Racial Disparities in Palliative Care at End-of-Life in Children with Advanced Heart Disease in the South.

OBJECTIVE: To examine specialty pediatric palliative care (SPPC) and end-of-life care for children with advanced heart disease in Alabama, including rates of and disparities in SPPC involvement. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective study from electronic health records of children (≤21 years at death) who died with advanced heart disease at a single institution between 2012 and 2019 (n = 128). The main outcome was SPPC consult; we assessed clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with SPPC. RESULTS: The median age at death was 6 months (IQR = 1-25 months) with 80 (63%) ≤1 year; 46% were Black and 45% non-Hispanic White. Seventy (55%) children had critical congenital heart disease, 45 (35%) non-critical congenital heart disease, and 13 (10%) acquired heart disease. Twenty-nine children (22%) received SPPC. Children ≤1 year at time of death and Black children were less likely to receive SPPC (aOR [95% CI]: 0.2 [0.1-0.6], reference >1 year; 0.2 [0.1-0.7], reference non-Hispanic White). SPPC was associated with death while receiving comfort-focused care (30.6 [4.5-210]), do not resuscitate orders (8.2 [2.1-31.3]), and hospice enrollment (no children without SPPC care were enrolled in hospice) but not medically intense end-of-life care (intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or death outside the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Children dying with advanced heart disease in Alabama did not have routine SPPC involvement; infants and Black children had lower odds of SPPC. SPPC was associated with more comfort-focused care. Disparities in SPPC utilization for children with advanced heart disease need further examination.

Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction: Strategies for Enhancing Cardiac Recovery.

Chemotherapy has markedly improved cancer outcomes, yet cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) poses a significant challenge, affecting around 10% of patients. CTRCD can be asymptomatic or present with heart failure symptoms. Multimodality imaging, particularly echocardiography, remains pivotal for monitoring cardiac function. Potential biomarkers for CTRCD assessment include troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide. Pharmacological interventions, such as dexrazoxane, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and statins, play a crucial role in primary prevention and mitigating cardiotoxicity alongside cardiac rehabilitation programs. Thus, a comprehensive approach is essential for optimal cardiac recovery and improved patient outcomes.

Advanced cell and gene therapies in cardiology.

We review the evidence for the presence of stem/progenitor cells in the heart and the preclinical and clinical data using diverse cell types for the therapy of cardiac diseases. We highlight the failure of adult stem/progenitor cells to ameliorate heart function in most cardiac diseases, with the possible exception of refractory angina. The use of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes is analysed as a viable alternative therapeutic option but still needs further research at preclinical and clinical stages. We also discuss the use of direct reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes and the use of extracellular vesicles as therapeutic agents in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiac diseases. Finally, gene therapies and genome editing for the treatment of hereditary cardiac diseases, ablation of genes responsible for atherosclerotic disease, or modulation of gene expression in the heart are discussed.

Odontopediatría en el paciente con enfermedad sistémica / Pediatric dentistry in patients with systematic disease

Esta revisión ofrece un enfoque sistemático para establecer una prestación de atención dental segura, integral, coordinada y orientada a la familia del niño con complejidades médicas. Sugerimos que adoptar un enfoque individualizado basado en la fortaleza para la evaluación de niños con afecciones médicas complejas ofrece la base más segura para la prestación de atención en pacientes con enfermedad cardiaca y asma. El objetivo de esta revisión es brindar una visión razonada de atención en el paciente comprometido sistémicamente, basados en protocolos internacionales, y una serie de pasos y modificaciones que deben ser consideradas al momento del manejo odontológico. Se realizó la búsqueda científica en bases digitales contemplando información en idiomas inglés y español, acerca del manejo del paciente dependiendo de su diagnóstico médico y sus complicaciones. Concluimos que el tratamiento dental de pacientes pediátricos con enfermedades sistémicas se puede llevar a cabo de manera eficiente en presencia de un equipo dental bien equipado y apoyo de los padres. Un dentista pediátrico juega un papel importante en el alivio de la ansiedad del niño, manteniendo una relación positiva y haciendo que los servicios de atención se conviertan en experiencias cómodas y libres de complicaciones para pacientes infantiles con enfermedades sistémicas de base, como cardiopatías y/o asma (AU)

This review provides a systematic approach to establishing safe, comprehensive, coordinated, and family-oriented dental care delivery for the child with medical complexities. We suggest that adopting an individualized, strength-based approach to evaluating children with complex medical conditions provides the surest basis for delivering care to heart disease and asthma patients. This review aims to provide a reasoned care approach for the patient with a systemic compromise based on international protocols and a series of steps and modifications that should be considered during dental management. A scientific search was conducted in digital databases, including information in English and Spanish, on managing patients according to their medical diagnosis and complications. We conclude that dental treatment of pediatric patients with systemic diseases can be carried out efficiently in the presence of a well-equipped dental team and parental support. A pediatric dentist plays a vital role in relieving the child's anxiety, maintaining a positive relationship, and making care services become comfortable and complication-free experiences for pediatric patients with underlying systemic diseases, such as heart disease and/or asthma (AU)

Primary care in supplementary health: assessment of costs in the care of older adult patients with heart diseases.

