Concordance and prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in different vascular territories.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) in the carotid, femoral, and coronary territories is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular (CV) events. Whether it is sufficient to assess SA in a single vascular territory in early-stage disease is uncertain. We aimed to determine the prevalence and concordance of SA in these vascular beds in asymptomatic patients without known CV disease. METHODS: We enrolled patients aged 35 to 75 years who were asymptomatic, without known CV disease, and had undergone carotid and femoral Doppler ultrasonography and calcium scoring. Those receiving statins were excluded. SA was defined as the presence of plaques in the carotid and/or femoral arteries or the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries (Agatston score >0). RESULTS: A total of 212 patients were identified with a mean age of 53 ± 7 years, of which 60% (128 patients) were men. The prevalence of SA was 62%. The distribution of SA between the three territories was similar, involving the carotid territory in 38% of cases, the femoral in 31%, and the coronaries in 37%. The concordance between the different vascular territories was weak, with a k index of 0.21 between the coronary and carotid territories, 0.27 between the coronary and femoral territories, and 0.34 between the carotid and femoral territories. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SA in asymptomatic patients without known CV disease is high. The concordance in the presence of SA between the three vascular territories is weak. Therefore, all three vascular beds need to be investigated.

[Percutaneous balloon angioplasty for treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension]. / Angioplastia percutánea con balón en hipertensión pulmonar tromboembólica crónica.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is characterized by the presence of organized thrombotic material in the pulmonary arteries which causes elevation of the pulmonary vascular resistance, right heart failure, and death if not treated. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the treatment of choice and can be curative when the obstruction is proximal. There are cases in which this therapy is not possible, and pulmonary angioplasty is a therapeutic alternative of growing interest. We present our experience with three patients diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in whom pulmonary endarterectomy was not possible and pulmonary angioplasty was performed. All patients showed improvement of functional class, six-minute walk distance, and hemodynamic as well as angiographic parameters.

[Mechanical fragmentation and catheter-guided thrombolysis in intermediate risk pulmonary embolism]. / Fragmentación mecánica y trombólisis guiada por catéter en la embolia pulmonar de riesgo intermedio.

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its diagnosis, risk stratification and early treatment are essential. The mainstay of treatment is anticoagulation. In patients with low cardiovascular risk, the prognosis is excellent and the treatment consists only of the administration of anticoagulants. Due to the poor prognosis of patients with high risk (hemodynamic decompensation), the approach is more aggressive using systemic thrombolytics, which reduce mortality but increase the risk of major hemorrhagic complications. In the intermediate-risk patients (evidence of right ventricular failure, without hemodynamic decompensation), the risk-benefit relationship of thrombolytic treatment is more balanced, so the choice is controversial. Mechanical fragmentation with catheter-directed thrombolysis is an alternative with potential benefits. We present two cases of intermediate-risk acute pulmonary thromboembolism to whom mechanical fragmentation and catheter-directed thrombolysis was applied.

La tromboembolia pulmonar aguda (TEPA) sigue siendo una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad a nivel mundial. Su diagnóstico, estratificación de riesgo y tratamiento precoz son fundamentales, siendo su pilar la anticoagulación. En pacientes de bajo riesgo cardiovascular, el pronóstico es excelente y solo basta con la administración de anticoagulantes. No obstante, debido al pobre pronóstico de los pacientes con riesgo elevado (descompensación hemodinámica), el enfoque terapéutico es más agresivo, utilizándose trombolíticos sistémicos que disminuyen la mortalidad pero incrementan el riesgo de complicaciones hemorrágicas mayores. En el TEPA de riesgo intermedio (evidencia de falla de ventrículo derecho, sin descompensación hemodinámica), la relación riesgo-beneficio del tratamiento con trombolíticos es más equilibrada por lo que la decisión es controvertida. La fragmentación mecánica con trombólisis dirigida por catéter es una alternativa con potenciales beneficios. Presentamos dos casos de TEPA de riesgo intermedio, en los que se realizó fragmentación mecánica y trombólisis dirigida por catéter.

[Comparison of risk scores to predict subclinical atherosclerosis]. / Comparación de puntajes de riesgo para predecir aterosclerosis subclínica.

Subclinical atherosclerosis is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events, although it is unknown which of the risk scores is more useful to predict its presence in a Latin American population. The objective was to compare the performance of the risk scores: Framingham, Regicor and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator to predict the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic persons without known cardiovascular disease; as well as determining its prevalence and distribution in the different vascular beds. From 2014 to 2017, patients from 35 to 75 years, asymptomatic and without known cardiovascular disease who underwent a carotid and femoral Doppler echo and calcium score were evaluated. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as the presence of plaques in the carotid and/or femoral arteries or the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries (Agatston score > 0). A total of 212 patients were included. The mean age was 53 ± 7 years, of which 60% (128) were male. The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis was 62% (131 cases). Of these 131 subjects with a plaque in any of the territories, the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator was the one that identified the highest number of cases with high cardiovascular risk (39%), Framingham detected 20%, and Regicor 0% (p < 0.01). The net reclassification was 41%, 50% and 60% respectively (< 0.01). The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic persons without a history of cardiovascular disease was 62%. The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator was the most effective predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in this population.

