🧵
The first short publication about my COVID-19 battle is out.
"My near-death experience with COVID-19: Learning lessons as a healthcare professional"
In the
@JCardFail
Thank you
@ShelleyZieroth
so much for the opportunity.
SGLT2is in
#ESCCongress
2020
Use in patients with
✔️ diabetes (T2D)
✔️ Heart Failure (±Diabetes)
✔️ CKD (±Diabetes)
Benefit
⬇️ HbA1c & BP
⬇️ HF hospitalisation /CVD death
⬇️ MACE
⬇️ Progression of CKD
At lower eGFR, HbA1c ⬇️ reduced, but other benefits sustained (30 OK!)
🧵of 🔟
#pharmacotherapy
take home messages from
#ESCCongress
22
1️⃣ Post MI - polypill (asp+ACEi+statin) improves 2º CV prev (SECURE)
2️⃣Antihypertensives can be taken AM or PM - no difference (TIME)
3️⃣Neprilysin inhibition doesn't affect cognitive function in HF (PERSPECTIVE)
SGLT2is have become an established Heart Failure therapy alongside ACEi, BB, MRA and ARNI.
ARNI + BB + MRA + SGLT2i = 62% ⬇️ in CV death or HF Hospitalization
#ESCCongress
2020
#cardiotwitter
@escardio
Hypertension core drug treatment strategy.
Algorithm appropriate for most patients with HT-mediated organ damage,
diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, and PAD.
#cardiotwitter
#ESCCongress
#ESCGuidelines
A year ago today, I developed the 1st COVID symptom. Thereafter, a horrendous journey. I continue to recover. With love, care, good wishes & prayers from all around the world I've beaten the odds. Overwhelming, humbling, blessed & full of gratefulness & gratitude. Thank you!
Based on my experience as a patient in the last 5 months, and in this
#WorldSleepDay
I call on all healthcare professionals to respect, support & protect sleep among patients in hospital. The amount of unnecessary interruption of sleep is tremendous & makes patients exhausted.
Dear all
It is with pleasure to announce the publication of the updated
@NHSEngland
@AACinnovation
National Lipids Management Pathway. It aligns with
@NICEComms
new guidance.
Please visit the link here:
NICE definition of high intensity statin is a statin at a dose which reduces LDL-C by more than 40%. Atorvastatin 10mg is not considered a high intensity statin.
2. Why to start with
#Atorvastatin
20 or 40 mg as we know that 10 mg provides the main decrease and doubling the dose decrease by 7-8% more (for initial responders as for non responders) ? An upfront strategy may be an alternative with fixed
#LLT
combinations
Delighted. MYMEDS published. Invaluable tool to support cardiology post-MI person-centred consultation by all healthcare professionals.
✔️ Understand patients medicines taking experience
✔️ Identify and address modifiable barriers to adherence.
@BMC_series
Our
@LeedsHospitals
work is published in
@BMJOpenQuality
.
Expanding the MDT roles to improve post MI care.
This is a competency framework & the way to train & upskill cardiology pharmacists to run post MI clinics.
Well done Ruth Price.
#CardioTwitter
1/3
In clinic today a 90 yrs old post MI lady said "I stopped my atorvastatin more than a week ago, and was scared to tell you".. I am glad that she did! Isn't time that we as healthcare professionals start making patients feel comfortable to share their medicines non-adherence!
85yrs old F post MI, non-adherent with meds. Reason: given meds in a dossette box. She cannot get tablets out & sometimes they fall & lost. She doesn't know which tablet fell, nor can replace missing tabs. Solution: supply meds without dossette. Outcome: patient happy & adherent!
Interesting good illustrative graph by
@VectorSting
. Not based on published data or quantified. More speculative outlook for discussion. Some argue the peaks of 2nd & 3rd wave might be higher. Thoughts are welcomed.
In 2023 we produced a fabulous series of 8 webinars on lipid management. Here are the links for all webinars (a thread - 🧵1/5).
(1) Interpretation of Lipid Profiles & Other Lipid Optimisation tests
(2) Managing statin intolerance
This afternoon I answered 20 emails from PCN pharmacists from across the country around medicines & risk optimisation in Cardiovascular Disease. Really enjoyed offering my help and support to fellow colleagues. Isn't it time we think of a structured way to provide this support?
