Association of atrial fibrillation with lamotrigine: An observational cohort study.

Background: Drug-induced atrial fibrillation (AF) is recognized as an important causal association. Lamotrigine (LTG) is a widely prescribed neurological agent with Class IB antiarrhythmic properties at therapeutically relevant concentrations. The United States Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning for a higher risk of LTG proarrhythmic events in patients with structural heart disease (SHD) and/or myocardial ischemia.

Association of Ventricular Arrhythmias with Lamotrigine: An Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Whether lamotrigine (LTG) is associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT) in bipolar disorder (BPD), partial seizures (PSZ) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTSZ) with and without structural heart disease (SHD) remains controversial. A mechanistic rational for LTG-induced re-entrant cardiac arrhythmias has recently been elucidated, leading to a real-world comparative cohort observational study being warranted.

Methods: A retrospective observational comparative safety study was performed using a large healthcare claims database of adult participants analyzing the one-year cumulative VT.

Pregabalin Does Not Increase Risk of Heart Failure Exacerbation in Patients With Pre-existing Heart Failure.

Background: Through actions of calcium channel trafficking inhibition and sodium/water retention, pregabalin may increase the risk of acute heart failure (AHF).

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of heart failure (HF) acute exacerbations, measured by a composite of emergency department (ED) visits, per-patient per-year (PPPY) hospitalizations, time-to first ED admission, and time-to hospitalizations in pre-existing HF patients taking pregabalin compared with those who were pregabalin-naive.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of pregabalin users with HF were propensity score-matched to pregabalin-naïve patients with HF to evaluate the composite of ED admissions or PPPY hospitalizations, time-to first ED admission, and time-to hospitalizations during the 365 days post-index.

Heritable Risk and Protective Genetic Components of Glaucoma Medication Non-Adherence.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting 76 million globally. It is characterized by irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Pharmacotherapy manages intraocular pressure (IOP) and slows disease progression.

Scholarly Activity of Tenure-Track Faculty in US Departments of Pharmacy Practice.

To quantitatively determine scholarly activity among tenure-track faculty at US departments of pharmacy practice over a 10-year period. A search of PubMed was performed for articles by department of pharmacy practice tenure track (DPP-TT) faculty from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2019. DPP-TT faculty working in departments of pharmacy practice were identified through faculty rosters published on the American Association Colleges of Pharmacy website or college or school internet sites.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduce community-acquired pneumonia hospitalization and mortality.

Background: Pneumonia is a global disorder and a common reason for prolonged hospitalization. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) have pleiotropic effects that support a role in modulating pneumonia, but results have been controversial.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to elucidate an ACEi-induced pneumonia benefit in at-risk neurologically impaired population and to determine whether a mortality benefit exists.

Longitudinal analysis of PharmD program students' satisfaction and stress.

Introduction: The University of Utah College of Pharmacy conducted an annual survey to gauge the relationship between multiple dimensions of students' satisfaction, and stress, with the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program and perceptions of future career plans.

Methods: An online survey of professional year one (P1) through professional year four (P4) students was conducted from 2015 to 2019.

Results: There were a total of 953 non-unique survey respondents.

Reduced risk of NSAID-Induced adverse events with concomitant use of misoprostol (MICRO study).

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most frequently used medications for pain, even though they increase the risk for adverse cardiovascular events.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal event rates between NSAIDs versus NSAIDs plus misoprostol.

Methods: A population-based historical cohort of U.

Lifetime Prevalence and Correlates of Patient-Perceived Medical Errors Experienced in the U.S. Ambulatory Setting: A Population-Based Study.

The rate of safety harm self-perceived medical errors and harms reported in the U.S. ambulatory system is not well characterized.

Fostering PharmD Skills Related to Research and Quality Improvement Through Mentored Projects.

To assess the impact of a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) capstone project on students' ability to conduct research and quality improvement, and to assess the feasibility of requiring projects in the core curriculum. Project proposals were solicited from faculty members and local colleagues, and students matched with an individual project and mentor. After developing a written research proposal in their third professional year, students completed the project with mentor oversight in their third and fourth professional years, culminating with a poster session and completion of a manuscript prior to graduation.

A Modeling Exercise to Identify Predictors of Student Readiness for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences.

To model the relationship of common pharmacy education assessment data including student demographics, pre-pharmacy performance, core didactic performance, and external testing measures to identify predictors of student readiness for advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). The associations between 23 predictive covariates from 226 graduating students from 2015-2018 (5786 observations) and APPE readiness as measured by midpoint core APPE scores were modeled. Multiple linear and Poisson regression models with backward selection were used.

