Cardionerds: A Cardiology Podcast

Dr. Kim Williams, Chief of the Division of Cardiology, discusses the 2021 ESC Cardiovascular Prevention Guidelines. Topics include dietary recommendations for reducing cardiovascular disease risk, ASCVD modifications, sodium restriction and fiber intake, and controversies surrounding saturated fat and vitamin supplementation.

Dr. Allison Bailey, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist, answers a question about cardiovascular prevention guidelines. The podcast covers the use of coronary artery calcium scoring for risk reclassification, guidelines for cardiovascular prevention and risk classification, and promoting healthy lifestyle and risk stratification using CAC score.

This question refers to Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of the 2021 ESC CV Prevention Guidelines. The question is asked by CardioNerds Academy Intern, student Dr. Hirsh Elhence, answered first by Ohio State University Cardiology Fellow Dr. Alli Bigeh, and then by expert faculty Dr. Eugene Yang. Dr. Yang is professor of medicine of the University of Washington where he is medical director of the Eastside Specialty Center and the co-Director of the Cardiovascular Wellness and Prevention Program. Dr. Yang is former Governor of the ACC Washington Chapter and current chair of the ACC Prevention of CVD Section. The CardioNerds Decipher The Guidelines Series for the 2021 ESC CV Prevention Guidelines represents a collaboration with the ACC Prevention of CVD Section, the National Lipid Association, and Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. Question #1 A 48-year-old Pakistani woman with rheumatoid arthritis comes to your clinic asking how she can reduce her risk of ASCVD. Her mother died of an MI at age 45, her father is healthy at age 79. Her calculated 10-year risk based on SCORE2 is 3%. SBP is 120 mmHg, LDL is 120 mg/dL. What is the next best step?  A. Order an echocardiogram B. Schedule a follow-up appointment in 1 year C. Discuss initiating a statin D. Repeat lipid panel in 3-5 years  Answer #1 Answer: C. Discuss Initiating a statin  The absolute benefit derived from risk factor modification depends on the absolute risk of CVD and the absolute improvements in each risk factor category. Risk factor treatment recommendations are based on categories of CVD risk (“low-to-moderate”, “high”, and “very high”). The cut-off risk levels for these categories are numerically different for various age groups to avoid undertreatment in the young and to avoid overtreatment in the elderly. As age is a major driver of CVD risk, but lifelong risk factor treatment benefit is higher in younger people, the risk thresholds for considering treatment are lower for younger people as per the ESC guidelines. Treatment decisions should be made with shared decision-making valuing patient preference.   Option A is INCORRECT- there is a lack of convincing evidence that echocardiography improves CVD risk reclassification, and it is NOT recommended to improve CV risk prediction. (Class III, LOE B)  Option B is INCORRECT- simply doing nothing is not appropriate for this patient with elevated CVD risk.   Option C is CORRECT- This patient has a seemingly low 10-year CVD risk based on SCORE 2 of 3% and her SBP is controlled; however, given her age she is considered as having high CVD risk, therefore treatment should be considered. Stepwise approach involves targeting LDL <100 (class IIa) so initiating a statin would be appropriate. This patient also carries several risk enhancing modifiers including Pakistani ethnicity, family history of premature CVD, and inflammatory comorbidity. All patients should be counseled on smoking cessation, lifestyle modifications, and target SBP <160 mmHg.  Option D is INCORRECT- repeating a lipid panel without risk factor modification will not change treatment recommendations for this patient with elevated CVD risk.   Main Takeaway  In summary, when a patient <50 years old without established ASCVD has an estimated 10-year risk 2.5 to <7.5% they are considered high CVD risk and risk factor treatment should be considered. Risk modifiers should also be taken into consideration.  *Of note- ACC/AHA guidelines recommend the ASCVD risk calculator to estimate 10-year risk and do not restructure CVD risk groups according to age groups. High risk in the ACC/AHA guidelines is considered to be >20%.  Guideline Location Table 5 and Figure 5, Page 3251 3.2.3.4, Page 3253 3.2.3, Figure 6 page 3252 3.3, Pages 3258-3259  CardioNerds Decipher the Guidelines – 2021 ESC Prevention SeriesCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron!

CardioNerds (Amit Goyal and Daniel Ambinder) and guest host, Dr. Priya Kothapalli (UT Austin fellow and CardioNerds Ambassador), join SUNY Downstate cardiology fellows, Dr. Eric Kupferstein and Dr. Gautham Upadhya to discuss a case about a patient who had coronary artery bypass grafting that was complicated by a LIMA grafted to the great cardiac vein. Dr. Alan Feit (Professor of Medicine, SUNY Downstate) provides the E-CPR for this episode. Dr. Moritz Wyler von Ballmoos (Director, robotic cardiac and vascular surgery for Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates) provides a special perspective regarding coronary artery bypass grafting as it relates to this case. Episode introduction with CardioNerds Clinical Trialist Dr. Jana Lovell (Johns Hopkins). Left Internal Mammary Artery (LIMA) to Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery anastomosis is the cornerstone of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery. Anastomosis of the LIMA to the Great Cardiac Vein (GCV) is a known but rare complication of the surgery. Currently there are no clear guidelines in regard to further management. We report a case of a LIMA to GCV anastomosis managed with a drug eluting stent (DES) to the mid LAD after ruling out a significant left to right heart shunt. Jump to: Case media – Case teaching – References CardioNerds Case Reports PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Case Media – Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: An Iatrogenic Left to Right Cardiac Shunt Angiography Episode Schematics & Teaching – Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: An Iatrogenic Left to Right Cardiac Shunt Pearls – Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: An Iatrogenic Left to Right Cardiac Shunt Listen to the patient’s story. The patient determines when the angina is no longer stable angina. The placebo effect of our interventions should not be discounted. LIMA to GCV anastomosis creates a left to right cardiac shunt. A Qp:Qs greater than 1.5 signifies a significant shunt. Increasing the pressure in the coronary sinus may actually be beneficial to the patient. LIMA-LAD is remains the most efficacious and long lasting graft but why not other arterial grafts? Notes – Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: An Iatrogenic Left to Right Cardiac Shunt Iatrogenic anastomosis of the LIMA to the GCV is a rare but noted complication of CABG surgery. Review of the literature has reported under 40 such cases of arteriovenous fistula formation in the coronary system. Detection of the anastomosis generally stems from recurrent angina which can be attributed to unresolved ischemia or coronary steal syndrome but also can be detected with new heart failure (namely right sided heart failure due to left to right shunting). Diagnosis is usually made with coronary angiography, but CT coronary angiography has also been reported. Due to the rarity of this complication, no clear guidelines are in place directing the management leaving it to the discretion of the various Heart Teams. Evaluating for signs of heart failure and/or ischemia, and measuring the Qp:Qs have been the most common signs directing management. Various options are available for closing the fistula and include coil or balloon embolization, vascular plugs, venous ligation or a covered stent. Redoing the surgery is also an option. Spontaneous closure of the fistula has also been reported. Lastly, if redo surgery is not performed then regardless of fistula closure, coronary intervention for the native diseased artery may be pursued to relieve symptoms. References Boden et al; COURAGE Trial Research Group. Optimal medical therapy with or without PCI for stable coronary disease. N Engl J Med. 2007 Apr 12;356(15):1503-16. