Alberico Catapano, PhD, is the research director and head of the laboratory of lipoproteins and atherosclerosis and of the lipid clinic at MultiMedica IRCCS.

Enlicitide Superior to Oral Non-Statin Therapies for LDL-C Lowering, With Alberico Catapano, PhD

Enlicitide achieved substantially greater reductions in 

than other oral non-statin therapies in the recently reported results from CORALreef AddOn.

American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions 2026

 in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Alberico Catapano, PhD, research director and head of the laboratory of lipoproteins and atherosclerosis and of the lipid clinic at MultiMedica IRCCS.

“The development of oral PCSK9 inhibitors has been discussed for a long time,” Catapano told 

 in an exclusive interview. “Physicians always want to have multiple different ways of administering a drug – some patients prefer the oral approach, so having both tools on hand is good for both parties.”

CORALreef AddOn was a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, active-comparator trial comparing the investigational novel oral PCSK9 inhibitor enlicitide and oral non-statin therapies ezetimibe and bempedoic acid. Eligible patients had to have either a history of a major 

atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)

 event or intermediate to high risk for development of a first major ASCVD event and had to be currently treated with a low, moderate, or high intensity statin, among other criteria.

After enrollment, patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1:1:2 ratio to receive either enlicitide 20 mg, bempedoic acid 180 mg, ezetimibe 10 mg, or bempedoic acid 180 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg, all of which were administered once daily for 56 days. The primary endpoint was mean percentage change in LDL-C from baseline to day 56, while secondary endpoints included mean percent changes in ApoB and non-HDL-C over the same period.

Catapano and colleagues enrolled 301 patients, of whom 298 completed the trial. A total of 101 patients were assigned to enlicitide, 50 to bempedoic acid, 50 to ezetimibe, and 100 to ezetimibe plus bempedoic acid. The mean percentage change in baseline in LDL-C was -64.6% (95% CI, -68.3 to -60.9) with enlicitide, -6.3% (95% CI, -13.5 to 0.8) with bempedoic acid, -27.8% (95% CI, -32.3 to -23.4) with ezetimibe, and -36.5% (95% CI, -40.8 to -32.2) with bempedoic acid and ezetimibe. Enlicitide was superior to each comparator (all 

The team also recorded greater reductions in ApoB and non-HDL-C with enlicitide, while the proportion of patients with adverse events and discontinuations due to adverse events was similar across all treatment arms. Ultimately, investigators determined that enlicitide demonstrated its potential role as a potent and important add-on to lower LDL-C when goals are not met by statins alone.

Catapano also addressed the future of enlicitide’s path through the approval pipeline. He cited the ongoing extension study, as well as predicting a rough timeline of when enlicitide would apply for regulatory approval.

“There are other studies ongoing, and other analyses ongoing,” Catapano said. “I’m pretty sure there will be data on ApoB and other biomarkers. The outcome study is also ongoing – enlicitide will likely be approved before this study is complete, but it will still be needed to study the events.”

Editors’ Note: Catapano reports disclosures with Regeneron, Amgen, Sanofi, Merck, AstraZeneca, and Novartis.

Catapano A, Mikhailova E, Navar A, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Enlicitide Decanoate, an Oral Macrocyclic Peptide Inhibitor of PCSK9, Compared With Bempedoic Acid, Ezetimibe, or Bempedoic Acid Co-administered With Ezetimibe in Statin-Treated Adults With Hypercholesterolemia: Phase 3 CORALreef AddOn Trial. Abstract presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions 2026, New Orleans, LA. March 28-30, 2026.

Catapano A, Mikhailova E, Navar A. et al. Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor Enlicitide versus Oral Non-statin Therapies: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial. JACC. null2026, 0 (0). 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2026.03.036

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Enlicitide (MK-0616, Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor) Compared With Ezetimibe or Bempedoic Acid or Ezetimibe and Bempedoic Acid in Adults With Hypercholesterolemia (MK-0616-018/CORALreef AddOn). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06450366. Updated March 27, 2026. Accessed April 9, 2026. 

