Cardiovascular Diseases Commons^™

Chewed Versus Swallowed Ticagrelor In P2y12 Inhibitor-Naïve Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Thomas F. Wilson, Muddasir Ashraf, M. Fuad Jan, Tonga Nfor, Louie Kostopoulos, Joaquin Solis, Jayant Khitha, Ahmad Khraisat, Anthony C. Defranco, Tanvir Bajwa, Suhail Q. Allaqaband

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Dual antiplatelet therapy is standard for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stents. Traditionally, patients swallow the loading dose of a P2Y12 inhibitor before or during PCI. Time to achieve adequate platelet inhibition after swallowing the loading dose varies significantly. Chewed tablets may allow more rapid inhibition of platelet aggregation. However, data for this strategy in patients with stable ischemic heart disease or non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) are less robust.

Methods: In this single-center prospective trial, 112 P2Y12-naïve patients with stable ischemic heart disease or NSTE-ACS on aspirin therapy and who received ticagrelor after coronary angiography but …

Is Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Effective At Controlling Hypertension In African American Patients? A Clin-Iq, Rebecca Nye, Wilhelm Lehmann, Deborah Simpson

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

African Americans are disproportionately affected by hypertension, a modifiable contributor to multiple chronic diseases and premature death. Primary care physicians play an important role in hypertension control. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is an evidence-based method for confirming diagnosis and monitoring hypertension over time. Some studies have found that HBPM may lead to clinically relevant reductions in blood pressure when combined with additional interventions, but few studies have focused specifically on African American populations. Evidence of effectiveness could increase clinical recommendation of HBPM. This clinical inquiry examined whether HBPM improves blood pressure control in African Americans with uncontrolled hypertension. Reviewed …

Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, And Outcomes Among A Large Midwestern U.S. Cohort Of Patients Hospitalized With Covid-19 Prior To Vaccine Availability, Viviana Zlochiver, Ana Cristina Perez Moreno, Michael Peterson, Khalil Odeh, Ashley Mainville, Katherine Busniewski, Jon Wrobel, Mohamed Hommeida, Blair Tilkens, Payal Sharma, Hlu Vang, Sara Walczak, Fekadesilassie Moges, Kritika Garg, A. Jamil Tajik, Suhail Q. Allaqaband, Tanvir Bajwa, M. Fuad Jan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented demands on health care. This study aimed to characterize COVID-19 inpatients and examine trends and risk factors associated with hospitalization duration, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalized at an integrated health system between February 2, 2020, and December 12, 2020. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were obtained from medical records. Backward stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors of ICU admission and in-hospital mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate relationships between ICU admission and in-hospital …

Electrocardiogram-Based Machine Learning Emulator Model For Predicting Novel Echocardiography-Derived Phenogroups For Cardiac Risk-Stratification: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study, Heenaben B. Patel, Naveena Yanamala, Brijesh Patel, Sameer Raina, Peter D. Farjo, Srinidhi Sunkara, Márton Tokodi, Nobuyuki Kagiyama, Grace Casaclang-Verzosa, Partho P. Sengupta

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Electrocardiography (ECG)-derived machine learning models can predict echocardiography (echo)-derived indices of systolic or diastolic function. However, systolic and diastolic dysfunction frequently coexists, which necessitates an integrated assessment for optimal risk-stratification. We explored an ECG-derived model that emulates an echo-derived model that combines multiple parameters for identifying patient phenogroups at risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Methods: In this substudy of a prospective, multicenter study, patients from 3 institutions (n = 727) formed an internal cohort, and the fourth institution was reserved as an external test set (n = 518). A previously validated patient similarity analysis model was used …

Stroke Network Of Wisconsin (Snow) Scale Predicts Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke In The Prehospital Setting, Kessarin Panichpisal, Sarah Erpenbeck, Paul Vilar, Reji P. Babygirija, Maharaj Singh, M. Riccardo Colella, Richard A. Rovin

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: In previous trials, the Stroke Network of Wisconsin (SNOW) scale accurately predicted large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke in the hospital setting. This study evaluated SNOW scale performance in the prehospital setting and its ability to predict LVO or distal medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) in patients suspected of having acute ischemic stroke (AIS), a scenario in which transport time to an endovascular treatment-capable facility (ECSC) is critical.

