Recomendaciones sobre rehabilitación cardíaca en la cardiopatía isquémica de la Sociedad de Rehabilitación Cardio-Respiratoria (SORECAR) / Recommendations of the Cardio-Respiratory Rehabilitation Society (SORECAR) on cardiac rehabilitation in ischemic heart disease

La cardiopatía isquémica supone la mayor causa de muerte en España y en el mundo occidental. El programa de rehabilitación cardíaca engloba todas las medidas para realizar prevención secundaria en estos pacientes y mejorar la morbimortalidad. Es un programa eficaz, pero su implementación es escasa y variable, siendo inferior al 5% en España, por lo que se debería priorizar estrategias para facilitar la realización de estos programas. Un grupo de expertos fue nombrado por la Sociedad Española de Rehabilitación Cardio-Respiratoria (SORECAR) para realizar una revisión de todas las evidencias disponibles en rehabilitación cardíaca y elaborar un documento aplicándolo a la práctica clínica. El resultado ha sido la elaboración final de un protocolo de actuación en rehabilitación cardíaca, con instrucciones o recomendaciones a modo de resumen. Contiene aspectos sobre rehabilitación cardíaca para disminuir la variabilidad entre dichas Unidades y crear las bases para una adecuada acreditación de Unidades de Rehabilitación Cardíaca (AU)

Ischemic heart disease is the largest cause of death in Spain and the Western world. Cardiac rehabilitation programs encompass all the measures necessary for secondary prevention in these patients and to improve morbidity and mortality. These programs are effective, but their implementation is low and variable, being less than 5% in Spain. Consequently, priority should be given to strategies that facilitate the implementation of these programs. A group of experts was appointed by the Cardio-Respiratory Rehabilitation Society (SORECAR) to review all the available evidence on cardiac rehabilitation and apply it to develop a clinical practice document. The end result was the development of a protocol for cardiac rehabilitation, with instructions or summarized recommendations. The document discusses aspects of cardiac rehabilitation that reduce variation among these units and provides a basis for proper accreditation of cardiac rehabilitation units (AU)

Infarto-reinfarto: estudio comparativo clínico-funcional en un programa de rehabilitación cardiaca / Infarction-reinfarction: A clinical-functional comparative study within a cardiac rehabilitation program

Introducción: Los pacientes con reinfarto de miocardio pertenecen al grupo de alto riesgo en los programas de rehabilitación cardiaca (PRC). Objetivos: Evaluar si existen diferencias basales entre pacientes infartados y reinfartados que acuden a un PRC. Analizar su respuesta tras el programa. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal retrospectivo tipo casos controles en pacientes con reinfarto de miocardio frente a pacientes con un único infarto. Muestra: 152 pacientes (76 casos y 76 controles). Periodo de estudio: del 1 de enero del 2005 al 31 de octubre del 2012. Intervención PRC en Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga. Variables: factores de riesgo cardiovascular, nivel de estrés, situación emocional, profesión, hábito de ejercicio, tipo de personalidad, percepción de salud, ergometría y ecocardiografía. Análisis estadístico: programa SPSS-15.0. Resultados: Basalmente, se observan diferencias estadísticamente significativas en casos frente a controles en: hábito de ejercicio (OR = 1,31 [1,01-1,69]), percepción de salud buena (15,2%/64%), ansiedad (66,7%/38%) depresión (46%/25%) y perímetro abdominal > 102 cm (OR = 1,8 [1,16-2,78]). Tras el programa, los pacientes re-IAM mejoran de forma significativa en el hábito de ejercicio (p = 0,00), percepción de salud buena (p = 0,00), estrés laboral (p = 0,00), ansiedad (p = 0,00), depresión (p = 0,00) y perímetro abdominal (p = 0,00). En cuanto a la cardiopatía, mejoran la función ventricular (p = 0,00) y la ergometría (0,9 METS p = 0,00; tiempo: 32,79 s, p = 0,00). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con reinfarto parten de peor hábito de ejercicio, peor percepción de salud, mayor ansiedad-depresión y obesidad central. La respuesta al programa de rehabilitación es positiva en ambos grupos, con cambios más favorables en pacientes reinfartados en cuanto a aspectos funcionales y psicológicos (AU)