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa070829. Epub 2007 Mar 26. PMID: 17387127. Maron et al; ISCHEMIA Research Group. Initial Invasive or Conservative Strategy for Stable Coronary Disease. N Engl J Med. 2020 Apr 9;382(15):1395-1407. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1915922. Epub 2020 Mar 30. PMID: 32227755; PMCID: PMC7263833. Klocke et al; ACC/AHA/ASNC guidelines for the clinical use of cardiac radionuclide imaging–executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (ACC/AHA/ASNC Committee to Revise the 1995 Guidelines for the Clinical Use of Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2003 Oct 1;42(7):1318-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2003.08.011. PMID: 14522503. Chow et al; Diagnostic accuracy and impact of computed tomographic coronary angiography on utilization of invasive coronary angiography. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. 2009 Jan;2(1):16-23. doi: 10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.108.792572. PMID: 19808560. Sheiban et al; Iatrogenic left internal mammary artery-coronary vein anastomosis treated with covered stent deployment via retrograde percutaneous coronary sinus approach. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2006 Nov;68(5):704-7. doi: 10.1002/ccd.20842. PMID: 17039511. Lumley et al; Inadvertent left internal mammary artery (LIMA): great cardiac vein anastomosis. BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Feb 15;2013:bcr2012007450. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007450. PMID: 23417930; PMCID: PMC3618535. Stout et al; AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Apr 2;73(12):e81-e192. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.1029. Epub 2018 Aug 16. Erratum in: J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 May 14;73(18):2361-2362. PMID: 30121239. Olshansky B. Placebo and nocebo in cardiovascular health: implications for healthcare, research, and the doctor-patient relationship. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007 Jan 30;49(4):415-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2006.09.036. Epub 2007 Jan 16. PMID: 17258086. Ido et al; Coronary sinus occlusion enhances coronary collateral flow and reduces subendocardial ischemia. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2001 Mar;280(3):H1361-7. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.2001.280.3.H1361. PMID: 11179085. Banai et al; Coronary sinus reducer stent for the treatment of chronic refractory angina pectoris: a prospective, open-label, multicenter, safety feasibility first-in-man study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007 May 1;49(17):1783-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2007.01.061. PMID: 17466229. Gaudino et al; ATLANTIC (Arterial Grafting International Consortium) Alliance members. Arterial Grafts for Coronary Bypass: A Critical Review After the Publication of ART and RADIAL. Circulation. 2019 Oct 8;140(15):1273-1284. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.041096. Epub 2019 Oct 7. PMID: 31934782. CardioNerds Case Report Production Team Karan Desai, MD Amit Goyal, MD Daniel Ambinder, MD

In this intriguing discussion, Charlie Jain, an ACHD fellow and CardioNerds veteran, teams up with Dr. George Lui, Medical Director of the Adult Congenital Heart Program at Stanford, to illuminate Tetralogy of Fallot. They explore this common congenital heart defect, its surgical history, and the significant advancements in management. Their conversation touches on the complexities of pulmonic regurgitation, the importance of personalized care, and the ongoing challenges adult patients face, all while sharing inspiring stories from the field.

CardioNerds Rounds Co-Chairs, Dr. Karan Desai and Dr. Natalie Stokes and CardioNerds Academy Fellow, Dr. Najah Khan, join Dr. Martha Gulati – President-Elect of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) and prior Chief of Cardiology and Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona – to discuss challenging cases in cardiac prevention. As an author on numerous papers regarding cardiac prevention and women’s health, Dr. Gulati provides many prevention pearls to help guide patient care. Come round with us today by listening to the episodes now and joining future sessions of #CardsRounds! This episode is supported with unrestricted funding from Zoll LifeVest. A special thank you to Mitzy Applegate and Ivan Chevere for their production skills that help make CardioNerds Rounds such an amazing success. All CardioNerds content is planned, produced, and reviewed solely by CardioNerds. Case details are altered to protect patient health information. CardioNerds Rounds is co-chaired by Dr. Karan Desai and Dr. Natalie Stokes.  Speaker disclosures: None Cases discussed and Show Notes • References • Production Team CardioNerds Rounds PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Show notes – CardioNerds Rounds: Challenging Cases of Cardiovascular Prevention with Dr. Martha Gulati Case #1 Synopsis: A 55-year-old South Asian woman presents to prevention clinic for an evaluation of an elevated LDL-C. Her prior history includes hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and pre-eclampsia. She was told she had “high cholesterol” a few years prior and would need medication. She started exercising regularly and cut out sweets from her diet. Before clinic, labs showed: Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) of 320, HDL 45, Triglycerides 175, and (directly measured) LCL-C 180. Her Lipoprotein(a) is 90 mg/dL (ULN being ~ 30 mg/dL). Her HbA1C is 5.2% and her 10-year ASCVD Risk (by the Pooled Cohorts Equation) is 5.4%. Her recent CAC score was 110. She prefers not to be on medication and seeks a second opinion. Takeaways from Case #1 As Dr. Gulati notes, in the 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, South Asian ethnicity is considered a “risk enhancing factor.” The pooled cohort equations (PCE) may underestimate risk in South Asians. Furthermore, risk varies within different South Asian populations, with the risk for cardiovascular events seemingly higher in those individuals of Bangladeshi versus Pakistani or Indian origin. There are multiple hypotheses for why this may be the case including cultural aspects, such as diet, physical activity, and tobacco use. A better understanding of these factors could inform targeted preventive measures. In the same 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease mentioned above, history of an adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) increases later ASCVD risk (e.g., preeclampsia) and is also included as a “risk-enhancing factor.” Studies have shown that preeclampsia is an independent risk factor for developing early onset coronary artery calcification. Recent data has shown that the risk for developing preeclampsia is not the same across race and ethnicity, with Black women more likely to develop preeclampsia. Black women also had the highest rates of peripartum cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and acute renal failure. After adjustment for socioeconomic factors and