Science News - Scientific Sessions 2021
A Live Broadcast Event
#AHA21 Science News coverage brings you results and insights into this year's Tier 1 late-breaking cardiovascular science trials presented at Scientific Sessions 2021. Find at-a-glance data summaries, exclusive interviews, simultaneous publications, and more – all in one place.
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2021 Sessions and QCOR Abstracts in Circulation | #AHA21 Digital Newspaper
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Thank you for attending #AHA21
Another exciting Scientific Sessions conference is in the books! Don Lloyd-Jones, Manesh Patel, Amit Khera, and Tracy Wang highlight some of the top sessions and late breaking science presented during #AHA21 this year. Don't forget to scroll down for a deeper look into this year's Tier 1 trials, as well as links to simultaneously published articles.
Selected Science from Saturday, Nov. 13
LBS01
Valves, Veins and New Viewpoints in Cardiothoracic Surgery
AVATAR
Aortic Valve Replacement versus Watchful Waiting in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis: The Avatar Trial (new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Marko Banovic | University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- RESULTS: Asymptomatic AS patients randomized to early surgery had lower incidents of the composite primary outcome.
- Clinical Trial NCT02436655
- Published in Circulation: Aortic Valve ReplAcemenT versus Conservative Treatment in Asymptomatic SeveRe Aortic Stenosis: The AVATAR Trial
- Download AVATAR data summary (PDF)
AVATAR Results
Victoria Delgado, MD, PhD, FESC interviews Principal Investigator Marko Manovic, MD, PhD, FESC, FACC about the results of AVATAR.
CTSN
Evaluating the Benefit of Concomitant Tricuspid Repair During Mitral Valve Surgery (opens in new window)
James Gammie | Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
- Published in NEJM: Concomitant Tricuspid Repair in Patients with Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation
- Editorial in NEJM: The Price of Freedom from Tricuspid Regurgitation
Joanna Chikwe and Mario Gaudino
LBS02
Hypertension: Local, Global and Pandemic Impacts
CRHCP
A Cluster Randomized Trial of a Village Doctor-Led Intervention on Blood Pressure Control: China Rural Hypertension Control Project (opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Jiang He | Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
- RESULTS: As compared with usual care, the village doctor-led intervention significantly improved BP control among rural residents in China. This feasible, effective, and sustainable implementation strategy could be scaled up in rural China and other low-resource settings for hypertension control.
- Clinical Trials No. NCT03527719 (opens in new window)
- Download CRHCP data summary (PDF)
CRHCP Results
Norrina Allen, PhD, MPH, FAHA interviews Jiang He, MD, PhD, investigator for the Chinese Rural Hypertension Control Project, about the results of the study presented during #AHA21.
Selected Science from Sunday, Nov. 14
#AHA21 Presidential Address
The best way to launch a generation with ideal cardiovascular health? Start with a generation of healthier parents
In his Presidential Address at the AHA's Scientific Sessions, Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones emphasized that cardiovascular health begins even before birth.
AHA News, Nov. 14, 2021
LBS03
Prevention to Intervention in Atrial Arrhythmias
CRAVE
The Coffee and Real-Time Atrial and Ventricular Ectopy (CRAVE) Trial (opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Gregory M Marcus | UCSF, San Francisco, California
- RESULTS: In per-protocol analyses, those who consumed two drinks or more of coffee per day experienced more than a double of PVCs (p=0.007); every additional coffee drink consumed was associated with 12% less SVT episodes (p=0.028), 587 more steps per day, and 18 less minutes of sleep per night. Using genetic analysis, those who metabolize caffeine more quickly experience heightened effect of coffee on PVCs but less effect of coffee on sleep.
- Clinical Trial NCT03671759 (new window)
- Download CRAVE data summary (PDF)
CRAVE Results
Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS explains the methodology and results of the CRAVE trial, designed to assess the acute affects of coffee consumption in ambulatory patients.