La aterosclerosis subclínica es un potente predictor de eventos cardiovasculares, aunque se desconoce cuál de los puntajes de riesgo es más eficaz para predecir su presencia en una población latinoamericana. El objetivo fué comparar la performance de los puntajes de riesgo: Framingham, Regicor y Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator para predecir la existencia de aterosclerosis subclínica en pacientes asintomáticos sin enfermedad cardiovascular conocida; así como determinar la prevalencia y distribución en los distintos lechos vasculares. Desde 2014 a 2017 se evaluaron pacientes de 35 a 75 años asintomáticos y sin enfermedad cardiovascular conocida, a quienes se les realizó una eco Doppler carotídea y femoral, y score de calcio. Se definió como aterosclerosis subclínica a la presencia de placas en las arterias carótidas y/o femorales o a la presencia de calcio en las coronarias (score de Agatston > 0). Se estudiaron así 212 pacientes, edad media 53 ± 7 años, de los cuales el 60% (128) eran varones. La prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica fue 62% (131 casos). De esos 131 con placa en alguno de los territorios, el Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator fue el que identificó el mayor número de casos con riesgo cardiovascular elevado (39%), Framingham detectó 20%, y Regicor 0% (p < 0.01). La reclasificación neta fue del 41%, 50% y 60% respectivamente (< 0.01). La prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica en sujetos asintomáticos sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular fue 62%. El calculador Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator fue el más efectivo para predecir aterosclerosis subclínica en esta población.

Relationship between electrocardiographic characteristics of left bundle branch block and echocardiographic findings.

BACKGROUND: Complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) is an electrocardiographic (ECG) dromotropic disorder seen in patients with various structural heart diseases and sometimes is associated with poor prognosis. Its presence confounds the application of standard ECG criteria for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), myocardial infarction (MI) in the chronic phase, and pathologies that produce changes on ST-T segment. The aim of this investigation was to establish the relationship between CLBBB and cardiac structural abnormalities assessed by echocardiography. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study included ECG with CLBBB from 101 patients who also had transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) performed within 6 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of structural heart disease on TTE was 90%. No ECG criterion was useful to diagnose LVH since no relationship was observed between 9 different ECG signs and increased left ventricular mass index. QRS duration (p = 0.16) and left axis deviation (p = 0.09) were unrelated to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Eight ECG signs proposed for the diagnosis of the chronic phase of MI demonstrated similar effectiveness, with high specificity and reduced sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: CLBBB is associated with elevated prevalence of cardiac structural disease and hinders the application of common ECG criteria for the diagnosis of LVH, reduced LVEF, or chronic phase of MI. No ECG finding distinguished patients with structural heart disease from those with normal hearts. Electrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of MI in the chronic phase are useful when present, but when absent cannot rule it out.

Fragmentación mecánica y trombólisis guiada por catéter en la embolia pulmonar de riesgo intermedio / Mechanical fragmentation and catheter-guided thrombolysis in intermediate risk pulmonary embolism

La tromboembolia pulmonar aguda (TEPA) sigue siendo una importante causa de morbilidad y mortalidad a nivel mundial. Su diagnóstico, estratificación de riesgo y tratamiento precoz son fundamentales, siendo su pilar la anticoagulación. En pacientes de bajo riesgo cardiovascular, el pronóstico es excelente y solo basta con la administración de anticoagulantes. No obstante, debido al pobre pronóstico de los pacientes con riesgo elevado (descompensación hemodinámica), el enfoque terapéutico es más agresivo, utilizándose trombolíticos sistémicos que disminuyen la mortalidad pero incrementan el riesgo de complicaciones hemorrágicas mayores. En el TEPA de riesgo intermedio (evidencia de falla de ventrículo derecho, sin descompensación hemodinámica), la relación riesgo-beneficio del tratamiento con trombolíticos es más equilibrada por lo que la decisión es controvertida. La fragmentación mecánica con trombólisis dirigida por catéter es una alternativa con potenciales beneficios. Presentamos dos casos de TEPA de riesgo intermedio, en los que se realizó fragmentación mecánica y trombólisis dirigida por catéter.

