[Drivers and scorecards to improve hypertension control in primary care practice: Recommendations from the HEARTS in the Americas Innovation GroupFactores impulsores y métodos de puntuación para mejorar el control de la hipertensión en la práctica clínica de la atención primaria: recomendaciones del grupo de innovación de HEARTS en las Américas]. / Fatores impulsionadores e scorecards para melhorar o controle da hipertensão arterial na atenção primária: recomendações do Grupo de Inovação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Americas, and hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor. However, hypertension control rates remain low, and CVD mortality is stagnant or rising after decades of continuing reduction. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the HEARTS technical package to improve hypertension control. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) designed the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative to improve CVD risk management, emphasizing hypertension control, to date implemented in 21 countries. Methods: To advance implementation, an interdisciplinary group of practitioners was engaged to select the key evidence-based drivers of hypertension control and to design a comprehensive scorecard to monitor their implementation at primary care health facilities (PHC). The group studied high-performing health systems that achieve high hypertension control through quality improvement programs focusing on specific process measures, with regular feedback to providers at health facilities. Findings: The final selected eight drivers were categorized into five main domains: (1) diagnosis (blood pressure measurement accuracy and CVD risk evaluation); (2) treatment (standardized treatment protocol and treatment intensification); (3) continuity of care and follow-up; (4) delivery system (team-based care, medication refill), and (5) system for performance evaluation. The drivers and recommendations were then translated into process measures, resulting in two interconnected scorecards integrated into the HEARTS in the Americas monitoring and evaluation system. Interpretation: Focus on these key hypertension drivers and resulting scorecards, will guide the quality improvement process to achieve population control goals at the participating health centers in HEARTS implementing countries.

Antecedentes: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) son la principal causa de morbilidad y mortalidad en la Región de las Américas y la hipertensión es el factor de riesgo modificable asociado más importante. Sin embargo, las tasas de control de la hipertensión siguen siendo bajas y la mortalidad por ECV está estancada o en aumento después de décadas de reducción continua. En el 2016, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) presentó el paquete técnico HEARTS para mejorar el control de la hipertensión. La Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) diseñó la iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas para mejorar el control del riesgo de ECV, que hace hincapié en el control de la hipertensión y que, hasta la fecha, se ha implementado en 21 países. Métodos: Para avanzar en la implementación, se creó un grupo interdisciplinario de profesionales de la salud con el objetivo de seleccionar los factores impulsores claves del control de la hipertensión basados en la evidencia y diseñar un método de puntuación integral para dar seguimiento a su implementación en los centros de atención de salud primaria (APS). El grupo estudió los sistemas de salud de alto desempeño que logran un control elevado de la hipertensión mediante programas de mejora de la calidad que se centran en medidas específicas con respecto a los procesos, con retroalimentación regular a los prestadores en los centros de salud. Resultados: Los ocho factores impulsores finales seleccionados se clasificaron en cinco dominios principales: 1) diagnóstico (exactitud de la medición de la presión arterial y evaluación del riesgo de ECV); 2) tratamiento (protocolo de tratamiento e intensificación del tratamiento estandarizados); 3) continuidad de la atención y seguimiento; 4) sistema de prestación del tratamiento (atención basada en un trabajo en equipo, reposición de la medicación) y 5) sistema para la evaluación del desempeño. Los factores impulsores y las recomendaciones se tradujeron en medidas con respecto a los procesos, lo que llevó a dos métodos de puntuación integrados e interconectados en el sistema de seguimiento y evaluación del programa HEARTS en las Américas. Conclusiones: El enfoque que se centra en estos factores impulsores clave de la hipertensión y los métodos de puntuación resultantes servirá de guía para el proceso de mejora de la calidad con objeto de alcanzar los objetivos de control a nivel poblacional en los centros de salud participantes de los países que implementan el programa HEARTS.

[Drivers and scorecards to improve hypertension control in primary care practice: Recommendations from the HEARTS in the Americas Innovation GroupFatores impulsionadores e scorecards para melhorar o controle da hipertensão arterial na atenção primária: recomendações do Grupo de Inovação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas]. / Factores impulsores y métodos de puntuación para mejorar el control de la hipertensión en la práctica clínica de la atención primaria: recomendaciones del grupo de innovación de HEARTS en las Américas.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Americas, and hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor. However, hypertension control rates remain low, and CVD mortality is stagnant or rising after decades of continuing reduction. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the HEARTS technical package to improve hypertension control. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) designed the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative to improve CVD risk management, emphasizing hypertension control, to date implemented in 21 countries. Methods: To advance implementation, an interdisciplinary group of practitioners was engaged to select the key evidence-based drivers of hypertension control and to design a comprehensive scorecard to monitor their implementation at primary care health facilities (PHC). The group studied high-performing health systems that achieve high hypertension control through quality improvement programs focusing on specific process measures, with regular feedback to providers at health facilities. Findings: The final selected eight drivers were categorized into five main domains: (1) diagnosis (blood pressure measurement accuracy and CVD risk evaluation); (2) treatment (standardized treatment protocol and treatment intensification); (3) continuity of care and follow-up; (4) delivery system (team-based care, medication refill), and (5) system for performance evaluation. The drivers and recommendations were then translated into process measures, resulting in two interconnected scorecards integrated into the HEARTS in the Americas monitoring and evaluation system. Interpretation: Focus on these key hypertension drivers and resulting scorecards, will guide the quality improvement process to achieve population control goals at the participating health centers in HEARTS implementing countries.

