Design and baseline characteristics of SALT-HF trial: hypertonic saline therapy in ambulatory heart failure.

AIMS: Hypertonic saline solution (HSS) plus intravenous (IV) loop diuretic appears to enhance the diuretic response in patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF). The efficacy and safety of this therapy in the ambulatory setting have not been evaluated. We aimed to describe the design and baseline characteristics of the SALT-HF trial participants. METHODS AND RESULTS: 'Efficacy of Saline Hypertonic Therapy in Ambulatory Patients with HF' (SALT-HF) trial was a multicenter, double-blinded, and randomized study involving ambulatory patients who experienced worsening heart failure (WHF) without criteria for hospitalization. Enrolled patients had to present at least two signs of volume overload, use ≥ 80 mg of oral furosemide daily, and have elevated natriuretic peptides. Patients were randomized 1:1 to treatment with a 1-h infusion of IV furosemide plus HSS (2.6-3.4% NaCl depending on plasmatic sodium levels) versus a 1-h infusion of IV furosemide at the same dose (125-250 mg, depending on basal loop diuretic dose). Clinical, laboratory, and imaging parameters were collected at baseline and after 7 days, and a telephone visit was planned after 30 days. The primary endpoint was 3-h diuresis after treatment started. Secondary endpoints included (a) 7-day changes in congestion data, (b) 7-day changes in kidney function and electrolytes, (c) 30-day clinical events (need of IV diuretic, HF hospitalization, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality or HF-hospitalization). RESULTS: A total of 167 participants [median age, 81 years; interquartile range (IQR), 73-87, 30.5% females] were randomized across 13 sites between December 2020 and March 2023. Half of the participants (n = 82) had an ejection fraction >50%. Most patients showed a high burden of comorbidities, with a median Charlson index of 3 (IQR: 2-4). Common co-morbidities included diabetes mellitus (41%, n = 69), atrial fibrillation (80%, n = 134), and chronic kidney disease (64%, n = 107). Patients exhibited a poor functional NYHA class (69% presenting NYHA III) and several signs of congestion. The mean composite congestion score was 4.3 (standard deviation: 1.7). Ninety per cent of the patients (n = 151) presented oedema and jugular engorgement, and 71% (n = 118) showed lung B lines assessed by ultrasound. Median inferior vena cava diameter was 23 mm, (IQR: 21-25), and plasmatic levels of N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and antigen carbohydrate 125 (CA125) were increased (median NT-proBNP 4969 pg/mL, IQR: 2508-9328; median CA125 46 U/L, IQR: 20-114). CONCLUSIONS: SALT-HF trial randomized 167 ambulatory patients with WHF and will determine whether an infusion of hypertonic saline therapy plus furosemide increases diuresis and improves decongestion compared to equivalent furosemide administration alone.

Diferencias de género en la titulación de fármacos de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y fracción de eyección reducida del ensayo ETIFIC / Gender differences in drug titration among heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction in the ETIFIC trial

Introducción y objetivos El tratamiento óptimo disminuye la mortalidad y hospitalizaciones por insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) en pacientes con IC y fracción de eyección reducida. En los ensayos clínicos las mujeres estuvieron infrarrepresentadas y no fueron evaluadas específicamente. Este estudio buscó comparar la seguridad y efectividad de titulación (ajuste de dosis) de fármacos en mujeres y varones. Métodos Estudio post hoc de género del ensayo aleatorizado multicéntrico ETIFIC. Se incluyeron pacientes hospitalizados con IC de novo y fracción de eyección reducida. Proceso estructurado de titulación en unidades de IC. Objetivo principal: la dosis relativa media de bloqueadores beta (% de la dosis objetivo) alcanzada por mujeres frente a varones. Objetivos secundarios: dosis relativas medias de otros fármacos de IC, eventos adversos y resultados clínicos a 6 meses. Resultados Se incluyeron 320 pacientes, 83 (25,93%) mujeres y 237 (74,06%) varones. (76 frente a 213 analizados). Media±desviación estándar de dosis relativa de bloqueadores beta mujeres frente a varones: 62,08±30,72% frente a 64,4±32,77%; diferencia −2,32%; IC95%, −10,58-5,94; p=0,580, antagonistas del receptor de mineralocorticoides 79,85±27,72% comparado con 67,29±31,43%; p=0,003, sin diferencias significativas en dosificación de otros fármacos. El análisis multivariante no encontró diferencias significativas. Mortalidad cardiovascular 1 (1,20%) frente a 3 (1,26%), p=1 y 0 hospitalizaciones por IC (0,00%) frente a 10 (4,22%), p=0,125. Conclusiones En un análisis post hoc del ensayo ETIFIC de titulación en IC no encontramos diferencias de género significativas en dosificación, mortalidad cardiovascular y hospitalizaciones por IC (AU)

