Influence of meteorological conditions on hospital admission in patients with acute coronary syndrome with and without ST-segment elevation: Results of the AIRACOS study. / Influencia de las condiciones meteorológicas en el ingreso hospitalario en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo con y sin elevación del segmento ST: resultados del estudio AIRACOS.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether the meterological parameters affecting revenues in patients with ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation ACS. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was carried out. SETTING: Coronary Care Unit of Hospital Universitario de Canarias PATIENTS: We studies a total of 307 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation ACS. We analyze the average concentrations of particulate smaller than 10 and 2.5µm diameter, particulate black carbon, the concentrations of gaseous pollutants and meteorological parameters (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure) that were exposed patients from one day up to 7 days prior to admission. INTERVENTIONS: None. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Demographic, clinical, atmospheric particles, concentrations of gaseous pollutants and meterological parameters. RESULTS: A total of 138 (45%) patients were classified as ST-segment and 169 (55%) as non-ST-segment elevation ACS. No statistically significant differences in exposure to atmospheric particles in both groups. Regarding meteorological data, we did not find statistically significant differences, except for higher atmospheric pressure in ST-segment elevation ACS (999.6±2.6 vs. 998.8±2.5 mbar, P=.008). Multivariate analysis showed that atmospheric pressure was significant predictor of ST-segment elevation ACS presentation (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04-1.24, P=.004). CONCLUSIONS: In the patients who suffer ACS, the presence of higher number of atmospheric pressure during the week before the event increase the risk that the ST-segment elevation ACS.

Fever, Malaise, and Dyspnea in a Diabetic Heart Transplant Patient: A Case Report.

Patients with solid-organ transplants usually present at the emergency department with nonspecific symptoms. The physician should consider a great variety of syndromes and diseases, given the greater risk that solid-organ transplant patients carry because of immunosuppression and transplant-related conditions. Myocardial infarction caused by cardiac allograft vasculopathy must be always suspected and ruled out, even when initial symptoms do not orientate in that direction. We present a case that conjugates signs that can be present in different pathologies. It shows that fever is not always related to infection or rejection but could also appear in acute cardiac allograft vasculopathy. It emphasizes the need of a multi-disciplinary team led by a heart transplant specialist when dealing with this sort of clinical case.

La técnica de superposición de cúspides en TAVI con dispositivo autoexpandible optimiza la profundidad del implante y reduce la necesidad de marcapasos permanente / Cusp-overlapping TAVI technique with a self-expanding device optimizes implantation depth and reduces permanent pacemaker requirement

Introducción y objetivos: Una profundidad más alta del implante percutáneo de una válvula aórtica autoexpandible minimiza el daño en el sistema de conducción y puede reducir las tasas de marcapasos permanente a 30 días. El objetivo es determinar la seguridad y la eficacia de modificar la técnica de implante clásica para el reemplazo percutáneo de la válvula aórtica a una técnica de proyección de superposición de cúspides (PSC) para lograr una profundidad más alta del implante y reducir la necesidad de marcapasos permanente. Métodos: Desde marzo de 2017 se incluyó a 226 pacientes consecutivos: 113 tratados con técnica de implante PSC frente a 113 casos consecutivos previos con implante clásico. La profundidad del implante se evaluó mediante 3 métodos en todos los pacientes (cúspide no coronaria a válvula cardiaca percutánea (VCP); media de cúspide no coronaria y cúspide coronaria izquierda a VCP y el borde más profundo de cúspide coronaria izquierda y cúspide no coronaria a VCP). Resultados: El grupo de PSC presentó una profundidad del implante menor que el del grupo de implante clásico (4,8±2,2 frente a 5,7±3,1 mm; p=0,011; 5,8±3,1 frente a 6,5±2,4 mm; p=0,095; 7,1±2,8 frente a 7,4±3,2 mm; p=0,392). A los 30 días de seguimiento, 40 pacientes (17,7%) requirieron el implante de marcapasos permanente, menos en el grupo de PSC (el 12,4 frente al 23%; p=0,036). La técnica de implante PSC protegió contra el evento principal (OR=0,45; IC95%, 0,21-0,97; p=0,043), con parecidos éxito del procedimiento y complicaciones. Conclusiones: La técnica de implante PSC es una simple modificación en el protocolo que proporciona una profundidad del implante más alta de la prótesis valvular autoexpandible con menores alteraciones de la conducción y tasas de marcapasos permanente (AU)

