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.

Predictors of severe asthma attack re-attendance in Ecuadorian children: a cohort study.

Asthma is a common cause of emergency care attendance in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While few prospective studies of predictors for emergency care attendance have been undertaken in high-income countries, none have been performed in a LMIC.We followed a cohort of 5-15-year-old children treated for asthma attacks in emergency rooms of public health facilities in Esmeraldas City, Ecuador. We collected blood and nasal wash samples, and performed spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide fraction measurements. We explored potential predictors for recurrence of severe asthma attacks requiring emergency care over 6 months' follow-up.We recruited 283 children of whom 264 (93%) were followed-up for ≥6 months or until their next asthma attack. Almost half (46%) had a subsequent severe asthma attack requiring emergency care. Predictors of recurrence in adjusted analyses were (adjusted OR, 95% CI) younger age (0.87, 0.79-0.96 per year), previous asthma diagnosis (2.2, 1.2-3.9), number of parenteral corticosteroid courses in previous year (1.3, 1.1-1.5), food triggers (2.0, 1.1-3.6) and eczema diagnosis (4.2, 1.02-17.6). A parsimonious Cox regression model included the first three predictors plus urban residence as a protective factor (adjusted hazard ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.50-0.95). Laboratory and lung function tests did not predict recurrence.Factors independently associated with recurrent emergency attendance for asthma attacks were identified in a low-resource LMIC setting. This study suggests that a simple risk-assessment tool could potentially be created for emergency rooms in similar settings to identify higher-risk children on whom limited resources might be better focused.

Impact of the implementation of the Infarction Code strategy in patients with acute myocardial infarction diagnosis in the Hospital de Cardiología of the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI / Impacto de la implementación de Código Infarto en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST en el Hospital de Cardiología del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the implementation of the Infarction Code strategy in patients with acute myocardial infarction diagnosis. Methods: Consecutive patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction ≤12 hours of evolution, were included in the infarction code strategy, before (Group I) and after (Group II). Times of medical attention and major cardiovascular events during hospitalization were analyzed. Results: 1227 patients were included, 919 men (75%) and 308 women (25%) with an average age of 62 ± 11 years. Among Group I and Group II, percutaneous coronary intervention reperfusion therapy changed (16.6% to 42.6%), fibrinolytic therapy (39.3% to 25%), and patients who did not receive any form of reperfusion therapy (44% to 32.6%; p < 0.0001). Times of medical attention decreased significantly (door-to-needle time decreased from 92 to 72 minutes, p = 0.004; door-to-balloon time decreased from 140 to 92 minutes, p < 0.0001). Kidney failure (24.6% vs. 17.9%; p = 0.006), major complications (35.3% to 29.3%), and death (21% vs. 12%; odds ratio: 0.52; 95% confidence interval: 0.38-0.71; p = 0.004). also decreased. Conclusion: The Infarction Code strategy improved treatment, times of medical attention and decreased complications and death in these patients.

Revised taxonomy and distributions of Costa Rican moss salamanders (Caudata: Plethodontidae: Nototriton), with descriptions of new taxa.

The tiny moss salamanders of the genus Nototriton within Costa Rica have long been poorly known and understood. Due to their diminutive size and specialized ecology, this taxon is very rarely studied or even represented in collections, thus resulting in much confusion surrounding the actual taxonomic and distributional status of the species within the country. As a result of hundreds of hours of fieldwork, lab work, and morphological analysis and measurement, herein we provide an updated taxonomic revision of the Costa Rican members of the genus Nototriton, with the proposal of a new subgenus and four new species.

Recent findings of Isthmohyla pictipes (Anura: Hylidae) in Costa Rica: variation and implications for conservation.