Introduction and objectives Optimal medical therapy decreases mortality and heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Women have been underrepresented in clinical trials and not specifically evaluated. This study aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of drug titration in women vs men. Methods This post hoc gender study of the ETIFIC multicenter randomized trial included hospitalized patients with new-onset HF with reduced ejection fraction and New York Heart Association II-III and no contraindications to beta-blockers. A structured 4-month titration process was implemented in HF clinics. The primary endpoint was the mean relative dose (% of target dose) of beta-blockers achieved by women vs men. Secondary endpoints included the mean relative doses of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, adverse events, and other clinical outcomes at 6 months. Results A total of 320 patients were included, 83 (25.93%) women and 237 (74.06%) men (76 vs 213 analyzed). The mean±standard deviation of the relative doses achieved by women vs men were as follows: beta-blockers 62.08%±30.72% vs 64.4%±32.77%, with a difference of−2.32% (95%CI,−10.58-5.94), P = .580; and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists 79.85%±27.72% vs 67.29%±31.43%, P =.003. No other differences in drug dosage were found. Multivariate analysis showed nonsignificant differences. CV mortality was 1 (1.20%) vs 3 (1.26%), P=1, and HF hospitalizations 0 (0.00%) vs 10 (4.22%), P=.125. Conclusions In a post hoc analysis from the HF-titration ETIFIC trial, we found nonsignificant gender differences in drug dosage, cardiovascular mortality, and HF hospitalizations (AU)

Caracterización de la amiloidosis cardiaca hereditaria por transtirretina en España / Characterization of hereditary transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis in Spain

Introducción y objetivos: La amiloidosis hereditaria por transtirretina (ATTRv) es una enfermedad causada por mutaciones en el gen de la transtirretina que frecuentemente presenta afección cardiaca debido al depósito de amiloide en el miocardio. Nuestro objetivo es describir esta afección en una cohorte española. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico de pacientes con ATTRv y afección cardiaca provenientes de centros españoles. Se recogieron datos demográficos, clínicos y genéticos.Resultados: En 26 centros se incluyó a 181 pacientes, el 65,2% varones, con una mediana de edad al diagnóstico de 62 años. Las mutaciones más frecuentes fueron Val50Met (67,7%) y Val142Ile (12,4%). El principal motivo de consulta fue extracardiaco (69%), principalmente neurológico. La media de la fracción aminoterminal del propéptido natriurético cerebral (NT-proBNP) fue 2.145±3.586 pg/ml. Lo más característico del electrocardiograma fueron el patrón de seudoinfarto (25,9%) y el bloqueo auriculoventricular (25,3%). El grosor ventricular medio fue 15,4±4,1mm. El strain longitudinal estaba reducido en segmentos basales en el 29,4%. Se observó realce tardío subendocárdico difuso en el 58,8%. En la gammagrafía había captación de grados 2-3 en un 75%. En el seguimiento, el 24,9% ingresó por insuficiencia cardiaca, el 34,3% precisó marcapasos y el 31,6%, trasplante hepático. El 32,5% falleció, principalmente por insuficiencia cardiaca (28,8%). Las mutaciones diferentes de Val50Met se asociaron en general con un peor pronóstico. Conclusiones: La ATTRv cardiaca en España tiene un espectro genético y de afección heterogéneo. El pronóstico es malo principalmente por las complicaciones cardiacas, por lo que son esenciales un diagnóstico y un tratamiento precoces (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) is a disease caused by mutations in the transthyretin gene that frequently shows cardiac involvement due to amyloid deposition in the myocardium. Our objective was to identify cardiac involvement in a Spanish cohort. Methods: Retrospective multicenter study of patients diagnosed with hATTR with cardiac involvement from Spanish centers. We collected demographic, clinical, and genetic data. Result: A total of 181 patients from 26 centers were included (65.2% men, with a median age at diagnosis of 62 years). The most frequent mutations were Val50Met (67.7%) and Val142Ile (12.4%). The main reason for consultation was extracardiac symptoms (69%), mainly neurological. The mean N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level was 2145±3586 pg/mL. The most characteristic electrocardiogram findings were a pseudoinfarct pattern (25.9%) and atrioventricular block (25.3%). Mean ventricular thickness was 15.4±4.1mm. Longitudinal strain was reduced in basal segments by 29.4%. Late diffuse subendocardial enhancement was observed in 58.8%. Perugini grade 2 or 3 uptake was observed in 75% of scintigraphy scans. During follow-up, 24.9% of the patients were admitted for heart failure, 34.3% required a pacemaker, and 31.6% required a liver transplant. One third (32.5%) died during follow-up, mainly due to heart failure (28.8%). The presence of non-Val50Met mutations was associated with a worse prognosis.Conclusions: HATTR cardiac amyloidosis in Spain shows heterogeneous genetic and clinical involvement. The prognosis is poor, mainly due to cardiac complications. Consequently early diagnosis and treatment are vital (AU)

