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palacios-ceña d., losa-iglesias m.e., álvarez-lópez c., cachón-pérez m., reyes r.a.r., salvadores-fuentes p. & fernández-de-las-peñas c. (2011) Patients, intimate partners and family experiences of implantable cardioverter defibrillators: qualitative systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(12), 2537-2550. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of an interpretive review of qualitative research on how an implantable cardioverter defibrillator affects adult recipients and their significant others. Background. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator detects pathological cardiac rhythms and automatically converts the rhythm with electrical counter shocks. Data sources. A systematic literature search was conducted for qualitative research papers published between January 1999 and January 2009. PubMed, Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge and CINAHL databases were searched with the following key words: internal defibrillator, implantable defibrillator and qualitative research. Review Methods. Twenty-two papers were included. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and Prompts were used to appraise studies. Thematic analysis and synthesis approaches were used to interpret evidence. Findings. People with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator were found to experience physical, psychological and social changes. Shocks produce fear and anxiety, affecting relationships and sexual relations. The use of support groups and the use of the Internet are important in helping adjustment to an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Women's responses to an implantable cardioverter defibrillator appear different than men's responses and include concerns about physical appearance and relationship issues. Postdischarge follow-up and educational programmes are still underdeveloped. Conclusion. Patients need additional education, support and follow-up care after hospital discharge. Patients and significant others benefit from collaboration between patient associations and healthcare professional societies. Future research is needed to identify the specific challenges that women recipients face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Errors in clinical decision-making are disturbingly common. Recent studies have found that 10 to 15% of all clinical decisions regarding diagnoses and treatment are inaccurate. Here, we experimentally study the ability of structured information-sharing networks among clinicians to improve clinicians' diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions. We use a pool of 2,941 practicing clinicians recruited from around the United States to conduct 84 independent group-level trials, ranging across seven different clinical vignettes for topics known to exhibit high rates of diagnostic or treatment error (e.g., acute cardiac events, geriatric care, low back pain, and diabetes-related cardiovascular illness prevention). We compare collective performance in structured information-sharing networks to collective performance in independent control groups, and find that networks significantly reduce clinical errors, and improve treatment recommendations, as compared to control groups of independent clinicians engaged in isolated reflection. Our results show that these improvements are not a result of simple regression to the group mean. Instead, we find that within structured information-sharing networks, the worst clinicians improved significantly while the best clinicians did not decrease in quality. These findings offer implications for the use of social network technologies to reduce errors among clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the methodological challenges of conducting a interregional intersystem study in a highly competitive health care environment. Nurses from a three-hospital rural health consortium and an urban tertiary medical centre collaborated in a two-phase study (a) to describe current interregional cardiovascular health care process (phase I) and (b) to test an interregional nurse-coordinated cardiovascular health care model (phase II). Phase I was a 1-year exploratory descriptive retrospective study involving patient interviews and chart reviews. Findings from the phase I study suggested a pattern of patient health problems occurring weeks and months following successful tertiary centre interventions. Phase II was quasi-experimental prospective study with 90 intervention subjects and 64 comparison group subjects who completed pencil and paper survey tools over a 12-month period following discharge from the tertiary centre. Nurse and doctor providers completed a satisfaction survey twice, at an interval, 1 year. Concurrent data collection via telephone calls (comparison group) and a retrospective record review (intervention group) provided data on cost, resource use and system efficiency. Initial results of phase II are presented, together with tests of significance for hypotheses related to interregional nurse care management and patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, cost/system efficiency, and provider satisfaction. Methodological considerations and recommendations related to phases I and II of this interregional collaborative cardiovascular project are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about exercise prescription practices in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand how initial exercise is prescribed and how exercise intensity is progressed among cardiac patients enrolled in United States CR programs. Methods: A 22-question survey was sent out to US CR clinics. Results: Ninety-three clinics responded to the survey. RPE was the most commonly reported exercise intensity indicator used for prescribing exercise, followed by resting HR + 20–30 bpm. Exercise progression practices were also based on patient sustained RPE values. Conclusions. Exercise prescription practice has become reliant on subjective indicators of exercise intensity. This may limit patient outcomes, such as improvement in functional measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the usefulness of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in treating coronary artery disease (CAD) in the U.S. It investigates the impact of CAM on patients with CAD in terms of their lifestyle behaviors and comorbid conditions. It notes that since CAD can significantly impact the patients' quality of life, they become motivated to change their lifestyle behavior and adopt complementary therapies.

