Relevance of subclinical right ventricular dysfunction measured by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NICM) is associated with cardiovascular events. To analyze the feasibility of assessing RV myocardial deformation by feature tracking (FT)-cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and its usefulness as a prognostic marker. METHODS: Retrospective study of NICM patients undergoing CMR. Longitudinal FT-RV free wall (LFT-RVFW) and fractional area change (FAC) were obtained. Correlation with standard RV parameters was studied. An association with combined event (heart failure (HF), ICD implantation or cardiovascular death) was assessed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: 98 patients (64 ± 13 years) were included. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function (LVEF 29.5 ± 9.6%, 47% with LVEF ≥ 30%) and RV (RVEF 52.2 ± 14.6%, 72% with RVEF ≥ 45%). Follow-up of 38 ± 17 months, 26.5% presented at least one admission for HF. An excellent correlation of LFT-RVFW (r = 0.82) and FAC (r = 0.83) with RVEF was evident. No association of RV-FT parameters with prognosis entire study population was found. However, in patients with LVEF ≥ 30%, admissions for HF were associated with lower LFT-RVFW (-21.6 ± 6.6% vs -31.3 ± 10%; p = 0.006) and FAC (36.6 ± 9.6% vs 50.5 ± 13.4%; p < 0.001) values. Similar differences were observed when only patients with RVEF ≥ 45% were considered. An LFT-RVFW cut-off point of -19.5% and FAC of 36.5% showed good prognostic performance. Decreased LFT-RVFW or FAC represented an independent predictor of combined event in patients with LVEF ≥ 30%. CONCLUSIONS: In NICM patients without severe LV dysfunction, decreased values of LFT-RVFW and/or FAC were associated with HF admissions, independently of RVEF.

[2022 Practice guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension of the Spanish Society of Hypertension]. / Guía práctica sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial en España, 2022. Sociedad Española de Hipertensión - Liga Española para la Lucha contra la Hipertensión Arterial (SEH-LELHA).

Hypertension is the most important risk factor for global disease burden. Detection and management of hypertension are considered as key issues for individual and public health, as adequate control of blood pressure levels markedly reduces morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension. Aims of these practice guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension of the Spanish Society of Hypertension include offering simplified schemes for diagnosis and treatment for daily practice, and strategies for public health promotion. The Spanish Society of Hypertension assumes the 2018 European guidelines for management of arterial hypertension developed by the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Hypertension, although relevant aspects of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines and the 2020 International Society of Hypertension guidelines are also commented. Hypertension is defined as a persistent elevation in office systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, and assessment of out-of-office blood pressure and global cardiovascular risk are considered of key importance for evaluation and management of hypertensive patients. The target for treated blood pressure should be < 130/80 for most patients. The treatment of hypertension involves lifestyle interventions and drug therapy. Most people with hypertension need more than one antihypertensive drug for adequate control, so initial therapy with two drugs, and single pill combinations are recommended for a wide majority of hypertensive patients.

[The approach to hypercholesterolemia in health strategies and plans in Spain: present situation and future proposals].

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major cause of death worldwide and Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is an important cardiovascular risk factor. In Spain, approximately 25% of middle-aged adults suffer from HC. Our objective was to analyse current health strategies and plans in Spain related to CVD and HC in order to define possible future courses of action to bring about better control from a health management and policy perspective. METHODS: The study was observational and descriptive. In the first step, a literature review was carried out, followed by six semi structured interviews. In the second step, a group of 12 experts in the field identified existing barriers to HC control and suggested ways to reduce premature mortality due to CVD. RESULTS: A total of 51 documents were identified, of which 43% referred to HC. There was a high variability at the regional level in the implementation of measures and initiatives for the control of HC. Barriers that were identified were : trivialization of HC, lack of active participation by key stakeholders, lack of understanding of the impact of HC, existing care models and pathways, and short-term health policies that limit the provision of resources for HC care and control. CONCLUSION: Despite the considerable medical and socioeconomic burden of CVD and HC in Spain, the importance of HC is not reflected in health policies. There is a lack of HC control measures, even when they are shown to be highly feasible and beneficial. This article proposes specific measures to improve control of this issue.

