CARDIOPROGRESS
Foundation for the advancement of cardiology

General Anesthesia Ups Heart Failure Risk After Valve Surgery Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients who received general anesthesia had a higher incidence of heart failure at 1 year than those who received nongeneral anesthesia.

ACE inhibitors may slow cognitive decline Patients treated exclusively with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors had lower overall cancer incidence than those treated exclusively with angiotensin receptor blockers over 23 years of follow-up. ACEI therapy was linked to lower odds for breast, prostate, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney, and colorectal cancers, but higher odds for lung, bladder, and pancreatic cancers.

Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Failure: The Diagnosis Site Matters Among patients with type 2 diabetes, heart failure recorded during hospitalisation was associated with greater functional dependence and more severe renal impairment, whereas heart failure recorded in primary care often involved older patients with a higher comorbidity burden and greater functional independence.

Continuing Anticoagulation After AF Ablation Reduces Stroke Risk in High-Risk Patients Continuing oral anticoagulation (OAC) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation was not associated with reduced stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) risk overall and increased the risk for major bleeding. However, in high-risk patients with CHA2DS2-VASc scores ≥2, continuing OACs was associated with a significantly lower risk for stroke/TIA.

ACE Inhibitors vs ARBs: Long-Term Cancer Risk Varies Among patients with type 2 diabetes, heart failure recorded during hospitalisation was associated with greater functional dependence and more severe renal impairment, whereas heart failure recorded in primary care often involved older patients with a higher comorbidity burden and greater functional independence.

Ventricular arrhythmias during exercise in patients with mitral valve prolapse Mitral valve prolapse may be associated with ventricular arrhythmias, but little is known about the relationship between VA and exercise in these patients.

Risk and protective factors for stroke and transient ischaemic attack in patients with atrial fibrillation: an umbrella review of meta-analyses Atrial fibrillation is linked to significant morbidity and mortality, with ischaemic stroke being a leading cause of death. Identifying modifiable risk and protective factors may help reduce stroke incidence in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Chewing sugary gum may enhance the cardiovascular benefits of nitrate-rich vegetables For the first time, researchers at King's College London have discovered a link between chewing sugary gum after consuming vegetables high in nitrate, such as beetroot, spinach and kale, and lowering blood pressure.

Epigenetic drugs could protect blood vessels in obesity and diabetes Scientists from Zurich, together with colleagues from Italy, have proved that by acting on epigenetic "switches", early damage to blood vessels can be reversed. People with obesity and type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular complications. However, the danger depends not only on heredity, but also on how genes work.

Non-atherosclerotic myocardial infarction in hypereosinophilic syndrome: emerging insights and therapeutic approaches Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a heterogeneous disorder characterised by persistent, abnormal eosinophil elevation in blood and tissues, with multisystem involvement. Cardiac manifestations are frequent in HES and significantly worsen prognosis. Recent evidence establishes a direct link between HES and myocardial infarction (MI), demonstrating that HES induces MI primarily via non-atherosclerotic mechanisms.

Most important clinical trials presented at the HOT LINE sessions of the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026 The next Congress of the European Society of Cardiology was held in Munich (Germany) from August 28 to 31, 2026. The motto of this year's event is "Research. Innovation. Inspiration." The Congress participants reviewed 4 new texts of clinical recommendations in various fields of cardiology and other fields of medicine.

ACC and AHA updated their recommendations on statins in 2026 Cardiologists have revised the 2018 statin recommendations. After just under 10 years, during which the target indicators were based solely on percentage reduction, clear numerical target levels for low‑density lipoproteins have been re‑established.

Shingles vaccine protects against cardiovascular diseases Shingles vaccination reduced major adverse cardiac events and secondary cardiovascular outcomes for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to new research.

Heart failure evidence update 2026 The interval since the 2021 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines and 2022 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Failure Society of America (AHA/ACC/HFSA) Guidelines publications has witnessed an unprecedented volume of evidence that substantially expands the therapeutic landscape across the entire ejection fraction spectrum.

Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults in 2026 The 2026 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults, developed by the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American College of Embolology et al.

Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia The new 2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR et al. Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia have been published. These guidelines address the assessment, treatment, and monitoring of individuals with dyslipidemia, including high blood cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. These new guidelines address primary, secondary, and primary prevention, provide guidance for care of adults and children, reinstate risk-based treatment targets for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and replace the 2018 AHA/ACC/Multisociety Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines.

Quadpill Strategy Gains Ground in Hypertension Several new antihypertensive agents are reshaping the therapeutic strategies for patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension. Agents such as baxdrostat, the first selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor, and aprocitentan, a dual endothelin receptor A and B antagonist, are paving the way for new drug combinations and a more personalized approach to blood pressure control.

Heart Risks Rise, Care Lags: New Stats Expose Harsh Truths Researchers compiled a national data report on the burden, quality of care, and mortality trends for major cardiovascular risk factors and conditions in the US.

Updated recommendations for adults with congenital heart defects On December 18, updated guidelines for management of adults with congenital heart disease, developed by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) in conjunction with several other societies, were published in Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Can Interventional EP Go Outpatient? Is interventional electrophysiology poised for a paradigm shift? The American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Society may think so. In a joint scientific statement, they offer guidance on performing certain procedures, such as cardiac ablation, in facilities that provide same-day surgical care without the need for hospital admission.