Lee Health Heart Institute achieves the most abstract acceptances to-date at the annual American College of Cardiology Conference
The Lee Health Heart Institute is thrilled to present the health system’s highest number of abstracts accepted for the second year in a row at the prestigious American College of Cardiology (ACC) conference held from March 29-31 in Chicago, Illinois. These twelve abstracts covered a wide range of topics related to cardiac care, highlighting Lee Health’s commitment to innovation and excellence in cardiovascular health for all.
Led by Dr. Malissa Wood, Dr. Richard Chazal, Dr. Juan Lopez-Mattei, Advanced Provider Shantelle Bartra and Resident Physician Dr. Stefan Milutinovic, a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, advanced practice providers and clinicians shared updated information on clinical case reviews, innovative research, quality-focused heart care and innovation. These presentations demonstrate Lee Health’s commitment to sharing expertise and fostering collaboration within the medical community, while prioritizing heart wellness for everyone.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Insights in research and technology gained from the annual conference will empower Lee Health Heart Institute physicians to remain leaders in innovative practices, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and reinforcing top-tier cardiovascular care throughout Southwest Florida and beyond.
“The Lee Health Heart Institute is honored to participate in this year’s ACC conference, contributing to the advancement of innovation, cardiac care, and improved patient outcomes worldwide,” said Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, chief medical officer of Lee Health. “Our commitment extends beyond treating cardiovascular disease-we strive to develop advanced solutions that support heart health in our communities. Staying at the forefront of cardiology research allows physicians to make informed decisions, explore new treatment options, and implement prevention strategies that enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.”
This year, topics presented at the annual conference included:
• Dr. Lopez-Mattei, Serrat, Dr. Wood, Dr. Manoushagian, Dr. Gaztanaga, Horrocks, Hartwell, Dr. Milutinovic, and Dr. Chazal presented on quality improvement in echocardiography reporting and predicting performance, highlighting the value of National Board of Echocardiography certification.
• Dr. Lopez-Mattei, ARNP Roedding, AP Gilliam, Bryant, Min, Yeniomashian, Kongara, and Dr. Chazal discussed the cost-effectiveness of coronary plaque analysis in a heart disease prevention program.
• Dr. Perez, Dr. Milutinovic, Dr. Begosh-Mayne, Dr. Logvinsky, Dr. Escarcega Alarcon, and Dr. Lopez-Mattei presented on reducing inappropriate antihypertensive prescribing in a community hospital based on insights from a 2023-2024 educational initiative.
• • Dr. Milutinovic, Dr. Lopez-Mattei, Dr. Chazal, Dr. Manoushagian, Dr. Gaztanaga, Dr. Wood, Dr. Muppala, and Dr. Defrain presented on transcatheter relief for lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum obstructing superior vena cava in an elderly patient.
• Dr. Johnson, Dr. Milutinovic, Dr. Perez, McCaskey, Dr. Escarcega Alarcon, Dr. Cervantes, and Dr. Singh highlighted a case study on patent foramen ovale closure device endocarditis.
• Dr. Milutinovic, Sanchez, Dr. Perez, Petrovic, Hammami, Dr. Delibasic, Dr. Lietz, Dr. Escarcega Alarcon, and Dr. Lopez-Mattei discussed heart failure in the geriatric population and guideline-directed medical therapy use in septuagenarians, octogenarians, and nonagenarians with reduced ejection fraction.
• Dr. Milutinovic, APRN Hayes, Dr. Manoushagian, Dr. Lopez-Mattei, Dr. Chazal, and Dr. Gaztanaga reviewed coronary assessment in morbidly obese patients using a modified-CCTA protocol.
• Dr. Milutinovic, Dr. Perez, Dr. Bolooki, Dr. Escarcega Alarcon, Dr. Manoushagian, Dr. Chazal, Dr. Wood, Dr. Lietz, Dr. Lopez-Mattei, and Dr. Gaztanaga explored the role of cardiac magnetic resonance in heart failure readmission rates in a pilot single-center retrospective analysis.
• Dr. Perez, Dr. Sundaran, Dr. Logvinsky, and Dr. Lopez-Mattei discussed the overlooked culprit of patent foramen ovale and its role in respiratory failure.
• Dr. Johnson, McCaskey, and Dr. Jivanov shared insights on early GDMT in alcohol-induced HFrEF and a case of rapid recovery.
• Braga, Dr. Milutinovic, Dr. Lopez-Mattei, and Dr. Cao presented on mitral valve prolapse and mitral annulus disjunction as a silent risk.
• Barta, Dr. Endres, Dr. Onal, Dr. Wood, Dr. Costopoulos, and Saef shared important information on managing pregnancy in a patient with unrepaired congenital heart disease.
Sharing these insights at the ACC conference reinforces Lee Health’s commitment to excellence in heart care but also highlights the Lee Health Heart Institute’s dedication to advancing cardiovascular medicine both locally and globally.
The Lee Health Heart Institute is the largest heart program in Southwest Florida. It specializes in everything from primary and specialty care, advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac rehabilitation and more.
To learn more about the Lee Health Heart Institute, please visit leehealth.org.
HealthPark Medical Center is at 9981 S. HealthPark Drive, Fort Myers.