Estado nutricional, obesidad y eventos en pacientes con fibrilación auricular / Nutrition status, obesity and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation

Introducción y objetivos Se ha descrito un efecto protector paradójico de la obesidad en pacientes con fibrilación auricular (FA) cuya mecanismo no está claro. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el impacto del estado nutricional y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) en el pronóstico de los pacientes con FA. Métodos Se realizó un estudio de cohortes retrospectivo de pacientes con FA entre 2014 y 2017 de una única área sanitaria en España. La escala CONUT se utilizó para evaluar el estado nutricional. La asociación del IMC y escala CONUT con la mortalidad se analizó por regresión de Cox. La asociación con eventos embólicos y hemorrágicos se evaluó mediante análisis de riesgos competitivos. Resultados Entre los 14.849 pacientes, se observó sobrepeso y obesidad en 42,6% y 46,0%, respectivamente, mientras que malnutrición en 34,3%. Durante un seguimiento medio de 4,4 años, 3.335 pacientes murieron, 984 pacientes sufrieron un evento embólico y 1.317 una hemorragia. El IMC se asoció inversamente con la mortalidad, embolias y hemorragias en el análisis univariado; sin embargo, esta asociación se perdió después del ajuste por edad, sexo, comorbilidades y escala CONUT (HR para el combinado de eventos 0,98; IC95%, 0,95-1,01; p=0,719). Por el contrario, la escala CONUT si se asoció con la mortalidad, la embolia y la hemorragia (HR = 1,15; IC95%, 1,14-1,17; p<0,001). Conclusiones El IMC no fue un predictor independiente de eventos en pacientes con FA, a diferencia del estado nutricional, que mostró una fuerte asociación con la mortalidad, la embolia y la hemorragia (AU)

Introduction and objectives A paradoxical protective effect of obesity has been previously reported in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of nutritional status and body mass index (BMI) on the prognosis of AF patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study of patients with AF from 2014 to 2017 from a single health area in Spain. The CONUT score was used to assess nutritional status. Cox regression models were used to estimate the association of BMI and CONUT score with mortality. The association with embolism and bleeding was assessed by a competing risk analysis. Results Among 14 849 AF patients, overweight and obesity were observed in 42.6% and 46.0%, respectively, while malnutrition was observed in 34.3%. During a mean follow-up of 4.4 years, 3335 patients died, 984 patients had a stroke or systemic embolism, and 1317 had a major bleeding event. On univariate analysis, BMI was inversely associated with mortality, embolism, and bleeding; however, this association was lost after adjustment by age, sex, comorbidities, and CONUT score (HR for composite endpoint, 0.98; 95%CI, 0.95-1.01; P=.719). Neither obesity nor overweight were predictors of mortality, embolism, and bleeding events. In contrast, nutritional status—assessed by the CONUT score—was associated with mortality, embolism and bleeding after multivariate analysis (HR for composite endpoint, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.14-1.17; P<.001). Conclusion BMI was not an independent predictor of events in patients with AF in contrast to nutritional status, which showed a strong association with mortality, embolism, and bleeding (AU)

