[Primary care and natriuretic peptides: design of a care process as a pathway to improve the diagnosis of heart failure]. / Atención primaria y péptidos natriuréticos: diseño de un proceso asistencial para la mejora en el diagnóstico de la insuficiencia cardiaca.

INTRODUCTION: There are few data about the optimal use of natriuretic peptides (NP) in the Primary Care (PC) setting. The aim to assess how, through a common coordinated PC-hospital care pathway, the use of NPs in patients with suspected heart failure (HF) is improved. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analytical, experimental, prospective, non-randomized study. An intervention group composed of 22 PC physicians from 2 health centers is provided with face-to-face training and a consensual protocol is attached with a cut-off point of NT-proBNP> 300 pg/mL as pathological. The control group is made up of the rest of PC physicians in the healthcare area. The aim is to compare the use and results of PN in both groups. Propensity analysis is performed so thar the patient populations with requested PN are comparable. RESULTS: From June 2021 to March 2022, NP was requested in 103 and 105 patients in the intervention/control groups. Both populations were similar, with equal HF risk. Symptomatology was present in 100% of intervention vs 41% of asymptomatic patients in the control group (p <0.001). ECG was performed in 100% vs 33.3%, p <0.001. Optimal NP indication in 76.7% vs 29.5%, p <0.001. In the intervention group more patients with NT-proBNP> 300 pg/mL are referred to cardiology consultations (76.6% vs 27.2%, p 0.001). CONCLUSION: The optimal indication for NP and its interpretation as a diagnostic tool for HF, in the PC setting seems not to be appropriate, but improvable with a coordinated and multidisciplinary intervention approach.

Consensus on improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure.

The latest acute heart failure (AHF) consensus document from the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC, for its initials in Spanish), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) was published in 2015, which made an update covering the main novelties regarding AHF from the last few years necessary. These include publication of updated European guidelines on HF in 2016, new studies on the pharmacological treatment of patients during hospitalization, and other recent developments regarding AHF such as early treatment, intermittent treatment, advanced HF, and refractory congestion. This consensus document was drafted with the aim of updating all aspects related to AHF and to create a document that comprehensively describes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this disease.

Frequency, profile, and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure transferred directly to home hospitalization from emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) transferred directly from emergency departments to home hospitalisation (HH) and to compare them with those hospitalised in internal medicine (IM) or short-stay units (SSU). METHOD: We included patients with AHF transferred to HH by hospitals that considered this option during the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Spanish Emergency Departments (EAHFE) 4-5-6 Registries and compared them with patients admitted to IM or SSU in these centres. We compared the adjusted all-cause mortality at 1 year and adverse events 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: The study included 1473 patients (HH/IM/SSU:68/979/384). The HH rate was 4.7% (95% CI 3.8-6.0%). The patients in HH had few differences compared with those hospitalised in IM and SSUs. The HH mortality was 1.5%, and the HH median stay was 7.5 days (IQR, 4.5-12), similar to that of IM (median stay, 8 days; IQR, 5-13; p = .106) and longer than that of SSU (median stay, 4 days; IQR, 3-7; p < .001). The all-cause mortality at 1 year for HH did not differ from that of IM (HR, 0.91; 95% CI 0.73-1.14) or SSU (HR, 0.77; 95% CI 0.46-1.27); however, the emergency department readmission rate during the 30 days postdischarge was lower than that of IM (HR, 0.50; 95% CI 0.25-0.97) and SSU (HR, 0.37; 95% CI 0.19-0.74). There were no differences in the need for new hospitalisations or in the 30-day mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Direct transfer from the emergency department to HH is infrequent despite being a safe option for a certain patient profile with AHF.

