Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 13 of 13

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Prognosis Of Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated By Complete Heart Block (The Worcester Heart Attack Study), Robert Goldberg, Juan Zevallos, Jorge Yarzebski, Joseph Alpert, Joel Gore, Z. Chen, James Dalen Jul 2010

Prognosis Of Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated By Complete Heart Block (The Worcester Heart Attack Study), Robert Goldberg, Juan Zevallos, Jorge Yarzebski, Joseph Alpert, Joel Gore, Z. Chen, James Dalen

Jorge L. Yarzebski

As part of a community-based study of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Worcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan area, changes over time in the incidence rates of complete heart block (CHB) complicating AMI, and the prognostic impact of CHB on the in-hospital and long-term survival of these patients were examined. In all, 4,762 patients with validated AMI hospitalized at 16 hospitals in the Worcester metropolitan area during 1975, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1986 and 1988 constituted the study sample. The incidence rates of CHB complicating AMI remained relatively stable at 5.8% over the 13-year (1975 to 1988) period studied. The …


Narrowing Gender Differences In Procedure Use For Acute Myocardial Infarction: Insights From The Worcester Heart Attack Study, Leslie Harrold, Julian Esteban, Darleen Lessard, Jorge Yarzebski, Jerry Gurwitz, Joel Gore, Robert Goldberg Jul 2010

Narrowing Gender Differences In Procedure Use For Acute Myocardial Infarction: Insights From The Worcester Heart Attack Study, Leslie Harrold, Julian Esteban, Darleen Lessard, Jorge Yarzebski, Jerry Gurwitz, Joel Gore, Robert Goldberg

Jorge L. Yarzebski

OBJECTIVE: To examine age-specific gender differences and trends over time in the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of patients admitted with AMI from a community-wide perspective over a 10-year period (1990-1999). SETTING: All hospitals in the Worcester (Mass) metropolitan area (1990 census = 437000). PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: We identified 2037 women and 2645 men who were hospitalized in the Worcester metropolitan area with confirmed AMI during six 1-year periods between 1990 and 1999. Four age groups (<55, 55 to 64, 65 to 74 and >or=75 years) of men and women were studied. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Use of echocardiography, exercise treadmill testing (ETT), …


Long-Term Trends (1986-2003) In The Use Of Coronary Reperfusion Strategies In Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction In Central Massachusetts, Robert J. Goldberg, Frederick A. Spencer, Joseph Okolo, Darleen M. Lessard, Jorge L. Yarzebski, Joel M. Gore Jul 2010

Long-Term Trends (1986-2003) In The Use Of Coronary Reperfusion Strategies In Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction In Central Massachusetts, Robert J. Goldberg, Frederick A. Spencer, Joseph Okolo, Darleen M. Lessard, Jorge L. Yarzebski, Joel M. Gore

Jorge L. Yarzebski

BACKGROUND: The objectives of our study were to examine long-term (1986-2003) trends in the use of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and thrombolytic therapy in the management of patients hospitalized at all Central Massachusetts medical centers with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Our secondary study goal was to examine factors associated with use of these coronary reperfusion strategies. Limited contemporary data are available about changing trends in the use of coronary reperfusion strategies, particularly from a population-based perspective. METHODS: The sample consisted of 9422 greater Worcester (MA) residents hospitalized with AMI at all metropolitan Worcester medical centers in 10 annual periods between …


A Community-Wide Perspective Of Gender Differences And Temporal Trends In The Use Of Diagnostic And Revascularization Procedures For Acute Myocardial Infarction, David Chiriboga, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg, Z. Chen, Jerry Gurwitz, Joel Gore, Joseph Alpert, James Dalen Jul 2010

A Community-Wide Perspective Of Gender Differences And Temporal Trends In The Use Of Diagnostic And Revascularization Procedures For Acute Myocardial Infarction, David Chiriboga, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg, Z. Chen, Jerry Gurwitz, Joel Gore, Joseph Alpert, James Dalen

Jorge L. Yarzebski

This study compares the overall use, as well as temporal trends, of various diagnostic and revascularization procedures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in men and women. The study sample comprised a total of 2,924 men and 1,838 women with validated AMI admitted to any of the 16 teaching and community hospitals in the Worcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan area during 1975, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1986 and 1988. During the period under study there was a significant increase in use of each of the examined procedures during hospitalization for AMI in both men and women. Increasing use of multiple procedures was also seen …


Decade-Long Trends And Factors Associated With Time To Hospital Presentation In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Worcester Heart Attack Study, Robert Goldberg, Jorge Yarzebski, Darleen Lessard, Joel Gore Jul 2010

