Cardiovascular Diseases Commons^™

Outcomes Of Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, And Centenarians That Underwent Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: A Population-Based Study, Tony Elias, Fady Beshara, Daniel Basta, Mena Elmalh, Matthew Ebrahim, Taha Syed, Olga Sarah, Abdallah Hussein

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

An evaluation of that national inpatient sample database to explore the outcomes for patients above the age of seventy who underwent left atrial appendage occlusion.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors In The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population, Christian C. Iannuzzelli, Andrea L. Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The population of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have multiple risks and barriers that may make access to proper health care more difficult. After extensive research, some of these barriers may have been identified that pose greater risks to generating proper care for those with ASD. Some of these barriers include medical complexity, more sedentary lifestyles, poor food choices, as well as health comorbities. Some of these health comorbidities include hypertension, metabolic dysfunction, sleep apnea, and inflammation. This study aims to understand what barriers and risks for CVD are present in those with ASD.

Exploring Mindfulness Meditation In Managing Elevated Blood Pressure And Heart Rate In Debilitating Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Han Jie Liu, Krish Patel, Zachary Coren, Youssef Daoud, Zeshan Fahim, Shikhar Rastogi, Justin Le, Avinash Gupta

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US, with elevated blood pressure (BP) significantly contributing to its progression. Mindfulness meditation has emerged as a high-value preventative care strategy for managing BP and heart rate (HR); however, its specific effects on managing BP and HR in individuals with debilitating CVD remain poorly understood. This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation on HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in this population. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we employed a tailored Boolean string to search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane …

The Impact Of Food Deserts And Food Insecurity On Cardiovascular Outcomes In New Jersey, Amina Baig, Cheyenne Myklebust, Jack Hennen, Leah Perez, Rhoda Ukenna-Izuwa, Tayyiaba Farooq

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Food deserts - areas with limited access to affordable, healthful food - are increasingly being recognized as risk factors for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This review discusses the link between food desert density and cardiovascular disease risk with a special emphasis on New Jersey. A systematic PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase literature review of studies from 2014 through 2024 was conducted, with some relevant older research dating back to 2001. Some of the keywords used in the search included "food desert," "food insecurity," "cardiovascular disease," and "New Jersey." The search was restricted to English-language research conducted within the United States. The literature …

From Gut To Heart: Tmao As A Predictive Marker For Cardiovascular Risk, Jasjeet Kaur Dhaliwal, Demi Poulathas

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite produced by gut microbiota from dietary nutrients such as choline and carnitine, has emerged as a potential biomarker linking the gut microbiome to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review synthesizes findings from 31 studies examining the association between circulating TMAO levels and cardiovascular outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of plasma or serum TMAO concentrations in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality.

Methods: Studies were identified through a systematic search and screened based on inclusion criteria that required human populations, quantification of blood-based TMAO, and analysis of …

Chemical Exposures In Utero: Phthalates And Congenital Heart Defects, Demi Poulathas

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defect. Approximately 80% of CHDs have unknown causes, and phthalates may play a contributing role. Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental chemicals used as plasticizers in a wide range of products, including cosmetics and electronic devices. After entering the body, phthalates bind to the progesterone receptor, which is necessary for fetal development. While multiple studies have explored environmental factors in CHD development, few have examined the effects of phthalates on CHDs in humans. Methods: A literature review was conducted to investigate the relationship between parental occupational phthalate exposure and the …

Impact Of Language Barriers On Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Recognition And Response, Kinjal Mody, Sophie Cherfane, Curt Cackovic

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) causes nearly 350,000 deaths annually in the U.S., with survival largely depending on the timely recognition of cardiac arrest and the initiation of bystander CPR by emergency dispatchers. However, English-centric dispatch systems create barriers for individuals with limited English proficiency, potentially delaying critical responses. This study aims to synthesize research on how language differences impact OHCA recognition and CPR initiation in emergency dispatch settings. We hypothesize that language barriers cause significant delays.

