Highlights of the Week
PROMISE Aging Sub-study Selected as a Top CT Paper of the Year
We learned this week that Age-Related Differences in the Noninvasive Evaluation for Possible Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From the Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain (PROMISE) Trial was selected by presenters at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) as “a top 8 cardiac CT paper of the year”. The SCCT held their annual meeting (virtually) last weekend.
“For his “top eight” list, Todd Villines, MD (University of Virginia, Charlottesville), said that he excluded guideline publications and societal statements from his presentation. Instead, Villines “tried to prioritize research that would impact clinical practice in an immediate or near-immediate term.”
The PROMISE aging sub-study was led by Angela Lowenstern; the full author team includes Lowenstern, Karen Alexander, C. Larry Hill, Brooke Alhanti, Michael Nanna, Rajendra Mehta, and Pamela Douglas – all of Duke, as well as Patricia Pellikka, Lawton S. Cooper, Renee P. Bullock-Palmer and Udo Hoffman.
Kudos to all authors! This is terrific recognition and speaks to the excellent work done on the PROMISE trial.
Updated Echo Reference Guide Edited, Co-Authored By Heart Team Members
Duke continues to lead the way in Echocardiographic education with publication of the fifth edition of the New Echocardiographer’s Pocket Reference. Considered the primary reference text for sonographers and all students of Echocardiography, this new edition is written with integrated videos and color images that cover a broad spectrum of complex cardiac disease states. Duke is highlighted in this edition with Richard Palma as editor; contributing authors: Jon Owensby, Danny Rivera, Carissa Marsiglio, Ashlee David, Alicia Armour, David Adams, and foreword by Anita Kelsey.
The book is in currently in pre-publication status, but you can sign up to be notified once it’s available for ordering: https://azheartfoundation.org/echocardiographers-pocket-reference-preview-new-fifth-edition. The preview looks great and is sure to be enormously beneficial. Congratulation to everyone involved – book projects are a major undertaking. Way to go!
EPIC-SEC 2020 Going Virtual
EPIC-SEC is transitioning from an in-person event to a fully virtual conference taking place August 27-29, 2020. The event planners have shared the following with us:
“During the COVID pandemic we believe it is critical for the cardiovascular community to engage in and disseminate relevant,
practical, and cutting-edge clinical and educational content. EPIC-SEC will offer live case demonstrations of complex coronary, structural, and peripheral endovascular procedures from Emory University, Ochsner, and Los Robles Regional Medical Center. In addition, there will be succinct evidence-based presentations, debates, and discourse related to everyday clinical decisions and dilemmas. Keynote addresses will cover controversies related to major recent clinical trials, cardiovascular leadership in the COVID-era, and how the COVID pandemic will catalyze technical innovations in cardiovascular medicine.
Each of the three days of the EPIC-SEC will take place online on three distinct live channels recreating general, coronary, structural, peripheral, clinical cardiology, advanced practice provider, and breakout sessions virtually. True to the spirit of the consortium, parts of the curriculum will be broadcast from North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Join us for three days of CME accredited live cases, debates, and presentations—all free of charge. The sessions include an APP Summit on Friday, which is also free. To register for Virtual EPIC-SEC 2020, please visit: https://form.jotform.com/201476381799165
Save the dates for EPIC-SEC 2021, currently scheduled for April 15-17.
Shout-out to Swavely!
Congratulations to Ashley Swavely, one of our newest exercise physiologists who is now working with the Cardiac Diagnostic Unit. She is co-author on a paper that is has been published online in Sports Medicine and Health Science journal. The article, “Anxiety disorders in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases: A brief review” can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/2D8nTCK.
The paper is related to work she did for her master’s degree. Hat tip to Brian Coyne for sharing this news with us. Great job, Ashley!
Duke Heart PFAC Update
The Duke Heart Patient and Family Advisory Council was able to gather virtually last week via Zoom and had the opportunity to learn about COVID-19 and its impact on the cardiovascular patient population thanks to a presentation by Manesh Patel, “Cardiovascular Effects and Changes from COVID and How We Are Protecting Patients”. The platform was a great way to bring the group together again, since several of our members live at a distance from Durham.
Discussion included projects they are hoping to get underway later this year. If you have any questions about the PFAC or know of anyone who would make a great volunteer, we’d love to know! The Duke Heart PFAC is one of the most active within Duke Health, but there is always room for additional perspective and more voices. Please reach out to Mary Lindsay or Brian Wofford with recommendations. Thank you!
Moments to Movement: Black Women at Duke Panel
Duke held the second of three panel conversations on race and social injustice this week as part of Moments to Movement. The panel, Black Women at Duke and in America, was held on Thursday. It was another powerful and enlightening discussion, with panelists sharing their perspectives on recent events, what it’s like to be a Black woman leader, and what they hope for in the future. If you weren’t able to attend, a recording is available here: https://warpwire.duke.edu/w/i_YDAA/?start=50 (You will need your NET ID and passcode to access).
A third panel is planned for August 13, called Clinicians on Race and Health Disparities. Information about registering and accessing the sessions have been shared via email. If you have not received an invitation and would like to attend the panels, please send a note to DUHSLeaders@duke.edu.
The first panel session included Duke Heart’s Brian Wofford as a panelist and can be viewed here: https://players.brightcove.net/5844457457001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6167555251001
For additional resources, please see the website for Duke’s Office for Institutional Equity. They have an extensive list of resources that may be of interest to you and others on your team. https://oie.duke.edu/resources-understanding-and-confronting-racism-and-its-impact.
COVID-19 Updates:
All the latest official DUHS information regarding coronavirus/COVID-19 response at the following locations:
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership, please contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart at tracey.koepke@duke.edu. We would love to hear about your latest accomplishments, professional news, cool happenings, and any events or opportunities that may be of interest to our Duke Heart family. Please call with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged.
Duke Heart in the News:
July 20 — PROMISE team
tctMD/the heart beat
ISCHEMIA, Patient Age in PROMISE Among Top CT Papers of the Year at SCCT
https://www.tctmd.com/news/ischemia-patient-age-promise-among-top-ct-papers-year-scct
July 22 — Ann Marie Navar
MedPage Today
TRIUMPH: A Caveat to Polypill’s Benefit in Hypertension
https://www.medpagetoday.com/cardiology/hypertension/87701
Ochsner, and Los Robles Regional Medical Center. In addition, there will be succinct evidence-based presentations