Medicine (Western Health) - Research Publications
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ItemPredictors of Referral to Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients following Hospitalisation with Heart Failure: A Multivariate Regression Analysis(MDPI, 2022-03)Background: This exploratory observational case−control study investigated the rate of referral to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) among patients hospitalised with heart failure (HF) and identified factors associated with referral. Methods: Patients hospitalised with HF as identified by the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry HF study were included. Factors found to be univariately associated with referral were selected for multivariate logistic regression. Results: Among 1281 patients (mean age: 76.9 years; 32.8% HFrEF and 33.9% HfpEF), 125 (9.8%) were referred to CR. Patients referred were younger (73.6 (2.7, 81.5) vs. 80.2 (71.1, 86.5) p < 0.001) and were more likely to be men (72%, p < 0.001). Factors associated with referral included inpatient percutaneous coronary intervention (OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.04−10.48; p = 0.04), an aetiology of ischaemic or rhythm-related cardiomyopathy, and anticoagulants prescribed on discharge. Factors that lowered the likelihood of referral included older age, female, receiving inpatient oxygen therapy, and the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or anaemia. Conclusions: The rate of referral to CR following hospitalisation with HF is low. Shortfalls are particularly evident among females, older patients, and in those with COPD or anaemia. Future studies should focus on improving referral processes and translating proven strategies that increase referrals to CR into practice.
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ItemUsing electronic medical record data to assess chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease testing, recognition and management as documented in Australian general practice: a cross-sectional analysis(BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP, 2022-02)OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the capacity of general practice (GP) electronic medical record (EMR) data to assess risk factor detection, disease diagnostic testing, diagnosis, monitoring and pharmacotherapy for the interrelated chronic vascular diseases-chronic kidney disease (CKD), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of data extracted on a single date for each practice between 12 April 2017 and 18 April 2017 incorporating data from any time on or before data extraction, using baseline data from the Chronic Disease early detection and Improved Management in PrimAry Care ProjecT. Deidentified data were extracted from GP EMRs using the Pen Computer Systems Clinical Audit Tool and descriptive statistics used to describe the study population. SETTING: Eight GPs in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Patients were ≥18 years and attended GP ≥3 times within 24 months. 37 946 patients were included. RESULTS: Risk factor and disease testing/monitoring/treatment were assessed as per Australian guidelines (or US guidelines if none available), with guidelines simplified due to limitations in data availability where required. Risk factor assessment in those requiring it: 30% of patients had body mass index and 46% blood pressure within guideline recommended timeframes. Diagnostic testing in at-risk population: 17% had diagnostic testing as per recommendations for CKD and 37% for T2D. Possible undiagnosed disease: Pathology tests indicating possible disease with no diagnosis already coded were present in 6.7% for CKD, 1.6% for T2D and 0.33% familial hypercholesterolaemia. Overall prevalence: Coded diagnoses were recorded in 3.8% for CKD, 6.6% for T2D, 4.2% for ischaemic heart disease, 1% for heart failure, 1.7% for ischaemic stroke, 0.46% for peripheral vascular disease, 0.06% for familial hypercholesterolaemia and 2% for atrial fibrillation. Pharmaceutical prescriptions: the proportion of patients prescribed guideline-recommended medications ranged from 44% (beta blockers for patients with ischaemic heart disease) to 78% (antiplatelets or anticoagulants for patients with ischaemic stroke). CONCLUSIONS: Using GP EMR data, this study identified recorded diagnoses of chronic vascular diseases generally similar to, or higher than, reported national prevalence. It suggested low levels of extractable documented risk factor assessments, diagnostic testing in those at risk and prescription of guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy for some conditions. These baseline data highlight the utility of GP EMR data for potential use in epidemiological studies and by individual practices to guide targeted quality improvement. It also highlighted some of the challenges of using GP EMR data.
