[Quadruple aim in mHealth project to improve the control of cardiovascular risk factors in a very high-risk population.] / Cuadruple meta en mSalud para la mejora del control de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en población de muy alto riesgo.

OBJECTIVE: The control of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in high-risk population is still suboptimal. This fact should make us reconsider current preventive strategies. The objective of this study was to transform the secondary cardiovascular prevention program of the University Hospital of Torrejon (Madrid, Spain), to make it more proactive, preventive, productive and efficient. METHODS: Within the quadruple aim perspective, we present a mHealth project where the patient will include, and periodically review, the parameters and values related to the main CV risk factors (smoking, diet, physical activity, weight, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and glycosylated hemoglobin), allowing to check if therapeutic objectives recommended in the clinical practice guidelines are achieved, facilitating doctor-patient communication, and generating warnings to reinforce indications and/or intensify the therapeutic and pharmacological measures in case of non-complianc. RESULTS: A detailed evaluation of the achievement of quadruple aim goals will be performed. Improvements in CV risk control, experience in care, health spending and the healthcare professionals' satisfaction will be assessed. CONCLUSIONS: mHealth offers new opportunities to improve the control of CV risk factors in high-risk patients. Better control might reduce the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of this population, helping to reduce health spending and improving the patients' experience and adherence to secondary prevention strategies.

OBJETIVO: El control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) en la población de alto riesgo continúa siendo subóptimo, lo cual debe hacernos reconsiderar las estrategias preventivas actuales. El objetivo del estudio fue transformar el modelo de prevención cardiovascular secundaria del Hospital Universitario de Torrejón (Madrid, España), para hacerlo más proactivo, preventivo, productivo y eficiente. METODOS: Bajo la perspectiva de cuádruple meta se presenta un proyecto de mSalud en el que el paciente incluirá y revisará periódicamente los parámetros y valores relativos a sus principales FRCV (tabaquismo, dieta, actividad física, peso, tensión arterial, LDL colesterol y hemoglobina glicosilada), pudiendo así comprobar si alcanza los objetivos terapéuticos recomendados en las guías de práctica clínica, interaccionando con su médico y generando avisos para reforzar sus indicaciones y/o intensificar la medidas terapéuticas y farmacológicas en caso de incumplimiento. RESULTADOS: Se realizará una evaluación detallada de la consecución de las cuatro metas buscadas. Se valorarán, las mejoras en el control del riesgo cardiovascular, la experiencia en la atención, el gasto sanitario y la satisfacción de los profesionales sanitarios. CONCLUSIONES: El mSalud brinda nuevas oportunidades para mejorar el control de los FRCV en los pacientes de mayor riesgo. Este logro puede reducir la elevada morbimortalidad cardiovascular de esta población, contribuyendo a reducir los crecientes gastos sanitarios derivados de la misma y a mejorar así la experiencia y adherencia del paciente a las estrategias de prevención secundaria.

Consensus document and recommendations on palliative care in heart failure of the Heart Failure and Geriatric Cardiology Working Groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology.

Heart failure is a complex entity, with high morbidity and mortality. The clinical course and outcome are uncertain and difficult to predict. This document, instigated by the Heart Failure and Geriatric Cardiology Working Groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, addresses various aspects related to palliative care, where most cardiovascular disease will eventually converge. The document also establishes a consensus and a series of recommendations with the aim of recognizing and understanding the need to implement and progressively apply palliative care throughout the course of the disease, not only in the advanced stages, thus improving the care provided and quality of life. The purpose is to improve and adapt treatment to the needs and wishes of each patient, who must have adequate information and participate in decision-making.

