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PubMed1996

The Sir James Mackenzie Cardiological Society and the American College of Cardiology.

Documents have recently been discovered that detail the origin and emergence of the New York Cardiological Society in 1928 from an earlier local organization that was founded in 1926 and named in honor of the Scottish cardiologist Sir James Mackenzie. These documents shed light on the earliest evolution of antecedent societies to the present American College of Cardiology and provide important insight into the early professional organization of clinical cardiology in the United States.

Cardiology↗
PubMed2004

The Cardiology Audit and Registration Data Standards (CARDS), European data standards for clinical cardiology practice.

AIMS: Systematic registration of data from clinical practice is important for clinical care, local, national and international registries, and audit. Data to be collected for these different purposes should be harmonized. Therefore, during Ireland's Presidency of the European Union (EU) (January to June 2004), the Department of Health and Children worked with the European Society of Cardiology, the Irish Cardiac Society, and the European Commission to develop data standards for clinical cardiology. The Cardiology Audit and Registration Data Standards (CARDS) Project aimed to agree standards for three modules of cardiovascular health information systems: acute coronary syndromes (ACS), percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and clinical electrophysiology (pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and ablation procedures). METHODS AND RESULTS: Data items from existing registries and surveys were reviewed to derive draft data standards (variables, coding, and definitions). Variables common to the three modules include demographics, risk factors, medication, and discharge and follow-up data. Modules about a procedure contain variables on the lesion, the device, and medication during the procedure. The ACS module includes presenting symptoms, reperfusion and acute treatments, and procedures in hospital and at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The data standards were discussed and adopted at a conference involving EU member states in Cork, Ireland, in May 2004. After a pilot study, the standards will be disseminated to stakeholders throughout Europe.

Cardiology↗
PubMed1992

A survey of nuclear cardiological practice in Great Britain. The British Nuclear Cardiology Group.

There is little information on the practice of nuclear cardiology in Great Britain. On behalf of the British Nuclear Cardiology Group in October 1988 we sent a postal questionnaire to 143 hospitals with nuclear medicine facilities (at least 70% of such hospitals). Sixty nine replies were received (48%), of which 23 (33%) were from teaching hospitals and 46 (39%) non-teaching. In these hospitals 147,904 isotope investigations were performed annually (mean 2311 per centre) of which 17,298 (12%) (mean 254 per centre) were cardiac studies. Of these, 59% were equilibrium radionuclide ventriculograms, 14% first pass ventriculograms, and 27% thallium-201 scans. Rest studies were performed more commonly by radiographers or technicians (63%) than by doctors (20%), but doctors were more commonly involved in stress studies (48%). Radiologists reported the studies more often (28%) than they performed them (6%). Methods of acquisition and analysis were varied and, for instance, the lower limit of normal left ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 35% to 75% (mean 49%). For thallium imaging 42% of centres used dipyridamole in some patients and 24% used tomography. These data show that nuclear cardiology techniques are used much less frequently in Great Britain than in countries such as the United States and Germany, that the ratio of blood pool to myocardial perfusion imaging is much higher than elsewhere, and that methods are poorly standardised. They may provide the impetus to improve the service and serve as a baseline for future surveys.

Cardiology↗
PubMed2004

[Spanish Registry of Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Interventions. Thirteenth Official Report of the Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (1990-2003)].

The results of the Registry of the Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology for 2003 are presented. Data were obtained from 112 centers representing nearly all cardiac catheterization laboratories in Spain; 104 centers performed mainly adult catheterization and 8 carried out pediatric procedures only. In 2003, 105,939 diagnostic catheterization procedures were performed, including 90 939 coronary angiograms, representing a total increase of 8.5% in comparison to 2002. The population-adjusted rate was 2171 coronary angiograms per 106 inhabitants. Coronary interventions increased by 14.4% in comparison to 2002, with a total of 40,584 procedures and a rate of coronary interventions of 969 per 106 inhabitants. Coronary stents were used in 92.5% of the procedures (47,249 units implanted, for a total increase of 22% in comparison to 2002). About one fifth (20.2%) of the implanted stents were drug-eluting stents (11,699 units). A total of 6080 percutaneous coronary interventions were done in patients with acute myocardial infarction, representing an increase of 27.5% in comparison to 2002, and accounting for 14.9% of all interventional procedures. Of the noncoronary interventions recorded, we note the increase in percutaneous mitral valvuloplasties (21.6%) and atrial septal defect closures (86%), and also the increase in pediatric interventions (13.3%). In conclusion, we emphasize the high rate of reporting by laboratories, which allows the Registry to compile data that are highly representative of the activity at cardiac catheterization laboratories in Spain.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2003

[Spanish Registry on Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Interventions. Twelfth official report of the Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (1990-2002)].

