CardioGAP+: bridging the gap between patient identification and therapy implementation in cardiovascular risk

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention
• Occupational Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain a leading cause of mortality, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
• Effective CVD prevention requires early identification of at-risk individuals and timely intervention.
• Health systems face challenges in identifying and intervening with high-risk patients, highlighting the need for implementation science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate the CARDIOGAP+ project, a strategy for early identification of high and very high-risk individuals for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• To leverage routinely collected data from Occupational Medicine (OM) appointments for cardiovascular risk stratification.
• To facilitate timely referral and therapeutic interventions for identified high-risk individuals.

Main Methods:

• Prospective implementation study focusing on the industrial and manufacturing workforce.
• Utilizing data from biennial (or annual for those 50+) Occupational Medicine (OM) appointments for risk stratification using ESC guidelines.
• Referral of identified high-risk patients to a cardiovascular risk hospital consultation for therapeutic interventions and adherence support.
• 12-month follow-up post-hospital appointment.

Main Results:

• The CARDIOGAP+ project successfully stratified cardiovascular risk in the target workforce using OM data.
• A systematic process was established for identifying and referring high-risk individuals to specialized care.
• Pilot study focused on feasibility and precision for exploratory outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The CARDIOGAP+ project demonstrates a feasible approach to early cardiovascular risk identification and intervention within an occupational setting.
• Integration of OM data into CVD prevention strategies can optimize resource allocation and improve patient outcomes.
• Implementation science frameworks, like RE-AIM, are crucial for evaluating and refining real-world health interventions.