BWH cardiologists and researchers are presenting at the annual European Society of Cardiology Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Aug. 26-30. BWH Clinical & Research News will continue  share news from the Congress, so check back for updates this week.

Here are the results of major trials presented by BWHers:

CANTOS, presented by Paul Ridker, MD, MPH: Ridker shared that patients in the study who received either the 150- or 300-mg dose of canakinumab experienced a 15 percent reduction in risk of a recurrent cardiovascular event, including a fatal or non-fatal heart attack and stroke. In addition, Ridker reported that an exploratory study revealed a dramatic, dose-dependent cut in risk of lung cancer among those who received the same drug, with lung cancer rates reduced by 26 percent, 39 percent and 67 percent, respectively, for the low, medium and high doses of canakinumab. Cardiovascular findings were published simultaneously in NEJM and cancer findings were published simultaneously in The Lancet.

RE-DUAL PCI, presented by Christopher Cannon, MD: Cannon presented data showing that using the anticoagulant dabigatran along with a second anticlotting drug (clopidogrel or ticagrelor) can reduce the risk of major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding compared to using warfarin with aspirin and clopidogrel or ticagrelor. Risk of bleeding was cut by half for patients who received the 110-mg dose and by one-quarter for those who received the 150-mg dose of dabigatran, compared to warfarin. Findings have been simultaneously published in NEJM.

FOURIER, presented by Robert Giuliano, MD: Researchers examined the efficacy and safety of maintaining very low levels of LDL cholesterol. Giuliano unveiled findings that showed the risk for cardiovascular events progressively declined as LDL cholesterol levels decreased to below 20 mg/dL. Among participants who achieved an LDL-C of less than 10 mg/dL, the risk of cardiovascular events was more than 40 percent lower than those with an LDL cholesterol equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL. Findings have been simultaneously published in The Lancet.

HPS3/TIMI55-REVEAL: Researchers shared key findings from the REVEAL trial, showing that adding anacetrapib, an inhibitor of Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) activity, lowers the risk of heart attack and related cardiovascular complications among patients who are receiving intensive statin treatment. Eugene Braunwald, MD, chair of the TIMI Study Group at BWH, serves as deputy chair of the REVEAL Steering Committee.

A full list listing of notable BWH presentations can be found here (note: times are in CEST)