Methods: All potential AIS patients with last-known-well time of ≤ 24 hours were assessed by Milwaukee County Emergency Medical Services for LVO using SNOW. Patients with a positive SNOW score were transferred to …

Integrating Patient-Reported Outcomes Into Clinical Genetic Testing For Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Rachele M. Hendricks-Sturrup, Robert Block, Christine Y. Lu

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and PRO measures (PROMs) are often used to help clinicians and researchers understand patients’ personal concerns, feelings, experiences, and perspectives following the implementation of an intervention. Notably, PROs and PROMs can inform health systems, health policy, and payers on the utility of clinical genetic testing based on each patient’s personal values, perspectives, and potential health behaviors subsequent to testing. In this topic synopsis, we discuss the underexplored role of and implications for PROs and PROMs following genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an autosomal dominant genetic disorder of cholesterol metabolism that can lead to highly premature fatal …

A Novel Code Team Leader Card To Improve Leader Identification, Palak Shah, Vinod Havalad

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Prompt and clear code team leader identification is vital in effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and pediatric trainees often have limited experience in these scenarios. This project sought to develop a tangible object that provided clear leader identification and assisted in code team management and simulated team training. A Code Team Leader Card (CTLC) was designed to provide clear leader identification while simultaneously providing a cognitive aid via integration of pediatric advanced life support (PALS) algorithms. Additionally, CTLC served to occupy the leader’s hands to limit their ability to intervene on procedural tasks. The CTLC was incorporated into pediatric resident simulation …

Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Patient-Centered Language Use In Journals Publishing Research Focused On Heart Failure, Vivian Pham, Benjamin Greiner, Ryan Ottwell, Matt Vassar, Micah L. Hartwell

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Detrimental effects of using non–patient-centered language (nPCL) have been reported for diabetes, mental illness, and obesity, and both the American Medical Association (AMA) and International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommend using patient-centered language in medical literature. Heart failure is a common yet stigmatized disease, and nPCL may further propagate stigma. This study analyzed current use of nPCL in journals focused on heart failure research and also examined whether the journals steer authors to adhere to AMA or ICMJE guidelines regarding nPCL.

Methods: Following systematic search of PubMed for heart failure-related articles published from May 1, 2018, to …

Heart-Healthy Integrative Nutritional Counseling Group Education Sessions Among Chinese Americans With Cardiovascular Risk Factors Or Disease: A Primary Care Quality Improvement Pilot, Jasmin Woo, Evelyn Y. Ho, Jane Jih

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Current biomedical cardiovascular disease nutrition counseling does not incorporate Chinese medicine principles.

Methods: A heart-healthy integrative nutritional counseling (H2INC) curriculum consistent with Chinese medicine principles and biomedical nutrition guidelines was taught to Chinese Americans in group education sessions. Chinese-speaking patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors from an urban general medicine practice were recruited to attend a 90-minute group session. Participants completed pre-post surveys to assess the impact of H2INC on their perceived heart-healthy nutrition knowledge and empowerment, as well as the cultural relevance of H2INC.

Results: A total of 47 participants (mean age: 74 years; 63.8% female) attended …

Seroprevalence Of Sars-Cov-2 Antibody In Echocardiography And Stress Laboratory, Renuka Jain, Stacie Kroboth, Denise Ignatowski, Bijoy K. Khandheria

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Transesophageal echocardiography is an aerosol-generating procedure, and exercise stress testing is a potentially aerosol-generating activity. Concern has been raised about heightened risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among health care personnel participating in these procedures. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of past coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in echocardiography and stress laboratory staff.

