Prognostic value of multimodal assessment of congestion in acute heart failure. / Valor pronóstico de la valoración multimodal de la congestión en la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda.

Systemic venous congestion is present in most cases of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). An accurate assessment of congestion is key to improve outcomes and avoid residual congestion. Physical examination has limitations for grading congestion; hence, new methods for assessing congestion have been developed. A multimodal approach, combining surrogate markers of congestion, may be a suitable strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic value of Amino terminal fragment of pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), Carbohydrate cancer antigen 125 (CA125), lung ultrasound, relative plasma volume status (rPVS) and urea/Creatinine ratio (U/C ratio), to predict one-year all-cause mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, observational analysis of 203 patients admitted at the Internal Medicine ward of a tertiary teaching Hospital due to ADHF, followed in monographic outclinic. Clinical data were obtained from hospital records. Therapeutic interventions followed exclusively the clinical judgement of the physician responsible for each patient. RESULTS: 203 patients were included for the final analysis between 2013 and 2018. Chronic heart failure (CHF) was present in 130 patients (65%); 51 patients (26.2%) had class III-IV of New York Heart Association (NYHA); 116 patients (60%) had HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Forty-two patients (21.6%) died during follow-up. NT-proBNP≥3804 pg/mL (HR 2.78 [1.27 - 6.08]; P=.010) and rPVS≥-4.54% (HR 2.74 [1.18 - 6.38]; P=.019), were independent predictors for 1-year all-cause mortality on top of CA125, lung ultrasound and U/C ratio. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP and rPVS are independent predictors of one-year mortality among patients admitted for ADHF.

Prognostic value of multimodal assessment of congestion in acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: A physical examination has limited performance in estimating systemic venous congestion and predicting mortality in patients with heart failure. We have evaluated the usefulness of the N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), lung ultrasound findings, relative plasma volume (rPV) estimation, and the urea/creatinine ratio as surrogate parameters of venous congestion and predictors of mortality. METHODS: This work is a retrospective study of 203 patients admitted for acute heart failure in a tertiary hospital's internal medicine department with follow-up in a specialized outpatient clinic between 2013 and 2018. Clinical data were collected from hospital records. Treatment was decided upon according to the clinical judgment of each patient's attending physician. The main outcome measure was all-cause mortality at one year of follow-up. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 78.8 years and 47% were male. A total of 130 (65%) patients had chronic heart failure, 51 (26.2%) patients were in New York Heart Association class III-IV, and 116 (60%) patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. During follow-up, 42 (22%) patients died. Values of NT-proBNP≥3804pg/mL (HR 2.78 [1.27-6.08]; p=.010) and rPV≥-4.54% (HR 2.74 [1.18-6.38]; p=.019) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality after one year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP and rPV are independent predictors of one-year mortality among patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure.

Follow-up results in a specialised consultation after discharge for heart failure. / Resultados del seguimiento en una consulta monográfica tras el alta por insuficiencia cardiaca.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure (HF), the condition still has high morbidity and mortality. Health education and the treatment of comorbidities have been shown to be effective, as has multidisciplinary care in specialised units, although this involves organisational and structural efforts that are not always feasible. We present the results of a simple outpatient consultation, focused on the specialised care of HF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The consultation included patients discharged after hospitalisation (index hospitalisation) for decompensated HF from an internal medicine department. The follow-up was conducted by internists especially dedicated (not exclusively) to HF and a nurse partially dedicated to HF. The follow-up consisted of fixed visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the discharge, with more visits on demand if needed. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The reduction in hospitalisations and emergency department visits was 56% and 61% (P<.05), respectively, for HF and 46% and 40% (P<.05), respectively, for any cause. Treatment optimisation was also achieved, with a significant increase in the evidence-based drug prescription rate and the reduction of other drugs, such as calcium antagonists. CONCLUSION: A simple model based on a specialised care consultation for HF is effective in reducing readmissions and optimising the treatment. The lack of healthcare resources should not be an obstacle for specialised care for patients with HF.

