Circ Cardiovasc Qual
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · May 2018
Variation in Lipid-Lowering Therapy Use in Patients With Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL: Insights From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry-Practice Innovation and Clinical Excellence Registry.
Patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥190 mg/dL are at high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. Treatment guidelines recommend intensive treatment in these patients. Variation in the use of lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) in these patients in a national sample of cardiology practices is not known. ⋯ Evidence-based LLT use remains low among patients with elevated LDL-C with significant variation in care. System-level interventions are needed to address these gaps and reduce variation in care of these high-risk patients.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Apr 2018
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational StudyHealth Status Variation Across Practices in Outpatients With Heart Failure: Insights From the CHAMP-HF (Change the Management of Patients With Heart Failure) Registry.
Although a key treatment goal for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is to optimize their health status (their symptoms, function, and quality of life), the variability across outpatient practices in achieving this goal is unknown. ⋯ URL: https://www.centerwatch.com. Unique identifier: TX144901.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Apr 2018
Association Between Early Outpatient Visits and Readmissions After Ischemic Stroke.
Reducing hospital readmission is an important goal to optimize poststroke care and reduce costs. Early outpatient follow-up may represent one important strategy to reduce readmissions. We examined the association between time to first outpatient contact and readmission to inform postdischarge transitions. ⋯ Thirty-day outpatient follow-up was associated with a small reduction in hospital readmission among elderly patients with stroke discharged home. Further work should assess how outpatient care may be improved to further reduce readmissions.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Feb 2018
ReviewSex Differences in Ischemic Heart Disease: Advances, Obstacles, and Next Steps.
Evolving knowledge of sex-specific presentations, improved recognition of conventional and novel risk factors, and expanded understanding of the sex-specific pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease have resulted in improved clinical outcomes in women. Yet, ischemic heart disease continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women in the United States. The important publication by the Institute of Medicine titled "Women's Health Research-Progress, Pitfalls, and Promise," highlights the persistent disparities in cardiovascular disease burden among subgroups of women, particularly women who are socially disadvantaged because of race, ethnicity, income level, and educational attainment. ⋯ Lack of awareness in both the public and medical community, as well as existing knowledge gap regarding sex-specific differences in presentation, risk factors, pathophysiology, and response to treatment for ischemic heart disease, further contribute to outcome disparities. There is a critical need for implementation of sex- and gender-specific strategies to improve cardiovascular outcomes. This review is tailored to meet the needs of a busy clinician and summarizes the contemporary trends, characterizes current sex-specific outcome disparities, delineates challenges, and proposes transformative solutions for improvement of the full spectrum of ischemic heart disease clinical care and research in women.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jan 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyReturn to Work and Participation in Society After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.
The aim of this study was to describe out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors' ability to participate in activities of everyday life and society, including return to work. The specific aim was to evaluate potential effects of cognitive impairment. ⋯ URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01946932.