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06450366

Videos

Catapano discusses the superior reduction in LDL-C, ApoB, and non-HDL-C demonstrated by enlicitide, suggesting its role as an add-on for LDL-C lowering.

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Strategic Alliance Partnership

Robert Gish, MD, is the Medical Director of the Hepatitis B Foundation in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas. He serves as an Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UCSD, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Loma Linda University. In addition, he is the Medical Director of the American Pacific Health Foundation.

Kimberly Brown, MD, is division chief of gastroenterology and hepatology and the Associate Medical Director of the Henry Ford Hospital Transplant Institute at Henry Ford Hospital. She is also a Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University

Expanding the Role of Genetic Testing in Liver Disease

Genetic testing is increasingly finding a place in the hepatology toolkit, but questions remain about who to test and when these panels offer the greatest clinical value. In this segment from an episode of 

Liver Lineup: Updates & Unfiltered Insights

, Robert Gish, MD, provides practical guidance rooted in real-world experience, highlighting how genetic testing can uncover hidden drivers of liver disease across a range of clinical scenarios.

 - Drug‑induced cholestasis & pregnancy

 - Case: COPD + dual heterozygote (CFTR + Alpha‑1)

 - Case: PEX mutation & transition to broader practice

Drawing on his experience ordering more than 80 genetic panels, Gish emphasized a broad, pragmatic approach. Rather than limiting testing to classic cholestatic presentations, he applies genetic evaluation to patients with unexplained liver disease more generally, including those with hepatocellular patterns of injury, reflecting a growing recognition that genetic contributions to liver disease are not always limited to traditional phenotypes.

However, he notes that certain clinical presentations should raise particular suspicion. Patients with antimitochondrial antibody-negative primary biliary cholangitis, lean metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease accompanied by pruritus, or atypical biochemical patterns such as elevated alkaline phosphatase with normal gamma-glutamyl transferase may warrant genetic evaluation. These features can point toward underlying transporter defects, including variants associated with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis.

Gish also underscored the relevance of genetic testing in drug-induced cholestasis and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. In one case, a young pregnant patient with pruritus and fluctuating liver enzymes was found to carry variants in 

 and a bile acid synthesis gene. While her laboratory values normalized without treatment, the identification of these variants provided critical context for monitoring and risk assessment as her pregnancy progressed. Rather than relying solely on standard biomarkers, her care plan incorporated periodic liver tests and bile acid monitoring, reflecting a more personalized approach.

In another patient with severe pulmonary disease disproportionate to smoking history, genetic testing revealed heterozygous variants linked to cystic fibrosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, offering a unifying explanation for both pulmonary and hepatic findings. In a separate case, identification of a mutation associated with a rare metabolic disorder prompted targeted follow-up testing, demonstrating how genetic panels can guide downstream diagnostic pathways.

Importantly, Gish noted that most patients tested will have ≥ 1 genetic variants. The challenge, therefore, lies not in detection but in interpretation, reinforcing the need for hepatologists to become comfortable navigating genetic data, even when results are not definitive.

As this discussion makes clear, genetic testing is no longer reserved for rare or pediatric cases. When used thoughtfully, it can provide meaningful insights into otherwise unexplained liver disease, helping clinicians refine diagnoses and tailor management strategies in an increasingly complex clinical landscape.

Editors’ note: Relevant disclosures for 

 include AbbVie, Gilead, Salix, Arbutus, and VIR. Relevant disclosures for 

 include Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Gilead, Salix, Intercept, Ipsen, and Madrigal. Relevant disclosures for 

 include Mirum and Ipsen. Relevant disclosures for 

 include Abbott, AbbVie, Aligos, Altimmune, Arrowhead, AstraZeneca, Corcept, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Intercept, Janssen, Merck, Perspectum, Pfizer, and others.

In this segment of Liver Lineup, experts discuss genetic testing in cholestatic disease, highlighting real-world cases demonstrating the value of these tests.

Hepatology

Genetic Panels in Hepatology: Identifying the Right Patients

Victoria Johnson joined MJH Life Sciences in 2020 and has written for NeurologyLive, CGTLive, and is now an assistant managing editor for HCPLive and RheumatologyLive. She doesn’t have enough time for her numerous hobbies. You can reach her at vjohnson@mjhlifesciences.com.