We report recent findings of Isthmohyla pictipes (Cope, 1875) in the Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica, roughly two decades after it was last registered. We provide notes on microhabitat use, color variation, external morphology of adults and larvae, and geographic variation, and discuss some taxonomic characters employed to differentiate I. pictipes from I. tica (Starrett, 1966) and I. xanthosticta (Duellman, 1968). We also report fluorescence on the ventral surfaces of I. pictipes. Our findings are expected to shed light on the taxonomy of this species and should be useful in further population assessments and conservation plans.

Effect of Interleukin-17 in the Activation of Monocyte Subsets in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Interleukin- (IL-) 17 is increased in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and plays a key role in inflammatory diseases through its involvement in the activation of leukocytes. Here, we describe for the first time the effect of IL-17 in the migration and activation of monocyte subsets in patients during ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and post-STEMI. We analyzed the circulating levels of IL-17 in patient plasma. A gradual increase in IL-17 was found in STEMI and post-STEMI patients. Additionally, IL-17 had a powerful effect on the recruitment of CD14++CD16+/CD14+CD16++ monocytes derived from patients post-STEMI compared with the monocytes from patients with STEMI, suggesting that IL-17 recruits monocytes with inflammatory activity post-STEMI. Furthermore, IL-17 increased the expression of TLR4 on CD14 + CD16 - and CD14++CD16+/CD14+CD16++ monocytes post-STEMI and might enhance the response to danger-associated molecular patterns post-STEMI. Moreover, IL-17 induced secretion of IL-6 from CD14++CD16- and CD14++CD16+/CD14+CD16++ monocytes both in STEMI and in post-STEMI, which indicates that IL-17 has an effect on the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines from monocytes during STEMI and post-STEMI. Overall, we demonstrate that in STEMI and post-STEMI, IL-17 is increased and induces the migration and activation of monocyte subsets, possibly contributing to the inflammatory response through TLR4 and IL-6 secretion.

A new species of dink frog, genus Diasporus (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae), from the Caribbean foothills of the Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica.

A new dink frog (Eleutherodactylidae: Diasporus) is described from the Tropical Wet Forest, in the northeastern foothills of Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica at an elevation of ca. 1000 m. Analysis of DNA sequences of the 16S rRNA (16S) and cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) mitochondrial genes revealed a distinct lineage within the genus Diasporus. Additional morphological, morphometric, and acoustic analyses support the differences of this lineage, which we recognize as a new species. This new taxon is distinguished from other members of the genus Diasporus inhabiting Isthmian Central America by its unique coloration: dorsum brown to brown-grayish and venter gray-bluish with pale blotches. The new species is distinguished from other members of the genus Diasporus by very significant genetic distances (higher than 5.6 % in 16S and 16.7 % in COI). The new taxon is most closely related to D. vocator from the south pacific of Costa Rica and to an unnamed taxon from western Panama.

A new moss salamander, genus Nototriton (Caudata: Plethodontidae), from the Cordillera de Talamanca, in the Costa Rica-Panama border region.

A new salamander belonging to the genus Nototriton, subgenus Nototriton, is described from the Caribbean slopes of the southeastern Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica, within Parque Internacional La Amistad, at an elevation ca. 1500 m a.s.l. This new taxon is distinguished from its congeners by its morphological characteristics and by its differentiation in DNA sequences of the 16S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), and cytochrome b mitochondrial genes. This new species represents the southernmost extension known for the genus Nototriton.

Pulmonary embolectomy in a case of subacute pulmonary embolism, with previous unsuccessful fibrinolysis / Embolectomía pulmonar en un caso de tromboembolia pulmonar subaguda, sometido a fibrinólisis no exitosa

