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Women in cardiology (WIC) sections have emerged as important leadership, career development, and advocacy forums for female cardiologists. Over the past 3 decades, they have grown from small groups to large sections within volunteer science organizations. In addition to providing a sense of community and promulgating the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the WIC sections have contributed to improving workplace culture and dynamics by generating evidence-based and actionable data, fostering leadership by and scientific enrichment of women, developing task forces and health policy documents targeted toward reduction of burnout and bias in medicine, and providing a platform to voice the unique challenges and opportunities of female cardiologists. The future holds great promise, as the WIC sections continue to play a pivotal role by being intentional, transparent, iterative, and sustainable, and working with important stakeholders, including men, to share data, best practices, and strategies to create and maintain a culture of equity and achieve its core principles. Résumé: Les sections WIC (“Women In Cardiology”) des femmes en cardiologie sont devenues d'importants forums de leadership, de développement de carrière et de défense des intérêts des femmes cardiologues. Au cours des trois dernières décennies, leur potentiel est passé de petits groupes à de grandes sections au sein d'organisations scientifiques bénévoles. En plus de donner un sentiment d'appartenance à une communauté et de promouvoir les principes de diversité, d'équité, d'inclusion et d'appartenance, les sections WIC ont contribué à améliorer la culture et la dynamique du milieu de travail en proposant des données factuelles et exploitables, en encourageant le leadership et l'enrichissement scientifique des femmes, en créant des groupes de travail et des documents de politique de santé visant à réduire l'épuisement professionnel et les préjugés en médecine, et en offrant une plateforme pour exprimer les défis et les opportunités uniques des femmes cardiologues. L'avenir semble très prometteur puisque les sections WIC continuent de jouer un rôle central en étant conscientes, transparentes, itératives et durables et en travaillant avec des parties prenantes importantes, y compris masculines, pour partager des données, des meilleures pratiques et des stratégies afin de créer et d'en maintenir la culture et de concrétiser ses principes fondamentaux.

A 23-year-old man with sickle cell disease treated with splenectomy and allogenic stem cell transplantation presented with recurrent chest pain, elevated cardiac enzymes, and unremarkable electrocardiography. His work-up revealed eosinophilia, raising concern for eosinophilic myocarditis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed patchy late gadolinium enhancement of the left ventricular free wall, suggestive of myocarditis. He was treated with high-dose intravenous steroids followed by oral prednisone, with improvement in his symptoms and eosinophilia and a decrease in cardiac enhancement on follow-up imaging. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.), Central Illustration

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Intracardiac blood cyst is a rare congenital abnormality that can be found in adults. • It is most commonly attached in the valves, particularly the mitral valve. • Echocardiography is the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of blood cyst. • Cardiac MRI contributes to the diagnosis, typically showing absence of cyst enhancement. • Conservative management is reasonable in the absence of effects on cardiac function.

Although aortic valve replacement with implantation of a bioprosthesis has been widely performed for more than 50 years, appreciation of the development of bioprosthetic leaflet thrombosis has incr...

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Diversity drives excellence. Inclusion is central to the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and to our entire cardiovascular profession ([1][2]). We cannot achieve our mission to transform cardiovascular care and

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of disorders that affect health and functioning in older adults. While cognitive declines have been linked to both cardiovascular and cerebral blood perfusion, protective neurovascular mechanisms raise the question whether cerebrovascular perfusion differs as a function of cardiovascular health status. The present study examined whether cerebrovascular perfusion significantly differs between healthy older adults with and without diagnosed CVD. The study also examined whether previously documented sex differences in cerebral perfusion would be replicated. METHODS: Twenty CVD patients without significant heart failure and 39 healthy controls were recruited to undergo a comprehensive assessment including an interview, echocardiogram, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Arterial spin labeling (ASL) was used to quantify cerebral blood perfusion. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited mean left ventricular ejection fractions that fell within normal limits. In line with previous research, women exhibited significantly higher cerebral perfusion than men. There were no significant group differences in whole brain cerebrovascular perfusion, regional perfusion, or white matter perfusion by patient status after accounting for sex and age. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the effects of mild CVD on cerebrovascular perfusion are minimal. Future studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms involved in maintaining cerebrovascular perfusion in the context of altered peripheral perfusion determine and to determine whether this finding extends to more acute or severe CVD.