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ItemDisparities in Care and Outcome of Stroke Patients from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in Metropolitan Australia(MDPI, 2021-12)Acute stroke is a time-critical emergency where diagnosis and acute management are highly dependent upon the accuracy of the patient's history. We hypothesised that the language barrier is associated with delayed onset time to thrombolysis and poor clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the effect of language barriers on time to thrombolysis and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. Concerning the method, this is a retrospective study of all patients admitted to a metropolitan stroke unit (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) with an acute ischemic stroke treated with tissue plasminogen activator between 1/2013 and 9/2017. Baseline characteristics, thrombolysis time intervals, length of stay, discharge destination, and in-hospital mortality were compared among patients with and without a language barrier using multivariate analysis after adjustment for age, sex, stroke severity, premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Language barriers were defined as a primary language other than English. A total of 374 patients were included. Our findings show that 76 patients (20.3%) had a language barrier. Mean age was five years older for patients with language barriers (76.7 vs. 71.8 years, p = 0.004). Less non-English speaking patients had premorbid mRS score of zero (p = 0.002), and more had premorbid mRS score of one or two (p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of stroke severity on presentation (p = 0.06). The onset to needle time was significantly longer in patients with a language barrier (188 min vs. 173 min, p = 0.04). Onset to arrival and door to imaging times were reassuringly similar between the two groups. However, imaging to needle time was 9 min delayed in non-English speaking patients with a marginal p value (65 vs. 56 min, p = 0.06). Patients with language barriers stayed longer in the stroke unit (six vs. four days, p = 0.02) and had higher discharge rates than residential aged care facilities in those admitted from home (9.2% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.02). In-hospital mortality was not different between the two groups (p = 0.8). In conclusion, language barriers were associated with almost 14 min delay in thrombolysis. The delay was primarily attributable to imaging to needle time. Language barriers were also associated with poorer clinical outcomes.
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ItemUse of novel non-invasive techniques and biomarkers to guide outpatient management of fluid overload and reduce hospital readmission: systematic review and meta-analysis(WILEY PERIODICALS, INC, 2021-10)AIMS: Fluid congestion is a leading cause of hospital admission, readmission, and mortality in heart failure (HF). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of an advanced fluid management programme (AFMP). The AFMP was defined as an intervention providing tailored diuretic therapy guided by intravascular volume assessment, in hospitalized patients or after discharge. The AFMP group was compared with patients who received standard care treatment. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of an AFMP in improving patient outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, and crossover studies using the terms 'heart failure', 'fluid management', and 'readmission' was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus up until November 2020. Studies reporting the association of an AFMP on readmission and/or mortality were included in our meta-analyses. Risk of bias was assessed in non-randomized studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. From 232 retrieved studies, 12 were included in the data synthesis. The 6040 patients in the included studies had a mean age of 72 ± 4 years and mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 39 ± 8%, there were slightly more men (n = 3022) than women, and the follow-up period was a mean of 4.8 ± 3.1 months. Readmission data were available in 5362 patients; of these, 1629 were readmitted. Mortality data were available in 5787 patients; of these, 584 died. HF patients who had an AFMP in hospital and/or after discharge had lower odds of all-cause readmission (odds ratio-OR 0.64 [95% confidence interval-CI 0.44, 0.92], P = 0.02) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 46.5) and lower odds of all-cause mortality (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.69, 0.98], P = 0.03) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0). The use of an AFMP was equally effective in reducing readmission and mortality regardless of age and follow-up duration. Effective pre-discharge diuresis was associated with significantly lower readmission odds (OR 0.43 [95% CI 0.26, 0.71], P = 0.001) compared with a fluid management plan as part of post-discharge follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: An effective AFMP is associated with improving readmission and mortality in HF. Our results encourage attainment of optimal volume status at discharge and prescription of optimal diuretic dose. Ongoing support to maintain euvolaemia and effective collaboration between healthcare teams, along with effective patient education and engagement, may help to reduce adverse outcomes in HF patients.
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ItemThe Utility of Predicting Hospitalizations Among Patients With Heart Failure Using mHealth: Observational Study.(JMIR Publications Inc., 2020-12-22)BACKGROUND: Heart failure decompensation is a major driver of hospitalizations and represents a significant burden to the health care system. Identifying those at greatest risk of admission can allow for targeted interventions to reduce this risk. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to compare the predictive value of objective and subjective heart failure respiratory symptoms on imminent heart failure decompensation and subsequent hospitalization within a 30-day period. METHODS: A prospective observational pilot study was conducted. People living at home with heart failure were recruited from a single-center heart failure outpatient clinic. Objective (blood pressure, heart rate, weight, B-type natriuretic peptide) and subjective (4 heart failure respiratory symptoms scored for severity on a 5-point Likert scale) data were collected twice weekly for a 30-day period. RESULTS: A total of 29 participants (median age 79 years; 18/29, 62% men) completed the study. During the study period, 10 of the 29 participants (34%) were hospitalized as a result of heart failure. For objective data, only heart rate exhibited a between-group difference. However, it was nonsignificant for variability (P=.71). Subjective symptom scores provided better prediction. Specifically, the highest precision of heart failure hospitalization was observed when patients with heart failure experienced severe dyspnea, orthopnea, and bendopnea on any given day (area under the curve of 0.77; sensitivity of 83%; specificity of 73%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of subjective respiratory symptom reporting on a 5-point Likert scale may facilitate a simple and low-cost method of predicting heart failure decompensation and imminent hospitalization. Serial collection of symptom data could be augmented using ecological momentary assessment of self-reported symptoms within a mobile health monitoring strategy for patients at high risk for heart failure decompensation.
