Cost-effectiveness of cardio-oncology clinical assessment for prevention of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer chemotherapy increases the risk of heart failure. This cost-effectiveness study analyzes cardio-oncology imaging assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) using a Portuguese healthcare payer perspective and a five-year time horizon. METHODS: Two cardioprotective strategies were assessed: universal cardioprotection (UCP) for all patients and cardioprotection initiated on diagnosis of LVEF-defined cardiotoxicity (EF-CTX). A Markov model, informed by the retrospective clinical course of breast cancer patients followed in a Portuguese public hospital, was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of LVEF cardio-oncology imaging assessment. Data on transition probabilities, costs and utilities were retrieved from both the retrospective data and published literature to assess the cost-effectiveness of LVEF echocardiographic assessment. Costs and utilities of the cardioprotective strategies were assessed over a five-year range, using probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: In the reference case of a 63-year-old breast cancer patient treated with cardioprotection initiated on diagnosis of EF-CTX, the five-year time horizon (4.22 QALYs and €2594 cost over five years) dominated UCP (3.42 QALYS and €3758 cost over five years). Under a time horizon of five years at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €22 986, over 65.7% of simulations provided additional QALYs. Monte Carlo simulation of the Markov model had no effect on the model's conclusions. CONCLUSION: In the Portuguese public healthcare system and under specific hypotheses, from a healthcare payer perspective, EF-CTX-guided cardioprotection for patients at risk of chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity provides more QALYs at lower cost than UCP.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats.

The use of experimental animal models has become crucial in cardiovascular science. Most studies using rodent models are focused on two-dimensional imaging to study the cardiac anatomy of the left ventricle and M-mode echo to assess its dimensions. However, this could limit a comprehensive study. Herein, we describe a protocol that allows an assessment of the heart chamber size, left ventricular function (systolic and diastolic) and valvular function. A conventional medical ultrasound machine was used in this protocol and different echo views were obtained through left parasternal, apical and suprasternal windows. In the left parasternal window, the long and short axis were acquired to analyze left chamber dimensions, right ventricle and pulmonary artery dimensions, and mitral, pulmonary and aortic valve function. The apical window allows the measurement of heart chamber dimensions and evaluation of systolic and diastolic parameters. It also allows Doppler assessment with detection and quantification of heart valve disturbances (regurgitation or stenosis). Different segments and walls of the left ventricle are visualized throughout all views. Finally, the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta can be imaged through the suprasternal window. A combination of ultrasound imaging, Doppler flow and tissue Doppler assessment have been obtained to study cardiac morphology and function. This represents an important contribution to improve the assessment of cardiac function in adult rats with impact for research using these animal models.

Improving Hypertension Outcome Measurement in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

High blood pressure is the leading modifiable risk factor for mortality, accounting for nearly 1 in 5 deaths worldwide and 1 in 11 in low-income countries. Hypertension control remains a challenge, especially in low-resource settings. One approach to improvement is the prioritization of patient-centered care. However, consensus on the outcomes that matter most to patients is lacking. We aimed to define a standard set of patient-centered outcomes for evaluating hypertension management in low- and middle-income countries. The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement convened a Working Group of 18 experts and patients representing 15 countries. We used a modified Delphi process to reach consensus on a set of outcomes, case-mix variables, and a timeline to guide data collection. Literature reviews, patient interviews, a patient validation survey, and an open review by hypertension experts informed the set. The set contains 18 clinical and patient-reported outcomes that reflect patient priorities and evidence-based hypertension management and case-mix variables to allow comparisons between providers. The domains included are hypertension control, cardiovascular complications, health-related quality of life, financial burden of care, medication burden, satisfaction with care, health literacy, and health behaviors. We present a core list of outcomes for evaluating hypertension care. They account for the unique challenges healthcare providers and patients face in low- and middle-income countries, yet are relevant to all settings. We believe that it is a vital step toward international benchmarking in hypertension care and, ultimately, value-based hypertension management.

