[Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with conscious sedation and early discharge. Report of seven cases]. / Abordaje del implante valvular aórtico transcateter durante la pandemia por COVID-19 con alta prevoz: reporte de una serie de casos.

COVID-19 pandemic generated multiple challenges for the health system. Cardiovascular disease is associated with a worse prognosis of infections. Moreover, most hospital resources and operative rooms were destined to patients with COVID-19 infection, deferring the treatment of most valvular patients requiring surgery. We report seven patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with conscious sedation and early discharge. No patient required intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation. After a 90-day follow-up, there were no complications or unplanned readmissions.

[Use of anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation]. / Uso de anticoagulantes orales directos en pacientes con fibrilación auricular post implante de TAVI: resultados de una encuesta internacional.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is beneficial in patients with symptomatic severe Aortic Stenosis (AS). There is no consensus about the best anticoagulation strategy for patients with a recent TAVI and with atrial fibrillation (AF). Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are effective to prevent embolic events with a significant lower incidence of bleeding. There is scarce evidence about the use of these drugs in patients undergoing TAVI. AIM: To assess the management of anticoagulation at the moment of discharge of patients with AF and TAVI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A four question survey was sent to cardiologists involved in TAVI programs in different international centers. RESULTS: The survey was answered by 72 interventional cardiologists. Even with the lack of randomized evidence, in most of the scenarios DOACs are prescribed at discharge in patients with indication for anticoagulation. Also, in patients with high bleeding risk, most cardiologists would perform a left atrial appendage closure. In patients with concomitant coronary artery disease, if a stent was recently implanted, prescription of the combination of a DOAC and one antiplatelet drug was the most common answer. In patients with a former coronary angioplasty, DOAC or Warfarin was the therapy of choice. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of randomized data, interventional cardiologists prescribe DOACs at discharge to patients with AF and TAVI, without following current guidelines in most cases.

[Coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe three vessel disease]. / Cirugía de revascularización miocárdica versus angioplastía en el tratamiento de la enfermedad coronaria de tres vasos y tronco de la coronaria izquierda.

Recent randomized controlled trials confirmed the beneficial outcomes with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with severe three-vessel coronary artery and left main disease. An increased long-term survival after CABG is associated with a reduction in spontaneous myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization rates. While PCI treats only flow-limiting lesions, CABG treats the whole coronary artery, preventing events in the future. Due to different clinical and anatomic factors affecting the outcomes, the heart team should formulate treatment assignment recommendations.

[Combined use of left ventricular assist devices in cardiogenic shock. Report of one case]. / ECMELLA: Uso combinado de dispositivos de asistencia ventricular izquierda en el manejo del shock cardiogénico postinfarto agudo al miocardio.

We report a 55-year-old woman with a history of hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes mellitus who consulted at the emergency room because of intermittent oppressive chest discomfort. At admission, electrocardiogram showed a complete atrioventricular block. A transthoracic echocardiogram disclosed severe left ventricular dysfunction. The patient developed cardiogenic shock that required the installation of the Impella system. An emergency coronary angiography showed an ostial occlusion of the anterior descending artery. Despite successful primary angioplasty, she persisted with refractory shock and progressive hypoxemia. A concomitant connection to the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system (ECMO) was decided. The support of both devices allowed the stabilization of the patient and the improvement of perfusion parameters.

[Concomitant deployment of MitraClip devices and left atrial appendage closure. Report of one case]. / Implante concomitante de MitraClip y cierre de orejuela izquierda: importancia de la puncoón transeptal y sus implicancias técnicas. Caso clínico.

We report a 65-years old woman with a history of permanent atrial fibrillation with high risk for ischemic and bleeding events. She developed a heart failure with severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction and severe secondary mitral regurgitation. Given her high surgical risk, using transesophageal echocardiography guidance, a concomitant deployment of two MitraClip devices using a high-posterior septal puncture and a left atrial appendage closure with an Amplatzer Amulet occluder were performed through the same access.

An artificially intelligent (or algorithm-enhanced) electronic medical record in orofacial pain.

