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Highlights of Cardiovascular Disease Studies Presented at the 2021 European Society of Cardiology Congress

  • Reviews and New Research Implications (S. Virani, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Atherosclerosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review highlights select studies presented at the virtual 2021 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress.

Recent Findings

Reviewed studies assess single photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging in coronary artery disease (PACIFIC-II); empagliflozin in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (EMPEROR-Preserved); dapagliflozin in chronic heart failure (DAPA-HF); proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor and its lipid lowering effects (NATURE-PCSK9); fixed-dose combination therapies with or without aspirin in primary prevention; overview of contrasting results between REDUCE-IT versus STRENGTH trials; Quadruple UltrA-low-dose tReaTment for hypertension (QUARTET); evolocumab and changes in plaque composition on optical coherence tomography (HUYGENS); and low-dose rivaroxaban during the acute phase of acute coronary syndrome (H-REPLACE).

Summary

Research presented at the 2021 ESC Congress shows promise in reducing burden of cardiovascular disease and reinforces the value of cardiovascular disease prevention.

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Abbreviations

ABP:

Ambulatory blood pressure

ACS:

Acute coronary syndrome

ASCVD:

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

BP:

Blood pressure

CAC:

Coronary artery calcium

CAD:

Coronary artery disease

CCS:

Chronic coronary syndrome

CCTA:

Coronary computed tomography angiography

CI:

Confidence interval

CRP:

C-reactive protein

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

DBP:

Diastolic blood pressure

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

ECG:

Electrocardiogram

eGFR:

Estimated glomerular filtration rate

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

ESC:

European Society of Cardiology

FCT:

Fibrous cap thickness

FDC:

Fixed-dose combination

FFR:

Fractional flow reserve

HF:

Heart failure

HFpEF:

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

HFrEF:

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

HHF:

Hospitalization for heart failure

HIS:

High-intensity statin

hMBF:

Hyperemic myocardial blood flow

HR:

Hazard ratio

ICA:

Invasive coronary angiography

IVUS:

Intravascular ultrasound

LDL-C:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

MACE:

Major adverse cardiac events

MCE:

Major coronary events

MI:

Myocardial infarction

MPI:

Myocardial perfusion imaging

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

NSTEMI:

Non-ST-elevation MI

OCT:

Optical coherence tomography

OR:

Odds ratio

PCI:

Percutaneous coronary intervention

PCSK9:

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

RR:

Relative risk

RRR:

Relative risk reduction

SBP:

Systolic blood pressure

SD:

Standard deviation

SPECT:

Single photon emission computed tomography

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Funding

This work was supported by a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research & Development Service Investigator Initiated Grant (IIR 16–072), an American Heart Association Beginning Grant-in-Aid (14BGIA20460366), the American Diabetes Association Clinical Science and Epidemiology award (1–14- CE-44), and the Houston VA Health Services Research & Development Center for Innovations grant (CIN13-413). The opinions expressed reflect those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the US government. The Department of Veterans Affairs or the US government had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Policy, Quality & Informatics Program, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Services Research & Development Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Michelle T. Lee, Dhruv Mahtta & Salim S. Virani

  2. Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Michelle T. Lee & Dhruv Mahtta

  3. Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Dhruv Mahtta, Louis Dlouhy, Mahmoud Al Rifai & Salim S. Virani

  4. Advanced Cardiac Imaging, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

    Hunaina Shahab

  5. Section of Cardiology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Salim S. Virani

  6. Health Services Research and Development (152), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Salim S. Virani

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Correspondence to Salim S. Virani.

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Conflict of Interest

Michelle T. Lee, Dhruv Mahtta, Mahmoud Al Rifai, Louis Dlouhy, Hunaina Shahab: None.

Salim S. Virani: Honorarium, American College of Cardiology (Associate Editor for Innovations, acc.org).

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Lee, M.T., Mahtta, D., Dlouhy, L. et al. Highlights of Cardiovascular Disease Studies Presented at the 2021 European Society of Cardiology Congress. Curr Atheroscler Rep 23, 76 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-021-00975-8

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