events occurred in 5.4% of one month therapies versus 4.5% of 12 month therapies, meeting the study’s noninferiority threshold. Bleeding was significantly reduced with shorter therapy (4.8% vs 9.5%), but the enrollment of only East Asian patients limits the study’s generalizability.

• CRISPR for Dyslipidemia: In another AHA late-breaker, the phase 1 results of CRISPR Therapeutics’ CTX310 gene-editing therapy for refractory dyslipidemia suggest the therapy works. In 15 patients, a single IV infusion reduced LDL cholesterol by 48.9% and triglycerides by 55.2% through 60 days and no dose-limiting toxicity occurred. While the phase 1 results are promising, larger trials are needed to confirm long-term safety and efficacy before clinical use.

• Repatha Reduces MACE Risk: Met with generous applause during its late-breaking presentation, VESALIUS-CV demonstrated that Amgen’s Repahta (evolocumab) reduces MACE in high-risk patients without prior MI or stroke. Over 4.6 years, 12.2k patients with atherosclerosis and/or high-risk diabetes showed a 25% relative reduction in death from coronary disease, MI, or stroke versus placebo. Evolocumab lowered LDL-C by 55% to approximately 45 mg/dL. The study supports intensive lipid-lowering and aligns with evolocumab’s recent FDA approval for high-risk adults without established disease.

• CCTA Improves Cardiac Risk Prediction: Adding data from coronary CT angiography scans to other risk factors modestly improved prediction of cardiac events in a new JAMA study. Researchers in Sweden added CCTA data to coronary artery calcium scores and traditional risk factors in 24.8k people followed for almost eight years. The combination reclassified 14% into higher-risk categories with a slight improvement in risk discrimination (0.779 vs. 0.764), with most of the improvement in low-risk people.

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.

Heartflow Plaque Analysis: Accurate CAD Assessment Now Covered Across the US

HeartFlow’s Plaque Analysis is now reimbursable thanks to Medicare’s new coverage for AI-enabled plaque analysis of eligible patients with coronary artery disease.

Streamline Your Cardiology Imaging Workflows

See how cardiologists and their teams can streamline imaging workflows to make their cardiovascular service line more efficient, cost-effective, and patient-centered, using Merge’s cardiology solutions.

The Resource Wire

• Changes in Heart Failure Management: Heart failure is a complex condition with high heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular mortality rates, especially among patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF, for whom treatment options have been limited. Read how Bayer’s Dr. Alanna Morris-Simon discusses the changing treatment landscape and strategies for improving patient outcomes.

• 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. 

• Siemens Healthineers ACUSON Origin Ultrasound System is Redefining CVUS: ACUSON Origin meets the demands of today’s cardiovascular care with AI-powered efficiency across adult and pediatric echo, vascular, structural heart, and EP. Streamlined workflows, intuitive walk-up usability, and advanced ergonomics empower clinicians to deliver confident, high-quality care—supporting a wide range of complex cases and clinical applications.

• 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.

• RoR in the Real World with Monebo and UNCG: Strenuous exercise can significantly reduce people’s heart relaxation reserve, putting them at risk without preliminary warning signs. Find out how Monebo’s new Reserve of Relaxation technology provides a crucial tool for anyone looking to enhance their physical performance without harm.

The Industry Wire

1. Shutdown deal leaves ACA subsidies uncertain.
2. GLP-1 drugs linked to lower death rates in colon cancer patients.
3. Fairview to spend $1B in Minnesota Physicians deal.
4. Canada loses its official “measles-free” status.
5. Indiana approves controversial hospital merger.
6. Is hormone replacement in menopause healthy?
7. Cleaning chemical tied to spike in liver disease across U.S.
8. Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Texas.
9. Longtime FDA oncology leader to head agency’s main drug office.
10. Financial performance gap widens between the top and bottom providers.