Multidisciplinary Heart Failure Care Program: An Experience From Colombia.

The prevalence of Heart Failure is growing alarmingly; its treatment consumes health resources and affects the quality of life of patients. To describe the changes in NYHA functional Class, ejection fraction, hospitalizations, and mortality after 8 years of follow up in a multidisciplinary heart failure program in Colombia as a model for lower and middle income countries. An observational study was performed with the retrospective analysis of the information. 1757 patients were included, The NYHA functional class at the beginning of the program was: NYHA I 23.5%, NYHA II 50.3%, NYHA class Improvement was observed at the end of the follow-up with an increase in the percentage of patients in Functional Class NYHA I and II. The reduction in hospitalizations were 35% less (mean: 0.68 ± 0.95, P < 0.0001), a reduction in the length of stay in the hospital was 13.2% (before: 4.46 ± 7.16, after 3.87 ± 8.1 days, P < 0.001). The total mortality after eight years of follow-up was 6.6 % (n = 116). Multidisciplinary follow-up in Heart Failure (HF) programs improves Functional Class and EF, decreases hospital admissions as well as hospitalization and the length of stay. This is a very simple and successful model of care for this disease that can be implemented for countries of lower- and middle-income countries.

Trombólisis intraparo en tromboembolia pulmonar masiva / Thrombolysis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in massive pulmonary embolism

Resumen La tromboembolia pulmonar forma parte de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa, junto con la trombosis venosa profunda. Es una patología de alta morbimortalidad, principalmente si no se diagnostica y/o trata de manera oportuna. El diagnóstico es difícil debido a su presentación clínica variable y poco específica. En el contexto de tromboembolia pulmonar de alto riesgo, que se presenta como una condición que amenaza la vida y requiere intervención inmediata para impactar el pronóstico del paciente, la trombólisis constituye una alternativa en quienes cursen con inestabilidad hemodinámica o incluso parada cardiaca, que no tengan contraindicaciones para su realización. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 54 años quien consultó al servicio de urgencias tras presentar síncope y posteriormente dolor torácico, precedido por 15 días de dolor y edema en pantorrilla. Sufrió deterioro y evolucionó a parada cardiopulmonar. Se diagnosticó tromboembolia pulmonar de alto riesgo mediante ecocardiograma; se iniciaron maniobras de reanimación y, de manera paralela, se administró trombolítico. Posteriormente, respondió de manera satisfactoria a la terapia.

Abstract Pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) is part of venous thromboembolic disease, along with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). It has a high morbidity and mortality, particularly if it is not diagnosed and / or treated in a timely manner. The diagnosis is difficult due to its variable and unspecific clinical presentation. In the context of high-risk PE, which presents as a life-threatening condition and requires immediate intervention to have an impact on the prognosis of patients, thrombolysis is an alternative in those with haemodynamic instability or even cardiac arrest, if they have no contraindications for performing this. The case is presented of a 54 year old man who consulted in the emergency department after presenting with syncope followed by chest pain, preceded by 15 days of pain and oedema in the calf. The patient deteriorated rapidly, evolving to cardiopulmonary arrest. A high-risk PE was diagnosed by echocardiography, resuscitation manoeuvres were initiated, and thrombolytic therapy given in parallel. Subsequently the patient had a satisfactory outcome with the therapy.