Background: Pulmonary embolism is a potentially fatal heart condition that requires prompt restoration of blood flow in the pulmonary vascular bed and prevention of recurrent events. Mortality is associated to the degree of hemodynamic repercussion, complications and opportunity in the treatment. Case report: Male 33 years of age who began with sudden dyspnea, chest pain of moderate intensity, sweating and syncope. His admission vitals signs: blood pressure 100/70 mm Hg, heart rate 125 beats per minute, respiratory rate 24; peripheral saturation 85 %. Physical examination: grade I jugular engorgement at 45 degrees, rhythmic heart sounds, with auscultation of systolic murmur I/IV in tricuspid focus and second reinforced heart sound. Rest of exploration without relevant data. The echocardiogram showed data of right ventricular failure and systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 60 mm Hg; the angiotomography showed thrombosis of both branches of the pulmonary artery. The patient received fibrinolytic therapy with tecneteplase 50 mg single bolus and antithrombotic therapy. Due to persistence of residual thrombus, the patient underwent surgical bilateral embolectomy. Conclusion: Surgical pulmonary embolectomy rescue is an alternative management with highly satisfactory results.

Introducción: el embolismo pulmonar es una condición cardiovascular potencialmente letal, que requiere de la pronta restauración del flujo sanguíneo del lecho vascular pulmonar y de la prevención de eventos recurrentes. La mortalidad está asociada al grado de repercusión hemodinámica, complicaciones y oportunidad en el tratamiento. Caso clínico: masculino de 33 años de edad, que inició con disnea súbita, dolor torácico de moderada intensidad, sudoración y síncope. Sus signos vitales de ingreso fueron: presión arterial 100/70 mm Hg, frecuencia cardiaca 125 latidos por minuto, 24 respiraciones por minuto; saturación periférica 85%. En la exploración física: ingurgitación yugular grado I a 45 grados, ruidos cardiacos rítmicos, con auscultación de soplo sistólico I/IV en foco tricuspídeo y segundo ruido cardiaco reforzado. Resto de exploración sin datos relevantes. El ecocardiograma demostró datos de dilatación de cavidades derechas y presión sistólica de la arteria pulmonar de 60 mm Hg; en la angiotomografía se mostró trombosis de ambas ramas de la arteria pulmonar. El paciente recibió terapia fibrinolítica con tecneteplase 50 mg bolo único y terapia antitrombótica. Por persistencia de trombo residual, el paciente fue sometido a embolectomía bilateral quirúrgica. Conclusión: la embolectomía pulmonar quirúrgica de rescate es una alternativa de manejo con resultados altamente satisfactorios.

[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.

STEMI and NSTEMI: Real-world Study in Mexico (RENASCA).

INTRODUCTION: Mexico is the country with the highest mortality due to acute myocardial infarction in adults older than 45 years old according to the OECD (28 vs. 7.5% of the average). The first real-world study, RENASCA IMSS, showed a high-risk population at 65%, but 50% without reperfusion strategies. The aim was to describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of acute coronary syndromes at the IMSS. METHODS: RENASCA IMSS is a nation-wide, prospective, longitudinal-cohort study. We include consecutive patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome diagnosis (ACC/AHA/ESC) admitted in 177 representative hospitals of the IMSS (166 of second level and 11 of third level of attention). In an electronic database clinical, paraclinical, times, reperfusion treatment, complications, and other variables were assessed. Confidentiality was maintained in data and informed consent was obtained. Registrer calibration was performed with more than 80% of the variables and 80% of the cases. RESULTS: From March 1, 2014 to December 25, 2017; 21,827 patients were enrolled presenting an average age 63.2 ± 11.7, 75% men (16,259) and 25% women (5,568). The most frequent risk factors were: hypertension (60.5%), smoking (46.8%), diabetes (45.5%), dyslipidemia (35.3%) and metabolic syndrome (39.1%). STEMI diagnosis was established in 73.2% of the patients and NSTEMI in 26.8%. The STEMI group within the Code Infarction showed an improvement in the reperfusion therapy (34.9% before vs. 71.4% after, p ≤0.0001) and reduction of mortality (21.1 vs. 9.4%, p ≤0.0001); while the NSTEMI group showed high risk set by a GRACE score of 131.5 ± 43.7 vs. 135.9 + 41.7, p ≤0.0001. Mortality was more frequent within the STEMI group (14.9 vs. 7.6%, p ≤0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: RENASCA IMSS study represents the largest Acute Coronary Syndromes real-world study in Mexico, demonstrating that the Mexican population has a high risk. Patients with a STEMI diagnosis were more frequently enrolled and were associated with higher mortality and complications; however, there is improvement in the reperfusion therapy and in mortality with the Code Infarction strategy.

