Faculty: Javed Butler, MD

Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have not experienced a recent worsening event pose a major clinical challenge: persistent and under-recognized cardiovascular (CV) risk. Recent findings show that these patients carry significant annual rates of CV death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization, despite adherence to quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and device support. For cardiologists, the challenge is twofold: accurately identifying high-risk individuals without overt clinical deterioration and knowing when and how to intensify therapy in patients who appear stable but remain vulnerable. Recent data show that soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) may provide significant reductions in CV death and all-cause mortality, particularly in individuals with moderately elevated NT-proBNP (≤6,000 pg/mL). These findings are especially important because this population is far more common in routine cardiology practice and has historically been overlooked in discussions of additional therapy. However, cardiologists often underestimate risk in these ambulatory patients and may hesitate to add therapies when GDMT appears to be working well. Tune in to learn best practices for patient selection and the implementation of added sGC therapy.

Faculty: Javed Butler, MD

Faculty: April W. Armstrong, MD, MPH

Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have not experienced a recent worsening event pose a major clinical challenge: persistent and under-recognized cardiovascular (CV) risk. Recent findings show that these patients carry significant annual rates of CV death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization, despite adherence to quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and device support. For cardiologists, the challenge is twofold: accurately identifying high-risk individuals without overt clinical deterioration and knowing when and how to intensify therapy in patients who appear stable but remain vulnerable. Recent data show that soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) may provide significant reductions in CV death and all-cause mortality, particularly in individuals with moderately elevated NT-proBNP (≤6,000 pg/mL). These findings are especially important because this population is far more common in routine cardiology practice and has historically been overlooked in discussions of additional therapy. However, cardiologists often underestimate risk in these ambulatory patients and may hesitate to add therapies when GDMT appears to be working well. Tune in to learn best practices for patient selection and the implementation of added sGC therapy.

Faculty: Prof. Dr. Johann Bauersachs

Faculty: Javed Butler, MD

Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have not experienced a recent worsening event pose a major clinical challenge: persistent and under-recognized cardiovascular (CV) risk. Recent findings show that these patients carry significant annual rates of CV death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization, despite adherence to quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and device support. For cardiologists, the challenge is twofold: accurately identifying high-risk individuals without overt clinical deterioration and knowing when and how to intensify therapy in patients who appear stable but remain vulnerable. Recent data show that soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) may provide significant reductions in CV death and all-cause mortality, particularly in individuals with moderately elevated NT-proBNP (≤6,000 pg/mL). These findings are especially important because this population is far more common in routine cardiology practice and has historically been overlooked in discussions of additional therapy. However, cardiologists often underestimate risk in these ambulatory patients and may hesitate to add therapies when GDMT appears to be working well. Tune in to learn best practices for patient selection and the implementation of added sGC therapy.

Faculty: Prof. Dr. Johann Bauersachs

Faculty: Carolyn S. P. Lam, MBBS, PhD, MRCP, MS, FACC, FAMS, FESC

Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have not experienced a recent worsening event pose a major clinical challenge: persistent and under-recognized cardiovascular (CV) risk. Recent findings show that these patients carry significant annual rates of CV death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization, despite adherence to quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and device support. For cardiologists, the challenge is twofold: accurately identifying high-risk individuals without overt clinical deterioration and knowing when and how to intensify therapy in patients who appear stable but remain vulnerable. Recent data show that soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) may provide significant reductions in CV death and all-cause mortality, particularly in individuals with moderately elevated NT-proBNP (≤6,000 pg/mL). These findings are especially important because this population is far more common in routine cardiology practice and has historically been overlooked in discussions of additional therapy. However, cardiologists often underestimate risk in these ambulatory patients and may hesitate to add therapies when GDMT appears to be working well. Tune in to learn best practices for patient selection and the implementation of added sGC therapy.

Faculty: Prof. Dr. Johann Bauersachs

Faculty: Carolyn S. P. Lam, MBBS, PhD, MRCP, MS, FACC, FAMS, FESC

Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have not experienced a recent worsening event pose a major clinical challenge: persistent and under-recognized cardiovascular (CV) risk. Recent findings show that these patients carry significant annual rates of CV death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization, despite adherence to quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and device support. For cardiologists, the challenge is twofold: accurately identifying high-risk individuals without overt clinical deterioration and knowing when and how to intensify therapy in patients who appear stable but remain vulnerable. Recent data show that soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) may provide significant reductions in CV death and all-cause mortality, particularly in individuals with moderately elevated NT-proBNP (≤6,000 pg/mL). These findings are especially important because this population is far more common in routine cardiology practice and has historically been overlooked in discussions of additional therapy. However, cardiologists often underestimate risk in these ambulatory patients and may hesitate to add therapies when GDMT appears to be working well. Tune in to learn best practices for patient selection and the implementation of added sGC therapy.

Faculty: Taofeek K. Owonikoko, MD, PhD

This online educational activity reviews the scientific rationale for B7-H3 as a therapeutic target in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Tune in for recent clinical trial data on B7-H3–directed antibody-drug conjugates in ES-SCLC, including key efficacy and safety outcomes in pretreated populations. Learners will gain practical guidance on identifying appropriate candidates for these therapies based on trial eligibility and real-world considerations. Emphasis is placed on interprofessional management of treatment-related adverse events to elevate patient safety and continuity of care.

Faculty: Prof. Dr. Johann Bauersachs

Faculty: Carolyn S. P. Lam, MBBS, PhD, MRCP, MS, FACC, FAMS, FESC

Contemporary trial data and global registries consistently show that ambulatory patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have not experienced a recent worsening event still carry residual risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalizations. These annual rates have been estimated to exceed 10%–20%, despite adherence to quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and device support. This paradox of clinical stability on the surface, yet significant residual risk underneath, creates a critical blind spot in the management of chronic HFrEF. Recent data show that the addition of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators provides significant reductions in CV death and all-cause mortality, particularly in individuals with moderately elevated NT-proBNP (≤6,000 pg/mL). These findings are especially important because this population is far more common in routine cardiology practice and has historically been overlooked in discussions of additional therapy. Tune in to explore a case to better understand which patients can derive the most benefit from added therapy.

Faculty: David Chin Yee, MD, FASRS

In this case-based discussion, Dr. David Chin Yee presents his challenges and outcomes when managing a patient with diabetic macular edema who initially declined treatment due to language limitations, cultural beliefs, and mistrust of medical interventions. The case highlights the implementation of culturally sensitive strategies and underscores the value of cultural competence and patient-centered communication in overcoming barriers to care.

Faculty: Deepak Sambhara, MD

In this clinical discussion, Dr. Deepak Sambhara presents a case of a working-age man with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. He details the diagnostic process using OCT and NIR imaging and explains how he engaged the patient in his treatment journey. Patient communication strategies are emphasized, as is a collaborative approach to address mistrust and enhance adherence. The case underscores the importance of individualized care and communication in retinal disease outcomes.

Faculty: Esther Lee Kim, MD

In this case-based presentation, Dr. Esther Lee Kim reviews a young patient with long-standing type 2 diabetes who presented with bilateral vision loss and was initially referred for possible retinal vein occlusion. The case underscores how demographic factors can inform the risk of rapid disease progression, even in the setting of a relatively controlled HbA1c. Dr. Kim reviews longitudinal outcomes and offers clinical pearls emphasizing the importance of timely referral, frequent monitoring, and use of ancillary imaging to guide risk stratification and management in high-risk patients.