ARGEN SHOCK: Mortality related to the use of Swan Ganz and to the hemodynamic pattern found in patients with AMICS.

The Swan Ganz Catheter (SGC) allows us to diagnose different types of cardiogenic shock (CS). OBJECTIVES: 1) Determine the frequency of use of SGC, 2) Analyze the clinical characteristics and mortality according to its use and 3) Analyze the prevalence, clinical characteristics and mortality according to the type of Shock. METHODS: The 114 patients (p) from the ARGEN SHOCK registry were analyzed. A "classic" pattern was defined as PCP > 15 mm Hg, CI < 2.2 L/min/ m2, SVR > 1,200 dynes × sec × cm-5. A "vasoplegic/mixed" pattern was defined when p did not meet the classic definition. CS due to right ventricle (RV) was excluded. RESULTS: SGC was used in 35 % (n:37). There were no differences in clinical characteristics according to SGC use, but those with SGC were more likely to receive dobutamine, levosimendan, and intra aortic balloon pump (IABP). Mortality was similar (59.4 % vs 61.3 %). The pattern was "classic" in 70.2 %. There were no differences in clinical characteristics according to the type of pattern or the drugs used. Mortality was 54 % in patients with the classic pattern and 73 % with the mixed/vasoplegic pattern, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p:0.23). CONCLUSIONS: SGC is used in one third of patients with CS. Its use does not imply differences in the drugs used or in mortality. Most patients have a classic hemodynamic pattern. There are no differences in mortality or in the type of vasoactive agents used according to the CS pattern found.

Cardiogenic shock in the context of acute coronary syndromes in Latin America ("LATIN Shock").

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a serious complication of heart attack and constitutes one of its main causes of death. To date, there is no data on its treatment and evolution in Latin America. OBJECTIVES: To know the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, evolution and in-hospital mortality of CS in Latin America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective, multicenter registry of patients hospitalized with CS in the context of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with and without ST segment elevation for 24 months. RESULTS: 41 Latin American centers participated incorporating patients during the period between October 2021 and September 2023. 278 patients were included. Age: 66 (59-75) years, 70.1 % men. 74.8 % of the cases correspond to ACS with ST elevation, 14.4 % to ACS without ST elevation, 5.7 % to right ventricular infarction and 5.1 % to mechanical complications. CS was present from admission in 60 % of cases. Revascularization: 81.3 %, inotropic use: 97.8 %, ARM: 52.5 %, Swan Ganz: 17 %, intra-aortic balloon pump: 22.2 %. Overall in-hospital mortality was 52.7 %, with no differences between ACS with or without ST. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and mortality is very high despite the high reperfusion used.

Shock cardiogénico en el contexto de los síndromes coronarios agudos en Argentina: resultados del Registro ARGEN SHOCK 2 / Cardiogenic Shock in the Setting of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Argentina: Results from the ARGEN SHOCK 2 Registry

RESUMEN El shock cardiogénico (SC) es una complicación grave del infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) y constituye una de sus principales causas de muerte. Objetivos: Conocer las características clínicas, estrategias de tratamiento, evolución intrahospitalaria y mortalidad a 30 días del SC en Argentina. Material y métodos: Se trata de un registro prospectivo, multicéntrico, de pacientes internados con SC en el contexto de los IAM con y sin elevación del segmento ST durante 14 meses (1 de agosto 2021 al 30 de septiembre 2022) en 23 centros de Argentina. Resultados: Se incluyeron 114 pacientes, edad 64 (58-73) años, 72% hombres. El 76,3% de los casos corresponden a IAM con elevación del segmento ST, 12,3% a IAM sin elevación del segmento ST, el 7% a infarto de ventrículo derecho y el 4,4% a complicaciones mecánicas. El SC estuvo presente desde el ingreso en el 66,6% de los casos. Revascularización: 91,1%, uso de inotrópicos: 98,2%, asistencia respiratoria mecánica: 59,6%, SwanGanz: 33,3%, balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico: 30,1%. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria global fue 60,5%, sin diferencias entre los IAM con o sin elevación del segmento ST, y a 30 días del 62,6%. Conclusiones: La morbimortalidad del SC es muy elevada a pesar de la alta tasa de reperfusión empleada.

