Usefulness of the intracardiac electrocardiogram recorded using central venous catheters on P-wave magnification.

BACKGROUND: The detection of atrial electrical activity is extremely valuable in recognizing complex cardiac arrhythmias. However, P-wave detection on a surface electrocardiogram (S-ECG) can sometimes be challenging. The intracardiac electrocardiogram (IC-ECG), recorded by a central venous catheter loaded with saline solution, has proven to be a safe and effective method for amplifying atrial electrical activity. We aim to compare the P-wave amplitude recorded in the S-ECG and the IC-ECG in different venous accesses, catheters, heart rhythms, and atrial dimensions. METHODS: We compared the P wave amplitude obtained by the IC-ECG and the S-ECG recordings from cardiac intensive care unit patients. RESULTS: In 109 nonconsecutive patients, a total of 166 IC-ECG were collected. The median amplitude of the P wave was 0.1 (0.083-0.3) mV in the S-ECG and 0.4 (0.25-2.4) mV in the IC-ECG; p < 0.001. This difference remained significant regardless of the patient's heart rhythm, left atrial dimension, and catheter or vascular access used. CONCLUSION: The IC-ECG acquired using central venous catheters significantly increases atrial electrical activity signals. This technique might help identify complex cardiac arrhythmias.

Impact of a prolonged COVID-19 lockdown on patterns of admission, mortality and performance indicators in a cardiovascular intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: The effects of an early and prolonged lockdown during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cardiovascular intensive care units (CICUs) are not well established. OBJECTIVES: This study analyses patterns of admission, mortality and performance indicators in a CICU before and during the Argentine lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational cross-sectional study of all consecutive patients aged 18 years or more admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit at a high-volume reference hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, comparing hospitalization rates, primary causes of admission, inpatient utilization indicators, pharmacy supplies' expenditures and in-hospital mortality between 5 March and 31 July 2020, with two corresponding control periods in 2019 and 2018. RESULTS: We included 722 female patients [mean age of 61.6 (SD 15.5) years; 237 (32.8%)]. Overall hospitalizations dropped 53.2% (95%CI: 45.3, 61.0%), from 295.5 patients/year over the periods 2018/2019 to 137 patients in 2020. Cardiovascular disease-related admissions dropped 59.9%, while admission for non-cardiac causes doubled its prevalence from 9.6% over the periods 2018/2019 to 22.6% in the study period (P < 0.001).In the period 2020, the bed occupancy rate fell from 82.2% to 77.4%, and the bed turnover rate dropped 50% from 7.88 to 3.91 monthly discharges/bed. The average length of stay doubled from 3.26 to 6.75 days, and the turnover interval increased from 3.8 to 8.39 days in 2020.Pharmacy supplies' expenditures per discharge increased 134% along with a rise in antibiotics usage from 6.5 to 11.4 vials/ampoules per discharge (P < 0.02).Overall mortality increased from 7% (n = 41) to 13.9% (n = 19) (P = 0.008) at the expense of non-cardiac-related admissions (3.6-19.4%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a significant reduction in overall and cardiovascular disease-related causes of admission to the cardiac intensive care unit, worse performance indicators and increased in-hospital mortality along the first 5 months of the early and long-lasting COVID-19 lockdown in Argentina. These results highlight the need to foster public awareness concerning the risks of avoiding hospital attendance. Moreover, health systems should follow strict screening protocols to prevent potential biases in the admission of patients with critical conditions unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical significance of tissue Doppler imaging in chronic Chagas disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease (ChD) is one of the main parasitic diseases in Latin-America. Its heart involvement is the most important cause of death. The aim of this study is to evaluate if Doppler Tissue Imaging (DTI) may have a predictive value for later events in subjects with chronic ChD. METHODS: we analyses DTI variables of 543 patients with chronic ChD for the evaluation of predicting factors of events. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were considered as stroke, heart failure resistant to treatment, sustained ventricular tachycardia, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, sudden death, and cardiovascular death. The following findings were also included in total evens: heart failure, bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, new conduction system abnormalities, and new echocardiographic abnormalities. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression was used in order to assess the Doppler and DTI parameters predicting events. Variables with a P-value ≤ .5 in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In patients with chronic ChD, the analysis of DTI parameters showed that S' wave and E' wave of the lateral wall of the left ventricle were significant predictors of MACE (OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71-0.96; P-value: .015 and OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.66-0.98; P-value: .031, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that patients with chronic ChD who had events showed significantly lower parameters in the DTI. What is more, this study showed that even lower DTI parameters are significant predictors of events.