While outcomes for neonates with congenital heart disease have improved, it is apparent that substantial variability exists among centers with regard to the multidisciplinary approach to care for this medically fragile patient population. We endeavored to understand the landscape of neonatal cardiac care in the United States. A survey was distributed to physicians who provide neonatal cardiac care in the United States regarding (1) collaborative efforts in care of neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD); (2) access to neonatal cardiac training; and (3) barriers to the implementation of protocols for neonatal cardiac care. Responses were collected from 10/2018 to 6/2019. We received responses from 172 of 608 physicians (28% response rate) from 89 centers. When compared to responses received from physicians at low-volume centers (< 300 annual bypass cases), those at high-volume centers reported more involvement from the neurodevelopmental teams (58% vs. 29%; P = 0.012) and a standardized transition to outpatient care (68% vs. 52%; P = 0.038). While a majority of cardiothoracic surgery and anesthesiology respondents reported multidisciplinary involvement, less than half of cardiology and neonatology supported this statement. The most commonly reported obstacles to multidisciplinary engagement were culture (61.6%) and logistics (47.1%). Having a standardized neonatal cardiac curriculum for neonatal fellows was positively associated with the perception that multidisciplinary collaboration was "always" in place (53% vs. 40%; P = 0.09). There is considerable variation among centers in regard to personnel involved in neonatal cardiac care, related education, and perceived multidisciplinary collaboration among team members. The survey findings suggest the need to establish concrete standards for neonatal cardiac surgical programs, with ongoing quality improvement processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Appropriate use criteria (AUC) have been developed in response to growth in cardiac imaging utilization and concern regarding associated costs. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as an important modality in the evaluation of coronary artery disease, however its appropriate utilization in actual practice is uncertain. Our objective was to determine the appropriate utilization of CCTA in a large quaternary care institution and to compare appropriate utilization pre and post publication of the 2013 AUC guidelines. We hypothesized that the proportion of appropriate CCTA utilization will be similar to those of other comparable cardiac imaging modalities and that there would be a significant increase in appropriate use post AUC publication.Methods: We employed a retrospective cohort study design of 2577 consecutive patients undergoing CCTA between January 1, 2012 and December 30, 2016. An appropriateness category was assigned for each CCTA. Appropriateness classifications were compared pre- and post- AUC publication via the chi-square test.Results: Overall, 83.5% of CCTAs were deemed to be appropriate based on the AUC. Before the AUC publication, 75.0% of CCTAs were classified as appropriate whereas after the AUC publication, 88.0% were classified as appropriate (p < 0.001). The increase in appropriate utilization, when extrapolated to the Medicare population of the United States, was associated with potential cost savings of approximately $57 million per year.Conclusions: We report a high rate of appropriate use of CCTA and a significant increase in the proportion of CCTAs classified as appropriate after the AUC publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although the standard treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) is antimicrobial therapy, surgical intervention is required in some cases. However, the optimal timing of surgery remains unclear. Hence, we conducted a population-based analysis using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to assess the outcomes of early versus late surgery in patients with native valve IE.Methods: We queried the NIS database for all hospitalized patients between 2006 and 2016 with a primary diagnosis of IE who had cardiac surgery. We stratified surgery as early ≤7 or late >7 days of admission. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess in-hospital mortality and postoperative complications. Length of stay (LOS) and total hospital cost (HC) were evaluated using multivariable log-normal regression models.Results: A total of 13 056 patients (57.6% in the early group and 42.4% in the late group) were included. The in-hospital mortality rate in the early group was 5.0% compared to 5.4% in the late intervention group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-1.81). Overall median LOS was reduced in the early group by 48.2% (95% CI, 46.5%-49.9%, 12.4 days in the early group and 25.9 days in late group), as well as HC which was reduced in the early group by 28.3% (95% CI, 26.0%-30.6%).Conclusion: Among patients with native valve IE who needed cardiac surgery, the time of surgical intervention did not affect the in-hospital mortality. However, early surgery was associated with significantly shorter LOS and lower HC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Divide and defend: Surgery can correct tetralogy of Fallot, a form of congenital heart disease; however, patients risk cardiac complications and morbidity as adults. Liu et al. found decreased cardiomyocyte cell division in pediatric patients, suggesting that a reduction in endowment (number of cells) could contribute to adult-onset cardiac dysfunction. In mouse models, inactivating the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) improved expression of Ect2 and decreased the number of binucleated cardiomyocytes. Propranolol (β-AR blocker) treatment increased cardiomyocyte proliferation in patient cells and in neonatal mice, which led to improved cardiac function and remodeling after myocardial infarction in adult mice. This study suggests that early-life β-blocker treatment could rescue cell division defects, with potential benefit to long-term cardiac health. One million patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) live in the United States. They have a lifelong risk of developing heart failure. Current concepts do not sufficiently address mechanisms of heart failure development specifically for these patients. Here, analysis of heart tissue from an infant with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary