CJC Open最新文献

Background

The management of heart failure (HF) is challenging because of the complexities in recommended therapies. Integrated disease management (IDM) is an effective model, promoting guideline-directed care, but the impact of IDM in the community setting requires further evaluation.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of community-based IDM. Patient characteristics were described, and outcomes using a pre- and post-intervention design were HF-related health-service use, quality of life, and concordance with guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT).

Results

715 patients were treated in the program (2016 to 2023), 219 in a community specialist–care clinic, and 496 in 25 primary-care clinics. The overall cohort was predominantly male (60%), with a mean age of 73.5 years (± 10.7), and 60% with HF with reduced ejection fraction. In patients with ≥ 6 months of follow-up (n = 267), pre vs post annualized rates of HF-related acute health-service use decreased from 36.3 to 8.5 hospitalizations per 100 patients per year, P < 0.0001, from 31.8 to 13.1 emergency department visits per 100 patients per year, P < 0.0001, and from 152.8 to 110.0 urgent physician visits per 100 patients per year, P = 0.0001. The level of concordance with GDMT improved; the number of patients receiving triple therapy and quadruple therapy increased by 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4%,17.8%) and 19.6% (95% CI, 12.0%, 27.3%), respectively. Within these groups, optimal dosing was achieved in 42.5% (95% CI, 32.0%, 53.6%) and 35.0% (95% CI, 23.1%, 48.4%), respectively. In patients with at least one follow-up visit (n = 286), > 50% experienced a clinically relevant improvement in their quality of life.

Conclusions

A community-based IDM program for HF, may reduce HF-related acute health-service use, improve quality of life and level of concordance with GDMT. These encouraging preliminary outcomes from a real-world program evaluation require confirmation in a randomized controlled trial.

Background

Population-based analyses of Métis-specific health outcomes in Canada are limited. This study aimed to address this gap and examine cardiovascular disease outcomes in citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) over a 9-year period.

Methods

Under a data governance and sharing agreement between the MNO and ICES, registered MNO citizens aged ≥ 20 years were linked to administrative health data in Ontario. Existing algorithms were used to determine the burden of heart failure and hypertension. In the most recent year, prevalence rates were compared for income quintiles, age, and sex.

Results

Age-adjusted prevalence rates of hypertension decreased, and age-adjusted prevalence rates of heart failure increased in MNO citizens from 2012 to 2020. A larger decrease in prevalence of hypertension was observed for female citizens, by 12% from 28.9 per 100 (confidence interval [CI]: 27.6-30.2) in 2012 to 25.4 per 100 (CI: 24.5-26.3) in 2020. As for heart failure, the age-adjusted prevalence rates for male citizens had the largest increase, by 47% from 2.6 per 100 (CI: 2.1-3.1) in 2012 to 3.8 per 100 (CI: 3.3-4.2) in 2020. Hypertension and heart failure were more prevalent in male citizens, those of advanced age, and those living in areas within the lowest income quintile.

Conclusions

This study is the first in nearly 10 years to investigate trends in cardiovascular outcomes among MNO citizens. Understanding this burden is critical to the MNO’s ability to guide program and policy planning, as well as to advocate within and beyond the health system for Métis-specific needs.

Background

Although the current combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy is used in the breast-cancer setting, the administration of the anticancer drugs doxorubicin and trastuzumab is associated with an increased risk of developing heart failure. The aim of this study is to determine whether dietary flaxseed is comparable and/or synergistic with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril in the treatment of doxorubicin- and trastuzumab-mediated cardiotoxicity.

Methods

In a chronic in vivo murine model (n = 110), doxorubicin and trastuzumab (8 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg, respectively) were administered weekly for 3 weeks. Following this period, the mice were randomized to daily consumption of a 10% flaxseed supplemented diet, administration of perindopril (3 mg/kg) via oral gavage, or a combination of both flaxseed and perindopril for an additional 3 weeks.

Results

In mice treated with doxorubicin and trastuzumab, the left ventricular ejection fraction decreased from 74% ± 4% at baseline to 30% ± 2% at week 6. Treatment with either flaxseed or perindopril, or with flaxseed and perindopril improved left ventricular ejection fraction to 52% ± 4%, 54% ± 4%, and 55% ± 3%, respectively (P < 0.05). Although histologic analyses confirmed significant loss of sarcomere integrity and vacuolization in the doxorubicin- and trastuzumab-treated mice, treatment with flaxseed or perindopril, or with flaxseed and perindopril improved myocyte integrity. Finally, the level of Bcl-2 interacting protein 3, high-mobility group box 1 protein expression, and the levels of select oxylipins, were significantly elevated in mice receiving doxorubicin and trastuzumab; these markers were attenuated by treatment with either flaxseed or perindopril, or with flaxseed and perindopril.

Conclusions

Flaxseed was equivalent to perindopril at improving cardiovascular remodelling by reducing biomarkers of inflammation, mitochondrial damage, and cell death.

Indigenous populations have remained resilient in maintaining their unique culture and values, despite facing centuries of colonial oppression. With many discriminatory policies continuing to disempower Indigenous peoples, First Nations communities have been reported to experience a higher level of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality, compared to that in the general population. Many of the risk factors contributing to the burden of CVD have been attributed to the impact of colonization and the ongoing dismissal of Indigenous knowledge. Despite Indigenous peoples recognizing the value of addressing their mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being in balanced totality, current health services focus predominantly on the promotion of Western biomedicine. To begin to move toward reconciliation, a better understanding of how Indigenous health is defined within different cultural worldviews is needed. The objective of this scoping review was to explore the various Western and/or Indigenous strategies used for the prevention of CVD and the management of heart health and wellness in Indigenous communities in Canada. In this review, a total of 3316 articles were identified, and only 21 articles met the eligibility criteria. Three major themes emerged, as follows: (i) valuing of the emotional domain of health through cultural safety; (ii) community is at the core of empowering health outcomes; and (iii) bridging of cultures through partnership and mutual learning. Most studies recognized the importance of community engagement to develop heart health strategies that integrate traditional languages and cultures. However, to move toward the delivery of culturally safe care, health systems need to rebuild their relationship with Indigenous peoples.