Cover Story | ACC.26: Big Easy Energy and CV Excellence - American College of Cardiology

Summary: Cardiologists recently gathered in New Orleans for the ACC.26 conference to share exciting new heart research. One major study, called HI-PEITHO, showed that using a tiny tube (catheter) to treat blood clots in the lungs lowered the risk of dangerous breathing problems by 61% compared to just using standard medicine.

Another study, CHAMPION-AF, found that a small device placed in the heart works just as well as blood-thinning pills for patients with an irregular heartbeat (AFib), and it actually causes less bleeding over time. Doctors also proved that "food is medicine." Programs that delivered healthy groceries and gave advice from dietitians helped people lower their blood pressure and bad cholesterol significantly. Overall, the conference showed that the future of heart care is about smart technology, precise treatments, and healthy eating.

For more details, see ACC.26: Big Easy Energy and CV Excellence at acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2026/05/01/01/cover-story-acc26 (opens in new tab)