Perception of Ridesharing Among Veterans With Cardiovascular Diseases in the Era of the MISSION Act.

The Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018 expanded veteran's access to community care leading to increased utilization of non-Veterans Affairs (VA) care and prompting concerns about the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of this care model for the VA. This study seeks to explore veterans' attitudes toward ridesharing services as a means of accessing VA-based cardiovascular care. This cross-sectional, quality improvement study utilized a 7-question survey administered to patients in an urban VA Heart Center to assess transportation preferences and opinions on ridesharing. Participants were more likely to support ridesharing if they held a positive opinion of rideshare ( P = 0.024), felt safe utilizing rideshare ( P = 0.025), or were undergoing invasive procedures ( P = 0.007). Distance traveled did not influence support of ridesharing ( P = 0.617). In conclusion, investing in ridesharing for veterans may provide a cost-effective means to improve VA access and continuity of care regardless of distance.

Interventional cardiologist perceptions about PCI without surgical backup-Results of an international survey.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without surgical backup is becoming increasingly common in the United States. Additionally, a recent SCAI expert consensus document has liberalized recommendations for performing PCI without cardiac surgery on site (SOS). AIMS: The current study sought to understand practice patterns and operator preferences with regard to performing PCI without SOS. METHODS: Two internet-based surveys were distributed to interventional cardiologists worldwide. Survey items asked about operator demographics, procedural preferences when performing PCI without SOS, self-judged personality traits, and history of malpractice. RESULTS: Between March 2021 and May 2021, 517 interventional cardiologists completed the survey; 341 of whom perform elective PCI without SOS (no-SOS operators), and 176 who perform elective PCI with surgical backup (SOS operators). Most operators were male 473 (91.5%). There was a greater proportion of SOS operators in academic practice (86 vs. 75, p < 0.001) and greater proportion of no-SOS operators in hospital-owned practices (158 vs. 56, p < 0.001). Lesion characteristics (left main, chronic total occlusions, and need for atherectomy) were the most important procedural attributes for no-SOS operators, and international operators reported higher comfort levels with PCI on high-risk lesions. Cumulative personality profile scores were similar between SOS and no-SOS operators. SOS operators expressed more concern with legal ramifications of performing PCI without SOS (2.57 vs. 2.34, p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of surgical backup, lesion characteristics were the most important consideration for PCI patient selection for operators worldwide. Compared to the United States, international operators were more confident in performing high-risk PCI without surgical backup.

Interventional Cardiac Procedures and Pregnancy.

As the average maternal age advances with increasing concurrent cardiovascular disease risk factors, more women are entering pregnancy with or at risk for various cardiovascular conditions. Although rare, pregnant patients may require various cardiac interventions in the catheterization laboratory. An understanding of indications for intervention in pregnant patients with conditions such as myocardial infarction, severe valvular disease, and cardiogenic shock is critical to optimizing both fetal and maternal outcomes. This document highlights the most common cardiovascular conditions that may be encountered during pregnancy that may require intervention and highlights indications for intervention and periprocedural considerations to facilitate favorable maternal and fetal outcomes.