Discontinuation of Antihypertensive Drug Use Compared to Continuation in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 related mortality is about 2%, and it increases with comorbidities, like hypertension. Regarding management, there is debatable evidence about the benefits of continuation vs. discontinuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB). AIM: We performed a systematic review to assess the effects and safety of in-hospital discontinuation compared to continuation of ACEI/ARB in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: We systematically searched on PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE from inception to June 19, 2021. We included observational studies and trials that compared the effects and safety of continuing ACEI/ARB compared to discontinuing it in COVID-19 patients. Effects sizes for dichotomous variables were expressed as risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals. For continuous variables, effects were expressed as mean difference (MD). We used random effect models with the inverse variance method. We assessed certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: We included three open-label randomized controlled trials and five cohort studies. We found that the continuation group had lower risk of death compared with the discontinuation group only in the cohort group (RR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.24-0.90), but not in the RCT group (RR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.75-2.00). The ICU admission rate was significantly lower in the continuation group (RR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.31-0.68) in the cohort group, but not in RCT group (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.67-1.59). We did not find significant differences between groups regarding hospitalization length, hypotension, AKI needing renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, new or worsening heart failure, myocarditis, renal replacement therapy, arrhythmias, thromboembolic events and SOFA AUC. The GRADE approach revealed that the certainty ranged from moderate to high level. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference in mortality and other outcomes between continuation and discontinuation groups.

Producción científica en insuficiencia cardiaca en Perú: un estudio bibliométrico / Scientific production in heart failure in Peru: a bibliometric study

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar la producción científica peruana sobre insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) en el periodo 2000-2020. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional bibliométrico en la base de datos de Scopus y Scielo de documentos publicados sobre IC por algún autor con filiación peruana entre los años 2000 y 2020. Se analizaron de manera descriptiva las variables de producción científica, número de publicaciones anuales, documentos, características de las publicaciones e instituciones. Se analizaron las redes colaborativas, construyéndose una red de nodos utilizando el software VOSViewer v1.6.5. Resultados: Se encontró 236 publicaciones en Scopus y 55 en Scielo. El mayor número de documentos fueron artículos originales seguido de artículos de revisión. The Lancet y la Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública fueron las que tuvieron el mayor número de publicaciones. Se registraron 31 países que tuvieron al menos cinco documentos publicados con un autor del Perú. La colaboración científica fue principalmente con EE.UU. y a nivel regional con Argentina. Se publicaron 55 documentos con solo autores peruanos. Conclusiones: La producción científica en IC de autores peruanos se encuentra en crecimiento exponencial. Y es la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/Crónicas la institución peruana con más publicaciones sobre esta.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the Peruvian scientific production on Heart Failure (HF) in the period 2000-2020. Methods: We performed an observational bibliometric study, in the Scopus and Scielo database, of documents published on heart failure by an author with Peruvian affiliation, between the years 2000 and 2020. We describe variables of scientific production, number of annual publications, documents, characteristics of the publications, and institutions. The collaborative networks were analyzed by building a network of nodes using the VOSViewer v1.6.5 software. Results: A 236 publications were found in Scopus and 55 in Scielo. The largest number of documents were original articles followed by review articles. The journal "The Lancet" and "Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública" were those that had the highest number of publications. Thirty-one countries were registered that had at least 5 documents published with an author from Peru. Scientific collaboration was mainly with the United States and at the regional level with Argentina. 55 documents were published with only Peruvian authors. Conclusion: The scientific production in HF by Peruvian authors is in exponential growth. And the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/CRÓNICAS is the Peruvian institution with the most publications on it.

Scientific production in heart failure in Peru: a bibliometric study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Peruvian scientific production on Heart Failure (HF) in the period 2000-2020. METHODS: We performed an observational bibliometric study, in the Scopus and Scielo database, of documents published on heart failure by an author with Peruvian affiliation, between the years 2000 and 2020. We describe variables of scientific production, number of annual publications, documents, characteristics of the publications, and institutions. The collaborative networks were analyzed by building a network of nodes using the VOSViewer v1.6.5 software. RESULTS: A 236 publications were found in Scopus and 55 in Scielo. The largest number of documents were original articles followed by review articles. The journal "The Lancet" and "Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública" were those that had the highest number of publications. Thirty-one countries were registered that had at least 5 documents published with an author from Peru. Scientific collaboration was mainly with the United States and at the regional level with Argentina. 55 documents were published with only Peruvian authors. CONCLUSION: The scientific production in HF by Peruvian authors is in exponential growth. And the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/CRÓNICAS is the Peruvian institution with the most publications on it.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la producción científica peruana sobre insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) en el periodo 2000-2020. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional bibliométrico en la base de datos de Scopus y Scielo de documentos publicados sobre IC por algún autor con filiación peruana entre los años 2000 y 2020. Se analizaron de manera descriptiva las variables de producción científica, número de publicaciones anuales, documentos, características de las publicaciones e instituciones. Se analizaron las redes colaborativas, construyéndose una red de nodos utilizando el software VOSViewer v1.6.5. RESULTADOS: Se encontró 236 publicaciones en Scopus y 55 en Scielo. El mayor número de documentos fueron artículos originales seguido de artículos de revisión. The Lancet y la Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública fueron las que tuvieron el mayor número de publicaciones. Se registraron 31 países que tuvieron al menos cinco documentos publicados con un autor del Perú. La colaboración científica fue principalmente con EE.UU. y a nivel regional con Argentina. Se publicaron 55 documentos con solo autores peruanos. CONCLUSIONES: La producción científica en IC de autores peruanos se encuentra en crecimiento exponencial. Y es la Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia/Crónicas la institución peruana con más publicaciones sobre esta.

