Factors influencing the successful implementation of a novel digital health application to streamline multidisciplinary communication across multiple organisations for emergency care.

RATIONALE: Delivering optimal patient health care requires interdisciplinary clinician communication. A single communication tool across multiple pre-hospital and hospital settings, and between hospital departments is a novel solution to current systems. Fit-for-purpose, secure smartphone applications allow clinical information to be shared quickly between health providers. Little is known as to what underpins their successful implementation in an emergency care context. AIMS: To identify (a) whether implementing a single, digital health communication application across multiple health care organisations and hospital departments is feasible; (b) the barriers and facilitators to implementation; and (c) which factors are associated with clinicians' intentions to use the technology. METHODS: We used a multimethod design, evaluating the implementation of a secure, digital communication application (Pulsara™). The technology was trialled in two Australian regional hospitals and 25 Ambulance Victoria branches (AV). Post-training, clinicians involved in treating patients with suspected stroke or cardiac events were administered surveys measuring perceived organisational readiness (Organisational Readiness for Implementing Change), clinicians' intentions (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology) and internal motivations (Self-Determination Theory) to use Pulsara™, and the perceived benefits and barriers of use. Quantitative data were descriptively summarised with multivariable associations between factors and intentions to use Pulsara™ examined with linear regression. Qualitative data responses were subjected to directed content analysis (two coders). RESULTS: Participants were paramedics (n = 82, median 44 years) or hospital-based clinicians (n = 90, median 37 years), with organisations perceived to be similarly ready. Regression results (F(11, 136) = 21.28, p = <0.001, Adj R2 = 0.60) indicated Habit, Effort Expectancy, Perceived Organisational Readiness, Performance Expectancy and Organisation membership (AV) as predictors of intending to use Pulsara™. Themes relating to benefits (95% coder agreement) included improved communication, procedural efficiencies and faster patient care. Barriers (92% coder agreement) included network accessibility and remembering passwords. PulsaraTM was initiated 562 times. CONCLUSION: Implementing multiorganisational, digital health communication applications is feasible, and facilitated when organisations are change-ready for an easy-to-use, effective solution. Developing habitual use is key, supported through implementation strategies (e.g., hands-on training). Benefits should be emphasised (e.g., during education sessions), including streamlining communication and patient flow, and barriers addressed (e.g., identify champions and local technical support) at project commencement.

A protocol for the Heart Matters stepped wedge cluster randomised trial: The effectiveness of heart attack education in regions at highest-risk.

Aim: To describe the Heart Matters (HM) trial which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a community heart attack education intervention in high-risk areas in Victoria, Australia. These local government areas (LGAs) have high rates of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), cardiovascular risk factors, and low rates of emergency medical service (EMS) use for ACS. Methods: The trial follows a stepped-wedge cluster randomised design, with eight clusters (high-risk LGAs) randomly assigned to transition from control to intervention every four months. Two pairs of LGAs will transition simultaneously due to their proximity. The intervention consists of a heart attack education program delivered by trained HM Coordinators, with additional support from opportunistic media and a geo-targeted social media campaign. The primary outcome measure is the proportion of residents from the eight LGAs who present to emergency departments by EMS during an ACS event. Secondary outcomes include prehospital delay time, rates of OHCA and heart attack awareness. The primary and secondary outcomes will be analysed at the patient/participant level using mixed-effects logistic regression models. A detailed program evaluation is also being conducted. The trial was registered on August 9, 2021 (NCT04995900). Results: The intervention was implemented between February 2022 and March 2023, and outcome data will be collected from administrative databases, registries, and surveys. Primary trial data is expected to be locked for analysis by October 31st 2023, with a follow-up planned until March 31st 2024. Conclusion: The results from this trial will provide high-level evidence the effectiveness of a community education intervention targeting regions at highest-risk of ACS and low EMS use.

