Highlights of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Studies Presented at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions

Purpose of review: Focused review highlighting ten select studies presented at the 2023 American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions.

Recent findings: Included studies assessed semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in overweight or obese patients without diabetes (SELECT); dapagliflozin in patients with acute myocardial infarction without diabetes (DAPA-MI); effects of dietary sodium on systolic blood pressure in middle-aged individuals (CARDIA-SSBP); long-term blood pressure control after hypertensive pregnancy with physician guided self-management (POP-HT); effect and safety of zilebesiran, an RNA interference therapy, for sustained blood pressure reduction (KARDIA-1); recaticimab add-on therapy in patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia and mixed hyperlipidemia (REMAIN-2); efficacy and safety of lepodisiran an extended duration short-interfering RNA targeting lipoprotein(a); safety and pharmacodynamic effects of an investigational DNA base editing medicine that inactivates the PCSK9 gene and lowers LDL cholesterol (VERVE-101); automated referral to centralized pharmacy services for evidence-based statin initiation in high-risk patients; and effects of intensive blood pressure lowering in reducing risk of cardiovascular events (ESPRIT). Research presented at the 2023 AHA Scientific Sessions emphasized innovative strategies in cardiovascular disease prevention and management.