Aplicabilidad de los criterios de alto riesgo hemorrágico del Academic Research Consortium al síndrome coronario agudo sometido a intervención coronaria percutánea / Applicability of the Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk in acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Introducción y objetivos: La reciente propuesta del Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR), por consenso, no considera el síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) un criterio de hemorragia per se a pesar de tratarse de una situación de alto riesgo hemorrágico (ARH). En este artículo, se investiga la aplicabilidad de la clasificación y los criterios del ARC-HBR a los pacientes con SCA. Métodos: Se clasificó retrospectivamente a los pacientes con SCA sometidos a implante de stent coronario entre 2012 y 2018 en un hospital terciario como ARH si cumplían al menos 1 criterio mayor o 2 o más criterios menores del ARC-HBR. El objetivo primario fue la incidencia acumulada a 1 año de hemorragias de grado Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 3-5. Resultados: De los 4.412 pacientes incluidos, el 29,5% estaba en ARH. La incidencia de hemorragias fue mayor en el grupo con ARH que en el de no ARH (el 9,4 frente al 1,3%; p < 0,01). Las tasas de hemorragias hospitalarias periprocedimiento y tras el alta también fueron mayores en el grupo con ARH (el 4,3 frente al 0,5% y el 5,3 frente al 0,9% respectivamente; p < 0,01). El riesgo hemorrágico se incrementó gradualmente a medida que aumentaban los criterios ARC-HBR: el 1,8, el 5,0, el 9,4, el 16,8, el 25,2 y el 25,9% con, respectivamente: solo 1 criterio menor, 2 o más criterios solo menores, 1 criterio mayor (solo o sumado a 1 criterio menor), 1 criterio mayor con 2 o más criterios menores, 2 o más criterios mayores (solos o sumados a 1 criterio menor) y 2 o más criterios mayores con 2 o más criterios menores. De los 20 criterios del ARC-HBR, 16 (80%) cumplieron los cortes predefinidos del riesgo hemorrágico BARC 3-5. Conclusiones: Este estudio respalda la aplicación de la clasificación y los criterios del ARC-HBR en el contexto del SCA. La clasificación ARC-HBR proporciona una estimación precisa del riesgo de hemorragia mayor y parece adecuada para la identificación y el tratamiento de los pacientes con ARH (AU)

Introduction and objectives: The recent Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) proposal did not consider acute coronary syndrome (ACS), by consensus, a bleeding criterion per se despite being a high bleeding risk (HBR) scenario. We investigated the applicability of the ARC-HBR classification and criteria in ACS patients. Methods: Patients with ACS undergoing coronary stenting between 2012 and 2018 at a tertiary hospital were retrospectively classified as being at HBR if they met ≥ 1 major or ≥ 2 minor ARC-HBR criteria. The primary endpoint was the 1-year cumulative incidence of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 3 or 5 bleeding.Results: Among 4412 patients, 29.5% were at HBR. The incidence of bleeding was higher in the HBR group than in the non-HBR group (9.4% vs 1.3%; P < .01). The rates of in-hospital periprocedural and postdischarge bleeding were also higher in the HBR group (4.3% vs 0.5% and 5.3% vs 0.9%, respectively; P < .01). Bleeding risk gradually increased with increasing ARC-HBR criteria: 1.8%, 5.0%, 9.4%, 16.8%, 25.2%, and 25.9% for 1 isolated minor criterion, ≥ 2 isolated minor criteria, 1 major criterion (isolated or plus 1 minor criterion), 1 major plus ≥ 2 minor criteria, ≥ 2 major criteria (isolated or plus 1 minor criterion), and ≥ 2 major plus ≥ 2 minor criteria, respectively. Sixteen (80%) out of 20 ARC-HBR criteria satisfied the ARC-HBR predefined cutoffs for BARC 3 or 5 bleeding risk. Conclusions: This study supports the use of the ARC-HBR classification and criteria in the ACS setting. The ARC-HBR classification provides an accurate major bleeding risk estimate and it seems suitable for the identification and management of patients at HBR (AU)

Balance entre el efecto de los eventos embólicos frente a los hemorrágicos en la mortalidad de los pacientes ancianos con fibrilación auricular / Trade-off between the effects of embolic versus bleeding events on mortality in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation

