USA Health residents, fellows present diverse clinical research at American College of Cardiology
The annual national meeting brought together cardiovascular specialists from across the world to share advances in research, education, and patient care.
By Michelle Ryan-Day
[email protected]
Four residents and five fellows from the USA Health Internal Medicine Residency Program and Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship delivered a wide range of presentations highlighting complex cardiovascular disease, rare clinical syndromes, and innovative case-based learning at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Session 2026, held March 28–30 in New Orleans.
The annual national meeting brought together cardiovascular specialists from across the world to share advances in research, education, and patient care.
“It was truly an honor to present at ACC and represent our program. This work reflects the support, mentorship, and teamwork that made it possible,” said Haris Manan, M.D., chief internal medicine resident. “It feels meaningful to contribute and represent South on a national stage at ACC 2026.”
Abdullah Sheikh, M.D., a second-year internal medicine resident, was inspired by the research presented during the weekend.
“Being there and seeing the level of research across the board was inspiring and a good reminder of how much there is to keep building on moving forward,” Sheikh said.
The following residents gave presentations:
- Claudia Barrios, M.D., second-year resident, presented “Pericardial Effusion as the Initial Manifestation of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma”
- Pavel Hurtado Cabrera, M.D., second-year resident, presented “Overcoming Anatomical Challenges in a Case with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava” and “From Dyspnea to Bypass Surgery: A Case of Amphetamine-Associated Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection”
- Abdullah Sheikh, M.D., second-year resident, presented “Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: An Uncommon Presentation of Myocardial Infarction in Adults,” with fellow Abdul Moiz Qureshi, M.D.; “Riluzole-Associated Brugada Pattern with Syncope: A Novel Case of Drug-Induced Phenocopy;” and “Pericardial Effusion with Cardiac Tamponade Physiology: A Rare Complication of Azacitidine Therapy in Myelodysplastic Syndrome”
- Haris Manan, M.D., chief resident, presented “Cardiac Ascites: Lingering Effects of Childhood Cardiac Surgery”
Second-year resident Aariez Khalid, D.O., and first-year resident Warren Law III, M.D., also represented the internal medicine residency at the meeting.
USA Health cardiovascular disease fellows delivered multiple poster presentations and participated in national programming, including a FIT Jeopardy competition with representation by Nagaraj Sanchitha Honganur, M.D.
Fellowship poster presentations included:
- Mohammad As Sayaideh, M.D., “Riluzole-associated Brugada pattern with syncope”
- Alexis Parks, D.O., “Pericardial effusion as initial manifestation of Hodgkin’s lymphoma”
- Deeksha Acharya, M.D., “Late postpartum aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complications”
- Taylor Goulding-Avedisian, M.D., “Stroke in biventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; Persistent left superior vena cava implications”
- Abdul Moiz Qureshi, M.D., and resident Abdullah Sheikh, M.D., “Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in older adults”
“It was an honor to attend and be part of ACC 2026, representing our program alongside my colleagues,” Hurtado said. “I’m grateful for the mentorship and teamwork that made this experience possible while continuing to grow and improving patient care.”
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) furthers the use of science, knowledge, and innovation to optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. With more than 60,000 cardiovascular professionals worldwide that span the entire cardiovascular team, the organization serves as the professional home for clinicians and researchers seeking the latest science, research, and education with the goal of transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all.
