The role of echocardiographic screening in reducing the burden of rheumatic heart disease in Latin America.

The objectives of this article are to reflect on the rationale behind the use of echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease and to provide key recommendations about steps needed to implement and improve echocardiographic screening programs in Latin America. Rheumatic heart disease remains a public health problem affecting mainly low-income and lower-middle-income countries and populations. Latin America is an area with economic inequalities, and the epidemiology of rheumatic heart disease remains largely unknown. Echocardiographic screening is useful for updating the epidemiology and providing early diagnosis of the disease. We discuss different approaches used in successful echocardiographic screening programs worldwide and in Latin America. We then identify the key elements needed to establish successful echocardiographic screening programs in Latin America, including increased awareness and involvement from multiple sectors (e.g. the community, health care professionals, scientific organizations and public health entities), identification of areas in need, development of a plan and structure that include different screening approaches, and how to ensure appropriate follow up for those who screen positive.

Los objetivos de este artículo son reflexionar sobre los fundamentos que justifican el uso del tamizaje ecocardiográfico para detectar la cardiopatía reumática y ofrecer algunas recomendaciones importantes sobre los pasos que habría que dar para poner en marcha programas de tamizaje ecocardiográfico y mejorar los existentes en América Latina. La cardiopatía reumática sigue siendo un problema de salud pública que afecta principalmente a países y grupos poblacionales de ingresos bajos y medianos bajos. América Latina es una región de grandes desigualdades económicas y las características epidemiológicas de la cardiopatía reumática siguen siendo desconocidas en gran medida. El tamizaje ecocardiográfico resulta útil para actualizar los datos epidemiológicos y posibilitar un diagnóstico temprano de la enfermedad. En este artículo se analizan los diferentes enfoques empleados en algunos programas de tamizaje ecocardiográfico eficaces de distintas partes del mundo, incluida América Latina. A continuación se determinan los elementos clave necesarios para establecer programas eficaces de tamizaje ecocardiográfico en América Latina, incluida una mayor concientización y participación de diversos sectores (p. ej., la comunidad, los profesionales de salud, las organizaciones científicas y las entidades de salud pública), la identificación de las zonas más necesitadas, la elaboración de un plan y una estructura que incluyan diferentes abordajes del tamizaje, y el modo de garantizar un seguimiento adecuado de aquellas personas con un resultado positivo en el tamizaje.

Os objetivos deste artigo são oferecer observações sobre a fundamentação do uso da triagem ecocardiográfica para doença cardíaca reumática e fornecer recomendações importantes sobre as etapas necessárias para implementar e melhorar os programas de triagem ecocardiográfica na América Latina. A doença cardíaca reumática continua sendo um problema de saúde pública que afeta principalmente países e populações de renda baixa e média-baixa. A América Latina é uma área com desigualdades econômicas, e a epidemiologia da doença cardíaca reumática continua amplamente desconhecida. A triagem ecocardiográfica serve para atualizar a epidemiologia e proporcionar o diagnóstico precoce da doença. Examinamos as diferentes abordagens usadas em programas de triagem ecocardiográfica bem-sucedidos em todo o mundo e na América Latina. Em seguida, identificamos os principais elementos necessários para estabelecer programas de triagem ecocardiográfica com sucesso na América Latina. Tais programas incluiriam maior conscientização e envolvimento de vários setores (por exemplo, a comunidade, profissionais de saúde, organizações científicas e entidades de saúde pública), identificação de áreas carentes, desenvolvimento de um plano e estrutura abrangendo diferentes abordagens de triagem e formas de garantir o seguimento adequado de pessoas com resultado positivo na triagem.

The role of echocardiographic screening in reducing the burden of rheumatic heart disease in Latin America / El papel del tamizaje ecocardiográfico en la reducción de la carga de la cardiopatía reumática en América Latina / O papel da triagem ecocardiográfica na redução da carga de doença cardíaca reumática na América Latina

[ABSTRACT]. The objectives of this article are to reflect on the rationale behind the use of echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease and to provide key recommendations about steps needed to implement and improve echocardiographic screening programs in Latin America. Rheumatic heart disease remains a public health problem affecting mainly low-income and lower-middle-income countries and populations. Latin America is an area with economic inequalities, and the epidemiology of rheumatic heart disease remains largely unknown. Echocardiographic screening is useful for updating the epidemiology and providing early diagnosis of the disease. We discuss different approaches used in successful echocardiographic screening programs worldwide and in Latin America. We then identify the key elements needed to establish successful echocardiographic screening programs in Latin America, including increased awareness and involvement from multiple sectors (e.g. the community, health care professionals, scientific organizations and public health entities), identifica- tion of areas in need, development of a plan and structure that include different screening approaches, and how to ensure appropriate follow up for those who screen positive.

