Edmonton – Several new guidelines and position papers offering the most up to date information to ensure that clinicians practice evidence-based medicine were released at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009 this week.
Among them are the following:
Guidelines are one of the highest priorities of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), says their president Dr. Charles Kerr. "They are one of our most important services and are the highest rated by clinicians," he says. "For example, the CCS heart failure guidelines website has received a huge number of hits this year − in the hundreds of thousands. They have an enormous impact."
The CCS usually puts out one set of guidelines each year. This year, the CCS guidelines committee, chaired by Dr Michelle Graham, coordinated the release of 10 guidelines and position statements.
The guidelines are an invaluable resource not only for members of the cardiovascular community, but for family physicians and nurse practitioners throughout Canada, she says.
Dr. Graham praises the dedication and drive of all of the contributors to the guidelines and position statements who went above and beyond the call of duty to produce rigorous, evidence based guidelines. "This is volunteerism at its best, with a view of improving the heart health of Canadians."
Guideline Highlights
2009 CCS Canadian Cholesterol Guidelines − Chaired by Dr. Jacques Genest
A joint effort with the Canadian Vascular Coalition and CIHR, the 2009 cholesterol guidelines have better defined secondary and high-risk prevention strategies and include clinical studies on end-stage disease (advanced heart failure and hemodialysis).
What's new:
What doctors need to know:
For patients at high risk (those with CAD, PVD, atherosclerosis, most patients with diabetes, FRS>20%, RRS>20%)
For moderate risk patients (FRS 10-19%), initiate treatment if:
2009 Updated Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease − Chaired by Dr. Candice Silversides
With advances in pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery, the population of adults with congenital heart disease has grown and in the current era there are more adults with congenital heart disease than children. Since the 2001 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Consensus Conference report on the management of adults with congenital heart disease, there have been significant advances in our understanding of the late outcomes, genetics, medical therapy, and interventional approaches in the field of adult congenital heart disease. The updated guidelines for the management of adult congenital heart disease address these important issues.
Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Radiologists Consensus Training Standards for Cardiac CT – Co-chaired by Dr. Benjamin Chow (CCS) and Dr. Carole Dennie (CAR)
Cardiac risk assessment prior to the use of stimulant medications in children and youth: a joint position statement by the Canadian Pediatric Society, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry − CCS writing group chair is Dr. Andrew Warren
2009 Updated Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure − Chaired by Dr. Jonathan Howlett
The CCS commitment to delivery of timely and practical heart failure guidelines for health care providers continues. Due to results from needs assessments conducted nationwide, this year's heart failure update dealt with four important issues: the diagnosis and management of right-sided heart failure; diagnosis, investigation of myocarditis; updated intracardiac device therapy; and recommendations based upon recent landmark clinical trials.
Recommendations arising from landmark clinical trials of heart failure and specific conditions such as atrial fibrillation, dyslipidemia, anemia, and decompensated heart failure are discussed.
Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Recommendations for the use of Genetic Testing in the Evaluation of Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmias Associated with Sudden Cardiac Death − Chaired by Dr. Michael Gollob
What doctors and allied professionals need to know:
Statements and conclusions of study authors are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect Foundation or CCS policy or position. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society make no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society ( ccs.ca ) is the national voice for cardiovascular physicians and scientists. Its mission is to promote cardiovascular health and care through knowledge translation, professional development, and leadership in health policy.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation ( heartandstroke.ca ), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.
For more information and/or interviews, contact the CCC 2009 MEDIA OFFICE AT 780-969-0453 (Oct 24-28)