Todd Villines, MD, is the Donald C. Barnes Professor of Cardiology in Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, executive editor of JACC Advances, and vice chief of clinical services in the cardiovascular division at UVA Health.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based quantitative coronary topography (CT) scans in patients with suspected 

 may improve diagnostic certainty and expedite necessary treatment.

AI-Driven Quantification of Coronary Plaque Outperforms Standard Care in Suspected CAD

American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026

 in Chicago, Illinois, by Todd Villines, MD, Donald C. Barnes Professor of Cardiology in Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, executive editor of JACC Advances, and vice chief of clinical services in the cardiovascular division at UVA Health.

“While patients oftentimes do get definitive answers with stress testing, we know that many times it leaves them still questioning whether they have plaque,” Villines told 

 in an exclusive interview. “That diagnostic certainty can be important, because when providers order a test, they want a definitive answer.”

PARAMOUNT was a prospective randomized open-label trial evaluating the hypothesis that a personalized management strategy for patients with suspected CAD using an AI-powered, CT-based coronary atherosclerotic plaque assessment improves diagnostic certainty, control of risk factors, and efficiency of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) referral. Patients were eligible if they were >18 years old and were symptomatic with suspicion of CAD. Those with LDL <100 mg/dL, those who were currently or previously treated beyond primary prevention guidelines, and those with suspected acute coronary syndrome, among other criteria, were excluded.

Patients were randomly assigned to receive either coronary plaque-based care or usual care – the former saw patients undergo CCTA with an AI-enabled quantitative assessment of morphology and composition of atherosclerotic plaque, while the latter saw patients referred to their usual care providers for standard-of-care management post-stress test findings. The primary endpoint was whether a management strategy improves efficiency and effectiveness – this was divided into multiple elements, including improved diagnostic certainty, reductions in LDL, freedom from ICA without obstructive CAD, and freedom from PCI without findings of significant stenosis.

Villines and colleagues randomized a total of 530 patients between January 2025 and February 2026 across 21 participating sites. Among these patients, median age was 57 years, 57% were women, and median baseline LDL-C was 128 mg/dL. By 180 days, plaque-based care was shown to be favorable to standard-of-care (win ratio, 2; 95% CI, 1.37-2.56; 

 <.0001). Diagnostic certainty regarding the presence of CAD was the largest contributor to the primary endpoint, with a win ratio of 16.6%.

Ultimately, the team concluded that AI-QCT plaque assessments may be able to give physicians greater certainty when evaluating chest pain. However, these data were still preliminary – the full results are reportedly expected in early 2027.

“The ability to send these data sets and rapidly analyze them and get a standardized report back is only going to get quicker and faster and more widely utilized with time,” Villines said. “We think that, with the growing number of coronary CT scans, that AI will help reading physicians be more efficient: they’ll help with pre-reads, help with plaque staging, things that will hopefully make their job easier.”

Editors’ Note: Villines reports being a consultant for Cleerly, HeartFlow, and Milestone.

Villines T, Foldyna B, Aquino M, et al. A Randomized Comparison of Personalized Management for Medical and Interventional Therapy Based on Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque versus Usual Care for Symptomatic Patients With Suspicion of Coronary Artery Disease: Primary Results of the PARAMOUNT Trial. Presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026, Chicago, IL. November 6-9, 2026.

Cleerly. A Randomized Comparison of Personalized Therapy Mgmt Based On Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Vs. Usual Care for Symptomatic Patients With Suspicion of CAD (PARAMOUNT). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06713239. Updated June 5, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. 

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06713239?term=NCT06713239&rank=1

PARAMOUNT, the First Randomized Trial of AI-Enabled Plaque-Based Care, Meets Primary Endpoint in Late-Breaking Results at AHA 2026. 

. November 7, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261107769280/en/PARAMOUNT-the-First-Randomized-Trial-of-AI-Enabled-Plaque-Based-Care-Meets-Primary-Endpoint-in-Late-Breaking-Results-at-AHA-2026

Videos

Todd Villines, MD, discusses the PARAMOUNT trial, which contrasted AI-based CT scan analysis against standard-of-care in patients with suspected CAD.

News

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Cardiology

Cardiology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for heart disease and cardiovascular events, as well as associated diabetes, renal failure, and more...