[RESUMEN]. Los objetivos de este artículo son reflexionar sobre los fundamentos que justifican el uso del tamizaje ecocardiográfico para detectar la cardiopatía reumática y ofrecer algunas recomendaciones importantes sobre los pasos que habría que dar para poner en marcha programas de tamizaje ecocardiográfico y mejorar los existentes en América Latina. La cardiopatía reumática sigue siendo un problema de salud pública que afecta principalmente a países y grupos poblacionales de ingresos bajos y medianos bajos. América Latina es una región de grandes desigualdades económicas y las características epidemiológicas de la cardiopatía reumática siguen siendo desconocidas en gran medida. El tamizaje ecocardiográfico resulta útil para actualizar los datos epidemiológicos y posibilitar un diagnóstico temprano de la enfermedad. En este artículo se analizan los diferentes enfoques empleados en algunos programas de tamizaje ecocardiográfico eficaces de distintas partes del mundo, incluida América Latina. A continuación se determinan los elementos clave necesarios para establecer programas eficaces de tamizaje ecocardiográfico en América Latina, incluida una mayor concientización y participación de diversos sectores (p. ej., la comunidad, los profesionales de salud, las organizaciones científicas y las entidades de salud pública), la identificación de las zonas más necesitadas, la elaboración de un plan y una estructura que incluyan diferentes abordajes del tamizaje, y el modo de garantizar un seguimiento adecuado de aquellas personas con un resultado positivo en el tamizaje.

[RESUMO]. Os objetivos deste artigo são oferecer observações sobre a fundamentação do uso da triagem ecocardiográfica para doença cardíaca reumática e fornecer recomendações importantes sobre as etapas necessárias para implementar e melhorar os programas de triagem ecocardiográfica na América Latina. A doença cardíaca reumática continua sendo um problema de saúde pública que afeta principalmente países e populações de renda baixa e média-baixa. A América Latina é uma área com desigualdades econômicas, e a epidemiologia da doença cardíaca reumática continua amplamente desconhecida. A triagem ecocardiográfica serve para atualizar a epidemiologia e proporcionar o diagnóstico precoce da doença. Examinamos as diferentes abordagens usadas em programas de triagem ecocardiográfica bem-sucedidos em todo o mundo e na América Latina. Em seguida, identificamos os principais elementos necessários para estabelecer programas de triagem ecocardiográfica com sucesso na América Latina. Tais programas incluiriam maior conscientização e envolvimento de vários setores (por exemplo, a comunidade, profissionais de saúde, organizações científicas e entidades de saúde pública), identificação de áreas carentes, desenvolvimento de um plano e estrutura abrangendo diferentes abordagens de triagem e formas de garantir o seguimento adequado de pessoas com resultado positivo na triagem.

Factors associated with coronary artery disease among people living with human immunodeficiency virus: Results from the Colombian HIV/AIDS registry.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWHIV) are at a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to assess the factors associated with CAD among PLWHIV in Colombia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on adults newly diagnosed with HIV, reported to the Colombian HIV/AIDS registry from 2018 to 2021. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were compared by age (<50 and ≥ 50 years). Our main outcome was the presence of CAD. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between traditional and HIV-related factors with CAD. These associations were also evaluated in stratified models by age. Effect measures were odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: Among 36,483 PLWHIV, the frequency of CAD was 0.53% (n = 196). There was a high prevalence of impaired fasting glucose/diabetes mellitus (12.62%), overweight/obesity (27.79%), elevated LDL-c (86.69%), and hypertriglyceridemia (72.76%). Factors associated with CAD included male gender (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.12-3.58), age ≥50 years (OR: 4.96, 95% CI: 3.29-7.45), lipoatrophy or lipodystrophy (OR 5.12, 95% CI: 1.12-23.33), AIDS-defining conditions (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.07-3.12), obesity (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.69-5.10), diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.25-4.97), and renal impairment (OR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.83-5.42). Conclusions: Traditional CAD risk factors are common in PLWHIV. There were traditional and disease-specific factors associated with increased odds of CAD. These findings may aid clinicians and decision-makers in reducing the impact of CAD in PLWHIV.

