Evidence of disparity in the application of quality improvement efforts for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction: the American College of Cardiology's Guidelines Applied in Practice Initiative in Michigan.

Background: Racial disparities exist in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease in the United States. The aim of the study was to evaluate if a structured initiative for improving care of patients with acute myocardial infarction (Guidelines Applied in Practice [GAP]) led to comparable care of white and nonwhite patients admitted to GAP hospitals in Michigan.

Methods: Medicare patients comprised 2 cohorts: (1) those admitted before GAP implementation (n = 1,368) and (2) those admitted after GAP implementation (n = 1,489).

Variation in physician deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis attitudes and practices at an academic tertiary care center.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) remains a major cause of in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Effective DVT prophylaxis is available but underutilized. We sought to describe physician understanding of DVT epidemiology and prophylaxis practices.

Hawthorn Extract Randomized Blinded Chronic Heart Failure (HERB CHF) trial.

Aims: Hawthorn's efficacy when added to contemporary evidence-based heart failure therapy is unknown. We aimed to determine whether hawthorn increases submaximal exercise capacity when added to standard medical therapy.

Methods And Results: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 120 ambulatory patients aged > or = 18 years with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III chronic heart failure.

Effects of a refugee elective on medical student perceptions.

Background: There are growing numbers of refugees throughout the world. Refugee health is a relatively unstudied and rarely taught component of medical education. In response to this need, a Refugee Health Elective was begun.