Introduction: Patients with myocardial infarction recurrence belong to the group of patients at high risk in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP). Objectives: To assess whether there are baseline differences between single myocardial infarction patients and recurrent infarction patients. To analyze changes after a CRP. Methods: A longitudinal, retrospective, case-control study was conducted in patients with a single event of myocardial infarction compared to patients with recurrent infarction. Sample: The sample was made up of 76 cases and 76 controls. Study period: 1 January 2005 to 31 October 2012. Intervention: CRP at Virgen de la Victoria Hospital from Malaga. Study variables were cardiovascular risk factors, stress level, emotional status, profession, exercise habit, personality type, perceived health, exercise test, echocardiography. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS-15.0. Results: At baseline statistically significant differences were observed in cases versus controls: exercise habit [OR 1.31 (1.01-1.69)], good health perception (15.2%/64%), anxiety (66,7%/38%) depression (46%/25%), abdominal circumference > 102 cm (OR: 1.8 [1.16-2.78]). After CRP, patients with infarction recurrence improved significantly in exercise habit (P=.00), health perception (P=0.00) work stress perception (P=0.00), anxiety (P=00), depression (P=00) and abdominal circumference (P=0.00), systolic function improves (P=.00) and ergometry (0.9 METS P=0.00 and 32.79 seconds P=0.00). Conclusions: Patients with recurrent myocardial infarction started the program with worse exercise habit, worse perceived health, central obesity, increased anxiety and depression. Changes after rehabilitation program were positive in both groups, with more favorable changes in recurrent infarction patients regarding functional and psychological aspects (AU)

Impact of an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program on clinical and analytical variables in cardiovascular disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of lifestyle changes in patients participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program. METHODS: Patients with cardiovascular disease (N = 59) were enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation, which included nutritional and exercise interventions. All patients completed the program, but only 44 attended the reassessment after 12 months because of work reasons or lack of time or interest. RESULTS: Ergometry before and after cardiac rehabilitation showed significant differences in exercise tolerance time (5.2 ± 1.8 minutes vs 7.1 ± 2.1 minutes; P< .001), metabolic equivalents (6.5 ± 1.8 vs 8.8 ± 2.2; P< .001), and the Börg rating of perceived exertion scale (12 ± 1.8 points vs 13.7 ± 1.6 points; P= .005). At the end of the intervention program, significant improvements were seen in body weight (82.6 ± 15.2 kg vs 80.8 ± 14.3 kg; P< .001), waist circumference (100.3 ± 12.4 cm vs 98.0 ± 11.0 cm; P= .002), and levels of fasting glucose (126.5 ± 44.6 mmol/L vs 109.6 ± 24.8 mmol/L; P< .001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.7 ± 0.9 mmol/L vs 2.5 ± 0.8 mmol/L; P= .033), and C-reactive protein (5.1 ± 8.7 µg/mL vs 4.1 ± 2.6 µg/mL; P= .008), as well as in adherence to a healthy diet as estimated by the Trichopoulou questionnaire score (7.9 ± 2.3 vs 10.6 ± 1.5; P< .001). Twelve months later, however, many of these benefits had either remained stable or worsened. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac rehabilitation is an appropriate program for the improvement of clinical and analytical variables, such as functional capacity, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, anthropometric measures, and diet. However, 12 months later, many of these benefits either remained stable or worsened.

[Factors that influence the non prescription of beta-blockers in patients with acute myocardial infarction]. / Factores que intervienen en la no prescripción de betabloqueantes en los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio.

OBJECTIVE: To study the factors that influence the non prescription of beta-blockers in patients discharged with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHOD: A retrospective study was done of all patients discharged from our Service in the year 1998, with a diagnosis of AMI. The variables considered were age, sex, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricle dysfunction and COPD. RESULTS: 60 patients with AMI were included in the study, 18 of whom (30%) were discharged without beta-blockers. The average age of these patients was 77 years, while the average age of those discharged with these pharmaceutical agents was 60 years (p < 0.0001). Likewise, left ventricle dysfunction (p < 0.031) and female gender (p < 0.016), also negatively influenced the use of these drugs. It was observed with multivariable regression analysis that age was the main predictor for the use of beta-blockers (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Age is the main factor that influences the non prescription of beta-blockers in patients with AMI in our Service. In spite of the potential adverse effects of the drugs in the advanced age population, the data so far obtained demonstrates a clear benefit in the subgroups at risk (advanced age, heart failure,...). Therefore it's use should be extended to this group of population as long as there are no absolute contraindications.

