Outcomes of Device-detected Atrial High-rate Episodes in Patients with No Prior History of Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Outcomes of device-detected AF remain unclear in individuals without a prior history of AF. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate outcomes in individuals with no prior history of AF who experienced device-detected AF. Outcomes assessed were clinical AF, thromboembolism and all-cause mortality. A fixed-effects model was used to calculate RRs with 95% CI. Results: Compared to individuals who did not experience device-detected AF, those who did had increased risks of clinical AF (RR 3.33, 95% CI [1.99.5.57]; p<0.0001) and thromboembolic events (RR 2.21; 95% CI [1.72.2.85]; p<0.0001). The risk of all-cause mortality was similar between both groups (RR 1.19; 95% CI [0.95.1.49]; p=0.13). Subgroup analysis revealed an increased risk of thromboembolic events among device-detected AF .24 hours (RR 12.34; 95% CI [2.70.56.36]). Conclusion: While there is an increased risk of clinical AF and thromboembolism in individuals with device-detected AF, mortality was insignificant.

Intravascular Ultrasound during Endovascular Intervention for Peripheral Artery Disease, by Severity, Location, Device, and Procedure.

There is limited evidence for the role of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients who underwent peripheral vascular intervention (PVI). We conducted retrospective cohort study utilizing the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Readmission database to delineate outcomes in IVUS-guided PVI versus non-IVUS-guided PVI. The present study utilized National Readmission database between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019. We identified patients who underwent endovascular intervention for peripheral artery disease using relevant International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedural Coding System. The cohort was divided based on the use of IVUS during the procedure. The primary outcome was major amputation at 6 months after index hospitalization. Measured confounders were matched using propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighing method. We further performed a subgroup analysis based on disease severity, location of intervention, device, and procedure. A total of 434,901 hospitalizations were included in the present analysis. PVI with IVUS compared with no IVUS had similar risk of amputation at 6 months (195 of 8,939 [2.17%] vs 10,404 of 384,003 [2.71%]), hazard ratio 0.98, CI 0.77 to 1.25. Further, there was no difference in the rates of secondary outcomes. On subgroup analysis, amputation rates were significantly lower in patients with rest pain, in iliac intervention, or patients who underwent drug-eluting stent implantation with the use of IVUS compared with no IVUS. This nationwide observational study showed that there was no difference in major amputation rates with the use of IVUS in patients who underwent PVI. However, in subgroup of patients with rest pain, iliac intervention or drug-eluting stent implantation IVUS use was associated with significantly lower major amputation rates.

Financial barriers to attending international cardiology conferences: 2022-24 analysis of registration fees.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiology conferences represent a major avenue for learning, career advancement, and professional networking. Yet, costs of attending these conferences represent a major barrier, particularly for trainees and participants from low-middle-income countries (LMICs). Our study aimed to analyze the registration fees of major cardiology conferences worldwide. METHODS: We included conferences organized by international cardiovascular societies and those representing global regions. We did not include individual national or institutional conferences due to inability to systematically identify them. We collected 2024 registration fees from official conference websites, taking 2023 or 2022 fees if unavailable, and categorized them according to career stage and society membership status. Where specified, we chose 'early-bird' fees. All fees were converted to US dollars according to currency exchange rates per the International Monetary Fund on December 4, 2023, or if unavailable, per the last reported US Treasury Data. Other data collected included host country, virtual option availability, and LMIC discounts. RESULTS: 30 (65.2 %) conferences provided discounts for medical students, regardless of membership status, while 1 (2.2 %) provided discounts only for student-members. 36 (78.2 %) conferences offered discounts for residents/fellows, while 2 (4.3 %) offered discounts only for resident/fellow-members. Median fees for students and residents/fellows with membership were $255 and $287 (in US dollars), respectively while median fees for non-members were $303.5 and $397, respectively. 31 (67.4 %) conferences provided discounts for staff- members. Median fees for staff were $701 and $800 for members and non-members, respectively. Only 12 (26.1 %) conferences mentioned a virtual component, with 11 offering discounted registration compared with in-person rates. 7 (15.2 %) conferences had special in-person fees for LMIC-based registrants. 5 offered the same discounted rate regardless of training stage, while 2 offered additional discounts for trainees. CONCLUSION: We found that conference registration costs were substantial, including for trainees, with only a minority of conferences providing discounted rates for LMICs. Professional societies must reduce registration costs, potentially by implementing a tiered system based on training stage and country of origin. Further, to augment LMIC participation, dedicated scholarships and mentorship programs for LMIC-based registrants are needed.

