Search

Mental illness among physicians is an increasingly recognized concern. Global data on mental health conditions (MHCs) among cardiologists are limited.The purpose of this study was to investigate the global prevalence of MHCs among cardiologists and its relationships to professional life.The American College of Cardiology conducted an online survey with 5,931 cardiologists globally in 2019. Data on demographics, practice, MHC, and association with professional activities were analyzed. The P values were calculated using the chi-square, Fischer exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis determined the association of characteristics with MHC.Globally, 1 in 4 cardiologists experience any self-reported MHC, including psychological distress, or major or other psychiatric disorder. There is significant geographic variation in MHCs, with highest and lowest prevalences in South America (39.3%) and Asia (20.1%) (P 0.001). Predictors of MHCs included experiencing emotional harassment (OR: 2.81; 95% CI: 2.46-3.20), discrimination (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.61-2.12), being divorced (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.27-2.36), and age 55 years (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.24-1.66). Women were more likely to consider suicide within the past 12 months (3.8% vs 2.3%), but were also more likely to seek help (42.3% vs 31.1%) as compared with men (all P 0.001). Nearly one-half of cardiologists reporting MHCs (44%) felt dissatisfied on at least one professional metric including feeling valued, treated fairly, and adequate compensation.More than 1 in 4 cardiologists experience self-reported MHCs globally, and the association with adverse experiences in professional life is substantial. Dedicated efforts toward prevention and treatment are needed to maximize the contributions of affected cardiologists.

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Diversity drives excellence. Inclusion is central to the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and to our entire cardiovascular profession ([1][2]). We cannot achieve our mission to transform cardiovascular care and

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Am I doing the right thing for my patient? Every day, cardiovascular clinicians grapple with the weight of that question, search for trusted guidance, and seek verification of the impact of their interventions on

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Like the prolific Renaissance artist Michelangelo, we too have chosen a profession in which we have the privilege and responsibility of saying, “I am still learning.” At every age and every stage of our careers, the pursuit of knowledge is indispensable

[Figure][1] It took a pandemic to remind us of our human connectedness and shared vulnerabilities. Indeed, in the words of Thomas Friedman, “the world is flat” ([1][2]). The depth and breadth of our society’s interdependence with other countries and cultures, with various health care

Discrimination and emotional and sexual harassment create a hostile work environment (HWE). The global prevalence of HWE in cardiology is unknown, as is its impact.This study sought to evaluate emotional harassment, discrimination, and sexual harassment experienced by cardiologists and its impact on professional satisfaction and patient interactions worldwide.The American College of Cardiology surveyed cardiologists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, the European Union, the Middle East, Oceana, and North, Central, and South America. Demographics, practice information, and HWE were tabulated and compared, and their impact was assessed. The p values were calculated using the chi-square, Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis determined the association of characteristics with HWE and its subtypes.Of 5,931 cardiologists (77% men; 23% women), 44% reported HWE. Higher rates were found among women (68% vs. 37%; odds ratio [OR]: 3.58 vs. men), Blacks (53% vs. 43%; OR: 1.46 vs. Whites), and North Americans (54% vs. 38%; OR: 1.90 vs. South Americans). Components of HWE included emotional harassment (29%; n = 1,743), discrimination (30%; n = 1,750), and sexual harassment (4%; n = 221), and they were more prevalent among women: emotional harassment (43% vs. 26%), discrimination (56% vs. 22%), and sexual harassment (12% vs. 1%). Gender was the most frequent cause of discrimination (44%), followed by age (37%), race (24%), religion (15%), and sexual orientation (5%). HWE adversely affected professional activities with colleagues (75%) and patients (53%). Multivariate analysis showed that women (OR: 3.39; 95% confidence interval: 2.97 to 3.86; p 0.001) and cardiologists early in their career (OR: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.14 to 1.43; p 0.001) had the highest odds of experiencing HWE.There is a high global prevalence of HWE in cardiology, including discrimination, emotional harassment, and sexual harassment. HWE has an adverse effect on professional and patient interactions, thus confirming concerns about well-being and optimizing patient care. Institutions and practices should prioritize combating HWE.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to marked global morbidity and mortality ([1–3][1]). There have been appropriate but significant restrictions on routine medical care to comply with public health guidance on physical distancing and to help preserve or redirect limited

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] The past few months of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak have brought seismic shifts in the fabric of our lives and in medicine. As clinicians, health care systems and communities have risen to the challenge of providing

Annual live meetings are a focus for many organizations and professional societies and have long been considered an essential part of lifelong learning. Live meetings offer a venue for a wide range of topics including late breaking science, traditional and novel educational formats, networking opportunities, integration of technology, engagement of the cardiovascular team, and more. Although many factors provide challenges for the future of live annual meetings, there are many opportunities as well. The unique aspects of interactions and experiences at these meetings will maintain their importance in the lifelong learning toolbox.

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Although progress has been made toward reducing gender disparities in clinical practice, the under-representation of women in cardiovascular (CV) medicine remains a concern. With respect to women in the physician

Physician burnout has a negative impact on patient care, productivity and job retention, whereas the cost of recruiting and replacing burned-out physicians can be steep [(1)][1]. The current health care environment places strong emphasis on accomplishing the triple aim: improving population health

Functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is a maker increased mortality and is frequently associated with left-sided heart disease, RV failure and annulus dilation. However, FTR surgical interventions may not change patient outcomes. A single center, retrospective chart review of 32 patients who

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital defect. This is a unique case of a patient with concomitant severe aortic regurgitation across a BAV and severe mitral regurgitation, presenting in shock. 55-year-old male with known BAV but no follow-up for 6 years, presented with two days of