[Influence of age in mortality of patients with heart failure]. / Influencia de la edad en la mortalidad de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca.

OBJECTIVE: Heart failure (HF) is one of the most frequent diagnosis in Internal Medicine Units. High age of patients is an important characteristic in these admissions. Our objective was to evaluate how age interact with mortality, to medium-term, in HF after a decompensated episode. METHOD: Through the patient medical record we obtained data about patients hospitalised in a Internal Medicine Unit, with HF diagnosis, for a year (from September 2000 to August 2001) and their survival at 1st January 2003. 215 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: During follow-up, 60 patients died (27.9% of overall). In elderly patients, we observed a higher number of women and less use of echocardiography and treatment with beta-blockers and warfarin (in patients with atrial fibrillation). In Cox proportional-hazards model, age (OR 1.043 IC 95% 1.002-1.085), days of hospitalization (OR 1.04 IC 95% 1.003-1.078), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.51 IC 95% 1.37-4.60) and do not prescribe warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (OR 2.71 IC 95% 1.10-6.60) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Age was an important prognostic factor in patients with HF. Clinical trials should be done in patients with these characteristics. So, we can know better clinical evolution of HF in this population.

Valor pronóstico de la valoración multimodal de la congestión en la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda / Prognostic value of multimodal assessment of congestion in acute heart failure

Fundamento El examen físico presenta una rentabilidad limitada en la estimación de la congestión venosa sistémica y en la predicción de la mortalidad de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Hemos evaluado la utilidad del fragmento amino terminal del péptido natriurético cerebral (NT-proBNP), del antígeno de cáncer 125 (CA125), los hallazgos de la ecografía pulmonar, la estimación del volumen plasmático relativo (VPr) y el cociente urea/creatinina, como parámetros subrogados de congestión venosa y predictores de mortalidad. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de 203 pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en el servicio de medicina interna de un hospital terciario, con seguimiento monográfico en consultas externas entre los años 2013 y 2018. Los datos clínicos se recogieron de los registros hospitalarios. Las intervenciones terapéuticas se guiaron por el criterio clínico del médico responsable de cada paciente. El desenlace principal fue mortalidad general tras un año de seguimiento. Resultados La edad media de los pacientes fue 78,8 años, 47% eran varones. Un total de 130 (65%) pacientes presentaban insuficiencia cardiaca crónica, 51 (26,2%) pacientes se encontraban en clase III-IV de la New York Heart Association y 116 (60%) pacientes presentaban fracción de eyección de ventrículo izquierdo preservada. Durante el seguimiento fallecieron 42 (22%) pacientes. Los valores de NT-proBNP≥3.804pg/mL (HR 2,78 [1,27-6,08]; p=0,010) y el VPr≥–4,54% (HR 2,74 [1,18-6,38]; p=0,019) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad general tras un año de seguimiento. Conclusiones El NT-proBNP y el VPr son predictores independientes de mortalidad a un año entre los pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada (AU)

Background A physical examination has limited performance in estimating systemic venous congestion and predicting mortality in patients with heart failure. We have evaluated the usefulness of the N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), lung ultrasound findings, relative plasma volume (rPV) estimation, and the urea/creatinine ratio as surrogate parameters of venous congestion and predictors of mortality. Methods This work is a retrospective study of 203 patients admitted for acute heart failure in a tertiary hospital's internal medicine department with follow-up in a specialized outpatient clinic between 2013 and 2018. Clinical data were collected from hospital records. Treatment was decided upon according to the clinical judgment of each patient's attending physician. The main outcome measure was all-cause mortality at one year of follow-up. Results Patients’ mean age was 78.8 years and 47% were male. A total of 130 (65%) patients had chronic heart failure, 51 (26.2%) patients were in New York Heart Association class III-IV, and 116 (60%) patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. During follow-up, 42 (22%) patients died. Values ??of NT-proBNP≥3,804pg/mL (HR 2.78 [1.27-6.08]; p=.010) and rPV ≥–4.54% (HR 2.74 [1.18-6.38]; p=.019) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality after one year of follow-up. Conclusions NT-proBNP and rPV are independent predictors of one-year mortality among patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure (AU)