Importance: There has been limited research on patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and COVID-19. Objective: To compare characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with STEMI with vs without COVID-19 infection. Design, Setting, and Participants: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients admitted between January 2019 and December 2020 (end of follow-up in January 2021) with out-of-hospital or in-hospital STEMI at 509 US centers in the Vizient Clinical Database (N = 80 449). Exposures: Active COVID-19 infection present during the same encounter. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Patients were propensity matched on the likelihood of COVID-19 diagnosis. In the main analysis, patients with COVID-19 were compared with those without COVID-19 during the previous calendar year. Results: The out-of-hospital STEMI group included 76 434 patients (551 with COVID-19 vs 2755 without COVID-19 after matching) from 370 centers (64.1% aged 51-74 years; 70.3% men). The in-hospital STEMI group included 4015 patients (252 with COVID-19 vs 756 without COVID-19 after matching) from 353 centers (58.3% aged 51-74 years; 60.7% men). In patients with out-of-hospital STEMI, there was no significant difference in the likelihood of undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention by COVID-19 status; patients with in-hospital STEMI and COVID-19 were significantly less likely to undergo invasive diagnostic or therapeutic coronary procedures than those without COVID-19. Among patients with out-of-hospital STEMI and COVID-19 vs out-of-hospital STEMI without COVID-19, the rates of in-hospital mortality were 15.2% vs 11.2% (absolute difference, 4.1% [95% CI, 1.1%-7.0%]; P = .007). Among patients with in-hospital STEMI and COVID-19 vs in-hospital STEMI without COVID-19, the rates of in-hospital mortality were 78.5% vs 46.1% (absolute difference, 32.4% [95% CI, 29.0%-35.9%]; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with out-of-hospital or in-hospital STEMI, a concomitant diagnosis of COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher rates of in-hospital mortality compared with patients without a diagnosis of COVID-19 from the past year. Further research is required to understand the potential mechanisms underlying this association.

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Am I doing the right thing for my patient? Every day, cardiovascular clinicians grapple with the weight of that question, search for trusted guidance, and seek verification of the impact of their interventions on

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Like the prolific Renaissance artist Michelangelo, we too have chosen a profession in which we have the privilege and responsibility of saying, “I am still learning.” At every age and every stage of our careers, the pursuit of knowledge is indispensable

[Figure][1] It took a pandemic to remind us of our human connectedness and shared vulnerabilities. Indeed, in the words of Thomas Friedman, “the world is flat” ([1][2]). The depth and breadth of our society’s interdependence with other countries and cultures, with various health care

[Figure][1] Improving the cardiovascular health and quality of health care for women requires recognition and understanding of the differences across the woman’s life span, from pathophysiology of coronary artery disease involving sex-specific risk factors to disease presentation of

Discrimination and emotional and sexual harassment create a hostile work environment (HWE). The global prevalence of HWE in cardiology is unknown, as is its impact.This study sought to evaluate emotional harassment, discrimination, and sexual harassment experienced by cardiologists and its impact on professional satisfaction and patient interactions worldwide.The American College of Cardiology surveyed cardiologists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, the European Union, the Middle East, Oceana, and North, Central, and South America. Demographics, practice information, and HWE were tabulated and compared, and their impact was assessed. The p values were calculated using the chi-square, Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis determined the association of characteristics with HWE and its subtypes.Of 5,931 cardiologists (77% men; 23% women), 44% reported HWE. Higher rates were found among women (68% vs. 37%; odds ratio [OR]: 3.58 vs. men), Blacks (53% vs. 43%; OR: 1.46 vs. Whites), and North Americans (54% vs. 38%; OR: 1.90 vs. South Americans). Components of HWE included emotional harassment (29%; n = 1,743), discrimination (30%; n = 1,750), and sexual harassment (4%; n = 221), and they were more prevalent among women: emotional harassment (43% vs. 26%), discrimination (56% vs. 22%), and sexual harassment (12% vs. 1%). Gender was the most frequent cause of discrimination (44%), followed by age (37%), race (24%), religion (15%), and sexual orientation (5%). HWE adversely affected professional activities with colleagues (75%) and patients (53%). Multivariate analysis showed that women (OR: 3.39; 95% confidence interval: 2.97 to 3.86; p 0.001) and cardiologists early in their career (OR: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.14 to 1.43; p 0.001) had the highest odds of experiencing HWE.There is a high global prevalence of HWE in cardiology, including discrimination, emotional harassment, and sexual harassment. HWE has an adverse effect on professional and patient interactions, thus confirming concerns about well-being and optimizing patient care. Institutions and practices should prioritize combating HWE.

