Clinical and invasively-measured predictors of high exercise capacity in Fontan patients.

INTRODUCTION: Fontan patients have variable exercise capacity. Contemporary understanding as to which factors predict high tolerance is limited. METHODS: Records from the Ahmanson/University of California, Los Angeles Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center were reviewed for adult Fontan patients who underwent CPET. Patients were considered "high performers" if their maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max/kg)-predicted was greater than 80%. Cross-sectional clinical, hemodynamic, and liver biopsy data was gathered. High-performers were compared to control patients across these parameters via associations and regression. RESULTS: A total of 195 adult patients were included; 27 patients were considered "high performers". They had lower body mass indices (BMI, p < 0.001), mean Fontan pressures (p = 0.026), and cardiac outputs (p = 0.013). High performers also had higher activity levels (p < 0.001), serum albumin levels (p = 0.003), non-invasive and invasive systemic arterial oxygen saturations (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004), lower New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure class (p = 0.002), and were younger at Fontan completion (p = 0.011). High performers had less severe liver fibrosis (p = 0.015). Simple regression found Fontan pressure, non-invasive O2 saturation, albumin level, activity level, age at Fontan surgery, NYHA class, and BMI to predict significant changes in VO2 max/kg %-predicted. These associations persisted in multiple regression for non-invasive O2 saturation, NYHA class II, activity level, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Thin Fontan patients who exercise more had better exercise capacity, Fontan hemodynamic profiles, and less liver fibrosis.

Ethnicity and coronary artery disease: the role of high-density lipoprotein - a change in paradigm.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of men and women across ethnic groups in the USA. Health disparities in CVD, especially coronary artery disease (CAD), are well documented in the diverse American population. Despite efforts taken toward reducing cardiovascular health disparities, there are still gaps in its diagnosis and management. Current risk assessment guidelines consider high high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels a protective factor against CAD, although its significance across races remains poorly understood. Recent clinical trials focused on increasing HDL levels have been disappointing. In this article, the authors have explored the role of HDL in CAD, have analyzed its significance across gender and ethnic groups and have challenged the broad application of widely used HDL level cutoffs in CAD risk assessment tools across these vulnerable groups. The current evidence suggests a paradigm change from HDL quantity to quality and function in future CVD risk research. This may better explain why some ethnic minority groups with a seemingly more benign lipid profile experience a higher CAD burden.

Nivel de conocimientos sobre la influenza A H1N1 en los trabajadores de salud del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, Perú / Level of knowledge of the influenza A H1N1 in health workers of the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, Peru

Introducción: La influenza pandémica A H1N1 se ha diseminado por todo el mundo y ha cobrado numerosas vidas en un corto período de tiempo. Por ello, es necesario que el personal de salud tenga los conocimientos suficientes para prevenir una alta mortalidad por dicha enfermedad. Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de conocimientos acerca de la transmisión, cuadro clínico, diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de la influenza A H1N1 y los factores asociados a un nivel adecuado de conocimientos. Material y métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio transversal en médicos asistentes, médicos residentes, licenciados en enfermería e internos de medicina del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza (HNAL), los cuales fueron seleccionados mediante un muestreo por cuotas y a quienes se les aplicó un cuestionario autoadministrado. Resultados: El nivel de conocimientos fue adecuado en 60.6% de los trabajadores. El análisis bivariado mostró como factores asociados al adecuado conocimiento, el ser médico asistente [OR=2.33 (1.42-3.82); p=0.0009] o médico residente [OR=2.75 (1.5-5.04); p=0.001]. El análisis multivariado mostró que no había asociación alguna entre las variables estudiadas y el adecuado conocimiento, sin embargo los factores asociados a un nivel de conocimientos inadecuado fueron haber tenido como principal fuente de información a la prensa [OR=2.15 (1.32-4.78); p=0.005] y ser enfermera (p=0.029). Conclusiones: El 60.6% de los profesionales de salud del HNAL tienen un buen nivel de conocimientos acerca de la influenza A H1N1 y el ser médico asistente o residente está asociado a ello.

Background: Pandemic influenza A H1N1 has had a rapid worldwide spread and has killed many people so far. For these reasons, it is necessary that health professionals have enough knowledge to prevent high mortality for this overwhelming pandemic. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge about transmission, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures in health professionals and to identify factors that can be associated with an adequate level of knowledge. Methods: A transversal study was performed in physicians, residents, nurses and medical interns working at Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza (HNAL), whom were selected by a quota sampling and responded a self administer questionnaire. Results: The level of knowledge was adequate in a 60.6% of workers. The bivariate analysis showed that the associated factors to adequate knowledge were being physician [OR=2.33 (1.42- 3.82); p=0.0009] or resident [OR=2.75 (1.5-5.04); p=0.001]. Multivariate analysis showed that none of the factors was associated with an adequate level of knowledge, however the associated factors with an inadequate level of knowledge were: having selected press media as the main source of information [OR=2.15 (1.32-4.78); p=0.005] and working as a nurse [OR=2.603 (1.105 - 6.129); p=0.029]. Conclusions: 60.6% of the health professionals from HNAL have an adequate level of knowledge about influenza A H1N1 and being a physician o a resident is associated with this.