SARS-CoV-2 in Captive Nonhuman Primates, Spain, 2020-2023.

We conducted a serologic and molecular study to assess exposure of captive nonhuman primates (NHPs) to SARS-CoV-2 in Spain during the 2020-2023 COVID-19 pandemic. We found limited exposure of NHPs to SARS-CoV-2. Biosafety measures must be strictly maintained to avoid SARS-CoV-2 reverse-zoonotic transmission in the human-NHP interface.

Monitoring of hepatitis E virus in zoo animals from Spain, 2007-2021.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV, family Hepeviridae) is an important emerging and zoonotic pathogen. In recent decades, the number of human cases of zoonotic hepatitis E has increased considerably in industrialized countries and HEV has been detected in an expanding range of mammal species. Although domestic pigs and wild boar are considered the main reservoirs of zoonotic HEV genotypes, the role of other susceptible animals in the epidemiology of the virus is still poorly understood. A large-scale, long-term study was carried out (1) to assess HEV exposure in captive zoo animals in Spain and (2) to determine the dynamics of seropositivity in individuals that were sampled longitudinally during the study period. Between 2007 and 2021, serum samples from 425 zoo animals belonging to 109 animal species (including artiodactyls, carnivores, perissodactyls, proboscideans and rodents) were collected from 11 different zoological parks in Spain. Forty-six of these animals at seven of these zoos were also longitudinally sampled. Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 36 (8.5%; 95% CI: 5.8-11.1) of 425 sampled zoo animals. Specific antibodies against HEV-3 and HEV-C1 antigens were confirmed in ELISA-positive animals using western blot assay. Two of 46 longitudinally surveyed animals seroconverted during the study period. Seropositivity was significantly higher in carnivores and perissodactyls than in artiodactyls, and also during the period 2012-2016 compared with 2007-2011. HEV RNA was not detected in any of the 262 animals that could be tested by RT-PCR. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first large-scale, long-term surveillance on HEV in different orders of zoo mammals. Our results indicate exposure to HEV-3 and HEV-C1 in zoo animals in Spain and confirm a widespread but not homogeneous spatiotemporal circulation of HEV in captive species in this country. Further studies are required to determine the role of zoo species, particularly carnivores and perissodactyls, in the epidemiology of HEV and to clarify the origins of infection in zoological parks.

Propranolol syrup to tablets change triggers electrical storm in Jervell-Lange-Nielsen syndrome.

A 10-year-old girl with genetically confirmed Jervell-Lange-Nielsen syndrome treated with beta-blocker and developed electrical storm after changing propranolol syrup to tablets. Jervell-Lange-Nielsen is characterised by long QT and congenital sensorineural deafness, with high risk of malignant arrhythmias at early ages. Gastric involvement and achlorhydria may be present, with subsequent alteration of medication bioavailability which can trigger severe arrhythmic complications.

Mobitz type II second-degree atrioventricular block with narrow QRS and junctional extrasystoles: what is the mechanism?

A 74-year-old man underwent an electrophysiological study because of Mobitz type II second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block with narrow QRS and frequent junctional extrasystoles. During the study, there were very frequent single His bundle depolarizations with multiple coupling intervals that reproduce the ECG findings. In this case, some His bundle extrasystoles result in retrograde concealed conduction and prolonged local refractoriness in the AV node that manifest as block of the next atrial impulse.

Epidemiología de la fibrilación auricular en España en los últimos 20 años / Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in Spain in the past 20 years

La fibrilación auricular es la arritmia sostenida más frecuente. Debido a sus consecuencias clínicas potencialmente graves (insuficiencia cardiaca, embolias y deterioro cognitivo), tiene importantes implicaciones socioeconómicas y sanitarias. En este artículo se revisan los principales estudios realizados para conocer la epidemiología de la fibrilación auricular en España. Los últimos datos apuntan a que en personas mayores de 40 años la prevalencia de esta arritmia puede ser superior al 4%. Dada la actual demografía española, estos datos supondrían que más de 1 millón de personas en España tendrían fibrilación auricular (AU)

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Because of its potentially serious clinical consequences (heart failure, stroke, and cognitive impairment), atrial fibrillation has important socioeconomic and health implications. This article reviews the major studies on the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in Spain. Recent data suggest that in people older than 40 years, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation may be more than 4%. Given the current Spanish demography, these data would imply that more than 1 million people in Spain have atrial fibrillation (AU)

Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in Spain in the past 20 years.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Because of its potentially serious clinical consequences (heart failure, stroke, and cognitive impairment), atrial fibrillation has important socioeconomic and health implications. This article reviews the major studies on the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in Spain. Recent data suggest that in people older than 40 years, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation may be more than 4%. Given the current Spanish demography, these data would imply that more than 1 million people in Spain have atrial fibrillation.

