Acta cardiologica
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to identify the potential cardiovascular risk factors associated with mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. ⋯ The prothrombotic coagulopathy mediated by the endothelial interaction with SARS-CoV-2 may also have role in unfavourable prognosis in COVID-19. These readily available biomarkers might be useful in risk stratification of COVID-19 cases.
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The first surge of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to a shutdown of all non-urgent medical services such as cardiac rehabilitation. Therefore, centres had to develop remote and innovative ways to deliver the core components of CR during this shutdown. This increase in usage of remote rehabilitation services provides a chance to assess patients' experiences and willingness-to-pay of remote CR sessions. ⋯ Most patients believed that remote CR could be an option after the COVID-19 pandemic when it is combined with centre-based CR sessions. Patients are willing to pay the same amount for a telerehabilitation session as a centre-based CR session. This demonstrates that highly motivated patients are open to shift certain parts of CR from face-to-face interactions to digital interactions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Treatment practices and lipid profile of patients with acute coronary syndrome: results from a tertiary care hospital.
Background: Considering the increasing burden of cardiovascular risk factors and recent advances on the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), we studied the epidemiological characteristics and treatment strategies of patients presenting with ACS. We also evaluated the lipid profile and attainment of lipid goals in a 'real world' clinical setting. Methods: This was a substudy of IDEAL-LDL (Motivational interviewing to support low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) therapeutic goals and lipid-lowering therapy compliance in patients with acute coronary syndromes), a single-centre, prospective, randomised controlled trial. ⋯ Only 22.3% of these CAD patients had an optimal LDL-C of <70 mg/dl at admission. Conclusions: In hospitalised patients with ACS, management practices differed by ACS type and discharge medication was, mostly, in line with the latest guidelines. However, medication adherence and lipid lowering goals of secondary CAD prevention were largely unachieved.
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The current study assessed the impact of COVID-19-related public containment measures (i.e. lockdown) on the ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) epidemic in Belgium. ⋯ The present study revealed a 26% reduction in STEMI admissions and a delay in treatment of STEMI patients. Less exposure to external STEMI triggers (such as ambient air pollution) and/or reluctance to seek medical care are possible explanations of this observation.
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Aims: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the preferred treatment modality for patients with severe aortic stenosis at high or prohibitive risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We aimed to evaluate real-world outcomes after treatment according to the decisions of the multidisciplinary heart team in a Belgian health-economic context. Methods and results: Four hundred and five high-risk patients referred to a tertiary centre between 1 March 2008 and 31 December 2015 were screened and planned to undergo SAVR, TAVI or medical treatment (MT). ⋯ SAVR (9[6-14] and 16[12-22] days; p < .001). Conclusions: Limited resources for transcatheter valve therapies in Belgium push a significant number of patients to SAVR, while TAVI in even higher risk patients translates into similar outcomes and shorter hospital stay. These findings underscore the need for broadening indications for TAVI, as well as readjustment of the budgetary allocations for hospitals in Belgium.