Effects of Continuous Accelerated Pacing on Cardiac Structure and Function in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Insights From the myPACE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction ≥50% is prevalent with few evidence-based therapies. In a trial of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction with specialized pacemakers, treatment with accelerated personalized pacing averaging 75 bpm (myPACE) markedly improved quality of life, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), physical activity, and atrial fibrillation burden compared with the standard lower rate setting of 60 bpm (usual care).

Methods And Results: In this exploratory study, provider-initiated echocardiographic studies obtained before and after the trial were assessed for changes in left ventricular (LV) structure and function among participants who continued their pacing assignment.

Use of Hand-motion Analysis to Assess Competence and Skill Decay for Cardiac and Lung Point-of-care Ultrasound.

Objectives: Assessment of competence in technical skills, including point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), is required before a novice can safely perform the skill independently. Ongoing assessment of competence is also required because technical skills degrade over time, especially when they are infrequently performed or complex. Hand-motion analysis (HMA) is an objective assessment tool that has been used to evaluate competency in many technical skills.