Publications by authors named "Shiavax J Rao"

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited condition characterized by left ventricular, non-dilated hypertrophy in the absence of another secondary underlying cause. There has been an ongoing increase in the diagnosis of HCM over the past couple of decades, prompting further work in the area of pharmacological and interventional therapies. This scoping review aimed to summarize the traditional therapeutic options for HCM and to explore emerging research on novel cardiac myosin inhibitors (CMIs) as a new option for pharmacologic management of HCM.

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Although previously considered rare, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly recognized as an important cause of myocardial infarction in young women. We present three unique cases of SCAD: A 46-year-old woman with a history of trigeminal neuralgia and anxiety presenting elevated troponin-I and chest pain. A 36-year-old woman with recent miscarriage presenting with diffuse T wave inversions and elevated troponin-I.

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Acute pericarditis is a common inflammatory disorder with several causes including infection, malignancy, acute myocardial infarction, and autoimmune disease. Acute pericarditis can rarely present in the setting of thyrotoxicosis. A 65-year-old man with a past medical history of HIV, diastolic dysfunction, and prediabetes presented with positional chest pain, respiratory distress, and altered mentation.

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Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has radically transformed the scope of treating coronary artery disease with stenting, stent thrombosis (STh) remains a feared complication. Very late STh, a rare complication after PCI, refers to STh occurring greater than one year after post-stent implantation. An even rarer phenomenon, "very" very late stent thrombosis (VVLST), is described in the literature as STh occurring more than five years post-stent implantation.

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We present an interesting and complex case of cardiac tamponade due to uremic pericarditis (UP), resolving with intensive hemodialysis (HD). HD should be considered as first line management for patients with UP and pericardial effusion. Intensification of HD should be considered based on clinical presentation and severity of presentation.

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Article Synopsis
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a new technology that can help doctors in heart care units by looking at large amounts of data quickly.
  • A study was done to check how AI is being used in caring for heart patients, focusing on various types of treatments and support.
  • The review found 38 studies showing that while AI is still developing, it could be very helpful in making healthcare better for heart patients.
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Artificial Intelligence, specifically advanced language models such as ChatGPT, have the potential to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare, medical education, and research. In this narrative review, we evaluate the myriad applications of ChatGPT in diverse healthcare domains. We discuss its potential role in clinical decision-making, exploring how it can assist physicians by providing rapid, data-driven insights for diagnosis and treatment.

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Several studies have linked calcification of the thoracic and lower extremity arterial trunks to an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). Calcifications of the radial and/or ulnar artery are regularly identified in hand/wrist x-rays; however, the clinical relevance of these findings as related to identifying subclinical CAD is not well understood. Associations between CAD and upper extremity calcifications have been reported, but the timeline is unclear.

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  • * Imaging indicated a loculated left-sided pleural effusion, and diagnostic thoracentesis confirmed the presence of Clostridia, leading to a diagnosis of empyema and subsequent surgical intervention.
  • * The patient also had acute cholecystitis, suggesting that the Clostridia infection may have originated from the abdomen, and he was successfully treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and antibiotics, highlighting the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment.
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Background: Ultrasound can overcome barriers to visualizing the internal jugular vein, allowing hepato-jugular reflux and jugular venous pressure measurement. We aimed to determine operating characteristics of the ultrasound hepato-jugular reflux and ultrasound jugular venous pressure predicting right atrial and pulmonary capillary occlusion pressures.

Methods: In a prospective observational cohort at three US academic hospitals the hepato-jugular reflux and jugular venous pressure were measured with ultrasound before right heart catheterization.