Impact of prehospital opioid dose on angiographic and clinical outcomes in acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: An adverse interaction whereby opioids impair and delay the gastrointestinal absorption of oral P2Y12 inhibitors has been established, however the clinical significance of this in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is uncertain. We sought to characterise the relationship between prehospital opioid dose and clinical outcomes in patients with ACS. METHODS: Patients given opioid treatment by emergency medical services (EMS) with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2018 were included in this retrospective cohort analysis using data linkage between the Ambulance Victoria, Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry and Melbourne Interventional Group databases. Patients with cardiogenic shock, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and fibrinolysis were excluded. The primary end point was the risk-adjusted odds of 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between patients who received opioids and those that did not. RESULTS: 10 531 patients were included in the primary analysis. There was no significant difference in 30-day MACE between patients receiving opioids and those who did not after adjusting for key patient and clinical factors. Among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), there were significantly more patients with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 0 or 1 flow pre-PCI in a subset of patients with high opioid dose versus no opioids (56% vs 25%, p<0.001). This remained significant after adjusting for known confounders with a higher predicted probability of TIMI 0/1 flow in the high versus no opioid groups (33% vs 11%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Opioid use was not associated with 30-day MACE. There were higher rates of TIMI 0/1 flow pre-PCI in patients with STEMI prescribed opioids. Future prospective research is required to verify these findings and investigate alternative analgesia for ischaemic chest pain.

Incidence and Predictors of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Malfunction with Radiotherapy Treatment.

AIMS: To investigate the incidence of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) malfunction with radiotherapy (RT) treatment and assess predictors of CIED malfunction. METHODS: A 6-year retrospective analysis of patients who underwent RT with CIED identified through the radiation oncology electronic database. Clinical, RT (cumulative dose, dose per fraction, beam energy, beam energy dose, and anatomical area of RT) and CIED details (type, manufacturer, and device malfunction) were collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS: We identified 441 patients with CIED who underwent RT. CIED encountered a permanent pacemaker (PPM) (78%), cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacing (CRT-P) (2%), an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) (10%), and a CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) (10%). The mean cumulative dose of RT was 36 gray (Gy) (IQR 1.8-80 Gy) and the most common beam energy used was photon ≥10 megavolt (MV) with a median dose of 7 MV (IQR 5-18 MV). We further identified 17 patients who had CIED malfunction with RT. This group had a higher cumulative RT dose of 42.5 Gy (20-77 Gy) and a photon dose of 14 MV (12-18 MV). None of the malfunctions resulted in clinical symptoms. Using logistic regression, the predictors of CIED malfunction were photon beam energy use ≥10 MV (OR 5.73; 95% CI, 1.58-10.76), anatomical location of RT above the diaphragm (OR 5.2, 95% CI, 1.82-15.2), and having a CIED from the ICD group (OR 4.6, 95% CI, 0.75-10.2). CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of predictors of CIED malfunction with RT to ensure the safety of patients.

Real-world, feasibility study to investigate the use of a multidisciplinary app (Pulsara) to improve prehospital communication and timelines for acute stroke/STEMI care.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if a digital communication app improves care timelines for patients with suspected acute stroke/ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). DESIGN: Real-world feasibility study, quasi-experimental design. SETTING: Prehospital (25 Ambulance Victoria branches) and within-hospital (2 hospitals) in regional Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Paramedics or emergency department (ED) clinicians identified patients with suspected acute stroke (onset <4.5 hours; n=604) or STEMI (n=247). INTERVENTION: The Pulsara communication app provides secure, two-way, real-time communication. Assessment and treatment times were recorded for 12 months (May 2017-April 2018), with timelines compared between 'Pulsara initiated' (Pulsara) and 'not initiated' (no Pulsara). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Door-to-treatment (needle for stroke, balloon for STEMI) Secondary outcome measures: ambulance and hospital processes. RESULTS: Stroke (no Pulsara n=215, Pulsara n=389) and STEMI (no Pulsara n=76, Pulsara n=171) groups were of similar age and sex (stroke: 76 vs 75 years; both groups 50% male; STEMI: 66 vs 63 years; 68% and 72% male). When Pulsara was used, patients were off ambulance stretcher faster for stroke (11(7, 17) vs 19(11, 29); p=0.0001) and STEMI (14(7, 23) vs 19(10, 32); p=0.0014). ED door-to-first medical review was faster (6(2, 14) vs 23(8, 67); p=0.0001) for stroke but only by 1 min for STEMI (3 (0, 7) vs 4 (0, 14); p=0.25). Door-to-CT times were 44 min faster (27(18, 44) vs 71(43, 147); p=0.0001) for stroke, and percutaneous intervention door-to-balloon times improved by 17 min, but non-significant (56 (34, 88) vs 73 (49, 110); p=0.41) for STEMI. There were improvements in the proportions of patients treated within 60 min for stroke (12%-26%, p=0.15) and 90 min for STEMI (50%-78%, p=0.20). CONCLUSIONS: In this Australian-first study, uptake of the digital communication app was strong, patient-centred care timelines improved, although door-to-treatment times remained similar.

Sympathovagal Balance Is a Strong Predictor of Post High-Volume Endurance Exercise Cardiac Arrhythmia.

Regular physical activity is important for cardiovascular health. However, high-volume endurance exercise has been associated with increased number of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, including disturbances in cardiac rhythm (arrhythmias) and abnormalities in ECG pattern. The aim of this study was to assess if heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with ECG abnormalities. Fifteen participants with previous cycling experience completed a 21-day high-volume endurance exercise cycle over 3,515 km. Participants wore a 5-lead Holter monitor for 24 h pre- and post-exercise, which was used to quantify ECG abnormalities and export sinus R-to-R intervals (NN) used to calculate HRV characteristics. As noise is prevalent in 24-h HRV recordings, both 24-h and heart rate collected during stable periods of time (i.e., deep sleep) were examined. Participants experienced significantly more arrhythmias post high-volume endurance exercise (median = 35) compared to pre (median = 12; p = 0.041). All 24-h and deep sleep HRV outcomes were not different pre-to-post high-volume endurance exercise (p > 0.05). Strong and significant associations with arrhythmia number post-exercise were found for total arrhythmia (total arrhythmia number pre-exercise, ρ = 0.79; age, ρ = 0.73), supraventricular arrhythmia (supraventricular arrhythmia number pre-exercise: ρ = 0.74; age: ρ = 0.66), and ventricular arrhythmia (age: ρ = 0.54). As a result, age and arrhythmia number pre-exercise were controlled for in hierarchical regression, which revealed that only deep sleep derived low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF) ratio post high-volume endurance exercise predicted post total arrhythmia number (B = 0.63, R 2Δ = 34%, p = 0.013) and supraventricular arrhythmia number (B = 0.77, R 2Δ = 69%, p < 0.001). In this study of recreationally active people, only deep sleep derived LF/HF ratio was associated with more total and supraventricular arrhythmias after high-volume endurance exercise. This finding suggests that measurement of sympathovagal balance during deep sleep might be useful to monitor arrhythmia risk after prolonged high-volume endurance exercise performance.

Current clinical practice in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices undergoing radiotherapy: a literature review.

Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) undergoing radiotherapy (RT) are more common due to the ageing of the population. With newer CIEDs' implementing the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology which allows the miniaturization of CIED, it is also more susceptible to RT. Effects of RT on CIED ranges from device interference, device operational/memory errors of permanent damage. These malfunctions can cause life-threatening clinical effects. Cumulative dose is not the only component of RT that causes CIED malfunction, as neutron use and dose rate effect also affects CIEDs. The management of this patient cohort in clinical practice is inconsistent due to the lack of a consistent guideline from manufacturers and physician specialty societies. Our review will focus on the current clinical practice and the recently updated guidelines of managing patients with CIED undergoing RT. We aim to simplify the evidence and provide a simple and easy to use guide based on the recent guidelines.

Current Clinical Practice in Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIED) Undergoing Radiotherapy (RT).

Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) undergoing radiotherapy (RT) becoming more common due to ageing of the population. With newer CIEDs implementing the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology which allows the miniaturisation of CIED, it is also more susceptible to RT. Effects of RT on CIED ranges from device interference, device operational/memory errors to permanent damage. These malfunctions can cause life threatening clinical effects. Cumulative dose is not the only component of RT that causes CIED malfunction, as neutron use and dose rate effect also affects CIEDs. The management of this patient cohort in clinical practice is inconsistent due to lack of a consistent guideline from manufacturers and physician specialty societies. Our review will focus on the current clinical practice and the recent updated guidelines of managing patients with CIED undergoing RT. We aim to simplify the evidence and provide a simple and easy to use guide based on the recent guidelines.