PALACS
Posterior Left Pericardiotomy Reduces Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery (link opens in new window)(opens in new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Mario Gaudino | Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
aMAZE
Outcomes of Adjunctive Left Atrial Appendage Ligation Utilizing the LARIAT Compared to Pulmonary Vein Antral Isolation Alone: The AMAZE Trial (link opens in new window)(opens in new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
David Wilber | Loyola University SSOM, Maywood, Illinois
- RESULTS: The LARIAT System appears safe and effectively excludes the LAA but did not significantly reduce the rate of AA in all pts with persistent and longstanding AF. Exploratory analysis suggested that adjunctive LARIAT ligation may provide improved rhythm control in a subset of pts with early persistent AF and larger LA volumes that require further study.
- Clinical Trials No. NCT02513797 (opens in new window)
- Download aMAZE data summary (PDF)
aMAZE Results
Mina Chung, MD, FHRS discusses the results of the aMAZE trial with principal investigator David J. Wilber, MD, FAHA, FACC, FHRS. The trial examined percutaneous alternatives to the MAZE procedure for persistent AF.
LBS04
Information Overload? Striving to Improve Care Delivery through Digital Health and Automated Data
Fitbit Heart
Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in a Large Population using Wearable Devices: The Fitbit Heart Study (link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Steven A Lubitz | Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- RESULTS: A novel PPG software algorithm for Fitbit wearables may enable large-scale identification of undiagnosed AF. IHRDs enrich for individuals with elevated likelihood of AF on subsequent ECG patch monitoring, and with considerable AF burden.
- Clinical Trial No. NCT04380415 (opens in new window)
- Download Fitbit Heart data summary (PDF)
Fitbit Heart Results
Harriette G. Van Spall, MD, MPH, FRCPC met with principal investigator Steven Lubitz, MD, MPH of Harvard University to get results of his Fitbit Heart study, which examined using PPG sensor devices for identifying AF.
I-STOP AF
Testing Individualized Triggers of Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial (link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Gregory M Marcus | UCSF, San Francisco, California
- RESULTS: Among those undergoing N-of-1 testing, exposure to alcohol consistently exhibited a heightened risk of self-reported AF episodes, whereas caffeine did not. The data also suggested that exposure to customized triggers might have also increased the risk of short-term AF.
- Clinical Trial NCT03323099 (opens in new window)
- Published in JAMA: Individualized Studies of Triggers of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: The I-STOP-AFib Randomized Clinical Trial (opens in new window)
- Download I-STOP AF data summary (PDF)
José A. Joglar, MD interviews investigator Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS about the results of the I-STOP-Afib trial, which tracked the triggers of AF episodes in previously diagnosed patients.
LBS05
Building on the Foundations of Treatment: Advances in Heart Failure Therapy
EMPULSE
Efficacy and Safety of Empagliflozin in Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients: Main Results From the EMPULSE Trial (link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Adriaan A Voors | University Medical Center of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- RESULTS: The EMPULSE study met its primary endpoint, finding that initiation of empagliflozin versus placebo in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (HF) resulted in a significant clinical benefit and improvement in quality of life, without safety concerns, regardless of the ejection fraction or diabetes status.
- Clinical Trial NCT04157751 (opens in new window)
- Download EMPULSE data summary (PDF)
EMPULSE Results
Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FAHA interviews Adriaan A. Voors, MD, PhD about the methodology and findings of his EMPULSE trial, which tested the efficacy of empagliflozin in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure with or without T2D.
#ReSS21 Program Highlights
Benjamin S. Abella, MD, MPhil, and Michael W. Donnino, MD discuss the most interesting science from this year's meeting.
#ReSS21 Program Highlights
Benjamin S. Abella, MD, MPhil and Michael W. Donnino, MD, Co-Chairs of this year's Resuscitation Science Symposium program, discuss some of the most interesting science presented in 2021, including new studies on pharmacology of resuscitation and highlights from the program's five plenary sessions.
If you missed some live sessions, the viewing platform will remain available to attendees through December 15, 2021. (You need your conference badge number.) And starting December 16, we'll have selected sessions available OnDemand.