Fundamentos: As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são as principais causas de morbimortalidade nas Américas, e a hipertensão arterial (HÁ) é o fator de risco modificável mais importante. Porém, as taxas de controle da HA continuam baixas, e a mortalidade por DCV está estagnada ou aumentando após décadas de redução contínua. Em 2016, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) lançou o pacote de medidas técnicas HEARTS para melhorar o controle da HA. A Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) criou a iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas para melhorar a gestão do risco cardiovascular (RCV), com ênfase no controle da HA. Até agora, essa iniciativa foi implementada em 21 países. Métodos: Para impulsionar a implementação, recrutou-se um grupo multidisciplinar de profissionais para selecionar impulsionadores-chave do controle da HA com base em evidências e elaborar um scorecard completo para monitorar sua implementação em unidades de atenção primária à saúde (APS). O grupo estudou sistemas de saúde com alto desempenho que haviam conseguido atingir um alto nível de controle da HA por meio de programas de melhoria da qualidade focados em medidas específicas de processo, com feedback regular para os profissionais das unidades de saúde. Resultados: Os oito fatores impulsionadores incluídos na seleção final foram categorizados em cinco domínios principais: (1) diagnóstico (exatidão da medição da pressão arterial e avaliação do RCV); (2) tratamento (protocolo padronizado de tratamento e intensificação do tratamento); (3) continuidade do cuidado e acompanhamento; (4) modelo de atenção (atendimento baseado em equipe, renovação da prescrição); e (5) sistema de avaliação do desempenho. Em seguida, os impulsionadores e as recomendações foram transformados em medidas de processo, gerando dois scorecards inter-relacionados integrados ao sistema de monitoramento e avaliação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas. Interpretação: O foco nesses impulsionadores-chave da HA e nos scorecards resultantes orientará o processo de melhoria da qualidade para atingir as metas de controle, em nível populacional, dos centros de saúde participantes nos países que estão implementando a iniciativa HEARTS.

Cardiac rehabilitation in the paediatric Fontan population: development of a home-based high-intensity interval training programme.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the safety and feasibility of high-intensity interval training via a novel telemedicine ergometer (MedBIKE™) in children with Fontan physiology. METHODS: The MedBIKE™ is a custom telemedicine ergometer, incorporating a video game platform and live feed of patient video/audio, electrocardiography, pulse oximetry, and power output, for remote medical supervision and modulation of work. There were three study phases: (I) exercise workload comparison between the MedBIKE™ and a standard cardiopulmonary exercise ergometer in 10 healthy adults. (II) In-hospital safety, feasibility, and user experience (via questionnaire) assessment of a MedBIKE™ high-intensity interval training protocol in children with Fontan physiology. (III) Eight-week home-based high-intensity interval trial programme in two participants with Fontan physiology. RESULTS: There was good agreement in oxygen consumption during graded exercise at matched work rates between the cardiopulmonary exercise ergometer and MedBIKE™ (1.1 ± 0.5 L/minute versus 1.1 ± 0.5 L/minute, p = 0.44). Ten youth with Fontan physiology (11.5 ± 1.8 years old) completed a MedBIKE™ high-intensity interval training session with no adverse events. The participants found the MedBIKE™ to be enjoyable and easy to navigate. In two participants, the 8-week home-based protocol was tolerated well with completion of 23/24 (96%) and 24/24 (100%) of sessions, respectively, and no adverse events across the 47 sessions in total. CONCLUSION: The MedBIKE™ resulted in similar physiological responses as compared to a cardiopulmonary exercise test ergometer and the high-intensity interval training protocol was safe, feasible, and enjoyable in youth with Fontan physiology. A randomised-controlled trial of a home-based high-intensity interval training exercise intervention using the MedBIKE™ will next be undertaken.

Left ventricular ejection fraction and volumes: it depends on the imaging method.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In order to provide guidance for using measurements of left ventricular (LV) volume and ejection fraction (LVEF) from different echocardiographic methods a PubMed review was performed on studies that reported reference values in normal populations for two-dimensional (2D ECHO) and three-dimensional (3D ECHO) echocardiography, nuclear imaging, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). In addition all studies (2 multicenter, 16 single center) were reviewed, which included at least 30 patients, and the results compared of noncontrast and contrast 2D ECHO, and 3D ECHO with those of CMR. RESULTS: The lower limits for normal LVEF and the normal ranges for end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volumes were different in each method. Only minor differences in LVEF were found in studies comparing CMR and 2D contrast echocardiography or noncontrast 3D echocardiography. However, EDV and ESV measured with all echocardiographic methods were smaller and showed greater variability than those derived from CMR. Regarding agreement with CMR and reproducibility, all studies showed superiority of contrast 2D ECHO over noncontrast 2D ECHO and 3D ECHO over 2D ECHO. No final judgment can be made about the comparison between contrast 2D ECHO and noncontrast or contrast 3D ECHO. CONCLUSION: Contrast 2D ECHO and noncontrast 3D ECHO show good reproducibility and good agreement with CMR measurements of LVEF. The agreement of volumes is worse. Further studies are required to assess the clinical value of contrast 3D ECHO as noncontrast 3D ECHO is only reliable in patients with good acoustic windows.

