Editorial
Swiss Cardiology 01/2026
Table of contents
Research — Review*
Management of Patients with Elevated Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular risk begins to rise well below the traditional threshold for overt hypertension, yet the optimal management of patients with elevated or high-normal blood pressure (BP) remains controversial. This review summarizes current evidence on diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment strategies, with particular focus on individuals with BP values of 120–139/80–89 mmHg and the differing recommendations of European and American guidelines.
Research — Review*
Long QT Syndrome: A Prototype Disease for Precision Medicine
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited cardiac disorder that exemplifies the transition toward precision medicine in cardiology. Advances in genetic and mechanistic understanding have fundamentally reshaped diagnosis and risk stratification, while enabling more targeted therapeutic approaches. Today, LQTS serves as a model for individualized, mechanism-based patient care.
Research — Review*
Extraction of Transvenous Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in 2026
Transvenous lead extraction has become an essential component in the management of cardiac implantable electronic devices, particularly in the setting of device-related complications. Since the introduction of lead extraction techniques, the technology and procedural approaches have evolved considerably. Today, the majority of leads can be removed via the transvenous route with high success and safety rates. In this review, we summarize the current standards and contemporary practices in transvenous lead extraction.
Research — Case Report
Intracardiac Echocardiography: Use of Intracardiac Echocardiography to Guide Catheter Ablation
Papillary muscle ventricular arrhythmias remain technically demanding targets for catheter ablation due to complex intracavitary anatomy and unstable catheter contact. This case report illustrates how intracardiac echocardiography enables real-time anatomical visualization, optimizes lesion delivery, and facilitates durable arrhythmia elimination when conventional mapping alone proves insufficient.
Report — Report
ACC 2026: Three Days of Cutting-edge Cardiology
This year’s American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Session took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, from March 28 to 30. Results from relevant clinical trials—many of which were published in prominent journals around the same time—were presented in a total of seven Late-Breaking Clinical Trials sessions. Here is a selection of findings that could change clinical practice in the near future.
Cardiology Review Course Zurich 2026: What is Required for Optimal Lipid Management
Given the risks associated with elevated lipid levels, optimal lipid management is of great importance. Prof. Dr. Isabella Sudano, head of the hypertension,
dyslipidemia, and smoking cessation clinic, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Zurich; and PD Dr. Kon- stantinos Koskinas, Preventive Cardiology, University Clinic for Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, at the Cardiology Review Course Zurich 2026.
Journal Club
No Need to Give up Coffee after Cardioversion
It is commonly believed that caffeinated coffee has a proar- rhythmic effect. A prospective, open-label, randomized study investigated whether caffeinated coffee has an influence on recurrent atrial fibrillation compared to abstinence from coffee and caffeine.
Nicotine in any Form Is Harmful to the Heart
Regardless of whether nicotine is burned, heated, inhaled, or simply kept in the mouth as a pouch, the European Society of Cardiology classifies nicotine as a direct cardiovascular toxin in a consensus paper. This assessment was based on an evaluation of all available literature on nicotine consumption.
Colchicine for Heart Attacks
Treatment with low-dose colchicine has been proposed for secondary cardiovascular prevention in patients with high cardiovascular risk. A Cochrane review investigated the benefits of colchicine therapy in patients with stable cardiovascular disease, previous myocardial infarction, or stroke. Twelve randomized placebo-controlled studies with a total of 22,983 participants aged between 57 and 74 years were evaluated.
Potential Additional Benefits of Cardio-renal-metabolic Therapies on the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation
Drug therapy for cardio-renal-metabolic diseases can prevent new-onset atrial fibrillation. A meta-analysis investigated which pharmacotherapies have an effect on the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation.
Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Can Reduce Heart Failure
Comparison of Anticoagulants
Apixaban and rivaroxaban are the most commonly used oral anticoagulants for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. An international study with a prospective, randomized, open-label, and blinded endpoint design investigated the extent to which the risk of bleeding differs between the two anticoagulants.
Editorial
In this issue
Research
Review
- Management of Patients with Elevated Blood Pressure
- Long QT Syndrome: A Prototype Disease for Precision Medicine
- Extraction of Transvenous Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in 2026
Case Report
Report
- ACC 2026: Three Days of Cutting-edge Cardiology
- Cardiology Review Course Zurich 2026: What is Required for Optimal Lipid Management
Journal Club
- No Need to Give up Coffee after Cardioversion
- Nicotine in any Form Is Harmful to the Heart
- Colchicine for Heart Attacks
- Potential Additional Benefits of Cardio-renal-metabolic Therapies on the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation
- Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Can Reduce Heart Failure
- Comparison of Anticoagulants