ABSTRACT Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and constitutes one of the leading causes of death. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, hospital outcome and 30-day mortality of CS in Argentina. Methods: We conducted a prospective, and multicenter registry of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with and without ST-segment elevation complicated with CS that were hospitalized in 23 centers in Argentina for 14 months (between August 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022). Results: The cohort was made up of 114 patients; median age was 64 years (58-73) and 72% were women; 76.3% corresponded to ST-segment elevation AMI, 12.3% to non-ST-segment elevation AMI, 7% had right ventricular infarction and 4.4% had mechanical complications. In 66.6% of cases CS was present on admission. Revascularization: 91.1%, use of inotropic agents: 98.2%, mechanical ventilation: 59.6%, Swan-Ganz catheter: 33.3%, intra-aortic balloon pump: 30.1%. Overall in-hospital mortality was 60.5%, with no differences between AMI with or without ST-segment elevation, and was 62.6% at 30 days. Conclusion: Morbidity and mortality of CS are high despite the high rate of reperfusion therapy used.

[Clinical characteristics and long-term outcome in patients with heart failure complicating acute myocardial infarction]. / Características clínicas y evolución a largo plazo de pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca como complicación del infarto agudo de miocardio.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of heart failure (HF) development in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between May 1990 and March 2000, 836 consecutive patients were admitted with a diagnosis of AMI within 24 h of symptom onset. HF was defined as the presence of rales and a third heart sound with gallop, and evidence of pulmonary congestion on chest x-ray. It was diagnosed in 263 subjects (31.5%). RESULTS: The mean age of patients with HF (group 1) was 63.4 (11.4) years compared with 59.9 (11.6) years in those without HF (group 2) (P<.01). There were differences between groups 1 and 2 in history of diabetes (36% vs 20%; P<.001) or previous HF (9.2% vs 1.1%; P<.001). The reperfusion strategy used in patients with Q-wave infarction, with or without HF, was primary angioplasty in 15% and 14%, respectively (P=.81), and thrombolytic agents in 28% and 37%, respectively (P=.013). Patients with HF were more likely to develop recurrent angina (26.8% vs 19.6%; P=.02), pericarditis (17.5% vs 6.3%; P<.001), and atrial fibrillation (12.3% vs 5.1%; P<.01). In-hospital mortality in groups 1 and 2 was 15.6% and 2.3% (P<.001), respectively, and 10-year survival was 10% and 30%, respectively (P<.001). The variables associated with mortality were: age (HR=1.022; P<.001), hyperglycemia (HR=1.748 per 1.0-g/L increase; P<.001), leukocytosis (HR=1.035 per 1000-cell/.L increase; P<.001), and HF (HR=1.308; P=.028). CONCLUSIONS: AMI is still frequently complicated by HF, which increases short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. Heart failure, age, hyperglycemia, and leukocytosis at admission were independent predictors of mortality during follow-up.

Cardiac troponin T levels are associated with poor short- and long-term prognosis in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

BACKGROUND: The clinical determinants of increased cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema are not well defined, and the ability of this marker to predict long-term mortality has not yet been documented. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema without acute myocardial infarction were prospectively enrolled. cTnT was measured in samples obtained 6 and 12 hours after admission. RESULTS: cTnT levels of 0.1 ng/mL or greater were found in 46 patients (55%). Thirty-two patients (38%) died during follow-up. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for cTnT was 0.70 and 0.69 at 6 and 12 hours (P =.47), and the cTnT cutoff value of 0.1 ng/mL was 66% and 69% sensitive and 63% and 71% specific, respectively, in predicting subsequent mortality. Patients were assigned to group 1 if they had cTnT lower than 0.1 ng/mL and to group 2 if they had cTnT levels of 0.1 ng/mL or greater. A history of coronary artery disease was present in 72% of group 2 versus 50% of group 1 patients (P =.04). Patients in group 2 were also older than those in group 1 (mean age, 68 years vs 61 years; P =.021). The 3-year survival in group 1 was 76% compared with 29% in group 2 (log-rank test, P <.001). In a Cox proportional hazards model, elevated cTnT emerged as the only prognostic marker of long-term mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 2.31; 95% CI, 1.011-5.280; P =.047). CONCLUSIONS: A cTnT level of 0.1 ng/mL or greater was associated with poor long-term survival and emerged as a powerful independent predictor of mortality in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Comparación de dos registros de síndrome coronario agudo en la Argentina: STRATEG-SIA y SCAR (1999-2011) / Comparison of two Registries of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Argentina: STRATEG-SIA and SCAR (1999-2011)