The results of the Registry of the Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology for 2002 are presented. Data were obtained from 101 centers representing all cardiac catheterization laboratories in Spain; 95 centers performed mainly adult catheterization and 6 carried out only pediatric procedures. In 2002, 97,609 diagnostic catheterization procedures were performed, including 83,667 coronary angiograms, representing a total increase of 5.1% in comparison to 2001. The population-adjusted rate was 2,053 coronary angiograms per 106 inhabitants. Coronary interventions increased by 11% in comparison to 2001, with a total of 34,723 procedures and a rate of coronary interventions of 850 per 106 inhabitants. Coronary stents were the devices used most frequently, with 47,249 implanted in 2002, for a total increase of 20% in comparison to 2001. Stenting accounted for 91.7% of all procedures. Direct stenting was done in 13 768 procedures (43.2%). IIb-IIIa glycoprotein inhibitors were used in 9966 procedures (28.7%). Multivessel percutaneous coronary interventions were performed in 9,830 patients (28%), and ad hoc interventions were done in the course of diagnostic coronary angiography in 26,341 patients (76%).A total of 4,766 percutaneous coronary interventions were done in patients with acute myocardial infarction, representing an increase of 23.9% in comparison to 2001, and accounting for 13.7% of all interventional procedures. Of the noncoronary interventions recorded, we note the decrease in percutaneous mitral valvuloplasties (21.2%) and atrial septal defect closures (11.1%), and the slight increase in pediatric interventions (3.7%). In conclusion, we emphasize the high rate of reporting by laboratories, which allows the Registry to compile data that are highly representative of the activity at cardiac catheterization laboratories in Spain

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Interventional cardiology in Europe 1993. Working Group on Coronary Circulation of the European Society of Cardiology.

An annual survey on cardiac interventions in Europe is performed by the working group on Coronary Circulation of the European Society of Cardiology with the help of the national societies of cardiology. A questionnaire about cardiac interventions in 1993 was mailed to a representative of the national societies of 35 members of the European Society of Cardiology. The data collection of coronary interventions was delayed by slow backreporting and from 10 of the 35 national members data were missing or grossly incomplete. They were excluded from the analysis. CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY: A total of 756,822 coronary angiograms were reported resulting in an incidence of 1146 +/- 1024 per 10(6) inhabitants, ranging from 24 (Romania) to 3499 (Germany). This represents an increase of 12% compared to 1992. Germany (279,882 cases), France (157,237), the United Kingdom (77,000), Italy (44,934) and Spain (37,591) registered 79% of all the coronary angiograms performed. PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY: A total of 183,728 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty cases were reported in 1993, 24% more than in 1992. On average, they accounted for 18 +/- 7% (range 8 (Romania) to 35% (Sweden) of the coronary angiograms. Most of these percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (82%) were confined to a single vessel. In 13% only, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty took place immediately after the diagnostic study. Adjusted per capita. Germany ranks first with 873 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties per 10(6) inhabitants, followed by France (737), Holland (725), Belgium (713), and Switzerland (665). The European mean of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties per 10(6) inhabitants was 270 +/- 279, representing an increase of 14% compared with 1992. A major in-hospital complication was reported in 3.8% of the patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: 0.6% hospital deaths, 1.5% emergency coronary artery bypass grafting, and 1.7% myocardial infarctions. NEW DEVICES: In 1993 stents were implanted in 6444 patients (3.5% of all percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty patients), equally distributed between bail-out situations (53%) and elective procedures. The 14 stent implanting countries showed a mean increase in incidence of coronary stenting of 53% compared with 1992. Other interventional devices were applied in 7045 cases, 3.8% of all percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty cases. Coronary ultrasound (2194 cases) and coronary angioscopy (380 cases) were performed infrequently. NON-CORONARY INTERVENTIONS: Valvuloplasties were most frequently performed non-coronary interventions European countries performed more than 300 valvuloplasties each in 1993. Most of them were mitral valvuloplasties in southern countries. CONCLUSIONS: Although partial backreporting might conclusions, several findings of this survey are noteworthy for the participating countries: The number of percutaneous taneous transluminal coronary angioplasties is universally increasing. There is an extremely wide range of coronary angiography and percutaneous translumina, coronary angioplasties performed per population. The most common additional procedure is a stent implantation while other new devices are only rarely applied. Mitral valvuloplasty is the most frequently performed non-coronary intervention.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2005

ACCF/ASNC appropriateness criteria for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT MPI): a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Quality Strategic Directions Committee Appropriateness Criteria Working Group and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology endorsed by the American Heart Association.