Methods: All staff who worked in the echocardiography and stress laboratories of one high-traffic urban hospital from March 15, 2020, to June 15, 2020, were asked to voluntarily participate. Those willing to participate were consented, and past COVID-19 infection was …

Comprehensive Echocardiographic Findings In Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients With Or Without Prior Cardiac Disease, Renuka Jain, Pedro D. Salinas, Stacie Kroboth, Abigail Kaminski, Sarah Roemer, Ana Cristina Perez Moreno, Bijoy K Khandheria

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents with a spectrum of disease severity, the most serious cases requiring intensive care. Echocardiography is a front-line tool in evaluating cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU); we analyzed transthoracic echocardiograms obtained from this patient population with state-of-the-art ultrasound technology.

Methods: All patients with COVID-19 requiring ICU admission on whom a transthoracic echocardiogram was obtained were included in the study. Focused transthoracic protocols were performed by experienced sonographers. Echocardiographic variables, including speckle-tracking echocardiography, were collected and analyzed. Clinical information was obtained from the electronic medical record. Patients were followed until discharge. …

Do Adults Utilizing Intermittent Fasting Improve Lipids More Than Those Following A Restricted-Calorie Diet? A Clin-Iq, Mitchell A. Sanford, Tracy S. Sanford, K. F. Campbell, Dustin Davis, Tammy Tandberg, L. N. Eagle Road

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

With approximately 95 million Americans diagnosed with high cholesterol, and many searching for a nonmedicinal treatment, intermittent fasting as a method to improve health has become increasingly popular in the lay public. We conducted a clinical inquiry to determine whether intermittent fasting is superior to a low-calorie diet in improving lipids, searching the Cochrane, EBSCOhost, Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases using the terms intermittent fasting, lipids, and calorie-restricted diet. Studies that included surgical weight loss or medicine-assisted weight loss were excluded. We identified 6 published studies, 5 of which were randomized controlled trials. In reviewing the selected studies, …

Characterizing Recurrence Following Hybrid Ablation In Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation, David C. Kress, Lynn Erickson, Tadele W. Mengesha, David Krum, Jasbir Sra

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: It is It is widely accepted that atrial fibrillation (AF) accounts for half of arrhythmia recurrences following endocardial catheter ablation of AF. An epicardial-endocardial approach (hybrid) has emerged as an alternative to endocardial ablation alone for the treatment of AF, yet recurrence after a hybrid procedure has not been well characterized. This retrospective study is aimed at characterizing recurrence following hybrid ablation for patients with persistent AF.

Methods: Patients with persistent AF (N = 108) received both endocardial and epicardial ablation of the posterior left atrial wall using catheter ablation and a small midline surgical approach (hybrid). Presence of …

Relationship Of Patient Self-Administered Copd Assessment Test To Physician Standard Assessment Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease In A Family Medicine Residency Training Program, Jessica E. Burchette, Ivy A. Click, Leigh Johnson, S. Alicia Williams, Brett Tyler Morgan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Assessing the global impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on a patient’s life can be difficult to perform in the clinical setting due to time constraints and workflow challenges. The primary objective of this study was to compare disease impact ratings between patient self-administered COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and physician standard office assessment. This prospective study was conducted at a family medicine residency clinic in northeast Tennessee. The study included two study groups: 1) adult patients seen at the clinic during the 3-month study period with an active diagnosis of COPD, and 2) their physicians. Physicians’ assessment of the …

Problems Experienced In The Second And Third Months After Discharge From A Heart Failure-Related Hospitalization, Joan S. Grant, Lucinda J. Graven

