TCTMD’s Biggest News of 2025

The most widely read story on TCTMD this past year involved the sad death of Dimitrios Karmpaliotis, an interventional cardiologist celebrated for his mentorship, passion for friends, and technical proficiency. Stories on the new guidelines for hypertension and ACS, TAVI’s approval in asymptomatic patients, and evolocumab’s expanded indication for primary prevention also were popular with readers.

Scroll on to read our top 10 news stories of 2025.

1. Dimitrios Karmpaliotis, Master Operator and Mentor With ‘Heart of Gold,’ Dies at 53

Karmpaliotis leaves behind a legacy of teaching his profound skills in complex PCI and his passion for patients and family.

2. Topline Data Point to Promise for VERVE-102 Gene-Editing Therapy

The results show dose-dependent LDL-lowering and, in contrast to what was seen previously with VERVE-101, no safety issues.

3. AHA LAAO Doesn’t Match Medical Therapy for High-risk AF Patients: CLOSURE-AF

The noninferiority trial of patients at risk for both bleeding and stroke, in a surprise turn, found standard care to be superior.

4. New ACC/AHA Hypertension Guidelines Still Urge Early Treatment but With Some Twists

The document, last updated in 2017, promotes use of the PREVENT calculator as well as more flexible BP goals.

5. J&J Halts Varipulse Pulsed-Field Ablation Cases in the US

The temporary pause will allow the company to investigate four neurovascular events seen in an external evaluation study.

6. Evolocumab Gains Expanded Indication for Primary Prevention

It’s the first PCSK9 inhibitor to get the FDA’s approval for reducing MACE in patients without established cardiovascular disease.

7. ACC/AHA Release New Comprehensive ACS Guidelines

Guidance around complete revascularization and intracoronary imaging is strengthened, and Impella gets a recommendation.

8. FDA Approves TAVI for Asymptomatic Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis

The agency’s decision for the balloon-expandable Sapien 3 platform is based on groundbreaking results from EARLY TAVR.

9. FDA Warns of Air Embolism Risk With Watchman LAAO Access Systems

Boston Scientific is recommending updates to the instructions for use to minimize the issue, which has been tied to 17 deaths.

10. New Cardiology Board Shot Down by ABMS

Jeffrey Kuvin, chair of the proposed board, said “we are deeply disappointed” with the decision.