Scientific Conferences
New Orleans is hosting this exciting conference on November 8 to 12, 2008. Of note, Scientific Sessions is the premier cardiovascular nursing meeting that offers scientific programming in 3 broad areas of clinical, basic, and population science and cross-disciplinary translational science because of the ever-increasing integration of research and patient care. Clinical practice focuses on current standards for practicing clinicians, and translational science brings together basic scientists and clinicians. The participation is substantial given the 250 invited sessions and 4,000 research abstracts with 40 specialties from 1,000 faculty, and it is not too late to register (http://americanheart.org).
The Council on Cardiovascular Nursing will again be having a host city reception on Saturday, November eighth, before the preconference entitled "Advances in the Care of the Hospitalized Cardiac Patient: Third Annual Cardiovascular Nursing Symposium." We will be inviting local nurses in the New Orleans area to join us for the reception and preconference.
Advanced Practice Corner: Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association writing committee for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) have reviewed recent clinical trials and have updated recommendations for lipid management in these groups of patients. These recommendations were reproved on January 2008 by the AHA Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee and are summarized below. It is imperative that nurses working with these populations of patients understand the new recommendations and guidelines for the prevention of stroke and TIAs.
Research Corner: Cohen [kappa] Coefficient
Cohen [kappa] coefficient is a statistic that measures inter-rater reliability between 2 raters only. It is a more robust measure than simple percent agreement calculation because it compares the agreement against that which might be expected by chance. Cohen [kappa] can be thought of as the chance-corrected proportional agreement, and possible values range from +1 = perfect agreement to 0 = no agreement. According to Shrout (1998),1 a revision was made to inter-rater reliability values that were originally devised by Landis and Koch (1977).2 The revised adjectives and values are as follows: virtually none (0.00-0.10), slight (0.11-0.40), fair (0.41-0.60), moderate (0.61-0.80), substantial (0.81 - 1.0).
In this example, the purpose of this analysis was to determine the degree of agreement between raters in identifying pathological Q waves on a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Cohen [kappa] analysis was used to identify the degree of agreement between an (1) expert with 15 years of ECG experience and (2) a clinician with general exercise testing experience, in identifying the presence of pathological Q waves on an ECG. The agreement was weakest in lead V1 (0.412, "fair agreement") and strongest in lead III (0.870, "substantial agreement"), with an overall average of 0.690 (Table 1). Thus, on the whole, there was "moderate agreement" between the expert and the clinician for the presence of pathologic Q waves across the 12 leads.
American Heart Funding
American Heart Association offers many different types of research funding opportunities, and the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing encourages our members to apply. Submission dates vary from affiliate to affiliate, so make sure you check your specific affiliate. Below is a summary of specific types of programs available from AHA. Council on Cardiovascular Nursing nurse scientists should pay particular attention to the scientist development grant as a way toward advancing their research independence. Visit the AHA site for specifics regarding affiliate and national funding programs. Each affiliate may differ slightly so make sure you find your correct affiliate for funding opportunities.
National: http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1194636165666National_Final_with
Affiliate: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3014871
Consider Becoming a Fellow in AHA
Fellows are an identifiable, knowledgeable group of cardiovascular leaders with specialized expertise who may be called upon to develop scientific and position papers and address issues beyond the scope of the council. Visit our Web page to see specific criteria. Even if you are not quite ready to apply next year, review the criteria so you can earn this honor (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3004210).
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