TCTMD's Top 10 Most Popular Stories for August 2025

As summer draws to a close, TCTMD’s list of most-read stories speaks to what’s no doubt on the minds of many cardiologists—getting back to work. Numerous clinical guidelines, with advice on hypertension, what counts as “ultraprocessed” food, and how to approach left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), made it into the top 10. Hot topics like CV outcomes with tirzepatide as well as optimal antiplatelet therapy and radiation protection in the cath lab also made an appearance, alongside other news. Most timely is TCTMD Managing Editor Michael O’Riordan’s preview of the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025, kicking off tomorrow in Madrid.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Tirzepatide Matches Dulaglutide in Large CV Outcomes Trial: SURPASS-CVOT

In patients with type 2 diabetes and CVD, the GIP/GLP-1 agonist was as good as the older drug, and possibly better in some areas.

4. CT-Guided PCI Coming Soon to a Cath Lab Near You—If Not There Already

A joint SCCT/SCAI panel reviewed many opportunities for CT to enhance procedural planning and foster multidisciplinary care.

5. What’s Going to Be Hot at ESC Congress 2025?

With 10 Hotline sessions, and 42 late-breaking science sessions, there is no shortage of new data for the practicing cardiologist.

6. For Monotherapy, P2Y12 Inhibitor Bests Aspirin After PCI for ACS: Meta-analysis

The study can’t supplant an RCT in this space, but it does provide clear support for both short DAPT and P2Y12 inhibitors post-ACS.

7. Newer Radiation Shielding System Protects More Than Just Operators

In anthropometric testing, the head of the bed and nursing positions received less scatter with the EggNest versus Rampart.

8. How Much Junk Is in Junk Food? AHA Statement Aims for Clarity

The new advisory focuses on confusion over what qualifies as ultraprocessed food and offers up policy-change strategies.

9. SCAI/HRS Issue First Practice Guideline for LAAO

The document was designed to promote standardization and identify future research goals in this rapidly-growing field.

10. DAPT De-escalation Success Varies by Sex: Meta-analysis

Male and female patients had different outcomes, but before recommendations can be made, trials only in women are needed.

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The TCTMD news team offers up all their favorite content for August in the latest Heart Sounds podcast, featuring special guest Mamas Mamas, BMBCh, DPhil. Starting soon, all our coverage of ESC 2025 can be found here. Do check that out in the coming days.