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were used to identify relevant studies, using search terms like "language barriers," "cardiac arrest," and "CPR." Inclusion …

Heart To Heart: Exploring Why Cardiovascular Risk Is Higher In South Asians, Jasjeet Kaur Dhaliwal

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality, but South Asians experience a disproportionately high burden of disease, often developing CVD at younger ages and with lower body mass indices compared to other populations. This project explores the underlying genetic and lifestyle factors contributing to elevated cardiovascular risk in South Asians, aiming to highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies and policy reforms.

A literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and reviews published between 2007 and 2024. After screening 47 initial articles, 18 were selected for analysis based on their relevance to genetic and lifestyle risk …

The Presence Of Cardiac Arrhythmias Impacts Hospitalized Patients With Celiac Disease, Rahul Patel, Tirth Patel, Darshan Patel, Trinava Roy, Sachin Prasad, Paul Gill, Rafail Beshai, Joshua Soliman, Brian Blair, C. Jonathan Foster

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Celiac disease has links to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and sarcoidosis. The latter 3 also have cardiovascular manifestations associated with them. However, there are limited studies on the in-hospital outcomes of Celiac disease with cardiac manifestations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hospital outcomes of Celiac disease with concomitant arrhythmias.

Methods

Patients aged 18 years with Celiac disease and arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and supraventricular tachycardia) versus Celiac Disease alone were identified from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), from the years 2019-2020. ICD 10 codes were utilized. Multivariate …

Cardiovascular Effects Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonists In Non-Diabetic Adults With Obesity: A Systematic Literature Review, Mariam Abdeen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with obesity. GLP-1 receptor agonists, initially developed for glycemic control in diabetes, are now approved for weight loss in non-diabetic populations. Recent clinical trials suggest these agents may also offer direct cardiovascular benefits.

Objective: This literature review aims to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists, specifically semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, in non-diabetic adults with overweight or obesity.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in January 2025 using PubMed as the primary database, supplemented by Google Scholar and Embase. Clinical trials were selected based on …

Analysis Of Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, And Cholesterol Screening Results Collected During Street Outreach Events In Atlantic County, New Jersey, As Part Of A Mobile Community Health Worker Program To Identify Residents At High Risk For Severe Covid-19, Kenneth W. Stagliano, Richard T. Jermyn, Alexander E. Abbott, Donato F. Tassoni, Amy Palen, Frank Carozza, Nicole M. Miller

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: This study seeks to evaluate the status of random blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose screening results in Atlantic County, NJ. This study also aims to identify the rates of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension within the target population, and potential differences between surveyed age demographics.

Methods: Medical students participating in the COVID-19 CHW Service Corps collected blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose screenings at multiple screening events in Atlantic County, NJ during a two-year period. This data was analyzed retrospectively using ANOVA, non-parametric Kruskal Walis Test, and Tukey's pairwise comparisons.

Results: Senior adults had significantly higher SBP than …

Patient Education And Health Literacy Effects On Statin Use And Adherence, Ian M. Smith, Richard G. Olarsch, Alison M. Mancuso

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: While the use of statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) plays a significant role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, it is estimated approximately 60% of patients who would benefit from a statin are receiving these medications. Current research suggests that a preference for life-style intervention over medical management, concern over medical adverse reactions, and a lower perceived risk of cardiovascular events is associated with statin non-adherence.

Methods: An IRB-approved paper survey was administered to patients aged 18 to 89 at an ambulatory primary care clinic for non-acute visits. Qualtrics was utilized to collect, store, and process data. Information elicited from …

Case Report: Ruptured Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Jenna Rapone

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular emergency with high mortality rates. We report a case of a 79-year-old male with no reported past medical history but a significant lifelong smoking history who presented to the emergency department with generalized weakness, lower abdominal pain, hypotension, tachycardia, and a reported syncopal episode. Emergency medical services (EMS) found the patient at home during a welfare check, appearing pale and weak. Upon movement from his bed to a stretcher, he experienced a syncopal episode, became tachycardic, and was transiently hypoxic. Initial laboratory studies revealed a hemoglobin of 13 g/dL, hematocrit …

Anabolic Steroid Induced Cardiomyopathy, Oluwatomi Alade

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Anabolic steroids including testosterone are commonly used as performance-enhancing agents. Its use is predominantly seen in young and middle-aged males. Endogenous testosterone is necessary for cardiac health; however, synthetic anabolic steroids are more potent and associated with adverse effects. These adverse effects include cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease. The cardiomyopathy, however, can be reversible with discontinuation of the anabolic steroids. This case describes a middle-aged male who had new onset cardiomyopathy and ultimately went into cardiogenic shock secondary to anabolic steroid use.

