The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on heart failure management: Global experience of the OPTIMIZE Heart Failure Care network.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, reductions in heart failure (HF) hospitalizations have been widely reported, and there is an urgent need to understand how HF care has been reorganized in countries with different infection levels, vaccination rates and healthcare services. The OPTIMIZE Heart Failure Care program has a global network of investigators in 42 countries, with first-hand experience of the impact of the pandemic on HF management in different care settings. The national coordinators were surveyed to assess: 1) the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for continuity of HF care, from both a hospital and patient perspective; 2) the organizational changes enacted to ensure continued HF care; and 3) lessons learned for the future of HF care. Contributions were obtained from 37 national coordinators in 29 countries. We summarize their input, highlighting the issues raised and using the example of three very different settings (Italy, Brazil, and Taiwan) to illustrate the similarities and differences across the OPTIMIZE program.

Psychometric Assessment of the Chinese Version of the Abbreviated Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) and the Clinical Practice Version (EPIC-CP) in Chinese Men With Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) instrument was designed to assess a range of health-related quality-of-life issues specifically relevant to patients with prostate cancer. This study examined the validity and reliability of Chinese versions of the 26-item EPIC and of the 16-item EPIC for Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP) in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Chinese version of the 26-item EPIC and the 16-item EPIC-CP were self-completed by 252 Chinese patients with prostate cancer who were recruited from three community-based cancer service centers. Confirmatory factors analysis assessed the factor structures of the EPIC and the EPIC-CP. Internal consistency and construct and clinical validities of the factor structures were assessed. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the original factor structure of both EPIC-26 and EPIC-CP showed good fit to this sample. A correlated model was superior to a hierarchical model in both EPIC-26 and EPIC-CP supporting the utility of the domain scores over the total scores. Cronbach α ranged from 0.55 to 0.91 for EPIC-26 and 0.44 to 0.67 for EPIC-CP. Construct validity was supported by correlations between EPIC-26/EPIC-CP and psychological distress measures. Clinical validity was supported by differentiation between patients with and without prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: These Chinese versions of the five-factor EPIC-26 and the EPIC-CP are valid and practical measures for assessing a range of health-related quality-of-life issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, highlighting their utility in assessing health-related quality of life for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The Optimize Heart Failure Care Program: Initial lessons from global implementation.

Hospitalization for heart failure (HF) places a major burden on healthcare services worldwide, and is a strong predictor of increased mortality especially in the first three months after discharge. Though undesirable, hospitalization is an opportunity to optimize HF therapy and advise clinicians and patients about the importance of continued adherence to HF medication and regular monitoring. The Optimize Heart Failure Care Program (www.optimize-hf.com), which has been implemented in 45 countries, is designed to improve outcomes following HF hospitalization through inexpensive initiatives to improve prescription of appropriate drug therapies, patient education and engagement, and post-discharge planning. It includes best practice clinical protocols for local adaptation, pre- and post-discharge checklists, and 'My HF Passport', a printed and smart phone application to improve patient understanding of HF and encourage involvement in care and treatment adherence. Early experience of the Program suggests that factors leading to successful implementation include support from HF specialists or 'local leaders', regular educational meetings for participating healthcare professionals, multidisciplinary collaboration, and full integration of pre- and post-hospital discharge checklists across care services. The Program is helping to raise awareness of HF and generate useful data on current practice. It is showing how good evidence-based care can be achieved through the use of simple clinician and patient-focused tools. Preliminary results suggest that optimization of HF pharmacological therapy is achievable through the Program, with little new investment. Further data collection will lead to a greater understanding of the impact of the Program on HF care and key indicators of success.

Impaired cardiovascular structure and function in adult survivors of severe acute malnutrition.