Comparison of left atrial size and function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and in Fabry disease with left ventricular hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Fabry disease (FD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are two diseases with a different pathophysiology, both cause left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and myocardial fibrosis. Although remodeling and systolic dysfunction of the left atrium (LA) are associated with atrial fibrillation and stroke in HCM, changes in the size and function of the LA have not been well studied in FD with LVH. METHODS: The following groups were studied prospectively, and their respective findings compared: 19 patients with non-obstructive HCM (Group I), 20 patients with a diagnosis of Fabry cardiomyopathy (Group II), and 20 normal subjects matched for sex and age (Group III). Left ventricular mass index was measured using Devereux' formula, left atrial volume with Simpson's biplane method and left atrial mechanical function, including strain and strain rate, was measured using the speckle tracking technique. Strain and strain rate of the reservoir were measured during the three phases: reservoir (SR S), passive conduit (SR E) and atrial contraction (SR A). RESULTS: Patients with HCM had a larger left atrial volume than patients with FD (48.16 ± 14.3 mL/m2 vs 38.9 ± 14.9 mL/m2 respectively, P < .001), but in both disorders there was a severe decrease in left atrial function: reservoir strain in the apical four-chamber view: 17.47% in HCM vs 22.5% in FD, P = .24), strain rate in the apical chamber view: SR A: -0.80/seconds in HCM vs -1.04/seconds in FD (P = .88), SR S: 0.69/seconds in HCM vs 0.93 in FD (P = .12), SR E: -0.80 seconds in HCM vs -0.97/seconds in FD (P = .18). CONCLUSIONS: In this echocardiographic study we used speckle tracking to assess left atrial mechanical function and showed that FD is associated to an atrial cardiomyopathy, affecting the three phasic functions of the LA. Although in patients with HCM left atrial volume is larger than in patients with FD, both disorders exhibit severe decrease in left atrial function. These findings should be considered, given the potentially serious complications that can occur with the two diseases.

[Clinical examination and the Valsalva maneuver in heart failure]. / Examen clínico y maniobra de Valsalva en la insuficiencia cardíaca.

Congestion in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is relevant and closely linked to the clinical course. Bedside blood pressure measurement during the Valsalva maneuver (Val) added to clinical examination may improve the assessment of congestion when compared to NT-proBNP levels and left atrial pressure (LAP) estimation by Doppler echocardiography, as surrogate markers of congestion in HFrEF. A clinical examination, LAP and blood tests were performed in 69 HFrEF ambulatory patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% and sinus rhythm. Framingham Heart Failure Score (HFS) was used to evaluate clinical congestion; Val was classified as normal or abnormal, NT-proBNP was classified as low (< 1000 pg/ml) or high (≥ 1000 pg/ml) and the ratio between Doppler early mitral inflow and tissue diastolic velocity was used to estimate LAP and was classified as low (E/e'< 15) or high (E/e' ≥ 15). A total of 69 patients with HFrEF were included; 27 had a HFS ≥ 2 and 13 of them had high NT-proBNP. HFS ≥ 2 had a 62% sensitivity, 70% specificity and a positive likelihood ratio of 2.08 (p=0.01) to detect congestion. When Val was added to clinical examination, the presence of a HFS ≥ 2 and abnormal Val showed a 100% sensitivity, 64% specificity and a positive likelihood ratio of 2.8 (p = 0.0004). Compared with LAP, the presence of HFS = 2 and abnormal Val had 86% sensitivity, 54% specificity and a positive likelihood ratio of 1.86 (p = 0.03). In conclusion, an integrated clinical examination with the addition Valsalva maneuver may improve the assessment of congestion in patients with HFrEF.

Initial Results and Long-Term Follow-up of Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is an attractive therapeutic approach in patients with mitral stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate and long-term clinical, echocardiographic and haemodynamic outcomes of PMV in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH). METHODS: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty was performed in 157 consecutive patients; 60 patients (38.2%) had significant PAH defined as baseline pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAMP) ≥ 30mm Hg (Group 1) and 97 patients (61.8%) had PAMP ≤ 30mmHg (Group 2). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), mortality, need for mitral valve replacement or new PMV, and valve restenosis were evaluated during follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age was 44.2 years and 88.5% (139 patients) were women. Primary success was achieved in 79.6% of the patients (125 patients) without differences between the groups. Mitral valve area increased from 0.90cm2 to 1.76cm2, PASP fell from 57mmHg to 35mmHg in Group 1 and from 38mmHg to 30mmHg in Group 2. Median PASP in Group 1 was 35, 32, 36, 38 and 34mmHg at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months. There were no significant differences in mitral valve area, PASP and clinical status between the groups. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of patients with mitral stenosis and PAH. A significant decrease in pulmonary pressure was observed after valvuloplasty. Although there was a gradual decrease of MVA at long-term follow-up, most patients remained asymptomatic and PASP was stable.