 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been transformed over the past several years by the recognition that type 2 (T2) inflammation — characterized by eosinophilic infiltration, elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and IgE-mediated signaling — represents a distinct, therapeutically targetable biological axis across both conditions. In severe asthma, biologics targeting the interleukin (IL)-4/13, IL-5, IL-5 receptor alpha (IL-5Rα), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) pathways have accumulated robust, long-term efficacy and safety data. Dupilumab demonstrated sustained reductions in exacerbation rates and FEV1 improvements through 148 weeks in the TRAVERSE open-label extension,¹ while benralizumab showed a stable safety profile with no new signals over 5 years in the MELTEMI extension.² The most recent addition to the asthma biologic armamentarium, depemokimab — an ultra–long-acting anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody — received FDA approval in December 2025 under the brand name Exdensur, supported by data from the phase 3 SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2 trials demonstrating 58% and 48% reductions in annualized exacerbation rates vs placebo, respectively.³ In COPD, where the prevailing inflammatory paradigm historically centered on neutrophilic pathways, the landscape has shifted considerably: an estimated 20%–40% of patients with COPD harbor an eosinophilic phenotype associated with increased exacerbation risk,⁴ and both dupilumab and mepolizumab now carry regulatory approval as add-on therapies for this subset, based on the BOREAS/NOTUS and MATINEE trial programs, respectively.⁵˒⁶˒⁷

 convened a virtual clinical forum in March 2026 moderated by Joe Khabbaza, MD, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Cleveland Clinic, that featured 12 additional panelists — including pulmonologists, a critical care specialist, and a physician assistant — drawn from academic medical centers and community practices across the Midwest and Southeast United States. Participants included clinicians from Cleveland Clinic, practices in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Mishawaka, Indiana, Morehead, Kentucky, and Oakland, Illinois, and a pulmonologist practicing in Atlanta, Georgia — representing a range of clinical contexts from large academic systems to independent community practice.

The forum convened at a moment of particular relevance to the pulmonology community: clinicians now face a biologic landscape encompassing more approved agents than can be navigated by phenotype alone, alongside mounting pressure from payers, evolving questions about optimal sequencing, and an urgent need to define where emerging agents fit in day-to-day practice. The group's stated objectives — to examine biomarker-driven escalation criteria, identify real-world barriers to biologic initiation, and apply emerging trial data to patient selection in both asthma and COPD — addressed precisely the decision points that practitioners encounter across care settings. The GOLD 2026 report, which now formally includes dupilumab and mepolizumab as escalation options for patients with ongoing exacerbations, provided additional urgency to the COPD portion of the discussion.⁸

The most clinically substantive discussion in the asthma segment centered on biologic selection and the field's shift from a treatment goal of symptom control toward clinical remission. Panelists broadly agreed that phenotyping — primarily via blood eosinophil count, with FeNO as a secondary tool — underpins escalation decisions, with thresholds of 150 and 300 cells/µL anchoring most clinical reasoning. Dupilumab emerged as a common first-line choice for patients with elevated eosinophils and FeNO or allergic features, while tezepelumab was preferred for T2-low patients and those lacking clear phenotypic markers. Benralizumab showed a slight practical advantage over mepolizumab in at least 1 panelist's experience based on patient-perceived benefit. 

“Even if they are controlled, I think having an obsession of always knowing what somebody's EOS are, that's kind of been my biggest thing. And when I trained… I never thought about this stuff… Now it's just always what are their EOS and FeNO, most people have that biomarker already, which is kind of unique for a biomarker as well,” Khabbaza said.