co-morbidities, preeclampsia was associated with increased risk of CVD events in all women, the risk was highest among Asian and Pacific Islander women. Listen to Episode #174. Black Maternal Health with Dr. Rachel Bond to learn more about race-based disparities in cardio-obstetric care and outcomes. Our patient thus has multiple risk-enhancing factors to help in shared decision making and personalize her decision for statin use. Another risk-enhancing factor for her is an elevated Lp(a), which is considered elevated when ≥ 50 mg/dL or ≥ 125 nmol/L. One other aspect that Dr. Gulati briefly covered was how CAC score may inform Aspirin use for primary prevention. There continues to be debate over when to prescribe aspirin when there is demonstrable calcium on imaging. In the MESA study, for individuals with CAC ≥ 100, the NNT (for 5 years to prevent an ASCVD event) was a 140 and NNH was 518. Case #2 Synopsis: A 58-year-old woman presents to establish care at a general cardiology clinic for shortness of breath. Her history includes hypertension, cutaneous lupus, and ongoing tobacco use. A year ago, she started having nausea, more common with stress or on exertion. She saw her PCP who obtained an EKG and GI evaluation. Endoscopy was unrevealing and EKG showed non-specific ST-T changes inferiorly. She was treated for GERD and then 6 months prior she developed dyspnea on exertion while exercising on her stationary bike after 10 minutes; she previously could go 30 minutes. She suffered a left knee meniscal tear shortly thereafter. She sees a cardiologist and obtains a cardiac PET-Stress which showed a small area of reversible ischemia in the basal to mid inferior wall and borderline reduced coronary flow reserve. Her symptoms continued and she was referred for LHC which showed non-obstructive CAD. No intracoronary physiologic testing was done. She is started on aspirin but still having symptoms. She seeks your opinion on how to prevent cardiovascular events.  Takeaways Case #2 In the VIRGO study, investigators interviewed 2009 women and 976 men aged 18 to 55 years hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at 103 United States hospitals. Approximately 29.5% of women and 22.1% of men sought medical care for similar chest pain symptoms before their hospitalization; however, 53% of women reported that their provider did not think these symptoms were heart-related in comparison with 37% of men (p < 0.001). As Dr. Gulati noted, angiographically obstructive CAD is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ischemic heart disease. There are several important phenotypes including diffuse non-obstructive CAD and coronary microvascular dysfunction. Dr. Gulati shared the following image to demonstrate how ischemic heart disease is a unifying term for different syndromes. Academy Fellow, Dr. Najah Khan, has created the following infographic that provides a distinction between INOCA (ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease) and MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries). Case #3 Synopsis: A 50-year-old man presents to cardiology clinic after a STEMI. His history includes hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and prior tobacco use. Four months ago, the patient suffered an inferior STEMI complicated by VF arrest treated with PCI to the proximal RCA. There was significant residual CAD and tentative plan for staged CABG. The patient was discharged on Aspirin, Prasugrel, Metoprolol Succinate, Lisinopril, Metformin and Atorvastatin. However, he started having muscle aches and so he stopped his Atorvastatin. He sees his PCP and before clinic gets a Lipid Panel (mg/dL) with Total Ch at 230, TG 237, HDL at 36 and LDL-C at 140. The patient starts ezetimibe and then comes to see you a month later to discuss best secondary prevention measures. Case #3 Takeaways: There are multiple opportunities for secondary prevention following acute coronary syndrome, with many patients undertreated. This includes but not limited to LDL-lowering medications, smoking cessation, cardiac rehabilitation, blood pressure control, diabetes management, weight loss, and targeting non-LDL particles when appropriate. Dr. Gulati points out that we need to make sure we categorize a patient’s risk appropriately, including patients at “very high risk” of ASCVD. This requires multiple ASCVD events (recent ACS, history of MI, history of ischemic stroke, symptomatic PAD) or an ASCVD event with multiple high-risk conditions (e.g., Age ≥ 65, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, history of prior CABG or PCI outside of major ASCVD events, diabetes, hypertension, CKD, current tobacco use, persistently elevated LDL-C despite max statin therapy and ezetimibe, and/or history of congestive heart failure). Patients at very high risk of ASCVD should be on a high intensity statin or maximally tolerated statin (Class I). If PCSK9 inhibitors are considered, it is Class I to add ezetimibe to maximal statin therapy before initiating PCSK9i. If a patient is deemed to be on the maximal LDL-C lowering therapy that s/he is able to tolerate but LDL-C remains ≥ 70 mg/dL or non-HDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL, adding PCSK9i is reasonable (Class IIa). A take home message from Dr. Gulati is that after more than a quarter century of treating LDL-C, generally the lower we can drive LDL-C levels the better for patient outcomes. References Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al. 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019 Sep 10;140(11):e596-e646. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678. Epub 2019 Mar 17. Erratum in: Circulation. 2019 Sep 10;140(11):e649-e650. Erratum in: Circulation. 2020 Jan 28;141(4):e60. Erratum in: Circulation. 2020 Apr 21;141(16):e774. PMID: 30879355; PMCID: PMC7734661. Benschop L, Brouwers L, Zoet GA, et al. Early Onset of Coronary Artery Calcification in Women With Previous Preeclampsia. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. 2020 Nov;13(11):e010340. doi: 10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.119.010340. Epub 2020 Nov 16. PMID: 33190533. Cainzos-Achirica M, Miedema MD, McEvoy JW, et al. Coronary Artery Calcium for Personalized Allocation of Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in 2019: The MESA Study (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). Circulation. 2020 May 12;141(19):1541-1553. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.045010. Epub 2020 Apr 1. PMID: 32233663; PMCID: PMC7217722. Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Jun 25;73(24):3168-3209. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.11.002. Epub 2018 Nov 10. Erratum in: J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Jun 25;73(24):3234-3237. PMID: 30423391. Lichtman JH, Leifheit EC, Safdar B, et al. Sex Differences in the Presentation and Perception of Symptoms Among Young Patients With Myocardial Infarction: Evidence from the VIRGO Study (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients). Circulation. 2018 Feb 20;137(8):781-790. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031650. PMID: 29459463; PMCID: PMC5822747. Minhas AS, Ogunwole SM, Vaught AJ, et al. Racial Disparities in Cardiovascular Complications With Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension in the United States. Hypertension. 2021 Aug;78(2):480-488. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.17104. Epub 2021 Jun 8. PMID: 34098730; PMCID: PMC8266726. Volgman AS, Palaniappan LS, Aggarwal NT et al. Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in South Asians in the United States: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Treatments: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2018 Jul 3;138(1):e1-e34. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000580. Epub 2018 May 24. Erratum in: Circulation. 2018 Jul 31;138(5):e76. PMID: 29794080. Production Team Karan Desai, MD Natalie Stokes, MD Amit Goyal, MD Daniel Ambinder, MD