This review examines how a highly structured data collection system could be used to create data-driven diagnostic classification algorithms. Some preliminary data using this process is provided. The data collection system described is applicable to any clinical domain where the diagnoses being explored are based predominately on clinical history (subjective) and physical examination (objective) information. The system has been piloted and refined using patient encounters collected in a clinic specializing in Orofacial Pain treatment. In summary, whether you believe a branching hybrid check-box based data collection system with built-in algorithms is needed, depends on your individual agenda. If you have no plans for data analysis or publishing about the various phenotypes discovered and you do not need pop-up suggestions for best diagnosis and treatment options, it is easier to use a semi-structured narrative note for your patient encounters. If, however, you want data-driven diagnostic and disease risk algorithms and pop-up best-treatment options, then you need a highly structured data collection system that is compatible with machine learning analysis. Automating the journey from data collection to diagnoses has the potential to improve standards of care by providing faster and reliable predictions.

[Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): diagnosis, pathogenesis, therapy and prognosis]. / L'infarto miocardico senza ostruzione coronarica significativa (MINOCA): inquadramento diagnostico, patogenesi, terapia e prognosi.

The term MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries) defines acute myocardial infarction with angiographic evidence of no significant coronary artery stenosis. Heterogeneous diseases are labelled as MINOCA. Incidence and epidemiological aspects differ on the basis of etiological causes. MINOCA include plaque (causing <50% stenosis) rupture or erosion, coronary embolism and dissection, and coronary artery spasm. Diagnosis may require multiple diagnostic tools, including cardiac imaging or provocative tests, in addition to standard coronary angiography, according to clinical suspicion. Cardiac magnetic resonance plays a key role in confirming the diagnosis and excluding other diseases with similar clinical presentation. Prognosis is not as benign as previously thought, on the opposite it is characterized by morbidity and mortality rates similar to other forms of myocardial infarction. Once the causative mechanism has been identified, appropriate therapy can be delivered.

[Relevance of complete blood count parameters in the assessment of acute coronary syndromes: a combined hematological and cardiological perspective]. / Alterazioni dell'emocromo nella sindrome coronarica acuta: ematologi e cardiologi a confronto.

The aim of this review is to explore the available evidence concerning the relationship between the different parameters of the complete blood count, its pathophysiological changes and cardiovascular disease, specifically focusing on the acute ischemic setting. Erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets undergo significant and more or less durable changes over time in response to conditions of systemic inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic disease. This is the reason why blood cell count parameters can (and should) be implemented in the global assessment of the patient with acute coronary syndrome.From the literature review it emerges that anemia and thrombocytopenia have an independent negative prognostic role in the medium and long term, being markers of the overall frailty of patients with ischemic heart disease. On the other hand, essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera, two chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms, are characterized by an important increase in thrombotic risk. Both conditions are given a brief description for the particular importance of the close collaboration between cardiologists and hematologists in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases in the context of ischemic heart disease.

Características y predictores ecocardiográficos de mortalidad en pacientes intervenidos con TAVI. La importancia de anticiparse al daño cardíaco global / Predictors of late mortality after TAVI: the relevance of early intervention to prevent global deterioration of cardiac function

Introducción: En nuestro medio, el implante percutáneo de prótesis aórtica (TAVI) se encuentra limitado a pacientes más añosos o de mayor riesgo quirúrgico, en quienes frecuentemente se retarda la intervención hasta que presenten signos avanzados de enfermedad. Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de compromiso miocárdico en pacientes sometidos a TAVI y determinar si la magnitud de este compromiso predice los resultados alejados del procedimiento. Métodos: Registro de pacientes sometidos a TAVI en 2 instituciones de Chile. Según la clasificación propuesta por Genereux el año 2017, se clasificaron desde el punto de vista ecocardiográfico como: 1) compromiso de ventrículo izquierdo; 2) compromiso de aurícula izquierda; 3) hipertensión pulmonar / insuficiencia tricuspídea significativa y 4) disfunción de ventrículo derecho. Resultados: Se incluyeron 209 pacientes. Se logró un procedimiento exitoso en 98,6%, registrándose una mortalidad intrahospitalaria de 2,9%. El compromiso cardíaco se extendió más allá de las cavidades izquierdas en 24,7% de los casos (estadíos 3 y 4). A una mediana de seguimiento de 650 días se registró una mortalidad de 26,8%. El compromiso de cavidades derechas (estadíos 3 y 4) se asoció a una mayor mortalidad (39,6% vs 22,1%, log rank p=0,015). En análisis multivariado, este compromiso fue el único factor que de forma independiente predijo mortalidad (HR 1,87, IC 1,01-3,44, p=0,044). Conclusiones: El compromiso de cavidades derechas se asocia a una mayor mortalidad alejada en pacientes sometidos a TAVI. Estos resultados debiesen estimular una derivación precoz de estos pacientes que, aunque añosos y de alto riesgo, tienen buenos resultados intervenidos precozmente.

