Adverse Clinical Outcomes and Associated Predictors in Rivaroxaban-Treated Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Renal Impairment.

Renal impairment confers worse prognosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) but there is scarce evidence about the influence of direct-acting oral anticoagulants in routine clinical practice. Herein, we compared clinical outcomes between patients with AF with and without renal impairment on rivaroxaban and investigated predictors for clinical outcomes in patients with AF with renal impairment. This was a multicenter study including patients with AF on rivaroxaban for at least 6 months. During 2.5 years follow-up, ischemic strokes (IS)/transient ischemic attacks (TIA)/systemic embolisms (SE)/myocardial infarctions (MI), major bleeding, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were recorded. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) was estimated using the Cockroft-Gault equation, renal impairment was defined as a CrCl <60 ml/min, and 1,433 patients (34.8% with CrCl <60 ml/min) were included. Patients with CrCl <60 ml/min showed higher event rates for major bleeding (1.87%/year vs 0.62%/year; p = 0.003) and MACE (1.97%/year vs 0.62%/year; p = 0.002) but similar event rates for IS/TIA/SE/MI (0.66%/year vs 0.67%/year; p = 0.955). In patients with renal impairment, CHA2DS2-VASc was associated with higher risk of IS/TIA/SE/MI; HAS-BLED and any dependency level were associated with higher risk of major bleeding; and male gender and heart failure were associated with higher risk of MACE. Antiplatelets were independently associated with increased risk of IS/TIA/SE/MI and MACE. In conclusion, in patients with AF on rivaroxaban, the incidence of IS/TIA/SE/MI did not increase in those with renal impairment, suggesting that rivaroxaban may be an effective option in this subgroup. In patients with AF, male gender, heart failure, dependency, antiplatelets, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED were associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes.

Use of rivaroxaban attenuates renal function impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation: insights of the EMIR study.

BACKGROUND: In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients on vitamin K antagonists, a progressive deterioration of renal function is common but there is limited evidence with long-term use of rivaroxaban. Herein, we investigated the change in renal function in AF patients after 2 years of rivaroxaban treatment. METHODS: The EMIR registry is an observational and multicentre study including AF patients treated with rivaroxaban for at least 6 months prior to inclusion. Changes in analytical parameters were recorded during 2 years of follow-up. Renal function was estimated using the Cockroft-Gault equation. RESULTS: 1433 patients (638, 44.5% women, mean age of 74.2 ± 9.7 years) were included. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) was available at baseline and at 2 years in 1085 patients. At inclusion, 33.2% of patients had impaired renal function (CrCl <60 ml/min). At 2 years, we were not able to find changes in the proportion of patients with impaired renal function, which increased to 34.6% (p = 0.290). However, the baseline mean CrCl was 76.0 ± 30.5 ml/min and slightly improved at 2 years (77.0 ± 31.8 ml/min; p = 0.014). Overall, the proportion of patients with CrCl <60 ml/min at baseline that had CrCl ≥60 ml/min at 2 years was significantly higher compared to that of patients with CrCl ≥60 ml/min at baseline and CrCl <60 ml/min after (22.2% vs. 13.1%; p < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: In AF patients on long-term rivaroxaban therapy, a decrease in renal function was not observed. We even observed a slight improvement in the patients with renal impairment. These results reinforce the idea that rivaroxaban may be a safe option even in patients with renal impairment.

Diferencias entre la percepción de los cardiólogos y la realidad sobre la calidad de la anticoagulación con antagonistas de la vitamina K en España / Differences between cardiologists' perceptions and clinical reality of the quality of anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists in Spain

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El Cardiólogo y la Cardiología del Futuro: visión y propuestas de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología para la cardiología del siglo XXI / Cardiologists and the cardiology of the future. Vision and proposals of the Spanish Society of Cardiology for the cardiology of the 21st Century

«La Cardiología del Futuro» es un proyecto de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (SEC) que tiene como objetivos definir hacia dónde, desde la posición actual, deben dirigirse las políticas de acción de la SEC, analizar las tendencias y los cambios del entorno que influirán en la práctica de la cardiología en España, definir el perfil de los cardiólogos necesarios en el futuro, proponer las políticas para alcanzar los objetivos que se deriven de las necesidades identificadas, y establecer el papel que ha de desempeñar la SEC en el desarrollo y la implantación de esas políticas. En este artículo se presentan la metodología y los hallazgos más relevantes del informe final de este proyecto y las líneas estratégicas de actuación de la SEC en el futuro inmediato, derivadas del análisis realizado

The Cardiology of the Future is a project of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) whose objectives are as follows: to define the action policies of the SEC; to analyze the trends and changes in the environment that will influence the practice of cardiology in Spain; to define the profile of the cardiologists needed in the future; to propose policies to achieve the objectives resulting from the identified needs; and to identify the role of the SEC in the development and implementation of these policies. This article describes the methodology and the most relevant findings of the final report of this project and the strategic lines to be developed by the SEC in the immediate future, resulting from the analysis performed

Cardiologists and the Cardiology of the Future. Vision and proposals of the Spanish Society of Cardiology for the Cardiology of the 21st Century.

The Cardiology of the Future is a project of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) whose objectives are as follows: to define the action policies of the SEC; to analyze the trends and changes in the environment that will influence the practice of cardiology in Spain; to define the profile of the cardiologists needed in the future; to propose policies to achieve the objectives resulting from the identified needs; and to identify the role of the SEC in the development and implementation of these policies. This article describes the methodology and the most relevant findings of the final report of this project and the strategic lines to be developed by the SEC in the immediate future, resulting from the analysis performed.

Effectiveness and Factors Determining the Success of Management Programs for Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Heart failure management programs reduce hospitalizations. Some studies also show reduced mortality. The determinants of program success are unknown. The aim of the present study was to update our understanding of the reductions in mortality and readmissions produced by these programs, elucidate their components, and identify the factors determining program success. METHODS: Systematic literature review (1990-2014; PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) and manual search of relevant journals. The studies were selected by 3 independent reviewers. Methodological quality was evaluated in a blinded manner by an external researcher (Jadad scale). These results were pooled using random effects models. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 statistic, and its explanatory factors were determined using metaregression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 3914 studies identified, 66 randomized controlled clinical trials were selected (18 countries, 13 535 patients). We determined the relative risks to be 0.88 for death (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.81-0.96; P < .002; I2, 6.1%), 0.92 for all-cause readmissions (95%CI, 0.86-0.98; P < .011; I2, 58.7%), and 0.80 for heart failure readmissions (95%CI, 0.71-0.90; P < .0001; I2, 52.7%). Factors associated with program success were implementation after 2001, program location outside the United States, greater baseline use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, a higher number of intervention team members and components, specialized heart failure cardiologists and nurses, protocol-driven education and its assessment, self-monitoring of signs and symptoms, detection of deterioration, flexible diuretic regimen, early care-seeking among patients and prompt health care response, psychosocial intervention, professional coordination, and program duration. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the reductions in mortality and readmissions with heart failure management programs. Their success is associated with various structural and intervention variables.