Frecuencia, perfil y resultados de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda que ingresan directamente en hospitalización a domicilio desde urgencias / Frequency, profile and results of patients with acute heart failure transferred directly to home hospitalisation from emergency departments

Objetivo Describir frecuencia, características clínicas y evolución de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) ingresados directamente desde urgencias en hospitalización a domicilio (HaD) así como compararlos con los ingresados en medicina interna (MI) o unidad de corta estancia (UCE). Método Se incluyeron los pacientes con ICA ingresados en HaD por parte de los hospitales que contemplaban esta opción durante los Registros EAHFE 4-5-6 y se compararon con los casos que ingresaron en MI o UCE en estos centros. Se compararon la mortalidad por cualquier causa al año y los eventos adversos a los 30días tras el alta de forma ajustada. Resultados Se incluyeron 1.473 pacientes (HaD/MI/UCE: 68/979/384). La frecuencia de HaD fue del 4,7% (IC95%=3,8-6,0%). Los pacientes en HaD tuvieron escasas diferencias respecto a los ingresados en MI y UCE. Su mortalidad durante el ingreso fue del 1,5% y la duración de la estancia mediana fue de 7,5días (RIC=4,5-12), parecida a MI (mediana=8; RIC=5-13; p=0,106) y superior a UCE (mediana=4; RIC=3-7; p<0,001). La mortalidad por cualquier causa al año en HaD no difirió respecto a MI (HR=0,91; IC95%=0,73-1,14) o UCE (HR=0,77; IC95%=0,46-1,27), pero la reconsulta a urgencias durante los 30días postalta fue menor respecto a MI (HR=0,50; IC95%=0,25-0,97) y a UCE (HR=0,37; IC95%=0,19-0,74). No hubo diferencias en la necesidad de nuevas hospitalizaciones o en la mortalidad a 30días. Conclusiones El ingreso directo desde urgencias en HaD es poco frecuente a pesar de ser una opción segura en un determinado perfil de pacientes con ICA (AU)

Objective To describe the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) transferred directly from emergency departments to home hospitalisation (HH) and to compare them with those hospitalised in internal medicine (IM) or short-stay units (SSU). Method We included patients with AHF transferred to HH by hospitals that considered this option during the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Spanish Emergency Departments (EAHFE) 4-5-6 Registries and compared them with patients admitted to IM or SSU in these centres. We compared the adjusted all-cause mortality at 1 year and adverse events 30 days after discharge. Results The study included 1473 patients (HH/IM/SSU: 68/979/384). The HH rate was 4.7% (95% CI, 3.8-6.0%). The patients in HH had few differences compared with those hospitalised in IM and SSUs. The HH mortality was 1.5%, and the HH median stay was 7.5 days (IQR, 4.5-12), similar to that of IM (median stay, 8 days; IQR, 5-13; p=.106) and longer than that of SSU (median stay, 4 days; IQR, 3-7; p<.001). The all-cause mortality at 1 year for HH did not differ from that of IM (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.73-1.14) or SSU (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.46-1.27); however, the emergency department readmission rate during the 30 days postdischarge was lower than that of IM (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.25-0.97) and SSU (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.19-0.74). There were no differences in the need for new hospitalisations or in the 30-day mortality rate. Conclusions Direct transfer from the emergency department to HH is infrequent despite being a safe option for a certain patient profile with AHF (AU)

Prognostic implications of Anemia in patients with acute heart failure in emergency departments. ANEM-AHF Study.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of anaemia leads to a worse prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). There are few data on the impact of anaemia on mortality in patients with acute heart failure (AHF), and the studies available are mainly retrospective, and include hospitalised patients. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the role of anaemia on 30-day and 1-year mortality in patients with AHF attended in hospital emergency departments (HEDs). METHODS: We performed a multicentre, observational study of prospective cohorts of patients with AHF. The study variables were: Anaemia (haemoglobin < 12g/dL in women and <13g/dL in men), mortality at 30 days and at 1 year, risk factors, comorbidity, functional impairment, basal functional grade for dyspnoea, chronic and acute treatment, clinical and analytical data of the episode, and patient destination. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Bivariate analysis and survival analyses using Cox regression. RESULTS: A total of 13 454 patients were included, 7662 (56.9%) of whom had anaemia. Those with anaemia were older, had more comorbidity, a worse functional status and New York Heart Association class, greater renal function impairment, and more hyponatraemia. The mortality was higher in patients with anaemia at 30 days and 1 year: 7.5% vs 10.7% (P < .001) and 21.2% vs 31.4% (P < .001), respectively. The crude and adjusted hazard ratios of anaemia for 30-day mortality were: 1.46 (confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.30-1.64); P < .001 and 1.20 (CI 95% 1.05-1.38); P = .009, respectively, and 1.57 (CI 95% 1.47-1.68) and 1.30 (CI 95% 1.20-1.40) for mortality at 1 year. The weight of anaemia on mortality was different in each follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Anaemia is an independent predictor of mortality at 30 days and 1 year in patients with AHF attended in HEDs. It is important to study the aetiology of AHF since adequate treatment would reduce mortality.

