Blood pressure telemonitoring and telemedicine, a Latin America perspective.

PURPOSE: To share a Latin-American perspective of the use of telemedicine, together with blood pressure measurements outside the medical office, as a potential contribution to improving access to the health system, diagnosis, adherence, and persistence in hypertension treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A document settled by a Writing Group of Mexico Hypertension Experts Group, Interamerican Society of Hypertension, Epidemiology and Cardiovascular Prevention Council of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology, and National Cardiologist Association of Mexico. RESULTS: In almost all Latin American countries, the health sector faces two fundamental challenges: (1) ensure equitable access to quality care services in a growing population that faces an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, and (2) optimise the growing costs of health services, maintaining equity, accessibility, universality, and quality. Telehealth proposes an innovative approach to patient management, especially for chronic conditions, intending to provide remote consultation, education, and follow-up to achieve measurements and goals. It is a tool that promises to improve access, empower the patient, and somehow influence their behaviour about lifestyle changes, improving prevention and reducing complications of hypertension. The clinical practitioner has seen increased evidence that the use of out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement and telemedicine are helpful tools to keep patients and physicians in contact and promote better pharmacological adherence and BP control. A survey carried out by medical and scientific institutions showed that practitioners are up-to-date with telemedicine, had internet access, and had hardware availability. CONCLUSIONS: A transcendent issue is the need to make the population aware of the benefits of taking blood pressure to avoid complications of hypertension, and in this scenario, promote the creation of teleconsultation mechanisms for the follow-up of patients diagnosed with hypertension.

What is the context?In almost all Latin American countries, the health sector faces two fundamental challenges: (1) ensure equitable access to quality care services in a growing population that faces an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, and (2) optimise the growing costs of health services, maintaining equity, accessibility, universality, and quality.What is new?Telehealth proposes an innovative approach to patient management, especially for chronic conditions, intending to provide remote consultation, education, and follow-up to achieve measurements and goals. It is a tool that promises to improve access, empower the patient, and somehow influence their behaviour about lifestyle changes, improving prevention and reducing complications of hypertension.What is the impact?Needs are always infinite, and resources are finite, so according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), advances in electronic, information, and communication technology point to more significant equity in the provision of services, considering the effectiveness, possibility of refining the rationalisation of health spending, and improving health care for remote populations.A transcendent issue is the need to make the population aware of the benefits of taking blood pressure to avoid complications of hypertension, and in this scenario, promote the creation of teleconsultation mechanisms for the follow-up of patients diagnosed with hypertension.

Blood pressure telemonitoring and telemedicine for hypertension management-positions, expectations and feasibility of Latin-American practitioners. SURVEY carried out by several cardiology and hypertension societies of the Americas.