Conference

 conference coverage page features articles, videos, and expert-led live coverage from major medical meetings throughout the year.

Gregory Piazza, MD, MS, is a cardiovascular medicine specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Amrecibart and cenvacibart both substantially reduced venous 

 rates after peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) use, according to new data from the ROXI-CATH trial.

FXI Inhibitors Reduce Venous Thrombosis Risk After Central Catheter Insertion

 in Chicago, Illinois, by Gregory Piazza, MD, MS, a cardiovascular medicine specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

“In practice, in the setting of long-term indwelling catheter device leads, we see quite often that when patients develop thrombosis, it can interrupt their therapy,” Piazza told 

 in an exclusive interview. “It can interrupt their chemotherapy, their nutrition, or their antibiotics. Factor XI is the first real sign of promise that we have for preventing contact-mediated thrombosis.”

ROXI-CATH was a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of amrecibart 300 mg (REGN9933) and cenvacibart 250 mg (REGN7508) versus placebo in patients undergoing a PICC placement. The trial enrolled patients with a clinical indication for PICC of ≤14 days, a body weight ≥45 kg and ≤130 kg during screening, and international normalized ratio (INR) and aPTT values at or below the upper limit of normal, among other criteria. Patients with unsuccessful PICC placement, a history of prior venous thrombosis in the arm, or peripheral catheters in the same arm, among other criteria, were excluded.

Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive a single intravenous dose of either amrecibart, cenvacibart, or placebo. The study included 3 primary endpoints, which were incidence of confirmed thrombosis, incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and severity of TEAEs. Key secondary outcomes included incidence of confirmed PICC-associated venous thrombosis, incidence of major bleeding, and concentrations of either amrecibart or cenvacibart in serum by day 75.

Piazza and colleagues included a total of 194 patients in the full analysis set. Among these patients, mean age was 58 years and 61.9% had active cancer. By day 14, adjudicated venous thrombosis events occurred in 13 of 65 (20%) patients receiving amrecibart (odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 90% CI, 0.18-0.65) and 13 of 66 (19.7%) patients receiving cenvacibart (OR, 0.36; 90% CI, 0.17-0.64), compared to 27 of 63 (42.9%) patients in the placebo arm.

Additionally, TEAEs occurred in 45/65, 42/66, and 48/63 patients in the amrecibart, cenvacibart, and placebo arms, respectively. No patients exhibited major bleeding during the study period. Clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding occurred in 2 patients in each arm, and 1 patient in the cenvacibart arm developed an acute traumatic subdural hemorrhage on day 28, dying on day 31. Another 5 deaths unrelated to thrombosis occurred across all treatment arms.

Ultimately, Piazza and colleagues concluded that a single infusion of either amrecibart or cenvacibart effectively reduced venous thrombosis event rates after PICC insertion, indicating FXI’s potential role as a novel antithrombotic strategy for contact-mediated thrombosis.

“It’s really fascinating what we’re seeing with factor XI and these different agents,” Piazza said. “I think all of these agents have nuances about them that could make them preferable in one area versus another. In some of the other agents that have been tested, there is variability in how much factor XI inhibition they produce, but in ROXI-CATH we saw really profound inhibition, which I think gave us the strong results in efficacy.”

Editors’ Note: Piazza reports disclosures with Bristol Myers Squibb/Pfizer, Janssen, Bayer, Amgen, Regeneron, Alexion, and others.

Zwicker J, Kithart A, Kaplan J, et al. Amrecibart and Cenvacibart for the Prevention of Catheter-Related Thrombosis: A Phase 2, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (ROXI-CATH). Presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026, Chicago, IL. November 6-9, 2026.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. A Trial to Learn How Well REGN9933 and REGN7508 Work for Preventing Blood Clots, and How Safe They Are, in Adults Who Have a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) (ROXI-CATH). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06299111. Updated April 13, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. 

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06299111?term=NCT06299111&rank=1

Gregory Piazza, MD, MS, discusses the results of ROXI-CATH, which illustrated amrecibart’s and cenvacibart’s efficacy in reducing thrombosis events without increasing bleeding.

Stroke

On the HCPLive stroke page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into CVA can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on stroke medicine, and more.

