Multi-scale Entropy Evaluates the Proarrhythmic Condition of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Patients Predicting Early Failure of Electrical Cardioversion.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is nowadays the most common cardiac arrhythmia, being associated with an increase in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. When AF lasts for more than seven days, it is classified as persistent AF and external interventions are required for its termination. A well-established alternative for that purpose is electrical cardioversion (ECV). While ECV is able to initially restore sinus rhythm (SR) in more than 90% of patients, rates of AF recurrence as high as 20-30% have been found after only a few weeks of follow-up. Hence, new methods for evaluating the proarrhythmic condition of a patient before the intervention can serve as efficient predictors about the high risk of early failure of ECV, thus facilitating optimal management of AF patients. Among the wide variety of predictors that have been proposed to date, those based on estimating organization of the fibrillatory (f-) waves from the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) have reported very promising results. However, the existing methods are based on traditional entropy measures, which only assess a single time scale and often are unable to fully characterize the dynamics generated by highly complex systems, such as the heart during AF. The present work then explores whether a multi-scale entropy (MSE) analysis of the f-waves may provide early prediction of AF recurrence after ECV. In addition to the common MSE, two improved versions have also been analyzed, composite MSE (CMSE) and refined MSE (RMSE). When analyzing 70 patients under ECV, of which 31 maintained SR and 39 relapsed to AF after a four week follow-up, the three methods provided similar performance. However, RMSE reported a slightly better discriminant ability of 86%, thus improving the other multi-scale-based outcomes by 3-9% and other previously proposed predictors of ECV by 15-30%. This outcome suggests that investigation of dynamics at large time scales yields novel insights about the underlying complex processes generating f-waves, which could provide individual proarrhythmic condition estimation, thus improving preoperative predictions of ECV early failure.

Resultados en España de la encuesta de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología sobre terapia de resincronización cardiaca (CRT-Survey II) / Spanish results of the Second European Cardiac resynchronization therapy survey (CRT-Survey II)

Introducción y objetivos: Se describen los resultados en España de la segunda encuesta de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología sobre terapia de resincronización cardiaca (CRT-Survey II) y se comparan con los de los demás países participantes. Métodos: Pacientes a los que se implantó un dispositivo de terapia de resincronización cardiaca entre octubre de 2015 y diciembre de 2016 en 36 centros participantes. Se recogieron datos sobre las características basales de los pacientes y del implante, y un seguimiento a corto plazo hasta el alta hospitalaria. Resultados: La tasa de éxito del implante fue del 95,9%. La mediana [intervalo intercuartílico] de implantes anuales/centro en España fue significativamente menor que en los demás países participantes: 30 [21-50] frente a 55 [33-100] implantes/año (p=0,00003). En los centros españoles hubo una menor proporción de pacientes de edad ≥ 75 años (el 27,9 frente al 32,4%; p=0,0071), una mayor proporción de pacientes en clase funcional II de la New York Heart Association (el 46,9 frente al 36,9%; p <0,00001) y un mayor porcentaje de pacientes con criterios electrocardiográficos de bloqueo de rama izquierda (el 82,9 frente al 74,6%; p <0,00001). La media de la estancia hospitalaria fue menor en los centros españoles (5,8+/-8,5 frente a 6,4+/-11,6; p <0,00001) y una mayor proporción de pacientes recibieron un cable de ventrículo izquierdo cuadripolar (el 74 frente al 56%; p <0,00001) y fueron seguidos a distancia (el 55,8 frente al 27,7%; p <0,00001). Conclusiones: La encuesta CRT-Survey II muestra que en España hay una menor proporción de pacientes de 75 o más años que reciben un dispositivo de terapia de resincronización cardiaca, una mayor proporción de pacientes en clase funcional II de la New York Heart Association, con bloqueo completo de la rama izquierda del haz de His y con seguimiento a distancia, con estancias hospitalarias significativamente menores