Prevalencia de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica en una amplia muestra de la población laboral española / Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a large sample of the Spanish working population

Antecedentes y objetivo En España no existen estudios que hayan evaluado la prevalencia de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica en la población general. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la prevalencia de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica en una muestra amplia de la población laboral española. Materiales y métodos Se incluyó a 13.179 trabajadores (73% varones, con una edad media de 40 años) de 5 regiones españolas a los que, entre mayo de 2008 y noviembre de 2010, se les realizó un reconocimiento médico con un electrocardiograma. Se derivó a los trabajadores con alteraciones sugestivas en el electrocardiograma o con antecedentes médicos predisponentes (síncope de esfuerzo o muerte súbita en familiar menor de 50 años) para una evaluación ecocardiográfica. Se definió miocardiopatía hipertrófica a la presencia de un grosor parietal igual o mayor a 13mm en cualquier segmento del ventrículo izquierdo. Se estimó la prevalencia de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica en toda la muestra y en los trabajadores no hipertensos. Resultados Se seleccionó a 1.008 trabajadores para el ecocardiograma, aunque solo 496 (49,2% de los seleccionados) acudieron a la prueba. Tras el ecocardiograma se detectaron 16 casos de miocardiopatía hipertrófica y se estimó una prevalencia del 0,24% en el total de la muestra. En el subgrupo de trabajadores no hipertensos se objetivaron 10 casos de miocardiopatía hipertrófica, que se corresponden con una prevalencia estimada del 0,19%. Conclusiones En nuestra muestra de la población laboral española la prevalencia estimada de miocardiopatía hipertrófica fue del 0,24%. En el subgrupo de pacientes no hipertensos la prevalencia estimada fue del 0,19% (AU)

Background and objectives To date, in Spain, there are no studies that have evaluated the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a large sample of the working population of Spain. Materials and methods The study included 13,179 workers (73% men; mean age, 40 years) from 5 regions of Spain who, between May 2008 and November 2010, had a medical examination with an electrocardiogram. The workers with suggestive abnormalities in the electrocardiogram or a predisposing medical history (exertional syncope or sudden death of a family member younger than 50 years) were referred for an echocardiographic evaluation. We defined hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a parietal thickness ≥13mm in any segment of the left ventricle. We estimated the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the entire sample and in the workers without hypertension. Results A total of 1008 workers were selected for the echocardiogram, although only 496 (49.2% of those selected) of these attended the appointment. After the echocardiogram, we detected 16 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, estimating a prevalence of 0.24% for the entire sample. In the subgroup of workers with no hypertension, we observed 10 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which corresponds to an estimated prevalence of 0.19%. Conclusions In our sample of the working population in Spain, the estimated prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was 0.24%. In the subgroup of patients with no hypertension, the estimated prevalence was 0.19% (AU)

Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a large sample of the Spanish working population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To date, in Spain, there are no studies that have evaluated the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a large sample of the working population of Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 13,179 workers (73% men; mean age: 40 years) from 5 regions of Spain who, between May 2008 and November 2010, had a medical examination with an electrocardiogram. The workers with suggestive abnormalities in the electrocardiogram or a predisposing medical history (exertional syncope or sudden death of a family member younger than 50 years) were referred for an echocardiographic evaluation. We defined hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a parietal thickness ≥13mm in any segment of the left ventricle. We estimated the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the entire sample and in the workers without hypertension. RESULTS: A total of 1008 workers were selected for the echocardiogram, although only 496 (49.2% of those selected) of these attended the appointment. After the echocardiogram, we detected 16 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, estimating a prevalence of 0.24% for the entire sample. In the subgroup of workers with no hypertension, we observed 10 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which corresponds to an estimated prevalence of 0.19%. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample of the working population in Spain, the estimated prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was 0.24%. In the subgroup of patients with no hypertension, the estimated prevalence was 0.19%.

Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a large sample of the Spanish working population. / Prevalencia de la miocardiopatía hipertrófica en una amplia muestra de la población laboral española.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To date, in Spain, there are no studies that have evaluated the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a large sample of the working population of Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 13,179 workers (73% men; mean age, 40 years) from 5 regions of Spain who, between May 2008 and November 2010, had a medical examination with an electrocardiogram. The workers with suggestive abnormalities in the electrocardiogram or a predisposing medical history (exertional syncope or sudden death of a family member younger than 50 years) were referred for an echocardiographic evaluation. We defined hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a parietal thickness ≥13mm in any segment of the left ventricle. We estimated the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the entire sample and in the workers without hypertension. RESULTS: A total of 1008 workers were selected for the echocardiogram, although only 496 (49.2% of those selected) of these attended the appointment. After the echocardiogram, we detected 16 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, estimating a prevalence of 0.24% for the entire sample. In the subgroup of workers with no hypertension, we observed 10 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which corresponds to an estimated prevalence of 0.19%. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample of the working population in Spain, the estimated prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was 0.24%. In the subgroup of patients with no hypertension, the estimated prevalence was 0.19%.

Current functioning of cardio-oncology units in Spain.

PURPOSE: The aim of the current survey was to describe the functioning of cardio-oncology (C-O) units in Spain. METHODS: All members of the Spanish Society of Cardiology pertaining to scientific communities related to C-O received questionnaires on the existence of specific programs at their institutions. A second, more extensive questionnaire was sent to the centers which reported C-O organization. RESULTS: We identified 56 centers with C-O programs of which 32 (62.5%) replied to the extended questionnaire. 28% of all centers reported having a multidisciplinary unit involving specialists in several areas. More than 80% of the centers developed surveillance protocols locally adapted which included advanced echocardiographic techniques (68%) or troponin (82%). CONCLUSIONS: The number of institutions with C-O programs is still limited but higher than reported in a survey in 2017. Development of multidisciplinary units of C-O should be promoted to improve the cardiovascular health of cancer patients.

Prevalence of comorbidities and the prognostic value of the PROFUND index in a hospital cardiology unit. / Prevalencia de pluripatología y valor pronóstico del índice PROFUND en una unidad de hospitalización de Cardiología.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to understand the prevalence of comorbidities and the usefulness of the PROFUND index for the prognostic stratification of patients with comorbidities in a hospital cardiology unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We consecutively analysed all patients hospitalized in 2012 in the department of cardiology. We recorded the comorbidities, length of stay, hospital mortality, Charlson indices and PROFUND indices. In the patients with comorbidities, we also recorded the readmissions and mortality during a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 1,033 patients (mean age, 67±13.1 years; 35% women), 381 (36.9%) of whom had comorbidities, with a mean Charlson index of 6.4±1.7 and a mean PROFUND index of 2.5±2.5. Compared with the other patients, the patients with comorbidities were older (72 vs. 64 years, p<.001), had a higher mortality rate (2.9% vs. 1.1%, p=.046) and longer hospital stays (8±5.5 vs. 6±5.7 days, p<.001) and were more often admitted for heart failure (42.3% vs. 15.8%, p<.001). The PROFUND index was independently associated with overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01-1.27; p=.034) and with the presence of major adverse events during the 12-month follow-up (HR, 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.18; p=.026). CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of patients hospitalized in the department of cardiology had comorbidities. These patients had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, longer stays and greater hospital mortality. The PROFUND index independently predicted mortality and adverse events during the follow-up.

Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine on the diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure. / Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología y la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del déficit de hierro en la insuficiencia cardíaca.

Iron deficiency in patients with heart failure is a medical problem of recent particular interest. This interest has resulted from the publication of several clinical trials that demonstrated that the administration of intravenous iron to such patients improved their functional capacity and even reduced the number of hospitalisations for heart failure decompensation. However, applying the evidence from these studies in clinical practice is still controversial, both in terms of the diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency (absolute and functional) and the optimal method for iron replenishment. This article is a consensus document that integrates the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Cardiology. The article reviews the scientific evidence and proposes a diagnostic and therapeutic performance protocol for iron deficiency in heart failure.

Reduced levels of anti-MDA LDL antibodies in patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have a worse prognosis than non-diabetic patients. The anti-oxidized LDL antibodies (anti-LDLox ab) have recently been suggested to be protective against the development of diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of IgG and IgM anti-oxidized LDL antibodies with reference to the new diagnostic criteria for carbohydrate metabolism disorders after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in hospitalized patients scheduled to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional study of 110 patients undergoing PCI. The patients were classified as being normal (oral glucose test tolerance normal, OGTT-N), or having impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) according to their glucose levels at baseline and after an OGTT. RESULTS: An inverse slope was found in the levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies between the OGTT-N patients (optical density (OD) = 0.109) and the patients with IGT (OD = 0.099) or T2DM (OD = 0.084) (p = 0.019). An inverse correlation was also detected between the levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies and baseline glycemia (r = -0.23, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with coronary disease and carbohydrate metabolism disorders have much lower levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies than normoglycemic patients.

Endothelial progenitor cells in cell-based therapy for cardiovascular disease.

Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD) is the first mortality cause in industrialized countries. The possibility of regenerating myocardium injured tissue using the cell therapy is a promising option to regenerate cardiac tissue. Currently, a variety of adult stem/ progenitor cells are undergoing clinical evaluation, but it is very important to study and characterize the bone marrow-derived progenitor/ stem cells, the main source of cells used for human cardiac repair, before their clinical use. Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) home sites of ischemia and differentiate into endothelial cells, increase the neovascularization of ischemic tissue. Moreover recently, it has been observed that EPC can be able to differentiate or transdifferentiate to like-adult cells resident in cardiac tissues. The characterization of phenotype EPC is complex, because express hematopoietic stem cells (CD133 and/or CD34) and endothelial markers such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (KDR). Several studies described subpopulation of EPC expressing CD34+D133+KDR+ phenotype in literature, but some other authors suggest other phenotype. The EPC capacity of mobilization or recruitment/ homing to ischemic tissue areas by cytokines are reviewed. Finally are described clinical studies in CAD using bone marrow-derived progenitor cells permitting human cardiac tissue repair.

[Trends of hospitalizations for chronic heart failure in Andalusia in the last decade]. / Evolución de las hospitalizaciones por insuficiencia cardíaca en Andalucía en la última década.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The cost of hospitalization represents the greatest proportion of total expenditure due to heart failure. Our objective was to analyze the trends of morbidity of chronic heart failure in Andalusia between 1990-2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data on hospitalizations in Andalusia (title 428 of the ninth revision of the International Disease Classification) were obtained from the National Survey of Hospital Morbidity of the National Institute of Statistics. The rates, standardized by age and gender, of admission due to heart failure were calculated by the direct standardization method. RESULTS: The absolute number of hospitalizations due to hear failure in people over 45 years was 4,345 in 1990 and 10,153 in 2000 (a relative increase of 230%) and it represents 14.2% hospitalizations in Spain. The increase was focused on those over 65 years and the standardized rates were slightly greater in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization discharge rates increased mostly in the population older than 65 and women showed hospitalization rates slightly greater than men.

