Rural-Urban Disparities in Heart Failure and Acute Myocardial Infarction Hospitalizations

Substantial gaps in clinical outcomes exist in rural and urban hospitals in the United States. We used the National Inpatient Sample to examine trends in hospitalizations, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and inflation-adjusted cost of adults admitted for heart failure (HF) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rural and urban hospitals between 2004 and 2018. From 2004 to 2013 and 2014, there was an initial decrease in age-adjusted HF hospitalizations in both urban (annual percent change [APC] -3.9 [95% confidence interval [CI] -4.3 to -3.5] p <0.001) and rural hospitals (APC -5.9 [95% CI -6.4 to -5.3] p <0.001), after which hospitalizations for HF increased in urban areas (APC 4.2 [95% CI 3.2 to 5.3] p <0.001) and remained stable in rural areas (APC 0.2 [95% CI -2.1 to 2.6] p = 0.863). Urban AMI hospitalizations decreased between 2004 and 2010 (APC -4.4 [95% CI -5.3 to -3.3] p <0.001) and subsequently remained stable (APC 0.2 [95% CI -0.5 to 0.9] p = 0.552), whereas rural AMI hospitalizations had a consistent decrease throughout the study period (APC -4.2 [95% CI -5.0 to -3.4] p <0.001). Overall, urban hospitals had lower in-hospital mortality for HF and AMI than rural hospitals (3.1% vs 3.5%, p <0.001% and 5.4% vs 6.5%, p <0.001), respectively. Initially, in-hospital mortality was higher in rural hospitals; however, the rural-urban hospital mortality gap decreased during the study period for both HF and AMI. Rural hospitals had a shorter mean length of stay for HF and AMI (4.4 vs 5.5 days, p <0.001 and 3.9 vs 4.7 days, p <0.001) and lower inflation-adjusted costs for both HF and AMI ($8,897.1 vs $13,420.8, p <0.001 and $15,301.6 vs $22,943.7, p <0.001) when compared with urban hospitals. In conclusion, a consistent decrease in the in-hospital mortality gap in rural and urban hospitals for HF and AMI suggests improvement in inpatient rural cardiovascular care during the study period. Continued healthcare policy reforms are warranted to alleviate the disparities in rural-urban cardiovascular outcomes.

Contemporary Understandings of Cardiovascular Disease After Cancer Radiotherapy: a Focus on Ischemic Heart Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Radiation-induced cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, is a well-known sequela of radiation therapy and represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality for cancer survivors. This review examines current literature and guidelines to care for this growing population of cancer survivors.

RECENT FINDINGS

The development of radiation-induced ischemic heart disease following radiation can lead even to early cardiotoxicities, inclusive of coronary artery disease, which limit cancer treatment outcomes. These coronary lesions tend to be diffuse, complex, and proximal. Early detection with multimodality imaging and targeted intervention is required to minimize these risks. Early awareness, detection, and management of radiation-induced cardiovascular disease are paramount as cancer survivorship continues to grow.

Availability of Automated External Defibrillators in Public High Schools

OBJECTIVES

To assess automated external defibrillator (AED) distribution and cardiac emergency preparedness in Michigan secondary schools and investigate for association with school sociodemographic characteristics.

STUDY DESIGN

Surveys were sent via electronic mail to representatives from all public high schools in 30 randomly selected Michigan counties, stratified by population. Association of AED-related factors with school sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated using Wilcoxon rank sum test and χ(2) test, as appropriate.

RESULTS

Of 188 schools, 133 (71%) responded to the survey and all had AEDs. Larger student population was associated with fewer AEDs per 100 students (P < .0001) and fewer staff with AED training per AED (P = .02), compared with smaller schools. Schools with >20% students from racial minority groups had significantly fewer AEDs available per 100 students than schools with less racial diversity (P = .03). Schools with more students eligible for free and reduced lunch were less likely to have a cardiac emergency response plan (P = .02) and demonstrated less frequent AED maintenance (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Although AEDs are available at public high schools across Michigan, the number of AEDs per student varies inversely with minority student population and school size. Unequal distribution of AEDs and lack of cardiac emergency preparedness may contribute to outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest among youth.