Citations

Background: Aging increases the risk of resistant hypertension which is associated with an increased risk of mortality and cardiovascular events. Here, we examined the characteristics, blood pressure (BP) trajectories, and treatment patterns of older patients with apparent treatment resistant hypertension (aTRH). Hypothesis: We hypothesized aTRH would be undertreated, especially in octogenarians. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients with two available ambulatory BP measurements separated by at least 3 months in a community-based teaching hospital. aTRH was defined as BP above goal despite the use of ≥3 antihypertensive medication classes or controlled BP on ≥4 antihypertensive medication classes. Results: Of the 71,470 patients with available data, 7308 (10.2%) met criteria for aTRH with a mean follow-up length of 18.9 months. Compared to patients with normal BP, patients with aTRH were older with a mean age of 74 years versus 65 years (p<0.001). Patients with aTRH were more likely to be males (58.3%) compared to the normal BP groups (40.6%, p<0.001) (Figure 1). Compared to patients with normal BP, patients with aTRH were more likely to be obese and have a higher prevalence of smoking history, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease (Figure 1). Amongst those with aTRH, 1566 (5.3%) were aged 18-65, 3763 (13.2%) were aged 66-79, and 2623 (19.7%) were ≥80 years old. At follow-up, among those with aTRH at baseline, 5773 (72.6%) remained with aTRH, 896 (11.3%) improved to non-aTRH, 1270 (16.0%) improved to controlled BP, and 13 (0.2%) improved to normal BP (Figure 2). Most patients irrespective of age had no change in the number of medications at follow-up; only 15.5% of octogenarians with aTRH had an increase in antihypertensives (Figure 3). Between baseline and follow up, octogenarians as a whole had a systolic BP drop of -2.34 (p<0.001), and diastolic BP drop of -0.56 (p=0.061), whereas octogenarians with aTRH had a systolic BP drop of -3.7 (p<0.001) and diastolic BP drop of -0.55 (p=0.050). Conclusion: In an ambulatory population of patients at a community hospital, the prevalence of aTRH was high among patients ≥80 years and associated with established cardiovascular risk factors. Most patients with aTRH do not have a change in BP status over time. Anti-hypertensive medication escalation is infrequent among patients with aTRH irrespective of age.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the development and initial results of an examination and certification process assessing competence in critical care echocardiography. DESIGN: A test writing committee of content experts from eight professional societies invested in critical care echocardiography was convened, with the Executive Director representing the National Board of Echocardiography. Using an examination content outline, the writing committee was assigned topics relevant to their areas of expertise. The examination items underwent extensive review, editing, and discussion in several face-to-face meetings supervised by National Board of Medical Examiners editors and psychometricians. A separate certification committee was tasked with establishing criteria required to achieve National Board of Echocardiography certification in critical care echocardiography through detailed review of required supporting material submitted by candidates seeking to fulfill these criteria. SETTING: The writing committee met twice a year in person at the National Board of Medical Examiner office in Philadelphia, PA. SUBJECTS: Physicians enrolled in the examination of Special Competence in Critical Care Electrocardiography (CCEeXAM). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 524 physicians sat for the examination, and 426 (81.3%) achieved a passing score. Of the examinees, 41% were anesthesiology trained, 33.2% had pulmonary/critical care background, and the majority had graduated training within the 10 years (91.6%). Most candidates work full-time at an academic hospital (46.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The CCEeXAM is designed to assess a knowledge base that is shared with echocardiologists in addition to that which is unique to critical care. The National Board of Echocardiography certification establishes that the physician has achieved the ability to independently perform and interpret critical care echocardiography at a standard recognized by critical care professional societies encompassing a wide spectrum of backgrounds. The interest shown and the success achieved on the CCEeXAM by practitioners of critical care echocardiography support the standards set by the National Board of Echocardiography for testamur status and certification in this imaging specialty area.

Background and Purpose —Thoracic aortic plaque identified by transesophageal echocardiography heightens the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to identify the prevalence, predictors, and implications of aortic plaque in patients with nonvalvular AF. Methods —Thoracic aortic plaque was prospectively sought in 770 persons with AF with the use of transesophageal echocardiography and classified as simple or complex on the basis of thickness ≥4 mm, ulceration, or mobility. Clinical and echocardiographic features of thromboembolism were correlated by multivariate analysis. Results —Aortic plaque was detected in 57% of the cohort, and complex plaque was detected in 25%. Both were found more frequently in the descending than in the proximal aorta. Potentially etiologic patient characteristics independently associated with complex plaque included advanced age, history of hypertension, diabetes, and past or present tobacco use. Comorbidities associated with aortic plaque were prior thromboembolism, increased pulse pressure, ischemic heart disease, stenosis or sclerosis of the aortic valve, mitral annular calcification (>10%), elevated serum creatinine concentration, spontaneous echo contrast in the left atrium or appendage, and left atrial appendage thrombus. The prevalence of complex plaque in patients aged <70 years with <10% mitral annular calcification, without ischemic heart disease, or without pulse pressure ≥65 mm Hg was 4% (95% CI, 1% to 6%). Conclusions —Aortic plaque is prevalent in patients with AF and is associated with atherosclerosis risk factors and with left atrial stasis or thrombosis, which are themselves independent stroke risk factors. Since the predominant location of complex plaque was in the descending aorta, the role of aortic plaque as a source of embolism in AF is uncertain.