Resultados del seguimiento en una consulta monográfica tras el alta por insuficiencia cardiaca / Follow-up results in a specialised consultation after discharge for heart failure

INTRODUCCIÓN: A pesar de los avances en el diagnóstico y el tratamiento, la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) sigue teniendo una alta morbimortalidad. El tratamiento de las comorbilidades y la educación sanitaria se han demostrado eficaces, así como la atención multidisciplinar, en unidades especializadas, aunque ello implica un esfuerzo organizativo y estructural no siempre disponible. Presentamos los resultados de una consulta ambulatoria simple, centrada en la atención monográfica a la IC. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: La consulta incluyó a pacientes dados de alta tras una hospitalización (ingreso índice) por descompensación de IC en el servicio de Medicina Interna. El seguimiento se realizó por internistas con especial dedicación (no exclusiva) en IC y una enfermera con dedicación compartida. El seguimiento consistió en visitas fijas 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses tras el alta, más visitas a demanda en caso de necesidad. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 250 pacientes con un seguimiento mínimo de un año. La disminución de los ingresos y las visitas a Urgencias por IC fue del 56 y el 61% (p < 0,05), respectivamente, y del 46 y el 40% (p < 0,05) por cualquier causa. Además, se consiguió una optimización del tratamiento, con un aumento significativo en el porcentaje de prescripción de fármacos basados en la evidencia y reducción de otros, como calcioantagonistas. CONCLUSIÓN: Un modelo sencillo basado en la atención monográfica a la IC es eficaz en la reducción de reingresos y la optimización del tratamiento. La carencia de recursos asistenciales no debería suponer un obstáculo para una atención monográfica a pacientes con IC

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure (HF), the condition still has high morbidity and mortality. Health education and the treatment of comorbidities have been shown to be effective, as has multidisciplinary care in specialised units, although this involves organisational and structural efforts that are not always feasible. We present the results of a simple outpatient consultation, focused on the specialised care of HF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The consultation included patients discharged after hospitalisation (index hospitalisation) for decompensated HF from an internal medicine department. The follow-up was conducted by internists especially dedicated (not exclusively) to HF and a nurse partially dedicated to HF. The follow-up consisted of fixed visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the discharge, with more visits on demand if needed. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The reduction in hospitalisations and emergency department visits was 56% and 61% (P<.05), respectively, for HF and 46% and 40% (P<.05), respectively, for any cause. Treatment optimisation was also achieved, with a significant increase in the evidence-based drug prescription rate and the reduction of other drugs, such as calcium antagonists. CONCLUSION: A simple model based on a specialised care consultation for HF is effective in reducing readmissions and optimising the treatment. The lack of healthcare resources should not be an obstacle for specialised care for patients with HF

Lack of clinical usefulness of interleukin-6 in long-term follow-up of acutely decompensated heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been identified as a predictor of death, new heart failure (HF) episodes and need for heart transplantation in patients with advanced HF. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma IL-6 levels in patients with decompensated HF and either survival or new admissions due to HF. METHODS: We studied 111 patients admitted due to decompensated HF. Long-term survival was assessed from the day of admission to the hospital to the day of death or new admissions due to HF. RESULTS: The mean IL-6 concentration was 90 +/- 115 pg/ml (range 1.5-743 pg/ml). There were no differences in IL-6 concentration with regard to age, gender and cause of HF. At the end of follow-up period, 22 patients (20 percent) had died due to causes related to HF and 54 patients (48 percent) had been readmitted to the hospital due to new HF episodes. Using regression analyses, serum IL-6 levels were not identified as a prognostic factor. Systolic dysfunction, previous diagnosis of HF and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of death. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a single measurement of serum IL-6 in patients with decompensated HF lacks clinical usefulness in long-term follow-up.