Rationale: Sex hormones play a role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but the menstrual cycle has never been studied. Objectives: We conducted a prospective observational study of eight women with stable PAH and 20 healthy controls over one cycle. Methods: Participants completed four study visits 1 week apart starting on the first day of menstruation. Relationships between sex hormones, hormone metabolites, and extracellular vesicle microRNA (miRNA) expression and clinical markers were compared with generalized linear mixed modeling. Results: Women with PAH had higher but less variable estradiol (E2) levels (P

Echocardiography provides both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the aortic root, thoracic and proximal abdominal aorta. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) provides good views of the aortic root and proximal abdominal aorta, adequate views of the proximal ascending aorta and aortic arch, while only limited views of the descending thoracic aorta, in some patients. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), with its superior image quality due to high frequency transducers and close approximation of the esophagus to the thoracic aorta, provides nearly complete assessment of the ascending and descending thoracic aorta, especially in the emergency evaluation of Acute Aortic Syndromes (AAS). Presence of the trachea/left bronchus impedes complete visualization of the distal ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to marked global morbidity and mortality ([1–3][1]). There have been appropriate but significant restrictions on routine medical care to comply with public health guidance on physical distancing and to help preserve or redirect limited

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] The past few months of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak have brought seismic shifts in the fabric of our lives and in medicine. As clinicians, health care systems and communities have risen to the challenge of providing

Aims The COVID-19 pandemic required a significant redeployment of worldwide healthcare resources. Fear of infection, national lockdowns and altered healthcare priorities have the potential to impact utilisation of healthcare resources for non-communicable diseases. To survey health professionals’ views of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate and timing of admission of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) administered an internet-based questionnaire to cardiologists and cardiovascular nurses across 6 continents. Methods and results 3101 responses were received from 141 countries across 6 continents. 88.3% responded that their country was in “total lockdown” and 7.1% in partial lockdown. 78.8% responded that the number of patients presenting with STEMI was reduced since the coronavirus outbreak and 65.2% indicated that the reduction in STEMI presentations was >40%. Approximately 60% of all respondents reported that STEMI patients presented later than usual and 58.5% that >40% of STEMI patients admitted to hospital presented beyond the optimal window for primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) or thrombolysis. Independent predictors of the reported higher rate of delayed STEMI presentation were a country in total lockdown, >100 COVID-19 cases admitted locally, and the complete restructuring of the local cardiology service. Conclusion The survey indicates that the impact of COVID-19 on STEMI presentations is likely to be substantial, with both lower presentations and a higher rate of delayed presentations occurring. This has potentially important ramifications for future healthcare and policy planning in the event of further waves of this pandemic.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to marked global morbidity and mortality ([1–3][1]). There have been appropriate but significant restrictions on routine medical care to comply with public health guidance on physical distancing and to help preserve or redirect limited

