La albuminuria y la enfermedad polivascular mejoran la capacidad predictiva de los modelos multivariados después de un evento cardiovascular agudo. Cohorte AIRVAG / Albuminuria and polyvascular disease improve multivariate predictive models after an acute cardiovascular event. The AIRVAG cohort

Antecedentes y objetivos: En la enfermedad cardiovascular ateroesclerótica no existe consenso respecto a los instrumentos de estratificación del riesgo en su prevención secundaria. Nuestro objetivo consistía en comparar la capacidad discriminativa de las funciones de riesgo de Framingham, REGICOR, SCORE y REACH y las puntuaciones de riesgo Bohula-TIMI y SMART, así como en evaluar el posible valor añadido de otras variables clínicas en cuanto a la predicción de recurrencias en pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular. Métodos: Se analizó una cohorte de 269 pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular establecida (52,8% coronaria, 32% cerebrovascular, 15,2% arteriopatía periférica). Se compararon las funciones de supervivencia de los grupos de riesgo (bajo/intermedio/alto) según los valores de corte de uso habitual de cada función o puntuación y se calcularon las razones de riesgos instantáneos (RRI) correspondientes a cada una mediante regresión de Cox. Se calculó el Δ C de Harrell, el cat-IRN y el cIRN después de añadir nuevos factores predictivos a un modelo base que incluía edad, sexo, colesterol total, tabaquismo activo, hipertensión arterial y diabetes. Resultados: Al cabo de 6 años de seguimiento (mediana de 4,82 años) se habían producido 61 eventos (23%). Los grupos de riesgo alto tuvieron un mayor riesgo de recurrencia: SMART (RRI: 3,17 [1,55-6,5]), Framingham (RRI: 3,08 [1,65-5,75]), REGICOR (RRI: 2,71 [1,39-5,27]), SCORE (RRI: 2,14 [1,01-4,5], REACH (RRI: 5,74 [2,83-11,7]) y B-TIMI (RRI: 3,68 [0,88-15,3]). La enfermedad polivascular (3 territorios, RRI: 5,6 [2,2-14,25]), la albuminuria (RRI: 3,55 [2,06-6,11]) y la insuficiencia cardíaca (RRI: 3,11 [1,34-7,25]) también incrementaron el riesgo. La capacidad discriminativa (índice C de Harrell) fue baja, pero mejoró tras añadir la albuminuria y la enfermedad polivascular. Ambas variables también mejoraron el rendimiento del modelo base (cIRN: 0,326 [0,036; 0,607]) (AU)

Background and aims: There is no consensus regarding risk stratification tools for secondary prevention in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to compare the discriminative performance of the Framingham, REGICOR, SCORE, and REACH risk functions and the Bohula-TIMI and SMART risk scores, as well as to assess the potential added value of other clinical variables for the prediction of recurrent events in patients with established vascular disease. Methods: A cohort of 269 patients with established vascular disease (52.8% coronary, 32% cerebrovascular, 15.2% peripheral artery disease) was included. The survival functions of risk groups (low/medium/high) according to commonly used cutoff points for each function/score were compared, and hazard ratios (HR) for each were estimated using Cox regression. We calculated Δ Harrell's C statistic, cat-NRI, and cNRI after adding new predictors to a base model including age, sex, total cholesterol, current smoking status, hypertension, and diabetes. Results: After 6 years of follow-up (median 4.82 years), 61 events occurred (23%). High-risk groups had a higher risk of recurrent event: SMART (HR: 3.17 [1.55-6.5]), Framingham (HR: 3.08 [1.65-5.75]), REGICOR (HR: 2.71 [1.39-5.27]), SCORE (HR: 2.14 [1.01-4.5], REACH (HR: 5.74 [2.83-11.7]), B-TIMI (HR: 3.68 [0.88-15.3]). Polyvascular disease (3 territories HR: 5.6 [2.2-14.25]), albuminuria (HR: 3.55 [2.06-6.11]), and heart failure (HR: 3.11 [1.34-7.25]) also increased risk. Discrimination (Harrell's C) was low but improved after adding albuminuria and polyvascular disease. Both variables also improved the performance of the base model (cNRI: 0.326 [0.036; 0.607]). Conclusions: The Framingham, REGICOR, SCORE, and REACH functions and the B-TIMI and SMART scores showed low yet similar performance in secondary prevention. Albuminuria and polyvascular disease improved the predictive performance of major classical cardiovascular risk factors (AU)