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ItemUndercarboxylated osteocalcin is associated with vascular function in female older adults but does not influence vascular function in male rabbit carotid artery ex vivo(PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2020-11-25)BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports on the association of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) in cardiovascular disease development, including endothelial function and hypertension. We tested whether ucOC is related to blood pressure and endothelial function in older adults, and if ucOC directly affects endothelial-mediated vasodilation in the carotid artery of rabbits. METHODS: In older adults, ucOC, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) were measured (n = 38, 26 post-menopausal women and 12 men, mean age 73 ± 0.96). The vasoactivity of the carotid artery was assessed in male New Zealand White rabbits following a four-week normal or atherogenic diet using perfusion myography. An ucOC dose response curve (0.3-45 ng/ml) was generated following incubation of the arteries for 2-hours in either normal or high glucose conditions. RESULTS: ucOC levels were higher in normotensive older adults compared to those with stage 2 hypertension (p < 0.05), particularly in women (p < 0.01). In all participants, higher ucOC was associated with lower PWV (p < 0.05), but not BAFMD (p > 0.05). In rabbits, ucOC at any dose did not alter vasoactivity of the carotid artery, either following a normal or an atherogenic diet (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased ucOC is associated with lower blood pressure and increased arterial stiffness, particularly in post-menopausal women. However, ucOC administration has no direct short-term effect on endothelial function in rabbit arteries. Future studies should explore whether treatment with ucOC, in vivo, has direct or indirect effects on blood vessel function.
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ItemAntihypertensive therapies in moderate or severe aortic stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis(BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP, 2020)BACKGROUND: Hypertension confers a poor prognosis in moderate or severe aortic stenosis (AS), however, antihypertensive therapy (AHT) is often not prescribed due to the perceived deleterious effects of vasodilation and negative inotropes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety outcomes of AHT in adults with moderate or severe AS. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE and grey literature were searched without language restrictions up to 9 September 2019. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Two independent reviewers performed screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessments from a systematic search of observational studies and randomised controlled trials comparing AHT with a placebo or no AHT in adults with moderate or severe AS for any parameter of efficacy and safety outcomes. Conflicts were resolved by the third reviewer. Meta-analysis with pooled effect sizes using random-effects model, were estimated in R. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality, Left Ventricular (LV) Mass Index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and LV ejection fraction RESULTS: From 3025 publications, 31 studies (26 500 patients) were included in the qualitative synthesis and 24 studies in the meta-analysis. AHT was not associated with mortality when all studies were pooled, but heterogeneity was substantial across studies. The effect size of AHT differed according to drug class. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) were associated with reduced risk of mortality (Pooled HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.80, p=0.006), The differences in changes of haemodynamic or echocardiographic parameters from baseline with and without AHT did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: AHT appears safe, is well tolerated. RAASi were associated with clinical benefit in patients with moderate or severe AS.
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ItemRationale and design of a risk-guided strategy for reducing readmissions for acute decompensated heart failure: the Risk-HF study(WILEY PERIODICALS, INC, 2020-10)AIMS: Heart failure (HF) readmission commonly arises owing to insufficient patient knowledge and failure of recognition of the early stages of recurrent fluid congestion. In previous work, we developed a score to predict short-term hospital readmission and showed that higher-risk patients benefit most from a disease management programme (DMP) that included enhancing knowledge and education by a nurse. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, nurse-led HF DMP in selected patients at high risk of short-term hospital readmission, using ultrasound-guided diuretic management and artificial intelligence to enhance HF knowledge in an outpatient setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: Risk-HF is a prospective multisite randomized controlled trial that will allocate 404 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HF, and ≥33% risk of readmission and/or death at 30 days, into risk-guided nurse intervention (DMP-Plus group) compared with usual care. Intervention elements include (i) fluid management with a handheld ultrasound (HHU) device at point of care; (ii) post-discharge follow-up; (iii) optimal programmed drug titration; (iv) better transition of care; (v) intensive self-care education via an avatar-based 'digital health coach'; and (vi) exercise guidance through the digital coach. Usual care involves standard post-discharge hospital care. The primary outcome is reduced death and/or hospital readmissions at 30 days post-discharge, and secondary outcomes include quality of life, fluid management efficacy, and feasibility and patient engagement. Assuming that our intervention will reduce readmissions and/or deaths by 50%, with a 1:1 ratio of intervention vs. usual care, we plan to randomize 404 patients to show a difference at a statistical power of 80%, using a two-sided alpha of 0.05. We anticipate this recruitment will be achieved by screening 2020 hospitalized HF patients for eligibility. An 8 week pilot programme of our digital health coach in 21 HF patients, age > 75 years, showed overall improvements in quality of life (13 of 21), self-care (12 of 21), and HF knowledge (13 of 21). A pilot of the use of HHU by nurses showed that it was feasible and accurate. CONCLUSIONS: The Risk-HF trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a risk-guided intervention to improve HF outcomes and will evaluate the efficacy of trained HF nurses delivering a fluid management protocol that is guided by lung ultrasound with an HHU at point of care.