Introduction and objectives: We describe the results for Spain of the Second European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey (CRT-Survey II) and compare them with those of the other participating countries. Methods: We included patients undergoing CRT device implantation between October 2015 and December 2016 in 36 participating Spanish centers. We registered the patients' baseline characteristics, implant procedure data, and short-term follow-up information until hospital discharge. Results: Implant success was achieved in 95.9%. The median [interquartile range] annual implantation rate by center was significantly lower in Spain than in the other participating countries: 30 implants/y [21-50] vs 55 implants/y [33-100]; P=.00003. In Spanish centers, there was a lower proportion of patients ≥ 75 years (27.9% vs 32.4%; P=.0071), a higher proportion in NYHA class II (46.9% vs 36.9%, P <.00001), and a higher percentage with electrocardiographic criteria of left bundle branch block (82.9% vs 74.6%; P <.00001). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly lower in Spanish centers (5.8+/-8.5 days vs 6.4+/-11.6; P <.00001). Spanish patients were more likely to receive a quadripolar LV lead (74% vs 56%, P <.00001) and to be followed up by remote monitoring (55.8% vs 27.7%; P <.00001). Conclusions: The CRT-Survey II shows that, compared with other participating countries, fewer patients in Spain aged ≥ 75 years received a CRT device, while more patients were in New York Heart Association functional class II and had left bundle branch block. In addition, the length of hospital stay was shorter, and there was greater use of quadripolar LV leads and remote CRT monitoring

Spanish Results of the Second European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey (CRT-Survey II).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We describe the results for Spain of the Second European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey (CRT-Survey II) and compare them with those of the other participating countries. METHODS: We included patients undergoing CRT device implantation between October 2015 and December 2016 in 36 participating Spanish centers. We registered the patients' baseline characteristics, implant procedure data, and short-term follow-up information until hospital discharge. RESULTS: Implant success was achieved in 95.9%. The median [interquartile range] annual implantation rate by center was significantly lower in Spain than in the other participating countries: 30 implants/y [21-50] vs 55 implants/y [33-100]; P=.00003. In Spanish centers, there was a lower proportion of patients ≥ 75 years (27.9% vs 32.4%; P=.0071), a higher proportion in New York Heart Association functional class II (46.9% vs 36.9%; P <.00001), and a higher percentage with electrocardiographic criteria of left bundle branch block (82.9% vs 74.6%; P <.00001). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly lower in Spanish centers (5.8±8.5 days vs 6.4±11.6; P <.00001). Spanish patients were more likely to receive a quadripolar LV lead (74% vs 56%; P <.00001) and to be followed up by remote monitoring (55.8% vs 27.7%; P <.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The CRT-Survey II shows that, compared with other participating countries, fewer patients in Spain aged ≥ 75 years received a CRT device, while more patients were in New York Heart Association functional class II and had left bundle branch block. In addition, the length of hospital stay was shorter, and there was greater use of quadripolar LV leads and remote CRT monitoring.

[Reduction in acute myocardial infarction mortality over a five-year period]. / Reducción de la mortalidad por infarto agudo de miocardio en un período de 5 años.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To assess recent changes in the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and their impact on mortality using data from the PRIAMHO I and II registries (1995 and 2000). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Of the 168 public hospitals in Spain, 24 and 58 contributed to the 1995 and 2000 PRIAMHO registries, respectively. RESULTS: Patients in the PRIAMHO II registry (n=6221) were significantly older, more often female, and proportionally more likely to have coronary risk factors or a previous myocardial infarction, or to have undergone revascularization than those in PRIAMHO I (n=5242). Reperfusion therapy was administered more often (46.9% vs 41.9%, P<.001) and earlier (48 min vs 60 min, P<.001). Antiplatelet drugs were given to 96.1% vs 89.1% of patients, beta-blockers to 51.1% vs 30.1%, and ACE inhibitors to 41.6% vs 24.9% (P<.001 for all comparisons). In addition, 28-day mortality was 11.3% and 14.2% (P<.001), respectively, and one-year mortality, 16.4% and 18.5% (P<.001), respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio for mortality at one year in PRIAMHO II compared with PRIAMHO I was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.70-0.86, P<.001; adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, smoking, dyslipemia, hypertension, previous MI and CABG, ST-elevation status and Killip class at admission, and hospital characteristics). CONCLUSIONS: Even though patients registered in 2000 formed a higher risk group than those registered in 1995, one-year mortality after AMI decreased by 22% over the five-year period. This improvement was due to more frequent and earlier reperfusion therapy and better use of antithrombotics, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors.

