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Publications (3)8.38 Total impact

  • Article: Prognostic significance of admission heart failure in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (from the Canadian Acute Coronary Syndrome Registries).
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    ABSTRACT: We evaluated the in-hospital and 1-year outcomes and predictors of admission heart failure in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACSs) without previous heart failure. We analyzed 4,825 patients with NSTE-ACS without a history of congestive heart failure who were included in the multicenter Canadian ACS Registries. Patients in Killip's class II/III on admission (n = 559, 11.6%) were compared with patients in Killip's class I. Patients with heart failure on admission were older (72 [64, 79] vs 64 [54, 73] years, p < 0.0001), with higher baseline creatinine levels (96 vs 88 mmol/dl, p <0.0001), more diabetes (32.2% vs 22.8%, p < 0.0001), hypertension (58% vs 52.4%, p = 0.014), previous myocardial infarction (MI; 38.9% vs 30.3%, p < 0.0001), previous stroke (13.5% vs 7.4%, p < 0.0001), and had more ST depression on admission (27.7% vs 17.3%, p < 0.0001). In-hospital treatment was similar except for a lower rate of aspirin therapy and fewer coronary interventions. Crude event rates were significantly higher in patients with heart failure (in-hospital death 3.6% vs 1.1%, p < 0.0001; death or MI 7.9% vs 4.7%, p = 0.0011; stroke 1.1% vs 0.4%, p = 0.03). One-year event rates were also higher in patients with heart failure (death 14.6% vs 4.4%, p < 0.0001; MI 9.3% vs 6.6%, p = 0.03; death or MI 21.5% vs 10.3%, p < 0.0001). Variables independently associated with heart failure were age (odds ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.43 to 1.73), diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.89), admission ST depression (odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 1.90), previous MI, and baseline creatinine. Heart failure on admission was an independent predictor of in-hospital death, death or MI, and stroke and of 1-year death and death or MI. In conclusion, in patients with NSTE-ACS, heart failure on admission is associated with increased short- and long-term rates of death and MI.
    The American Journal of Cardiology 09/2006; 98(4):470-3. · 3.37 Impact Factor
  • Article: Use of physiologic pacing after the Canadian trial of physiologic pacing.
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    ABSTRACT: The Canadian trial of physiologic pacing (CTOPP), published in 2000, demonstrated a reduction in atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke and death with preservation of atrioventricular synchrony, though only the lower rate of AF was statistically significant. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CTOPP on pacing mode selection in our region. The British Columbia Cardiac Registry contains prospectively entered data covering a population of 4 millions (M) and 17 implanting centers. It was examined for mode selection trends from 1997 to 2002. At examination, there were data on 22,446 pulse generators (PG) and 29,898 leads. New implant rates per M population were 1997:473; 1998:456; 1999:505; 2000:513; 2001:486; 2002:510. PG replacements also increased, resulting in a total implant rate of 667 PG per M in 2002. Over the 6-year period, DDD use decreased from 321 to 306, but DDDR use, more than doubled from 317 to 750 PG/year. VVI use steadily decreased from 741 to 410 PG/year, while VVIR use increased more modestly from 1997 to 1999, then remained stable. During the 6-year period bracketing CTOPP, use of modes maintaining AV synchrony increased by over 32%, to 53% of PG implanted in 2002. Our PG implant rate was much higher than expected from prior retrospective surveys, and similar to rates in Belgium, France, and Germany. CTOPP did not decrease our use of physiologic pacing but, instead, was associated with a brief pause, then progressively increased in both academic and community centers. Patients' need and widely accepted standards of care proved more important in clinical decision making than the results of a flawed randomized trial.
    Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 02/2005; 28 Suppl 1:S68-9. · 1.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: A multicenter disease management program for hospitalized patients with heart failure.
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    ABSTRACT: Despite the availability of proven therapies, outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) remain poor. In this 2-stage, multicenter trial, we evaluated the effect of a disease management program on clinical and economic outcomes in patients with HF. In Stage 1, a pharmacist or nurse assessed each patient and made recommendations to the physician to add or adjust angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and other HF medications. Before discharge (Stage 2), patients were randomized to a patient support program (PSP) (education about HF, self-monitoring, adherence aids, newsletters, telephone hotline, and follow-up at 2 weeks, then monthly for 6 months after discharge) or usual care. In Stage 1 (766 patients) ACE inhibitor use increased from 58% on admission to 83% at discharge (P < .0001), and the daily dose (in enalapril equivalents) increased from 11.3 +/- 8.8 mg to 14.5 +/- 8.8 mg (P < .0001). In Stage 2 (276 patients) there was no difference in ACE inhibitor adherence, but a reduction in cardiovascular-related emergency room visits (49 versus 20, P = .030), hospitalization days (812 versus 341, P = .003), and cost of care (2,531 Canadian dollars less per patient) in favor of the PSP. Simple interventions can improve ACE inhibitor use and patient outcomes.
    Journal of Cardiac Failure 12/2004; 10(6):473-80. · 3.66 Impact Factor