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. The most recent guidelines have reflected the need to consider risk-enhancing factors that are unaccounted for in traditional risk assessment tools. As the population ages and the burden of cardiovascular disease in women increases, it is crucial to continue focusing on preventative of cardiovascular disease in women.

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. Additionally, women with ACS are more likely than men to present with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), which appears to be due to diverse underlying pathophysiology. Women with ACS face diagnostic and treatment dilemmas from time of symptom onset to hospital discharge. Under-recognition, under-diagnosis, and under-treatment ultimately result in poorer outcomes in women. Underlying pathophysiologic differences in women require additional testing to elucidate underlying etiologies.

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. However, recent evidence favors the use of sex-adjusted CAC cutoffs for women to account for the relatively lower overall CAC burden and therefore risk stratify women appropriately. Several studies have identified CAC distribution patterns in women associated with increased CV mortality, particularly the number of lesions involved, CAC volume, and size. Multiple studies have shown that the pathophysiology and associated risks of ASCVD are different in women when compared with men. CAC scoring is a tool that is widely being used for ASCVD risk stratification. Recent studies have shown that although men have higher CAC burdens, women are more likely to develop plaque erosions with non-calcified plaque that carries a greater risk for cardiovascular events. Providers should be aware of sex-specific CAC patterns carrying increased mortality risk for women, particularly increasing lesion size and number. Given the differences in plaque composition and distribution, revised sex-adjusted CAC scoring is suggested to better risk stratify patients, especially those deemed intermediate risk, and decrease CV mortality.

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. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

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. Several ASCVD risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, poor diet and the presence of obesity may increase the risk of ASCVD in patients suffering from IBD, despite a lower prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Medications used to treat IBD and target inflammation, such as steroids, may also accelerate the risk of the risk for ASCVD heart failure while exacerbating ASCVD risk factors. Several studies have demonstrated an elevated risk of acute myocardial infarction and stroke in these patients, most notably in women and in younger patients. Some cohort studies have also suggested a link between IBD and both atrial fibrillation and heart failure, particularly during periods of active flares. All IBD patients, particularly younger individuals, should be screened for ASCVD risk factors with aggressive risk factor modification to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Further research is needed to identify how to prevent and treat cardiovascular events that occur in patients with IBD, particularly during active flares.