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Hu X, Fanous E, Jackson NJ, Daso GI, Liang I, McCullough LB, Cooper RJ, Horwich TB, Watson KE, Shah JB, Shahandeh N, Calfon Press MA. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Sex and Racial Disparities in Chest Pain Presentation and Management Through the Emergency Department. Cardiol Res 2024; 15:90-98. [PMID: 38645824 PMCID: PMC11027781 DOI: 10.14740/cr1586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sex and racial disparities in the presentation and management of chest pain persist, however, the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on these disparities have not been studied. We sought to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to pre-existing sex and racial disparities in the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. Methods We conducted an observational cohort study with retrospective data collection of patients between January 1, 2016, and May 1, 2022. This was a single study conducted at a quaternary academic medical center of all patients who presented to the ED with a complaint of chest pain or chest pain equivalent symptoms. Patient were further segregated into different groups based on sex (male, female), race, ethnicity (Asian, Black, Hispanic, White, and other), and age (18 - 40, 41 - 65, > 65). We compared diagnostic evaluations, treatment decisions, and outcomes during prespecified time points before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results This study included 95,764 chest pain encounters. Total chest pain presentations to the ED fell about 38% during the early pandemic months. Females presented significantly less than males during initial COVID-19 (48% vs. 52%, P < 0.001) and Asian females were least likely to present. There was an increase in the total number of troponins and echocardiograms ordered during peak COVID-19 across both sexes, but females were still less likely to have these tests ordered across all timepoints. The number of coronary angiograms did not increase during peak COVID-19, and females were less likely to undergo coronary angiogram during all timepoints. Finally, females with chest pain were less likely to be diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during all timepoints, while in-hospital deaths were similar between males and females during all timepoints. Conclusions During COVID-19, females, especially Asian females, were less likely to present to the ED for chest pain. Non-White patients were less likely to present to the ED compared to White patients prior to and during the pandemic. Disparities in management and outcomes of chest pain encounters remained similar to pre-COVID-19, with females receiving less cardiac workup and AMI diagnoses than males, but in-hospital mortality remaining similar between groups and timepoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuchen Hu
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Elias Fanous
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Nicholas J. Jackson
- Department of Medicine - Statistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Gabrielle I. Daso
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Icy Liang
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lynnell B. McCullough
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Richelle J. Cooper
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tamara B. Horwich
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karol E. Watson
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Janki B. Shah
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Negeen Shahandeh
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Marcella A. Calfon Press
- Department of Medicine - Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA Cardiovascular Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Hookana I, Holmström L, Eskuri MAE, Pakanen L, Ollila MM, Kiviniemi AM, Kenttä T, Vähätalo J, Tulppo M, Lepojärvi ES, Piltonen T, Perkiömäki J, Tikkanen JT, Huikuri H, Junttila MJ. Characteristics of women with ischemic sudden cardiac death. Ann Med 2023; 55:2258911. [PMID: 37795698 PMCID: PMC10557538 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2258911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a significant mode of death causing 15-20% of all deaths in high-income countries. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of SCD in both sexes, and SCD is often the first manifestation of underlying CAD in women. This case-control study aimed to determine the factors associated with SCD due to CAD in women. METHODS The study group consisted of women with CAD-related SCD (N = 888) derived from the Fingesture study conducted in Northern Finland from 1998 to 2017. All SCDs underwent medicolegal autopsy. The control group consisted of women with angiographically verified CAD without SCD occurring during the 5-year-follow-up (N = 610). To compare these groups, we used medical records, autopsy findings, echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms (ECGs). RESULTS Subjects with SCD were older (73.2 ± 11.3 vs. 68.8 ± 8.0, p < 0.001) and were more likely to be smokers or ex-smokers (37.1% vs. 27.6%, p = 0.045) compared to control patients. The proportion of subjects with prior myocardial infarction (MI) was higher in controls (46.9% vs. 41.4% in SCD subjects, p = 0.037), but in contrast, SCD subjects were more likely to have underlying silent MI (25.6% vs. 2.4% in CAD controls, p < 0.001). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was more common finding in SCD subjects (70.9% vs. 55.1% in controls, p < 0.001). Various electrocardiographic abnormalities were more common in subjects with SCD, including higher heart rate, atrial fibrillation, prolonged QTc interval, wide or fragmented QRS complex and early repolarization. The prevalence of Q waves and T inversions did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Underlying LVH and previous MI with myocardial scarring are common and often undiagnosed in women with CAD-related SCD. These results suggest that untreated CAD with concomitant myocardial disease is an important factor in SCD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Hookana
