Original Research Open Access

In-hospital Mortality Trends Across the Pre-pandemic, Pandemic, and Post-pandemic Eras in Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Conditions: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Swatam Jain , Rakahn Haddadin , Pinak Shah , Kush Kapadia , Christopher Aboujaoude , Boone Singtong , Alfred Danielian , Zade Zahlan

The COVID-19 pandemic strained healthcare delivery, but its lasting impact on acute and chronic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality remains unclear. We compared in-hospital mortality for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), ischemic stroke, and congestive heart failure (CHF) across pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic eras.

Review Article Open Access

Optimizing Stroke Prevention after AtriClip Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: A Narrative Review of Anticoagulation Dilemmas and Imaging Needs

Alfred Danielian , Pinak Shah , Roxanne Moghadam , Swatam Jain

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke, with the left atrial appendage (LAA) being the predominant source of thrombi. Surgical LAA occlusion (LAAO) with devices like the AtriClip offers a mechanical alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC), particularly for patients at high bleeding risk or with OAC contraindications.