[Role of statins in clinical evolution of octogenarian patients admitted due to COVID-19]. / Papel de las estatinas en la evolución clínica de los pacientes octogenarios ingresados por COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes high mortality in elderly patients. Some studies have shown a benefit of statin treatment in the evolution of this disease. Since there are no similar publications in this population group, the aim of this study is to analyze in-hospital mortality in relation to preadmission treatment with statins in an exclusively elderly population of octogenarian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed including a total of 258 patients ≥80 years with hospital admission for confirmed COVID-19 between March 1 and May 31, 2020. They were divided into two groups: taking statins prior to admission (n=129) or not (n=129). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality due to COVID-19 in patients ≥80 years (86.13±4.40) during the first wave was 35.7% (95% CI: 30.1-41.7%). Mortality in patients previously taking statins was 25.6% while in those not taking statins was 45.7%. Female sex (RR 0.62 [0.44-0.89]; p=0.008), diabetes (RR 0.61 [0.41-0.92]; p=0.017) and pre-admission treatment with statins (RR 0.58 95% CI [0.41-0.83]; p=0.003) were associated with lower in-hospital mortality. Severe lung involvement was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (RR 1.45 95% CI [1.04-2.03]; p=0.028). Hypertension, obesity, age, cardiovascular disease and a higher Charlson index did not, however, show influence on in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In octogenarian patients treated with statins prior to admission for COVID-19 in the first wave, lower in-hospital mortality was observed.

SARS-CoV-2 infection: A predisposing factor for acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Several case series of ACS have been reported in COVID 19 patients. We aim to study its incidence, characteristics, and three-month prognosis. To put this incidence in perspective we compared it with the incidence of in-hospital ACS during the same period of 2019. METHODS: Observational multicenter cohort study of 3.108 COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals in Madrid between March 1st and May 15th, 2020. Ten patients suffered an ACS while being hospitalized for COVID 19 and were followed for three months. The ACS incidence in hospitalized patients during the same period of 2019 was also studied. RESULTS: The incidence of ACS in COVID-19 patients was 3.31‰, significantly higher than in the 2019 period, 1.01‰ (p = 0.013). COVID-19 patients that suffered and ACS frequently had a severe infection, presented with STEMI (80%), and had multivessel disease (67%). Mortality rate (30%) and hospital readmissions at three months (20%) were very high. CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 patients develop ACS more frequently than expected. Although the overall incidence was low, it carried a poor immediate and three-month prognosis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se han reportado series de casos de SCA en pacientes COVID Nuestro objetivo fue describir su incidencia, características, y pronóstico a 3 meses. Para contextualizar esta incidencia se comparó con la incidencia de SCA intrahospitalarios durante el mismo periodo del 2019. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional de cohortes multicéntrico, de 3.108 pacientes COVID-19 ingresados en dos hospitales madrileños, entre el 1 de marzo y 15 de mayo de 2020. Diez pacientes sufrieron un SCA durante la fase hospitalaria realizándose un seguimiento clínico de 3 meses. Se estudiaron asimismo los pacientes con SCA intrahospitalarios durante el mismo periodo del 2019. RESULTADOS: La incidencia de SCA en COVID-19 fue 3,31‰, significativamente superior a la del periodo 2019, de 1,01‰ (p = 0,013). Los pacientes COVID-19 con SCA, tenían una infección grave, mayoritariamente SCACEST (80%) y enfermedad multivaso (67%). La tasa de mortalidad (30%) y reingresos hospitalarios a 3 meses (20%) fueron muy elevadas. CONCLUSIONES: El SCA es una complicación más frecuente de lo habitual en COVID-19 grave pero poco común y con mal pronóstico inmediato y a 3 meses.

[SARS-CoV-2 infection: A predisposing factor for acute coronary syndrome]. / Infección por SARS-CoV-2: un factor predisponente para síndrome coronario agudo.