Decade-Long Trends And Factors Associated With Time To Hospital Presentation In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Worcester Heart Attack Study, Robert Goldberg, Jorge Yarzebski, Darleen Lessard, Joel Gore

Jorge L. Yarzebski

BACKGROUND: Duration of prehospital delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is receiving increasing attention given the time-dependent benefits associated with prompt use of coronary reperfusion strategies. OBJECTIVE: To examine trends (1986-1997) in time to hospital presentation and factors associated with prolonged delay in a community-wide study of patients with AMI. METHODS: Longitudinal study of 3837 residents of the Worcester, Mass, metropolitan area hospitalized with AMI in 7 one-year periods between 1986 and 1997 in whom information about prehospital delay was available. RESULTS: The mean, median, and distribution of delay times exhibited either inconsistent or no changes over time. …


Use Of Aspirin, Beta-Blockers, And Lipid-Lowering Medications Before Recurrent Acute Myocardial Infarction: Missed Opportunities For Prevention, Danny Mccormick, Jerry Gurwitz, Darleen Lessard, Jorge Yarzebski, Joel Gore, Robert Goldberg Jul 2010

Use Of Aspirin, Beta-Blockers, And Lipid-Lowering Medications Before Recurrent Acute Myocardial Infarction: Missed Opportunities For Prevention, Danny Mccormick, Jerry Gurwitz, Darleen Lessard, Jorge Yarzebski, Joel Gore, Robert Goldberg

Jorge L. Yarzebski

BACKGROUND: For patients who have had a previous myocardial infarction (MI), the use of aspirin, beta-blockers, and lipid-lowering agents reduces the risk of recurrent MI and death. OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in and determinants of receipt of these 3 medications before hospitalization for recurrent acute MI (AMI). METHODS: The study population consisted of 1710 patients with a previous history of MI hospitalized with a validated recurrent AMI in all hospitals in Worcester, Mass, during 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1995. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the effect of demographic, clinical, and temporal factors on the receipt of …


Temporal Trends And Factors Associated With Extent Of Delay To Hospital Arrival In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Worcester Heart Attack Study, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg, Joel Gore, Joseph Alpert Jul 2010

Temporal Trends And Factors Associated With Extent Of Delay To Hospital Arrival In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Worcester Heart Attack Study, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg, Joel Gore, Joseph Alpert

Jorge L. Yarzebski

Factors associated with delay to hospital arrival after the onset of symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were examined in the late 1960s and 1970s, but recent data concerning these characteristics are limited. The purpose of the present study was to examine overall and temporal distributions of the extent of patients' delay from the time of onset of AMI symptoms to hospital arrival and factors associated with delay in seeking medical care from a multihospital, population-based perspective. Review of medical records was undertaken of patients hospitalized with a discharge diagnosis of AMI in 16 teaching and community hospitals in …


A Community-Wide Survey Of Physician Practices And Attitudes Toward Cholesterol Management In Patients With Recent Acute Myocardial Infarction, Jorge Yarzebski, Carmen Bujor, Robert Goldberg, Frederick Spencer, Darleen Lessard, Joel Gore Jul 2010

A Community-Wide Survey Of Physician Practices And Attitudes Toward Cholesterol Management In Patients With Recent Acute Myocardial Infarction, Jorge Yarzebski, Carmen Bujor, Robert Goldberg, Frederick Spencer, Darleen Lessard, Joel Gore

Jorge L. Yarzebski

BACKGROUND: Physicians' current attitudes and practices toward the management of high cholesterol levels in patients with recent acute myocardial infarction are not well defined. OBJECTIVE: To examine threshold levels of serum cholesterol and other factors that influence physicians' decision to prescribe lipid-lowering drugs and initiate dietary therapy in patients with recent acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Community-wide questionnaire survey of general internists, cardiologists, and family physicians practicing in the Worcester, Mass, metropolitan area. RESULTS: Among the 257 responding physicians, lipid-lowering drug therapy was more likely to be initiated in younger patients at lower total serum and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels …


Patient Delay And Receipt Of Thrombolytic Therapy Among Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction From A Community-Wide Perspective, Robert Goldberg, Jerry Gurwitz, Jorge Yarzebski, J. Landon, Joel Gore, Joseph Alpert, P. Dalen, James Dalen Jul 2010

Patient Delay And Receipt Of Thrombolytic Therapy Among Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction From A Community-Wide Perspective, Robert Goldberg, Jerry Gurwitz, Jorge Yarzebski, J. Landon, Joel Gore, Joseph Alpert, P. Dalen, James Dalen