Prevalence, management and control of diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors in primary health care in Portugal.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) in primary health care users, to characterize associated cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and effectiveness of their treatment, and to estimate the clinical impact of DM on the occurrence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. METHODS: The VALSIM Study was performed in a primary care setting and involved 719 general practitioners (GPs), based on stratified distribution and proportional to the population density of each region of mainland Portugal and the islands of Madeira and the Azores. A questionnaire on sociodemographic and clinical data (previous diagnosis of DM, CAD or stroke, antidiabetic and antihypertensive medication and statins) and laboratory tests (lipids and HbA1C) was applied by participating GPs to the first two adult patients scheduled for an appointment on a given day, and blood pressure (BP) was measured. DM was defined as fasting glucose of > or = 126 mg/dl or use of antidiabetic agents. RESULTS: The study included 16,856 individuals (mean age 58.1 +/- 15.1 years; 61.6% women), of whom 3215 were identified as diabetic. The prevalence of DM adjusted for gender and age in primary health care users was 14.9%, higher in men (M: 16.8%; F: 13.2%), and increased with age. Among the diabetic population, 90.2% were being treated with antidiabetic drugs and 51.7% had HbA1C lower than 7%. Around 91% had high BP (> or = 130/80 mmHg or were taking antihypertensive medication), 39.5% were overweight, 45.1% were obese, 69.3% had abdominal obesity, 71.8% had metabolic syndrome (ATP III criteria), 12% presented CAD and 5% had past history of stroke. The association between these CV risk factors and DM was stronger in women, and the impact of DM on occurrence of CAD and stroke was also higher in women. Among diabetic hypertensives, 78.4% were being treated with antihypertensive drugs, but only 9.3% had BP < 130/80 mmHg (M: 9.5%; F: 9.1%). Of diabetic patients with CAD, 94.2% were taking antihypertensive medication, but only 9.8% had controlled BP (M: 13.7%; F: 6.1%). Although 59% of the diabetic population were being treated with statins, only 6.7% had total cholesterol < 200 mg/dl, triglycerides < 150 mg/dl and HDL-cholesterol > 60 mg/dl. Of diabetic patients with CAD, 76.5% were being treated with statins, but only 29.4% had total cholesterol < 175 mg/dl (M: 34.2%; F: 24.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The management of DM in a primary care setting in Portugal can and should be improved, since 9.8% of patients are not treated and 48.3% are not controlled. DM has a considerable clinical impact due to its strong association with CAD and stroke. The risk of stroke and CAD is much higher in diabetic women, due firstly to a stronger association of DM with other risk factors in women, and secondly to less aggressive treatment.

Prevalence and management of hypertension in primary care in Portugal. Insights from the VALSIM study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension (HT) is the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and HT management and control is of major importance in preventive strategies. However, patterns of antihypertensive (AHT) treatment have never been evaluated in Portugal. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of HT and to characterize its management in a primary care setting, identifying the most frequently used drugs and evaluating regional variations in treatment patterns. METHODS: The VALSIM study is a descriptive cross-sectional study performed in a primary care setting, involving 719 general practitioners (GPs) and representative of all regions of Portugal. The first two patients aged > or = 18 years consulting their GP on each day were asked to participate, irrespective of the reason for the consultation. After informed consent was obtained, a questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data. Two blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken after a 5-minute rest period in a seated position. HT was defined as BP higher than 140/90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medication. RESULTS: A total of 16,856 subjects were evaluated (mean age 58.1 +/- 15.1 years; 61.3% women). The prevalence of HT adjusted for age and gender was 42.62% (males: 43.09%, females: 42.19%). Of the 9,189 hypertensive patients under treatment, the proportion receiving one, two or three or more drug classes was 47.62%, 36.16% and 16.22% respectively. The classes most frequently used in monotherapy were angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs, 16.9%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs, 14.41%) and diuretics (5.85%). The most common associations of two classes were ARB-diuretic (11.82%), ACEI-diuretic (11.79%), ACEI-calcium channel blpcker (CCB, 2%), CCB-diuretic (1.81%) and ARB-CCB (1.53%). The most frequently used AHT drugs were diuretics (47.4%), ARBs (43%) and ACEIs (39.2%). CCBs were used in 18.9% and beta-blockers in 16.2% only. Different patterns of treatment were identified according to gender, age and region of residence. Diuretics were used more in the elderly, women, and in the Azores (61.9%) and the Alentejo (58.3%). ARBs were used preferentially in middle-aged patients, men and in the Northern region (48.6%). CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable regional variation in treatment patterns. The proportion of hypertensive patients under monotherapy is still very high. Increasing the use of combination antihypertensive therapy would probably improve HT control in the population. Furthermore, increased use of CCBs would probably also be useful, as they are used less than would be expected, compared to other European countries.