Cardiology Commons^™

High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy Versus Standard Oxygen Therapy On Perioperative Outcomes In Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Kirsten B. Whiteside, Jacqueline M. Case

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Abstract 

Background and Purpose: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly performed under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) to facilitate faster recovery and reduce complications associated with general anesthesia. Standard oxygen therapy (SOT) may be insufficient in maintaining adequate oxygenation in this high-risk population. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy has emerged as a potential alternative. This literature review evaluates the effects of HFNC compared with SOT on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR under MAC. 

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to identify studies evaluating HFNC versus SOT during TAVR procedures performed under MAC. Six studies met inclusion …

An Assessment Of The Multidisciplinary Approach To Fetal Echocardiography Education, Riley Allen

Masters Projects

With congenital heart disease (CHD) being the most common birth defect, there is a growing demand for utilization of fetal echocardiography (FE). In clinical practice FE requires an interdisciplinary approach to performance and patient care, and integration of techniques from both the obstetric and pediatric cardiac areas of medicine. While practitioners align on the need for an interdisciplinary approach to practice and the specific methods of performance, there is little consensus on how to comprehensively educate the sonography workforce. Literature has identified gaps in both the obstetric and pediatric cardiac sonographer education bases, predominantly focusing on the lack of specific …

Differential Roles Of Moesin And Vasp In Β-Catenin-Associated Networks During Zebrafish Heart Regeneration, Allen Rutman

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

With cardiovascular disease remaining as the leading cause of mortality worldwide, it is largely due to the limited regenerative capacity of the human heart. However, zebrafish (Danio rerio) can fully regenerate cardiac tissue following injury, providing a valuable model for studying the mechanisms of heart repair. To investigate these mechanisms, we used proteomics methods in the past. Proximity labeling is a technique that identifies proteins based on their physical proximity to a protein of interest. It can be applied in organisms and in living cells (Roux et al., 2012; Cho et al., 2020). We used proximity labeling to characterize protein …

Increasing Medication Adherence In Those With Hypertension, Holly Kimiecik

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hypertension is a chronic condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure and remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024), approximately 47.7% of U.S. adults have hypertension, yet only about one in five achieve blood pressure control below 130/80 mm Hg. Medication adherence plays a critical role in managing hypertension and preventing complications. Adults aged 18 years and older prescribed antihypertensive medications from a primary care clinic in Valparaiso, Indiana, participated in this six-week quality improvement intervention. Evidence from a comprehensive literature review supports combining patient …

Patient Wait Time And Throughput Interventions In The Cardiology Outpatient Setting, Chioma Ohiri Tawose

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare collaboration and patient care require effective communication. Poor communication impacts wait time. Inadequate communication in the outpatient cardiology clinic can lead to disruptive patient throughput, or workflow, and extend patient length of visit. The purpose of this project was to implement a means of communication for clinicians and healthcare assistants to improve patient flow and cut down idleness, ultimately reducing patient wait time. The project established the incorporation of a built-in electronic health record communication notification system, the Event Button, for asynchronous communication between staff. A quantitative quality improvement design was used to conduct this project. Inferential and descriptive …

Validity Assessment Of Resting Heart Rate Variability From The Garmin Health Snapshot, Kayla M. Porter, Andrew Flatt

Honors College Theses

Purpose: To assess the agreement between the Garmin Forerunner 265 (a commercially available sports watch) and a single-channel electrocardiographic (ECG) chest strap for determining resting heart rate variability (HRV). Secondary aims were to assess the impact of skin tone and body position on measurement accuracy.

Methods: Young adults (n = 30, 57% women) aged 18–39 years without known cardiovascular conditions and without tattooing or scarring on the dorsal left wrist were recruited. HRV was recorded simultaneously using ECG and the Forerunner 265’s optical sensor during Garmin’s 2-minute “Health Snapshot.” Measurements were obtained in three standardized positions: supine, seated, and standing. …

Effect Of Plant-Based Vs. Standard American Diet On Cardiovascular Parameters In College Students, Timothy J. Horanic

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines how adherence to different dietary patterns—specifically a plant-based diet compared to the standard American diet—can influence physiological indicators tied to cardiovascular health, including heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). Among these markers, HRV is considered especially sensitive to autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation and may offer earlier insight into physiological stress or dysfunction than HR or BP alone. Although nutritional habits are widely believed to impact heart health, few investigations have focused on how specific long-term diets affect autonomic and cardiovascular metrics in healthy, college-aged adults. This study aims to investigate if …

Microgravity-Induced Alterations In Left Atrial Hemodynamics And Thrombogenic Risk: Insights From Healthy And Atrial Fibrillation Models, Grace M. Hoeppner

