Distribution, infrastructure, and expertise of heart failure and cardio-oncology clinics in a developing network: temporal evolution and challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

The Hellenic Heart Failure Association has undertaken the initiative to develop a national network of heart failure clinics (HFCs) and cardio-oncology clinics (COCs). We conducted two questionnaire surveys among these clinics within 17 months and another during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak to assess adjustments of the developing network to the pandemic. Out of 68 HFCs comprising the network, 52 participated in the first survey and 55 in the second survey. The median number of patients assessed per week is 10. Changes in engaged personnel were encountered between the two surveys, along with increasing use of advanced echocardiographic techniques (23.1% in 2018 vs. 34.5% in 2020). Drawbacks were encountered, concerning magnetic resonance imaging and ergospirometry use (being available in 14.6% and 29% of HFCs, respectively), exercise rehabilitation programmes (applied only in 5.5%), and telemedicine applications (used in 16.4%). There are 13 COCs in the country with nine of them in the capital region; the median number of patients being assessed per week is 10. Platforms for virtual consultations and video calls are used in 38.5%. Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak affected provision of HFC services dramatically as only 18.5% continued to function regularly, imposing hurdles that need to be addressed, at least temporarily, possibly by alternative methods of follow-up such as remote consultation. The function of COCs, in contrast, seemed to be much less affected during the pandemic (77% of them continued to follow up their patients). This staged, survey-based procedure may serve as a blueprint to help building national HFC/COC networks and provides the means to address changes during healthcare crises.

Improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction among patients with coronary artery disease: an example of enhancing regional integration between a cardiac centre and a referring hospital.

BACKGROUND: Value-based healthcare (VBHC) is a promising strategy to increase patient value. For a successful implementation of VBHC, intensive collaborations between organizations and integrated care delivery systems are key conditions. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of a pilot study regarding enhancing regional integration between a cardiac centre and a referring hospital on patient-relevant clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. METHODS: The study population consisted of a sample of patients treated for coronary artery disease by use of a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or a percutaneous coronary intervention between 2011 and 2016. Since 2013, the two hospitals have implemented different interventions to improve clinical outcomes and the degree of patient satisfaction, e.g. improvement of communication, increased consultant capacity, introduction of outpatient clinic for complex patients, and improved guideline adherence. To identify intervention effects, logistic regression analyses were conducted. Patients' initial conditions, like demographics and health status, were included in the model as predictors. Clinical data extracted from the electronic health records and the hospitals' cardiac databases as well as survey-based data were used. RESULTS: Our findings indicate a non-significant increase of event-free survival of patients treated for coronary artery disease between 2014 and 2016 compared to patients treated between 2011 and 2013 (97.4% vs. 96.7% respectively). This non-significant improvement over time has led to significant better outcomes for patients referred from the study referring hospital compared to patients referred from other hospitals. The level of patient satisfaction (response rate 32.2%; 216 out of 669) was improved and reached statistically significant higher scores regarding patient information and education (p = .013), quality of care (p = .007), hospital admission and stay (p = .032), personal contact with the physician (p = .024), and total impression (p = .007). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a promising effect of regional integration. An intensified collaboration in the care chain, organized in a structured manner between a cardiac centre and a referring hospital and aiming at high quality, resulted in successful improvement of clinical outcomes and degree of patient satisfaction. The applied method may be used as a starting point of regional integration with other referring hospitals. We encourage others to organize the whole care chain to continuously improve patient-relevant outcomes and patient satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11311830. Registered 01 October 2018 (retrospectively registered).

Social work involvement in palliative care heart failure research: a review of recent literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of the review is to examine the findings of empirical studies of palliative care interventions for patients with heart failure in which a social worker was identified as a key member of the interprofessional clinical team. RECENT FINDINGS: Our systematic review of the empirical literature from January 2016 to August 2019 found five palliative care interventions with heart failure patients that cited involvement of a social worker as a key team member. The reviewed studies highlighted social workers' roles in the areas of psychosocial assessments and support, advance care planning, and patient-medical team communication. SUMMARY: Palliative social workers possess the knowledge and skills to provide expertise in psychological, social, and cultural care within palliative care domains of practice. Given this primary and critical role, more studies that include the assessment of outcomes linked to the social worker's role should be pursued. Our review unearthed several important studies that highlight the role of the palliative social workers in heart failure models of care.