PURPOSE: To assess the opinion of Latin-American physicians on remote blood pressure monitoring and telehealth for hypertension management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of physicians residing in Latin-America. The study was conducted by the Mexico Hypertension Experts Group, Interamerican Society of Hypertension, Interamerican Society of Cardiology Epidemiology and Cardiovascular Prevention Council, and National Cardiologist Association of Mexico. An online survey composed of 40 questions using Google Forms was distributed from 7 December 2021, to 3 February 2022. The survey was approved by the GREHTA Ethics Committee and participation was voluntary and anonymous. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to identify the challenges of telehealth. RESULTS: 1753 physicians' responses were gathered. The responses came from physicians from different Latin-American countries, as follows: 24% from Mexico, 20.6% from Argentina, 14.7% from Colombia, 10.9% from Brazil, 8.7% from Venezuela, 8.2% from Guatemala and 3.2% from Paraguay. Responders with a high interest in carrying out their assistance task through remote telemonitoring reached 48.9% (821), while 43.6% are already currently conducting telemonitoring. A high number, 62%, claimed to need telemonitoring training. There is a direct relation between higher interest in telemonitoring and age, medical specialty, team working, residence in the biggest cities, expectations regarding telemedicine and reimbursement. CONCLUSIONS: Remote monitoring is feasible in Latin-America. General practitioners and specialists from bigger cities seem eager and are self-perceived as well-trained and experienced. Facilities and resources do not seem to be a challenge but training reinforcement and telemedicine promotion is necessary for those physicians less motivated.PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARYWhat is the context?Hypertension is one of the leading worldwide modifiable risk factors for premature death. Strong evidence supports that effective treatment of this condition results in a significant reduction of hard outcomes.Only 20%-30% of hypertensive patients are within the blood pressure targets recommended by guidelines in Latin-America. There is an urgent need to implement innovative strategies to reverse this alarming health situation.What is new?Latin-American physicians were highly predisposed to telemonitoring practice. This high motivation was not influenced by hardware or software availability, technological knowledge or experience, by volume of monthly consultations, or by area (private-public) where the care activity is carried out.This high motivation may be supported by the conviction that this practice could be very useful as a complement to face-to-face assistance and a highly effective tool to improve adherence even though respondents considered that just 10% of the patients would prefer telemonitoring over office consultation.What is the impact?Facilities and resources do not seem to be a challenge but training reinforcement and telemedicine promotion is necessary for those physicians less motivated. The general perception is that it is necessary to move forward to resolve legal gaps and financial aspects.Physicians must adapt to changes and develop new communication strategies in a world where the unrestricted access to teleinformation makes patients self-perceived as experts.

Interinstitutional clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Mexico has the highest 30-day mortality due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which constitutes one of the main causes of mortality in the country: 28 % versus 7.5 % on average for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries. OBJECTIVE: To establish critical pathways and essential interinstitutional pharmacological strategies for the care of patients with AMI in Mexico, regardless of their socioeconomic status. METHOD: A group of experts in AMI diagnosis and treatment, representatives of the main public health institutions in Mexico, as well as the Mexican cardiology societies, the Mexican Red Cross and representatives of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, were brought together in order to optimize strategies based on the best existing evidence. RESULTS: An interinstitutional clinical practice guideline was designed for early diagnosis and timely treatment of AMI with ST-segment elevation, following the clinical horizon of the disease, with the proposal of algorithms that improve the prognosis of patients who attend the emergency services due to an AMI. CONCLUSION: With these clinical practice guidelines, the group of experts proposes to universalize AMI diagnosis and treatment, regardless of patient socioeconomic status. INTRODUCCIÓN: México tiene la mortalidad más alta a 30 días por infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM), el cual constituye una de las principales causas de mortalidad en el país: 28 % versus 7.5 % del promedio de los países de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos. OBJETIVO: Establecer las rutas críticas y las estrategias farmacológicas esenciales interinstitucionales para la atención de los pacientes con IAM en México, independientemente de su condición socioeconómica. MÉTODO: Se reunió a un grupo de expertos en diagnóstico y tratamiento de IAM, representantes de las principales instituciones públicas de salud de México, así como las sociedades cardiológicas mexicanas, Cruz Roja Mexicana y representantes de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología con la finalidad de optimizar las estrategias con base en la mejor evidencia existente. RESULTADOS: Se diseñó una guía de práctica clínica interinstitucional para el diagnóstico temprano y tratamiento oportuno del IAM con elevación del segmento ST, siguiendo el horizonte clínico de la enfermedad, con la propuesta de algoritmos que mejoren el pronóstico de los pacientes que acuden por IAM a los servicios de urgencias. CONCLUSIÓN: Con la presente guía práctica, el grupo de expertos propone universalizar el diagnóstico y tratamiento en el IAM, independientemente de la condición socioeconómica del paciente.

[Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). Impact of change in the paradigm of isolated diastolic dysfunction]. / Insuficiencia cardiaca con fraccion de expulsion preservada (ICFEP). Impacto del cambio en el paradigma de la disfunción diastólica aislada.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a significant and growing public health problem, since it currently represents half of all patients with heart failure. Despite improvements in the understanding of the disease, there is no benefit form treatments tested at all. Advances in diagnostic imaging and invasive evaluation algorithms will allow a more accurate and early diagnosis so that treatment of earliest forms in the progression of the disease are applied since the potential for benefit may be higher. Although important progress has been made in our understanding of the pathophysiology, cardiac catheterization, and cellular of diastolic failure mechanisms and not diastolic mechanisms of disease, further research is required promptly to determine how best to address these anomalies to reduce the significant burden of morbidity and mortality in this form of heart failure, which is reaching pandemic proportions.

