Representation of obesity in contemporary atrial fibrillation ablation randomized controlled trials.

Background: The prevalence and impact of obesity on outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been well studied.

Objective: To examine the proportion of participants with obesity enrolled in RCTs of AF ablation and outcomes of ablation when subgroup analysis of participants with obesity were available.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE for AF ablation RCTs published between January 1, 2015 to May 31, 2022.

Predictive value of interatrial block on electrocardiogram among obese patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Determine a predictive value of interatrial block (IAB) on atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcomes in obese patients.

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 205 consecutive patients with body mass indices (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m who underwent initial AF ablation. Evidence of partial IAB defined as P-wave duration (PWD) ≥ 120 ms and advanced IAB with PWD ≥ 120 ms and biphasic or negative P-wave in inferior leads was examined from sinus electrocardiograms (ECGs) within 1-year pre-ablation.

The National Cardiovascular Data Registry Data Quality Program 2020: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

The National Cardiovascular Data Registry is a group of registries maintained by the American College of Cardiology Foundation. These registries are used by a diverse constituency to improve the quality and outcomes of cardiovascular care, to assess the safety and effectiveness of new therapies, and for research. To achieve these goals, registry data must be complete and reliable.

Roadmap to a more useful and usable electronic health record.

Background: A decade after the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, electronic health records (EHRs) largely remain poorly designed and contribute to clinician burnout.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand clinicians' wants, needs, and perceived barriers imposed by the EHR; implement best practices in user-centered design; and create a clinician-centered EHR framework validated via a functional EHR prototype.

Methods: Usability evaluations were performed using a simulated patient with a complex clinical scenario.

The Role of Computer Skills in Personal Health Record Adoption Among Patients With Heart Disease: Multidimensional Evaluation of Users Versus Nonusers.

Background: In the era of precision medicine, it is critical for health communication efforts to prioritize personal health record (PHR) adoption.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with heart disease that choose to adopt a PHR.

Methods: A total of 79 patients with chronic cardiovascular disease participated in this study: 48 PHR users and 31 nonusers.

Impact of Age on Patients' Communication and Technology Preferences in the Era of Meaningful Use: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Identifying effective means of communication between patients and their health care providers has a positive impact on patients' satisfaction, adherence, and health-related outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the impact of patients' age on their communication and technology preferences when managing their health. We hypothesize that a patient's age affects their communication and technology preferences when interacting with clinicians and managing their health.

Achieving Data Liquidity: Lessons Learned from Analysis of 38 Clinical Registries (The Duke-Pew Data Interoperability Project.

Background: To assess the current state of clinical data interoperability, we evaluated the use of data standards across 38 large professional society registries.

Methods: The analysis included 4 primary components: 1) environmental scan, 2) abstraction and cross-tabulation of clinical concepts and corresponding data elements from registry case report forms, dictionaries, and / or data models, 3) cross-tabulation of same across national common data models, and 4) specifying data element metadata to achieve native data interoperability.

Results: The registry analysis identified approximately 50 core clinical concepts.

Worsening renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure treated with ultrafiltration: predictors and outcomes.

Background: Ultrafiltration (UF) is used to treat patients with diuretic-resistant acute decompensated heart failure. The aim of this study was to identify predictors and the effect of worsening renal failure(WRF) on mortality in patients treated with UF.

Methods And Results: Based on changes in serum creatinine, 99 patients treated with UF were divided into WRF and control groups.

Worsening renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure treated with ultrafiltration: predictors and outcomes.

Background: Ultrafiltration (UF) is used to treat patients with diuretic-resistant acute decompensated heart failure. The aim of this study was to identify predictors and the effect of worsening renal failure (WRF) on mortality in patients treated with UF.

Methods And Results: Based on changes in serum creatinine, 99 patients treated with UF were divided into WRF and control groups.

Diastolic dysfunction in patients with end-stage liver disease is associated with development of heart failure early after liver transplantation.

Background: Liver transplantation (LTx) is a life-saving treatment of end-stage liver disease. Cardiac complications including heart failure (HF) are among the leading causes of death after LTx.

The Aim: The aim is to identify clinical and echocardiographic predictors of developing HF after LTx.

A qualitative analysis of academic and private physicians and administrators' perceptions of health information technology.

A qualitative analysis of extensive interviews with academic and private physicians and administrators at a large academic medical center reveals six major themes associated with the adoption of Health Information Technology (HIT). The differences between academic and private physicians perceptions and administrators perceptions of the benefits of HIT are highlighted.

Estimates of endocardial potentials from non-contact intracavitary probes.

The EnSitetrade intracavitary probe system developed by Endocardial Solutions, Inc (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN) was used to simultaneously record geometric information, probe potentials, and selected endocardial potentials within the right atria for four patients.

Special treatments for valve/hole regions in endocardial potential estimates from non-contact intracavitary probes.

The EnSite intracavitary probe system developed by Endocardial Solutions, Inc (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN) was used to simultaneously record geometric information, probe potentials, and endocardial potentials within the right atria for four patients.

Safety and efficacy of flecainide in subjects with Long QT-3 syndrome (DeltaKPQ mutation): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: We conducted a study of chronic therapy with flecainide versus placebo in a small group of LQT-3 patients with the DeltaKPQ deletion to evaluate the safety and efficacy of flecainide in this genetic disorder. In vitro studies have shown that flecainide provides correction of the impaired inactivation associated with the DeltaKPQ deletion.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with flecainide and placebo in six male LQT-3 subjects with the DeltaKPQ deletion.

Association of myocardial ischemia with mortality and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in patients with coronary artery disease at risk of arrhythmic death.

Objectives: We sought to assess the relation between myocardial ischemia during stress echocardiography and major events in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Background: The association of myocardial ischemia with subsequent ICD therapy and mortality is unknown.

Methods: We studied 90 patients (age 65 +/- 13 years, 27 women) with history of coronary heart disease who received ICD for primary (53 patients) or secondary (37 patients) prevention of sudden cardiac death.