Introducción y objetivos: La toma de decisiones clínicas sobre la anticoagulación de pacientes ancianos con fibrilación auricular (FA) requiere que se considere no solo la incidencia de eventos embólicos y hemorrágicos, sino también el riesgo de muerte tras esos efectos adversos. Nuestro objetivo es analizar el balance con respecto a la mortalidad entre los eventos embólicos y hemorrágicos en pacientes ancianos con FA. Métodos: Se analizó a todos los pacientes de 75 o más años de un área de salud española diagnosticados de FA entre 2014 y 2017 (n=9.365). El riesgo de muerte se estimó utilizando modelos de Cox que incluyeron los episodios embólicos y hemorrágicos como variables dependientes del tiempo. Resultados: Durante una mediana de seguimiento de 4,0 años, los eventos se asociaron con mayor mortalidad, tanto los embólicos (HR=2,39; IC95%, 2,12-2,69) como los hemorrágicos (HR=1,79; IC95%, 1,64-1,96). El riesgo de muerte fue un 33% mayor después de una embolia que después de una hemorragia (rRR=1,33; IC95%, 1,15-1,55), aunque con accidente isquémico transitorio el riesgo fue menor que con hemorragia (rRR=0,79; IC95%, 0,63-0,99). La mortalidad tras una hemorragia intracraneal fue similar que tras una embolia mayor (RR=1,00; IC95%, 0,75-1,29). Conclusiones: En los pacientes de edad avanzada con FA, los eventos embólicos parecen estar asociados con una mayor mortalidad que las hemorragias extracraneales, salvo los accidentes isquémicos transitorios. Con hemorragia intracraneal, el riesgo de muerte es similar al de una embolia mayor (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Clinical decision-making on anticoagulation in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) requires clinicians to consider not only the incidence of embolic and bleeding events, but also the risk of death following these adverse events. We aimed to analyze the trade-off between embolic and bleeding events with respect to mortality in elderly patients with AF. Methods: The study cohort comprised all patients aged ≥ 75 years from a Spanish health area diagnosed with AF between 2014 and 2017 (n=9365). The risk of death was investigated using Cox proportional hazards models, including embolic and bleeding events as time-dependent binary indicators. Results: During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, both embolic and bleeding events were associated with a higher risk of death (adjusted HR, 2.39; 95%CI, 2.12-2.69; and adjusted HR, 1.79; 95%CI, 1.64-1.96, respectively). The relative risk of death was 33% higher following an embolism than following a bleeding event (rRR, 1.33; 95%CI, 1.15-1.55), although for transient ischemic attack the risk was lower than for bleeding (rRR, 0.79; 95%CI, 0.63-0.99). The risk of death associated with intracranial hemorrhage was similar to that of major embolisms (RR, 1.00; 95%CI, 0.75-1.29). Conclusions: In elderly AF patients, embolic events appeared to be associated with a higher risk of mortality than extracranial bleeding, except for transient ischemic attacks, which have a better prognosis. For ICH, the mortality risk was similar to that of major embolism (AU)

Prognostic factors at admission on patients with cancer and COVID-19: Analysis of HOPE registry data.

BACKGROUND: Previous works seem to agree in the higher mortality of cancer patients with COVID-19. Identifying potential prognostic factors upon admission could help identify patients with a poor prognosis. METHODS: We aimed to explore the characteristics and evolution of COVID-19 cancer patients admitted to hospital in a multicenter international registry (HOPE COVID-19).Our primary objective is to define those characteristics that allow us to identify cancer patients with a worse prognosis (mortality within 30 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19). RESULTS: 5838 patients have been collected in this registry, of whom 770 had cancer among their antecedents. In hospital mortality reached 258 patients (33.51%). The median was 75 years (65-82). Regarding the distribution by sex, 34.55% of the patients (266/770) were women.The distribution by type of cancer: genitourinary 238/745 (31.95%), digestive 124/745 (16.54%), hematologic 95/745 (12.75%).In multivariate regression analysis, factors that are independently associated with mortality at admission are: renal impairment (OR 3.45, CI 97.5% 1.85-6.58), heart disease (2.32, 1.47-3.66), liver disease (4.69, 1.94-11.62), partial dependence (2.41, 1.34-4.33), total dependence (7.21, 2.60-21.82), fatigue (1.84, 1.16-2.93), arthromialgias (0.45, 0.26-0.78), SatO2 < 92% (4.58, 2.97-7.17), elevated LDH (2.61, 1.51-4.69) and abnormal decreased Blood Pressure (3.57, 1.81-7.15). Analitical parameters are also significant altered. CONCLUSION: In patients with cancer from the HOPE registry, 30-day mortality from any cause is high and is associated with easily identifiable clinical factors upon arrival at the hospital. Identifying these patients can help initiate more intensive treatments from the start and evaluate the prognosis of these patients.

