Cardiology Team Has Large Presence at ACC Meeting, with Prestigious Award, Plenary Talk on AI, and Research Presentations

A team of cardiologists and fellows with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine discussed artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac care and technology innovations, as well as presenting findings from recent studies, at the American College of Cardiology’s 2023 scientific session — ACC.23/WCC) — held with the World Conference of Cardiology in New Orleans on March 4-6.

Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis presenting on AI in the cath lab at the ACC's Future Hub session.
Yiannis S. Chatzizisis, M.D., Ph.D., presenting on AI in the cath lab at the ACC’s Future Hub session.

“Our cardiology team showcased our program’s leadership in cardiovascular research, with presentations on a wide spectrum of topics,” said Yiannis S. Chatzizisis, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chief of cardiovascular medicine and director of the Computational Cardiovascular Simulations Center at UHealth – University of Miami Health System.

In a well-attended conference plenary session on “CV Medicine in the Future,” Dr. Chatzizisis spoke about the many roles and potential benefits of deploying AI, machine learning, and imaging technologies in cardiovascular medicine.

AI can identify new molecular and imaging biomarkers and integrate them in risk prediction models for faster and more accurate diagnoses and better treatment strategies,” he said. “In addition, AI can improve the workflow of cardiovascular genomics, promote cardiovascular device research and development, and facilitate planning of interventional procedures, advancing the field of precision medicine.”

Dr. Orringer holding award
Carl Orringer, M.D., was honored with the ACC’s prestigious Simon Dack Award for Outstanding Scholarship.

At the conference, Carl E. Orringer, M.D., professor of clinical medicine and director of Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, was one of five cardiologists honored with the ACC’s prestigious Simon Dack Award for Outstanding Scholarship. It was the second consecutive year Dr. Orringer was recognized for his editorial contributions to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

“I am humbled to have been recognized by the ACC to receive this prestigious award that helps to assure the publication of only the highest quality manuscripts in the journal, and look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the college’s mission to advance the quality of cardiovascular care,” said Dr. Orringer.

Carlos Alfonso, M.D., associate professor of medicine and cardiovascular fellowship program director at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, praised the research of Miller School fellows and residents who gave presentations at ACC.23. “Our fellows and residents did an amazing job,” he said. “I’m proud of all of them and look forward to their continued growth and success.”

Dr. Carlos Alfonso and a male resident by poster
Carlos Alfonso, M.D. (left), oversaw resident and fellow participation in the meeting.

The six cardiology fellows, and their presentations of studies conducted in collaboration with the division’s faculty, were:

  • Victor G. Becerra-Gonzales, M.D., “Left Ventricular Aneurysm with Acquired Ventricular Septal Defect Following Acute Myocardial Infarction with Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease”
  • Matthew M. Borkovich, M.D., “Percutaneous Resection of a Large Right Atrial Mass Using a Vacuum-Assisted Thrombectomy System”
  • Miguel Martillo, M.D., “Difference in Heart Failure-Related Cardiogenic Shock Between Ischemic and Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Data from the Critical Care Cardiology Trials Network (CCTN) Registry”
  • Miguel Martillo, M.D., and Neal Olarte, D.O., “Survival of Elderly Patients Using Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support”
  • Laura McDermott, M.D., “Atrial ECG Dynamics in Atrial Fibrillation”
Dr. Lecompte at podium, presenting research
Paola A. Lecompte Osorio, M.D., presented on “Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among Patients Hospitalized with Acute Myocarditis”

Under the mentorship of many of cardiology faculty and fellows, including Rosario Colombo, M.D., and Rhea Sancassani, M.D., there were 26 scientific presentations by residents in the cardiovascular pathway at UM/JMH.

The residents’ moderated oral abstract presentations included “Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among Patients Hospitalized with Acute Myocarditis in the United States Between 2011-2019,” presented by Paola A. Lecompte Osorio, M.D.; and “Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Female Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus,” presented by Julio Santana, M.D.; Michael Dangl, M.D.; and Michael Albosta, M.D.

Cardiology group posing in lobby
Miller School cardiology faculty, residents, and fellows attending ACC.23/WCC

Other presentations were made by Drs. Dangl and Albosta and Rafael J. Hernandez, M.D., on “Impact of Diabetic Ketoacidosis on ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Outcomes in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes;” and by Moises Vasquez Martinez, M.D.; Beatriz P. Rivera Rodriguez, M.D.; and Crystal L. Yan, on “To Drain or Not to Drain? The Dilemma of Pericardial Effusions in Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension.”


Tags: American College of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Dr. Carl Orringer, Dr. Carlos Alfonso, Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis, Dr. Yiannis S. Chatzizisis, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, UM/JMH