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Science News

QCOR 2018 Scientific Sessions
Quality of Care and Outcomes Research
April 6–7, 2018 | Arlington, Virginia

Welcome to #QCOR18 coverage from Washington, D.C. This is where you'll find results from the most interesting science presented at the conference (see our embargo policy), along with in-depth discussion from AHA volunteers.

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Science from Friday, April 6

QCOR 2018 Young Investigator Award Finalists

The Impact of State Medicaid Expansions on Care Quality and Outcomes for Low-Income Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure
Rishi K Wadhera | Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA

RESULTS: Expanded Medicaid eligibility since 2014 in 32 states wasn’t associated with QOC improvement or in-hospital mortality for low-income patients hospitalized with heart failure.
Wadhera's Abstract

Financial Toxicity From Out-of-pocket Annual Health Expenditures in Low-income Adults With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the United States
Rohan Khera | UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

RESULTS: Out of-pocket expenses for ASCVD were associated with a high financial burden or catastrophic healthcare expenses, even with insurance, for these low-income families.
Khera's Abstract
AHA news story: Low-income families hit hard by heart disease costs, even with insurance
AHA press release: Out-of-pocket expenses for chronic heart disease care inflict heavy financial burdens for low-income families; even those with insurance

Association of Video- vs. Text-Based Informed Consent With Multicenter Registry Enrollment
Alexander Craig Fanaroff | Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

RESULTS: Early findings: compared to informed consent using text, video informed consent was associated with faster enrollment, and enrollment of more older and non-white patients.
Fanaroff's Abstract
Publication in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes: An Observational Study of the Association of Video- Versus Text-Based Informed Consent With Multicenter Trial Enrollment: Lessons From the PALM Study (Patient and Provider Assessment of Lipid Management)

WINNER Variation in Published Stroke Rates Results in Wide Variation in the Net Clinical Benefit of Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation
Sachin J Shah | University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

RESULTS: The potential impacts of off-anticoagulation stroke rates on clinical benefit for AF anticoagulation are studied here.
Shah's Abstract
Video: Sachin Shah, interviewed by Colleen McIlvennan (opens in new window)(link opens in new window)

Optimizing Emergency Room Throughput for Cardiac Telemetry Patients: A Queuing Theory Approach
Anna Rosenblatt | Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL

RESULTS: A mathematical study of waiting times, queuing theory, and models predicts capacity needs and showed that small capacity increases can result in significant healthcare system improvements.
Rosenblatt's Abstract

Science from Saturday, April 7

Use of Intensive Glycemic Management in Older Adults With Diabetes. An Analysis From the Diabetes Collaborative Registry
Suzanne V Arnold | Mid America Heart Institute and UMKC, Kansas City, MO

RESULTS: The extent of alternative treatment use with less risk for hypoglycemia vs. tight control of older diabetic patients reveals groups where the higher-risk agents are more likely used.
Arnold's Abstract

Association of Opioids and Cardiovascular Comorbidities
Philip W Chui | Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

RESULTS: A significant minority of veterans in this study were found to be on extended duration of opioids and to have a greater risk for CVD and CV risk factors.
Chui's Abstract

Health Resource Utilization and Healthcare Expenditure Among Myocardial Infarction Patients With Depression
Victor Okunrintemi | Baptist Health South Florida, Coral Gables, FL

RESULTS: Healthcare expenses and use of health resources is increased significantly for MI patients with depression.
Okunrintemi's Abstract
AHA news release: Depression negatively impacts heart and stroke patients

Inter-hospital Variation in Costs of Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization: An Analysis of the PHIS Database
Michael L O'Byrne, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

RESULTS: Inter-hospital cost variation for pediatric cardiac catheterization was found to be significant.
O'Byrne's Abstract

Rapid Response Teams at Top-performing Hospitals for In-hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Qualitative Study
Saket Girotra | University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

RESULTS: Design and implementation differences distinguish top performing hospitals.
Girotra's Abstract

Does the Implementation of Pneumonia Prevention Practices Reduce Risk of Pneumonia Following Cardiac Surgery?
Raymond J Strobel | University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI

RESULTS: Evaluation of a bundle of three pneumonia prevention practices identifies steps associated with lower odds for pneumonia for CABG patients in this study.
Strobel's Abstract

Other studies of note published today

Antihypertension Treatment Disutility Among U.S. Adults
Erica S Spatz | Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

Spatz's Abstract
AHA Press Release: Study found people would rather pop a pill or sip tea than exercise to treat high blood pressure