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Background: Microgravity exposure alters cardiovascular loading, yet its impact on left atrial flow dynamics and thrombotic risk remains poorly understood. This study investigates how spaceflight-relevant microgravity-induced changes in cardiac outflow affect left atrial hemodynamics in healthy individuals and patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Patient-specific left atrial models were generated for three healthy individuals and three AF patients. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using each patient’s baseline mitral outflow waveform and two modified waveforms representing short- and long-duration post-flight cardiac loading changes derived from echocardiographic observations. Hemodynamic metrics included left atrial velocity, time averaged wall shear stress, oscillatory shear …

Quality Improvement (Qi) Project Aimed At Reducing 30-Day Hospital Readmissions For Patients With Congestive Heart Failure (Chf) Through Checklist Implementation, Gary Gutierrez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) remains a leading cause of preventable 30-day hospital readmissions,

especially in outpatient and transitional care settings. This quality improvement (QI) initiative was

launched within a private internal medicine practice in Essex County, New Jersey, to address this issue

by implementing a standardized CHF management checklist. The checklist focused on four key

components: (a) comprehensive medication reconciliation, (b) tailored patient education, (c) timely

follow-up appointments, and (d) improved interdisciplinary communication. By integrating evidence-

based practices into a structured workflow, the QI project aimed to improve care coordination,

empower patients to manage their condition, and reduce preventable …

Implementing A Cardiac Catheterization Pre-Procedure Protocol To Decrease Avoidable Same-Day Cancellations, Christina C. Perry

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background and significance of the problem: Pediatric congenital heart defect patients are amongst the sickest hospital population. These patients require planned palliation in the cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab), which has a limited number of providers and appointments available. In the cath lab, the percentage of avoidable same-day cancellations for interventional procedures was found to be greater than 30%, representing significant resource utilization opportunities.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a standardized, evidence-based pre-procedure protocol to decrease avoidable same-day cath lab cancellations.

Goals and objectives: The goals of this project were a 10% decrease in …

Definition Of The 3d Position And Motion Status Of The Moving Heart Based On 2d Projections, Lawrence D. Orijuela

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This thesis presents a novel application of deep learning to the estimation of pulmonary vein coordinates using X-ray image pairs from a FORBILD Thorax phantom derived motion dataset. A Siamese neural network was developed to predict the 3D coordinates of one pulmonary vein at a time, specifically the Right Superior Pulmonary Vein (RSPV), Left Superior Pulmonary Vein (LSPV), Left Inferior Pulmonary Vein (LIPV), or Right Inferior Pulmonary Vein (RIPV), based on two-dimensional projection images.

The input data consisted of over 1.6 million grayscale X-ray image pairs across 1331 virtual patients, each annotated with ground truth 3D coordinates. To manage memory …

A Human Factors Analysis And Classification System (Hfacs) Approach To Compare Cardiovascular, Orthopedics, Trauma Care, And Neurosurgery, Asfandyar Khan

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Background: Despite significant progress in patient safety, human error continues to occur at high rates in procedural settings. Traditional safety models tend to focus on retrospective incident analysis, often overlooking the systemic conditions that allow errors to occur. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) offers a proactive lens to understand how and where errors emerge and is useful for identifying active and latent failures.

Objective: To evaluate the utility and reliability of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) in categorizing and comparing the pattern of frequencies (events) in cardiovascular, orthopedic, trauma care, and neurosurgical procedure.

Design, …

Policy Review Of The Aha Clinical Practice Guideline For Congestive Heart Failure: Evaluating Best Practices, Brenda E. Garcia

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a significant public health challenge that impacts various populations and contributes to rising hospital admission rates.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this scholarly project was: For healthcare policymakers and interprofessional teams (P), how does a policy review of the American Heart Association’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Heart Failure (I), guided by the CDC’s Polaris Framework (C), conducted over a 12-week period (T), evaluate alignment with evidence-based practices and potential for adoption in the care of patients with congestive heart failure (O)?

Evidence: This scholarly project focused on reviewing the current clinical guidelines …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Bowel Regimen Protocol Implementation For Pediatric Patients Following Cardiac Surgery, Eryn Watson

Dissertations

Problem: Pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at an increased risk of constipation following cardiac surgery, which contributes to complications and delays in recovery. Standardized protocols are effective tools for prophylactic management of constipation. However, there is no current standardized protocol in place for postoperative bowel management in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).