Malnutrition below 5 years remains a global health issue. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) presents in childhood as oedematous (kwashiorkor) or nonoedematous (marasmic) forms, with unknown long-term cardiovascular consequences. We hypothesized that cardiovascular structure and function would be poorer in SAM survivors than unexposed controls. We studied 116 adult SAM survivors, 54 after marasmus, 62 kwashiorkor, and 45 age/sex/body mass index-matched community controls who had standardized anthropometry, blood pressure, echocardiography, and arterial tonometry performed. Left ventricular indices and outflow tract diameter, carotid parameters, and pulse wave velocity were measured, with systemic vascular resistance calculated. All were expressed as SD scores. Mean (SD) age was 28.8±7.8 years (55% men). Adjusting for age, sex, height, and weight, SAM survivors had mean (SE) reductions for left ventricular outflow tract diameter of 0.67 (0.16; P<0.001), stroke volume 0.44 (0.17; P=0.009), cardiac output 0.5 (0.16; P=0.001), and pulse wave velocity 0.32 (0.15; P=0.03) compared with controls but higher diastolic blood pressures (by 4.3; 1.2-7.3 mm Hg; P=0.007). Systemic vascular resistance was higher in marasmus and kwashiorkor survivors (30.2 [1.2] and 30.8 [1.1], respectively) than controls 25.3 (0.8), overall difference 5.5 (95% confidence interval, 2.8-8.4 mm Hg min/L; P<0.0001). No evidence of large vessel or cardiac remodeling was found, except closer relationships between these indices in former marasmic survivors. Other parameters did not differ between SAM survivor groups. We conclude that adult SAM survivors had smaller outflow tracts and cardiac output when compared with controls, yet markedly elevated peripheral resistance. Malnutrition survivors are thus likely to develop excess hypertension in later life, especially when exposed to obesity.

Successful treatment of thoracolumbar fractures with short-segment pedicle instrumentation.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective radiographic review. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether clinical factors or common classification systems can predict the radiologic outcome of short-segment thoracolumbar fracture fixation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous reports have indicated that short-segment thoracolumbar fracture fixation might not be appropriate for highly comminuted fractures or for patients with multiple traumatic injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective radiographic review of 46 thoracolumbar fractures treated with short-segment posterior instrumentation to determine the rate of correction loss and instrumentation failure in relation to the Load Sharing Classification of Spine Fracture system and the AO Classification of Fractures system. No postoperative bracing was used. Patients with multisystem organ trauma and those with isolated injuries were included. RESULTS: An average loss of correction of 7.5 degree was observed. Pedicle screw placement into the fractured vertebra seemed to protect against correction loss: 4 of the 7 patients (57%) in the no intermediate fixation group had >10 degree loss of correction. No relationship was shown between loss of correction and Load Sharing Classification (< or = 6 or > or = 7 points), loss of correction and AO Classification, or loss of correction and level of injury (thoracolumbar junction vs. lower lumbar). CONCLUSIONS: With modern instrumentation and techniques, short-segment thoracolumbar fracture fixation could be used successfully, despite highly comminuted injuries, without anterior column support or supplemental bracing.

Neurologic deficit following percutaneous vertebral stabilization.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to document a series of cases of neurologic deficit following percutaneous vertebral stabilization, to identify patterns of neurologic injury, and to describe potential methods for avoiding these injuries. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Percutaneous vertebral stabilization procedures, including vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, have become a widely used for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, primary and metastatic vertebral tumors, and traumatic burst fractures. Despite an increasing array of indications, there have been few reports of adverse events. Neurologic complications associated with vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have been described previously as case reports and have generally been considered as infrequent and minor in severity. METHODS: The clinical course of 14 patients with documented loss of neurologic function following percutaneous vertebral cement augmentation was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The average patient age was 74.9 years (range, 46-88 years) with 3 male and 11 female patients. Four patients underwent a vertebroplasty procedure while 10 were treated with kyphoplasty. Six patients developed neurologic deficits acutely (<24 hours of procedure). The remaining 8 patients developed neurologic symptoms at an average of 37.1 days (range, 3-112 days) postprocedure. Neurologic deficits were recorded as ASIA A in 4 patients, ASIA B in 2 patients, ASIA C in 1 patient, and ASIA D in 7 patients. Twelve of 14 patients (85.7%) required revision open surgical intervention for treatment of their neurologic injury. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have been reported to be safe options for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Although complications are infrequent, there remains the potential for catastrophic neurologic injury. Physicians performing these procedures need to be aware of these potential complications and be prepared to respond in an emergent manner (surgically) if a need arises.

