The Impact of Nutrition on the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had significant morbidity, mortality, social and financial implications for the global population. Despite this knowledge, we still know very little about how COVID-19 infection affects quality of life resulting from changes in nutritional behaviour and, conversely, how nutrition could modulate the epidemiology of COVID-19. In addition, the social isolation most have experienced due to the regulations imposed by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic may have also had effects on our nutritional behaviour. It is possible that nutritional interventions may have effects on the incidence of COVID-19 infection and mortality rates. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current status of research on the topic of nutrition as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Endothelial and left ventricular diastolic function in young adults exposed to tobacco.

Smoking is associated with endothelial and left ventricular diastolic disfunction. We aimed to determine the endothelial and diastolic function in young adults exposed to tobacco smoke and the effects of acute exposure to it. Smokers were considered as cases and non-smokers as controls. Brachial artery diameter, brachial artery flow velocity, and echocardiographic variables were measured. Mean age of the participants was 21 years. Smokers showed significant endothelial dysfunction compared with non-smokers. Arterial dilation mediated by the endothelium was significantly higher in non-smokers than in smokers (p = 0.005). Non-endothelium-mediated arterial dilation was significantly impaired in smokers compared with non-smokers (p = 0.02). After reactive hyperaemia, there was a significant increase in blood flow in non-smokers (61%) compared with that in smokers (29%). Acute cigarette exposure showed a trend towards left ventricle diastolic disfunction in smokers. Left atrium diameter was significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers. After acute exposure to cigarette smoke, arterial dilation and brachial flow velocity were lower than those achieved in the abstinence phase (p = 0.005). We concluded that endothelium-dependent arterial dilation is impaired in young smokers and it worsens even after acute exposure to cigarette smoke.

La epidemiología de la fibrilación auricular después de 390 años / Atrial fibrillation Epidemiology after 390 years

RESUMEN La fibrilación auricular es la taquiarritmia supraventricular más frecuente en la práctica clínica. Se caracteriza por una activación auricular no coordinada que causa una disfunción mecánica de las aurículas. Desde su primera descripción por William Harvey, en 1628, hasta nuestros días, se han desarrollado numerosos adelantos científicos sobre su diagnóstico, fisiopatología y tratamiento. A pesar de haber transcurrido 390 años, su prevalencia en los países desarrollados es aproximadamente del 1,5-2% de la población general. La media de edad ha aumentado de tal forma que actualmente se sitúa entre 75 y 85 años. Su prevalencia se duplicará en los próximos 50 años. Las estadísticas vigentes reportan que esta arritmia está asociada a un riesgo cinco veces mayor de accidente cerebrovascular, una incidencia tres veces mayor de insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva y mayor mortalidad. El análisis de estos reportes ha motivado esta investigación sobre la situación epidemiológica de este trastorno del ritmo cardíaco.

ABSTRACT Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent supraventricular tachyarrhythmia according to clinical practice. It is determined by uncoordinated atrial activation, which causes a mechanical atrial dysfunction. Since its first description by William Harvey in 1628, numerous scientific methods have been developed for diagnosis, physiopathology and treatment. In spite of 390 years have passed after atrial fibrillation discovery, still prevails in developed countries approximately 1.5 to 2% in the general population. Average age has risen in such a way that today stands between 75 and 85 years old. Atrial fibrillation will double abreast within next 50 years. Current statistics report this arrhythmia is associated to five times higher risk of ictus and a threefold bigger incidence of congestive heart failure, increasing mortality levels. Present reports´ analysis has motivated research on the epidemiological situation of this cardiac rhythm disorder.

Female sex does not influence 30-day stroke and mortality rates after carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sex-based differences in outcomes for the treatment of carotid arterial disease remains a controversial topic. The main objective of this study was to determine if gender differences influence 30-day stroke and mortality rates after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in a large series of patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all patients undergoing endarterectomy performed by a single surgeon between January 1, 1993 and December 15, 2010. The analysis included data from 1,046 CEAs (683 men and 363 women). RESULTS: There were no differences found in 30-day stroke, death, or combined stroke and death rates between women and men. The 30-day stroke rate was 1.6% for women and 1.8% for men (P = 0.98), with no significant differences between asymptomatic patients (1.7% for women vs. 1.2% for men; P = 0.70) or symptomatic patients (1.6% for women vs. 2.1% for men; P = 0.74). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.8% for women and 0.9% for men (P = 0.85) with no significant differences between asymptomatic patients (0.8% for women vs. 1.2% for men; P = 0.77) and symptomatic patients (0.8% for women vs. 0.7% for men; P = 0.84). There was a similar low risk for the combined outcome of stroke and death (1.9% for women vs. 2.2% for men; P = 0.92), with no differences between asymptomatic patients (1.7% for women vs. 1.6% for men; P = 0.89) or symptomatic patients (2.1% for women vs. 2.5% for men; P = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Female sex does not influence 30-day stroke and mortality rates after CEA, regardless of preoperative symptom status.

Lifestyle risk factors and cardiovascular disease in cubans and cuban americans.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Cuba. Lifestyle risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in Cubans have not been compared to risk factors in Cuban Americans. Articles spanning the last 20 years were reviewed. The data on Cuban Americans are largely based on the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), 1982-1984, while more recent data on epidemiological trends in Cuba are available. The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus remains greater in Cuban Americans than in Cubans. However, dietary preferences, low physical activity, and tobacco use are contributing to the rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and CHD in Cuba, putting Cubans at increased cardiovascular risk. Comprehensive national strategies for cardiovascular prevention that address these modifiable lifestyle risk factors are necessary to address the increasing threat to public health in Cuba.