Impact of Treatment with Antioxidants as an Adjuvant to Standard Therapy in Patients with Septic Shock: Analysis of the Correlation between Cytokine Storm and Oxidative Stress and Therapeutic Effects.

Cellular homeostasis is lost or becomes dysfunctional during septic shock due to the activation of the inflammatory response and the deregulation of oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy administered alongside standard treatment could restore this lost homeostasis. We included 131 patients with septic shock who were treated with standard treatment and vitamin C (Vit C), vitamin E (Vit E), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or melatonin (MT), in a randomized trial. Organ damage quantified by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and we determined levels of Interleukins (IL) IL1ß, Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Transforming growth factor B (TGFß), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and Interferon-γ (IFNγ). The SOFA score decreased in patients treated with Vit C, NAC, and MT. Patients treated with MT had statistically significantly reduced of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and IL-10 levels. Lipid peroxidation, Nitrates and nitrites (NO3- and NO2-), glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase decreased after treatment with Vit C, Vit E, NAC, and MT. The levels of thiols recovered with the use of Vit E, and all patients treated with antioxidants maintained their selenium levels, in contrast with controls (p = 0.04). The findings regarding oxidative stress markers and cytokines after treatment with antioxidants allow us to consider to future the combined use of antioxidants in a randomized clinical trial with a larger sample to demonstrate the reproducibility of these beneficial effects.

Safety and efficacy of a cardiovascular polypill in people at high and very high risk without a previous cardiovascular event: the international VULCANO randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular (CV) polypills are a useful baseline treatment to prevent CV diseases by combining different drug classes in a single pill to simultaneously target more than one risk factor. The aim of the present trial was to determine whether the treatment with the CNIC-polypill was at least non-inferior to usual care in terms of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and systolic BP (SBP) values in subjects at high or very high risk without a previous CV event. METHODS: The VULCANO was an international, multicentre open-label trial involving 492 participants recruited from hospital clinics or primary care centres. Patients were randomised to the CNIC-polypill -containing aspirin, atorvastatin, and ramipril- or usual care. The primary outcome was the comparison of the mean change in LDL-c and SBP values after 16 weeks of treatment between treatment groups. RESULTS: The upper confidence limit of the mean change in LDL-c between treatments was below the prespecified margin (10 mg/dL) and above zero, and non-inferiority and superiority of the CNIC-polypill (p = 0.0001) was reached. There were no significant differences in SBP between groups. However, the upper confidence limit crossed the prespecified non-inferiority margin of 3 mm Hg. Significant differences favoured the CNIC-polypill in reducing total cholesterol (p = 0.0004) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p = 0.0017). There were no reports of major bleeding episodes. The frequency of non-serious gastrointestinal disorders was more frequent in the CNIC-polypill arm. CONCLUSION: The switch from conventional treatment to the CNIC-polypill approach was safe and appears a reasonable strategy to control risk factors and prevent CVD. Trial registration This trial was registered in the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT) the 20th February 2017 (register number 2016-004015-13; https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2016-004015-13 ).

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Mexico.

May Measurement Month 2019 (MMM19) in Mexico was an opportunistic survey, aimed to improve blood pressure (BP) awareness at the individual and population levels. This survey followed the methodology of MMM19, previously published. The total number of participants screened was 39 700, 56.7% female, 36.6% were of mixed ethnicity, mean age [standard deviation (SD)] was 46.9 (17.4) years, and mean body mass index was 27.2 (SD: 4.4) kg/m2. Seven per cent of the participants reported having diabetes, 2.4% reported having a myocardial infarction in the past, 1.1% stroke, 2.0% were pregnant at the time of the survey, 3.7% of women had suffered from hypertension in a previous pregnancy, 11.4% declared that they were smokers, and 47.0% drank alcohol at least once a week. After multiple imputations, of all 39 700 participants, 10 140 (25.5%) had hypertension; of all participants with hypertension, 43.8% were aware of their diagnosis, 41.7% were on antihypertensive medication, and 27.8% had controlled BP (systolic BP <140 mmHg and diastolic BP <90 mmHg). Of those on antihypertensive medication, 27.8% had controlled BP. In Mexico, MMM is the largest hypertension survey ever done, it provides complementary data to the existing information on arterial hypertension in the country and helps to increase the visibility of hypertension: a priority health problem.