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - L. Holmström
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - M. A. E. Eskuri
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - L. Pakanen
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Research Unit of Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - M. M. Ollila
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - A. M. Kiviniemi
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - T. Kenttä
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - J. Vähätalo
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - M. Tulppo
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - E. S. Lepojärvi
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - T. Piltonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - J. Perkiömäki
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - J. T. Tikkanen
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - H. V. Huikuri
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - M. J. Junttila
- Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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3
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Conlon FL, Arnold AP. Sex chromosome mechanisms in cardiac development and disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2023; 2:340-350. [PMID: 37808586 PMCID: PMC10558115 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-023-00256-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Many human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, show differences between men and women in pathology and treatment outcomes. In the case of cardiac disease, sex differences are exemplified by differences in the frequency of specific types of congenital and adult-onset heart disease. Clinical studies have suggested that gonadal hormones are a factor in sex bias. However, recent research has shown that gene and protein networks under non-hormonal control also account for cardiac sex differences. In this review, we describe the sex chromosome pathways that lead to sex differences in the development and function of the heart and highlight how these findings affect future care and treatment of cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank L Conlon
- Departments of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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4
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Banco D, Chang J, Talmor N, Wadhera P, Mukhopadhyay A, Lu X, Dong S, Lu Y, Betensky RA, Blecker S, Safdar B, Reynolds HR. Sex and Race Differences in the Evaluation and Treatment of Young Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department With Chest Pain. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e024199. [PMID: 35506534 PMCID: PMC9238573 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.024199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Acute myocardial infarctions are increasingly common among young adults. We investigated sex and racial differences in the evaluation of chest pain (CP) among young adults presenting to the emergency department. Methods and Results Emergency department visits for adults aged 18 to 55 years presenting with CP were identified in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2014 to 2018, which uses stratified sampling to produce national estimates. We evaluated associations between sex, race, and CP management before and after multivariable adjustment. We identified 4152 records representing 29 730 145 visits for CP among young adults. Women were less likely than men to be triaged as emergent (19.1% versus 23.3%, respectively, P<0.001), to undergo electrocardiography (74.2% versus 78.8%, respectively, P=0.024), or to be admitted to the hospital or observation unit (12.4% versus 17.9%, respectively, P<0.001), but ordering of cardiac biomarkers was similar. After multivariable adjustment, men were seen more quickly (hazard ratio [HR], 1.15 [95% CI, 1.05-1.26]) and were more likely to be admitted (adjusted odds ratio, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.08-1.81]; P=0.011). People of color waited longer for physician evaluation (HR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.73-0.93]; P<0.001) than White adults after multivariable adjustment, but there were no racial differences in hospital admission, triage level, electrocardiography, or cardiac biomarker testing. Acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 1.4% of adults in the emergency department and 6.5% of admitted adults. Conclusions Women and people of color with CP waited longer to be seen by physicians, independent of clinical features. Women were independently less likely to be admitted when presenting with CP. These differences could impact downstream treatment and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcy Banco
- Department of Medicine New York University Langone Hospital New York NY
| | - Jerway Chang
- Department of Medicine New York University Langone Hospital New York NY
| | - Nina Talmor
- Department of Medicine New York University Langone Hospital New York NY
| | - Priya Wadhera
- Department of Cardiology Boston University Medical Center Boston MA
| | - Amrita Mukhopadhyay
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology Department of Medicine New York University School of Medicine New York NY
| | - Xinlin Lu
- Department of Biostatistics New York University School of Global Public Health New York NY
| | - Siyuan Dong
- Department of Biostatistics New York University School of Global Public Health New York NY
| | - Yukun Lu
- Department of Biostatistics New York University School of Global Public Health New York NY
| | - Rebecca A Betensky
- Department of Population Health New York University School of Medicine New York NY
| | - Saul Blecker
- Department of Medicine New York University Langone Hospital New York NY.,Department of Population Health New York University School of Medicine New York NY
