Implementation of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines on Hypertension in Clinical Practice.

Background: The 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines on hypertension recommend a threshold blood pressure (BP) of ≥130/80 mmHg for diagnosis of hypertension and treating hypertension to a goal BP of <130/80 mmHg. For this study, we assessed the rate of compliance to the 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines by internal medicine residents and cardiology fellows in clinics affiliated with a teaching hospital in New York, New York. Methods: We conducted a retrospective medical records review for patients who had a clinical encounter at the internal medicine resident and cardiology fellow clinics from January to February 2019. To distinguish from adherence with prior guidelines, patients with BP of 130-139/80-89 mmHg (unless age ≥60 years and systolic blood pressure [SBP] 140-149 mmHg without chronic kidney disease or diabetes) were included. The primary outcome was accurate assessment of uncontrolled BP in accordance with the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines. Results: Included in the analysis were 435 patients from the internal medicine resident clinic and 127 patients from the cardiology fellow clinic. Accurate assessment of uncontrolled BP was higher in the cardiology fellow clinic compared to the internal medicine resident clinic (29.1% vs 10.3%, P<0.001), even after adjusting for baseline characteristics differences between the 2 clinics. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the type of clinic (internal medicine, odds ratio [OR] 0.27, 95% CI 0.16-0.47; P<0.001), established diagnosis of hypertension (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.06-3.99; P<0.001), and SBP (OR 1.16 per mmHg, 95% CI 1.11-1.22; P=0.031) were independently associated with the primary outcome. Conclusion: Cardiology fellows were better at identifying hypertension diagnosis thresholds and BP treatment goals in accordance with 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines compared to internal medicine residents.

Advances in trans-ulnar intervention: a successful trans-ulnar artery approach for left subclavian artery stenosis.

Techniques for vascular intervention have been evolving in the past decades. Trans-radial artery access (TRA) has been emerging and is favorable over trans-femoral access in recent years due to the lower risk of bleeding complications, vascular injury, early mobilization, shorter hospitalization and lesser cost. TRA has its own limitations such as radial artery stenosis, dissection, spasm and crossover. When access from the conventional sites is complicated or unsuccessful, trans-ulnar artery may serve as a feasible and alternative route. Despite posing potential complications similar to TRA, trans-ulnar artery is a relatively safe approach in an experienced trans-radial operator. We, herein, present a challenging case of subclavian artery revascularization performed via retrograde trans-ulnar approach.

Understanding of risk factors for the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection based on gender and race.

This study assessed if race and gender predict known sexual risk factors associated with HPV. Data (n = 301) were from a cross-sectional study conducted at a drag racing event on September 12-13, 2015 in Madison, Illinois. Both multivariable logistic and linear regression models estimated the association between race, gender, and sexual risk factors. About 63% of participants were males, and 65% identified as Blacks. Compared to females, males were more likely to have a higher number of oral sexual partners (OR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.57). Males were also more likely to have earlier oral sexual (b = -2.10; 95% CI: -3.60, -0.60) and vaginal sexual (b = -1.10; 95% CI: -1.69, -0.31) debuts compared to females. Blacks were more likely to have higher number of vaginal sexual partners (OR = 3.38; 95% CI: 1.81, 6.31) and earlier vaginal sex (b = -1.09; 95% CI: -1.78, -0.41) but less likely to have earlier oral sexual debuts compared with Whites (b = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.21, -4.13). Because HPV is associated with several cancers, our findings provide impetus for the development of targeted educational interventions aimed at improving the knowledge of these sexual risk factors, especially among men and across race groups.

Characteristics and predictors of oral cancer knowledge in a predominantly African American community.

PURPOSE: To characterize smoking and alcohol use, and to describe predictors of oral cancer knowledge among a predominantly African-American population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September, 2013 among drag racers and fans in East St. Louis. Oral cancer knowledge was derived from combining questionnaire items to form knowledge score. Covariates examined included age, sex, race, marital status, education status, income level, insurance status, tobacco and alcohol use. Adjusted linear regression analysis measured predictors of oral cancer knowledge. RESULTS: Three hundred and four participants completed questionnaire; 72.7% were African Americans. Smoking rate was 26.7%, alcohol use was 58.3%, and mean knowledge score was 4.60 ± 2.52 out of 17. In final adjusted regression model, oral cancer knowledge was associated with race and education status. Compared with Caucasians, African Americans were 29% less likely to have high oral cancer knowledge (ß = -0.71; 95% CI: -1.35, -0.07); and participants with a high school diploma or less were 124% less likely to have high oral cancer knowledge compared with college graduates (ß = -1.24; 95% CI: -2.44, -0.41). CONCLUSIONS: There was lower oral cancer knowledge among African Americans and those with low education. The prevalence of smoking was also very high. Understanding predictors of oral cancer knowledge is important in future design of educational interventions specifically targeted towards high-risk group for oral cancer.