Objective: Clinical predictors of ischemic stroke in the setting of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been identified, but there is limited data on predictors in the context of abnormal flow originating from the left atrial appendage. We hypothesize that reduced LAA flow velocity is associated with cerebrovascular ischemic events in patients with AF. Methods: We investigated consecutive patients with AF evaluated for ablation. Peak flow velocities at the orifice of the left atrial appendage (LAA) were obtained by transeosphageal echocardiography (TEE) studies, and elevated velocities were defined as greater than 40 cm/sec, in line with prior studies. The primary outcome was defined as the presence of any of the following: history of stroke/transient ischemic event, or non-lacunar brain infarct on brain imaging performed before the TEE. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the association between LAA peak flow and the primary outcome, adjusting for CHADS2Vasc score. Results: We identified 322 patients with TEE performed. The mean age was 62.1 years and 24.5% men. Patients with LAA-flow velocity < 40 cm/sec were more likely to have the primary outcome (10.7% vs 4.3%, p=0.023). This association persisted after adjusting for CHADS2VASc (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.09-6.33, p = 0.032). Conclusion: Low velocity in the LAA is associated with cerebrovascular ischemic events in patients with AF. More studies are needed to deterine whether LAA flow velocity can help risk stratify “low risk” patients with AF.

Background and Purpose: While studies have stratified cardioembolic (CE) stroke risk by qualitative left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology and biomarkers of atrial dysfunction, the quantitative properties that underlie these observations are not well established. Accordingly, we hypothesized that LAA volume and contrast density (attenuation) on computerized tomography (CT) may capture the structural and hemodynamic processes that underlie CE stroke risk. Methods: Data were collected from a single center prospective ischemic stroke database over 18 months and included all patients with ischemic stroke who previously underwent routine, non-gated, contrast enhanced thin-slice (≤2.5 mm) chest CT. Stroke subtype was determined based on the inpatient diagnostic evaluation. LAA volume and attenuation were determined from CT studies performed for various clinically appropriate indications. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors associated with ischemic stroke subtype, including known risk factors and biomarkers, as well as LAA density and morphologic measures. Results: We identified 311 patients with a qualifying chest CT (119 CE subtype, 109 ESUS, and 83 non-CE). In unadjusted models, there was an association between CE (vs. non-CE) stroke subtype and LAA volume (OR per mL increase 1.15, 95% CI 1.07-1.24, pth quartile vs. 1 st quartile; OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.28-6.80, p=0.011), but not with ESUS (vs. non-CE) subtype. In adjusted models, only the association between LAA density and CE stroke subtype persisted (adjusted OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.37-10.08, p=0.010). Conclusion: The LAA volume and density values on chest CT are associated with CE stroke subtype but not ESUS subtype. Patients with ESUS and increased LAA volume or attenuation may be a subgroup where the mechanism is cardioembolic and anticoagulation can be tested for secondary stroke prevention.

Annual live meetings are a focus for many organizations and professional societies and have long been considered an essential part of lifelong learning. Live meetings offer a venue for a wide range of topics including late breaking science, traditional and novel educational formats, networking opportunities, integration of technology, engagement of the cardiovascular team, and more. Although many factors provide challenges for the future of live annual meetings, there are many opportunities as well. The unique aspects of interactions and experiences at these meetings will maintain their importance in the lifelong learning toolbox.

Hypertension and its cardiovascular sequelae remain one of the major causes of death and disability worldwide, and the prevalence of hypertension in the US and Europe is high. Hypertension is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular events. Pharmacological approaches and lifestyle modification to treat hypertension early have been consistently shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes in primary and secondary prevention. Recent guidelines recommend initiating treatment at lower blood pressure levels, with normal blood pressure being defined as

Graphical abstract, Highlights • P-MAIVF is usually a complication of endocarditis or aortic valve surgery. • It is promptly recognized on transesophageal echocardiography. • It may cause symptoms and complications that warrant surgical intervention. • Surgical intervention remains the recommended management for P-MAIVF.