Acute and Complicated Inflammatory Pericarditis: A Guide to Contemporary Practice.

Inflammatory disease of the pericardium represents a relatively common presentation, especially among the young. For the most part, inflammatory pericardial disease can be expeditiously and effectively managed without significant sequelae. However, some individuals present with severe and recurrent illness, representing significant therapeutic challenges. During the past decade, there have been great strides made in developing an evidence-based approach to management of inflammatory pericardial disease, the result of which has been the development of (1) a systematic, protocoled approach to initial care; (2) targeted therapeutics; and (3) specialized, collaborative, and integrated care pathways. Herein we present a review of the current state of the art as it pertains to the diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic considerations in inflammatory pericardial disease with a focus on acute and complicated pericarditis.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysmal Disease: Comprehensive Recommendations for the Primary Care Physician.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a commonly encountered disease that is defined as aortic dilation with an increase in diameter of at least 50% greater than the expected age- and sex-adjusted size. Thoracic aortic aneurysms are described by their size, location, morphology, and cause. Primary care clinicians and other noncardiologists are often the first point of contact for patients with TAA. This review is intended to provide them with basic information on the differential diagnosis, diagnostic evaluation, and medical and surgical management of TAAs. Management decisions depend on having as precise a diagnosis as possible. Fortunately, this can often be achieved with a stepwise diagnostic approach that incorporates imaging and targeted genetic testing. Our review includes recommendations. In this review, we discuss these issues at a basic level and include recommendations for patients considering pregnancy.

Patients Aged 90 Years and Above With Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: Management and Outcomes.

Limited data exist regarding outcomes after coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients aged ≥90 years admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We studied sequential CICU patients ≥90 years admitted with ACS from 2007 to 2018. Three therapeutic approaches were defined: (1) No CAG; (2) CAG without PCI (CAG/No PCI); and (3) CAG with PCI (CAG/PCI). In-hospital mortality was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. All-cause 1-year mortality was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis. The study included 239 patients with a median age of 92 (range 90 to 100) years (57% females; 45% ST-elevation myocardial infarction; 8% cardiac arrest; 16% shock). The No CAG group had higher Day 1 Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, more co-morbidities, worse kidney function, and fewer ST-elevation myocardial infarctions. In-hospital mortality was 20.8% overall and did not differ between the No CAG (n = 103; 21.4%), CAG/No PCI (n = 47; 21.3%), and CAG/PCI (n = 90; 20.0%) groups, before or after adjustment. Overall 1-year mortality was 52.5% and did not differ between groups before or after adjustment. Median survival was 6.9 months overall and 41.2% of hospital survivors died within 1 year of CICU admission. CICU patients aged ≥90 years with ACS have a substantial burden of illness with high in-hospital and 1-year mortality that was not lower in those who underwent CAG or PCI. These results suggest that careful patient selection for invasive coronary procedures is essential in this vulnerable population.

EDUCATE: An international, randomized controlled trial for teaching electrocardiography.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the critical role of electrocardiograms (ECGs) in patient care, evident gaps exist in ECG interpretation competency among healthcare professionals across various medical disciplines and training levels. Currently, no practical, evidence-based, and easily accessible ECG learning solution is available for healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of web-based, learner-directed interventions in improving ECG interpretation skills in a diverse group of healthcare professionals. METHODS: In an international, prospective, randomized controlled trial, 1206 healthcare professionals from various disciplines and training levels were enrolled. They underwent a pre-intervention test featuring 30 12-lead ECGs with common urgent and non-urgent findings. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups: (i) practice ECG interpretation question bank (question bank), (ii) lecture-based learning resource (lectures), (iii) hybrid question- and lecture-based learning resource (hybrid), or (iv) no ECG learning resources (control). After four months, a post-intervention test was administered. The primary outcome was the overall change in ECG interpretation performance, with secondary outcomes including changes in interpretation time, self-reported confidence, and accuracy for specific ECG findings. Both unadjusted and adjusted scores were used for performance assessment. RESULTS: Among 1206 participants, 863 (72 %) completed the trial. Following the intervention, the question bank, lectures, and hybrid intervention groups each exhibited significant improvements, with average unadjusted score increases of 11.4 % (95 % CI, 9.1 to 13.7; P<0.01), 9.8 % (95 % CI, 7.8 to 11.9; P<0.01), and 11.0 % (95 % CI, 9.2 to 12.9; P<0.01), respectively. In contrast, the control group demonstrated a non-significant improvement of 0.8 % (95 % CI, -1.2 to 2.8; P=0.54). While no differences were observed among intervention groups, all outperformed the control group significantly (P<0.01). Intervention groups also excelled in adjusted scores, confidence, and proficiency for specific ECG findings. CONCLUSION: Web-based, self-directed interventions markedly enhanced ECG interpretation skills across a diverse range of healthcare professionals, providing an accessible and evidence-based solution.

Outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with and without amyloidosis: A nationwide analysis from the United States.

BACKGROUND: Amyloidosis is a common comorbidity in elderly patients with aortic stenosis (AS) referred for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study aims to assess the impact of amyloidosis on the clinical outcomes of TAVR. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of the National Inpatient Sample database that identified adult patients (≥18 years) with AS hospitalized for TAVR from 2016 through 2020 to compare outcomes in those with versus without amyloidosis. Our primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included procedural complications, hospital length of stay (LOS), and total costs. TAVR trends in both cohorts were also evaluated. RESULTS: The total cohort included 304,710 patients with AS undergoing TAVR, of whom 410 had amyloidosis. Over the study period, TAVR trends increased significantly in patients with and without amyloidosis (both ptrend < 0.01). Patients with amyloidosis were more likely to be older males with atrial fibrillation/flutter, congestive heart failure, renal disease, and dementia compared to non-amyloidosis patients. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, patients with amyloidosis had similar odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.66, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.34-3.63), heart block (aOR 1.33, 95 % CI 0.84-2.10), permanent pacemaker insertion (aOR 0.67, 95 % CI 0.27-1.66), stroke (aOR 0.90, 95 % CI 0.32-3.13), acute kidney injury, major bleeding, blood transfusion, vascular complications, in addition to similar LOS (p = 0.21) and total costs (p = 0.18) compared to patients without amyloidosis. CONCLUSION: In patients with AS undergoing TAVR, comorbid amyloidosis is associated with similar in-hospital mortality and procedural complications compared to patients without amyloidosis.

Association of sleep duration with atrial fibrillation/flutter mortality in the United States: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between sleep duration and atrial fibrillation risk is poorly understood, with inconsistent findings reported by several studies. We sought to assess the association between long sleep duration and mortality due to atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL). METHODS: The 2016-2020 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research dataset was used to identify death records secondary to AF/AFL in the United States population. We used the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset of sleep duration at the county level. All counties were grouped into quartiles based on the percentage of their population with long sleep duration (i.e., ≥ 7 h), Q1 being the lowest and Q4 the highest quartile. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were calculated for each quartile. County Health Rankings for Texas were used to adjust the AAMR for comorbidities using linear regression. RESULTS: Overall, the AAMR for AF/AFL were highest in Q4 (65.9 [95% CI, 65.5-66.2] per 100,000 person-years) and lowest in Q1 (52.3 [95% CI, 52.1-52.5] per 100,000 person-years). The AAMR for AF/AFL increased stepwise from the lowest to highest quartiles of the percentage population with long sleep duration. After adjustment for the county health ranks of Texas, long sleep duration remained associated with a significantly higher AAMR (coefficient 220.6 (95% CI, 21.53-419.72, p-value = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Long sleep duration was associated with higher AF/AFL mortality. Increased focus on risk reduction for AF, public awareness about the importance of optimal sleep duration, and further research to elucidate a potential causal relationship between sleep duration and AF are warranted.

Noninvasive Hemodynamic Characterization of Shock and Preshock Using Echocardiography in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Patients.

