Consensus on improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure. / Consenso para la mejora de la atención integral de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda.

The latest acute heart failure consensus document from the Spanish Society of Cardiology, Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine was published in 2015, which made an update covering the main novelties regarding acute heart failure from the last few years necessary. These include publication of updated European guidelines on heart failure in 2016, new studies on the pharmacological treatment of patients during hospitalization, and other recent developments regarding acute heart failure such as early treatment, intermittent treatment, advanced heart failure, and refractory congestion. This consensus document was drafted with the aim of updating all aspects related to acute heart failure and to create a document that comprehensively describes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this disease.

Exercise-related severe cardiac events.

Physical activity has benefits on health. However, there is a small risk of effort-related adverse events. The aim of this study is to describe exercise-related severe cardiovascular events and to relate them with the type of sport performed. We performed a ten-year retrospective study in eight Spanish cardiac intensive care units. Adverse cardiac events were defined as acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest or syncope related to physical activity. From 117 patients included, 109 were male (93.2%), and mean age was 51.6 ± 12.3 years; 56 presented acute myocardial infarction without cardiac arrest (47.9%), 55 sudden cardiac death (47.0%) and six syncope (5.1%). The sports with higher number of events were cycling (33%-28.2%), marathon or similar running competitions (19%-16.2%), gymnastics (18%-15.3%) and soccer (17%-14.5%). Myocardial infarction was observed more frequently in cyclists compared to other sports (69.7% vs 39.3%, P = .001). The most common cause of sudden cardiac death was myocardial infarction in those >35 years (23%-63.9%) and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in younger patients (5%-62.5%). Significant coronary artery disease was present in 85 (79.4%). Only one patient with cardiac arrest presented with a non-shockable rhythm (asystole). Eleven patients (9.4%) died during hospitalization; in all cases, they had presented cardiac arrest. All discharged patients were alive at the end of follow-up. Exercise-related severe cardiac events are mainly seen in men. Coronary heart disease is very frequent; about half present acute myocardial infarction and the other half cardiac arrest. In our cohort, prognosis was good in patients without cardiac arrest.

[Severe aortic stenosis in a critical condition]. / Estenosis aórtica grave en situación crítica.

There is little information about patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS) who require admission to acute care units. We studied 27 patients with SAS admitted in a tertiary hospital coronary care unit. The most frequent reasons for admission were severe heart failure (42%), acute coronary syndrome (39%) and cardiac arrest (8%). At a mean follow-up of 6.5 months, 11 patients died. Cumulative survival was 74±8%, 70±9%, and 62±10% at 7, 30 and 60 days, respectively. Out of the 27 patients, 13 (48%) underwent surgical intervention, these patients having lower Euroscore (13±11 vs. 34±18%, p=0.002) and higher survival (92±7% at 7, 30 and 60 days vs. 50±13%, 40±14% and 30±14%; p=0.002). Thus, patients with SAS who require hospitalization in the intensive care units constitute a very high risk population, with very high mortality, especially during the first week after admission and in patients who have not undergone surgery.

Management of temperature control in post-cardiac arrest care: an expert report. / Manejo con control de temperatura en los cuidados posparada cardiaca: documento de expertos.

Targeted temperature management (TTM) through induced hypothermia (between 32-36 oC) is currently regarded as a first-line treatment during the management of post-cardiac arrest patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The aim of TTM is to afford neuroprotection and reduce secondary neurological damage caused by anoxia. Despite the large body of evidence on its benefits, the TTM is still little used in Spain. There are controversial issues referred to its implementation, such as the optimal target body temperature, timing, duration and the rewarming process. The present study reviews the best available scientific evidence and the current recommendations contained in the international guidelines. In addition, the study focuses on the practical implementation of TTM in post-cardiac arrest patients in general and cardiological ICUs, with a discussion of the implementation strategies, protocols, management of complications and assessment of the neurological prognosis.

Consensus on improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure.

The latest acute heart failure (AHF) consensus document from the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC, for its initials in Spanish), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) was published in 2015, which made an update covering the main novelties regarding AHF from the last few years necessary. These include publication of updated European guidelines on HF in 2016, new studies on the pharmacological treatment of patients during hospitalization, and other recent developments regarding AHF such as early treatment, intermittent treatment, advanced HF, and refractory congestion. This consensus document was drafted with the aim of updating all aspects related to AHF and to create a document that comprehensively describes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this disease.