Cardiogenic shock with ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ReNa-Shock ST).

Cardiogenic shock (CS) in the setting of an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a severe complication and constitutes one of the principal causes of death associated with this condition. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies and hospital outcome of CS associated with STEMI in Argentina. The Argentine Registry of Cardiogenic Shock (ReNA-Shock) was a prospective and multicenter registry of consecutive patients with CS hospitalized in 64 centers in Argentina between July 2013 and May 2015. Only those with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were selected for this analysis. Of the 165 patients included in the ReNa-Shock registry, 124 presented STEMI. Median age was 64 years (IQR 25-75: 56.5-75) and 67% were men; median time from symptom onset to admission was 240 minutes (IQR 25-75: 132-720). 63% of the cases presented CS at admission. Eighty-seven percent underwent reperfusion therapy: 80% primary percutaneous intervention with a median door-to-balloon time of 110 minutes (IQR 25-75: 62-184). Inotropic agents were used in 96%; 79% required mechanical ventilation; a Swan Ganz catheter was inserted in 47% and 35% required intra-aortic balloon pumping. Most patients (59%) presented multivessel disease (MV). Hospital mortality was 54%. Multivariate analysis identified that time from symptom onset to admission (> 240 min) was the only independent predictor of mortality (OR: 3.04; CI 95%: 1.18-7.9). Despite using treatment strategies currently available, morbidity and mortality of STEMI complicated with CS remains high.

[Simple mechanical reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction: determinants, prognostic implications and relation with thrombus histology]. / Reperfusión mecánica simple en el infarto agudo de miocardio. Determinantes, implicaciones en el pronóstico y relación con la histología del trombo.

Simple mechanical reperfusion (SMR) is defined as reperfusion achieved after wire insertion at the occluded infarct-related artery in primary angioplasty. The determinants and prognostic implications of SMR and its relationship with the histopathology of the rescued thrombus were evaluated in 601 patients with acute myocardial infarction showing ST elevation and pre-procedural total occlusion of the infarct-related artery (TIMI flow 0). Two groups were considered according to the presence of SMR, defined as the visualization of contrast material after crossing the occlusion with the guide wire. SMR was achieved in 303 patients (50.4%) and was found to be associated with less time to treatment (248 vs. 286 minutes; p = 0.001), less deteriorated initial left ventricular function and shock at admission (9.2 vs. 16.4%; p = 0.008), higher successful rate (94.7% vs. 78.5%; p < 0,0001) and of higher rate of thrombus rescue: 70/81 vs. 27/79 patients (p < 0.0001). The right coronary artery was the most frequent infarct-related artery. Histopathology of the retrieved thrombi was available for 160 patients treated with thrombus aspiration. SMR was associated with smaller thrombus, lower contents of leukocytes and erythrocytes, and higher thrombus content of inflammatory cells, cholesterol and collagen crystals from the atheromatous plaque. SMR is an independent predictor of procedure success and its relationship with the anatomy of the thrombus could redefine the indication of thrombus aspiration.

[ARGEN-IAM-ST Registry: older adults with infarction: Are they all the same?] / ARGEN-IAM-ST: adultos mayores con infarto, ¿son todos iguales?

INTRODUCTION: Currently the patient is defined as an older adult (OA) when the age is at least 60 years. Given the long life expectancy, it is interesting to evaluate whether all OAs with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are equal. The objectives were to know the prevalence of OA in AMI and within them, that of those ≥75 years of age and to analyze characteristics, reperfusion treatments and in-hospital mortality according to whether they are < or ≥ 75 years of age. METHODS: OA patients admitted to the National Registry of Infarction with ST segment elevation (ARGENIAM-ST) were analyzed. They were divided into group 1: 60-74 years old and group 2: ≥ 75 years old and compared with each other. RESULTS: 3626 AM, 75.9% from Group 1, the rest from Group 2. In group 2 there were more women, hypertensive and with a history of coronary arteries. There was a similar percentage of diabetes and dyslipidemia, but fewer of smokers. In Group 2, less reperfusion treatment was used (although more primary angioplasty), with similar door-to-balloon time. Patients in Group 2 received fewer medications of proven efficacy and in the hospital course, they had more bleeding (although not major), more heart failure and more mortality: 18.3% vs. 9.4%, p<0.001. Age ≥75 years was an independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: one in four patients with AMI is over 75 years old; they receive less reperfusion, have more heart failure, bleeding and twice the mortality rate than patients between 60 and 74 years.