[Syncope: many studies and few diagnoses?]. / Síncope: muchos estudios y pocos diagnósticos?

INTRODUCTION: Syncope is a frequent disorder shows diagnostic difficulties, so that an important percentage of patients remain without diagnosis after the implementation of diagnostic tests that sometimes are unnecessary. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of the patients admitted during a period of two years because of syncope in an Internal Medicine Service was carried out. RESULTS: Of a total of 2,878 patients hospitalized during the years 1999 and 2000, 79 were admitted because of syncope (2.74%). Forty-five (57%) were men and 34 (43%) were women, with a median age of 68.8 years. Twenty-seven patients (34%) had history of syncope. After a median hospitalization of 9.5 days, the etiological diagnosis was established in 53 (67%) patients: in 25 patients (31.6%) the syncope was mediated by neurological mechanisms, in 16 (20.25%) it was of cardiology origin, in 4 (5.06%) it was of neurological origin and in 8 (10.1%) the syncope was secondary to other causes. In 54 patient (68.8%) at least one cardiology test was carried out (41 Holter, 32 echocardiograms, 6 tilt board tests, 3 maneuvers of massage of the carotid sinus, 3 ergometry studies, 3 electrophysiological studies, 2 coronary angiographies and 3 ventilation perfusion lung gammagraphies). In 51 patient (64%) at least one neurological test was carried out (31 EEG, 42 CT, 2 MNR, 1 Doppler cranial ultrasound and 3 electroneuromyogram). Only 4 of the Holter carried out were diagnostic, as well as 3 of the echocardiograms and only 2 of the CT carried out. No EEG was useful for the etiological diagnosis of the syncope. CONCLUSIONS: There is an excessive utilization of some diagnostic tests (EEG, Holter, cerebral CT), in spite of which in an important percentage of patients with syncope the etiological diagnosis is no done (33%). The use of diagnostic algorithms based on detailed clinical history, physical exploration and assessment of the ECG is proposed, that they would make it possible to issue a diagnostic hypothesis from which there could be begun the diagnostic study with a use as rational as possible of the complementary examinations.

Influencia de la edad en la mortalidad de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca / Influence of age in mortality of patients with heart failure

Objetivo: La insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) representa uno de los motivos de ingreso más frecuentes en los Servicios de Medicina Interna. La elevada edad de los pacientes es una de las principales características de este tipo de ingreso. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la influencia de la edad en la mortalidad, a medio plazo, de la IC tras un episodio de descompensación.Metodo: Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes dados de alta, con diagnóstico de IC, durante el periodo comprendido entre septiembre de 2000 y agosto de 2001, y se registró su situación a fecha 1 de enero de 2003. Un total de 215 pacientes fueron revisados.Resultados: El número total de defunciones durante el periodo de seguimiento fue de 60 (27,9% del total de pacientes). Según aumentaba la edad de los pacientes se observó un mayor número de mujeres y un menor empleo de la ecocardiografía y del tratamiento con beta bloqueantes y anticoagulación oral en pacientes con fibrilación auricular. Aplicando el modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox, la edad (OR 1,043 IC 95% 1,002-1,085), la estancia media (OR 1,04, IC 95% 1,003-1,078), la presencia de diabetes mellitus (OR 2,51, IC 95% 1,37-4,60) y la ausencia de anticoagulación oral en caso de fibrilación auricular (OR 2,71, IC 95% 1,10-6,60) fueron factores pronósticos independientes.Conclusión: La edad constituye un importante factor pronóstico en pacientes con IC. Por ello deberían realizarse estudios clínicos que incluyeran pacientes con estas características, lo que permitiría conocer mejor la evolución de la IC en este grupo de población