Considerations and Guidance for the Structure, Organisation, and Operation of Cardiometabolic Prevention Units: A Consensus Statement of the Inter-American Society of Cardiology.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income regions such as Latin America. This is because of the combination and interaction in different proportions of a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and socio-economic and cultural characteristics. This reality brings about the need to change paradigms to consistently and systematically boost cardiovascular prevention as the most cost-effective medium- to long-term strategy to reduce their prevalence in medium- and low-resource countries, not only in Latin America but also in other global regions. To achieve the therapeutic goals in various diseases, including CVD, the current literature demonstrates that the most effective way is to carry out the patient's diagnosis and treatment in multidisciplinary units. For this reason, the Inter American Society of Cardiology (IASC) proposes the creation of cardiometabolic prevention units (CMPUs) as a regional initiative exportable throughout the world to standardise cardiovascular prevention based on the best available evidence. This ensures homogeneity in the global management of cardiometabolic risk factors and access to quality medicine independently of the population's social situation. These guidelines, written by a panel of experts in cardiovascular prevention, defines what a CMPU is, its objectives and the minimum requirements for it, as well as proposing three categories and suggesting an operational scheme. It must be used as a guide for all individuals or centres that, aware of the need for multidisciplinary and standardised work, want to create a unit for the comprehensive management of cardiometabolic risk established as an international research network. Lastly, the document makes meaningful points on the determination of cardiovascular risk and its importance. These guidelines do not cover specific targets and therapeutic schemes, as these topics will be extensively discussed in another SIAC publication, namely a statement on residual cardiometabolic risk.

Clinical Effectiveness of the Cardiovascular Polypill in a Real-Life Setting in Patients with Cardiovascular Risk: The SORS Study.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular disease pandemic has promoted the cardiovascular polypill as one of the most scalable public health strategies to improve cardiovascular risk by increasing accessibility and adherence to treatments. Data from randomized clinical trials has shown that the polypill strategy significantly improves adherence as well as risk factor control (cholesterol and blood pressure), however, to date, no information from phase IV registries has been available. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, observational and prospective registry of a polypill-based treatment strategy. A total of 1193 patients in Mexico were included. Patient demographics, clinical history, blood pressure, analysis of blood lipids and the Framingham risk score were measured at baseline and after 12 months of treatment with the CNIC-Ferrer polypill. RESULTS: At one year with the polypill, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels changed from mean 146.9 mmHg to 128 mmHg (p <0.001), and from 89.1 mmHg to 80.4 mmHg (p <0.001) respectively. LDLc levels were significantly reduced 132.5-107.6 mg/dL (p <0.001). The 10 year Framingham cardiovascular disease risk was also reduced in the high-risk group (33.7 + 22.0 vs. 21.2 + 14.8; p <0.001) and in the intermediate risk group (23.7 + 14.8 vs. 12.7 + 11.4; p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the results of the current study constitute the first real life data on the impact of a polypill therapy on cardiovascular risk factor control. The results show major improvements on the primary outcome, above and beyond those presented previously in the setting of randomized clinical trials.

Clinical management and hospital outcomes of acute coronary syndrome patients in Mexico: The Third National Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (RENASICA III) / Abordaje clínico y evolución hospitalaria en pacientes mexicanos con sindrome coronario agudo: El Tercer Registro Nacional de Síndromes Coronarios Agudos (RENASICA III)