[Impact of antithrombotic treatment and geriatric syndromes in octogenarians with atrial fibrillation and ischaemic heart disease. Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Heart Disease in the Elderly]. / Impacto del tratamiento antitrombótico y los síndromes geriátricos en octogenarios con fibrilación auricular y cardiopatía isquémica. Fibrilación Auricular y Cardiopatía Isquémica en Longevos (FACIL).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic heart disease (IHC) increases with age. They coexist in up to 20% of octogenarian patients, a situation that poses a therapeutic challenge. Trials that have addressed this scenario, which included a low percentage of octogenarians, showed that double therapy (single antiplatelet + anticoagulation) compared to triple therapy (double antiplatelet + anticoagulation) was associated with less bleeding events, especially with direct oral anticoagulants. These studies did not have sufficient power to detect differences in ischaemic events. On the other hand, prevalent characteristics in the elderly, such as geriatric syndromes, were not assessed in these studies, and are not usually evaluated in clinical practice. Accordingly, their prognostic impact remains unknown in this clinical context. METHODS: Observational, prospective, and multicentre study that will include patients ≥ 80 years with AF and IHC in Spain. Baseline characteristics and geriatric syndromes will be assessed, as well as the choice of antithrombotic treatment. The primary endpoint is cardiovascular and overall mortality at one and three years follow-up. RESULTS: This study will assess both characteristics and prognosis of octogenarian patients with AF and IHC in Spain, the factors involved in the choice of antithrombotic treatment, and the incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic events during the short- and long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study will contribute to improve the knowledge in terms of safety and efficacy of the different therapeutic options in older patients with AF and IHC, as well as their prognostic impact.

Cuadruple meta en mSalud parala mejora del control de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en población de muy alto riesgo / Quadruple aim in mHealth project to improve the control of cardiovascular risk factors in a very high-risk population

FUNDAMENTOS: El control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) en la población de alto riesgo continúa siendo subóptimo, lo cual debe hacernos reconsiderar las estrategias preventivas actuales. El objetivo del estudio fue transformar el modelo de prevención cardiovascular secundaria del Hospital Universitario de Torrejón (Madrid, España), para hacerlo más proactivo, preventivo, productivo y eficiente. MÉTODOS: Bajo la perspectiva de cuádruple meta se presenta un proyecto de mSalud en el que el paciente incluirá y revisará periódicamente los parámetros y valores relativos a sus principales FRCV (tabaquismo, dieta, actividad física, peso, tensión arterial, LDL colesterol y hemoglobina glicosilada), pudiendo así comprobar si alcanza los objetivos terapéuticos recomendados en las guías de práctica clínica, interaccionando con su médico y generando avisos para reforzar sus indicaciones y/o intensificar la medidas terapéuticas y farmacológicas en caso de incumplimiento. RESULTADOS: Se realizará una evaluación detallada de la consecución de las cuatro metas buscadas. Se valorarán, las mejoras en el control del riesgo cardiovascular, la experiencia en la atención, el gasto sanitario y la satisfacción de los profesionales sanitarios. CONCLUSIONES: El mSalud brinda nuevas oportunidades para mejorar el control de los FRCV en los pacientes de mayor riesgo. Este logro puede reducir la elevada morbimortalidad cardiovascular de esta población, contribuyendo a reducir los crecientes gastos sanitarios derivados de la misma y a mejorar así la experiencia y adherencia del paciente a las estrategias de prevención secundaria.(AU)

BACKGROUND: The control of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in high-risk population is still suboptimal. This fact should make us reconsider current preventive strategies. The objective of this study was to transform the secondary cardiovascular prevention program of the University Hospital of Torrejon (Madrid, Spain), to make it more proactive, preventive, productive and efficient. METHODS // Within the quadruple aim perspective, we present a mHealth project where the patient will include, and periodically review, the parameters and values related to the main CV risk factors (smoking, diet, physical activity, weight, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and glycosylated hemoglobin), allowing to check if therapeutic objectives recommended in the clinical practice guidelines are achieved, facilitating doctor-patient communication, and generating warnings to reinforce indications and/or intensify the therapeutic and pharmacological measures in case of non-complianc. RESULTS: A detailed evaluation of the achievement of quadruple aim goals will be performed. Improvements in CV risk control,experience in care, health spending and the healthcare professionals’ satisfaction will be assessed.CONCLUSIONS // mHealth offers new opportunities to improve the control of CV risk factors in high-risk patients. Better controlmight reduce the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of this population, helping to reduce health spending and improvingthe patients’ experience and adherence to secondary prevention strategies.(AU)

Cardiovascular Safety in Drug Development: A Role for Endothelial Function Tests.

As drug development becomes a long and demanding process, it might also become a barrier to medical progress. Drug safety concerns are responsible for many of the resources consumed in launching a new drug. Despite the money and time expended on it, a significant number of drugs are withdrawn years or decades after being in the market. Cardiovascular toxicity is one of the major reasons for those late withdrawals, meaning that many patients are exposed to unexpected serious cardiovascular risks. It seems that current methods to assess cardiovascular safety are imperfect, so new approaches to avoid the exposure to those undesirable effects are quite necessary. Endothelial dysfunction is the earliest detectable pathophysiological abnormality, which leads to the development of atherosclerosis, and it is also an independent predictor for major cardiovascular events. Endothelial toxicity might be the culprit of the cardiovascular adverse effects observed with a significant number of drugs. In this article, we suggest the regular inclusion of the best validated and less invasive endothelial function tests in the clinical phases of drug development in order to facilitate the development of drugs with safer cardiovascular profiles.

