Expert Craig Beavers Previews Key Topics, New Data at ACC 2025

This weekend, from March 29 to March 31, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) is going to be celebrating 75 years of transforming cardiovascular care for all in Chicago, Illinois. Over the 75 years, the transformation led by the ACC has included major clinical milestones in patient-focused care, pharmacotherapy, and devices. Furthermore, that transformation has included a focus on team-based care, including pharmacists. Thus, it cannot be understated how much pharmacists should check out what is going on at ACC.25, whether you attend in person or follow along virtually on Pharmacy Times.

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ACC is one of the premier cardiology meetings where pharmacists can learn and engage. This year, over 300 pharmacists will be at the meeting to grow and network across all domains of the field of cardiology. Special highlights include 163 sessions accredited for continuing education, the clinical pharmacist poster session, and plenty of fun at various networking events. There are hands-on demonstrations, a large exposition with a variety of vendors, and time for a variety of pharmacist-focused social events.

As always, there are findings from a number of potentially major trials being presented that pharmacists should be aware of. Amongst the highlights, but not limited to these, are the Extended Anticoagulant Treatment with a Reduced Versus Full dose Apixaban in Patients with Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism (API-CAT) study; the Efficacy of Rivaroxaban versus Warfarin with Acute Left Ventricular Thrombus Following Myocardial Infarction (RIVAWAR) trial; the primary results of the Oral Semaglutide Reduces Cardiovascular Events in People with Type 2 Diabetes with Atherosclerotic and/or Chronic Kidney Disease (SOUL) trial; and the Efficacy of Lorundrostat, a Novel Aldosterone Synthase Inhibitor, in Patients with Uncontrolled Hypertension on a Standardized Antihypertensive Medication Regimen, and the Comparative Effectiveness of Mobile Integrate Health Versus a Transition of Care Coordination in Patients with Heart Failure (MIGHTy-Heart) trial.

Beyond late-breaking clinical trials, a variety of sessions will provide comprehensive cardiovascular education, with many featuring pharmacist speakers. Hot topics include a session titled “Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Heart: Why and How to Screen” on Saturday at 1:30 pm local time, which will feature Camille Dyer, PharmD, discussing screening and interventions for tobacco, alcohol, and substance abuse. Additionally, Jessie Dunne, PharmD, will be co-chairing a session on Sunday at 8:00 am titled “Controversies and Choices in Pharmacotherapy for Atherosclerotic Disease.” Last but certainly not least, Stormi Gale, PharmD, will be providing insight on evolving treatments for obesity in heart failure embedded in a session titled, “Obesity and Heart Failure: Time for Revolution? Joint Symposium of the Heart Failure Society of America and American College of Cardiology.”

The ACC has always strived to have inventive and interactive education sessions, and this year does not disappoint! On Saturday at 1:30 pm they will have “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Peripheral Artery Disease Guidelines,” a session formatted in the vein of the classic game show. Of course, their FIT Jeopardy Competition is always thrilling and runs the course of the conference. Lastly, ACC brought back a team-based challenge titled, “Critical Care Cardiology Conundrum: A Team-Based Escape Room Challenge.”

Lastly, there will be several lounge sessions focusing on a broad array of topics, including information sessions about the fundamental skills course for cardiovascular team members, the food as medicine movement, beating burnout, building your brand on social media, several meet-the-guideline-author sessions, and becoming a leader in the cardiovascular community.

The ACC.25 meeting has so much to offer for pharmacists, no matter the practice background or location. If you can join us in Chicago, we hope to see you there. If not, the good news is Pharmacy Times will have a variety of articles, video interviews with experts, and information via our new podcast called “The Tell-Tale Heart: The Pharmacist’s Cardiovascular Digest.”