Does Single Dose Epinephrine Improve Outcomes for Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest and Bystander CPR or a Shockable Rhythm?

BACKGROUND: A single dose epinephrine protocol (SDEP) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) achieves similar survival to hospital discharge (SHD) rates as a multidose epinephrine protocol (MDEP). However, it is unknown if a SDEP improves SHD rates among patients with a shockable rhythm or those receiving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: This pre-post study, spanning 11/01/2016-10/29/2019 at 5 North Carolina EMS systems, compared pre-implementation MDEP and post-implementation SDEP in patients ≥18 years old with non-traumatic OHCA. Data on initial rhythm type, performance of bystander CPR, and the primary outcome of SHD were sourced from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival. We compared SDEP vs MDEP performance in each rhythm (shockable and non-shockable) and CPR (bystander CPR or no bystander CPR) subgroup using Generalized Estimating Equations to account for clustering among EMS systems and to adjust for age, sex, race, witnessed arrest, arrest location, AED availability, EMS response interval, and presence of a shockable rhythm or receiving bystander CPR. The interaction of SDEP implementation with rhythm type and bystander CPR was evaluated. RESULTS: Of 1690 patients accrued (899 MDEP, 791 SDEP), 19.2% (324/1690) had shockable rhythms and 38.9% (658/1690) received bystander CPR. After adjusting for confounders, SHD was increased after SDEP implementation among patients with bystander CPR (aOR 1.61, 95%CI 1.03-2.53). However, SHD was similar in the SDEP cohort vs MDEP cohort among patients without bystander CPR (aOR 0.81, 95%CI 0.60-1.09), with a shockable rhythm (aOR 0.96, 95%CI 0.48-1.91), and with a non-shockable rhythm (aOR 1.26, 95%CI 0.89-1.77). In the adjusted model, the interaction between SDEP implementation and bystander CPR was significant for SHD (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Adjusting for confounders, the SDEP increased SHD in patients who received bystander CPR and there was a significant interaction between SDEP and bystander CPR. Single dose epinephrine protocol and MDEP had similar SHD rates regardless of rhythm type.

European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T) performance across distinct age groups.

BACKGROUND: To determine if the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour (ESC 0/1-h) algorithm with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) meets the ≥99% negative predictive value (NPV) safety threshold for 30-day cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI) in older, middle-aged and young subgroups. METHODS: We conducted a subgroup analysis of adult emergency department patients with chest pain prospectively enrolled from eight US sites (January 2017 to September 2018). Patients were stratified into rule-out, observation and rule-in zones using the hs-cTnT ESC 0/1-h algorithm and classified as older (≥65 years), middle aged (46-64 years) or young (21-45 years). Patients had 0-hour and 1-hour hs-cTnT measures (Roche Diagnostics) and a History, ECG, Age, Risk factor and Troponin (HEART) score. Fisher's exact tests compared rule-out and 30-day cardiac death or MI rates between ages. NPVs with 95% CIs were calculated for the ESC 0/1-h algorithm with and without the HEART score. RESULTS: Of 1430 participants, 26.9% (385/1430) were older, 57.4% (821/1430) middle aged and 15.7% (224/1430) young. Cardiac death or MI at 30 days occurred in 12.8% (183/1430). ESC 0/1-h algorithm ruled out 35.6% (137/385) of older, 62.1% (510/821) of middle-aged and 79.9% of (179/224) young patients (p<0.001). NPV for 30-day cardiac death or MI was 97.1% (95% CI 92.7% to 99.2%) among older patients, 98.4% (95% CI 96.9% to 99.3%) in middle-aged patients and 99.4% (95% CI 96.9% to 100%) among young patients. Adding a HEART score increased NPV to 100% (95% CI 87.7% to 100%) for older, 99.2% (95% CI 97.2% to 99.9%) for middle-aged and 99.4% (95% CI 96.6% to 100%) for young patients. CONCLUSIONS: In older and middle-aged adults, the hs-cTnT ESC 0/1-h algorithm was unable to reach a 99% NPV for 30-day cardiac death or MI unless combined with a HEART score. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02984436.

