Cardiac amyloidosis in Latin America: Gaps and opportunities to increase awareness of the disease. Findings from the AMILO-LATAM research group.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an under-diagnosed disease presenting as a restrictive cardiomyopathy with high morbidity and mortality. Wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is mostly seen in elderly patients, with increasing prevalence as life expectancy is growing. New diagnostic imaging techniques and treatments allow for a better prognosis, but lack of clinical awareness delays timely diagnosis and appropriate management. Our purpose was to investigate the knowledge of clinicians regarding ATTR-CM and to assess the availability of imaging resources in the Latin-American region. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two online surveys were distributed among clinicians and nuclear medicine professionals, respectively: one asking about awareness of CA in different clinical scenarios, and the other about the availability of diagnostic resources and studies performed. 406 responses were received for the first survey and 82 for the second, representing 17 and 14 countries, respectively. A significant lack of awareness was identified among clinicians, although appropriate diagnostic resources are generally available. Survey data showed that very few patients are evaluated for ATTR-CM in most Latin-American countries. CONCLUSIONS: The surveys demonstrated the need for educational programs and other measures to increase clinical awareness and early detection of CA, so patients receive timely treatment and management of the disease.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiometabolic patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection in Latin America.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A cross-sectional survey including 38 questions about demography, clinical condition, changes in health habits, and medical treatments for cardiometabolic patients in outpatient follow-up was conducted. From June 15 to July 15, 2020, a total of 13 Latin-American countries participated in enrolling patients. METHODS: These countries were divided into 3 geographic regions: Region 1 including North, Central, and Caribbean Regions (NCCR), Region 2 including the Andean Region (AR), and Region 3 including the Southern Cone Region (SCR). 4.216 patients were analyzed, resulting in a coefficient of 33.82%, 32.23%, and 33.94% for NCCR, AR, and SCR, respectively. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the AR, SCR, and NCCR regions. The analysis of habitual medication usage showed that discontinued use of medication was more present in AR, reaching almost 30% (p < 0.001). The main finding of this study was the negative impact that restrictive measures have on adherence to medications and physical activity: Rs = 0.84 (p = 0.0003) and Rs = 0.61 (p = 0.0032), respectively. AR was the most vulnerable region. CONCLUSION: Restrictive quarantine measures imposed by the different countries showed a positive correlation with medication discontinuation and a negative correlation with physical activity levels in patients analyzed. These findings characterize the impact of the consequences left by this pandemic. Undoubtedly, restrictive measures have been and will continue to have reverberating negative effects in most Latin-American countries.

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVOS: Se realizó una encuesta transversal que incluyó 38 preguntas sobre demografía, estado clínico, cambio de hábitos de salud, tratamientos médicos a pacientes cardiometabólicos en seguimiento ambulatorio. Un total de 13 países latinoamericanos inscribieron pacientes del 15 de junio al 15 de julio de 2020. MÉTODO: Los países se dividieron en 3 regiones geográficas Región 1 (NCCR): Región Norte, Centro y Caribe; Región 2 (AR): Región Andina; Región 3 (SCR): Región Cono Sur. Las medidas de aislamiento se estimaron a partir de informes nacionales y se correlacionaron utilizando el coeficiente R de Spearman. Se analizaron 4.216 pacientes, NCCR (33.82%); AR (32.23%) SCR (33.94%). RESULTADOS: Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre regiones. Este análisis de la medicación habitual mostró que la discontinuación de la medicación fue mayor en RA, llegando a casi el 30% (p < 0.001). El principal hallazgo de este estudio fue el impacto negativo que tienen las medidas restrictivas sobre la adherencia a la medicación y la actividad física, Rs = 0.84 (p = 0.0003) y Rs = 0.61 (p = 0.0032), respectivamente. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre regiones. AR es la región más vulnerable. CONCLUSIONES: Las medidas restrictivas impuestas por los diferentes países (cuarentena) mostraron una correlación positiva con la interrupción de la medicación y una correlación negativa con la cantidad de actividad física. El impacto de las consecuencias que deja esta pandemia será muy profundo en la mayoría de los países latinoamericanos.

Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination in Non-Infected Cardiometabolic Patients from the Americas during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Sub-Analysis of the CorCOVID-LATAM Study.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination (IV) and Pneumococcus vaccination (PV) are recommended for patients with cardiometabolic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the immunization rate of ambulatory cardiometabolic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas. METHODS: Electronic surveys were collected from 13 Spanish speaking countries between 15 June and 15 July 2020. RESULTS: 4216 patients were analyzed. Mean age 60 (±15) years and 49% females. Global IV rate was 46.5% and PV 24.6%. Vaccinated patients were older (IV = 63 vs. 58 years; PV = 68 vs. 59, p < 0.01) but without gender difference. Vaccination rates were greater in higher-risk groups (65+, diabetics, heart failure), but not in coronary artery disease patients. In the Southern cone, the rate of IV and PV was approximately double that in the tropical regions of the Americas. In a multivariate model, geographic zone (IV = OR 2.02, PV = OR 2.42, p < 0.001), age (IV = OR 1.023, PV = OR 1.035, p < 0.001), and incomes (IV = OR 1.28, PV = OR 1.58, p < 0.001) were predictors for vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, ambulatory patients with cardiometabolic diseases from the Americas with no evidence of COVID-19 infection had lower-than-expected rates of IV and PV. Geographic, social, and cultural differences were found, and they should be explored in depth.