Insuficiencia cardíaca y diabetes, oportunidades de mejora en el tratamiento a través de la caracterización de pacientes / Heart failure and diabetes, opportunities for improving treatment through patient characterisation

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Tratamiento diurético del paciente con diabetes e insuficiencia cardiaca. El papel de los inhibidores de la SGLT2 y semejanzas con los inhibidores de la anhidrasa carbónica / Diuretic treatment of the patient with diabetes and heart failure. Role of SGLT2 inhibitors and similarities with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Los inhibidores del cotransportador sodio-glucosa tipo 2 han cambiado el concepto que se tenía de los efectos que ejercen los fármacos hipoglucemiantes sobre la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). Es la primera vez que un grupo terapéutico modifica la evolución de la IC. Sus efectos trascienden al control glucémico, postulándose diferentes teorías para justificar estos beneficios. En este artículo analizamos la influencia que tienen sobre la IC los distintos grupos farmacológicos utilizados en el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2, y planteamos el posible mecanismo de acción asociado con los beneficios aportados por estos fármacos. Somos de la opinión de que este beneficio sobre la IC es secundario a su efecto diurético, en concreto a una actividad muy parecida a la de los inhibidores del dióxido de carbono. Pensamos que se trata de una teoría novedosa que explica el mecanismo de acción. No hemos encontrado en la literatura ningún artículo que desarrolle de manera tan precisa dicho mecanismo

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have changed the concept of the effects that hypoglycemic drugs have on hearth failure (HF). For the first time, a therapeutic group has modified the evolution of HF. Its effect goes beyond glycemic control, and different theories have been postulated to justify this benefit. In the article we sent, we analyze the influence of the different pharmacological groups used in type 2 diabetes mellitus on HF, and we present the theory of the mechanism of action associated with the benefit of these drugs. In our opinion, this benefit in HF is secondary to its diuretic effect, specifically an effect very similar to carbon dioxide inhibitors. We think that our theory is novel, explains the mechanism of action and we have not found in the literature any article that explains the mechanism of action in such a precise way

Diuretic treatment of the patient with diabetes and heart failure. Role of SGLT2 inhibitors and similarities with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. / Tratamiento diurético del paciente con diabetes e insuficiencia cardiaca. El papel de los inhibidores de la SGLT2 y semejanzas con los inhibidores de la anhidrasa carbónica.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have changed the concept of the effects that hypoglycemic drugs have on hearth failure (HF). For the first time, a therapeutic group has modified the evolution of HF. Its effect goes beyond glycemic control, and different theories have been postulated to justify this benefit. In the article we sent, we analyze the influence of the different pharmacological groups used in type 2 diabetes mellitus on HF, and we present the theory of the mechanism of action associated with the benefit of these drugs. In our opinion, this benefit in HF is secondary to its diuretic effect, specifically an effect very similar to carbon dioxide inhibitors. We think that our theory is novel, explains the mechanism of action and we have not found in the literature any article that explains the mechanism of action in such a precise way.

Niveles óptimos de colesterol en los pacientes con dislipemia. Revisión sistemática de la evidencia / Optimal cholesterol levels in patients in real-life. A systematic review

La dislipidemia constituye uno de los principales factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de la aterosclerosis. Diversos estudios han demostrado que el colesterol LDL, cuanto más bajo, mejor. Las evidencias actuales muestran que los objetivos de colesterol LDL recomendados por las guías de práctica clínica son beneficiosos y seguros, si bien existen datos consistentes que muestran que reducciones mayores podrían aportar beneficios cardiovasculares adicionales, sin un aumento en el riesgo de los efectos adversos. Desafortunadamente, el control de la dislipidemia es muy pobre en la actualidad. Si bien las estatinas son el tratamiento de elección en la mayoría de los pacientes con dislipidemia, el arsenal terapéutico hipolipidemiante actual dispone de diferentes alternativas que reducen eficazmente el colesterol LDL y que, solas o en combinación, permitirían lograr los objetivos de control de colesterol LDL en la gran mayoría de los pacientes (AU)

