In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster highlights groundbreaking research from the October 8, 2024 issue of JACC. Key studies delve into the evolving diagnostic criteria for myocarditis, the prognostic value of subclinical atherosclerosis, the arrhythmic risks in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and the implications of PFO closure on ischemic stroke risk, underscoring the importance of advanced imaging techniques and clinical criteria in modern cardiovascular care.

In the October 8, 2024 issue of JACC, a pivotal study explores the prognostic implications of various diagnostic criteria for myocarditis, comparing the European Society of Cardiology and the late-luis criteria. The findings reveal that while most patients can be diagnosed using ESC criteria, the combination of both sets enhances risk stratification, emphasizing the need for collaboration between clinical cardiologists and imaging specialists in managing suspected myocarditis cases.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses groundbreaking research on the impact of subclinical atherosclerosis on mortality, revealing insights from a 15-year study. He emphasizes the limitations of traditional cardiovascular risk prediction tools, like the Framingham Risk Score, and calls for deeper exploration of individual risk factors for better long-term outcomes.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a groundbreaking study that evaluates the role of myocardial fibrosis in predicting sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. The findings suggest that assessing fibrosis through advanced imaging techniques offers a more accurate risk stratification than the traditional reliance on left ventricular ejection fraction, ultimately refining treatment approaches for at-risk patients.

In the October 8, 2024, issue of JACC, Dr. Casper Bonison and colleagues present a study on the risks of ischemic stroke recurrence after PFO closure, revealing that while the four-year risk remains higher than the general population, it mirrors clinical trial findings. They emphasize the importance of careful patient selection and the need for further research into closure techniques and associated stroke risk factors.

In this episode, Dr. Valentin Fuster introduces a crucial consensus document on Critical Care Cardiology training, highlighting insights from leading experts at the University of Minnesota and Harvard. With the field rapidly expanding and 20% of incoming cardiology fellows expressing interest in this specialty, the panel outlines key recommendations for enhancing training programs to meet evolving demands.

In this episode, experts discuss a crucial 2024 document outlining appropriate use criteria for multimodality imaging in cardiovascular evaluation before non-emergent non-cardiac surgery, addressing the rising annual surgeries and associated cardiac risks. They delve into balancing the necessity of imaging with cost-effectiveness while exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance future evaluations.

Michelle M Kittleson, MD, FACC, JACC Associate Editor, speaks with author Muthiah Vaduganathan, MD on his accepted paper concerning the FINEARTS trial published in JACC.