Diagnostic and Management Considerations in a High-Risk Pregnant Patient With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Ischemic heart disease is an important cause of heart failure in pregnancy. Involvement of a cardio-obstetrics team is crucial for managing high-risk pregnant patients with cardiovascular disease. We present a case of cardiogenic shock in a pregnant woman unmasking underlying multivessel obstructive coronary artery disease.

Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease in Women.

Purpose Of Review: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women. Women were historically underrepresented in landmark trials for which cardiovascular guidelines are based on and are prone to gender-specific risk factors that predispose to coronary heart disease.

Recent Findings: More attention has been made on gender and pregnancy-associated risk factors such as autoimmune disorders and preeclampsia.

Diagnostic and Management Dilemmas in Women Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize gender- and sex-specific differences in the presentation, diagnosis, management, and pathophysiology of women presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Recent Findings: Sex differences exist in many aspects of ACS that impact the identification, treatment, and outcomes in women. There are delays in the initiation of care, under recognized diagnostic differences based on sex, and inconsistencies in the management of ACS in women compared with men, that ultimately impact outcomes.

Sex Differences in Coronary Artery Calcium and Long-term CV Mortality.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize differences in plaque depositions, coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, and the role of CAC in predicting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) mortality in men and women.

Recent Findings: Women have coronary plaque that is more lipid-rich, dense, and less calcified than their male counterparts. CAC scoring has emerged as a useful tool to quantify ASCVD burden.

Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Cardiac Tamponade in a Pregnant Woman.

Pericardial effusions are common in pregnancy and often remain asymptomatic. We present a case of cardiac tamponade in a young pregnant female unmasking a diagnosis of primary metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. ().

Inflammatory bowel disease and the risk for cardiovascular disease: Does all inflammation lead to heart disease?

Inflammation has a strong role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Several systemic inflammatory conditions have been linked to an increased risk of ASCVD; however, this has not been well established in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). IBD is comprised of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease, both of which involve chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract, often with evidence of systemic involvement.