Name Bias Delays STEMI Diagnosis 02/24/26
Welcome to Cardiology Today â Recorded February 24, 2026. This episode summarizes 5 key cardiology studies on topics like Healthcare disparities and Heart failure. Key takeaway: Name Bias Delays STEMI Diagnosis.
Article Links:
Article 1: Benefit of early initiation of disease-modifying therapy in community-based patients with suspected heart failure. (European heart journal)
Article 2: Aortic Insufficiency Progression in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Prior Impella Support. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation)
Article 3: Longitudinal Trends and Contemporary Outcomes of Combined Heart-Lung Transplantation. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation)
Article 4: Identification of a Highly Functional Effector CD8+ T Cell Program after Transplantation in Mice and Humans. (American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons)
Article 5: Impact of name-based implicit bias on time to diagnosis and outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction. (Heart (British Cardiac Society))
Full episode page: https://podcast.explainheart.com/podcast/name-bias-delays-stemi-diagnosis-02-24-26/
đ Featured Articles
Article 1: Benefit of early initiation of disease-modifying therapy in community-based patients with suspected heart failure.
Journal: European heart journal
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40879671
Summary: The study concluded that initiating heart failure therapies when an elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level is detected in community-based patients with suspected heart failure may reduce the risk of early adverse outcomes. The analysis suggested a potential benefit from the early initiation of a sodium-glucose cotransporter two inhibitor and/or a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist in these patients. This therapeutic approach applies to individuals with suspected heart failure who also have pre-existing non-heart failure related indications. The findings underscore the importance of prompt pharmacological intervention in managing early stages of heart failure.
Article 2: Aortic Insufficiency Progression in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Prior Impella Support.
Journal: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41730484
Summary: The study addressed a critical clinical concern regarding the incidence and risk factors for aortic insufficiency in patients receiving mechanical circulatory support. It focused on individuals who received Impella percutaneous temporary left ventricular assist devices, those with Impella followed by durable left ventricular assist devices, and those with durable left ventricular assist devices alone. Understanding aortic insufficiency progression is crucial for managing patients supported by these devices, as its incidence and specific risk factors have remained unclear in this population. This research highlighted the need for clarity regarding distinct clinical pathways and outcomes in these complex patient groups.
Article 3: Longitudinal Trends and Contemporary Outcomes of Combined Heart-Lung Transplantation.
Journal: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41730483
Summary: The study found that combined heart-lung transplants in the United States experienced a gradual decline, but then showed a significant rise in procedures since 2014, particularly among adults. This shift represents an important change in the landscape of thoracic organ transplantation. Understanding these evolving longitudinal trends is critical for clinicians managing patients awaiting or undergoing this complex procedure. The research provides key insights into the contemporary patterns of combined heart-lung transplantation.
Article 4: Identification of a Highly Functional Effector CD8+ T Cell Program after Transplantation in Mice and Humans.
Journal: American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41730451
Summary: The study identified a highly functional effector C.D.8 positive T cell program crucial for post-transplantation immune responses in both mice and humans. Researchers found that agonism of the C.D.43 1B11 receptor in vitro induced C.D.8 positive T cell proliferation even with sub-threshold antigen stimulation. In vivo, C.D.43 1B11 agonism successfully overcame costimulation-blockade induced tolerance and significantly enhanced C.D.8 positive T cell cytokine production. These findings provide key insights into the mechanisms by which T cells mediate allograft rejection, offering potential targets for preventing transplant rejection.
Article 5: Impact of name-based implicit bias on time to diagnosis and outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
Journal: Heart (British Cardiac Society)
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41730548
Summary: The study revealed that patients with marginalized characteristics often experience delayed diagnosis of S.T.-elevation myocardial infarction despite established fast-track protocols. Specifically, the research found that name-based implicit bias impacts the time to diagnosis and patient outcomes. Patients with phonetically uncommon surnames experienced delays from first medical contact to S.T.-elevation myocardial infarction diagnosis compared to patients with common surnames within the fast-track network. This highlights a critical disparity in care delivery influenced by implicit bias.
đ Transcript
Today’s date is February 24, 2026. Welcome to Cardiology Today. Here are the latest research findings.
Article number one. Benefit of early initiation of disease-modifying therapy in community-based patients with suspected heart failure. The study concluded that initiating heart failure therapies when an elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level is detected in community-based patients with suspected heart failure may reduce the risk of early adverse outcomes. The analysis suggested a potential benefit from the early initiation of a sodium-glucose cotransporter two inhibitor and/or a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist in these patients. This therapeutic approach applies to individuals with suspected heart failure who also have pre-existing non-heart failure related indications. The findings underscore the importance of prompt pharmacological intervention in managing early stages of heart failure.
Article number two. Aortic Insufficiency Progression in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Prior Impella Support. The study addressed a critical clinical concern regarding the incidence and risk factors for aortic insufficiency in patients receiving mechanical circulatory support. It focused on individuals who received Impella percutaneous temporary left ventricular assist devices, those with Impella followed by durable left ventricular assist devices, and those with durable left ventricular assist devices alone. Understanding aortic insufficiency progression is crucial for managing patients supported by these devices, as its incidence and specific risk factors have remained unclear in this population. This research highlighted the need for clarity regarding distinct clinical pathways and outcomes in these complex patient groups.
Article number three. Longitudinal Trends and Contemporary Outcomes of Combined Heart-Lung Transplantation. The study found that combined heart-lung transplants in the United States experienced a gradual decline, but then showed a significant rise in procedures since 2014, particularly among adults. This shift represents an important change in the landscape of thoracic organ transplantation. Understanding these evolving longitudinal trends is critical for clinicians managing patients awaiting or undergoing this complex procedure. The research provides key insights into the contemporary patterns of combined heart-lung transplantation.
Article number four. Identification of a Highly Functional Effector C.D.8 positive T Cell Program after Transplantation in Mice and Humans. The study identified a highly functional effector C.D.8 positive T cell program crucial for post-transplantation immune responses in both mice and humans. Researchers found that agonism of the C.D.43 1B11 receptor in vitro induced C.D.8 positive T cell proliferation even with sub-threshold antigen stimulation. In vivo, C.D.43 1B11 agonism successfully overcame costimulation-blockade induced tolerance and significantly enhanced C.D.8 positive T cell cytokine production. These findings provide key insights into the mechanisms by which T cells mediate allograft rejection, offering potential targets for preventing transplant rejection.
Article number five. Impact of name-based implicit bias on time to diagnosis and outcomes in S.T.-elevation myocardial infarction. The study revealed that patients with marginalized characteristics often experience delayed diagnosis of S.T.-elevation myocardial infarction despite established fast-track protocols. Specifically, the research found that name-based implicit bias impacts the time to diagnosis and patient outcomes. Patients with phonetically uncommon surnames experienced delays from first medical contact to S.T.-elevation myocardial infarction diagnosis compared to patients with common surnames within the fast-track network. This highlights a critical disparity in care delivery influenced by implicit bias.
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đ Keywords
Healthcare disparities, Heart failure, Immunosuppression, Implicit bias, Aortic insufficiency, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, T cells, Impella, Fast-track protocols, Time to diagnosis, Transplant trends, sodium-glucose cotransporter two inhibitor, Mechanical circulatory support, C.D.43 receptor, S.T.-elevation myocardial infarction, Allograft rejection, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, Waitlist outcomes, Heart-lung transplantation, early therapy initiation, C.D.8 positive T cells, Cardiogenic shock, Left ventricular assist device, Organ transplantation, Adult transplantation.
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Concise summaries of cardiovascular research for professionals.
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