US Cardiology ReviewPub Date : 2026-03-06eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.15420/usc.2025.09
Vivek Bhat, Thomas Fretz, Hannah Shideler, Ankur Kalra
{"title":"High-grade Atrioventricular Block Due to Disseminated Lyme Disease Requiring Permanent Pacemaker Implantation.","authors":"Vivek Bhat, Thomas Fretz, Hannah Shideler, Ankur Kalra","doi":"10.15420/usc.2025.09","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15420/usc.2025.09","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lyme carditis is an uncommon manifestation of disseminated Lyme disease, most frequently presenting as fluctuating atrioventricular block (AVB). We report the case of a middle-aged man with history of frequent deer hunting in a Lyme-endemic region who presented with fatigue and malaise. Skin examination revealed erythema migrans, and the patient had electrocardiographic findings of atrial flutter with high-degree AVB, along with long sinus pauses on telemetry. IV ceftriaxone was started, and subsequent serologic testing confirmed <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> infection. Despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, AVB persisted, necessitating permanent pacemaker implantation. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of Lyme carditis, the need for continued cardiac monitoring, and the occasional need for permanent pacemaker implantation in some patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":"20 ","pages":"e03"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12997234/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147487883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
US Cardiology ReviewPub Date : 2026-03-06eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.15420/usc.2024.44.co1
Jose L Batista, Tracy Makuvire, Jonathan D Davis, Salvatore Carbone
{"title":"Corrigendum to: The Short and Sweet on Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter Inhibitors and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Heart Failure.","authors":"Jose L Batista, Tracy Makuvire, Jonathan D Davis, Salvatore Carbone","doi":"10.15420/usc.2024.44.co1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15420/usc.2024.44.co1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.15420/usc.2024.44.].</p>","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":"20 ","pages":"e04"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12997237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147487875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
US Cardiology ReviewPub Date : 2026-02-25eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.15420/usc.2025.07
Neel N Patel, Andrew O Zurick
{"title":"Rupture of a Large Aortic Pseudoaneurysm into the Right Ventricle with Formation of Aorto-right Ventricular Fistula.","authors":"Neel N Patel, Andrew O Zurick","doi":"10.15420/usc.2025.07","DOIUrl":"10.15420/usc.2025.07","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aortic pseudoaneurysms pose a higher risk of rupture due to elevated wall shear stress. Rupture into cardiac chambers is exceedingly rare, with no prior reported cases of an aortic pseudoaneurysm rupturing into the right ventricle. A 57-year-old man with a history of prior surgical ventricular septal defect repair, hypertension, and polysubstance use presented after being found unconscious and reported chest pain. Initial imaging revealed a large ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm (6.6 × 6.1 × 5.5 cm). While under conservative management with antihypertensive therapy, the patient developed cardiogenic shock and was found to have a new aorto-right ventricular fistula on echocardiography. Emergent surgical repair was conducted with patch repair of the fistula, ascending aorta replacement with a 34 mm graft, and placement of a right ventricular assist device for right ventricular failure. Prior cardiac surgery and poorly controlled hypertension likely contributed to pseudoaneurysm formation and subsequent rupture. The development of an aorto-right ventricular fistula introduced significant hemodynamic instability, necessitating high-risk surgical intervention. Multidisciplinary care is crucial for such rare and challenging presentations.</p>","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":"20 ","pages":"e02"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12983293/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147463762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
US Cardiology ReviewPub Date : 2026-01-28eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.15420/usc.2025.05
Apoorva Gangavelli, Ronaldo C Fabiano, Mariam Riad, Gurleen Kaur, Devesh Rai, Mardi Gomberg-Maitland
{"title":"The Pathophysiology, Mechanism, Diagnosis, and Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Comprehensive Literature Review.","authors":"Apoorva Gangavelli, Ronaldo C Fabiano, Mariam Riad, Gurleen Kaur, Devesh Rai, Mardi Gomberg-Maitland","doi":"10.15420/usc.2025.05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15420/usc.2025.05","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare group of diseases with distinct etiologies affecting all ages, with predominant prevalence in young women. The key common aspect of the disease process is pulmonary arterial remodeling and vasoconstriction, leading to right heart failure. The symptoms most commonly manifest as shortness of breath and progressively worsening exercise intolerance. Early diagnosis, identification of the underlying cause, and targeted treatments aimed at mitigating right heart failure are crucial in management. Although new therapies have emerged recently, it is still a condition with high morbidity and mortality that requires specialized multidisciplinary care. The aim of this study is to review the current literature on key aspects of pulmonary arterial hypertension.</p>","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":"20 ","pages":"e01"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12937502/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147327606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christine P. Shen, Sanjeev P Bhavnani, John D Rogers
