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The APAC Recap: Cardiomyopathy at CAPP Live 2024 with Greg Duck, PA-C
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Key Takeaways
- Understanding patient drug use patterns is crucial for tailoring medical management and ensuring effective treatment in methamphetamine-induced cardiomyopathy.
- Cautious use of beta blockers is necessary in patients actively using methamphetamines to prevent adverse events and promote therapy adherence.
Greg Duck, PA-C shared insights from his CAPP 2024 presentation on tailoring medical management and effective treatment of methamphetamine-induced cardiomyopathy.
In this episode of The APAC Recap, host Laura Ross, PA-C, clinical lipid specialist and president of the Academy of Physician Associates in Cardiology (APAC), interviewed Greg Duck, PA-C, co-chair of APAC’s heart failure committee and director of internal medicine and a cardiology PA at Acclaim Physician Group. Duck shared insights from his CAPP 2024 presentation on methamphetamine-induced cardiomyopathy, a condition he frequently encounters in his practice with underserved populations.
Duck emphasized the importance of understanding the patient’s drug use patterns to tailor medical management and ensure effective treatment. He highlighted the need for careful use of beta blockers in patients actively using methamphetamines to avoid adverse events and promote adherence to therapy. Additionally, Duck shared key clinical pearls, such as medications like wellbutrin and mexiletine causing false-positive methamphetamine urine screens, underscoring the importance of avoiding stigma and mislabeling patients.
The conversation also touched on gaps in guidelines specific to methamphetamine-related heart failure, with Duck recommending adherence to established heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) protocols and regular follow-ups to optimize care. He advocated for transparency in monitoring strategies, such as routine urine drug screens, to build trust with this vulnerable population. Duck concluded with a discussion of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) heart failure certification, encouraging advanced practice providers to pursue this credential to enhance patient care and professional expertise.
All episodes of The APAC Recap will be available on HCPLive.com and our YouTube channel.