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The purpose of this study was to identify high-priority problems experienced by individuals during the second and third month after discharge from an acute care facility for heart failure. This descriptive, exploratory study, an extension of a previous analysis that examined high-priority problems in the first month, comprised 19 participants who were assigned to an intervention group that received a randomized, 12-week-pilot coping partnership (COPE-HF) intervention. A trained research nurse provided the intervention, and participants used a standard list to identify high-priority heart failure-related problems. Quantitative and content data analysis was conducted. While the highest-priority problem continued to be managing …

Role Of Echocardiography In The Intensive Care Unit: Overview Of The Most Common Clinical Scenarios, Luca Longobardo, Concetta Zito, Scipione Carerj, Giuseppe Caracciolo, Bijoy K. Khandheria

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The intensive care unit (ICU) is among the more important settings in which echocardiography plays a pivotal role. The ease of use, speed of execution, and completeness of information on heart anatomy and function that echocardiography is able to provide makes this tool the perfect diagnostic technique in patients for whom exhaustive information must be quickly obtained by physicians who sometimes lack specific skills in cardiovascular imaging. However, the clinical entities encountered by ICU clinicians are often difficult to distinguish and patient symptoms may not be obvious. This brief review describes three common clinical scenarios that benefit from echocardiography in …

Problems Experienced In The First Month After Discharge From A Heart Failure-Related Hospitalization, Joan S. Grant, Lucinda J. Graven, Kelly Fuller

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Heart failure is a global health concern with high morbidity and mortality rates. Individuals with heart failure commonly experience problems that impact daily life. However, little is known regarding which problems are most significant during the immediate posthospitalization period. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify high-priority problems experienced by individuals the first month after discharge from an acute care facility with a diagnosis of heart failure.

Methods: This descriptive, exploratory study was part of a 12-week randomized controlled pilot study that examined the efficacy of a coping partnership intervention (COPE-HF Partnership) between a trained research nurse …

Mechanisms Of Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation In Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Novel Insights From Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography, Dhruv Chawla, Tracy Hammonds, Tadele Mengesha, Matt Umland, Khawaja Afzal Ammar, Vinay Thohan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are at increased risk for left ventricular (LV) thrombus and subsequent thromboembolism, yet anticoagulation is not routinely recommended for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) alone. We sought to determine the role of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to quantify regional changes in cardiac function associated with LV thrombus, which may prospectively guide anticoagulation.

Purpose: Help enable cardiovascular clinicians to use 2D-STE to evaluate regional strain patterns among patients with HFrEF with and without LV thrombus. Our results suggest that statistically lower regional longitudinal strain patterns in a well-matched cohort …

Sensitivity Of Current Methods For Diagnosing And Documenting Metabolic Syndrome Within A Large Community-Based Health Care System, Tiffany A. Mullen, Danielle M. Greer, Jennifer T. Fink, Renee E. Walker

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of metabolic conditions, including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high triglyceride level, low high-density-lipoprotein level and high fasting blood glucose level, that increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions. Various combinations of diagnostic criteria have been proposed, including those by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), among others. However, inconsistent use of diagnostic criteria and inadequate scientific evidence supporting use of specific criteria are current problems in health care.

Purpose: Quantify the prevalence of MetS diagnosis within the …

Assessment Of Chronic Disease To Determine Appropriateness Of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy, Bilal M. Omery, Maharaj Singh, Randy S. Turkel, Robyn Shearer, Arshad Jahangir, M. Eyman Mortada, Jasbir S. Sra, Indrajit Choudhuri

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy is considered appropriate when a patient is felt to have a reasonable expectation of 1-year survival. Chronic diseases have been estimated to be associated with greater than 10% annual mortality and may reduce benefits of ICD therapy. Frailty has been estimated to be associated with greater than 20% annual mortality and has been suggested to contraindicate ICD therapy.

Purpose: Determine a risk score that may identify patients in whom ICD implantation may not be appropriate.

