Faculty Bibliography

As the global burden of cardiovascular disease continues to increase worldwide, nurturing the development of early-career cardiologists interested in global health is essential to create a cadre of providers with the skill set to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases in international settings. As such, interest in global health has increased among cardiology trainees and early-career cardiologists over the past decade. International clinical and research experiences abroad present an additional opportunity for growth and development beyond traditional cardiovascular training. We describe the American College of Cardiology International Cardiovascular Exchange Database, a new resource for cardiologists interested in pursuing short-term clinical exchange opportunities abroad, and report some of the benefits and challenges of global health cardiovascular training in both resource-limited and resource-abundant settings.

BACKGROUND:Household air pollution is the third largest risk factor for global disease burden, but direct links with cardiovascular disease mortality are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between household fuel use and cardiovascular disease mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS:The Golestan Cohort Study in northeastern Iran enrolled 50 045 individuals 40 to 75 years of age between 2004 and 2008 and collected data on lifetime household fuel use and other baseline exposures. Participants were followed up through 2012 with a 99% successful follow-up rate. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to calculate hazard ratios for associations between pehen (local dung), wood, kerosene/diesel, or natural gas burning for cooking and heating and all-cause and cause-specific mortality, with adjustment for lifetime exposure to each of these fuels and potential confounders. A total of 3073 participants (6%) died during follow-up; 78% of these deaths were attributable to noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular, oncological, and respiratory illnesses. Adjusted 10-year hazard ratios from kerosene/diesel burning were 1.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.10) and 1.11 (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.17) for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. Subtype-specific analyses revealed a significant increase in ischemic heart disease (10-year hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.21) and a trend toward cerebrovascular accident (10-year hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.17) mortality. Stratification by sex revealed a potential signal for increased risk for all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality among women compared with men, with similar risk for ischemic heart disease mortality. CONCLUSIONS:Household exposure to high-pollution fuels was associated with increased risk for all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. Replicating these results worldwide would support efforts to reduce such exposures.

Introduction: Task-shifting to non-physician health workers (NPHWs) has been an effective model for managing infectious diseases and improving maternal and child health. There is inadequate evidence to show the effectiveness of NPHWs to manage cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Objectives: The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases funded twelve studies in 2012 of which six focussed on task-shifting to NPHWs for the management of hypertension. We report the lessons learnt from the field. Methods: All six studies were cluster randomised control trials aimed at using NPHWs, within the local health care system, to improve the management of hypertension. The studies were conducted in Colombia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia and South Africa. From each of the studies we obtained information on the types of tasks shifted, the professional level from which the task was shifted, the training provided and the challenges faced. These details were collated and mapped for analysis. Results: The tasks shifted to NPHWs included screening of individuals, referral to physicians for diagnosis and management, patient education for lifestyle improvement, followup and patient reminders for medication adherence and appointments. In four studies, tasks were shifted from physicians to NPHWs and in two studies tasks were shared between two different levels of NPHWs. Training programs ranged between 3 and 7 days with refresher training at regular intervals. Two studies involved the use of clinical decision support tools. Challenges faced by the studies included system level barriers such as inability to prescribe evidence based medications, varying capacity and skill sets of NPHWs, high workload and staff turnover. Conclusion: With the acute shortage and mal-distribution of the health workforce in low and middle income countries (LMIC), achieving better health outcomes for the prevention and control of CVD is a major challenge. Task-shifting provides a potentially cost-effective and viable model for the management of CVD in LMICs

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the world, and the increasing burden is largely a consequence of modifiable behavioral risk factors that interact with genomics and the environment. Continuous cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention throughout the lifespan is critical, and the family is a central entity in this process. In this review, we describe the potential rationale and mechanisms that contribute to the importance of family for cardiovascular health promotion, focusing on: 1) mutual interdependence of the family system; 2) shared environment; 3) parenting style; 4) caregiver perceptions; and 5) genomics. We conclude that family-based approaches that target both caregivers and children, encourage communication among the family unit, and address the structural and environmental conditions in which families live and operate are likely to be the most effective approach to promote cardiovascular health. We describe lessons learned, future implications, and applications to ongoing and planned studies.

BACKGROUND:Hypertension, the leading global risk factor for mortality, is characterized by low treatment and control rates in low- and middle-income countries. Poor linkage to hypertension care contributes to poor outcomes for patients. However, specific factors influencing linkage to hypertension care are not well known. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate factors influencing linkage to hypertension care in rural western Kenya. DESIGN/METHODS:Qualitative research study using a modified Health Belief Model that incorporates the impact of emotional and environmental factors on behavior. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:Mabaraza (traditional community assembly) participants (n = 242) responded to an open invitation to residents in their respective communities. Focus groups, formed by purposive sampling, consisted of hypertensive individuals, at-large community members, and community health workers (n = 169). APPROACH/METHODS:We performed content analysis of the transcripts with NVivo 10 software, using both deductive and inductive codes. We used a two-round Delphi method to rank the barriers identified in the content analysis. We selected factors using triangulation of frequency of codes and themes from the transcripts, in addition to the results of the Delphi exercise. Sociodemographic characteristics of participants were summarized using descriptive statistics. KEY RESULTS/RESULTS:We identified 27 barriers to linkage to hypertension care, grouped into individual (cognitive and emotional) and environmental factors. Cognitive factors included the asymptomatic nature of hypertension and limited information. Emotional factors included fear of being a burden to the family and fear of being screened for stigmatized diseases such as HIV. Environmental factors were divided into physical (e.g. distance), socioeconomic (e.g. poverty), and health system factors (e.g. popularity of alternative therapies). The Delphi results were generally consistent with the findings from the content analysis. CONCLUSIONS:Individual and environmental factors are barriers to linkage to hypertension care in rural western Kenya. Our analysis provides new insights and methodological approaches that may be relevant to other low-resource settings worldwide.

