TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for July 2025

This month, our most-read stories reflect the diverse interests of cardiologists across subspecialties—revised CV warnings for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, both positive and “sobering” news for tricuspid valve interventions, ongoing debate over colchicine, a look ahead at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reimbursement for 2026, and more. The ever-popular GLP-1 drugs got a boost from more data suggesting their neuroprotective potential. Even firefighters entered the mix, with a study showing how these at-risk individuals might benefit from CT angiography.

1. ‘Sobering’ Adverse Event Rate With Evoque Seen in Real-world Use

Responding to MAUDE data, some have safety concerns but others aren’t surprised to see more events in higher-risk patients.

2. FDA Updates CV Warnings Around COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines

Labels for the Pfizer and Moderna shots, which already caution about myocarditis and pericarditis, will more strongly stress risks.

3. No Clarity on Colchicine: Two Meta-analyses Spark Debate on Drug’s Merits

Does colchicine work for CVD or doesn’t it? That’s the question the study authors hoped to answer, but there’s little consensus.

4. Some Ups, Some Downs in Proposed CMS Reimbursement for 2026, Cardiologists Say

Despite an increase in the conversion factor, slashed payments elsewhere could amount to “death by a thousand paper cuts.”

5. GLP-1s May Stave Off Dementia, EHR-Based Study Shows 

The observational data align with earlier reports pointing to neuroprotective benefits, says Ziyad Al-Aly.

6. Catheter Ablation for AF: Fewer Strokes, Deaths, and HF Hospitalizations

The benefit seems durable, but one expert says patients should be aware there’s “some risk of stroke” during the procedure.

7. FDA Warns of Issue with Impella Blood Pump Controllers

There have been three deaths and no serious injuries tied to a problem affecting detection of the pumps, according to Abiomed.

8. Most PCIs in US Now Done With Radial Access

Trends point to more and more PCIs being performed via the wrist, but the US still trails behind other countries.

9. SCCT 2025 Adding Coronary CT Angiography to Annual Firefighter Physicals Could Save Lives

Scanning identified significant CAD in this high-risk population, even among those with zero CAC.

10. CMS Agrees to Reimburse Tricuspid TEER

The overall evidence for the procedure is “insufficient” at present, but good enough to allow coverage, the agency says.

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Check out all our own top picks on the latest Heart Sounds podcast, where the TCTMD news team also shares what we’ve been up to this summer. The fall meeting season is close at hand, so do stay tuned for our on-site coverage. First up are ESC and HFSA 2025, with more to follow.