Clinical Research

Video interview with Ronald Crystal, MD, chair, Department of Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, presented late-breaking findings on a first in-human, virus-delivered gene therapy trial to stop cardiomyopathy death in patients with Friedreich Ataxia (FA). #ACC #ACC26

New gene therapy may help protect the hearts of patients with Friedreich's ataxia

A majority of deaths from Friedreich's ataxia are associated with heart complications. A new treatment years in the making could provide some much-needed relief.

Prem Soman, MD, director of the Cardiac Amyloidosis Center and nuclear cardiology, and associate chief of cardiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Heart and Vascular Institute presented the late-breaking results from the long-term survival benefits and disease stabilization with the drug acoramidis in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy at ACC 2026.

Long-term cardiac amyloidosis survival benefits seen in extension acoramidis trial

Patient outcomes clearly show acoramidis reduces both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations, but the study also reinforced the importance of early diagnosis and prompt medical therapy. 
 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an investigational device exemption (IDE) to conduct a pivotal clinical trial for TRiCares Topaz transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system in the U.S. The TTVR system uses two stent frames, one for the valve and one to engage the annulus with a membrane shirt between them to enable flexing of the outer ring to better seal against regurgitation.expansing stents

FDA clears way for IDE pivotal trial of the Topaz tricuspid valve replacement system

The TRiCares Topaz uses a unique two-stent frame valve prosthesis for better sealing and flexibility.

To unpack the large number of lat-breaking trials at the American College of Cardiology 2026 meeting, Cardiovascular Business spoke in the above video interview with Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, MBA, FACC, FAHA, FESC, MSCAI, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, who highlighted several studies he felt had the most scientific impact. This included a mix of drug, device and strategy trials pointing to advances in cardiology. #ACC #ACC26

Deepak Bhatt discusses some of the most impactful trials at ACC 2026

Bhatt describes a mix of drug, device and strategy trials pointing to advances in cardiovascular science.
 

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Screening and treatment for chronic kidney disease in heart disease patients needs to be expanded

The risk associated with under-recognized CKD emerged early, highlighting the need for screening soon after a CAD diagnosis so that cardio-renal protective drugs can be started much earlier.

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$13M federal grant fuels research into imaging AI for Alzheimer's

In total, NIH has awarded the project over $30 million. Researchers are hopeful that the funding will help pave the way for more personalized treatments for Alzheimer's. 

Kathryn Berlacher, MD, MS, FACC, chair of the 2026 American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2026 Scientific Sessions, and clinical director of cardiology and a women's heart and cardio-obstetrics specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, explains the major trend of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiology, the use of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for the first time at a medical meeting to scan attendees, and the rise in hands on, guideline, business and advocacy sessions.

Impactful innovations reshape learning and technology at ACC.26

ACC.26 Chair Kathryn Berlacher, MD, MS, explained some of the big trends at this year's meeting, including AI, CCTA, hands-on training and guideline sessions.

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Cost-related medication non-adherence declined after the Inflation Reduction Act

Lower Medicare drug costs translated into more patients taking their medications, leading to better outcomes.