Engaging women in decision-making about their heart health: a literature review with patients' perspective.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally. Although the burden of CVD risk factors tends to be lower in women, they remain at higher risk of developing complications when affected by these risk factors. There is still a lack of awareness surrounding CVD in women, both from a patient's and a clinician's perspective, especially among visible minorities. However, women who are informed about their heart health and who engage in decision-making with their healthcare providers are more likely to modify their lifestyle, and improve their CVD risk. A patient-centered care approach benefits patients' physical and mental health, and is now considered gold-standard for efficient patient care. Engaging women in their heart health will contribute in closing the gap of healthcare disparities between men and women, arising from sociocultural, socioeconomic, and political factors. This comprehensive review of the literature discusses the importance of engaging women in decision-making surrounding their heart health and offers tools for an effective and culturally sensitive patient-provider relationship.

Access to Cardiovascular Care for Indigenous Peoples in Canada: A Rapid Review.

Indigenous peoples in Canada are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-Indigenous people. Contributing factors include historical oppression, racism, healthcare biases, and disparities in terms of the social determinants of health. Access to and inequity in cardiovascular care for Indigenous peoples in Canada remain poorly studied and understood. A rapid review of the literature was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Indigenous Studies Portal (iPortal) databases to identify articles describing access to cardiovascular care for Indigenous peoples in Canada between 2002 and 2021. Included articles were presented narratively in the context of delays in seeking, reaching, or receiving care, or as disparities in cardiovascular outcomes, and were assessed for their successful engagement in indigenous health research using a preexisting framework. Current research suggests that gaps most prominently present as delays in receiving care and as poorer long-term outcomes. The literature is concentrated in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, as well as among First Nations people, and is largely rooted in a biomedical worldview. Additional community-driven research is required to better elucidate the gaps in access to holistic cardiovascular care for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers should reflect further upon their actions and privilege, educate themselves about historical facts and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, tackle prevailing disparities and systemic barriers in the healthcare systems, and develop culturally safe and ethically appropriate healthcare interventions to improve the health of all Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Le risque de maladies cardiovasculaires est plus élevé chez les populations autochtones du Canada que chez les populations non autochtones. L'oppression historique, le racisme, les préjugés dans les soins de santé et les disparités quant aux déterminants sociaux de la santé sont des facteurs qui contribuent à ce phénomène. L'accès aux soins cardiovasculaires et l'équité des soins pour les personnes autochtones du Canada sont des questions peu étudiées et mal comprises. Une revue rapide de la littérature a été réalisée dans les bases de données PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science et Indigenous Studies Portal (iPortal) pour recenser les articles publiés entre 2002 et 2021 qui décrivent l'accès aux soins cardiovasculaires pour les peuples autochtones du Canada. Les articles retenus sont présentés de manière narrative et font état de retards dans la recherche de soins, dans l'atteinte d'un établissement de soins et dans l'obtention des soins, ou de certaines disparités quant aux résultats de santé cardiovasculaire. Ces articles ont également été évalués d'après leur intégration réussie des principes de recherche en santé autochtone à partir d'un cadre déjà établi. Selon les recherches actuelles, les écarts se manifestent principalement par des retards dans l'obtention des soins et par des résultats de santé plus défavorables à long terme. Les études publiées se concentrent surtout sur l'Alberta, le Manitoba et l'Ontario, portent principalement sur les Premières Nations et sont en grande partie abordées selon une perspective biomédicale. Des recherches plus approfondies, menées avec les communautés autochtones, sont nécessaires pour mieux comprendre les écarts dans l'accès à des soins cardiovasculaires holistiques pour les peuples autochtones du Canada. Les professionnels de la santé, les chercheurs et les décideurs politiques devraient entreprendre un processus de réflexion approfondie sur leurs actions et leurs privilèges, s'informer sur les réalités historiques ainsi que sur la Commission de vérité et réconciliation, s'attaquer aux disparités qui perdurent et aux barrières systémiques dans l'accès aux soins de santé, et mettre en place des interventions de soins culturellement sécuritaires et éthiquement adaptées, pour améliorer la santé de l'ensemble de la population autochtone du Canada.

Postoperative outcomes for Nunavut Inuit at a Canadian quaternary care centre: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Structural aspects of health care systems, such as limited access to specialized surgical and perioperative care, can negatively affect the outcomes and resource use of patients undergoing elective and emergency surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes of Nunavut Inuit and non-Inuit patients at a Canadian quaternary care centre. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving adult (age ≥ 18 yr) patients undergoing inpatient surgery from 2011 to 2018 at The Ottawa Hospital, the quaternary referral hospital for the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut. The study was designed and conducted in collaboration with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital death or complications.Secondary outcomes included postoperative length of stay in hospital, adverse discharge disposition, readmissions within 30 days and total hospitalization costs. RESULTS: A total of 98 701 episodes of inpatient surgical care occurred among patients aged 18 to 104 years; 928 (0.9%) of these involved Nunavut Inuit, and 97 773 involved non-Inuit patients. Death or postoperative complication occurred more often among Nunavut Inuit than non-Inuit patients (159 [17.2%] v. 15 691 [16.1%]), which was significantly different after adjustment for age, sex, surgical specialty, risk and urgency (odds ratio [OR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.51). This association was most pronounced in cases of cancer (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.03-2.58) and elective surgery (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.20-2.10). Adjusted rates of readmission, adverse discharge disposition, length of stay and total costs were significantly higher for Nunavut Inuit. INTERPRETATION: Nunavut Inuit had a 25% relative increase in their odds of morbidity and death after surgery at a major quaternary care hospital in Canada compared with non-Inuit patients, while also having higher rates of other adverse outcomes and resource use. An examination of perioperative systems involving patients, Inuit leadership, health care providers and governments is required to address these differences in health outcomes.

