TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for April 2025

Our top 10 list for April spans diverse clinical topics, from embolic protection in TAVI to ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries, anticoagulation choices in MI, and the perennial battle between PCI and CABG. Much of that most-read news came direct from our on-site reporting at the 2025 American College of Cardiology meeting, recently held in Chicago, IL. There were, however, a few exceptions. Coming in at number three was our latest Conversations in Cardiology, sourced from Morton Kern’s discussions among colleagues, and further down the list were positive findings for the Myval and Myval Octacor transcatheter heart valves (Meril Life Sciences) plus disappointing results for the drug mavacamten (Bristol Myers Squibb) in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

1. ACC Strike Two: BHF PROTECT-TAVI Throws Cold Water on Embolic Protection

Experts are dismayed, disappointed, and confused, but many say this isn’t the end of cerebral embolic protection for TAVI.

2. ACC WARRIOR: No Clear Answers on How to Best Treat INOCA

The “neutral” trial, troubled by the COVID-19 pandemic, found that intensive medical therapy didn’t lower events in patients who had ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries.

3. OPINION Cath Lab Attire: ‘Dress Up and Shut Up’ or Time for a Change?

Bouffant caps, beard covers, and more—the idea is to prevent infection. Some say the requirements are overkill.

4. ACC RIVAWAR: Rivaroxaban as Safe and Effective as Warfarin for LV Thrombus in MI

LV thrombus is less of an issue now thanks to primary PCI and antithrombotics, but it still occurs in 9% of anterior MIs.

5. ACC PCI Rebounds at 5 Years to Mostly Match CABG: Final FAME 3 Data

Contemporary DES paired with FFR guidance and modern medical therapy may be what narrowed the gap, William Fearon says.

6. ACC SOUL: Oral Semaglutide Bests Usual Care in High-Risk Type 2 Diabetes

Injectable semaglutide has better bioavailability, researchers say, but the many patients who want an oral drug are an unmet need.

7. COMPARE-TAVI 1: Myval Performs Well Against Sapien at 1 Year

There’s room on the market for new TAVI valves as long as they can compete with the best in practice, a researcher says.

8. Mavacamten Strikes Out in Phase III Trial of Nonobstructive HCM

The lack of effect on QoL and oxygen consumption help cement the idea that the disease isn’t the same as obstructive HCM.

9. ACC By 2 Years, Tricuspid TEER Reduces Hospitalizations for HF: TRILUMINATE

The data bolster the gains in quality of life seen at 1 year and provide evidence of clinical benefit with TEER.

10. ACC Evolut Low Risk Trial: TAVI Holds Up to Surgery at 5 Years

The follow-up brought little surprise, with investigators pleased the risk of death/disabling stroke remained on par with surgery.

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No doubt recent news articles from Heart Rhythm 2025, the European Heart Rhythm Association Congress, and the CX Symposium will soon make their mark on our top 10. Our journalists also will be at no fewer than six additional US and European cardiology meetings in the month of May alone. For more, you can turn to the TCTMD conference pages. Also, do check out the April episode of the Heart Sounds podcast with the TCTMD news team and our recent On Record videos.