Regarding depemokimab, the group identified the twice-yearly dosing schedule as most relevant for patients who require in-office biologic administration or who struggle with treatment adherence, while acknowledging that clinical experience is limited given the agent's recent approval. Mucus plugging data from VESTIGE⁹ and CASCADE¹⁰ were acknowledged as scientifically interesting — both trials demonstrated CT-assessed reductions in mucus plug scores with dupilumab and tezepelumab, respectively — but multiple panelists stated these findings have not changed their prescribing approach, as clinicians are not routinely obtaining CT scans to identify mucus plugging in the absence of other indications. A recurring theme across the asthma discussion was frustration with payer restrictions: prior authorization requirements, insurer unfamiliarity with T2 inflammation as a treatment rationale, and mandates to maintain inhaled corticosteroid therapy even when patients have achieved durable biologic-mediated control.

Turning to COPD, panelists reflected a field gaining practical confidence in biologic use but still working through significant uncertainties in patient selection and agent positioning. The eosinophilic COPD phenotype — driven by T2 inflammation independent of or concurrent with asthma overlap — was recognized as clinically meaningful, with panelists noting they now routinely check eosinophil counts in COPD patients and use them to guide both ICS use and biologic eligibility. When choosing between dupilumab and mepolizumab in COPD, the group relied heavily on study inclusion criteria: dupilumab was preferred for patients with eosinophils ≥300 cells/µL and chronic bronchitis predominance, while mepolizumab was favored for eosinophils in the 150–300 cells/µL range, severe airflow limitation (FEV1 <30%), and pure emphysema phenotypes. Clinical responses in COPD were described as slower to manifest and less dramatic than in asthma, reflecting the coexistence of irreversible obstruction and parenchymal disease alongside the treatable T2 component. 

“I think generally going to the biologics earlier in these patients just to avoid any amount of steroid if you can is a valuable goal. I was also going to mention the problem that I think probably many of us have had. The patients feel so well that they don't take their maintenance medications like they're supposed to. Then they get a ding from the insurance company, we're going to stop this stuff because you're not filling your maintenance. So just that subtle reminder that you feel so well, you don't need these other medications, you have to take them because otherwise we're going to get behind the evolved insurance people,” one panelist said.

Polling conducted during the forum revealed that approximately half of panelists identified payer support and reimbursement guidance as the factor that would most improve their ability to integrate biologics into COPD care — a finding that distilled much of the session's underlying tension. Unmet needs flagged by the group included an absence of approved targeted therapies for T2-low, neutrophilic-predominant COPD, with tezepelumab and anti-IL-33 agents under investigation; brensocatib was noted as an agent being explored off-label in patients with overlapping bronchiectasis.

Wechsler ME, Ford LB, Maspero JF, et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of dupilumab in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma (TRAVERSE): an open-label extension study. 

 2022;10(1):11-25. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00322-2

Korn S, Bourdin A, Chupp G, et al. Integrated safety and efficacy among patients receiving benralizumab for up to 5 years. 

 2021;9(12):4381-4392.e4. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2021.08.016

Jackson DJ, Wechsler ME, Menzies-Gow A, et al; SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2 Investigators. Twice-yearly depemokimab in severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype. 

 2024;391(24):2337-2349. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2406673

Vanetti M, Visca D, Ardesi F, et al. Eosinophils in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

 2025;19:17534666251335800. doi:10.1177/17534666251335800

Bhatt SP, Rabe KF, Hanania NA, et al; BOREAS Investigators. Dupilumab for COPD with type 2 inflammation indicated by eosinophil counts. 

 2023;389(3):205-214. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2303951

Bhatt SP, Rabe KF, Hanania NA, et al; NOTUS Investigators. Dupilumab for COPD with blood eosinophil evidence of type 2 inflammation. 

 2024;390(24):2274-2283. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2401304

Criner GJ, Celli BR, Bhatt SP, et al. Mepolizumab for COPD with exacerbations and eosinophilia. 

 2023;389(23):2127-2138. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2303120

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. 

Global Strategy for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of COPD: 2026 Report.

Porsbjerg CM, Dunican EM, Lugogo NL, et al. Effect of dupilumab on mucus burden in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma: the VESTIGE trial. 

 Published online October 27, 2025. doi:10.1164/rccm.202410-1894OC

Diver S, Khalfaoui L, Emson C, et al. Effect of tezepelumab on airway inflammatory cells, remodelling, and hyperresponsiveness in patients with moderate-to-severe uncontrolled asthma (CASCADE): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. 