[Novel oral anticoagulants in non-valvular atrial fibrillation: How to improve its management in Spain]. / Anticoagulantes orales directos en la fibrilación auricular no valvular: cómo mejorar su uso en España.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Recent real-world data studies on the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, provide data on the use of different DOAC according to patient characteristics. The objective of this work was to elaborate on the suggestions on the use of DOAC based on evidence and clinical experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary panel of 8 experts developed the agreed content. The document was completed in 10 regional meetings with experts from different specialties. According to these contributions, the panel prepared the final suggestions. RESULTS: The final document includes the contributions generated throughout the entire process in 3 sections. The general conclusions / suggestions on the use of DOAC are detailed. Specific tips on the use of each DOAC are proposed, based on the specific clinical profiles of the patients. Finally, the limitations on the use of DOAC are defined, and a group of actions are proposed to improve the management of anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to overcome the clinical and administrative barriers that hinder the optimal use of DOAC, in order to improve the treatment of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who require anticoagulation.

[Quality of care and safety indicators in anticoagulated patients with non-valvular auricular fibrillation and deep venous thromboembolic disease]. / Indicadores de calidad y seguridad en el paciente anticoagulado con fibrilación auricular no valvular y enfermedad tromboembólica venosa profunda.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and prioritise indicators to assess the quality of care and safety of patients with non-valvular auricular fibrillation (NVAF) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) treated with anticoagulants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the consensus conference technique, a group of professionals and clinical experts, the determining factors of the NVAF and DVT care process were identified, in order to define the quality and safety criteria. A proposal was made for indicators of quality and safety that were prioritised, taking into account a series of pre-established attributes. The selected indicators were classified into indicators of context, safety, action, and outcomes of the intervention in the patient. RESULTS: A set of 114 health care and safety quality indicators were identified, of which 35 were prioritised: 15 for NVAF and 20 for DVT. About half (49%) of the indicators (40% for NVAF and 55% for DVT) applied to patient safety, and 26% (33% for NVAF and 20% for DVT) to the outcomes of interventions in the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The present work presents a set of agreed indicators by a group of expert professionals that can contribute to the improvement of the quality of care of patients with NVAF and DVT treated with anticoagulants.

[Cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a pharmacoeconomic model of the CARDS study]. / Análisis coste-efectividad del uso de atorvastatina en pacientes diabéticos de tipo 2: modelo farmacoeconómico del estudio CARDS.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of Atorvastatin 10 mg in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2). METHOD: A deterministic and retrospective model by a decision analysis based on CARDS study (Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study) was performed. In the CARDS study, a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbimortality by the use of Atorvastatin 10 mg versus placebo (5.8 vs. 9.0%, p=0.001) in DM2 patients with an additional condition, had previously been demonstrated. In the present cost-effectiveness analysis, effectiveness units were life years gained (LYG) and quality adjusted life years (QALY), obtained from differences in morbimortality and life expectancy in DM2 patients, with and without previous cardiovascular events. Costs of the evaluated alternatives were obtained from the CARDS results. RESULTS: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of using Atorvastin 10 mg versus placebo was 5,886 euro per LYG and 8,046 euro per QALY. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the model stability. CONCLUSIONS: In the primary prevention of the cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients, the use of Atorvastatin 10 mg is cost-effective, with a cost per LYG and per QALY below that of other alternatives widely used in the Spanish National Health System, and also below a value considered as a reasonable threshold for our country, which might unofficialy be around 30,000 euro/ QALY.

Manejo con control de temperatura en los cuidados posparada cardiaca: documento de expertos / Management of temperature control in post-cardiac arrest care: an expert report

Actualmente, el control estricto de temperatura mediante hipotermia inducida (entre 32 y 36 oC) se considera un tratamiento de primera línea en el manejo de pacientes con parada cardiaca recuperada que ingresan en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos. Su objetivo es disminuir el daño neurológico secundario a anoxia cerebral. Aunque existen múltiples evidencias sobre sus beneficios, el empleo de esta técnica en nuestro país es pobre y todavía existen temas controvertidos como temperatura óptima, velocidad de instauración, duración y proceso de calentamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es desarrollar la evidencia científica actual y las recomendaciones de las principales guías internacionales. El enfoque de este documento se centra también en aplicación práctica del control estricto de la temperatura en la parada cardiaca recuperada en nuestras Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Generales o Cardiológicas, principalmente en los métodos de aplicación, protocolos, manejo de las complicaciones y elaboración del pronóstico neurológico. (AU)

Targeted temperature management (TTM) through induced hypothermia (between 32-36 oC) is currently regarded as a first-line treatment during the management of post-cardiac arrest patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The aim of TTM is to afford neuroprotection and reduce secondary neurological damage caused by anoxia. Despite the large body of evidence on its benefits, the TTM is still little used in Spain. There are controversial issues referred to its implementation, such as the optimal target body temperature, timing, duration and the rewarming process. The present study reviews the best available scientific evidence and the current recommendations contained in the international guidelines. In addition, the study focuses on the practical implementation of TTM in post-cardiac arrest patients in general and cardiological ICUs, with a discussion of the implementation strategies, protocols, management of complications and assessment of the neurological prognosis. (AU)

Diagnosis of subacute ventricular wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction: sensitivity and specificity of clinical, hemodynamic and echocardiographic criteria.