Albuminuria and polyvascular disease improve multivariate predictive models after an acute cardiovascular event. The AIRVAG cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is no consensus regarding risk stratification tools for secondary prevention in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to compare the discriminative performance of the Framingham, REGICOR, SCORE, and REACH risk functions and the Bohula-TIMI and SMART risk scores, as well as to assess the potential added value of other clinical variables for the prediction of recurrent events in patients with established vascular disease. METHODS: A cohort of 269 patients with established vascular disease (52.8% coronary, 32% cerebrovascular, 15.2% PAD) was included. The survival functions of risk groups (low/medium/high) according to commonly used cutoff points for each function/score were compared, and hazard ratios for each were estimated using Cox regression. We calculated Δ Harrell's C statistic, cat-NRI, and cNRI after adding new predictors to a base model including age, sex, total cholesterol, current smoking status, hypertension, and diabetes. RESULTS: After six years of follow-up (median 4.82 years), 61 events occurred (23%). High-risk groups had a higher risk of recurrent event: SMART (HR: 3.17 [1.55-6.5]), Framingham (HR: 3.08 [1.65-5.75]), REGICOR (HR: 2.71 [1.39-5.27]), SCORE (HR: 2.14 [1.01-4.5], REACH (HR: 5.74 [2.83-11.7]), B-TIMI (HR: 3.68 [0.88-15.3]). Polyvascular disease (three territories HR: 5.6 [2.2-14.25]), albuminuria (HR: 3.55 [2.06-6.11]), and heart failure (HR: 3.11 [1.34-7.25]) also increased risk. Discrimination (Harrell's C) was low but improved after adding albuminuria and polyvascular disease. Both variables also improved the performance of the base model (cNRI.326 [.036; .607]). CONCLUSIONS: The Framingham, REGICOR, SCORE, and REACH functions and the B-TIMI and SMART scores showed low yet similar performance in secondary prevention. Albuminuria and polyvascular disease improved the predictive performance of major classical cardiovascular risk factors.

Galectin-3 Is Associated with Cardiovascular Events in Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Type-2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with early and severe atherosclerosis. However, few biomarkers can predict cardiovascular events in this population. METHODS: We followed 964 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), assessing plasma levels of galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at baseline. The secondary outcomes were acute ischemia and heart failure or death. The primary outcome was the combination of the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-two patients had T2DM. Patients with T2DM showed higher MCP-1 (144 (113-195) vs. 133 (105-173) pg/mL, p = 0.006) and galectin-3 (8.3 (6.5-10.5) vs. 7.8 (5.9-9.8) ng/mL, p = 0.049) levels as compared to patients without diabetes. Median follow-up was 5.39 years (2.81-6.92). Galectin-3 levels were associated with increased risk of the primary outcome in T2DM patients (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.57 (1.07-2.30); p = 0.022), along with a history of cerebrovascular events. Treatment with clopidogrel was associated with lower risk. In contrast, NT-proBNP and MCP-1, but not galectin-3, were related to increased risk of the event in nondiabetic patients (HR 1.21 (1.04-1.42); p = 0.017 and HR 1.23 (1.05-1.44); p = 0.012, respectively), along with male sex and age. Galectin-3 was also the only biomarker associated with the development of acute ischemic events and heart failure or death in T2DM patients, while, in nondiabetics, MCP-1 and NT-proBNP, respectively, were related to these events. CONCLUSION: In CAD patients, galectin-3 plasma levels are associated with cardiovascular events in patients with T2DM, and MCP-1 and NT-proBNP in those without T2DM.