Introducción: En nuestro medio se desconoce cuál ha sido la influencia de la evidencia clínica sobre las estrategias implementadas en el tratamiento de los síndromes coronarios agudos sin elevación del segmento ST (SCASEST). Objetivos: Evaluar la variación de las características clínicas, las estrategias adoptadas, las conductas terapéuticas y los eventos hospitalarios de los SCASEST en centros que participaron en dos registros realizados en la Argentina. Material y métodos: Se compararon pacientes incluidos en centros que participaron en los registros STRATEG-SIA (1999) y SCAR (Síndromes Coronarios Agudos en Argentina - 2011). Resultados: Se analizaron 238 pacientes del registro STRATEG-SIA y 452 del SCAR incluidos en 36 centros. La mayoría eran de género masculino y menores de 65 años (SCAR 57%, STRATEG-SIA 54%; p = ns). El grupo SCAR presentó mayor prevalencia de hipertensión arterial (75% vs. 60%; p = 0,001), dislipidemia (63% vs. 51%; p = 0,003), insuficiencia cardíaca crónica (10,5% vs. 4,6%; p = 0,02) y revascularización coronaria previa (30% vs. 17%; p = 0,001). Con una proporción mayor de puntaje TIMI de riesgo moderado y alto (3-4: 48% vs. 37%; 5-7: 18% vs. 8%; p = 0,0001), la coronariografía fue más frecuente en el SCAR (71% vs. 50%; p = 0,0001), duplicándose la angioplastia coronaria y reduciéndose a la mitad las cirugías de revascularización miocárdica. No hubo diferencias significativas en la tasa intrahospitalaria de muerte e infarto (7,2% vs. 5,9%; p = ns). Conclusiones: Los pacientes del registro SCAR (2011) representan un grupo de mayor riesgo. Las diferencias en las tasas de eventos hospitalarios no fueron estadísticamente significativas.

Background: The influence of clinical evidence on strategies implemented in the treatment of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) is not known in our setting. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics, strategies adopted, therapeutic management and in-hospital events of NSTEACS in participating centers from two registries in Argentina. Methods: Patients included in participating centers of the STRATEG-SIA registry (1999) and SCAR registry (Síndromes Coronarios Agudos en Argentina - 2011) were compared. Results: We analyzed 238 patients of the STRATEG-SIA registry and 452 of the SCAR registry in 36 centers. Most patients were men and <65 years (SCAR 57%, STRATEG-SIA 54%; p=ns). The SCAR group presented higher prevalence of hypertension (75% vs. 60%; p=0.001), dyslipidemia (63% vs. 51%; p=0.003), chronic heart failure (10.5% vs. 4.6%; p=0.02) and history of myocardial revascularization (30% vs. 17%; p=0.001). In the SCAR registry, the proportion of moderate and high-risk patients (TIMI risk score 3-4: 48% vs. 37%; 5-7: 18% vs. 8%; p=0.0001) was higher and coronary angiography was more frequent (71% vs. 50%; p=0.0001), with a twofold increase in the proportion of percutaneous coronary interventions and 50% reduction in the number of myocardial revascularization surgeries. There were no significant differences in the rate of mortality and myocardial infarction during hospitalization (7.2% vs. 5.9%; p=ns). Conclusions: Patients of the SCAR (2011) registry represent a group at higher risk. The differences in the rates of in-hospital events were not statistically significant.

Influencia de la cobertura médica sobre el tratamiento y el pronóstico del infarto con supradesnivel del ST.: Subanálisis del registro SCAR / Influence of Medical Coverage on the Treatment and Prognosis of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: SCAR Registry Subanalysis