Telemonitoring and protocolized case management for hypertensive community dwelling older adults (TECHNOMED): a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring combined with case management leads to BP reductions in individuals with hypertension. However, its benefits are less clear in older (age ≥ 65 years) adults. METHODS: Twelve-month, open-label, randomized trial of community-dwelling older adults comparing the combination of home BP telemonitoring (HBPM) and pharmacist-led case management, vs. enhanced usual care with HBPM alone. The primary outcome was the proportion achieving systolic BP targets on 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Changes in HBPM were also examined. Logistic and linear regressions were used for analyses, adjusted for baseline BP. RESULTS: Enrollment was stopped early due to coronavirus disease 2019. Participants randomized to intervention (n = 61) and control (n = 59) groups were mostly female (77%), with mean age 79.5 years. The adjusted odds ratio for ABPM BP target achievement was 1.48 (95% confidence interval 0.87-2.52, P = 0.15). At 12 months, the mean difference in BP changes between intervention and control groups was -1.6/-1.1 for ABPM (P-value 0.26 for systolic BP and 0.10 for diastolic BP), and -4.9/-3.1 for HBPM (P-value 0.04 for systolic BP and 0.01 for diastolic BP), favoring the intervention. Intervention group participants had hypotension (systolic BP < 110) more frequently (21% vs. 5%, P = 0.009), but no differences in orthostatic symptoms, syncope, non-mechanical falls, or emergency department visits. CONCLUSIONS: Home BP telemonitoring and pharmacist case management did not improve achievement of target range ambulatory BP, but did reduce home BP. It did not result in major adverse consequences.

Drivers and scorecards to improve hypertension control in primary care practice: Recommendations from the HEARTS in the Americas Innovation Group.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Americas, and hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor. However, hypertension control rates remain low, and CVD mortality is stagnant or rising after decades of continuing reduction. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the HEARTS technical package to improve hypertension control. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) designed the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative to improve CVD risk management, emphasizing hypertension control, to date implemented in 21 countries. Methods: To advance implementation, an interdisciplinary group of practitioners was engaged to select the key evidence-based drivers of hypertension control and to design a comprehensive scorecard to monitor their implementation at primary care health facilities (PHC). The group studied high-performing health systems that achieve high hypertension control through quality improvement programs focusing on specific process measures, with regular feedback to providers at health facilities. Findings: The final selected eight drivers were categorized into five main domains: (1) diagnosis (blood pressure measurement accuracy and CVD risk evaluation); (2) treatment (standardized treatment protocol and treatment intensification); (3) continuity of care and follow-up; (4) delivery system (team-based care, medication refill), and (5) system for performance evaluation. The drivers and recommendations were then translated into process measures, resulting in two interconnected scorecards integrated into the HEARTS in the Americas monitoring and evaluation system. Interpretation: Focus on these key hypertension drivers and resulting scorecards, will guide the quality improvement process to achieve population control goals at the participating health centers in HEARTS implementing countries. Funding: No funding to declare.

Digital Health Approaches for the Assessment and Optimisation of Hypertension Care Provision.

Although many aspects of our lives have been transformed by digital innovation, widespread adoption of digital health advancements within the health care sector in general, and for hypertension care specifically, has been limited. However, it is likely that, over the next decade, material increases in the uptake of digital health innovations for hypertension care delivery will be seen. In this narrative review, we summarise those innovations thought to have the greatest chance for impact in the next decade. These include provision of virtual care combined with home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring, use of digital registries and protocolised care, leveraging continuous BP measurement to collect vast amounts of individual and population-based BP data, and adoption of digital therapeutics to provide low-cost scalable interventions for patients with or at risk for hypertension. Of these, home BP telemonitoring is likely the most ready for implementation, but it needs to be done in a way that enables efficient guideline-concordant care in a cost-effective manner. In addition, efforts must be focused on implementing digital health solutions in a manner that addresses the major challenges to digital adoption. This entails ensuring that innovations are accessible, usable, secure, validated, evidence based, cost-effective, and integrated into the electronic systems that are already used by patients or providers. Increasing the use of broader digital innovations such as artificial/augmented intelligence, data analytics, and interactive voice response is also critically important. The digital revolution holds substantial promise, but success will depend on the ability of collaborative stakeholders to adopt and implement innovative, usable solutions.

Impact of choosing the closest rather than the mean auscultatory blood pressure value on the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol device validation results.