ANTECEDENTES: Trabajos previos parecen coincidir en la mayor mortalidad de los pacientes con cáncer y COVID-19. La identificación de posibles factores pronósticos en el momento del ingreso podría ayudar a identificar a los pacientes con mal pronóstico. MÉTODOS: Nos propusimos explorar las características y la evolución de los pacientes con cáncer y COVID-19 ingresados en un registro internacional multicéntrico (HOPE COVID-19).Nuestro objetivo principal es definir aquellas características que nos permitan identificar a los pacientes con cáncer de peor pronóstico (mortalidad en los 30 días siguientes al diagnóstico de COVID-19). RESULTADOS: En este registro se ha recogido a 5.838 pacientes, de los cuales 770 tenían cáncer entre sus antecedentes. La mortalidad hospitalaria alcanzó a 258 pacientes (33,51%). La mediana fue de 75 años (65-82). En cuanto a la distribución por sexo, el 34,55% de los pacientes eran mujeres (266/770).La distribución por tipo de cáncer: genitourinario 238/745 (31,95%), digestivo 124/745 (16,54%) y hematológico 95/745 (12,75%).En el análisis de regresión multivariante, los factores que se asocian de forma independiente con la mortalidad al ingreso son: insuficiencia renal (OR 3,45; IC 97,5%: 1,85-6,58), cardiopatía (2,32; 1,47-3,66), hepatopatía (4,69; 1,94-11,62), dependencia parcial (2,41; 1,34-4,33), dependencia total (7,21; 2,60-21,82), fatiga (1,84, 1;16-2,93), artromialgias (0,45; 0,26-0,78), SatO2 < 92% (4,58; 2,97-7,17), LDH elevada (2,61; 1,51-4,69) y disminución anormal de la presión arterial (3,57; 1,81-7,15). Los parámetros analíticos también están significativamente alterados. CONCLUSIÓN: En los pacientes con cáncer del registro HOPE, la mortalidad a los 30 días por cualquier causa es elevada y se asocia a factores clínicos fácilmente identificables a su llegada al hospital. La identificación de estos pacientes puede ayudar a iniciar tratamientos más intensivos desde el principio y evaluar el pronóstico de estos pacientes.

Prognostic factors at admission on patients with cancer and COVID-19: Analysis of HOPE registry data / Factores pronósticos en pacientes oncológicos con COVID-19 a su llegada a urgencias: Análisis de los datos del registro internacional HOPE

Background: Previous works seem to agree in the higher mortality of cancer patients with COVID-19. Identifying potential prognostic factors upon admission could help identify patients with a poor prognosis.MethodsWe aimed to explore the characteristics and evolution of COVID-19 cancer patients admitted to hospital in a multicenter international registry (HOPE COVID-19).Our primary objective is to define those characteristics that allow us to identify cancer patients with a worse prognosis (mortality within 30 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19).Results5838 patients have been collected in this registry, of whom 770 had cancer among their antecedents. In hospital mortality reached 258 patients (33.51%). The median was 75 years (65–82). Regarding the distribution by sex, 34.55% of the patients (266/770) were women.The distribution by type of cancer: genitourinary 238/745 (31.95%), digestive 124/745 (16.54%), hematologic 95/745 (12.75%).In multivariate regression analysis, factors that are independently associated with mortality at admission are: renal impairment (OR 3.45, CI 97.5% 1.85–6.58), heart disease (2.32, 1.47–3.66), liver disease (4.69, 1.94–11.62), partial dependence (2.41, 1.34–4.33), total dependence (7.21, 2.60–21.82), fatigue (1.84, 1.16–2.93), arthromialgias (0.45, 0.26–0.78), SatO2<92% (4.58, 2.97–7.17), elevated LDH (2.61, 1.51–4.69) and abnormal decreased Blood Pressure (3.57, 1.81–7.15). Analitical parameters are also significant altered.ConclusionIn patients with cancer from the HOPE registry, 30-day mortality from any cause is high and is associated with easily identifiable clinical factors upon arrival at the hospital. Identifying these patients can help initiate more intensive treatments from the start and evaluate the prognosis of these patients. (AU)

