Most-read Content of November: Analysis of patient-focused web pages about LAAO, PROMPT-LIPID, and antiplatelet regimens

Analysis of Patient-Focused Information About Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion on US Hospital Web Pages

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco and Yale examined hospital web page content about percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). Of 62 patient-focused web pages about LAAO provided by top U.S. hospitals, nearly all included claims of potential procedural benefits of the Watchman LAAO device.

Authors: Sanket S. Dhruva, Robin Z. Ji, Joseph S. Ross, Erica S. Spatz, Rita F. Redberg

Rationale and design of a pragmatic trial aimed at improving treatment of hyperlipidemia in outpatients with very high risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A pragmatic trial of messaging to providers about treatment of hyperlipidemia (PROMPT-LIPID)

For patients with cardiovascular disease, lowering LDL-cholesterol has been shown to reduce the risk of future adverse events, including heart attack and stroke. The PROMPT-LIPID study aims to improve clinical decision-making and optimize the use of evidence-based lipid-lowering therapies.

Authors: Nimish N. Shah, Lama Ghazi, Yu Yamamoto, Melissa Martin, Michael Simonov, Ralph J. Riello, Kamil F. Faridi, Tariq Ahmad, F. Perry Wilson, Nihar R. Desai

Antiplatelet regimens following carotid artery revascularization

Using 2014-2019 data from the Vascular Quality Initiative New England, Yale researchers found large practice variations in the use of guideline-directed medical therapy. A significant number of patients who underwent carotid artery revascularization, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA), were not discharged on any guideline-based antiplatelet therapy.

Authors: Megan Lee, Zain V. Ahmed, Jiaming Huang, Aaron Brice, Ahmad Arham, Yulanka Castro-Dominguez, Edouard Aboian, Sameer Nagpal, Kim G. Smolderen, Carlos Mena-Hurtado