Under the auspices of the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), an appropriateness review was conducted for radionuclide cardiovascular imaging (RNI), specifically gated single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT MPI). The review assessed the risks and benefits of the imaging test for several indications or clinical scenarios and scored them based on a scale of 1 to 9, where the upper range (7 to 9) implies that the test is generally acceptable and is a reasonable approach, and the lower range (1 to 3) implies that the test is generally not acceptable and is not a reasonable approach. The mid range (4 to 6) implies that the test may be generally acceptable and may be a reasonable approach for the indication. The indications for this review were primarily drawn from existing clinical practice guidelines and modified based on discussion by the ACCF Appropriateness Criteria Working Group and the Technical Panel members who rated the indications. The method for this review was based on the RAND/UCLA approach for evaluating appropriateness, which blends scientific evidence and practice experience. A modified Delphi technique was used to obtain first- and second-round ratings of 52 clinical indications. The ratings were done by a Technical Panel with diverse membership, including nuclear cardiologists, referring physicians (including an echocardiographer), health services researchers, and a payer (chief medical officer). These results are expected to have a significant impact on physician decision making and performance, reimbursement policy, and future research directions. Periodic assessment and updating of criteria will be undertaken as needed.

Coronary Circulation↗
PubMed2001

[Registry of the Activity of the Section of Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology for the year 2000].

The results of the Registry of the Working Group on Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology for 2000 are presented. Date came from 100 centers representing all the cardiac catheterization laboratories in Spain; 93 centers performed mainly adult catheterization and 7 carried out only pediatric procedures. In 2000, 88,339 diagnostic catheterization procedures were performed (73,382 coronary angiograms), representing a total increase of 12.5% over 1999. The population-adjusted rate was 1,825 coronary angiograms per 106 inhabitants. With a total of 26,993 procedures and a rate of coronary interventions per 106 inhabitants of 671, coronary intervention increased by 17% over figures for 1999. Coronary stents were the devices used most often, with 29,504 implanted in 2000; stenting accounted for 77.2% of procedures, a 30.5% increase over 1999. The increase in direct stenting without predilatation was noteworthy. Direct stenting was done in 8,778 procedures (38.9% of the total), an increase of 131% compared to 1999. IIb-IIIa glycoprotein were used in 4,700 coronary interventions (17%). Angioplasty, performed in 3,128 cases of acute myocardial infarction, accounted for 11.6% of coronary interventions 33.5% more than in 1999. A decrease of 6.5% in valvuloplastics occurred, attributable to the performance of fewer mitral valve repairs (493 vs 525 in 2000 and 1999, respectively). Pediatric procedures increased by 20.5%, from 678 to 817 cases. In conclusion, we would like to underline the high rate of reporting by laboratories, through which the Registry has been able to compile data that are highly representative of the hemodynamic activity in Spain.

Cardiology↗
PubMed2005

Cardiovascular pre-participation screening of young competitive athletes for prevention of sudden death: proposal for a common European protocol. Consensus Statement of the Study Group of Sport Cardiology of the Working Group of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology and the Working Group of Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology.

The 1996 American Heart Association consensus panel recommendations stated that pre-participation cardiovascular screening for young competitive athletes is justifiable and compelling on ethical, legal, and medical grounds. The present article represents the consensus statement of the Study Group on Sports Cardiology of the Working Group on Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology and the Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial diseases of the European Society of Cardiology, which comprises cardiovascular specialists and other physicians from different European countries with extensive clinical experience with young competitive athletes, as well as with pathological substrates of sudden death. The document takes note of the 25-year Italian experience on systematic pre-participation screening of competitive athletes and focuses on relevant issues, mostly regarding the relative risk, causes, and prevalence of sudden death in athletes; the efficacy, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of population-based pre-participation cardiovascular screening; the key role of 12-lead ECG for identification of cardiovascular diseases such as cardiomyopathies and channelopathies at risk of sudden death during sports; and the potential of preventing fatal events. The main purpose of the consensus document is to reinforce the principle of the need for pre-participation medical clearance of all young athletes involved in organized sports programmes, on the basis of (i) the proven efficacy of systematic screening by 12-lead ECG (in addition to history and physical examination) to identify hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-the leading cause of sports-related sudden death-and to prevent athletic field fatalities; (ii) the potential screening ability in detecting other lethal cardiovascular diseases presenting with ECG abnormalities. The consensus document recommends the implementation of a common European screening protocol essentially based on 12-lead ECG.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Spanish Registry on Cardiac Catheterization Interventions. 11th official report of the Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (years 1990-2001)].