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  • Direct lightning strikes can lead to severe injuries, impacting multiple organ systems, and the prognosis varies based on injury severity.
  • A 35-year-old man suffered a direct lightning strike while in a portable toilet, leading to unresponsiveness and requiring extensive medical intervention, including CPR and vasopressor support.
  • Despite initial recovery, he ultimately succumbed to multi-organ failure due to complications like myocardial damage, lactic acidosis, and extensive burns.
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  • Non-contrast enhanced chest CT has low sensitivity for detecting acute aortic dissection, while CT Angiography is the preferred diagnostic method.
  • A case of a young immunocompromised man with acute abdominal pain and renal injury showed that subtle findings on a non-contrast CT indicated possible aortic dissection.
  • Key non-contrast CT findings that suggest aortic dissection include aneurysmal dilation and displaced calcified intimal flaps, which were ultimately confirmed by CT angiography in this patient.
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To evaluate preconception health and adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) awareness in a large population-based registry. We examined data from the Fertility and Pregnancy Survey of the American Heart Association Research Goes Red Registry to questions regarding prenatal health care experiences, postpartum health, and awareness of the association of APOs with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Among postmenopausal individuals, 37% were unaware that APOs were associated with long-term CVD risk, significantly varying by race-ethnicity.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common genetic heart disease, with obstructive HCM causing significant symptoms due to increased pressure in the heart's outflow tract.
  • - Current treatments like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers have limited effectiveness, while new cardiac myosin inhibitors (CMIs) show promise for both obstructive and non-obstructive HCM patients.
  • - As research advances, other potential therapies include drugs targeting sodium channels, myocardial function, and gene therapy, suggesting a hopeful future for HCM management.
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Landiolol is an ultra-short-acting, highly cardio-selective, β-blocker, that is currently approved for clinical use in Japan and the European Union, for the treatment of tachyarrhythmias. Landiolol is highly cardio-selective with high β1 selectivity and receptor affinity, resulting in a more potent chronotropic effect and less potent hypotensive effect compared with other β-blockers such as esmolol and propranolol. Based on the recent randomized controlled trials, low-dose landiolol may have a beneficial role in the prevention and management of postoperative atrial fibrillation following noncardiac and cardiac surgeries, including on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgery.

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The mechanism of arterial thrombosis in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not completely understood and is attributed to the complex interactions of endothelial injury, platelet hyperactivation, and activated pro-inflammatory cytokines. Management strategies may include a combination of surgery and anticoagulation, or anticoagulation alone. A 56-year-old woman with recent COVID-19 infection presented with chest pain and dyspnea.

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Background: Information on reproductive experiences and awareness of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among pregnancy-capable and post-menopausal individuals has not been well described. We sought to evaluate preconception health and APO awareness in a large population-based registry.

Methods: Data from the Fertility and Pregnancy Survey of the American Heart Association Research Goes Red Registry (AHA-RGR) were used.

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Viral encephalitis can lead to encephalopathy, epileptic activity, focal neurological deficits, and death. Prompt recognition and a high index of clinical suspicion can lead to early initiation of appropriate management. We describe an interesting case of a 61-year-old presenting with fever and altered mental status, diagnosed with numerous episodes of viral encephalitis caused by divergent and recurrent viruses.

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Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a syndrome characterized by anterograde amnesia with otherwise intact cognitive function, resolving within 24 h of onset, occurring in the absence of neurological changes. Recurrent episodes remain rare. We report an interesting case of recurrent episodes of TGA in a 63-year-old woman presenting with altered mental status.

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Pancoast tumor is a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer; cardiac metastasis is very uncommon. We present a case of advanced Pancoast tumor, with extensive cardiac metastases and intracardiac thrombosis in a woman presenting with dyspnea, shoulder pain, and weight loss. A contrast-enhanced chest computed tomographic scan revealed an apical mass, metastatic thoracic nodes, and filling defects within both ventricles.

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Background: Mental illness among physicians is an increasingly recognized concern. Global data on mental health conditions (MHCs) among cardiologists are limited.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the global prevalence of MHCs among cardiologists and its relationships to professional life.

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Endocarditis is a condition that is usually caused by an infection or inflammation of the endocardium. The disease is commonly seen among intravenous drug abusers, patients with intravenous catheters, and those who undergo cardiovascular and invasive dental procedures. Multiple different pathogens can cause endocarditis (bacterial, fungal, and viral) depending upon the patient's risk factors, epidemiology, and bacteria that are prevalent/endemic to the region.

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Shiavax J Rao"

  • - Shiavax J Rao's recent research primarily investigates various cardiovascular conditions, emphasizing rare and complex cases such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection and very late stent thrombosis, highlighting their clinical presentations and management strategies.
  • - The author also explores the intersections of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced language models in improving decision-making and patient outcomes in cardiology and critical care settings.
  • - Additionally, Rao's work addresses significant findings related to acute pericarditis in the context of thyrotoxicosis and the novel use of hemodialysis as treatment for uremic pericarditis, suggesting innovative approaches to managing these conditions.