Incidence and Predictors of Unplanned Hospital Readmission after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Unplanned readmissions to hospital after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) pose a significant burden to the healthcare system and are potentially preventable. In this study, we sought to determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, unplanned hospital readmissions within 30 days following PCI. We prospectively collected data on 28,488 patients undergoing PCI between 2013 and 2019, who were enrolled in the state-wide multi-centre Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry. Patients' data were then linked to data from the Victorian Department of Health administrative database that records statewide hospital admissions. Disease diagnosis codes were used to identify cause of readmission. Patients who had an unplanned readmission were further divided into those who had a cardiac vs. non-cardiac cause for readmission. Overall, 3059 patients (10.7%) had an unplanned hospital readmission within 30 days of PCI, of which 1848 patients (60.4%) were readmitted for primarily cardiac diagnoses. Independent predictors of both 30-day unplanned cardiac and non-cardiac readmissions post-PCI were female sex, having ≥1 admission in the 12 months prior to PCI, acute coronary syndrome presentation, having any in-hospital complication and being discharged on an oral anticoagulant (all p < 0.05). A stepwise increase in readmission risk was observed with increasing number of admissions from 1 to ≥4 admissions in the 12 months prior to PCI. In conclusion, a substantial proportion of patients undergoing PCI have unexpected readmissions to hospital in the 30 days following PCI. Targeted strategies for patients with risk factors for readmission may be useful to reduce this significant burden to the healthcare system.

Economic evaluation protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial to compare Smartphone Cardiac Rehabilitation, Assisted self-Management (SCRAM) versus usual care cardiac rehabilitation among people with coronary heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: It is important to ascertain the cost-effectiveness of alternative services to traditional cardiac rehabilitation while the economic credentials of the Smartphone Cardiac Rehabilitation, Assisted self-Management (SCRAM) programme among people with coronary heart disease (CHD) are unknown. This economic protocol outlines the methods for undertaking a trial-based economic evaluation of SCRAM in the real-world setting in Australia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The within-trial economic evaluation will be undertaken alongside a randomised controlled trial (RCT) designed to determine the effectiveness of SCRAM in comparison with the usual care cardiac rehabilitation (UC) alone in people with CHD. Pathway analysis will be performed to identify all the costs related to the delivery of SCRAM and UC. Both a healthcare system and a limited societal perspective will be adopted to gauge all costs associated with health resource utilisation and productivity loss. Healthcare resource use over the 6-month participation period will be extracted from administrative databases (ie, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Medical Benefits Schedule). Productivity loss will be measured by absenteeism from work (valued by human capital approach). The primary outcomes for the economic evaluation are maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, mL/kg/min, primary RCT outcome) and quality-adjusted life years estimated from health-related quality of life as assessed by the Assessment of Quality of Life-8D instrument. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio will be calculated using the differences in costs and benefits (ie, primary and secondary outcomes) between the two randomised groups from both perspectives with no discounting. All costs will be valued in Australian dollars for year 2020. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved under Australia's National Mutual Acceptance agreement by the Melbourne Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/18/MH/119). It is anticipated that SCRAM is a cost-effective cardiac telerehabilitation programme for people with CHD from both a healthcare and a limited societal perspective in Australia. The evaluation will provide evidence to underpin national scale-up of the programme to a wider population. The results of the economic analysis will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618001458224).

Impact of endurance exercise on the heart of cyclists: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare heart structure and function in endurance athletes relative to participants of other sports and non-athletic controls in units relative to body size. A secondary objective was to assess the association between endurance cycling and cardiac abnormalities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Medline, Scopus, and SPORTdiscus) were searched from the earliest record to 14 December 2019 to identify studies investigating cardiovascular structure and function in cyclists. Of the 4865 unique articles identified, 70 met inclusion criteria and of these, 22 articles presented 10 cardiovascular parameters in units relative to body size for meta-analysis and five presented data relating to incidence of cardiac abnormalities. Qualitative analysis was performed on remaining data. The overall quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Odds ratios were calculated to compare the incidence of cardiac abnormality. RESULTS: Heart structure was significantly larger in cyclists compared to non-athletic controls for left ventricular: mass; end-diastolic volume, interventricular septal diameter and internal diameter; posterior wall thickness, and end-systolic internal diameter. Compared to high static and high dynamic sports (e.g., kayaking and canoeing), low-to-moderate static and moderate-to-high dynamic sports (e.g., running and swimming) and moderate-to-high static and low-to-moderate dynamic sports (e.g., bodybuilding and wrestling), endurance cyclists end-diastolic left ventricular internal diameter was consistently larger (mean difference 1.2-3.2 mm/m2). Cardiac abnormalities were higher in cyclists compared to controls (odds ratio: 1.5, 95%CI 1.2-1.8), but the types of cardiac abnormalities in cyclists were not different to other athletes. CONCLUSION: Endurance cycling is associated with a larger heart relative to body size and an increased incidence of cardiac abnormalities relative to controls.

