Clinical Cardiology Alert – December 1, 2025

Novel Drug-Coated Balloon Compares Favorably to DES in De Novo Disease and ISR

In two related largest-to-date clinical trials, a sirolimus-eluting balloon was noninferior to current-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) in both de novo lesions and in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Improved Major Arrhythmic Event Prediction in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

An international multicenter registry study of patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy without a history of major arrhythmic adverse cardiac events (MAACE) that compared a new cardiac magnetic resonance imaging score for predicting MAACE and consequently determining the need for a primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator has found that this new score is superior to the standard left ventricular ejection fraction criterion.

Ablation vs. Drugs for Ventricular Tachycardia

A sub-analysis of the VANISH2 trial, which compared catheter ablation (CA) to antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the suppression of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy has shown that in the sotalol therapy group, those randomized to CA less frequently experienced the VT-based composite endpoint. Conversely, in the amiodarone group, the primary endpoint was similar in the CA- and drug therapy-randomized patients, but amiodarone produced more adverse events.

Early vs. Late Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Older Patients

An observational study from China in older patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has shown that an earlier diagnosis to catheter ablation time of ≤ 12 months compared to > 12 months is associated with lower rates of AF recurrence and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Long-Term Outcomes of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

A large, prospective, observational study from Israel of peripartum cardiomyopathy has shown that, in general, outcomes are favorable, with high rates of left ventricular function recovery that remain stable and with no mortality but also that show high rates of cardiovascular comorbidities during long-term follow-up.