Dyslipidaemia is one of the main risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Different studies have demonstrated that the lower the LDL cholesterol, the better. Current evidence shows that the LDL cholesterol targets recommended by the clinical practice guidelines are beneficial and safe. However, consistent data show that higher reductions might provide additional cardiovascular beneficial effects, without an increase in side effects. Unfortunately, the current control of dyslipidaemia is very poor. Although statins are the treatment of choice in the majority of patients with dyslipidaemia, the current therapeutic armamentarium has different alternatives that effectively reduce LDL cholesterol levels, and that alone, or in combination, help to achieve LDL cholesterol targets in the majority of patients (AU)

[Optimal cholesterol levels in patients in real-life. A systematic review]. / Niveles óptimos de colesterol en los pacientes con dislipemia. Revisión sistemática de la evidencia.

Dyslipidaemia is one of the main risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Different studies have demonstrated that the lower the LDL cholesterol, the better. Current evidence shows that the LDL cholesterol targets recommended by the clinical practice guidelines are beneficial and safe. However, consistent data show that higher reductions might provide additional cardiovascular beneficial effects, without an increase in side effects. Unfortunately, the current control of dyslipidaemia is very poor. Although statins are the treatment of choice in the majority of patients with dyslipidaemia, the current therapeutic armamentarium has different alternatives that effectively reduce LDL cholesterol levels, and that alone, or in combination, help to achieve LDL cholesterol targets in the majority of patients.

Prevalencia de colesterol LDL inadecuado en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria y/o diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Prevalence of inapropriate LDL cholesterol levels in patients with coronary disease and/or type 2 diabetes

Antecedentes y objetivo. Las guías de práctica clínica aconsejan conseguir concentraciones de colesterol LDL (cLDL) menor de 100mg/dl (y en ciertos casos menor de 70mg/dl) en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria y/o diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Hemos examinado el cumplimiento de estos objetivos en enfermos atendidos en España con estas afecciones. Métodos. Estudio epidemiológico transversal. Los datos se obtuvieron en la visita del estudio o, en su defecto, a partir de datos que constaban en la historia clínica. Participaron 874 médicos de 17 comunidades autónomas de España. Se recogieron datos demográficos, factores de riesgo cardiovascular y tratamientos prescritos. Resultados. En el análisis final se incluyeron 6.988 pacientes (varones, 62,7%) de los cuales 2.586 (37%) tenían enfermedad coronaria, 2.654 (38%) DM2 y 1.748 (25%) ambas afecciones. El 65% tenían síndrome metabólico y la mediana de factores de riesgo vascular fue de 4. Un 57 y un 86% mostraron una concentración de cLDL>100 y>70 mg/dl, respectivamente. La proporción de pacientes con cLDL>100mg/dl fue un 4% superior en el grupo DM2 (62,4%) que entre los enfermos coronarios (57,1%; p<0,0001). La concentración de triglicéridos >150mg/dl fue superior entre los enfermos con DM2 (50,5%), que entre los enfermos coronarios (43,5%; p<0,0001). La proporción de pacientes con cLDL>70mg/dl fue similar en el grupo coronario y en el grupo DM2 (88,4 y 87,0%, respectivamente). Algo más de la mitad de los enfermos con afección coronaria (57,5%) o DM2 (55,7%) mostraron unos niveles de HDL inadecuados (varones, <40mg/dl; mujeres, <50mg/dl). Conclusiones. Más de la mitad de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus y/o arteriopatía coronaria incluidos en el estudio CODIMET no alcanzan el objetivo de colesterol LDL recomendado para pacientes de alto riesgo cardiovascular(AU)