CardioNerds (Amit Goyal), Dr. Natalie Stokes (Cardiology Fellow at UPMC and Co-Chair of the Cardionerds Cardio-Ob series), and episode lead Dr. Priya Freaney (Northwestern University cardiology fellow) discuss “The Fourth Trimester” with Dr. Malamo Countouris and Dr. Alisse Hauspurg, from the University of Pittsburgh Departments of Cardiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, respectively. We discuss the cardiovascular considerations after adverse pregnancy outcomes in the postpartum and long-term follow-up periods. The discussion is focused mainly on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), guided by a series of clinical vignettes. We cover a wide range of topics from cardiovascular complications and management considerations in the immediate postpartum period after a HDP, postpartum outpatient follow-up, long term cardiovascular morbidity related to HDP and related preventive strategies, contraceptive considerations for the cardiologist, and interdisciplinary care management pearls for cardiologists working in a cardio-obstetrics team. Notes • References • Guest Profiles • Production Team CardioNerds Cardio-Obstetrics Series PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls – The Fourth Trimester Blood pressures >160/110 should be treated like a true emergency during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as the cerebrovascular circulation is more sensitive to hypertension, due to hormonal changes related to pregnancy. Women with pre-eclampsia are at higher risk for peripartum cardiomyopathy. Have a low threshold to do a clinical heart failure evaluation (i.e., natriuretic peptides, echocardiogram), and administer diuretics as appropriate to improve volume status and blood pressure. Women with HDP should have their blood pressures monitored closely after discharge, ideally with a home BP monitoring program, as they can have exacerbations of their HTN for up to 2 weeks postpartum. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 included a landmark policy to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage up to a year postpartum (from 60 days). Remember to take a reproductive history for every woman you see in cardiology clinic! This can be done in one minute. At a minimum, include obstetric history [number of pregnancies, outcome of each pregnancy, gestational age and weight at delivery, pregnancy complications (HDP, GDM, etc), and delivery method] and menopausal history (age at menarche, age at menopause). The Pooled Cohort Equations may underestimate ASCVD risk for a woman who has had pregnancy complications or premature menopause – consider obtaining a CAC score to aid in risk-stratification in middle-aged women who may have underestimated risk. Low dose aspirin during pregnancy in women who have risk factors for pre-eclampsia reduces the risk of development of HDP by 15-20%. Quotables – The Fourth Trimester “Some of our traditional approaches to caring for women in the postpartum period just aren’t realistic…we need to think about how we can improve care from a policy standpoint to ensure women have access to care and think about how we deliver care.” – Dr. Alisse Hauspurg “Silos are never good. Cardio-obstetrics is a space where you really want to have open communications, be truly collaborative – taking into consideration the expertise of multiple disciplines…because it’s really hard to do it alone.” – Dr. Malamo Countouris Show notes – The Fourth Trimester For more on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy enjoy: Episode #128: Cardio-Obstetrics: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy with Dr. Jennifer Lewey Episode #66: Case Report: Severe Pre-eclampsia & Cardio-Obstetrics – UPMC Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy 1.     What are some of the immediate postpartum cardiovascular risks and complications following a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) and how do you manage these? Persistent hypertension: there can be a spike in BP in the days following delivery, and clinicians should remember that preeclampsia may develop de novo intra- or early postpartum. BPs >160/110 are considered severe HTN and should be treated urgently with an aggressive rapid-acting anti-HTN regimen to prevent stroke. BPs should be monitored at least every 4 to 6 hours for at least 3 days postpartum.1 A return visit for BP monitoring should be arranged at 1 week following discharge; alternatively, a home BP monitoring program may be considered Pulmonary edema: Women with preeclampsia should be delivered if they develop pulmonary edema. This is more likely to occur in women who have more severe preeclampsia features. Clinical practice guidelines suggest limiting intrapartum fluid intake/replacement to 60-80mL/h to avoid risks of pulmonary edema, with a goal euvolemic fluid balance.1 Peripartum cardiomyopathy: Preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension all strongly predispose women to peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). PPCM is defined as cardiomyopathy with reduced EF, usually EF <45%, presenting toward the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery in a woman without previously known structural heart disease.2 The two diseases are thought to share pathophysiologic mechanisms.3 If heart failure is suspected via clinical assessment in a woman with HDP in the intrapartum or immediate postpartum period, an echocardiogram should be performed immediately. Treatment of PPCM is similar to other forms of systolic heart failure – with control of volume status, implementation of neurohormonal blockade, and prevention of arrhythmic and thromboembolic complications.4 Venous thromboembolism: Women with HDP are at higher risk for DVT/PE during pregnancy, postpartum period, and in the decades following pregnancy.5 CVA: Severe uncontrolled HTN (>160/110) in the intra- and post-partum periods are associated with increased risk for stroke. BPs should be aggressively managed (see above) in the postpartum period to avoid this complication.  2.     How should women who have had a HDP be followed in the postpartum period? What are the healthcare coverage considerations in the postpartum period? Blood pressures should be monitored closely in the postpartum period, especially in the 2 weeks following delivery – either via return in-person visits or a home BP monitoring program with remote visits Depending on the location of care, specialized postpartum cardio-obstetrics clinics may or may not exist. Regardless, women with HDP history should be counseled (whether by OB, cardiology, PCP, etc.) regarding their long-term risk for cardiovascular disease They should be counseled on the importance of optimizing their cardiovascular health (with maintenance of optimal weight and regular aerobic exercise). In addition to regular BP monitoring, these women should have periodic monitoring of their fasting lipids and blood sugars1 Until recently, Medicaid coverage for pregnant women extended only 60 days postpartum, leaving many women uninsured just 2 months after delivery. In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was passed and calls for extension of Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12-months postpartum. 3.     