Efectividad y determinantes del éxito de los programas de atención a pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca: revisión sistemática y metanálisis / Effectiveness and factors determining the success of management programs for patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introducción y objetivos: Los programas de atención a pacientes de insuficiencia cardiaca reducen ingresos hospitalarios. Algunos estudios reducen mortalidad. Se desconocen los determinantes del éxito. El objetivo es actualizar el conocimiento sobre la reducción de mortalidad y reingresos de estos programas, describir sus componentes e identificar factores condicionantes de resultados. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de la bibliografía (1990-2014) (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) y búsqueda manual en revistas relevantes. Tres revisores independientes seleccionaron los estudios. La calidad metodológica fue evaluada a ciegas por una investigadora externa (escala Jadad). Los resultados se combinaron mediante modelos de efectos aleatorios. La heterogeneidad se evaluó con el estadístico I2, y se determinaron sus factores explicativos mediante análisis de metarregresión. Resultados: Se identificaron 3.914 estudios. Se seleccionaron 66 ensayos clínicos controlados y aleatorizados (18 países, 13.535 pacientes), y se observaron riesgos relativos de muerte de 0,88 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%], 0,81-0,96; p < 0,002; I2, 6,1%), reingresos por todas las causas de 0,92 (IC95%, 0,86-0,98; p < 0,011; I2, 58,7%) y reingresos por insuficiencia cardiaca de 0,80 (IC95% 0,71-0,90; p < 0,0001; I2, 52,7%). Factores asociados al éxito: programas posteriores a 2001, no realizados en Estados Unidos, mayor uso basal de inhibidores de la enzima de conversión de la angiotensina/antagonistas del receptor de la angiotensina II, mayor número de profesionales y componentes de la intervención, especialización del cardiólogo y la enfermera, educación protocolizada y evaluada, automonitorización de signos y síntomas, reconocimiento de descompensación, pauta flexible de diuréticos, aviso y atención precoz, intervención psicosocial, coordinación de profesionales y duración del programa. Conclusiones: Se confirma la reducción de mortalidad y reingresos con los programas de insuficiencia cardiaca, cuyo éxito se asoció con diferentes variables de estructura e intervención (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Heart failure management programs reduce hospitalizations. Some studies also show reduced mortality. The determinants of program success are unknown. The aim of the present study was to update our understanding of the reductions in mortality and readmissions produced by these programs, elucidate their components, and identify the factors determining program success. Methods: Systematic literature review (1990-2014; PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) and manual search of relevant journals. The studies were selected by 3 independent reviewers. Methodological quality was evaluated in a blinded manner by an external researcher (Jadad scale). These results were pooled using random effects models. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 statistic, and its explanatory factors were determined using metaregression analysis. Results: Of the 3914 studies identified, 66 randomized controlled clinical trials were selected (18 countries, 13 535 patients). We determined the relative risks to be 0.88 for death (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.81-0.96; P < .002; I2, 6.1%), 0.92 for all-cause readmissions (95%CI, 0.86-0.98; P < .011; I2, 58.7%), and 0.80 for heart failure readmissions (95%CI, 0.71-0.90; P < .0001; I2, 52.7%). Factors associated with program success were implementation after 2001, program location outside the United States, greater baseline use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, a higher number of intervention team members and components, specialized heart failure cardiologists and nurses, protocol-driven education and its assessment, self-monitoring of signs and symptoms, detection of deterioration, flexible diuretic regimen, early care-seeking among patients and prompt health care response, psychosocial intervention, professional coordination, and program duration. Conclusions: We confirm the reductions in mortality and readmissions with heart failure management programs. Their success is associated with various structural and intervention variables (AU)

Estudios en fase III del edoxabán / Edoxaban: Phase-III studies

El edoxabán se ha estudiado extensamente en ensayos de fase III, tanto en fibrilación auricular no valvular (ensayo ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48) como en estudios de prevención de la tromboembolia venosa recurrente (estudio HOKUSAI-VTE) y de prevención tras cirugía ortopédica (estudio STARs). Asimismo, se han publicado recientemente distintos subanálisis de los ensayos fundamentales sobre los subtipos de accidente cerebrovascular y embolia periférica en pacientes tratados con amiodarona y pacientes de edad, que merecen ser analizados (AU)

Edoxaban has been studied extensively in phase-III trials, for example, for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 study), for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism (the HokusaiVTE study) and for the prevention of thromboembolism after orthopedic surgery (the STARS study). In addition, a number of recently published, subanalyses of pivotal trials deserve consideration: these concern different subtypes of stroke and peripheral embolism in patients receiving amiodarone and the treatment of elderly patients (AU)

Tratamiento de las dislipemias en situaciones especiales / Treatment of dyslipidemia in specific clinical contexts

Se podría definir la comorbilidad como el conjunto de enfermedades de un determinado paciente no relacionadas con el diagnóstico principal que tienen implicaciones trascendentes en la mortalidad, los resultados clínicos, la proporción de complicaciones, la clase funcional, las estancias hospitalarias y la intensidad del tratamiento. La comorbilidad es habitual en los pacientes dislipémicos y, como en otros, ocasiona modificaciones en la atención que reciben. En este sentido, es deseable que el cardiólogo conozca las indicaciones de tratamiento y los objetivos en las diferentes situaciones clínicas en que un paciente dislipémico puede presentarse, no solo en función de su riesgo total, sino de otras condiciones como la diabetes mellitus y el síndrome metabólico o la enfermedad renal crónica, o en situaciones concretas comunes como el síndrome coronario agudo, la insuficiencia cardiaca, el trasplante, las enfermedades autoinmunitarias o las infecciosas como el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana. Es también importante conocer los aspectos más relevantes de las dislipemias familiares más comunes, por el elevado riesgo cardiovascular que comportan y por las evidencias que señalan que el diagnóstico y el tratamiento precoz cambian muy significativamente el pronóstico (AU)

