Welcome to Cardiology Today – Recorded November 21, 2025. This episode summarizes 5 key cardiology studies on topics like mortality and blood pressure. Key takeaway: CAR T Cells Halt Atherosclerosis. Article Links: Article 1: OxLDL-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Regulatory Cells Reduce Atherosclerotic Plaque Development. (Circulation) Article 2: Blood Pressure in Adolescence and Atherosclerosis in Middle Age. (JAMA cardiology) Article 3: Patient characteristics, valve surgery and 1-year mortality in left-sided Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis: a nationwide study. (Heart (British Cardiac Society)) Article 4: Diagnostic performance of 2023 endocarditis criteria in patients with and without cardiac implantable electronic devices. (Heart (British Cardiac Society)) Article 5: Percutaneous ventricular assist devices for percutaneous coronary interventions in older patients with heart failure: a target trial emulation. (Heart (British Cardiac Society)) Full episode page: https://podcast.explainheart.com/podcast/car-t-cells-halt-atherosclerosis-11-21-25/ Featured Articles Article 1: OxLDL-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Regulatory Cells Reduce Atherosclerotic Plaque Development. Journal: Circulation PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41268661 Summary: This study found that oxidized low-density lipoprotein targeted chimeric antigen receptor T regulatory cells reduced atherosclerotic plaque development. This novel approach represents a significant therapeutic advance for cardiovascular disease, which is driven by oxidized low-density lipoprotein accumulation and foam cell formation. The findings suggest a new medical therapy for patients ineligible for percutaneous interventions, addressing a major unmet need in atherosclerosis treatment. Article 2: Blood Pressure in Adolescence and Atherosclerosis in Middle Age. Journal: JAMA cardiology PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41259058 Summary: This study found a significant association between elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure during adolescence and the development of atherosclerosis in middle age. The findings demonstrated that elevated adolescent blood pressure is linked to long-term subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This highlights the critical importance of early blood pressure management to mitigate future cardiovascular risk. Article 3: Patient characteristics, valve surgery and 1-year mortality in left-sided Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis: a nationwide study. Journal: Heart (British Cardiac Society) PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41266240 Summary: A nationwide study characterized patient profiles and one-year mortality rates for left-sided Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis, a condition known for 30 percent to 40 percent in-hospital mortality. The research demonstrated the comparative outcomes between patients who underwent valve surgery and those who received medical therapy alone. These findings offer robust evidence essential for refining current guidelines on surgical intervention in Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis. Article 4: Diagnostic performance of 2023 endocarditis criteria in patients with and without cardiac implantable electronic devices. Journal: Heart (British Cardiac Society) PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41218924 Summary: This multicenter cohort study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the 2023 European Society of Cardiology criteria for infective endocarditis. The findings demonstrated how these new criteria performed compared to the 2015 European Society of Cardiology, 2019 European Heart Rhythm Association, and 2023 Duke-International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases classifications. This assessment of diagnostic accuracy was conducted in patients with and without cardiac implantable electronic devices, providing critical insights for clinical application. Article 5: Percutaneous ventricular assist devices