Introducción: Actualmente se define al paciente como adulto mayor (AM) si su edad es al menos de 60 años. Dada la expectativa de vida prolongada resulta interesante evaluar si todos los AM con infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) son iguales. Los objetivos fueron conocer la prevalencia de AM en el IAM y dentro de ellos, la de los ≥75 años y analizar características, tratamientos de reperfusión y mortalidad intrahospitalaria de acuerdo a si son < o ≥ 75 años. Métodos: Se analizaron los pacientes AM ingresados en el Registro Nacional de Infarto con supra desnivel del segmento ST (ARGEN-IAM-ST). Se los dividió en grupo 1: 60-74 años y grupo 2: ≥ 75 años y se compararon entre sí. Resultados: AM 3626, 75.92% del Grupo 1, el resto del Grupo 2. En el grupo 2 hubo más mujeres, hipertensos y con antecedentes coronarios. Hubo similar porcentaje de diabetes y dislipidemia, pero menos de tabaquistas. En el Grupo 2 se empleó menos tratamiento de reperfusión (aunque más angioplastia primaria), con similar tiempo puerta-balón. Los pacientes del Grupo 2 recibieron menos medicamentos de probada eficacia y en la evolución hospitalaria, más sangrado (aunque no mayor), más insuficiencia cardíaca y más mortalidad: 18.3% vs 9.4%, p<0.001. La edad ≥75 años fue predictor independiente de mortalidad. Conclusiones: Uno de cada cuatro AM con IAM tiene más de 75 años; estos pacientes reciben menos reperfusión, presentan más insuficiencia cardíaca y sangrado y tienen el doble de mortalidad que los pacientes de entre 60 y 74 años.

Heart Failure at Admission Complicating ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Middle-Income Country. Experience of the ARGEN-IAM-ST Registry.

Despite advances in the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), when associated with heart failure (HF) its prognosis remains ominous. This study assessed the differences in admission and mortality of HF complicating STEMI at admission (HFad) in a middle-income country. Data from the National Registry of STEMI of Argentina (ARGEN-IAM-ST) from January 1, 2016, to September 30, 2020, were analyzed. HFad was defined by the identification of Killip/Kimball ≥2 at admission. About 3174 patients were analyzed (22.3% had HFad). Patients with HFad were older, more often women, hypertensive, and diabetic. Received less reperfusion (87.6% vs 92.6%, P < 0.001) and had increased in-hospital mortality (28.4% vs 3.0%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis HFad was an independent predictor of death (OR: 4.88 [95%CI: 3.33-7.18], P < 0.001) and reperfusion adjusted to HFad was associated with lower mortality (OR: 0.57 [95%CI: 0.34-0.95], P = 0.03). HFad in STEMI is associated with a worse clinical profile, receives fewer reperfusion strategies, and carries a higher risk of in-hospital mortality while reperfusion reduces mortality.

Assessment of coronary flow with transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in echocardiography have allowed assessment of flow velocity in the epicardial coronary arteries of patients with ischemic heart disease, using transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). However, few data are available regarding coronary blood flow in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). OBJECTIVE: To assess the epicardial coronary arteries of patients with HCM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 25 patients with HCM was assessed prospectively (mean age 57 ± 21 years, 11 male) using TTDE; flow velocities in the epicardial coronary arteries were measured and compared with those obtained in 10 age- and gender-matched controls. Analysis of the diastolic spectral waveform included flow velocity integral (VTI), peak velocity, deceleration time, and deceleration slope measurements, while systolic waveform analysis included peak flow measurement and morphology assessment (positive, absent or negative). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used for multiple comparisons for variables with a normal distribution, and a Kruskal-Wallis test was used for variables with non-Gaussian distribution. RESULTS: Patients with HCM exhibited an increase in diastolic flow velocity with a rapid deceleration slope and a systolic slope which was decreased, absent or reversed, compared to normal subjects. On linear regression analysis there was no correlation with the type of hypertrophy or magnitude of the intraventricular pressure gradient in patients with obstructive HCM. CONCLUSION: In patients with HCM, noninvasive assessment with TTDE revealed abnormal findings in the distal flow of the epicardial coronary arteries, very similar to those seen in the no-reflow phenomenon. These findings were independent of the type of hypertrophy and magnitude of the intraventricular pressure gradient in patients with obstructive HCM.

Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography for early detection of myocardial damage in young patients with Fabry disease.

Fabry disease (FD) is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Conventional echocardiography is not sensitive enough to perform the preclinical diagnosis To assess whether longitudinal myocardial strain of the left ventricle (LV), using speckle tracking, is useful to detect early myocardial involvement in FD. Forty-four patients with FD who were diagnosed with genetic testing were prospectively included and were compared to a sex-matched control group. They were divided into three groups: 22 with LVH (Group I), 22 without LVH (Group II), and 22 healthy volunteers (Group III). LV longitudinal strain was measured from the apical views. An ANOVA test was used for multiple comparisons for variables with a normal distribution, and a Kruskal-Wallis test was used for variables with non-Gaussian distribution. Longitudinal LV strain was different in the three groups: it was ≥-15% in at least one segment in all Group I patients, in 50% of patients of Group II and in no patient of Group III. Seventy percent of the segments with abnormal strain in Group II were located in the basal regions (32/46). These findings show that the presence of at least one strain value ≥-15% demonstrates subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with preclinical FD. Longitudinal myocardial LV strain measured with speckle tracking is a useful tool to detect early myocardial involvement in young patients with FD. This information allows the detection and treatment of myocardial dysfunction at an early stage, which is of high clinical importance.

Determinants of the clinical presentation of acute coronary syndromes.

INTRODUCTION: Two clinical presentations of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been defined: ST- segment elevation ACS (STEACS) or non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTEACS). The mechanism that determines the clinical presentation of ACS is not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to define the association between cardiovascular risk factors and other clinical variables with the clinical presentation of ACS as STEACS or NSTEACS. METHODS: We analyzed data of patients prospectively included in the Epi-Cardio Registry with a diagnosis of ACS from April 2006 to April 2018. A total of 10 019 patients were included in the study. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, male sex (OR 1.5) and active smoking (OR 1.71) were positively associated with STEACS presentation. Conversely, hypertension (OR 0.71), dyslipidemia (OR 0.74), age (OR 0.97 per quintile), history of myocardial infarction (OR 0.57), chronic angina (OR 0.44), presence of comorbidities (OR 0.64), and extension of coronary heart disease (OR 0.84) were negatively associated with STEACS. Women differed from men by presenting a higher incidence of NSTEACS, due to a greater proportion of ACS without obstructive coronary heart disease. CONCLUSION: Some cardiovascular risk factors and other clinical variables are independently associated with the presentation of ACS as ST EACS or NSTEACS. These findings confirm the influence of risk factors and clinical history on the pathophysiology, clinical and electrocardiographic presentation of ACS.

Introducción: Existen dos formas de presentación clínica de los síndromes coronarios agudos (SCA): con elevación del segmento ST (SCACEST) y sin elevación (SCASEST). Los mecanismos que determinan ambas presentaciones no se conocen completamente. El objetivo del estudio fue definir la asociación entre factores de riesgo cardiovascular y otras variables clínicas con la presentación de los SCA como SCACEST o SCASEST. Métodos: Analizamos información de pacientes incluidos prospectivamente en el Registro Epi-Cardio con diagnóstico de SCA desde abril de 2006 a abril de 2018.Se incluyeron un total de 10 019 pacientes. Resultados: En el análisis multivariado, el sexo masculino (OR 1.5) y el tabaquismo activo (OR 1.71) se asociaron positivamente con el SCACEST. Contrariamente, la hipertensión (OR 0.71), las dislipidemias (OR 0.74), la edad (OR 0.97 por quintilo), historia de infarto (OR 0.57), angina crónica (OR 0.44), presencia de comorbilidades (OR 0.64), y la extensión de enfermedad coronaria (OR 0.84) se asociaron negativamente con el SCACEST. Las mujeres presentaron mayor incidencia de SCASEST, debido a una mayor proporción de SCA sin obstrucción coronaria significativa. Conclusión: Concluimos que algunos factores de riesgo cardiovascular y otras variables clínicas se asociaron independientemente con la presentación clínica como SCACEST o SCASEST, confirmando su influencia en la fisiopatología y en la presentación clínica y electrocardiográfica de los SCA.