{"title":"New Innovations to Address Sudden Cardiac Arrest","authors":"Christine P. Shen, Sanjeev P Bhavnani, John D Rogers","doi":"10.15420/usc.2023.25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15420/usc.2023.25","url":null,"abstract":"Mortality from sudden cardiac arrest remains high despite increased awareness and advancements in emergency resuscitation efforts. Various gaps exist in bystander resuscitation, automated external defibrillators, and access. Significant racial, gender, and geographic disparities have also been found. A myriad of recent innovations in sudden cardiac arrest uses new machine learning algorithms with high levels of performance. These have been applied to a broad range of efforts to identify individuals at high risk, recognize emergencies, and diagnose high-risk cardiac arrhythmias. Such technological advancements must be coupled to novel public health approaches to best implement these innovations in an equitable way. The authors propose a data-driven, technology-enabled system of care within a public health system of care to ultimately improve sudden cardiac arrest outcomes.","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":"126 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141811262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yetunde A Fatade, Noah A Newman, Nidhi H Patel, P. Mehta
{"title":"MI and Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries","authors":"Yetunde A Fatade, Noah A Newman, Nidhi H Patel, P. Mehta","doi":"10.15420/usc.2023.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15420/usc.2023.12","url":null,"abstract":"MI and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is recognized as an important contributor to adverse cardiovascular outcomes in both men and women but is particularly prevalent in young women. Multiple coronary mechanisms such as coronary plaque disruption, coronary artery spasm, coronary microvascular dysfunction, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, and coronary thromboembolism can trigger MINOCA. Beyond routine left heart catheterization, invasive intracoronary imaging and cardiac MRI can help to clarify the cause of MINOCA. Conditions such as myocarditis, takotsubo syndrome, and cardiomyopathy are on the differential as alternate explanations in those suspected of MINOCA. Identification of the underlying cause in a case of MINOCA has therapeutic implications. While long-term management of MINOCA is not standardized, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and statins appear to be of benefit. In this review, we discuss the prevalence and pathophysiology of MINOCA, diagnostic considerations, and current treatment approaches to manage this high-risk group of patients.","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":"72 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141810407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sex and Gender Differences in Fibromuscular Dysplasia","authors":"Marianne H Khoury, Sims Hershey, R. LeLeiko","doi":"10.15420/usc.2023.03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15420/usc.2023.03","url":null,"abstract":"Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a non-atherosclerotic, non-inflammatory vascular disease that was once underrecognized and is significantly more prevalent in women than men. Although it most commonly affects the renal and extracranial carotid arteries, FMD can affect any vascular bed. Complications of FMD can include hypertension, dissection, and stroke. Presentation may vary between the sexes, with male patients having an increased frequency of arterial dissection and aneurysms compared with female patients. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion by the treating physician. Several imaging studies can assist with diagnosis, and treatment focuses on the monitoring of affected vessels and intervention only as needed. Antiplatelet therapy for prevention of thrombotic complications is recommended. Studies are still underway to examine the genetic underpinnings of FMD pathophysiology and to evaluate the underlying mechanism of this disease that affects more female than male patients.","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141682444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sheldon E. Litwin, Christian C Faaborg-Andersen, R. J. Tedford
{"title":"Executive Summary from the 2023 Charleston HFpEF Conference","authors":"Sheldon E. Litwin, Christian C Faaborg-Andersen, R. J. Tedford","doi":"10.15420/usc.2024.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15420/usc.2024.04","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":" 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141364897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nehal Dhaduk, A. Chaus, David Williams, A. Vainrib, Homam Ibrahim
{"title":"Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: Diagnosis and Management","authors":"Nehal Dhaduk, A. Chaus, David Williams, A. Vainrib, Homam Ibrahim","doi":"10.15420/usc.2022.34","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15420/usc.2022.34","url":null,"abstract":"Secondary mitral regurgitation is one of the most common valve diseases. The disease is a result of left atrial or left ventricular dysfunction. It is generally classified into stages based on its severity. While surgical intervention does not confer improved survival in this subset of mitral disease, recent advances in transcatheter interventions have resulted in improved survival and symptomatology in carefully selected patients. In this review, the multimodality imaging evaluation of the mitral valve and secondary mitral regurgitation is discussed. Commercially available and investigational transcatheter interventions for secondary mitral regurgitation management are also reviewed.","PeriodicalId":37809,"journal":{"name":"US Cardiology Review","volume":"226 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140233456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}