Diagnosis of Active Infective Endocarditis from Examination of the Toes and Soles.

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with fever >38°C of unknown origin. Blood cultures were positive in two sets for Staphylococcus aureus. In the third day of admission, her husband drew attention to the presence of some small punctures in her right foot. Several small and non-tender, erythematous and hemorrhagic macular lesions were found on her sole (Janeway lesions). Besides, we detected some painful and palpable, erythematous nodules involving the pads of her toes (Osler nodes). At this point, according to the modified Duke criteria, the clinical diagnosis of definite infective endocarditis might be established. Additionally, the transesophageal echocardiogram just confirmed the presence of a large vegetation attached to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

Impaired coronary artery distensibility is an endothelium-dependent process and is associated with vulnerable plaque composition.

Coronary endothelial-dependent microvascular dysfunction, an early reversible stage of coronary artery disease (CAD), is associated with poor clinical outcome. The current study investigated whether coronary artery distensibility index (CDI) is associated with: (i) coronary endothelial-dependent microvascular dysfunction and (ii) vulnerable plaque composition among subjects with non-obstructive CAD. Seventy-four subjects with non-obstructive CAD (luminal stenosis <30%) were studied. In 20 subjects with and without coronary endothelial-dependent microvascular dysfunction, coronary flow reserve (CFR) of target segment during intracoronary (IC) infusion of acetylcholine (Ach) and bolus injection of adenosine as well as CDI at rest of corresponding target segment were measured. In 54 subjects, plaque compositions and CDI at rest of 154 non-obstructive coronary segments as well as proximal segment without disease were measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). CDI was defined as: [(Early-diastolic cross-sectional-area (CSA) - End-diastolic CSA of target segment)/(end-diastolic CSA of target segment × coronary-pulse-pressure) × 10(3) ]. There is a direct association between endothelial dysfunction and impaired CDI of a coronary segment both in the given coronary segment and corresponding microvessels in which a strong agreement between CDI and CFR Ach (r(2)  = 0·85, P = 0·0001) was observed. Multivariable regression-analysis showed that CDI was an independent predictor of the vulnerable plaque characteristics. The risk of impaired CDI was 125% higher in segments with necrotic core and 60% higher in segments with fibrofatty components as compared to normal segments (P = 0·001). In conclusions, the current study reveals that impaired CDI is an endothelial-dependent process of both given coronary segment and corresponding microvessels and is associated with vulnerable plaque composition.

Complex anatomy making it difficult for left atrial appendage closure.

Left atrial appendage closure is a useful technique for patients at high thromboembolic risk and contraindications for oral anticoagulation therapy. However, it can be challenging when anatomical difficulties are encountered. We present a unique case of atypical appendage uptake and how we completed the procedure.

End-of-life care in a cardiology department: have we improved?

BACKGROUND: End-of-life care is not usually a priority in cardiology departments. We sought to evaluate the changes in end-of-life care after the introduction of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order protocol. METHODS & RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of all deaths in a cardiology department in two periods, before and after the introduction of the protocol. Comparison of demographic characteristics, use of DNR orders, and end-of-life care issues between both periods, according to the presence in the second period of the new DNR sheet (Group A), a conventional DNR order (Group B) or the absence of any DNR order (Group C). The number of deaths was similar in both periods (n = 198 vs. n = 197). The rate of patients dying with a DNR order increased significantly (57.1% vs. 68.5%; P = 0.02). Only 4% of patients in both periods were aware of the decision taken about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Patients in Group A received the DNR order one day earlier, and 24.5% received it within the first 24 h of admission (vs. 2.6% in the first period; P < 0.001). All patients in Group A with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) had shock therapies deactivated (vs. 25.0% in the first period; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a DNR order protocol may improve end-of-life care in cardiac patients by increasing the use and shortening the time of registration of DNR orders. It may also contribute to increase ICD deactivation in patients with these orders in place. However, the introduction of the sheet in late stages of the disease failed to improve patient participation.

