Valor pronóstico de la cardiorresonancia magnética de estrés en pacientes ancianos / Prognostic role of stress cardiac magnetic resonance in the elderly

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Diferentes estudios han demostrado el valor diagnóstico y pronóstico de la resonancia magnética cardiaca (RMC) de estrés en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica. No obstante, la evidencia en ancianos es escasa, en parte por las limitaciones de las técnicas diagnósticas disponibles para esta población. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la utilidad de la RMC de estrés en pacientes ancianos. MÉTODOS: Se estudió de manera prospectiva a los pacientes remitidos a una RMC de estrés para descartar isquemia miocárdica. Se consideró paciente anciano a los mayores de 70 años. El estudio de RMC de estrés se realizó conforme a los protocolos internacionales. La gravedad de la hipoperfusión se clasificó en función de los segmentos afectados: ligera (1-2 segmentos), moderada (3-4 segmentos) o grave (> 4 segmentos). Se analizó la aparición de eventos mayores durante el seguimiento (muerte, síndrome coronario agudo o revascularización). La supervivencia se analizó con el método de Kaplan-Meier y un modelo de regresión multivariante de Cox. RESULTADOS: De la cohorte inicial de 333 pacientes, 110 eran mayores de 70 años. En el 40,9% de estos, la RMC de estrés fue positiva para isquemia. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 26 [18-37] meses. En los pacientes ancianos se registraron 35 eventos: 15 fallecimientos, 10 síndromes coronarios agudos y 10 revascularizaciones. Los pacientes con isquemia moderada o grave tenían mayor riesgo de eventos ajustado por edad, sexo y riesgo cardiovascular (HR=3,53; IC95%, 1,41-8,79; p = 0,01). CONCLUSIONES: La presencia de hipoperfusión moderada o grave detectada mediante RMC de estrés predice de manera significativa la aparición de eventos en mayores de 70 años, sin que aparezcan efectos adversos relevantes

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Several trials have tested the diagnostic and prognostic value of stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in ischemic heart disease. However, scientific evidence is lacking in the older population, and the available techniques have limitations in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of stress CMR in the elderly. METHODS: We prospectively studied consecutive patients referred for stress CMR to rule out myocardial ischemia. The cutoff age for the elderly population was 70 years. Stress CMR study was performed according to standardized international protocols. Hypoperfusion severity was classified according to the number of affected segments: mild (1-2 segments), moderate (3-4 segments), or severe (> 4 segments). We analyzed the occurrence of major events during follow-up (death, acute coronary syndrome, or revascularization). Survival was studied with the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression models. RESULTS: Of an initial cohort of 333 patients, 110 were older than 70 years. In 40.9% patients, stress CMR was positive for ischemia. The median follow-up was 26 [18-37] months. In elderly patients there were 35 events (15 deaths, 10 acute coronary syndromes, and 10 revascularizations). Patients with moderate or severe ischemia were at a higher risk of events, adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk (HR, 3.53 [95%CI, 1.41-8.79]; P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe perfusion defects in stress CMR strongly predict cardiovascular events in people older than 70 years, without relevant adverse effects

Prognostic role of stress cardiac magnetic resonance in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Several trials have tested the diagnostic and prognostic value of stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in ischemic heart disease. However, scientific evidence is lacking in the older population, and the available techniques have limitations in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of stress CMR in the elderly. METHODS: We prospectively studied consecutive patients referred for stress CMR to rule out myocardial ischemia. The cutoff age for the elderly population was 70 years. Stress CMR study was performed according to standardized international protocols. Hypoperfusion severity was classified according to the number of affected segments: mild (1-2 segments), moderate (3-4 segments), or severe (> 4 segments). We analyzed the occurrence of major events during follow-up (death, acute coronary syndrome, or revascularization). Survival was studied with the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression models. RESULTS: Of an initial cohort of 333 patients, 110 were older than 70 years. In 40.9% patients, stress CMR was positive for ischemia. The median follow-up was 26 [18-37] months. In elderly patients there were 35 events (15 deaths, 10 acute coronary syndromes, and 10 revascularizations). Patients with moderate or severe ischemia were at a higher risk of events, adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk (HR, 3.53 [95%CI, 1.41-8.79]; P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe perfusion defects in stress CMR strongly predict cardiovascular events in people older than 70 years, without relevant adverse effects.

Identification of pulmonary vein reconnection gaps with high-density mapping in redo atrial fibrillation ablation procedures.

Aims: Maps obtained by means of electroanatomic high-density mapping (HDM) systems have shown their use in the identification of conduction gaps in experimental atrial linear lesion models. The objective of this study was to assess the use of HDM in the recognition of reconnection gaps in pulmonary veins (PV) in redo atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. Methods and results: One hundred and eight patients were included in a non-randomized study that assessed the recognition of reconnection gaps in PV by means of HDM compared to a control group that received conventional non-fluoroscopic guidance with a circular multipolar catheter (CMC). Among the HDM group, adequate recognition of reconnection gaps was obtained in 60.99% of the reconnected PVs (86 of 141), a figure significantly higher than that achieved with analysis of CMC recorded signals (39.66%, 48 of 121; P = 0.001). The number of applications and total radiofrequency time were also significantly lower in the HDM group (12.46 ± 6.1 vs. 15.63 ± 7.7 and 7.61 ± 3 vs. 9.29 ± 5; P = 0.02, and P = 0.03, respectively). At the 6-month follow-up, no statistically significant differences were found in recurrence of AF or any other atrial tachycardia between the HDM group (8 patients, 14.8%) and the control group in (16 patients, 29.6%; P = 0.104). Conclusion: An analysis of the high-density activation maps allows greater precision in the identification of reconnection gaps in PV, which results in lower radiofrequency time for the new isolation.