OBJECTIVE: When calculating the difference between alternating auscultatory reference standard (ARS) and the automated device-under-test (DUT) blood pressure (BP) measurements, the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol (ESH-IP) allows investigators to choose the closest ARS value to the DUT value, rather than using the mean of the ARS readings [which is mandated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)]. The impact of this rule on ESH-IP validation study results is unknown and was assessed. DESIGN AND METHODS: Nine alternating BP measurements performed according to the ISO protocol were obtained in 94 subjects. The impact of using the closest rather than the mean ARS reading on mean error, SD of the difference, and proportion of readings with DUT-ARS differences within 5, 10, and 15 mmHg was determined. RESULTS: Mean age was 58.6 ± 18.3 years, screening BP was 126.4/77.7 mmHg, and arm circumference was 32.0 ± 4.7 cm. DUT-ARS difference was 0.0 ± 5.3/-0.5 ± 5.0 mmHg using the closest ARS and -0.2 ± 6.5/-0.7 ± 5.9 mmHg using the mean ARS. When using the closest rather than the mean ARS value, the proportion of systolic readings with absolute DUT-ARS differences ≤5 mmHg was 73% (vs. 60% for the mean ARS method), ≤10 mmHg was 93% (vs. 88%), and ≤15 mmHg was 99% (vs. 98%). Corresponding values for diastolic BP were 73% (vs. 62%) for differences ≤5 mmHg, 94% (vs. 91%) for ≤10 mmHg, and 99% (vs. 99%) for ≤15 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Using the closest rather than the mean ARS value results in more favourable validation study results and increases likelihood of passing.

Validation of the BIOS BD240 home blood pressure monitor in a multi-racial, multi-morbid Canadian population according to the International Standards Organization 2018 Protocol.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the accuracy of the BIOS BD240 home blood pressure (BP) monitor and wide-range cuff according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 2018 standard. METHODS: Eighty-five subjects (aged ≥18 y) with arm circumferences between 24 and 43 cm were studied. Blinded, two-observer, mercury-based auscultation performed using a two-piece cuff chosen for upper arm size was used for reference measurements. Accuracy criteria 1 and 2 of the ISO standard were determined and Bland-Altman plots generated. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the study sample was female and 42% had hypertension. Mean device-to-reference standard differences in SBP/DBP were 0.0 ± 6.2/-0.2 ± 6.3 for criterion 1 and 0.0 ± 4.8/-0.2 ± 5.8 for criterion 2. CONCLUSION: The BIOS BD240 passed the requirements of the American National Standards Institute/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/ISO standard for both SBP and DBP and can be recommended for use.

Cost-effectiveness of home blood pressure telemonitoring and case management in the secondary prevention of cerebrovascular disease in Canada.

Home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring and pharmacist case management reduce BP, but cost-effectiveness assessments are mixed. We examined the incremental cost-effectiveness of this intervention vs usual care in Canadians with cerebrovascular disease. A Markov decision model cost-utility analysis examining community-residing, high-risk patients with a recent nondisabling cerebrovascular event was created. A lifetime time horizon and health care payer perspective were used. Achieved BP, future cardiovascular risks, and attendant consequences on quality-adjusted life years and Canadian dollar costs were modeled. BP telemonitoring was assumed to occur for 3 months, then quarterly. Life tables were used to determine overall mortality, adjusted by cardiovascular disease mortality. Relative efficacies of intervention-associated BP lowering, resource use, and costs were obtained from Canadian published literature. Reduction in systolic BP of 9.7 mmHg was used in the base case; subsequently, robust sensitivity analyses were conducted. The results showed that, over the lifetime horizon, telemonitoring with case management led to net health care savings of $1929 Canadian and increased per-patient QALYs by 0.83. These findings were robust to sensitivity analysis, with the intervention remaining dominant or highly cost-effective. Increasing telemonitoring costs by 50% still resulted in the intervention being dominant; if the costs of telemonitoring plus case management were 2-3 times base case cost, incremental cost-effectiveness was $1200-$4700 per quality-adjusted life year gained. In conclusion, home BP telemonitoring and pharmacist case management poststroke lowered costs and improved QALYs. Strategies and funding for broad implementation of this dominant strategy should be implemented.

Usability and Acceptability of a Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Device Among Community-Dwelling Senior Citizens With Hypertension: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease in older individuals. To ensure that blood pressure (BP) levels are within the optimal range, accurate BP monitoring is required. Contemporary hypertension clinical practice guidelines strongly endorse the use of home BP measurement as a preferred method of BP monitoring for individuals with hypertension. The benefits of home BP monitoring may be optimized when measurements are telemonitored to care providers; however, this may be challenging for older individuals with less technological capabilities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this qualitative study was to examine the usability and acceptability of a home BP telemonitoring device among senior citizens. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study. Following a 1-week period of device use, individual, semistructured interviews were conducted. Interview audio recordings were anonymized, de-identified, and transcribed verbatim. We performed thematic analysis on interview transcripts. RESULTS: Seven senior citizens participated in the usability testing of the home BP telemonitoring device. Participants comprised females (n=4) and males (n=3) with a mean age of 86 years (range, 70-95 years). Overall, eight main themes were identified from the interviews: (1) positive features of the device; (2) difficulties or problems with the device; (3) device was simple to use; (4) comments about wireless capability and components; (5) would recommend device to someone else; (6) would use device in future; (7) suggestions for improving the device; and (8) assistance to use device. Additional subthemes were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the home BP telemonitoring device had very good usability and acceptability among community-dwelling senior citizens with hypertension. To enhance its long-term use, few improvements were noted that may mitigate some of the relatively minor challenges encountered by the target population.

Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring: Rationale for Use, Required Elements, and Barriers to Implementation in Canada.