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Over the last 2 decades, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) has seen significant growth and change in membership, size, mission, and scope of the College itself. During this period, the ACC's Heart House headquarters was moved from Bethesda, Maryland

Brugada syndrome is an inherited channelopathy that conveys an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Baseline ECG may be normal, confounding the diagnosis. Provoking factors may be required to unmask the Brugada ECG pattern. A 50 year old woman with HTN and HLD presented with fever and

The American College of Cardiology third decennial Professional Life Survey was completed by 2,313 cardiologists: 964 women (42%) and 1,349 men (58%). Compared with 10 and 20 years ago, current results reflect a substantially lower response rate (21% vs. 31% and 49%, respectively) and an aging workforce that is less likely to be in private practice. Women continue to be more likely to practice in academic centers, be pediatric cardiologists, and have a noninvasive subspecialty. Men were more likely to indicate that family responsibilities negatively influenced their careers than previously, whereas women remained less likely to marry or have children. Men and women reported similar, high levels of career satisfaction, with women reporting higher satisfaction currently. However, two-thirds of women continue to experience discrimination, nearly 3 times the rate in men. Personal life choices continue to differ substantially for men and women in cardiology, although differences have diminished.

Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1291 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1291 1. Purpose of This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1291 2. Document Development Process . . . . . . . . . .1291 3. Definitions, Terminology, and Regulations . . .1292 1. Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1292 2. Generics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1293 3. Bioequivalence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1293 4. Biologics and Biosimilars. . . . . . . . . . .1294 2. Pharmacogenomics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1295 3. Federal Regulations and State Laws . . . . . . . . . . .1296 4. Therapeutic Approaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1296 1. Therapeutic Interchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1296 2. Therapeutic Substitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1297 3. Generic Substitution . . . . . . . . . . . …

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a nidus for RV dysfunction (RVdys) - a known poor prognostic marker. Echocardiography (echo) is widely used to screen for RVdys but relative utility of established and emerging echo approaches is unknown. Population comprised ischemic MR (iMR) pts undergoing a

Much remains unknown about experiences, including working activities and pay, of women in cardiology, which is a predominantly male specialty.The goal of this study was to describe the working activities and pay of female cardiologists compared with their male colleagues and to determine whether sex differences in compensation exist after accounting for differences in work activities and other characteristics.The personal, job, and practice characteristics of a national sample of practicing cardiologists were described according to sex. We applied the Peters-Belson technique and multivariate regression analysis to evaluate whether gender differences in compensation existed after accounting for differences in other measured characteristics. The study used 2013 data reported by practice administrators to MedAxiom, a subscription-based service provider to cardiology practices. Data regarding cardiologists from 161 U.S. practices were included, and the study sample included 2,679 subjects (229 women and 2,450 men).Women were more likely to be specialized in general/noninvasive cardiology (53.1% vs. 28.2%), and a lower proportion (11.4% vs. 39.3%) reported an interventional subspecialty compared with men. Job characteristics that differed according to sex included the proportion working full-time (79.9% vs. 90.9%; p0.001), the mean number of half-days worked (387 vs. 406 days; p = 0.001), and mean work relative value units generated (7,404 vs. 9,497; p0.001) for women and men, respectively. Peters-Belson analysis revealed that based on measured job and productivity characteristics, the women in this sample would have been expected to have a mean salary that was $31,749 (95% confidence interval: $16,303 to $48,028) higher than that actually observed. Multivariate analysis confirmed the direction and magnitude of the independent association between sex and salary.Men and women practicing cardiology in this national sample had different job activities and salaries. Substantial sex-based salary differences existed even after adjusting for measures of personal, job, and practice characteristics.

Preamble......2361 References......2391 [Appendix A][1]: Arrhythmia Definitions......2391 [Appendix B][2]: Heart Rate Variability Time and Frequency Domain Units......2395 [Appendix C][3]: Writing Committee Relationships With Industry......2395 [Appendix D][4]: Peer Reviewer Relationships With

Objectives These studies were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion using the PLAATO system (ev3 Inc., Plymouth, Minnesota). Background Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a five-fold increased risk for stroke. Other studies have shown that more than 90% of atrial thrombi in patients with non-rheumatic AF originate in the LAA. Transvenous closure of the LAA is a new approach in preventing embolism in these patients. Methods Within two prospective, multi-center trials, LAA occlusion was attempted in 111 patients (age 71 ± 9 years). All patients had a contraindication for anticoagulation therapy and at least one additional risk factor for stroke. The primary end point was incidence of major adverse events (MAEs), a composite of stroke, cardiac or neurological death, myocardial infarction, and requirement for procedure-related cardiovascular surgery within the first month. Results Implantation was successful in 108 of 111 patients (97.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 92.3% to 99.4%) who underwent 113 procedures. One patient (0.9%, 95% CI 0.02% to 4.9%) experienced two MAEs within the first 30 days: need for cardiovascular surgery and in-hospital neurological death. Three other patients underwent in-hospital pericardiocentesis due to a hemopericardium. Average follow-up was 9.8 months. Two patients experienced stroke. No migration or mobile thrombus was noted on transesophageal echocardiogram at one and six months after device implantation. Conclusions Closing the LAA using the PLAATO system is feasible and can be performed at acceptable risk. It may become an alternative in patients with AF and a contraindication for lifelong anticoagulation treatment.

Background: Secondary or functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) typically occurs as a result of left-sided heart or pulmonary disease. Selection of the appropriate tricuspid valve procedure for patients with FTR remains a challenging clinical question. The failure rate for tricuspid ring

In 2015, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) conducted a third Professional Life Survey (PLS) examining cardiologists’ career decisions, family life and satisfaction by gender. PLS was sent to 2,997 female and 6,501 male cardiologists and 2000 fellows-in-training. PLS results are compared by