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Introduction: Understanding the factors that drive cessation may help inform patient counseling and improve quit rates. We aimed to determine if the type of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event impacts the patient’s likelihood of quitting, independent of patient factors. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that more impactful ASCVD events would be associated with a greater likelihood of smoking cessation (e.g., more likely to quit after CABG vs PCI). Methods: Using 2013-2016 data from the NCDR PINNACLE outpatient cardiac registry, we identified patients who were current smokers and had an eventual diagnosis of ASCVD. Self-reported smoking status was assessed at each consecutive visit and rates of smoking cessation after each interim ASCVD event (MI, PCI, CABG, stroke/TIA, and PAD diagnosis) were examined. We then constructed separate Cox models with non-proportional hazards for interim ASCVD events (time-dependent covariates), adjusting for age, sex, race, dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure; and compared models using AIC. Results: Across 358 cardiology practices, 378478 patients were smokers who eventually had ASCVD (mean age 65.8±11.9, male 63.6%). Cessation rates after each ASCVD event were: MI 30.5%, PCI 30.7%, CABG 28.5%, stroke/TIA 24.7%, and PAD 24.6% (Table). After multivariable adjustment, patients were more likely to quit smoking after a stroke/TIA (HR 2.46, 95% CI 2.40-2.52) followed by CABG (HR 2.45, 95% CI 2.37-2.53), PCI (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.79-1.91), MI (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.72-1.86), and a new diagnosis of PAD (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.42-1.51); p Conclusion: In a large US registry, we found that only ~25-30% of patients reported quitting smoking after an ASCVD event, but the type of ASCVD event significantly impacts the likelihood of smoking cessation. Using these data to inform patient counseling—targeting cessation efforts to those most likely to quit—may help improve outcomes.

Background The Self-management and Care of Heart Failure through Group Clinics Trial evaluated the effects of multidisciplinary group clinic appointments on self-care skills and rehospitalizations in high-risk heart failure (HF) patients. Objective The purpose of this article is to (1) describe key Self-management and Care of Heart Failure through Group Clinics Trial group clinic interactive learning strategies, (2) describe resources and materials used in the group clinic appointment, and (3) present results supporting this patient-centered group intervention. Methods This clinical trial included 198 HF patients (randomized to either group clinical appointments or to standard care). Data were collected from 72 group clinic appointments via patients' (1) group clinic session evaluations, (2) HF self-care behaviors skills, (3) HF-related discouragement and quality of life scores, and (4) HF-related reshopitalizations during the 12-month follow-up. Also, the costs of delivery of the group clinical appointments were tabulated. Results Overall, patients rated group appointments as 4.8 of 5 on the "helpfulness" in managing HF score. The statistical model showed a 33% decrease in the rate of rehospitalizations (incidence rate ratio, 0.67) associated with the intervention over the 12-month follow-up period when compared with control patients (χ(2)1=3.9, P=.04). The total cost for implementing 5 group appointments was $243.58 per patient. Conclusion The intervention was associated with improvements in HF self-care knowledge and home care behavior skills and managing their for HF care. In turn, better self-care was associated with reductions in HF-related hospitalizations.

Background— This trial tested the effects of multidisciplinary group clinic appointments on the primary outcome of time to first heart failure (HF) rehospitalization or death. Methods and Results— HF patients (n=198) were randomly assigned to standard care or standard care plus multidisciplinary group clinics. The group intervention consisted of 4 weekly clinic appointments and 1 booster clinic at month 6, where multidisciplinary professionals engaged patients in HF self-management skills. Data were collected prospectively for 12 months beginning after completion of the first 4 group clinic appointments (2 months post randomization). The intervention was associated with greater adherence to recommended vasodilators ( P =0.04). The primary outcome (first HF-related hospitalization or death) was experienced by 22 (24%) in the intervention group and 30 (28%) in standard care. The total HF-related hospitalizations, including repeat hospitalizations after the first time, were 28 in the intervention group and 45 among those receiving standard care. The effects of treatment on rehospitalization varied significantly over time. From 2 to 7 months post randomization, there was a significantly longer hospitalization-free time in the intervention group (Cox proportional hazard ratio=0.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.21–0.98; P =0.04). No significant difference between groups was found from month 8 to 12 (hazard ratio=1.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.7–4.1). Conclusions— Multidisciplinary group clinic appointments were associated with greater adherence to selected HF medications and longer hospitalization-free survival during the time that the intervention was underway. Larger studies will be needed to confirm the benefits seen in this trial and identify methods to sustain these benefits. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00439842.