Clinical characteristics and evolution of patients with cardiogenic shock in Argentina in the context of an acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation. Data from the nationwide ARGEN-IAM-ST Registry.

Cardiogenic Shock is one of the main causes of death in ST segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. To know the clinical characteristics, in-hospital evolution and mortality of patients with Cardiogenic Shock. Patients enrolled in the ARGEN-IAM-ST Registry were analyzed. Predictors of Cardiogenic Shock and death during hospital stay were established. A total of 6122 patients were admitted between 2015 and 2022. Cardiogenic Shock was present in 10.75% of cases. Patients with CS were older (64.5 vs 60 years), more females (41% vs 36%), with more antecedents of infarction and a higher prevalence of anterior location of infarction and multivessel disease. They were also less revascularized (88.5% vs 91.5%) and had a higher incidence of failed angioplasty (15.7% vs 2.7%). They also evidenced a higher occurrence of mechanical complications (6.8% vs 0.4%), ischemic recurrence (7.4% vs 3.4%) and cardiac arrest on admission (44.8% vs 2.6%). All the differences described showed statistical significance with P < 0.05. Overall mortality was 58% in contrast to 2.77% in patients without Cardiogenic Shock (P < 0.001). Only age, DBT, and early cardiac arrest were independent predictors of shock on admission whereas age, female gender, cardiac arrest on admission and failed angioplasty were independent predictors of death. One out of 10 patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction presented cardiogenic shock. Its clinical characteristics were similar to those described more than 20 years ago. Despite a high use of reperfusion strategy cardiogenic shock continues to have a very high mortality Argentina.

Subcostal right ventricular free wall strain in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS) is frequently used as a measure of right ventricular systolic function. Abnormal RV strain is associated with poor prognosis in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH); however, the measure is not always easy to obtain in patients with poor apical acoustic windows. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the RVLS and determine if there is a difference when measured from the apical and subcostal views. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 22 adult outpatients (= 18 years old), 81% female, mean age 49.9 ± 17.3 years, with a diagnosis of PH using right heart catheterization, followed from January 2016 to January 2020. RESULTS: RVLS measured in the RV free wall from the apical views was -15% (-19% to -10%) and subcostal views -14.5% (-18% to -11%) were highly correlated (Person's r = 0.969, p < 0.0001). Segment by segment analysis did not show significant differences either: basal four-chamber vs. subcostal view was -16.5% (-21% to -11%) vs. -15.5% (-20% to -11%), p = 0.99, mid four-chamber view vs. subcotal view was -16.5% (-21% to -12%) vs. -16.5% (-20% to -11%), p = 0.87, apical four-chamber view vs. subcostal view was -12% (-18% to -8%) vs. -13.5% (-19% to -10%), p = 0.93. CONCLUSION: Subcostal RVLS free wall is a feasible and accurate alternative to conventional RVLS free wall from the apical view in patients with pulmonary hypertension and could be useful in patients with poor acoustic apical four-chamber windows.

El strain longitudinal del ventrículo derecho (SLVD) permite medir la función sistólica del ventrículo derecho (VD). La disminución del strain (deformación) del VD se asocia con mal pronóstico en pacientes con hipertensión pulmonar (HP), pero no siempre es fácil de obtener en pacientes con mala ventana acústica apical. Objetivo: Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar el SLVD y determinar si las vistas apical y subcostal son comparables. Métodos: En este estudio transversal, se incluyeron 22 pacientes adultos ambulatorios (=18 años), 81% mujeres, edad promedio 49.9 ± 17.3 años, con diagnóstico de HP mediante cateterismo cardíaco derecho, seguidos desde enero de 2016 hasta enero de 2020. Se midió la deformación de la pared libre del ventrículo derecho desde las vistas de cuatro cámaras apical y cuatro cámaras subcostal. Resultados: El SLVD medido en la pared libre del VD desde la vista apical fue -15% (-19% a -10%) vs. -14.5% (-18% a -11%) cuando se midió desde la vista subcostal (p = 0,99). El análisis segmento por s egmento tampoco mostró diferencias significativas: el segmento basal apical vs. subcostal fue -16.5% (-21% a -11%) vs. -15.5% (-20% a -11%), p = 0.99, el segmento medio apical vs. la vista subcotal fue -16.5% (-21% a -12%) vs. a -16.5% (-20% a -11%), p = 0.87, el segmento apical vs. la vista subcostal fue -12% (-18% a -8%) frente a -13.5% (-19% a -10%), p = 0.93. Conclusión: En pacientes con HP, el SLVD obtenido en la pared libre subcostal es una alternativa útil en los casos con ventana acústica apical subóptima.

