Publications by authors named "Melissa M McCarey"

Background: As patients with heart failure experience worsening of their condition, including acute decompensated heart failure, quality of life deteriorates. However, the trajectory of quality of life changes and their determinants in the context of the Rehabilitation Therapy in Older Acute Heart Failure Patients trial physical rehabilitation intervention are unknown.

Methods: Patients ≥60 years old admitted for acute decompensated heart failure (n=349) were randomized to either attention control or intervention.

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Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of diseased saphenous vein grafts (SVG) continues to pose a clinical challenge. Current PCI guidelines give a class III recommendation against performing PCI on chronically occluded SVG. However, contemporary outcomes after SVG intervention have incrementally improved with distal protection devices, intracoronary vasodilators, drug-eluting stents, and prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy.

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Background: Robotic technology is one of the most recent technological changes in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations. The current analysis was conducted to identify trends in the use and outcomes of robotic-assisted CABG (RA-CABG).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using data from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database between 2006 and 2012.

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Poor adherence to therapeutic regimens is a significant impediment to improving clinical outcomes in the HF population. Typical rates of adherence to prescribed medications, low-sodium diets, and aerobic exercise programs remain lower than that needed to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with HF. Factors contributing to poor adherence include multiple comorbidities, clinical depression, and decreased cognitive functioning.

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Background: Despite the high number of admissions for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), there are no specific criteria for discharge readiness. A number of patients have implantable devices that might provide data to assist in determining readiness for discharge.

Methods And Results: The 3D-HF (Diagnostic Data for Discharge in Heart Failure Patients) study was a prospective observational pilot study enrolling HF patients with Optivol-capable cardiac devices within 48 hours of a hospital admission characterized by worsening HF symptoms.

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