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Cardiology 2019 Jan 16;141(3):172-175. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Division of Cardiology, Departments of Pathology and Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Objective: Although several studies have described the effects of adriamycin on the heart, electrocardiographic total 12-lead QRS voltage (distance in millimeters from the peak of the R wave to the nadir of either the Q or S wave, whichever was deeper, with 10 mm [1 mV] being standard) both before and after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) has not been reported. This study describes the total 12-lead QRS voltage in 8 patients studied at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, from 1994 to June 2018, who underwent OHT for severe heart failure caused by anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.

Method: Prior to OHT, the total 12-lead non-paced QRS voltages ranged from 86 to 189 mm (mean 125 ± 56) and for paced QRS voltages from 82 to 113 mm (mean 97 ± 15). Read More

Resuscitation 2019 Jan 13. Epub 2019 Jan 13.

Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Aims: Although the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular conditions have significantly improved over the past decade, whether they have reduced the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is not known. We sought to evaluate the temporal trends of SCD in a large unselected population.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using multiple linked longitudinal data In Ontario Canada. Read More

PLoS One 2019 16;14(1):e0209673. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.

Purpose: Non-apnea sleep disorder (NASD) increases the risk of cardiovascular events, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Patients with heart failure (HF) are at higher risk for sleep disorder; however, there is no documentation on NASD's association with HF to date. Therefore, our study aimed to determine whether NASD increases the risk of incident HF. Read More

PLoS One 2019 16;14(1):e0209440. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Introduction: Reduced kidney function increases the risk of death, but there is limited information on causes of death across stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to identify leading causes of death in community-dwelling individuals with differing kidney function.

Methods: Observational analysis from SCREAM, a healthcare utilization cohort of Stockholm, Sweden. Read More

Acta Cardiol 2019 Jan 16:1-9. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

a Department of Cardiology , Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg , Genk , Belgium.

Background: Endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) remain the golden standard to diagnose underlying pathophysiologic process in heart failure (HF), when potential therapeutic decisions cannot be made by non-invasive techniques. However, changes in the field of non-invasive diagnostic testing might have an impact on the need for performing an EMB in certain scenarios.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive EMBs performed in a single, non-academic, tertiary-care centre. Read More

Acta Cardiol 2019 Jan 16:1-8. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

a University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș , Tîrgu Mureș , Romania.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often complicates ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Predictors of AF in this setting include factors related to the acute phase of STEMI and pre-existing conditions. More recently, novel AF predictors have been identified in the general population. Read More

Acta Cardiol 2019 Jan 16:1-7. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

a University Hospital of Liège, GIGA Cardiovascular Sciences, Acute Care Unit, Heart Failure Clinic, CHU Sart Tilman , Liège , Belgium.

Objective: Hypoalbuminemia is common in heart failure (HF), especially in elderly patients. It is associated with an increased risk of death. The present study sought to examine the prognostic significance of serum albumin level in the prediction of long-term mortality in patients admitted for acute HF. Read More

Acta Cardiol 2019 Jan 16:1-8. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

a Internal Medicine Clinic , Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest , Bucharest , Romania.

Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The association between the two conditions have significant systemic effects and a chronic, progressive evolution, affecting exercise tolerance and quality of life. The diseases share common risk factors, such as smoking, advanced age, and low-grade systemic inflammation. Read More

Acta Cardiol 2019 Jan 16:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

b Sackler Faculty of Medicine , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel.

Background: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the degree of heterogeneity of erythrocyte volume. Higher RDW levels are associated with increased mortality among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. The association between RDW levels and clinical outcomes in patients admitted for further evaluation of chest pain is not known. Read More

J Comp Eff Res 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Rouen University Hospital, Epidemiology & Health Promotion Department, Hôpital Charles Nicolle. 1, rue de Germont, 76 031 Cedex Rouen, France.

Aim: The objective was to investigate factors influencing patients' willingness to pay (WTP) and physician's views on the cost of therapy for two contrasted chronic diseases, chronic heart failure and psoriasis.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in ten developing countries, using a stated WTP contingent valuation method. Multivariate analyses were performed by linear regression. Read More

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Cardiology, Public Central Teaching Hospital in Warsaw, Medical University of Warsaw, 1a Banacha St., 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.

Purpose: Current clinical recommendations do not emphasise superiority of any of diuretics, but available reports are very encouraging and suggest beneficial effects of torasemide. This study aimed to compare the effect of torasemide and furosemide on long-term outcomes and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class change in patients with chronic heart failure (HF).