 2021;9(11):1299-1312. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00226-5

Articles

Type 2 inflammation has become a unifying, actionable axis across severe asthma and an eosinophilic subset of COPD, expanding biologic options and complicating real-world sequencing. Biomarker-led escalation relies chiefly on blood eosinophils (150/300 cells/µL) with FeNO as support, alongside increasing emphasis on remission rather than symptom control. Twice-yearly depemokimab is viewed as adherence- and office-administration–friendly but remains early in adoption. In COPD, GOLD 2026 incorporation of dupilumab and mepolizumab accelerates uptake amid payer friction and residual gaps for T2-low disease.

Experts unpack new T2-targeted biologics for severe asthma and eosinophilic COPD, sharing biomarker tips, sequencing debates and payer hurdles,

COPD

COPD condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on COPD research, treatment, and drug development.

Pulmonology

Infectious Disease condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on respiratory health. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, and more.

Asthma

The HCPLive asthma page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on asthmatic disease. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for allergic and severe asthma, and more.

Biologics Across the Airway: Selection, Remission Goals, and Real-World Barriers

Nicole Chase, MD, is a board-certified allergist/immunologist at St. Paul Allergy Asthma, Minneapolis VA Health Care System (part-time), and an associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

 FDA Removes Age Restriction for Epinephrine Nasal Spray, With Nicole Chase, MD

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently eliminated the minimum age requirement for the 1 mg 

, allowing prescribing decisions to be guided by patient weight rather than age. The updated labeling now permits use in any patient weighing ≥ 33 pounds.

“We’ve been giving epinephrine safely to younger…and really lower-weight children for a long time,” said Nicole Chase, MD, an allergist/immunologist at St. Paul Allergy & Asthma and associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School. “Now [that] neffy can be prescribed for children that are 33 to 66 pounds in the 1 mg strength, it just mirrors what we've been used to doing for epinephrine auto injectors for the 0.15 mg strength.”

ARS Pharmaceuticals announced the FDA’s approval of the labeling update on March 27, 2026. Before the change, epinephrine nasal spray was indicated for pediatric patients aged ≥ 4 years who met weight-based criteria (1 mg for ≥33 lbs to <66 lbs; 2 mg for ≥66 lbs).

The updated label now guides use, temperature, and storage. A patient should avoid sniffing during dosing. Chase explained that inhaling deeply during delivery has been associated with most reported adverse effects.

“I encourage people to just breathe in through their nose, hold the device so that their fingers actually touch the outside nostrils, and then just depress the plunger so that they don't accidentally sniff when they administer it,” she said.

If a patient inadvertently sniffs after nasal administration, the label states to continue the care as normal. A patient does not need a second dose if symptoms improve within 5 minutes.

The updated label provides reassurance for families worried about environmental exposure. The nasal spray can tolerate brief temperature changes, including freezing followed by thawing, and short periods of heat exposure up to 122°F.

“I like to say, if you're comfortable, it's comfortable,” Chase said.

Counseling families on storage remains essential, she added. The label states that the device should be kept in its blister packaging or carrying case and stored at room temperature whenever possible. ARS Pharmaceuticals announced it plans to provide a carrying case with each prescription at no cost beginning this summer; the case is designed to hold 2 devices.

Chase also highlighted the longer shelf life of the nasal spray compared with many injectable epinephrine products, which may reduce the burden of frequent replacement. Intranasal epinephrine can also reduce needle anxiety.

She added that the availability of multiple delivery options allows clinicians to tailor recommendations to individual circumstances. For example, intranasal epinephrine may be particularly helpful for children attending camps, spending time outdoors, or in school settings where storage and usability are concerns.

In clinical practice, Chase has administered intranasal epinephrine during supervised food challenges and observed favorable tolerability among pediatric patients.

The removal of the age restriction may ultimately improve treatment adherence, which remains a significant challenge in anaphylaxis management. Chase emphasized that increasing comfort and accessibility could encourage earlier use of epinephrine during allergic reactions. She stressed that epinephrine remains safe and effective, and delays in administration pose greater risks than unnecessary use.