When ventricular free wall rupture after acute myocardial infarction is not followed by sudden death, it is referred to as subacute ventricular rupture. The sensitivity and specificity of clinical, hemodynamic and echocardiographic diagnostic variables obtained at bedside are unknown and were therefore prospectively studied in 1,247 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction including 33 patients with subacute ventricular rupture diagnosed at operation (group A) and 1,214 patients without ventricular rupture (at operation, postmortem study or at discharge) (group B). The incidence of syncope, recurrent chest pain, hypotension, electromechanical dissociation, cardiac tamponade, pericardial effusion, high acoustic intrapericardial echoes, right atrial and right ventricular wall compression identified in two-dimensional echocardiograms and hemopericardium demonstrated during pericardiocentesis was higher in group A than in group B (p less than 0.00001). The presence of cardiac tamponade, pericardial effusion greater than 5 mm, high density intrapericardial echoes or right atrial or right ventricular wall compression had a high diagnostic sensitivity (greater than or equal to 70%) and specificity (greater than 90%). The number of false positive diagnoses was always high for each diagnostic variable alone (greater than 20%), but the combination of clinical (hypotension), hemodynamic (cardiac tamponade) and echocardiographic variables allowed a sensitivity of greater than or equal to 65% with a small number of false positive diagnoses (less than 10%) and provided useful information for therapeutic decisions. The diagnosis of subacute ventricular rupture requires a surgical decision. Twenty-five (76%) of the 33 patients with subacute ventricular rupture survived the surgical procedure and 16 (48.5%) are long-term survivors. Thus, subacute ventricular wall rupture is a relatively frequent complication after acute myocardial infarction that can be accurately diagnosed and successfully treated.

Inversion of the normal interatrial septum convexity in acute myocardial infarction: incidence, clinical relevance and prognostic significance.

Inversion of the normal interatrial septum convexity has been described in patients with right atrial pressure or volume overload, but there is no reference to this abnormality in acute myocardial infarction. A group of 576 consecutive patients with acute infarction and serial echocardiographic studies were prospectively evaluated during a mean follow-up period of 406 days. Inverted interatrial septum convexity was found in 30 patients (5.2%); 29 of the 30 presented with inferior infarction with right ventricular involvement (29 [24.4%] of 119) and the remaining presented with cardiac tamponade secondary to heart rupture. The incidence of inverted interatrial septum convexity rapidly decreased, and after 3 months it was present in only five patients. All patients with inverted interatrial septum convexity had a right atrial pressure greater than or equal to pulmonary capillary pressure, a relation found in only 2 of 43 patients with right ventricular involvement and normal septal convexity. In patients with right ventricular infarction, right atrial pressure was higher in the presence of inverted septal convexity (15.9 +/- 4.1 versus 10.5 +/- 4.1 mm Hg, p less than 0.0001) and the incidence of hypotension (10 [34.4%] of 29 versus 15 [17.4%] of 90, p = 0.04) and third degree atrioventricular block (10 [34.4%] of 29 versus 11 [12.2%] of 90, p = 0.006) as well as the mortality rate after 3 months (9 [31%] of 29 versus 11 [12.2%] of 90, p = 0.04) were higher in the presence of inverted convexity than in patients with normal septal convexity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Primary angioplasty versus systemic thrombolysis in anterior myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study compares the efficacy of primary angioplasty and systemic thrombolysis with t-PA in reducing the in-hospital mortality of patients with anterior AMI. BACKGROUND: Controversy still exists about the relative benefit of primary angioplasty over thrombolysis as treatment for AMI. METHODS: Two-hundred and twenty patients with anterior AMI were randomly assigned in our institution to primary angioplasty (109 patients) or systemic thrombolysis with accelerated t-PA (111 patients) within the first five hours from the onset of symptoms. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Primary angioplasty was independently associated with a lower in-hospital mortality (2.8% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.02, adjusted odds ratio 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.85). During hospitalization, patients treated by angioplasty had a lower frequency of postinfarction angina or positive stress test (11.9% vs. 25.2%, p = 0.01) and less frequently underwent percutaneous or surgical revascularization after the initial treatment (22.0% vs. 47.7%, p < 0.001) than did patients treated by t-PA. At six month follow-up, patients treated by angioplasty had a lower cumulative rate of death (4.6% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.05) and revascularization (31.2% vs. 55.9%, p < 0.001) than those treated by t-PA. CONCLUSIONS: In centers with an experienced and readily available interventional team, primary angioplasty is superior to t-PA for the treatment of anterior AMI.

Determining whether acute myocardial infarction in patients with previous coronary bypass grafting is the result of narrowing of a bypass conduit or of a native coronary artery.

