TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for September 2020

Half of TCTMD’s top stories for the month of September stemmed from the European Society of Cardiology’s virtual 2020 Congress, with a study of colchicine in stable CAD leading the pack. Topping the list, however, was TCTMD’s Daily COVID-19 Dispatch. Now entering its seventh month, the Dispatch is a daily compilation of top research and policy news related to SARS-CoV-2. Rounding out the list are a comparison of TAVR devices, a consensus statement on CT angiography in chronic CAD, a pilot study that dropped aspirin following PCI for stable disease, and a heartfelt farewell to James T. Willerson, MD.

1. COVID-19: TCTMD’s Daily Dispatch

We’re curating a list of COVID-19 research and other useful content, and updating it daily.

2. James T. Willerson, Revered Clinician, Editor, and Mentor, Dies at 81

Colleagues and friends remember a warm, funny person with a legendary work ethic who cared deeply for his patients.

3. LoDoCo2: Colchicine Protective in Large RCT of Chronic Coronary Disease

On top of last year’s COLCOT results, the new findings add fuel to the inflammatory hypothesis, researchers say.

4. More Bleeding, Death With Ticagrelor Over Clopidogrel in Elderly Post-MI Patients: SWEDEHEART

More-potent antiplatelet therapy should be used with caution in patients older than 80 years, authors suggest.

5. Which TAVR Device Is Best? Review Tackles Optimal Selection

No valve is better than the others for most patients, but experts say certain variables can sway their choice.

6. EMPEROR-Reduced: Empagliflozin Cuts Hospitalizations, CV Mortality in HFrEF

The SGLT2 inhibitor is the second such agent to show a significant benefit in the treatment of HF, even in those without diabetes.

7. Coronary CTA Should Be First When Assessing Stable CAD: Consensus Document

Their recommendations range from increasing payment and access to providing more education to referring physicians.

8. New European NSTE ACS Guidelines Embrace hs-Troponin, CTA, NOAC Trials

Quick MI rule-out, noninvasive imaging, simpler anticoagulation, SCAD, and MINOCA—all get their due in this year’s update.

9. ‘Aspirin-Free’ Antiplatelet Strategy Feasible After PCI, Pilot Study Suggests

The proof-of-concept study takes “dropping aspirin” to a new level, never introducing the antiplatelet post-PCI in the first place.

10. PARALLAX: Mixed Results for Sacubitril/Valsartan in HFpEF

With PARAGON-HF, this is the second trial that failed to show an overwhelming benefit in this hard-to-treat population.

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All of TCTMD’s coverage from the ESC Congress can be found on our conference page. Our COVID-19 reporting—news, videos, and podcasts—can be found on our COVID-19 Hub.