Background and objective. Clinical practice guidelines recommend achieving concentrations of LDL cholesterol less than 100mg/dl (and in some cases less than 70mg/dl) in patients with coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). We have examined the compliance with these objectives in patients treated in Spain with these conditions. Methods. Cross-sectional epidemiological study. Data were obtained during the visit of the study or, in their absence, based on data contained in the medical record by 874 doctors of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain. Demographic information, risk factors, cardiovascular and prescribed treatments were collected. Results. In the final analysis 6.988 (62.7% male) patients were included. 2586 (37%) had coronary disease, 2654 (38%) DM2 and 1748 (25%) both conditions. 65% had metabolic syndrome. Vascular risk factors median number was 4. 57% and 86% showed a concentration of LDL cholesterol >100 and >70mg/dl respectively. The proportion patients with LDL concentration >100mg/dl was 4% greater in the DM2 (62.4%) than in coronary patients (57.1%; p0.0001). Concentration of triglycerides >150mg/dl was higher in patients with DM2 (50.5%) than in coronary patients (43.5%; p0.0001). The proportion of patients with LDL>70mg/dl was similar in the coronary group and in the DM2 Group (88.4% and 87.0%, respectively). More than half of patients with coronary heart disease (57.5%) or DM2 (55.7%) showed inadequate levels of HDL (<40mg/dl men; <50mg/dl women). Conclusions. More than a half of patients with diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease enrolled in the CODIMET study do not achieve the recommended LDL cholesterol target for high cardiovascular risk patients(AU)

[Prevalence of inapropriate LDL cholesterol levels in patients with coronary disease and/or type 2 diabetes]. / Prevalencia de colesterol LDL inadecuado en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria y/o diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical practice guidelines recommend achieving concentrations of LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dl (and in some cases less than 70 mg/dl) in patients with coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). We have examined the compliance with these objectives in patients treated in Spain with these conditions. METHODS: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. Data were obtained during the visit of the study or, in their absence, based on data contained in the medical record by 874 doctors of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain. Demographic information, risk factors, cardiovascular and prescribed treatments were collected. RESULTS: In the final analysis 6.988 (62.7% male) patients were included. 2586 (37%) had coronary disease, 2654 (38%) DM2 and 1748 (25%) both conditions. 65% had metabolic syndrome. Vascular risk factors median number was 4. 57% and 86% showed a concentration of LDL cholesterol >100 and >70 mg/dl respectively. The proportion patients with LDL concentration >100 mg/dl was 4% greater in the DM2 (62.4%) than in coronary patients (57.1%; p0.0001). Concentration of triglycerides >150 mg/dl was higher in patients with DM2 (50.5%) than in coronary patients (43.5%; p0.0001). The proportion of patients with LDL>70 mg/dl was similar in the coronary group and in the DM2 Group (88.4% and 87.0%, respectively). More than half of patients with coronary heart disease (57.5%) or DM2 (55.7%) showed inadequate levels of HDL (<40 mg/dl men; <50 mg/dl women). CONCLUSIONS: More than a half of patients with diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease enrolled in the CODIMET study do not achieve the recommended LDL cholesterol target for high cardiovascular risk patients.

Recommendations for transoesophageal echocardiography: update 2010.

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a standard and indispensable technique in clinical practice. The present recommendations represent an update and extension of the recommendations published in 2001 by the Working Group on Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology. New developments covered include technical advances such as 3D transoesophageal echo as well as developing applications such as transoesophageal echo in aortic valve repair and in valvular interventions, as well as a full section on perioperative TOE.

Amlodipine reduces predicted risk of coronary heart disease in high-risk patients with hypertension in Spain (The CORONARIA Study).

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of amlodipine besylate alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents in high-risk hypertensive patients in Spanish primary care. In this 1-year, open-label, prospective cohort study, 7468 patients were treated with amlodipine 5 - 10 mg as a monotherapy or as an add-on therapy to attain blood pressure control (target of < 140/90 mmHg or, in patients with conditions such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease, < 130/85 mmHg). At 12 months, the primary outcome (change from baseline in predicted 10-year coronary heart disease risk) was -8.6%, down from 24.7% at baseline (relative risk reduction, 31.6%). Change in blood pressure from baseline (162.5/95.3 mmHg) was -26.7/-14.6 mmHg, and 38.6% of patients achieved their blood pressure target. In summary, significant reductions in predicted coronary heart disease risk and blood pressure were observed with amlodipine both as a monotherapy and as an add-on therapy. Amlodipine was well tolerated and compliance with treatment was good.

