The Prevalence of Cardio-Metabolic Conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, and Obesity) Before and During COVID-19 and Association with Health and Sociodemographic Factors

Cardiometabolic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased rates of hospitalization and deaths in patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19. However, little to no evidence is known currently on the cardiometabolic conditions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilizes a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States (U.S.) to estimate the prevalence of cardiometabolic conditions, focusing on diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, and determine their prevalence and absolute and relative rates before and during COVID-19 pandemic declaration. Furthermore, the study aims to determine the association between these cardiometabolic conditions and physical activity, tobacco use, anxiety/depression, and sociodemographic characteristics among U.S. adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the 2019 (N = 5359) and 2020 (N = 3830) Health Information National Trends Surveys (HINTS) on adults were utilized. Dependent variable was cardiometabolic conditions and the main explanatory variable was response before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted weighted descriptive and multivariable logistic regression controlling for confounders such as age, sex, and intensity of physical activity. While there was a slight increase in the prevalence of cardiometabolic conditions during the pandemic (56.09%) compared to before (54.96%), there was only a slight increase in the prevalence of diabetes (18.10% vs 17.28%) and obesity (34.68% vs 34.18%) and a slight decrease in the prevalence of hypertension (36.38% vs 36.36%). Results showed an increase in the prevalence of cardiometabolic conditions among former smokers (67.91% vs 63.86%), and current cigarette smokers (59.39% vs 55.43%), current e-cigarette users (37.24% vs 28.66%), individuals with mild (59.62% vs 55.43%), or moderate (61.98% vs 57.83%) anxiety/depression, sexual minority (53.50% vs 51.12%) and heterosexual (56.45% vs 54.96%) individuals during the pandemic, compared to before the pandemic. Additionally, people with mild anxiety/depression had higher odds of cardiometabolic conditions during the pandemic (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.38), compared to before (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI =1.06, 2.19), relative to those without anxiety/depression. Similarly, former smokers had higher odds of cardiometabolic outcomes before and during the pandemic (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.87 vs AOR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.10, 2.25), when compared to never smokers. Odds were lower for current e-cigarette users (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.23, 0.85) compared to never e-cigarette users before the pandemic. There were no significant differences in odds of cardiometabolic conditions between sexual minorities and heterosexual individuals before and during the pandemic. In conclusion, increased risk for adverse cardiometabolic conditions was higher for individuals with cigarette use and mental health diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting the critical need for smoking cessation and programs to support behavioral health

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Mimicking Stent Thrombosis After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as “broken heart syndrome,” is a transient left ventricular dysfunction associated with stress (usually emotional) induced myocardial injury and stunning. It often presents as myocardial infarction on surface electrocardiogram (EKG). Diagnosis is made by coronary angiography, which rules out coronary artery disease and shows pathognomonic apical ballooning. In this article, we present a case of a 72-year-old woman who initially presented with an ST segment elevation myocardial infarction on EKG. Coronary angiography showed severe left anterior descending artery and diagonal lesions requiring percutaneous coronary intervention. Post–percutaneous coronary intervention, EKG changes resolved. The next day, the patient developed recurrent chest pain and her EKG showed diffuse T-wave inversion in precordial leads with reemerging ST segment elevations concerning for stent thrombosis. The patient underwent repeat emergent coronary angiography, which showed patent stents and findings consistent with takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery

A 36-year-old woman was seen with complaints of exertional chest pain and shortness of breath. Her medical history included atrial fibrillation and diabetes. Physical examination was unremarkable except for an irregular cardiac rhythm. Myocardial perfusion imaging revealed the presence of a large area of infarction involving the entire anterior and apical walls and part of the anteroseptal wall with minimal periinfarct ischemia. Computed tomography coronary angiogram revealed an anomalous left main coronary artery arising from the main pulmonary artery. Right and left heart catheterizations demonstrated moderate pulmonary hypertension with a slight step-up in oxygen saturation between the right ventricle and main pulmonary artery. Coronary angiography showed a large tortuous right coronary artery with collaterals to the left anterior descending artery that drained into the main pulmonary artery. She was referred for surgery. This case demonstrates a rare coronary artery anomaly in an adult where survival is dependent on collateral circulation

Broken Heart Syndrome in a Patient on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Context: Broken heart syndrome or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a disorder characterized by transient left ventricular apical ballooning that almost invariably precedes emotional or physical stress. Although the patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis have shown to exhibit sustained activity of sympathetic nervous system, the presentation of TC in these patients is a rare entity with few case reports in the literature. Case Report: A 75-year-old female with past medical history of end-stage renal disease presented with chest pressure and heaviness that started during her maintenance hemodialysis session. Electrocardiogram showed ST elevation and T wave inversion in V3-V6 leads. Emergent left heart catheterization was done that showed normal coronaries and akinesis of apical left ventricle wall consistent with TC. She was started on maximal medical management and underwent hemodialysis the next day without recurrence of the symptoms. Conclusion: TC may an underdiagnosed entity in patients on hemodialysis. However, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in hemodialysis patients, particularly who presents with chest pain and/or symptoms

Comorbidities Predict Length of Stay Among Patients Admitted with Peripheral Artery Disease– An Analysis of The National Inpatient Sample.

