JACC Deep Dive

Go behind the scenes with JACC as editor-in-chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC, talks about what 's caught his attention in the latest JACC issue on amyloid. In this paper by Sheikh et al, the authors did a pre-specified exploratory analysis from the HELIOS-B trial, evaluating vutrisiran in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). The study showed that vutrisiran helped preserve or improve functional capaci...

Join JACC Editor in Chief Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM, as he speaks about this ACC.25 presentation published in JACC. This fascinating study by Rohan Khera et al independently analyzed patient-level data from the SURMOUNT trials of tirzepatide for obesity. The study revealed striking individual variability in weight loss and metabolic response, even to a highly effective therapy—an insight powerfully illustrated through waterfall plots...

This JACC Deep Dive in our May 13 issue highlights new findings from the SUMMIT CKD study, showing that terzepatide improves symptoms, function, and weight in patients with HFpEF and obesity—regardless of kidney function. The analysis also underscores the importance of using both creatinine and cystatin C to better assess kidney health. Reviewers praised the study’s methodological rigor and dual focus, while noting the need for lar...

In this JACC Deep Dive episode, Dr. Harlan Krumholz reviews the ADVANTAGE-AF trial, which evaluated pulse field ablation (PFA) as a treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation. The study demonstrated that PFA is a safe and effective approach, with strong symptomatic outcomes and a low complication rate, though questions remain about long-term durability and the need for more rigorous follow-up. PFA represents a promising innovatio...

In a Deep Dive in our May 13 issue, Editor-in-Chief Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC, discusses a study led by Barry Borlaug that investigates whether excess weight or metabolic dysfunction has a greater impact on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The findings showed that obesity—more than insulin resistance—was strongly associated with worse hemodynamic and functional outcomes. Reviewers praised the study's nuan...

In this JACC Deep Dive episode, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Harlan Krumholz discusses a major study on sudden cardiac arrest in young competitive athletes, highlighting survival rates, causes, and racial disparities. The study shows that survival improves dramatically with immediate AED use and has increased over time, emphasizing the need for widespread emergency preparedness and health equity efforts.. While progress has been made, ensur...

In this in-depth analysis of the Altshock-2 trial (Study on Early Intra-aortic Balloon Pump Placement in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock), Harlan M Krumholz, MD, FACC, goes deep into the study and its two related editorials. Listen here for this unique behind-the-scenes look at the review process, plus a thoughtful summary of the study and the two related editorials. All this content appears in JA...

In this JACC Deep Dive, Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, discusses a large real-world study by Min et al. examining heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) in over 24,000 patients. The study found that while EF improvement is common (30%), true remission is rare and relapse occurs in about 25% of cases—highlighting the need for continued guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) even after apparent recove...

JACC's July 29 issue explores why the ACURATE neo2 valve failed in its IDE trial, with a post-hoc analysis pointing to under-expansion in heavily calcified anatomies as a potential culprit. Though the valve is off the market, the findings raise critical questions about procedural success, device design, and future innovation in TAVR. Listen to our Deep Dive narrated by JACC Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC, as he go...

In this JACC Deep Dive, JACC Editor in Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, explores a study led by Dr. Pradeep Natarajan that evaluates how well the new AHA PREVENT risk equations predict cardiovascular events across four major U.S. health systems. The study found wide variation in performance—PREVENT was well-calibrated at Penn Medicine but significantly underestimated risk at Mass General Brigham and Vanderbilt, particularly among ...

In this JACC Deep Dive, Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC reviews a study by Covani, et al that uses OCT imaging in over 1,500 ACS patients to show how increasing cardiovascular risk factor burden—like smoking, diabetes, and hypertension—is strongly associated with vulnerable plaque features such as thin caps, inflammation, and rupture. The findings were most pronounced in STEMI patients and reinforce the biological impact of cumula...

In this JACC Deep Dive, Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC, discusses a new study in the July 8 issue of JACC, authored by Saket Girotra MD, SM, et al. In the study, which links national registry and Medicare data, the authors found striking hospital-level variation in cardiac arrest rates and outcomes—and identified better nurse staffing as a key factor in both preventing arrests and improving survival. Behind the scenes, the manusc...