PVCs, PVC-Induced Cardiomyopathy, and the Role of Catheter Ablation
This article will go over the natural history of PVCs and PVC-induced cardiomyopathy, as well as review the current literature on the role of catheter ablation in treating PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - May 18, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Burden of Psychosocial and Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Background: Impairments in psychosocial status and cognition relate to poor clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, how often these conditions co-occur and associations between burden of psychosocial and cognitive impairment and quality of life (QoL) have not been systematically examined in patients with AF.
Methods: A total of 218 patients with symptomatic AF were enrolled in a prospective study of AF and psychosocial factors between May 2013 and October 2014 at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Cognitive function, depression, and anxiety were assessed at baseline and AF-specif...
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - May 18, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Length of Stay, Mortality, Cost, and Perceptions of Care Associated With Transition From an Open to Closed Staffing Model in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Conclusions: Although there was no significant impact of unit structure on patient outcomes in this single-center study, the closed CICU model was associated with better perceptions of care. (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - May 18, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Yield of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
We examined the diagnostic yield of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of an ACS and no obstructive CAD.
Methods: We retrospectively studied patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of an ACS and no obstructive CAD on coronary computed tomography angiogram or invasive coronary angiography who had CMR performed at St. Paul’s Hospital, British Columbia, Canada, from 2013 to 2015. No obstructive CAD was defined as (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - May 18, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Effectiveness of 2-hour Troponin in High-risk Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome
Conclusions: Discharging patients thought to be high risk who have negative troponins at 0 and 2 hours and no delta troponin rise appears safe. No deaths occurred in follow-up. Larger studies are warranted. (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - May 18, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Pathway for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance encountered in clinical practice, and its prevalence is increasing as the population ages. The American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the European Society of Cardiology established guidelines for the management of patients with AF. Atrial flutter (Afl) is less common and is often associated with or preceded by AF or occurs in an isolated pattern. A major limitation of the currently published guidelines for the management of patients with AF and Afl is their complexity, the fact that official guidelines are published separate...
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - May 18, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Pathway Source Type: research
Confused and Too Long: Neurotoxicity and Cardiac Toxicity of Flecainide
No abstract available (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - February 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Pathway Source Type: research
Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c and the Occurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Following On-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Type-2 Diabetic Patients
Conclusions: Serum level of HbA1c could not be used as a predictor for the development of POAF. (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - February 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Noninvasive Bioelectrical Impedance for Predicting Clinical Outcomes in Outpatients With Heart Failure
Conclusions: A high edema index using a bioimpedance scale in a HF clinic correlated with patient outcomes in unadjusted analyses, but was not a predictor of outcomes once other measures of HF severity are accounted for. As a noninvasive measure of volume status, use of BIA in a HF clinic may be beneficial in determining patient prognosis and treatment when other outcome predictors are not immediately available. (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - February 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Correlates of Health Literacy and Its Impact on Illness Beliefs for Emergency Department Patients With Acute Heart Failure
Objectives: To study the relationship between health literacy (HL) and socioeconomic, demographic factors and disease-specific illness beliefs among patients who present to the emergency department with heart failure (HF).
Background: Maintenance of well-being for patients with HF is partially dependent on appropriate self-care behaviors, which, in turn, are influenced by underlying illness beliefs. HL is a potential modifier of the interaction between behaviors and beliefs. There have been limited investigations studying this relationship among individuals with acute HF.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with...
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - February 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Care for Vulnerable Elderly in Cardiology: A Program for Daily Practice
Conclusions: This observational study shows, during a 4-year period, the vulnerability of aged cardiac patients. They were mainly admitted for (diastolic) heart failure, usually in combination with atrial fibrillation and hypertension. Their length of stay was on average 6 days with 11% mortality at 90 days follow-up. (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - February 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Low Adverse Event Rates But High Emergency Department Utilization in Chest Pain Patients Treated in an Emergency Department Observation Unit
Objectives: Nearly 40% of all previously admitted chest pain patients re-present to the emergency department (ED) within 1 year regardless of stress testing, and nearly 5% of patients return with a major adverse cardiac event (MACE). The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of return visits to the ED among patients previously admitted to an ED chest pain observation unit (CPU). We also identified the patient characteristics and health risk factors associated with these return ED visits.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients admitted to a CPU in a large-volume academic urban ED...
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - February 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
An Updated Protocol for Evaluating Chest Pain and Managing Acute Coronary Syndromes
Clinical pathways can optimize care both across and within institutions, but regular updates to these pathways based on new clinical trials, professional guidelines, and Food and Drug Administration approvals are essential. Herein we describe the most recent revisions to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia University Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical Center) clinical pathway for acute coronary syndromes and chest pain, which incorporates novel data regarding the timing and administration of P2Y12 inhibition (including the intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor cangrelor) and the appropriateness of prolonged (>1 year) ...
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - February 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Pathway Source Type: research
Two Models to Conduct Nonphysician-led Exercise Stress Testing in Low to Intermediate Risk Patients
Conclusions: After implementation of the 2 models, patient flow was improved for earlier discharge, reduced waiting times, or timely identification of possible cardiac pathologies, thereby optimizing patient care. (Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology)
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - February 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
Red Cell Distribution Width and Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Ischemic Heart Failure
Objective: The red cell distribution width (RDW), a simple and widely available marker, has been linked with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and risk of death, and cardiovascular events in those with previous myocardial infarction, but its relation with the severity of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is not fully investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the RDW in post myocardial infarction patients with typical signs and symptoms of HF and with reduced LV ejection fraction (EF).
Methods: Patients (n = 350) came from an ongoing registry of consec...
Source: Critical Pathways in Cardiology - November 15, 2016 Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