Stemming the tide of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide requires a multipronged approach. Although much attention has been paid to disease control measures, there is relatively little consideration of the importance of training the next generation of health-related researchers to play their important role in this global epidemic. The lack of support for early stage investigators in low- and middle-income countries interested in the global NCD field has resulted in inadequate funding opportunities for research, insufficient training in advanced research methodology and data analysis, lack of mentorship in manuscript and grant writing, and meager institutional support for developing, submitting, and administering research applications and awards. To address this unmet need, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-UnitedHealth Collaborating Centers of Excellence initiative created a Training Subcommittee that coordinated and developed an intensive, mentored health-related research experience for a number of early stage investigators from the 11 Centers of Excellence around the world. We describe the challenges faced by early stage investigators in low- and middle-income countries, the organization and scope of the Training Subcommittee, training activities, early outcomes of the early stage investigators (foreign and domestic) and training materials that have been developed by this program that are available to the public. By investing in the careers of individuals in a supportive global NCD network, we demonstrate the impact that an investment in training individuals from low- and middle-income countries can have on the preferred future of or current efforts to combat NCDs.

BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular diseases stem from modifiable risk factors. Peer support is a proven strategy for many chronic illnesses. Randomized trials assessing the efficacy of this strategy for global cardiovascular risk factor modification are lacking. OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:This study assessed the hypothesis that a peer group strategy would help improve healthy behaviors in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS:A total of 543 adults 25 to 50 years of age with at least 1 risk factor were recruited; risk factors included hypertension (20%), overweight (82%), smoking (31%), and physical inactivity (81%). Subjects were randomized 1:1 to a peer group-based intervention group (IG) or a self-management control group (CG) for 12 months. Peer-elected leaders moderated monthly meetings involving role-play, brainstorming, and activities to address emotions, diet, and exercise. The primary outcome was mean change in a composite score related to blood pressure, exercise, weight, alimentation, and tobacco (Fuster-BEWAT score, 0 to 15). Multilevel models with municipality as a cluster variable were applied to assess differences between groups. RESULTS:Participants' mean age was 42 ± 6 years, 71% were female, and they had a mean baseline Fuster-BEWAT score of 8.42 ± 2.35. After 1 year, the mean scores were significantly higher in the IG (n = 277) than in the CG (n = 266) (IG mean score: 8.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.37 to 9.32; CG mean score: 8.17; 95% CI: 7.55 to 8.79; p = 0.02). The increase in the overall score was significantly larger in the IG compared with the CG (difference: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.18; p = 0.02). The mean improvement in the individual components was uniformly greater in the IG, with a significant difference for the tobacco component. CONCLUSIONS:The peer group intervention had beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, with significant improvements in the overall score and specifically on tobacco cessation. A follow-up assessment will be performed 1 year after the final assessment reported here to determine long-term sustainability of the improvements associated with peer group intervention. (Peer-Group-Based Intervention Program [Fifty-Fifty]; NCT02367963).

BACKGROUND:The majority of global cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden falls on people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In order to reduce preventable CVD mortality and morbidity, LMIC health systems and health care providers need to improve the delivery and quality of CVD care. OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:As part of the Disease Control Priorities Three (DCP3) Study efforts addressing quality improvement, we reviewed and summarized currently available evidence on interventions to improve quality of clinic-based CVD prevention and management in LMICs. METHODS:We conducted a narrative review of published comparative clinical trials that evaluated efficacy or effectiveness of clinic-based CVD prevention and management quality improvement interventions in LMICs. Conditions selected a priori included hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, stroke, rheumatic heart disease, and congestive heart failure. MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases were systematically searched. Studies were categorized as occurring at the system or patient/provider level and as treating the acute or chronic phase of CVD. RESULTS:From 847 articles identified in the electronic search, 49 met full inclusion criteria and were selected for review. Selected studies were performed in 19 different LMICs. There were 10 studies of system level quality improvement interventions, 38 studies of patient/provider interventions, and one study that fit both criteria. At the patient/provider level, regardless of the specific intervention, intensified, team-based care generally led to improved medication adherence and hypertension control. At the system level, studies provided evidence that introduction of universal health insurance coverage improved hypertension and diabetes control. Studies of system and patient/provider level acute coronary syndrome quality improvement interventions yielded inconclusive results. The duration of most studies was less than 12 months. CONCLUSIONS:The results of this review suggest that CVD care quality improvement can be successfully implemented in LMICs. Most studies focused on chronic CVD conditions; more acute CVD care quality improvement studies are needed. Longer term interventions and follow-up will be needed in order to assess the sustainability of quality improvement efforts in LMICs.

Cardiovascular disease deaths are increasing in low- and middle-income countries and are exacerbated by health care systems that are ill-equipped to manage chronic diseases. Global health partnerships, which have stemmed the tide of infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries, can be similarly applied to address cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we present the experiences of an academic partnership between North American and Kenyan medical centers to improve cardiovascular health in a national public referral hospital. We highlight our stepwise approach to developing sustainable cardiovascular services using the health system strengthening World Health Organization Framework for Action. The building blocks of this framework (leadership and governance, health workforce, health service delivery, health financing, access to essential medicines, and health information system) guided our comprehensive and sustainable approach to delivering subspecialty care in a resource-limited setting. Our experiences may guide the development of similar collaborations in other settings.