Evolución de las hospitalizaciones por insuficiencia cardíaca en Andalucía en la última década / Trends of morbidity of chronic heart failure in Andalusia in the last decade

Fundamento y objetivos. Las hospitalizaciones ocasionan la mayor parte del gasto sanitario por insuficiencia cardíaca. Nuestro objetivo es analizar las tendencias de estas hospitalizaciones en Andalucía en el período 1990-2000. Material y método. Los datos sobre hospitalizaciones en Andalucía (rúbrica 428 de la novena revisión de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades) se tomaron de la Encuesta Nacional de Morbilidad Hospitalaria del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Mediante el método de estandarización directa se calcularon las tasas, estandarizadas por edad y sexo, de ingreso por insuficiencia cardíaca. Resultados. El número absoluto de hospitalizaciones por insuficiencia cardíaca en mayores de 45 años pasó de 4.345 en 1990 a 10.153 en el año 2000, lo que representa un crecimiento relativo de un 230% y correspondió al 14,2% de los ingresos en España en el año 2000. El aumento se centró en mayores de 65 años y las tasas estandarizadas fueron ligeramente superiores en mujeres que en hombres. Conclusiones. El número de hospitalizaciones por insuficiencia cardíaca en Andalucía en la década de los noventa creció de forma importante, y esto se produjo fundamentalmente en mayores de 65 años, tanto en mujeres como en hombres

Background and objectives. The cost of hospitalization represents the greatest proportion of total expenditure due to heart failure. Our objective was to analyze the trends of morbidity of chronic heart failure in Andalusia between 1990-2000. Material and methods. The data on hospitalizations in Andalusia (title 428 of the ninth revision of the International Disease Classification) were obtained from the National Survey of Hospital Morbidity of the National Institute of Statistics. The rates, standardized by age and gender, of admission due to heart failure were calculated by the direct standardization method. Results. The absolute number of hospitalizations due to hear failure in people over 45 years was 4,345 in 1990 and 10,153 in 2000 (a relative increase of 230%) and it represents 14.2% hospitalizations in Spain. The increase was focused on those over 65 years and the standardized rates were slightly greater in women than in men. Conclusions. Hospitalization discharge rates increased mostly in the population older than 65 and women showed hospitalization rates slightly greater than men

[Therapeutic attitude after coronariography in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease]. / Actitud terapéutica tras la coronariografía en pacientes ancianos con cardiopatía isquémica.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of ischemic heart disease in the elderly is high. These patients are increasing referred for coronariography. OBJECTIVES: Identify factors associated with coronary revascularization in elderly patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 473 patients > or = 75 years who underwent coronariography in relationship with ischemic heart disease. Their clinical-epidemiological characteristics and treatment adopted were analyzed. A multivariate analysis model was used to identify factors associated with revascularization. RESULTS: Mean age was 77.6 +/- 2.8 years; 70.4% were men. A total of 36% smoked, 53% were hypertensive, 33% diabetics and 30% dislipidemic. Thirty one % had multivessel disease and 11% involvement of left coronary trunk. There was evidence of anterior descending artery in 68%. Medical treatment was done in 48.4%, percutaneous revascularization in 41.5% and surgical in 10.1%. Patients with lesions of the anterior descending artery were revascularized in greater proportion: 67.7% vs 32.3%; p. 0.001. A logistic regression model was used to identify revascularization predictors, obtaining a direct relationship with the involvement of the anterior descending artery (OR: 4.87; 95% CI: 2.98-7.94; (p < 0.001) and inverse on with the previous revascularization (OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26-0.85; p < 0.02), left ventricular dysfunction (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.39-0.88; p = 0.01) and presence of multivessel disease (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31-0.84; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The elderly subjects with ischemic heart disease who underwent coronariography received revascularizing treatment in somewhat more than 50% of the cases. A direct relationship was found between involvement of the anterior descending artery and performance of revascularizing treatment and an inverse on between previous revascularization, left ventricular dysfunction and presence of multivessel disease.

¿Desigualdades en el tratamiento de la angina inestable en las mujeres? / Disparities in the treatment of unstable angina among women?

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