Abigail Brooks is a strategic content lead overseeing 

She joined MJH Life Sciences in August 2023 shortly after graduating from Monmouth University where she earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations/Journalism and later an MA in Interactive Digital Media. She enjoys traveling, running, and reading books. She can be reached at abrooks@mjhlifesciences.com.

Functional cure achieved with 24 weeks of bepirovirsen was durable in 91% of responders with 

chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

 through Week 96, 48 weeks after stopping all HBV treatment, according to end-of-study results from the phase 3 B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 trials presented at 

Man-Fung Yuen, MD, PhD, of the University of Hong Kong, presented the data. The US Food and Drug Administration approved bepirovirsen (Hibsago) on October 20, 2026, as the first antisense oligonucleotide for chronic HBV infection, for use with nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy in adults without cirrhosis and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of 3000 IU/mL or less.³

How Durable Was Functional Cure With Bepirovirsen?

B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 randomized noncirrhotic adults with NA-suppressed chronic HBV infection (HBV DNA <90 IU/mL) and HBsAg above 100 to 3000 IU/mL to bepirovirsen 300 mg or placebo weekly for 24 weeks.¹,² Eligible participants discontinued NAs at Week 48. Functional cure was defined as HBV DNA below the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) and HBsAg loss sustained for at least 24 weeks off all therapy.¹

At Week 72, 19% (233/1220) of bepirovirsen recipients achieved functional cure, compared with none of 614 placebo recipients.¹,² Among those with baseline HBsAg of 1000 IU/mL or less, the rate was 26% (200/768) vs 0% (0/393). A total of 291 bepirovirsen-treated participants who stopped NAs entered the durability stage after Week 72.¹

Among responders who stopped NAs and completed Week 96, durable functional cure occurred in 90% (114/127) in B-Well 1 and 92% (97/105) in B-Well 2, for a pooled rate of 91%.¹ Durability was similar among participants with baseline HBsAg of 1000 IU/mL or less. HBV DNA suppression off all treatment was maintained through Week 96 in 96% of participants with HBV DNA below LLOQ at Week 72.¹

How Did Baseline HBsAg Affect Functional Cure Rates?

In a post hoc pooled analysis, functional cure rates declined as baseline HBsAg increased.¹ Rates at Weeks 72 and 96 were 40% and 35% among participants with baseline HBsAg below 200 IU/mL, 31% and 30% with 200 to less than 300 IU/mL, and 16% and 15% with 500 to less than 1000 IU/mL. Among those with baseline HBsAg of 2500 to 3000 IU/mL, rates were 4% at both timepoints.¹

Beyond functional cure, 49% of bepirovirsen recipients either achieved functional cure or had quantitative HBsAg of 100 IU/mL or less at Week 72.¹ In a post hoc analysis of participants with available Week 96 data, 97% had HBsAg of 100 IU/mL or less.

Among participants who stopped NAs, 5 had HBV DNA replication at Week 72, and 1 had viral relapse and reinitiated NAs.¹ During Weeks 73 to 96, the most common adverse events were upper respiratory tract infection (4%; 12/291), decreased creatinine renal clearance (2%; 5/291), and nasopharyngitis (2%; 5/291). Treatment-related adverse events after bepirovirsen cessation occurred in 2% (5/291) of participants and were single events.¹

, Norah Terrault, MD, MPH, a B-Well coauthor, discussed which patients may be candidates for bepirovirsen, with quantitative HBsAg testing central to selection.⁴

Hou J, Yuen MF, Lim SG, et al. Rates of functional cure in participants with chronic hepatitis B virus infection treated with bepirovirsen: B-Well phase 3 trials end of study results. Presented at: The Liver Meeting 2026; November 5-9, 2026; Denver, CO.

Hou J, Lim SG, Buti M, et al. Phase 3 results of bepirovirsen treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2026;394(24):2395-2406. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2515131

Campbell P. FDA approves bepirovirsen for chronic hepatitis B. HCPLive. Published October 20, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-bepirovirsen-for-chronic-hepatitis-b

Terrault N. Bepirovirsen in hepatitis B: who may qualify, with Norah Terrault, MD, MPH. HCPLive. Published October 29, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/bepirovirsen-in-hepatitis-b-who-may-qualify-with-norah-terrault-md-mph

Articles

End-of-study B-Well data show 91% of patients with chronic hepatitis B who achieved functional cure with bepirovirsen maintained it through Week 96.