Method: This quality improvement project (QI) used a descriptive design with pre- and post-implementation data collection to evaluate the effects of a postoperative bowel regimen protocol on constipation rates and compliance with ordering prophylactic bowel regimens. Convenience sampling was used to identify patients …

The Role Of Adolescent Depression Heterogeneity And Resilience Resources In Adulthood Cardiometabolic Health And Depressive Symptoms, Samantha R. Scott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Depression in adolescence is a major public health problem and is a risk factor for early-onset cardiometabolic disease. Although adolescent depression is a risk factor for poor cardiometabolic health, depression is heterogeneous and associations may differ by sex. Additionally, if risk factors such as depression can predict adulthood cardiometabolic health, resilience factors (e.g., social, school, neighborhood) that are protective for depression may also be protective for physical health, but this is an ongoing area of research. The goals of the current dissertation were to gain a better understanding of what depressive symptom presentations in adolescents are most concerning for adulthood …

Persistent Activation Of Cardiac Fibroblasts Contributes To Myocardial Interstitial Fibrosis And Left Ventricular Dysfunction In Heart Failure, Rachel Biggs

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Heart Failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome that is defined by an inability of the heart to meet the oxygen demands of the body. Myocardial interstitial fibrosis (MIF), the diffuse overaccumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins within the cardiac interstitium, contributes to ventricular dysfunction in HF. Mechanical devices designed to alleviate left ventricular deficiencies, termed left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), provide a pump that delivers oxygenated blood to the aorta thereby decreasing hemodynamic load on the ventricle. This end-stage HF therapy alleviates symptomatic burden for HF patients, however, LVAD support does not reduce MIF in the LV, and myocardial …

Implementation Of The American College Of Cardiology And American Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines For Statin Therapy In Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Edward Eloy Iruegas

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The incidence of type 2 diabetes has significantly increased over the past decade, making it a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Banach et al., 2022). Individuals with type 2 diabetes are four times more likely to develop atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, accounting for up to a 75% mortality rate. Despite this, the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains underestimated and undertreated in this population (Banach et al., 2022). The purpose of this project was to enhance adherence to the American College of Cardiology 2019 and the American Diabetes Association 2023 clinical practice guidelines regarding statin therapy for patients with type …

On Death And Disease: How Physicians’ Perspectives Compare Across Specialties Through Written Work, Stephanie Anne C. Alkonga

Honors Capstones

Narrative medicine is a tool that the medical field is increasingly utilizing to cultivate patient-centered and culturally competent doctors and to reflect on lived experiences through texts that focus on psychosocial best practices. This study aims to examine the language used in physician-written works that address how physicians in different medical specialties treat the aging and the terminally ill, and how they view the deceased. Qualitative data guided by thematic questions will primarily be used in the analysis and comparison of these texts’ tone, rhetoric, diction, and similar literary devices to uncover if certain patterns arise across such specialties. Findings …

Preliminary Assessment For Quality Improvement Of Hypertension Management In Kenya, Shubhangi Singh

Honors Theses

Hypertension is a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite relatively low rates of common behavioral risk factors, the Kasigau region of Kenya experiences high prevalence of hypertension and hypertension-related complications. This study explores self-efficacy, health beliefs, and management behaviors among adults in Kasigau to provide pilot quality improvement data for providers and future intervention planning. A cross-sectional, randomized survey of 45 adults was conducted at the Bughuta Clinic in southeastern Kenya. Participants completed a five-question hypertension-specific, self-efficacy assessment and a health belief model-based survey, with …

The Association Between Online Health Information Characteristics And Appropriate Trust In Informational Quality Among Patients With High Cardiovascular Risk, Lim Woei Xian

Student Works (2020-2029)

More patients are turning to the Internet to understand their health and make health decisions. However, the quality of online health information (OHI) is highly variable, and it may contain misinformation. Patients who lack the necessary skills to appraise OHI may trust poor-quality OHI. Thus, this study aims to examine the association between OHI characteristics and appropriate trust in patients with high cardiovascular (CV) risk. This is a secondary analysis from a quantitative cohort study of 270 patients from a primary care clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Patients recorded each OHI encountered over two months in a digital information diary …

Enhancing Patient-Centered Efficiency: Reducing Cardiology Clinic No-Shows Using Technology, Pre-Visit Planning & Patient Resources, Pat Shirey

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects 48% of U.S. adults, requiring regular cardiology visits to manage risk factors and the early detection of complications (American Heart Association, 2019). No-shows disrupt continuity of care, worsen health outcomes (Choi et al., 2020), and decrease clinic efficiency (Goossens et al., 2022). A North Texas cardiology clinic reported a 31.9% overall no-show rate and a 42.1% no-show rate for new patients, costing $1.3 million annually.

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to reduce no-show rates through a patient-centered cardiology appointment bundle to improve continuity, patient outcomes, and efficiency.

