Written: Katie Coffee
Photo: A clinician holds defibrillator paddles. César Badilla Miranda / Unsplash
Aortic balloon occlusion raised blood pressure during cardiac arrest in feasibility study
A UK air-ambulance team used the endovascular device for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; the authors stress it is not yet proof of benefit.
East Anglian Air Ambulance clinicians used resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in adults whose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest had not responded to advanced life support, confirming occlusion in 33 patients [1]. Aortic diastolic pressure rose from 26 to 42 mm Hg; eight patients regained sustained circulation and two survived to discharge with good neurological outcome [1]. The uncontrolled study, presented Nov. 7 at the American Heart Association’s Resuscitation Science Symposium, has not been peer reviewed [1].
FDA investigates malignancy risk after Zolgensma gene therapy
The agency confirmed vector DNA integrated at the GLI1 oncogene in two tumors.
In a notice dated Nov. 6, the FDA said it is reviewing postmarketing reports of tumors, including of the nervous system, spinal region and kidney, in patients treated with Novartis’s spinal muscular atrophy therapy [2]. Three cases involved GLI1-associated tumors; molecular analysis showed vector integration in two, with the third under investigation [2]. The agency said the risk also applies to Itvisma, which shares the vector but has no reported cases, that benefits still outweigh risks, and that treated patients should be monitored for tumors [2].
Pelacarsen cut Lp(a) 78% without reducing cardiovascular events
Novartis-funded Lp(a) HORIZON enrolled 8,323 adults with established cardiovascular disease and elevated lipoprotein(a).
In the phase 3 trial, monthly 80 mg injections of the antisense drug lowered Lp(a) by an average of 78% but did not change the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events versus placebo [3]. Anaphylaxis occurred in 19 pelacarsen recipients and none on placebo, and about 21% stopped the drug for adverse reactions versus more than 7% [3]. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine [3].
IL-6 blocker ziltivekimab fails to cut cardiovascular events in ZEUS
Investigators say the high-risk population may have been too advanced for treatment to help.
Among 6,376 adults with atherosclerotic disease, chronic kidney disease and elevated hs-CRP, monthly ziltivekimab lowered hs-CRP 64% relative to placebo, yet the primary endpoint of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death occurred in 561 treated patients and 565 on placebo [4]. Serious infections were reported in 20% versus 18% [4]. The Novo Nordisk-funded trial, led by Paul Ridker of Mass General Brigham, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine [4].
Digest references
1. American Heart Association. “Balloon technique may help improve circulation to heart and brain during cardiac arrest.” AHA Newsroom, Nov. 7, 2026. newsroom.heart.org
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Investigating Serious Risk of Malignancy Linked to Zolgensma Gene Therapy.” Safety communication, Nov. 6, 2026. fda.gov
3. American Heart Association. “Lp(a) HORIZON trial: Lp(a) fell by 78%, but cardiovascular outcomes unexpectedly neutral.” AHA Newsroom, Nov. 7, 2026. newsroom.heart.org
4. American Heart Association. “Researchers say inflammation as a treatment target still important despite neutral results of ZEUS trial.” AHA Newsroom, Nov. 7, 2026. newsroom.heart.org
