Quality of Care in Centers Providing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Cardiogenic ShockMyocardial Infarction2 moreCardiac arrest centers are specialized in treating critically ill patients with severe cardiovascular diseases, such as cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock or acute myocardial infarction. Diagnostic and therapeutic measures, such as the use of devices for extracorporeal life support, require highly specialized training and skills. Apart from extensive medical expertise, physicians and nurses may be exposed to exceptional levels of occupational stressors. Therefore, excellent medical, psychological and inter-personal training of the medical staff is essential to improve patient outcomes. Assessment of quality of care is important to provide continuous improvement in patient care and team performance. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study which examined the quality of care in cardiac arrest centers across key dimensions of quality of care. Therefore, we aim to assess a bundle of key dimensions, that is psychological strain (P), resource utilization (R), interaction (I) between doctoral and nursing staff, costs of care (C) and education (E) programs for staff (PRICE scheme). A cross-sectional study will be conducted with doctors and nurses, using a digital quesitonnaire that will cover the five dimensions of the PRICE scheme.
Immediate Versus Delayed Invasive Intervention for Non-STEMI Patients
Myocardial InfarctionIn patients with acute myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation on ECG (non-STEMI), previous studies have indicated that routine invasive treatment confers more benefit as compared to selective invasive approach. The benefits of routine invasive coronary intervention have been the most evident in patients with higher baseline risk profile. However, the question of optimal timing of routine invasive intervention remains unsolved. Immediate invasive intervention early after admission for non-STEMI may limit myocardial necrosis by securing the patency of the culprit coronary artery. Nevertheless, several previous studies reported higher levels of biomarkers of myocardial injury in patients undergoing early PCI. The question of earlier versus delayed procedure in non-STEMI patients may thus amount to whether the risk of intervening on an unstable plaque is greater than the risk of new ischemic events while waiting for the invasive procedure. The purpose of the present study is to compare effects of immediate coronary intervention, within 2 hours of admission, versus delayed intervention, within 2-72 hours after admission, in patients witn non-STEMI.
the Invasive and Conservative Strategies in Elderly Frail Patients With Non-STEMI
Non-ST Elevation Myocardial InfarctionFrail Elderly SyndromeThe role of a routine invasive strategy in frail patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction is currently uncertain. We hypothesize that a routine invasive strategy will improve outcomes. The aim of the trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a routine invasive strategy in increasing the number of days alive at home during the first year and improving cardiovascular outcomes.
A Study of Allogeneic Low Oxygen Mesenchymal Bone Marrow Cells in Subjects With Myocardial Infarction...
Myocardial InfarctionThe purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of human allogeneic ischemia tolerant mesenchymal bone marrow cells (aLoOxMBMC) administered intravenously to subjects with Acute Myocardial Infarction (STEMI, non STEMI).
Home-based Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Maintenance Phase, in Subjects With Coronary Artery Disease...
Coronary Heart DiseaseAcute Myocardial Infarction: Rehabilitation PhaseThe sample of this randomized controlled trial was obtained in the Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Unit, of the Hospital Centre of Porto, Santo Antonio General Hospital. The target population was individuals who have completed the training phase of cardiovascular rehabilitation program, volunteers and referenced by the responsible for the service. This study has as main objective to analyze the influence of a specific exercise program, maintenance phase of cardiovascular rehabilitation , in home care context, for a period of 6 months, using a virtual format (computer and Kinect) or a conventional format (paper manual) in subjects with coronary artery disease. It was intended to analyze the immediate effect of exercise program on body composition and food consumption patterns, functional muscle strength of lower limb, level of physical activity: total volume of activity as well as the profile of this intensity, kyphotic index, balance, cognitive and executive function, as well as in the quality of life. The aim is also to examine the effects, approximately 3 months after the end of the exercise program, in the lipid profile, the level of physical activity: total volume of activity as well as the profile of this intensity and cardiovascular fitness: maximum double product ; metabolic equivalents; and proof and recovery time. The individuals were distributed at random, every 3 individuals, using the capabilities of Microsoft Excel 2010 RANDBETWEEN command, by three groups: the experimental group 1- a cardiovascular rehabilitation program, in home care context, using a computer and Kinect, virtual format, the experimental group 2- in cardiovascular rehabilitation program, in home care context, using a paper-based manual, conventional format, and control group-only subject to education for cardiovascular risk factors. The program defined 3 training sessions per week. The rehabilitation program was oriented by the guidelines for exercise prescription. Participants perform the a program of specific exercises independently and individually, with remote supervision, using communication (phone, email, etc.) and a routine scheduled individual meetings.