The Inflammation-Based Glasgow Prognostic Score as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Intensive Cardiovascular Care Unit.

Background: The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), which is obtained from a combination of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum albumin level, predicts poor prognoses in many cancer types. Systemic inflammation also plays an important role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of inflammation-based GPS on in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients hospitalized in intensive cardiovascular care unit (ICCU). Methods: A total of 1004 consecutive patients admitted to ICCU were included in the study, and patients were divided into three groups based on albumin and CRP values as GPS 0, 1, and 2. Patients' demographic, clinic, and laboratory findings were recorded. In-hospital and one-year mortality rates were compared between groups. Results: Mortality occurred in 109 (10.8%) patients in in-hospital period, 82 (8.1%) patients during follow-up period, and thus, cumulative mortality occurred in 191 (19.0%) patients. Patients with a high GPS score had a higher rate of comorbidities and represented increased inflammatory evidence. In the multivariate regression model there was independent association with in-hospital mortality in GPS 1 patients compared to GPS 0 patients (Odds ratio, (OR); 5.52, 95% CI: 1.2⁻16.91, p = 0.025) and in GPS 2 patients compared to GPS 0 patients (OR; 7.01, 95% CI: 1.39⁻35.15, p = 0.018). A higher GPS score was also associated with a prolonged ICCU and hospital stay, and increased re-hospitalization in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Inflammation based GPS is a practical tool in the prediction of worse prognosis both in in-hospital and one-year follow-up periods in ICCU patients.

Caring for adults with congenital heart disease in a regional setting.

OBJECTIVE: The number of adults with congenital heart disease has increased with improvements in surgical and medical management, posing a challenge for regional and rural settings, which might have difficulties accessing specialised professionals with congenital heart disease services. This study aims to ascertain the demographics and management of adults with congenital heart disease seen by a cardiology practice in regional Australia to better understand the needs of regional adults with congenital heart disease. DESIGN: A descriptive study using data from clinical notes collected between April 2013 and April 2016. SETTING: A private cardiology practice in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The practice has a treating cardiologist, senior sonographer, visiting cardiothoracic surgeon and visiting paediatric cardiologist. PARTICIPANTS: One-hundred-and-one adults with congenital heart disease (age: 16-88 years; 55 women). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Congenital heart disease defect, lesion severity, referral reason, past surgery, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac surgery during the study, mortality, adherence with follow-up plans and specialist referral. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients had simple congenital heart disease, 24 had congenital heart disease of moderate complexity and 11 had congenital heart disease of great complexity. Most were referred for surveillance, seven were referred due to pregnancy and eight were new diagnoses. Six patients died, nine had cardiac operations and five were treated for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Overall adherence to the treating cardiologist's follow-up plans was 84%. All patients with congenital heart disease of great complexity were referred to congenital heart disease specialists. CONCLUSION: A substantial number of patients had complex pathology, new diagnoses or required surgery, highlighting the importance of developing integrated services with the close support of outside specialists in managing adults with congenital heart disease in regional settings.

First Magnetic Resonance Managed by a Cardiology Department in the Spanish Public Healthcare System. Experience and Difficulties of an Innovative Model.

Magnetic resonance (MR) is considered the gold standard in the assessment of myocardial morphology, function, perfusion, and viability. However, its main limitation is its scarce availability. In 2014, we installed the first MR scanner exclusively managed by a cardiology department within the publicly-funded Spanish healthcare system with the aim of improving patient-care, training and research in the department. In the time interval analyzed, July 2014 to May 2017, 3422 cardiac MR scans were performed (32minutes used per study; 96% with good quality; 75% with contrast media administration). The most prevalent clinical indications were cardiomyopathy (29%) and ischemic heart disease (12%). Twenty-five percent of studies were conducted in the context of research protocols. Follow-up studies predominated among outpatients, while pretherapeutic assessment was more common in hospitalized patients. The presumptive diagnosis was changed by cardiac MR scanning in up to 20% of patients investigated for ischemic heart disease. The installation and operative management of an MR scanner in our cardiology department has allowed us to integrate this technique into daily clinical practice, modify our clinical protocols, optimize access to this technology among cardiac patients, improve training, and conduct clinical research.