INTRODUCTION: Several case series of ACS have been reported in COVID 19 patients. We aim to study its incidence, characteristics, and three-month prognosis. To put this incidence in perspective we compared it with the incidence of in-hospital ACS during the same period of 2019. METHODS: Observational multicenter cohort study of 3,108 COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals in Madrid between March 1st and May 15th, 2020. Ten patients suffered an ACS while being hospitalized for COVID 19 and were followed for three months. The ACS incidence in hospitalized patients during the same period of 2019 was also studied. RESULTS: The incidence of ACS in COVID-19 patients was 3.31 ‰, significantly higher than in the 2019 period, 1.01 ‰ (p = 0.013). COVID-19 patients that suffered and ACS frequently had a severe infection, presented with STEMI (80%), and had multivessel disease (67%). Mortality rate (30%) and hospital readmissions at three months (20%) were very high. CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 patients develop ACS more frequently than expected. Although the overall incidence was low, it carried a poor immediate and three-month prognosis.

Virtual reality and video games in cardiac rehabilitation programs. A systematic review.

PURPOSE: To carry out a systematic review about the information about the application of of virtual reality and videogames in cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted. Jadad scale was applied to evaluate the methodological quality of the articles included and the degree of evidence and the level of recommendation were determined through the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine. PRISMA guidelines statement for systematic reviews were followed. RESULTS: The total number of articles included in the present review was 10, with heterogeneity in the study populations, cardiac rehabilitation phases, technology used and protocols. Most of the studies showed an increase in heart rate, less pain, a greater ability to walk, higher energy levels, an increase in physical activity and improvements of motivation and adherence. The methodological quality of the studies was between acceptable and poor. CONCLUSIONS: The use of virtual reality and videogames could be considered as complementary tools of physical training in patients with cardiovascular diseases in the different phases of cardiac rehabilitation. However, it is also necessary to carry out studies with adequate methodological quality to determine the ideal technological systems, target populations and clearly protocols to study their effects in the short, medium and long-term assessments.Implications for rehabilitationThe use of virtual reality and videogames could be considered as complementary tools for physical training in patients with cardiovascular diseases.Interactive virtual reality using exergames may promote heart rate, fatigue perception, physical activity and reduce pain in patients with cardiovascular diseases.Virtual reality and videogames enhance motivation and adherence in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Effects of Virtual Reality on Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs for Ischemic Heart Disease: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial.

(1) Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a virtual reality (VR) program, as a complementary tool to a conventional cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in phase II of patients with ischemic heart disease compared to a conventional treatment group. (2) Methods: A single blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted. The patients were randomized to a control group (CG) or an experimental group (EG). The EG carried out a training based on VR of aerobic exercise using the XBOX ONE console and Kinect sensor. Ergometry, metabolic equivalents (METS), Functional Independence Measure, 6-min walk test (6MWT), the Short Form Health Survey-36 Questionnaire (SF-36), the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the degree of satisfaction and adherence to treatment were used as outcome measures. (3) Results: Our results showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Statistical analysis within group for the EG showed statistically significant changes in the variables HR final ergometry, ergometry minutes, % ergometry, METS, final HR 6MWT, 6MWT distance, 6MWT number of laps, and for the SF-36 and Beck Depression Inventory-II. (4) Conclusion: A VR-based video game program, as an adjunct tool to a CR program, showed improvements in ergometry, METS, resistance to fatigue and health-related quality of life with excellent adherence and satisfaction perceived by patients with ischemic heart disease in phase II.

Bundle-branch reentry ventricular tachycardia after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

An 83-year-old male suffering from severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis received an implant of a biological aortic prosthesis through the femoral artery without complications. Seven days after dischargement he experienced a syncope. The patient was wearing an ECG holter monitor that day, which showed a wide QRS complex tachycardia of 300 beats per minute. The electrophysiological study revealed a bundle-branch reentry ventricular tachycardia as the cause of the syncope. Radio-frequency was applied on the right-bundle branch. Twelve months later, the patient has remained asymptomatic.