Clinical

This channel newsfeed includes clinical content on treating patients or the clinical implications in a variety of cardiac subspecialties and disease states. The channel includes news on cardiac surgery, interventional cardiologyheart failure, electrophysiologyhypertension, structural heart disease, use of pharmaceuticals, and COVID-19.   

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. 

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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. 

Example of a RF burn from an MRI scan where a sedated patient's identification bracelet was touching their skin during an exam. Image courtesy of RSNA. https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.09090637

FDA: CVS and MediHoney wound gels recalled after 14 serious injuries

The wound and burn gels are manufactured by Integra LifeSciences. Defective packaging could cause the sterile barrier to fail, exposing the gels to pathogens. Due to the risk of severe infections, all recalled products must be removed from where they are used and sold. 

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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.

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FDA, CMS unveil rapid Medicare coverage pathway for critical medical devices

Prior to the new “RAPID” program announced on Thursday, it could take a year or more for Breakthrough-designated medical devices to earn approval for Medicare coverage. Now regulators say that timeline could be reduced to as little as two months.

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure

First bedside procedure of its kind performed by traveling clinicians on premature infant

The 22-week-old patient was successfully treated by a traveling cardiologist—all without being transported to the cath lab.

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.