Methods: Of 2019 patients enrolled in Polish parts of the heart failure registries of the European Society of Cardiology (Pilot and Long-Term), 1440 patients treated with a loop diuretic were included in the analysis. Read More

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Context: Recent studies based on home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) reported the potential association of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with diabetic retinopathy (DR). A few studies showed that the apnea hypopnea index during rapid eye movement sleep (REM-AHI) is associated with glycated hemoglobin and hypertension, two known risk factors for DR. However, there are no studies that have evaluated the association of REM-AHI with DR because previous studies were based on HSAT. Read More

J Burn Care Res 2019 Jan 12. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.

The gaseous transmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been implicated in various forms of critical illness. Here we have compared the outcome of scald burn injury in wild-type mice and in mice deficient in 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), a mammalian H2S-generating enzyme. Outcome variables included indices of organ injury, clinical chemistry parameters and plasma levels of inflammatory mediators. Read More

Hum Mol Genet 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Sex differences exist in the prevalence, presentation, and outcomes of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Females have higher risk of heart failure post myocardial infarction relative to males, and are 2-3 times more likely to die after CABG surgery. We examined sex differences in human myocardial gene expression in response to ischemia. Read More

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Objectives: Hospitalizations are a major burden for both patients and society and are potentially preventable. However, data on the burden and causes for hospitalizations after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are sparse. We examined hospitalizations within 1 year after CABG and associated factors. Read More

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

University Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, Austria.

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Aims: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) leads to signs and symptoms of heart failure (HF). The mechanisms of biventricular dysfunction and their impact on outcome in subtypes of CA are poorly understood. Our aim was to compare right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) parameters in patients with light chain (AL) and wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRw) and evaluate their ability to predict cardiac outcome. Read More

Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Colorado Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Consortium, Denver, Colorado, United States of America.

Aims: Patients with HF often have underrecognized symptoms, depression, anxiety and poorer spiritual well-being ("QoL domains"). Ideally all patients should have HF-specific health status and QoL domains routinely evaluated; however, lack of time and resources are limiting in most clinical settings. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether HF-specific health status was associated with QoL domains and to identify a score warranting further evaluation of QoL domain deficits. Read More

Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Translational Neuroscience, Jing'an District Centre Hospital of Shanghai, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology & Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Stress is a potent risk factor for depression. Chronic stress can exacerbate and induce symptoms of depression. Clinical studies suggested that depressive patients are more likely to develop coronary artery diseases. Read More

Curr Opin Lipidol 2019 Jan 14. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Centre for Heart Lung Innovation.

Purpose Of Review: Sepsis is a common syndrome of multiorgan system dysfunction caused by a dysregulated inflammatory response to an infection and is associated with high rates of mortality. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and composition change profoundly during sepsis and have emerged as both biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for this condition. The purpose of this article is to review recent progress in the understanding of the molecular regulation of lipid metabolism during sepsis. Read More

Am J Ther 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Neurology, Clinical Research, UC Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA.

Background: Anthracyclines remain the cornerstone of the treatment in many cancers including lymphomas, leukemia and sarcomas, and breast cancer. The cardiomyopathy that develops from anthracyclines can lead to heart failure and decreased survival. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of anthracycline-induced heart failure. Read More

Pol Arch Intern Med 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

INTRODUCTION The management of heart failure (HF) has significantly changed in recent decades. OBJECTIVES The paper analyzes clinical profile, one-year outcomes, predictors of mortality and hospital readmissions in hospitalized patients enrolled in the European Society of Cardiology HF-Pilot (ESC-HF-Pilot) and HF-Long Term (ESC-HF-LT) Registries. PATIENTS AND METHODS The analysis included hospitalized Polish patients from the ESC-HF-Pilot and ESC-HF-LT Registries. Read More

Ann Card Anaesth 2019 Jan-Mar;22(1):92-95

Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia, LPS Institute of Cardiology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Cardiac echinococcosis is a rare disease. Depending on the location of hydatid cyst in the heart, clinical presentation can be an asymptomatic case or lethal stroke, arrhythmias, valvular dysfunction, cardiac tamponade, cardiac failure, shock, and even death. Treatment of choice for cardiac hydatid cysts is surgical excision, even in an asymptomatic patient. Read More

Ann Card Anaesth 2019 Jan-Mar;22(1):24-29

Department of Cardiology, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Background: We reviewed our experience with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (RSOV) to determine a correlation with preexisting heart failure (HF) and coexisting cardiac lesions (aortic regurgitation [AR] and ventricular septal defect [VSD]) to postoperative left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and postoperative outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective review of RSOV cases over 15 years showed that RSOV repair was done in 87 patients. We looked for patients who presented with HF and patients having AR and/or VSDs. Read More

J Food Drug Anal 2019 Jan 14;27(1):240-248. Epub 2018 Aug 14.

Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia that can lead to long-term complications including heart diseases, stroke, retinopathy, and renal failure. Treatment strategies include stimulating glucose uptake and controlling blood glucose level. Bofutsushosan (BOF) and Daisaikoto (DAI) are two herb-based kampo medicines that have been demonstrated to improve metabolism-associated disorders including obesity, hyperlipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver. Read More

Thyroid 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Odense University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism , Kloevervaenget 6, 6th floor , Odense, Denmark , 5000 ;

Importance: Cardiovascular disease remains the most prevalent cause of death in hyperthyroidism. However, the impact on cardiovascular events of varying thyroid status and that of treatment remain unclarified.

Objective: To investigate the association between hyperthyroidism and cardiovascular events in treated and untreated hyperthyroid individuals, as well as exploring the impact of cumulative periods of hyperthyroidism, as a proxy for undertreatment, on cardiovascular events. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Jan;8(2):e010869

3 Health Performance & Policy Research Unit Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Research Woodville South South Australia.

Background To date, limited population-level studies have examined the impact of sex on the acute complications of cardiac implantable electronic devices ( CIED) , including permanent pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. Methods and Results We studied all patients aged >18 years from 2010 to 2015 who were a resident of Australia or New Zealand, undergoing a new permanent pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or cardiac resynchronization therapy implant. Standardized variables were collected including patient demographic characteristics, primary and secondary diagnoses, procedures performed and discharge status. Read More

Hum Gene Ther 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

VA San Diego Healthcare System , 3350 La Jolla Village Drive , San Diego, California, United States , 92161.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased risk of heart failure. We previously demonstrated in mice that a single injection of adeno-associated virus 8 encoding urocortin 2 (AAV8.UCn2) increases glucose disposal in models of insulin resistance and improves function of the failing heart. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2019 Jan 7;6(1):ofy330. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, Australia.

Whipple's disease is a rare infective condition, classically presenting with gastrointestinal manifestations. It is increasingly recognized as an important cause of culture-negative endocarditis. We present a case of Whipple's endocarditis presenting with heart failure. Read More

J Diabetes Res 2018 16;2018:1631263. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Introduction: We investigated the association of diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy with increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events in 6068 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) enrolled in the Evaluation of Lixisenatide in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ELIXA).

Methods: History of retinopathy and neuropathy as well as duration of T2DM were self-reported at screening. Proportional hazards regression models were used to assess relationships between retinopathy, neuropathy, and recurrent CV events. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 17;2018:8572740. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Emergency & Critical Care Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Background: Previous studies have shown that P2Y receptor inhibitors might prevent ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease. However, few studies have focused on comparison of the efficacy of novel oral potent P2Y receptor inhibitors with clopidogrel on these outcomes.

Methods And Results: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were published in electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, and ClinicalTrials. Read More

Kardiochir Torakochirurgia Pol 2018 Dec 31;15(4):213-218. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland.

Introduction: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the gold standard in treating symptomatic aortic valve defects. To improve the healing process and limit the trauma, the minimally invasive approach was introduced.

Aim: To compare the peri- and post-operative results of aortic valve replacement performed via conventional full sternotomy (con-AVR) and of AVR performed via partial upper sternotomy (mini-AVR). Read More

J Exp Med 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany

Heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy is frequently caused by myocarditis. However, the pathogenesis of myocarditis remains incompletely understood. Here, we report the presence of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in cardiac tissue of patients and mice with myocarditis. Read More

Heart 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2019 Jan 15;19(1):18. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Division of Cardiology, McGill University Health Center, 1650 Cedar Ave, Room E5-200, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.

Background: Previous randomized controlled trials (RCT)s showed similar outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) treated with anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) compared to rate control therapy. We sought to evaluate whether catheter ablation is superior to medical therapy in patients with AF and HFrEF.

Methods: We searched electronic databases for all RCTs that compared catheter ablation and medical therapy (with or without use of AAD). Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2019 Jan 15;19(1):19. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Background: Coronary artery disease accelerates heart failure progression, leading to poor prognosis and a substantial increase in morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed to assess the impact of coronary artery disease on all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemic stroke (IS) among hospitalized newly-diagnosed heart failure (HF) patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included Medicare patients (aged ≥65 years) with ≥1 inpatient heart failure claim (index date = discharge date) during 01JAN2007-31DEC2013. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Jan;8(2):e010934

2 Department of Geriatrics The Affiliated Sir Run Run Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China.

Background The involvement of vaspin (visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin) in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases has been documented. This study was designed to explore the prognostic value of serum vaspin in patients with acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ). Methods and Results We included 1036 AMI patients in a cohort study and determined the association between serum vaspin and major adverse cardiac events ( MACE ) using Cox regression analysis. Read More

Circ Res 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University.