Evaluating three biomarkers as prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality and severity in heart failure: A prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between red blood cell distribution width (RDW, %), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (pg/ml), high sensitivity-c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (mg/l), in-hospital mortality and disease severity among patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS: Prospective cohort. We included adults diagnosed with acute non-ischemic HF in 2015. The dependent variables were in-hospital mortality (yes or no) and disease severity. The latter was assessed with the Get With The Guidelines-HF score. We used hierarchical regression models to describe the pattern of association between biomarkers, mortality, and severity. We used the Youden index to identify the best cut-off for mortality prediction. RESULTS: We included 167 patients; the mean age was 72.61 (SD: 11.06). The majority of patients presented with New York Heart Association classification II (40.12%) or III (43.11%). After adjusting for age and gender, all biomarkers were associated with mortality. After adding comorbidities, only IL-6 was associated. The final model with all clinical variables showed no effect from any biomarker. The best cut-off for RDW, hs-CRP and IL-6 for mortality were 14.8, 68.7 and 52.9, respectively. IL-6 presented the highest sensitivity (100%), specificity (75.35%) and area under the curve (0.91). CONCLUSIONS: No biomarker is independent from the most important clinical variables; therefore it should not be used for management modifications.

Red blood cell distribution width to predict mortality in heart transplant recipients: a systematic review.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to have prognostic value in a number of different clinical settings, such as cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. However, its prognostic value in heart transplant (HT) recipients remains unknown. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the prognostic value of pre-transplant RDW for mortality in HT recipients. There is a pre-published protocol of this review. The terms "Heart transplant", "Red cell distribution width" and their synonyms were used in the search strategy. PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS were searched until May 17th, 2022, without date or language restrictions. Two authors independently carried out the selection, first by title and abstract, second by full-text revision. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved with three other authors. Quality of individual studies was assessed with Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohorts. After removing the duplicates, 3885 articles were identified. Four articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. Three studies were classified as "good quality": whereas one as "poor quality" according to NOS scale. All the included articles evaluated long-term mortality and one study also evaluated short-term mortality. In this one, a correlation between higher RDW values and short-term mortality was reported. Meanwhile, in all the studies, a high pre-HT RDW was a marker of long-term mortality following cardiac transplantation. Our review shows that an elevated on-admission RDW is associated with long-term mortality in heart transplantation recipients.

Trends and geographical variation in mortality from coronary disease in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Coronary disease (CD) is the main cause of mortality worldwide. Data about trends and geographical variation in CD mortality is available in some American countries. This information varies among countries since CD risk factors frequencies vary. OBJECTIVE: To describe the trend and geographical variation of coronary disease (CD) mortality in Peru, 2005-2017. METHODS: Analysis of secondary data of the Peruvian Ministry of Health's registry of deaths. We analyzed CD mortality. We described the absolute and relative frequency of deaths and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) by natural regions, departments, age, sex, and year. We also described the change of ASMR between two periods (2005-2010 vs. 2011-2017). RESULTS: There were 64,721 CD deaths between 2005 and 2017 (4.12% among all deaths). The absolute frequency of CD deaths was 5,665 and 6,565 in 2005 and 2017, respectively. CD mortality was more frequent in men and older adults. The ASMR varied among natural regions, being higher in the Coast (19.61 per 100,000 inhabitants). The change between the two periods revealed that almost all departments reduced their ASMRs, except for Callao, Lambayeque, and Madre de Dios. CONCLUSION: CD mortality has increased in Peru. Mortality was higher in men and older adults, and it varied among departments. More political efforts are needed to reduce these trends.

When Frequent (Pandemic) Occurs in a Non-Frequent Disease: COVID-19 and Fabry Disease: Report of Two Cases.

