Defining levels of care in cardiogenic shock.

Background: Expert opinion and professional society statements have called for multi-tier care systems for the management of cardiogenic shock (CS). However, little is known about how to pragmatically define centers with different levels of care (LOC) for CS. Methods: Eleven of 23 hospitals within our healthcare system sharing a common electronic health record were classified as different LOC according to their highest mechanical circulatory support (MCS) capabilities: Level 1 (L-1)-durable left ventricular assist device, Level 1A (L-1A)-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, Level 2 (L-2)-intra-aortic balloon pump and percutaneous ventricular assist device; and Level 3 (L-3)-no MCS. All adult patients treated for CS (International Classification of Diseases, ICD-10 code R57.0) between 2016 and 2022 were included. Etiologies of CS were identified using associated diagnostic codes. Management strategies and outcomes across LOC were compared. Results: Higher LOC centers had higher volumes: L-1 (n = 1): 2,831 patients, L-1A (n = 4): 3,452, L-2 (n = 1): 340, and L-3 (n = 5): 780. Emergency room admissions were more common in lower LOC (96% at L-3 vs. 46% L-1; p < 0.001), while hospital transfers were predominant at higher LOC (40% at L-1 vs. 2.7% at L-3; p < 0.001). Men comprised 61% of the cohort. Patients were younger in the higher LOC [69 (60-78) years at L-1 vs. 77 (67-85) years at L-3; p < 0.001]. Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)-CS and acute heart failure (AHF)-CS were concentrated in higher LOC centers while other etiologies of CS were more common in L-2 and L-3 (p < 0.001). Cardiac arrest on admission was more prevalent in lower LOC centers (L-1: 2.8% vs. L-3: 12.1%; p < 0.001). Patients with AMI-CS received more percutaneous coronary intervention in lower LOC (51% L-2 vs. 29% L-1; p < 0.01) but more coronary arterial bypass graft surgery at higher LOC (L-1: 42% vs. L-1A: 23%; p < 0.001). MCS use was consistent across levels for AMI-CS but was more frequent in higher LOC for AHF-CS patients (L-1: 28% vs. L-2: 10%; p < 0.001). Despite increasing in-hospital mortality with decreasing LOC, no significant difference was seen after multivariable adjustment. Conclusion: This is the first report describing a pragmatic classification of LOC for CS which, based on MCS capabilities, can discriminate between centers with distinct demographics, practice patterns, and outcomes. This classification may serve as the basis for future research and the creation of CS systems of care.

Acute coronary syndrome in an anomalous mid-LAD right coronary artery: Don't forget to look twice before turning left.

A 68-year-old female with past medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, multiple sclerosis, diverticulitis, and tobacco use presented with 1 day of atypical chest pain after a recent diverticulitis flare. Initial workup was notable for a normal electrocardiogram but elevated high sensitivity troponin T (616 ng/L). Due to persistent symptoms, the patient was given antiplatelet therapy and taken urgently to the catheterization lab where she was found to have complete occlusion of an anomalous right coronary artery branching off the mid-left anterior descending artery. Angioplasty was performed with a drug-eluting stent and her symptoms resolved. The patient recovered well and was discharged on appropriate medical therapy. This case demonstrates a case of acute coronary syndrome in an extremely rare coronary congenital abnormality. Further research is needed on when to be suspicious for coronary anomalies on patients presenting with myocardial infarction.

Two is better than one: when to consider multiorgan transplant.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients with end-stage heart failure often present with concomitant end-stage renal or end-stage liver disease requiring transplantation. There are limited data regarding the risks, benefits and long-term outcomes of heart-kidney (HKT) and heart-liver transplantation (HLT), and guidelines are mainly limited to expert consensus statements. RECENT FINDINGS: The incidence of HKT and HLT has steadily increased in recent years with favourable outcomes. Both single-centre and large database studies have shown benefits of HKT/HLT through improved survival, freedom from dialysis and lower rates of rejection and coronary allograft vasculopathy. Current guidelines are institution dependent and controversial due to the ethical considerations surrounding multiorgan transplantation (MOT). SUMMARY: MOT is an effective and necessary option for patients with end-stage heart and kidney/liver failure. MOT is ethically permissible, and efforts should be made to consider eligible patients as early as possible to limit morbidity and mortality. Further research is needed regarding appropriate listing criteria and long-term outcomes.

CPR and ECMO: The Next Frontier.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first-line therapy for sudden cardiac arrest, while extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has traditionally been used as a means of countering circulatory failure. However, new advances dictate that CPR and ECMO could be complementary for support after cardiac arrest. This review details the emerging science, technology, and clinical application that are enabling the new paradigm of these iconic circulatory support modalities in the setting of cardiac arrest.

Understanding of and Barriers to Electronic Health Record Patient Portal Access in a Culturally Diverse Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND: Electronic health records (EHRs) have become a standard in the health care setting. In an effort to improve health literacy, foster doctor-patient communication, and ease the transition from adolescent to adult care, our institution created a policy that allows patients aged between 13 and 17 years to have EHR portal access. A literature review revealed predictable differences in portal registration among different ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses. Consequently, a cross-sectional survey was developed to investigate barriers to EHR portal access in a sample of culturally diverse adolescents. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess for barriers to EHR portal access in a culturally diverse adolescent population. METHODS: A 42-item anonymous survey was completed by 97 adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years, attending general pediatrics clinics. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t tests. RESULTS: The average participant age was 15.5 (SD 1.5) years with 60% (58/97) male and 40% (39/97) female. Participants were 44% (43/97) black, 41% (40/97) Hispanic, 9% (9/97) Caucasian, 3% (3/97) Asian, and 2% (2/97) others. There were statistically significant differences in perceptions of confidentiality in age (13 to 15 years vs 16 to 18 years; P=.001) and insurance status (government vs private; P=.012) but not in gender, ethnicity, or parental education level. Younger adolescents with governmental insurance were more confident in the level of confidentiality with their physician. A total of 94% of participants had heard of the term EHR, but only 55% were familiar with its function. Furthermore, 77% of patients primarily accessed the internet through phones, and 50% of participants knew that patients aged under 18 years could obtain care for mental health, substance abuse, sexual health, and pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: This research has identified gaps in EHR technology with regard to the pediatric patient population. The results of our survey show that adolescents may have misconceptions regarding the doctor-patient relationship, their ability to obtain care, and the modalities present in an EHR. As technology progresses, it is essential to have a deeper understanding of adolescents' perceptions of confidentiality, technology, and available resources to design an EHR system that encourages patient education and communication while limiting barriers to care.

Hepatitis C virus core protein inhibits interferon production by a human plasmacytoid dendritic cell line and dysregulates interferon regulatory factor-7 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 protein expression.

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (pDCs) represent a key immune cell population in the defense against viruses. pDCs detect viral pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through pattern recognition receptors (PRR). PRR/PAMP interactions trigger signaling events that induce interferon (IFN) production to initiate local and systemic responses. pDCs produce Type I and Type III (IFNL) IFNs in response to HCV RNA. Extracellular HCV core protein (Core) is found in the circulation in chronic infection. This study defined how Core modulates PRR signaling in pDCs. Type I and III IFN expression and production following exposure to recombinant Core or ß-galactosiade was assessed in human GEN2.2 cells, a pDC cell line. Core suppressed type I and III IFN production in response to TLR agonists and the HCV PAMP agonist of RIG-I. Core suppression of IFN induction was linked with decreased IRF-7 protein levels and increased non-phosphorylated STAT1 protein. Circulating Core protein interferes with PRR signaling by pDCs to suppress IFN production. Strategies to define and target Core effects on pDCs may serve to enhance IFN production and antiviral actions against HCV.