Validation of a Spanish Version of the Information Needs in Cardiac Rehabilitation Scale to Assess Information Needs and Preferences in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: The identification of information needs is considered the first step to increase knowledge that ultimately could improve health outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to psychometrically validate the Spanish Information Needs in Cardiac Rehabilitation (INCR). METHODS: The Spanish INCR was psychometrically tested in 184 patients undergoing CR. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach α, factor structure was assessed using exploratory factor analysis, and criterion validity regarding educational level, occupation, and duration in CR was assessed. RESULTS: Cronbach α was .97. Factor analysis revealed 10 factors, all internally consistent. Criterion validity was supported by significant differences in total INCR scores by educational level (P < .01), occupation (P < .01), and duration in CR (P < .05). Emergency/safety was the greatest information need perceived by patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish INCR was demonstrated to have good reliability and validity. This tool can be applicable in clinical and research settings, assessing patients' information needs during CR and as part of education programming.

American Registry of Ambulatory or acutely decompensated heart failure (AMERICCAASS Registry): First 1000 patients.

BACKGROUND: About 80% of cardiovascular diseases (including heart failure [HF]) occur in low-income and developing countries. However, most clinical trials are conducted in developed countries. HYPOTHESIS: The American Registry of Ambulatory or Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure (AMERICCAASS) aims to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of HF, comorbidities, clinical presentation, and pharmacological management of patients with ambulatory or acutely decompensated HF in America. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive, observational, prospective, and multicenter registry, which includes patients >18 years with HF in an outpatient or hospital setting. Collected information is stored in the REDCap electronic platform. Quantitative variables are defined according to the normality of the variable using the Shapiro-Wilk test. RESULTS: This analysis includes data from the first 1000 patients recruited. 63.5% were men, the median age of 66 years (interquartile range 56.7-75.4), and 77.6% of the patients were older than 55 years old. The percentage of use of the four pharmacological pillars at the time of recruitment was 70.7% for beta-blockers (BB), 77.4% for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB II)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), 56.8% for mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), and 30.7% for sodium-glucose cotransporter type-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). The main cause of decompensation in hospitalized patients was HF progression (64.4%), and the predominant hemodynamic profile was wet-warm (68.3%). CONCLUSIONS: AMERICCAASS is the first continental registry to include hospitalized or outpatient patients with HF. Regarding optimal medical therapy, approximately a quarter of the patients still need to receive BB and ACEI/ARB/ARNI, less than half do not receive MRA, and more than two-thirds do not receive SGLT2i.

Gender-related Differences in the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Cardiometabolic Patients in Latin America: The CorCOVID LATAM Gender Sub-study.

COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures have disrupted lifestyle habits and self-care. Gender differences in health behavior during the pandemic have not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender related differences in the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with cardiometabolic diseases. A cross-sectional survey was administered to cardiometabolic patients in 13 Latin American countries between June 15th and July 15th, 2020. The study included 4216 participants, of which 2147 (50.9%) were women. Women reported healthier eating habits as well as lower tobacco and alcohol consumption than men but exercised less and reported increased symptoms of depression. Low income and symptoms of depression were associated with sedentarism in women. The interplay between psychological factors and sedentarism could increase the risk of cardiovascular events in this population.

Relación entre la enfermedad Periodontal y enfermedad cardiovascular. La necesidad de un protocolo de manejo / Relationship between Periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. The need for a management protocol

Resumen La enfermedad periodontal y la enfermedad cardiovascular son dos de las enfermedades más prevalentes en la población mundial. Son ambas enfermedades de alto impacto en la salud pública. La enfermedad periodontal se define como una inflamación crónica de los tejidos que dan soporte a los dientes causada por bacterias bacilos gram negativos y espiro quetas que se generan en biofilms alrededor de los dientes. La prevalencia de la periodontitis severa va desde el 1% en pacientes entre 20 y 29 años hasta de 39% en pacientes mayores de 65 años. La presencia de microorganismos genera una respuesta inflamatoria local y sistémica. La producción de reactantes de fase aguda y mediadores proinflamatorios aumenta el riesgo de inflamación en las placas ateroescleróticas haciéndolas propensas a ruptura. Existe además lo po sibilidad de la entrada de bacterias al torrente sanguíneo, dichas bacteremias se han relacionado con la posibilidad de endocarditis infecciosa. Estudios epidemiológicos han demostrado un aumento del riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en pacientes con enfermedad periodontal activa, independientemente de otros factores de riesgo que comparten ambas patologías. El riesgo relativo varía entre diferentes autores y trabajos realizados pero está cercano al 19% como lo demos tró Wei-Dong en su metanalisis. El efecto de la periodontitis se ha evidenciado en otros aspectos del espectro clínico de la enfermedad cardiovascular como lo son la alteración de la actividad insulínica, glicogénesis hepática y alteración de la microflora intestinal que lleva a procesos de inflamación sistémica y cambios metabólicos. Por estas razones es aconsejable realizar una revisión exhaustiva de la condición dental de los pacientes en riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular. En aquellos con datos de enfermedad activa se aconseja la extracción y reparación de piezas dentales. El uso de clorhexidina es aconsejable como parte del tratamiento de la enfermedad así como la prevención de la misma en pacientes de riesgo o que vayan a ser sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos. En casos especiales se aconseja profilaxis antibiótica para prevenir la endocarditis infecciosa.