Objective: Heart failure (HF) is one of the most frequent diagnosis in Internal Medicine Units. High age of patients is an important characteristic in these admissions. Our objective was to evaluate how age interact with mortality, to medium-term, in HF after a decompensated episode. Method: Through the patient medical record we obtained data about patients hospitalised in a Internal Medicine Unit, with HF diagnosis, for a year (from September 2000 to August 2001) and their survival at 1st January 2003. 215 patients were reviewed. Results: During follow-up, 60 patients died (27.9% of overall). In elderly patients, we observed a higher number of women and less use of echocardiography and treatment with beta-blockers and warfarin (in patients with atrial fibrillation). In Cox proportional-hazards model, age (OR 1.043 IC 95% 1.002-1.085), days of hospitalization (OR 1.04 IC 95% 1.003-1.078), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.51 IC 95% 1.37-4.60) and do not prescribe warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (OR 2.71 IC 95% 1.10-6.60) were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Age was an important prognostic factor in patients with HF. Clinical trials should be done in patients with these characteristics. So, we can know better clinical evolution of HF in this population

Derrame pericárdico, ¿tuberculoso? / Pericardial effusion, idiopatic?

El derrame pericárdico es un problema clínico, sobre todo por la dificultad que entraña su diagnóstico etiológico, sin llegar a determinarse su causa en gran número de casos. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con taponamiento cardíaco in causa filiada, con empeoramiento clínico que precisó pericardiocentesis, y a la que se le administró con tuberculostáticos, de forma empírica, con mejoría y resolución del cuadro. Revisamos la frecuencia del derrame pericárdico de origen tuberculoso y sus técnicas diagnósticas (AU)

Síncope: ¿muchos estudios y pocos diagnósticos? / Syncope: many studies and few dignoses?

Introducción. El síncope es una patología frecuente, en ocasiones de difícil diagnóstico, de modo que un importante porcentaje queda sin filiar tras realizar pruebas diagnósticas, a veces innecesarias. Método. Se realiza un análisis retrospectivo de los pacientes ingresados por síncope en un servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Clínico Universitario de Zaragoza durante dos años. Resultados. De un total de 2.878 pacientes ingresados en el servicio durante los años 1999 y 2000, 79 lo fueron por síncope (2,74 por ciento); 45 (57 por ciento) hombres y 34 (43 por ciento) mujeres, con una edad media de 68,8 años. Veintisiete pacientes (34 por ciento) habían presentado episodios previos de síncope al ingreso. Tras una estancia media de 9,5 días se llegó al diagnóstico etiológico en 53 (67 por ciento) casos: en 25 pacientes (31,6 por ciento) el síncope fue neurológicamente mediado, en 16 (20,25 por ciento) fue cardiológico, en 4 (5,06 por ciento) neurológico y 8 (10,1 por ciento) secundarios a otras causas. A 54 pacientes (68,8 por ciento) se les realizó al menos una prueba cardiológica (41 Holter, 32 ecocardiogramas, 6 pruebas de la mesa basculante, 3 maniobras de masaje del seno carotídeo, 3 ergometrías, 3 estudios electrofisiológicos, 2 coronariografías y 3 gammagrafías pulmonares de ventilación/perfusión).A 51 pacientes (64 por ciento) se les realizó al menos una prueba neurológica (31 electroencefalogramas [EEG], 42 tomografías axiales computarizadas [TAC], 2 resonancias magnéticas nucleares [RMN], 1 doppler transcraneal y 3 electroneuromiogramas).De los registros Holter realizados sólo 4 fueron diagnósticos, al igual que 3 de los ecocardiogramas y sólo 2 de las TAC realizadas. Ningún EEG fue útil para el diagnóstico etiológico del síncope. Conclusiones. Existe una sobreutilización de algunas pruebas diagnósticas (EEG, Holter y TAC cerebral), a pesar de lo cual en un importante porcentaje de casos de síncope no se llega a un diagnóstico etiológico (33 por ciento).Se propone el uso de algoritmos diagnósticos basados en una minuciosa historia clínica, exploración física y valoración de ECG que permitirían emitir una hipótesis diagnóstica a partir de la cual poder comenzar el estudio con un uso lo más racional posible de las exploraciones complementarias (AU)