Published in Frontiers in Physics
Diffusion MRI is arguably the method of choice for characterizing white matter microstructure in vivo. Over the typical duration of diffusion encoding, the displacement of water molecules is conveniently on a length scale similar to that of the underlying cellular structures. Moreover, water molecules in white matter are largely compartmentalized w...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of Review A significant proportion of patients infected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) (COVID-19) also have disorders affecting the cardiac rhythm. In this review, we provide an in-depth review of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the associated arrhythmic complications of COVID-19 infection and ...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of reviewImplantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation is a guideline-recommended indication for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in high-risk patients. ICD implantation is lower in women than in men, a difference that has persisted over the last two decades. The goal of this review is to explore potential factor...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of reviewsThere are many places in the world where comprehensive echocardiography is not available, including remote or rural regions of high-income countries and outside urban centers of low- to middle-income countries. In this review, we discuss the use case for focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) in remote and low-resource settings includ...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of reviewThe number of cancer patients grows globally. An important subset may develop heart failure.Recent findingsA paucity of data exists regarding outcomes and response to traditional intervention in cancer patients who develop heart failure. Advanced HF treatments in this population require special considerations. Since cancer treatmen...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of ReviewTricuspid regurgitation (TR) represents an important, overlooked, and often undertreated valve disorder. The advent of novel transcatheter approaches directed towards the mitral and aortic valves has generated interest in the possible management of right-sided valve disease using similar strategies. The identification of anatomical...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of ReviewHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and diastolic dysfunction are major sequelae of primary cardiac disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and contribute to increased mortality in this population.Recent FindingsStudies of animal models of SSc and human tissue samples indicate that the pathophysiology u...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of ReviewThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the delivery of education for all specialties, including cardiac electrophysiology. This review will provide an overview of the COVID-19 spurred digital transformation of electrophysiology education for practicing clinicians and trainees in electrophysiology and cover the use of soci...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of reviewCardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) can be used to accurately define atrial fibrosis burden and is increasingly available, which has led to a renaissance in our understanding of atrial fibrosis as a major component of the atrial disease substrate. The purpose of this review is to provide information on our current understandi...
Published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
Purpose of ReviewThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on athletics, and the question of safely resuming competitive sports at all levels has been a source of significant debate. Concerns regarding myocarditis and the risk of arrhythmias and sudden death in athletes have prompted heightened attention to the role of cardiovascular screenin...
