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. 4D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 12/17/2025

    Top Takeaways from 2025: EP with DJ Lakkireddy, MBBS, FACC

    In this interview, DJ Lakkireddy, MBBS, FACC and Alison L. Bailey, MD FACC, discuss the Top Electrophysiology Takeaways from 2025 including trials CLOSURE-AF, ALONE-AF, NEMESIS-PFA, and more.   Suggested Materials:  1. Verma A, Birnie DH, Jiang C, et al. Antithrombotic Therapy after Successful Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. Published online November 8, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2509688    2. Landmesser U, Skurk C, Kirchhof P, et al. Catheter-based left atrial appendage CLOSURE in patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk of stroke and bleeding as compared to best medical therapy: Rationale and design of the prospective randomized CLOSURE-AF trial. Am Heart J. Published online September 12, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2025.09.005   3. Kim D, Shim J, Choi EK, et al. Long-Term Anticoagulation Discontinuation After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: The ALONE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2025;334(14):1246-1254. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.14679    4. Lakkireddy D, Katapadi A, Garg J, et al. NEMESIS-PFA: Investigating Collateral Tissue Injury Associated With Pulsed Field Ablation. JACC Clin Electrophysiol. 2025;11(8):1747-1756. doi:10.1016/j.jacep.2025.04.017    5. Wazni OM, Saliba WI, Nair DG, et al. Left Atrial Appendage Closure after Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(13):1277-1287. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2408308   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Subscribe to ACCEL

    19 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Multimodality Imaging in Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy

    Multimodality imaging plays a pivotal role in evaluating inflammatory cardiomyopathy, particularly when cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is suspected. Symptoms of CS include unexplained high-grade AV block, ventricular arrhythmias, reduced left ventricular function, or regional wall thinning without coronary disease. The best evaluation combines cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for structural and scar assessment with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) for detecting active inflammation and extracardiac involvement.    In this interview, Michelle Kittleson MD, FACC and Ron Blankstein, MD, FACC discuss "Multimodality Imaging in Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy."  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Subscribe to ACCEL

    9 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    Top Takeaways from 2025: Clinical Cardiology with Allen J. Taylor, MD, FACC

    In this interview, Allen J. Taylor, MD, FACC and Alison L. Bailey, MD FACC, discuss the Top Clinical Cardiology Takeaways from 2025 including trials SCOT-HEART 2, ALONE-AF, Launch-HTN, and more.     Suggested Materials:  1. Kim D, Shim J, Choi EK, et al. Long-Term Anticoagulation Discontinuation After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: The ALONE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2025;334(14):1246-1254. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.14679   2. Lemesle G, Didier R, Steg PG, et al. Aspirin in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome Receiving Oral Anticoagulation. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(16):1578-1588. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2507532   3. Packer M, Zile MR, Kramer CM, et al. Tirzepatide for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(5):427-437. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2410027   4. Flack JM, Azizi M, Brown JM, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Baxdrostat in Uncontrolled and Resistant Hypertension. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(14):1363-1374. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2507109   5. Saxena M, Laffin L, Borghi C, et al. Lorundrostat in Participants With Uncontrolled Hypertension and Treatment-Resistant Hypertension: The Launch-HTN Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2025;334(5):409-418. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.9413   6. McDermott M, Khaing PH, Meah MN, et al. CT Angiography, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, and Preventive Therapy: A Nested Substudy of the SCOT-HEART 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2025;10(8):841-850. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2025.1763  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Subscribe to ACCEL

    19 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    Top Takeaways from 2025: Interventional Cardiology with Deepak Bhatt, MD, MPH, MBA, FACC

    In this interview, Deepak Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC and Alison L. Bailey, MD FACC, discuss the Top Interventional Cardiology Takeaways from 2025 including DanGer Shock trial, revascularization in STEMI, aspirin withdrawal after PCI, and more.     Suggested Materials:  1. Møller JE, Beske RP, Engstrøm T, et al. Long-Term Outcomes of the DanGer Shock Trial. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(10):1037-1038. doi:10.1056/NEJMc2508284      2. Ueyama HA, Akita K, Kiyohara Y, et al. Optimal Strategy for Complete Revascularization in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Multivessel Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2025;85(1):19-38. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2024.09.1231     3. Généreux P, Schwartz A, Oldemeyer JB, et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement for Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(3):217-227. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2405880      4. Guimarães PO, Franken M, Tavares CAM, et al. Early Withdrawal of Aspirin after PCI in Acute Coronary Syndromes. N Engl J Med. Published online August 31, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2507980    5. 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  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Subscribe to ACCEL

    17 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    PANTHER-P2Y12 Inhibitor or Aspirin moNoTHERapy as Secondary Prevention in Patients with CAD

    he PANTHER study indicates that clopidogrel provides superior protection against major cardiovascular events compared to aspirin in patients with coronary artery disease, without increasing bleeding risk. This supports its use in individuals at higher risk of gastrointestinal complications, reinforcing current clinical preferences. Overall, these results could inform long-term treatment strategies and improve outcomes for millions of patients worldwide.    In this interview, Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC and Prof. Marco Valgimigli discuss "PANTHER-P2Y12 Inhibitor or Aspirin moNoTHERapy as Secondary Prevention in Patients with CAD".    Suggested Materials:  1. Giacoppo D, Gragnano F, Watanabe H, et al. P2Y12 inhibitor or aspirin after percutaneous coronary intervention: individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMJ. 2025;389:e082561. Published 2025 Jun 4. doi:10.1136/bmj-2024-082561  2. Valgimigli M, Hong SJ, Gragnano F, et al. De-escalation to ticagrelor monotherapy versus 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with and without acute coronary syndromes: a systematic review and individual patient-level meta-analysis of randomised trials. Lancet. 2024;404(10456):937-948. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01616-7  3. P2Y(12) Inhibitor or Aspirin Monotherapy for Secondary Prevention of Coronary Events. Gragnano F, Cao D, Pirondini L, Franzone A, Kim HS, von Scheidt M, Pettersen AR, Zhao Q, Woodward M, Chiarito M, McFadden EP, Park KW, Kastrati A, Seljeflot I, Zhu Y, Windecker S, Kang J, Schunkert H, Arnesen H, Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Calabrò P, Pocock S, Mehran R, Valgimigli M; PANTHER Collaboration. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023;82(2):89-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.04.051  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Subscribe to ACCEL

    12 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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