Clinical Research

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs) have become the wonder drug not only of weight loss, but also for improving cardiovascular health in a growing number of positive cardiovascular trials. The latest study of more than 13,000 patients presented at Heart Rhythm 2026 this week showed the GLP-1 reduce atrial fibrillation (AFib) and survival, even after accounting for the drug’s impact on weight loss.

Multiple GLP-1 drugs linked to lower AFib risk

The popular drugs, originally developed to treat diabetes, were also associated with an improved survival rate. Benefits were seen in patients who did and did not lose significant weight as a result of treatment. 

survey polling quick data check mark poll research doctor

Current political climate having 'detrimental' effect on radiology research, survey says

Published in Clinical Imaging, the responses indicate that Trump administration policies have made it more difficult to acquire funding and collaborate with other researchers. 

heart data research doctor cardiologist AI

Popular weight loss drug linked to key benefits for patients undergoing TAVR, PCI

Two separate studies explored the value of treating heart patients with tirzepatide. 

Emily Lau, MD, MPH, Director, Women's Heart Health Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, presented new data at ACC 2026 showing only 8% of high-risk pregnant patients receive guideline-recommended low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia.

Many high-risk pregnant patients still miss out on guideline-recommended care

The percentage of pregnant patients taking low-dose aspirin as recommended is slowly rising—but there is still a long way to go.

Harmony Reynolds, MD, FACC, director of the cardiovascular clinical research center at NYU Langone Health, presented a study at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2026 meeting using coronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine sex differences in underlying causes of myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA).

Researchers use multi-modality imaging to learn more about MINOCA

The combination of OCT and MRI can help provide an improved sense of clarity when managing MINOCA patients, according to new data presented at ACC.26 in New Orleans.

Nicholas Marston, MD, MPH assistant professor of medicine, and a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, presented the late-breaking VESALIUS-CV data on the use of evolocumab for the reduction of major cardiovascular events in patients who do not have significant atherosclerosis. #ACC26

Evolocumab reduces risk of major cardiac events in diabetic patients

Late-breaking data out of ACC.26 suggest a more aggressive treatment approach for these patients could be beneficial. 

Heart Rhythm 2025 Heart Rhythm Society President Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD

Heart Rhythm 2026 to feature late-breaking EP data, hands-on training and more

Heart Rhythm 2026 in Chicago will include a total of 18 late-breaking clinical trials—and that is just the beginning. The four-day event kicks off April 23.

Gregg Stone, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, presented the results of the long-awaited STEMI Door or Unloading time trial, which takes a different approach to first using a percutaneous heart pump to unload the heart 30 minutes prior to PCI interventions to try and prevent common complications and improve outcomes.

Late-breaking PCI data challenge the 'time is muscle' paradigm

Gregg Stone, MD, spoke to Cardiovascular Business about the lessons he and his colleagues learned from the STEMI DTU trial.