OBJECTIVES: to identify whether implementing a supplementary Primary Health Care (PHC) system makes it possible to reduce care costs for older adults with heart diseases. METHODS: a retrospective cohort of 223 patients with heart disease aged ≥ 60 years. Data were obtained from medical records and cost databases, assessed for a period of one year before and after PHC implementation. The results were expressed as mean absolute frequencies for number of hospitalizations and as average annual expenses expressed in dollars (US$) in relation to cost data. RESULTS: there was a reduction in hospitalization expenses after implementing supplementary PHC (p=0.01) and a decrease in the frequency of hospitalizations for the entire sample (p=0.006). There was a reduction in the frequency of consultations at the Emergency Room among frail older adults (p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: there was a reduction in hospitalization costs and frequency of visits to the Emergency Room after supplementary PHC.

Cysticercosis & Heart: A Systematic Review.

Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection caused by larval cysts of the tapeworm Taenia solium. These larval cysts infect brain, muscle, or other tissue, and are a major cause of adult-onset seizures in most low-income countries with tropical climate. Prevalence it's around 50 million people. Although cardiovascular system is not the most affected, this disease can also be associated with multiple and randomly distributed cysts in the subpericardium, subendocardium and myocardium in up to 25% of infected patients. Most cardiac cysticercosis' cases are asymptomatic, but it can manifest with ventricular arrhythmias and conduction disorders. Area Covered: The "Neglected Tropical Diseases and other Infectious Diseases affecting the Heart" (NET-Heart project) is an initiative by the Emerging Leaders group of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology to systematically review all these endemic conditions affecting the heart. A systematic review was conducted following preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines and including articles published in MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, PubMed and LILACS databases. A total of 41 papers were included in this review. Expert Opinion: In the areas of greatest prevalence, unhealthiness and poverty favor the development of this disease, which highlights the need to establish global health policies that reduce morbidity and mortality, economic losses of the affected population, and health costs related to hospitalizations for cardiovascular involvement. Authors provide an algorithm to evaluate the possibility of Cysticercosis' cardiovascular complications.

Schistosomiasis & Heart - On Behalf of the Neglected Tropical Diseases and other Infectious Diseases affecting the Heart (the NET-Heart Project). / Esquistossomose e o Coração - Em Nome das Doenças Tropicais Negligenciadas e Outras Doenças Infecciosas que Afetam o Coração (Projeto NET-Heart).

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease which may lead to cardiovascular (CV) complications. However, the CV involvement in schistosomiasis has yet to be fully elucidated due to the limited number of cases and lack of reliable evidence, as schistosomiasis typically occurs in locations without adequate infrastructure for robust data collection. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to assess cardiovascular implications of schistosomiasis, including in the diagnosis and treatment, and propose an algorithm for screening of CV manifestations. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in the MEDLINE/PubMed and LILACS databases of articles on the CV involvement in schistosomiasis. RESULTS: Thirty-three records were considered for this review: six review articles, one systematic review, one clinical trial, 14 observational studies, seven case reports, and four cases series. CV involvement includes a wide spectrum of clinical conditions, such as myocardial ischemia, ventricular dysfunction, myocarditis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and pericarditis. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac complications of schistosomiasis may cause long-term disability and death. Clinical monitoring, physical examination, early electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram should be considered as key measures to detect CV involvement. Due to the lack of effective treatment of complications, sanitation and education in endemic areas are necessary for the elimination of this global health problem.

