Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, Director, Mount Sinai Heart, and Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital brings together an illustrious panel of cardiology surgeons, researchers, and doctors to discuss some of the latest research presented at the national meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Orlando.

You will hear the panel’s perspectives on 12 different studies, including highlights such as:

• A landmark study of PCSK9 inhibitors reducing cardiovascular events in patients with high LDL cholesterol with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Treatment with alirocumab reduced adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause deaths by 15 percent in patients with ACS and higher-than-ideal atherogenic lipoprotein levels despite intensive or maximally tolerated statin therapy, according to results of the ODYSSEY Outcomes trial. The panel viewed this study as “practice-changing” and noted that after this study, the manufacturer reduced the price of the drug to make it more accessible.
• A variety of studies in the field of cardio-oncology, particularly on medications to prevent heart-related issues as the result of chemotherapy. The panel noted that this is a “blossoming field” and the studies raise the visibility of these issues, but also underlines the need for larger studies.
• A study of blood-pressure reduction among patrons of black barbershops. This unusual study was an effort to reach out to underserved individuals who were at risk for high blood pressure. The study enlisted men who were identified as having uncontrolled hypertension, and over 80 percent of these subjects were not insured and unlikely to receive preventive medicine. The barbers encouraged meetings with specially trained pharmacists who intervened and prescribed drug therapy, lifestyle modification and doctor appointments. The panel unanimously applauded this study for “out of the box” thinking. They noted that there is a need for novel ways to present healthcare that reach out to the community and create an impact on population health on a “grass-roots level.”