High Early Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Newly Diagnosed Cardiomyopathy: Insights from the German SCD‑PROTECT Wearable Defibrillator Registry

High Early Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Newly Diagnosed Cardiomyopathy: Insights from the German SCD‑PROTECT Wearable Defibrillator Registry

The nationwide SCD‑PROTECT study (n=19,598) found substantial early risk of sustained VT/VF in newly diagnosed ischaemic and non‑ischaemic cardiomyopathy; wearable cardioverter‑defibrillators (WCDs) delivered life‑saving therapy with low inappropriate shock rates while ~52% recovered LVEF >35% during a mean 66‑day WCD period.
Gender‑Affirming Hormone Therapy and Acute Cardiovascular Events: Dutch Cohort Finds Lower MI but Higher VTE in Transgender Women, Elevated MI and Stroke Risk in Transgender Men

Gender‑Affirming Hormone Therapy and Acute Cardiovascular Events: Dutch Cohort Finds Lower MI but Higher VTE in Transgender Women, Elevated MI and Stroke Risk in Transgender Men

A large Dutch cohort study found that after adjusting for socioeconomic status and lifestyle, transgender women on oestradiol had lower myocardial infarction (MI) risk but higher venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk; transgender men on testosterone had higher MI and ischaemic stroke risk.
Comprehensive Review of the EMPEROR-Preserved Trial: Efficacy and Outcomes of Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Comprehensive Review of the EMPEROR-Preserved Trial: Efficacy and Outcomes of Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

This review comprehensively summarizes recent studies (2021–2024) from the EMPEROR-Preserved trial, highlighting empagliflozin’s consistent benefits on cardiovascular and renal outcomes, quality of life, and key clinical subgroups in HFpEF patients.
Cryoballoon Ablation Is Non‑Inferior to Radiofrequency for 1‑Year Arrhythmia Control in Persistent AF — but Left Atrium Shrinks Less: Insights from the CRRF‑PeAF Trial

Cryoballoon Ablation Is Non‑Inferior to Radiofrequency for 1‑Year Arrhythmia Control in Persistent AF — but Left Atrium Shrinks Less: Insights from the CRRF‑PeAF Trial

The randomized CRRF‑PeAF trial (n=499) found cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation non‑inferior to radiofrequency ablation for 1‑year atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence in persistent atrial fibrillation, but radiofrequency produced greater left atrial reverse remodelling.
Routine Coronary Function Testing in ANOCA Improves Symptoms: Key Results from the ILIAS ANOCA Trial

Routine Coronary Function Testing in ANOCA Improves Symptoms: Key Results from the ILIAS ANOCA Trial

The ILIAS ANOCA randomized trial shows that routine invasive coronary function testing (CFT) during angiography in patients with angina and non‑obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA) is feasible, safe, yields a high diagnostic rate of vasomotor disorders (78%), and—when disclosed with a tailored treatment protocol—produces a clinically meaningful improvement in angina-related quality of life at 6 months.
Aspirin in the Healthy Elderly: ASPREE’s Clear Message — No Benefit, Higher Bleeding, and Unexpected Cancer Signal

Aspirin in the Healthy Elderly: ASPREE’s Clear Message — No Benefit, Higher Bleeding, and Unexpected Cancer Signal

ASPREE randomized ~19,000 older adults to low‑dose aspirin or placebo. Over ~4.7 years, aspirin did not improve disability‑free survival or reduce cardiovascular events, increased major bleeding, and showed a surprising rise in cancer‑related death; extended follow‑up confirmed no long‑term MACE benefit.