Validation of the ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Patients With Chest Pain.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Cardiology (ACC) recently published an Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for chest pain. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to validate the ACC Pathway in a multisite U.S. METHODS: An observational cohort study of adults with possible acute coronary syndrome was conducted. Patients were accrued from 5 U.S. Emergency Departments (November 1, 2020, to July 31, 2022). ECGs and 0- and 2-hour high-sensitivity troponin (Beckman Coulter) measures were used to stratify patients according to the ACC Pathway. The primary safety outcome was 30-day all-cause death or myocardial infarction (MI). Efficacy was defined as the proportion stratified to the rule-out zone. Negative predictive value for 30-day death or MI was assessed among the whole cohort and in a subgroup of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (prior MI, revascularization, or ≥70% coronary stenosis). RESULTS: ACC Pathway assessments were complete in 14,395 patients, of whom 51.7% (7,437 of 14,395) were women with a median age of 56 years (Q1-Q3: 44-68 years). Known CAD was present in 23.5% (3,386 of 14,395) and 30-day death or MI occurred in 8.1% (1,168 of 14,395). The ACC Pathway had an efficacy of 48.1% (95% CI: 47.3%-49.0%). Among patients in the rule-out zone, 0.3% (22 of 6,930) had death or MI at 30 days, yielding a negative predictive value of 99.7% (95% CI: 99.5%-99.8%). In patients with known CAD, 20.0% (676 of 3,386) were classified to the rule-out zone, of whom 1.5% (10 of 676) had death or MI. CONCLUSIONS: The ACC expert consensus decision pathway was safe and efficacious. However, it may not be safe for use among patients with known CAD.

Performance of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T at 90 days among patients with known coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1-h high sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) algorithm does not differentiate risk based on known coronary artery disease (CAD: prior myocardial infarction [MI], coronary revascularization, or ≥ 70% coronary stenosis). We recently evaluated its performance among patients with known CAD at 30-days, but little is known about its longer-term risk prediction. The objective of this study is to determine and compare the performance of the algorithm at 90-days among patients with and without known CAD. METHODS: We performed a pre-planned subgroup analysis of the STOP-CP cohort, which prospectively enrolled ED patients ≥21 years old with symptoms suggestive of ACS without ST-elevation on initial ECG across 8 US sites (1/25/2017-9/6/2018). Participants with 0- and 1-h hs-cTnT measures (Roche, Basel, Switzerland) were stratified into rule-out, observe, and rule-in groups using the ESC 0/1-h algorithm. Algorithm performance was tested among patients with or without known CAD, as determined by the treating provider. The primary outcome was cardiac death or MI at 90-days. Fisher's exact tests were used to compare 90-day event and rule-out rates between patients with and without known CAD. Negative predictive values (NPVs) for 90-day cardiac death or MI with exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated and compared using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The STOP-CP study accrued 1430 patients, of which 31.4% (449/1430) had known CAD. Cardiac death or MI at 90 days was more common in patients with known CAD than in those without [21.2% (95/449) vs. 10.0% (98/981); p < 0.001]. Using the ESC 0/1-h algorithm, 39.6% (178/449) of patients with known CAD and 66.1% (648/981) of patients without known CAD were ruled-out (p < 0.001). Among rule-out patients, 90-day cardiac death or MI occurred in 3.4% (6/178) of patients with known CAD and 1.2% (8/648) without known CAD (p = 0.09). NPV for 90-day cardiac death or MI was 96.6% (95%CI 92.8-98.8) among patients with known CAD and 98.8% (95%CI 97.6-99.5) in patients without known CAD (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Patients with known CAD who were ruled-out using the ESC 0/1-h hs-cTnT algorithm had a high rate of missed 90-day cardiac events, suggesting that the ESC 0/1-h hs-cTnT algorithm may not be safe for use among patients with known CAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T to Optimize Chest Pain Risk Stratification (STOP-CP; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02984436; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02984436).