As part of
@NHSEngland
@AACinnovation
national work to improve lipids management nationally, we have developed a
@NICEComms
endorsed summary of national guidance for management of lipids in
✔️ 1º Prevention
✔️ 2º Prevention
✔️ FH
For all clinicians to use.
#ZeroCVD
Delighted to launch the interactive national e-lipid management pathway.
Thanks to
@HealthInnovYH
for funding &
@amjidrehman
for development of this important tool.
An e-version of the
@NICEComms
supported
@AACinnovation
national lipid management pathway
Beta blockers in Heart Failure (EF 40%+)
✔️evidence of potential benefit for HF hospitalization + death in patients with HFmrEF
⛔️but in higher LVEF (particularly >60%), lack of survival benefit and a higher risk of HF hospitalization.
Another paper was accepted for publication.
"Developing a post-myocardial infarction medicines optimisation clinic: Core competencies for upskilling pharmacists and initial patient feedback"
Watch this space for more details..
#CardioTwitter
Won a court case today!
Since leaving hospital, I've been subjected to injustices exploiting my illness to bring me down. None derailed me & I fought on many fronts. The lies grudge envy racism bullying & evil out there, unbelievable. Never give up, be patient & keep good company
Delighted to see our review paper on "Managing drug-induced QT prolongation in clinical practice" published in the
@PMJ_BMJ
.
This is a practical article that is relevant to all prescribers who prescribe medicines that can affect QT interval.
SGLT2 inhibitors update - UK
✔️ Empagliflozin can be initiated in eGFR ⩾ 30 (in HF ⩾ 20)
✔️ Dapagliflozin can be initiated in eGFR ⩾15
✔️ Canagliflozin can be initiated in eGFR ⩾30
Hypoglycaemic effect ⬇️ in eGFR <45, likely absent in patients with severe renal impairment.
This time, 2 years ago, family, loved ones & close friends prepared for my departure. Their optimism, support & prayers helped beat the odds. Grateful to be here. The journey was tough. Still reflecting on those times & living the consequences. 2023 shall be about sharing 📖📚
The NICE 2023 Chronic heart failure in adults - Quality Standards.
It was a pleasure to represent
@LeedsHospitals
@UoL_LICAMM
& work with national (& international) experts in Heart Failure.
Full details are here 👇
Excellent presentation by
@abi_hell
at
@escardio
#ESCCongress
2022 of data from our pharmacy-led statin intolerance clinic.
✔️62% of those who accepted a statin rechallenge were successfully restablished on statin therapy.
✔️Combination therapy achieved much better LDL-C ⬇️
DELIVER
✔️ Dapagliflozin reduced composite end point.
✔️ Mainly driven by reducing worsening of HF
✔️ Improved symptoms burden
✔️ No attenuation in the highest LVEF
✔️ Benefit in those with improved EF ( prior EF of <40%)
#ESCCongress
#pharmacotherapy
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: recent concepts in diagnosis, mechanisms and management.
Fabulous narrative review by
@hvanspall
et. al.
NEW
@NICEComms
on lipids out:
🥁Targets for 2° prevention are LDL-C of ≤ 2.0mmol/L, or non-HDL-C of ≤ 2.6
🥁If on max tolerated dose of HI statins & target not met, consider additional LLT (TAs)
🥁Consider ezetimibe (+ max HI statin) even if target met, to ⬇️ CVD risk further
Based on my personal experience, taking a medicine 4 times a day is a real challenge. Prescribers, please where you can avoid if there is an alternative.
We are delighted to announce that our
@LeedsHospitals
CardioMetabolic project in partnership with
@Boehringer_UKI
is shortlisted for Best Pharmaceutical Partnership with the NHS at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2023, designed to recognise outstanding dedication.
Interesting scenario in Statin Intolerance clinic. High risk patient with very high LDL reporting intolerance to all statins (esp. Atorva). We tried a variety of regimens. Before last visit, suffered first MI. Now fully tolerant and willfully taking Atorvastatin 80mg od!
Don't underestimate the benefits of lowering BP!
For every 5 mmHg ⬇️ in SBP, the risk of developing major cardiovascular disease fell by 10%. Stroke & heart failure risk ⬇️ by 13%, coronary heart disease by 8% and death from cardiovascular disease by 5%.
We start the week with a very kind gesture from
@pumpinghearts
. A marvellous charity which supports patients with Heart Failure.
Absolutely delighted to receive the "Never Give Up Award" 2022. My family and I are very grateful for this beautiful gesture. Thank you so much.