Background: Locally, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is limited to very old or high-risk patients, whose intervention is frequently delayed until they develop signs of advanced disease. Aim: To evaluate the degree of myocardial compromise in patients undergoing TAVI and to determine whether the level of this compromise can predict results during follow-up. Methods: Registry of TAVI patients from 2 institutions in Chile. According to the classification proposed by Genereux in 2017, patients were classified based on the echocardiogram as 1) left ventricular compromise; 2) left atrial compromise; 3) pulmonary hypertension / severe tricuspid regurgitation; 4) right ventricular dysfunction. Results: The study included 209 patients. A successful procedure was achieved in 98.6% of cases, with an in-hospital mortality of 2.9%. Cardiac compromise extended beyond left chambers in 24.7% of cases (stages 3 and 4). During follow-up (median of 650 days) mortality was 26.8%. Right chambers involvement (stages 3 and 4) was associated with increased mortality (39.6% vs 22.1%, log rank p=0.015). In multivariate analysis, this compromise was the only factor that independently predicted mortality (HR 1.87, IC 1.01-3.44, p=0,044). Conclusions: Right chambers involvement was associated to increased mortality during follow-up of patients undergoing TAVI. These results should stimulate earlier referral of these high risk and older patients in order to obtain better results following the intervention.

Registro multicéntrico impella CP para shock cardiogénico o angioplastía de alto riesgo protegida en Chile / Use of impella CP in high risk coronary angioplasty and cardiogenic shock: a registry

Antecedentes: El Shock Cardiogénico (SC) y las Angioplastías de Alto Riesgo (AAR) están asociadas con altas tasas de mortalidad. El uso del dispositivo Impella CP podría reducir el riesgo de muerte en estos escenarios. En Chile no existen reportes evaluando el uso del dispositivo Impella CP. Objetivo: Analizar los desenlaces clínicos en pacientes que fueron sometidos al uso del dispositivo Impella CP por SC o por AAR. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en 17 pacientes, los cuales representan el total de implantes realizados en el país, entre octubre 2021 y agosto 2023. Se describió las características, demográficas, procedimentales y después del implante. Se estimó la mortalidad general y se identificaron factores asociados. Resultados: La edad de los pacientes fue 69± 3,7 años y 88,2% fueron hombres. El 64,7% recibió el dispositivo por SC y 35,3% por AAR. Dentro de las comorbilidades estudiadas, la hipertensión arterial fue la más frecuente, 94,1%. Un 58,8% de los pacientes fueron revascularizados a través de la arteria radial. El 29,4% recibió el dispositivo previo a la angioplastía y 70,6% lo recibió después. El 47,1% de las angioplastías fue guiada por imágenes. En 11,8% de ellos se realizó litotricia intracoronaria y 5,9% por ablación intracoronaria. Los pacientes estuvieron 13 ±3,4 días con el soporte. La mortalidad global fue de 41,2%. Conclusiones: El uso del dispositivo Impella presentó pocas complicaciones vasculares. La mortalidad asociada con su colocación en Chile fue relativamente similar con la reportada en la literatura.

Background: Cardiogenic shock and high-risk Angioplasty are associated with a high mortality rate. Using the Impella CP device could reduce the risk of death in these scenarios. In Chile, there are no studies evaluating the use of the Impella CP device. Objective: To analyse the clinical outcomes in patients who have undergone placement of the Impella CP device for cardiogenic shock and high-risk angioplasties. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 17 patients, which represent the total number of implants performed in the country, between October 2021 and August 2023. The demographic, procedural and post-implant characteristics were described. Overall mortality and associated factors were identified. Results: The age was 69± 3.7 years, where 88.2% were men. 64.7% of patients received the device by SC and 35.3% by AAR. Among the comorbidities studied, arterial hypertension was the most frequent with 94.1%. 58.8% of patients were revascularized through the radial artery. 29.4% of patients received the device before angioplasty and 70.6% received it afterwards. 47.1% of angioplasties were image-guided, 11.8% had intracoronary lithotripsy, and 5.9% had intracoronary ablation. The patients spent 13 ±3.4 days with the support. Overall mortality was 41.2%. Conclusion: use of the Impella device was associated with few vascular complications. Mortality associated with use of the Impella device in Chile was similar to that previously reported in other studies.