Consensus on improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure. / Consenso para la mejora de la atención integral de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda.

The latest acute heart failure consensus document from the Spanish Society of Cardiology, Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine was published in 2015, which made an update covering the main novelties regarding acute heart failure from the last few years necessary. These include publication of updated European guidelines on heart failure in 2016, new studies on the pharmacological treatment of patients during hospitalization, and other recent developments regarding acute heart failure such as early treatment, intermittent treatment, advanced heart failure, and refractory congestion. This consensus document was drafted with the aim of updating all aspects related to acute heart failure and to create a document that comprehensively describes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this disease.

Frequency, profile and results of patients with acute heart failure transferred directly to home hospitalisation from emergency departments. / Frecuencia, perfil y resultados de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda que ingresan directamente en hospitalización a domicilio desde urgencias.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) transferred directly from emergency departments to home hospitalisation (HH) and to compare them with those hospitalised in internal medicine (IM) or short-stay units (SSU). METHOD: We included patients with AHF transferred to HH by hospitals that considered this option during the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Spanish Emergency Departments (EAHFE) 4-5-6 Registries and compared them with patients admitted to IM or SSU in these centres. We compared the adjusted all-cause mortality at 1 year and adverse events 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: The study included 1473 patients (HH/IM/SSU: 68/979/384). The HH rate was 4.7% (95% CI, 3.8-6.0%). The patients in HH had few differences compared with those hospitalised in IM and SSUs. The HH mortality was 1.5%, and the HH median stay was 7.5 days (IQR, 4.5-12), similar to that of IM (median stay, 8 days; IQR, 5-13; p=.106) and longer than that of SSU (median stay, 4 days; IQR, 3-7; p<.001). The all-cause mortality at 1 year for HH did not differ from that of IM (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.73-1.14) or SSU (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.46-1.27); however, the emergency department readmission rate during the 30 days postdischarge was lower than that of IM (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.25-0.97) and SSU (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.19-0.74). There were no differences in the need for new hospitalisations or in the 30-day mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Direct transfer from the emergency department to HH is infrequent despite being a safe option for a certain patient profile with AHF.

Implantación de la ecografía en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios / Implementation of echography in hospital emergency services

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Consenso para la mejora de la atención integral de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda: versión resumida / Consensus for improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure: summarised version

El propósito de este documento de consenso fue alcanzar un acuerdo entre expertos sobre la atención multidisciplinar de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda. A partir de una revisión narrativa sobre la atención a estos pacientes y de un análisis crítico de los procedimientos asistenciales, se identificaron las carencias y mejoras potenciales y se formalizó un documento de recomendaciones para optimizar el abordaje clínico y terapéutico de la insuficiencia cardíaca aguda, validado mediante una sesión grupal presencial dirigida con técnicas participativas. El resultado del proceso es un conjunto de 36 recomendaciones formuladas por expertos de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología, la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna y la Sociedad Española de Urgencias y Emergencias, orientadas a optimizar el reto asistencial que supone la atención de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda en el contexto del actual Sistema Nacional de Salud (AU)

The purpose of this consensus document was to reach an agreement among experts on the multidisciplinary care of patients with acute heart failure. Starting with a narrative review of the care provided to these patients and a critical analysis of the healthcare procedures, we identified potential shortcomings and improvements and formalised a document on recommendations for optimising the clinical and therapeutic approach for acute heart failure. This document was validated through an in-person group session guided using participatory techniques. The process resulted in a set of 36 recommendations formulated by experts of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Urgent and Emergency Care. The recommendations are designed to optimise the healthcare challenge presented by the care of patients with acute heart failure in the context of Spain's current National Health System (AU)

Consensus for improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure: summarised version.