Comparison between diabetic and non-diabetic patients after successful percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusions in the drug-eluting stent era.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus and chronic total occlusions are associated with unfavorable outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention. We sought to assess the clinical and angiographic outcomes of diabetic and non-diabetic patients who underwent successful percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusions with drug-eluting stents. METHODS: Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics, procedural details, nine-month angiographic follow-up and clinical events at 12 months were compared between 75 diabetic and 132 non-diabetic patients included in a clinical trial that randomized successful recanalization of chronic total occlusions to receive sirolimus- or everolimus-eluting stents. RESULTS: In both diabetic and non-diabetic groups there was a favorable non-significantly different angiographic result at nine months, with low in-stent late loss (0.14±0.60 mm vs. 0.25±0.68 mm, p=0.305) and rates of binary restenosis (4.0% vs. 10.6%, p=0.180) and reocclusion (0.0% vs. 2.3%, p=0.334). During follow-up similar survival from death (97.3±1.9% vs. 99.2±0.8%, log-rank p=0.273), acute myocardial infarction (100.0±0.0% vs. 97.7±1.3%, log-rank p=0.192), target vessel revascularization (88.7±3.8% vs. 88.2±2.9%, log-rank p=0.899) and stent thrombosis (100.0±0.0% vs. 97.7±1.3%, log-rank p=0.192) was observed. Furthermore, the presence of more diffuse peripheral and coronary artery disease and higher frequency of calcified lesions in diabetic patients did not lead to significant differences in the approach (20.0% vs. 25.0% radial approach, p=0.413), strategy (6.7% vs. 3.8% retrograde strategy, p=0.353), total stent length (48.1±24.6 mm vs. 49.2±23.9 mm, p=0758) or contrast volume (261.3±116.4 ml vs. 297.4±135.9 ml, p=0.109) required for revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: In the drug-eluting stent era, diabetic and non-diabetic patients have comparable favorable clinical and angiographic outcomes after successful percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusions.

Clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome associated with sudden cardiac death.

INTRODUCTION: Sudden death (SD) is in most cases due to cardiac causes, mainly secondary to ischemic heart disease. However, the angiographic characteristics in SD survivors in the context of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients who suffered cardiac arrest during an ACS. METHODS: We evaluated 46 patients with SD related to ACS, who were divided into two groups according to their presentation: an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (SD-STEMI) group and a non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (SD-NSTEMI) group. Consecutive STEMI patients without SD served as a double size-matched control group. We compared the clinical and angiographic characteristics and the in-hospital mortality between groups. RESULTS: Patients in the SD-NSTEMI group (n=13) were older and had a higher incidence of hypertension. The left anterior descending coronary artery was the most frequent culprit vessel in all groups. SD-STEMI patients (n=33) had a higher prevalence of proximal coronary culprit segment involvement than did the nonSD STEMI group (75% vs. 36.3%, p<0.001). The SD-NSTEMI group was characterized by multivessel and multi-segment disease. Outcomes were similar for both SD groups. CONCLUSION: SD in patients with NSTEMI occurred in patients who were older, with more cardiovascular risk factors, diffuse and multivessel coronary disease, complex coronary lesions, and a lower rate of angioplasty success as compared with the STEMI group. SD STEMI patients had a significant higher association with proximal coronary acute occlusion than STEMI patients without SD.

Documento de consenso y recomendaciones sobre cuidados paliativos en insuficiencia cardiaca de las Secciones de Insuficiencia Cardiaca y Cardiología Geriátrica de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología / Consensus document and recommendations on palliative care in heart failure of the Heart Failure and Geriatric Cardiology Working Groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology

La insuficiencia cardiaca es una entidad compleja, que conlleva elevada morbilidad y mortalidad y cuyo curso y evolución son inciertos y difíciles de predecir. Este trabajo, impulsado por las Secciones de Insuficiencia Cardiaca y Cardiología Geriátrica de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología, aborda los diferentes aspectos relacionados con los cuidados paliativos en el campo de la insuficiencia cardiaca, vía final común de la mayoría de las enfermedades cardiovasculares. También establece un consenso y una serie de recomendaciones con el objetivo de reconocer y comprender la necesidad de implementar y aplicar, de modo progresivo, este tipo de cuidados a lo largo del curso de la enfermedad, y no únicamente en sus estadios avanzados, para mejorar la atención que reciben los pacientes y su calidad de vida. La finalidad es mejorar y adecuar los tratamientos a las necesidades y los deseos de cada paciente, que debe contar con información adecuada y ser partícipe de la toma de decisiones