Out Of The Blue: A Case Of Acute Limb Ischemia In A Healthy Young Woman, Julian Coz, Melanie Angelo

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a critical condition caused by arterial occlusion, often due to thrombotic or embolic events in atherosclerotic vessels. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential to prevent limb loss and complications. While typically seen in patients with known vascular risk factors, ALI can also affect individuals without them.

We present a case of a 49-year-old female with sudden-onset left foot pain and paresthesia, highlighting the importance of recognizing ALI in seemingly healthy patients. Despite the absence of typical risk factors, imaging revealed significant atherosclerosis and arterial occlusion, leading to the diagnosis of ALI. This case emphasizes the …

Case Report: Spontaneous Aortic Dissection In A 63-Year Old Male Presenting As Left Abdominal, Flank And Back Pain, Dean Austin Esma

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition in which the inner walls of the aorta tears, compromising its ability to supply blood to organs. The classic presentation involves sudden, severe, “tearing” chest pain, but subtle presentations are often overlooked as symptoms of another condition, leading to missed diagnoses. This report presents a case of spontaneous aortic dissection who presented with sudden onset of left upper abdominal pain, left flank and upper back pain while brushing his teeth.

Case Report: Pulmonary Infarction Following Recent Pulmonary Embolism, David Marconi, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

A 57-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnea, and a recent pulmonary embolism (PE) on anticoagulation presented with acute pleuritic chest pain and worsening dyspnea. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the chest revealed a small distal segmental PE in the left lower lobe and an adjacent irregular consolidation, raising concern for pulmonary infarction versus pneumonia. The patient was empirically started on antibiotics for possible pneumonia and admitted for anticoagulation and supportive care. He left the hospital against medical advice (AMA) before completing treatment, but returned days later with exacerbated symptoms. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge …

Tricyclic Antidepressant (Tca) Overdose Causing Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage: A Case Report, Md Fateha, Jose Aragon, Joan Wiley

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose is an uncommon complication that results from excessive administration of TCAs. Signs and symptoms include bradycardia, fever, dry mouth, and altered mental status. Patients can develop cardiac arrhythmia and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, which can be fatal. This case report details a 65-year-old female who experienced a suspected TCA overdose as a suicide attempt. She had a history of depression and a previous suicide attempt. The patient was unresponsive with declining oxygen saturation, necessitating emergent intubation. Important lab findings included a decreased partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (P/F ratio) and prolonged QRS …

Assessing The Safety And Effectiveness Of Endovascular Treatment Vs. Surgical Repair Of Aortic Aneurysms In Patients With Marfan Syndrome: A Literature Review, Noor Baig, Zainab Mubasher, Nassos Tziviskos, Joseph Pernini, Marcus Fariello, Ryan Hickey

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: This review compares the safety and effectiveness of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) versus open surgical repair in patients with Marfan Syndrome (MFS) and thoracic aortic aneurysms. We assessed differences in mortality, length of hospital stay, renal impairment, and stroke incidence between the two techniques. Currently, open surgical repair is the gold standard treatment.