Contemporary hypertension guidelines strongly endorse the use of home blood pressure (BP) monitoring for hypertension diagnosis and management. However, barriers exist that prevent optimal use of home BP measurements. Patients might not follow the recommended home BP measurement protocol, might not take the required number of readings, and/or might report only selected readings to their providers. Providers might not calculate the mean (used for clinical decision-making) and/or incorporate home BP measurements into the medical record. Use of home BP telemonitoring, defined as the process by which home BP readings are securely teletransmitted and summarized within a health care portal or electronic medical record for provider use, might overcome these barriers. Telemonitoring, especially when combined with protocolized case management, leads to statistically significant and clinically important BP reductions, and improvements in overall BP control. Despite evidence supporting its use, home BP telemonitoring is not widely used in Canada. Barriers to adoption can be classified as structural and financial. Although technological advancements have made telemonitoring highly feasible, infrastructure is lacking, and implementation remains a challenge; this is especially true with respect to creating simple and cost-effective systems that are user-friendly and acceptable to patients as well as to providers. Ensuring data security is crucial to successful implementation, as is developing appropriate reimbursement models for providers. If these barriers can be overcome, home BP telemonitoring has the potential to make care provision easier and more convenient for patients and providers, while improving BP control in Canadians with hypertension.

Fatores impulsionadores e scorecards para melhorar o controle da hipertensão arterial na atenção primária: recomendações do Grupo de Inovação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas / Drivers and scorecards to improve hypertension control in primary care practice: Recommendations from the HEARTS in the Americas Innovation Group / Factores impulsores y métodos de puntuación para mejorar el control de la hipertensión en la práctica clínica de la atención primaria: recomendaciones del grupo de innovación de HEARTS en las Américas

RESUMO Fundamentos. As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são as principais causas de morbimortalidade nas Américas, e a hipertensão arterial (HÁ) é o fator de risco modificável mais importante. Porém, as taxas de controle da HA continuam baixas, e a mortalidade por DCV está estagnada ou aumentando após décadas de redução contínua. Em 2016, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) lançou o pacote de medidas técnicas HEARTS para melhorar o controle da HA. A Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) criou a iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas para melhorar a gestão do risco cardiovascular (RCV), com ênfase no controle da HA. Até agora, essa iniciativa foi implementada em 21 países. Métodos. Para impulsionar a implementação, recrutou-se um grupo multidisciplinar de profissionais para selecionar impulsionadores-chave do controle da HA com base em evidências e elaborar um scorecard completo para monitorar sua implementação em unidades de atenção primária à saúde (APS). O grupo estudou sistemas de saúde com alto desempenho que haviam conseguido atingir um alto nível de controle da HA por meio de programas de melhoria da qualidade focados em medidas específicas de processo, com feedback regular para os profissionais das unidades de saúde. Resultados. Os oito fatores impulsionadores incluídos na seleção final foram categorizados em cinco domínios principais: (1) diagnóstico (exatidão da medição da pressão arterial e avaliação do RCV); (2) tratamento (protocolo padronizado de tratamento e intensificação do tratamento); (3) continuidade do cuidado e acompanhamento; (4) modelo de atenção (atendimento baseado em equipe, renovação da prescrição); e (5) sistema de avaliação do desempenho. Em seguida, os fatores impulsionadores e as recomendações foram transformados em medidas de processo, gerando dois scorecards inter-relacionados integrados ao sistema de monitoramento e avaliação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas. Interpretação. O foco nesses impulsionadores-chave da HA e nos scorecards resultantes orientará o processo de melhoria da qualidade para atingir as metas de controle, a nível populacional, dos centros de saúde participantes nos países que estão implementando a iniciativa HEARTS.

ABSTRACT Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Americas, and hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor. However, hypertension control rates remain low, and CVD mortality is stagnant or rising after decades of continuing reduction. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the HEARTS technical package to improve hypertension control. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) designed the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative to improve CVD risk management, emphasizing hypertension control, to date implemented in 21 countries. Methods. To advance implementation, an interdisciplinary group of practitioners was engaged to select the key evidence-based drivers of hypertension control and to design a comprehensive scorecard to monitor their implementation at primary care health facilities (PHC). The group studied high-performing health systems that achieve high hypertension control through quality improvement programs focusing on specific process measures, with regular feedback to providers at health facilities. Findings. The final selected eight drivers were categorized into five main domains: (1) diagnosis (blood pressure measurement accuracy and CVD risk evaluation); (2) treatment (standardized treatment protocol and treatment intensification); (3) continuity of care and follow-up; (4) delivery system (team-based care, medication refill), and (5) system for performance evaluation. The drivers and recommendations were then translated into process measures, resulting in two interconnected scorecards integrated into the HEARTS in the Americas monitoring and evaluation system. Interpretation. Focus on these key hypertension drivers and resulting scorecards, will guide the quality improvement process to achieve population control goals at the participating health centers in HEARTS implementing countries.

