Highlights from ACC 15 Scientific Session

The 2015 American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session and Expo featured the latest discoveries in cardiovascular research.

Here are a few of the key findings, presented from March 14-16, 2015, in San Diego:

Patients Taking New Cholesterol Buster Fare Better

Patients taking evolocumab were half as likely to die, experience a heart attack or stroke, be hospitalized, or require cardiovascular surgery after 1 year, compared with those receiving standard care.

Coronary CTA No Better Than Stress Test for CAD Screening

The PROspective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of chest pain (PROMISE) trial showed no improvement in clinical outcomes with CT angiography over functional testing for coronary artery disease screening.

Heart Disease Diagnosis in Chest Pain Improves with CT Scans

Coupling computed tomography coronary angiography with standard care allows for more accurate coronary artery disease diagnoses in patients presenting with non-cardiac chest pain.

Hot Flashes at Younger Age May Signal Higher Cardiovascular Risk

Women who have hot flashes earlier in life appear to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those who have hot flashes either later in life or never.

Antidepressants Linked with Improved Cardiovascular Outcomes

Screening for and treating depression could help reduce the risk of heart disease in patients with moderate-to-severe depression.