Abordaje del implante valvular aórtico transcateter durante la pandemia por COVID-19 con alta prevoz: reporte de una serie de casos / Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with conscious sedation and early discharge: report of seven cases

COVID-19 pandemic generated multiple challenges for the health system. Cardiovascular disease is associated with a worse prognosis of infections. Moreover, most hospital resources and operative rooms were destined to patients with COVID-19 infection, deferring the treatment of most valvular patients requiring surgery. We report seven patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with conscious sedation and early discharge. No patient required intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation. After a 90-day follow-up, there were no complications or unplanned readmissions.

Uso de anticoagulantes orales directos en pacientes con fibrilación auricular post implante de TAVI: resultados de una encuesta internacional / Use of anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is beneficial in patients with symptomatic severe Aortic Stenosis (AS). There is no consensus about the best anticoagulation strategy for patients with a recent TAVI and with atrial fibrillation (AF). Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are effective to prevent embolic events with a significant lower incidence of bleeding. There is scarce evidence about the use of these drugs in patients undergoing TAVI. AIM: To assess the management of anticoagulation at the moment of discharge of patients with AF and TAVI. Material and Methods: A four question survey was sent to cardiologists involved in TAVI programs in different international centers. Results: The survey was answered by 72 interventional cardiologists. Even with the lack of randomized evidence, in most of the scenarios DOACs are prescribed at discharge in patients with indication for anticoagulation. Also, in patients with high bleeding risk, most cardiologists would perform a left atrial appendage closure. In patients with concomitant coronary artery disease, if a stent was recently implanted, prescription of the combination of a DOAC and one antiplatelet drug was the most common answer. In patients with a former coronary angioplasty, DOAC or Warfarin was the therapy of choice. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of randomized data, interventional cardiologists prescribe DOACs at discharge to patients with AF and TAVI, without following current guidelines in most cases.

Cirugía de revascularización miocárdica versus angioplastía en el tratamiento de la enfermedad coronaria de tres vasos y tronco de la coronaria izquierda / Coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe three vessel disease

Recent randomized controlled trials confirmed the beneficial outcomes with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with severe three-vessel coronary artery and left main disease. An increased long-term survival after CABG is associated with a reduction in spontaneous myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization rates. While PCI treats only flow-limiting lesions, CABG treats the whole coronary artery, preventing events in the future. Due to different clinical and anatomic factors affecting the outcomes, the heart team should formulate treatment assignment recommendations.

Muerte súbita cardíaca por fibrilación ventricular asociada a isquemia miocárdica, tratada por desfibrilador automático implantable / Sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation associated with myocardial ischemia, treated by implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Resumen: Reportamos el caso de un hombre de 67 años, con múltiples factores de riesgo cardiovascular, quien en el año 2015 presentó muerte súbita por fibrilación ventricular sin lesiones coronarias significativas, tras lo cual se implantó un desfibrilador automático. En el año 2019 presentó un nuevo episodio de fibrilación ventricular en relación con síndrome coronario agudo con supradesnivel del ST localizado en pared anterior, registrado y adecuadamente resuelto por el dispositivo. Se demostró una oclusión aterotrombótica en la porción proximal de la arteria descendente anterior. Fue precoz y exitosamente manejado con angioplastía coronaria percutánea e implante de stent fármaco activo, guiado por tomografía por coherencia óptica intracoronaria. A las 48 horas post angioplastía, presentó episodio de taquicardia ventricular polimorfa reconocido y tratado por el cardiodesfibrilador, sin consecuencias. Electivamente se efectuó angioplastía e implante de stent metálico en arteria coronaria derecha distal, con buen resultado angiográfico. La posterior evolución del paciente fue satisfactoria, sin manifestaciones de insuficiencia cardíaca, angina ni arritmias.

Abstract: A 67-year-old man, with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who in 2015 presented sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation without significant coronary lesions, after which an implantable automatic defibrillator (ICD) was implanted. In 2019, he presented a new episode of ventricular fibrillation adequately resolved by the device, in relation to an acute coronary syndrome with ST elevation in the anterior wall of the left ventricle, due to atherothrombotic occlusion in the proximal portion of the anterior descending artery. He was early and successfully managed with percutaneous coronary angioplasty by the insertion of a drug eluting stent, implanted guided by intracoronary optical coherence tomography. Forty eight hours later, he presented an episode polymorphic ventricular tachycardia recognized and treated by the ICD. Angioplasty with a bare metal stent implantation were performed in the distal right coronary artery, with good angiographic results. The subsequent course was satisfactory, with no manifestations of heart failure, angina or arrhythmias.