Dysfunctional immunometabolic effects of vitamin D deficiency, increased cardiometabolic risk. Potential epidemiological alert in America? / Efectos inmunometabólicos disfuncionales de la deficiencia de vitamina D y aumento de riesgo cardiometabólico. ¿Potencial alerta epidemiológica en América?

Vitamin D deficiency is a serious public health problem worldwide that affects not only skeletal health, but also a wide range of acute and chronic diseases. However, there is still skepticism because of the lack of randomized, controlled trials to support association studies on the benefits of vitamin D for non-skeletal health. This review was based on articles published during the 1980-2015 obtained from the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials, MEDLINE and PubMed, and focuses on recent challenges with regard to the definition of vitamin D deficiency and how to achieve optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels from dietary sources, supplements, and sun exposure. The effect of vitamin D on epigenetic fetal programming and regulation of genes that may potentially explain why vitamin D could have such lifelong comprehensive health benefits is reviewed. Optimization of vitamin D levels in children and adults around the world has potential benefits to improve skeletal health and to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including some types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and severe cardiovascular disorders such as atherothrombosis, neurocognitive disorders, and mortality.

[Pulmonary thromboembolism: Recent experience of 4 years at a cardiology hospital]. / Tromboembolismo pulmonar: experiencia reciente de 4 años en un hospital de cardiología.

It comprised a series of cases over a period of 4 years, held at the Hospital of Cardiology of the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS. From 2008 to 2011, admitted to Emergency 184 patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, of which 41 were removed; of the 143 remaining cases, only 127 patients was diagnosed with PE. The other 16 patients had other diagnoses. In 86% of patients showed electrocardiographic pattern S1Q3T3 and 39% had RBBB, in 17 (13.3%) patients there was hemodynamic instability, and in 94.4% showed enlargement of the right chambers by echocardiography, 55.9% showed paradoxical septal motion, PASP was 66.2+22.8 mm Hg and in 43.3% the Mc Connell sign was positive. A total of 48 patients (37.7%) received thrombolysis, the remaining patients received conventional medical treatment with anticoagulation. Overall mortality was 14%.

Se trata de una serie de casos comprendida en un periodo de 4 años, realizada en el Hospital de Cardiología del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI del IMSS. Del año 2008 al 2011, se ingresaron al servicio de Urgencias 184 pacientes con sospecha de tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP), de los cuales se eliminaron 41; de los 143 casos restantes, solo a 127 pacientes se les diagnosticó TEP, los 16 pacientes restantes presentaron otros diagnósticos. En el 86% de los casos se demostró patrón electrocardiográfico S1Q3T3, y en 39% BRDHH. En 17 pacientes existió inestabilidad hemodinámica; en el 94.4% se demostró dilatación de cavidades derechas por ecocardiografía, en 55.9% se demostró movimiento septal paradójico, la PSAP fue de 66.2+22.8 mm Hg y en 43.3% el signo de Mc Connell fue positivo. A un total de 48 pacientes se les administró trombólisis, mientras que el resto de los pacientes recibió tratamiento médico convencional con anticoagulación. La mortalidad global fue del 14%.

[Protocol for the care of acute myocardial infarction in emergency: Código infarto (The Infarction Code)]. / Protocolo para atención de infarto agudo de miocardio en urgencias: Código infarto.