Abstract Objective To describe current management and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Mexico. Methods RENASICA III was a prospective multicenter registry of consecutive patients hospitalized with an ACS. Patients had objective evidence of ischemic heart disease; those with type II infarction or secondary ischemic were excluded. Study design conformed to current quality recommendations. Results A total of 123 investigators at 29 tertiary and 44 community hospitals enrolled 8296 patients with an ACS (4038 with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction/unstable angina [NSTEMI/UA], 4258 with ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). The majority were younger (62 ± 12 years) and 76.0% were male. On admission 80.5% had ischemic chest pain lasting >20 min and clinical stability. Left ventricular dysfunction was more frequent in NSTEMI/UA than in those with STEMI (30.0% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.0001). In STEMI 37.6% received thrombolysis and 15.0% primary PCI. PCI was performed in 39.6% of NSTEMI/UA (early strategy in 10.8%, urgent strategy in 3.0%). Overall hospital death rate was 6.4% (8.7% in STEMI vs. 3.9% in NSTEMI/UA, p < 0.001). The strongest independent predictors of hospital mortality were cardiogenic shock (odds ratio 22.4, 95% confidence interval 18.3-27.3) and ventricular fibrillation (odds ratio 12.5, 95% confidence interval 9.3-16.7). Conclusion The results from RENASICA III establish the urgent need to develop large-scale regional programs to improve adherence to guideline recommendations in ACS, including rates of pharmacological thrombolysis and increasing the ratio of PCI to thrombolysis.

Resumen Objetivo Describir abordaje terapéutico actual y evolución en pacientes hospitalizados con un síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) en México. Métodos RENASICA III registro multicéntrico prospectivo de pacientes consecutivos con un SCA. Todos tuvieron demostración objetiva de enfermedad coronaria; se excluyeron infarto tipo II o isquemia secundaria. El diseño incluyó recomendaciones actuales de calidad. Resultados 123 investigadores en 29 hospitales de tercer nivel y en 44 de segundo ingresaron 8296 pacientes, 4038 con infarto del miocardio sin elevación del ST/angina inestable (IMSEST/AI) y 4258 con infarto del miocardio y elevación del ST (IMEST). La mayoría fueron jóvenes (62 ± 12 años) y el 76% del sexo masculino. Al ingreso 80.5% tuvo dolor torácico con perfil isquémico >20 minutos y estabilidad clínica. Se observó mayor disfunción ventricular en grupo con IMSEST/AI que en aquellos con IMEST (30.0% vs 10.7%, p <0.0001). En IMEST el 37.6% recibió trombolisis y el 15% angioplastía primaria. Este procedimiento se realizó en el 39.6% de los pacientes con IMSEST/AI (estrategia temprana 10.8%, estrategia urgente 3.0%). La mortalidad hospitalaria fue del 6.4% (8.7% IMEST vs. 3.9% IMSEST/AI, p <0.001). Los predictores independientes con mayor poder para mortalidad fueron choque cardiogénico (RM 22.4, 95% IC 18.3-27.3) y fibrilación ventricular (RM 12.5, 95% IC 9.3-16.7). Conclusión los resultados del RENASICA III establecen la urgente necesidad de desarrollar en SCA programas regionales a gran escala para mejorar el apego a la guías y recomendaciones, incluyendo mayor porcentaje de trombolisis e incrementar la proporción de angioplastia primaria.

Clinical management and hospital outcomes of acute coronary syndrome patients in Mexico: The Third National Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (RENASICA III).

OBJECTIVE: To describe current management and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Mexico. METHODS: RENASICA III was a prospective multicenter registry of consecutive patients hospitalized with an ACS. Patients had objective evidence of ischemic heart disease; those with type II infarction or secondary ischemic were excluded. Study design conformed to current quality recommendations. RESULTS: A total of 123 investigators at 29 tertiary and 44 community hospitals enrolled 8296 patients with an ACS (4038 with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction/unstable angina [NSTEMI/UA], 4258 with ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). The majority were younger (62±12years) and 76.0% were male. On admission 80.5% had ischemic chest pain lasting >20min and clinical stability. Left ventricular dysfunction was more frequent in NSTEMI/UA than in those with STEMI (30.0% vs. 10.7%, p<0.0001). In STEMI 37.6% received thrombolysis and 15.0% primary PCI. PCI was performed in 39.6% of NSTEMI/UA (early strategy in 10.8%, urgent strategy in 3.0%). Overall hospital death rate was 6.4% (8.7% in STEMI vs. 3.9% in NSTEMI/UA, p<0.001). The strongest independent predictors of hospital mortality were cardiogenic shock (odds ratio 22.4, 95% confidence interval 18.3-27.3) and ventricular fibrillation (odds ratio 12.5, 95% confidence interval 9.3-16.7). CONCLUSION: The results from RENASICA III establish the urgent need to develop large-scale regional programs to improve adherence to guideline recommendations in ACS, including rates of pharmacological thrombolysis and increasing the ratio of PCI to thrombolysis.

