Funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) of the Department of Defense, the WARRIOR (Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce events In non-ObstRuctive CAD) Trial addresses the urgent need for evidence-based care in a growing population of patients—particularly women—experiencing ischemia without obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA).

This clinical strategy trial compares optimal medical therapy with usual care in women with angina but no significant coronary blockages. In this episode, Drs. Nanette Kass Wenger and Noel Bairey Merz discuss the trial’s design, enrollment progress, follow-up strategies, and the primary and secondary outcomes that could reshape cardiovascular care for women.

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Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) often experience significant walking difficulties, and there are limited therapies available to improve their mobility. Investigation made through the STRIDE (Effects of Semaglutide on Functional Capacity in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Peripheral Arterial Disease) trial focused on semaglutide, a drug known for promoting weight loss, reducing inflammation, and lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke, to determine if it could enhance the functional abilities of PAD patients.

In this interview, Drs. Alison Bailey and Marc Bonaca discuss how the STRIDE trial data supports the use of semaglutide for individuals with PAD and type 2 diabetes, highlighting its cardiometabolic, cardiovascular, and kidney benefits, as well as its ability to improve function, symptoms, and overall quality of life.

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Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as the preferred treatment for aortic stenosis. However, there is a lack of long-term outcome data for low-risk patients. The 5-year results from the Evolut Low-Risk randomized trial address this gap, offering compelling evidence with no significant negative signals regarding TAVR's clinical outcomes and valve performance.

In this episode, Drs. Richard A. Chazal and Michael J. Reardon delve into the 5-year results from the Evolut Low-Risk randomized trial, offering valuable insights about the future of TAVR and its impact on patient care.

Related References:

1. Popma JJ, Deeb GM, Yakubov SJ, et al; Evolut Low Risk Trial Investigators. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Self-Expanding Valve in Low-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med. 2019 May 2;380(18):1706-1715. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1816885. Epub 2019 Mar 16. PMID: 30883053.

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Fluid restriction is often recommended for heart failure (HF) patients to prevent congestion, but its benefits and safety are unclear. The FRESH-UP study is the first to show that strict fluid restriction does not improve health status for chronic, symptomatic HF patients and may increase thirst distress without reducing mortality, hospitalization, acute kidney injury, or medication needs.

In this interview, Roland RJ van Kimmenade, MD and Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC discuss the impacts of the FRESH-UP study and how liberal fluid intake is safe for chronic HF patients, even enhancing their well-being. Providers are encouraged to reconsider universal fluid restrictions and adopt a more individualized approach.

RELATED REFERENCES:

1. Herrmann JJ, Brunner-La Rocca HP, Baltussen LE, et al. Liberal Fluid Intake Versus Fluid Restriction in Chronic Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Nat Med 2025;Mar 30:[Epub ahead of print].

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare and potentially fatal form of elevated blood pressure in the lungs. CTEPH treatment overall is a very complex clinical assessment and medical decision. Treatment options may include pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) surgery, balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), or medical therapy. 

In this interview, Drs. Shashank Sinha and Anjali Vaidya discuss how to approach the treatment decision for CTEPH once a diagnosis has been made. 

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The 2024 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC)/multisociety guideline for perioperative cardiovascular (CV) management for noncardiac surgery, released in September 2024, marks the fourth comprehensive revision of the perioperative guideline since its inception in 1996. This latest update reflects the most current, evidence-based recommendations, shaped by expert clinical insight, to guide the management of patients with CV conditions undergoing noncardiac surgery.

In this interview, Drs. Andrew Kates and Annemarie Thompson discuss the key updates from the 2014 guideline, highlighting significant changes and exploring its guidance on evaluating patients with CV disease before noncardiac surgery. 

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In this interview, Drs. Richard Chazal and Mikhail Kosiborod explore the rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape of obesity, with a particular focus on the cardiovascular benefits of emerging treatments. They delve into the impact of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in enhancing cardiovascular outcomes and improving survival across diverse clinical settings. Their discussion highlights the latest advancements in these therapies, shedding light on their role in reshaping the management of cardiometabolic diseases. 

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Drafting messages, summarizing charts, managing appointments, and assessing eligibility are all tasks that large language models can streamline. However, integrating them safely and effectively—whether in small practices or large healthcare institutions—poses unique challenges.

In this interview, Drs. Dipti Itchhaporia and Marly van Assen explore key strategies and safeguards designed to reduce errors and enhance reliability in high-stakes environments like healthcare.

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