What are the long-term cardiovascular complications related to HDPs? A history of HDP increases a woman’s risk of a diverse range of long-term cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (including HTN, CAD, Stroke, HF, and CV Mortality) (see figure below)6 Heart failure: A wide spectrum of changes in LV structure and function have been described in association with HDP. This includes increased LV wall thickness, adverse LV remodeling, and diastolic dysfunction (see below).7 Women with HDP also have been shown to have lower global longitudinal strain without overt systolic dysfunction8, PPCM (as described above) and later life cardiomyopathy.9 ASCVD: Women with pre-eclampsia are more likely to have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CAD, CVA) than women without pre-eclampsia, independent of other traditional risk factors.6 Despite significant independent association of HDP with long-term ASCVD, there was no incremental benefit in 10-year ASCVD risk prediction when added to the Pooled Cohort Equations (see below)10 4.     How do you take a reproductive history in cardiology clinic? An optimal well-woman preventive cardiovascular visit should include a thorough reproductive history to identify adverse pregnancy outcomes and menstrual risk factors, amongst other sex-specific cardiovascular disease risk factors11 Obstetric history: ask about pregnancies complicated by HDP (eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension), low birth weight (<2500 grams), preterm delivery (<37 weeks gestation), or gestational diabetes Menstrual history: ask about age at menarche and presence of premature menopause (defined by most as menopause <40years and others as menopause <45 years). If premature menopause present, ask about natural versus surgical menopause (removal of both ovaries) 5.     What methods of contraception are optimal for women with a history of cardiovascular risk factors or cardiovascular disease? It is important to discuss contraceptive options in women with history of HDP, cardiovascular RFs, and cardiovascular disease Often, in these women, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) such as IUDs and implants are best. Permanent sterilization procedures can also be considered if a woman has completed desired childbearing. Dr. Hauspurg highly recommends the following app from the CDC for those interested in medical eligibility criteria for various contraceptive methods, sorted by specific medical conditions: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/mmwr/mec/summary.html Screenshots below of app in iPhone App Store and example of output from app for woman with history of HDP: References – The Fourth Trimester 1.         Brown MA, Magee LA, Kenny LC, et al. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: ISSHP Classification, Diagnosis, and Management Recommendations for International Practice. Hypertension. Jul 2018;72(1):24-43. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10803 2.         Sliwa K, Hilfiker-Kleiner D, Petrie MC, et al. Current state of knowledge on aetiology, diagnosis, management, and therapy of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a position statement from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on peripartum cardiomyopathy. Eur J Heart Fail. Aug 2010;12(8):767-78. doi:10.1093/eurjhf/hfq120 3.         Bello N, Rendon ISH, Arany Z. The relationship between pre-eclampsia and peripartum cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. Oct 29 2013;62(18):1715-1723. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2013.08.717 4.         Arany Z, Elkayam U. Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. Circulation. Apr 5 2016;133(14):1397-409. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.020491 5.         Scheres LJJ, Lijfering WM, Groenewegen NFM, et al. Hypertensive Complications of Pregnancy and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism. Hypertension. Mar 2020;75(3):781-787. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.14280 6.         Ying W, Catov JM, Ouyang P. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Future Maternal Cardiovascular Risk. J Am Heart Assoc. Sep 4 2018;7(17):e009382. doi:10.1161/JAHA.118.009382 7.         Countouris ME, Villanueva FS, Berlacher KL, Cavalcante JL, Parks WT, Catov JM. Association of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy With Left Ventricular Remodeling Later in Life. J Am Coll Cardiol. Mar 2 2021;77(8):1057-1068. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.12.051 8.         Shahul S, Rhee J, Hacker MR, et al. Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in preeclamptic women with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: a 2D speckle-tracking imaging study. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. Nov 2012;5(6):734-9. doi:10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.112.973818 9.         Behrens I, Basit S, Lykke JA, et al. Association Between Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Later Risk of Cardiomyopathy. JAMA. Mar 8 2016;315(10):1026-33. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.1869 10.       Stuart JJ, Tanz LJ, Cook NR, et al. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and 10-Year Cardiovascular Risk Prediction. J Am Coll Cardiol. Sep 11 2018;72(11):1252-1263. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.05.077 11.       Brown HL, Warner JJ, Gianos E, et al. Promoting Risk Identification and Reduction of Cardiovascular Disease in Women Through Collaboration With Obstetricians and Gynecologists: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Circulation. Jun 12 2018;137(24):e843-e852. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000582 12.       Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, et al. 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. Sep 10 2019;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678 Guest Profiles Dr. Malamo Countouris Dr. Malamo Countouris is a Clinical Instructor and T32 Postdoctoral Scholar at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. She is primarily based at Magee Women’s Heart Center and specializes in women’s heart disease and cardio-obstetrics. Her research is focused on pregnancy complications and links with later life CVD. Dr. Alisse Hauspurg Dr. Alisse Hauspurg is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and gynecology where she practices in Maternal Fetal Medicine. She is currently a K12 Scholar in the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program funded by the NIH/Office of Research on Women’s Health. Her research interests focus on mechanisms leading to cardiovascular disease after preeclampsia and development of remote and innovative postpartum interventions to improve long-term maternal cardiovascular health. Dr. Priya Freaney Dr. Priya Freaney is interested in preventive cardiology for women. She grew up in Kentucky, attended Duke for college, Ohio State for medical school, University of Chicago for her residency, and is now a 3rd year cardiology fellow at Northwestern University. She is a recent past chief fellow for her program and an ACC/Merck fellowship awardee this year for her work surrounding APO-related CVD. CardioNerds Cardioobstetrics Production Team Amit Goyal, MD Daniel Ambinder, MD Natalie Stokes, MD Sonia Shah, MD