Hepatology

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into HCV can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on hepatitis C virus research, treatment, and drug development.

Bepirovirsen Functional Cure Durable Through Week 96 in Chronic Hepatitis B

Patrick Campbell is the editorial director of HCPLive. Patrick has spent years spearheading coverage surrounding cardiometabolic health and rheumatic disease for MJH Life Sciences. Before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2019, he spent time as a beat reporter and/or multimedia specialist with the Pocono Record, Star News Group, and NJ Advance Media. He is the executive producer for multiple HCPLive podcasts, including Diabetes Dialogue, Don't Miss a Beat, Kidney Compass, Medical Ethics Unpacked, The Medical Sisterhood, and Skin of Color Savvy. 


Follow him on Twitter @RealPatCampbell or reach him via email at PCampbell@mjhlifesciences.com.

Byeong-Keuk Kim, MD, PhD
Credit: American Heart Association

Initiating lipid-lowering therapy with a statin plus ezetimibe produced cardiovascular outcomes similar to starting with a statin alone when therapy was titrated to an assigned LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) target in patients with 

 (ASCVD), according to a prespecified secondary analysis of the Ez-PAVE trial presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2026 and published in 

At 3 years, the primary composite end point occurred in 8.5% of patients starting combination therapy and 7.9% of patients starting statin monotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07; 95% CI, 0.83–1.37; 

 Mean LDL-C was lower with combination therapy in both the intensive-target group (53 vs 62 mg/dL) and the conventional-target group (63 vs 70 mg/dL).

 Among patients starting monotherapy, more than 34% in the intensive-target group and nearly 25% in the conventional-target group had ezetimibe added to reach their goal.

“Starting with a statin and adding ezetimibe as needed appears to be a reasonable strategy for people with long-term, stable heart or blood vessel disease whose cholesterol levels are checked regularly and medication doses are adjusted to reach their goals,” said Byeong-Keuk Kim, MD, PhD, study author and professor of cardiology at Yonsei University College of Medicine’s Severance Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. “Starting with combination therapy can lower cholesterol more quickly and may be a practical option, particularly for people whose LDL cholesterol numbers are much higher than their goal LDL level.”


The prespecified analysis compared initial rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe with initial statin monotherapy in 3048 patients with ASCVD, with therapy titrated to an LDL-C target below 55 or below 70 mg/dL.

Did starting with statin-ezetimibe combination therapy improve outcomes?


No. The 3-year primary composite end point occurred in 8.5% vs 7.9% of patients (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.83–1.37), although combination therapy achieved lower LDL-C.


Yes. Rates of new-onset diabetes, statin-associated muscle symptoms, and laboratory abnormalities were similar between the combination and monotherapy groups.

Ez-PAVE design and statin-ezetimibe combination results

Ez-PAVE was a multicenter, open-label, randomized trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design, enrolling 3048 patients with ASCVD at 17 sites in South Korea from January 2021 through July 2022.

 Patients were randomized to an intensive LDL-C target below 55 mg/dL or a conventional target below 70 mg/dL, and separately to initial rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe (n = 1525) or statin monotherapy with rosuvastatin or atorvastatin (n = 1523).

 Therapy was titrated at follow-up visits to reach the assigned target, and the primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, any revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina.

Mean age was 64.4 years, 20.9% of patients were women, and median baseline LDL-C was 76 mg/dL in both groups.

 Results were consistent within the intensive-target group (7.1% vs 6.1%; HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.79–1.73) and the conventional-target group (9.8% vs 9.7%; HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.73–1.40).

 Rates of cardiovascular death (1.2% vs 1.0%), nonfatal MI (1.4% vs 1.1%), nonfatal stroke (0.5% vs 0.7%), and any revascularization (6.6% vs 5.7%) did not differ significantly.