Safety and Effectiveness of the High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin HEART Pathway in Patients With Possible Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The HEART Pathway (History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk factors, Troponin) can be used with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin to risk stratify emergency department patients with possible acute coronary syndrome. However, data on whether a high-sensitivity HEART Pathway (hs-HP) are safe and effective is lacking. METHODS: An interrupted time series study was conducted at 5 North Carolina sites in 26 126 adult emergency department patients being investigated for possible acute coronary syndrome and without ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Patients were accrued into 16-month preimplementation and postimplementation cohorts with a 6-month wash-in phase. Preimplementation (January 2019 to April 2020), the traditional HEART Pathway was used with 0- and 3-hour contemporary troponin measures (Siemens). In the postimplementation period (November 2020 to February 2022), a modified hs-HP was used with 0- and 2-hour high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (Beckman Coulter) measures. The primary safety and effectiveness outcomes were 30-day all-cause death or myocardial infarction and 30-day hospitalizations. These outcomes and early discharge rate (emergency department discharge without stress testing or coronary angiography) were determined from health records and death index data. Outcomes were compared preimplementation versus postimplementation using χ2 tests and multivariable logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: Preimplementation and postimplementation cohorts included 12 317 and 13 809 patients, respectively, of them 52.7% (13 767/26 126) were female with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range, 42-66). Rates of 30-day death or MI were 6.8% (945/13 809) postimplementation and 7.7% (948/12 317) preimplementation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.90-1.11]). hs-HP implementation was associated with 19.9% (95% CI, 18.7%-21.1%) higher early discharges (post versus pre: 63.6% versus 43.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.22 [95% CI, 2.10-2.35]). The hs-HP was also associated with 16.1% (95% CI, 14.9%-17.3%) lower 30-day hospitalizations (postimplementation versus preimplementation, 31.4% versus 47.5%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.48-0.54]). Among early discharge patients, death or myocardial infarction occurred in 0.5% (41/8780) postimplementation versus 0.4% (22/5383) preimplementation (P=0.61). CONCLUSIONS: hs-HP implementation is associated with increased early discharges without increasing adverse events. These findings support the use of a modified hs-HP to improve chest pain care.

Rural EMS STEMI Patients - Why the Delay to PCI?

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to identify patient and EMS agency factors associated with timely reperfusion of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: We conducted a cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years old) with STEMI activations from 2016 to 2020. Data was obtained from a regional STEMI registry, which included eight rural county EMS agencies and three North Carolina percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers. On each patient, prehospital and in-hospital time intervals were abstracted. The primary outcome was the ability to achieve the 90-minute EMS FMC to PCI time goal (yes vs. no). We used generalized estimating equations accounting for within-agency clustering to evaluate the association between patient and agency factors and meeting first medical contact (FMC) to PCI time goal while accounting for clustering within the agency. RESULTS: Among 365 rural STEMI patients 30.1% were female (110/365) with a mean age of 62.5 ± 12.7 years. PCI was performed within the time goal in 60.5% (221/365) of encounters. The FMC to PCI time goal was met in 45.5% (50/110) of women vs 69.8% (178/255) of men (p < 0.001). The median PCI center activation time was 12 min (IQR 7-19) in the group that received PCI within the time goal compared to 21 min (IQR 10-37) in the cohort that did not. After adjusting for loaded mileage and other clinical variables (e.g., pulse rate, hypertension etc.), the male sex was associated with an improved chance of meeting the goal of FMC to PCI (aOR: 2.94; 95% CI 2.11-4.10) compared to the female sex. CONCLUSION: Nearly 40% of rural STEMI patients transported by EMS failed to receive FMC to PCI within 90 min. Women were less likely than men to receive reperfusion within the time goal, which represents an important health care disparity.