CardioNerds (Amit Goyal & Karan Desai)  join Dr. Matthew Delfiner (Cardiology fellow, Temple University Hospital) and Dr. Katie Vanchiere (Internal medicine resident, Temple University Hospital) in the beautiful Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. They discuss a case of a 53-year-old man with an LVAD who presents with progressive dyspnea since LVAD implant due to right-to-left shunting due to a PFO. Dr. Val Rakita (Assistant professor of medicine and advanced heart failure and transplant specialist at Temple University Hospital) provides the E-CPR for this episode. Episode introduction by CardioNerds Clinical Trialist Dr. Anthony Peters (Duke Heart Center). This case has been published by Circulation: Heart failure. See Invasive Hemodynamic Study Unmasks Intracardiac Shunt With Ventricular Assist Device. Claim free CME just for enjoying this episode!  Disclosures: NoneJump to: Pearls – Notes – References CardioNerds Case Reports PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Case Summary – Dyspnea with an LVAD: A Tale of Hypoxia and Hemodynamics A 53-year-old man with an LVAD placed 3 months prior presents with progressive dyspnea since LVAD implant, though it has acutely worsened over the past 2 weeks. Two weeks ago, he had a hemodynamic and echocardiographic ramp study, where the LVAD speed was increased. By increasing the speed, his LV was more adequately decongested, and flow improved. In the Emergency Department, he was hypoxic on room air, and remained so with escalation ultimately with intubation. Even then he remained severely hypoxic requiring cannulation to veno-venous ECMO. Chest imaging was normal, and LVAD parameters were normal without any alarms. An astute clinician noticed that when the patient became hypertensive, his oxygen saturation improved. A subsequent echocardiogram revealed a patent foramen ovale, with right to left shunting. The patient then went to the cath lab, where simultaneous right atrial and left atrial pressures and oxygen pressures were measured, along with trans-esophageal echocardiography, while adjusting LVAD speed. It became evident that right-to-left shunting occurred only when there was high LVAD speed and low peripheral blood pressure. Essentially, faster LVAD speeds (sucking blood from the LV) and low systemic blood pressure (reducing LV afterload) increased right to left shunting by decreasing the left atrial pressure relative to the right atrial pressure. The PFO was closed at that time, drastically improving oxygenation. He was decannulated and extubated the following day. Invasive Hemodynamic Study Unmasks Intracardiac Shunt With Ventricular Assist Device | Circulation: Heart Failure (ahajournals.org) Episode Teaching -Dyspnea with an LVAD: A Tale of Hypoxia and Hemodynamics Pearls PFOs are present in up to 25% of individuals, including those with LVADs. LV unloading, and therefore LA decompression, depends on both LVAD speed and systemic vascular resistance. Blood pressure dependent hypoxia may be suggestive of a right-to-left intracardiac shunt. Hypoxia refractory to mechanical ventilation should raise suspicion for intracardiac shunt. Patients with LVADs can suffer from the same diseases that anyone can. Notes – Dyspnea with an LVAD: A Tale of Hypoxia and Hemodynamics 1. What factors influence LVAD flow? Factors that influence LVAD flow include pump speed, blood pressure, volume status, RV function, cardiac rhythm, and some other variables. The faster the pump is spinning, the more flow you should provide (to an extent). However, if your LV is underfilled, either from systemic hypovolemia or an RV not providing the needed LV preload, then you have no blood to flow! If you have high systemic vascular resistance, then you will have less forward flow, just as a native heart would.  We must always think about the interaction between a patient and the LVAD, not just the machine settings. 2. What can cause dyspnea and hypoxia in LVAD patients? The same things that cause dyspnea in any other patient! But also… inadequate unloading of the LV due to the above factors in addition to possible suction events. Aortic regurgitation can cause an endless loop of flow from: LV > LVAD > aorta > AV > LV. Pump malfunction must always be considered, including inflow/outflow obstruction and pump thrombosis. Anemia may also contribute, as patients with LVAD are prone to both bleeding and hemolysis. 3. What are the ideal LVAD settings? There are no standard settings for LVADs, especially because there are different manufacturers. But most importantly, every patient is different, and therefore the patient-LVAD interaction is different. Overall, the ideal LVAD speed would decongest the heart while preserving RV function, maintaining the interventricular septum midline, and having intermittent aortic valve opening. 4. Explain how PFOs can result in hypoxemia. PFOs, or any septal defect, allow intra-cardiac flow from one side of the heart to the other. Flow will follow a pressure gradient. Usually, the left heart will have higher pressures than the right heart, but if the right heart pressure exceeds the left, then de-oxygenated venous blood can bypass the pulmonary circulation and enter the left heart and systemic circulation, causing hypoxemia. 5. List the methods that are used to diagnose and evaluate the severity of intra-cardiac shunts. Doppler color flow and bubble study with TTE or TEE. Blood gas measurement across various chambers can be used as well. For an in-depth review of LVADs, enjoy Ep #15. LVAD 101 with Dr. Steve Hsu​. References Uriel, Nir, et al. “Clinical hemodynamic evaluation of patients implanted with a fully magnetically levitated left ventricular assist device (HeartMate 3).” The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation 36.1 (2017): 28-35. Adamson, R. M., et al. “Single center, 23 year experience with PFO management during HeartMate LVAD implants.” The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation 34.4 (2015): S219. Bacich, Daniela, et al. “Patent foramen ovale-related complications in left ventricular assist device patients: A reappraisal for cardiovascular professionals.” Journal of Artificial Organs 23.2 (2020): 98-104. Burkhoff, Daniel, et al. “Hemodynamics of mechanical circulatory support.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology 66.23 (2015): 2663-2674. Jaski, Brian E., et al. “Assessment of recurrent heart failure associated with left ventricular assist device dysfunction.” The Journal of heart and lung transplantation 24.12 (2005): 2060-2067. Stainback, Raymond F., et al. “Echocardiography in the management of patients with left ventricular assist devices: recommendations from the American Society of Echocardiography.” Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography 28.8 (2015): 853-909. CardioNerds Case Report Production Team Karan Desai, MD Amit Goyal, MD Daniel Ambinder, MD

CardioNerds, Daniel Ambinder and CardioNerds Academy Program Director, Dr. Tommy Das (Cardiology fellow, Cleveland Clinic), Dr. Jacqueline Latina (Structural heart fellow, Johns Hopkins) discuss aortic stenosis and the story of TAVR from both the historical perspective and in terms of future directions with Dr. Jon Resar, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Adult Catheterization Laboratory and Interventional Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. This episode is brought to you for Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day. Audio editing by CardioNerds Academy Intern, Shivani Reddy. As many as 11 million Americans have heart valve disease (HVD)—a potentially disabling and deadly disease—yet 3 out of 4 Americans know little to nothing about heart valve disease. Learn more about valve disease. Pearls • Notes • References • Guest Profiles • Production Team CardioNerds Aortic Stenosis SeriesCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls and Quotes – Aortic Stenosis and the Story of TAVR In the previous century, patients with severe aortic stenosis who were treated “medically” had 50% mortality over 2 years after developing symptoms. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty was initially touted as extremely “efficacious” for aortic stenosis but follow-up studies showed that the improvement in symptoms were not durable, and long-term prognosis was dismal. The PARTNER Trial started enrolling in 2007 in extreme risk patients – patients who were not surgical candidates. In 2010, the PARTNER trial was published and TAVR blew away the “standard of care” in inoperable patients at the time, cutting outcomes in half (composite of death and repeat hospitalization). The PARTNER trial studied balloon expandable intra-annular valve implantation. The CoreValve trial studied self-expanding supra-annular valve implantation and was published in 2014. The “Heart Team” approach entails collaborative decision making between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to personalize management for patients. Both intra-annular and supra-annular valves show non-inferior outcomes to surgery in intermediate and low risk patients. Revascularization prior to TAVR is an evolving arena; the trend has been interventionalists performing fewer PCIs prior to TAVR given the benefit is not clear if angina is not a prominent symptom. Show notes – Aortic Stenosis and the Story of TAVR (TAVR/TAVI are using interchangeably) CardioNerds Aortic Stenosis, updated 1.20.21 1. In the 1990s, patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who were deemed to be at high surgical risk would weigh the risks of surgery and prolonged recovery. Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV) was first performed by Dr. Alain Cribier in 1986. The technique was based on the foundation of pulmonary valvuloplasty performed initially in 1982 by Drs. Jean Kan and Bob White, and mitral valvuloplasty in 1984. BAV was initially touted as an efficacious cure for aortic stenosis, but unfortunately it had a high restenosis rate as well as high risks for stroke and vascular complications (no closure devices at that time) with an overall poor long-term prognosis. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty was primarily used for decompensated Class IV heart failure in non-surgical candidates. 2. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) was developed and first performed in human in 2002.(1) This was performed by Dr. Alain Cribier in France in 2002, initially by trans-septal approach and then by retroaortic approach. Here is a representative diagram of the procedure. Figure: Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement. The transcatheter valve is positioned at the level of the native aortic valve during the final step of valve replacement, when the balloon is inflated within the native valve during a brief period of rapid ventricular pacing. The delivery system is shown after it has traversed the aorta retrograde over a guidewire from its point of insertion in the femoral artery (transfemoral placement). Before balloon inflation, the valve and balloon are collapsed on the catheter (dark blue) and fit within the sheath (blue). After balloon inflation, the calcified native valve (upper panel) is replaced by the expanded transcatheter valve (lower panel, shown in short-axis view from the aortic side of the valve). Smith CR et al. N Engl J Med 2011;364:2187-2198. 3. The PARTNER trial was first published in a landmark NEJM article in extreme surgical risk patients comparing TAVR (with a balloon-expandable aortic valve implant) versus stndard “medical” therapy of aortic stenosis. TAVR markedly reduced the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and repeat hospitalization in these patients.(2)  PARTNER then compared TAVR to aortic valve surgery in high risk patients, and TAVR performed quite well, though there were more strokes and vascular complications in the TAVR group compared to surgery.(3) Figure: PARTNER Trial Time-to-Event Curves for the Primary End Point and Other Selected End Points. Leon MB et al. N Engl J Med 2010;363:1597-1607. 4. CoreValve/Medtronic then published their results for their self-expanding valve, enrolling over 1400 participants.(4) The rate of death in the TAVR group was non-inferior to the SAVR group, and a subsequent test for superiority actually showed TAVR was superior to surgery in these high risk patients. Figure: Kaplan–Meier Cumulative Frequency of Death from Any Cause. The rate of death from any cause in the TAVR group was noninferior to that in the surgical group (P<0.001). A subsequent test for superiority at 1 year showed that TAVR was superior to surgical replacement (P=0.04). The inset shows the same data on an enlarged y axis. Adams DH et al. N Engl J Med 2014;370:1790-1798. 5. Both balloon expandable (PARTNER 3) and self-expanding valves (Evolut Low Risk) have since been studied in intermediate and low surgical risk patients.(5-8)  In low risk patients, the balloon expandable valve showed the rate of the composite of death, stroke, or rehospitalization at 1 year was significantly lower with TAVR than with surgery. In low risk patients, TAVR with a self-expanding supraannular bioprosthesis was noninferior to surgery with respect to the composite end point of death or disabling stroke at 24 months. 6. Coronary artery disease in TAVR patients: the decision for coronary revascularization prior to TAVR is complex and practice is evolving. Initially, most patients were being revascularized for obstructive coronary artery stenosis electively prior to TAVR. More recently, if the disease is not proximal (or a small area of myocardium at risk) and if angina is not a prominent symptom, we have moved towards deferring coronary revascularization. References – Aortic Stenosis and the Story of TAVR 1. Cribier A, Eltchaninoff H, Tron C et al. Early experience with percutaneous transcatheter implantation of heart valve prosthesis for the treatment of end-stage inoperable patients with calcific aortic stenosis. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;43:698-703. 2. Leon MB, Smith CR, Mack M et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis in Patients Who Cannot Undergo Surgery. New England Journal of Medicine 2010;363:1597-1607. 3. Smith CR, Leon MB, Mack MJ et al. Transcatheter versus Surgical Aortic-Valve Replacement in High-Risk Patients. New England Journal of Medicine 2011;364:2187-2198. 4. Adams DH, Popma JJ, Reardon MJ et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Self-Expanding Prosthesis. New England Journal of Medicine 2014;370:1790-1798. 5. Leon MB, Smith CR, Mack MJ et al. Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med 2016;374:1609-20. 6. Reardon MJ, Van Mieghem NM, Popma JJ et al. Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med 2017;376:1321-1331. 7. Popma JJ, Deeb GM, Yakubov SJ et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Self-Expanding Valve in Low-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med 2019;380:1706-1715. 8. Mack MJ, Leon MB, Thourani VH et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Balloon-Expandable Valve in Low-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med 2019;380:1695-1705. Guest Profiles Dr. Jon Resar received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed fellowships in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital where he serves as the director of the adult cardiac catheterization and serves as Professor of Medicine. He has been a pioneer in percutaneous management of coronary artery disease and structural heart disease. Dr. Jackie Latina Dr. Jacqueline Latina is currently a Structural Heart Fellow at Johns Hopkins. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston, MA, but fortunately escaped without a Boston accent. She is a graduate of Princeton University with an A.B. in chemistry. She earned her M.D. at Tufts University School of Medicine. Her internship and internal medicine residency were completed at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where she stayed on for an American Heart Association postdoctoral research fellowship. She completed an M.S. in clinical research methods at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health during that time. She completed general and interventional cardiology fellowships at Johns Hopkins.