Repercusión de la pandemia COVID-19 en la práctica de la cardiología intervencional en Chile: datos aportados por la encuesta del grupo Stent-Save a Life! LATAM working group / Decrease in the activity of interventional cardiology in Chile: a report from the "Stent-Save a Life! LATAM working group"

RESUMEN: Introducción: El Stent-Save a Life! (SSL) LATAM working group diseñó una encuesta para objetivar la reducción de la actividad de los laboratorios de hemodinamia en Latinoamérica durante la pandemia COVID-19. Ante la amenaza de nuevos confinamientos en Chile, nos propusimos objetivar las consecuencias de la primera ola de contagios en nuestra actividad. Objetivos: Discutir la repercusión de la pandemia en la cardiología intervencional en Chile. Métodos: El grupo SSL realizó una encuesta telemática a todos los países de Latinoamérica incluido Chile. Se registraron las coronariografías (CAG), intervenciones coronarias percutáneas (ACTP) e intervenciones estructurales, comparando dos períodos determinados por el confinamiento por la pandemia, cada uno de dos semanas. Pre-COVID-19: período previo al confinamiento, y COVID-19: período durante el confinamiento. Se analizan, a partir de esta encuesta, los resultados aplicados a nuestro país. Resultados: Se obtuvo respuesta de trece centros. Hubo una reducción en el número global de procedimientos entre período Pre-COVID-19 y COVID-19 de un 65,1%. Se reportó una disminución de 67% en las CAG, de un 59,4% en las ACTP y de un 92% en los procedimientos terapéuticos estructurales. Entre ambos períodos se redujo la consulta por Síndrome Coronario Agudo por elevación del segmento ST (SCACEST) en 40,8%. Conclusiones: En nuestro país se objetivó una reducción marcada de la actividad asistencial de la cardiología intervencional durante la pandemia COVID-19 y una disminución significativa en el número de pacientes tratados por SCACEST. Los resultados de nuestro país son similares a los reportados por países de Latinoamérica, Europa y Norteamérica.

ABSTRACT: Background: The Stent-Save a Life! (SSL) LATAM working group designed a survey to demonstrate the reduction in the activity of cardiac catheterization laboratories in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the risk of a new confinement in Chile, we decided to assess the impact of the first wave of contagions on our activity. Aims: To discuss the repercussion of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity of interventional cardiology in Chile. Methods: The SSL group conducted a telematic survey in all Latin American countries. Coronary angiography, coronary interventions (PCI) and structural interventions were registered, comparing two periods of two weeks duration each: before and during COVID-19 confinement. Results obtained in Chile are analyzed. Results: Thirteen centers in Chile answered the survey. There was an overall decrease of 65.1% in the number of procedures between the pre and the post COVID-19 periods. Coronary angiographies decreased 67%, PCI 59.4% and therapeutical structural procedures 92%. The reduction in acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation (STEMI) was 40,8% between periods. Conclusions: In Chile, a significant reduction in healthcare activity related to interventional cardiology and a significant decrease in the number of patients treated with STEMI was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results are similar to those reported by Latin American, European and North American countries.

Uso de la litotripsia intracoronaria en el manejo de lesiones calcificadas: reporte de dos casos / Lithoplasty for calcified coronary artery lesiones

Recently, intravascular lithoplasty (IVL) has been introduced as a novel technique for treating calcified intracoronary artery lesions. There are no reports of this intervention in Latin America. We report 2 cases in which IVL was successfully used to treat this type of coronary artery lesions.

Litoplastía iliaco-femoral para implante transcatéter de válvula órtica / Iliac-femoral lithoplasty for a transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Report of one case

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has a lower perioperative risk than traditional surgery mostly when the transfemoral access is used. Some patients have anatomical conditions that contraindicate the use of this route. Lithoplasty is a novel technique that fractures calcium in coronary and peripheral arteries using pulsatile waves transmitted through an angioplasty balloon. We report an 83 year-old male with an aortic stenosis requiring TAVI, with severe calcification of his femoral and aortic arteries. A balloon lithoplasty of the right iliac-femoral tract was carried out, which allowed the use of the transfemoral route to install the aortic prosthesis. The patient had a good subsequent evolution.