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Factores impulsores y métodos de puntuación para mejorar el control de la hipertensión en la práctica clínica de la atención primaria: recomendaciones del grupo de innovación de HEARTS en las Américas / Drivers and scorecards to improve hypertension control in primary care practice: Recommendations from the HEARTS in the Americas Innovation Group / Fatores impulsionadores e scorecards para melhorar o controle da hipertensão arterial na atenção primária: recomendações do Grupo de Inovação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas

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ABSTRACT Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Americas, and hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor. However, hypertension control rates remain low, and CVD mortality is stagnant or rising after decades of continuing reduction. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the HEARTS technical package to improve hypertension control. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) designed the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative to improve CVD risk management, emphasizing hypertension control, to date implemented in 21 countries. Methods. To advance implementation, an interdisciplinary group of practitioners was engaged to select the key evidence-based drivers of hypertension control and to design a comprehensive scorecard to monitor their implementation at primary care health facilities (PHC). The group studied high-performing health systems that achieve high hypertension control through quality improvement programs focusing on specific process measures, with regular feedback to providers at health facilities. Findings. The final selected eight drivers were categorized into five main domains: (1) diagnosis (blood pressure measurement accuracy and CVD risk evaluation); (2) treatment (standardized treatment protocol and treatment intensification); (3) continuity of care and follow-up; (4) delivery system (team-based care, medication refill), and (5) system for performance evaluation. The drivers and recommendations were then translated into process measures, resulting in two interconnected scorecards integrated into the HEARTS in the Americas monitoring and evaluation system. Interpretation. Focus on these key hypertension drivers and resulting scorecards, will guide the quality improvement process to achieve population control goals at the participating health centers in HEARTS implementing countries.

RESUMO Fundamentos. As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são as principais causas de morbimortalidade nas Américas, e a hipertensão arterial (HÁ) é o fator de risco modificável mais importante. Porém, as taxas de controle da HA continuam baixas, e a mortalidade por DCV está estagnada ou aumentando após décadas de redução contínua. Em 2016, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) lançou o pacote de medidas técnicas HEARTS para melhorar o controle da HA. A Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) criou a iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas para melhorar a gestão do risco cardiovascular (RCV), com ênfase no controle da HA. Até agora, essa iniciativa foi implementada em 21 países. Métodos. Para impulsionar a implementação, recrutou-se um grupo multidisciplinar de profissionais para selecionar impulsionadores-chave do controle da HA com base em evidências e elaborar um scorecard completo para monitorar sua implementação em unidades de atenção primária à saúde (APS). O grupo estudou sistemas de saúde com alto desempenho que haviam conseguido atingir um alto nível de controle da HA por meio de programas de melhoria da qualidade focados em medidas específicas de processo, com feedback regular para os profissionais das unidades de saúde. Resultados. Os oito fatores impulsionadores incluídos na seleção final foram categorizados em cinco domínios principais: (1) diagnóstico (exatidão da medição da pressão arterial e avaliação do RCV); (2) tratamento (protocolo padronizado de tratamento e intensificação do tratamento); (3) continuidade do cuidado e acompanhamento; (4) modelo de atenção (atendimento baseado em equipe, renovação da prescrição); e (5) sistema de avaliação do desempenho. Em seguida, os impulsionadores e as recomendações foram transformados em medidas de processo, gerando dois scorecards inter-relacionados integrados ao sistema de monitoramento e avaliação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas. Interpretação. O foco nesses impulsionadores-chave da HA e nos scorecards resultantes orientará o processo de melhoria da qualidade para atingir as metas de controle, em nível populacional, dos centros de saúde participantes nos países que estão implementando a iniciativa HEARTS.

Fatores impulsionadores e scorecards para melhorar o controle da hipertensão arterial na atenção primária: recomendações do Grupo de Inovação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas

[RESUMO]. Fundamentos. As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são as principais causas de morbimortalidade nas Américas, e a hipertensão arterial (HÁ) é o fator de risco modificável mais importante. Porém, as taxas de controle da HA continuam baixas, e a mortalidade por DCV está estagnada ou aumentando após décadas de redução contínua. Em 2016, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) lançou o pacote de medidas técnicas HEARTS para melhorar o controle da HA. A Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) criou a iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas para melhorar a gestão do risco cardiovascular (RCV), com ênfase no controle da HA. Até agora, essa iniciativa foi implementada em 21 países. Métodos. Para impulsionar a implementação, recrutou-se um grupo multidisciplinar de profissionais para selecionar impulsionadores-chave do controle da HA com base em evidências e elaborar um scorecard completo para monitorar sua implementação em unidades de atenção primária à saúde (APS). O grupo estudou sistemas de saúde com alto desempenho que haviam conseguido atingir um alto nível de controle da HA por meio de programas de melhoria da qualidade focados em medidas específicas de processo, com feedback regular para os profissionais das unidades de saúde. Resultados. Os oito fatores impulsionadores incluídos na seleção final foram categorizados em cinco domínios principais: (1) diagnóstico (exatidão da medição da pressão arterial e avaliação do RCV); (2) tratamento (protocolo padronizado de tratamento e intensificação do tratamento); (3) continuidade do cuidado e acompanhamento; (4) modelo de atenção (atendimento baseado em equipe, renovação da prescrição); e (5) sistema de avaliação do desempenho. Em seguida, os fatores impulsionadores e as recomendações foram transformados em medidas de processo, gerando dois scorecards inter-relacionados integrados ao sistema de monitoramento e avaliação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas. Interpretação. O foco nesses impulsionadores-chave da HA e nos scorecards resultantes orientará o processo de melhoria da qualidade para atingir as metas de controle, a nível populacional, dos centros de saúde participantes nos países que estão implementando a iniciativa HEARTS.

