[COVID-19 in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease: a series of cases during the fourth epidemiologic wave in Mexico City]. / COVID-19 en pacientes con afección cardiovascular preexistente: una serie de casos durante la cuarta ola epidemiológica en la Ciudad de México.

Objective: SARS-CoV-2 infection induces an immune response that causes excessive inflammation damaging cardiac tissue and vascular endothelium. The objective of this study is to review a series of cases of hospitalized patients with pre-existing cardiac disease to describe the clinical behavior and highlight the low frequency of morbidity and mortality. Method: Retrospective study of 17 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction test or antigen test, a history of cardiovascular disease with or without comorbidities, and a history of at least one dose of the vaccine for COVID-19, during the period between December 30, 2021 and March 17, 2022 at the Ignacio Chávez National Institute of Cardiology in Mexico City. Results: The most frequent cardiac pathology was acute myocardial infarction (31.25%) and the most common arrhythmia was atrial fibrillation (25%). The median number of days of hospital stay was 10 days (interquartile range: 4-14). Regarding the outcomes, 94% of the patients were discharged due to clinical improvement, and only one patient died during his hospitalization. Conclusions: It is crucial to continue investigating SARS-CoV-2 effects in patients pre-existing heart disease and in those with persistent symptoms after infection. This will allow the development of more effective strategies for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19.

Objetivo: La infección por SARS-CoV-2 induce una respuesta inmunitaria que causa una inflamación excesiva dañando al tejido cardiaco y al endotelio vascular. El objetivo de este estudio es revisar una serie de casos de pacientes hospitalizados con patología cardiaca preexistente para describir el comportamiento clínico y resaltar la baja frecuencia de morbimortalidad. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de 17 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19 mediante prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa o prueba de antígenos, antecedente de enfermedad cardiovascular en presencia o no de comorbilidad, y antecedente de al menos una dosis de la vacuna para la COVID-19, durante el periodo entre el 30 de diciembre de 2021 y el 17 de marzo de 2022, en el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez de la Ciudad de México. Resultados: La patología cardiaca previa más frecuente fue el infarto agudo de miocardio (31.25%), y la arritmia más común fue la fibrilación auricular (25%). La mediana de días de estancia hospitalaria fue de 10 (rango intercuartílico: 4-14). En cuanto a los desenlaces, el 94% de los pacientes fueron dados de alta por mejoría clínica y solo un paciente falleció durante su internamiento. Conclusiones: Es crucial continuar investigando y monitoreando los efectos del SARS-CoV-2 en los pacientes con enfermedades cardiacas preexistentes y en aquellos con síntomas persistentes después de la infección. Esto permitirá desarrollar estrategias más efectivas para el tratamiento y la prevención de las complicaciones cardiovasculares asociadas a la COVID-19.

[Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the thoracic aorta: endovascular treatment, hybrid or surgery. A review]. / Aneurisma de aorta torácica por úlcera aterosclerótica penetrante: tratamiento endovascular, hibrido o cirugía. Revisión.

The aortic aneurysm is part of the acute aortic syndromes (AAS). Aortic aneurysms have a weakened tunica media. Acute aneurysm expansion may herald rupture with high morbility and mortality. Five percent of AAS are diagnosed as pentetrating atherosclerotic ulcer which is an ulceration of an atherosclerotic lesion of the aorta that penetrates the internal elastic lamina and allows hematoma formation within the tunica media of the aortic wall. Endovascular treatment is an alternative to surgery and has provided an adequate rate of successful repair. There is another type of treatment which combines surgery and endovascular repair (the hybrid open-endovascular repair) which provides adequate results. The afford mention case is about a patient with a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. The hematoma that results from this ulcer extends and self-contains the aneurysm, with a high risk of rupture. We will also describe the aneurysm treatment options.

[Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]. / Miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was first described more than a century ago; the characteristic finding is an inappropriate myocardial hypertrophy, occurring in the absence of an obvious cause. Determination of the exact site of the hypertrophy and of the obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract, in asymmetric septal hypertrophy, establishes which is the best treatment strategy. Forty-one-year-old man with a history of recurrent palpitations without any other symptomatology. The initial electrocardiogram (EKG) showed sinus rhythm with evidence of ventricular left hypertrophy and unspecific changes in ventricular repolarization. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed HCM and mitral regurgitation. The electrophysiological study, under treatment with amiodarone, did not induce ventricular arrhythmias. The 10-years evolution of the EKG showed changes of variable degrees associated with the hypertrophy and systolic overload of the left ventricle. The echocardiographic three-dimensional reconstruction in the long axis revealed the dynamic obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. In the hemodynamic study, the existence of a subaortic gradient confirmed the diagnosis and showed an increase of the gradient at the post-extrasystolic beat (Brockenbrough-Braunwald phenomenon). The echocardiographic three-dimensional reconstruction defines more accurately the exact site of the septal hypertrophy and its hemodynamic consequences.