Issues postopératoires chez les Autochtones au Canada: revue systématique.

CONTEXTE: Il existe d'importantes iniquités en matière de santé chez les populations autochtones au Canada. La faible densité de la population canadienne et les populations en région éloignée posent un problème particulier à l'accès et à l'utilisation des soins chirurgicaux. Aucune synthèse des données sur les issues chirurgicales chez les Autochtones au Canada n'avait été publiée jusqu'à maintenant. MÉTHODES: Nous avons interrogé 4 bases de données pour recenser les études comparant les issues chirurgicales et les taux d'utilisation chez les adultes des Premières Nations, inuits et métis et chez les adultes non autochtones au Canada. Des évaluateurs indépendants ont réalisé toutes les étapes en parallèle. L'issue primaire était la mortalité; les issues secondaires comprenaient le taux d'utilisation des chirurgies, les complications et la durée du séjour à l'hôpital. Nous avons effectué une méta-analyse pour l'issue primaire à l'aide d'un modèle à effets aléatoires. Nous avons évalué les risques de biais à l'aide de l'outil ROBINS-I. RÉSULTATS: Vingt-huit études ont été analysées, pour un total de 1 976 258 participants (10,2 % d'Autochtones). Aucune étude ne portait précisément sur les populations inuites et métisses. Quatre études portant sur 7 cohortes ont fourni des données corrigées sur la mortalité pour 7135 participants (5,2 % d'Autochtones); les Autochtones présentaient un risque de décès après une intervention chirurgicale 30 % plus élevé que les patients non autochtones (rapport de risque combiné 1,30; IC à 95 % 1,09­1,54; I 2 = 81 %). Les complications étaient aussi plus fréquentes chez le premier groupe, notamment les infections (RC corrigé 1,63; IC à 95 % 1,13­2,34) et les pneumonies (RC 2,24; IC à 95 % 1,58­3,19). Les taux de différentes interventions chirurgicales étaient plus faibles, notamment pour les transplantations rénales, les arthroplasties, les chirurgies cardiaques et les accouchements par césarienne. INTERPRÉTATION: Les données disponibles sur les issues postopératoires et le taux d'utilisation de la chirurgie chez les Autochtones au Canada sont limitées et de faible qualité. Elles suggèrent que les Autochtones ont de plus hauts taux de décès et d'issues négatives postchirurgicales et qu'ils font face à des obstacles dans l'accès aux interventions chirurgicales. Ces conclusions indiquent qu'il y a un besoin de réévaluer en profondeur les soins chirurgicaux prodigués aux Autochtones au Canada pour leur assurer un accès équitable et améliorer les issues. NUMÉRO D'ENREGISTREMENT DU PROTOCOLE: PROSPERO-CRD42018098757.

Postoperative outcomes for Indigenous Peoples in Canada: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Substantial health inequities exist for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The remote and distributed population of Canada presents unique challenges for access to and use of surgery. To date, the surgical outcome data for Indigenous Peoples in Canada have not been synthesized. METHODS: We searched 4 databases to identify studies comparing surgical outcomes and utilization rates of adults of First Nations, Inuit or Métis identity with non-Indigenous people in Canada. Independent reviewers completed all stages in duplicate. Our primary outcome was mortality; secondary outcomes included utilization rates of surgical procedures, complications and hospital length of stay. We performed meta-analysis of the primary outcome using random effects models. We assessed risk of bias using the ROBINS-I tool. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies were reviewed involving 1 976 258 participants (10.2% Indigenous). No studies specifically addressed Inuit or Métis populations. Four studies, including 7 cohorts, contributed adjusted mortality data for 7135 participants (5.2% Indigenous); Indigenous Peoples had a 30% higher rate of death after surgery than non-Indigenous patients (pooled hazard ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.09-1.54; I 2 = 81%). Complications were also higher for Indigenous Peoples, including infectious complications (adjusted OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.13-2.34) and pneumonia (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.58-3.19). Rates of various surgical procedures were lower, including rates of renal transplant, joint replacement, cardiac surgery and cesarean delivery. INTERPRETATION: The currently available data on postoperative outcomes and surgery utilization rates for Indigenous Peoples in Canada are limited and of poor quality. Available data suggest that Indigenous Peoples have higher rates of death and adverse events after surgery, while also encountering barriers accessing surgical procedures. These findings suggest a need for substantial re-evaluation of surgical care for Indigenous Peoples in Canada to ensure equitable access and to improve outcomes. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO-CRD42018098757.