“If a [child] even think[s] they're having a reaction, I really want them to go ahead and take epinephrine,” Chase said. “I like to say that they can just ask for forgiveness instead of asking for permission. Epi is safe and effective, and it really prevents the bad [food allergy] outcomes.”

Relevant disclosures for Chase include GENZYME CORPORATION, Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Incyte Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint Medicines Corporation, Genentech USA, and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ARS Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Approval to Remove Age Requirement From neffy® 1 mg (epinephrine nasal spray) Label. GlobeNewswire News Room. Published March 27, 2026. Accessed March 27, 2026. 

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/27/3263722/0/en/ARS-Pharmaceuticals-Receives-FDA-Approval-to-Remove-Age-Requirement-From-neffy-1-mg-epinephrine-nasal-spray-Label.html

Campbell P. FDA Removes Age Requirement for Epinephrine Nasal Spray, Now Based on Weight Alone. HCPLive. March 27, 2026. Accessed April 9, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-removes-age-requirement-for-epinephrine-nasal-spray-now-based-on-weight-alone

Chase explains how the weight-based labeling update for epinephrine nasal spray (neffy) may improve access, adherence, and real-world use in young children.


Allergy

Allergy condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on allergic and inflammatory diseases. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for food and seasonal allergies, as well as allergic asthma and related conditions.

Anaphylaxis

The HCPLive anaphylaxis page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on acute allergic reactions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for preventing anaphylaxis, and more.

FDA Removes Age Restriction for Epinephrine Nasal Spray, With Nicole Chase, MD

Anjali Vaidya, MD, is the director of the Advanced Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Failure & CTEPH Program and the Pulmonary Hypertension Fellowship at Temple University Hospital and a professor of medicine at Temple University

The Mechanics Behind PAH Diagnosis and Management, With Anjali Vaidya, MD

In 2022, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released a set of comprehensive clinical guidelines for the detection and management of 

, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Anjali Vaidya, MD, assistant dean at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and director of advanced pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, and the CETPH Program at Temple Health, spoke on the implementation of these guidelines. The editorial team at 

 met with Vaidya at the conference to learn more.

“The guidelines have evolved a lot over the years, which has been a wonderful thing to see,” Vaidya told 

. “But the inclusion of imaging modalities, and particularly electrocardiography, has really expanded in those guidelines. More and more advancement is being made, and more parameters are being included – I think we’ll continue to see that grow even further with the next iteration of guidelines.”

The ESC guidelines focus heavily on reanalyzing the hemodynamic definition of PAH. The authors officially updated the condition’s classification, repositioning vasoreactive patients with idiopathic PAH and developing a new algorithm for earlier detection of PAH in the community. The document also posits new, expedited screening and referral strategies.

Vaidya notes, however, that the most impactful aspect of the current guidelines is the emphasis on imaging in patients with PAH. Echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) parameters are proposed within the document, aiming to help clinicians monitor right ventricle function during the disease’s progression.

“The highest yield of imaging modality for pulmonary hypertension diagnosis is going to be echocardiography, or ultrasound of the heart, from an imaging perspective,” Vaidya said. “This is embedded in all of the pulmonary hypertension guidelines for diagnosis, and there are a lot of different parameters that can be interpreted to give us clues into the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension.”

Vaidya also provides advice for clinicians entering the sphere of PAH management. She guides newcomers to make themselves familiar with the actual data of their patients rather than allowing technology to manage the numbers. Vaidya emphasizes the importance of being able to interpret data oneself to avoid mechanical errors or complications and to become more familiar with the condition and its effects.

“The most important thing is to practice and become comfortable with looking at the imaging directly rather than relying on reports,” Vaidya said. “There’s so much information available when you look at the pictures of cardiovascular structures, whether that’s on chest X-ray or CT scan or echocardiography, that is sometimes nuanced and subtle, so the biggest first step is to take a dive into it and open those images directly to become more and more comfortable with interpreting and not missing clues.”

Editors’ Note: Vaidya reports disclosures with Bayer, Janssen, Merck, and United Therapeutics.