Heart failure is a complex entity, with high morbidity and mortality. The clinical course and outcome are uncertain and difficult to predict. This document, instigated by the Heart Failure and Geriatric Cardiology Working Groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, addresses various aspects related to palliative care, where most cardiovascular disease will eventually converge. The document also establishes a consensus and a series of recommendations with the aim of recognizing and understanding the need to implement and progressively apply palliative care throughout the course of the disease, not only in the advanced stages, thus improving the care provided and quality of life. The purpose is to improve and adapt treatment to the needs and wishes of each patient, who must have adequate information and participate in decision-making

Complicaciones neurológicas tras intervencionismo cardíaco percutáneo / Neurological complications following percutaneous coronary intervention

Resumen Introducción: Las complicaciones neurológicas agudas del intervencionismo cardiaco percutáneo (ICP) son variadas e infrecuentes, pero pueden resultar fatales. Casos: Presentamos un ictus isquémico -II- (caso 1), y dos casos de encefalopatía por contraste -EC- (2 y 3). Dos varones (1 y 2) y una mujer (3), con FRCV y edad media de 76 años. Los tres pacientes debutaron con focalidad neurológica aguda (FNA) al finalizar el procedimiento, lo que motivó la activación de código ictus intrahospitalario desde cardiología. 2 y 3 asociaron, además, agitación. El TC multimodal fue normal en 2 y 3, y mostró oclusión de M1 izquierda en 1. Se desestimó tratamiento de reperfusión cerebral en 1 por anticoagulación. El EEG fue normal en 2 y mostró paroxismos focales en hemisferio izquierdo de baja persistencia en 3.2 y 3 fueron tratados con sueroterapia y anticomiciales (3), quedando asintomáticos en las primeras doce horas. 1 falleció a los diez días por infección respiratoria. Conclusiones: En presencia de FNA tras ICP, la sospecha clínica resulta vital para establecer un diagnóstico diferencial precoz entre II y EC, y considerar tratamiento específico urgente, ya que puede modificar el pronóstico del paciente.

Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) related neurological complications are wide and rare, but may be fatal. Cases: We present an ischaemic stroke -IS- (case 1), and two cases of contrast induced encephalopathy-CIE- (2 and 3). Two males (1 and 2) and one woman (3), with vascular risk factors and an average age of 76. All of them presented with acute focal neurological symptoms at the end of the procedure and Stroke Code was activated inmediately. 2 and 3 also associated psychomotor agitation. Multimodal CT head was normal in 2 and 3, whereas it showed a left Ml occlusion in 1. Reperfusion treatment was contraindicated 1 due to anticoagulation. EEG was normal in 2 and showed focal paroxisms in left hemisphere in 3.2 and 3 were successfully treated with fluids and antiepileptics (3). 1 died due to respiratory infection. Conclusions: Acute focal neurological symptoms following PCI should make us consider IS and CIE and provide the patient with urgent specific treatment.

Tratamiento endovascular del quilopericardio recurrente: demostración in vivo de conexiones quilopericárdicas / Endovascular treatment of recurrent chylopericardium: in vivo demonstration of chylopericardial connections

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Transient ST-segment elevation and chest pain following percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty.

Transient ST-segment elevation occurring in the context of percutaneous cardiac interventions has not been fully characterized. We present a case of an inferior ST-segment elevation associated with angina and hypotension following percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty. Coronary angiography during ST elevation found no abnormalities and no myocardial necrosis was documented. Thus, as the Inoue balloon had been reinflated and overinflated, we suggest that mechanical myocardial compression might be responsible for the transmural transient ischemia observed in some cardiac percutaneous procedures involving balloons or closure devices.

[Usefulness of intracoronary imaging techniques in the percutaneous treatment of in-stent restenosis]. / Utilidade prática das técnicas de diagnóstico intracoronário no tratamento percutâneo da reestenose intrastent.

We report a case of very late bare-metal stent restenosis, in which assessment by two intracoronary imaging techniques (intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography) revealed the underlying mechanism (neoatherosclerosis) and facilitated percutaneous treatment (direct bare-metal stent-in-stent). We also take the opportunity to briefly describe the advantages and limitations of both techniques in this pathology.