Hypothesis: As the gold standard treatment, we expect open surgical repair to have more favorable outcomes than TEVAR.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using studies from 2000-2024 across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science. Studies were included if they involved adult …

Preliminary Assessment For Quality Improvement Of Hypertension Management In Kenya, Shubhangi Singh

Honors Theses

Hypertension is a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite relatively low rates of common behavioral risk factors, the Kasigau region of Kenya experiences high prevalence of hypertension and hypertension-related complications. This study explores self-efficacy, health beliefs, and management behaviors among adults in Kasigau to provide pilot quality improvement data for providers and future intervention planning. A cross-sectional, randomized survey of 45 adults was conducted at the Bughuta Clinic in southeastern Kenya. Participants completed a five-question hypertension-specific, self-efficacy assessment and a health belief model-based survey, with …

Managing Cardiovascular Health In The Hispanic Community: Implementing The Share Approach At A Primary Care Clinic, Jacqueline Molina

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of the Seek, Help, Assess, Reach, and Evaluate (SHARE) approach in the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the Hispanic population at a primary care clinic while improving health literacy. The aim was that by February 2025, Hispanic patients at the clinic would achieve a 10% reduction in CVD risk factors.

Background: The project was implemented at a small private primary care clinic in Texas. CVD risk factors prevalent include hypertension, mixed hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus.

Methodology: Before implementation provider and staff were educated on the SHARE …

A Sex Comparison On The Effects Of Caveolin Scaffolding Domain On Fibrosis Formation After Chronic Sympathetic Stimulation, Crimsyn Price

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. There are various trends that influence the rates of cardiovascular disease in each country. Factors that create these trends involve diet, exercise, genetics, socioeconomic status, and geographical location. Additionally, CVD is typically higher in middle-income and lower-income classes. Hospital routes, rates of poverty, insurance policies, and lifestyle culture are all factors that can impact the time of treatment which in turn affect the rate of CVD. However, we explored in this study the shift in CVD women experience after menopause. Women were excluded from clinical trials until 1986, and the …

Explainable Ai (Xai) For A Machine Learning Heart Disease Prediction Model, Sai Abhishek Sanchula

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating the development of accurate and interpretable machine learning (ML) models for early diagnosis and risk assessment (World Health Organization, 2021). While ML algorithms such as logistic regression, decision trees, support vector machines (SVM) (Cortes & Vapnik, 1995), and deep learning models (LeCun et al., 2015) have demonstrated high predictive accuracy, their adoption in clinical practice is hindered by their black-box nature (Rudin, 2019). Explainable AI (XAI) techniques, including SHapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) (Lundberg & Lee, 2017), Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) (Ribeiro et al., 2016), and feature importance analysis …

Assessing The Association Between Total Cholesterol And Hospitalized Myocardial Infarction In Women Ages 32-70: An Analysis Of The Framingham Heart Study, Jolene L. Stapleton Duree

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women that may go undiagnosed due to unexpected symptoms. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the effect of total cholesterol on the odds of hospitalized myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

This analysis used a sample of 2,445 women from the Framingham Heart Study, an observational prospective cohort study. The exposure was total cholesterol, and the outcome was hospitalized MI. Logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR). The adjusted models controlled for age, blood pressure, and diabetes. Effect modification by diabetes status was evaluated in …

A Case Of A Massive Right Atrial Thrombus Removal Under Transesophageal Echocardiographic Guidance, Justin Phillips, Max Kabolowsky, Alex M. Hendon, Samantha Arzillo

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

With the advent of catheter guided interventions, practitioners have added another tool alongside chemical lysis and surgical removal to reduce the clot burden of patients with large emboli and thrombi. Due to comorbid conditions, many patients are poor candidates for surgical or chemical clot treatment but may present optimally for catheter-based thromboembolectomy. In this case, we highlight the benefits of mechanical thrombectomy with transesophageal echocardiographic guidance to reduce the clot burden of a patient who would otherwise be considered a poor candidate for surgical or chemical treatment.