Prevalencia de la enfermedad de Anderson-Fabry en varones con hipertrofia ventricular izquierda / Prevalence of Anderson-Fabry diseases in men with ventricular hypertrophy. AEBM reference 2003 award

La enfermedad de Anderson-Fabry es causa de hipertrofia ventricular izquierda en adultos. En este estudio se pretende analizar la incidencia de la enfermedad deAnderson-Fabry en varones con hipertrofia ventricular izquierda. Se trata de un estudio monocéntrico y prospectivo de 200 pacientes varones con hipertrofia ventricular izquierda. Se realiza la determinación de la actividad de alfa galactosidasa plasmática, confirmándose con la actividad enzimática en leucocitos. Se realizó el diagnóstico de enfermedad de Anderson-Fabry mediante análisis de actividad enzimática plasmática en tres pacientes, en dos de ellos se confirmó el diagnóstico mediante análisis de la actividad enzimática en leucocitos, descartándose dicho diagnóstico en el tercer paciente mediante esta técnica. La hipertrofia ventricular izquierda puede ser una manifestación de la enfermedad de Anderson-Fabry. Se debe tener en cuenta su diagnóstico en todos los pacientes varones con hipertrofia ventricular izquierda, especialmente si es moderada o severa, independientemente de la existencia de posibles causas de ésta (AU)

Myocardial contrast echocardiography in coronary artery disease.

Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) allows the assessment of myocardial perfusion by imaging the coronary microcirculation. The development of new contrast agents and new diagnostic tools far assessing myocardial perfusion by means of MCE has led to a new field of applications far patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. Several studies have shown that MCE is a feasible and accurate method to evaluate patients with: a) acute coronary syndromes: MCE is useful before the epicardial reperfusion to delineate the area at risk and to assess the collateral-derived myocardial blood flow, and after the epicardial reperfusion to detect the non-reflow phenomenon; b) chronic coronary syndromes: MCE allows the detection of significant coronary stenosis by means of stress methods and methods without any stress; c) myocardial viability and hibernating myocardium: MCE helps to predict functional recovery of akinetic segments. In these settings, MCE is not only useful as a diagnostic tool but also provides prognostic information. MCE is a technique in constant development. Among the latest advances we note the development of transesophageal probes with second-harmonic image that allows assessment of myocardial perfusion in a more accurate way. This technique should introduce MCE into new clinical fields, especially the evaluation of myocardial perfusion during cardiac operations. Another recent development is in parametric imaging techniques. These consist in obtaining time curves for all the pixels in the image instead of working only with a few separate regions of interest. A parameter scan is computed far any pixel showing their value as a color overlay in the parametric image. Summarizing, we can say that MCE is crossing from the experimental laboratory to the daily clinical practice far the evaluation of ischemic heart disease. MCE provides an interesting tool that offers the potential of a complete evaluation of patients with chronic coronary artery disease. This includes both diagnostic and prognostic evaluation.

Isovolumic contraction time by pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging in aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Doppler Tissue Imaging (DTI) has been evaluated in ischaemic heart disease and some cardiomyopathies. In patients with aortic stenosis (AS), left ventricular contraction is slowered. This study aimed to evaluate the possible role of the measurement of isovolumic contraction time (ICT) by DTI in the evaluation of AS severity. METHODS: The study population constitutes 30 patients: 15 with AS (nine severe and six non-severe) and 15 control subjects. All of them had normal systolic function, sinus rhythm, and absence of ischaemic heart disease of conduction abnormalities. ICT was defined as the time from the onset of the QRS complex to the beginning of the DTI systolic wave. The correlation between ICT and aortic area obtained by continuity equation, as well as the diagnostic value of ICT in the identification of severe AS were studied. RESULTS: ICT was significantly increased in patients with severe AS (98+/-27 versus 65+/-21 ms, p=0.024). There was a significant correlation between ICT and aortic area (r=-0.56; p=0.035). The receiver operator characteristic curve of ICT in the identification of severe AS yielded an area under the curve of 0.852 (95% confidence interval: 0.665-1.0). The two best cut-points were >73 ms (88% sensitivity, 77% specificity) and >85 ms (78% sensitivity, 83% specificity). A value of >41 ms had a 100% sensitivity, but only a 17% specificity, and >91 ms showed a 100% specificity, but only a 44% sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: ICT measured by pulsed-wave DTI is increased in patients with aortic stenosis.