Developing a mitral valve center of excellence.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite the proven superiority of mitral repair over replacement for degenerative mitral disease, mitral valve replacement remains common. Guidelines now recommend referral of patients, particularly those whom are asymptomatic, to valve centers of excellence, although criteria that define such centers remain to be established. The purpose of this review is to define the structure of a mitral center of excellence and to review current clinical outcomes which are possible in such a center. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association as well as the European Society of Cardiology/European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery guidelines define mitral centers of excellence as either centers in which the likelihood of successful and durable repair exceeds 95% and with an operative mortality risk of less than 1% (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association definition) or centers with high repair rates, low operative mortality, and a record of durable results (European Society of Cardiology/European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery definition). There is however less clarity about the structure and function of a center that achieves these outcomes. SUMMARY: The importance of centers of excellence in mitral valve surgery are now well recognized, and this review will highlight the key components and outcomes of an established mitral valve reference center.

Challenges Caring for Adults With Congenital Heart Disease in Pediatric Settings: How Nurses Can Aid in the Transition.

As surgery for complex congenital heart disease is becoming more advanced, an increasing number of patients are surviving into adulthood, yet many of these adult patients remain in the pediatric hospital system. Caring for adult patients is often a challenge for pediatric nurses, because the nurses have less experience and comfort with adult care, medications, comorbid conditions, and rehabilitation techniques. As these patients age, the increased risk of complications and comorbid conditions from their heart disease may complicate their care further. Although these patients are admitted on a pediatric unit, nurses can aid in promoting their independence and help prepare them to transition into the adult medical system. Nurses, the comprehensive medical teams, and patients' families can all effectively influence the process of preparing these patients for transition to adult care.

Challenges with the establishment of congenital cardiac surgery centers in Nigeria: survey of cardiothoracic surgeons and residents.

BACKGROUND: There are gaps in understanding the challenges with the establishment of pediatric cardiac surgical practices in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to examine the prospects and challenges limiting the establishment of pediatric cardiac surgical practices in Nigeria from the perspectives of cardiothoracic surgeons and resident doctors. METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out to articulate the views of the cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiothoracic resident doctors in Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was used to generate information from the participants between December 2014 and January 2015. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 21 statistical software package. RESULT: Thirty-one of the 51 eligible participants (60.7%) took part in the survey. Twenty-one (67.7%) were specialists/consultants, and 10 (32.3%) were resident doctors in cardiothoracic surgical units. Most of the respondents, 26 (83.9%) acknowledged the enormity of pediatric patients with cardiac problems in Nigeria; however, nearly all such children were referred outside Nigeria for treatment. The dearth of pediatric cardiac surgical centers in Nigeria was attributed to weak health system, absence of skilled manpower, funds, and equipment. Although there was a general consensus on the need for the establishment of open pediatric cardiac surgical centers in the country, their set up mechanisms were not explicit. CONCLUSIONS: The obvious necessity and huge potentials for the establishment of pediatric cardiac centers in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Nevertheless, weakness of the national health system, including human resources remains a daunting challenge. Therefore, local and international partnerships and collaborations with country leadership are strongly advocated to pioneer this noble service.

First results of a national initiative to enable quality improvement of cardiovascular care by transparently reporting on patient-relevant outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess patient-relevant outcomes of delivered cardiovascular care by focusing on disease management as determined by a multidisciplinary Heart Team, to establish and share best practices by comparing outcomes and to embed value-based decision-making to improve quality and efficiency in Dutch heart centres. METHODS: In 2014, 12 Dutch heart centres pooled patient-relevant outcome data, which resulted in transparent publication of the outcomes, including long-term follow-up up to 5 years, of approximately 86 000 heart patients. This study presents the results of both disease- and treatment patient-relevant outcome measures for coronary artery disease and aortic valve disease. The patients included were presented to a Heart Team and underwent invasive or operative treatment. In-hospital and out-of-hospital patient-relevant outcome measures were collected as well as initial conditions. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form (SF)-36 or SF-12 health survey. RESULTS: In the Netherlands, patient-relevant and risk-adjusted outcomes of cardiovascular care in participating heart centres are published annually. Data were sufficiently reliable to enable comparisons and to subtract best practices. The statistically lower risk-adjusted mortality rate after coronary artery bypass grafting resulted in a voluntary roll-out of a perioperative safety check. The in-depth analysis of outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention resulted in process improvements in several heart centres, such as pre-hydration for patients with renal insufficiency and the need of target vessel revascularizations within a year. CONCLUSION: Annual data collection on follow-up of patient-relevant outcomes of cardiovascular care, initiated and organized by physicians, appears feasible. Transparent publication of outcomes drives the improvement of quality within heart centres. The system of using a limited set of patient-relevant outcome measures enables reliable comparisons and exposes the quality of decision-making and the operational process. Transparent communication on outcomes is feasible, safe and cost-effective, and stimulates professional decision-making and disease management.