Background Pulmonary hypertension in the setting of renal transplantation has been associated with early allograft dysfunction and increased mortality, but this relationship has not been extensively studied. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent their first renal transplantation in the years 2003–2009 and had pre-transplantation echocardiograms. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as right ventricular systolic pressure ≥40 mm Hg in the absence of left-sided valvular disease and/or left ventricular ejection fraction ≤50%. Eighty-two of 205 patients (40%) met the inclusion criteria. The relationship between pulmonary hypertension and death-censored allograft failure (hemodialysis dependence or retransplantation) and serum creatinine was assessed with the use of Cox hazard regression and generalized mixed models. Results The presence of pulmonary hypertension was associated with a 3-fold increase in the risk of death-censored allograft failure (95% confidence interval, 1.20–7.32; P = .02). Failure rates were 19% at 24 months and 51% at 96 months for those with pulmonary hypertension versus 7% at 24 months and 20% at 86 months for those without pulmonary hypertension ( P = .01). Among those without graft failure, there was an increase in creatinine levels after transplantation ( P = .01). Effect estimates were unchanged by adjustment for multiple covariates and when pulmonary hypertension was defined as right ventricular systolic pressure ≥36 mm Hg. Conclusions Pulmonary hypertension before renal transplantation carries a 3-fold increased risk of death-censored allograft failure. The relationship between the pulmonary circulation and renal allograft failure warrants further study.

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Although progress has been made toward reducing gender disparities in clinical practice, the under-representation of women in cardiovascular (CV) medicine remains a concern. With respect to women in the physician

Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic valvular disease remain prevalent in many parts of the world, and are probably the most common cause of heart disease in pregnancy. Mitral stenosis is the most frequently encountered rheumatic valvular lesion. A variety of pregnancy-associated cardiovascular changes often exacerbate the signs and symptoms of valvular lesions. Pregnancy should not be allowed to proceed, if possible, in patients with uncorrected severe valvular lesions or mechanical heart valves requiring anticoagulation, as maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality are high. For those with milder disease, pregnancy is best undertaken after the valvular lesion has been rectified or stabilised. Recent advances in the management of valvular disease include the use of beta-blockers for patients with mitral stenosis, vasodilators in those with aortic and mitral regurgitation, and percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty for mitral and aortic stenosis. Application of these therapies in the pregnant patient is as yet unclear, and management decision needs to be individualized, weighing the risk and benefit to ensure maternal survival and to promote fetal well-being.