| | - Basmah Safdar
- Department of Emergency Medicine Yale University School of Medicine New Haven CT
| | - Harmony R Reynolds
- Sarah Ross Soter Center for Women's Cardiovascular Research Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology Department of Medicine NYU Grossman School of Medicine New York NY
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5
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Shi W, Sheng X, Dorr KM, Hutton JE, Emerson JI, Davies HA, Andrade TD, Wasson LK, Greco TM, Hashimoto Y, Federspiel JD, Robbe ZL, Chen X, Arnold AP, Cristea IM, Conlon FL. Cardiac proteomics reveals sex chromosome-dependent differences between males and females that arise prior to gonad formation. Dev Cell 2021; 56:3019-3034.e7. [PMID: 34655525 PMCID: PMC9290207 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Sex disparities in cardiac homeostasis and heart disease are well documented, with differences attributed to actions of sex hormones. However, studies have indicated sex chromosomes act outside of the gonads to function without mediation by gonadal hormones. Here, we performed transcriptional and proteomics profiling to define differences between male and female mouse hearts. We demonstrate, contrary to current dogma, cardiac sex disparities are controlled not only by sex hormones but also through a sex-chromosome mechanism. Using Turner syndrome (XO) and Klinefelter (XXY) models, we find the sex-chromosome pathway is established by X-linked gene dosage. We demonstrate cardiac sex disparities occur at the earliest stages of heart formation, a period before gonad formation. Using these datasets, we identify and define a role for alpha-1B-glycoprotein (A1BG), showing loss of A1BG leads to cardiac defects in females, but not males. These studies provide resources for studying sex-biased cardiac disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shi
- Department of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Xinlei Sheng
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Kerry M Dorr
- Department of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Josiah E Hutton
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - James I Emerson
- Department of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Haley A Davies
- Department of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tia D Andrade
- Department of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lauren K Wasson
- Department of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Todd M Greco
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Yutaka Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Joel D Federspiel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Zachary L Robbe
- Department of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Xuqi Chen
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ileana M Cristea
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Frank L Conlon
- Department of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Middleton PM, Wu TL, Lee RYN, Ren S, McLaws ML. Multicultural presentation of chest pain at an emergency department in Australia. Emerg Med Australas 2021; 33:508-516. [PMID: 33236513 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate differences in presenting patient characteristics, investigation, management and related outcomes between culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and non-CALD chest pain (CP) patients presenting to the ED. METHODS A cohort study of 258 patients was enrolled on presentation to Liverpool Hospital ED with a complaint of CP over a 2-week period. Main outcomes included frequency and timeliness of diagnostic and radiological investigations, medication administered and ED length of stay. Administrative and clinical data were extracted and linked from Cerner EMR FirstNet®, PowerChart® and paper records. RESULTS There were 155 (60%) CALD and 103 (40%) non-CALD patients. CALD patients were older by 10 years (95% CI 4, 15; P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the number of pathology and imaging investigations carried out in each group, and similarly there were no significant differences in the number of patients administered analgesia or cardiac-specific medications. Neither group differed in their ED length of stay (median 280 vs 259.5 min; P = 0.79) or hospital admission rate (median 56% vs 55%, P = 0.8). CONCLUSION Both CALD and non-CALD ED CP patients had similar test ordering, medication administration and clinical outcomes, but this was in the context of CALD patients being 10 years older together with a small study sample size. A larger cohort, matched for age, would provide further insights into potentially important differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Middleton
- South Western Emergency Research Institute, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Discipline of Emergency Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tammy Ll Wu
- South Western Emergency Research Institute, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Riccardo Yih-Nan Lee
- South Western Emergency Research Institute, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shiquan Ren
- South Western Emergency Research Institute, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mary-Louise McLaws