#QCOR21 Preview
#QCOR21 Program Highlights
Program Chair Umesh N. Khot, MD and Vice Chair Emily O'Brien, PhD highlights some of the main events they have planned for the meeting this year, with a focus on early career science and the ways quality of life and outcomes research is evolving in response to the COVID pandemic and emerging mhealth technologies.
Selected science from Monday, Nov. 15
LBS06
Fish Oil and Cholesterol: Recipes for CVD Prevention?
PREPARE-IT 2
Icosapent Ethyl Versus Placebo In Outpatients With Covid-19: The Main Results Of PREPARE-IT 2 (link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Rafael Diaz | Estudios Clínicos Latino América, Rosario, Argentina
- RESULTS: The lower rate of primary endpoint with IPE versus placebo was not statistically significant. IPE was well tolerated compared to placebo, though there was a slightly higher rate of discontinuation.
- Clinical Trial NCT04460651 (opens in new window)
- Download PREPARE-IT 2 data summary (PDF)
Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, FAHA interviews investigator Rafael Díaz, MD about the results of PREPARE-IT 2, which he presented during #AHA21.
LBS07
New Drugs and New Drug Indications in Cardiovascular Disease
ASCEND: Dementia
Effects of Aspirin on Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in the ASCEND Trial (link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Jane M Armitage | University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
AXIOMATIC-TKR
Milvexian For Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism After Elective Knee Arthroplasty: The AXIOMATIC-TKR Study (link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Jeffrey I Weitz | McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Studies published in AHA Journals
Empagliflozin, Health Status, and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction: The EMPEROR-Preserved Trial
Javed Butler, Gerasimos Filippatos, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 15, 2021
Association of Race and Ethnicity and Anticoagulation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Dually Enrolled in VA and Medicare: Effects of Medicare Part D on Prescribing Disparities
Utibe R. Essien, Nadejda Kim, et al.
Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, Nov. 15, 2021
Efficacy and Safety of Appropriate Shocks and Antitachycardia Pacing in Transvenous and Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillators: An Analysis of All Appropriate Therapy in the PRAETORIAN trial
Reinoud E. Knops, Willeke van der Stuijt, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 14, 2021
Efpeglenatide and Clinical Outcomes with and without Concomitant Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibition Use in Type 2 Diabetes: Exploratory Analysis of the AMPLITUDE-O Trial
Carolyn S.P. Lam, Chinthanie Ramasundarahettige, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 14, 2021
Finerenone Reduces Risk of Incident Heart Failure in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes: Analyses from the FIGARO-DKD Trial
Gerasimos Filippatos, Stefan D. Anker, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 13, 2021
2021 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations: Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; First Aid Task Forces; and the COVID-19 Working Group
Wyckoff et al. Abelairas-Gómez et al.
Circulation, Nov. 11, 2021
Energetic Basis for Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Congestion in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Matthew K. Burrage, Moritz Hundertmark, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
Editorial: Unmasking Nonpreserved Heart Structure, Function, and Energetics in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction With Magnetic Resonance Imaging Coupled With Exercise
Jennifer E. Ho, Christopher Nguyen, and Gregory D. Lewis
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
National Trends and Disparities in Hospitalization for Acute Hypertension Among Medicare Beneficiaries (1999-2019)
Yuan Lu, Yun Wang, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
Estimation of DAPT Study Treatment Effects in Contemporary Clinical Practice: Findings from the EXTEND-DAPT Study
Robert Yeh, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
Electrocardiogram-based Deep Learning and Clinical Risk Factors to Predict Atrial Fibrillation
Shaan Khurshid, Samuel Friedman, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
Community-level Economic Distress, Race, and Risk of Adverse Outcomes Following Heart Failure Hospitalization among Medicare Beneficiaries
Amgad Mentias, Milind Y. Desai et al.
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
Serial Assessment of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin and the Effect of Dapagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: An Analysis of the DAPA-HF Trial
David D. Berg, Kieran F. Docherty, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
Blood Pressure, Hypertension and The Risk of Aortic Dissection Incidence and Mortality: results from the Japan-Specific Health Checkups Study, the UK Biobank Study and a Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies
Makato Hibino, Yoichiro Otaki, et al.