The global prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is estimated to be about 120 million, making up about 25.6% of the worldwide burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the United States (U.S.), the prevalence of PAD is about 7%, representing nearly 8 million adults. There is a higher prevalence of disease in Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites, with approximately 30% of Blacks and 20% of non-Hispanic Whites developing PAD in their lifetime. The strong risk factors associated with PAD include smoking, diabetes, hypertension, age, and male sex. Our study aimed to estimate the effects of obesity, alcohol abuse, renal failure, and hypertension on patients’ length of stay (LOS) among patients admitted with a diagnosis of PAD. Using the 2012 U.S. National Inpatient Sample database, we included 336,790 patients with PAD as a separate comorbidity during their index admission. Our main outcome variable was patients’ total length of stay (LOS) during the index admission. We categorized LOS \u3c 1 into next day discharge (NDD) and LOS \u3e 1 into non-NDD. Our predictor variables were hypertension, obesity, alcohol abuse and renal failure. We ran descriptive statistics to delineate the baseline characteristics of our sample population, and bivariate analysis with t-test and chi-square analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds of non-NDD given our comorbidities; obesity, hypertension, alcohol abuse, renal failure while adjusting for age, race, and sex. We reported frequencies, p-values, and odd ratios (ORs) at a 95% significance level with alpha at 0.05. Of our final sample, 54.8% were males while 45.2% were females and the mean age of patients was 71.7 + 12.8. Hypertension, obesity, alcohol abuse and renal failure were present in 75%, 12%, 3.4%, and 30.9% of patients, respectively. Majority (75%) of the patients were white, while Black and Hispanic patients made up 13.3% and 7.1%, respectively. In our adjusted model, we found that patients with hypertension had 12% lower odds of non-NDD (OR = 0.88, CI= 0.86-0.90, P\u3c0.0001) compared to those without hypertension, females had 20% increase in the odds of non-NDD compared to males (OR = 1.20, CI= 1.18-1.23, P\u3c0.0001), patients with obesity, alcohol abuse and renal failure had 39%, 43% and 45% increase in odds of non-NDD compared to those without these comorbidities. (OR = 1.39, CI= 1.34-1.44, P\u3c0.0001), (OR = 1.43, CI= 1.35-1.52, P\u3c0.0001), (OR = 1.45, CI= 1.42-1.49, P\u3c0.0001). Given the significant association between obesity, alcohol abuse, and renal failure with prolonged hospital stay in patients admitted to hospital with PAD, our study highlights the importance of adequate management of pre-existing patients\u27 comorbidities. This is expected to improve overall length of stay and total healthcare utilization and costs, among patients with PAD

Perceptions of Community-dwelling Patients and Caregivers of Patient-Centered Care in Central Appalachia: An Exploratory Study

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.), accounting for one in three deaths annually. Within the U.S., disparities in CVD outcomes and risk factors exist across demographic groups and geographic areas, such as the Central Appalachian region where the burden is higher than state and national rates. Patient-centered care (PCC), is a model of health care delivery that has been shown to improves disease outcomes and quality of life, and is critical in addressing disparities in health care. However, little is known about how high-risk Central Appalachian populations understand or perceive such a model. As such, the objective of this study was to examine the perceptions of PCC among community-dwelling CVD patients/caregivers in the region. Methods: A qualitative study design applying thematic analysis was utilized for data collection and analysis. Seven focus group discussions across six states in Central Appalachia were conducted, and comprised of 78 middle-aged participants selected through purposive sampling. Sessions were guided by standardized instrument regarding current efforts in their communities concerning CVD; challenges and needs; appropriate approaches to their cardiovascular issues; understanding and views about patient-centeredness; and related priorities. The discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and then coded for thematic analysis using NVivo qualitative data analysis software. Dependability of data analysis was achieved through an audit trail tracking the NVivo process. Results: Data analysis identified interpersonal relationships with health care providers (HCPs) as the most important aspect of PCC among participants. When asked what PCC meant to them, each group discussed the interpersonal relationship they wanted from HCPs, barriers that kept them from achieving this relationship, and how it impacted their care. Within this theme, two overarching subthemes emerged: (1) developing long-term relationships with HCPs, and (2) developing partnerships with HCPs. The first theme had subthemes that included: turnover of HCPs in their geographical location, the disappearance of family physicians, and preferences related to seeing a physician versus a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner. The second theme’s subthemes included: communication, feeling cared for as an individual, and input into care. Conclusion: Patients/caregivers stressed the importance of interpersonal relationships with providers in the delivery of PCC. However, patients recognized when PCC was not being provided, provided examples of interactions that were not conducive to providing PCC, and reported feeling disempowered as a person and a patient. The results of this research can be utilized to understand patient/caregiver perceptions of PCC, and indicates the need for further research to reconcile these viewpoints with those of providers to improve the delivery of care, and health outcomes