Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Intra-aortic Balloon Counterpulsation Pumps in Advanced Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The utility of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation pumps (IABPs) in low cardiac output states is unknown and no studies have explored the impact of IABP therapy on ventricular workload in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). For these reasons, we explored the acute hemodynamic effects of IABP therapy in patients with advanced HF. METHODS: We prospectively studied 10 consecutive patients with stage D HF referred for IABP placement before left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery and compared with 5 control patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) who did not receive IABP therapy. Hemodynamics were recorded using LV conductance and pulmonary artery catheters. Cardiac index (CI)-responder and CI-nonresponder status was assigned a priori as being "equal to or above" or below the median of the IABP effect on CI, respectively, within 24 hours after IABP activation. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients with advanced HF had lower LVEF, lower LV end-systolic pressure, lower LV stroke work, and higher LV end-diastolic pressures and volumes before IABP activation. IABP activation reduced LV stroke work primarily by reducing end-systolic pressure. IABP therapy increased CI by a median of 20% as well as increased diastolic pressure time index and the myocardial oxygen supply:demand ratio. Compared with CI-nonresponders, CI-responders had higher systemic vascular resistance, lower right heart filling pressures, and a trend toward lower left heart filling pressures with improved indices of right heart function. Compared with CI-nonresponders, the diastolic pressure time index was increased among CI-responders. CONCLUSIONS: IABP therapy may be effective at reducing LV stroke work, increasing CI, and favorably altering the myocardial oxygen supply:demand ratio in patients with advanced HF, especially among patients with low right heart filling pressures and high systemic vascular resistance.

Hallazgos histológicos en el síndrome de tako-tsubo / Histological Findings in Tako-tsubo Syndrome

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Counterpulsation: a concept with a remarkable past, an established present and a challenging future.

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), which is the main representative of the counterpulsation technique, has been an invaluable tool in cardiologists' and cardiac surgeons' armamentarium for approximately half a century. The IABP confers a wide variety of vaguely understood effects on cardiac physiology and mechano-energetics. Although, the recommendations for its use are multiple, most are not substantially evidence-based. Indicatively, the results of recently performed prospective studies have put IABP's utility in the setting of post-infarction cardiogenic shock into question. However, the particular issue remains open to further research. IABP support in high-risk patients undergoing PCI is associated with favorable long-term clinical outcome. In cardiac surgery, the use of IABP in cases of peri-operative low-output syndrome, refractory angina or ischemia-related mechanical complications is a usual, but poorly justified strategy. Anecdotal cases of treatment of incessant ventricular arrhythmias, reversal of right ventricular dysfunction and partial myocardial recovery have also been reported with its use. Converging data demonstrate the potential of safe long-term IABP support as a bridge to decision making or a bridge to transplantation modality in patients with heart failure. The feasibility of IABP insertion via other than the femoral artery sites enhances this potential. Despite the fact that several other counterpulsation devices have been developed and tested overtime none has managed to substitute the IABP, which continues to be most frequently used mechanical assist device.

Síndrome metabólico en España: prevalencia y riesgo coronario asociado a la definición armonizada y a la propuesta por la OMS. Estudio DARIOS / Metabolic syndrome in Spain: prevalence and coronary risk associated with harmonized definition and WHO proposal. DARIOS study

Introducción y objetivos. Actualizar la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en España y su riesgo coronario asociado, empleando la definición armonizada y la nueva propuesta de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (síndrome metabólico premórbido), que excluye diabetes mellitus y enfermedad cardiovascular. Métodos. Análisis agrupado con datos individuales de 11 estudios, incluyendo a 24.670 individuos de 10 comunidades autónomas con edad 35-74 años. El riesgo coronario se estimó con la función REGICOR. Resultados. La prevalencia de síndrome metabólico fue del 31% (mujeres, 29%; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 25-33%; varones, 32%; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 29-35%). Entre los varones con síndrome metabólico, fueron más frecuentes la elevación de glucemia (p=0,019) y triglicéridos (p<0,001); por contra, entre las mujeres predominaron obesidad abdominal (p<0,001) y colesterol unido a las lipoproteínas de alta densidad bajo (p=0,001). Las personas con síndrome metabólico mostraron riesgo coronario moderado (varones, 8%; mujeres, 5%), pero mayor (p<0,001) que la población sin síndrome metabólico (varones, 4%; mujeres, 2%). El incremento de riesgo coronario asociado al síndrome metabólico fue mayor en mujeres que en varones (2,5 frente a 2 veces, respectivamente; p<0,001). La prevalencia de síndrome metabólico premórbido fue del 24% y su riesgo coronario asociado también aumentó más en las mujeres que en los varones (2 frente a 1,5; p<0,001). Conclusiones. La prevalencia de síndrome metabólico es del 31%; el síndrome metabólico premórbido la rebaja al 24% y delimita la población para prevención primaria. El incremento de riesgo coronario es proporcionalmente mayor en las mujeres, tanto en síndrome metabólico como en síndrome metabólico premórbido (AU)

