European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

This page includes news from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The ESC represents more than 95,000 men and women in the field of cardiology from Europe, the Mediterranean basin. It is the European umbrella cardiology organization, which includes the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), which hosts the large EuroPCR meeting; the European Heart Rhythm Society (EHRA); European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI); European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC); and the Association for Acute Cardiovascular Care (ACVC).

Predicting sudden cardiac death after a heart attack may be impossible—for now

Researchers tried to crack the code, but they fell short time and time again. AI may offer potential as one way to finally find an answer, they added. 

heart surgery surgeons

SAVR associated with several long-term benefits for patients with asymptomatic severe AS

The current evidence suggests early surgery is a better treatment option for asymptomatic severe AS than conservative care, researchers explained.

Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), and a cardiologist and the Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine at the Yale school Medicine, explains some of the key technology advances he is watching across cardiology.

JACC editor excited by progress during a 'very important moment' for cardiology

Harlan Krumholz, MD, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, explains some of the key technology and treatment trends he has his eyes on.

cardiologists evaluating the human heart to provide a treatment strategy

Treating AFib with another ablation after PVI provides little value

Care teams regularly targeting AFib symptoms with LVA ablation in addition to PVI may want to reconsider. 

Pausing oral anticoagulation during TAVR reduces bleeding risk

The findings, based on data from more than 800 TAVR patients, suggest that skipping OAC medications for a small amount of time could make a big impact.

OCT-guided PCI, or optical coherence tomography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention.

OCT-guided PCI boosts outcomes when treating complex lesions

When PCI patients present with complex lesions, optical coherence tomography may provide significant value.

PCI interventional cardiology

PCI before TAVR a winning combination for many heart patients

“No clear recommendation currently exists in U.S. or European guidelines for performing PCI in addition to TAVR,” researchers wrote. The group hoped its study could provide some clarity. 

The SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3U) transcatheter heart valve from Edwards Lifesciences is

TAVR outperforms SAVR when treating women, historic all-female trial confirms

The study, presented at ESC Congress 2024 in London, confirmed that TAVR was associated with significantly better outcomes than surgery when treating female patients. 

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.