The results of the Spanish Registry of the Working Group on cardiac catheterization and Interventional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (years 1990-2001) are presented. One-hundred-and-three centers contributed data, all the cardiac catheterization laboratories in Spain; 97 centers performed mainly adult catheterization and 6 carried out only pediatric procedures. In 2001, 95,430 diagnostic catheterization procedures were performed, with 79,607 coronary angiograms, representing a total increase of 8.4% over 2000. The population-adjusted incidence was 1947 coronary angiograms per 106 inhabitants. Coronary interventions increased by 15.4% compared with 2000, with a total of 31,290 procedures and an incidence of coronary interventions of 761 per 106 inhabitants. Coronary stents were the most frequently used devices with 39,356 implanted in 2001, and increase of 33.4% over 2000. Stenting accounted for 88.2% of procedures. Direct stenting was done in 11,280 procedures (40.9%). IIb-IIIa glycoprotein inhibitors were given in 7,012 procedures (22.4%). Multivessel percutaneous coronary interventions were performed in 8,445 cases (27%) and interventions were performed ad hoc during diagnostic study in 23,144 cases (74 %).A total of 3,845 percutaneous coronary interventions were carried out in patients with acute myocardial infarction, an increase of 22.9% over 2000 and 12.3% of all interventional procedures. Among non-coronary interventions, atrial septal defect closure was performed more often (161 cases, a 60% increase over 2000). Pediatric interventions increased by 15.4% (from 817 to 943 cases).Lastly, we would like to underline the high rate of reporting by laboratories, which allowed the Registry to compile data that are highly representative of hemodynamic interventions in Spain.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Collaborating to reduce costs in invasive cardiology: the Partners Healthcare experience. Partners Healthcare Invasive Cardiology Team.

BACKGROUND: As part of the closely watched marriage between Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, the invasive cardiology team--cardiologists and other staff from the two organizations--began with monthly meetings; its mission is to reduce costs of cardiology services while maintaining or improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS: Joint purchasing efforts have led to substantial price reductions for some supplies, such as pacemakers and balloon angioplasty. However, concern over quality drove cardiologists to choose newer, more expensive models of other supplies, such as implantible cardioverter-defibrillators. Also, the team is studying the actual costs savings that can be achieved by shifting patients undergoing cardiac catheterization to the outpatient setting. In addition, cardiologists recognized an opportunity to decrease length of stay and increase quality by removing the arterial sheath for uncomplicated percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty patients on the same day the procedure is performed. Each hospital is developing strategies for this change in procedure. In addition to these improvement efforts, the team is encouraging optimal use of contrast agents and increasing overall efficiency of laboratories. Team members are also sharing guidelines and critical pathways and developing strategies for evaluating new technologies. LESSONS LEARNED: The team has had little difficulty in achieving a collegial atmosphere and consensus around clinical issues and products once clinicians are face-to-face. Announcing bimonthly meetings may overcome meeting scheduling difficulties. The other major stumbling block has been the lack of detailed cost information.

Boston↗
PubMed2000

Manpower in cardiology in Europe. The Cardiology Monospeciality Section of the UEMS.

This is the first systematic survey of cardiology manpower in Europe. Hitherto, there has been no published information on the number of cardiologists in the different European nations and whether it was growing or stable. Important differences in the number of cardiologists and trainees are observed, with the highest figures in Greece, Italy and France (more than 80/10(6)inhabitants) and the lowest in the Scandinavian nations, Austria, Germany and the U.K. (35 or less/10(6)inhabitants). This is partly due to different roles and the activities of the cardiologists in these countries as well as their capacity to undertake various cardiological procedures. Some comparisons with the U.S.A. and projections for the year 2000 are also made.

Cardiology↗
PubMed1989

The future of adult cardiology. Council on Long Range Planning and Development in cooperation with the American College of Cardiology.

During the past several years, the American Medical Association's Council on Long Range Planning and Development has identified trends in the environment of medicine that are likely to affect physicians, their practices, and the provision of medical care in the future. In the course of its environmental analysis studies, the Council has recognized that each medical specialty is uniquely subject to anticipated changes in the environment of medicine. As part of an ongoing series of analyses prepared by the Council, this report focuses on environmental trends that are likely to influence the practice of adult cardiology. The report outlines the current state of cardiology, the forces for change in the environment, and the implications regarding the changes.

Cardiology↗
PubMed1981

Impact of a cardiology data bank on physicians' prognostic estimates. Evidence that cardiology fellows change their estimates to become as accurate as the faculty.