Case Presentation

This case follows a 78-year-old man with a past medical …

A Comparative Study Of Obesity-Related Traits And Serum Lipid Parameters In Cardiovascular Patients From Faisalabad, Pakistan, Muhammad Umer Ghori, Muhammad Shareef Masoud, Muhammad Shafique, Humera Fiaz, Misbah Hussain, Fazli Rabbi Awan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Obesity and dyslipidemia are significant risk factors for cardiovascular disorders (CVDs), yet have not been extensively studied in Pakistani subjects. Therefore, this retrospective observational study was undertaken to investigate the association of obesity-related traits and serum lipid parameters in CVD patients from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Methods: A total of 403 CVD patients and 226 healthy controls were included. CVD patients were enrolled from the Allied Hospital and the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology. Obesity-related traits [body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference (WC and HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)], serum lipid parameters, and blood pressure of all subjects …

Comparison Of Outcomes Among Neurovascular Patients Managed In Dedicated Neurological Intensive Care Units Vs. General Intensive Care Units, Joanna Roy, Basel Musmar, Nassos Tziviskos, Saarang Patel, Roberto Deleon, Ashley Thommana, Shady Mina, Stavropoula Tjoumakaris, Michael Gooch, Robert Rosenwasswer, Pascal Jabbour

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Patients with neurovascular conditions often require multidisciplinary management to optimize recovery. Our systematic review identifies literature comparing outcomes among neurovascular patients managed at dedicated neurological intensive care units (ICUs) compared to general ICUs. Methods: PubMed was searched to identify articles that reported outcomes among patients managed at dedicated neurological ICUs versus general ICUs. Articles that reported outcomes among patients with neurovascular conditions were included. Articles that reported outcomes among patients managed at stroke units were excluded. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess for risk of bias across individual studies. Results: After a title and abstract screen …

Design And Structural Basis Of Selective 1,4-Dihydropyridine Inhibitors Of The Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel KCa3.1, Seow Theng Ong, Young-Woo Nam, Joshua A. Nasburg, Alena Ramanishka, Xuan Rui Ng, Zhong Zhuang, Stephanie Shee Min Goay, Hai M. Nguyen, Latika Singh, Vikrant Singh, Alicia Rivera, M. Elaine Eyster, Yang Xu, Seth L. Alper, Heike Wulff, Miao Zhang, K. George Chandy

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The 1,4-dihydropyridines, drugs with well-established bioavailability and toxicity profiles, have proven efficacy in treating human hypertension, peripheral vascular disorders, and coronary artery disease. Every 1,4-dihydropyridine in clinical use blocks L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. We now report our development, using selective optimization of a side activity (SOSA), of a class of 1,4-dihydropyridines that selectively and potently inhibit the intermediate-conductance calcium-activated K+ channel K_Ca3.1, a validated therapeutic target for diseases affecting many organ systems. One of these 1,4-dihydropyridines, DHP-103, blocked K_Ca3.1 with an IC50 of 6 nM and exhibited exquisite selectivity over calcium channels and a panel of …

Physical Activity Measurement Reactivity Among Midlife Adults With Elevated Risk For Cardiovascular Disease: Protocol For Coordinated Analyses Across Six Studies., Kiri Baga, Gabrielle M Salvatore, Iris Bercovitz, Amanda L Folk, Ria Singh, Laura M König, Meghan L Butryn, Jacqueline A Mogle, Danielle Arigo

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and adults aged 40-60 years with specific health conditions are at particularly elevated risk for developing CVD. Physical activity (PA) is a key cardioprotective behavior and many interventions exist to promote PA in this group. Effective promotion requires accurate assessment of PA behavior; as PA is often estimated by averaging across multiple days, a threat to accurate assessment is measurement reactivity, or an atypical increase in PA behavior at the start of measurement periods that may bias conclusions. Evidence for PA measurement reactivity is equivocal, though …

Ensemble Learning With Explainable Ai For Improved Heart Disease Prediction Based On Multiple Datasets, Shahid Mohammad Ganie, Pijush Kanti Dutta Pramanik, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Predicting and detecting heart disease early is crucial, as it allows medical professionals to take appropriate and necessary actions at earlier stages. Healthcare professionals can diagnose cardiac conditions more accurately by applying machine learning technology. This study aimed to enhance heart disease prediction using stacking and voting ensemble methods. Fifteen base models were trained on two different heart disease datasets. After evaluating various combinations, six base models were pipelined to develop ensemble models employing a meta-model (stacking) and a majority vote (voting). The performance of the stacking and voting …