The Effect of Transitional Care on 30-Day Outcomes in Patients Hospitalised With Acute Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Patients admitted to hospital with acute heart failure (AHF) are at increased risk of readmission and mortality post-discharge. The aim of the study was to examine health service utilisation within 30 days post-discharge from an AHF hospitalisation. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational, non-randomised study of consecutive patients hospitalised with acute HF to one of 16 Victorian hospitals over a 30-day period each year and followed up for 30 days post-discharge. The project was conducted annually over three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017. RESULTS: Of the 1,197 patients, 56.3% were male with an average age of 77±13.23 years. Over half of the patients (711, 62.5%) were referred to an outpatient clinic and a third (391, 34.4%) to a HF disease management program. In-hospital mortality was 5.1% with 30 day-mortality of 9% and readmission rate of 24.4%. Patients who experienced a subsequent readmission less than 10 days post-discharge and between 11 and 20 days post-discharge had a five- to six-fold increase in risk of mortality (adjusted OR 5.02, 95% CI 2.11-11.97; OR 6.45, 95% CI 2.69-15.42; respectively) compared to patients who were not readmitted to hospital. An outpatient appointment within 30 days post-discharge significantly reduced the risk of 30-day mortality by 81% (95% CI 0.09-0.43). CONCLUSION: Patients admitted to hospital with AHF who experience a subsequent readmission within 20 days post-discharge are at increased risk of dying. However, early follow-up post-discharge may reduce this risk. Early post-discharge follow-up is vital to address this vulnerable period after a HF admission.

Smartphone Cardiac Rehabilitation, Assisted Self-Management Versus Usual Care: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Effects and Costs Among People With Coronary Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Alternative evidence-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) delivery models that overcome significant barriers to access and delivery are needed to address persistent low utilization. Models utilizing contemporary digital technologies could significantly improve reach and fidelity as complementary alternatives to traditional center-based programs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the effects and costs of the innovative Smartphone Cardiac Rehabilitation, Assisted self-Management (SCRAM) intervention with usual care CR. METHODS: In this investigator-, assessor-, and statistician-blinded parallel 2-arm randomized controlled trial, 220 adults (18+ years) with coronary heart disease are being recruited from 3 hospitals in metropolitan and regional Victoria, Australia. Participants are randomized (1:1) to receive advice to engage with usual care CR or the SCRAM intervention. SCRAM is a 24-week dual-phase intervention that includes 12 weeks of real-time remote exercise supervision and coaching from exercise physiologists, which is followed by 12 weeks of data-driven nonreal-time remote coaching via telephone. Both intervention phases include evidence- and theory-based multifactorial behavior change support delivered via smartphone push notifications. Outcomes assessed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks include maximal aerobic exercise capacity (primary outcome at 24 weeks), modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, exercise adherence, secondary prevention self-management behaviors, health-related quality of life, and adverse events. Economic and process evaluations will determine cost-effectiveness and participant perceptions of the treatment arms, respectively. RESULTS: The trial was funded in November 2017 and received ethical approval in June 2018. Recruitment began in November 2018. As of September 2019, 54 participants have been randomized into the trial. CONCLUSIONS: The innovative multiphase SCRAM intervention delivers real-time remote exercise supervision and evidence-based self-management behavioral support to participants, regardless of their geographic proximity to traditional center-based CR facilities. Our trial will provide unique and valuable information about effects of SCRAM on outcomes associated with cardiac and all-cause mortality, as well as acceptability and cost-effectiveness. These findings will be important to inform health care providers about the potential for innovative program delivery models, such as SCRAM, to be implemented at scale, as a complement to existing CR programs. The inclusion of a cohort comprising metropolitan-, regional-, and rural-dwelling participants will help to understand the role of this delivery model across health care contexts with diverse needs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN): 12618001458224; anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374508. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/15022.

