Clinical and pulmonary function analysis in long-COVID revealed that long-term pulmonary dysfunction is associated with vascular inflammation pathways and metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Long-term pulmonary dysfunction (L-TPD) is one of the most critical manifestations of long-COVID. This lung affection has been associated with disease severity during the acute phase and the presence of previous comorbidities, however, the clinical manifestations, the concomitant consequences and the molecular pathways supporting this clinical condition remain unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize L-TPD in patients with long-COVID and elucidate the main pathways and long-term consequences attributed to this condition by analyzing clinical parameters and functional tests supported by machine learning and serum proteome profiling. Methods: Patients with L-TPD were classified according to the results of their computer-tomography (CT) scan and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide adjusted for hemoglobin (DLCOc) tests at 4 and 12-months post-infection. Results: Regarding the acute phase, our data showed that L-TPD was favored in elderly patients with hypertension or insulin resistance, supported by pathways associated with vascular inflammation and chemotaxis of phagocytes, according to computer proteomics. Then, at 4-months post-infection, clinical and functional tests revealed that L-TPD patients exhibited a restrictive lung condition, impaired aerobic capacity and reduced muscular strength. At this time point, high circulating levels of platelets and CXCL9, and an inhibited FCgamma-receptor-mediated-phagocytosis due to reduced FcγRIII (CD16) expression in CD14+ monocytes was observed in patients with L-TPD. Finally, 1-year post infection, patients with L-TPD worsened metabolic syndrome and augmented body mass index in comparison with other patient groups. Discussion: Overall, our data demonstrated that CT scan and DLCOc identified patients with L-TPD after COVID-19. This condition was associated with vascular inflammation and impair phagocytosis of virus-antibody immune complexes by reduced FcγRIII expression. In addition, we conclude that COVID-19 survivors required a personalized follow-up and adequate intervention to reduce long-term sequelae and the appearance of further metabolic diseases.

[Prognostic value of the presence of a chronic total occlusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction]. / Sobrevida a largo plazo de pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio en presencia de oclusiones crónicas totales en vaso no culpable.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-infarct-related artery in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), may be a sign of bad prognosis. AIM: To estimate the long-term survival of patients with AMI who were studied with coronarography during 2013-2014 who had one or more CTO in a non-infarct-related artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of coronary angiograms performed between 2013 and 2014 to patients with an AMI. Patients were grouped as having or not a CTO in a non-infarct-related artery. Their medical records were reviewed, and mortality was determined requesting their death certificates. RESULTS: Of 993 patients with AMI under-going coronarography, 233 (23.5%) had at least one CTO. Patients with CTO were older (66 and 62 years respectively). They also had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), kidney failure and moderate to severe systolic ventricular dysfunction. The independent predictors of mortality were CTO, age, DM and kidney failure. Survival at an average follow-up period of 57 months was significantly higher in patients without CTO (89.5 and 80.3% respectively, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CTO in patients with acute myocardial infarction is associated with a higher frequency of cardiovascular risk factors and lower long-term survival.

Sobrevida a largo plazo de pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio en presencia de oclusiones crónicas totales en vaso no culpable / Prognostic value of the presence of a chronic total occlusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: The presence of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-infarct-related artery in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), may be a sign of bad prognosis. AIM: To estimate the long-term survival of patients with AMI who were studied with coronarography during 2013-2014 who had one or more CTO in a non-infarct-related artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of coronary angiograms performed between 2013 and 2014 to patients with an AMI. Patients were grouped as having or not a CTO in a non-infarct-related artery. Their medical records were reviewed, and mortality was determined requesting their death certificates. RESULTS: Of 993 patients with AMI under-going coronarography, 233 (23.5%) had at least one CTO. Patients with CTO were older (66 and 62 years respectively). They also had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), kidney failure and moderate to severe systolic ventricular dysfunction. The independent predictors of mortality were CTO, age, DM and kidney failure. Survival at an average follow-up period of 57 months was significantly higher in patients without CTO (89.5 and 80.3% respectively, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CTO in patients with acute myocardial infarction is associated with a higher frequency of cardiovascular risk factors and lower long-term survival.

[Coronary artery disease in pre and postmenopausal women. The influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Enfermedad coronaria en mujeres pre y postmenopáusicas y su relación con la diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal women have higher severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) than premenopausal women and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an independent risk factor. AIM: To assess the severity of CHD in pre and postmenopausal patients undergoing coronary angiography and the impact of T2DM in both groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A coronary angiography was performed to 707 women due to suspected CHD during 2013 and 2014. Of these, 579 were older than 55 years and were considered as postmenopausal. Factors such as hypertension, obesity, smoking, creatinine and T2DM were registered. The severity of CHD in coronary angiography was evaluated according to the number of vessels with more than 50% stenosis. RESULTS: Compared to their postmenopausal counterparts, premenopausal women had less frequency of T2DM (31% and 42% p < 0.033), hypertension (52 and 78%, p < 0.001) and alteration of renal function (11 vs. 39%, p < 0.001). Absence of coronary lesions was found in 44 and 32% of premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively (p < 0.01). Premenopausal women with T2DM had a higher frequency of multi-vessel disease than those without the disease (25 and 4.5%, p < 0.001). The frequency of multi-vessel disease was higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal women (24 and 11%, p < 0.01). Hypertension, T2DM and renal involvement were associated with a higher frequency multiple vessel disease. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of CHD is higher in postmenopausal women and T2DM is associated with the disease.

Enfermedad coronaria en mujeres pre y postmenopáusicas y su relación con la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Coronary artery disease in pre and postmenopausal women. The influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Postmenopausal women have higher severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) than premenopausal women and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an independent risk factor. Aim: To assess the severity of CHD in pre and postmenopausal patients undergoing coronary angiography and the impact of T2DM in both groups. Material and Methods: A coronary angiography was performed to 707 women due to suspected CHD during 2013 and 2014. Of these, 579 were older than 55 years and were considered as postmenopausal. Factors such as hypertension, obesity, smoking, creatinine and T2DM were registered. The severity of CHD in coronary angiography was evaluated according to the number of vessels with more than 50% stenosis. Results: Compared to their postmenopausal counterparts, premenopausal women had less frequency of T2DM (31% and 42% p < 0.033), hypertension (52 and 78%, p < 0.001) and alteration of renal function (11 vs. 39%, p < 0.001). Absence of coronary lesions was found in 44 and 32% of premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively (p < 0.01). Premenopausal women with T2DM had a higher frequency of multi-vessel disease than those without the disease (25 and 4.5%, p < 0.001). The frequency of multi-vessel disease was higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal women (24 and 11%, p < 0.01). Hypertension, T2DM and renal involvement were associated with a higher frequency multiple vessel disease. Conclusions: The severity of CHD is higher in postmenopausal women and T2DM is associated with the disease.