Antecedentes: Trabajos previos parecen coincidir en la mayor mortalidad de los pacientes con cáncer y COVID-19. La identificación de posibles factores pronósticos en el momento del ingreso podría ayudar a identificar a los pacientes con mal pronóstico.MétodosNos propusimos explorar las características y la evolución de los pacientes con cáncer y COVID-19 ingresados en un registro internacional multicéntrico (HOPE COVID-19).Nuestro objetivo principal es definir aquellas características que nos permitan identificar a los pacientes con cáncer de peor pronóstico (mortalidad en los 30 días siguientes al diagnóstico de COVID-19).ResultadosEn este registro se ha recogido a 5.838 pacientes, de los cuales 770 tenían cáncer entre sus antecedentes. La mortalidad hospitalaria alcanzó a 258 pacientes (33,51%). La mediana fue de 75 años (65-82). En cuanto a la distribución por sexo, el 34,55% de los pacientes eran mujeres (266/770).La distribución por tipo de cáncer: genitourinario 238/745 (31,95%), digestivo 124/745 (16,54%) y hematológico 95/745 (12,75%).En el análisis de regresión multivariante, los factores que se asocian de forma independiente con la mortalidad al ingreso son: insuficiencia renal (OR 3,45; IC 97,5%: 1,85-6,58), cardiopatía (2,32; 1,47-3,66), hepatopatía (4,69; 1,94-11,62), dependencia parcial (2,41; 1,34-4,33), dependencia total (7,21; 2,60-21,82), fatiga (1,84, 1;16-2,93), artromialgias (0,45; 0,26-0,78), SatO2 <92% (4,58; 2,97-7,17), LDH elevada (2,61; 1,51-4,69) y disminución anormal de la presión arterial (3,57; 1,81-7,15). Los parámetros analíticos también están significativamente alterados.ConclusiónEn los pacientes con cáncer del registro HOPE, la mortalidad a los 30 días por cualquier causa es elevada y se asocia a factores clínicos fácilmente identificables a su llegada al hospital. La identificación de estos pacientes puede ayudar a iniciar tratamientos más intensivos desde el principio y evaluar el pronóstico de estos pacientes. (AU)

Prognostic factors at admission on patients with cancer and COVID-19: Analysis of HOPE registry data.

BACKGROUND: Previous works seem to agree in the higher mortality of cancer patients with COVID-19. Identifying potential prognostic factors upon admission could help identify patients with a poor prognosis. METHODS: We aimed to explore the characteristics and evolution of COVID-19 cancer patients admitted to hospital in a multicenter international registry (HOPE COVID-19). Our primary objective is to define those characteristics that allow us to identify cancer patients with a worse prognosis (mortality within 30 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19). RESULTS: 5838 patients have been collected in this registry, of whom 770 had cancer among their antecedents. In hospital mortality reached 258 patients (33.51%). The median was 75 years (65-82). Regarding the distribution by sex, 34.55% of the patients (266/770) were women. The distribution by type of cancer: genitourinary 238/745 (31.95%), digestive 124/745 (16.54%), hematologic 95/745 (12.75%). In multivariate regression analysis, factors that are independently associated with mortality at admission are: renal impairment (OR 3.45, CI 97.5% 1.85-6.58), heart disease (2.32, 1.47-3.66), liver disease (4.69, 1.94-11.62), partial dependence (2.41, 1.34-4.33), total dependence (7.21, 2.60-21.82), fatigue (1.84, 1.16-2.93), arthromialgias (0.45, 0.26-0.78), SatO2<92% (4.58, 2.97-7.17), elevated LDH (2.61, 1.51-4.69) and abnormal decreased Blood Pressure (3.57, 1.81-7.15). Analitical parameters are also significant altered. CONCLUSION: In patients with cancer from the HOPE registry, 30-day mortality from any cause is high and is associated with easily identifiable clinical factors upon arrival at the hospital. Identifying these patients can help initiate more intensive treatments from the start and evaluate the prognosis of these patients.