The relation between electrocardiographic changes and the infarct-related coronary artery was studied in 76 patients with acute myocardial infarction 77 +/- 49 months after coronary artery bypass surgery in a retrospective series. When the infarct-related coronary artery was a graft, the electrocardiogram showed ST elevation and new Q waves less often; although the infarction was smaller, these patients presented a worse in-hospital prognosis.

Prognosis of medically stabilized unstable angina pectoris with a negative exercise test.

Three hundred twenty seven patients with medically stabilized unstable angina and a negative exercise test were followed-up during a mean of 39 months. Male gender, diabetes mellitus, and previous myocardial infarction, but not exercise parameters, were predictors of death or acute myocardial infarction.

Frequency of left ventricular free-wall rupture in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty.

A total of 590 patients with myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty were studied, to assess the incidence and related factors of free-wall rupture in patients with acute myocardial infarction when treated with primary angioplasty. The incidence of free-wall rupture was 2.2% (13 patients); this incidence was higher in patients >65 years old, women, nonsmokers, as well as in those with anterior location and an initial TIMI grade 0 flow, but it was similar in patients with a successful or unsuccessful angiographic result.

Efficacy of invasive strategy for the management of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

This retrospective study evaluates the influence of an invasive strategy of urgent coronary revascularization on the in-hospital mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated early by cardiogenic shock. Among 1,981 patients with AMI admitted to our institution from 1994 to 1997, 162 patients (8.2%) developed cardiogenic shock unrelated to mechanical complications. The strategy of management was considered invasive if an urgent coronary angiography was indicated within 24 hours of symptom onset. Every other strategy was considered conservative. Fifty-seven patients who developed the shock late or after a revascularization procedure, or who died on admission, were excluded. The strategy was invasive in 73 patients (70%). Five of them died before angiography could be performed and 65 underwent angioplasty (success rate 72%). By univariate analysis the invasive strategy was associated with a lower mortality than conservative strategy (71% vs 91%, p = 0.03), but this association disappeared after adjustment for baseline characteristics. Older age, nonsmoking, and previous ischemic heart disease were independent predictors of mortality. In conclusion, we have failed to demonstrate that a strategy of urgent coronary revascularization within 24 hours of symptom onset for patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock is independently associated with a lower in-hospital mortality. This strategy was limited by the high mortality within 1 hour of admission in patients with cardiogenic shock, the modest success rate of angioplasty in this setting, and the powerful influence of some adverse baseline characteristics on prognosis.

Use of contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of subacute myocardial rupture after myocardial infarction.

Myocardial rupture is an uncommon and catastrophic complication after acute myocardial infarction. It can present in an acute form or in a subacute form, with slower hemorrhage and thrombus formation at the site of rupture. These patients can survive several hours or days before the diagnosis is confirmed and the myocardial ruptured repaired. Two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography is very useful in the diagnosis of this complication, but the number of false-positive diagnoses is high, even in the presence of a large amount of pericardial effusion. In these patients, administration of a contrast agent can be useful to demonstrate active bleeding into the pericardium. We report a case of subacute myocardial rupture for which contrast echocardiography was useful in demonstrating the presence of persistent hemorrhage into the pericardium. To reduce the number of false-positive diagnoses, contrast echocardiography should be considered in patients with possible subacute myocardial rupture.

Determinants of a positive exercise test in patients admitted with acute non-infarct chest pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some patients with suspected unstable angina show ischemia at the exercise treadmill test despite having been medically stabilized. The objective of this study was to determine clinical characteristics predicting a positive exercise treadmill test in patients with suspected unstable angina after medical stabilization. METHODS: In 885 hospitalized patients with medically stabilized unstable angina, the relationship between the result of the pre-discharge exercise treadmill test and clinical characteristics was studied. RESULTS: Mean age was 62+/-9 years and 668 (75%) were male. Exercise test was positive (chest pain and/or ST depression > or =1 mm) in 288 patients (33%). Univariate analysis showed the following associated with ischemia at the exercise test: male gender (56% vs. 20%, P<0.001 ), diabetes mellitus (41% vs. 31%, P=0.009), previous unstable angina (41% vs. 24%, P=0.001), previous stable angina (44% vs. 30%, P<0.001), previous coronary artery bypass grafting (43% vs. 31%, P=0.043), peripheral artery disease (45% vs. 31%) and progressive angina (55% vs. 31%, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed the following as independent predictors of ischemia: male gender (OR=2.25), diabetes (OR=4.12), previous unstable angina (OR=3.89), previous stable angina (OR=3.74) and progressive angina (OR=4.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected unstable angina, after medical stabilization: (1) the exercise treadmill test is positive in one-third of cases; (2) male gender, diabetes, previous angina (unstable and stable) and progressive angina are independent predictors of ischemia.