¿Hay un lugar para los fármacos antiarrítmicos? / Is there a role for antiarrhythmic drugs?

Los fármacos antiarrítmicos son un grupo de compuestos heterogéneo, con mecanismos de acción diversos y distintos perfiles de efectos secundarios. En general tienen una eficacia moderada y, en muchas ocasiones, un margen terapéutico estrecho. En algunos casos, pueden incluso resultar letales si no se usan con el adecuado conocimiento. La selección del tratamiento está condicionada por el tipo de arritmia que se va a tratar y el perfil del paciente (especialmente, la cardiopatía de base). Es importante tener en cuenta que, en algunas de las arritmias, la ablación con catéter o dispositivos como el desfibrilador han resultado ser de eficacia superior que los fármacos antiarrítmicos. En la presente revisión se analiza el papel de los fármacos en las principales arritmias encontradas en la práctica clínica, con especial atención a la relación riesgo/beneficio en cada uno de los escenarios clínicos (AU)

Antiarrhythmic drugs form a varied group of compounds with a range of different mechanisms of action and distinct side-effect profiles. In general, they are moderately effective but, frequently, have a narrow therapeutic margin and can even be lethal in some cases if not used properly. Drug selection is influenced by the type of arrhythmia to be treated and by the patient’s clinical status (especially the presence of underlying heart disease). It is important to acknowledge that, in some types of arrhythmia, catheter ablation or implantable devices such as defibrillators have been shown to be more effective than antiarrhythmic drugs. This review article considers the role of drug treatment in the principle forms of arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, with particular emphasis on the risk- benefit balance in each clinical setting (AU)

Predictores de éxito de la ablación desde el seno no coronario de la raíz aórtica de taquicardias auriculares con origen en la proximidad del nodo auriculoventricular / Predictores of success of the ablation from the not coronary bosom of the aortic root of taquicardias earphones with origin in the proximity of the node atrioventricular

Introducción. Las taquicardias auriculares (TA) con origen en la proximidad del nodo AV representan hasta el 10 por ciento de las TA. El tratamiento con readiofrecuencia(RF) implica riesgo de lesión del nodo AV. Pacientes. Se evaluaron 11 pacientes de una serie de 61 TA con activación auricular más precoz en la proximidad del nodo AV. Resultados. La aplicación de RF tuvo éxito en 10 localizaciones: 5 perihisiana derecha, 1 foramen oval derecho, 1 septum interauricular izquierdo y 3 seno no coronario de Valsalva. La morfología de la onda P y la longitud de ciclo de las TA no fueron diferentes entre las localizaciones. La activación auricular menor a 80ms y un electrograma unipolar con morfología QS fueron observados solo en pacientes con éxito desde la raíz aórtica. El mapa de isocronas con CARTO de la aurícula derecha no fue útil en predecir el lugar de éxito. La aplicación de RF en la raíz aórtica terminó la taquicardia en zonascon precocidades entre 20 y 35 ms.Conclusión. No se encontraron predictores del lugar de éxito de la aplicación de radiofrecuencia en pacientes con TA originada en la proximidad del nodo AV. El acceso aórtico retrógrado puede ser eficiente y seguro en el tratamiento de algunas TA.

Introduction. Focal atrial tachycardias (AT) originating from near the AV node represent 10 per cent of AT. Radiofrequency (RF) treatment implies risk of impairing AV conduction. Patients. The study population included 11 patients of a consecutive series of 61 with AT in whom mapping of the right atrium revealed earliest activation near the AV node. Results. Radiofrequency current was successful in 10 patients: 5 right perihisian, 1 right oval foramen, 1 left side of the interatrial septum and 3 in the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva; applications of RF and cryoablation,only transiently terminated the arrhythmia. The Pwave morphology and cycle length of AT did not differ between different locations. Atrial activation was shorter 80 ms and unipolar electrogram with QS morphology, were only present in patients with ablation procedure performed at the aortic root. CARTO© isochronal maps of right atrium not useful to identify successful ablationsite. Mapping the aortic root found precocities from 20 to 35 ms at noncoronary sinus, RF energy delivered from this site successfully terminated the tachycardia. Conclusion. There were no good predictors for the best ablation approach in patients with atrial tachycardia originating near AV node. Aortic approach may be safe and efficient on the treatment of AT.