Change of concept about the regulation of angiotensin II-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production in human endothelial cells.

AIMS: Some intriguing clinical observations about the anti-inflammatory effects of angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in cardiovascular patients brought us to study the signalling pathways which lead to angiotensin II (ANG)-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production in human endothelial cells. METHODS: MCP-1 production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under treatments with ANG, AT1 and angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor blockers and pravastatin was measured by ELISA. The expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors and NADPH oxidase catalytic subunits (NOX 1-5) was analysed at mRNA and protein levels. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation was studied by p65 subunit translocation to the cellular nucleus. Cell viability was tested by the MTT method. Nox4 subcellular distribution was analysed by subcellular protein fractionation and by immunoprecipitation followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry analysis. RESULTS: ANG-induced MCP-1 production was mediated by AT2 receptor, but not AT1 receptor in HUVECs in culture, which in turn activated NF-κB, promoting p65 subunit translocation to the nucleus. Reactive oxygen species produced by NADPH oxidase participated in this activation, mainly by the Nox4 subunit, ubiquitously expressed in all the compartments of HUVECs. Pravastatin inhibited ANG-induced MCP-1 production. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that ANG-induced MCP-1 production in HUVECs is mediated by AT2 instead AT1 receptor activation, which in turn activates NF-κB involving reactive oxygen species produced by the NADPH oxidase complex. Statins can also block ANG-induced MCP-1 production, probably by their inhibitory effects on NADPH oxidase activity.

Mehran contrast nephropathy risk score: Is it still useful 10 years later?

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third cause of acquired acute renal impairment in hospital. CIN is related to increased in-hospital morbidity, mortality, costs of medical care, and long admissions. Because of this, we hypothesized it would be useful to determine the risk of CIN with scores such as the Mehran score. The aim of this study was to validate the Mehran score in a contemporary cohort of Spanish patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: We assessed the calibration and discriminatory capacity of Mehran score to predict CIN in a cohort of 1520 patients with a definitive diagnosis of ACS and who underwent coronary angiography between March 2008 and June 2012. We excluded patients on chronic dialysis and those without data of contrast volume. The calibration of the model was assessed with the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and discriminatory capacity was assessed by C-statistic, which is equivalent to the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: From the total group, 118 patients (7.8%) developed CIN. They were older, with higher rates of diabetes (DM) and hypertension and worse renal function and anemia (p<0.001). The odds ratios for different score components in Mehran's population versus our study were similar except for DM, hypotension, and intra-aortic balloon pump (1.6%, 2.68%, 2.55% vs 0.9%, 1.89%, and 2.86%, respectively). Calibration and discriminatory capacity of Mehran score were excellent with a Hosmer-Lemeshow p=0.7, C-statistic value >0.8. CONCLUSIONS: Mehran risk score has been validated in our study as a good score for predicting CIN in patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography. According to this, we support its use in patients hospitalized for ACS in order to identify the ones at risk, and to optimize CIN prophylactic therapy prior to and after catheterization.

[Advances made in the past year (2009) in the therapeutic approach to hypertensive heart disease, myocardial ischemia, and atrial fibrillation]. / Novedades en el último año en el planteamiento terapéutico de la cardiopatía hipertensiva, de la cardiopatía isquémica y de la fibrilación auricular.