Patients Living With Arterial Hypertension in Mexico: First Insights of The Mexican Registry of Arterial Hypertension (RIHTA Study).

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Mexico. However, there is limited evidence to understand blood pressure management and cardiometabolic profiles. Here, we aim to assess the prevalence of controlled and uncontrolled blood pressure, as well as the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among patients from the Mexican Registry of Arterial Hypertension (RIHTA). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of participants living with arterial hypertension registered on RIHTA between December 2021 and April 2023. We used both the 2017 ACC/AHA and 2018 ESC/ESH thresholds to define controlled and uncontrolled arterial hypertension. We considered eleven cardiometabolic risk factors, which include overweight, obesity, central obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C, high LDL-C, low-eGFR, and high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. RESULTS: In a sample of 5,590 participants (female: 61%, n = 3,393; median age: 64 [IQR: 56-72] years), the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension varied significantly, depending on the definition (2017 ACC/AHA: 59.9%, 95% CI: 58.6-61.2 and 2018 ESC/ESH: 20.1%, 95% CI: 19.0-21.2). In the sample, 40.43% exhibited at least 5-6 risk factors, and 32.4% had 3-4 risk factors, chiefly abdominal obesity (83.4%, 95% CI: 82.4-84.4), high LDL-C (59.6%, 95% CI: 58.3-60.9), high CVD risk (57.9%, 95% CI: 56.6-59.2), high triglycerides (56.2%, 95% CI: 54.9-57.5), and low HDL-C (42.2%, 95% CI: 40.9-43.5). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension interlinked with a high burden of cardiometabolic comorbidities in Mexican adults living with arterial hypertension, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions and better healthcare policies to reduce the burden of the disease in our country.

[Epidemiological characterization of COVID-2019 in Mexican pregnant women: a cohort study]. / Caracterización epidemiológica de la COVID-2019 en población obstétrica mexicana: estudio de cohorte.

Background: COVID-19 in pregnancy can increase the risk of complications due to the cardiorespiratory and immunological changes typical of pregnancy. Objective: To report the epidemiological characterization of COVID-19 in Mexican pregnant women. Material and methods: Cohort study on pregnant women with a positive COVID-19 test, which were followed until delivery and one month later. Results: 758 pregnant women were included in the analysis. Mothers' mean age was 28.8 ± 6.1 years; the majority were workers 497 (65.6%) and with an urban origin (482, 63.6%); the most common blood group was O with 458 (63.0%); 478 (63.0%) were nulliparous women and more than 25% had some comorbidities; the average gestation weeks at infection were 34.4 ± 5.1 weeks; only 170 pregnant women (22.4%) received vaccination; the most frequent vaccine was BioNTech Pfizer (96, 60%); there were no serious adverse events attributed to vaccination. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35.4 ± 5.2 weeks; 85% of pregnancies were cesarean section; the most frequent complication was prematurity (406, 53.5%), followed by preeclampsia (199, 26.2%); there were 5 cases of maternal death and 39 cases of perinatal death. Conclusions: COVID-19 in pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and maternal death. Vaccination against COVID-19 in this series showed no risk for pregnant women and their newborns.