Cardiovascular diseases are a major public health problem because of their they impact on more than 30% of all deaths worldwide. In our country and in the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) are also the leading cause of death and the main cause of lost of healthy life years due to disability or premature death. 50% of deaths are premature; most of them are due to acute myocardial infarct. However, the investment for cardiovascular health is poor and there are no comprehensive cares programs focused on the treatment of this diseases or the control of their risk factors. To address this problem, the first institutional care program was developed, called "A todo corazón", which aims to strengthen actions to promote healthy habits, prevention and care of cardiovascular diseases. The initial approach is to implement a protocol of care emergency services called "Código infarto", which is intended to ensure the diagnosis and treatment of patients demanding emergency care for acute myocardial infarction and receive reperfusion treatment with primary angioplasty in the first 90 minutes, or fibrinolytic therapy in the first 30 minutes after the admission to the IMSS emergency services.

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son un problema de salud pública por su impacto en más del 30% de las muertes del mundo. En nuestro país y en el IMSS son también la primera causa de muerte y en años de vida saludable perdidos por muerte prematura o discapacidad. El 50% de las muertes son prematuras, y la mayor parte se deben a infarto agudo de miocardio. Sin embargo, sigue siendo pobre la inversión para la salud cardiovascular y no existen programas de atención integral enfocados al tratamiento de estas enfermedades ni para el control de los factores de riesgo. Ante esta problemática se desarrolló el primer programa de atención integral a nivel institucional llamado "A todo corazón", que pretende fortalecer las acciones para promoción de hábitos saludables, la prevención y atención de las enfermedades cardiovasculares. El enfoque inicial es implementar un protocolo de atención para los servicios de urgencias llamado "Código infarto", el cual pretende garantizar el diagnóstico y tratamiento del paciente que demanda atención de urgencias por infarto agudo de miocardio, de manera que pueda recibir tratamiento de reperfusión con angioplastía primaria en los primeros 90 minutos, o terapia fibrinolítica en los primeros 30 minutos posteriores a su ingreso a los servicios de urgencias del IMSS.

A beautiful new yellow salamander, genus Bolitoglossa (Caudata: Plethodontidae), from the northeastern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica.

A new yellow salamander belonging to the genus Bolitoglossa, subgenus Eladinea, is described from a premontane rainforest in the vicinity of Moravia de Chirripó, on the northeastern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica at an elevation of ca. 1300 m. This new taxon is distinguished from its congeners by its chromatic and morphological characteristics, and by differentiation in DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome b genes.

A new species of the Craugastor podiciferus species group (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the premontane forest of southwestern Costa Rica.

In this report, we describe a new species of the Craugastor podiciferus species group from the premontane forest of the Pacific versant along the Costa Rican-Panamanian border. Mitochondrial DNA and karyotype analyses previously showed a marked genetic divergence between populations of the premontane forest of the Fila Costeña and the lowlands South Pacific Costa Rica near Panama. Analyses of the mitochondrial DNA sequences and the morphological variation revealed significant differences between the populations of the premontane forest relative to the other populations of C. stejnegerianus, including the type locality. We recognize these premontane populations as a new species and show that they differ from the typical C. stejnegerianus in the coloration of the venter, the head and the body proportions, and mtDNA divergence. With the addition of this new species, the C. podiciferus species group now contains nine species.

[Treatment of hypertension in patients with coronary arterial disease]. / El tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial sistémica en pacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria.

Reports of randomized controlled trials and prospective observational studies provide the most reliable data on the association between blood pressure and coronary heart disease (CHD). The totality of the evidence indicate a strong association between blood pressure and coronary heart disease, which is continuous at levels of less than 115 mm Hg of systolic. In general, 60 to 69 years of age, 10 lower mm Hg systolic blood pressure is associated with lower risk of one-fifth of a coronary heart disease event. The size and shape of this Association are consistent in all regions, for men and women and life-threatening events such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Trials that compared active treatment with placebo or no treatment have shown that the benefits of reducing blood pressure with different classes of drugs (e.g., diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists) are quite similar, with about a fifth of reduction in coronary heart disease. The important points in this review are: First, that the relative benefit to the decline in blood pressure for the prevention of coronary heart disease appears to be constant in a range of different populations. Second, it is likely that considerable benefit with blood pressure low below thresholds of "traditional" blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg), especially in those with high absolute risk. Third, start, reduce with caution -especially in adult- and keep the maximum tolerance of blood pressure reduction is an issue more important than the choice of the initial agent.