Sun exposure influences the prognostic power of components of mineral metabolism in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Calcidiol (vitamin D metabolite) plasma levels vary with sun exposure (SE). However, it is not known if SE influences its prognostic ability. We have studied the effect of SE on plasma levels of the components of mineral metabolism (calcidiol, fibroblast growth factor-23 [FGF-23], parathormone [PTH], and phosphate [P]) and on their prognostic value in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied prospectively 704 patients with stable CAD. Clinical variables and baseline calcidiol, FGF-23, PTH, and P plasma levels were assessed. We divided the population in two subgroups, according to the period of plasma extraction: High SE (HSE) (April-September) and low SE (LSE) (October-March). The outcome was the development of acute ischemic events (acute coronary syndrome, stroke, or transient ischemic attack), heart failure, or death. Mean follow-up was 2.15 ± 0.99 years. Calcidiol and P levels were higher in HSE group. In the whole population, calcidiol (HR = 0.84 for each 5 ng/ml increase, 95% CI = 0.71-0.99; p = 0.038) and FGF-23 (HR = 1.14 for each 100 RU/ml increase, 95% CI = 1.05-1.23; p = 0.009) were predictors of the outcome, along with age, hypertension, body-mass index, peripheral artery disease, and P levels. In the LSE subgroup, calcidiol (HR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.57-0.99; p = 0.034) and FGF-23 (HR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.13-1.58; p = 0.003) remained as predictors of the outcome. In the HSE group calcidiol and FGF-23 had not independent prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with stable CAD, low calcidiol and high FGF-23 plasma levels predict an adverse prognosis only when the sample is obtained during the months with LSE. SE should be taken into account in the clinical practice.

Aplicaciones clínicas de la determinación plasmática del péptido natriurético auricular / Clinical applications of auricular natriuretic peptide plasma level quantification

El péptido natriurético auricular tipo B (BNP) es una neurohormona sintetizada en los ventrículos. En el momento actual, la medida del BNP se puede realizar mediante una rápida prueba que está disponible tanto en el ámbito ambulatorio como en el hospitalario. Se ha probado su utilidad en el Servicio de Urgencias para el diagnóstico de la insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva en pacientes con causa no clara de disnea. Se ha estudiado la utilidad de la determinación del nivel de BNP como criterio de ingreso hospitalario, así como en la toma de decisiones respecto a la adecuación del tratamiento durante la hospitalización y el momento del alta. En pacientes ambulatorios, usar el BNP como guía para intensificar la terapéutica farmacológica muestra un prometedor futuro en la disminución de la tasa de eventos adversos asociados con este diagnóstico. La medida del BNP parece también proporcionar información pronóstica en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca, así como ser útil en la detección de la disfunción ventricular izquierda asintomática. Además, se intuye su utilidad en otros campos como en el síndrome coronario agudo y el corazón trasplantado, sin olvidar el uso reciente del BNP recombinante humano, nesiritide, en el tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca descompensada (AU)

Left ventricular filling in young patients affected by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a stress Doppler echocardiography study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze diastolic function in two different populations of young patients affected by insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), with and without systemic diabetic complications, and to compare the results obtained at rest with those obtained during isometric exercise. METHODS: Forty-five IDDM diabetic patients were studied. On the basis of presence or absence of systemic diabetic complications (nephropathy and retinopathy) patients were divided into two groups. Group I (20 patients) without and Group II (25 patients) with diabetic complications. Diastolic function parameters were measured by Doppler echocardiography at rest and during isometric exercise. The two groups were similar regarding age, metabolic control and insulin dosage but there were significant differences in diastolic and systolic blood pressure and heart rate between the two groups, the patients with complications showing higher values (p < 0.001, p < 0.005, p < 0.01 respectively). RESULTS: Group II already presented at rest alterations of diastolic function parameters respect to Group I with a marked increase of: peak velocity of late left ventricular filling (peakA cm/sec), (60.1 +/- 13.4 versus 48.4 +/- 8.9, p < 0.01); late left ventricular filling integral (A area), (6.5 +/- 1.4 versus 5.0 +/- 0.8, p < 0.05); late left ventricular filling integral over total filling (A area/total area), (0.31 +/- 0.06 versus 0.26 +/- 0.06, p < 0.01). There was a decrease of E/A ratio in Group II versus Group I (1.5 +/- 0.32 versus 1.9 +/- 0.5, p < 0.05). During isometric exercise these changes became even more pronounced in patients with complications and in this group there was a marked decrease of flow integral of early left ventricular filling over total filling (E area/total area), (0.57 +/- 0.09 versus 0.68 +/- 0.07, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, young IDDM patients with complications show an impairment of diastolic function more pronounced than those without. These changes are more evident during isometric exercise. Stress Doppler echocardiography is a reliable tool to detect early diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients.

