TEXT MY BP MEDS NOLA: A pilot study of text-messaging and social support to increase hypertension medication adherence.

Study Objective: Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) adults have high hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden. Medication nonadherence limits control and self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) improves diagnosis and adherence. This predominantly NHB cohort pilot, via community-clinical linkages, with uncontrolled HTN and low adherence, utilized bidirectional electronic messaging (BEM) with team-care, to assess medication adherence, quality of life, and BP.

A systematic review of racial/ethnic disparities in pharmacotherapy and surgical treatment outcomes in peripheral arterial disease among African American/non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White and Hispanic patients.

Background: Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in racial/ethnic diverse populations. However, limited data exist on treatment outcome disparities in racial/ethnic diverse populations, particularly in AA/NHB populations.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to analyze disparities in the outcomes of PAD treatments, particularly pharmacotherapy and surgery, among racial/ethnic groups in the US.

Acute Lesion Imaging in Predicting Chronic Tissue Injury in the Ventricles.

Background: Chronic lesion formation after cardiac tissue ablation is an important indicator for procedural outcome. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the features that predict chronic lesion formation.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether acute lesion visualization using late gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI) can reliably predict chronic lesion size.

A cardiovascular clinic patients' survey to assess challenges and opportunities of digital health adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: COVID-19 boosted healthcare digitalization and personalization in cardiology. However, understanding patient attitudes and engagement behaviors is essential to achieve successful acceptance and implementation of digital health technologies in personalized care.

Objective: This study aims to understand current and future trends in wearable device and telemedicine use in the cardiology clinic patient population, recognize patients' attitude towards digital health before and after COVID-19, and identify potential socioeconomic and racial/ethnic differences in adoption of digital health tools in a New Orleans patient population.

New-onset atrial arrhythmias associated with mortality in black and white patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Background: Specific details about cardiovascular complications, especially arrhythmias, related to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are not well described.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of cardiovascular complications and new-onset arrhythmias in Black and White hospitalized COVID-19 patients and determine the impact of new-onset arrhythmia on outcomes.

Methods: We collected and analyzed baseline demographic and clinical data from COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, between March 1 and May 1, 2020.

The COVID-19 and Influenza "Twindemic": Barriers to Influenza Vaccination and Potential Acceptance of SARS-CoV2 Vaccination in African Americans.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory virus that causes a significant annual health burden in the United States (US). In spite of effective yearly vaccinations to protect individuals against influenza-related health complications, especially with certain chronic co-morbid illnesses, persistent racial/ethnic disparities exist in influenza immunization. African Americans continue to experience low vaccination uptake, stemming, at least in part, from years of bias in and mistrust of orthodox medicine, safety concerns, and environmental barriers to vaccine access.

Hypertension in African Americans: Advances in community outreach and public health approaches.

While there have been significant advances made towards controlling cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality in recent decades, African- Americans continue to experience a markedly elevated burden of CVD. Multiple factors have contributed to this major public health crisis, including medication adherence, racial inequities in diagnosis and treatment, lack of culturally competent care, and disparities in healthcare access. Historical approaches to reduce this burden are targeted towards community outreach by recruiting community partners and healthcare providers to disseminate health information on CVD awareness and prevention.