FUNDAMENTO: A esquistossomose é uma doença tropical negligenciada que pode levar a complicações cardiovasculares. No entanto, o envolvimento cardiovascular na esquistossomose ainda precisa ser totalmente elucidado, devido ao número limitado de casos e ausência de evidência confiável, uma vez que a doença ocorre tipicamente em locais sem infraestrutura adequada para uma coleta de dados robusta. OBJETIVO: Esta revisão sistemática teve como objetivo avaliar as implicações cardiovasculares da esquistossomose, incluindo no diagnóstico e tratamento, e propor um algoritmo para rastrear as manifestações cardiovasculares. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática nos bancos de dados MEDLINE/PubMed e LILACS, com busca por artigos sobre o comprometimento cardiovascular na esquistossomose. RESULTADOS: Trinta e três artigos foram considerados para esta revisão: seis artigos de revisão, uma revisão sistemática, um ensaio clínico, 14 estudos observacionais, sete relatos de casos, e quatro séries de casos. O comprometimento cardiovascular inclui um amplo espectro de condições clínicas, tais como isquemia do miocárdio, disfunção ventricular, miocardite, hipertensão arterial pulmonar, e pericardite. CONCLUSÕES: As complicações cardíacas da esquistossomose podem causar incapacidade em longo prazo e morte. O monitoramento clínico, exame físico, eletrocardiograma precoce, e ecocardiograma devem ser considerados como medidas chave para detectar o envolvimento cardiovascular. Dada a ausência de um tratamento eficaz das complicações, são necessários saneamento e educação nas áreas endêmicas para a eliminação desse problema de saúde mundial.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapies on Fibrotic Heart Diseases.

Stem cell therapy is a promising alternative approach to heart diseases. The most prevalent source of multipotent stem cells, usually called somatic or adult stem cells (mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, MSCs) used in clinical trials is bone marrow (BM-MSCs), adipose tissue (AT-MSCs), umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) and placenta. Therapeutic use of MSCs in cardiovascular diseases is based on the benefits in reducing cardiac fibrosis and inflammation that compose the cardiac remodeling responsible for the maintenance of normal function, something which may end up causing progressive and irreversible dysfunction. Many factors lead to cardiac fibrosis and failure, and an effective therapy is lacking to reverse or attenuate this condition. Different approaches have been shown to be promising in surpassing the poor survival of transplanted cells in cardiac tissue to provide cardioprotection and prevent cardiac remodeling. This review includes the description of pre-clinical and clinical investigation of the therapeutic potential of MSCs in improving ventricular dysfunction consequent to diverse cardiac diseases.

Molecular Mechanisms of Obesity-Linked Cardiac Dysfunction: An Up-Date on Current Knowledge.

Obesity is defined as excessive body fat accumulation, and worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Excess of free fatty acids (FFAs) and triglycerides in obese individuals promote ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver, skeletal muscle tissue, and heart, among others, inducing insulin resistance, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes (T2D), atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These diseases are promoted by visceral white adipocyte tissue (WAT) dysfunction through an increase in pro-inflammatory adipokines, oxidative stress, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and adverse changes in the gut microbiome. In the heart, obesity and T2D induce changes in substrate utilization, tissue metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation, leading to myocardial fibrosis and ultimately cardiac dysfunction. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, also improve insulin sensitivity, triglyceride levels, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the molecular mechanisms involved in obesity-linked CVD pathophysiology, considering pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, and hormones, as well as the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and PPARs. In addition, cell lines and animal models, biomarkers, gut microbiota dysbiosis, epigenetic modifications, and current therapeutic treatments in CVD associated with obesity are outlined in this paper.

The Administration of the Synbiotic Lactobacillus bulgaricus 6c3 Strain, Inulin and Fructooligosaccharide Decreases the Concentrations of Indoxyl Sulfate and Kidney Damage in a Rat Model.

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is involved in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in its cardiovascular complications. One of the approaches proposed to decrease IS is the administration of synbiotics. This work aimed to search for a probiotic strain capable to decrease serum IS levels and mix it with two prebiotics (inulin and fructooligosaccharide (FOS)) to produce a putative synbiotic and test it in a rat CKD model. Two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were nephrectomized. One group (Lac) received the mixture for 16 weeks in drinking water and the other no (Nef). A control group (C) included sham-nephrectomized rats. Serum creatinine and IS concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Optical microscopy and two-photon excitation microscopy was used to study kidney and heart samples. The Lac group, which received the synbiotic, reduced IS by 0.8% while the Nef group increased it by 38.8%. Histological analysis of kidneys showed that the Lac group increased fibrotic areas by 12% and the Nef group did it by 25%. The synbiotic did not reduce cardiac fibrosis. Therefore, the putative synbiotic showed that function reducing IS and the progression of CKD in a rat model, but no heart protection was observed.