Correction to: Left ventricular dyssynchrony and abnormalities in wall motion, assessed by gated-SPECT as ischemic auxiliary markers.

In Figure 3, sensitivity and specificity were interchanged. The corrected Figure 3 is shown below. The author names listed in reference 14 have been corrected; the correct reference reads: Nakanishi R, Gransar H, Slomka P, Arsanjani R, Shalev A, Otaki Y, et al. Predictors of high-risk coronary artery disease in subjects with normal SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. J Nucl Cardiol 2016;23:530-41. The units of standard deviation (SD) and bandwidth (BW) in the abstract, results and in table 3 are expressed in degrees from 0 to 360°.

Left ventricular dyssynchrony and abnormalities in wall motion, assessed by gated-SPECT as ischemic auxiliary markers.

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular dyssynchrony (LVD) quantified by gated myocardial perfusion studies (MPS), through phase analysis (PA), has shown controversial results in myocardial stunning. OBJECTIVES: Assessment of LVD and regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) in normal and ischemic patients. METHODS: A cohort of 172 patients were studied. Summed Stress Score (SSS), Summed Resting Score (SRS), and Summed Difference Score (SDS) were evaluated. Group 1-patients with normal MPS (N = 133) and Group 2-patients with myocardial ischemia in the MPS (N = 39). LVD was evaluated through PA and RWM by visual analysis. RESULTS: SSS 0 vs 9.8 ± 3.9 P = .0001; SDS 0 vs 9.8 ± 3.9 P = .0001; SRS 0 vs 0 P = NS, in G1 and G2. Significant differences were found in LVD between G1 and G2, bandwidth 36 ± 14 vs 63 ± 46 P = .0001; standard deviation 16 ± 10 vs 26 ± 15 P = .0001. In G1, 16% had LVD vs RWMA in 0%, P = .0001 and in G2, 59% with LVD vs 33% with RWMA, P = .03. Sensitivity for LVD 59% and for RWMA 33%, P = .03 and specificity for LVD 83% and for RWMA 100%, P = .0001. CONCLUSION: Ischemic patients have LVD post-stress due to myocardial stunning. LVD measured by PA could be a useful tool to identify ischemia.

La importancia de la detección de viabilidad miocárdica en la toma de decisiones en miocardiopatías dilatadas avanzadas isquémico-necróticas / The importance of the detection of myocardial viability in decision making in advanced dilated isquemic myocadiopathies / A importância da detecção de viabilidade miocárdica em tomada de decisões em miocardiopatias dilatadas avançadas isquêmicas- necróticas

La insuficiencia cardíaca es la primera causa de discapacidad y muerte, que afecta a más de cinco millones de individuos en los Estados Unidos. La morbilidad de esta patología está dada por hospitalizaciones recurrentes, lo que eleva los costos en salud. Los nuevos tratamientos para la insuficiencia cardíaca han mejorado los resultados; pero a pesar de ello, la mortalidad continúa siendo elevada. Debido a que el riesgo operatorio de la cirugía de revascularización es alto en los pacientes con disfunción ventricular izquierda y el beneficio de la misma no siempre está asegurado, la estratificación del riesgo no-invasiva para definir la existencia de miocardio viable es esencial. La detección de miocardio viable en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria y disfunción ventricular izquierda (con estudios de perfusión SPECT o con imágenes metabólica con FDG) es considerada una recomendación clase I (nivel de evidencia B). La disfunción ventricular izquierda en la cardiopatía isquémica puede ser debida a tejido fibrótico, necrótico o a tejido viable que puede estar atontado o hibernado. Aproximadamente el 70% de la causa de insuficiencia cardíaca es la enfermedad coronaria, y un número significativo de estos pacientes tienen miocardio hibernado.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of death and disability affecting more than 5 million individuals in the United States. The morbidity of CHF includes recurrent hospitalizations, which also drive up health care costs. New therapies for CHF have improved outcomes, but mortality remains high. Because perioperative risk for revascularization is higher in patients who have reduced systolic dysfunction and the benefit may not always be certain; noninvasive risk stratification for patients who have viable myocardium becomes essential. Detection of myocardial viability in patients who have coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (with either MPI or FDG imaging) is generally regarded as a class I recommendation (level B evidence). LV dysfunction in ischemic heart disease may be due to prior infarct and scar or viable tissue that can be stunned, hibernating, or normal remodeled myocardium. Approximately 70% of CHF is secondary to CAD and a significant number of these patients have myocardial hibernation.