The purpose of this consensus document was to reach an agreement among experts on the multidisciplinary care of patients with acute heart failure. Starting with a narrative review of the care provided to these patients and a critical analysis of the healthcare procedures, we identified potential shortcomings and improvements and formalised a document on recommendations for optimising the clinical and therapeutic approach for acute heart failure. This document was validated through an in-person group session guided using participatory techniques. The process resulted in a set of 36 recommendations formulated by experts of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Urgent and Emergency Care. The recommendations are designed to optimise the healthcare challenge presented by the care of patients with acute heart failure in the context of Spain's current National Health System.

[Suspected diagnosis of cancer in hospital emergency services]. / Diagnóstico de sospecha del cáncer en los servicios de urgencia hospitalarios.

BACKGROUND: To measure the frequency, trends and distribution of cancers with suspected diagnosis in the Hospital Emergency Services (HES) in Asturias during 2006-12. To describe the clinical characteristics of these cancers and to determine if they differ from those whose diagnosis is made in other services. METHODS: Population based descriptive study of cancers registered in the Hospital Tumour Registry of Asturias (Spain), which provided data of patient characteristics, cancer variables (site, histology, stage, metastasis and delay), the hospital and service of diagnosis. Patients with confirmed diagnosis of cancer (non-melanoma of skin excluded) in the study period were included (N=26,020). Differences of cancer cases according to the service that had performed the suspected diagnosis were analyzed. We performed regression analysis of the time between the first symptom and the suspected diagnosis, the definitive diagnosis and treatment, controlling main confounders. RESULTS: Seven point nine percent (n=2,056) of all cancer cases were suspected in a HES (annual minimum of 5.3% and maximum 10.4%, with an upward trend). These patients were mainly men (60.6%), with a mean age of 67.7 years, and with lung (21.0%) and colon cancer (15.5%). The HES ranks 6th place in the list of services which diagnosed cancer. There was more diagnosis of advanced tumours (33.0%) and metastasis (29.5%) in the HES. The HES halved the time between the first symptom and the SD (-63.3 days; p<0.001), and between definitive diagnosis and initiation of treatment (-15.9 days; p<0.001) compared to the other services. CONCLUSIONS: The HES contribute significantly to suspected cancer diagnosis, mainly advanced and metastatic tumours in the respiratory and digestive system, whose symptoms escape accidental diagnosis conducted in primary care, and they start abruptly.

Diagnóstico de sospecha del cáncer en los servicios de urgencia hospitalarios / Suspected diagnosis of cancer in hospital emergency services

Fundamento: Medir la frecuencia, tendencia y distribución de los cánceres con diagnóstico de sospecha en los Servicios de Urgencia Hospitalarios (SUH) de Asturias durante 2006-12. Caracterizar clínicamente dichos cánceres y determinar si se diferencian de aquellos cuyo diagnóstico es realizado en otros servicios. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo poblacional de los cánceres del Registro Hospitalario de Tumores de Asturias (España), que recoge características del paciente, del tumor (localización, histología, estadio, metástasis y demora), el hospital y el servicio que diagnostica. Se seleccionaron los pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de cáncer (excepto piel no melanoma) en el periodo de estudio (N=26.020). Se buscaron diferencias entre los casos según el servicio que había realizado la sospecha diagnóstica. Se ejecutó un análisis de regresión del tiempo transcurrido entre el primer síntoma y el diagnóstico de sospecha, el diagnóstico definitivo y el tratamiento, controlando los principales confusores. Resultados: El 7,9% (n=2.056) de todos los cánceres se sospechó en un SUH (mínimo anual 5,3 y máximo 10,4, con tendencia creciente). Estos pacientes fueron principalmente varones (60,6%), con edad media de 67,7 años, y cáncer en pulmón (21,0%) y colon (15,5%). Los SUH ocuparon el 6º puesto en el ranking de servicios que diagnosticaron tumores. En los SUH hubo más diagnóstico de sospecha de tumores avanzados (33,0%) y más metástasis (29,5%). Los SUH redujeron a la mitad los tiempos entre el primer síntoma y DS (-64,3 días), y entre diagnóstico definitivo y el inicio del tratamiento (-15,9 días) con respecto al resto de servicios. Conclusiones: Los SUH contribuyen de forma importante al diagnóstico de sospecha del cáncer, principalmente avanzado y metastásico, en sistema respiratorio y digestivo, cuyos síntomas escapan al diagnóstico accidental realizado en atención primaria, y debutan abruptamente (AU)