Targeted high volume hemofiltration could avoid extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in some patients with severe Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) has a high lethality. Severe cases may be rescued by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO), alongside substantial complications. High volume hemofiltration (HVHF) is a depurative technique that provides homeostatic balance allowing hemodynamic stabilization in some critically ill patients. METHODS: We implemented HVHF before VA ECMO consideration in the last five severe HCPS patients requiring mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drugs admitted to our intensive care unit. Patients were considered HVHF-responders if VA ECMO was avoided and HVHF-nonresponders if VA ECMO support was needed despite HVHF. A targeted-HVHF strategy compounded by aggressive hyperoncotic albumin, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium supplementation plus ultrafiltration to avoid fluid overload was implemented on three patients. RESULTS: Patients had maximum serum lactate of 8.8 (8.7-12.8) mmol/L and a lowest cardiac index of 1.8 (1.8-1.9) L/min/m2 . The first two required VA ECMO. They were connected later to HVHF, displayed progressive tachycardia and declining stroke volume. The opposite was true for HVHF-responders who received targeted-HVHF. All patients survived, but one of the VA ECMO patients suffered a vascular complication. CONCLUSION: HVHF may contribute to support severe HCPS patients avoiding the need for VA ECMO in some. Early connection and targeted-HVHF may increase the chance of success.

Interventions related to cardiovascular complications in people hospitalized by covid-19: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the scientific evidence of complications and the need for cardiovascular interventions in people hospitalized by Covid-19. METHOD: a scoping review carried out according to The Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations, in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases. RESULTS: A total of 11 published studies from December of 2019 to April of 2020, presenting low levels of evidence were selected. The evidence described the myocardial injury as the most common cardiac complication reported in Covid-19, reported in approximately 8% to 12% of all severe individuals, with indications for oxygen therapy interventions, thrombotic disorders prevention and treatment, hemodynamic monitoring and assessment tests of cardiac function's performance, along with biochemical markers of myocardial injury, yet not addressing nursing interventions. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular complications and interventions have not shown consensus on the found evidence, requiring causal analysis by explanatory studies that support multi-professional clinical protocols in health.

Resistance training improves cardiac function and cardiovascular autonomic control in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anticancer chemotherapy drug that is widely used in clinical practice. It is well documented that DOX impairs baroreflex responsiveness and left ventricular function and enhances sympathetic activity, cardiac sympathetic afferent reflexes and oxidative stress, which contribute to hemodynamic deterioration. Because resistance training (RT)-induced cardioprotection has been observed in other animal models, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of RT during DOX treatment on hemodynamics, arterial baroreflex, cardiac autonomic tone, left ventricular function and oxidative stress in rats with DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Male Wistar rats were submitted to a RT protocol (3 sets of 10 repetitions, 40% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) of intensity, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks). The rats were separated into 3 groups: sedentary control, DOX sedentary (2.5 mg/kg of DOX intraperitoneal injection, once a week, for 6 weeks) and DOX + RT. After training or time control, the animals were anesthetized and 2 catheters were implanted for hemodynamic, arterial baroreflex and cardiac autonomic tone. Another group of animals was used to evaluate left ventricular function. We found that RT in DOX-treated rats decreased diastolic arterial pressure, heart rate, sympathetic tone and oxidative stress. In addition, RT increased arterial baroreflex sensitivity, vagal tone and left ventricular developed pressure in rats with DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. In summary, RT is a useful non-pharmacological strategy to attenuate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Association between the need for palliative care and chronic diseases in patients treated in a peruvian hospital. / Asociación entre la necesidad de cuidados paliativos y enfermedades crónicas en pacientes atendidos en un hospital peruano.

OBJECTIVES.: To assess the association between chronic disease (CD) and the need for palliative care (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS.: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in a Peruvian hospital during 2019. Patients hospitalized with CD were included, and pregnant women and those hospitalized in critical units were excluded. The SPICT-ESTM instrument was used to assess the NPC; sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were also evaluated. The strength of association was calculated with Poisson regressions with robust variance to estimate crude prevalence ratios (PR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) by confounders. RESULTS.: A total of 172 patients were evaluated, the mean age was 61 years, where 54.7% were male and 123 patients had NPC. In the crude model, we found an association with having cerebrovascular disease (PR: 1.23; p=0.028), any type of cancer (PR: 1.38; p<0.001), heart disease (PR: 1.29; p=0.007), nephropathy (PR: 1.42, p<0.001) and Alzheimer's disease (PR: 1.42; p<0.001). The association was maintained for most of the evaluated CDs in the adjusted model, except for heart disease (aPR: 1.11; p=0.320). The association strength was lower for diabetes mellitus (PR: 0.78; p=0.044). CONCLUSION.: NPC in hospitalized chronically ill patients is high and more frequent in patients with cancer, cerebrovascular disease, renal problems and Alzheimer's disease. Care programs for patients with diabetes mellitus may decrease NPC.