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Mukhopadhyay A, D'Angelo R, Senser E, Whelan K, Wee CC, Mukamal KJ. Racial and insurance disparities among patients presenting with chest pain in the US: 2009-2015. Am J Emerg Med 2019; 38:1373-1376. [PMID: 31843328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nationally representative studies have shown significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in the triage and diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. However, these studies were conducted over a decade ago and have not been updated amidst growing awareness of healthcare disparities. OBJECTIVE We aimed to reevaluate the effect of race and insurance type on triage acuity and diagnostic testing to assess if these disparities persist. METHODS We identified ED visits for adults presenting with chest pain in the 2009-2015 National Hospital Ambulatory Health Care Surveys. Using weighted logistic regression, we examined associations between race and payment type with triage acuity and likelihood of ordering electrocardiography (ECG) or cardiac enzymes. RESULTS A total of 10,441 patients met inclusion criteria, corresponding to an estimated 51.4 million patients nationwide. When compared with white patients, black patients presenting with chest pain were less likely to have an ECG ordered (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.69-0.99). Patients with Medicare, Medicaid, and no insurance were also less likely to have an ECG ordered compared to patients with private insurance (Medicare: OR = 0.79, CI = 0.63-0.99; Medicaid: OR = 0.67, CI = 0.53-0.84; no insurance: OR = 0.68, CI = 0.55-0.84). Those with Medicare and Medicaid were less likely to be triaged emergently (Medicare: OR = 0.84, CI = 0.71-0.99; Medicaid: OR = 0.76, CI = 0.64-0.91) and those with Medicare were less likely to have cardiac enzymes ordered (OR = 0.84, CI = 0.72-0.98). CONCLUSIONS Persistent racial and insurance disparities exist in the evaluation of chest pain in the ED. Compared to earlier studies, disparities in triage acuity and cardiac enzymes appear to have diminished, but disparities in ECG ordering have not. Given current Class I recommendations for ECGs on all patients presenting with chest pain emergently, our findings highlight the need for improvement in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Cardiology, New York University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Robert D'Angelo
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ethan Senser
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Cardiology, Dartmouth University, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Kyle Whelan
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Cardiology, Dartmouth University, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Christina C Wee
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kenneth J Mukamal
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
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Samad F, Agarwal A, Samad Z. Stable ischemic heart disease in women: current perspectives. Int J Womens Health 2017; 9:701-709. [PMID: 29033611 PMCID: PMC5628665 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s107372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women accounting for 1 in every 4 female deaths. Pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease in women includes epicardial coronary artery, endothelial dysfunction, coronary vasospasm, plaque erosion and spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Angina is the most common presentation of stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) in women. Risk factors for SIHD include traditional risks such as older age, obesity (body mass index [BMI] >25 kg/m2), smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease, sedentary lifestyle, family history of premature coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus, and nontraditional risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, insulin resistance/polycystic ovarian disease, pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, menopause, mental stress and autoimmune diseases. Diagnostic testing can be used effectively to risk stratify women. Guidelines-directed medical therapy including aspirin, statins, beta-blocker therapy, calcium channel blockers and ranolazine should be instituted for symptom and ischemia management. Despite robust evidence regarding the adverse outcomes seen in women with ischemic heart disease, knowledge gaps exist in several areas. Future research needs to be directed toward a greater understanding of the role of nontraditional risk factors for SIHD in women, gaining deeper insights into the sex differences in therapeutic effects and formulating a sex-specific algorithm for the management of SIHD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Samad
- Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St Luke's Medical Centers, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Anushree Agarwal
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Zainab Samad
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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10
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Gopalakrishnan P, Ragland MM, Tak T. Gender Differences in Coronary Artery Disease: Review of Diagnostic Challenges and Current Treatment. Postgrad Med 2015; 121:60-8. [DOI: 10.3810/pgm.2009.03.1977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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11
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El-Menyar AA, Al Suwaidi J. Impact of gender in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2014; 7:411-21. [DOI: 10.1586/erc.09.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Abstract
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death among women in the Western world, and its prevalence is growing. The pathophysiology of heart disease in women differs from that in men. Women with chest pain and abnormal stress tests are less likely than men to have critical stenosis of coronary arteries, a phenomenon attributed to endothelial dysfunction. Hypertension, intimal injury, and cholesterol are among the various factors that contribute to endothelial dysfunction. The presenting symptoms of IHD also differ in women. Women are more likely to describe neck and throat pain and to characterize the pain as intense, sharp, or burning. A history of coronary or other vascular disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease places patients at high risk for IHD. Risk factor modification can be tailored based on each patient's risk. Hormone replacement therapy, antioxidants, folic acid, and aspirin in healthy women under 65 years of age have recently been shown to be ineffective in the prevention of IHD.