Introducción: la COVID-19 en el embarazo puede incrementar el riesgo de complicaciones debido a los cambios cardiorrespiratorios e inmunológicos propios de la gestación. Objetivo: reportar la caracterización epidemiológica de la COVID-19 en población obstétrica mexicana. Material y métodos: estudio de cohorte en embarazadas con prueba positiva para COVID-19 que fueron seguidas hasta la resolución del embarazo y un mes después. Resultados: 758 mujeres embarazadas fueron incluidas en el análisis. La media de edad en las madres fue 28.8 ± 6.1 años; la mayoría trabajadoras 497 (65.6%) y de origen urbano (482, 63.6%); el grupo sanguíneo más común fue O 458 (63.0%); 478 (63.0%) fueron primigestas, y más del 25% padecía comorbilidades; las semanas de gestación promedio al contagio fueron 34.4 ± 5.1 semanas; solo 170 gestantes (22.4%) recibieron vacunación; la vacuna más frecuente fue BioNTech Pfizer (96, 60%); no hubo eventos adversos graves atribuibles a la vacunación. La edad gestacional media al nacer fue de 35.4 ± 5.2 semanas; el 85% de los embarazos se interrumpieron por cesárea; la complicación más frecuente fue la prematurez con 406 (53.5%), seguida de preeclampsia con 199 (26.2%); hubo 5 casos de muerte materna y 39 casos de muerte perinatal. Conclusiones: la COVID-19 en el embarazo aumenta el riesgo de parto prematuro, preeclampsia y muerte materna. Al menos en esta serie la vacunación contra COVID-19 no mostró riesgo para las mujeres embarazadas y sus recién nacidos.

[Integrated Care Protocol: Hypertension]. / Protocolo de Atención Integral: hipertensión arterial sistémica.

Background: Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular risk factor that is responsible for complications such as cerebrovascular events, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, kidney failure, arrhythmias and blindness. About 30% of the adult population older than 20 years is a carrier. 40% of carriers are unaware of suffering from it since its onset is generally asymptomatic. Unfortunately, of those who are already known to be hypertensive, only half take drug treatment and of these, only half achieve control figures (<14/90 mmHg). For several decades it has not been possible to forcefully modify the natural history of this disease despite the advancement of therapeutic drugs. The Mexican Institute of Social Security launches the initiative of the Integrated Care Protocols (PAI) of the main diseases. This protocol shows how the three levels of medical care are concatenated, the role of each of the members of the multidisciplinary team for medical care, including: doctor, nurse, social work, psychologist, nutritionist, among others and, to patient sharing. The main changes in diagnostic criteria, in-office and out-of-office blood pressure measurement, drug therapy (monotherapy, dual therapy and triple therapy) and non-drug therapy, and follow-up are presented. The diagnostic-therapeutic approach using algorithm as well as the diagnostic approach to secondary hypertension and special forms of hypertension such as in pregnancy, hypertensive crisis, hypertension in the elderly, ischemic or nephropathy patients.

Introducción: la hipertensión arterial sistémica (HAS) es el factor de riesgo cardiovascular más común y es responsable de complicaciones como evento cerebrovascular, insuficiencia cardiaca, infarto agudo de miocardio, insuficiencia renal, arritmias y ceguera. Alrededor del 30% de la población adulta mayor de 20 años es portadora. El 40% de los portadores ignoran padecerla ya que su inicio generalmente es asintomático. Desafortunadamente de los que ya se saben hipertensos solo la mitad toma tratamiento farmacológico y de estos, tan solo la mitad logra cifras de control (< 140/90 mmHg). Durante varias décadas no se ha logrado de forma contundente modificar la historia natural de esta enfermedad pese al avance fármaco terapéutico. El Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, lanza la iniciativa de los Protocolos de Atención Integral (PAI) de las principales enfermedades. En el presente protocolo se muestra cómo se concatenan los tres niveles de atención médica, el papel de cada uno de los integrantes del equipo multidisciplinario para la atención médica, incluyendo: médico, enfermera, trabajo social, psicólogo, nutricionista, entre otros y, la coparticipación del paciente. Se presentan los principales cambios en criterios diagnósticos, medición de la presión arterial dentro y fuera de consultorio, terapéutica farmacológica (monoterapia, terapia dual y terapia triple), no farmacológica y seguimiento. El Abordaje diagnóstico-terapéutico usando algoritmos, así como también el abordaje diagnóstico de la hipertensión secundaria y formas especiales de hipertensión tales como en el embarazo, crisis hipertensivas, hipertensión en el adulto mayor, pacientes isquémicos o con nefropatía.