Reducción de la mortalidad por infarto agudo de miocardio en un período de 5 años / Reduction in acute myocardial infarction mortality over a five-year period

Introducción y objetivos. Analizar los cambios en el tratamiento de los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio y su repercusión en la mortalidad en los registros PRIAMHO I y II (1995 y 2000). Pacientes y método. De los 168 hospitales públicos españoles, 24 y 58 participaron en los registros PRIAMHO I y II, respectivamente. Resultados. En el registro PRIAMHO II (n = 6.221) comparado con el registro PRIAMHO I (n = 5.242) había un mayor porcentaje de pacientes mayores y más mujeres, y los pacientes tenían una mayor proporción de factores de riesgo coronario, infarto de miocardio previo y revascularización. Asimismo, el tratamiento de reperfusión se administró con más frecuencia (el 46,9 frente al 41,9%; p < 0,001) y más rápidamente (48 frente a 60 min; p < 0,001). Se administró tratamiento antiagregante al 96,1 frente al 89,1% de los pacientes, bloqueadores beta al 51,1 frente al 30,1% e inhibidores de la enzima de conversión de la angiotensina al 41,6 frente al 24,9% (p < 0,001 para todos los casos). La mortalidad a los 28 días y al año fue del 11,3 y el 14,2% (p < 0,001) y del 16,4 y el 18,5% (p < 0,001), respectivamente. La hazard ratio ajustada de la mortalidad a 1 año en PRIAMHO II en comparación con PRIAMHO I fue de 0,78 (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 0,70-0,86), con un valor de p < 0,001 (ajustado por edad, sexo, diabetes, tabaquismo, dislipemia, hipertensión, antecedentes de infarto de miocardio y revascularización, elevación del segmento ST y clase de Killip en el momento del ingreso, y características del hospital). Conclusiones. Aunque los pacientes registrados en el año 2000 formaban un grupo de mayor riesgo, la mortalidad al año se redujo en un 22% en el período de 5 años. Los factores causantes de esta mejoría son la administración más rápida y frecuente de tratamiento de reperfusión y un mayor uso de fármacos antitrombóticos, bloqueadores beta e inhibidores de la enzima de conversión de la angiotensina

Introduction and objectives. To assess recent changes in the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and their impact on mortality using data from the PRIAMHO I and II registries (1995 and 2000). Pacients and method. Of the 168 public hospitals in Spain, 24 and 58 contributed to the 1995 and 2000 PRIAMHO registries, respectively. Results. Patients in the PRIAMHO II registry (n=6221) were significantly older, more often female, and proportionally more likely to have coronary risk factors or a previous myocardial infarction, or to have undergone revascularization than those in PRIAMHO I (n=5242). Reperfusion therapy was administered more often (46.9% vs 41.9%, P<.001) and earlier (48 min vs 60 min, P<.001). Antiplatelet drugs were given to 96.1% vs 89.1% of patients, beta-blockers to 51.1% vs 30.1%, and ACE inhibitors to 41.6% vs 24.9% (P<.001 for all comparisons). In addition, 28-day mortality was 11.3% and 14.2% (P<.001), respectively, and one-year mortality, 16.4% and 18.5% (P<.001), respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio for mortality at one year in PRIAMHO II compared with PRIAMHO I was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.70-0.86, P<.001; adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, smoking, dyslipemia, hypertension, previous MI and CABG, ST-elevation status and Killip class at admission, and hospital characteristics). Conclusions. Even though patients registered in 2000 formed a higher risk group than those registered in 1995, one-year mortality after AMI decreased by 22% over the five-year period. This improvement was due to more frequent and earlier reperfusion therapy and better use of antithrombotics, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors

Hemartrosis como complicación hemorrágica tras tratamiento trombolítico / Hemarthrosis as a Hemorrhagic Complication after Thrombolytic Treatment

La principal complicación del tratamiento trombolítico es la hemorragia más o menos grave. Presentamos un caso de hemorragia poco frecuente tras el uso de dicho tratamiento en el seno de un infarto agudo de miocardio como es un hemartros de tobillo. El paciente, dentro de las primeras 12 h de la administración cursó con derrame hemorrágico articular y dolor refractario que precisó artrocentesis. Éste recidivó tras la no suspensión inicial de la heparinización y posteriormente cursó con reoclusión del vaso responsable del infarto que precisó angioplastia urgente. Se discute la potencial gravedad y el manejo de dicha eventualidad (AU)