Abstract Relationship between Periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. The need for a management protocol Periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are two of the most prevalent diseases in the world population. Both diseases have high impact on public health. Periodontal disease is defined as a chronic inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth caused by gram-negative bacilli bacteria and spirochetes that are generated in biofilms around the teeth. The prevalence of severe periodontitis ranges from 1% in patients between 20 and 29 years old to 39% in patients older than 65 years. The presence of microorganisms generates a local and systemic inflammatory response. The production of acute phase reactants and proinflammatory mediators increases the risk of inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques making them prone to rupture. There is also the possibility of entrance of bacteria into the bloodstream and bacteremias have been linked to the possibility of infective endocarditis. Epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with active periodontal disease, independently of other risk factors that share both pathologies. The relative risk varies between different authors and works performed but is close to 19% as demonstrated by Wei-Dong in his meta-analysis. The effect of periodontitis has been evidenced in other aspects of the clinical spectrum of cardiovascular disease such as the alteration of insulin activity, hepatic glycogenesis and alteration of the intestinal microflora that leads to processes of systemic inflammation and metabolic changes. For these reasons it is advisable to carry out a comprehensive review of the dental condition of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. In those with active disease data suggest it is appropriate to remove and repair dental pieces. The use of chlorhexidine is advisable as part of the treatment of the periodontal disease as well as the prevention in patients at risk or who will undergo surgical procedures. In special cases antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended to prevent infective endocarditis.

Cor Triatriatum sinester / Cor Triatriatum Sinester

ResumenEl cor triatriatum sinester es una anormalidad cardiaca congénita poco frecuente, que constituye del 0,1 al 0,4% de todas las malformaciones cardiacas. Se caracteriza por una división anómala de la aurícula izquierda por una membrana fibromuscular, la cual genera dos cavidades que se comunican por uno o más orificios con distinto grado de obstrucción.Se asocia con otras anomalías cardiacas, principalmente con comunicación interauricular. Se puede presentar en la infancia, cuando suele ser fatal, o más tardíamente en el adulto, como insuficiencia cardiaca, o incluso cursar de forma asintomática, dependiendo del tamaño de los orificios y del gradiente de presión entre las cavidades. En este artículo se presenta el caso de un masculino de 30 años, sin patologías crónicas, quien consulta por disnea de grandes esfuerzos en los últimos 6 meses, a quien se le diagnostica por medio del ecocardiograma transtorácico y transesofágico un cor triatriatum sinister.

AbstractCor Triatriatum Sinister is a rare congenital heart defect, representing 0.1 to 0.4% of all cardiac malformations. This condition is characterized for an abnormal division of the left atrium by a fibromuscular membrane that generates two cavities, which are connected by one or more orifices with different degrees of obstruction. This condition is associated with other cardiac abnormalities mainly related to atrial septal defects. Its presentation in pediatric patients is often lethal, in adults it may appear as heart failure symptoms or as an asymptomatic finding in echocardiography depending on the pressure gradient between cavities. We present a case report of a 30 years old male without chronic conditions, who complained of dyspnea with strenuous physical activity occurring in the last 6 months, who was diagnosed with a cor triatriatum sinister by the use of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram.

Registro nacional de insuficiencia cardíaca de Costa Rica. El estudio RENAIC CR / National registry of heart failure in Costa Rica. The RENAIC CR study

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas y el manejo de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) en Costa Rica. Métodos: El RENAIC CR es un registro observacional y prospectivo en curso que actualmente incluye pacientes con IC atendidos en Costa Rica. Resultados: Se incluyeron 695 pacientes (68,3% ≥63,5 años de edad; 57,7% de sexo masculino). La causa más frecuente de IC era cardiopatía isquémica (58,0%). La mayoría de los pacientes tenía clase funcional II (33,1%) o III (35,2%) de acuer do con la NYHA. En todos los pacientes con IC se realizó un ecocardiograma, aunque en la mitad de estos pacientes no se determinaron los niveles de péptidos natriuréticos. Muchos pacientes no recibían tratamiento para la IC basado en la evidencia. Conclusión: Este registro puede ser valioso para desarrollar estrategias que mejoren el manejo de los pacientes con IC en Costa Rica y en países similares.

Abstract National registry of heart failure in Costa Rica. The RENAIC CR study Objective: To determine the clinical features and management of patients with heart failure (HF) in Costa Rica. Methods: The RENAIC CR is an ongoing, observational and prospective registry that is currently including HF patients attended at Costa Rica. Results: 695 patients (68.3% ≥63.5 years; 57.7% male) were included. The most common cause of HF was ischemic heart disease (58.0%). Most patients were on NYHA functional class II (33.1%) or III (35.2%). In all HF patients an echocardiogram was performed, but in half of these patients natriuretic peptides were not determined. Many patients were not taking evidence-based HF therapies. Conclusion: This registry may be helpful for developing strategies to improve the management of patients with HF in Costa Rica and similar countries.