RESUMO
Ascertainment of the left ventricular ejection fraction is the primary reason for ordering echocardiography in the acute care setting; however, this parameter does not provide information regarding a patient's volume status. As such, it cannot be reliably used to inform decisions regarding intravenous fluid resuscitation or diuresis, particularly in undifferentiated dyspnea and hypotension. This is relevant given a national quality improvement exhortation to provide aggressive fluid resuscitation as part of a "sepsis bundle." This initiative must be tempered by the well-established increase in hospital mortality from providing intravenous fluid to patients with unrecognized heart failure, which may occur if sepsis is misdiagnosed. We describe herein, what is to our knowledge, the first description of a critically elevated Doppler ratio of mitral inflow peak E-wave velocity to the mean mitral annular velocity as a harbinger of sudden death from pulmonary edema in a patient treated with aggressive intravenous fluids as part of the "sepsis bundle." This is utilized as a springboard for proposing a clinical algorithm focused on expedited echocardiography. It emphasized the potential value of advancing markedly the diastolic assessment of filling pressure (ratio of mitral inflow peak E-wave velocity to the mean mitral annular velocity) in the acute care setting to a level of import comparable to the left ventricular ejection fraction.
Assuntos
Insuficiência Cardíaca , Sepse , Diástole , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/terapia , Humanos , Volume Sistólico , Função Ventricular EsquerdaRESUMO
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are antihyperglycemic medications with cardiovascular disease and renal protective properties. While clinical trials supporting their efficacy, the utility among safety-net health system patients with low health literacy has not been evaluated. We sought to assess appropriate monitoring, safety and effectiveness of GLT2i initiation at a safety-net hospital. From May 2017 to July 2020, 150 patients were newly initiated on an SGLT2i therapy. We evaluated appropriate initiation, laboratory monitoring, impact on urine microalbumin, mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). We also analyzed primary care versus subspecialty prescriber patterns. All patients did not have prohibitive renal dysfunction based on Food and Drug Administration labeling and the majority (N = 101, 67%) had renal function testing completed before initiation. Improvement in cardiovascular disease surrogate markers including SBP (mean, -3.12 mm Hg), albuminuria (mean, -3.98 mg/dL), and HbA1c (mean, -1.06%) were observed. A total of 94% of the cohort had serum chemistry panels drawn, yet only 4% were performed within the protocol-specified (14-day) period. Primary care and cardiology providers were the sole prescribers; despite the known renoprotective properties, no patients were initiated on SGLT2i therapy by a nephrologist. In conclusion, the benefits of SGLT2i drugs reducing SBP, albuminuria, and HbA1c observed in clinical trials were duplicated in our safety-net population. Therefore, ongoing education and promotion to providers to ensure broadened utilization and timely renal function monitoring appear warranted.
Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares , Inibidores do Transportador 2 de Sódio-Glicose , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Albuminúria/induzido quimicamente , Albuminúria/tratamento farmacológico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/tratamento farmacológico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Hemoglobinas Glicadas , Provedores de Redes de Segurança , Inibidores do Transportador 2 de Sódio-Glicose/efeitos adversosRESUMO
In the outpatient setting, ambulatory electrocardiography is the most frequently used diagnostic modality for the evaluation of patients in whom cardiac arrhythmias or conduction abnormalities are suspected. Proper selection of the device type and monitoring duration is critical for optimizing diagnostic yield and cost-effective resource utilization. However, despite guidance from major professional societies, the lack of systematic guidance for proper test selection in many institutions results in the need for repeat testing, which leads to not only increased resource utilization and cost of care, but also suboptimal patient care. To address this unmet need at our own institution, we formed a multidisciplinary panel to develop a concise, yet comprehensive algorithm, incorporating the most common indications for ambulatory electrocardiography, to efficiently guide clinicians to the most appropriate test option for a given clinical scenario, with the goal of maximizing diagnostic yield and optimizing resource utilization. The algorithm was designed as a single-page, color-coded flowchart to be utilized both as a rapid reference guide in printed form, and a decision support tool embedded within the electronic medical records system at the point of order entry. We believe that systematic adoption of this algorithm will optimize diagnostic efficiency, resource utilization, and importantly, patient care and satisfaction.
Assuntos
Eletrocardiografia Ambulatorial , Sistemas Automatizados de Assistência Junto ao Leito , Algoritmos , Análise Custo-Benefício , Eletrocardiografia , Humanos , Pacientes AmbulatoriaisRESUMO
Atraumatic chest pain is a common emergency department (ED) presentation and the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommends stress testing within 72 hours. The HEART score predicts major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in ED populations and does not require universal stress testing. An evaluation based solely on history, electrocardiography, and biomarkers, therefore, is an attractive approach to risk stratification in resource-limited settings. The HEART score has not been previously evaluated in a safety net hospital setting. We therefore implemented an interdisciplinary clinical care guideline utilizing the HEART score to stratify patients presenting to our inner-city hospital. During a 6-month study period, 1170 patients were evaluated (521 before and 649 after implementation). Among the 998 patients with confirmed follow-up 6-weeks after the index ED encounter, the prevalence of MACE (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization) was 0% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0%-1%] for low, 9% (95% CI, 7%-12%) for moderate, and 52% (95% CI, 39%-65%) for high-risk groups. Guideline implementation significantly increased admissions (+12%, 95% CI, 7%-17%) primarily in the moderate risk group (+38%, 95% CI, 29%-47%), but significantly decreased median ED length of stay (-37 minutes, 95% CI, 17-58). It also led to an increase in stress testing among moderate and high-risk patients (+10%, 95% CI, 0%-19%). In conclusion, the HEART score effectively stratified risk of MACE in a safety net population, improved evaluation consistency, and decreased ED length of stay. However, implementation was associated with an increase in hospitalizations and stress testing. Although the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guideline regarding atraumatic chest pain in the ED recommends universal noninvasive testing, the value of this approach, particularly in conjunction with the HEART score is uncertain in safety net hospitals. Further evaluation of the costs and clinical advantages of this approach are warranted.
Assuntos
Infarto do Miocárdio , Provedores de Redes de Segurança , Dor no Peito/diagnóstico , Dor no Peito/epidemiologia , Eletrocardiografia , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência , Humanos , Medição de Risco , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness characterized by self-starvation, marked weight loss, and malnutrition. As the illness worsens, numerous medical complications develop throughout the body. Some of these resolve with effective nutritional rehabilitation and weight gain, whereas others can lead to permanent damage.