Electrocardiographic Predictors of Incident Heart Failure in Men and Women Free From Manifest Cardiovascular Disease (from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities [ARIC] Study)

The risk of incident hospitalized heart failure (HF) was evaluated for 23 electrocardiographic (ECG) variables in men and women free from cardiovascular disease. The hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were determined from Cox regression analysis for 13,428 participants 45 to 65 years old in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. New-onset HF during a 14-year follow-up period occurred in 695 men (11.9%) and 721 women (9.5%). Several ECG variables were significant predictors of incident HF when evaluated as single ECG variables. Predominant among them were spatial angles, reflecting deviations of the direction of the repolarization sequence from the normal reference direction. After controlling for collinearity among the ECG variables, the spatial angle between T peak and normal T reference vectors, Θ(Tp|Tref), was a significant independent predictor in men (HF risk increased 31%) and women (HF risk increased 46%). Other independent predictors in men included epicardial repolarization time (62% increased risk) and T wave peak to T wave end (TpTe) interval, reflecting global dispersion of repolarization (27% increased risk). The independent predictors in women, in addition to Θ(Tp|Tref), were Θ(R|STT) the spatial angle between the mean QRS and STT vectors (54% increased risk) and QRS nondipolar voltage (46% increased risk). In conclusion, wide Θ(Tp|Tref), wide Θ(R|STT), and increased QRS nondipolar voltage in women and wide Θ(Tp|Tref), increased epicardial repolarization time, prolonged TpTe interval and T wave complexity in men were independent predictors of incident HF, and the presence of these abnormal findings could warrant additional diagnostic evaluation for possible preventive action for HF

Quality of Care for Heart Failure Patients Hospitalized for Any Cause

The study sought to assess the quality of care for heart failure patients who are hospitalized for all causes

The Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) study: design and methods for a cluster-randomized pragmatic trial

Background: Patients discharged home after stroke face significant challenges managing residual neurological deficits, secondary prevention, and pre-existing chronic conditions. Post-discharge care is often fragmented leading to increased healthcare costs, readmissions, and sub-optimal utilization of rehabilitation and community services. The COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) Study is an ongoing cluster-randomized pragmatic trial to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive, evidence-based, post-acute care model on patient-centered outcomes. Methods: Forty-one hospitals in North Carolina were randomized (as 40 units) to either implement the COMPASS care model or continue their usual care. The recruitment goal is 6000 patients (3000 per arm). Hospital staff ascertain and enroll patients discharged home with a clinical diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack. Patients discharged from intervention hospitals receive 2-day telephone follow-up; a comprehensive clinic visit within 2 weeks that includes a neurological evaluation, assessments of social and functional determinants of health, and an individualized COMPASS Care PlanTM integrated with a community-specific resource database; and additional follow-up calls at 30 and 60 days post-stroke discharge. This model is consistent with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services transitional care management services provided by physicians or advanced practice providers with support from a nurse to conduct patient assessments and coordinate follow-up services. Patients discharged from usual care hospitals represent the control group and receive the standard of care in place at that hospital. Patient-centered outcomes are collected from telephone surveys administered at 90 days. The primary endpoint is patient-reported functional status as measured by the Stroke Impact Scale 16. Secondary outcomes are: caregiver strain, all-cause readmissions, mortality, healthcare utilization, and medication adherence. The study engages patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders (including policymakers, advocacy groups, payers, and local community coalitions) to advise and support the design, implementation, and sustainability of the COMPASS care model. Discussion: Given the high societal and economic burden of stroke, identifying a care model to improve recovery, independence, and quality of life is critical for stroke survivors and their caregivers. The pragmatic trial design provides a real-world assessment of the COMPASS care model effectiveness and will facilitate rapid implementation into clinical practice if successful

ADVANCED CELLULOSIC MATERIALS

Abstract Aim of the work was to prepare a method of producing chitosan and chitosan-alginate nanoparticles designed for the modification of textile cellulosic products in hygiene and medical application. Spectrophotometry was used in the estimation of the prepared nanoparticles; analyzed, too, was the particle size and antibacterial and antifungal activity

Patient characteristics and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction presenting without ischemic pain: Insights from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background: Our objective was to describe characteristics of patients presenting with and without ischemic pain among those diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (MI) using individual-level data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study from 2005 to 2019. Methods: Acute MI included events deemed definite or probable MI by a physician panel based on ischemic pain, cardiac biomarkers, and ECG evidence. Patient characteristics included age at hospitalization, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidities (smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, history of previous stroke, MI, or cardiovascular procedure, and history of valvular disease or cardiomyopathy) and in-hospital complications occurring during the event of interest (pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, in-hospital stroke, pneumonia, cardiogenic shock, ventricular fibrillation). Analyses were stratified by MI subtype (STEMI, NSTEMI, Unclassified) and patient characteristics and 28-day case fatality was compared between MI presenting with or without ischemic pain. Results: Between 2005 and 2019, there were 1711 hospitalized definite/probable MI events (47 % female, 26 % black, and age of 78 [6.7 years]). A smaller proportion of STEMI patients presented without ischemic pain compared to NSTEMI patients (20 % vs 32 %). Race, sex, age, and comorbidity profiles did not differ significantly across ischemic pain presentations. Patients presenting without ischemic pain had a higher 28-day all-cause case fatality after adjusting for age, race, sex, and comorbidities. However, after further adjustment, time from symptom onset to hospital arrival, time to treatment, and in-hospital complications explained the difference in 28-day case fatality between ischemic pain presentations. Conclusions: Future research should focus on differences in treatment delay across ischemic pain presentations rather than sex differences in acute coronary syndrome presentation

Electrocardiographic Predictors of Coronary Heart Disease and Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Men and Women Free From Cardiovascular Disease in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

BACKGROUND: We evaluated predictors of coronary heart disease (CHD) death and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population included 13 621 men and women 45 to 65 years of age free from manifest cardiovascular disease at entry. Hazard ratios from Cox regression with 95% confidence intervals were computed for 18 dichotomized repolarization‐related ECG variables. The average follow‐up was 14 years. Independent predictors of CHD death in men were TaVR‐ and rate‐adjusted QTend (QT(ea)), with a 2‐fold increased risk for both, and spatial angles between mean QRS and T vectors and between Tpeak (T(p)) and normal R reference vectors [θ(R(m)|T(m)) and θ(T(p)|T(ref)), respectively], with a >1.5‐fold increased risk for both. In women, independent predictors of the risk of CHD death were θ(R(m)|T(m)), with a 2‐fold increased risk for θ(R(m)|T(m)), and θ(T(p)|T(ref)), with a 1.7‐fold increased risk. Independent predictors of SCD in men were θ(T(p)|T(ref)) and QT(ea), with a 2‐fold increased risk, and θ(T(init)|T(term)), with a 1.6‐fold increased risk. In women, θ(T(init)|T(term)) was an independent predictor of SCD, with a >3‐fold increased risk, and θ(R(m)|T(m)) and TV1 were >2‐fold for both. CONCLUSIONS: θ(R(m)|T(m)) and θ(T(p)|T(ref)), reflecting different aspects of ventricular repolarization, were independent predictors of CHD death and SCD, and TaVR and TV1 were also independent predictors. The risk levels for independent predictors for both CHD death and SCD were stronger in women than in men, and QT(ea) was a significant predictor in men but not in women