The role of echocardiographic screening in reducing the burden of rheumatic heart disease in Latin America / El papel del tamizaje ecocardiográfico en la reducción de la carga de la cardiopatía reumática en América Latina / O papel da triagem ecocardiográfica na redução da carga de doença cardíaca reumática na América Latina

ABSTRACT The objectives of this article are to reflect on the rationale behind the use of echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease and to provide key recommendations about steps needed to implement and improve echocardiographic screening programs in Latin America. Rheumatic heart disease remains a public health problem affecting mainly low-income and lower-middle-income countries and populations. Latin America is an area with economic inequalities, and the epidemiology of rheumatic heart disease remains largely unknown. Echocardiographic screening is useful for updating the epidemiology and providing early diagnosis of the disease. We discuss different approaches used in successful echocardiographic screening programs worldwide and in Latin America. We then identify the key elements needed to establish successful echocardiographic screening programs in Latin America, including increased awareness and involvement from multiple sectors (e.g. the community, health care professionals, scientific organizations and public health entities), identification of areas in need, development of a plan and structure that include different screening approaches, and how to ensure appropriate follow up for those who screen positive.

RESUMEN Los objetivos de este artículo son reflexionar sobre los fundamentos que justifican el uso del tamizaje ecocardiográfico para detectar la cardiopatía reumática y ofrecer algunas recomendaciones importantes sobre los pasos que habría que dar para poner en marcha programas de tamizaje ecocardiográfico y mejorar los existentes en América Latina. La cardiopatía reumática sigue siendo un problema de salud pública que afecta principalmente a países y grupos poblacionales de ingresos bajos y medianos bajos. América Latina es una región de grandes desigualdades económicas y las características epidemiológicas de la cardiopatía reumática siguen siendo desconocidas en gran medida. El tamizaje ecocardiográfico resulta útil para actualizar los datos epidemiológicos y posibilitar un diagnóstico temprano de la enfermedad. En este artículo se analizan los diferentes enfoques empleados en algunos programas de tamizaje ecocardiográfico eficaces de distintas partes del mundo, incluida América Latina. A continuación se determinan los elementos clave necesarios para establecer programas eficaces de tamizaje ecocardiográfico en América Latina, incluida una mayor concientización y participación de diversos sectores (p. ej., la comunidad, los profesionales de salud, las organizaciones científicas y las entidades de salud pública), la identificación de las zonas más necesitadas, la elaboración de un plan y una estructura que incluyan diferentes abordajes del tamizaje, y el modo de garantizar un seguimiento adecuado de aquellas personas con un resultado positivo en el tamizaje.

RESUMO Os objetivos deste artigo são oferecer observações sobre a fundamentação do uso da triagem ecocardiográfica para doença cardíaca reumática e fornecer recomendações importantes sobre as etapas necessárias para implementar e melhorar os programas de triagem ecocardiográfica na América Latina. A doença cardíaca reumática continua sendo um problema de saúde pública que afeta principalmente países e populações de renda baixa e média-baixa. A América Latina é uma área com desigualdades econômicas, e a epidemiologia da doença cardíaca reumática continua amplamente desconhecida. A triagem ecocardiográfica serve para atualizar a epidemiologia e proporcionar o diagnóstico precoce da doença. Examinamos as diferentes abordagens usadas em programas de triagem ecocardiográfica bem-sucedidos em todo o mundo e na América Latina. Em seguida, identificamos os principais elementos necessários para estabelecer programas de triagem ecocardiográfica com sucesso na América Latina. Tais programas incluiriam maior conscientização e envolvimento de vários setores (por exemplo, a comunidade, profissionais de saúde, organizações científicas e entidades de saúde pública), identificação de áreas carentes, desenvolvimento de um plano e estrutura abrangendo diferentes abordagens de triagem e formas de garantir o seguimento adequado de pessoas com resultado positivo na triagem.

Current Situation of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) disproportionately affects low-income and middle-income countries. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have been less represented in scientific literature. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, burden and implemented screening and prevention strategies of RHD in LAC. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and SciELO from 1990 to April 2021. Observational and experimental studies that described data on the epidemiology, burden, or prevention/screening strategies of RHD, regardless of age or language, were included. The risk of bias was assessed by previously published tools depending on their study design. Pre-specified data were independently extracted and presented by each topic (epidemiology, burden, prevention/screening). PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021250043. Results: Forty-eight studies out of 1692 non-duplicate records met the eligibility criteria. They were mainly from Brazil, observational in design, and hospital-based. Data on the epidemiology of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) was not recent (most before 2000) with studies describing decreasing incidence through the years. The prevalence of RHD was described in six studies, ranging from 0.24 to 48 per 1,000 among studies evaluating schoolchildren. Nine studies described data based on admissions, ranging from 0.04% to 7.1% in single-center studies. Twenty-four studies assessed the burden of RHD with most of them reporting mortality rates/proportions and complications such as the need for intervention, atrial fibrillation, or embolism. Six preventive strategies were identified that included educational, register-based, and/or secondary prophylaxis strategies. Three well-established echocardiographic screening studies in Brazil and Peru were identified. Conclusions: Most ARF/RHD research in LAC comes from a single country, Brazil where preventive/screening efforts have been conducted. There was a paucity of data from several countries in the region, reflecting the need for epidemiological studies from more countries in LAC which will provide a better picture of the current situation of ARF/RHD and guide the implementation of preventive strategies.

