Faculty Bibliography

Screening for depression is paramount to identify patients with depression and link them to care, yet only 29% of patients in the primary care center (PCC) were screened for depression in 2016. A baseline survey identified provider barriers to depression screening, including lack of time, support staff, and referral resources. The purpose of this project was to increase depression screening in the PCC using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2/9). The authors created an educational program for staff and providers that included referral resources, treatment guidelines, and a decision-support tool in the electronic medical record. A retrospective chart review was performed, from January 2016 to June 2017, to determine the percentage of patients who received annual depression screening. During the program, the PCC saw an increase in depression screening rates. Thus, it is possible to overcome barriers to depression screening in a primary care setting by providing resources and education to clinicians.

BACKGROUND:Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is treatable by catheter ablation. Advances in mapping-system technology permit fluoroless workflow during ablations. As national practice trends toward fluoroless approaches, easily obtained, reproducible methods of slow-pathway identification and ablation become increasingly important. We present a novel method of slow-pathway identification and initial ablation results from this method. METHODS AND RESULTS/RESULTS:We examined AVNRT ablations performed at our institution over a 12-month period. In these cases, the site of the slow pathway was predicted by latest activation in the inferior triangle of Koch during sinus rhythm. Ablation was performed in this region. Proximity of the predicted site to the successful ablation location, complication rates, and patient outcomes were recorded. Junctional rhythm was seen in 40/41 ablations (98%) at the predicted site (mean, 1.3 lesions and median, 1 lesion per case). One lesion was defined as 5mm of ablation. The initial ablation was successful in 39/41 cases (95%); in 2 cases, ≥2 echo beats were detected after the initial ablation, necessitating further lesion expansion. In 8/41 cases (20%), >1 lesion was placed during initial ablation before attempted reinduction. Complications included 1 transient heart block and 1 transient PR prolongation. During follow up (median, day 51), 1 patient had lower-extremity deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus, and 1 had a lower-extremity superficial venous thrombosis. There was 1 tachycardia recurrence, which prompted a redo ablation. CONCLUSIONS:Mapping-system detection of late-activation, low-amplitude voltage during sinus rhythm provides an objective, fluoroless means of identifying the slow pathway in typical AVNRT. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background: Gastric cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide. In the US, gastric cancer incidence for Chinese Americans is nearly twice that for non-Hispanic whites. Cancer is the leading cause of death among Chinese New Yorkers who experience higher mortality for gastric cancer than other New Yorkers overall. The bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the strongest risk factor for gastric cancer, and eradication of H. pylori through triple antibiotic therapy is the most effective prevention strategy for gastric cancer. Despite the elevated burden, there are no culturally and linguistically tailored evidence-based intervention strategies to address H. pylori medication adherence and gastric cancer prevention for Chinese Americans in NYC, a largely foreign-born (72%), limited English proficient (61%), and low-income (21% living in poverty) population.
Objective(s): The study objective was to develop and pilot a community health worker (CHW)-delivered linguistically and culturally adapted gastric cancer prevention intervention to improve H. pylori treatment adherence and address modifiable cancer prevention risk factors, including improved nutrition for low-income, LEP, Chinese American immigrants.
Method(s): We used a mixed methods and community-engaged research approach to develop and pilot the intervention curriculum and materials. Methods included: 1) a comprehensive scoping review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature on gastric cancer prevention programs and strategies targeting Chinese Americans; 2) 15 key informant interviews with gatekeepers and stakeholders serving the New York Chinese immigrant community to assess the knowledge and perception of H. pylori infection and gastric cancer among Chinese New Yorkers; and 3) pilot implementation of the collaboratively developed intervention with H. pylori-infected LEP Chinese immigrant participants (n=7).
Result(s): Study process findings and pilot results will be presented. Preliminary results indicate high patient- and community-level need and acceptability for the intervention. Baseline and 1-month post-treatment outcomes and survey data, qualitative data analysis of the CHW session notes, and key informant interviews will be presented.
Conclusion(s): Findings suggest that a CHW-delivered culturally adapted gastric cancer prevention intervention can result in meaningful health information and treatment adherence for at-risk, low-income Chinese immigrant communities. Study findings are being applied to inform a randomized controlled trial being implemented in safety net hospital settings