BACKGROUND: Shock and preshock are defined on the basis of the presence of hypotension, hypoperfusion, or both. We sought to determine the hemodynamic underpinnings of shock and preshock noninvasively using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). METHODS AND RESULTS: We included Mayo Clinic cardiac intensive care unit patients from 2007 to 2015 with TTE within 1 day of admission. Hypotension and hypoperfusion at the time of cardiac intensive care unit admission were used to define 4 groups. TTE findings were evaluated across these groups, and in-hospital mortality was evaluated according to TTE findings in each group. We included 5375 patients with a median age of 69.2 years (36.8% women). The median left ventricular ejection fraction was 50%. Groups based on hypotension and hypoperfusion were assigned as follows: no hypotension or hypoperfusion, 59.7%; isolated hypotension, 15.3%; isolated hypoperfusion, 16.4%; and both hypotension and hypoperfusion, 8.7%. Most TTE variables of interest varied across these groups, with worse biventricular function, lower forward flow, and higher filling pressures as the degree of hemodynamic compromise increased. In-hospital mortality occurred in 8.2%, and inpatient deaths had more TTE parameter abnormalities. In-hospital mortality increased with the degree of hemodynamic compromise, and a marked gradient in in-hospital mortality was observed when the clinical classification of shock and preshock was combined with TTE findings reflecting worse biventricular function, lower forward flow, or higher filling pressures. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial differences in cardiac function are observed between cardiac intensive care unit patients with preshock and shock using TTE, and the combination of the clinical and TTE hemodynamic assessment provides robust mortality risk stratification.

Multimodality Imaging in Differentiating Constrictive Pericarditis From Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Overview for Clinicians and Imagers.

In the evaluation of heart failure, 2 differential diagnostic considerations include constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy. The often outwardly similar clinical presentation of these 2 pathologic entities routinely renders their clinical distinction difficult. Consequently, initial assessment requires a keen understanding of their separate pathophysiology, epidemiology, and hemodynamic effects. Following a detailed clinical evaluation, further assessment initially rests on comprehensive echocardiographic investigation, including detailed Doppler evaluation. With the combination of mitral inflow characterization, tissue Doppler assessment, and hepatic vein interrogation, initial differentiation of constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy is often possible with high sensitivity and specificity. In conjunction with a compatible clinical presentation, successful differentiation enables both an accurate diagnosis and subsequent targeted management. In certain cases, however, the diagnosis remains unclear despite echocardiographic assessment, and additional evaluation is required. With advances in noninvasive tools, such evaluation can often continue in a stepwise, algorithmic fashion noninvasively, including both cross-sectional and nuclear imaging. Should this additional evaluation itself prove insufficient, invasive assessment with appropriate expertise may ultimately be necessary.

Predictors of ECG Interpretation Proficiency in Healthcare Professionals.

Accurate ECG interpretation is vital, but variations in skills exist among healthcare professionals. This study aims to identify factors contributing to ECG interpretation proficiency. Survey data and ECG interpretation test scores from participants in the EDUCATE Trial were analyzed to identify predictors of performance for 30 sequential 12-lead ECGs. Nonmodifiable factors (being a physician, clinical experience, patient care impact) and modifiable factors (weekly interpretation volume, training hours, expert supervision frequency) were analyzed. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to generate a Comprehensive Model (incorporating all factors) and Actionable Model (incorporating modifiable factors only). Among 1206 participants analyzed, there were 72 (6.0%) primary care physicians, 146 (12.1%) cardiology fellows-in-training, 353 (29.3%) resident physicians, 182 (15.1%) medical students, 84 (7.0%) advanced practice providers, 120 (9.9%) nurses, and 249 (20.7%) allied health professionals. Among them, 571 (47.3%) were physicians and 453 (37.6%) were nonphysicians. The average test score was 56.4% ± 17.2%. Bivariate analysis demonstrated significant associations between test scores and >10 weekly ECG interpretations, being a physician, >5 training hours, patient care impact, and expert supervision but not clinical experience. In the Comprehensive Model, independent associations were found with weekly interpretation volume (9.9 score increase; 95% CI, 7.9-11.8; P < 0.001), being a physician (9.0 score increase; 95% CI, 7.2-10.8; P < 0.001), and training hours (5.7 score increase; 95% CI, 3.7-7.6; P < 0.001). In the Actionable Model, scores were independently associated with weekly interpretation volume (12.0 score increase; 95% CI, 10.0-14.0; P < 0.001) and training hours (4.7 score increase; 95% CI, 2.6-6.7; P < 0.001). The Comprehensive and Actionable Models explained 18.7% and 12.3% of the variance in test scores, respectively. Predictors of ECG interpretation proficiency include nonmodifiable factors like physician status and modifiable factors such as training hours and weekly ECG interpretation volume.