Methods: Patients who received an ICD for primary and secondary prevention from 2008 through 2013 at the Aurora Health Care …

Influence Of Differential Calcification In The Descending Thoracic Aorta On Aortic Pulse Pressure, Mirza Mujadil Ahmad, Syed Haris Ahmed Pir, Mustafa Noor Muhammad, Sharmeen Hussaini, Immad Arif Kiani, Mirza Nubair Ahmad, Imaad Razzaque, Muhammad Nabeel Syed, Rafath Ullah, Suhail Allaqaband, Anjan Gupta, Steven C. Port, Khawaja Afzal Ammar

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Multiple studies have shown pulse pressure (PP) to be a strong predictor of aortic calcification. However, no studies are available that correlate PP with aortic calcification at the segmental level.

Methods: We identified 37 patients with aortic PP measured during cardiac catheterization. Their noncontrast chest computed tomography scans were evaluated for the presence of calcium in different segments (ascending aorta, arch of aorta [arch], descending aorta) and quantified. Patients with calcification (Calcified Group A) were compared against patients without calcification (Noncalcified Group B) in terms of PP, calcification and compliance.

Results: The mean of the total calcium score was …

Seniors Welcome! Avoiding The Trap Of Age Limits In Health Research, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The guest editor introduces this specialty issue of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, which focuses on cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. The reality of an aging population has increased the need for better evidence-based medicine in older patients. However, randomized controlled trials frequently exclude such patients, especially those with comorbidities, from study. This practice ignores the fact that physiologic changes to the cardiovascular system caused by the aging process and aging-associated diseases create clinical dilemmas distinct from those in younger patients. Considering the rising costs of health care and growing incidence of cardiovascular disease, research efforts and …

Predicting Outcomes In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation And Acute Mesenteric Ischemia, Sanjay Bhandari, Geetanjali Dang, Muhammad Shahreyar, Ahmad Hanif, Vijayadershan Muppidi, Atul Bhatia, Jasbir Sra, A. Jamil Tajik, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation who develop acute mesenteric ischemia, and the impact of anticoagulation on complications, are not defined.

Methods

Patients admitted with acute mesenteric ischemia in the National Inpatient Sample from 2007, with and without atrial fibrillation, were compared for in-hospital outcomes using multivariate regression, and the impact of prior anticoagulation determined.

Results

Of 48,872 patients with acute mesenteric ischemia, 8,306 had atrial fibrillation, with 680 patients also on anticoagulation. Atrial fibrillation patients were more likely to be older and have hypertension, heart failure, or chronic lung or renal disease. After adjusting for potential confounders, atrial …

The Association Between Doppler Measures Of Cardiac Function And Outcomes In Patients With Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ≤ 40% Undergoing Noncardiovascular Surgeries, Yang Shi, Rachel Pedersen, Matthew Rappelt, Robyn Shearer, Nasir Z. Sulemanjee, Dianne L. Zwicke, T. Edward Hastings, Omar M. Cheema, Vinay Thohan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Preoperative risk assessments of individuals who undergo major noncardiac surgery have focused on ischemic heart disease. Information on how to assess the noncardiac surgical risks for patients with depressed cardiac function, as seen in heart failure, is sparse. Echocardiography is routinely performed in patients with depressed cardiac function and is an accepted standard cardiac assessment. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) provides strong independent prognostic implications in a wide range of cardiovascular conditions.

Purpose: To identify the echocardiographic parameters associated with outcomes among patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery.

Methods: A retrospective single-institution investigation identified 1,770 patients who underwent one or more major …

Cost-Effectiveness Of Genomic-Based Warfarin Therapy, John Weissert, Kourosh Ravvaz

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: With over 40 years of demonstrated clinical efficacy, warfarin remains the world’s most used pharmaceutical to prevent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, warfarin has many challenges. Thus, despite known effectiveness, warfarin is a leading cause to drug-induced morbidity and mortality. Over 50 different warfarin therapy protocols, including a number of pharmacogenomic-based (PG) protocols, with as many as 14 independent variables, have been developed to improve safety and efficacy, thereby reducing ischemic strokes and intracranial hemorrhages (ICH).