Knowledge of cardiovascular disease is advancing at a vertiginous pace. Cardiology has always been one of the most scientifically dynamic specialties. Indeed, no other medical specialty presents such a large number of randomized studies aiming to determine the efficacy of distinct therapeutic interventions each year. Equally, cardiology is composed of various subspecialties ranging from the clinical management of types of heart disease that are frequently encountered in daily clinical practice, through the various diagnostic procedures (cardiovascular imaging), to the complex therapeutic techniques of interventional endovascular therapy. Many of the principal medical journals specialize in specific aspects of cardiovascular disease and some have even developed formats of superspecialization that allow knowledge on arrhythmology, interventional cardiology or cardiac imaging to be broadened. In addition, highly important international congresses on general and superspecialized cardiology serve as a window to display the main multicenter studies. The objective of all of the above is to allow the varied and enormous quantity of new or updated information on the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease to be presented to the scientific community. The ambitious aim of the present review is to discuss what we consider to be the main advances in the therapeutic management of three distinct branches of cardiology: hypertensive heart disease, myocardial ischemia and atrial fibrillation.

Novedades en el último año en el planteamiento terapéutico de la cardiopatía hipertensiva, de la cardiopatía isquémica y de la fibrilación auricular / Advances mad in the past year (2009) in the therapeutic approach to hypertensive heart disease, myocardial ischemia, and atrial fibrillation

La velocidad con que avanzan los conocimientos en el área de las enfermedades cardiovasculares es vertiginosa. La cardiología siempre se ha caracterizado por ser una de las especialidades de la medicina con mayor dinamismo científico. De hecho, no existe ninguna otra especialidad médica de la que, cada año, se presenten un número tan importante de estudios aleatorizados que intenten determinar la eficacia de diferentes actuaciones terapéuticas. Asimismo, está integrada por diversas subespecialidades que engloban el manejo clínico de cardiopatías frecuentes en la práctica diaria a las complejas técnicas terapéuticas de intervencionismo endovascular, pasando por las distintas técnicas diagnósticas (imagen cardiovascular). Muchas de las principales revistas médicas tratan específicamente aspectos de la enfermedad cardiovascular y algunas de ellas han desarrollado incluso formatos de superespecialización que permitan ampliar conocimientos sobre arritmología, cardiología intervencionista o imagen cardíaca. Asimismo, congresos de cardiología general y superespecializada de gran relevancia internacional sirven de escaparate para la presentación de los principales estudios multicéntricos. La finalidad de todo ello es poder presentar a la comunidad científica la variada y enorme cantidad de información nueva o actualizada para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad cardiovascular. El ambicioso objetivo de nuestra revisión es presentarles las que consideramos principales novedades en el manejo terapéutico de tres campos distintos de la cardiología: la cardiopatía hipertensiva, la cardiopatía isquémica y la fibrilación auricular (AU)

Knowledge of cardiovascular disease is advancing at a vertiginous pace. Cardiology has always been one of the most scientifically dynamic specialties. Indeed, no other medical specialty presents such a large number of randomized studies aiming to determine the efficacy of distinct therapeutic interventions each year. Equally, cardiology is composed of various subspecialties ranging from the clinical management of types of heart disease that are frequently encountered in daily clinical practice, through the various diagnostic procedures (cardiovascular imaging), to the complex therapeutic techniques of interventional endovascular therapy. Many of the principal medical journals specialize in specific aspects of cardiovascular disease and some have even developed formats of superspecialization that allow knowledge on arrhythmology, interventional cardiology or cardiac imaging to be broadened. In addition, highly important internat ional congresses on general and superspecialized cardiology serve as a window to display the main multicenter studies. The objective of all of the above is to allow the varied and enormous quantity of new or updated informat ion on the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease to be presented to the scientific community. The ambit ious aim of the present review is to discuss what we consider to be the main advances in the therapeutic management of three distinct branches of cardiology: hypertensive heart disease, myocardial ischemia and atrial fibrillation (AU)