[Spatio-temporal trend in detections of diabetes mellitus and systematic arterial hypertension in IMSS users, 2004-2019]. / Tendencia espacio-temporal de detecciones de diabetes mellitus e hipertensión arterial sistémica en usuarios del IMSS, 2004-2019.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and heart diseases, which include Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH), have been positioned as the two main causes of mortality in Mexico, which represents important challenges for the different health institutions. Objective: To analyze the spatio-temporal trend of DM and SAH based on the detections made in first and and second level units of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, during the period 2004-2019. Material and methods: Ecological study in which detection rates of both diseases were calculated per 1,000 persons according to year, triennium and representation. The spatiotemporal trend was analyzed by spatial statistics using Geographic Information Systems. Results: During 2004-2019 therere were 9 399 889 and 11 862 069 detections on average of DM and SAH, respectively. Regarding DM, the detection rate ranged from 203.4 (2004) to 384.4 (2019) per 1000 persons, this trend increased in Tamaulipas. While SAH decreased from 1140.2 (2004) to 352 (2019) per 1000 persons in Veracruz Sur and Tamaulipas, respectively. Conclusions: The observed spatio-temporal trend can contribute to organizing and guiding, according to representation and level of care, institutional programs, integrated care protocols, clinical practice guidelines and other public policy instruments available at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social to improve early detection, care, control and access to medications for DM and SAH.

Introducción: la diabetes mellitus (DM) y las enfermedades del corazón, entre las que se incluye la hipertensión arterial sistémica (HTA), se han posicionado entre las primeras causas de mortalidad en México, lo que plantea retos importantes para las diferentes instituciones de salud. Objetivo: analizar la tendencia espacio-temporal de DM e HTA con base en las detecciones realizadas en unidades de primero y segundo nivel del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), durante el periodo 2004-2019. Materiales y métodos: estudio ecológico en el que se calcularon las tasas de detección de ambos padecimientos por mil derechohabientes según año, trienio y representación. La tendencia espacio-temporal se analizó mediante estadística espacial utilizando Sistemas de Información Geográfica. Resultados: de 2004 a 2019 hubo 9 399 889 y 11 862 069 detecciones en promedio de DM e HTA, respectivamente. Referente al primer padecimiento, la tasa de deteccion osciló de 203.4 (2004) a 384.4 (2019) por mil derechohabientes, cuya tendencia aumentó en Tamaulipas. Mientras que la HTA disminuyó de 1140.2 (2004) a 352 (2019) detecciones por mil derechohabientes en Veracruz Sur y Tamaulipas, respectivamente. Conclusiones: la tendencia espacio-temporal observada puede contribuir a organizar y orientar, según su representación y nivel de atención, los programas institucionales, protocolos de atención, guías de práctica clínica y demás instrumentos de políticia pública disponibles en el IMSS para mejorar la detección oportuna, atención, control y acceso a medicamentos para DM e HTA.

[Obesity and metabolic syndrome. A challenge for the Mexican Institutes of Health]. / La obesidad y el síndrome metabólico. Un reto para los Institutos Nacionales de Saluda.

Numerous efforts for the development of basic and clinical research in obesity are being made by the National Institutes of Health and Federal Reference Hospitals in Mexico. However, greater interaction among researchers and stronger efforts towards the dissemination of the results are needed. The document outlines the general ideas and proposals of the Academic Group for the Study, Prevention and Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome of the Coordinating Committee of the National Institutes of Health and High Specialty Hospitals (CCINSHAE). This is the first step in developing common objectives, with the aim of understanding the effect of these entities in public health and to establish guidelines to limit and eventually overcome them. We discuss the appropriateness of analyzing obesity and the metabolic syndrome together, and the current management of these entities at the National Institutes of Health in Mexico. The problems that arise in clinical practice lead to the need to generate a new model of medical care, including a new health worker and a new patient. It is imperative to establish permanent lines of communication and education with health personnel and with patients. The group proposes an integrated approach for research in these areas. Finally, a master plan that links the National Institutes of Health, particularly in the areas of research and programs within the institutions, is required as a first step in seeking answers useful in solving the problem. The second step would be linking the first and second levels of care through concrete actions needed to limit and reduce obesity and metabolic syndrome in the population.

[Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the thoracic aorta: endovascular treatment, hybrid or surgery. A review]. / Aneurisma de aorta torácica por úlcera aterosclerótica penetrante: tratamiento endovascular, hibrido o cirugía. Revisión.

The aortic aneurysm is part of the acute aortic syndromes (AAS). Aortic aneurysms have a weakened tunica media. Acute aneurysm expansion may herald rupture with high morbility and mortality. Five percent of AAS are diagnosed as pentetrating atherosclerotic ulcer which is an ulceration of an atherosclerotic lesion of the aorta that penetrates the internal elastic lamina and allows hematoma formation within the tunica media of the aortic wall. Endovascular treatment is an alternative to surgery and has provided an adequate rate of successful repair. There is another type of treatment which combines surgery and endovascular repair (the hybrid open-endovascular repair) which provides adequate results. The afford mention case is about a patient with a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. The hematoma that results from this ulcer extends and self-contains the aneurysm, with a high risk of rupture. We will also describe the aneurysm treatment options.

[Beverage consumption for a healthy life: recommendations for the Mexican population]. / Consumo de bebidas para una vida saludable: recomendaciones para la población mexicana.

The Expert Committee in charge of developing the Beverage Consumption Recommendations for the Mexican Population was convened by the Secretary of Health for the purpose of developing evidence-based guidelines for consumers, health professionals, and government officials. The prevalence of overweight, obesity and diabetes have dramatically increased in Mexico; beverages contribute a fifth of all calories consumed by Mexicans. Extensive research has found that caloric beverages increase the risk of obesity. Taking into consideration multiple factors, including the health benefits, risks, and nutritional implications associated with beverage consumption, as well as consumption patterns in Mexico, the committee classified beverages into six levels. Classifications were made based on caloric content, nutritional value, and health risks associated with the consumption of each type of beverage and range from the healthier (level 1) to least healthy (level 6) options, as follows: Level 1: water; Level 2: skim or low fat (1%) milk and sugar free soy beverages; Level 3: coffee and tea without sugar; Level 4: non-caloric beverages with artificial sweeteners; Level 5: beverages with high caloric content and limited health benefits (fruit juices, whole milk, and fruit smoothies with sugar or honey; alcoholic and sports drinks), and Level 6: beverages high in sugar and with low nutritional value (soft drinks and other beverages with significant amounts of added sugar like juices, flavored waters, coffee and tea). The committee recommends the consumption of water as a first choice, followed by no or low-calorie drinks, and skim milk. These beverages should be favored over beverages with high caloric value or sweetened beverages, including those containing artificial sweeteners. Portion size recommendations are included for each beverage category and healthy consumption patterns for men and women are illustrated.

[Chronic non-communicable diseases in Mexico: epidemiologic synopsis and integral prevention]. / Las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en México: sinopsis epidemiológica y prevención integral.

The federal government has implemented several strategies to reduce mortality caused by chronic non-communicable diseases (CNTD). One example is the development of medical units specialized in the care of CNTD (i.e. overweight, obesity, cardiovascular risk and diabetes), named UNEMES (from its Spanish initials). These units--consisting of an ad-hoc, trained, multi-disciplinary team--will provide patient education, help in the resolution of obstacles limiting treatment adherence, and involve the family in patient care. Treatment will be provided using standardized protocols. The efficacy of the intervention will be regularly measured using pre-specified outcomes. We expect that these UNEMES will result in significant savings. In summary, our health care system is developing better treatment strategies for CNTD. Evaluating the performance of the UNEMES will generate valuable information for the design of future preventive actions.

[Beverage consumption for a healthy life: recommendations for the Mexican population]. / Consumo de bebidas para una vida saludable: recomendaciones para la población mexicana.

