JACC This Week

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a study showing that elevated cardiac troponin levels after intense exercise in middle-aged recreational athletes are common but not linked to hidden coronary artery disease. The findings raise important questions about the origin and significance of these elevations, highlighting the need for long-term follow-up.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster presents new research revealing that fewer than one-third of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome survive 35 years without a transplant, though many adults report good to excellent quality of life after stage reconstructive surgery. Highlighting expert insights, he underscores the urgent need for innovative treatments and dedicated care teams to improve long-term outcomes in this high-risk congenital heart disease.

In this episode, host Mitsuaki Sawano, MD, is joined by Dr. Shoichiro Yatsu, MD, to discuss his sub-analysis of the ADVENT-HF trial, recently published in JACC: Heart Failure. The study investigates the effects of peak-flow-triggered adaptive servo-ventilation (ASVPF) on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in patients with heart failure and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Compared to earlier studies using different ASV algorithms, ADVENT-HF highlights the safety and clinical value of ASVPF, showing meaningful improvements in sleep quality, symptoms, and quality of life. Dr. Yatsu also shares insights from managing legacy trial data collected over more than a decade.

This issue of JACC showcases a diverse yet thematically cohesive collection of articles that explore the complexities of cardiovascular medicine, from ethical dilemmas and patient-reported outcomes to emerging therapies and methodological innovations. Highlights include a poignant HeartBeats essay on the emotional weight of clinical decisions, debates on responder analyses, promising data on Factor XI inhibitors, and groundbreaking registry findings on balloon pulmonary angioplasty. The issue also features insights into risk prediction, statistical modeling in heart failure trials, rare case reports, and a continued commitment to ethically grounded anatomical education.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses groundbreaking research validating the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) as a powerful real-world predictor of heart failure outcomes using advanced machine learning on outpatient data. Emphasizing the critical importance of patient-reported health status, he highlights that listening to patients remains essential even in an era dominated by AI-driven medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster explores groundbreaking research on long-acting Factor XI inhibitors, highlighting their potential to reduce bleeding risks during invasive procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation. Experts discuss the promising safety profile and the ongoing quest to balance effective anticoagulation without increased bleeding.

In this week's JACC podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster explores new insights into cardiovascular disease risk across the lifespan, real-world tools for predicting heart failure outcomes, and evolving interventional strategies like balloon pulmonary angioplasty and Factor XI inhibition. With a sharp focus on prevention, patient-centered care, and the power of both technology and clinical judgment, the episode delivers key takeaways from four major studies and two thought-provoking reviews.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster explores groundbreaking research showing that nearly one-third of U.S. adults aged 30-79 have cardiovascular disease or a high 10-year risk, with long-term risks starting as early as age 30. He highlights the urgent need for early, lifelong prevention strategies to tackle the nation's leading killer—starting in young adulthood.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster presents groundbreaking international research on balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) as a crucial alternative for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients ineligible for surgery. Drawing from nearly 500 patients across 18 centers, the discussion highlights BPA's promising outcomes and challenges, underscoring the importance of expert, high-volume centers for optimal safety and effectiveness.

In this video on a commentary in JACC's June 10 dedicated issue on the ACS guidelines, authors Renato D. Lopes, MD, PhD, FACC, and Remo H.M. Furtado, MD, PhD, discuss their commentary on the recent ACC/AHA ACS guidelines, emphasizing the need to adapt global recommendations to the diverse realities of Latin American healthcare systems. They highlight the importance of local data, regional disparities, and implementation science—including community education and multi-level interventions—to improve outcomes and guideline adherence in acute coronary syndrome care across Latin America.