Greg Duck, PA-C is the Director of Internal Medicine and Cardiology Physician Assistant at Acclaim Physician Group in Fort Worth, Texas.

Greg Duck, PA-C

The APAC Recap: Cardiomyopathy at CAPP Live 2024 with Greg Duck, PA-C

, 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 

, 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 

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Laura Ross, PA-C, interviewed Greg Duck, PA-C, on methamphetamine-induced cardiomyopathy, focusing on its management in underserved populations. Duck stressed understanding drug use patterns for effective treatment and highlighted the cautious use of beta blockers in active methamphetamine users. He noted medications like wellbutrin and mexiletine can cause false-positive urine screens, emphasizing the need to avoid stigma. Duck recommended following HFrEF protocols and regular follow-ups, advocating for transparency in monitoring. He encouraged pursuing HFSA heart failure certification to enhance care and expertise.

Greg Duck, PA-C shared insights from his CAPP 2024 presentation on tailoring medical management and effective treatment of methamphetamine-induced cardiomyopathy.

Greg Duck, PA-C

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