CardioNerds (Amit Goyal and Daniel Ambinder), Dr. Leticia Helms (Internal medicine resident at Columbia University), Dr. Silia DeFilippis (AHFT FIT at Columbia University), and Dr. Anu Lala (AHFT faculty and program director at Mount Sinai Hospital) to discuss diversity and inclusion in academic cardiology and more in this installment of the Narratives in Cardiology Series. The President of the New York ACC Chapter Dr. Hima Vidula discusses D&I initiatives at her chapter. Episode introduction and audio editing by CardioNerds Academy Intern, Shivani Reddy. Although women compose 50% of medical students in the United States, cardiology remains a male dominated field. Gender disparity is even more prominent when we look at leadership positions. In this episode we discuss why and how cardiology (and advanced heart failure) can be such a rewarding field for women. The episode reflects on the significant contributions women have made to the field in the past and how they continue to move the field with respect to clinical care and research. The PA-ACC & CardioNerds Narratives in Cardiology is a multimedia educational series jointly developed by the Pennsylvania Chapter ACC, the ACC Fellows in Training Section, and the CardioNerds Platform with the goal to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in cardiology. In this series, we host inspiring faculty and fellows from various ACC chapters to discuss their areas of expertise and their individual narratives. Join us for these captivating conversations as we celebrate our differences and share our joy for practicing cardiovascular medicine. We thank our project mentors Dr. Katie Berlacher and Dr. Nosheen Reza. Video Version • Notes • Production Team Claim free CME just for enjoying this episode! There are no relevant disclosures for this episode. The PA-ACC & CardioNerds Narratives in Cardiology PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Tweetorial – Raising Women Leaders in Academic Cardiology with Dr. Anu Lala https://twitter.com/Gurleen_Kaur96/status/1509286469051031556?s=20&t=9BFDUXbSnWLcAc5-daXK2A Video version – Raising Women Leaders in Academic Cardiology with Dr. Anu Lala https://youtu.be/vVuhUCbqwYk Quotables – Raising Women Leaders in Academic Cardiology with Dr. Anu Lala “We all have multiple roles – and those roles don’t always have to be completely distinct and separate from one another. You know, our ability in one role, maybe it makes us better at another.” “I felt like being there was like in medical Disneyland for research.” – Anu Lala “Heart failure is unique in that it truly requires that cross disciplinary collaboration at the precipice of what is often life and death.” – Anu Lala “It points to the importance of seeing people do things before you who look like you.” – Anu Lala “All human beings want to feel heard. They want to feel seen and they want to feel like their voice matters.”  – Anu Lala “consciously deliberately disruptive” “I like the idea of calling it work-life harmony.” Show notes – Raising Women Leaders in Academic Cardiology with Dr. Anu Lala How do women compare to men in cardiology in 2022? Although nearly 50% of US medical graduates and more than 40% of internal medicine graduates are women, the field of cardiology remains male dominated. Approximately 20% of general cardiology fellows are women, which is comparable to women in surgical subspecialties like neurosurgery (17%), thoracic surgery (21%), and orthopedic surgery (15%) (Reza 2021). Additionally, women hold significantly fewer leadership positions and are less likely to be promoted to senior academic ranks. Out of LBCT presented at ACC 2021, zero had a female first author and zero were presented by women (Kaur 2021). What may make heart failure unique with respect to the recruitment of women? Heart failure is the only subspecialty of cardiology that was founded by a woman. Dr. Sharon Hunt is often described as the founder of the subspecialty. She posited a few reasons why heart failure may attract a higher proportion of women including presence of models and mentors for women, women have been included since the inception of the field, and one that requires collaboration (Hunt 2019). The number of women in HF training programs ranges between 26 to 36% which is much higher than that of women in other subspecialties like EP and interventional cardiology (Reza 2021). How can we increase diversity in clinical trial leadership? Women only represent 1 in 10 authors of cardiovascular trials in high impact journals (Van Spall 2021). Build diverse research team. Hold stakeholders accountable including academic institutions, professional societies, industry sponsors, funding agencies, and scientific journals (Van Spall 2021). Be deliberate about editorial authorship as well as equal representation of women on manuscripts. How can we increase the diversity of participants in clinical trials? We know that increasing the diversity of women investigators in clinical trials is associated with increased enrollment of women participants (Reza 2020). Increased enrollment of diverse populations is key to increasing the generalizability of findings (Van Spall 2021). Build partnerships with the community and community-level providers. Meet social and cultural needs such as family and child care responsibilities; socioeconomic and financial barriers; as well as absenteeism from work (Reza 2022). Provide sex-specific materials to encourage enrollment. For a related discussion, enjoy Ep #135. Underrepresentation in Clinical Trials & Guidelines with Dr. Clyde Yancy. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected women in academic medicine? Women often bear disproportionate demands of personal life including schooling and caregiving duties and affected by school closures (Reza 2021). Data have suggested that female academic productivity has been affected as measured by decreased publication authorship which may translate into decreased research support (DeFilippis 2021). The decreased submission of manuscripts has been particularly pronounced among junior cohorts of women in academics (Squazzoni 2021). Production Team Dr. Gurleen Kaur Amit Goyal, MD Daniel Ambinder, MD