[ABSTRACT]. Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Americas, and hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor. However, hypertension control rates remain low, and CVD mortality is stagnant or rising after decades of continuing reduction. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the HEARTS technical package to improve hypertension control. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) designed the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative to improve CVD risk management, emphasizing hypertension control, to date implemented in 21 countries. Methods. To advance implementation, an interdisciplinary group of practitioners was engaged to select the key evidence-based drivers of hypertension control and to design a comprehensive scorecard to monitor their implementation at primary care health facilities (PHC). The group studied high-performing health systems that achieve high hypertension control through quality improvement programs focusing on specific process measures, with regular feedback to providers at health facilities. Findings. The final selected eight drivers were categorized into five main domains: (1) diagnosis (blood pressure measurement accuracy and CVD risk evaluation); (2) treatment (standardized treatment protocol and treatment intensification); (3) continuity of care and follow-up; (4) delivery system (team-based care, medication refill), and (5) system for performance evaluation. The drivers and recommendations were then translated into process measures, resulting in two interconnected scorecards integrated into the HEARTS in the Americas monitoring and evaluation system. Interpretation. Focus on these key hypertension drivers and resulting scorecards, will guide the quality improvement process to achieve population control goals at the participating health centers in HEARTS implementing countries.

[RESUMEN]. Antecedentes. Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) son la principal causa de morbilidad y mortalidad en la Región de las Américas y la hipertensión es el factor de riesgo modificable asociado más importante. Sin embargo, las tasas de control de la hipertensión siguen siendo bajas y la mortalidad por ECV está estancada o en aumento después de décadas de reducción continua. En el 2016, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) presentó el paquete técnico HEARTS para mejorar el control de la hipertensión. La Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) diseñó la iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas para mejorar el control del riesgo de ECV, que hace hincapié en el control de la hipertensión y que, hasta la fecha, se ha implementado en 21 países. Métodos. Para avanzar en la implementación, se creó un grupo interdisciplinario de profesionales de la salud con el objetivo de seleccionar los factores impulsores claves del control de la hipertensión basados en la evidencia y diseñar un método de puntuación integral para dar seguimiento a su implementación en los centros de atención de salud primaria (APS). El grupo estudió los sistemas de salud de alto desempeño que logran un control elevado de la hipertensión mediante programas de mejora de la calidad que se centran en medidas específicas con respecto a los procesos, con retroalimentación regular a los prestadores en los centros de salud. Resultados. Los ocho factores impulsores finales seleccionados se clasificaron en cinco dominios principales: 1) diagnóstico (exactitud de la medición de la presión arterial y evaluación del riesgo de ECV); 2) tratamiento (protocolo de tratamiento e intensificación del tratamiento estandarizados); 3) continuidad de la atención y seguimiento; 4) sistema de prestación del tratamiento (atención basada en un trabajo en equipo, reposición de la medicación) y 5) sistema para la evaluación del desempeño. Los factores impulsores y las recomendaciones se tradujeron en medidas con respecto a los procesos, lo que llevó a dos métodos de puntuación integrados e interconectados en el sistema de seguimiento y evaluación del programa HEARTS en las Américas. Conclusiones. El enfoque que se centra en estos factores impulsores clave de la hipertensión y los métodos de puntuación resultantes servirá de guía para el proceso de mejora de la calidad con objeto de alcanzar los objetivos de control a nivel poblacional en los centros de salud participantes de los países que implementan el programa HEARTS.

Factores impulsores y métodos de puntuación para mejorar el control de la hipertensión en la práctica clínica de la atención primaria: recomendaciones del grupo de innovación de HEARTS en las Américas

[RESUMEN]. Antecedentes. Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) son la principal causa de morbilidad y mortalidad en la Región de las Américas y la hipertensión es el factor de riesgo modificable asociado más importante. Sin embargo, las tasas de control de la hipertensión siguen siendo bajas y la mortalidad por ECV está estancada o en aumento después de décadas de reducción continua. En el 2016, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) presentó el paquete técnico HEARTS para mejorar el control de la hipertensión. La Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) diseñó la iniciativa HEARTS en las Américas para mejorar el control del riesgo de ECV, que hace hincapié en el control de la hipertensión y que, hasta la fecha, se ha implementado en 21 países. Métodos. Para avanzar en la implementación, se creó un grupo interdisciplinario de profesionales de la salud con el objetivo de seleccionar los factores impulsores claves del control de la hipertensión basados en la evidencia y diseñar un método de puntuación integral para dar seguimiento a su implementación en los centros de atención de salud primaria (APS). El grupo estudió los sistemas de salud de alto desempeño que logran un control elevado de la hipertensión mediante programas de mejora de la calidad que se centran en medidas específicas con respecto a los procesos, con retroalimentación regular a los prestadores en los centros de salud. Resultados. Los ocho factores impulsores finales seleccionados se clasificaron en cinco dominios principales: 1) diagnóstico (exactitud de la medición de la presión arterial y evaluación del riesgo de ECV); 2) tratamiento (protocolo de tratamiento e intensificación del tratamiento estandarizados); 3) continuidad de la atención y seguimiento; 4) sistema de prestación del tratamiento (atención basada en un trabajo en equipo, reposición de la medicación) y 5) sistema para la evaluación del desempeño. Los factores impulsores y las recomendaciones se tradujeron en medidas con respecto a los procesos, lo que llevó a dos métodos de puntuación integrados e interconectados en el sistema de seguimiento y evaluación del programa HEARTS en las Américas. Conclusiones. El enfoque que se centra en estos factores impulsores clave de la hipertensión y los métodos de puntuación resultantes servirá de guía para el proceso de mejora de la calidad con objeto de alcanzar los objetivos de control a nivel poblacional en los centros de salud participantes de los países que implementan el programa HEARTS.