Introduction and objectives: This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of modifying the classic implantation technique for aortic transcatheter heart valve (THV) implantation to a cusp-overlap-projection (COP) technique to achieve a higher implantation depth and to reduce the burden of new permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) at 30 days. Aortic self-expanding THV carries an elevated risk for PPMI. A higher implantation depth minimizes the damage in the conduction system and may reduce PPMI rates. Methods: From March 2017, 226 patients were consecutively included: 113 patients were treated using the COP implantation technique compared with the previous 113 consecutive patients treated using the classic technique. In all patients, implantation depth was assessed by 3 methods (noncoronary cusp to the THV, mean of the noncoronary cusp and the left coronary cusp to the THV, and the deepest edge from the left coronary cusp and the noncoronary cusp to the THV). Results: The COP group had a lower implantation depth than the group treated with the classic technique (4.8 mm± 2.2 vs 5.7 mm± 3.1; P=.011; 5.8 mm± 3.1 vs 6.5 mm± 2.4; P=.095; 7.1 mm± 2.8 vs 7.4 mm±3.2; P=.392). Forty patients (17.7%) required a new PPMI after the 30-day follow-up but this requirement was significantly lower in the COP group (12.4% vs 23%, P=.036). The COP implantation technique consistently protected against the main event (OR, 0.45; 95%CI, 0.21-0.97; P=.043), with similar procedural success rates and complications. Conclusions: The COP implantation technique is a simple modification of the implantation protocol and provides a higher implantation depth of self-expanding-THV with lower conduction disturbances and PPMI rates (AU)

Inflammatory biomarkers of coronary atheromatous plaque vulnerability.

In the last decade, compelling evidence has evolved at both the basic science and clinical level for the implication of inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its complications. The composition of the atherosclerotic plaque, rather than the degree of stenosis, is now recognized as a pivotal feature in determining plaque vulnerability and hence the risk of acute coronary ischaemic events. Current evidence supports a key role for inflammation in all phases of the atherosclerotic process, from plaque formation through to progression and, ultimately, the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis. The growing appreciation of the role of inflammation in atherogenesis has focused attention on whether circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers may help to identify those at risk of future cardiovascular events. In addition, the protective effects of a variety of interventions, such as statins, aspirin, and fibrates, are often associated with the evidence of reduced inflammation, further strengthening the notion that inflammation and the acute complications of atherosclerosis are causally related. The present review describes the pathophysiology of atheromatous plaque vulnerability and discusses the clinical use of inflammatory biomarkers for prognostic stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Influencia del tratamiento con morfina en la mortalidad intrahospitalaria de pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda / Influence of morphine treatment on in-hospital mortality among patients with acute heart failure

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Influencia de las condiciones meteorológicas en el ingreso hospitalario en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo con y sin elevación del segmento ST: resultados del estudio AIRACOS / Influence of meteorological conditions on hospital admission in patients with acute coronary syndrome with and without ST-segment elevation: Results of the AIRACOS study