Factores que intervienen en la no prescripción de betabloqueantes en los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio / Factors that infuence the non prescription of beta-blockers in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objetivo: Estudiar los factores que intervienen en la no prescripción de fármacos betabloqueantes en los pacientes que son dados de alta con diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM). M é t o d o : Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes dados de alta de nuestro servicio con diagnóstico principal de IAM durante el año 1998. Se consideraron como variables la edad, sexo, diabetes mellitus, presencia de arteriopatía periférica, la función ventricular y la condición de EPOC.Resultados: Fueron incluidos 60 pacientes con IAM, 18 de los cuales (30 por ciento) fueron dados de alta sin betabloqueantes. Los pacientes a los que no se prescribió betabloqueantes presentaban una edad media de 77 años frente a los 60 años de media del grupo que se dio de alta con estos fármacos (p<0,0001). Asimismo, la disfunción ventricular (p<0,031) y el sexo femenino (p<0,016) condicionaron también un menor uso de estos fármacos. En el análisis de regresión multivariable se observa que la edad es el principal predictor para el uso de betabloqueantes (p<0,0001).Conclusiones: La edad es el principal factor que condiciona la no prescripción de betabloqueantes en los pacientes con IAM en nuestro Servicio. A pesar de la potencialidad de efectos adversos de estos fármacos en la población de mayor edad, los datos obtenidos hasta el momento muestran un claro beneficio en los subgrupos de riesgo (edad avanzada, insuficiencia cardiaca,...), por lo que debiera extenderse su uso a este grupo de población a no ser que existieran contraindicaciones absolutas. (AU)

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: a case series.

OBJECTIVES: We describe our experience with peripartum cardiomyopathy. DESIGN AND SETTING: A case series in intensive care units (ICU) of a district hospital and a referral center. PATIENTS: Six patients who required admission to an ICU after the onset of peripartum cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: Five of the six patients survived, with total recovery of ventricular function. After 1 year of follow-up all five survivors were symptom free with a normal ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low rate of ICU admissions for peripartum cardiomyopathy, which has a potentially fatal prognosis. However, this disease can be detected by echocardiography among patients without the semiology.

[Pneumopericardium in an asthmatic patient. A case report and review of the bibliography]. / Neumopericardio en un paciente asmático. Descripción de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía.

Pneumopericardium is an uncommon but potentially serious condition of which leading cause is mechanical ventilation in infants suffering respiratory distress syndrome. In adults, however, the most common causes are iatrogenic in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, as well as traumatic lesions. We describe a case of pneumopericardium in a teenager suffering an asthma crisis. A review of the literature is presented, stressing the most relevant findings of the physical examination and habitual laboratory tests.

[Preoperative coronarography in heart valve disease patients. A probability analysis of coronary lesion]. / Coronariografía preoperatoria en pacientes valvulares. Análisis de probabilidad de lesión coronaria.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The indication of preoperative coronary angiography is routinely performed for patients who are going to valve replacement surgery. The need of coronary angiography is based on age, gender and previous angina, but it is not usually based on risk factors. The purpose of this study has been to find markers to predict the probability of coronary lesion in this group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied retrospectively a population of 541 patients with valvular heart disease who underwent preoperative coronary angiography from 1989 to 1994. Mean age was 61.8 (range 34-82). There were 301 men and 240 women. We analyzed in each patient different variables such as age, gender, previous angina, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco and familial predisposition. We correlated these variables with the presence of coronary lesion by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: There were 73 patients with coronary lesion greater than 50%. The prevalence of significant coronary artery disease was 13.4%. Angina was present in 34.6%. The risk of coronary lesion was defined as odds ratio: previous angina 3.3; tobacco 2.6; diabetes 2.2; hypertension 1.8 and age 1.4. The others variables were not predictor of coronary lesion. The probability of coronary lesion in patients without those variables (angina, tobacco, diabetes, hypertension) was 4%. If we analyzed age, the probability of coronary lesion was 3% in patients under 65 years and 6% above 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of previous angina and at least the three risk factors described as predictors of coronary lesion (hypertension, tobacco and diabetes) can define a group of patients with a very low prevalence of coronary lesion, especially if they are under 65 years. It can allow us to avoid preoperatory coronary angiography in patients who undergo valve replacement.