The impact of a 21-day ultra-endurance ride on the heart in young, adult and older adult recreational cyclists.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the acute effect of 21 days of challenging exercise on heart structure and function in recreationally active people across a range of age categories. METHODS: 15 recreationally active people completed a 21-day fundraising cycling ride (MADRIDE) over a distance of 3515 km. Twenty-four hour Holter electrocardiography and blood biochemistry analyses were performed before and after the MADRIDE. RESULTS: Incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was higher after MADRIDE (OR: 5.93; 95% CI: 5.68-6.19), with increases in both ventricular arrhythmias (OR: 9.90; 95% CI: 9.27-10.57) and supraventricular arrhythmias (OR: 3.09; 95% CI: 2.91-3.29). Adults (OR: 11.45; 95% CI: 7.41-17.69) and older adults (OR: 10.42 95% CI 9.83-11.05) were approximately 10 times more likely to experience arrhythmias after the MADRIDE. Whereas, young participants experienced 18% less cardiac arrhythmias after MADRIDE (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.75-0.90). Aortic valve max velocity was reduced (MD: -0.12 m/s; 95% CI: -0.19-0.05 m/s) and mitral valve deceleration time was slower (MD: -28.91 m/s; 95% CI: -50.97-6.84 m/s) after MADRIDE. Other structural and functional characteristics along with heart rate variability were not different after MADRIDE. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-day challenging exercise increased the incidence of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias in active adults and older adults. Increases in arrhythmia rates after MADRIDE occurred without changes in cardiac structure and autonomic control. Further exploration is necessary to identify the causes of exercise-induced cardiac arrhythmia in adult and older adults.

The Establishment of the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (VCOR): Monitoring and Optimising Outcomes for Cardiac Patients in Victoria.

BACKGROUND: The Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (VCOR) was established in 2012 to ensure the safety and quality of cardiac based therapies across Victoria. As a clinical quality registry, VCOR monitors the performance of health services in both the public and private sectors, by measuring and reporting on trends in the quality of patient care over time, within individual hospitals, comparatively with other hospitals, and aggregated at the state level. The current paper describes the VCOR registry aims, methods, governance structure and progress to date. METHODS: Primary management of the registry is undertaken at Monash University in association with the Victorian Cardiac Clinical Network, Department of Health and Human Services Victoria. RESULTS: The Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry has currently collected data on more than 33,000 cardiac patients across three separate areas of interest in 35 hospitals. These include percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the early treatment of acute myocardial infarction in rural and regional settings, and data relating to in-hospital management of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: The Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry is a clinical cardiac registry that commenced data collection in 2013, providing a detailed description of selected aspects of contemporary cardiology clinical practice in a majority of Victorian hospitals. This information enables hospitals and cardiac units to benchmark their practice, clinical outcomes and quality of care to other similar units and hospitals across the state. If replicated by other states in Australia, there will be the potential for important national comparisons, with the goal to foster continuous improvement in patient care and outcomes across the entire Australian health system.

What is the impact of systems of care for heart failure on patients diagnosed with heart failure: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Hospital admissions for heart failure are predicted to rise substantially over the next decade placing increasing pressure on the health care system. There is an urgent need to redesign systems of care for heart failure to improve evidence-based practice and create seamless transitions through the continuum of care. The aim of the review was to examine systems of care for heart failure that reduce hospital readmissions and/or mortality. METHOD: Electronic databases searched were: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, grey literature, reviewed bibliographies and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomised controlled trials, non-randomised trials and cohort studies from 1st January 2008 to 4th August 2015. Inclusion criteria for studies were: English language, randomised controlled trials, non-randomised trials and cohort studies of systems of care for patients diagnosed with heart failure and aimed at reducing hospital readmissions and/or mortality. Three reviewer authors independently assessed articles for eligibility based on title and abstract and then full-text. Quality of evidence was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for non-randomised trials and GRADE rating tool for randomised controlled trials. RESULTS: We included 29 articles reporting on systems of care in the workforce, primary care, in-hospital, transitional care, outpatients and telemonitoring. Several studies found that access to a specialist heart failure team/service reduced hospital readmissions and mortality. In primary care, a collaborative model of care where the primary physician shared the care with a cardiologist, improved patient outcomes compared to a primary physician only. During hospitalisation, quality improvement programs improved the quality of inpatient care resulting in reduced hospital readmissions and mortality. In the transitional care phase, heart failure programs, nurse-led clinics, and early outpatient follow-up reduced hospital readmissions. There was a lack of evidence as to the efficacy of telemonitoring with many studies finding conflicting evidence. CONCLUSION: Redesigning systems of care aimed at improving the translation of evidence into clinical practice and transitional care can potentially improve patient outcomes in a cohort of patients known for high readmission rates and mortality.

