Using interactive voice response to improve disease management and compliance with acute coronary syndrome best practice guidelines: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence from large clinical trials that compliance with standardized best practice guidelines (BPGs) improves survival of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. However, their application is often suboptimal. PURPOSE: In this study, the researchers evaluated whether the use of an interactive voice response (IVR) follow-up system improved ACS BPG compliance. METHOD: This was a single-centre randomized control trial (RCT) of 1,608 patients (IVR=803; usual care=805). The IVR group received five automated calls in 12 months. The primary composite outcome was increased medication compliance and decreased adverse events. RESULTS: A significant improvement of 60% in the IVR group for the primary composite outcome was found (RR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.29 to 2.00, p <0.001). There was significant improvement in medication compliance (p <0.001) and decrease in unplanned medical visits (p = 0.023). At one year, the majority of patients ( 85%) responded positively to using the system again. Follow-up by IVR produced positive outcomes in ACS patients.

Cognitive dysfunction after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Rate of impairment and clinical predictors.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate and domains of cognitive impairment in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors, as compared to patients who experienced a myocardial infarction (MI), and to explore mechanisms and predictors of this impairment. METHODS AND RESULTS: OHCA survivors with "good" neurological recovery (i.e., Cerebral Performance Categories Scale ≤ 2) (n = 79), as well as a control group of MI patients (n = 69), underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Forty-three percent of OHCA survivors were cognitively impaired (in the lowest decile on a global measure of cognitive functioning). Rates of impairment were approximately six times higher in the OHCA group than the MI group. Attention, memory, language and executive function were affected. Downtime was a significant predictor of cognitive impairment; the interaction between downtime and immediate intervention was significant such that, at short downtimes, receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation within 1 min of collapse predicted less cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: OHCA survivors - even those with seemingly good neurological recovery - are at risk for cognitive impairment. Cognitive rehabilitation may be an important consideration post-OHCA.

Exploratory Analyses of Cerebral Gray Matter Volumes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Good Outcome Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Survival rates of cardiac arrest have increased over recent years, however, survivors may still be left with significant morbidity and functional impairment. A primary concern in cardiac arrest survivors is the effect of prolonged hypoxia/ischemia on the brain. The objectives of the present study were threefold: (1) to explore the effect of cardiac arrest on brain gray matter volumes (GMV) in "good outcome" survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), (2) to examine the relationship between GMV, cognitive functioning and arrest factors, and (3) to explore whether OHCA patients differ from a group of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) uncomplicated by cardiac arrest and a group of healthy controls in terms of GMV. METHODS: Medically stable OHCA survivors with preserved neurological function and who were eligible for magnetic resonance imaging scanning (MRI; n = 9), were compared to: (1) patients who had experienced a MI (n = 19) and (2) healthy controls (n = 12). Participants underwent brain MRI on a 3T Siemens Trio MRI scanner and GMV was measured by voxel-based morphometry. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was also conducted. Global GMV was compared in the three samples using analyses of variance. The relationships between cognition and GMV were examined within group using correlations. RESULTS: The OHCA and MI groups showed a similar pattern of differences compared to the healthy control group. Both groups had decreased GMV in the anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral hippocampus, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right putamen, and bilateral cerebellum. There were no significant differences in global or regional GMV between the OHCA and MI groups. Cognitive functioning was correlated with global GMV in the OHCA group; no such correlation was observed in the MI group. CONCLUSION: Regional atrophy was observed in OHCA and MI survivors, compared to a healthy control group, suggesting a common mechanism, presumably preexisting cardiovascular disease. Although similar regional volume differences were observed between the MI and OHCA groups, the relationship between GMV and cognition was only observed in OHCA survivors. We suggest the acute hypoxia/ischemia ensuing from the arrest may interact with diminished neural reserve in select brain areas to expose occult cognitive dysfunction.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Outcomes With F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Imaging-Assisted Management of Patients With Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction Secondary to Coronary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Whether viability imaging can impact long-term patient outcomes is uncertain. The PARR-2 study (Positron Emission Tomography and Recovery Following Revascularization) showed a nonsignificant trend toward improved outcomes at 1 year using an F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)-assisted strategy in patients with suspected ischemic cardiomyopathy. When patients adhered to F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET recommendations, outcome benefit was observed. Long-term outcomes of viability imaging-assisted management have not previously been evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: PARR-2 randomized patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and suspected CAD being considered for revascularization or transplantation to standard care (n= 195) versus PET-assisted management (n=197) at sites participating in long-term follow-up. The predefined primary outcome was time to composite event (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or cardiac hospitalization). After 5 years, 105 (53%) patients in the PET arm and 111 (57%) in the standard care arm experienced the composite event (hazard ratio for time to composite event =0.82 [95% confidence interval 0.62-1.07]; P=0.15). When only patients who adhered to PET recommendations were included, the hazard ratio for the time to primary outcome was 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.54-0.99; P=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: After a 5-year follow-up in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and suspected CAD, overall, PET-assisted management did not significantly reduce cardiac events compared with standard care. However, significant benefits were observed when there was adherence to PET recommendations. PET viability imaging may be best applied when there is likely to be adherence to imaging-based recommendations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00385242.