Clinical, Microbiological, and Imaging Characteristics of Infective Endocarditis in Latin America: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the clinical, microbiological, and imaging characteristics of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) in studies from Latin America (LATAM). METHODS: A systematic search through PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO from inception until February 2021 was conducted. We included observational studies that assessed adults with IE from LATAM and reported data on clinical, microbiological, or imaging characteristics. Data were independently extracted by 2 authors and the risk of bias was evaluated by study design with its respective tool. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Forty-four studies were included. Most cases were male (68.5%), had a predisposing condition including valve disease (24.3%), or had a prosthetic valve (23.4%). Clinical manifestations included fever (83.9%), malaise (63.2%), or heart murmur (57.7%). A total of 36.4% and 27.1% developed heart failure or embolism, respectively. Blood cultures were negative in 23.9% and S. aureus (18.6%) and the viridans group streptococci (17.8%) were the most common isolates. Most cases were native valve IE (67.3%) affecting mainly left-sided valves. Echocardiographic findings included vegetations (84.3%) and regurgitation (75.9%). In-hospital mortality was 25.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic review that evaluated the characteristics of IE in LATAM patients. A lack of multicenter studies reflects the need for these studies in LATAM.

Mitral Valve Cleft-like Indentations in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: Insights From Intraoperative Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: Cleft-like indentations (CLIs) of the mitral valve (MV) are best assessed with three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The present study examined the prevalence, characteristics, and surgical effect of MV CLIs in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). DESIGN: Prospective, observational, case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 90 patients with HCM undergoing myectomy and 59 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for non-MV related indications. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intraoperative 3D TEE was used to evaluate the presence and characteristics of MV CLIs compared, with a random control group of 59 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for non-MV related indications. Ninety patients with HCM (mean age 54.8 ± 13.3 y, 67.8% male) were compared with 59 control patients (mean age 67 ± 12.7 y, 79.7% male). Three-dimensional TEE images were interpreted by consensus of two experienced echocardiographers. At least one MV CLI was present in 84 patients with HCM (93.3%), compared with 23 control patients (39%; p < 0.01). Compared with control patients, patients with HCM were more likely to have deep MV CLIs (85.6% v 25.4%; p < 0.01) and ≥2 CLIs (52.2% v 26.1%; p = 0.02). Six HCM patients (7%) appeared to have true congenital posterior leaflet clefts versus 0% in control patients (p = 0.08). Preoperative mitral regurgitation severity and jet direction were not associated with the presence of deep or multiple MV CLIs (all p > 0.2). None of the MV CLIs in the HCM group required MV surgical intervention or second pump runs for MV regurgitation correction after myectomy. CONCLUSION: Deep and multiple MV CLIs are common in patients with HCM undergoing septal myectomy, including possible true posterior clefts, but they are not associated with the premyectomy severity of mitral regurgitation or jet direction, and do not result in surgical MV intervention.

Statin associated adverse reactions in Latin America: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to describe the frequency and type of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients on statins in published studies from Latin American (LATAM) countries. DESIGN: Scoping review. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, EMBASE and LILACS) in addition to a manual search in relevant journals from LATAM universities or medical societies. A snowballing technique was used to identify further references. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies between 2000 and 2020 were included. Studies were considered eligible if they included adults on statin therapy from LATAM and reported data on ADRs. Data on ADRs were abstracted and presented by study design. RESULTS: Out of 8076 articles, a total of 20 studies were included (7 RCTs and 13 observational studies). We identified three head-to-head statin RCTs, two statin-versus-policosanol RCTs and only two placebo-controlled trials. The statin-related ADRs frequency ranged from 0% to 35.1% in RCTs and 0% to 28.4% in observational studies. The most common ADRs were muscle-related events including myalgia and elevated creatine phosphokinase. Other reported ADRs were gastrointestinal symptoms, headache and altered fasting plasma glucose. CONCLUSIONS: We identified differences in the frequency of ADRs in both observational studies and RCTs from LATAM countries. This could be due to the absence of standard definitions and reporting of ADRs as well as differences among the study's interventions, population characteristics or design. The variability of ADRs and the absence of definitions are similar to studies from other geographical locations. Further placebo-controlled trials and real-world data registries with universal definitions should follow.

