Highlights of Cardiovascular Disease Studies Presented at the 2021 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights major studies across a broad array of topics presented at the virtual 2021 American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions. RECENT FINDINGS. Assessed studies examine a remotely delivered hypertension and lipid program in 10,000 patients across a diverse healthcare network; a cluster-randomized trial of a village doctor-led intervention for hypertension control; empagliflozin in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (EMPEROR-Preserved); efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in hospitalized heart failure patients (EMPULSE); icosapent ethyl versus placebo in outpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (PREPARE-IT 2); clinical safety, pharmacokinetics, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering efficacy of MK-0161, an oral proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor; and effects of aspirin on dementia and cognitive impairment in the ASCEND trial. SUMMARY: Research presented at the 2021 AHA Scientific Sessions emphasized the importance of interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention.