Integration of point-of-care ultrasound in a nurse practitioner-led heart failure clinic.

Background: Despite improved survival, one in five patients with heart failure (HF) is readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Assessing fluid status is challenging, with an estimated 50% accuracy when relying on physical examination alone. Pulmonary congestion is a risk factor for readmission and can manifest weeks before symptoms occur.

Gut microbe-derived metabolites and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the METSIM cohort.

Background: An association between gut microbes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been established, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the cross-sectional data obtained from the Metabolic Syndrome in Men (METSIM) population-based cohort of 10,194 Finnish men (age = 57.65 ± 7.

Relationships and Mendelian Randomization of Gut Microbe-Derived Metabolites with Metabolic Syndrome Traits in the METSIM Cohort.

The role of gut microbe-derived metabolites in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of gut microbe-derived metabolites and MetS traits in the cross-sectional Metabolic Syndrome In Men (METSIM) study. The sample included 10,194 randomly related men (age 57.

Relationships Among Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Social Support, and Hopelessness in Adults With Ischemic Heart Disease.

Background: Lower perceived social support is associated with hopelessness in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Higher perceived social support is associated with higher heart rate variability (HRV) in adults following a stressful event, but the relationship between HRV and hopelessness has not been examined in patients with IHD. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationships among HRV, perceived social support, and hopelessness in patients with IHD.

Effect of a Virtual Reality Simulation Modality on Registered Nurse Knowledge and Behavior Related to Clostridioides difficile Prevention : An Experimental, Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Virtual reality simulation (VRS) has emerged as an educational methodology in nursing professional development. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with a sample of clinical registered nurses to compare effectiveness of VRS and traditional education on knowledge and behavior related to Clostridioides difficile prevention. No significant differences were found in the effectiveness of the two modalities, suggesting the usefulness of VRS as a teaching methodology.

Emergency Nurses' Recognition of and Perception of Sex Differences in Acute Coronary Syndrome Symptoms.

Introduction: Emergency nurses must quickly identify patients with potential acute coronary syndrome. However, no recent nationwide research has explored nurses' knowledge of acute coronary syndrome symptoms. The purpose of this study was to explore emergency nurses' recognition of acute coronary syndrome symptoms, including whether nurses attribute different symptoms to women and men.

Neurocognition in adults with congenital heart disease post-cardiac surgery: A systematic review.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect worldwide. Neurocognitive deficits and psychiatric disorders, which can impact daily life, have been reported in over 50% of adolescents and young adults with moderate to complex CHD.

Objective: Conduct a systematic review of sex, clinical, psychological and social determinants of health (SDoH) factors affecting neurocognition in adults with CHD post-cardiac surgery.

A Nationwide Study of Emergency Nurses' Triage Decisions for Potential Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Introduction: This study aimed to identify the symptoms used to assess angina, determine how emergency nurses make triage decisions for potential acute coronary syndrome, and determine emergency nurses' initial actions.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, survey-based design. Emergency nurses were recruited through a posting on the Emergency Nurses Association website and through postcards.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Department Triage Nurses' Response to Patients With Potential Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic added challenges to patient assessment and triage in the emergency department (ED).

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on ED triage nurse decisions for patients with potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from a descriptive, electronic, survey-based study.

Comorbidities are associated with state hopelessness in adults with ischemic heart disease.

Background: In adults with ischemic heart disease (IHD), comorbidities and hopelessness are independently associated with increased risk of mortality.

Objectives: To determine if comorbidities were associated with state and trait hopelessness and explore the influence of specific conditions and hopelessness in individuals hospitalized for IHD.

Methods: Participants completed the State-Trait Hopelessness Scale.

Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Older Adult Population: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Diagnostic and therapeutic advances during the past decades have substantially improved health outcomes for patients with acute coronary syndrome. Both age-related physiological changes and accumulated cardiovascular risk factors increase the susceptibility to acute coronary syndrome over a lifetime. Compared with younger patients, outcomes for acute coronary syndrome in the large and growing demographic of older adults are relatively worse.

State of the Science: The Relevance of Symptoms in Cardiovascular Disease and Research: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease drive health care use and are a major contributor to quality of life. Symptoms are of fundamental significance not only to the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and appraisal of response to medical therapy but also directly to patients' daily lives. The primary purpose of this scientific statement is to present the state of the science and relevance of symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease.

Decision Delay Is a Significant Contributor to Prehospital Delay for Stroke Symptoms.

Prehospital delay after stroke symptom onset is a primary barrier to eligibility for reperfusion therapies. Decision delay is an understudied contributor to prehospital delay. We aimed to explore decision delay as a component of prehospital delay.

Global Public Health Nursing.

Background: An often under addressed and tragic legacy of genocide is the conception of children from rape. While the experience has been documented from their mothers' perspective, the perspectives and needs of individuals born of genocidal rape has been under-studied.

Methods: We conducted an integrative review of all peer-reviewed articles that reported on studies conducted among individuals born of genocidal rape published through 2020.

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of acupuncture for angina in an underserved diverse population.

Purpose: Stable angina is ischemic chest pain on exertion or with emotional stress. Despite guideline-directed therapy, up to 30% of patients have suboptimal pain relief. The aims of this study were to: (1) determine the feasibility and acceptability of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of acupuncture; and (2) evaluate preliminary efficacy of acupuncture with respect to reduction of pain and increased functional status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Multimorbidity phenotypes in patients presenting to the emergency department with possible acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Multimorbidity (> 2 conditions) increases the risk of adverse outcomes and challenges health care systems for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These complications may be partially attributed to ACS clinical care which is driven by single-disease-based practice guidelines; current guidelines do not consider multimorbidity.

Objectives: To identify multimorbidity phenotypes (combinations of conditions) with suspected ACS.

Double Jeopardy: Young adult mental and physical health outcomes following conception via genocidal rape during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Rwandans conceived by rape during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi have endured a violent beginning and a troubled childhood. Given compelling evidence of the influence of prenatal environments and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on future health, these individuals are at high risk of poor mental and physical health outcomes. The purpose of the study was to characterize mental and physical health outcomes in young adults who were exposed prenatally to maternal stress due to the genocide in general and those conceived by genocidal rape, and to determine whether ACEs compound these effects.