Comorbidity can be defined as the occurrence in a particular patient of a number of diseases that are not related to the principal diagnosis and which have substantial implications for the risk of death, clinical outcomes, the development of complications, functional class, the period of hospitalization and treatment intensity. Comorbidity is frequently present in patients with dyslipidemia and, as with other patients, it leads to alterations in the care received. It is important that the cardiologist is aware of both the indications for treatment and treatment objectives in the different clinical contexts in which dyslipidemic patients can present, not only with respect to the patient’s overall risk but also with regard to the presence of other conditions, such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome or chronic kidney disease, and in commonly encountered specific clinical situations involving, for example, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, transplantation, autoimmune disease or infectious disease, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection. It is also important to have an understanding of the principle characteristics of the more common forms of familial hyperlipidemia because they are associated with a high cardiovascular risk and because the evidence indicates that early diagnosis and treatment can have a substantial effect on prognosis (AU)

The effect of post-discharge educational intervention on patients in achieving objectives in modifiable risk factors six months after discharge following an episode of acute coronary syndrome, (CAM-2 Project): a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether an intervention mainly consisting of a signed agreement between patient and physician on the objectives to be reached, improves reaching these secondary prevention objectives in modifiable cardiovascular risk factors six-months after discharge following an acute coronary syndrome. BACKGROUND: There is room to improve mid-term adherence to clinical guidelines' recommendations in coronary heart disease secondary prevention, specially non-pharmacological ones, often neglected. METHODS: In CAM-2, patients discharged after an acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned to the intervention or the usual care group. The primary outcome was reaching therapeutic objectives in various secondary prevention variables: smoking, obesity, blood lipids, blood pressure control, exercise and taking of medication. RESULTS: 1757 patients were recruited in 64 hospitals and 1510 (762 in the intervention and 748 in the control group) attended the six-months follow-up visit. After adjustment for potentially important variables, there were, between the intervention and control group, differences in the mean reduction of body mass index (0.5 vs. 0.2; p < 0.001) and waist circumference (1.6 cm vs. 0.6 cm; p = 0.05), proportion of patients who exercise regularly and those with total cholesterol below 175 mg/dl (64.7% vs. 56.5%; p = 0.001). The reported intake of medications was high in both groups for all the drugs considered with no differences except for statins (98.1% vs. 95.9%; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: At least in the short term, lifestyle changes among coronary heart disease patients are achievable by intensifying the responsibility of the patient himself by means of a simple and feasible intervention.

Utilidad de la resonancia magnética cardiaca en el diagnóstico de los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo y coronarias normales / The value of cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute coronary syndrome and normal coronary arteries

Introducción y objetivos. Diferentes enfermedades pueden presentar síntomas similares a los del síndrome coronario agudo (SCA): dolor torácico, cambios en el ECG y elevación de marcadores de daño miocárdico. Incluso después de realizar una coronariografía, a veces es difícil establecer el diagnóstico. El objetivo del estudio fue valorar la utilidad de la resonancia magnética cardiaca (RMC) en el diagnóstico de los procesos que se presentan como un SCA y tienen coronarias normales. Métodos. Estudiamos a 80 pacientes con sospecha de SCA y coronarias normales. La media de edad fue 48 ± 15 años. La troponina T media fue 1,8 ± 0,9 ng/ml. Realizamos un estudio de RMC incluyendo secuencias potenciadas en T2 para detectar edema y secuencia I-R de realce tardío (RT) a los 10 min de la administración de gadolinio. Resultados. El diagnóstico final fue miocarditis aguda en 51 pacientes (63%). En todos estos casos observamos RT localizado en el subepicardio y las porciones medias de miocardio. En 12 pacientes (15%) el diagnóstico final fue infarto agudo de miocardio, todos ellos con RT subendocárdico o transmural. En 9 pacientes (11%) con alteraciones de la contractilidad en el ecocardiograma basal y normalización posterior, el estudio con RMC no mostró RT de contraste y se les diagnosticó síndromes de tako-tsubo. En 4 pacientes el diagnóstico final fue pericarditis aguda y en 4 no se pudo establecer un diagnóstico. Conclusiones. La miocarditis aguda y el síndrome de tako-tsubo pueden presentarse en la clínica de forma similar al SCA. La presencia y el patrón de RT de contraste en el estudio de RMC nos ayudan de forma importante a establecer el diagnóstico (AU)