Mindfulness & Stress Management Study for Cardiac Patients
Heart DiseasesHeart Failure4 moreThe guideline-recommended standard of care for patients who have experienced a heart attack, heart failure, or other coronary event or procedure is exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Despite proven benefits, traditional CR is severely underutilized. Moreover, what is typically lacking from traditional CR programs is effective psychosocial risk management. This represents a critical gap in care given the well-documented psychosocial needs of this patient population.The objective of this feasibility study is to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) versus usual care in CR-eligible cardiac patients. Randomization will be stratified within two strata based on participation in CR (yes/no) among CR-eligible patients. The primary goals of this pilot study are to: 1) obtain estimates of treatment effects and variability; 2) evaluate recruitment and retention strategies; and 3) examine the safety of the MBSR protocol in CR-eligible patients.
The Effect of IV Cangrelor and Oral Ticagrelor Study
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)High On-treatment Platelet Reactivity (HTPR)4 moreMajor heart attacks are caused by a number of factors, the two major of which are furring up of a coronary artery with atheroma and then sudden clot formation on this area leading to a blockage and interruption of blood flow. The clots that lead to heart attacks are largely made of clotting blood cells (platelets) that in health repair blood vessels and inhibit spontaneous bleeding. One of the main treatment strategies for heart attacks is to make these cells less "sticky". Aspirin is a main stay of anti-platelet treatment in the United Kingdom (UK) and in addition one of three other oral antiplatelet agents acting on the same platelet activation pathway (P2Y12 receptor) is licensed for use. When a patient is admitted with a major heart attack, they are treated with emergency primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) a technique where a wire and balloon are used to reopen the coronary artery and then usually a stent (a slotted metal tube) is placed to keep the artery open. Aspirin and one of the P2Y12 inhibitor agents are given to prevent further clots and all have been shown to reduce negative events following heart attacks and angioplasty with stent insertion. There are increasing data, including from our own institution, showing that in the setting of heart attacks, the oral P2Y12 inhibitors are poorly absorbed and have little effect at the time of most need, i.e. soon after dosing while the primary PCI is being performed. All three current P2Y12 inhibitor agents are taken in tablet form immediately before the emergency PPCI procedure. It appears that in healthy stable patients these agents take at least 30 min to 2 hours to have an adequate effect. In heart attack patients the angioplasty procedure is usually performed well within this timescale. Furthermore, patients who are having a heart attack do not have normal drug absorption with blood being diverted away from the stomach and gut activity being suppressed by other drugs such as morphine. In this current study, patients with major heart attacks will be given our standard oral agent, Ticagrelor, or the newer intravenous agent Cangrelor prior to PPCI.
Alirocumab in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Myocardial InfarctionHypercholesterolemiaPhase IV investigator initiated clinical trial to study the effectiveness of alirocumab, an inhibitor of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin (PCSK9), versus placebo added to high-intensity statin (atorvastatin 80 mg) in lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol during non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
Randomized Comparison of Cangrelor, Tirofiban and Prasugrel in Patients With STEMI Referred for...
Coronary Artery DiseaseSTEMI - ST Elevation Myocardial InfarctionPrimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the main reperfusion therapy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The optimal platelet inhibition at the time of PCI is fundamental, however, the comparative speed of action of cangrelor as opposed to tirofiban and to chewed or integer loading dose of prasugrel is unknown. The purpose of this trial is to assess the inhibition of platelet aggregation with different regimens on platelet inhibition (tirofiban bolus+infusion, cangrelor bolus+infusion, prasugrel chewed loading dose, prasugrel integer loading dose) in the early phase of primary PCI.
Effect of Beta-blocker on Cardioprotective Effect of Remote Ischemic Conditioning
Myocardial InfarctionRemote ischemic conditioning has been shown to protect myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury during cardiac intervention or cardiac surgery. However, effect of beta-blocker, commonly used cardiovascular medication in patients with cardiac diseases such as hypertension or angina pectoris, on cardioprotective role of remote ischemic conditioning has not been well documented. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of beta-blocker on remote ischemic conditioning in healthy volunteers.