Introducción: El registro sobre Síndromes Coronarios Agudos en Argentina (SCAR) analizó la evolución intrahospitalaria del infarto de miocardio en nuestro país en pacientes que contaban con diferentes coberturas del sistema de salud, lo cual ha llevado al presente subanálisis derivado del registro SCAR. Objetivo: Determinar la influencia de la cobertura médica en el pronóstico intrahospitalario del infarto de miocardio. Material y métodos: El registro SCAR fue un estudio transversal, prospectivo y multicéntrico, que incluyó 476 pacientes con diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio con supradesnivel del segmento ST (IAMST). La cobertura médica se diferenció en prepaga, obra social, PAMI y sin cobertura (solo estatal). Resultados: El 80% de los IAMST recibieron reperfusión, el 75% por angioplastia transluminal coronaria primaria (ATCP). La ATCP fue más frecuente en quienes tenían prepaga [OR 5,5 (2,5-12,4); p < 0,001] y los pacientes con PAMI [OR 0,47 (0,24-087); p = 0,02] o sin cobertura recibieron menos ATCP [OR 0,34 (0,2-0,6); p < 0,001]. El 13% fueron derivados a otro centro, más frecuentemente si tenían PAMI (p = 0,002). El tiempo hasta la ATCP fue mayor en pacientes con PAMI [240 (88-370) min; p = 0,0005] y menor si tenían prepaga [80 (42-120) min; p < 0,001]. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria del IAMST fue del 8%, 2,8% con prepaga, 4,3% con cobertura estatal, 6,88% con obra social y 25% con PAMI (ANOVA < 0,001). Tener prepaga se asoció con una mortalidad menor [OR 0,27 (0,08-0,91); p = 0,035] y tener PAMI se asoció con una mortalidad mayor, aun ajustado por sexo, edad y comorbilidades [OR 2,40 (1,1-5,8); p = 0,05]. Conclusión: El tratamiento y la mortalidad del IAMST fueron diferentes según la cobertura médica.

Background: The Acute Coronary Syndromes in Argentina (SCAR) registry analyzed in-hospital myocardial infarction out-come in patients with different medical coverage provided by the healthcare system; this has led to the present subanalysis derived from the SCAR registry. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of medical coverage on myocardial infarction in-hospital prognosis. Methods: The SCAR registry was a cross-sectional, prospective, multicenter study including 476 patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). Medical coverage was classified in prepaid health insurance, social security insurance, PAMI and without medical coverage (except public coverage). Results: Eighty percent of STEMI patients received reperfusion therapy, 75% by primary transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). PTCA was more frequent in those with prepaid health insurance [OR 5.5 (2.5-12.4); p<0.001] and less frequent in PAMI patients [OR 0.47 (0.24-0.87), p=0.02] or in those without any medical coverage [OR=0.34 (0.2-0.6), p<0.001]. Thirteen percent of patients were transferred to another hospital, more frequently if they were PAMI patients (p=0.002). Time to PTCA was longer in patients with PAMI [240 (88-370) min, p=0.0005] and shorter in patients with prepaid health insurance [80 (42-120) min, p<0.001]. Overall in-hospital STEMI mortality was 8%, 2.8% in patients with prepaid health insurance, 4.3% in patients with public medical coverage, 6.88% in patients with social security insurance and 25% in patients covered by PAMI (ANOVA <0.001). Mortality was significantly lower in patients with prepaid health insurance [OR=0.27 (0.08-0.91), p=0.035] and higher in patients with PAMI, even after adjusting by sex, age and comorbidities [OR 2.40 (1.1-5.8), p=0.05]. Conclusion: STEMI treatment and mortality were different according to the type of medical coverage.

High levels of troponin T are associated with ventricular remodeling and adverse in-hospital outcome in heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure progression is associated with ventricular remodeling and ongoing myofibrillar degradation. We hypothesized that myocardial damage, detected by high levels of troponin T, would correlate with echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular remodeling and worse in-hospital course in decompensated heart failure. MATERIAL/METHODS: 159 patients with decompensated heart failure without acute coronary event were included. A troponin T value >0.2 ng/ml in samples taken 6, 12 or 24 hours after admission was considered abnormal. RESULTS: High troponin T levels were identified in 24 patients (15%) (Group 1). Mean age for group 1 was 65.9 vs. 63.7 years in patients with troponin T<0.2 (Group 2) (p=ns). Ischemic etiology in groups 1 and 2 was found in 58.3 and 38.5% (p=0.07). Two-dimensional echocardiograms in groups 1 and 2 revealed higher left ventricular diameters, diastolic (61.7+/-10 vs. 56.9+/-10.3 mm, p=0.041) as well as systolic (49.4+/-13.5 vs. 42.0+/-12.0 mm, p=0.012), and lower ejection fraction (30.1+/-14 vs. 39.0+/-17.7%, p=0.03). Incidence of combined end point of death or refractory heart failure was 20.8 and 3.7% in groups 1 and 2 (p=0.007; OR=6.8; CI95%=1.5-31.2). In a multiple regression model, a history of infarction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tissue hypoperfusion, radiographic pulmonary edema, and high troponin T levels emerged as the independent predictors. CONCLUSIONS: High troponin T levels were found in 15% of patients with acute exacerbation of heart failure; this finding was independently associated with worse prognosis. Echocardiograms suggested that more severe ventricular remodeling is one subjacent mechanism related with biochemically detected myocardial injury in this setting.