Fabry disease (FD), like COVID-19, can affect multiple organs, including the lungs. Patients with FD are expected to develop severe COVID-19, due to involvement of not only the lungs but also the kidneys and the presence of other comorbidities. We present 2 cases of mild COVID-19 in patients with FD who were infected with the COVID-19 virus. Although it is unknown whether the X chromosome mutation in patients with FD affects the development of severe COVID-19, it is suggested that it may play a protective role against COVID-19 infection. Based on these cases, we suggest that FD is not a risk factor for severe COVID-19.

Impact of COVID-19 on pacemaker implant.

Objectives: The purpose of this article was to determine the change in the volume of pacemaker implantations with the COVID-2019 pandemic and to assess the change in the number of pacemaker implants according to etiology during the pandemic. Background: The establishment of a mandatory social isolation have generated a decrease in activities in cardiology units. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study that used a database of a Peruvian Hospital. Time was divided into three categories: Before COVID period and COVID period including Previous to Social isolation (SI) and Social Isolation. The number of pacemaker implantations were compared per the same amount of time. Results: A reduction in the pacemaker implant of 73% (95% CI: 33-113; P < .001) was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic period, and a reduction of 78% of patients with the diagnosis of complete or high-grade atrioventricular block and a reduction in the de-novo pacemaker implant was observed, regardless of the etiology. Conclusions: Our results indicate a very significant reduction (73%) in de-novo pacemaker implantation during the months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduction in the number of de-novo pacemaker occurred independent of the etiology.

Características clínico epidemiológicas de la insuficiencia cardíaca aguda en un hospital terciario de lima, Perú / Epidemiological Clinical Characteristics of Acute Cardiac Insufficiency in a Tertiary Hospital in Lima, Peru

RESUMEN Con el objetivo de describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA), se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 1075 pacientes de un hospital de Lima. La edad promedio fue 74 años y el 55% fueron de sexo masculino. El 39% tuvo ICA con fracción de eyección reducida, el 15% con fracción de eyección de rango medio y el 46% con fracción de eyección preservada. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron la hipertensión arterial (52,6%) y la enfermedad coronaria (51%). El 29,2% de los pacientes tuvo hospitalizaciones previas por ICA. La mediana de la estancia hospitalaria fue de 3 días. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria por todas las causas fue 7,2%. La hospitalización ocurre, predominantemente, en pacientes de edad avanzada y con múltiples comorbilidades. El bajo uso de fármacos recomendados, conjuntamente con la alta frecuencia de hospitalizaciones previas, probablemente, inciden en la alta tasa de mortalidad registrada en el presente estudio.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of acute heart failure (AHF) in 1,075 patients from a hospital in Lima, Peru. The average patient age was 74 years and 55% of study subjects were men. Moreover, 39% of patients in the sample had AHF with low ejection fraction, 15% had intermediate ejection fraction, and 46% had preserved ejection fraction. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (52.6%) and coronary disease (51%). Moreover, 29.2% of patients had previous hospitalizations due to AHF. The median hospital stay was 3 days. The rate of in- hospital mortality from all causes was 7.2%. Hospitalization was more common in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. The low use of prescription drugs together with the high rate of previous hospitalizations may explain the high mortality rate reported in this study.

[Epidemiological Clinical Characteristics of Acute Cardiac Insufficiency in a Tertiary Hospital in Lima, Peru]. / Características clínico epidemiológicas de la insuficiencia cardíaca aguda en un hospital terciario de lima, Perú.

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of acute heart failure (AHF) in 1,075 patients from a hospital in Lima, Peru. The average patient age was 74 years and 55% of study subjects were men. Moreover, 39% of patients in the sample had AHF with low ejection fraction, 15% had intermediate ejection fraction, and 46% had preserved ejection fraction. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (52.6%) and coronary disease (51%). Moreover, 29.2% of patients had previous hospitalizations due to AHF. The median hospital stay was 3 days. The rate of in- hospital mortality from all causes was 7.2%. Hospitalization was more common in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. The low use of prescription drugs together with the high rate of previous hospitalizations may explain the high mortality rate reported in this study.

Con el objetivo de describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA), se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 1075 pacientes de un hospital de Lima. La edad promedio fue 74 años y el 55% fueron de sexo masculino. El 39% tuvo ICA con fracción de eyección reducida, el 15% con fracción de eyección de rango medio y el 46% con fracción de eyección preservada. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron la hipertensión arterial (52,6%) y la enfermedad coronaria (51%). El 29,2% de los pacientes tuvo hospitalizaciones previas por ICA. La mediana de la estancia hospitalaria fue de 3 días. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria por todas las causas fue 7,2%. La hospitalización ocurre, predominantemente, en pacientes de edad avanzada y con múltiples comorbilidades. El bajo uso de fármacos recomendados, conjuntamente con la alta frecuencia de hospitalizaciones previas, probablemente, inciden en la alta tasa de mortalidad registrada en el presente estudio.