Development of a tool to improve the quality of decision making in atrial fibrillation

Source: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2011, 11 (59)

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Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: Clinical innovations

In a nutshell: A decision support tool in primary care to be used for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The tool helps in the consideration of various treatment options, and presents individualised risk estimates for stroke and bleeding.

Length of publication: 10 pages

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The association of breast arterial calcification and coronary heart disease

Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2011, 117 (2 part 1) p. 233-241

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: The objective of this study was to determine whether mammography could be an early prediction tool for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). The study found that the presence of breast arterial calcifications on mammograms indicated a significantly increased risk of developing CHD or a stroke, and could therefore be used as a marker.

Length of publication: 9 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Is estimating lifetime cardiovascular risk useful?

Source: BMJ, 2010, 342 (7788) p. 62-63

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Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Editorial

In a nutshell: The QRISK lifetime cardiovascular risk model originates from the QResearch database, which has generated the world’s largest cardiovascular risk prediction cohort study, involving
more than three million people between the ages of 30 and 84. The new QRISK lifetime risk calculator, which is similar to the heart age forecast tool, incorporates both short and longer term risk in one simple display and has important advantages over separate 10 year and lifetime cardiovascular risk calculators.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Testosterone levels and cardiovascular disease

Source: Heart, 2010, 96 (22) p. 1787-1788

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Date of publication: November 2010

Publication type: Editorial

In a nutshell: Emerging data suggest a link between low testosterone concentrations and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease in men. This editorial discusses whether testosterone measurements should be included in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk in male patients, and the value of prescribing testosterone supplementation.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Multimarker approach for the prediction of heart failure

Source: Circulation, 2010, 122 (17) p. 1700-1706

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Date of publication: October 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: The authors of this study applied a multimarker strategy in order to identify key biomarkers for the prediction of heart failure risk. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were identified as being key predictors of heart failure risk.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Simplified Framingham model of coronary risk misdiagnosing millions

Source: British Journal of Healthcare Computing and Information Management

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Date of publication: 16th September 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Reports on US research which cautions  that the Framingham model, when used in a simplified form as a points-based clinical tool, has been shown to significantly over-estimate CVD risk in many, and under-estimate in some. There is a risk that significant numbers of patients may have been under- or over-treated through having been incorrectly assessed. The original model, although more complex, is much more accurate, and should be used in preference to the points-based tool.

Length of publication: 1 web page

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Evaluation of a cardiovascular disease opportunistic risk assessment pilot (‘Heart MOT’ service)

Source: Journal of Public Health, 2010, 32 (1) p. 110-116

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Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study evaluated a pilot scheme for a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment service in 23 community pharmacies in a UK urban setting. The pilot demonstrated that community pharmacies can support GP practices by providing a service which encourages uptake from males, Black and Asian communities and deprived communities.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Oxford Journals

Role of waist circumference in predicting the risk of high blood pressure in children

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2010, 5 (2), 143-150

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Date of publication: April, 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study aimed to evaluate the use of measuring waist circumference to identify children with high blood pressure. The researchers analysed data on body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure in 3,678 children. The results showed that waist circumference is a controversial marker in high-risk children of normal weight.

Length of publication: 8 pages

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Predicting the risk of coronary heart disease with conventional, genetic and novel molecular biomarkers

Source: PHG Foundation

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Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type:  Research

In a nutshell: Reports on the current status of risk prediction for CHD, and challenges that remain in the move towards use of improved models for risk prediction in clinical practice.

Length of publication: 48 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Heart Improvement e-Bulletin 8 February 2010

Identifying primary care patients at risk for future diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Source: BMC Health Services Research, 2009, 9, 170

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Date of publication: September, 2009

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Electronic health record (EHR) data from 12 primary care practices was analysed for risk factor clustering using metabolic syndrome characteristics. New incidences of diabetes and coronary heart disease were examined over the next three years. The results of the research showed that risk factor clustering in EHR data identified primary care patients at increased risk of coronary heart disease and diabetes.

Length of publication: 9 pages

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Acknowledgement: BioMed Central

Should coronary calcium screening be used in cardiovascular prevention strategies?

Source: New England Journal of Medicine, 2009, 361 (10) p. 990-997

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Date of publication: September, 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This article discusses whether the use of routine widespread coronary-artery calcium (CAC) scanning would lead to an improvement in quality of care and clinical outcomes.

Length of publication: 8 pages

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Identifying patients at risk of cardiovascular disease: a pharmacist-managed screening event

Source: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 2009, 49 (4) p. 549-553

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Date of publication: July, 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: A community pharmacy managed a risk-screening programme for cardiovascular disease, which was co-ordinated by a health benefit consulting company. The pharmacist-managed screening programme was found to be a useful tool for identifying participants who were at risk from cardiovascular disease. These at-risk patients could then be asked to participate in a cardiovascular risk management service.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.