Purpose: To conduct a preliminary cost-effectiveness study to determine the price point at which using warfarin PG dosing to …

Predictors Of Mortality In Patients With Transient Severe Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction, Kanwar Y. Singh, Firas Zahwe, Bilal Omery, Crystal Platz, Wassim Ballany, Robyn Shearer, Tadele Mengesha, M. Eyman Mortada, Jasbir Sra, Indrajit Choudhuri

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: About 20% of patients who develop left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction will have improvement in ejection fraction (LVEF) over time. This patient cohort is generally excluded from large sudden death trials and, hence, understudied.

Purpose: To evaluate the predictors of mortality in patients with severe LV systolic dysfunction who have improvement in LVEF during follow-up.

Methods: Patients who had transient LV systolic dysfunction from 2010 to 2014 within the Aurora Health Care system and who had LVEF improve to ≥ 40%, irrespective of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implant, were studied. Predictors of mortality were identified using Cox proportional hazards model. …

Zero-Fluoroscopy Cavotricuspid Isthmus Ablation Using Carto Mapping System As Sole Guiding Method, Wassim Ballany, Indrajit Choudhuri, Mohamed Djelmami-Hani, Ryan L. Cooley

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Catheter ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) is traditionally performed using fluoroscopy and electroanatomical mapping systems. Zero-fluoroscopy approaches have recently been studied, mostly using the EnSite^® mapping system (St. Jude Medical Inc., St. Paul, MN). We studied the feasibility and efficacy of zero-fluoroscopic mapping and ablation of the CTI using the Carto^® 3 system (Biosense Webster Inc., South Diamond Bar, CA).

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a zero-fluoroscopic approach to CTI ablation.

Methods: We included 9 patients with typical atrial flutter for whom mapping and ablation of the CTI was done using Carto mapping …

Advanced Heart Failure Treatment Options Among The Elderly, German Guzman-Gutierrez, Yang Shi, Matthew Rappelt, Arshad Jahangir, Vinay Thohan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The aging human population has emerged as a critically important factor in health care, not only due to the unique physiologic and pathologic processes associated with aging but also because of the evolution of medical and surgical therapies that have increased quality and quantity of life. Heart failure is a disease found most commonly among older populations in whom it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Heart failure disproportionately affects the elderly, and it stands to reason that the most terminal stage, known as advanced heart failure (AHF), is more common among the elderly. Despite limited data, treatment options …

The Crux Of The Heart –– The Closest Approach Of The Right Atrium To The Left Ventricle, Lynn Erickson, David Krum, Hannah Samuel, Anwer Dhala, Jasbir Sra

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Accessory pathways, the source of atrioventricular reentry tachycardia, occasionally connect the left ventricle to the right atrium. This is possible because, in some patients, a portion of the right atrium abuts the left ventricle on the posterior wall of the heart, near the mid-coronary sinus. This anatomic region is known as the “crux” of the heart. These accessory pathways can be difficult to ablate because of the unusual and unexpected substrate. While the presence of these accessory pathways is described in the literature, the prevalence of the underlying anatomic substrate is not currently known.

Purpose: To measure the closest …

Atrial Fibrillation And Stroke In Elderly Patients, Geetanjali Dang, Imaan Jahangir, Jasbir Sra, A. Jamil Tajik, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The increasing prevalence of stroke, with an estimated annual cost of $71.5 billion, has made it a major health problem that increases disability and death, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. Although advanced age and atrial fibrillation are recognized as strong risk factors for stroke, the basis for this susceptibility are not well defined. Aging or associated diseases are accompanied by changes in rheostatic, humoral, metabolic and hemodynamic factors that may contribute more to stroke predisposition than rhythm abnormality alone. Several thromboembolism-predisposing clinical characteristics and serum biomarkers with prognostic significance have been identified in patients with atrial fibrillation. Although anticoagulation …