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13
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Meisel ZF, Armstrong K, Mechem CC, Shofer FS, Peacock N, Facenda K, Pollack CV. Influence of sex on the out-of-hospital management of chest pain. Acad Emerg Med 2010; 17:80-7. [PMID: 20078440 DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2009.00618.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of chest pain or suspected angina have been demonstrated in multiple clinical settings. Out-of-hospital (OOH) care for chest pain is protocol-driven and may be less likely to demonstrate differences between men and women. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to investigate the relationship between sex and the OOH treatment of patients with chest pain. The authors sought to test the hypothesis that OOH care for chest pain patients would differ by sex. METHODS A 1-year retrospective cohort study of 683 emergency medical services (EMS) patients with a complaint of chest pain was conducted. Included were patients taken to any one of three hospitals (all cardiac referral centers) by a single municipal EMS system. Excluded were patients transported by basic life support (BLS) units, those younger than 30 years, and patients with known contraindications to any of the outcome measures. Multivariable regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. The main outcome was adherence to state EMS protocols for treatment of patients over age 30 years with undifferentiated chest pain. Rates of administration of aspirin, nitroglycerin, and oxygen; establishment of intravenous (IV) access; and cardiac monitoring were measured. RESULTS A total of 342 women and 341 men were included. Women were less likely than men to receive aspirin (relative risk [RR] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.59 to 0.96), nitroglycerin (RR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.60 to 0.96), or an IV (RR 0.86; 95% CI = 0.77 to 0.96). These differences persisted after adjustment for demographics and emergency department (ED) evaluation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as a blunt marker for cardiac risk. Women were also less likely to receive these treatments among the small subgroup of patients who were later diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). CONCLUSIONS For OOH patients with chest pain, sex disparities in treatment are significant and do not appear to be explained by differences in patient age, race, or underlying cardiac risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary F Meisel
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Snow R, Spencer K, Crego P, Debaets D, LaLonde M, Caulin-Glaser T. The Effect of a Women- and Healthcare-Provider-Focused Heart Health Awareness Initiative on Diagnostic Catheterization Rates in Women at Community Hospitals. J Healthc Qual 2008; 30:38-46. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1945-1474.2008.tb01153.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Depression and cardiovascular disease in women. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR RISK REPORTS 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s12170-008-0043-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Takakuwa KM, Shofer FS, Hollander JE. The influence of race and gender on time to initial electrocardiogram for patients with chest pain. Acad Emerg Med 2006; 13:867-72. [PMID: 16801632 DOI: 10.1197/j.aem.2006.03.566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether race or gender affected time to initial electrocardiogram (ECG) for patients who presented to an emergency department with chest pain. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of patients with chest pain. Patients were divided into three groups based on final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina and all others with noncardiac chest pain. Data were analyzed using ranks in a two-way analysis of covariance adjusted for age. RESULTS A total of 4,358 patients were studied; 58.6% were women and 41.4% men, and 70.3% were African American, 26.0% white, and 3.6% other. Overall, nonwhite patients had longer times to initial ECG compared with white patients. These effects were consistent regardless of ultimate diagnosis. Overall, women had longer times to initial ECG than men. However, ECG time differed by final diagnosis. There were no differences in time to ECG for women compared with men with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina, but women received an ECG significantly slower than men for noncardiac chest pain. CONCLUSIONS The first screening test for acute coronary syndrome, the ECG, took longer to obtain for nonwhite patients, regardless of final diagnosis. This was unfortunately consistent with the literature that shows