Workplace Health Promotion Programs Available to Emergency Medical Services Clinicians in North Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians demonstrate a high prevalence of chronic medical conditions that place them at risk for early mortality. Workplace health promotion programs improve health outcomes, but the availably of such programs for EMS clinicians has not been described. We investigate the availability, scope, and participation of workplace health promotion programs available to EMS clinicians in North Carolina (NC). METHODS: We administered an electronic survey based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Worksite Health ScoreCard to key representatives of EMS agencies within NC that provide primarily transport-capable 9-1-1 response with ground ambulances. We collected information on agency size, rurality, elements of health promotion programs offered, incentives for participation, and participation rate. We calculated descriptive statistics using frequency and percentage for worksite and health promotion program characteristics. We compared the participation rate for agencies who did and did not incentivize participation using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Complete responses were received from 69 of 92 agencies (response = 75%) that collectively employ 6679 EMS clinicians [median employees per agency 71 (IQR 50-131)]. Most agencies (88.4%, 61/69) offered at least one element of a worksite health program, but only 13.0% (9/69) offered all elements of a worksite health program. In descending order, the availability of program elements were employee assistance programs (73.9%, 51/69), supportive physical and social environment (66.7%, 46/69), health education (62.3%, 43/69), health risk assessments (52.2%, 36/69), and organization culture of health promotion (20.3%, 14/69). Of agencies with programs, few (11.5%, 7/61) required participation, but most (59.0%, 36/61) offered incentives to participate. Participation rates were <25% among nearly all of the agencies that did not offer incentives, but >50% among most agencies that did offer incentives (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: While most agencies offer at least one element of a worksite health promotion program, few agencies offer all elements and participation rates are low.

Sex and race differences in the performance of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-h algorithm with high-sensitivity troponin T.

The diagnostic performance of the high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1-h algorithm in sex and race subgroups of US Emergency Department (ED) patients is unclear. A pre-planned subgroup analysis of the STOP-CP cohort study was conducted. Participants with 0- and 1-h hs-cTnT measures from eight US EDs (1/2017 to 9/2018) were stratified into rule-out, observation, and rule-in zones using the hs-cTnT ESC 0/1 algorithm. The primary outcome was adjudicated 30-day cardiac death or MI. The proportion with the primary outcome in each zone was compared between subgroups with Fisher's exact tests. The negative predictive value (NPV) of the ESC 0/1 rule-out zone for 30-day CDMI was calculated and compared between subgroups using Fisher's exact tests. Of the 1422 patients enrolled, 54.2% (770/1422) were male and 58.1% (826/1422) white with a mean age of 57.6 ± 12.8 years. At 30 days, cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in 12.9% (183/1422) of participants. Among patients stratified to the rule-out zone, 30-day cardiac death or MI occurred in 1.1% (5/436) of women versus 2.1% (8/436) of men (p = .40) and 1.2% (4/331) of non-white patients versus 1.8% (9/490) of white patients (p = .58). The NPV for 30-day cardiac death or MI was similar among women versus men (98.9% [95% confidence interval, CI: 97.3-99.6] vs. 97.9% [95% CI: 95.9-99.1]; p = .40) and among white versus non-white patients (98.8% [95% CI: 96.9-99.7] vs. 98.2% [95% CI: 96.5-99.2]; p = .39). NPVs <99% in each subgroup suggest the hs-cTnT ESC 0/1-h algorithm may not be safe for use in US EDs. Trial Registration: High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T to Optimize Chest Pain Risk Stratification (STOP-CP; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02984436; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02984436).

Processes for identifying caregivers and screening for caregiver and patient distress in community oncology: results from WF-1803CD.

BACKGROUND: Despite their vital roles, informal caregivers of adult cancer patients are commonly overlooked in cancer care. This study describes processes for identifying cancer caregivers and processes for distress screening and management among caregivers and patients in the understudied community oncology setting. METHODS: Supportive care leaders from the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program practices completed online survey questions regarding caregiver identification, caregiver and patient distress screening, and distress management strategies. We described practice group characteristics and prevalence of study outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression explored associations between practice group characteristics and caregiver identification in the electronic health record (EHR). RESULTS: Most (64.9%, 72 of 111) supportive care leaders reported routine identification and documentation of informal caregivers; 63.8% record this information in the EHR. Only 16% routinely screen caregivers for distress, though 92.5% screen patients. Distress management strategies for caregivers and patients are widely available, yet only 12.6% are routinely identified and screened and had at least 1 referral strategy for caregivers with distress; 90.6% are routinely screened and had at least 1 referral strategy for patients. Practices with a free-standing outpatient clinic (odds ratio [OR] = 0.29, P = .0106) and academic affiliation (OR = 0.01, P = .04) were less likely to identify and document caregivers in the EHR. However, higher oncologist volume was associated with an increased likelihood of recording caregiver information in the EHR (OR = 1.04, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Despite high levels of patient distress screening and management, few practices provide comprehensive caregiver engagement practices. Existing patient engagement protocols may provide a promising platform to build capacity to better address caregiver needs.