Introduction and objectives. To update the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated coronary risk in Spain, using the harmonized definition and the new World Health Organization proposal (metabolic premorbid syndrome), which excludes diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Methods. Individual data pooled analysis study of 24 670 individuals from 10 autonomous communities aged 35 to 74 years. Coronary risk was estimated using the REGICOR function. Results.Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31% (women 29% [95% confidence interval, 25%-33%], men 32% [95% confidence interval, 29%-35%]). High blood glucose (P=.019) and triglycerides (P<.001) were more frequent in men with metabolic syndrome, but abdominal obesity (P<.001) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=.001) predominated in women. Individuals with metabolic syndrome showed moderate coronary risk (8% men, 5% women), although values were higher (P<.001) than in the population without the syndrome (4% men, 2% women). Women and men with metabolic syndrome had 2.5 and 2 times higher levels of coronary risk, respectively (P<.001). Prevalence of metabolic premorbid syndrome was 24% and the increase in coronary risk was also proportionately larger in women than in men (2 vs 1.5, respectively; P<.001). Conclusions. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is 31%; metabolic premorbid syndrome lowers this prevalence to 24% and delimits the population for primary prevention. The increase in coronary risk is proportionally larger in women, in both metabolic syndrome and metabolic premorbid syndrome (AU)

The future of adult cardiac assist devices: novel systems and mechanical circulatory support strategies.

The recent, widespread success of mechanical circulatory support has prompted the development of numerous implantable devices to treat advanced heart failure. It is important to raise awareness of novel device systems, the mechanisms by which they function, and implications for patient management. This article discusses devices that are being developed or are in clinical trials. Devices are categorized as standard full support, less-invasive full support, partial support: rotary pumps, partial support: counterpulsation devices, right ventricular assist device, and total artificial heart. Implantation strategy, mechanism of action, durability, efficacy, hemocompatibility, and human factors are considered. The feasibility of novel strategies for unloading the failing heart is examined.

Enhanced external counterpulsation and future directions: step beyond medical management for patients with angina and heart failure.

Between 25,000 and 75,000 new cases of angina refractory to maximal medical therapy and standard coronary revascularization procedures are diagnosed each year. In addition, heart failure also places an enormous burden on the U.S. health care system, with an estimated economic impact ranging from $20 billion to more than $50 billion per year. The technique of counterpulsation, studied for almost one-half century now, is considered a safe, highly beneficial, low-cost, noninvasive treatment for these angina patients, and now for heart failure patients as well. Recent evidence suggests that enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy may improve symptoms and decrease long-term morbidity via more than 1 mechanism, including improvement in endothelial function, promotion of collateralization, enhancement of ventricular function, improvement in oxygen consumption (VO2), regression of atherosclerosis, and peripheral training effects similar to exercise. Numerous clinical trials in the last 2 decades have shown EECP therapy to be safe and effective for patients with refractory angina with a clinical response rate averaging 70% to 80%, which is sustained up to 5 years. It is not only safe in patients with coexisting heart failure, but also is shown to improve quality of life and exercise capacity and to improve left ventricular function long-term. Interestingly, EECP therapy has been studied for various potential uses other than heart disease, such as restless leg syndrome, sudden deafness, hepatorenal syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and so on. This review summarizes the current evidence for its use in stable angina and heart failure and its future directions.

Tratamiento médico de la insuficiencia cardiaca por disfunción diastólica / Medical treatment of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

La insuficiencia cardiaca diastólica, o con función sistólica conservada, representa entre el 30 y el 50% de todos los casos de insuficiencia cardiaca, y su pronóstico es casi tan desfavorable como el de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca con función sistólica deprimida. En la actualidad sólo se exige para su diagnóstico la presencia de criterios clínicos estrictos de insuficiencia cardiaca y una fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda conservada (> 40-50%), aunque la determinación de las concentraciones de péptidos natriuréticos cerebrales puede tener interés para el diagnóstico en el futuro. Puesto que no hay evidencia derivada de ensayos clínicos importantes, salvo el ligero beneficio obtenido con candesartán en el estudio CHARM en la reducción de los reingresos, su tratamiento se basa en la identificación y el tratamiento de la etiología causal (hipertensión arterial, cardiopatía isquémica), el control de la frecuencia cardiaca y el alivio de la congestión, por lo que la combinación de diuréticos en dosis bajas, antihipertensivos bradicardizantes (bloqueadores beta, antagonistas del calcio) y antagonistas de los receptores de la angiotensina parece en la actualidad la mejor estrategia terapéutica (AU)

Diastolic heart failure (i.e., heart failure with preserved systolic function) accounts for 30%-50% of all cases of heart failure. Prognosis is almost as poor as with systolic heart failure. Currently, the only requirements for diagnosis are that strict clinical criteria for heart failure are satisfied and that the left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved (i.e., greater than 40%-50%), although in the future measurement of brain natriuretic peptides could be useful. Because of a lack of evidence from large clinical trials, with the exception of the CHARM study which showed that candesartan slightly reduced the hospital readmission rate, therapy is based on the identification and treatment of the causal condition (e.g., hypertension or coronary heart disease), heart rate control, and relief of congestion. Thus, combination treatment with low-dose diuretics, bradycardiac antihypertensives (e.g., betablockers or calcium antagonists), and angiotensin antagonists currently seems to be the best therapeutic approach (AU)

[External counterpulsation: experience of institution of transplantology and artificial organs].

