ACCEL Lite: Featured ACCEL Interviews on Exciting CV Research

American College of Cardiology
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The American College of Cardiology offers select interviews and summaries of cardiology's most interesting research areas from ACCEL's renowned library, hosted by ACCEL Editor-in-Chief Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, FAACPVR.

  1. 4H AGO

    NOTIFY-PICTURE Trial: Real-Time Notification of AI-Derived Incidental CAC on Statin Initiation

    What exactly is incidental coronary artery calcification, and what does it mean when artificial intelligence identifies these calcifications? Incidental coronary artery calcification refers to calcium deposits in the coronary arteries that are detected on imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons. AI now enables clinicians to repurpose routine clinical images to efficiently and scalably assess an individual's risk of atherosclerotic coronary disease. How best to translate these AI‑driven insights into meaningful changes in patient care, however, remains an important area for continued research and clinical guidance.  In this interview, C. Noel Bairey Merz MD, MACC and Ramzi Dudum MD, FACC discuss the NOTIFY-PICTURE Trial: Effects of Real-Time Notification of AI-Detected Incidental Coronary Artery Calcium on Statin Prescription.

    10 min

  2. FEB 10

    VESALIUS-CV Trial: Effect of Evolocumab in Patients at CV Risk without Prior MI or Stroke

    The VESALIUS‑CV trial demonstrated that adding the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab to optimized lipid‑lowering therapy significantly reduced the risk of first major cardiovascular events by 25% in high‑risk adults without prior heart attack or stroke and cut the risk of first heart attack by 36%. These results confirm that intensive LDL‑C lowering with evolocumab provides meaningful primary‑prevention benefits in patients with atherosclerosis or diabetes, achieving substantial event reduction over more than four years of follow‑up.  In this interview, Nanette Kass Wenger MD, MACC and Erin A. Bohula, MD, FACC discuss the VESALIUS-CV Trial: Effect of Evolocumab in Patients at CV Risk without Prior MI or Stroke.

    9 min

  3. FEB 3

    ACCEL Lite: Hypertension Treatment Trials in the Elderly for Brain Health

    Is the evidence convincing that intensive antihypertensive therapy protects brain function and helps prevent dementia? Research increasingly shows that high mid‑life blood pressure is a strong predictor of later cognitive decline. Emerging data further indicate that intensive blood‑pressure lowering can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia while remaining safe for many older adults.  In this interview, Glenn A. Hirsch MD, MHS, FACC and Paul K Whelton, MB, MD, MSc discuss "Hypertension Treatment Trials in the Elderly for Brain Health".

    13 min

  4. JAN 27

    ACCEL Lite: SURPASS-CVOT: Effect of Tirzepatide Versus Dulaglutide on MACE

    In patients with Type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), tirzepatide was non‑inferior to dulaglutide for major cardiovascular events while providing superior kidney protection, lower all‑cause mortality, and greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight. Compared with dulaglutide, a GLP‑1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide demonstrated broader metabolic and clinical benefits. By using dulaglutide as the active comparator rather than a placebo, the trial demonstrated tirzepatide's strong cardiovascular and metabolic profile, supporting its potential for broader use beyond diabetes management.  In this interview, Dipti Itchhaporia MD, MACC and Stephen Nicholls, MBBS, PhD, FACC discuss the SURPASS-CVOT Trial (Effect of Tirzepatide Versus Dulaglutide on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events).

    12 min

  5. JAN 20

    CAUGHT-CAD: Combining Coronary Calcium Score with Treatment on Plaque Progression in Familial CAD

    Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring provides important prognostic value, particularly for individuals at intermediate risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) or those with a family history of the condition. Incorporating computed tomography calcium scoring into a structured disease‑management program may help prevent the progression of coronary plaque, although this strategy has not yet been evaluated in a randomized trial.  In this interview, Allen J. Taylor, MD, FACC and Dr Nitesh Nerlekar, MBBS, PHD discuss the CAUGHT-CAD Randomized Trial: Effects of Combining Coronary Calcium Score with Treatment on Plaque Progression in Familial CAD".

    10 min

  6. JAN 13

    AI-Enabled Nationwide Opportunistic Screening of Non-Contrast Chest CT for Death and CV Outcomes

    AI technology transforms routine chest computed tomography (CT) scans by precisely quantifying—rather than simply detecting—key cardiovascular imaging risk factors such as heart calcification, aorta calcification, and fat around the heart. By shifting from binary "yes or no" findings to actual measurement, clinicians can more accurately identify high‑risk patients and intervene earlier to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. Patients with these imaging risk factors who were already using preventive therapies like statins and aspirin showed lower cardiovascular risk, suggesting the need for larger longitudinal studies to clarify how quantified imaging markers interact with these medications over time.  In this interview, Deepak L. Bhatt MD, FACC and Tzung-Dau Wang, MD, PhD discuss "AI-Enabled Nationwide Opportunistic Screening of Non-Contrast Chest CT for Death and CV Outcomes".

    11 min

  7. JAN 6

    ACCEL Lite: Should There Be a Reappraisal of Surgical Threshold in Patients with AA Dilation?

    Ascending aortopathy (AA) is typically asymptomatic and often diagnosed incidentally, with surgical aortic replacement recommended once aneurysmal thresholds are reached. Emerging evidence suggests that indexing aortic size to patient height may more accurately identify individuals who could benefit from earlier intervention. For AA patients who do not currently meet guideline-based criteria for surgery, the aim is to assess how height-indexed aortic measurements influence longer‑term clinical outcomes in this population.    In this interview, Glenn A. Hirsch MD, MHS, FACC and Milind Y. Desai, MD, MBA, FACC discuss "Should There Be a Reappraisal of Surgical Threshold in Patients with Ascending Aortic Dilation?".

    12 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Top Takeaways from 2025: Preventive Cardiology with C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, MACC

    In this interview, C. Noel Bairey Merz MD, MACC and Alison L. Bailey, MD FACC, discuss the Top Preventive Cardiology Takeaways from 2025 including trials clopidogrel versus aspirin, the benefit of vaccines, statin use in pregnancy, and more.  Suggested Materials:   Valgimigli M, Choi KH, Giacoppo D, et al. Clopidogrel versus aspirin for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Lancet. 2025;406(10508):1091-1102. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01562-4  O'Leary K. Influenza vaccination benefits patients with heart failure. Nature Medicine. 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41591-025-00058-0  Christensen JJ, Holven KB, Bogsrud MP, et al. Statin use in pregnancy and risk of congenital malformations: a Norwegian nationwide study. Eur Heart J. Published online August 21, 2025. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf592  Mozaffarian D, Agarwal M, Aggarwal M, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2025;33(8):1475-1503. doi:10.1002/oby.24336  Brett AS. New Variations on GLP-1–Receptor Agonists are Coming (NEJM/Clinician website). 2025. Available at: https://clinician.nejm.org/new-variations-glp-1receptor-agonists-coming-nejm-jw.NA58926. Accessed 12/17/25.   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Subscribe to ACCEL

    15 min
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The American College of Cardiology offers select interviews and summaries of cardiology's most interesting research areas from ACCEL's renowned library, hosted by ACCEL Editor-in-Chief Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, FAACPVR.

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