[Assessment of right ventricular function using contrast echocardiography in patients with myocardial infarction]. / Valoración de la función ventricular derecha mediante ecocardiografía de contraste en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate right ventricular size, motility, and ejection fraction (RVEF) by contrast echocardiography. METHODS: We studied consecutive patients admitted to the coronary intensive care unit with acute inferior myocardial infarction, without prior infarction and with or without right ventricle involvement, according to accepted electrocardiographic findings. Polygelin, 3.5% solution, was used for contrast echocardiography. The reference standard was equilibrium radionuclide angiography. RESULTS: We studied 44 patients using contrast echocardiography, average patient age 60.8 +/- 10.6 years, 38 men and 6 women. Abnormal right ventricular size (more than 25 mm) yielded a sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 87%, positive and negative predictive values of 92 and 68%, respectively, and a likelihood ratio of 6. Abnormal right ventricular motility had a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 94%, positive and negative predictive values of 95 and 67%, respectively, and a likelihood ratio of 11.6. Right ventricular ejection fraction < 30% with contrast echocardiography had a sensitivity of 69%, specificity of 97%, positive and negative predictive values of 90 and 88% respectively, and a likelihood ratio of 6.9. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction, contrast echocardiography with the area-length method is a valid and reproducible technique for evaluating right ventricular ejection fraction, which is easy to perform and can be done at the patient's bedside.

Valoración de la función ventricular derecha mediante ecocardiografía de contraste en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio / Assessment of right ventricular function using contrast echocardiography in patients with myocardial infarction

Objetivo. Evaluar el valor diagnóstico del tamaño, la motilidad y la fracción de eyección del ventrículo derecho (FEVD) con ecocardiografía de contraste (EC).Métodos. Incluimos a pacientes consecutivos con el primer acontecimiento de infarto agudo de miocardio inferior con o sin extensión eléctrica al ventrículo derecho. Usamos solución de poligelina al 3,5 por ciento para la EC y se comparó con la angiografía de equilibrio con radionúclidos (AER).Resultados. Estudiamos con EC a 44 pacientes, 38 varones y 6 mujeres, con una edad promedio de 60,8 ñ 10,6 años. Para el tamaño anormal del ventrículo derecho (más de 25 mm) encontramos una sensibilidad del 79 ñ 4 por ciento y especificidad del 87 ñ 3 por ciento, los valores predictivos positivo y negativo fueron del 92 ñ 3 y el 68 ñ 4 por ciento, respectivamente, y el cociente de probabilidad fue de 6. Para la motilidad alterada del ventrículo derecho la sensibilidad fue del 70 ñ 5 por ciento y la especificidad del 94 ñ 2 por ciento, los valores predictivos positivo y negativo fueron del 95 ñ 2 y el 67 ñ 5 por ciento, respectivamente, y el cociente de probabilidad fue de 11,6. Para la fracción de eyección del ventrículo derecho (FEVD) menor del 30 por ciento con EC, la sensibilidad fue del 69 ñ 3 por ciento y la especificidad del 97 ñ 2 por ciento, mientras que los valores predictivos positivo y negativo fueron del 90 ñ 2 y el 88 ñ 4 por ciento, respectivamente, con un cociente de probabilidad de 6,9.Conclusión. En los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio inferior la EC con el método de área longitud es una técnica válida y reproducible para evaluar la función ventricular derecha, es simple de realizar, segura y se puede hacer en la cabecera del paciente. (AU)