Joanna Chikwe MD, FRCS, FAHA, chair of the Committee on Scientific Sessions Program welcomes attendees to New Orleans and previews some of the highlights planned for the meeting this year.

Joanna Chikwe MD, FRCS, FAHA, chair of the Committee on Scientific Sessions, and Brahmajee K. Nallamothu, MD, MPH, FAHA, vice chair, review some of the highlights that took place during day two of #AHA25.

DR10624, a First-In-Class, FGF21 Receptor/Glucagon Receptor/GLP-1 Receptor Triple Agonist, Rapidly and Significantly Reduced Triglycerides, Atherogenic Lipids, and Liver Fat in Patients With Severe Hypertriglyceridemia: Primary Results From a Randomized Phase 2 Trial
Jianping Li | Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China

RESULTS: The study demonstrates that DR10624 can lead to significant reductions in TG with favorable safety and tolerability results.

• DR10624 Data Summary (PPTX)
• AHA News Release: New medication reduced high triglyceride levels, improved cholesterol and liver health

First-in-Human Phase 1 Clinical Trial of a CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Therapy Targeting ANGPTL3
Stephen Nicholls | Victorian Heart Hospital and Victorian Heart Institute, Clayton, Australia

RESULTS: Few adverse events were reported following editing of ANGPTL3.

• ANGPTL3 Data Summary (PPTX)
• Published in NEJM: Phase 1 Trial of CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Targeting ANGPTL3
• AHA News Release: First-in-human trial of CRISPR gene-editing therapy safely lowered cholesterol, triglycerides
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT07024212

Effect of Evolocumab in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk without Prior Myocardial Infarction or Stroke: Primary Results of the VESALIUS-CV trial
Erin A Bohula | Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

RESULTS: Evolocumab reduced the risk of a first major CV event when added to baseline lipid lowering therapy.

• VESALIUS-CV Data Summary (PPTX)
• Published in NEJM: Evolocumab in Patients without a Previous Myocardial Infarction or Stroke
• Editorial in NEJM: VESALIUS and the Anatomy of High-Risk Prevention
• AHA News Release: PCSK9 inhibitor reduced major CVD events in adults with no prior heart attack or stroke
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT03872401

Efficacy and Safety of Enlicitide, an Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor, for Lowering LDL Cholesterol in Adults with or At-Risk for ASCVD: The Phase 3 CORALreef Lipids Trial
Ann Marie Navar| UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA

RESULTS: In a diverse population, once daily oral enlicitide achieved significant reductions in LDL-C at 24 weeks and sustained through 52 weeks. Enlicitide was relatively safe compared to placebo.

• CORALreef Lipids Data Summary (PPTX)
• AHA News Release: Investigational daily pill lowered bad cholesterol as much as injectables
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT05952856

Appropriate Duration of Antiplatelet and Thrombotic Strategy after 12 Months in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with Drug-Eluting Stents
Jung-Sun Kim | Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

RESULTS: In patients with AF who were stable beyond one year of drug-eluting stent implantation, NOAC monotherapy provides a simple and safe long-term therapy versus combination therapy.

• ADAPT AF-DES Data Summary (PPTX)
• Published in NEJM: Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Drug-Eluting Stents
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT04250116

Short Dual Antithrombotic Therapy after PCI in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Yohei Sotomi | Osaka University, Osaka, Japan

RESULTS: A one-month course of dual antithrombotic therapy followed by DOAC monotherapy was found to be as effective as dual therapy for 12 months in preventing death, heart attacks, and strokes, and it demonstrated a superior safety profile by reducing bleeding outcomes.

• OPTIMA-AF Data Summary (PPTX)
• AHA News Release: One month of clot prevention after a stent was as effective as year-long course for AFib

Left atrial appendage CLOSURE in patients with Atrial Fibrillation at high risk of stroke and bleeding compared to medical therapy
Ulf Landmesser | Hospital Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 3 years, LAA closure was associated with a higher risk of the combined primary outcome compared to physician-directed best medical care

• CLOSURE-AF Data Summary (PPTX)
• AHA News Release: Medication still better than procedure for some irregular heartbeat conditions
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT01363895

The Need for Ongoing Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Clinical Stroke Risk Factors After Successful Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Atul Verma | McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

RESULTS: Rivaroxaban had no significant benefit over aspirin in the reduction of stroke post-catheter ablation for AF.

• OCEAN Data Summary (PPTX)
• Published in NEJM: Antithrombotic Therapy after Successful Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
• AHA News Release: Ablation reduces stroke risk for AFib and may remove need for some types of blood thinners
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT02168829

Liberal or Restrictive Transfusion Strategy after General and Vascular Surgery: The Transfusion Trigger after Major Operations in High Cardiac Risk Patients Trial
Panos Kougias | SUNY Downstate Heath Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, USA

RESULTS: The composite of serious complications were similar between groups, indicating liberal transfusion strategy did not reduce 90-day death or major ischemic outcome rates compared with a restrictive strategy.

• TOP Data Summary (PPTX)
• AHA News Release: Earlier blood transfusion may reduce heart failure, arrhythmia in adults with heart disease
• Published in JAMA: Liberal or Restrictive Postoperative Transfusion in Patients at High Cardiac Risk: The TOP Randomized Trial
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT03229941

Steven Houser, PhD, FAHA, Past President, American Heart Association interviews Zainab Mahmoud, MD, the winner of the newly established Jack Sarver Prize in Clinical Science for her presentation: Aspirin Prophylaxis for Preeclampsia Prevention in Nigeria: A Mixed Methods Study.

AHA News Release: Inaugural Jack Sarver Prize honors groundbreaking research by St. Louis, Dallas scientists

Michelle Albert, MD, MPH, FAHA,  past president of the American Heart Association, interviews the winner of the inaugural Jack Sarver Prize in Basic Science,  Zhao Zhang, PhD.

The Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation (DECAF) Trial
Christopher X. Wong | University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia

RESULTS: Caffeinated coffee consumption showed lower recurrence of AF or AFL compared with caffeine abstinence.

• DECAF Data Summary (PDF)
• Published in JAMA: Caffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation
• AHA News Release: Cup of coffee a day may not be harmful for some adults with AFib and could lower episodes
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT05121519

Joanna Chikwe MD, FRCS, FAHA, chair of the Committee on Scientific Sessions, and Brahmajee K. Nallamothu, MD, MPH, FAHA, vice chair, review some of the highlights that took place on Sunday, Nov. 9, the third day of #AHA25.

American Heart Association President, Stacey Rosen, MD, FAHA, delivered the Lewis A. Conner Presidential Lecture on Sunday, November 9, 2025. The Conner Lecture features a look at future directions and advancement in the cardiovascular realm.

Zalunfiban at First Medical Contact in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Arnoud Willem van 't Hof | MUMC, Maastricht, Netherlands

RESULTS: In participants with STEMI, zalunfiban significantly lowered the likelihood of the 30-day composite endpoint compared to placebo, without increased severe or life-threatening bleeding.

• CELEBRATE Data Summary (PDF)
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT04825743

Efficacy and Safety of Extended Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Stable Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation (DAPT-MVD): An Investigator-Initiated, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label, Assessor-Masked, Superiority Trial
Xiang Peng | Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China

RESULTS: Prolonging DAPT for an additional 12 months after DES implantation in stable patients lowered the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) without increasing bleeding risk.

• DAPT-MVD Data Summary (PPTX)
• ClinicalTrials ID: NCT04624854

Joanna Chikwe and Brahmajee Nallamothu review a few highlights from Scientific Sessions 2025 and look forward to the meeting next year, November 6-9, 2026, in Chicago.