Performance of the 0/2-hour high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T diagnostic protocol in a multisite United States cohort.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic performance of the high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) 0/2-h algorithm is unclear among U.S. emergency department (ED) patients with acute chest pain. METHODS: A preplanned subgroup analysis of the STOP-CP cohort study was conducted. Participants with 0- and 2-h hs-cTnT measures prospectively enrolled at eight U.S. EDs from January 2017 to September 2018 were stratified into rule-out, observation, and rule-in zones using the hs-cTnT 0/2-h algorithm alone and combined with the history, electrocardiogram, age, and risk factor (HEAR) score. The primary outcome was adjudicated 30-day cardiac death or myocardial infarction (CDMI). The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of the 0/2-h rule-out zone and specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of the rule-in zone for 30-day CDMI were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 1307 patients accrued, 53.6% (700/1307) were male and 58.6% (762/1307) were White, with a mean ± SD age of 57.5 ± 12.7 years. At 30 days, CDMI occurred in 12.9% (168/1307) of participants. The 0/2-h algorithm ruled out 61.4% (802/1307) of patients. Among rule-out patients, 1.9% (15/802) experienced 30-day CDMI, resulting in a sensitivity of 91.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 85.7%-94.9%) and NPV of 98.1% (95% CI 96.9%-98.9%). The 0/2-h algorithm ruled in 12.4% (162/1307) patients of whom 61.7% (100/162) experienced 30-day CDMI. The rule-in zone specificity was 94.6% (95% CI 93.1%-95.8%) and PPV was 61.7% (95% CI 53.8%-69.2%) for 30-day CDMI. The 0/2-h algorithm combined with HEAR score ruled out 30.7% (401/1307) of patients with a sensitivity and NPV for 30-day CDMI of 98.2% (95% CI 94.9%-99.6%) and 99.3% (95% CI 97.8%-99.8%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The hs-cTnT 0/2-h algorithm ruled out most patients. With NPV of <99% for 30-day CDMI, the hs-cTnT 0/2-h algorithm, many emergency physicians may not consider it safe to use for U.S. ED patients. When combined with a low-risk HEAR score, NPV was >99% for 30-day CDMI at the cost of reduced efficacy.

Preventive Cardiovascular Care for Hypercholesterolemia in US Emergency Departments: A National Missed Opportunity.

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia (HCL) affects nearly half of Emergency Department (ED) patients who present with possible acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, it is unknown whether US ED providers obtain lipid panels, calculate 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, and prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications for these patients. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional ED survey from April 18, 2023, to May 12, 2023. An electronic survey assessing current preventive HCL care practices for patients being evaluated for ACS. A convenience sample was obtained by sharing the survey with ED medical directors, chairs, and senior leaders using emergency medicine professional organization listservs and snowball sampling. Responding EDs were categorized as being associated with an academic medical center (AMC) or not (non-AMC). RESULTS: During the 4-week study period, 110 EDs (50 AMC and 60 non-AMC EDs) across 39 states responded. Just 1.8% (2/110) stated that their providers obtain a lipid panel on at least half of patients with possible ACS and only one ED (0.9%) responded that its providers calculate 10-year ASCVD risk and prescribe cholesterol medication for the majority of eligible patients. Most reported never obtaining lipid panels (60.9%, 67/110), calculating 10-year ASCVD risk (55.5%, 61/110), or prescribing cholesterol-lowering medications (52.7%, 58/110). CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of US ED providers do not provide preventive cardiovascular care for patients presenting with possible ACS. Most ED providers do not evaluate for HCL, calculate ASCVD risk, or prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications for these patients.

