JACC This Week

In this special prevention-focused issue of JACC This Week, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Harlan Krumholz spotlights new research that underscores the urgent global need to prevent cardiovascular disease. From the projected impact of single-pill combination therapies (polypills) and validation of new risk equations across major U.S. health systems, to the sobering rise of modifiable risk factors in both high- and low-income countries, this episode dives deep into the data and the implications.

In this episode of JACC This Week, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Harlan Krumholz summarizes key studies from the July 15 issue, focused on cardiovascular interventions. Topics include new insights on plaque vulnerability in acute coronary syndromes, virtual flow reserve after PCI, long-term data on FFR-guided revascularization, and stent thrombosis risk. This issue delivers high-impact, practice-relevant research for interventionalists, imaging specialists, and general cardiologists alike.

In this episode of JACC This Week, Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC spotlights major electrophysiology research and clinical insights from the July 8 issue of JACC. This week’s issue features new findings on left atrial appendage occlusion techniques, comparisons of atrial fibrillation stroke prevention guidelines across regions, and device-related complications such as pacemaker lead perforation and device embolization. You'll also hear highlights from JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, including striking Amara Yad anatomical visuals and real-world clinical scenarios.

Hosts Mitsuaki Sawano, MD, Kentaro Ejiri, MD, and Nobuhiro Ikemura, MD, welcome Yuki Obayashi, MD, of Leiden University Medical Center, to discuss findings from the STOPDAPT-3 trial. Dr. Obayashi highlights that, among ACS patients—including those with HBR or STEMI—aspirin and clopidogrel monotherapy after 1 month of DAPT resulted in similar rates of ischemic and bleeding events. These results support flexible, patient-centered antiplatelet strategies beyond the acute phase.

As the podcast series created by Editor Emeritus Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, comes to an end and the new series from current Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC is launched, JACC is pleased to feature an interview between the two legendary thought leaders, discussing the past and future of the journal's podcasts. The interview honors Dr. Fuster for his enduring contributions to the JACC podcast, highlighting his dedication, consistency, and global impact even after stepping down as Editor-in-Chief. This frank and heartfelt conversation serves as the bridge for JACC podcasts, as Dr. Fuster expresses confidence in the future of JACC under Dr. Krumholz's leadership.

In this heartfelt reflection on their first year as editor of JACC, Harlan Krumholz shares how listening—to authors, reviewers, readers, and the broader medical community—has revealed a deep yearning for connection, trust, and purpose in cardiovascular science. It’s a call to action: to shape the future of medicine with integrity, inclusivity, and hope, and to lead not just with data, but with values that inspire and unite.

In this debut episode of JACC This Week with Editor-in-Chief Dr. Harlan Krumholz, we explore groundbreaking studies and timely insights from the July 1st issue. Highlights include the impact of wildfire smoke on heart failure risk, new hemodynamic data on mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock, and sobering cardiovascular mortality trends over the past 25 years. Plus, updates on aspirin use, cognitive impairment in CVD, ACC/AHA performance measures, and a leadership reflection from ACC President Dr. Christopher Kramer.

In this issue of JACC, we explore the evolving landscape of cardiovascular care, where one-size-fits-all approaches are giving way to precision strategies rooted in individual variation. From redefining diagnostic thresholds to tailoring surveillance based on genetics and patient context, these studies illuminate a future where nuance, not averages, drives better outcomes. Join us as we unpack the science behind a more personalized, data-informed vision of heart health.

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, 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 discusses a landmark study from the Montalcino Aortic Consortium revealing how genetic differences in Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome distinctly influence the risk and location of arterial events. The findings highlight gene-specific patterns—thoracic aortic complications in Marfan and Loeys-Dietz, and peripheral arterial issues in Loeys-Dietz and Ehlers-Danlos—paving the way for personalized surveillance and management strategies.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a major study on Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), revealing that extra-aortic arterial aneurysms are both common and clinically significant across a broad vascular spectrum. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive, head-to-pelvis imaging in LDS patients to detect and monitor potentially life-threatening aneurysms beyond the thoracic aorta.

In this JACC podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster presents five key studies, including new insights into arterial aneurysms in genetic aortopathies like Loeys-Dietz, Ehlers-Danlos, and Marfan syndromes, the implications of post-exercise troponin elevations in athletes, and 35-year outcomes of staged surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The episode also features a state-of-the-art review on heart failure with improved ejection fraction, highlighting emerging challenges and clinical strategies in this evolving phenotype.

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 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 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 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 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 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.