racial disparities in all aspects of emergent cardiac care. For women, the overall delay in ECG time can be explained by delays for those women with noncardiac chest pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Takakuwa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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Vaccarino V, Rathore SS, Wenger NK, Frederick PD, Abramson JL, Barron HV, Manhapra A, Mallik S, Krumholz HM. Sex and racial differences in the management of acute myocardial infarction, 1994 through 2002. N Engl J Med 2005; 353:671-82. [PMID: 16107620 PMCID: PMC2805130 DOI: 10.1056/nejmsa032214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 415] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although increased attention has been paid to sex and racial differences in the management of myocardial infarction, it is unknown whether these differences have narrowed over time. METHODS With the use of data from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction, we examined sex and racial differences in the treatment of patients who were deemed to be "ideal candidates" for particular treatments and in deaths among 598,911 patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction between 1994 and 2002. RESULTS In the unadjusted analysis, sex and racial differences were observed for rates of reperfusion therapy (for white men, white women, black men, and black women: 86.5, 83.3, 80.4, and 77.8 percent, respectively; P<0.001), use of aspirin (84.4, 78.7, 83.7, and 78.4 percent, respectively; P<0.001), use of beta-blockers (66.6, 62.9, 67.8, and 64.5 percent; P<0.001), and coronary angiography (69.1, 55.9, 64.0, and 55.0 percent; P<0.001). After multivariable adjustment, racial and sex differences persisted for rates of reperfusion therapy (risk ratio for white women, black men, and black women: 0.97, 0.91, and 0.89, respectively, as compared with white men) and coronary angiography (relative risk, 0.91, 0.82, and 0.76) but were attenuated for the use of aspirin (risk ratio, 0.97, 0.98, and 0.94) and beta-blockers (risk ratio, 0.98, 1.00, and 0.96); all risks were unchanged over time. Adjusted in-hospital mortality was similar among white women (risk ratio, 1.05; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.07) and black men (risk ratio, 0.95; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.89 to 1.00), as compared with white men, but was higher among black women (risk ratio, 1.11; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.16) and was unchanged over time. CONCLUSIONS Rates of reperfusion therapy, coronary angiography, and in-hospital death after myocardial infarction, but not the use of aspirin and beta-blockers, vary according to race and sex, with no evidence that the differences have narrowed in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Vaccarino
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA.
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Abstract
During the past decade, an overall theme has emerged, validating the exploration of gender-based differences in coronary heart disease (CHD) as a basis for clinical strategies to improve outcomes for women. Underrepresentation of women in most of CHD and lack of gender-specific reporting in many clinical trials continue to limit the available knowledge and evidence-based medicine needed to devise optimal managements for women with CHD. Control of conventional coronary risk factors provides comparable cardioprotection for men and women. Current evidence fails to show cardiac protection from menopausal hormone therapy. Clinical presentations of coronary heart disease (CHD) and management strategies differ between the sexes. Underutilization of proven beneficial therapies is a contributor to less-favorable outcomes in women. The contemporary increased application of appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic, and interventional managements has favorably altered the prognosis for women, particularly when the data are adjusted for baseline characteristics. Better education of women during office visits, earlier and more aggressive control of coronary risk factors, and a greater index of suspicion regarding chest pain and its appropriate evaluation may help to reverse the trend of late referral and late intervention. Research indicates that behavioral changes on the part of women and reshaping of practice patterns by their health care providers may dramatically reduce the number of women disabled and killed by CHD each year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanette K Wenger
- Emory School of Medicine and Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory Heart & Vascular Center, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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