[ABSTRACT]. Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Americas, and hypertension is the most significant modifiable risk factor. However, hypertension control rates remain low, and CVD mortality is stagnant or rising after decades of continuing reduction. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the HEARTS technical package to improve hypertension control. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) designed the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative to improve CVD risk management, emphasizing hypertension control, to date implemented in 21 countries. Methods. To advance implementation, an interdisciplinary group of practitioners was engaged to select the key evidence-based drivers of hypertension control and to design a comprehensive scorecard to monitor their implementation at primary care health facilities (PHC). The group studied high-performing health systems that achieve high hypertension control through quality improvement programs focusing on specific process measures, with regular feedback to providers at health facilities. Findings. The final selected eight drivers were categorized into five main domains: (1) diagnosis (blood pressure measurement accuracy and CVD risk evaluation); (2) treatment (standardized treatment protocol and treatment intensification); (3) continuity of care and follow-up; (4) delivery system (team-based care, medication refill), and (5) system for performance evaluation. The drivers and recommendations were then translated into process measures, resulting in two interconnected scorecards integrated into the HEARTS in the Americas monitoring and evaluation system. Interpretation. Focus on these key hypertension drivers and resulting scorecards, will guide the quality improvement process to achieve population control goals at the participating health centers in HEARTS implementing countries.

[RESUMO]. Fundamentos. As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são as principais causas de morbimortalidade nas Américas, e a hipertensão arterial (HÁ) é o fator de risco modificável mais importante. Porém, as taxas de controle da HA continuam baixas, e a mortalidade por DCV está estagnada ou aumentando após décadas de redução contínua. Em 2016, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) lançou o pacote de medidas técnicas HEARTS para melhorar o controle da HA. A Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) criou a iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas para melhorar a gestão do risco cardiovascular (RCV), com ênfase no controle da HA. Até agora, essa iniciativa foi implementada em 21 países. Métodos. Para impulsionar a implementação, recrutou-se um grupo multidisciplinar de profissionais para selecionar impulsionadores-chave do controle da HA com base em evidências e elaborar um scorecard completo para monitorar sua implementação em unidades de atenção primária à saúde (APS). O grupo estudou sistemas de saúde com alto desempenho que haviam conseguido atingir um alto nível de controle da HA por meio de programas de melhoria da qualidade focados em medidas específicas de processo, com feedback regular para os profissionais das unidades de saúde. Resultados. Os oito fatores impulsionadores incluídos na seleção final foram categorizados em cinco domínios principais: (1) diagnóstico (exatidão da medição da pressão arterial e avaliação do RCV); (2) tratamento (protocolo padronizado de tratamento e intensificação do tratamento); (3) continuidade do cuidado e acompanhamento; (4) modelo de atenção (atendimento baseado em equipe, renovação da prescrição); e (5) sistema de avaliação do desempenho. Em seguida, os impulsionadores e as recomendações foram transformados em medidas de processo, gerando dois scorecards inter-relacionados integrados ao sistema de monitoramento e avaliação da Iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas. Interpretação. O foco nesses impulsionadores-chave da HA e nos scorecards resultantes orientará o processo de melhoria da qualidade para atingir as metas de controle, em nível populacional, dos centros de saúde participantes nos países que estão implementando a iniciativa HEARTS.

Three-dimensional echocardiography in a dynamic heart phantom: comparison of five different methods to measure chamber volume using a commercially available software.

Several methods of analysis are available for quantification of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. This study compared the accuracy and reproducibility of five methods of analysis in a novel, irregularly shaped dynamic heart phantom with excellent image quality. Five 3D datasets were acquired on a Philips IE33 platform using an X5-1 3D transducer. Each dataset was analysed by five different methods using the Philips QLab v8.1 software: Methods A1, A2 and A3, semi-automated contour detection with varying degrees of user correction; Method B, Simpson's biplane method using optimally aligned four- and two-chamber views and Method C, method of discs, manually delineated in reconstructed short-axis views. Time-volume curves were generated for each method and compared with the true volumes measured throughout systole in the phantom heart. A second observer repeated measurements by each method in a single 3D dataset. Method A1 (uncorrected semi-automated contouring) produced the most consistent time-volume curves, although end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes varied between datasets. Any manual correction of contours (Methods A2, A3 and B) resulted in significant variation in the time-volume curves, with less consistent endocardial tracking. Method C was not only the most accurate and reproducible method, but also the most time-consuming one. Different methods of 3D volume quantification vary significantly in accuracy and reproducibility using an irregular phantom heart model. Although contouring may appear optimal in long-axis views, this may not be replicated circumferentially, and the resulting measures appeared to be less robust following the manual correction of semi-automated contours.