Safety and LDL-C targeting benefit by initial regimen in Ez-PAVE

The benefit of intensive vs conventional LDL-C targeting was consistent regardless of the initial regimen, with HRs of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.50–1.02) for combination therapy and 0.62 (95% CI, 0.43–0.90) for monotherapy (

 In the primary Ez-PAVE analysis, intensive targeting reduced the primary end point compared with conventional targeting (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.52–0.86).

Safety end points were similar between regimens, including new-onset diabetes (17.1% vs 15.6%; HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.87–1.42), statin-associated muscle symptoms (0.7% vs 0.9%), and aminotransferase elevation (2.3% vs 1.6%).

 The investigators noted the second randomization was not powered to compare clinical outcomes between regimens, and the open-label design may have influenced treatment adjustment.

 Other limitations included limited PCSK9 inhibitor use, no use of bempedoic acid or inclisiran, a predominantly male East Asian population, and 3-year follow-up.

“We expected that starting with combination therapy would lead to fewer heart attacks, strokes and other heart problems, but this was not the case,” said Kim. “A previous large study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that adding ezetimibe to a statin reduced the rate of cardiovascular deaths, nonfatal heart attacks, unstable angina requiring rehospitalization, coronary revascularization or nonfatal stroke. However, that study was not primarily designed to adjust treatment to reach a target LDL cholesterol goal, and medication dose changes were limited. We believe the difference was that in our study, medication doses in both treatment groups were adjusted to reach the target LDL cholesterol goal.”

The investigators concluded achieving the assigned LDL-C target through timely treatment adjustment may matter more for outcomes than the choice of initial regimen.

 According to the AHA, future research is needed to identify which patients would benefit most from starting with combination therapy.

Lee SH, Byun YS, Kim JW, et al. Statin-ezetimibe combination therapy vs statin monotherapy in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a prespecified secondary analysis of the randomized Ez-PAVE trial. 

American Heart Association. Starting with a statin or statin plus ezetimibe to lower LDL led to similar heart outcomes. Published November 7, 2026. Accessed November 7, 2026. 

https://newsroom.heart.org/news/starting-with-a-statin-or-statin-plus-ezetimibe-to-lower-ldl-led-to-similar-heart-outcomes

Lee YJ, Lee SJ, Kim JW, et al. Intensive LDL cholesterol targeting in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 

With LDL-C target-guided titration, starting statin plus ezetimibe vs a statin alone yielded similar 3-year events in ASCVD.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Ez-PAVE: Initial Statin-Ezetimibe Combination No Better than Statins Alone

Nadia Ovchinsky, MD, is the director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. 

 after switching from maralixibat to odevixibat, according to preliminary findings from a retrospective chart review presented at 

 in Denver. Gastrointestinal adverse events reported during odevixibat treatment were transient and resolved without discontinuation by the data cutoff.¹

Nadia Ovchinsky, MD, director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discussed the findings in an interview with 

She emphasized that intolerance or inadequate response to one 

ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor

 may not rule out benefit from another in selected patients.

Alagille Syndrome: Maralixibat-to-Odevixibat Switch Linked to Itch Relief

Maralixibat-to-Odevixibat Switch Linked to Pruritus Improvement in ALGS

The multicenter review in France and the US had enrolled 5 patients by March 25, 2026; this interim analysis focused on 3 adolescents. Eligible patients had genetically confirmed ALGS and received each medication for ≥4 weeks.¹

 because of gastrointestinal adverse events, and 1 because of poor adherence with uncontrolled pruritus. After switching, all 3 experienced itch improvement. Diarrhea and abdominal pain each occurred in 2 patients receiving 

, but these events resolved without treatment discontinuation.¹

The findings add preliminary switching experience to randomized evidence from the ASSERT clinical trial (NCT04674761), which demonstrated improvements in scratching scores and serum bile acids with odevixibat versus placebo. ASSERT did not evaluate switching from maralixibat.²

Ovchinsky highlighted adolescence as a vulnerable period, when chronic symptoms can compound school and social pressures. She said adult hepatologists assuming care should understand IBAT inhibitor adverse effects, dose optimization, and the potential role of switching in selected cases.

However, this uncontrolled, retrospective analysis of 3 adolescents cannot establish comparative efficacy or tolerability. Ovchinsky called for individualized treatment strategies and longer follow-up to determine whether targeted therapies affect liver disease prognosis beyond symptom control, alongside defining their long-term safety profiles.