Although the number of Americans dying of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to increase since 2010 after decades of decrease, advances in the management of CVD have led to increased longevity among both women and men, with more people, mostly women, now surviving into their 80s and beyond.1 Paralleling this increased longevity, however, is an increasing prevalence of, and mortality from, neurodegenerative cognitive disorders.1 These cognitive disorders include dementia, a syndrome that has a multitude of causes and symptoms that ultimately have substantial impact on social and occupational activities and aspects of daily living.2 Typical symptoms of dementia include changes in memory, problem solving, language, and executive functioning.2 Although there are often distinct patterns, symptoms, and specific brain pathology associated with different dementias, multiple autopsy studies are now demonstrating that people with symptoms of a dementia will often have multiple brain pathologies noted at autopsy that were associated with the dementia.3, 4 Multiple reports document that approximately two thirds of those clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer dementia are women.5 Furthermore, it is estimated that by 2040 the number of Americans with some form of cognitive impairment (CI), including dementia, will be ≈8.3 million women and ≈3.3 million men.5 This sex‐related CI disparity is concerning and raises important questions about its possible relation to CVD and CVD‐related risk factor conditions. Although there are multiple types of dementia syndromes with different cognitive, behavioral, and pathological characteristics, the most common types are Alzheimer dementia and vascular cognitive impairment.6 Alzheimer dementia is characterized by an irreversible, progressive disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to perform simple tasks.7 Vascular cognitive impairment, a term that encompasses all levels of CI from its mildest form to vascular dementia, is characterized by progressive changes in behavior, function, and cognition caused by vascular injury (eg, strokes [infarcts], microbleeds [cerebral amyloid angiopathy and microhemmorhages]) or disease within the brain and includes deficits in executive functioning, attention, and language. This is in contrast to episodic memory deficits, which are more prominent in Alzheimer dementia. Increasingly, the term “mixed dementia” is used to describe the coexistence of both Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular neuropathology in people experiencing dementia symptoms.8 In 2018, new criteria for AD were established by the National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer's Association to recognize that the disease occurs across a continuum of pathologic changes that precede its clinical manifestations and culminates with Alzheimer dementia.9 The clinical syndrome is noted as Alzheimer dementia, and the term dementia caused by AD is used when neuroimaging biomarkers or biofluid markers or autopsy confirm the diagnosis. This distinction continues to highlight the ongoing research that shows that AD begins many years before the symptoms of Alzheimer dementia are present.10 The term mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is used in people with demonstrable CI who have not crossed the threshold to dementia. MCI can refer to either a predominantly memory (amnestic) or nonmemory (nonamnestic) cognitive deficit and can be the initial symptom of a dementia syndrome, but it may also be secondary to other conditions or disease processes.11 A meta‐analysis revealed that women have a higher prevalence of nonamnestic MCI but suggested no sex‐related differences in the incidence or prevalence of amnestic MCI.12 At age 45 years, the lifetime risk for developing Alzheimer dementia is estimated at 1 in 5 for women versus only 1 in 10 for men.13 Possible reasons for this sex disparity, alone or more likely in combination, include greater longevity of women; their higher incidence of chronic diseases (particularly those CVD linked with CI), genetic predispositions, differences in cognitive testing performance (women outperform men on tests of verbal ability)14 (thereby potentially “masking” any underlying cognitive deficits, resulting in a later presentation to the healthcare provider for complaints of change in cognitive function), socioeconomic, psychosocial, and biological factors.15 Education level and occupational attainment (eg employment) can impact cognitive resilience and explain some of the sex disparities noted in dementia.16, 17 Traditionally, older women may not have had as many opportunities for attaining a higher level of education nor an equal period of time in the workforce compared with men, thus possibly putting them at an increased risk for developing cognitive decline and dementia. However, results from studies continue to be mixed, as methodological issues, study design, and comparability across studies remain difficult. Lastly, among the psychosocial factors, caregiving has emerged as a potential risk factor for developing dementia. Sex differences in spousal care are highly prevalent for patients with dementia, with women delivering the majority of the care and spending more time devoted to care.18 The increased stress of caregiving, coupled with lower levels of social support and poor physical health, are increasingly being examined as strong risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia in female caregivers. In addition to the aforementioned contributing factors of sex‐related differences in the dementia syndromes, this review examines sex differences in CVD and a broad range of CVD risk factors that may contribute to CI to explain, at least in part, the higher prevalence of dementias in women versus men. Potential implications of these sex differences are addressed in context for practitioners, our healthcare system, and related resource consumption. Important knowledge gaps are identified to direct the focus of future research. The American College of Cardiology CVD in Women Committee identified this topic and invited experts in the fields of CVD and/or CI to contribute sections in their respective fields. They did their own literature searches and submitted their sections to the chair of the writing committee (ASV), who compiled and summarized the sections to create a cohesive document. Over 300 selected publications were reviewed, and those addressing sex differences or new information were included in this document. This document is a summary of the topics that include stroke, microvascular or small‐vessel disease, and sex‐specific issues about differences in CVD that may help explain the increased prevalence of CI and dementia in women.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the performance of B-type natriuretic peptide as a diagnostic tool for heart failure in pregnant or postpartum women with singleton gestations. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of diagnostic accuracy. We identified pregnant and postpartum women with B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography performed at an obstetric teaching hospital from 2007 to 2018. Women with known cardiac disease or multiple gestation were excluded. A panel of two cardiovascular disease experts, blinded to B-type natriuretic peptide values, determined the diagnosis of heart failure by consensus. Their judgement was based on detailed clinical features and parameters at the time of presentation with suspected heart failure. Where consensus could not be reached, differences were adjudicated by a third expert. A receiver operating characteristic curve estimated the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of B-type natriuretic peptide at various thresholds. RESULTS In total, 22 pregnant and 38 postpartum women were included in the cohort. Average age was 32±6.8 years. The most common clinical features at the time of presentation with suspected heart failure included preeclampsia (33/60, 55%), dyspnea (50/60, 83%), chest discomfort (34/60, 58%), and bilateral lower extremity edema (32/60, 53%). In total, 39 (65%) women had heart failure. The median B-type natriuretic peptide level was 326 pg/mL (interquartile range 200.5-390.5) in women with heart failure, as compared with 75.5 pg/mL (interquartile range 19-245) in women without heart failure (P