The effect of comorbidities on glycemic control among Colombian adults with diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal approach with real-world data.

BACKGROUND: Achieving an optimal glycemic control has been described to reduce the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) related complications. The association between comorbidities and glycemic control remains unclear. Our aim is to evaluate the effect of comorbidities on glycemic control in people living with DM. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study on data from the National Registry of Chronic Kidney Disease from 2014 to 2019 in Colombia. The outcome was poor glycemic control (PGC = HbA1c ≥7.0%). The association between each comorbidity (hypertension (HTN), chronic kidney disease (CKD) or obesity) and PGC was evaluated through multivariate mixed effects logistic regression models. The measures of effect were odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). We also evaluated the main associations stratified by gender, insurance, and early onset diabetes as well as statistical interaction between each comorbidity and ethnicity. RESULTS: From 969,531 people at baseline, 85% had at least one comorbidity; they were older and mostly female. In people living with DM and CKD, the odds of having a PGC were 78% (OR: 1.78, CI 95%: 1.55-2.05) higher than those without CKD. Same pattern was observed in obese for whom the odds were 52% (OR: 1.52, CI 95%: 1.31-1.75) higher than in non-obese. Non-significant association was found between HTN and PGC. We found statistical interaction between comorbidities and ethnicity (afro descendant) as well as effect modification by health insurance and early onset DM. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of comorbidities was high in adults living with DM. Patients with concomitant CKD or obesity had significantly higher odds of having a PGC.

Prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en hipertensos estadio I / Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in stage I hypertensive patients

Resumen Introducción y Objetivo: En sujetos con hipertensión arterial sistémica recién diagnosticada es importante verificar la existencia de otros factores de riesgo para enfermedad cardiovascular para poder establecer estrategias para su óptimo tratamiento. Conocer cual es la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en sujetos con hipertensión arterial sistémica estadio 1. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo, observacional, transversal, realizado durante un an˜o en Bogotá, Medellín, Cali y Barranquilla en sujetos de ambos géneros, ≥ 18 an˜os y ≤ 60 an˜os con hipertensión arterial sistémica estadio 1 recién diagnosticada y sin tratamiento farmacológico. A todos los sujetos se les verificó la existencia de síndrome metabólico de acuerdo con el reciente consenso de la Federación Internacional de Diabetes, del Instituto Nacional del Corazón, Pulmón y Sangre, de la Asociación Americana del Corazón, de la Federación Mundial del Corazón, de la Sociedad Internacional de Aterosclerosis y de la Asociación Internacional para el Estudio de la Obesidad. Resultados: La prevalencia promedio de síndrome metabólico en la población total de hipertensos estudiada fue de 16.84%. En Cali fue de 28.8%, en Medellín fue 18.9%, en Barranquilla fue 12.5% y en Bogotá fue 11.4%. Medellín tuvo la más alta prevalencia en hombres (14.7%) y Cali la mas alta en mujeres (15.2%). Conclusiones: En los sujetos con hipertensión arterial sistémica de reciente diagnóstico se recomienda realizar una búsqueda sistemática del síndrome metabólico. En las ciudades estudiadas de Colombia existió gran variabilidad en la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico encontrada. Se requieren estudios para conocer en otras ciudades de Colombia cual es la prevalencia real del síndrome metabólico en sujetos con hipertensión arterial sistémica en el pais e implementar estrategias educativas para minimizar esta.

Abstract Introduction and motivation: It is important for recently diagnosed systemic hypertension (HPB) individuals to verify the existence of other cardiovascular risk factors, in order to establish optimal treatment strategies. Knowing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with stage 1 HBP. Methods: Prospective, observational, cross-sectional study conducted over one year in Bogotá, Medellin, Cali and Barranquilla in individuals of both genders, ≥ 18 and ≤ 60 years old with recently diagnosed stage 1 HBP and without drug therapy. Presence of MS was verified for all subjects according to recent consensus of the International Diabetes Federation, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the American Heart Association, the World Heart Federation, the International Atherosclerosis Society and the International Association for the Study of Obesity. Results: Average prevalence of MS in the total population of hypertensive patients was of 16.84%. In Cali it was of 28.8%, in Medellin of 18.9%, in Barranquilla of 12.5% and in Bogotá of 11.4%. Medellin showed the highest prevalence in men (14.7%) and Cali in women (15.2%). Conclusions: It is recommended to conduct a systematic search for MS in patients who have recently been diagnosed with HBP. Prevalence among MS in the studies Colombian cities varied greatly. More studies are required to find out about the real prevalence of MS in patients with HBP in other Colombian cities and to implement educational studies to minimise its impact.