Early effects of statin therapy on endothelial function and microvascular reactivity in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest an early outcome benefit with reduction in cholesterol using statin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This may be caused by effects of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction on endothelial function and vascular reactivity in the coronary bed. The aim of this randomized placebo-controlled study was to examine the early effects of important reductions in LDL-C on myocardial perfusion and peripheral endothelial function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-two patients with CAD and LDL-C between 3.0 and 5.9 mmol/L (116-228 mg/dL) were randomized to receive simvastatin 20 mg daily, pravastatin 40 mg daily, or placebo for 8 weeks. At baseline, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks, patients underwent dynamic positron emission tomography perfusion imaging to quantify the retention of rubidium-82 as a measure of myocardial flow at rest and after dipyridamole stress. Patients also underwent brachial artery ultrasound to measure endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation. At 2 and 8 weeks, the simvastatin and pravastatin groups showed a significant reduction (P < .001) in LDL-C compared with placebo. At 8 weeks, simvastatin led to an improvement in flow-mediated vasodilatation compared with placebo (6.86% +/- 4.4% vs 3.44% +/- 4.0%, P < .05), whereas pravastatin was not significantly different than placebo (5.62% +/- 4.1% vs 3.44% +/- 4.0%, P = NS). Despite this improvement in peripheral endothelial function with simvastatin, there were no significant differences observed in global stress flow and coronary flow reserve at 8 weeks with either drug. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term LDL reduction with simvastatin therapy improves peripheral endothelial function in patients with stable CAD, although an early effect on coronary vascular reactivity could not be demonstrated.

Routine versus selective cardiac magnetic resonance in non-ischemic heart failure - OUTSMART-HF: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (IMAGE-HF (heart failure) project 1-B).

BACKGROUND: Imaging has become a routine part of heart failure (HF) investigation. Echocardiography is a first-line test in HF given its availability and it provides valuable diagnostic and prognostic information. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is an emerging clinical tool in the management of patients with non-ischemic heart failure. Current ACC/AHA/CCS/ESC guidelines advocate its role in the detection of a variety of cardiomyopathies but there is a paucity of high quality evidence to support these recommendations.The primary objective of this study is to compare the diagnostic yield of routine cardiac magnetic resonance versus standard care (that is, echocardiography with only selective use of CMR) in patients with non-ischemic heart failure. The primary hypothesisis that the routine use of CMR will lead to a more specific diagnostic characterization of the underlying etiology of non-ischemic heart failure. This will lead to a reduction in the non-specific diagnoses of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and HF with preserved ejection fraction. DESIGN: Tertiary care sites in Canada and Finland, with dedicated HF and CMR programs, will randomize consecutive patients with new or deteriorating HF to routine CMR or selective CMR. All patients will undergo a standard clinical echocardiogram and the interpreter will assign the most likely HF etiology. Those undergoing CMR will also have a standard examination and will be assigned a HF etiology based upon the findings. The treating physician's impression about non-ischemic HF etiology will be collected following all baseline testing (including echo ± CMR). Patients will be followed annually for 4 years to ascertain clinical outcomes, quality of life and cost. The expected outcome is that the routine CMR arm will have a significantly higher rate of infiltrative, inflammatory, hypertrophic, ischemic and 'other' cardiomyopathy than the selective CMR group. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first multicenter randomized, controlled trial evaluating the role of CMR in non-ischemic HF. Non-ischemic HF patients will be randomized to routine CMR in order to determine whether there are any gains over management strategies employing selective CMR utilization. The insight gained from this study should improve appropriate CMR use in HF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01281384.

