Circ Cardiovasc Qual
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jul 2012
Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness of apixaban compared with aspirin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation among patients unsuitable for warfarin.
Compared with aspirin, apixaban reduces stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients unsuitable for warfarin by 63% but does not increase major bleeding. We sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of apixaban versus aspirin. ⋯ In our trial-length model, apixaban was more costly and no more effective than aspirin; however, as follow-up was extended, apixaban became cost-effective and eventually dominant.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jul 2012
Clopidogrel use and hospital quality in medically managed patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.
Clopidogrel prescription is a class I guideline recommendation for medically managed patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). However, clopidogrel has historically been underused in this population. We evaluated contemporary rates of its use and evaluated associated factors, with a particular focus on hospital quality of myocardial infarction (MI) care. ⋯ Clopidogrel prescription is significantly underused in the medically managed NSTEMI population and demonstrates wide variability by hospital. Although hospital quality of MI care is associated with its use, the findings suggest that it only has a modest effect. Therefore, efforts to improve clopidogrel use likely will require measures beyond improving the overall hospital quality of MI care.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jul 2012
Systems of care for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction: a report From the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline.
National guidelines call for participation in systems to rapidly diagnose and treat ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In order to characterize currently implemented STEMI reperfusion systems and identify practices common to system organization, the American Heart Association surveyed existing systems throughout the United States. ⋯ This survey broadly describes the organizational characteristics of collaborative efforts by hospitals and emergency medical services to provide timely reperfusion in the United States. These findings serve as a benchmark for existing systems and should help guide healthcare teams in the process of organizing care for patients with STEMI.