Confessions of PCICU Leaders: Tales From the Past, Lessons for the Future.

BACKGROUND: The pediatric cardiac intensive care environment is challenging and unpredictable due to the heterogeneous patient population. Leadership within this complex environment is critical for optimal outcomes. METHODS: The 10th International Meeting of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society provided a forum for leaders to share their own practice and experience that concluded with take-home messages regarding quality, safety, clinical effectiveness, stewardship, and leadership. RESULTS: Presentations defined vital aspects for successful outcomes and highlighted ongoing challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Accomplishing exceptional outcomes requires a blend of clinical expertise, leadership, communication skills with briefing and debriefing, meaningful use of data, and transparency among peers and toward patients and their families.

Recommendations for starting a grown up congenital heart disease (GUCH) unit / Recomendações para a implantação de uma Unidade de Cardiopatias Congênitas no Adulto

AbstractDuring the last decades, advances in diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease have allowed many individuals to reach adulthood. Due mainly to the great diagnostic diversity and to the co-morbidities usually present in this age group, these patients demand assistance in a multidisciplinary facility if an adequate attention is aimed. In this paper we reviewed, based in the international literature and also on the authors’ experience, the structural conditions that should be available for these patients. We highlighted aspects like the facility characteristics, the criteria usually adopted for patient transfer from the paediatric setting, the composition of the medical and para- medical staff taking into account the specific problems, and also the model of outpatient and in-hospital assistance. We also emphasized the importance of patient data storage, the fundamental necessity of institutional support and also the compromise to offer professional training. The crucial relevance of clinical research is also approached, particularly the development of multicenter studies as an appropriate methodology for this heterogeneous patient population.

ResumoDurante as últimas décadas, os avanços verificados no diagnóstico e tratamento das cardiopatias congênitas têm permitido que muitos indivíduos cheguem à idade adulta. Devido principalmente à grande diversidade diagnóstica e também às comorbidades habitualmente presentes nesse grupo etário, esses pacientes necessitam ser atendidos numa unidade multidisciplinar, se o objetivo for proporcionar uma assistência adequada. Neste trabalho revisamos, com base na experiência dos autores e na literatura internacional, as condições estruturais que devem estar disponíveis para esses pacientes. Procuramos ressaltar aspectos como as características da unidade, o critério usualmente adotado para transferência desses pacientes da unidade pediátrica, a composição das equipes médica e paramédica levando em consideração os problemas específicos dos pacientes e também o modelo de assistência ambulatorial e hospitalar. Enfatizamos, ainda, a importância do armazenamento dos dados dos pacientes, a necessidade fundamental de apoio institucional e a importância de oferecer treinamento profissional. A relevância da pesquisa clínica é também abordada, particularmente a importância da confecção de estudos multicêntricos, como uma metodologia apropriada para essa heterogênea população de pacientes.

Adults with congenital heart disease transition.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: At present, 85-90% of those born with congenital heart disease (CHD) grow up to become adults. With few exceptions, reparative surgery is not curative and requires long-term surveillance. Caregivers could be changed from pediatric cardiologists to adult CHD specialists (or cardiologists) during this process. This study will focus on the current practice of transition in CHD. RECENT FINDINGS: Residua and sequelae may progress in severity with age and induce late complications, such as arrhythmias, cardiac failure, thromboembolism, sudden cardiac death, reoperation, cardiac intervention, and arrhythmia ablation. There are other obstacles that further complicate adult CHD, including pregnancy and delivery, noncardiac surgery, psychosocial problems, health insurance coverage, and extracardiac complications, making close follow-up and proper management mandatory. Because of this, several specialized centers have been established to respond to this need, and several studies focusing on transition have been published recently. SUMMARY: Provision of comprehensive care by multidisciplinary teams including adult CHD specialists, adult and pediatric cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons, specialized nurses, and other specific disciplines are the fundamental features in care facilities for adult CHD. Training and education should be focused on adult CHD fellows who represent the next generation that will assume responsibility for this patient population. Proper transition from pediatric cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons to adult CHD care team, including adult CHD specialists and/or cardiologists trained in this field, is mandatory.