Los ensayos controlados aleatorios y los estudios observacionales prospectivos ofrecen los datos más confiables sobre la asociación entre la presión arterial y la cardiopatía coronaria (CC). Toda la evidencia indica que hay una fuerte asociación entre la presión arterial y la CC, que es continua a niveles menores a 115 mm Hg de presión sistólica. En general, de los 60 a los 69 años de edad, la presión arterial sistólica más baja en 10 mm Hg se asocia con riesgo menor de tener un evento de enfermedad coronaria. El tamaño y la forma de esta asociación son constantes en todas las regiones, para hombres y mujeres, y para eventos mortales como el infarto de miocardio y el accidente vascular cerebral. Los ensayos han demostrado que los beneficios de la reducción de la presión arterial con diferentes clases de fármacos (diuréticos, betabloqueantes, inhibidores de la ECA, antagonistas del calcio) son bastante similares, con una quinta parte de reducción en enfermedad coronaria. Los puntos importantes de esta revisión son: a) que los beneficios relativos a la baja de la presión arterial para la prevención de enfermedad coronaria parecen ser constantes en una gama de diferentes poblaciones; b) que es probable que se obtenga un beneficio considerable con la presión arterial baja, por debajo de umbrales de hipertensión «tradicional¼ (140/90 mm Hg), especialmente en aquellos con alto riesgo absoluto, y c) que iniciar, reducir con precaución (sobre todo en el adulto mayor) y mantener la reducción de la tolerancia máxima de la presión arterial es un problema más importante que la elección del agente inicial.

[Cardiovascular complications of hypertensive crisis]. / Complicaciones cardiovasculares de la crisis hipertensiva.

It is inexorable that a proportion of patients with systemic arterial hypertension will develop a hypertensive crisis at some point in their lives. The hypertensive crises can be divided in hypertensive patients with emergency or hypertensive emergency, according to the presence or absence of acute end-organ damage. In this review, we discuss the cardiovascular hypertensive emergencies, including acute coronary syndrome, congestive heart failure, aortic dissection and sympathomimetic hypertensive crises (those caused by cocaine use included). Each is presented in a unique way, although some patients with hypertensive emergency report non-specific symptoms. Treatment includes multiple medications for quick and effective action with security to reduce blood pressure, protect the function of organs remaining, relieve symptoms, minimize the risk of complications and improve patient outcomes.

Inevitablemente, una proporción de pacientes con hipertensión arterial sistémica desarrollará crisis hipertensiva en algún momento de su vida. Las crisis hipertensivas pueden dividirse en hipertensos con emergencia o urgencia hipertensiva, según la presencia o ausencia de daño agudo en órganos blanco. En esta revisión discutimos la emergencia cardiovascular hipertensiva, la cual incluye el síndrome coronario agudo, la disección aórtica, la insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva y las crisis hipertensivas simpaticomiméticas (de estas, también mencionaremos aquellas causadas por el consumo de cocaína). Cada una de estas crisis se presenta de una manera única, aunque algunos pacientes con emergencia hipertensiva reportan síntomas inespecíficos. El tratamiento incluye varios medicamentos de acción rápida y eficaces con seguridad para reducir la presión arterial, proteger la función de órganos restantes, aliviar los síntomas, minimizar el riesgo de complicaciones y mejorar los resultados del paciente.

[Systemic arterial hypertension in the elderly. Recommendations for clinical practice]. / Hipertensión arterial sistémica en el adulto mayor. Recomendaciones para la práctica clínica.

