Pharmaceutics

This page contains key pharmaceutical news on drug recalls, FDA clearance, safety communications and research. In cardiology, key pharmaceutic agents include antiplatelet therapies, anticoagulants, hypertension drugs, and drugs for heart failure and arrhythmias.   

pediatric patient young patient child chlidren kid

FDA approves fast-acting heart drug for children

Landiolol, sold under the brand name Rapiblyk, is only meant to be administered in a hospital setting. It was initially approved for adult patients in 2024.

One of the big late-breaking trials presented at the 2026 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions was the CHAMPION-AF, which showed left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) can offer a safe, non-drug alternative to anticoagulation therapy, even in patients with atrial fibrillation who are not at high risk for bleeding. First author of the study Shephal Doshi, MD, FACC, an electrophysiologist at Cedars Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, discussed the details of the trial. #LAAO #ACC #ACC26

New data point to LAAO as a safe alternative to long-term drug therapy

At the end of the day, one electrophysiologist explained, these decisions should still be made on a case-by-case basis.

heart drugs with stethoscope

Long-term antidepressant use may increase risk of sudden cardiac death

The risk appears to be greatest when patients are still actively taking antidepressants. Researchers noted that many more studies on this topic are still necessary.

overweight patient seeking health advice

FDA links weight loss pill to ‘unexpected’ cardiovascular risks

The once-daily pill received FDA approval on April 1. However, the agency has requested additional data on multiple potential side effects. 

Deepak Bhatt discusses the MOMENTUM STUDY and the prevalence of hypercortisolism hypertension. #ACC #ACC26

New data highlight an unexpected link between hypercortisolism and resistant hypertension

Clinicians may need to broaden their diagnostic approach when treating and managing patients with resistant hypertension. 

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. 
 

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.