Prevalence and outcomes of trans-radial access for percutaneous coronary intervention in contemporary practise.

BACKGROUND: Trans-radial access for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been associated with lower vascular complication rates and improved outcomes. We assessed the current uptake of trans-radial PCI in Victoria, Australia, and evaluated if patients were selected according to baseline bleeding risk in contemporary clinical practise, and compared selected clinical outcomes. METHODS: PCI data of all patients between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2014 were analysed using The Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (VCOR). Propensity-matched analysis was performed to compare the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: 11,711 procedures were analysed. The femoral route was the predominant access site (66%). Patients undergoing trans-radial access PCI were younger (63.9±11.6 vs. 67.2±11.8; p<0.001), had a higher BMI (28.9±5.5 vs. 28.5±5.2; p<0.001), more likely to be male (80.0 vs. 74.9%;p<0.001), less likely to have presented with cardiogenic shock (0.9 vs. 2.8%; p<0.001) or have the following comorbidities: diabetes (19.8 vs. 23.1%; p<0.001), peripheral vascular disease (2.9 vs. 4.3%; p=0.005) or renal impairment (13.6 vs. 22.1%; p<0.001). The radial group had less bleeding events (3.2 vs. 4.6%; p<0.001) and shorter hospital length of stay (3.1±4.7 vs. 3.3±3.9; p=0.006). There was no significant difference in mortality (1.0 vs. 1.4%; p=0.095). CONCLUSIONS: Trans-femoral approach remains the dominant access site for PCI in Victoria. The choice of route does not appear to be selected by consideration of bleeding risk. The radial route is associated with improved clinical outcomes of reduced bleeding and length of stay consistent with previous findings, and this supports the efficacy and safety of trans-radial PCI in real-world clinical practise.

A comparison of age-standardised event rates for acute and chronic coronary heart disease in metropolitan and regional/remote Victoria: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Acute and chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) pose different burdens on health-care services and require different prevention and treatment strategies. Trends in acute and chronic CHD event rates can guide service implementation. This study evaluated changes in acute and chronic CHD event rates in metropolitan and regional/remote Victoria. METHODS: Victorian hospital admitted episodes with a principal diagnosis of acute CHD or chronic CHD were identified from 2005 to 2012. Acute and chronic CHD age-standardised event rates were calculated in metropolitan and regional/remote Victoria. Poisson log-link linear regression was used to estimate annual change in acute and chronic CHD event rates. RESULTS: Acute CHD age-standardised event rates decreased annually by 2.9 % (95 % CI, -4.3 to -1.4 %) in metropolitan Victoria and 1.7 % (95 % CI, -3.2 to -0.1 %) in regional/remote Victoria. In comparison, chronic CHD age-standardised event rates increased annually by 4.8 % (95 % CI, +3.0 to +6.5 %) in metropolitan Victoria and 3.1 % (95 % CI, +1.3 to +4.9 %) in regional/remote Victoria. On average, age-standardised event rates for regional/remote Victoria were 30.3 % (95 % CI, 23.5 to 37.2 %) higher for acute CHD and 55.3 % (95 % CI, 47.1 to 63.5 %) higher for chronic CHD compared to metropolitan Victoria from 2005 to 2012. CONCLUSION: Annual decreases in acute CHD age-standardised event rates might reflect improvements in primary prevention, while annual increases in chronic CHD age-standardised event rates suggest a need to improve secondary prevention strategies. Consistently higher acute and chronic CHD age-standardised event rates were evident in regional/remote Victoria compared to metropolitan Victoria from 2005 to 2012.