Background: To measure the frequency, trends and distribution of cancers with suspected diagnosis in the Hospital Emergency Services (HES) in Asturias during 2006-12. To describe the clinical characteristics of these cancers and to determine if they differ from those whose diagnosis is made in other services. Methods: Population based descriptive study of cancers registered in the Hospital Tumour Registry of Asturias (Spain), which provided data of patient characteristics, cancer variables (site, histology, stage, metastasis and delay), the hospital and service of diagnosis. Patients with confirmed diagnosis of cancer (non-melanoma of skin excluded) in the study period were included (N=26,020). Differences of cancer cases according to the service that had performed the suspected diagnosis were analyzed. We performed regression analysis of the time between the first symptom and the suspected diagnosis, the definitive diagnosis and treatment, controlling main confounders. Results: Seven point nine percent (n=2,056) of all cancer cases were suspected in a HES (annual minimum of 5.3% and maximum 10.4%, with an upward trend). These patients were mainly men (60.6%), with a mean age of 67.7 years, and with lung (21.0%) and colon cancer (15.5%). The HES ranks 6th place in the list of services which diagnosed cancer. There was more diagnosis of advanced tumours (33.0%) and metastasis (29.5%) in the HES. The HES halved the time between the first symptom and the SD (-64.3 days; p<0.001), and between definitive diagnosis and initiation of treatment (-15.9 days; p<0.001) compared to the other services. Conclusions: The HES contribute significantly to suspected cancer diagnosis, mainly advanced and metastatic tumours in the respiratory and digestive system, whose symptoms escape accidental diagnosis conducted in primary care, and they start abruptly (AU)

Papel del factor precipitante de un episodio de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en relación al pronóstico a corto plazo del paciente: estudio PAPRICA / The influence of precipitating factors on short-term prognosis in acute heart failure: the PAPRICA study

Objetivos: Hay pocos estudios que analicen el papel que juegan los factores precipitantes (FPre) en el manejo de la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). El estudio PAPRICA pretende analizar la relación entre la identificación de diferentes FPre con la mortalidad precoz y las reconsultas a los 30 días. Método: Estudio retrospectivo, multicéntrico, con seguimiento de cohortes a partir del os datos incluidos en el registro EAHFE (Epidemiology Acute Heart Failure Emergency). Se recogieron datos de todos los episodios de ICA en 8 servicios de urgencias hospitalarios(SUH) españoles durante el mes de abril de 2007. Se recogieron datos del perfil clínico y la evolución a corto plazo (mortalidad y reconsulta a los 30 días). La variable clasificadora del estudio fue la ausencia o presencia conocida de FPre del episodio de ICA. Sólo se recogió un FPre por episodio. Resultados: Se incluyeron 662 casos. El 51,4% de los casos presentaron un FPre. A los30 días se registró una mortalidad del 6,2% y un índice de reconsultas del 26,6%. Los FPre más frecuentes fueron las infecciones (22,2%), las taquiarritmias (13%), la emergencia hipertensiva (4,9%), la transgresión del tratamiento (4,2%), la anemia (3,9%) yla isquemia coronaria (3,7%). En conjunto, no hubo diferencias (..) (AU)

Background and objective: Few studies have analyzed the impact of precipitating factors on the management of acute heart failure (AHF). The PAPRICA study sought to explore the relationship between identifying the precipitating factor in AHF and the 30-day mortality and emergency department revisit rates after the episode. Methods: Retrospective, multicenter study of AHF cases with follow-up data in the EAHFE registry (Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure Emergencies). From the records of AHF episodes attended in 8 Spanish emergency departments in April 2007, we extracted the clinical characteristics of each episode and the short-term outcomes (30-day mortality and revisits). Patients were classified by absence or presence of a known precipitating factor for the AHF episode. Only the precipitating factor responsible for the episode was recorded. Results: Data for 662 cases were included. A precipitating factor was registered for 51.4% of the cases. At 30 days, overall mortality was 6.2% and revisits were made by 26.6% of the patients. The most common precipitating factors(..) (AU)