[Endovascular aortic replacement in a patient with bicuspid aortic valve disease]. / Reemplazo endovascular aórtico en un paciente con enfermedad de válvula aórtica bicúspide.

A 49-year-old male with a history of left ventricular systolic function dilated cardiomyopathy and severe symptomatic bicuspid aortic stenosis recently diagnosed (syncope, chest pain and dyspnea) was admitted to the coronary care unit. During hospitalization, he developed cardiogenic shock requiring double inotropic support. High surgical risk and an elevated chance of graft rejection contraindicated surgical replacement or heart transplant. We performed a transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a favorable evolution.

Un varón de 49 años ingresó en la unidad de cuidados coronarios, con antecedentes de miocardiopatía dilatada, con función sistólica del ventrículo izquierdo gravemente deteriorada y estenosis aórtica grave de origen bicúspide, sintomático para síncope, ángor y disnea de reciente diagnóstico. Durante la internación evolucionó con shock cardiogénico que requirió doble soporte inotrópico. Por presentar alto riesgo quirúrgico y elevada probabilidad de rechazo ante un eventual trasplante cardiaco, según sus estudios de histocompatibilidad, se procedió al reemplazo transcatéter de la válvula aortica, con evolución favorable.

[Active infective endocarditis: 152 cases]. / Endocarditis infecciosa activa: 152 casos.

Active infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease of low incidence that has showed changes in presentation, diagnosis and treatment options during the past decades. Despite these advances, mortality remains very high. Our goal was to analyze the characteristics of patients with active IE and their relationship with in-hospital mortality over 16 years. Between 1994 and 2010 we performed a prospective registry of 152 consecutive patients (64.5% male, age 45 ± 16 years) admitted with IE. Clinical characteristics, treatment and inpatient outcomes were analyzed. The most common causes of underlying heart disease were: congenital (21%) and rheumatic fever (13.2%). The reasons for hospitalization were fever (76.3%) and heart failure (40.1%). The infectious agent was identified in 69.7% of cases, and the most frequent was Streptococcus viridans. The echocardiogram showed vegetations in 80.9% of patients and 57.8% of them presented complications (the most frequent was heart failure) during hospitalization. Surgical treatment was indicated in 63.2% of cases, mainly due to heart failure. The overall hospital mortality was 30.2%. The presence of complications, requirement of surgical treatment and refractory heart failure were independent predictors of mortality whereas the single presence of vegetation showed better survival rate. The identification of these predictors could help to improve the outcomes in IE.

[Incidence and clinical characteristics of patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary disease (MINOCA)]. / Incidencia y características clínicas de los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del ST sin enfermedad coronaria obstructiva (MINOCA).

INTRODUCTION: MINOCA is an acute myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary disease, this definition was recently incorporated into the 4th universal definition of myocardial infarction. However, since it is an unconventional ischemic coronary syndrome in clinical practice, its etiology is very complex to elucidate and requires a differential diagnosis process to rule out other causes of cardiac injury. The objective of this study is to characterize patients with acute myocardial infarction without significant obstructive lesions included in the Argentine Registry of STsegment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (ARGEN-IAM-ST). METHODS: Prospective, multicenter national study including patients with STEMI within 36 hours of symptom onset. All patients studied with coronary angiography at admission were analyzed and those without significant obstructive lesions of the culprit artery were considered MINOCA. This MINOCA patients were compared with patients with significant atherosclerotic coronary lesions. RESULTS: 30 patients with MINOCA out of 2894 patients entered in the registry (incidence: 1%). MINOCA patients were younger, had a similar proportion for gender, had fewer diabetics patients, and had a greater history of heart failure. They were admitted without heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. In-hospital mortality was 7%, with no significant difference compared to classic AMI. At discharge, they received P2Y12 inhibitors, statins, and beta-blockers in fewer proportion. DISCUSSION: There was no predominance of the female gender as in other series. In-hospital mortality is high despite not having significant coronary disease. It is worth mentioning the low use of dual antiaggregating and statins.