Rationale: In observational studies, type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been associated with an increased risk of hypertension (HTN), and vice versa; however, the causality between these conditions remains to be determined.

Objective: This population-based prospective cohort study sought to investigate the bidirectional causal relations of T2D with HTN, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods And Results: After exclusion of participants free of a history of heart failure, cardiovascular disease, cardiac procedures, and non T2D diabetes, a total of 318,664 unrelated individuals with qualified genotyping data of European descent aged 37-73 from UK Biobank were included. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Jan;8(2):e011464

1 Cardiovascular Division University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis MN.

Background Patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic lung disease (Group 3 PH ) have disproportionate right ventricle ( RV ) dysfunction, but the correlates and clinical implications of RV dysfunction in Group 3 PH are not well defined. Methods and Results We performed a cohort study of 147 Group 3 PH patients evaluated at the University of Minnesota. RV systolic function was quantified using right ventricular fractional area change ( RVFAC ) and dP /dt/instantaneous pressure. Read More

Molecules 2019 Jan 14;24(2). Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease arising from various etiologies and pathogenesis. PAH decreases life expectancy due to pulmonary vascular remodeling, elevation of mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and ultimately progresses to heart failure. While clinical treatments are available to reduce the associated symptoms, a complete cure has yet to be found. Read More

Vopr Pitan 2017 28;86(1):48-57. Epub 2016 Dec 28.

Federal Research Center of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Moscow.

The objective of the work was to examine the performance of basal metabolism and body composition in obese patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF) to identify optimal needs of these patients in the nutrients and energy. We studied 222 patients with obesity, that were divided into four groups depending on the degree of obesity and the presence or absence of DHF with preserved systolic function of the left ventricle (2 groups of obese patients with an initial degree I-II, 2 groups - a pronounced degree of obesity III). Basal metabolism by indirect respiratory calorimetry, physical activity at home and cardiorespiratory exercise testing were evaluated in these groups of patients. Read More

Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2016 Sep;36(9):1072-1075

Objective To assess Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire in the principle of Chinese civilization and Traditional Medicine characteristics (C-MLHF). Methods A survey was con- ducted in 124 heart failure ( HF) patients using C-MLHF and Minnesota living with heart failure question- naire (MLHF). Reliability, validity, feasibility, and the correlation of New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification was compared between the two questionnaires. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Nov 2;1(7):e184154. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia.

Importance: Although readmission rates are declining under Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), concerns remain that the HRRP will harm quality at safety-net hospitals because they are penalized more often. Disparities between white and black patients might widen because more black patients receive care at safety-net hospitals. Disparities may be particularly worse for clinical conditions not targeted by the HRRP because hospitals might reallocate resources toward targeted conditions (acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and heart failure) at the expense of nontargeted conditions. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e186383. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.

Importance: More than 1 million older adults develop heart failure annually. The association of alcohol consumption with survival among these individuals after diagnosis is unknown.

Objective: To determine whether alcohol use is associated with increased survival among older adults with incident heart failure. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e186125. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Institute of Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

Importance: Understanding cardiovascular outcomes of initiating second-line antidiabetic medications (ADMs) may help inform treatment decisions after metformin alone is not sufficient or not tolerated. To date, no studies have compared the cardiovascular effects of all major second-line ADMs during this early decision point in the pharmacologic management of type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To examine the association of second-line ADM classes with major adverse cardiovascular events. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185489. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.

Importance: In heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases the risk of poor outcomes, but the effect of COPD severity is unknown. This information is important for early intervention tailored to the highest-risk groups.

Objectives: To determine the associations between COPD medication intensity or stage of airflow limitation and the risk of hospitalization or death in patients with HF. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185486. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185554. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

currently with Rare Diseases, Pfizer, London, United Kingdom.

Importance: Both adherence and treatment intensity can alter the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy in routine clinical practice.

Objective: To evaluate the association of adherence and treatment intensity with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with documented cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes without CVD or chronic kidney disease (CKD), and CKD without CVD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink from January 2010 through February 2016. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Oct 5;1(6):e183519. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut.

Importance: Payers and policy makers have advocated for transitioning toward value-based payment models. However, little is known about what is the extent of hospital variation in the value of care and whether there are any hospital characteristics associated with high-value care.

Objectives: To investigate the association between hospital-level 30-day risk-standardized mortality rates (RSMRs) and 30-day risk-standardized payments (RSPs) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), and pneumonia (PNA); to characterize patterns of value in care; and to identify hospital characteristics associated with high-value care (defined by having lower than median RSMRs and RSPs). Read More