Study design and study population
We conducted a cross-sectional study of the research platforms of two large academic institutions with a common EHR. The University of Miami enterprise data environment and Vanderbilt University synthetic derivative. Both contain a de-identified image of the EHR from outpatient and inpatient encounters. The rationale for selecting both institutions is the common EHR and our ongoing U54 research collaboration that provided the framework to share de-identified data. The study was approved by both the University of Miami and Vanderbilt University IRB.
We identified from both institutions all primary care patients who had at least one primary care visit between 2012 and 2017, calculated the SCD score, and evaluated CV risk factors. To be included in the study, patients needed to have the elements necessary to calculate the score and have had no documented heart failure, coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation.