Eplerenone in systemic right ventricle: double blind randomized clinical trial. The evedes study.

BACKGROUND: There is no proven pharmacological strategy for the treatment of the failing systemic right ventricle (SRV) but myocardial fibrosis may play a role in its pathophysiology. METHODS: We designed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effects of eplerenone 50mg during 12 months on cardiac magnetic resonance parameters (SRV mass and ejection fraction) and neurohormonal and collagen turnover biomarker (CTB) levels. RESULTS: Twenty six patients with atrial switch repair for transposition of the great arteries were randomized to eplerenone (n=14) or placebo (n=12) and 14 healthy volunteers served as controls for comparison of baseline neurohormones and CTB levels. The study population showed a good baseline profile in terms of SRV mass (57.4 ± 17 g/m(2)) and ejection fraction (54.9 ± 7.5%). However, levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), C terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (CICP) and C-terminal Telopeptide of type I Collagen (ICTP) were significantly elevated when compared to healthy controls. After one year of treatment, a trend toward reduction of CICP, N-terminal pro-Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (NT-proMMP1), Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) and galectin 3 levels and a lower increase in ICTP in patients under eplerenone was observed. The reduction of SRV mass and the improvement of SRV function with eplerenone were not conclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SRV treated with eplerenone showed an improvement of an altered baseline CTB profile suggesting that reduction of myocardial fibrosis might be a therapeutic target in these patients.

Prueba de esfuerzo con función cardiopulmonar en niños operados de cardiopatía congénita. Recomendaciones de ejercicio físico en el ámbito escolar / Cardiopulmonary stress testing in children who have had congenital heart disease surgery. Physical exercise recommendations during school hours

Introducción y objetivos. El objetivo es analizar la utilidad de la prueba de esfuerzo con determinación de gases espirados en niños operados de cardiopatía congénita en edad escolar, para valorar la recomendación de ejercicio físico en relación con la cardiopatía de base, el tipo de cirugía realizada, la situación hemodinámica actual y el nivel de ejercicio habitual. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo de 108 niños que realizaron una prueba de esfuerzo con análisis de gases, monitorizando electrocardiograma y presión arterial. Se recogieron por cuestionario variables sobre cardiopatía de base, cirugía practicada, estado funcional actual y nivel de ejercicio habitual. Se emitió una recomendación de ejercicio después de la ergometría, y al año se controló por cuestionario a 35 de los pacientes. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre la gravedad actual de la lesión y la frecuencia cardiaca de reposo y esfuerzo, la presión arterial sistólica en reposo y en esfuerzo, el consumo de oxígeno, el pulso de oxígeno, la producción de dióxido de carbono y la duración de la prueba. Se detectó relación entre el nivel de ejercicio semanal y mayores consumo de oxígeno y duración de la ergometría, pero no con la cardiopatía subyacente. En los 59 niños con lesiones cianóticas, se observó que la mejor capacidad funcional se correspondía con reparación de la lesión más precoz y mejor. Se pudo recomendar un incremento del nivel de ejercicio a 48 niños. Conclusiones. La prueba ergoespirométrica permite explorar la capacidad funcional de los niños operados de cardiopatía congénita y aporta datos importantes para una mejor planificación del ejercicio físico aconsejable (AU)

Introduction and objectives. To analyze and discover if stress testing with exhaled gases in children who have had congenital heart surgery is useful so we could make physical exercise recommendations according to heart disease, type of surgery performed, present hemodynamic state and level of exercise practiced. Methods. Prospective study of 108 children, who performed stress testing with exhaled gases, electrocardiogram monitoring and blood pressure. A questionnaire was used to obtain variables concerning heart disease, surgery, present functional condition and level of exercise practiced. Exercise recommendations were given after stress testing, and after a year 35 patients answered a questionnaire. Results. There were significant differences between lesion severity and heart rate at rest and during effort, systolic pressure at rest and during effort, oxygen uptake, oxygen pulse, carbon dioxide production and test duration. A relationship was observed between level of weekly exercise and greater oxygen uptake and test duration, but this was not observed with the underlying heart disease. We observed that best performance occurred with fast repairing for 59 children with cyanotic heart disease. Increased exercise level was recommended for 48 children. Conclusions. The cardiopulmonary function study allows us to examine the physical performance of children who have had congenital heart surgery and provides us with important data so that we can recommend better physical exercise planning (AU)

[Cardiopulmonary stress testing in children who have had congenital heart disease surgery. Physical exercise recommendations during school hours]. / Prueba de esfuerzo con función cardiopulmonar en niños operados de cardiopatía congénita. Recomendaciones de ejercicio físico en el ámbito escolar.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze and discover if stress testing with exhaled gases in children who have had congenital heart surgery is useful so we could make physical exercise recommendations according to heart disease, type of surgery performed, present hemodynamic state and level of exercise practiced. METHODS: Prospective study of 108 children, who performed stress testing with exhaled gases, electrocardiogram monitoring and blood pressure. A questionnaire was used to obtain variables concerning heart disease, surgery, present functional condition and level of exercise practiced. Exercise recommendations were given after stress testing, and after a year 35 patients answered a questionnaire. RESULTS: There were significant differences between lesion severity and heart rate at rest and during effort, systolic pressure at rest and during effort, oxygen uptake, oxygen pulse, carbon dioxide production and test duration. A relationship was observed between level of weekly exercise and greater oxygen uptake and test duration, but this was not observed with the underlying heart disease. We observed that best performance occurred with fast repairing for 59 children with cyanotic heart disease. Increased exercise level was recommended for 48 children. CONCLUSIONS: The cardiopulmonary function study allows us to examine the physical performance of children who have had congenital heart surgery and provides us with important data so that we can recommend better physical exercise planning.

Relevancia de la muerte súbita cardíaca / Relevancy of sudden death of cardiac origin

Sudden death (SD) is of cardiac origin in approximately 80-90% of the cases and represents one of the most important challenges of the modern cardiology. Evaluation and understanding of its epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics can lead to better results in its management. In Spain was carried a multicenter study MUSA with two arms: 1/ EULALIA: histopathological aspects of SD and 2/ MUSIC: SD in heart failure with focus on identification of population groups at risk, pathophysiological mechanisms of development and clinical prognostic markers. The preliminary conclusions of both studies are the following: 1/ EULALIA trial: From the total 121 sudden deaths, 109 (90%) were of cardiac origin and of these 45% presented characteristics of myocardial hypertrophy. The histopathological findings reveled that in only 48% of cases acute ischemic heart disease was present. In the other cases of ischemic heart disease the sudden death was probably by arrhythmic origin related with the presence of old myocardial infarction. This is the most striking difference compared with Anglo-Saxon studies. In the 29 cases of ACS, 18 had eroded and combination of eroded and ruptured plaques. In the cases of non-ACS plaques were stable in 20, and combination of stable and vulnerable plaques in 7 cases. Statistically significant results as independent predictors of sudden death gave the following markers: history of MI, cephalization of vessels in thorax X-ray, left atrium size > 45 mm, high levels of NT-proBNP and PIP, LBBB on ECG recording and body mass index.

[Relevancy of sudden death of cardiac origin]. / Relevancia de la muerte súbita cardíaca.

Sudden death (SD) is of cardiac origin in approximately 80-90% of the cases and represents one of the most important challenges of the modern cardiology. Evaluation and understanding of its epidemiological, clinical and histopathological characteristics can lead to better results in its management. In Spain was carried a multicenter study MUSA with two arms: 1/ EULALIA: histopathological aspects of SD and 2/ MUSIC: SD in heart failure with focus on identification of population groups at risk, pathophysiological mechanisms of development and clinical prognostic markers. The preliminary conclusions of both studies are the following: 1/ EULALIA trial: From the total 121 sudden deaths, 109 (90%) were of cardiac origin and of these 45% presented characteristics of myocardial hypertrophy. The histopathological findings reveled that in only 48% of cases acute ischemic heart disease was present. In the other cases of ischemic heart disease the sudden death was probably by arrhythmic origin related with the presence of old myocardial infarction. This is the most striking difference compared with Anglo-Saxon studies. In the 29 cases of ACS, 18 had eroded and combination of eroded and ruptured plaques. In the cases of non-ACS plaques were stable in 20, and combination of stable and vulnerable plaques in 7 cases. Statistically significant results as independent predictors of sudden death gave the following markers: history of MI, cephalization of vessels in thorax X-ray, left atrium size > 45 mm, high levels of NT-proBNP and PIP, LBBB on ECG recording and body mass index.