Tetrodotoxin-Sensitive Neuronal-Type Na Channels: A Novel and Druggable Target for Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a comorbidity associated with heart failure and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Despite the Ca-dependent nature of both of these pathologies, AF often responds to Na channel blockers. We investigated how targeting interdependent Na/Ca dysregulation might prevent focal activity and control AF.

Leading Change in Academic Pharmacy: Report of the 2018-2019 AACP Academic Affairs Committee.

The Committee was charged with the responsibility for examining the need for change in pharmacy education and the models of leadership that would enable that change to occur across the academy. They also examined the question of faculty wellbeing in a time of change and made several recommendations and suggestions regarding both charges. Building upon the work of the previous Academic Affairs Committee, the 2018-19 AAC encourages the academy to implement new curricular models supporting personalized learning that creates engaged and lifelong learners.

Modeling Doctor of Pharmacy Students' Stress, Satisfaction, and Professionalism Over Time.

To gauge multiple dimensions of pharmacy students' professionalism, stress, and satisfaction with the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. An online survey of first- through fourth-year pharmacy students was conducted from 2015-2018 to gauge the degree of students' professionalism (personal reflection, patient-centric care focus, cultural and interprofessional competencies), program stress (levels, sources, and burnout syndrome), and satisfaction. Multilevel structural equation modeling (SEM) determined the relationship between stress and satisfaction, and the degree to which these impacted levels of professionalism after adjusting for potential correlates (age, sex, financial stress, relationship status, race, and employment status).

A descriptive study of antithrombotic medication patterns in adult patients with recent venous thromboembolism.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the most common self-reported antithrombotic therapy utilization patterns in a national cohort of patients with recent venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods: Extant data from a national online survey administered to 907 patients 18 years of age or older with VTE in the last two years were analyzed. Patients' self-reported antithrombotic usage patterns used during three phases of treatment for the most recent VTE episode were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Understanding Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism.

Introduction:  Quality of life (QoL) deficits have been noted among patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) but understanding of the drivers of that poorer QoL is limited. The objective of this study was to examine associations between a variety of factors and QoL in patients with VTE.

Methods:  Adult patients who had experienced at least one VTE episode within the past 2 years completed an online survey between May and July 2016 with responses to a variety of questions designed to ascertain QoL scores, Optum Short Form-12, and potential factors associated with these scores.

Associations between anticoagulant treatment pathways and self-reported harms in patients recently diagnosed with venous thromboembolism.

Introduction: Understanding potential harms associated with common anticoagulation treatment patterns in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) is important for multiple stakeholders. The purpose of this study is to report associations between different anticoagulation patterns and bleeding and emotional harms based on patients' self-reported care experiences.

Methods: Patients at least 18 years of age who had experienced a VTE event in the past two years and completed a national online survey between May and July 2016 were analyzed.

Patient Satisfaction With Venous Thromboembolism Treatment.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a major health-care problem. Understanding patient satisfaction with VTE care is an important health-care goal. A national online survey was administered to adults who had experienced a recent VTE event.

Understanding patients' care barriers in the treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major health care problem. There are common barriers to quality healthcare but are these barriers the same for VTE patients? A national online survey was administered to adults who had experienced a recent VTE event. The survey assessed perceptions of VTE care barriers: (1) Difficulty to meet healthcare costs related to VTE care; (2) difficulty to meet costs for VTE prescription medications; (3) difficulty with transportation to get VTE care; and (4) the degree of support of others needed to get VTE care.

Payers' Perspectives on Pharmacist-Directed Care in a Community Pharmacy Setting.

The United States is spending an increasing share of its national income on health care while American citizens are not receiving the commensurate benefit of longer, healthier lives. Pharmacists are in a position to provide high-quality care; however, a paucity of data exists on payers' perspectives on insurance reimbursement for pharmacist-provided, community-delivered clinical services. To understand payers' perspectives toward pharmacist-provided community-delivered advanced clinical services.

Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Ranolazine Versus Conventional Antianginals Users Among Veterans With Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris.

Real-world outcomes in patients with chronic stable angina treated with ranolazine and other antianginal medications as second- or third-line therapy are limited. In a historical cohort study of veterans with chronic stable angina, we compared time with coronary revascularization procedures, hospitalizations, and 1-year healthcare costs between new-users of ranolazine versus conventional antianginals (i.e.

Prevalence and correlates of bleeding and emotional harms in a national US sample of patients with venous thromboembolism: A cross-sectional structural equation model.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with reduced survival, poorer quality of life, and substantial health-care-costs. Limited research, primarily qualitative, suggests that those with VTE may have elevated fear of recurrence, and associated emotional dysfunction and distress.

Methods: A national online survey was administered to 907 patients who had experienced a VTE event in the past two years.