Moderated Poster Discussions - T3 Research/Science

Monday, April 14, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm

T3 Research/Science: Translation to practice, including comparative effectiveness research, post-marketing studies, clinical outcomes research, as well as health services, and dissemination & implementation research.

CORRELATION BETWEEN CORONARY ARTERY CALCIUM SCORE AND MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA IN CARDIAC NUCLEAR STRESS TESTING (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
Adi Aharonov, MD, Student
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in Western countries (1). The pretest probability of obstructive CAD is usually based on symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors. CAD evaluation may include the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score or a cardiac nuclear stress test. The CAC score measures coronary calcification, indicating plaque burden, while the nuclear stress test assesses myocardial perfusion under stress with radioactive tracers to detect ischemia. Limited data are available on the correlation between CAC scores and nuclear stress test results.

ADVERSE OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH BETA BLOCKER USE IN HFPEF: FINDINGS FROM A 10-YEAR COHORT STUDY (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
Alex J. Kloster, MD, University of Toledo
Beta blockers are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in patients with heart failure (HF), however, their role in the management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains controversial, as evidence supporting their efficacy in improving outcomes for HFpEF patients is limited.

MACHINE LEARNING ANALYSIS IDENTIFIES OXIDIZED LIPIDS PREDICTIVE OF 5-YEAR OUTCOMES IN HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
Reid Miller, MD Candidate, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is often an underdiagnosed condition associated with systemic inflammation and microvascular disfunction. Oxylipins, bioactive metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids, play integral roles in controlling inflammation and oxidative stress. Given these roles, oxylipins have potential to serve as biomarkers for predicting HFpEF.

90-DAY AMBULATORY SENSING COMPARISON BETWEEN INTERCOSTAL EXTRAVASCULAR ICD AND TRANSVENOUS ICD LEAD SYSTEMS (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
Gabriel Chimera, Midwestern University at CCOM
A novel extravascular (EV) ICD lead (AtaCor Medical, San Clemente, CA) designed for compatibility with commercial DF-4 compatible ICD pulse generators (PG) is under development.

SAFETY OF A NOVEL EXTRAVASCULAR TEMPORARY PACING LEAD WITH COMPARISON TO HISTORICAL TRANSVENOUS TEMPORARY PACING LEADS (Cardiology / Cardiovascular Disease)
William Crockett, Midwestern University
Transvenous temporary pacing (TV-TP) is not without complication. A new extravascular temporary pacing (EV-TP) lead (AtaCor Medical; San Clemente, CA) placed from an intercostal, anterior parasternal approach has been developed.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CHRONIC DISRUPTIVE DIZZINESS IN POST-911 VETERANS FOLLOWING MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (Diagnosis or Treatment of a Disease Process or Clinical Syndromes)
Maria E. Camargo, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio & University of Texas at San Antonio
While post-9/11 Veterans often experience dizziness following traumatic brain injuries, whether the dizziness persists over time, if that persistent dizziness leads to a clinical diagnosis, what treatments are sought, and the extent to which that treatment is working is not well understood.

CONFIDENCE LEVEL OF PROGRAM DIRECTORS AND PROGRAM COORDINATORS POST GME RETREAT (Environmental Factors Affecting Health)
Lord Boachie, University of Toledo
Graduate Medical Education (GME) plays an instrumental role in the education and training of healthcare professionals. It plays a crucial role in providing advanced specialty training for residents and fellows and ensuring the competence of future physicians. Consequently, it is essential that program directors and coordinators of GME programs are equipped with the tools and proficiency to continue to optimize their program. To achieve such goals, constant education and re-education of the leaders of such programs can be very beneficial.

TIMING AND PERCEPTIONS OF MCAT PREPARATION IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Dorsa Mohammadigerani, BS, California State University - Los Angeles
The MCAT is a critical milestone for aspiring medical students, but it’s timing often sparks debate. Many students feel that taking the MCAT during undergraduate studies offers an advantage, allowing them to leverage recent academic knowledge and enter medical school promptly. However, the challenges of balancing MCAT preparation with coursework, extracurriculars, and personal responsibilities need to be managed.