Patients with Type 2 diabetes are increasingly turning to the Web for information about diabetes and self-management. These sites, however, fail to address the cultural and linguistic needs of the growing community of Latinos with diabetes. The Juntos Controlamos la Diabetes Web site was designed as a low-cost patient education tool to be used by patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to provide ongoing information about diabetes self-management tailored to the needs of the regional Latino community.

Background and Purpose— Bleeding risks from combined antiplatelet-warfarin therapy have not been well-described in clinical practice. We examined antiplatelet therapy among warfarin users and the impact on major bleeding rates. Methods— Retrospective cohort analysis of persons discharged on warfarin after an atrial fibrillation admission using data from Medicare’s National Stroke Project. Data included Medicare claims, enrollment information, and medical record abstracted data. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to predict concurrent antiplatelet use and hospitalization with a major acute bleed within 90 days after discharge from the index AF admission. Results— 10 093 warfarin patients met inclusion criteria with a mean age of 77 years; 19.4% received antiplatelet therapy. Antiplatelet use was less common among women, older persons, and persons with cancer, terminal diagnoses, dementia, and bleeding history. Persons with coronary disease were more likely to receive an antiplatelet agent. Antiplatelets increased major bleeding rates from 1.3% to 1.9% ( P =0.052). In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with bleeding events included age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.002 to 1.05), anemia (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.64 to 3.88), a history of bleeding (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.71 to 3.38), and concurrent antiplatelet therapy (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.22). Conclusions— Although concerns about increased bleeding risk with combined warfarin-antiplatelet therapy are not unfounded, the risk of bleeding is moderately increased. The decision to use concurrent antiplatelet therapy appears to be tempered by cardiac and bleeding risk factors.

Problem. Heart failure (HF) clinical trials often use medical record review data to determine HF related hospital events, such as emergency room visits and readmissions. However, reviewing medical records for each hospital event can be daunting. The purpose of this project was to expedite medical record review processes using an automated method for identifying potential HF related hospital events. Methods. A stepwise procedure was developed for obtaining electronic information of all consented HF clinical trial participants' hospital events. First, an electronic list of all study participants was generated from a study data base and electronically sent to the Medical Records department each month. Next, a list of all emergency room visits and hospitalizations, including admission and discharge dates, discharge disposition, and diagnosis and procedure codes was electronically generated by the Medical Records department. A trained cardiovascular research nurse reviewed the abstracted coding and billing data for each hospital event and identified specific codes potentially related to HF. Last, hospital events identified as meeting specific criteria were included in the medical record review. Results. Using the automated system, a total of 294 hospital events for 125 subjects were obtained from the Medical Records department during the initial 2 years of the clinical trial. Of these, 85 (29%) hospital events were identified as needing to undergo chart review. Thirty-three (39%) of the 85 charts that underwent blinded review were identified as being HF related hospital events. Conclusions. Automating procedures for obtaining hospital event information expedited both the systematic data review and chart review processes. In this study, combined use of automated processes for obtaining hospital event data and nurse review reduced the number of charts requiring blinded review by nearly 60%.

The benefits of smoke-free workplaces and public spaces have been clearly demonstrated.1,2 In fact, a 2012 scientific statement by the American Heart Association provided a class IA recommendation for legislation mandating smoke-free public spaces.3 Many regions of the country have implemented smoking restrictions in bars, restaurants, and other worksites, but workers and patrons in many states and regions remain unprotected.4 Although it is not surprising that tobacco companies would lobby fiercely against such policies, they are sometimes joined by other business interests to prevent the creation of smoke-free spaces. Article see p 811 In July 2006, when the state of Colorado banned smoking in the workplace, casinos were exempted. Many other states that have implemented clean indoor air laws have done the same, bowing to industry pressure that smoking restrictions in casinos would be bad for business and reduce tax revenues. Industry pressure has kept other states, particularly in the South, from implementing any substantive workplace smoking restrictions at all.4 An article in …