Background and Purpose— Left atrial enlargement has been shown to be associated with ischemic stroke, but the association with embolic stroke mechanisms remains unknown. We aim to study the associations between left atrial volume index (LAVI) and embolic stroke subtypes and atrial fibrillation (AF) detection on cardiac event monitoring in patients with embolic stroke of unknown source. Methods— Data were collected from a prospective cohort of consecutive patients with ischemic stroke admitted to a comprehensive stroke center over 18 months. Stroke subtype was classified into cardioembolic stroke, noncardioembolic stroke of determined mechanism (NCE), or embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Univariate and prespecified multivariable analyses were performed to assess associations between LAVI and stroke subtype and AF detection in patients with ESUS. Results— Of 1224 consecutive patients identified during the study period, 1020 (82.6%) underwent transthoracic echocardiography and had LAVI measurements. LAVI was greater in patients with cardioembolic stroke than NCE (41.4 mL/m 2 ±18.0 versus 28.6 mL/m 2 ±12.2; P 2 ±12.6 versus 28.6 mL/m 2 ±12.2; P =0.61). In multivariable logistic regression models, LAVI was greater in cardioembolic stroke versus NCE (adjusted odds ratio per mL/m 2 , 1.07; 95% CI, 1.05–1.09; P 2 , 1.00; 95% CI, 0.99–1.02; P =0.720). Among 99 patients with ESUS who underwent cardiac monitoring, 18.2% had AF detected; LAVI was independently associated with AF detection in ESUS (adjusted odds ratio per mL/m 2 , 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02–1.15; P =0.007). Conclusions— LAVI is associated with cardioembolic stroke as well as AF detection in patients with ESUS, 2 subsets of ischemic stroke that benefit from anticoagulation therapy. Patients with increased LAVI may be a subgroup where anticoagulation may be tested for stroke prevention.

Physician burnout has a negative impact on patient care, productivity and job retention, whereas the cost of recruiting and replacing burned-out physicians can be steep [(1)][1]. The current health care environment places strong emphasis on accomplishing the triple aim: improving population health

Background and purpose The current left atrial appendage (LAA) classification system (cLAA-CS) categorizes it into 4 morphologies: chicken wing (CW), windsock, cactus, and cauliflower, though there is limited data on either reliability or associations between different morphologies and stroke risk. We aimed to develop a simplified LAA classification system and to determine its relationship to embolic stroke subtypes. Methods Consecutive patients with ischemic stroke from a prospective stroke registry who previously underwent a clinically-indicated chest CT were included. Stroke subtype was determined and LAA morphology was classified using the traditional system (in which CW = low risk) and a new system (LAA-H/L, in which low risk morphology (LAA-L) was defined as an acute angle bend or fold from the proximal/middle portion of the LAA and high risk morphology (LAA-H) was defined as all others). As a proof of concept study, we determined reliability for the two classification systems, and we assessed the associations between both classification systems with stroke subtypes in our cohort and previous studies. Results We identified 329 ischemic stroke patients with a qualifying chest CT (126 cardioembolic subtype, 116 embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), and 87 non-cardioembolic subtypes). Intra- and inter-rater agreements improved using the LAA-H/L (0.95 and 0.85, respectively) vs. cLAA-CS (0.50 and 0.40). The LAA-H/L led to classifying 69 LAA morphologies that met criteria for CW as LAA-H. In fully adjusted models, LAA-H was associated with cardioembolic stroke (OR 5.4, 95%CI 2.1–13.7) and ESUS (OR 2.8 95% CI 1.2–6.4). Non-CW morphology was also associated with embolic stroke subtypes, but the effect size was much less pronounced. Studies using the cLAA-CS yielded mixed results for inter- and intra-rater agreements but most showed an association between a non-CW morphology and stroke with no difference among the three non-CW subtypes. Conclusion The LAA-H/L classification system is simple, has excellent intra and inter-rater agreements, and may help risk identify patients with cardioembolic stroke subtypes. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings.