A insuficiência cardíaca é a primeira causa de discapacidade e morte que afeta a mais de cinco milhões de indivíduos nos Estados Unidos. A morbilidade desta patologia está dada por hospitalizações recorrentes, o que eleva os custos em saúde. Os novos tratamentos para a insuficiência cardíaca têm melhorado os resultados; apesar disso, a mortalidade continua sendo elevada. Devido ao risco operatório da cirurgia de revascularização ser alto nos pacientes com disfunção ventricular esquerda e o benefício da mesma nem sempre está assegurado, a estratificação do risco não-invasivo para definir a existência de um miocárdio viável é essencial. A detecção de um miocárdio viável em pacientes com doença coronária e disfunção ventricular esquerda (com estudos de perfusão SPECT ou com imagens metabólica com FDG) é considerada uma recomendação classe I (nível de evidência B). A disfunção ventricular esquerda na cardiopatia isquêmica pode ser devida ao tecido fibrótico, necrótico ou ao tecido viável que pode estar atordoado ou hibernado. Aproximadamente 70% da causa de insuficiência cardíaca é a doença coronária, e um número significativo destes pacientes têm miocárdio hibernado.

Insuficiencia cardíaca avanzada: El valor de la detección de miocardio viable a través de técnicas que evalúan el metabolismo celular / Insuficiência cardíaca avançada: O valor da detecção de um miocárdio viável através de técnicas que avaliam o metabolismo celular / Advanced heart failure: The value of the detection of viable myocardium trough techniques that assess cellular metabolism

La toma de decisiones en la enfermedad coronaria debe basarse en datos clínicos, evidencia de isquemia inducible, función ventricular izquierda y anatomía coronaria; sin embargo, en pacientes con antecedente de infarto de miocardio extenso y disfunción ventricular izquierda severa en quienes no se ha demostrado isquemia residual, la viabilidad miocárdica adquiere gran relevancia clínica, pues es el hallazgo que nos indicará si es necesaria y beneficiosa la revascularización. La viabilidad miocárdica nos permitirá predecir con gran exactitud la recuperación del miocardio disfuncionante como la mejoría de la sobrevida y la calidad de vida de los pacientes, luego de la revascularización. Dentro del área de cardiología nuclear, el estudio más sensible para la detección de miocardio viable es la tomografía por emisión de positrones con flúor 18 desoxi-glucosa.

Revascularization in coronary artery disease should be based on clinical data, evidence of inducible ischemia, left ventricular function and coronary anatomy; however in patients with history of extended acute myocardial infarction and severe left ventricular dysfunction in whom no residual ischemia has been demonstrated, myocardial viability acquires great clinical relevance because it´s presence will indicate us if it is necessary and beneficial the revascularization. Myocardial viability will allow us to predict with great accuracy the recovery of the dysfunctional myocardium, like the improvement of survival and the quality of the patients life after the revascularization. Inside the area of nuclear cardiology, the most sensitive study for detection of viable myocardium is the Positron Emission Tomography with Fluorine 18 Deoxi-glucose.

A tomada de decisões na doença coronária deve basear-se em dados clínicos, evidência de isquemia induzível, função ventricular esquerda e anatomia coronária; entretanto, nos pacientes com antecedente de enfarto de miocárdio extenso e disfunção ventricular esquerda severa em quem não se demonstrou isquemia residual, a viabilidade miocárdica adquire uma grande relevância clínica, pois é o achado que nos indicará se a revascularização é necessária e benéfica. A viabilidade miocárdica nos permitirá predizer a recuperação do miocárdio disfuncionante com grande exatidão assim como a melhora da sobrevida e da qualidade de vida dos pacientes, após a revascularização. Dentro da área da cardiologia nuclear, o estudo mais sensível para a detecção de um miocárdio viável é a tomografia por emissão de pósitrons com flúor 18 desoxi-glicose.

Tibolone improves myocardial perfusion in postmenopausal women with ischemic heart disease: an open-label exploratory pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the effect of tibolone on myocardial perfusion in postmenopausal women with ischemic heart disease. BACKGROUND: Tibolone is a steroid that relieves climacteric symptoms and prevents osteoporosis. Recent studies have suggested a cardioprotective effect of this compound. However, its role on myocardial perfusion remains uncertain. METHODS: Single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging was performed in 26 postmenopausal women. Patients were randomly assigned to tibolone for six months (treatment group) or to usual care (control group). All women underwent cardiac imaging at baseline and at six months. RESULTS: Mean stress perfusion defect (summed stress score) was moderate and did not differ between the two groups (8 +/- 3 vs. 9 +/- 4; p = NS). Summed difference score also was similar for both groups (7 +/- 3 vs. 8 +/- 3; p = NS). The six-month study revealed that summed stress and summed difference scores significantly improved in the treatment group (to 3 +/- 3 and to 2 +/- 2; p < 0.001) whereas it remained unchanged for control patients (to 10 +/- 4 and to 8 +/- 2; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women with ischemic heart disease, six months of therapy with tibolone significantly improved stress myocardial perfusion and the "amount of ischemia."