ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research – Details, episodes & analysis

Disparities in health care disproportionally impact under-resourced and minority communities resulting in excess mortality and morbidity. Decreasing and eliminating these disparities will improve health statistics for all. The American College of Cardiology's (ACC) Health Equity Task Force is demonstrating its commitment to health equity through championing the improvement of patients’ lived experiences, population health, and clinician well-being while reducing health care costs—the Quadruple Aim of Health Equity.  

In this interview, Drs. Richard Chazal and Paul Douglass discuss Achieving Equitable Cardiovascular Care for All: ACC Board of Trustees Health Equity Task Force Action Plan.  

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Medical therapy is critical in preventing the worst complications of peripheral artery disease (PAD), among them heart attack, stroke, bleeding risk, and leg disease, which could lead to acute limb ischemia and amputation. Blood thinning medications (antithrombotic therapy) have shown rapid evolution and broad benefits and novel approved strategies that improve outcomes are available. It is imperative that clinicians select appropriate patients for use and consider the complex situations for management. 

In this interview, Drs. Cindy Grines and Marc Bonaca discuss Antithrombotic Strategies for Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: JACC Scientific Statement. 

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The goal of the ABYSS (Assessment of Beta-Blocker Interruption 1 Year After an Uncomplicated Myocardial Infarction on Safety and Symptomatic Cardiac Events Requiring Hospitalization) trial was to evaluate beta-blocker interruption compared with beta-blocker continuation after an uncomplicated myocardial infarction (MI). Although the efficacy of beta blockers on decreasing mortality has diminished in the reperfusion era in patients without heart failure, this class of well tolerated drugs  remain useful to decrease the rate of rehospitalization in patients who have suffered MI. 

 In this interview, Drs. Deepak Bhatt and Johanne Silvain discuss the results of ABYSS and beta blocker interruption in patients with prior MI. 

 References: 

1. Silvain J, Cayla G, Ferrari E, et al., for the ABYSS Investigators of the ACTION Study Group. Beta-Blocker Interruption or Continuation After Myocardial Infarction. N Engl J Med 2024;Aug 30:[Epub ahead of print]. 

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It is imperative that clinicians understand the differences in each patient and how effective therapies must be individualized and often combined to treat patients with varying profiles. Efforts to unify heart failure across the ejection fraction and rebrand "heart failure" to "heart success" may be achieved by better understanding patients to prevent progression to stage C or D.  

In this episode, Dr. Jim Januzzi interviews guideline author Dr. Lynne Stevenson on the importance of understanding the optimal evaluation and management of patients with heart failure.  

This podcast is part of the Heart Failure & SGLT2is: The New Pillar in Care grant initiative. 

In this interview, Vidhu Anand, MD, FACC, and Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, provide a comprehensive exploration of Low Flow-Low Gradient Aortic Stenosis, shedding light on its definition and exploring treatment approaches for patients with HF. 

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With EMPACT-MI being presented at ACC, the definitive study of an additional agent (empagliflozin) will allow for a great discussion on options for patients who have acute MI and evidence of heart failure. 

In this interview, Schuyler Jones, MD FACC, and Purvi Parwani, MBBS, MPH, FACC discuss Not the Same Old 5 Medications: Contemporary GDMT Algorithm in the Post-MI Patient. 

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High levels of Lp(a) impact approximately 1 in 5 individuals globally, signaling an elevated risk of heart attacks, strokes, and valve disease. How should clinicians navigate this challenge, given the current lack of specific treatment options? 

 In this interview, Raul Santos MD, PhD, and Sun Moon Kim MD, FACC discuss strategies to lowering an elevated Lp(a) based on current evidence and available treatments. 

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Understanding the etiology of left ventricular hypertrophy is increasingly important due to the increasing number of targeted therapies coming online. This discussion provides a high-level approach to differentiating important causes of increased wall thickness. 

 In this interview, Timothy C. Wong, MD, MS, FACC and Sidney C. Smith Jr., MD, MACC discuss pitfalls in the diagnosis of HCM. 

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Incorporating spiritual evaluation into medical science is worth consideration. The presence of edifying emotions can potentially yield positive effects on hypertension treatment outcomes. 

In this interview, Maria Emília Figueiredo Teixeira, MD, PhD and Sidney C. Smith Jr., MD, MACC discuss the primary findings uncovered by the Feel Trial. 

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If there were a pill that could lower blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, improve erectile function and lower cardiovascular risk, would you take it? Good, because we already have it, and it comes pre-packaged in plant-based foods. 

In this interview, Robert Ostfeld MD, MSc, FACC and Alison L. Bailey, MD FACC explore the vital link between nutrition and cardiovascular health. 

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