OBJETIVO: Evaluar si los parámetros meteorológicos influyen en los ingresos de pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) con y sin elevación del ST. DISEÑO: Cohorte prospectiva. ÁMBITO: Unidad Coronaria del Hospital Universitario de Canarias. PACIENTES: Se estudió un total de 307 pacientes consecutivos con el diagnóstico de SCA con y sin elevación del ST. Analizamos las concentraciones medias de partículas con tamaño inferior a 10 y 2,5 Mim de diámetro, partículas de carbono negro, concentraciones de gases contaminantes y los parámetros meteorológicos a los que estuvieron expuestos los pacientes desde el día anterior hasta 7 días previos al ingreso. Intervenciones: Ninguna. Variables de interés principales: Demográficas, clínicas, partículas atmosféricas, contaminantes en fase gas y parámetros meteorológicos. RESULTADOS: Del total, 138 (45%) pacientes fueron clasificados como SCA con elevación del ST y 169 (55%) sin elevación del ST. No encontramos diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la exposición a partículas atmosféricas entre ambos grupos. Respecto a los datos meteorológicos, no encontramos diferencias estadísticamente significativas, a excepción de una mayor presión atmosférica en el SCA con elevación del ST (999,6 ± 2,6 vs. 998,8 ± 2,5 mbar, P = 0,008). El análisis multivariante mostró que la presión atmosférica fue predictor significativo de presentación del SCA con elevación del ST (OR: 1,14 IC 95%: 1,04 a 1,24; p = 0,004). CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes que sufren un SCA, la presencia de cifras más elevadas de presión atmosférica durante la semana previa al evento incrementa el riesgo de que dicho SCA sea con elevación del ST

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether the meterological parameters affecting revenues in patients with ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation ACS. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was carried out. SETTING: Coronary Care Unit of Hospital Universitario de Canarias PATIENTS: We studies a total of 307 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation ACS. We analyze the average concentrations of particulate smaller than 10 and 2.5 Mim diameter, particulate black carbon, the concentrations of gaseous pollutants and meteorological parameters (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure) that were exposed patients from one day up to 7 days prior to admission. INTERVENTIONS: None. Variables of interest: Demographic, clinical, atmospheric particles, concentrations of gaseous pollutants and meterological parameters. RESULTS: A total of 138 (45%) patients were classified as ST-segment and 169 (55%) as non-ST-segment elevation ACS. No statistically significant differences in exposure to atmospheric particles in both groups. Regarding meteorological data, we did not find statistically significant differences, except for higher atmospheric pressure in ST-segment elevation ACS (999.6 ± 2.6 vs. 998.8 ± 2.5 mbar, P = .008). Multivariate analysis showed that atmospheric pressure was significant predictor of ST-segment elevation ACS presentation (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04-1.24,P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: In the patients who suffer ACS, the presence of higher number of atmospheric pressure during the week before the event increase the risk that the ST-segment elevation ACS

Insuficiencia cardiaca de novo o agudamente descompensada: las 2 caras de la moneda / De novo or acutely decompensated heart failure: the 2 sides of the coin

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The role of neopterin in atherogenesis and cardiovascular risk assessment.

Neopterin is produced by human and primate monocyte/macrophages upon activation by pro-inflammatory stimuli like Th1-type cytokine interferon-gamma. Neopterin has pro-oxidative properties, which have been demonstrated in vitro in physicochemical and cell culture studies and also in in vivo experiments, e.g. the Langendorff perfusion model of rat hearts. In the past several years, the measurement of neopterin concentrations in body fluids including serum, urine and cerebrospinal fluid has revealed a potential role of this molecule in the prediction of long-term prognosis in both patients with cancer and those with systemic infections such as HIV-1 infection. Moreover, elevated neopterin concentrations have been reported in patients with coronary disease compared to controls and in recent years it has become apparent that increased neopterin concentrations are an independent marker for cardiovascular disease and a predictor of future cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. Current data suggest that the diagnostic performance of neopterin testing is comparable to that of well established biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and cholesterol plasma levels. The present article reviews the role of neopterin in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and as a marker of coronary artery disease progression.

CD14 and toll-like receptor 4: a link between infection and acute coronary events?

