The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released spotlight studies that relate to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in conjunction with the American College of Cardiology’s Scientific Sessions 2014.
One study highlights the differences between U.S. and European cholesterol guidelines, finding that proportions of individuals eligible for statins differed substantially. Another study supports the use of risk equations to guide statin therapy.
Two comparisons of different heart valves and stents examine cardiovascular devices, and two studies examine the effects of certain medications on cardiovascular issues in patients with and without diabetes.
Addressing cardiovascular disease is a key focus of the AMA’s Improving Health Outcomes initiative. Working with Johns Hopkins Medicine Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality and the Johns Hopkins Center to Eliminate Cardiovascular Health Disparities, the AMA is establishing hypertension pilot programs to take patient safety principles proven in acute settings and apply them to ambulatory settings.
Using principles surrounding the science of safety, the pilot will be refined throughout the year to develop a program that ultimately will include best practices, resources and models for building clinic-community linkages.
The AMA also is partnering with the YMCA of the USA on a diabetes prevention pilot program with pilot sites in four states. The pilot sites are exploring a three-step process that starts with screening for prediabetes. Patients who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes are referred to the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, and a feedback loop is implemented so physicians can incorporate patients’ experiences into their care plans.