stenosis (ToF/PS) labeled with isotope-tagged thymidine demonstrated that cardiomyocyte cytokinesis failure is increased in this common form of CHD. We used single-cell transcriptional profiling to discover that the underlying mechanism of cytokinesis failure is repression of the cytokinesis gene ECT2, downstream of β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs). Inactivation of the β-AR genes and administration of the β-blocker propranolol increased cardiomyocyte division in neonatal mice, which increased the number of cardiomyocytes (endowment) and conferred benefit after myocardial infarction in adults. Propranolol enabled the division of ToF/PS cardiomyocytes in vitro. These results suggest that β-blockers could be evaluated for increasing cardiomyocyte division in patients with ToF/PS and other types of CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from the Patients and Families Psychological Response to the Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial were used to examine the relationship between biopsychosocial variables and patients' coping strategies postmyocardial infarction. This study is the secondary data analysis of longitudinal observational study. A total of 460 patient-spouse pairs were recruited in January 2003 to October 2005. Hierarchical linear regression analysis examined biological/demographic, psychological and social variables regarding patients' coping scores using the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale. Lower social support and social support satisfaction predicted lower total coping scores. Being younger, male gender and time since the myocardial infarction predicted lower positive coping strategy use. Higher anxiety and lower social support were related to fewer positive coping methods. Lower educational levels were related to increased use of negative coping strategies. Reduced social support predicted lower total coping scores and positive coping strategy use and greater passive coping style use. Social support from a broad network assisted with better coping; those living alone may need additional support. Social support and coping strategies should be taken into consideration for patients who have experienced a cardiac event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To determine the situational circumstances associated with bystander interventions to render aid during a medical emergency.Methods:This study examined 16.2 million Emergency Medical Service (EMS) events contained within the National Emergency Medical Services Information System. The records of patients following a 9-1-1 call for emergency medical assistance were analyzed using logistic regression to determine what factors influenced bystander interventions. The dependent variable of the model was whether or not a bystander intervened. Results: EMS providers recorded bystander assistance 11% of the time. The logistic regression model correctly predicted bystander intervention occurrence 71.4% of the time. Bystanders were more likely to intervene when the patient was male (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.12–1.3) and if the patient was older (progressive aOR = 1.10, 1.46 age group 20-29 through age group 60–99). Bystanders were less likely to intervene in rural areas compared to urban areas (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.58–0.59). The highest likelihood of bystander intervention occurred in a residential institution (aOR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.85–1.86) and the lowest occurred on a street or a highway (aOR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.95–0.96). Using death as a reference group, bystanders were most likely to intervene when the patient had cardiac distress/chest pain (aOR = 11.38, 95% CI = 10.93–11.86), followed by allergic reaction (aOR = 7.63, 95% CI = 7.30–7.99), smoke inhalation (aOR = 6.65, 95% CI = 5.98–7.39), and respiration arrest/distress (aOR = 6.43, 95% CI = 6.17–6.70). A traumatic injury was the most commonly recorded known event, and it was also associated with a relatively high level of bystander intervention (aOR = 5.81, 95% CI = 5.58–6.05). The type of injury/illness that prompted the lowest likelihood of bystander assistance was Sexual Assault/Rape (aOR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.32–1.84) followed by behavioral/psychiatric disorder (aOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.57–1.71).Conclusion:Bystander intervention varies greatly on situational factors and the type of medical emergency. A higher risk of patient death is likely to prompt bystander action. These novel study results can lead to more effective first aid training programs.Key words:bystander; EMS; rural; cardiac distress; trauma [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ECG Findings in Chagas' Disease Background/Objectives Chagas' disease (CD) has been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and electrocardiographic (ECG) conduction defects. However, prior studies have shown conflicting results. We performed a meta-analysis comparing the prevalence of AF and conduction abnormalities between CD and non-CD patients. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and Latin American databases were searched for studies that directly compared the prevalence of AF and conduction defects in CD and non-CD patients. Odds ratios (OR) were computed using random-effects model due to anticipated heterogeneity. We further performed subanalyses limited to studies that included only patients with cardiomyopathy. Results A total of 17,238 patients from 30 studies were included, of whom 6,840 (40%) had a positive serology for CD. In the pooled data, AF was significantly more prevalent in the CD group (OR 1.62; 95%CI 1.21-2.15; P = 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between groups when the analysis included only patients with cardiomyopathy (OR 1.21; 95%CI 0.97-1.50; P = 0.08) or heart failure (OR 1.09; 95%CI 0.81-1.47; P = 0.55). The combination of right bundle branch block (RBBB) and left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) had the highest OR for increased prevalence in patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy compared to non-CD etiologies (OR 5.31; 95%CI 1.23-22.86; P = 0.03). Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggests that the prevalence of AF in patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy is not significantly different from non-CD cardiomyopathies. The pattern of RBBB and LAFB in patients with cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology and epidemiologic risk factors should raise the possibility of CD and prompt specific diagnostic testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To assess changes in family residential proximity after a first cardiovascular (CV) event among older adults and to identify families most likely to experience such moves. Method. Using a nationally representative longitudinal study of older adults in the United States, we identified respondents with no prior diagnosis of CV disease (CVD). We examined subsequent development of stroke, heart attack, and/or heart failure among these older adults and examined changes in their residential proximity to their closest child before and after the CV event. We then compared the likelihood of changes in proximity between families with and without CV events. Finally, we determined which types of families are most likely to relocate following a CV event. Results. Having a first CV event increases the 2-year predicted probability of children and adult parents moving in with and closer to each other (relative risk ratio = 1.61 and 1.55, respectively). Families are especially likely to move after a first CV event if the older person experiencing the event is spouseless or has a daughter. Discussion. CVD is a leading cause of disability, which in turn creates a significant need for personal care among older adults. Assessment of changes in family residential proximity responding to CV events is important to fully understand the consequences of older adults' CV events including the cost of caregiving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the longitudinal relationship between religiosity/spirituality (R/S) and patient physical and mental health in patients with cardiovascular disease. Forty-three patients with a first-time myocardial infarction or coronary artery revascularization bypass surgery completed measures of religiosity, religious coping, quality of life (QOL), and weight prior to a cardiac rehabilitation program and 1 and 2 years later. R/S changed over time; the direction of the change varied by type of R/S. Increases in religiosity were associated with increases in weight and QOL; increases in religious coping were associated with decreases in weight and increases in QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are among the most prevalent chronic diseases leading to high degrees of mortality and morbidity worldwide and in Iran. The aim of the current study was to determine and develop appropriate indicators for evaluating provided service quality for cardiovascular patients admitted to Cardiac Care Units (CCU) in Iran. Methods: In order to determine the indicators for evaluating provided service quality, a four-stage process including reviewing systematic review articles in premier bibliographic databases, interview, performing two rounds of Delphi technique, and holding experts panel by attendance of experts in different fields was adopted. Finally, after recognizing relevant indicators in resources, these indicators were finalized during various stages using ideas of 27 experts in different fields. Results: Among 2800 found articles in the text reviewing phase, 21 articles, which had completely mentioned relevant indicators, were studied and 48 related indicators were extracted. After two interviews with a cardiologist and an epidemiologist, 32 items of the indicators were omitted and replaced by 27 indicators coping with the conditions of Iranian hospitals. Finally, 43 indicators were added into the Delphi phase and after 2 rounds of Delphi with 18 specialists, 7 cases were excluded due to their low scores of applicability. In the experts' panel stage, 6 items were also omitted and 10 new indicators were developed to replace them. Eventually, 40 indicators were finalized. Conclusion: In this study, some proper indicators for evaluating provided service quality for CCU admissions in Iran were determined. Considering the informative richness of these indicators, they can be used by managers, policy makers, health service providers, and also insurance agencies in order to improve the quality of services, decisions, and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses American medical ethics in relation to the deactivation of implanted cardiac-assist devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) as of 2012, and it mentions U.S. constitutional laws, statutes, and judicial guidelines regarding cardiac-assist devices. The views of medical patients, health care professionals, and representatives of medical device manufacturers are examined, along with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Amiodarone therapy in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with a significant risk of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT). We developed a risk index to identify those patients being considered for amiodarone treatment who are at high risk for AIT. We reviewed the health records of adults with CHD and assessed the association between potential clinical predictors and AIT. Significant predictors were included in multivariate analyses. The parameter estimates from multivariate analysis were subsequently used to develop a risk index. 169 adults met eligibility criteria and 23 developed AIT. The final model included age, cyanotic heart disease and BMI. The risk index developed identified 3 categories of risk. Their AIT likelihood ratios were: 0.37 for low risk (95% CI 0.15-0.92); 1.12 for medium risk (95% CI 0.65-1.91); and 3.47 for high risk (95% CI 1.7-7.11). The AIT predicted risk in our population was 5% for the low risk group, 15% for the medium risk group and 47% for the high risk group. Conclusions. We derived the first model to quantify the risk for developing AIT among adults with CHD. Before using it clinically to help selecting among alternative antiarrhythmic options, it needs validation in an independent population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the how hyponatremia and mortality are linked along with its health care costs and resource allocation issues in the United States. The article suggests that delay in identification of hyponatremia and inadequate hospital management results in increased risk of mortality among in-hospital patients. The article concludes that proper regulation of hyponatremia among hospital patients manifests in improved treatment of the disease and better quality of life.

