Younger Age Impacts Perceptions of Care Received in the Emergency Department Among Women with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a nonatherosclerotic etiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that primarily affects younger women with few traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate how younger age impacts the perception of care women receive in the emergency department (ED) at the time of their first or only SCAD. SCAD survivors were recruited using SCAD Alliance social media platforms to complete a one-time online survey regarding their experiences of seeking treatment for SCAD in the ED and their post-SCAD recovery.

Preliminary Support for Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to Reduce Psychological Distress in Patients with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD).

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can occur as an atypical cause of myocardial infarction. Preliminary evidence suggests that SCAD patients experience high rates of post-event psychological distress. It is unknown whether psychosocial interventions may reduce the distress burden.

Impact of cognitive behavioral therapy on depression symptoms after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Depression is a significant concern after cardiac surgery and has not been studied in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We sought to examine the prevalence of pre-procedure depression and anxiety symptoms and explore whether brief bedside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could prevent post-TAVR psychological distress.

Methods: We prospectively recruited consecutive TAVR patients and randomized them to receive brief CBT or treatment as usual (TAU) during their hospitalization.

Patient-Reported Psychological Distress After Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: EVIDENCE FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS.

Purpose: High rates of depression and anxiety are reported among patients who have experienced spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) but the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate symptoms of PTSD in women who have experienced SCAD.

Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study included 14 female SCAD patients, mean age of 51 yr, who responded to standardized psychosocial questionnaires at a median of 35 mo post-SCAD.

Psychological Distress Among Female Cardiac Patients Presenting to a Women's Heart Health Clinic.

Female cardiac patients are at greater risk for mental health disorders than their male counterparts, and these mental health disorders have been associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality. However, few studies have closely examined the mental health disorders found among the female cardiac population. The primary aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of psychological distress in a sample of female cardiac outpatients at an academic medical center.

Heart Rate Variability Markers as Correlates of Survival in Recipients of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Objectives: To assess pre-/post-transplantation changes in autonomic tone, as measured by heart rate variability (HRV), among patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and to look at those changes as they relate to post-transplantation survival rates. 
.

Sample & Setting: Data were derived from a sample of 27 English-speaking patients undergoing allogeneic or autologous HCT at Stanford University.

Interdisciplinary psychosocial care for families with inherited cardiovascular diseases.

Inherited cardiovascular diseases pose unique and complex psychosocial challenges for families, including coming to terms with life-long cardiac disease, risk of sudden death, grief related to the sudden death of a loved one, activity restrictions, and inheritance risk to other family members. Psychosocial factors impact not only mental health but also physical health and cooperation with clinical recommendations. We describe an interdisciplinary approach to the care of families with inherited cardiovascular disease, in which psychological care provided by specialized cardiac genetic counselors, nurses, and psychologists is embedded within the cardiovascular care team.