Left ventricular filling in young patients affected by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a stress Doppler echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze diastolic function in two different populations of young patients affected by insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), with and without systemic diabetic complications, and to compare the results obtained at rest with those obtained during isometric exercise. METHODS: Forty-five IDDM diabetic patients were studied. On the basis of presence or absence of systemic diabetic complications (nephropathy and retinopathy) patients were divided into two groups. Group I (20 patients) without and Group II (25 patients) with diabetic complications. Diastolic function parameters were measured by Doppler echocardiography at rest and during isometric exercise. The two groups were similar regarding age, metabolic control and insulin dosage but there were significant differences in diastolic and systolic blood pressure and heart rate between the two groups, the patients with complications showing higher values (p < 0.001, p < 0.005, p < 0.01 respectively). RESULTS: Group II already presented at rest alterations of diastolic function parameters respect to Group I with a marked increase of: peak velocity of late left ventricular filling (peakA cm/sec), (60.1 +/- 13.4 versus 48.4 +/- 8.9, p < 0.01); late left ventricular filling integral (A area), (6.5 +/- 1.4 versus 5.0 +/- 0.8, p < 0.05); late left ventricular filling integral over total filling (A area/total area), (0.31 +/- 0.06 versus 0.26 +/- 0.06, p < 0.01). There was a decrease of E/A ratio in Group II versus Group I (1.5 +/- 0.32 versus 1.9 +/- 0.5, p < 0.05). During isometric exercise these changes became even more pronounced in patients with complications and in this group there was a marked decrease of flow integral of early left ventricular filling over total filling (E area/total area), (0.57 +/- 0.09 versus 0.68 +/- 0.07, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, young IDDM patients with complications show an impairment of diastolic function more pronounced than those without. These changes are more evident during isometric exercise. Stress Doppler echocardiography is a reliable tool to detect early diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients.

[Myocardiopathies (XI). Restrictive myocardiopathy: concept, classification, and clinical approach]. / Miocardiopatías (XI). Miocardiopatía restrictiva: concepto, clasificación y actitud clínica.

Currently, cardiomyopathies are defined as "heart muscle diseases of unknown etiology". Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the rarest type of this disease, and the only one with no uniformly accepted diagnostic criteria. Its importance lies primarily in properly distinguishing it from constrictive pericarditis because of the direct consequences of mistakenly treating a case of constrictive pericarditis as if it were inoperable. Restrictive cardiomyopathy must be considered within the broader spectrum of diastolic dysfunction. Diagnostic criteria used show a general consensus for the diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy in patients with clinical signs of heart failure in the presence of a nondilated, nonhypertrophic left ventricle with preserved contractility but abnormal diastolic function. Characteristically, right and left ventricular filling pressures are elevated and a dip and plateau diastolic pressure pattern appears. Restrictive cardiomyopathy may be either idiopathic and thus be a true cardiomyopathy in the strict sense of the term or secondary to an infiltrative disease of the myocardium. In this article we review the clinical and hemodynamic features of this disease and the different imaging techniques used in patients to help differentiate restrictive cardiomyopathy from constrictive pericarditis. Finally we study some types of restrictive cardiomyopathies.

Verapamil deleterious effects in chronic renal failure.

Three hypertensive patients with chronic renal failure treated with slow-release verapamil at the recommended doses for high blood pressure experienced acute deleterious effects shortly after treatment (6 h to 3 days). Patients developed slow cardiac rhythms (junctional bradycardia or atrial fibrillation), hypotension and hyperkalemia. Consequently they also had oliguria and worsening of the renal function. Inotropic support, fluid therapy and potassium-lowering measures were able to restore the renal function and sinus rhythm after 10-12 h. Only 7 similar cases have been described so far. It is suggested that slow-release formulations of verapamil must be used with caution in hypertensive patients with impaired renal function.

[Applications of nuclear magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of cardiopathies]. / Aplicaciones de la resonancia magnética nuclear en el diagnóstico de las cardiopatías.

