Journal of Clinical Cardiology

Commentary Open Access

From Comorbidity to Phenotype: Redefining Risk in Cardiorenal Acute Kidney Injury

Brent Tai , Chijioke Okonkwo , Yaroslav Zuyev , Derek Synder

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients is increasingly recognized as part of a broader cardiorenal metabolic process rather than an isolated renal event. Heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) frequently coexist among patients at risk for AKI and contribute to hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and metabolic disturbances that influence clinical outcomes. However, current risk stratification approaches often evaluate these conditions independently, potentially overlooking their interactive effects.

Commentary Open Access

From Clinics to Communities: Precision Prevention for Cardiovascular Health in South Asians

Kristina M. Wang , Rushabh H. Doshi , Kanhai S. Amin , Pavan Khosla

Cardiovascular disease in Asian Americans represents a paradox of increasing demographic prominence yet persistent scientific underrecognition. Despite being one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States, Asian Americans remain underrepresented in cardiovascular research and poorly characterized in risk prediction frameworks.

Commentary Open Access

Do We Need ICDs for Prevention of SCD in Patients with Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia? – Only Time Will Tell!

Jakub Tomala , Christopher Kowalewski , Ilkin Maharramli , Thomas Winkler , Arno P. Bößenecker , Andrea Brinker-Paschke , Matthias Pauschinger , Thomas Deneke

While the concept of catheter ablation (CA) as first-line therapy of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is not new, its widespread adoption has been hindered by the lack of supporting data. The ever-present risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) associated with VT and proven efficacy of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) have made it difficult to justify withholding an ICD implantation even after effective CA in patients with structural heart disease.

Review Article Open Access

Palliative and Hospice Measures for Patients with End-Stage Heart Failure

Zayd Parekh , Sultan Ahmed , Saad Rashid , Santhanam Kumar , Jon Monkemeyer , Rashad Belin

End-stage heart failure (ESHF) represents a phase of progressive disease characterized by refractory symptoms, frequent hospitalizations, high mortality, and substantial physical and psychosocial burden for patients and caregivers. Despite advances in guideline-directed medical therapy and device-based interventions, many patients with ESHF experience diminished quality of life and face complex decisions regarding advanced therapies and end-of-life care. 

Original Research Open Access

Correlation of Thermodilution, Fick, and Echocardiographic Determination of Cardiac Output in Pulmonary Hypertension

David James Failinger , Eric Osborn , Deborah Green-Hess , Stephen G Sawada

Right heart catheterization is the technique relied upon for accurate assessment of cardiac output (CO) in patients with known or suspected pulmonary hypertension (PH). The Fick and TD methods are used for invasive assessment of CO. It has not been established which invasive method is optimal in PH. Studies comparing the two techniques have shown variable levels of agreement with some concluding that there are significant disparities in identifying patients with low CO. 

Review Article Open Access

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection: A Practical Diagnostic and Management Framework for the General Internist

Daniel Tsai , Robin Chand

HFpEF accounts for approximately half of all heart failure cases, and its prevalence is rising with the aging population. Unlike HFrEF, which is defined by reduced systolic function, HFpEF is diagnosed clinically: patients must have heart failure symptoms (exertional dyspnea, edema, orthopnea), preserved ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50% and evidence of elevated LV filling pressures via echocardiography, natriuretic peptides, or invasive hemodynamics. 

Review Article Open Access

Coronary Artery CT Angiography for Plaque Imaging

George S. Chrysant , R. Casey Sullivan , Michael Megaly , Jered Cook , Jon P. Blaschke

Cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) has become a mainstream and integral part of many cardiology practices based on a vast base of literature supporting and validating its clinical utility. It is now recommended as a first-line test for the evaluation of chest pain according to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC). As the technology continues to advance, coronary imaging has improved in stride. 

Original Research Open Access

Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and SGLT2 Inhibitors- Clinical Outcomes, Adverse Events, and Comorbidities Over Three Years: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Jonathan Zawadzki , Ronit Kar , Grace Bailey , Aaron Jackson , Floyd Thoma , Amy Goodrich- Harris , Gavin Hickey

Background: Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are now a cornerstone therapy for Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF), with demonstrated benefits in survival and hospitalization reduction. However, most evidence is limited to 12–18 months of follow-up.

Short Communication Open Access

The Balance Between Choice, Initial Prosthetic Valve Selection, and Future Transcatheter Success: A Patient-Centered Strategic Perspective

Caio Cesar Cardoso , José de Lima Oliveira Jr , Cardoso SO

The emergence of transcatheter valve-in-valve (ViV) procedures has fundamentally changed the management of bioprosthetic valve degeneration, providing a less invasive alternative to high-risk surgical reoperation. However, the long-term clinical success of future transcatheter interventions is largely predetermined at the time of the initial surgical valve replacement.