Intracoronary stent implantation in Jamaica: the initial experience

Intracoronary stent implantation resulted in the complete or near complete dilatation of high gread occlusions of the left anterior descending coronary arteries in the four patients in whom it was undertaken. Intracoronary stent implatation is a useful adjuct to Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTCA) and is applicable in selected patients with symptomatic ischaemic heart disease in a developing country with limited health resources like Jamaica. This is so since financial data presented here document the significant savings this technique (when appropriately utilised) could realise compared to the use of baloon angioplasty alone. (AU)

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in Jamaica: the initial experience

Although percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty has been performed in the Caribbean before, there has not been any detailed description in the English-speaking West Indian Medical literature hitherto. This report provides a description of the first four case of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty performed in Jamaica(AU)

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in Jamaica: preliminary results

This is the first detailed report from the Anglophone Caribbean of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The procedure resulted in complete dilatation of the occluded vessels in the five patients in whom it was undertaken, with significant improvement in exercise duration in the Bruce protocol (p<0.001; 95 percent CI 2.5 to 4.1 minutes) in the four patients who were studied. PTCA can be undertaken in developing countries with limited resources, and should be offered to selected patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease who need a revascularisation procedure.(AU)

Asymptomatic cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus

Cardiologic and laboratory parameters were studied in 21 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with cadiopulmonary symptoms (CPS), 20 SLE patients without CPS and 45 age-and sex- matched healthy controls. The most frequent cardiac abnormalities in patients with CPS included pericardial effusion (24 percent), ventricular enlargement (20 percent), mitral regurgitation (19 percent) and tricuspid regurgitation (14 percent). No structural abnormalities were observed in SLE patients without CPS. Mean calculated and derived echocardiacgraphic values in both groups of SLE patients differed significantly from those observed in normal controls (p< 0.004). Patients with CPS had significantly lower mean values of ejection fraction (p< 0.05) and fractional shortening (p< 0.03). However, the frequencies of functional abnormalities in patients with CPS did not differ significantly from those observed in patients without CPS. There were no remarkable laboratory findings in SLE patients with CPS compared to those without. The finding that some SLE patients may have functional cardiac abnormalities in the absence of CPS is an important one. It raises the question as to whether asymptomatic cardiac involvement in SLE is a separate entity or whether it heralds symptomatic cardiopulmonary involvement (AU)

Asymptomatic cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus

Cardiologic and laboratory parameters were studied in 21 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with cadiopulmonary symptoms (CPS), 20 SLE patients without CPS and 45 age-and sex- matched healthy controls. The most frequent cardiac abnormalities in patients with CPS included pericardial effusion (24 per cent), ventricular enlargement (20 per cent), mitral regurgitation (19 per cent) and tricuspid regurgitation (14 per cent). No structural abnormalities were observed in SLE patients without CPS. Mean calculated and derived echocardiacgraphic values in both groups of SLE patients differed significantly from those observed in normal controls (p< 0.004). Patients with CPS had significantly lower mean values of ejection fraction (p< 0.05) and fractional shortening (p< 0.03). However, the frequencies of functional abnormalities in patients with CPS did not differ significantly from those observed in patients without CPS. There were no remarkable laboratory findings in SLE patients with CPS compared to those without. The finding that some SLE patients may have functional cardiac abnormalities in the absence of CPS is an important one. It raises the question as to whether asymptomatic cardiac involvement in SLE is a separate entity or whether it heralds symptomatic cardiopulmonary involvement