Ovchinsky had no relevant financial disclosures of note.

Ovchinsky N, Ruiz M, Tiret A, et al. Real-world experience with switching to odevixibat from maralixibat in patients with Alagille syndrome: a retrospective chart review. Presented at: The Liver Meeting 2026; Denver, CO.

Ovchinsky N, Aumar M, Baker A, et al. Efficacy and safety of odevixibat in patients with Alagille syndrome (ASSERT): a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. 

Preliminary findings presented at The Liver Meeting 2026 may help inform clinical decisions in adolescents with ALGS transitioning to adult hepatology care.

Strategic Alliance Partnership

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD, is a Professor of Medicine, Director of Hepatology, and Associate Program Director at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Raj Vuppalanchi, MD, explains how liver stiffness is becoming a prognostic tool in PBC and PSC, and why context matters when interpreting the number.

Cholangitis

cholangitis page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into cholangitis can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on research, treatment, and drug development in PBC, PSC, and more!

Liver Stiffness Shifts From Diagnostic to Prognostic Tool in PBC and PSC

ALA Spokesperson and professor at Baylor College of Medicine.

IL-33-targeted therapy may reach most patients with COPD regardless of eosinophil count, but questions remain about how drugs act on its 2 forms.

COPD

COPD condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on COPD research, treatment, and drug development.

Pulmonology

Infectious Disease condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on respiratory health. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, and more.

Targeting IL-33 in COPD: Who Benefits and What Remains Unknown

Stopping statins was noninferior at 2 years in adults 70 and older without CVD, but events were higher over full follow-up (12.7% vs 9.2%).

Dyslipidemia

STREAM: Statin Discontinuation Noninferior in Older Adults Without CVD

Post hoc phase 2 data show survodutide improved MASH and fibrosis endpoints across all weight loss categories, including patients losing less than 5%.

MASH / MASLD

The HCPLive MASH & MASLD page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and steatohepatitis. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, and more.

Survodutide Improves MASH Liver Endpoints Across Weight Loss Categories

Asundexian lowered ischemic stroke without more major bleeding across low, intermediate, and high Framingham risk groups (all P interaction > .25).

Neurology

Neurology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on nervous system disorders. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, PTSD, and more.

Asundexian Effect Consistent Across Vascular Risk Levels in OCEANIC-STROKE

Adding spironolactone lowered 3-month home SBP by 7.7 mm Hg vs standard care in 160 stroke survivors with uncontrolled hypertension.

Hypertension

The HCPLive hypertension page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on high blood pressure. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for hypertension, and more.

Common Diuretic Linked to Home Blood Pressure Lowering After Stroke

A systolic target below 120 mm Hg lowered major cardiovascular events vs below 140 mm Hg in 4368 patients with prior ischemic stroke or TIA.

AHA 2026: Intensive Blood Pressure Control Reduces Events After Ischemic Stroke

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy was tied to 30% higher odds of critical congenital heart disease in a study of 44 million US births.

Pediatrics

Pediatrics page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into childhood health care can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on pediatric disease research, treatment, and drug development.

Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy Increases Likelihood of Heart Defects

Ahmad Masri, MD, MS, is the director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Oregon Health and Science University. 

Ahmad Masri, MD, MS, highlights HCM agents to watch in 2027, including sotagliflozin and EDG-7500, and how MAPLE-HCM challenged beta-blocker use.

Cardiomyopathy

The HCM pipeline and Moving Past Beta-Blockers, with Ahmad Masri, MD, MS

Ahmad Masri, MD, MS, discusses the move toward medical therapy in HCM, the nonobstructive treatment gap, and imaging's role in diagnosis and follow-up.

Latest News

AI-Driven Quantification of Coronary Plaque Outperforms Standard Care in Suspected CAD

FXI Inhibitors Reduce Venous Thrombosis Risk After Central Catheter Insertion

Bepirovirsen Functional Cure Durable Through Week 96 in Chronic Hepatitis B

Ez-PAVE: Initial Statin-Ezetimibe Combination No Better than Statins Alone

Maralixibat-to-Odevixibat Switch Linked to Pruritus Improvement in ALGS