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ItemPRIME-HF: Novel Exercise for Older Patients with Heart Failure. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study(WILEY, 2020-09)OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that (1) older patients with heart failure (HF) can tolerate COMBined moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance training (COMBO), and (2) 4 weeks of Peripheral Remodeling through Intermittent Muscular Exercise (PRIME) before 4 weeks of COMBO will improve aerobic capacity and muscle strength to a greater extent than 8 weeks of COMBO. DESIGN: Prospective randomized parallel open-label blinded end point. SETTING: Single-site Australian metropolitan hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen adults (72.8 ± 8.4 years of age) with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to 4 weeks of PRIME or COMBO (phase 1). All participants subsequently completed 4 weeks of COMBO (phase 2). Sessions were twice a week for 60 minutes. PRIME is a low-mass, high-repetition regime (40% one-repetition maximum [1RM], eight strength exercises, 5 minutes each). COMBO training involved combined aerobic (40%-60% of peak aerobic capacity [VO2peak ], up to 20 minutes) and resistance training (50-70% 1RM, eight exercises, two sets of 10 repetitions). MEASUREMENTS: We measured VO2peak , VO2 at anaerobic threshold (AT), and muscle voluntary contraction (MVC). RESULTS: The PRIME group significantly increased VO2peak after 8 weeks (2.4 mL/kg/min; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .7-4.1; P = .004), whereas the COMBO group showed minimal change (.2; 95% CI -1.5 to 1.8). This produced a large between-group effect size of 1.0. VO2 at AT increased in the PRIME group (1.6 mL/kg/min; 95% CI .0-3.2) but not in the COMBO group (-1.2; 95% CI -2.9 to .4), producing a large between-group effect size. Total MVC increased significantly in both groups in comparison with baseline; however, the change was larger in the COMBO group (effect size = .6). CONCLUSION: Traditional exercise approaches (COMBO) and PRIME improved strength. Only PRIME training produced statistically and clinically significant improvements to aerobic capacity. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that PRIME may have potential advantages for older patients with HFrEF and could be a possible alternative exercise modality.
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ItemCharacteristic Histopathological Findings and Cardiac Arrest Rhythm in Isolated Mitral Valve Prolapse and Sudden Cardiac Death(WILEY, 2020-04-09)Background The association between mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and sudden death remains controversial. We aimed to describe histopathological changes in individuals with autopsy-determined isolated MVP (iMVP) and sudden death and document cardiac arrest rhythm. Methods and Results The Australian National Coronial Information System database was used to identify cases of iMVP between 2000 and 2018. Histopathological changes in iMVP and sudden death were compared with 2 control cohorts matched for age, sex, height, and weight (1 group with noncardiac death and 1 group with cardiac death). Data linkage with ambulance services provided cardiac arrest rhythm for iMVP cases. From 77 221 cardiovascular deaths in the National Coronial Information System database, there were 376 cases with MVP. Individual case review yielded 71 cases of iMVP. Mean age was 49±18 years, and 51% were women. Individuals with iMVP had higher cardiac mass (447 g versus 355 g; P<0.001) compared with noncardiac death, but similar cardiac mass (447 g versus 438 g; P=0.64) compared with cardiac death. Individuals with iMVP had larger mitral valve annulus compared with noncardiac death (121 versus 108 mm; P<0.001) and cardiac death (121 versus 110 mm; P=0.002), and more left ventricular fibrosis (79% versus 38%; P<0.001) compared with noncardiac death controls. In those with iMVP and witnessed cardiac arrest, 94% had ventricular fibrillation. Conclusions Individuals with iMVP and sudden death have increased cardiac mass, mitral annulus size, and left ventricular fibrosis compared with a matched cohort, with cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation. The histopathological changes in iMVP may provide the substrate necessary for development of malignant ventricular arrhythmias.