BACKGROUND:Pericardial access is complicated by two difficulties: confirming when the needle tip is in the pericardial space, and avoiding complications during access, such as inadvertently puncturing other organs. Conventional imaging tools are inadequate for addressing these difficulties, as they lack soft-tissue markers that could be used as guidance during access. A system that can both confirm access and avoid inadvertent organ injury is needed. METHODS:A 21G micropuncture needle was modified to include two small electrodes at the needle tip. With continuous bioimpedance monitoring from the electrodes, the needle was used to access the pericardium in porcine models (n  =  4). The needle was also visualized in vivo by using an electroanatomical map (n  =  2). Bioimpedance data from different tissues were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS:Bioimpedance data collected from the subcutaneous space (992.8±13.1 Ω), anterior mediastinum (972.2±14.2 Ω), pericardial space (323.2±17.1 Ω), mid-myocardium (349.7±87.6 Ω), right ventricular cavity (235.0±9.7 Ω), lung (1142.0±172.0 Ω), liver (575.0±52.6 Ω), and blood (177.5±1.9 Ω) differed significantly by tissue type (P < .01). Phase data in the frequency domain correlated well with the needle being in the pericardial space. A simple threshold analysis effectively separated lung (threshold  =  1120.0 Ω) and blood (threshold  =  305.9 Ω) tissues from the other tissue types. CONCLUSIONS:Continuous bioimpedance monitoring from a modified micropuncture needle during pericardial access can be used to clearly differentiate tissues. Combined with traditional imaging modalities, this system allows for confirming access to the pericardial space while avoiding inadvertent puncture of other organs, creating a safer and more efficient needle-access procedure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION:The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that, during 1999-2008, people born in 1945-1965 (the baby boomer generation) represented approximately 75% of people infected with hepatitis C virus and 73% of hepatitis C virus-associated deaths and are at greatest risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver disease. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended one-time hepatitis C virus screening for people born during 1945-1965. In addition, New York State enacted a Hepatitis C Virus Testing Law in 2014. This analysis assesses the impacts of the 2012 recommendation and 2014 New York State Testing Law on hepatitis C virus screening rates among New York City Medicaid-enrolled recipients born during 1945-1965. METHODS:The eligible population was determined quarterly as the number of Medicaid recipients continuously enrolled for 12 months with neither a prior hepatitis C virus diagnosis nor antibody test since 2005. Quarterly screening rates during 2010-2017 were examined using interrupted time series analysis. Data were analyzed in 2018-2019. RESULTS:In 2010-2017, the highest screening rate occurred in the quarter immediately after the law (33.64 per 1,000 Medicaid recipients). There was no change in screening rates after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation and a significant increase after the New York State Law, which was not sustained. CONCLUSIONS:Hepatitis C virus screening rates increased in the quarter after the 2014 New York State Hepatitis C Virus Testing Law became effective. Additional efforts are needed to screen baby boomers and people who were recently infected with hepatitis C virus related to opioid use.

Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Taxi and for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers, a largely male, immigrant and medically underserved population, are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, in part due to the nature of their work. This study examined demographic and lifestyle predictors of hypertension diagnosis awareness, objectively measured blood pressure (hypertensive-range vs non-hypertensive-range readings), medication use, and hypertension control. A cross-sectional assessment was conducted with 983 male taxi/FHV drivers who attended health fairs in New York City from 2010 to 2017. Twenty-three percent self-reported a hypertension history and 46% had hypertensive-range BP readings. Approximately, half the drivers lacked health insurance (47%) and a usual care source (46%). Thirty percent did not self-report hypertension and had hypertensive-range BP readings. Medication use was reported by 69% of hypertension-aware drivers, and being older and having health care access (insurance, a usual care source, and seeing a doctor in the past year) was significantly associated with medication use. Hypertension-unaware drivers with hypertensive-range BP readings were less likely to have a usual care source. Over 60% of drivers who were hypertension-aware and on medication had hypertensive-range readings. There is a need for community-based and workplace driver and provider interventions to address BP awareness and management and to provide health care navigation for vulnerable populations such as taxi/FHV vehicle drivers.