OBJETIVOS.: Evaluar la asociación entre las enfermedades crónicas (EC) y la necesidad de cuidados paliativos (NCP). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en un hospital peruano durante el 2019. Se incluyó a pacientes hospitalizados con EC y se excluyó gestantes y a los hospitalizados en unidades críticas. En la evaluación de la NCP se aplicó el instrumento SPICT-ESTM, adicionalmente se evaluaron características sociodemográficas y clínicas. La fuerza de asociación se calculó con regresiones de Poisson con varianza robusta para estimar razones de prevalencia crudas (RP) y ajustadas (RPa) por confusores. RESULTADOS.: Se evaluó 172 pacientes, la media de edad fue 61 años, donde el 54,7% eran varones y 123 pacientes tenían NCP. En el modelo crudo se encontró asociación con tener enfermedad cerebrovascular (RP: 1,23; p=0,028), cualquier tipo de cáncer (RP: 1,38; p<0,001), cardiopatías (RP: 1,29; p=0,007), nefropatía (RP: 1,42, p<0,001) y enfermedad de Alzheimer (RP: 1,42; p<0,001). La asociación se mantuvo en la mayoría de EC evaluadas en el modelo ajustado, excepto para cardiopatía (RPa: 1,11; p=0,320). La fuerza de asociación fue menor en el caso de diabetes mellitus (RP: 0,78; p=0,044). CONCLUSIÓN.: La NCP en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas hospitalizados es alta y más frecuente en pacientes con cáncer, enfermedad cerebrovascular, problemas renales y enfermedad de Alzheimer. Los programas de cuidado de pacientes con diabetes mellitus pueden disminuir la NCP.

Anxiety in Relatives of Patients Admitted to Cardiac Care Units and its Relationship with Spiritual Health and Religious Coping.

OBJECTIVES: This work sought to determine the level of anxiety in relatives of patients admitted to CCUs and its relationship with spiritual health and religious coping. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 relatives of Cardiac Care Units patients in Jahrom, Iran. Required data was collected using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Paloutzian-Ellison Spiritual Well Being Scale (SWBS), and the Pargament Brief RCOPE questionnaire. RESULTS: The results showed that both levels of state and trait anxiety were moderate and the level of total spiritual health was high. Anxiety score had an inverse relationship with spiritual health (r=-0.52) and a direct relationship with negative religious coping score (r=0.25). However, no significant relationship was found between total anxiety score and positive religious coping (p < 0.05). There was a direct relationship between spiritual health and positive religious coping (r=0.19), and an inverse relationship between spiritual health and negative religious coping (r=-0.36). CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of the study, it is suggested to paying attention to the reinforcement of spiritual attitudes, beliefs, and religious coping strategies to reduce their anxiety in CCU patients.

Exercise training delays cardiac remodeling in a mouse model of cancer cachexia.

AIMS: We aimed to investigate the impact of cancer cachexia and previous aerobic exercise training (AET) on cardiac function and structure in tumor bearing mice. MAIN METHODS: Colon adenocarcinoma cells 26 (CT26) were subcutaneously injected in BALB/c mice to establish robust cancer cachexia model. AET was performed on a treadmill during 45 days, 60 min/5 days per week. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and cardiac morphology was assessed by light microscopy. The protein expression levels of mitochondrial complex were analyzed by Western blotting. The mRNA levels of genes related to cardiac remodeling and autophagy were analyzed by quantitative Real-Time PCR. KEY FINDINGS: Our data confirms CT26 tumor bearing mice as a well-characterized and robust model of cancer cachexia. CT26 mice exhibited cardiac remodeling and dysfunction characterized by cardiac atrophy and impaired left ventricle ejection fraction paralleled by cardiac necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis. AET partially reversed the left ventricle ejection fraction and led to significant anti-cardiac remodeling effect associated reduced necrosis, inflammation and cardiac collagen deposition in CT26 mice. Reduced TGF-ß1 mRNA levels, increased mitochondrial complex IV protein levels and partial recovery of BNIP3 mRNA levels in cardiac tissue were associated with the cardiac effects of AET in CT26 mice. Thus, we suggest AET as a powerful regulator of key pathways involved in cardiac tissue homeostasis in cancer cachexia. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study provides a robust model of cancer cachexia, as well as highlights the potential and integrative effects of AET as a preventive strategy for reducing cardiac damage in cancer cachexia.