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ICYMI: Highlights From ASPC Congress 2024
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- GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, target the gut-brain axis, offering significant benefits in obesity management by mimicking gut hormones.
- Imaging advancements, including CAC scoring and CCTA, enable early detection of coronary plaque, with AI enhancing analysis and prediction of atherosclerosis progression.
The top 5 most-viewed content from this year's American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) Congress on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention included interviews with Robert Kushner, MD, MS, and Martha Gulati, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FASPC, FESC, as well as coverage on multiple areas of cardiovascular medicine.
Our top coverage from this year’s American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) Congress on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention featured an exploration of the connections between autoimmune diseases and cardiac events, a session on the use of imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) to discover those at high cardiovascular risk, a debate on testing lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), levels, and more.
Here are highlights from the ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention 2024; click here to catch up on all our coverage.
The top 5 most-viewed content from this year's American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) Congress on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention included coverage of multiple areas of cardiovascular medicine. | Image Credit: aspconline.org
5. GLP-1 Agonists and the Gut-Brain Axis: A New Era in Obesity Management
In this interview, Robert Kushner, MD, MS, of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine previewed his session on using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for obesity management. He shared with The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) that he would highlight recent advancements in obesity treatments, like the shift to targeting the gut-brain axis. Kushner explained that naturally occurring gut hormones, like GLP-1s, are being mimicked and returned to patients in synthetic forms at hyperpharmacological levels, resulting in significant benefits. Semaglutide and tirzepatide, 2 highly effective medications, resulted from mimicking these hormones. They affect multiple organs, improving the overall health of patients living with obesity.
4. In ASPC President’s Address, Dr Martha Gulati Reflects on Progress and Future Goals in Cardiology
Ahead of the ASPC Congress 2024, Martha Gulati, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FASPC, FESC, professor of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, gave AJMC a preview of her final address as ASPC president. She said it would reflect on the state of ASPC and preventive cardiology at the start of her term in 2022, followed by the advancements made through August 2024. For example, Gulati highlighted that prevention is increasingly coming to the forefront due to novel drug development and the growing accountability of hospitals and clinical practices for their care. She will also discuss her vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing prevention.
3. Using Imaging—and AI—to Find Those at Risk of Cardiac Events
This article summarizes a joint session by ASPC and the Society for Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) on advancements in using imaging to identify individuals who may not display symptoms but are at risk for cardiac events. Experts highlighted a 2021 change in the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines, which expanded the definition of coronary artery disease (CAD) to include both obstructive and nonobstructive coronary plaque; those with higher plaque levels are at an increased risk of cardiac events. Tools like coronary arterial calcium (CAC) scoring and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) allow early detection of plaque and disease progression, enabling patients to reduce or reverse atherosclerosis. AI further enhances CCTA by enabling rapid atherosclerosis analysis and predicting plaque development. The speakers noted that these innovations are shifting the focus toward early prevention and more proactive cardiovascular care.
2. Understanding Inflammatory Pathways to Address CV Risk in Patients With Autoimmune Disease
During a panel discussion, experts explored the underlying science and new tools for evaluating the cardiac status of patients with autoimmune diseases. They noted that these patients face heightened cardiovascular risks due to systemic inflammation and traditional factors, like smoking and obesity; However, advanced imaging tools, like Perfusion PET scans and biomarkers, aid early detection and track treatment effectiveness. While emerging therapies targeting inflammation offer promising solutions, the panelists emphasized the need for specialized cardio-rheumatology programs as many patients with autoimmune diseases are unaware of their cardiovascular risks.
1. Who Should Have Lp(a) Levels Tested? Experts Take Sides
This article summarizes a debate between experts on the actionability of Lp(a) testing in primary prevention. Interest in Lp(a) has surged over the past decade due to its link to coronary heart disease (CHD) and atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD). Therefore, knowing one’s Lp(a) level can shed light on cardiovascular risk. Although multiple tests measuring Lp(a) levels are available, the first RNA-based therapies targeting apolipoprotein(a), a component of Lp(a), are still in phase 3 clinical trials. This raises the question of whether Lp(a) is actionable in primary prevention today. Vera A. Bittner, MD, MSPH, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham advocated for universal Lp(a) testing to better assess cardiovascular risk. Conversely, Roger Blumenthal, MD, of Johns Hopkins argued that testing high-risk patients should be prioritized due to health care system limitations and testing costs.