Does FDG PET-assisted management of patients with left ventricular dysfunction improve quality of life? A substudy of the PARR-2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with left ventricular dysfunction whose management is directed by F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging may have a quality of life (QOL) benefit over standard care. METHODS: Among 430 patients randomized in the PET and Recovery Following Revascularization (PARR)-2 trial to FDG PET-assisted management vs standard, QOL scores were obtained using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) in 427 patients at baseline (FDG PET n = 216; standard n = 211) and 355 patients at 12-month follow-up (FDG PET n = 184; standard n = 171). EQ-5D scores between FDG PET and standard arms were compared using mixed model repeated measures (MMRM). Subgroup analysis compared EQ-5D scores between patients in FDG PET who adhered to PET recommendations (Adherence) vs standard using MMRM. Interaction of revascularization with management was assessed using a general linear model. RESULTS: A trend toward higher EQ-5D scores in FDG PET was observed (P = 0.056). Subgroup analysis showed a significant difference favouring adherence (P = 0.04). Higher QOL at 6 months for FDG PET (P = 0.02) and Adherence (P = 0.02) were observed. For revascularization, an interaction with management (FDG PET vs standard) for QOL was observed (6 months: P = 0.01; 12 months: P = 0.1); Adherence (6 months: P = 0.01; 12 months: P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: FDG PET-directed management improves QOL, at least in the short-term and with adherence to recommendations. This may relate to revascularization, and may indicate better treatment selection using FDG PET.

18F-FDG PET imaging of myocardial viability in an experienced center with access to 18F-FDG and integration with clinical management teams: the Ottawa-FIVE substudy of the PARR 2 trial.

UNLABELLED: (18)F-FDG PET may assist decision making in ischemic cardiomyopathy. The PET and Recovery Following Revascularization (PARR 2) trial demonstrated a trend toward beneficial outcomes with PET-assisted management. The substudy of PARR 2 that we call Ottawa-FIVE, described here, was a post hoc analysis to determine the benefit of PET in a center with experience, ready access to (18)F-FDG, and integration with clinical teams. METHODS: Included were patients with left ventricular dysfunction and suspected coronary artery disease being considered for revascularization. The patients had been randomized in PARR 2 to PET-assisted management (group 1) or standard care (group 2) and had been enrolled in Ottawa after August 1, 2002 (the date that on-site (18)F-FDG was initiated) (n = 111). The primary outcome was the composite endpoint of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or cardiac rehospitalization within 1 y. Data were compared with the rest of PARR 2 (PET-assisted management [group 3] or standard care [group 4]). RESULTS: In the Ottawa-FIVE subgroup of PARR 2, the cumulative proportion of patients experiencing the composite event was 19% (group 1), versus 41% (group 2). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression showed a benefit for the PET-assisted strategy (hazard ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.72; P = 0.005). Compared with other patients in PARR 2, Ottawa-FIVE patients had a lower ejection fraction (25% +/- 7% vs. 27% +/- 8%, P = 0.04), were more often female (24% vs. 13%, P = 0.006), tended to be older (64 +/- 10 y vs. 62 +/- 10 y, P = 0.07), and had less previous coronary artery bypass grafting (13% vs. 21%, P = 0.07). For patients in the rest of PARR 2, there was no significant difference in events between groups 3 and 4. The observed effect of (18)F-FDG PET-assisted management in the 4 groups in the context of adjusted survival curves demonstrated a significant interaction (P = 0.016). Comparisons of the 2 arms in Ottawa-FIVE to the 2 arms in the rest of PARR 2 demonstrated a trend toward significance (standard care, P = 0.145; PET-assisted management, P = 0.057). CONCLUSION: In this post hoc group analysis, a significant reduction in cardiac events was observed in patients with (18)F-FDG PET-assisted management, compared with patients who received standard care. The results suggest that outcome may be benefited using (18)F-FDG PET in an experienced center with ready access to (18)F-FDG and integration with imaging, heart failure, and revascularization teams.