News & Comment

Endothelial cells in ischaemic microvessels undergo necroptosis, which is linked to haemolysis and the deposition of haemolysed red blood cell membranes at the sites of endothelial cell death. This process might be a haemostatic mechanism to prevent interstitial bleeding; however, excessive aggregation can cause microvascular obstruction and microangiopathy.

Metabolic diseases are important risk factors for the development of heart failure, and energetic deficit and oxidative stress are important in its pathophysiology. A Focus issue in Nature Reviews Cardiology appraises the metabolic alterations in heart failure, with an emphasis on substrate and intermediate metabolism, vascular dysfunction, inflammation and mechano-energetic uncoupling, integrating these different pathomechanistic angles into one cohesive view.

A new study in science Translational Medicine demonstrates that the atheroprotective effects of PPARα agonists are associated with their anti-inflammatory properties rather than their lipid-lowering activity, highlighting the importance of targeting inflammation in managing the residual risk of cardiovascular disease

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is used to treat dyssynchronous heart failure. Lead-related complications and anatomical constraints can limit pacing lead placement, but leadless systems are now becoming available. These new systems overcome lead-related issues, offering a new option for patients with complex disease (such as congenital heart disease) by eliminating intravascular hardware.

Aortic dissection has long been considered a rare, unpreventable and inevitably fatal disease. However, recent advances now prove otherwise. The patient-led Think Aorta campaign is challenging old thinking, improving diagnosis and advocating for better care, such as family screening. Patient advocacy and recent international guidelines classifying the aorta as an organ are catalysts for further improvements in patient care.

Effective engagement with cardiovascular societies enhances professional development, academic growth and leadership opportunities. We describe practical strategies for cardiovascular professionals to connect with their peers, seek mentorship, advance professionally and contribute as active members of the cardiovascular society, to develop an impactful career and advance the field of cardiac medicine.

In the TANDEM and BROADWAY clinical trials, treatment with the CETP inhibitor obicetrapib in addition to background lipid-lowering therapy significantly reduced plasma LDL-cholesterol levels.

Conference presentation skills are a crucial, yet often overlooked, element in the dissemination of cardiovascular research. In an era of information overload and digital communication, the ability to clearly and engagingly present scientific data is essential, to ensure that the findings are understood, shared and implemented into clinical practice.

Inhibition of mechanotransduction selectively in cardiac fibrolasts, especially when combined with inhibition of transforming growth factor-β signalling, triggers a reversal of fibroblast activation and suppresses fibrosis in diseased hearts.

A new study published in Nature reveals the role of the interaction between the circadian transcription factor BMAL1 and hypoxia-inducible factor 2α in circadian-dependent cardioprotection after ischaemia–reperfusion injury, and highlights the potential of chronotherapeutic approaches for ischaemic heart disease.

Digital communication increasingly shapes early-career cardiology. Social media offers powerful tools for education, networking and career growth, but also poses challenges such as misinformation and lack of professionalism. In this Comment article, we outline practical strategies for effectively navigating social media in the early stages of a cardiology career.

Sotatercept, an activin-signalling inhibitor, is a promising add-on treatment for patients with advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension and a high risk of death, according to data from the ZENITH trial.

In patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, pulsed field ablation is non-inferior to cryoballoon ablation for preventing the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia, according to findings from the SINGLE SHOT CHAMPION trial.

Two clinical trials presented at the ACC.25 describe the expanding indications for the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Findings from the BHF PROTECT-TAVI trial indicate that the routine use of cerebral embolic protection devices during transcatheter aortic valve implantation does not decrease the incidence of stroke within 72 h after the intervention.

Researchers have engineered a millimetre-scale, bioresorbable, optoelectronic system that can be minimally invasively implanted into the heart and wirelessly controlled by a light source on the surface of the skin to provide temporary cardiac pacing.

Mia Manojlovic and Melaku Taye Amogne highlight the 1986 study that unravelled the primary structure of apolipoprotein B100 and laid a foundation for subsequent studies on the role of this apolipoprotein.

Hooi Min Lim describes how the Bogalusa Heart Study emphasized the importance of primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease and profoundly influenced subsequent cardiovascular research on children and adolescents.