Top 5 Conference Coverage of 2023

Our top conference coverage from 2023 included sessions and interviews from the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) Congress on CVD Prevention, the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, covering a range of topics such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart failure (HF), breast cancer, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Here is our most-viewed conference coverage of 2023. Click here to check out the full list of conferences we’ve covered.

5. In-Hospital Mortality Elevated Among Female Patients Who Had AMI and MC

Research presented at the ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention revealed higher in-hospital mortality rates among female patients compared with male patients who developed mechanical complications (MC) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The data covered the period from January 2012 through December 2020 using the National In-Patient Sample and found that female patients with AMI and MC had a 39% higher rate of in-hospital mortality than male patients. Additionally, female patients without MC showed reduced rates of vasopressor use, acute kidney injury, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, circulatory support, and mechanical ventilation compared with those with MC.

Read the full article here.

4. App Effectively Maintains, Manages HF Self-Care Following Discharge

Another study presented at the ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention revealed that a mobile health app targeting postdischarge self-care for patients with HF had a positive impact on survival outcomes and the ability to manage care regimens. Participants were randomized into groups using either the Heart Failure Health Storylines app with discharge notes or discharge notes only. App users showed significantly more confidence in behaviors such as taking medication, exercise, low-sodium diet and recognizing health changes compared with the control group; the study suggests the app could enhance patient education, enable adherence to self-care, and reduce HF-related readmissions and health care costs.

Read the full article here.

3. NATALEE: Ribociclib With Hormonal Therapy Cuts Recurrence Risk by 25% in Most Common Type of Breast Cancer

The NATALEE trial presented at the ASCO 2023 Annual Meeting revealed that adding the CDK4/6 inhibitor ribociclib to hormonal therapy reduced the risk of cancer recurrence by 25% in patients with hormone receptor (HR)–positive, HER2-negative early-stage breast cancer. The trial included patients with earlier stage disease, reduced the dose to improve safety, and treated patients for 3 years instead of 2 years. Three-year invasive disease–free survival rates were 90.4% in the ribociclib group compared with 87.1% in the group receiving hormonal therapy alone, indicating significant improvement in survival.

Read the full article here.

2. The Importance of Examining and Preventing Atrial Fibrillation

Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, recipient of the Honorary Fellow of the ASPC award, delivered a lecture on the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AFib) at the ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention. In an interview, Benjamin discussed various aspects of AFib, including risk factors, prevention strategies, connections between AFib and noncardiovascular health conditions, and long-term data on stroke. She emphasized the imperative to focus on preventing AFib and shared insights on the importance of early intervention and managing risk factors to reduce the burden of AFib.

Listen to the podcast here.

1. Researchers Deliver Updates on Efforts Toward Eradicating CLL

A session at the EHA 2023 Congress discussed various approaches to optimize the treatment of CLL, including minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment, combination regimens, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. While MRD assessment is not yet necessary in clinical practice, it is helpful in clinical trials, providing insights into disease kinetics and predicting outcomes. Drug combinations, such as venetoclax and a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, are being explored for their potential to increase treatment efficacy and limit toxicity. CAR T-cell therapy, despite challenges, shows promise in achieving deep and prolonged responses in patients with CLL, with combination strategies generating interest.

Read the full article here.