Estudio piloto de la utilidad de la región medial de la proadrenomedulina (RM-proADM) en la valoración de la disnea de origen respiratorio en urgencias / Midregional proadrenomedull in plasma concentration in emergency patients with dyspnea due to respiratory disease: a pilot study

Objetivos: La adrenomedulina (ADM) es un biomarcador cuyos niveles han demostrado tener valor pronóstico en diferentes patologías, particularmente en aquéllas de etiología infecciosa. Los niveles de la región medial de la proADM (RMproADM) son un reflejo de los de la ADM y tienen una mayor estabilidad plasmática. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la relación entre los niveles de RMproADM y la gravedad de pacientes con disnea de origen respiratorio. Método: Estudio piloto, analítico, observacional, prospectivo y sin intervención de pacientes con disnea de origen respiratorio atendidos en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH). Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, nivel de prioridad según el Sistema de Triaje de Manchester (STM) y variables relacionadas con su patología durante su asistencia en el SUH, incluidas las determinaciones analíticas. Se reservó parte del plasma para la posterior determinación de la RMproADM. Se hizo un seguimiento para ver el diagnóstico de alta, reingreso y fallecimiento en los 7 días tras la asistencia en el SUH. Como variables para medir la gravedad del proceso se utilizó el nivel de prioridad asignado por el STM. Resultados: Se incluyeron 50 pacientes [edad 69 (22) años y 52% hombres]. Veintiocho pacientes (56%) ingresaron y 17 (34%) tenían una prioridad 2 en el triaje. Los ingresados tenían una forma de presentación que los situaba en un nivel de gravedad superior a los que se iban de alta, mientras que no había diferencias en la mayoría de los parámetros medidos en el caso de la prioridad 2 del triaje comparados con las prioridades 3 y 4. Los niveles de RM-proADM eran mayores en los pacientes ingresados (..)(AU)

Background and objective: Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a prognostic biomarker that has proven useful in various diseases, particularly infections. The midregional proADM (MR-proADM) plasma concentration reflects the ADM level and is a more stable measure. This study aimed to explore the relationship between MR-proADM and severity of disease in patients with dyspnea due to respiratory disease. Patients and methods: Prospective, observational (no intervention), analytical pilot study in hospital emergency department patients with shortness of breath caused by respiratory disease. We recorded sociodemographic data, priority according to the Manchester triage system (MTS), and clinical data (including laboratory findings) collected in the emergency department. A plasma sample was reserved for later determination of MR-proADM concentration. The patients were followed for 7 days after the emergency department visit in order to record the discharge diagnosis,readmission, or exitus. The assigned MTS priority level was used as a measure of severity. Results: Fifty patients with a mean (SD) age of 69 (22) years were studied; 52% were men. Twenty-eight patients (56%)were admitted and 17 (34%) were assigned an MTS priority level of 2. The initial clinical picture indicated greater severity of disease in admitted patients than in discharged patients; the number of variables studied did not differ (AU) (..)

Estudio ECO-EAHFE: análisis de los pacientes con ecocardiografía realizada previamente a una visita en urgencias por episodio de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda / EAHFE (Epidemiology Acute Heart Failure Emergency) study: analysis of the patients with echocardiography performed prior to an emergency visit due to an episode of acute heart failure