External counterpulsation produces profound impact on hemodynamics especially in patients with myocardial ischemia. However the use of the method is not indicated in patients with left ventricular failure in whom in can provoke development of shock and pulmonary edema.

Current and future treatment strategies for refractory angina.

Patients with refractory angina are not candidates for revascularization and have both class III or IV angina and objective evidence of ischemia despite optimal medical therapy. An estimated 300,000 to 900,000 patients in the United States have refractory angina, and 25,000 to 75,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. This review focuses on treatment strategies for refractory angina and includes the mechanism of action and clinical trial data for each strategy. The pharmacological agents that have been used are ranolazine, ivabradine, nicorandil, L-arginine, testosterone, and estrogen; currently, only L-arginine, testosterone, and estrogen are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Results with the noninvasive treatments of enhanced external counterpulsation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are provided. Invasive treatment strategies including spinal cord stimulation, transmyocardial revascularization, percutaneous myocardial revascularization, and gene therapy are also reviewed.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic progress. Venous thromboembolism, cardiac insufficiency and radio contrast agents]. / Progrès diagnostiques et thérapeutiques. Maladie veineuse thrombo-embolique, insuffisance cardiaque, produits de contraste.

MODALITIES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM: Currently rely on the confrontation of the initial clinical data and the results of D-dimer measurements, a venous Doppler, although reliable, is not a first-line exploration. REGARDING TREATMENT: Indications for thrombolysis are currently limited to massive pulmonary oedema with shock. Alteplase added to heparin improves the progression of severe embolism; it spares the patients from heavy interventions of resuscitation but the mortality remains the same. Concerning anticoagulant treatments, prolonged antivitamin K at classical doses is more effective than low doses and for limited duration if phlebitis is an idiopathic one. FOR HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION: Treatment of these heart failures, formerly know as 'diastolic' is similar to that of the acute phase of systolic heart failure. However, care should be taken with vasodilatators. CONCERNING HEART FAILURE IN GENERAL: The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) represents a remarkable progress for the aetiological diagnosis of dyspnoea (inferior to 80 pg/ml in the case of pulmonary origin, superior to 300 pg/ml in the case of cardiac origin or severe pulmonary embolism). Regarding treatment, for acute heart failure, it is still the association of nitrates and diuretics, with oxygen therapy and eventually inotropics. Beta-blockers, which have revolutionized the treatment of chronic heart failure, must be maintained whenever possible in the case of the onset of acute pulmonary oedema. Multisite pacing is increasingly used in refractory chronic heart failure. Implantable defibrillation has become common practice. Non-invasive ventilation (Bi or C-PAP) is interesting in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. THE PREVENTIVE ROLE OF N ACETYL-CYSTEINE: N acetyl cysteine reduces the incidence of nephropathies induced by the radio contrast products in patients with chronic kidney failure. Combined with hydratation, it must be proposed the day before and on the day of the procedure in any patient with diabetes or kidney failure.

Treatment options for angina pectoris and the future role of enhanced external counterpulsation.

Patients with coronary artery disease have a variety of treatment options available to them. These include medications to control anginal episodes and, when appropriate, revascularization interventions in the form of coronary artery bypass graft and angioplasty. Despite advances in the treatment of angina, a substantial number of patients continue to have symptoms that can significantly impair their quality of life. These patients may benefit from enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP). With recent results of the latest clinical trial of EECPjust published, the role of EECP, including its position in the hierarchy of treatment options, needs to be seriously considered.

[Circulatory support with the mechanical heart, "HeartMate"]. / Cirkulationsstøtte med Det mekaniske hjerte, "HeartMate".

Treatment with the mechanical heart, HeartMate, has been introduced in Denmark. Short-term circulatory support can be obtained by intraaortic balloon counterpulsation, an external centrifugal pump and the total artificial heart. Long-term circulatory support can be established by treatment with the HeartMate. The principle of the mechanical heart is simple--a pump is implanted in parallel to the existing heart and connected to external, portable batteries. The patient quickly improves and is brought in an optimal state for transplantation. A few patients have been able to omit the subsequent heart transplantation. The patient's own heart improved during the treatment and the native heart functioned again after the system was explanted. The main complications during treatment are bleeding, infection, thromboembolic events and systemic failure. Permanent, fully implantable mechanical circulatory pumps are under development--which may herald the beginning of a whole new era for treatment of cardiac failure.

Upbeat advances in cardiac and emergency care.

From biphasic breakthroughs to simplified programming mechanisms, review the latest technology options.