AstraZeneca announced positive results from the Bax24 Phase III trial on October 10, 2025, evaluating baxdrostat, a highly selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor, in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension (rHTN). The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 12 weeks compared to placebo.
Amgen announced on October 2, 2025, that the Phase 3 VESALIUS-CV trial successfully met its dual primary endpoints, establishing Repatha (evolocumab) as the first PCSK9 inhibitor to significantly reduce cardiovascular events in primary prevention settings. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled over 12,000 adults at high cardiovascular risk, including those with known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or high-risk diabetes, but without prior myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke. Participants had elevated lipid levels (LDL-C ≥90 mg/dL, non-HDL-C ≥120 mg/dL, or apolipoprotein B ≥80 mg/dL) despite optimized lipid-lowering therapy, with approximately 85% on high- or moderate-intensity LDL-C reducing regimens like statins.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of heart failure (HF), with left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) linked to better outcomes, including reduced hospitalizations and mortality. While guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) promotes LVRR in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the role of ivabradine—a selective If-channel inhibitor recommended for HFrEF patients in sinus rhythm with resting heart rate (HR) ≥75 bpm despite GDMT—remains underexplored in relation to achieved HR and LVRR. This retrospective study at Severance Hospital (2012-2021) analyzed 255 patients with idiopathic non-ischemic DCM (NIDCM), defined by LVEF ≤35% and dilated left ventricle (LV), excluding ischemic, valvular, or other secondary etiologies via comprehensive diagnostics including cardiac MRI.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) poses a major threat to patients with type 2 diabetes, even without prior events. While aspirin is recommended for primary prevention in high-risk diabetic individuals, its benefits are offset by increased bleeding risks, particularly gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Clopidogrel, a P2Y12 inhibitor, has shown fewer GI events in secondary prevention trials, but its role in primary prevention remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of clopidogrel versus aspirin in high- and very high-risk diabetic patients without ASCVD, using real-world data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) from 2010-2019.
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a significant health issue, with sacubitril/valsartan (an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor) improving outcomes but potentially causing hyperkalemia due to aldosterone suppression and interactions with other therapies. This study evaluated potassium levels and hyperkalemia prevalence in HFrEF patients post-initiation, comparing pre- and post-treatment rates in a real-world Saudi cohort to inform monitoring strategies.
This secondary analysis of the ARCADIA trial, a randomized study comparing apixaban versus aspirin for secondary stroke prevention in patients with cryptogenic stroke and atrial cardiopathy, investigated the relationship between left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and recurrent ischemic stroke, as well as the efficacy of apixaban in this context.
