Following the American College of Cardiology (ACC) conference 2025, Worldwide Clinical Trials hosted a post-meeting webinar, “On the Cutting Edge of Cardiovascular Discovery – Learnings from ACC 2025 and Future Perspectives.” From the presentation of the REVERSE-IT and STRIDE trials to additional studies on lipid-lowering therapies and heart failure treatments, this webinar reflected on key study results and their implications for future cardiovascular research.
Moderated by Rafal Ziecina, MD, PhD, Executive Director, Scientific Solutions, Cardiovascular, Endocrine, & Metabolic, the webinar featured:
- Stefan Anker, MD, PhD, Charité University Medicine
- Deepak Bhatt, MD, FACC, FAHA, FESC, MSCAI, Mount Sinai Health System
- Marc Bonaca, MD, MPH, FAHA, FACC, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Find out the top takeaways from the webinar:
1. Promising Novel Therapies for Peripheral Artery Disease & Heart Failure
Dr. Ziecina began the session by reflecting on the wealth of new data revealed at ACC 2025. “We had a lot of great science discussed,” he said, “and the results of many trials will be immediately implemented just to improve not only the quality of life of many patients but also the treatment of various comorbidities and mortality rates.”
One example of this is how novel therapies are reshaping outcomes for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and heart failure. During the webinar, Dr. Bonaca shared findings from the STRIDE trial, which indicated that subcutaneous semaglutide significantly improved walking capacity and quality of life in patients with symptomatic PAD and type 2 diabetes. “There was a significant improvement in function apparent at six months, and the curves continue to diverge over time,” Bonaca explained. The trial additionally showed a 54% reduction in the rate of rescue initiation, major adverse limb events, or all-cause mortality, suggesting a strong clinical benefit.
For heart failure therapies, Dr. Anker discussed the FAIR-HF2 trial, which evaluated the effects of intravenous iron on heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. “The iron dose we’re giving is particularly high in the first year, about 2000 mg on average,” Dr. Anker said. Although some results weren’t formally significant, a meta-analysis among six trials revealed a 19% reduction in recurrent hospitalizations and cardiovascular death, providing encouraging data for this patient population.
Dr. Bhatt additionally presented the results of the Phase III REVERSE-IT trial, which examined the reversal of the antiplatelet effect of ticagrelor with bentracimab in 226 patients. For patients on ticagrelor undergoing urgent surgery or with major bleeding, bentracimab significantly restored platelet function, as measured by P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) over four hours. Hemostasis was additionally effective in patients taking ticagrelor, showcasing bentracimab as a very promising option. As a result, regulatory assessment is ongoing and the FDA granted orphan drug designation in March 2025.
2. The Potential of Lipid-Lowering Therapies
The webinar additionally spotlighted emerging lipid-lowering treatments that may significantly impact cardiovascular risk management.
Dr. Ziecina introduced three Phase III trials: ALPACA, PURSUIT, and ARCHES-22, which explored therapies aimed at reducing Lp(a), LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. When discussing ALPACA trial’s impressive reduction in Lp(a) levels, Dr. Ziecina shared, “We saw almost 94% reduction from the 60 to 180 in a group that received the single dose of 400 mg.” The trial additionally expressed a 15.5% reduction in apoB levels, suggesting a broader impact on cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Bhatt further emphasized how critical these developments are, calling Lp(a) an independent risk factor for heart disease. The PURSUIT trial, he noted, demonstrated up to a 50% reduction in LDL cholesterol with an oral PCSK9 inhibitor, which may offer a more convenient treatment option for patients.
3. Importance of Personalized Lipid Management & Long-Acting Therapies
A recurring theme throughout the webinar discussion was the growing need for individualized treatment responses. “We’re looking much more to a future of tailored therapy and personalization of lipid management,” said Dr. Ziecina. This shift acknowledges the limitations of a one-size-fits-all model, especially as new drug classes and biomarkers emerge.
Dr. Bhatt additionally discussed the potential of long-acting injectables and oral PCSK9 inhibitors, noting the benefits of both. “The idea that you can get a 40–50% reduction in LDL cholesterol with an oral agent and not need an injectable… could be quite appealing,” he shared. However, it’s essential to continue with ongoing Phase III trials to help validate the clinical benefit of these new therapies.
Dr. Anker reinforced this sentiment, highlighting the importance of taking a more nuanced approach to lipid management based on each patient’s unique risk factors. “We’re not going to give all of these drugs to everyone. If you don’t have LPA, you’re not going to get that. And remnant cholesterol may be more important for different disease states,” Dr. Anker explained. The panelists concluded that having a range of options, including long-acting injectables and oral agents, is optimal to meet the diverse needs of patients.
Want to Learn More About the Future of Cardiovascular Research?
This webinar brought together globally recognized experts in cardiovascular research to break down some of the most impactful trial results presented at ACC. Watch the webinar on-demand now to hear the full discussion.