Introducción: MINOCA es un infarto agudo de miocardio sin enfermedad coronaria obstructiva, esta definición se ha incorporado recientemente a la 4° definición universal del infarto. Sin embargo, por tratarse de un síndrome coronario isquémico no convencional en la práctica clínica, su etiología es muy compleja de dilucidar y demanda un proceso de diagnósticos diferenciales para descartar otras causas de lesión cardíaca. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar a los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio sin lesiones obstructivas significativas incluidos en el Registro Argentino de Infarto con Elevación del segmento ST (ARGEN-IAM-ST). Métodos: estudio prospectivo, multicéntrico de carácter nacional con inclusión de pacientes con IAMCEST dentro de las 36 horas comenzado los síntomas. Se analizaron todos los pacientes estudiados con cinecoronariografía al ingreso y se consideró MINOCA a aquellos sin lesiones obstructivas significativas de la arteria responsable y se los comparó con los pacientes con lesiones coronarias ateroscleróticas significativas. Resultados: 30 pacientes con MINOCA sobre 2894 pacientes ingresados al registro (incidencia: 1%). Los pacientes con MINOCA fueron más jóvenes, proporción similar en cuanto al género, menos diabéticos y con más antecedentes de insuficiencia cardíaca. Ingresan sin falla cardíaca y fracción de eyección preservada. Mortalidad intrahospitalaria 7%, sin diferencia significativa comparado con IAM clásico. Al alta recibieron en menor proporción inhibidores P2Y12, estatinas y betabloqueantes. Discusión: No se encontró predominancia de género femenino como otras series. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria es elevada a pesar de no tener enfermedad coronaria significativa. Se destaca la baja utilización de doble antiagregación y estatinas.

Sex Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Acute Coronary Syndromes.

The clinical presentation of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) as ST-elevation ACS (STEACS) or non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTEACS) differs between women and men. The aim of this study was to describe the difference in the clinical presentation of ACS between sexes. A total of 10,019 patients included in the Epi-Cardio Registry were analyzed. A higher proportion of women than men presented with NSTEACS (60.3% vs 46.7%; P <0.001). The difference between sexes was driven by a higher prevalence of ACS with non-obstructive coronary arteries (20.9% vs 6.6%) mainly in young women, since ACS without coronary lesions were mostly NSTEACS (77.7% vs 22.3%). In patients with obstructive coronary heart disease, there were no differences in the clinical presentation between sexes. In conclusion, younger women are more likely than men to present ACS with non-obstructive coronary arteries, whereas no significant difference exists between sexes regarding the prevalence of ACS with obstructive coronary artery disease.

Value of Electrocardiography to Distinguish Fabry Disease from Sarcomeric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare genetic disorder that leads to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), frequently misdiagnosed as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We sought to assess the value of electrocardiography for distinguishing FD from HCM. We retrospectively reviewed and compared standard electrocardiograms and echocardiograms from 26 patients with FD and LVH and 33 sarcomeric patients with HCM, matched for gender, age, and degree of LVH. The mean age of patients with FD was 46 years (interquartile range) (28 to 53) and of HCM 50 (30 to 61) years (p = 0.27). Of them, 16 (61%) and 25 (76%) were male, respectively (p = 0.26). Indexed left ventricular mass was 166 g/m2 in FD versus 181 g/m2 in HCM (p = 0.88). All patients with FD and 30 (91%) with HCM were in sinus rhythm (p = 0.25). A higher prevalence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) was observed in FD (27%) versus HCM (6%) (p = 0.03). The PR interval was shorter in FD, 140 ms (120-160) versus 160 ms (140 to 180) (p = 0.004). P-wave duration was longer in patients with FD, 100 ms (80 to 120) versus 80 ms (80 to 100) (p = 0.01). The PQ interval (PR interval minus P-wave duration) was shorter in patients with FD, 40 ms (20 to 45) versus 80 ms (40 to 80) (p = 0.001). There were no differences regarding P-wave amplitude, QRS complex duration, corrected QT length, conduction or repolarization abnormalities, Sokolow-Lyon index, and Cornell index. After multivariate adjustments for RBBB, PR interval, P-wave duration, and PQ interval, a PQ interval ≤40 ms and RBBB were significantly associated with FD. In conclusion, there are electrocardiogram characteristics, such as the presence of RBBB or a PQ interval ≤40 ms, that may be helpful for screening and reducing the delay in FD diagnosis.