The CD14 receptor is a pattern recognition molecule in the innate immune response against microorganisms and other exogenous and endogenous stress factors. The most important CD14 signalling co-receptor is toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which activates, among others, the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) inflammatory pathway. Besides its role in innate immunity and host defence, the proinflammatory cytokines expressed upon TLR4/NF-kappaB pathway activation exert proatherogenic effects. The CD14 C(-260)T promoter and TLR4 Asp299Gly functional polymorphisms have been recently implicated in the development of cardiovascular events, suggesting that the genetically determined inflammatory response against pathogens or their antigens may have a major role in atherogenesis and subsequent acute events. Is the association of these polymorphisms with cardiovascular disease more evidence for the implication of infection, especially by Gram negative bacteria, in the development of acute coronary events? This article reviews the molecular basis, biological functions, and clinical implications of the CD14/TLR4 polymorphisms in the development of cardiovascular events.

Portable spectral Doppler echocardiographic device: overcoming limitations.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that new portable echocardiographic devices are useful in evaluating heart anatomy and function, but a lack of Doppler modes has up to now been an important limitation in obtaining haemodynamic data. OBJECTIVES: To report the Doppler capabilities of a new hand held echocardiographic device. DESIGN: Blinded comparison of two types of echocardiography machine. SETTING: Tertiary care centre. PATIENTS: 98 consecutive patients were randomly imaged with the hand held device, with a standard platform as reference. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pulsed wave transmitral Doppler inflow tract velocities, deceleration time, and continuous wave Doppler measurements of aortic ejection and tricuspid regurgitation peak velocities were recorded. RESULTS: There was excellent agreement between the hand held device and standard echocardiography for the evaluation of diastolic E and A waves, E/A ratio, and deceleration time with pulsed wave Doppler (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.97, 0.93, 0.90, and 0.78, respectively). In addition, good agreement was found between continuous wave Doppler measurements of aortic ejection and tricuspid regurgitation velocities (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.96 and 0.80). However, there was a significant difference between patients with tricuspid regurgitation measured with the hand held device (25.5%) and by standard echocardiography (65.3%), resulting in misdiagnosis of eight patients with pronounced pulmonary hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: New hand held devices with Doppler capabilities overcome previous limitations in evaluating haemodynamic variables. With colour Doppler they are now suitable for the complete evaluation of valvar disease and diastolic function. However, important limitations remain in the evaluation of pulmonary pressures.

Markers of inflammation and multiple complex stenoses (pancoronary plaque vulnerability) in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between markers of inflammation and the presence of multiple vulnerable plaques in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of 55 patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes and angiographically documented coronary disease. Blood samples were obtained at study entry for the assessment of high sensitivity C reactive protein (CRP), neopterin, and neutrophil count. Coronary stenoses were assessed by quantitative computerised angiography and classified as "complex" (irregular borders, ulceration, or filling defects) or "smooth" (absence of complex features). Extent of disease was also assessed by a validated angiographic score. RESULTS: Neutrophil count (r = 0.36, p = 0.007), CRP concentration (r = 0.33, p = 0.02), and neopterin concentration (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) correlated with the number of complex stenoses. Patients with multiple (three or more) complex stenoses, but not patients with multiple smooth lesions, had a higher neutrophil count (5.9 (1.4) x 10(9)/l v 4.8 (1.4) x 10(9)/l, p = 0.02), CRP concentration (log transformed) (1.08 (0.63) v 0.6 (0.6), p = 0.03), and neopterin concentration (log transformed) (0.94 (0.18) v 0.79 (0.15), p = 0.002). Multiple regression analysis showed that neopterin concentration (B = 4.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9 to 7.7, p = 0.002) and extent of coronary artery disease (B = 0.6, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.2, p = 0.04) were independently associated with the number of complex stenoses. CONCLUSIONS: Acute inflammatory markers such as high neutrophil count, CRP concentration, and neopterin concentration correlate with the presence of multiple angiographically complex coronary stenoses. Neopterin concentration was a stronger predictor of multiple complex plaques than were neutrophil count and CRP concentration. These findings suggest that a relation exists between inflammation and pancoronary plaque vulnerability.