Delayed first medical contact to reperfusion time increases mortality in rural emergency medical services patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) guidelines recommend an emergency medical services (EMS) first medical contact (FMC) to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) time of ≤90 min. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between FMC to PCI time and mortality in rural STEMI patients. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study of patients ≥18 years old with STEMI activations from January 2016 to March 2020. Data were obtained from a rural North Carolina Regional STEMI Data Registry, which included eight rural EMS agencies and three PCI centers, the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, and the EMS electronic health record. Prehospital and in-hospital time intervals were digitally abstracted. The outcome of index hospitalization mortality was compared between patients who did and did not meet FMC to PCI time goal using Fisher's exact tests. Negative predictive value (NPV) for index hospitalization death was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed and an optimal FMC to PCI time goal was identified by maximizing NPV to prevent index hospitalization death. RESULTS: Among 365 rural EMS STEMI patients, 30.1% (110/365) were female with a mean ± SD age of 62.5 ± 12.7 years. PCI was performed within the 90-min time goal in 60.5% (221/365) of patients. Among these patients, 3% (11/365) died during initial STEMI hospitalization, with 1.4% (3/221) mortality in the group that met the 90-minute time goal compared to 5.6% (8/144) in patients exceeding the time goal (p = 0.03). Meeting the 90-min time goal yielded a 98.6% (95% CI 96.1%-99.7%) NPV for index death. A 78-min FMC to PCI time was the optimal cut point, yielding a NPV for index mortality of 99.3% (95% CI 96.1%-100%). CONCLUSIONS: Death among rural patients with STEMI was four times more likely when they did not receive PCI within 90 min.

Emergency Department Observation Unit Patients Want Evaluation and Treatment for Hypercholesterolemia: A Health Belief Model Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia (HCL) is common among emergency department (ED) and ED observation unit (EDOU) patients with chest pain but is not typically addressed in these settings. The objective of this study was to assess patient attitudes towards EDOU-based HCL care using the Health Belief Model. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among 100 EDOU patients ≥18 years-old evaluated for chest pain in the EDOU of a tertiary care center from September 1, 2020, to November 01, 2021. Five-point Likert-scale surveys were used to assess each Health Belief Model domain: Cues to Action, Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Barriers, Perceived Self-Efficacy, and Perceived Benefits. Responses were categorized as agree or do not agree. RESULTS: The participants were 49.0% (49/100) female, 39.0% (39/100) non-white, and had a mean age of 59.0 ± 12.4 years. Most (83.0% [83/100, 95% confidence interval (CI), 74.2%-89.8%]) agreed the EDOU is an appropriate place for HCL education and 52.0% (52/100, 95% CI, 41.8%-62.1%) were interested in talking with their EDOU care team about HCL. Regarding Perceived Susceptibility, 88.0% (88/100, 95% CI, 80.0%-93.6%) believed HCL to be bad for their health, while 41.0% (41/100, 95% CI, 31.3%-51.3%) believed medication costs could be a barrier. For Perceived Self-Efficacy, 76.0% (76/100, 95% CI, 66.4%-84.0%) were receptive to taking medications. Overall, 95.0% (95/100, 95% CI, 88.7%-98.4%) believed managing HCL would benefit their health. CONCLUSIONS: This Health Belief Model-based survey indicates high patient interest in EDOU-initiated HCL care. Patients reported high rates of Perceived Susceptibility, Self-Efficacy, and Benefits and a minority found HCL therapy costs a barrier.

Race differences in cardiac testing rates for patients with chest pain in a multisite cohort.