Introducción y objetivos. Analizar el perfil clínico y la evolución a corto plazo de los pacientes atendidos en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios españoles (SUH) por un episodio de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) en función de si a estos pacientes se les había realizado o no una ecocardiografía, así como de la función ventricular estimada en dicha ecografía. Pacientes y método. Participaron 9 hospitales que incluyeron consecutivamente a todos los pacientes diagnosticados de ICA durante dos meses. Se recogieron datos del perfil clínico y la evolución a corto plazo (mortalidad intrahospitalaria y mortalidad y revisita a los 30 días). Se investigó de forma retrospectiva la existencia de una ecocardiografía previa y, si existía, la cuantificación de la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI), también se consideró la función ventricular deprimida o preservada según la FEVI fuese mayor o igual al 45 o menor al 45% respectivamente. Resultados. Se incluyeron 997 pacientes, 547 pacientes (54,9%) disponían de una ecocardiografía y de ellos, en 476 se conocía el tipo de función ventricular: 273 (57,4%) la tenían deprimida y 203 (42,6%) la tenían preservada. Los pacientes sin ecocardiografía fueron mayores, con menos antecedentes patológicos, tenían formas menos avanzadas de cardiopatía, utilizaban menos los betabloqueantes y en urgencias se les trataba menos con diuréticos en bolo. Los pacientes con función sistólica deprimida fueron con mayor frecuencia varones, más jóvenes, fumadores activos, con cardiopatía isquémica y con signos de insuficiencia cardiaca izquierda (ortopnea y disnea paroxística nocturna); con menor frecuencia hipertensos, con cardiopatía valvular, con fibrilación auricular crónica y su presión arterial sistólica en urgencias fue menor, y fueron dados de alta directamente desde el SUH con mayor frecuencia. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 5,3%, la mortalidad a los 30 días del 8,9% y la reconsulta a los 30 días del 27,2%, pero no se encontraron diferencias significativas en ninguna de estas variables evolutivas en función de la existencia o no de ecocardiografía ni del tipo de disfunción encontrada en ésta. Conclusiones. Los pacientes que presentan un episodio de ICA no disponen de una ecocardiografía previa en un elevado número de casos. Este hecho obliga en estos casos a realizar un manejo terapéutico en el SUH guiado únicamente por los síntomas y signos como la presión arterial sistólica a su llegada a urgencias. A pesar de ello, el hecho de no conocer el estado funcional del ventrículo izquierdo no afecta a la mortalidad intrahospitalaria,a los 30 días y al reingreso(AU)

Introduction and objectives. Analyze the clinical profile and short-term evolution of the patients attended in the Spanish Hospital Emergency Services (SHES) due to an episode of acute heart failure (AHF) based on whether these patients had undergone or not an echocardiography and on the ventricular function estimated in said ultrasonography. Patients and methods. A total of 9 hospitals participated. They consecutively enrolled all the patients diagnosed of AHF during 2 months. Data were collected on the clinical profile and the short-term evolution (intra-hospital mortality and mortality and re-visits at 30 days). The existence of a previous echocardiography was retrospectively investigated and, if it existed, the quantification of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as well. The ventricular function was considered to be depressed or conserved according to whether the LVEF was greater or equal to 45% or less than 45%, respectively. Results. A total of 997 patients were enrolled. An echocardiography was available for 547 patients (54.9%). Of these, the type of ventricular function was known in 476: 273 (57.4%) had depressed function and 203 (42.6%) had conserved function. The patients who did not have an echocardiography were older, with fewer pathological backgrounds. They had less advanced forms of heart disease, used beta blockers less and, were treated less with bolus diuretics in the emergency service. The patients with depressed systolic function were more often males, younger, active smokers, with ischemic heart disease and had signs of left heart failure (orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea). Less frequently, they were hypertense, with valvular heart disease, with chronic atrial fibrillation and their systolic blood pressure in the Emergency Service was lower. They were directly discharged from the SHES more frequently. Intra-hospital mortality was 5.3%, mortality at 30 days 8.9% and re-visit at 30 days 27.2%. However, no significant differences were found in any of these evolution variables based on the existence or not of an echocardiography or on the type of dysfunction found in it. Conclusions. The patients who had an episode of AHF did not have any previous echocardiography in a high number of cases. This fact made it necessary in these cases to carry out the therapeutic management in the SHES guided only by the signs and symptoms, such as systolic blood pressure on their arrival to the emergency service. In spite of this, the fact that the functional state of the left ventricular was not known did not affect the intra-hospital mortality, at 30-days and readmission(AU)