Six hot line sessions set to reveal latest research in cardiovascular disease at ESC Congress 2015

Six hot line sessions at ESC Congress 2015 are set to reveal the latest in cardiovascular disease research across a range of conditions and comorbidities. Hot topics include atrial fibrillation, pacing, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, pharmacology and coronary artery disease.

"Journalists can expect breaking results from important studies conducted worldwide," said Professor Genevieve Derumeaux, Chair of the Congress Programme Committee.

In acute myocardial infarction the results of the randomised ALBATROSS Trial using early aldosterone to limit adverse cardiac events and remodelling will be presented. Findings from the CIRCUS trial will show the effect of cyclosporine on clinical outcomes in STEMI patients. "These results are highly anticipated since previous clinical trials on cardioprotective strategies in addition to conventional therapy in acute myocardial infarction were very disappointing," said Professor Derumeaux.

An entire hot line session is devoted to hypertension for the first time. Novel studies include PATHWAY 2 which investigated optimal treatment of drug resistant hypertension. "We have been disheartened by the results of renal denervation in resistant hypertension and this study will bring hope to the field," said Professor Derumeaux.

In heart failure, results from OptiLink HF will reveal the effect of telemedicine alerts on mortality and morbidity. In diabetes, the impact of sitagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes will be presented. "This study is highly relevant since diabetes drug development is mitigated by the potential for adverse cardiovascular events," said Professor Derumeaux.

The results of PLATFORM will be discussed in the hot line session on coronary artery disease. The trial tested diagnosis with computed tomography (CT)-derived fractional flow reserve to decide whether or not to revascularise. This study is in line with recent ESC guidelines on myocardial revascularisation recommending the use of FFR before revascularisation.1 "This study will help to build knowledge in this area," said Professor Derumeaux.

A total of 27 hot lines will be presented from 58 submissions. State of the art science will also be revealed in the 50 clinical trial updates, registries and basic and translational hot lines chosen from 174 submissions. "Journalists may be particularly interested in the registry about cold temperature and risk of ischaemic stroke in atrial fibrillation," said Professor Derumeaux. "A novel registry on carbonated beverages and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is another one to look out for."

The packed abstract based programme features around 4 500 presentations from more than 11 000 submissions. The new Advances in Science format kicks off with a keynote lecture and concludes with future directions. Professor Derumeaux said: "Journalists will learn how novel studies add to current knowledge and where the research area is expected to go in future."

The congress theme 'Environment and the Heart' will provide plenty of material for journalists to write stories on this growing area of cardiovascular prevention. "Air pollution has wide ranging and deleterious effects on human health and especially on cardiovascular diseases," said Professor Derumeaux.2 "Pollution interacts with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, with obese people more affected for instance because they store microparticles in their adipose tissue."

Nobel Prize laureate Professor Elizabeth H. Blackburn will present the keynote lecture in the Inaugural Session and chair sessions on premature ageing and cardiovascular disease. "Professor Blackburn will share her extensive knowledge on how cardiovascular disease may lead to premature ageing and thereby increase the severity of disease," said Professor Derumeaux.

A local press conference on 'The Heart of a Woman' will be held on Tuesday 1 September and is open to all journalists attending ESC Congress. It will dig into the problem of heart disease under recognition and resulting delays in acute care.

Source: European Society of Cardiology