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
Deep Learning of the Retina Enables Phenome- and Genome-wide Analyses of the Microvasculature
Seyedeh Maryam Zekavat, Vineet K. Raghu, et. al
Circulation, Nov. 8, 2021
Nanoliposomes Reduce Stroke Injury Following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Mice
Saif Ahmad, Seth Truran, et. al
Stroke, Nov. 8, 2021
Clonal Hematopoiesis Is Associated With Higher Risk of Stroke
Romit Bhattacharya, Seyedeh M. Zekavat, et. al
Stroke, Nov. 8, 2021
Targeted Delivery of Electrical Shocks and Epinephrine, Guided by Ventricular Fibrillation Amplitude Spectral Area, Reduces Electrical and Adrenergic Myocardial Burden, Improving Survival in Swine
Salvatore R. Aiello, Jenna B. Mendelson, et. al
JAHA, Nov. 8, 2021
Trends and Outcomes of Cardiac Transplantation in the Lowest Urgency Candidates
Michael A. Fuery, Fouad Chouairi, et al.
JAHA, Nov. 8, 2021
Hispanic/Latino‐Serving Hospitals Provide Less Targeted Temperature Management Following Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Nicholas A. Morris, Michael Mazzeffi, et. al
JAHA, Nov. 8, 2021
A Novel Small Molecule Troponin Activator Increases Cardiac Contractile Function Without Negative Impact on Energetics
Huamei He, Tomas Baka, et al.
Circulation: Heart Failure, Nov. 8, 2021
Effect of Empagliflozin on Blood Volume Redistribution in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: An Analysis from the Empire HF Randomized Clinical Trial
Massar Omar, Jesper Jensen, et al.
Circulation: Heart Failure, Nov. 8, 2021
#AHA21 News for Consumers
#AHA21 Presidential Address: The best way to launch a generation with ideal cardiovascular health? Start with a generation of healthier parents
In his Presidential Address at the AHA's Scientific Sessions, Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones emphasized that cardiovascular health begins even before birth.
Pfizer, Moderna officials review COVID-19 vaccine successes, discuss future for mRNA tech
Pfizer's Dr. Mikael Dolsten and Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel spoke about vaccine science at the American Heart Association's virtual Scientific Sessions.
Gay men and bisexual women may have higher odds for high blood pressure
Gay men and bisexual women may have higher rates of high blood pressure than their heterosexual counterparts, according to new research.
Stroke deaths among young adults hit some groups harder than others
After an initial drop, stroke-related deaths among young adults rose over the past decade. But death rates differed by race and sex, according to new research.
Plaque-lined arteries put future health of young American Indians at risk
Young American Indians with early signs of atherosclerosis may be especially vulnerable to cardiovascular events later in life, according to new research that calls for earlier interventions.
Researchers start to uncover the pandemic's impact on mental health
Depression remained common during the pandemic and worsened for some, according to a new study aiming to cast light on links between the pandemic and mental health.
Exposure to some airborne chemicals found indoors may increase blood pressure
Three common pollutants were associated with higher blood pressure, according to preliminary research being presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions conference
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 'socially vulnerable' neighborhoods may be more likely to die
People hospitalized for COVID-19 who come from the most socially vulnerable neighborhoods are at higher risk for severe heart problems or dying than those from areas with the fewest social challenges, new research shows.
Some young Asian women may face higher risks for high blood pressure
Chinese, Filipina and South Asian women with diabetes, obesity or polycystic ovary syndrome may be more likely than their peers without the conditions to have high blood pressure, new research shows.
Cannabis use disorder may be linked to growing number of heart attacks in younger adults
At a time of increasing legalization of marijuana, new research shows a decade-long trend of more people under 50 with cannabis use disorder being hospitalized for a heart attack.
Two omega-3s in fish oil may boost brain function in people with heart disease
Taking prescription fish oil supplements with high levels of two omega-3 fatty acids may get the best results in improving cognitive function in older adults with heart disease, according to new research.