BACKGROUND: Identifying and eliminating racial health care disparities is a public health priority. However, data evaluating race differences in emergency department (ED) chest pain care are limited. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of the High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T to Optimize Chest Pain Risk Stratification (STOP-CP) cohort, which prospectively enrolled adults with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome without ST-elevation from eight EDs in the United States from 2017 to 2018. Race was self-reported by patients and abstracted from health records. Rates of 30-day noninvasive testing (NIT), cardiac catheterization, revascularization, and adjudicated cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI) were determined. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between race and 30-day outcomes with and without adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 1454 participants, 42.3% (615/1454) were non-White. At 30 days NIT occurred in 31.4% (457/1454), cardiac catheterization in 13.5% (197/1454), revascularization in 6.0% (87/1454), and cardiac death or MI in 13.1% (190/1454). Among Whites versus non-Whites, NIT occurred in 33.8% (284/839) versus 28.1% (173/615; odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-0.96) and catheterization in 15.9% (133/839) versus 10.4% (64/615; OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.84). After covariates were adjusted for, non-White race remained associated with decreased 30-day NIT (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.71, 95% CI 0.56-0.90) and cardiac catheterization (aOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.88). Revascularization occurred in 6.9% (58/839) of Whites versus 4.7% (29/615) of non-Whites (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.42-1.04). Cardiac death or MI at 30 days occurred in 14.2% of Whites (119/839) versus 11.5% (71/615) of non-Whites (OR 0.79 95% CI 0.57-1.08). After adjustment there was still no association between race and 30-day revascularization (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.45-1.20) or cardiac death or MI (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.50-1.09). CONCLUSIONS: In this U.S. cohort, non-White patients were less likely to receive NIT and cardiac catheterization compared to Whites but had similar rates of revascularization and cardiac death or MI.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Invasive-Based Strategies in Patients With Chest Pain and Detectable to Mildly Elevated Serum Troponin: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal diagnostic strategy for patients with chest pain and detectable to mildly elevated serum troponin is not known. The objective was to compare clinical outcomes among an early decision for a noninvasive versus an invasive-based care pathway. METHODS: The CMR-IMPACT trial (Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Strategy for the Management of Patients with Acute Chest Pain and Detectable to Elevated Troponin) was conducted at 4 United States tertiary care hospitals from September 2013 to July 2018. A convenience sample of 312 participants with acute chest pain symptoms and a contemporary troponin between detectable and 1.0 ng/mL were randomized early in their care to 1 of 2 care pathways: invasive-based (n=156) or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-based (n=156) with modification allowed as the patient condition evolved. The primary outcome was a composite including death, myocardial infarction, and cardiac-related hospital readmission or emergency visits. RESULTS: Participants (N=312, mean age, 60.6 years, SD 11.3; 125 women [59.9%]), were followed over a median of 2.6 years (95% CI, 2.4-2.9). Early assigned testing was initiated in 102 out of 156 (65.3%) CMR-based and 110 out of 156 (70.5%) invasive-based participants. The primary outcome (CMR-based versus invasive-based) occurred in 59% versus 52% (hazard ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.86-1.57]), acute coronary syndrome after discharge 23% versus 22% (hazard ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 0.67-1.71]), and invasive angiography at any time 52% versus 74% (hazard ratio, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.49-0.87]). Among patients completing CMR imaging, 55 out of 95 (58%) were safely identified for discharge based on a negative CMR and did not have angiography or revascularization within 90 days. Therapeutic yield of angiography was higher in the CMR-based arm (52 interventions in 81 angiographies [64.2%] versus 46 interventions in 115 angiographies [40.0%] in the invasive-based arm [P=0.001]). CONCLUSIONS: Initial management with CMR or invasive-based care pathways resulted in no detectable difference in clinical and safety event rates. The CMR-based pathway facilitated safe discharge, enriched the therapeutic yield of angiography, and reduced invasive angiography utilization over long-term follow-up. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT01931852.

Rarely tested or treated but highly prevalent: Hypercholesterolemia in ED observation unit patients with chest pain.

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia (HCL) is common among Emergency Department (ED) patients with chest pain but is typically not addressed in this setting. This study aims to determine whether a missed opportunity for Emergency Department Observation Unit (EDOU) HCL testing and treatment exists. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of patients ≥18 years old evaluated for chest pain in an EDOU from 3/1/2019-2/28/2020. The electronic health record was used to determine demographics and if HCL testing or treatment occurred. HCL was defined by self-report or clinician diagnosis. Proportions of patients receiving HCL testing or treatment at 1-year following their ED visit were calculated. HCL testing and treatment rates at 1-year were compared between white vs. non-white and male vs. female patients using multivariable logistic regression models including age, sex, and race. RESULTS: Among 649 EDOU patients with chest pain, 55.8% (362/649) had known HCL. Among patients without known HCL, 5.9% (17/287, 95% CI 3.5-9.3%) had a lipid panel during their index ED/EDOU visit and 26.5% (76/287, 95% CI 21.5-32.0%) had a lipid panel within 1-year of their initial ED/EDOU visit. Among patients with known or newly diagnosed HCL, 54.0% (229/424, 95% CI 49.1-58.8%) were on treatment within 1-year. After adjustment, testing rates were similar among white vs. non-white patients (aOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.37-1.38) and men vs. women (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 0.69-2.57). Treatment rates were similar among white vs. non-white (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.53-1.03) and male vs. female (aOR 1.08, 95% CI 0.77-1.51) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Few patients were evaluated for HCL in the ED/EDOU or outpatient setting after their ED/EDOU encounter and only 54% of patients with HCL were on treatment during the 1-year follow-up period after the index ED/EDOU visit. These findings suggest a missed opportunity to reduce cardiovascular disease risk exists by evaluating and treating HCL in the ED or EDOU.