Introduction and objectives. A number of different conditions can present with symptoms similar to acute coronary syndrome (ACS): chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, and elevated levels of markers of myocardial damage. Even after coronary angiography has been performed, differential diagnosis can be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for diagnosing conditions that present like ACS but in which the coronary arteries are normal. Methods. The study involved 80 patients with suspected ACS and normal coronary arteries. Their mean age was 48 (15) years and their mean troponin-T (TnT) level was 1.8 (0.9) ng/mL. A CMR study, which involved T2 weighted imaging to detect edema and delayed contrast-enhancement (DCE) imaging 10 minutes after gadolinium administration, was performed. Results. In 51 patients (63%), the final diagnosis was acute myocarditis. In all these cases, DCE was observed in subepicardial and middle segments of the myocardium. The final diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction in 12 patients (15%), all of whom exhibited subendocardial or transmural DCE. In the 9 (11%) who exhibited abnormal contractility on baseline echocardiography with subsequent normalization, CMR did not show DCE, a finding that is characteristic of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. In addition, 4 patients had a final diagnosis of pericarditis, while no diagnosis could be established in another 4. Conclusions. The clinical presentation of acute myocarditis and Takotsubo syndrome can be similar to that of ACS. The presence and distribution of DCE on CMR are of great help in establishing a diagnosis (AU)

The value of cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute coronary syndrome and normal coronary arteries.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: A number of different conditions can present with symptoms similar to acute coronary syndrome (ACS): chest pain, electrocardiographic changes and elevated levels of markers of myocardial damage. Even after coronary angiography has been performed, differential diagnosis can be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for diagnosing conditions that present like ACS but in which the coronary arteries are normal. METHODS: The study involved 80 patients with suspected ACS and normal coronary arteries. Their mean age was 48+/-15 years and their mean troponin-T (TnT) level was 1.8+/-0.9 ng/ml. A CMR study, which involved T2-weighted imaging to detect edema and delayed contrast-enhancement (DCE) imaging 10 minutes after gadolinium administration, was performed. RESULTS: In 51 patients (63%), the final diagnosis was acute myocarditis. In all these cases, DCE was observed in subepicardial and middle segments of the myocardium. The final diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction in 12 patients (15%), all of whom exhibited subendocardial or transmural DCE. In the 9 (11%) who exhibited abnormal contractility on baseline echocardiography with subsequent normalization, CMR did not show DCE, a finding that is characteristic of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. In addition, 4 patients had a final diagnosis of pericarditis, while no diagnosis could be established in another 4. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation of acute myocarditis and Takotsubo syndrome can be similar to that of ACS. The presence and distribution of DCE on CMR are of great help in establishing a diagnosis.

Tabaco y enfermedad arterial no coronaria. Intervenciones para el abandono del hábito tabáquico / Smoking and non-coronary arterial disease. Interventions for promoting smoking cessation

El tabaquismo es una enfermedad adictiva crónica con frecuentes recidivas y la primera causa de muerte evitable en el mundo. Es uno de los principales factores de riesgo de enfermedad vascular aterosclerótica coronaria y no coronaria. Los cardiólogos hemos sido muy sensibles al control de otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular como la diabetes mellitus, la hipertensión arterial y la dislipemia, pero nos hemos preocupado poco del tratamiento del hábito tabáquico. Por lo tanto, debemos esforzarnos mucho más para conseguir una reducción del consumo de tabaco en nuestros pacientes. En esta revisión analizamos la relación entre tabaco y enfermedad vascular y, con base en nuestra experiencia, describimos las bases del abordaje y el tratamiento del hábito tabáquico, resaltando la capacidad real que tenemos de deshabituar, al menos, a una tercera parte de los pacientes (AU)

Smoking is addictive and smokers who have stopped frequently return to the habit. It is the principal preventable cause of death worldwide and one of the main risk factors for the development of both coronary and non-coronary atherosclerotic vascular disease. Cardiologists have been very careful about controlling other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension, but have been less concerned about promoting smoke cessation. We should, therefore, make a much greater effort to reduce tobacco consumption among our patients. This article contains a review of the relationship between smoking and vascular disease and, based on our own experience, we describe the fundamentals of how we approach and treat tobacco addiction, while highlighting the real potential we have to help at least one-third of our patients to break the habit (AU)

Electrocardiografía e infarto «posterior»: ¿está resuelto el enigma? / No disponible

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