TRANSFORMING PATIENT CARE: ENHANCING DISCHARGE EDUCATION AND IMPROVING COMMUNICATION THROUGH STAFF TRAINING AND THE TEACH-BACK METHOD (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Farwah Shah, MD, MPH, Insight Hospital and Medical Center
Nearly 90% of U.S. adults struggle with complex health information, impacting healthcare costs and increasing morbidity and mortality rates [1]. Limited health literacy significantly impacts a patient’s ability to understand and follow discharge instructions. Miscommunication can result in prescribed medications not taken as directed, concerning symptoms overlooked, and missed follow-up visits [2]. Discharge process is usually left for the day of discharge and can lead to communication gaps due to time constraints. One study found that 10% of discharges contain significant errors, such as incorrect medications or incomplete instructions, and about one third of the patients needed further education prior to discharge emphasizing a gap in patient comprehension at discharge [3]. Healthcare professionals should prioritize clear discharge instructions and allocate adequate time for patient education to improve outcomes and reduce readmissions. To address these issues, healthcare organizations must improve discharge communication and use evidence-based strategies like the Teach-Back Method, to confirm patients' understanding of discharge instructions in a patient-centered, shame-free environment.

HOPEFULNESS AS A MEDIATOR OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PARENTING FACTORS AND ADOLESCENT SUICIDALITY AND SUBSTANCE USE AMONG LEGAL- INVOLVED YOUTH (Health Disparities / Diversity / Equity / Inclusion / Social Determinants / Ethics)
Natalie Guerrero, MD, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine
Youth involved in the juvenile justice system are at an elevated risk for substance use disorders and suicidality. While parental support and monitoring are crucial in shaping these outcomes, the mechanisms underlying these relationships remain unclear.

IMPROVING THE EQUITY OF CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION AND VACCINATION (Infectious Disease / Immunization)
Angela C. Judd, MD, New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer worldwide and fourth most common female malignancy.  Ethnic and racial minorities are impacted disproportionally, however less is known about the impact of primary language. Inequitable HPV vaccination rates may worsen these disparities. Standardized interventions to improve vaccine equity should reduce disproportionate cancer burden.
In 2016 the CDC recommended HPV vaccination for females and males age 9-26 years. Recent research shows improved vaccination uptake if supported by friends, parents, and doctors.
This initiative is novel in its focus on increasing education about HPV/cervical cancer and interest in vaccination through simple intervention, as well as exploration of the impact of demographics including primary language on vaccine uptake and parental perspectives on HPV infection/cancer risks.

EFFICACY OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A FOR REFRACTORY UPPER LIMB ESSENTIAL TREMORS (Neurology)
Nicole Waller, Saint Louis University
Essential tremor is the most common neurologic cause of postural or action tremors which result in involuntary, rhythmic shaking of a body part.¹ Essential tremors have shown to negatively impact the activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life of patients with neurologic disorders. Botulinum toxin type A, an injectable acetylcholine inhibitor, holds promise as a treatment option for essential tremor (ET) patients.² However, the correct implementation, as well as the effectiveness, of botulinum toxin as a treatment for essential tremors has yet to be fully established.

UNDERSTANDING HOW PFT INTERPRETATION AFFECTS SARCOIDOSIS PHENOTYPES(Pulmonary / Critical Care)
Yashodha Narayanan, BS, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Sarcoidosis is a heterogeneous disease with diverse phenotypes, clinical manifestations, and variable pulmonary function. Two primary strategies for interpreting pulmonary function tests (PFTs) exist: the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS). The latter is currently recommended by the 2022 ATS/ERS guidelines using Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) reference equations. However, the impact of the ATS/ERS criteria on detecting abnormal lung function in sarcoidosis remains unclear. Since treatment decisions such as bronchodilator use, corticosteroid therapy, and disease monitoring often rely on PFT classification, discrepancies between these criteria may influence clinical outcomes. This study evaluates the impact of reclassification on phenotypic identification and its potential clinical implications.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ACHILLES TENDON RE-RUPTURE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW (Surgery)
Abimbola O. Kolawole, BS, Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury in athletes with an incidence of 2.17 per 100 000 persons annually. Differing re-rupture rates have been reported across populations, and the factors contributing are vague.

DIFFERENTIAL IMPACT OF SUPERFICIAL AND DEEP SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS ON POSTOPERATIVE OUTCOMES IN NEUROSURGICAL PATIENTS: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT ANALYSIS (Surgery)
Madhu Vishnu Sankar Reddy Rami Reddy, BS, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a significant cause of postoperative morbidity and increased healthcare costs. In neurosurgery, these complications can profoundly impact recovery due to the intricate nature of cranial and spinal procedures. Distinguishing the effects of superficial versus deep SSIs is critical for guiding targeted prevention and management strategies.