Background: The left atrial appendage (LAA) is the main source of thrombus in atrial fibrillation (AF); biomarkers of LAA dysfunction are associated with ischemic stroke (IS) risk in patients with AF. We hypothesized that high risk LAA features [High risk morphology (LAA-H), LAA volume (LAAV), and LAA orifice surface area (LAAOSA)] would be more prevalent among patients with cardioembolic (CE) stroke and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) than among those with non-cardioembolic stroke (NCS). Methods: Consecutive patients with IS from a prospective comprehensive stroke center registry who previously underwent a clinically-indicated qualifying chest CT were included. Patients underwent inpatient diagnostic evaluation for ischemic stroke, and stroke subtype was determined based on ESUS criteria. LAA morphology [Low risk morphology was defined as two lobes with an acute angle between them or chicken wing morphology and LAA-H defined as all others], LAAOSA (measured in a plane parallel to the left atrium), and LAAV (measured using a volumetric analysis software) were determined using contrast enhanced thin-slice chest CT (≤2.5 mm thickness) by investigators blinded to stroke subtype. Results: Of 1234 patients with ischemic stroke, 329 (26.7%) patients had a qualifying chest CT performed (126 CE, 116 ESUS, and 87 NCS). The baseline characteristics of patients with and without chest CT were similar. When compared to NCS, LAA-H was more prevalent in ESUS (86.4% vs. 70.1%, p=0.018) and CE stroke (82.5% vs. 70.1%, p=0.042). The LAAOSA and volume did not significantly differ between the 3 groups (Table). Conclusion: LAA characteristics associated with cardioembolic stroke are also more prevalent in patients with ESUS. Larger studies are needed to confirm that LAA features are a risk factor for stroke among patients without AF, and whether anticoagulation is effective in patients with high-risk LAA features.

PURPOSE: Ischemic mitral regurgitation (iMR) augments risk for right ventricular dysfunction (RV(DYS)). Right and left ventricular (LV) function are linked via common coronary perfusion, but data is lacking regarding impact of LV ischemia and infarct transmurality – as well as altered preload and afterload – on RV performance. METHODS: In this prospective multimodality imaging study, stress CMR and 3-dimensional echo (3D-echo) were performed concomitantly in patients with iMR. CMR provided a reference for RV(DYS) (RVEF

While studies have stratified cardioembolic (CE) stroke risk by qualitative left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology and biomarkers of atrial dysfunction, the quantitative properties that underlie these observations are not well established. Accordingly, we hypothesized that LAA volume and contrast density (attenuation) on computerized tomography (CT) may capture the structural and hemodynamic processes that underlie CE stroke risk.Data were collected from a single center prospective ischemic stroke database over 18 months and included all patients with ischemic stroke who previously underwent routine, nongated, contrast enhanced thin-slice (≤2.5 mm) chest CT. Stroke subtype was determined based on the inpatient diagnostic evaluation. LAA volume and attenuation were determined from CT studies performed for various clinically appropriate indications. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors associated with ischemic stroke subtype, including known risk factors and biomarkers, as well as LAA density and morphologic measures.We identified 311 patients with a qualifying chest CT (119 CE subtype, 109 Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS), and 83 non-CE). In unadjusted models, there was an association between CE (versus non-CE) stroke subtype and LAA volume (OR per mL increase 1.15, 95% CI 1.07-1.24, P.001) and LAA density (4th quartile versus 1st quartile; OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.28-6.80, P = .011), but not with ESUS (versus non-CE) subtype. In adjusted models, only the association between LAA density and CE stroke subtype persisted (adjusted OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.37-10.08, P = .010).The LAA volume and density values on chest CT are associated with CE stroke subtype but not ESUS subtype. Patients with ESUS and increased LAA volume or attenuation may be a subgroup where the mechanism is CE and anticoagulation can be tested for secondary stroke prevention.