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.

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation
Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Key takeaways from ACC.25: Advances in cardiovascular science
Former American College of Cardiology president Hadley Wilson, MD, executive vice chair of Atrium Health Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, explains his main takeaway messages from the ACC 2025 late-breaking trials.
Dapagliflozin improves outcomes for elderly TAVR patients with heart failure
The positive data were presented as part of a late-breaking clinical trial at ACC.25 in Chicago. One cardiologist on stage for the presentation said these findings will impact the way he manages certain TAVR patients.
Oral semaglutide reduces heart risks while helping patients move past ‘fear of the needle’
Researchers still think patients should receive an injectable version of semaglutide when possible, but new data out of ACC.25 confirm that an oral formulation of the drug is associated with significant benefits.
‘A practice-changing trial’: Semaglutide linked to key benefits for PAD patients with diabetes
Patients who present with type 2 diabetes and PAD often face substantial mobility issues. According to new data presented at ACC.25, however, treatment with semaglutide could represent a major step forward for this high-risk population.

Hospira, an Illinois-based pharmaceutical and medical device company owned by Pfizer, has issued a voluntary recall of two different drugs due to ongoing safety issues. The recall includes specific lots of labetalol hydrochloride injections and buprenorphine hydrochloride injections. Labetalol hydrochloride injections are used to control blood pressure in patients with severe hypertension.

Pfizer recalls 2 drugs, including 1 for hypertension, over safety concerns

The recall was put in place due to a leak risk that could make the therapies less effective and potentially lead to an infection.

Medtronic’s MiniMed 780G automated insulin delivery system

Medtronic automated insulin pump named one of year’s ‘world-changing ideas’

The FDA-approved device includes meal detection technology that can deliver insulin when users lose track of time or underestimate how a meal may affect their health.

COVID-19 vaccine vaccination myocarditis heart damage inflammation RSNA imaging radiology cardiology

COVID-19 vaccines helped heart failure patients stay out of the hospital and live longer

Vaccination was linked to key benefits in terms of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, stroke, heart attack, myocarditis, venous thromboembolism and testing positive for COVID-19.

New hypertrophic cardiomyopathy guidelines highlight importance of exercise, new drug class

HCM is widely underdiagnosed, but the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association hope their new guidelines can help cardiologists learn more about the potentially fatal condition and improve patient care.

FDA announces Class I recall after insulin pump software causes 224 injuries

The new recall impacts more than 85,000 devices. If users update their iPhone app as recommended, however, they can continue using the insulin pump as directed.

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Cardiologists want better data on how legal marijuana will impact heart health in the US

Many states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana in recent years, creating one of the more radical cultural shifts the United States has seen in quite some time. What could this trend mean from a cardiologist's perspective?

Statin therapy may help HFpEF patients lower their risk of death, heart attack or stroke

All participants were free of ASCVD and had no history of statin use at the start of the study.

American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care

Pharmacists interact with patients on a regular basis and are seen as a trusted source of health information. Can they help cardiologists improve care for AFib patients?

Pharmaceutics

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

Key takeaways from ACC.25: Advances in cardiovascular science

Dapagliflozin improves outcomes for elderly TAVR patients with heart failure

Oral semaglutide reduces heart risks while helping patients move past ‘fear of the needle’

‘A practice-changing trial’: Semaglutide linked to key benefits for PAD patients with diabetes