Targeted versus standard feedback: results from a randomized quality improvement trial.

Background: Quality improvement is central to improving the care of patients with cardiovascular disease; however, the optimum type of data feedback to support such efforts is unknown.

Methods: Over 26 months, 149 eligible Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network Registry-Get With The Guidelines hospitals were randomized to receive either standard (n = 76 control) or targeted (n = 73 intervention) performance feedback reports for acute myocardial infarction patient care. Each report summarized performance on identified metrics (providing hospitals with detailed data on their 3 lowest-performing quality metrics, relative to their peers).

Pattern of liver enzyme elevations in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Liver enzyme elevations occur with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); however, their significance in the modern era is not well-defined. The incidence of liver enzyme elevations in STEMI, temporal trends, correlations with creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and associations with clinical outcomes were evaluated.

Methods: The Complement Inhibition in Myocardial Infarction Treated with Angioplasty and Complement Inhibition in Myocardial Infarction Treated with Thrombolytics trials evaluated 1903 patients with STEMI.