The Expert Committee in charge of developing the Beverage Consumption Recommendations for the Mexican Population was convened by the Secretary of Health for the purpose of developing evidence-based guidelines for consumers, health professionals, and government officials. The prevalence of overweight, obesity and diabetes have dramatically increased in Mexico; beverages contribute a fifth of all calories consumed by Mexicans. Extensive research has found that caloric beverages increase the risk of obesity. Taking into consideration multiple factors, including the health benefits, risks, and nutritional implications associated with beverage consumption, as well as consumption patterns in Mexico, the committee classified beverages into six levels. Classifications were made based on caloric content, nutritional value, and health risks associated with the consumption of each type of beverage and range from the healthier (level 1) to least healthy (level 6) options, as follows: Level 1: water; Level 2: skim or low fat (1%) milk and sugar free soy beverages; Level 3: coffee and tea without sugar; Level 4: non-caloric beverages with artificial sweeteners; Level 5: beverages with high caloric content and limited health benefits (fruit juices, whole milk, and fruit smoothies with sugar or honey; alcoholic and sports drinks), and Level 6: beverages high in sugar and with low nutritional value (soft drinks and other beverages with significant amounts of added sugar like juices, flavored waters, coffee and tea). The committee recommends the consumption of water as a first choice, followed by no or low-calorie drinks, and skim milk. These beverages should be favored over beverages with high caloric value or sweetened beverages, including those containing artificial sweeteners. Portion size recommendations are included for each beverage category and healthy consumption patterns for men and women are illustrated.

[Left posterolateral extensive myocardial infarct. An electroanatomical comparison]. / Infarto posterolateral izquierdo extenso. Cotejo electro-anatómico.

A complete ECG thoracic circle allows exploring some heart structures not explored by the conventional electrocardiogram. It provides a direct indication on the location of the damaged myocardium. In fact, posterolateral infarctions can be limited to the inferior third of the left ventricle or can cover the entire free left ventricular wall from the base up to the heart apex and can be univentricular or biventricular. On the other side, the unipolar thoracic leads and the high abdominal leads MD, ME, MI show the evolution of the signs of injury, characteristic of the acute stage of infarction, toward necrosis. We present the example of a 61-year-old man, whose ECG shows signs of subepicardial or transmural injury and of necrosis in the low precordial leads V5 and V6, as well as in the high left posterior leads V8 and V9. This fact suggests the presence of an acute extensive myocardial infarction extending from the base to the heart apex. Moreover, the moderate elevation of the RS-T segment from to V9R to V7R indicates the presence of subepicardial injury in the high posterior regions of the right ventricular wall. These electrocardiographic data were confirmed by the radioactive isotope study and, definitively, by the anatomical findings.

[Drink consumption for a healthy life: recommendations for the general population in Mexico]. / Consumo de bebidas para una vida saludable: recomendaciones para la población mexicana.

The Expert Committee in charge of developing the Beverage Consumption Recommendations for the Mexican Population was convened by the Ministry of Health with the aim of drafting evidence-based guidelines for consumers, health professionals, and government officials. The prevalence of overweight, obesity and diabetes have dramatically increased in Mexico; beverages contribute a fifth of all calories consumed by Mexicans. Extensive research has documented that caloric beverages increase the risk of obesity. Taking into consideration multiple factors, including health benefits, risks, and nutritional implications associated with beverage consumption, as well as consumption patterns in Mexico, the committee classified beverages in six categories. Classifications were made based on caloric content, nutritional value, and health risks associated with the consumption of each type of beverage. Ranges included healthier (level 1) to least healthy (level 6) options as follows: Level 1: water; Level 2: skim or low fat (1%) milk and sugar free soy beverages; Level 3: coffee and tea without sugar; Level 4: non-caloric beverages with artificial sweeteners; Level 5: beverages with high caloric content and limited health benefits (fruit juices, whole milk, and fruit smoothies with sugar or honey; alcoholic and sports drinks), and Level 6: beverages high in sugar and with low nutritional value (soft drinks and other beverages with significant amounts of added sugar like juices, flavored waters, coffee and tea). The committee recommends the consumption of water as a first choice, followed by no or low-calorie drinks, and skim milk. These beverages should be favored over beverages with high caloric value or sweetened beverages, including those containing artificial sweeteners. Portion size recommendations are included for each beverage category together with healthy consumption patterns for men and women.