Impact of Computer-Interpreted ECGs on the Accuracy of Healthcare Professionals.

The interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) involves a dynamic interplay between computerized ECG interpretation (CEI) software and human overread. However, the impact of computer ECG interpretation on the performance of healthcare professionals remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interpretation proficiency of various medical professional groups, with and without access to the CEI report. Healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines, training levels, and countries sequentially interpreted 60 standard 12-lead ECGs, demonstrating both urgent and nonurgent findings. The interpretation process consisted of 2 phases. In the first phase, participants interpreted 30 ECGs with clinical statements. In the second phase, the same 30 ECGs and clinical statements were randomized and accompanied by a CEI report. Diagnostic performance was evaluated based on interpretation accuracy, time per ECG (in seconds [s]), and self-reported confidence (rated 0 [not confident], 1 [somewhat confident], or 2 [confident]). A total of 892 participants from various medical professional groups participated in the study. This cohort included 44 (4.9%) primary care physicians, 123 (13.8%) cardiology fellows-in-training, 259 (29.0%) resident physicians, 137 (15.4%) medical students, 56 (6.3%) advanced practice providers, 82 (9.2%) nurses, and 191 (21.4%) allied health professionals. The inclusion of the CEI was associated with a significant improvement in interpretation accuracy by 15.1% (95% confidence interval, 14.3-16.0; P < 0.001), decrease in interpretation time by 52 s (-56 to -48; P < 0.001), and increase in confidence by 0.06 (0.03-0.09; P = 0.003). Improvement in interpretation accuracy was seen across all professional subgroups, including primary care physicians by 12.9% (9.4-16.3; P = 0.003), cardiology fellows-in-training by 10.9% (9.1-12.7; P < 0.001), resident physicians by 14.4% (13.0-15.8; P < 0.001), medical students by 19.9% (16.8-23.0; P < 0.001), advanced practice providers by 17.1% (13.3-21.0; P < 0.001), nurses by 16.2% (13.4-18.9; P < 0.001), allied health professionals by 15% (13.4-16.6; P < 0.001), physicians by 13.2% (12.2-14.3; P < 0.001), and nonphysicians by 15.6% (14.3-17.0; P < 0.001).CEI integration improves ECG interpretation accuracy, efficiency, and confidence among healthcare professionals.

Education curriculum assessment for teaching electrocardiography: Rationale and design for the prospective, international, randomized controlled EDUCATE trial.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation training is a fundamental component of medical education across disciplines. However, the skill of interpreting ECGs is not universal among medical graduates, and numerous barriers and challenges exist in medical training and clinical practice. An evidence-based and widely accessible learning solution is needed. DESIGN: The EDUcation Curriculum Assessment for Teaching Electrocardiography (EDUCATE) Trial is a prospective, international, investigator-initiated, open-label, randomized controlled trial designed to determine the efficacy of self-directed and active-learning approaches of a web-based educational platform for improving ECG interpretation proficiency. Target enrollment is 1000 medical professionals from a variety of medical disciplines and training levels. Participants will complete a pre-intervention baseline survey and an ECG interpretation proficiency test. After completion, participants will be randomized into one of four groups in a 1:1:1:1 fashion: (i) an online, question-based learning resource, (ii) an online, lecture-based learning resource, (iii) an online, hybrid question- and lecture-based learning resource, or (iv) a control group with no ECG learning resources. The primary endpoint will be the change in overall ECG interpretation performance according to pre- and post-intervention tests, and it will be measured within and compared between medical professional groups. Secondary endpoints will include changes in ECG interpretation time, self-reported confidence, and interpretation accuracy for specific ECG findings. CONCLUSIONS: The EDUCATE Trial is a pioneering initiative aiming to establish a practical, widely available, evidence-based solution to enhance ECG interpretation proficiency among medical professionals. Through its innovative study design, it tackles the currently unaddressed challenges of ECG interpretation education in the modern era. The trial seeks to pinpoint performance gaps across medical professions, compare the effectiveness of different web-based ECG content delivery methods, and create initial evidence for competency-based standards. If successful, the EDUCATE Trial will represent a significant stride towards data-driven solutions for improving ECG interpretation skills in the medical community.