Methods: This eight-week project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act …

Prepared To Protect: Improving Cardiac Emergency Response Through Education And Action Planning In Youth Club Sports, Melissa Garcia

Nursing | Senior Theses

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in youth sports, illuminating the essential demand for adequate emergency response, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) usage, and comprehensive emergency action plans (EAPs). Research shows that despite the importance of prompt intervention, the majority of youth club sports programs outside of the school setting lack the training and resources needed to respond effectively to SCA incidents. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an educational seminar that includes CPR/AED training and EAP simulation exercises in improving participants’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing cardiac emergencies. A quasi-experimental …

Optimizing Discharge Education For Patients With Heart Failure, Connie-Rose Pangan

Nursing | Senior Theses

Noncompliance can be a result of a lack of comprehension of discharge instructions and a lack of concise, effective educational resources. Due to this deficit, patients with heart failure are less likely to comply with their discharge protocol and are therefore more likely to be readmitted to the hospital. The aim of the study is to consolidate a teaching method that accommodates one's existing educational barriers, implement follow-up to increase knowledge retention and improve self care, and prevent readmission among HF patients. Two hundred hospitalized, English-speaking patients with heart failure above 65 years old across 20 US Hospitals will be …

Biochemical And Biophysical Properties Of Failing Myocardium In Rare Patient Populations, Gregory Nathaniel Milburn

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Heart failure has diverse underlying etiologies, complicating research. While some types, like ischemic disease or inherited mutations, are well-studied, research on rarer forms has lagged. Understanding the molecular drivers in these populations may enhance diagnostics and therapies. This work examines two rare groups: patients with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis and those receiving mechanical assist device support. We show that myocardium from patients with amyloidosis has increased fibrosis and reduced force production without changes in cross-bridge kinetics. Additionally, we show that the passive stiffness of amyloidosis myocardium is not different from non-failing myocardium, indicating increased ventricular wall thickness may cause restrictive filling. …

Prevalence Of Hypertension Among Low-Income Individuals In Muscogee County Columbus, Georgia, Amelia K. Fallah

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the prevalence and predictors of elevated blood pressure (BP) among 409 low-income adults in Muscogee County, Columbus, Georgia—a population disproportionately burdened by hypertension. The findings reveal that elevated BP is significantly more prevalent among African Americans (71.4%) compared to non-African Americans (27.1%), highlighting the role of racial disparities influenced by systemic inequities, healthcare access, and chronic stress. Gender differences were modest, with females exhibiting a slightly higher prevalence (77.9%) than males (76.7%), potentially due to age-related hormonal changes post-menopause. Older adults (50+ years) represented most of the sample and showed significantly higher hypertension rates, consistent with established …

Meta-Analysis Of The Effect Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation On Functional Heart Failure Outcomes, Ariana B. Labrada

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Globally, Heart Failure (HF) is a significant cause for concern. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is an emerging therapy for patients with HF. It involves the activation of efferent vagal signals, which result in the release of acetylcholine (ACh). In practice, VNS has obtained relatively mixed results in clinical trials so far. In order to ascertain the extent of the effects VNS has on functional clinical outcomes, this meta-analysis consolidates studies that involve patients with Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) and Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Outcomes were measured through the change in mean heart rate (HR) …

Identification Of Fiducial Points In Seismocardiographic Cycles Using Manual And Automated Annotation Methods, Jasmine-Vy T. Truong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There is currently a need for complementary methods for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. Seismocardiography (SCG), the measurement of cardiac-induced vibrations at the chest surface, has shown potential clinical utility. Improving the reliability of detecting fiducial points of electrocardiography (ECG) and SCG, which collectively capture the electro-mechanical cardiac activities, could expand ECG/SCG utility as a low-cost, accessible tool for clinical assessment. This study identifies commonly accepted criteria for fiducial point detection in SCG and ECG through an extensive literature review and signal processing techniques. The previous criteria were evaluated to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the findings, an improved set …

Optimal Bag Valve Mask Ventilation Efficacy Of Smart Bag Ventilation Compared To Traditional Adult And Paediatric Bag Valve Ventilation During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Ian Dawson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) is one of the world’s leading causes of mortality. Survival rates are low, ranging from 3.1–20.4% internationally. The most effective oxygenation method for patients during pre-hospital cardiac arrest is ventilating using a self- inflating Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM). Yet, extensive research has identified a lack of compliance with ventilator guidelines during OHCA cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). As a result, clinicians often ventilate patients too aggressively using the BVM, delivering breaths excessively higher than the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) recommended rate of 10 breaths per minute (BPM). Hyperventilation can lead to complications such as aspiration, barotrauma, and …

Impact Of Participation In Cardiac Rehabilitation Post Myocardial-Infarction: An Integrative Review, Zoie Maynard, Mallory Stinson

Master's Projects

As one of the most common causes of hospitalization, the prevalence of myocardial infarction is indisputable Since this condition is so ubiquitous, a treatment protocol is initiated with methods to help patients modify their lifestyle, treat their underlying disease process, educate them to prevent reoccurrence, and improve their healthcare outcomes. This protocol relies heavily on the use of cardiac rehabilitation. Despite the implementation of this treatment protocol, the concern for recurrence and rehospitalization remains. The goal of this integrative review is to determine how participation in cardiac rehabilitation post-myocardial infarction impacts healthcare outcomes including rates of rehospitalization and depression. The …