The development of echocardiography at the UWI - abstract

Echocardiography was first performed at University Hospital of the West Indies in 1981. The M-mode technique was employed, utilizing a Smith-Kline-French echocardiograph with a strip chart recorder. Two-dimensional echocardiographic studies began to be offered in 1984, utilizing a General Electric (General Ultrasound) machine sited in the X-ray Department. The resolution of the images obtained, however, was limited. From 1988 to 1989, better resolution was attained by the use of an Ultramark 4 echocardiograph which the Medical Research Council Laboratories (Jamaica) allowed use of for University Hospital patients. Basic pulsed wave doppler capability could also be offered. In 1989, the UWI Department of Medicine obtained an Ultramark 6 echocardiograph which allowed full two-dimensional imaging, pulsed and continuous wave doppler and colour flow mapping. Between July 1989 and December 1992, 5,276 echocardiograms (50 percent males, 50 percent females) were performed, using this machine, and a wide variety of cardiovascular diagnoses were made. Future plans include the development of transoesophageal echocardiography at the UHWI which will greatly expand diagnostic capabities (AU)

Pulmonary artery pressure and the acute chest syndrome in homozygous sickle cell disease

OBJECTIVE; to investigate whether attacks of acute chest syndrome affected pulmonary artery pressure in patients homozygous for sickle cell disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pulmonary artery pressure, assessed by non-invasive echocardiographic techniques. PATIENTS; 20 patients with homozygous sickle cell disease with a history of at least six episodes of acute chest syndrome and in 20 age, sex, and height matched controls with homozygous sickle cell disease without a history of acute chest syndrome. RESULTS: There was no difference in any of the echocardiographic or Doppler indices between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated attacks of acute chest syndrome by the mean age of 12 ( range eight to 16 ) years have not had a discernible effect upon pulmonary artery pressure (AU)

The heart and systemic lupus erythematosus - abstract

A prospective clinical, serological and echocardiographic study of consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cardiopulmonary symptoms (Group 1) and 10 asymptomatic SLE patients (Group 11) was carried out. Both groups were then subsequently compared to 45, age and sex matched controls taken from the general population. The most common cardiac manifestation of SLE was pericardial effusion (5 patients; 24 percent). Other echocardiographic findings were: enlarged left ventricle (3 patients; 14 percent), large right ventricle (2 patients; 10 percent) myocarditis (2 patients; 10 percent), Libman Sacks endocarditis (1 patient; 5 percent). Doppler studies showed a 19 percent incidence of mitral regurgitation (4 patients), 14 percent tricuspic regurgitation (3 patients), 10 percent pulmonary hypertension (2 patients). Echocardiographic measurements in Groups 1 and 11 showed no statistically significant difference in left ventricular diastolic (LVDD) and systolic (LSVD) dimensions, and in end diastolic (EDV) and end sytolic volumes (ESV). There was increased heart rate and decreased stroke volume and cardiac index in Group 1. Indeed, there was no echocardiographic abnormality in Group 11. When both groups were compared to Group 111, there was stastically significantly lower ejection fraction and fractional shortening, greater septal and posterior wall thickness and smaller right ventricular diastolic dimension (RVDD) in the combined SLE group. The left ventricular mass in the SLE group was not increased but there were decreased stroke output and systolic function compared to the normal controls. Only one patient was positive for antiphospholipid antibody and she was in group 1. All SLE patients were antinuclear antigen positive (ANA) and antidouble stranded DNA antibodies were the most frequently found ANA in both groups 1 and 11. There was no statiscally significant difference in the prevalence of any ANA specificity between groups or between those patients with valvular abnormality and those without. Echocardiography was a more sensitive indicator of pericarditis/pericardial effusion than chest roentgenogram or electrocardiogram (AU)