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its diagnosis, risk stratification and early treatment are essential. The mainstay of treatment is anticoagulation. In patients with low cardiovascular risk, the prognosis is excellent and the treatment consists only of the administration of anticoagulants. Due to the poor prognosis of patients with high risk (hemodynamic decompensation), the approach is more aggressive using systemic thrombolytics, which reduce mortality but increase the risk of major hemorrhagic complications. In the intermediate-risk patients (evidence of right ventricular failure, without hemodynamic decompensation), the risk-benefit relationship of thrombolytic treatment is more balanced, so the choice is controversial. Mechanical fragmentation with catheter-directed thrombolysis is an alternative with potential benefits. We present two cases of intermediate-risk acute pulmonary thromboembolism to whom mechanical fragmentation and catheter-directed thrombolysis was applied.

Comparación de puntajes de riesgo para predecir aterosclerosis subclínica / Comparison of risk scores to predict subclinical atherosclerosis

La aterosclerosis subclínica es un potente predictor de eventos cardiovasculares, aunque se desconoce cuál de los puntajes de riesgo es más eficaz para predecir su presencia en una población latinoamericana. El objetivo fué comparar la performance de los puntajes de riesgo: Framingham, Regicor y Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator para predecir la existencia de aterosclerosis subclínica en pacientes asintomáticos sin enfermedad cardiovascular conocida; así como determinar la prevalencia y distribución en los distintos lechos vasculares. Desde 2014 a 2017 se evaluaron pacientes de 35 a 75 años asintomáticos y sin enfermedad cardiovascular conocida, a quienes se les realizó una eco Doppler carotídea y femoral, y score de calcio. Se definió como aterosclerosis subclínica a la presencia de placas en las arterias carótidas y/o femorales o a la presencia de calcio en las coronarias (score de Agatston > 0). Se estudiaron así 212 pacientes, edad media 53 ± 7 años, de los cuales el 60% (128) eran varones. La prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica fue 62% (131 casos). De esos 131 con placa en alguno de los territorios, el Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator fue el que identificó el mayor número de casos con riesgo cardiovascular elevado (39%), Framingham detectó 20%, y Regicor 0% (p < 0.01). La reclasificación neta fue del 41%, 50% y 60% respectivamente (< 0.01). La prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica en sujetos asintomáticos sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular fue 62%. El calculador Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator fue el más efectivo para predecir aterosclerosis subclínica en esta población.

Subclinical atherosclerosis is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events, although it is unknown which of the risk scores is more useful to predict its presence in a Latin American population. The objective was to compare the performance of the risk scores: Framingham, Regicor and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator to predict the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic persons without known cardiovascular disease; as well as determining its prevalence and distribution in the different vascular beds. From 2014 to 2017, patients from 35 to 75 years, asymptomatic and without known cardiovascular disease who underwent a carotid and femoral Doppler echo and calcium score were evaluated. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as the presence of plaques in the carotid and/or femoral arteries or the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries (Agatston score > 0). A total of 212 patients were included. The mean age was 53 ± 7 years, of which 60% (128) were male. The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis was 62% (131 cases). Of these 131 subjects with a plaque in any of the territories, the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator was the one that identified the highest number of cases with high cardiovascular risk (39%), Framingham detected 20%, and Regicor 0% (p < 0.01). The net reclassification was 41%, 50% and 60% respectively (< 0.01). The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic persons without a history of cardiovascular disease was 62%. The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator was the most effective predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in this population.

Angioplastia percutánea con balón en hipertensión pulmonar tromboembólica crónica / Percutaneous balloon angioplasty for treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

La hipertensión pulmonar tromboembólica crónica se caracteriza por la presencia de material trombótico organizado dentro de las arterias pulmonares que genera elevación de la resistencia vascular pulmonar, insuficiencia cardíaca derecha y, eventualmente, la muerte. El tratamiento de elección es la tromboendarterectomía pulmonar, que suele ser curativa si la obstrucción es proximal. En algunos casos este tratamiento no es posible y surge como alternativa la angioplastia pulmonar con balón (APB), que está generando creciente interés. Se presentan tres casos de pacientes con hipertensión pulmonar tromboembólica a los que por diferentes circunstancias no pudo tratarse con tromboendarterectomía y se realizó APB comprobándose, en los tres casos, mejoría de la clase funcional, prueba de la caminata de seis minutos, además de parámetros hemodinámicos y angiográficos.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is characterized by the presence of organized thrombotic material in the pulmonary arteries which causes elevation of the pulmonary vascular resistance, right heart failure, and death if not treated. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the treatment of choice and can be curative when the obstruction is proximal. There are cases in which this therapy is not possible, and pulmonary angioplasty is a therapeutic alternative of growing interest. We present our experience with three patients diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in whom pulmonary endarterectomy was not possible and pulmonary angioplasty was performed. All patients showed improvement of functional class, six-minute walk distance, and hemodynamic as well as angiographic parameters.