ACC Speaks on Link Between E Cigarettes and Vascular Disease

American College of Cardiology
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An experienced cardiologist, Rajan Bhatt, MD, is the founder and chief executive officer of Spectrum Dermatology, PLLC, and the Valley Surgery Center, LLC, both in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to his work with patients at both locations, Dr. Rajan Bhatt maintains memberships with professional organizations such as the American College of Cardiology and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) recently released a story investigating the link between flavored e-cigarette liquids, the use of e-cigarettes, and exacerbated dysfunction at the cellular level. The article, based on a study conducted by Won Hee Lee, PhD, and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, examined the cells of various groups of smokers and nonsmokers, though all cells were sampled from healthy patients free of any other major cardiovascular risk factors.

The six uniquely flavored e-liquids studied each had some toxic impact on cell survival and demonstrated a connection to the pro-inflammatory markers linked to the development of vascular disease, though a cinnamon-flavored Marcado brand had an especially toxic effect. Additional findings indicated e-cigarette users received essentially the same nicotine delivery as cigarette smokers due to plasma nicotine concentrations.

A more thorough profile of the harmful impact e-cigarettes can have on a person’s vascular system, as well as the study itself, can be found online at www.acc.org.

ACC Provides Continuing Education Opportunities for Cardiologists

The founder and chief executive officer of Scottsdale-based Spectrum Dermatology and Vein Center, Dr. Rajan Bhatt completed a three-year cardiology fellowship at the University of Arizona Medical Center. Dr. Rajan Bhatt is a member of professional organizations including the American Society of Echocardiography and the American College of Cardiology.

A nonprofit medical society with more than 49,000 members, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) aims to advance cardiology as an academic and clinical discipline through numerous continuing education options. The organization’s vast online learning catalog includes a number of board preparation resources that keep cardiologists at the forefront of the profession, as well as online courses and webinars on topics such as pharmacotherapies and nonstatin management. Additionally, the ACC course catalog offers patient case quizzes to help cardiology professionals access the latest research and practice tools. For more information about ACC or to browse the organization’s range of educational programming, visit http://www.acc.org.

Three Core Values of the American College of Cardiology

American College of Cardiology
Image: acc.org

Rajan Bhatt, MD, is an accomplished cardiologist who has worked at Scottsdale, Arizona’s Spectrum Dermatology and Vein Center for more than eight years. In addition to his work at Spectrum, Rajan Bhatt, MD, spends time engaging with a number of professional organizations, including the American College of Cardiology.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a patient-focused, not-for-profit medical society comprised of 49,000 members. In order to better serve patients and elevate the overall quality of cardiology around the world, the ACC emphasizes three core values of service.

All ACC members are expected to promote professionalism and excellence at all times. The ACC is dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation, for the medical field and for each individual engaged in the profession. By holding to the highest possible professional standards, ACC members can establish themselves as trusted, knowledgeable representatives of the cardiovascular community.

Members of the ACC are also expected to collaborate with peers by freely exchanging information, establishing strategic partnerships, supporting and exploring a peer’s viewpoints and thoughts, and developing leadership skills that allow for optimal team performance. Members should also engage in transparent communications with peers and patients.

Lastly, ACC members must appreciate the fact that their roles are to better the lives of patients whenever possible. Members are not simply medical professionals, but advocates for individuals and groups suffering from cardiovascular ailments. Cardiologists must not only treat a patient’s condition, but provide moral support and motivation throughout the recovery period. Similarly, treatment periods should be utilized as opportunities to educate patients and engage in shared decision making in hopes of avoiding future cardiovascular complications.

ACC Update Heart Failure Guidance

American College of Cardiology
Image: acc.org

For nearly 15 years, Dr. Rajan Bhatt has served as a cardiologist at Spectrum Dermatology & Vein Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Alongside his everyday work seeing patients, Dr. Rajan Bhatt is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

In late 2017, ACC released a new update to its document titled Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure, with new information about treating patients who have reduced ejection fraction, a condition where the left portion of the heart doesn’t pump as much blood to the body as it should. In recent years, new data about how to optimally treat these patients has become available, which is why the organization felt it was time to update the document.

Some of the elements of the guidance include criteria for starting new therapy or changing therapy in reduced-ejection-fraction patients, guidelines for using multiple drug treatment strategies, when to consult with a doctor who specializes in heart failure, and when the right time might be to switch to pain management and hospice treatment in severe cases. The updated guidance can be found at onlinejacc.org.