Jorge L. Yarzebski

The duration of patient delay from the time of onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to hospital presentation, and the relation of delay time and various patient characteristics to receipt of thrombolytic therapy were examined as part of a community-based study of patients hospitalized with AMI in the Worcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan area. In all, 800 patients with validated AMI hospitalized at 16 hospitals in the Worcester metropolitan area in 1986 and 1988 constituted the study sample. Patients delayed on average 4 hours between noting symptoms suggestive of AMI and presenting to area-wide emergency departments with no significant change …


Temporal Trends (1986-1997) In Cholesterol Level Assessment And Management Practices In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Population-Based Perspective, Jorge Yarzebski, Frederick Spencer, Robert Goldberg, Darleen Lessard, Joel Gore Jul 2010

Temporal Trends (1986-1997) In Cholesterol Level Assessment And Management Practices In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Population-Based Perspective, Jorge Yarzebski, Frederick Spencer, Robert Goldberg, Darleen Lessard, Joel Gore

Jorge L. Yarzebski

BACKGROUND: Elevated serum cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and adverse patient outcomes. It is unclear what proportion of patients have their serum cholesterol levels measured during hospitalization for AMI and are given hypolipidemic therapy. OBJECTIVE: To examine decade-long trends in measurement of serum cholesterol levels during hospitalization for AMI and use of hypolipidemic therapy. METHODS: Observational study of 5204 residents of the Worcester, Mass, metropolitan area hospitalized with validated AMI in all greater Worcester hospitals in seven 1-year periods from 1986 through 1997. RESULTS: Increases in the measurement of serum cholesterol levels during …


Temporal Trends And Factors Associated With Pulmonary Artery Catheterization In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg, Joel Gore, Joseph Alpert Jul 2010

Temporal Trends And Factors Associated With Pulmonary Artery Catheterization In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg, Joel Gore, Joseph Alpert

Jorge L. Yarzebski

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine changes over time in the utilization of and factors associated with pulmonary artery (PA) catheterization in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DESIGN: Nonconcurrent prospective study carried out in 16 teaching and community hospitals in Worcester, Mass, in seven time periods between 1975 and 1990. A total of 5,480 patients hospitalized with validated AMI comprised the study sample. RESULTS: Use of PA catheterization increased from 1975 to 1984 with a consistent decline thereafter in all patients with AMI studied. Among the 2,441 patients with complicated AMI, use of PA catheterization increased from 1975 through 1988 …


A Community-Wide Perspective Into Changing Trends In The Utilization Of Diagnostic And Interventional Procedures In Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction, Jessica Hahn, Darleen Lessard, Jorge Yarzebski, Jordan Goldberg, Sean Pruell, Frederick Spencer, Joel Gore, Robert Goldberg Jul 2010

A Community-Wide Perspective Into Changing Trends In The Utilization Of Diagnostic And Interventional Procedures In Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction, Jessica Hahn, Darleen Lessard, Jorge Yarzebski, Jordan Goldberg, Sean Pruell, Frederick Spencer, Joel Gore, Robert Goldberg

Jorge L. Yarzebski

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available describing contemporary trends in the utilization of diagnostic and interventional procedures in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The objectives of our population-based investigation were to examine long-term trends (1986-2003) in the utilization of cardiac catheterization, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in a community sample of patients hospitalized with AMI. We examined the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who received these diagnostic and interventional procedures and determined whether the profile of patients undergoing these procedures had changed over time. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 9422 greater …


Declining Length Of Hospital Stay For Acute Myocardial Infarction And Postdischarge Outcomes: A Community-Wide Perspective, Frederick Spencer, Darleen Lessard, Joel Gore, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg Jul 2010

Declining Length Of Hospital Stay For Acute Myocardial Infarction And Postdischarge Outcomes: A Community-Wide Perspective, Frederick Spencer, Darleen Lessard, Joel Gore, Jorge Yarzebski, Robert Goldberg

Jorge L. Yarzebski

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this population-based study were to describe trends of more than a decade (1986-1999) in duration of hospitalization after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), patient characteristics associated with varying lengths of stay, and the impact of declining length of stay on postdischarge mortality. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 4551 patients discharged after AMI from all greater Worcester, Mass, hospitals in 8 annual periods during the study period. Regression models were used to examine the influence of demographic, clinical, and treatment variables on length of stay and the association between declining length of hospital stay and postdischarge mortality. …