Brain Metastasis Incidence and Patterns of Presentation After Definitive Treatment of Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Potential Argument for Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Surveillance.

Purpose: Brain metastases (BMs) are a common source of morbidity and mortality. Guidelines do not advise brain surveillance for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). We describe the incidence, time to development, presentation, and management of BMs after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods and Materials: We reviewed records of patients with LA-NSCLC treated with CRT within the period from 2013 to 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the population and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate time to BM. Fisher exact tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare outcomes between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Results: A total of 219 patients were reviewed including 96 with squamous cell carcinoma, 88 with adenocarcinoma, and 35 with large cell/not otherwise specified (LC/NOS). Thirty-nine patients (17.8%) developed BMs: 35 (90%) symptomatic and 4 (10%) asymptomatic. The rate of BM was highest in LC/NOS (34.3%) and adenocarcinoma (23.9%). Ninety percent of BMs occurred within 2 years. All asymptomatic patients underwent stereotactic radiosurgery alone, compared with 40% of symptomatic patients (P = .04). Symptomatic patients were more likely to require hospitalization (65.7% vs 0%, P = .02), craniotomy (25.7% vs 0%, not significant), and steroids (91.4% vs 0%, P < .001). Cumulative BM volume was higher for symptomatic patients (4 vs 0.24 cm3, P < .001) as was median greatest axial dimension (2.18 vs 0.52 cm, P < .001). Conclusions: We identified a high rate of BMs, particularly in LC/NOS and adenocarcinoma histology NSCLC. The majority were symptomatic. These results provide rationale for post-CRT magnetic resonance imaging brain surveillance for patients at high risk of BM.

Effectiveness and implementation of mPATH™-CRC: a mobile health system for colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) is widely recommended but underused, even though CRC is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the USA. The mPATH™ program is an iPad-based application designed to identify patients due for CRC screening, educate them on the commonly used screening tests, and help them select their best option, with the goal of increasing CRC screening rates. METHODS: The mPATH™ program consists of questions asked of all adult patients at check-in (mPATH™-CheckIn), as well as a module specific for patients due for CRC screening (mPATH™-CRC). In this study, the mPATH™ program is evaluated through a Type III hybrid implementation-effectiveness design. Specifically, the study consists of three parts: (1) a cluster-randomized controlled trial of primary care clinics comparing a "high touch" evidence-based implementation strategy with a "low touch" implementation strategy; (2) a nested pragmatic study evaluating the effectiveness of mPATH-CRC™ on completion of CRC screening; and (3) a mixed-methods study evaluating factors that facilitate or impede the maintenance of interventions like mPATH-CRC™. The primary objective is to compare the proportion of patients aged 50-74 who are eligible for CRC screening who complete mPATH™-CRC in the 6th month following implementation between the "high touch" and "low touch" implementation strategies. Effectiveness of mPATH™-CRC is evaluated by comparing the proportion who complete CRC screening within 16 weeks of their visit to the clinic between a pre-implementation cohort (8 months before implementation) and a post-implementation cohort (8 months after implementation). DISCUSSION: This study will provide data on both the implementation of the mPATH™ program and its effectiveness in improving screening rates for CRC. In addition, this work has the potential to have an even broader impact by identifying strategies to support the sustained use of other similar technology-based primary care interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03843957. Registered on 18 February 2019.