A relatively low percentage of eligible heart disease patients receive hospice care in the United States. In 2005, the most recent year with complete reporting, only 18.36% of patients who were dying of heart failure and were hospice eligible actually received hospice care. Reasons for this include the lack of reliable prognostic indicators, the lack of a consensus on when to stop life prolonging therapies, and the relatively high cost of life-prolonging (versus life-enhancing) pharmacotherapy such as dobutamine. In addition, most studies and case reports that address symptom management in hospice care focus on cancer patients, not those with nononcologic diagnoses. This lack of evidence may discourage practitioners who care for cardiac patients from referral to hospice programs, and may keep some hospice practitioners from aggressively targeting this population. Strategies to increase hospice program utilization by heart disease patients are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, relatively little is known about cause of death in individuals who die prior to or after hospital discharge for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The purpose of this report was to compare baseline patient characteristics according to whether the underlying cause of death was cardiac or non-cardiac. Methods: We linked cause of death information from Washington State death records to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) External Peer Review Program ACS registry. From 524 individuals who were hospitalized for ACS in veterans hospitals located in Washington State or Oregon, we identified 136 individuals who according to VA death records died during the years 2003 to 2005. Of these, 117 (86%) were found in Washington State death records. Sociodemographic variables, as well as underlying and secondary causes of death, were obtained from Washington State death records provided by the Washington State Department of Health. Clinical variables, including medical histories, presentation on admission, and in-hospital death were extracted from the VA ACS registry. Results: Somewhat surprisingly, only 52% of veterans died of cardiac causes when only the underlying cause of death was used. However, when secondary causes of death were added to the definition, the proportion that died of cardiac causes increased to 81%. Patient characteristics were similar in the two groups, although small numbers limited the ability to detect statistically significant differences. Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest that it is important to consider secondary causes as well as the underlying one when classifying deaths as cardiac or non-cardiac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the capability of heart failure patients to make decisions on whether to enter high risk, end-of-life research trials in the U.S. There are three levels in claiming that dying persons are incapable of consenting to high-risk clinical research which include conceptual, factual and value-based. The worse alternatives in inviting dying persons for clinical trials are enrolling healthier candidates, requiring surrogates to make decisions for the patients or simply foregoing all research featuring high-risk, potentially life-saving interventions.

The article discusses the influence of technology on patients with heart failure and its implications for policy change in the U.S. It is said that technology influences the life expectancy of heart failure patients. One of the policy considerations in heart failure is the expansion of the federal support of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for various cardiac devices. The trajectory of cancer and heart failure patients were also compared.

Presents several letters to the editor dealing with medical issues. Discussion of barriers to patients seeking emergency care for acute coronary heart disease; Analysis of the United States health care system; Concern over the Institute of Medicine's report on the number of deaths in the U.S. as a result of medical errors; Others.

The article discusses research which was conducted to investigate telomere length and the clinical phenotype of frailty in older adults undergoing cardiac surgery. Researchers evaluated 53 patient who were scheduled to undergo cardiac surgerys. They found that there was no association between telomere length and frailty and that several factors could explain the lack of an association.

The author reflects on the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly population in the U.S. The author presents an overview of the mortality and recurrent hospitalizations for congestive heart failures, strokes and bleeds from anticoagulation, as well as studies conducted on the success and complication rate of AF ablations. Furthermore, there is an increased risk of hemorrhage upon the discontinuance of warfarin after successful ablation in older population.