In their relative infancy, intragastric balloons (IGB) offer a solution to patients who do not qualify for bariatric surgery due to their body mass index (BMI) or those reticent about major surgery with a promise of 10-15% of total body weight loss (TBWL%). Given a short implantation period of 6 months, weight regain following IGB removal has been commonly noted. This caveat prompted analysis of the addition of weight loss medications for improved efficacy in achieving sustained weight loss results post-IGB removal. In a single-center retrospective analysis from 2015 to 2018, 18 patients (mean age 39.72, 5 males, 13 females) with a saline-filled single intragastric balloon were evaluated for 12 months following IGB insertion. Exactly half of the patients (n=9) were on weight loss medications before, during, or after placement of IGB (IGB-M cohort) to compare to patients with IGBs only (IGB-O cohort). All patients were >18 years old, non-pregnant, and with no previous bariatric surgeries. Data was collected at 0, 3, 6, and 12 month intervals. Mean weight at baseline was 198.33lbs and 223lbs (p=0.814) and mean BMI was 32.79 kg/m2 versus 35.5 kg/m2 (p=0.546), in the IGB-O cohort versus the IGB-M cohort, respectively. At six months, the TBWL% in the IGB-O cohort versus the IGB-M cohort was 12.7% versus 13.1%, while mean BMI was 28.42 versus 31.62 (p=0.645), respectively. Attrition rate was 11.1% by 6 months and 72.2% by 12 months for both cohorts combined. At 12 months, TBWL% in the IGB-O cohort versus IGB-M cohort was 2.8% and 10.7%, while mean BMI was 33.77 and 29.17 (p=0.4), respectively. The most common class of medications utilized were glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (37.5%). Phentermine was the single most commonly prescribed medication (25%). The mean number of medications needed for a patient was 1.8. The TBWL% at six months demonstrated a slightly greater 0.4 TBWL% in the IGB-M cohort. This meant weight loss achieved with a balloon or weight loss pharmacotherapy was essentially equivalent in our study at the time of IGB removal at 6 months. However, a stark variance is noted at the 12 month mark in the IGB-O cohort with patients either partially regaining their previously lost weight or losing marginally further with a mean 2.8 TBWL% post IGB removal. Comparatively, the IGB-M cohort patients continued their weight loss or maintained their initial weight loss with a 10.7% TBWL creating a 7.9 TBWL% difference at the 12 month follow up between the two arms. Administration of medications might increase follow-up post IGB removal and decrease attrition rates. Results illustrate a two-pronged approach of combining weight loss medications with IGBs would culminate in a more clinically significant TBWL% with long term sustainability post IGB removal. Larger multi-center studies are recommended in order to achieve significant conclusions. [Formula presented] [Formula presented]
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To examine nutrition benefit under-enrollment in Latinx American immigrant families, we administered a survey to 100 adults attending a NY Latinx American community serving organization. We used a logistic regression approach to analyze misinformation impact on enrollment, and examined non-enrollment explanations, among participants in whose families a child or pregnant or breastfeeding woman appeared SNAP- or WIC-eligible. Among households (N = 51) with ≥ 1 SNAP-eligible child, 49% had no child enrolled. Reasons included repercussion fears (e.g. payback obligation, military conscription, college aid ineligibility, child removal, non-citizen family member penalties), and logistical barriers. In multivariable regression models, having heard the rumor that SNAP/WIC participation makes unauthorized status family members vulnerable to being reported to the government was associated with an 85% lower enrollment rate (OR 0.15, CI 0.03, 0.94). Misinformation impedes nutrition benefit participation. A multi-level intervention is necessary to inform potential applicants and providers regarding eligibility criteria and erroneous rumors, along with an informed discussion of the risks versus benefits of using resources, especially as public charge criteria change.