Hypertension is common in people aged 65 and older. In those aged 70 and older, hypertension is more poorly controlled than in those whose age is between 60 and 69 years. The number of trials available concerning the elderly population is limited; therefore, strong recommendations on blood pressure (BP) goals are limited. The American College of Cardiology has recently published a consensus report of management of hypertension in the elderly population. This review presents an overview of that consensus report and reviews specific studies that provide some novel findings regarding BP goals and the progression of nephropathy. In general, the evidence strongly supports a BP goal < 150/80 mm Hg for the elderly with scant data in those aged 80 and older. However, it was decided to set the goal < 140/90 mm Hg, unless the patient cannot tolerate it, and then try to achieve 140-145 mm Hg. Diuretics and calcium antagonists are the most efficient treatment; however, most patients will require two or more drugs to achieve such goals.

La hipertensión es común en personas mayores de 65 años de edad. En los mayores de 70 años, se lleva un peor control que entre los adultos de 60 a 69 años. El número de ensayos disponibles acerca de la población de edad avanzada es limitado; por lo tanto, las recomendaciones robustas de metas de presión arterial (PA) para este grupo etario son pocas. El Colegio Americano de Cardiología ha publicado recientemente un consenso de manejo de la hipertensión en la población anciana. Esta revisión presenta una visión general de ese informe de consenso y comentarios sobre estudios específicos que proporcionan algunos resultados nuevos con respecto a la meta de PA y la progresión de la nefropatía. En general, la revisión de la evidencia para el informe de consenso apoya una meta < 150/80 mm Hg para la tercera edad con escasos datos en los mayores de 80. Sin embargo, se decidió establecer una meta <140/90 mm Hg, a menos que el paciente no pueda tolerarlo y luego trate de llegar a 140-145 mm Hg. Los diuréticos y los antagonistas del calcio son los agentes individuales más eficaces para el tratamiento; sin embargo, la mayoría de los pacientes requerirá dos o más fármacos para alcanzar sus metas.

[Hypertension during pregnancy: the challenge continues]. / Hipertensión durante el embarazo: el reto continúa.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect approximately from 5 to 10 % of all pregnant women, and are the main contributors of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This group of disorders includes chronic hypertension, as well as the conditions that arise de novo in pregnancy: gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. This last group is believed to be part of the same continuum, but with arbitrary division. Research on the etiology of hypertension in pregnancy largely have focused on preeclampsia, with a majority of studies that explore any factor associated with pregnancy, e.g., the answers derived from the placenta or immunological reactions to tissue from the pregnancy or maternal constitutional factors, such as cardiovascular health and endothelial dysfunction. The basic foundations for the pathophysiology and progression of hypertensive pregnancy disorders, particularly preeclampsia, are reviewed in this paper. Therapeutic options for the treatment of preeclampsia are also explored.

Los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo afectan aproximadamente entre 5 y 10 % de todas las embarazadas y son los principales factores que contribuyen a la morbilidad materna y neonatal, y a la mortalidad en todo el mundo. Este grupo de trastornos incluye la hipertensión crónica, así como las condiciones que surgen de novo en el embarazo: hipertensión gestacional y preeclampsia. Se cree que este último grupo es parte de un mismo continuo pero con división arbitraria. La investigación sobre la etiología de la hipertensión en el embarazo en gran parte se ha centrado en la preeclampsia, con una mayoría de estudios que exploran cualquier factor asociado con el embarazo, como las respuestas derivadas de la placenta, o las reacciones inmunológicas al tejido del embarazo, o factores constitucionales maternos, como la salud cardiovascular y la disfunción endotelial. Se revisan en este trabajo los fundamentos básicos para la fisiopatología y la progresión de los trastornos hipertensivos en el embarazo, en especial de la preeclampsia. También se revisan las opciones terapéuticas para el tratamiento de este estado patológico.