The science of assessing the outcomes and improving the quality of the congenital and paediatric cardiac care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although significant progress has been made in the care of patients with paediatric and congenital cardiac disease, optimization of outcomes remains a constant goal. This review article will discuss the latest advances in the science of assessing the outcomes and improving the quality of the congenital and paediatric cardiac care, and will also review some of the latest associated research. RECENT FINDINGS: Important advances continue to be made in each of the following domains: standardized nomenclature; established uniform core dataset; evaluation of case complexity; verification of the completeness and accuracy of the data; collaboration between subspecialties; strategies for longitudinal follow-up; and incorporating quality improvement. In January 2015, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS-CHSD) will begin voluntary public reporting of programmatic congenital cardiac surgical outcomes using a new risk model that includes both procedural risk (as defined by the procedure itself and STAT Categories) and a number of patient-specific characteristics including age, weight, prior cardiothoracic operation, prematurity, chromosomal abnormalities, syndromes, noncardiac congenital anatomic abnormalities and preoperative factors. Clinical databases have been linked with administrative database to answer questions neither dataset can answer independently, providing new information about long-term mortality, rates of rehospitalization, long-term morbidity, comparative effectiveness of various treatments, and the cost of healthcare. Multiple research initiatives have recently been published using STS-CHSD. SUMMARY: The science of assessing the outcomes and improving the quality of congenital and paediatric cardiac care continues to evolve. Recent advances will facilitate the continued evolution of a meaningful method of multiinstitutional outcomes analysis for congenital and paediatric cardiac surgery.

[Diagnosis and therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension in Italy: results of the INCIPIT2 survey]. / Diagnosi e terapia dell'ipertensione arteriosa polmonare nelle Cardiologie italiane: risultati dell'indagine conoscitiva INCIPIT2.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare clinical condition characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and premature death. It is necessary to activate a pathway from the screening of pulmonary hypertension to the diagnosis of PAH, so as to use the drugs able to improve the outcome. Nowadays, in Italy, there are no data about the management of PAH in peripheral centers and about the integration of peripheral centers with those of excellence. METHODS: In order to have a map of the actual Italian pathway for diagnosis and therapy of PAH, on behalf of the ANMCO Pulmonary Circulation Area, 923 Italian cardiology departments were asked to reply, on a special electronic file, to a few simple questions about their organization, from December 2012 to May 2013. RESULTS: 101/923 centers (48 in the North, 18 in the Middle, 35 in the South) answered correctly. 32% has no organization for PAH, 68% has a pathway for PAH diagnosis and management, and two thirds of them collaborate with excellence centers. 36 centers perform right heart catheterization with vascular reactivity (21 with nitric oxide, 8 with adenosine, 5 with epoprostenol, 2 with nitric oxide or epoprostenol). 61/101 are prescriber centers: 33 perform right heart catheterization with vascular reactivity test, 23 send their patients to the reference center for right heart catheterization, 5 perform no right heart catheterization before the prescription of specific drugs for PAH, and only 14 prescribe intravenous prostanoids. In 2011, the participating centers followed 561 patients with PAH, of whom 126 (23%) were in independent centers. With regard to the network organization of the groups, the participating centers are partly independent of the diagnostic pathway, partly refer to outside regions; in others there is a structured regional network and there are 3 Italian regions with Hub & Spoke networks that receive patients coming from other regions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the interest of Italian Cardiology to find a pathway for the diagnosis of PAH and a heterogeneity suggesting the need for a shareable pathway, thus improving the collaboration between peripheral cardiology departments and the excellence centers for PAH in a functional Hub & Spoke network.