Applications of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in cardiovascular diagnosis. The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of cardiovascular system is still evolving. Nevertheless, this technique is of great promise for cardiac patient management in the near future. Magnetic resonance imaging provides a high contrast between the blood pool and myocardial function that has been shown to be effective for the evaluation of a wide variety of anatomic abnormalities as well as to assess cardiac contractile function or myocardial perfusion. Moreover, magnetic resonance spectroscopy has provided a new research tool for the evaluation of myocardial metabolism. Such performances indicate the potential of magnetic resonance techniques to establish the link between myocardial function and metabolism. In this presentation we will review the current status of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis and evaluation of a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases and discuss its future potential.

[Correction of transposition of great vessels with and without associated congenital defects. Description of two clinical cases]. / Trasposizione corretta delle grandi arterie senza e con difetti congeniti associati. Descrizione di due casi clinici.

We describe two cases of corrected transposition of great vessel (L Transposition). The first case was diagnosed in a man of 70 years old and was not associated with other congenital defects. The second case regards a young man of 16 years old and congenital cardiopathy was associated with interventricular defect and left Ebstein disease. We discuss the different evolution of L Transposition according to the presence or not of other congenital defects and we analyse right ventricle behaviour when it is submitted systemic pressure. In the literature only 26 cases of L Transposition were described in patients over 40 years old. The first case represents a rarity and it shows how in the absence of associated congenital defects, the right ventricle is able to adapt to systemic pressure. Bidimensional echocardiography in the method of choice to diagnose and evaluate congenital cardiopathy in adult age.

[Current use of anti-hemostatics in ischemic cardiopathy]. / Empleo actual de los antihemostáticos en la cardiopatía isquémica.

Antihemostatic drugs are widely used in the treatment and prevention of ischemic heart disease. Fibrinolytic agents are prescribed in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction, to reduce its size and improve survival. Their use in unstable angina is still controversial. Anticoagulants have substantial benefit in myocardial infarction, unstable angina and primary prevention of coronary disease. Finally, antiplatelet agents are used in stable and unstable angina, myocardial infarction and high risk patients.

[Dysautonomic syncope. Diagnosis and treatment]. / Síncopes disautonómicos. Diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Inappropriate activation or disbalance of vasomotor reflexes may have a close relationship with the pathogenesis of disautonomic syndromes, a frequent underlying cause of recurrent syncope. A combined approach of meticulous historical data, physical examination and selected laboratory procedures may delineate the most common causes of recurrent syncope. Tests of autonomic function may be particularly helpful in the diagnosis of this entity. They include some non-invasive maneuvers such as stimulation of carotid sinus, Valsalva maneuver or tilt-table test. Therapy for this syndrome includes pharmacologic agents, surgical and radiotherapeutic maneuvers and atrioventricular sequential pacing. In this work we will present an overall formulation of the diagnostic evaluation and a therapy approach of the patient presenting with this complaint.

[Update on coronary syndrome X]. / Actualización sobre el síndrome X coronario.

Syndrome X is not a well-defined clinical entity. Patients included are those with typical effort angina with angiographically normal coronary arteries and with no evidence of other causes of chest pain. The pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in this syndrome could be a reduced vasodilatory capacity. The prognosis is usually good, but a subgroup of patients with left bundle brunch block in the ECG may develop a dilated cardiomyopathy. To present it lacks a full effective treatment.

[Antiphospholipid syndrome and cardiovascular disease]. / Síndrome antifosfolípido y enfermedad cardiovascular.

Recurrent thrombosis, abortion and thrombocytopenia are the most frequent manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome, which usually presents antibodies against some anionic phospholipids. A few years ago, this syndrome was considered as a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus; nowadays it is classified as an isolated systemic lupus erythematosus; nowadays it is classified as an isolated autoimmune disease. Hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin of antiphospholipid antibodies, including infectious and autoimmune diseases with high titles of anticardiolipin antibodies. Genetic factors have also been involved. Laboratory tests of choice for the detection of anticardiolipin antibodies are RIA and ELISA tests; there are some structural differences among them depending on the underlying disease. Hypercoagulability and recurrent thrombosis are the main features of this entity; ischemic heart disease is in this context of outmost importance. Despite the lack of any clinically demonstrated association between antiphospholipid syndrome and ischemic heart disease, there are many "in vitro" studies that support this possibility.