Our All Star Healthcare Solutions team spent three energizing days in New Orleans at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26) from March 28–30 — connecting with attendees, catching up with familiar faces, and meeting cardiologists from across the country.
A big thank-you to everyone who stopped by booth #2457 to talk locum tenens and explore how we help cardiologists find more freedom and flexibility in their careers.
Beyond the booth, ACC.26 delivered a steady stream of new data and clinical insights shaping how cardiologists think about care — from precision interventions to more proactive disease management.
If you couldn’t make it this year — or just want a quick refresher between cases — here’s a look at the trials and takeaways worth keeping on your radar.
Top Takeaways at a Glance
- Lower LDL targets continue to improve outcomes in secondary prevention, without added safety concerns
- Primary prevention is expanding, with earlier use of advanced lipid-lowering therapies in high-risk populations
- Less invasive and more streamlined approaches continue to perform well across interventional and structural care
- Long-standing therapies are being re-evaluated, including beta-blocker duration after MI
- Lifestyle interventions are becoming more structured, scalable, and clinically actionable
Key Clinical Trials from ACC.26
| Trial | Focus Area | Key Finding | Why it Matters | Source |
| Ez-PAVE | Lipid lowering in ASCVD (secondary prevention) | LDL-C <55 mg/dL reduced major cardiovascular events by ~33% vs. <70 mg/dL | Supports more aggressive LDL targets in secondary prevention | Read study |
| VESALIUS-CV | Primary prevention in high-risk diabetes (no known ASCVD) | Evolocumab reduced first major CV events vs. placebo; 89% were on lipid-lowering therapy | Supports earlier intensification of lipid-lowering therapy in high-risk primary prevention | Read study |
| CHAMPION-AF | Atrial fibrillation stroke prevention | Left atrial appendage closure was noninferior to NOAC therapy, with lower non–procedure-related bleeding | Supports device-based alternatives to long-term anticoagulation in select patients | Read study |
| PRO-TAVI | Structural heart / valve intervention | Deferring PCI until after TAVI was noninferior, with lower bleeding in older, high-risk patients | Supports deferring routine PCI in selected elderly TAVI patients | Read study |
| SMART-DECISION | Post-MI secondary prevention | Stopping beta-blockers at 1 year was noninferior to continuation in stable post-MI patients | Supports reassessing long-term beta-blocker use in select patients | Read study |
| GoFreshRx | Nutrition / lifestyle intervention | DASH-aligned grocery delivery improved BP and LDL-C vs. stipend plus basic guidance | Reinforces structured dietary intervention in CV risk reduction | Read study |
| THRIVE | Culturally tailored nutrition | Food-is-medicine program significantly lowered SBP vs. fresh produce alone | Highlights value of culturally responsive prevention strategies | Read study |
| FAST III | Coronary physiology (PCI guidance) | vFFR was noninferior to wire-based FFR for clinical outcomes | Supports less invasive physiology-guided PCI strategies | Read Study |
| ALL-RISE | AI-guided coronary assessment | Angiography-derived FFR was noninferior to wire-based FFR for outcomes in PCI evaluation | Enables faster, less invasive physiology assessment in the cath lab | Read study |
| HI-PEITHO | Acute intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism | Catheter-directed fibrinolysis reduced adverse PE outcomes vs. anticoagulation alone | Supports selective use of catheter-based therapy in higher-risk PE patients | Read study |
What This Means for Your Practice
Together, these studies reflect a broader shift in cardiology toward more individualized care and greater use of physiology- and data-driven decision-making.
Across prevention, intervention, and long-term management, clinicians are increasingly refining when and how therapies are used to better balance outcomes, safety, and patient quality of life.
Rather than isolated breakthroughs, ACC.26 points to a consistent direction: more precise risk reduction, more streamlined procedures, and deeper integration of pharmacologic and evidence-based care.
Advance Your Cardiology Career with Greater Flexibility
Our locum tenens cardiologists have the flexibility to work across a range of clinical settings — whether it be stepping into high-impact environments, caring for new patient populations, supporting evolving protocols, or gaining exposure to advanced and complex procedures.
With All Star, you can apply the latest research in real-world practice, broaden your clinical experience, and continue delivering high-quality care without compromise.
Missed us at ACC.26? You can still connect with our team — send us your CV to get started, or, check out our open cardiology opportunities nationwide. Plus, stay informed on the latest compensation trends with our Cardiologist Salary Guide.