New Challenges for Hypertension Treatment.

In Mexico around 22.3 million adult Mexicans have hypertension. An estimated 65 million adult Americans, or nearly one in four of the adult population of the United States, have hypertension. However, with the new classification from 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines which considered ≥130/80 mmHg as the new cutoff point to diagnosis of hypertension, the number of patients is at least twice, in other words around 40 million adult Mexicans potentially have hypertension. Although this new classification is directed to be more efficient in the changes of life style and nondrug strategies to stage one hypertension the real word evidence suggest that we need to be more careful in the selection of patients to be introduced in a drug therapy strategy. Elevations in systemic arterial pressures have been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke. It remains one of the most reversible causes of various disease states. This article aims to review current blood pressure (BP) targets and medical therapies for hypertension in the modern era, recognizing varying clinical characteristics such as comorbidities and patient risk profile.

[Acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation: Code I]. / Infarto agudo del miocardio con elevación del segmento ST: Código I.

Code infarction is a timely strategy for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with elevation of the ST segment. This strategy has shown an increase in survival and quality of life of patients suffering from this event around the world. The processes of management and disposition aimed at the reduction of time for effective and timely reperfusion are undoubtedly a continuous challenge. In the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) the mortality due to AMI has been reduced more than 50%, which is a historical situation that deserves much attention. Nonetheless, the continuous improvement and a wider coverage of this strategy in our country are the key factors that will outline a change in the natural history of the leading cause of death in Mexico. This review focuses on current strategies for the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Código Infarto es una estrategia de manejo oportuno del infarto agudo del miocardio (IAM) con elevación del segmento ST que ha demostrado en todo el mundo un incremento en la sobrevida y calidad de vida de los pacientes que sufren de este evento. Los procesos de gestión y atención oportuna dirigidos a la reducción de tiempo para la reperfusión eficaz y eficiente son sin duda un reto continuo. En el IMSS se ha logrado más del 50% de reducción en la mortalidad, situación histórica que merece mucha atención. Sin embargo, será la mejora continua y la generalización de los servicios a todo el país lo que demarcará un cambio en la historia natural de la primera causa de muerte en nuestro país. Esta revisión se centra en las estrategias actuales del manejo de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio.

[Obesity hypoventilation syndrome and pulmonary hypertension. An association little-known in Mexico]. / El síndrome de hipoventilación del obeso y la hipertensión pulmonar. Una asociación poco conocida en México.

The obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) refers to the combination of obesity, daytime hypercapnia and sleep-disordered breathing. Obesity has risen to epidemic proportions in the last three decades in the United States, Mexico and Europe. The OHS is associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in 30%. Without treatment, mortality is 46% at 50 months. So in this paper we analyze the OHS, obesity and pulmonary hypertension, the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis as well as the treatment, which is aimed at the correction of sleep-disordered breathing and hypoxemia; although there is little experience with the use of specific pulmonary vasodilator drugs.

El síndrome de hipoventilación del obeso (SHO) se refiere a la combinación de obesidad, hipercapnia diurna y trastornos respiratorios del sueño. La obesidad ha aumentado con características epidémicas en las últimas tres décadas en Estados Unidos, México y Europa. El SHO se asocia al síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño hasta en el 30%. Sin tratamiento, la mortalidad es de 46% a 50 meses. Por lo que en este trabajo se analizan el SHO, la obesidad y la hipertensión pulmonar, la fisiopatología, la presentación clínica y el diagnóstico, además del tratamiento, el cual está orientado a la corrección de los trastornos respiratorios del sueño y la hipoxemia; aún hay poca experiencia con el uso de medicamentos vasodilatadores pulmonares específicos.