Acute Management of Infected Chronic Thromboembolic Disease.

A 29-year-old man with chronic pulmonary emboli presented to the hospital with progressive pleuritic chest pain. He was in acute right ventricular failure and received intrapulmonary arterial tissue plasminogen activator. Massive hemoptysis developed, requiring emergent thromboendarterectomy. A clot was visualized in the main left pulmonary artery that had formed a bronchovascular fistula into the left upper lobe bronchus. Pathology of the clot revealed fibrinopurulent exudate and Gram-positive cocci. The left pulmonary artery was repaired with a pericardial patch, and the left upper lobe was oversewn with subsequent left upper lobectomy. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 23.

Should We Ablate Atrial Fibrillation During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Aortic Valve Replacement?

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients with AF undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or aortic valve replacement (AVR) or both. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study of patients with AF presenting for CABG or AVR or both between 2009 and 2013. They were divided into an ablation group that underwent concomitant AF ablation and a control group that did not. Follow-up data were obtained using telephone interviews. The data were 100% complete with a median follow-up of 30 months. RESULTS: A total of 375 patients with AF presented for CABG (44%), AVR (27%), or CABG and AVR (29%). The ablation (129 patients) and control (246 patients) groups had similar baseline characteristics. The ablation group had significantly longer cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times, adding a mean of 31 ± 3 and 22 ± 3 minutes (p < 0.01 for both), respectively. There were similar unadjusted rates of hospital mortality (4.7% versus 5.3%, p = 0.79), stroke (3.1% versus 3.3%, p = 0.94), and reopening (4.7% versus 6.5%, p = 0.46) between the groups. The intensive care and hospital length of stays were similar. The ablation group had a lower incidence of postoperative AF (27% versus 78%, p < 0.01). Adjusted operative mortality was similar, but the intervention group had significantly lower odds of postoperative AF (odds ratio 0.11, p < 0.01). Although there was no difference in mid-term survival, the ablation group had higher mid-term AF-free survival (p < 0.01) and a trend toward higher anticoagulation-free (p = 0.09) and stroke-free survival (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant AF ablation in patients with AF undergoing CABG or AVR or both does not increase perioperative rates of mortality or morbidity. Moreover, concomitant AF ablation is effective at reducing postoperative AF burden and increases mid-term AF-free survival.

Cardiac passive-aggressive behavior? The right ventricle in patients with a left ventricular assist device.

INTRODUCTION: Right ventricular failure (RVF) affects up to 50% of patients post-left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, and carries significant morbidity and mortality. There is no widely-used long-term mechanical support option for the right ventricle, thus early identification, prevention and medical treatment of RVF is of the upmost importance. Areas covered: A PubMed search was first completed searching 'Right ventricular failure post-LVAD' which yielded 152 results, and a subsequent search was performed under 'RV mechanical support' which yielded 374 results, and was filtered to 'humans' and literature written in English, generating 219 results. We focused this research on pre-operative risk factors identified in the literature for developing RVF-post LVAD implantation, and the medical and surgical treatment options for RVF, including mechanical treatment options. Expert commentary: There is little consensus on pre-operative risk factors that reliably predict RVF post-LVAD implantation. Large prospective randomized trials would help clarify indications for specific medical and surgical therapy. We gather this knowledge in the present article and describe the main RVF remediation modalities. Surgeons and anesthesiologists should help prevent and have a low threshold for initiating supportive treatment for RVF, which may include increasingly invasive therapies up to long-term mechanical RV support.

Operative mortality with coronary artery bypass graft: where do we stand in 2015?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has evolved and become much safer since its inception. This article outlines recent strategies in optimizing CABG mortality. RECENT FINDINGS: Improving operative mortality around CABG relates to five components. These include the role of relevant quality indicators; improved CABG techniques, such as multiple arterial grafting with less manipulation of the aorta; improvements in cardiopulmonary bypass; refinements in cardiac anaesthesia along with postoperative care; and the development of centres of excellence. SUMMARY: The development of advanced surgical revascularization techniques raises the question as to whether CABG expertise should be considered a sub-specialty of cardiac surgery. An expert CABG surgeon should be able to appropriately utilize several different revascularization techniques to adjust the operation to the patient, rather than the contrary.

Successful pulmonary thrombectomy for malignant tumor thrombus after adrenal cancer resection.

A 28-year-old patient presented with a right adrenal mass compressing the right kidney and invading the inferior vena cava. The tumor was completely resected; however, on a transesophageal echocardiogram intraoperatively, a new pulmonary artery thrombus, measuring 1.4 × 1.8 cm, was detected. The patient was therefore taken to the operating room the next day. The thrombus was visualized and removed and measured 4 × 2 × 1 × 1 cm. The pathology report identified the mass as an adrenal tumor thrombus with malignant elements. To our knowledge, this is the first known case report of an adrenal tumor thrombus successfully resected at the level of the left pulmonary artery.