Efecto aditivo de los incrementos de urea y creatinina a la admisión sobre el pronóstico a largo plazo en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca descompensada / Additive effect of increased urea and creatinine levels at admission on long-term prognosis in patients with decompensated heart failure

Introducción y objetivos: La elevación de la creatinina es un marcador de riesgo en la insuficiencia cardíaca descompensada (ICD). Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el rol pronóstico a largo plazo de la detección temprana de deterioro renal (DR), definido por elevación en los niveles de urea y/o creatinina, en pacientes con ICD. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron en forma prospectiva 241 individuos admitidos por ICD. Se seleccionaron los puntos de corte para urea y creatinina al ingreso a través de curva ROC, para la detección de eventos combinados (muerte o rehospitalización por ICD). El seguimiento medio fue de 366 ± 482 días. Resultados: La edad media fue 65,4 ± 11,6 años (63,8% hombres, 42,3% etiología isquémica) y la incidencia de eventos fue de 107. El área bajo curva ROC de urea y creatinina para la predicción de eventos fue de 0,59 y 0,57. Los puntos de corte, sensibilidad y especificidad fueron: urea 55 mg/dL, 57% y 63%; y creatinina 1,17 mg/dL, 58% y 62%, respectivamente. El DR se identificó en 144 (60,4%) sujetos, 82 con ambos marcadores elevados, 29 sólo con creatinina elevada y 33 sólo con urea elevada. En el grupo con DR fue más frecuente el diagnóstico previo de ICD (89 vs 78%, p=0,041) y la hipoperfusión periférica (12,5 y 4,1%, p=0,020), tuvieron menor fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) (36,4±17,2% y 41,1±19,6%, p=0,05) y mayor nivel de pro-BNP (8681±9010 pg/l y 2943±269 pg/l, p<0,001). La supervivencia libre de rehospitalización por ICD a 18 meses en aquellos con y sin DR fue 35 y 60% (p=0,0086), y las variables asociadas con evolución adversa fueron DR (HR=1,8; IC 95% 1,1-2,7) y diagnóstico previo de ICD (HR=1,9; p<0,001; IC 95% 1,1-3,5). Conclusión: El uso combinado de urea y creatinina permite incrementar la detección temprana de DR en pacientes con ICD. Este hallazgo fue un fuerte predictor de eventos a largo plazo.

Background: Increased level of creatinine is a powerful risk marker in decompensated heart failure (DHF). Our objective was to evaluate the long-term prognostic role of early detection of renal dysfunction (RD), defined by abnormal levels of urea and/or creatinine, in patients with DHF. Patients and methods: Two hundred and forty-one patients admitted for DHF were prospectively included. The cut-off of urea and creatinine were selected using ROC curves for predicting combined events (death or rehospitalization for DHF). The mean follow-up was 366±482 days. Results: The mean age were 65.4±11.6 years (64% male, 42.3% ischemic etiology), and 44.4% had events. The area under ROC curves to predicting events for urea and creatinine was 0.59 and 0.57, respectively. The cut-off, sensitivity and specificity were: urea 55 mg/dL, 57% and 63%; creatinine 117 mg/dL, 58% and 62%, respectively. RD was identified in 144 (60.4%) subjects, 82 had elevated both markers, 29 with only increased levels of creatinine, and 33 with only abnormal levels of urea. RD groups had more frequently a previous diagnosis of HF (89 vs 78%, p=0.041) and peripheral hypoperfusion (12.5 vs 4.1%, p=0.020), and they showed lower LVEF (36.4±17.2% vs 41.1±19.6%, p=0.05) and higher pro-BNP (8.681±9010 pg/mL vs 2943±2690 pg/ mL, p<0.001) than those without RD. Eighteen-month free-DHF rehospitalization survival in patients with and without RD was 35% and 60% (p=0.0086). The variables significantly associated with events were RD (1.8, p<0.001; CI 95%=1.1-2.7) and previous diagnosis of HF (HR=1.9, CI 95%=1.1-3.5). Conclusion: The combined use of urea and creatinine improve the early detection of RD in patients with DHF. This finding was a strong long-term prognostic predictor.