Drug interactions with anticoagulants in COVID-19 patients.
✔️ NOACs may interact with some of the investigational drugs for COVID-19. E.g. lopinavir/ritonavir. In such cases avoid NOACs.
✔️ Generally, no major interactions reported with heparin / LMWH.
Pharmacy & cardiology interested in our Post MI meds opt clinics
✔️ We published a description of this clinic here
✔️The MYMEDS tool we use can be found here
✔️ Watch this space for how to train pharmacists to deliver such clinic
Colleagues, do you assess iron stores in your cardiology patients by reviewing iron binding saturation / Transferrin saturation? In addition to Ferritin and FBC?
Do you use oral iron or IV iron?
Symptomatic / Non-symptomatic?
Would be interested to know your practice. Thank you
Polypill for CVD Prevention and adherence!
✔️ Better adherence but average was 71%
✔️ Most non-adherence was in the first 3-6 months (5 years follow up)
✔️ 34% overall ⬇️ in CV events
✔️ Those with better adherence to polypill had 57% ⬇️ in CV events
#ESCCongress
#cardiotwitter
FDA approves Self-administered, Subcutaneous Furosemide for the At-home Treatment of Congestion in Chronic Heart Failure.
#Cardiotwitter
@pumpinghearts
Another resource for clinicians part of
@NHSEngland
@AACinnovation
national work to improve lipid management. A
@NICEComms
endorsed guidance on statin intolerance.
✔️ Person-centred approach
✔️ Statin Related Muscle toxicity
✔️ Types of intolerance
✔️ Understanding CK
#ZeroCVD
Many herbal remedies are potent chemicals. Herbal does not always mean safe. Herbal remedies have side effects and interactions like medicines.
Many medicines are derived from Herbal sources.
A relative has just been admitted to hospital due to St John's Wort.
Many thanks
@LeedsHospitals
. Very nice gesture. Much appreciated.
Was thinking of members of staff who caught COVID-19, would be lovely if we could express support and solidarity with them and their families.
I had another terrifying admission to hospital over the weekend. Thanks to the excellent
@YorksAmbulance
who looked after me and comforted my family. Your 3 paramedics were fabulous. Very grateful.
A glimpse of some aspects of my COVID battle. During & post complications far too many to cover, CA, pneumothoracies, RF, PEs, drains, neuropathy, delirium & much more.
Hopefully this provides better insight into the devastating consequences of COVID. Thanx Harriet.
More to come!
A common occurance (noticed as a patient in hospital in the last 5 months) is that patients are not informed of a plan. They sit & wait patiently without having a clue what their management care plan is. It is very frustrating. Please HCP share with your patients a plan!
Did you know?
✔️lovastatin & pravastatin are natural products of fungal origin
✔️ simvastatin is a semi-synthetic derivative
✔️fluvastatin, the first entirely synthetic statin
✔️atorvastatin was among the first of a new generation of synthetic, enantiomerically pure statins
Today I met with a lovely ICU consultant who looked after me during my ICU stay at St James's. For some reason her kindness & care (& name) was felt even when I was sedated & delirious. My family confirmed that she was one of the best. Very grateful. Thank you Dr Lorna Eyre.
SGLT2i & BP reduction.
Studies report an average reduction⬇️ of 3-4/1-2 mmHg.
However, I have now come across several cases in our CaReMe clinic where ⬇️ in BP was in the region of 10-20/5-10mmHg. All had T2D. Some had resistant HTN. What is your experience? thoughts
Ending 2023 with 2 awards was delightful.
🎗 Thank you
@escardio
for the fellowship, a great recognition.
🎗 Thank you
@pumpinghearts
for allowing me to support your marvellous work to tackle heart failure.
🧵👇
#CardioTwitter
Underutilization of statins (no treatment or underdosing after stroke (deintensification)) was associated with ⬆️ mortality vs. patients who were at goal for statin prescription dosing.
A very complex case, Hx uncontrolled T2D, BP, CKD, CAD, non-adherence, polypharmacy etc. Stabilised and discharged to GP. Patient followed up by a GP pharmacist. Felt very reassured after seeing the patient 12 months later. Very well looked after. Excellent job GP pharmacy!
Proud of our fabulous
@LeedsHospitals
Cardiology Pharmacy team leading many cutting edge innovative services to improve meds optimisation & support patients with CardioRenalMetabolic conditions. NOW we welcome the 1st Cardiology Pharmacy Technician to the team! True MDT in action