To determine whether physicians would be influenced by the prognostic information in a large coronary artery disease data bank, cardiology faculty and fellows made initial estimates of the prognoses of their patients and then made revised final estimates after seeing the outcome of matched patients (OMP) from the data bank. The faculty cardiologists' original estimates proved to be as accurate as those of the data bank's OMP, and the faculty revised their estimates minimally in response to the data bank's OMP. Conversely, the cardiology fellows' original estimates were less accurate than the data bank's OMP, and under all observed circumstances the fellows responded more to the data bank's OMP than did the faculty. As a result, the accuracy of the fellows' final estimates was similar to the accuracies of both the faculty cardiologists and the data bank's OMP. Computerized data banks seem more likely to have impact when their information is provided to physicians who are relatively inexperienced with the disease in question.

Cardiology↗
PubMed2005

Clinical trials update from the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure meeting and the American College of Cardiology: darbepoetin alfa study, ECHOS, and ASCOT-BPLA.

This article provides information and a commentary on landmark trials presented at the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure meeting held in June 2005, relevant to the pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of heart failure. All reports should be considered as preliminary data, as analyses may change in the final publication. The erythropoiesis stimulating protein, darbepoetin alfa, increased haemoglobin levels, improved quality of life and showed a trend for improved exercise duration in anaemic patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure. In the ECHOS study, the selective dopamine agonist nolomirole (CHF1035) showed no benefit in heart failure patients. Preliminary results of the ASCOT-BPLA study, which were reported at the American College of Cardiology meeting in March 2005, showed that in hypertensive patients, treatment with a calcium antagonist plus an ACE inhibitor was more effective at reducing cardiovascular outcomes than atenolol plus a diuretic.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed2000

Moving toward a new definition of acute myocardial infarction for the 21st century: status of the ESC/ACC consensus conference. European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology.

The European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology established their initial Joint Consensus Conference in July 1999 to develop a new definition of Acute Myocardial Infarction. This action was deemed necessary because of the development of new sensitive biochemical markers of myocardial necroses: Troponins T and I. There were 5 working groups, including one in Electrocardiography. The Conference adopted a definition that required only a history of "ischemic symptoms" and "a typical rise and fall" of at least one of the biochemical markers. The ECG Working Group strongly advised that a term distinctive from "myocardial infarction" such as "myocardial necrosette" be adopted as the diagnosis for an acute coronary event during which the peak biochemical marker level is below that which occurs when serial evolutionary ECG changes are observed. A pilot substudy from the GUSTO IIa Clinical Trial has identified the low end of the "ECG Change Range" to be: >2x the upper limit of normal for CK-MB, > 11 x for Troponin T, and >6 x for Troponin I.

Creatine Kinase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

ABCs of molecular cardiology and the impact of the Human Genome Project on clinical cardiology.

The last decade was marked by a revolution in molecular biology, culminating with the Human Genome Project. This revolution has changed the classic practice of clinical cardiology in many ways, increasing our awareness of inheritance of defective genes and their impact on health and disease, and providing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. On the other hand, identification of new diseases in the clinical setting has triggered research into previously unexplored areas of molecular biology. As a result of this interaction, both fields underwent major paradigm shifts. This article presents a primer of molecular biology for the cardiologist, followed by a discussion of the impact the Human Genome Project will have on the clinical practice of cardiology.

Forecasting↗
PubMed2001

[Hospital mortality in cardiology. Analysis of deaths occurring in the Federation of Cardiology of a university hospital center].

The aim of this study was to examine the nature of cardiovascular deaths occurring in a University Hospital. All the hospital files of 1999 of the Federation of Cardiology of Henri Mondor Hospital, Creteil, of patients who died in the department or after transfer to the intensive care unit or cardiac surgery department, were analysed. Myocardial ischaemia was the leading cause of death, occurring either in the acute phase of transmural infarction or in patients with chronic cardiac failure. Deaths occurring during acute myocardial infarction were associated with late treatment and/or non-reperfusion of the culprit artery. The delay of diagnosis seemed to be secondary to late consultation or difficulty in diagnosis. This resulted in severe left ventricular dysfunction and, in a quarter of cases, mechanical complications. They led to the early death of the patients (2.9 +/- 3.5 days after admission). Campaigns of patient information and education of doctors who see these patients would seem to be the most appropriate approach to reduce the delay before hospital admission in order to reduce mortality related to myocardial infarction. Cardiac failure is a common cause of death in cardiology departments. The deaths of patients occurred after a long follow-up and several days after hospital admission (11 +/- 10 days). Optimisation of the treatment of cardiac failure, the investigation of ischaemic heart disease, the search for new therapeutic strategies of acute cardiac failure and information of patients about their disease, seem to be the principal measures to take to improve the poor prognosis of this disease.

Aged↗