Variation in lipoprotein(a) response to potent lipid lowering: The role of apolipoprotein (a) isoform size.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a driver of residual cardiovascular risk. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) decrease Lp(a) with significant heterogeneity in response. We investigated contributors to the heterogeneous response.

Burden of cardiometabolic risk factors and vascular health.

Background: Cardiometabolic risk factors diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are highly prevalent and contribute to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endothelial dysfunction precedes CVD development. The current study aimed to investigate the EC transcriptome among individuals with varying degree of cardiometabolic risk.

A randomized comparison of manual pressure versus figure-of-eight suture for hemostasis after cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Cryoballoon ablation is commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). Femoral vein hemostasis after cryoballoon ablation for AF is routinely achieved with manual pressure (MP) after reversal of heparin and reassessment of the activated clotting time, or with a figure-of-eight suture (F8). The purpose of this randomized trial was to compare these two techniques for femoral vein hemostasis after cryoballoon ablation for AF in a patient population predominantly on novel anticoagulants (NOAC).

Gender differences in thrombogenicity among patients with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

Women more often present with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) and have poorer clinical outcomes than men. These findings may be related to sex associated differences in inflammation and thrombogenicity. Consecutive patients (n = 134) with ANOCA (luminal diameter stenosis < 50%) undergoing elective cardiac catheterization were included in post hoc analysis of Multi-Analyte, thrombogenic, and Genetic Markers of Atherosclerosis (MAGMA, NCT01276678) study.

Medicaid Expansion and Disparity Reduction in Surgical Cancer Care at High-Quality Hospitals.

Background: The Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion has been heavily debated due to skepticism about Medicaid's ability to provide high-quality care. Particularly, little is known about whether Medicaid expansion improves access to surgical cancer care at high-quality hospitals. To address this question, we examined the effects of the 2001 New York Medicaid expansion, the largest in the pre-Affordable Care Act era, on this disparity measure.

Why Do Long-Distance Travelers Have Improved Pancreatectomy Outcomes?

Background: Centralization of complex surgical care has led patients to travel longer distances. Emerging evidence suggested a negative association between increased travel distance and mortality after pancreatectomy. However, the reason for this association remains largely unknown.

Did Pre-Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion Increase Access to Surgical Cancer Care?

Background: Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid access, it is unknown whether this has led to greater access to complex surgical care. Evidence on the effect of Medicaid expansion on access to surgical cancer care, a proxy for complex care, is sparse. Using New York's 2001 statewide Medicaid expansion as a natural experiment, we investigated how expansion affected use of surgical cancer care among beneficiaries overall and among racial minorities.