Humbert M, Kovacs G, Hoeper MM, et al. 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension. European Heart Journal. 2022;43(38):3618-3731. 

Vaidya discusses the 2022 pulmonary arterial hypertension guidelines and how they can be made more accessible for clinicians just entering the field.

Hypertension

The HCPLive hypertension page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on high blood pressure. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for hypertension, and more.

Alex Hillenbrand is an assistant editor for 

. She earned her BA in English from Lafayette College in 2023 and went on to write for pop culture, entertainment, and sports media outlets before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2025. In her free time, Alex enjoys cooking, going on walks, and meeting new people. Contact her at mjhlifesciences.com.

Hematology

Q1 2026 Recap: Hematology News and Updates

Catch up on nephrology headlines you missed from Q1 2026.

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Q1 2026 Recap: Nephrology News and Updates

Ryan Livingston joined the MJH Life Sciences team in March of 2025, shortly after graduating from TCNJ with a bachelor’s degree in English. He enjoys creative writing, reading, and scuba diving. He can be reached at rlivingston@mjhlifesciences.com.

Catch up on FDA decisions, new GLP-1 agonists, and more.

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Q1 2026 Recap: Endocrinology News and Updates

Expert dermatologists urge aggressive psoriasis control to prevent heart and joint risks, highlight unmet needs, and preview TYK2 inhibitors as a safer oral option.

Defining Treatment Goals and Addressing Unmet Needs in Psoriasis

Explore how TYK2 inhibitors reshape psoriasis care, as experts weigh comorbidities, infection screening, and treat-to-target goals to overcome real-world treatment hurdles.

Addressing Challenges in Psoriasis with Evolving Treatment Landscape

Ali Rezaie, MD, is medical director of the GI Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai.

New long-term data link antidepressant use in IBS to higher mortality risk. Rezaie explains key findings and clinical implications.

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on digestive and GI conditions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for 

, IBS and IBD, Crohn's disease, and more.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

On the HCPLive irritable bowel syndrome page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into IBS can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on IBS, IBD, and more.

Are We Overlooking Long-Term Risks in IBS Management? New 20-Year Safety Data, With Ali Rezaie, MD

Catch up on major trial results, groundbreaking guideline updates, and more.

Heart Failure

The HCPLive heart failure page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on HF. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for heart disease, reduced and preserved ejection fraction, and more.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Arrhythmia

Stroke

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Structural Heart Disease

Cardiomyopathy

Venous Thromboembolism

The HCPLive venous thromboembolism page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on VTE. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for thrombotic disease, and more.

Q1 2026 Recap: Cardiology News and Updates

Simon Davies, MD, is  a consultant nephrologist at the University Hospital of North Midlands and Professor of Nephrology and Dialysis Medicine, as well as director of the Institute for Applied Clinical Sciences at Keele University.

Davies breaks down the gaps to at-home dialysis access and the future of global collaboration. 

Gaps in Home Dialysis Access Persist Globally, With Simon Davies, MD

Phase 3 ONWARD data for the investigational TYK2 inhibitor envudeucitinib join a rapidly crowding oral psoriasis space.


Plaque Psoriasis

The HCPLive plaque psoriasis page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on psoriasis. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for psoriatic disease, and more.

Dermatology

The HCPLive dermatology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on skin disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for dermatologic conditions, and more.

How Envudeucitinib May Fit Into the Evolving Oral Psoriasis Landscape, With Andrew Blauvelt, MD, MBA

In the final episode, ‘Risk-Based Management in Hypercortisolism,’ the panelists explored how to approach hypercortisolism management in the absence of widely accessible, targeted therapies, emphasizing a risk-based treatment paradigm. 

Latest News

Enlicitide Superior to Oral Non-Statin Therapies for LDL-C Lowering, With Alberico Catapano, PhD

Genetic Panels in Hepatology: Identifying the Right Patients

Biologics Across the Airway: Selection, Remission Goals, and Real-World Barriers

FDA Removes Age Restriction for Epinephrine Nasal Spray, With Nicole Chase, MD

The Mechanics Behind PAH Diagnosis and Management, With Anjali Vaidya, MD