2016
Implementing a Continuous Quality Improvement Program in a High-Volume Clinical Echocardiography Laboratory
Samad Z, Minter S, Armour A, Tinnemore A, Sivak JA, Sedberry B, Strub K, Horan SM, Harrison JK, Kisslo J, Douglas PS, Velazquez EJ. Implementing a Continuous Quality Improvement Program in a High-Volume Clinical Echocardiography Laboratory. Circulation Cardiovascular Imaging 2016, 9: e003708. PMID: 26957220, DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.115.003708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAortic ValveAortic Valve StenosisCardiac CatheterizationCritical PathwaysEchocardiography, DopplerFeasibility StudiesHemodynamicsHospitals, High-VolumeHumansObserver VariationPatient Care TeamPractice Patterns, Physicians'Predictive Value of TestsProgram EvaluationProspective StudiesQuality ImprovementQuality Indicators, Health CareReproducibility of ResultsSeverity of Illness IndexWorkflowConceptsAortic stenosisCatheterization dataContinuous quality improvementMean gradientAortic valve mean gradientCQI teamClinical echocardiography laboratoryGreater aortic stenosisProportion of patientsReferral of patientsPrimary outcome measureContinuous quality improvement programQuality Improvement ProgramAortic gradientCardiac catheterizationEchocardiographic diagnosisEchocardiography studyPractice patternsInvasive studiesOutcome measuresEchocardiography laboratoryValve hemodynamicsSecond sonographerCatheterizationCQI program
2015
A reappraisal of loop diuretic choice in heart failure patients
Buggey J, Mentz RJ, Pitt B, Eisenstein EL, Anstrom KJ, Velazquez EJ, O'Connor CM. A reappraisal of loop diuretic choice in heart failure patients. American Heart Journal 2015, 169: 323-333. PMID: 25728721, PMCID: PMC4346710, DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2014.12.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHeart failure patientsHeart failureFailure patientsLoop diureticsNew York Heart Association functional classPlasma brain natriuretic peptide levelsYork Heart Association functional classBrain natriuretic peptide levelsHeart failure severityNatriuretic peptide levelsTranscardiac extractionAldosterone secretionAldosterone systemDiuretic useVentricular functionFurosemide useSymptom managementPharmacologic differencesCardiac fibrosisSurrogate markerMEDLINE searchPeptide levelsControl trialEconomic burdenFurosemide
2008
Relation of Mortality to Failure to Prescribe Beta Blockers Acutely in Patients With Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation Following Acute Myocardial Infarction (from the VALsartan In Acute myocardial iNfarcTion trial [VALIANT] Registry)
Piccini JP, Hranitzky PM, Kilaru R, Rouleau JL, White HD, Aylward PE, Van de Werf F, Solomon SD, Califf RM, Velazquez EJ. Relation of Mortality to Failure to Prescribe Beta Blockers Acutely in Patients With Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation Following Acute Myocardial Infarction (from the VALsartan In Acute myocardial iNfarcTion trial [VALIANT] Registry). The American Journal Of Cardiology 2008, 102: 1427-1432. PMID: 19026290, DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2008.07.033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdrenergic beta-AntagonistsAgedClinical Trials as TopicDeath, Sudden, CardiacDrug PrescriptionsFemaleHospital MortalityHumansIncidenceLogistic ModelsMaleMiddle AgedMultivariate AnalysisMyocardial InfarctionPractice Patterns, Physicians'RegistriesRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsTachycardia, VentricularTime FactorsVentricular FibrillationConceptsSustained VT/ventricular fibrillationVT/ventricular fibrillationBeta-blocker therapyAcute myocardial infarctionHeart failureVentricular fibrillationBeta blockersVentricular tachycardiaMyocardial infarctionAcute beta-blocker therapyOral beta blockadeBeta-blocker useHospital mortality rateSustained ventricular arrhythmiasMultivariable logistic regressionSustained ventricular tachycardiaRelation of mortalityBeta blockadeHospital mortalityHospital deathKillip classificationBaseline characteristicsVentricular arrhythmiasEarly mortalityWorse outcomes
2007
Racial Disparity in the Utilization of Implantable-Cardioverter Defibrillators Among Patients With Prior Myocardial Infarction and an Ejection Fraction of ≤35%
Thomas KL, Al-Khatib SM, Kelsey RC, Bush H, Brosius L, Velazquez EJ, Peterson ED, Gilliam FR. Racial Disparity in the Utilization of Implantable-Cardioverter Defibrillators Among Patients With Prior Myocardial Infarction and an Ejection Fraction of ≤35%. The American Journal Of Cardiology 2007, 100: 924-929. PMID: 17826371, DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2007.04.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSudden cardiac deathLeft ventricular systolic dysfunctionVentricular systolic dysfunctionCardiac deathEjection fractionBlack patientsMyocardial infarctionSystolic dysfunctionWhite patientsPrimary preventionSignificant left ventricular systolic dysfunctionLower mean ejection fractionSudden cardiac death rateCardiac death rateMean ejection fractionPrior myocardial infarctionMultivariate logistic regressionImplantable cardioverter defibrillatorClinical characteristicsICD implantationICD useOverall mortalityProphylactic implantationPatient raceNational registry