[Hypertension and pregnancy]. / Hipertensión arterial sistémica en el embarazo.

Increasing evidence indicates that hypertension in pregnancy is an under recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Compared with women who have had normotensive pregnancies, those who are hypertensive during pregnancy are at greater risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and have a less favorable overall risk profile for CVD years after the affected pregnancies. One factor that might underlie this relationship is that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, in particular) and CVD share several common risk factors (e.g. obesity, diabetes mellitus and renal disease). Alternatively, hypertension in pregnancy could induce long-term metabolic and vascular abnormalities that might increase the overall risk of CVD later in life. In both cases, evidence regarding risk-reduction interventions specific to women who have had hypertensive pregnancies is lacking. While awaiting results of large-scale studies, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy should be screened for during assessment of a woman's overall risk profile for CVD. Women at high risk must be monitored closely for conventional risk factors that are common to both CVD and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and treated according to current evidence-based national guidelines.

[Hypertension in women]. / Hipertensión arterial sistémica en la mujer.

The cardiovascular disease is a crucial cause of morbidity and mortality in the woman mainly when they arrive at menopause. The pathophysiology and neurohormonal mechanisms widely vary with respect to the man. This finding has given the support to think that the estrogens may be playing a protector role in cardiovascular disease. However, the associated risk factors like obesity, diabetes, dislipidemia, smoking and sedentary life are increasing in an exponential form. In Mexico the population age distribution establishes that 60% of the women with hypertension are aged < 54 years old. This is reason why as factor of independent cardiovascular risk is commonest. Nevertheless, after the menopause cardiovascular mortality is greater in the woman than in the man. In this review, the importance of the new pathophysiological mechanisms and the clinical-therapeutic approach are analyzed, making emphasis in the importance of the change in the life style and also in the nutritional aspects. In Mexico the woman still have a unique role in the nutritional culture.

[Therapeutic clinical approach for the elderly patient with hypertension: recommendations for clinical practice]. / Abordaje clínico terapéutico del paciente adulto mayor con hipertensión arterial sistémica: recomendaciones para la práctica clínica.

The incidence of hypertension in the geriatric population is very high and is a significant determinant of cardiovascular risk in this group. The tendency for blood pressure to increase with age in westernized societies such as the United States may depend on environmental factors such as diet, stress, and inactivity. Our population tends to become more obese; to consume relatively greater amounts of sodium and lesser amounts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium; and to decrease exercising with increasing age. Senescent changes in the cardiovascular system leading to decreased vascular compliance and decreased baroreceptor sensitivity contribute not only to rising blood pressure but also to an impairment of postural reflexes and orthostatic hypotension. The hallmark of hypertension in the elderly is increased vascular resistance. Greater vascular reactivity in the elderly hypertensive patients may reflect decreased membrane sodium pump activity and decreased beta-adrenergic receptor activity as well as age-related structural changes. Treatment of diastolic hypertension in the elderly is associated with decreased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although treatment of systolic hypertension may not decrease immediate cardiovascular mortality, it appears to decrease the incidence of stroke. The initial therapeutic approach to the elderly hypertensive patient should generally consist of a reduction in salt and caloric intake and an increase in aerobic exercise, i.e., walking. Drug therapy should be initiated with lower doses of medication with a special concern about orthostatic hypotension.

[Hypertension in children and adolescence]. / Hipertensión arterial sistémica en el niño y adolescente.

The epidemic of childhood obesity, the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy, and evidence of the early development of atherosclerosis in children would make the detection of and intervention in childhood hypertension important to reduce long-term health risks; however, supporting data are lacking. Secondary hypertension is more common in preadolescent children, with most cases caused by renal disease. Primary or essential hypertension is more common in adolescents and has multiple risk factors, including obesity and a family history of hypertension. Evaluation involves a through history and physical examination, laboratory tests, and specialized studies. Management is multifaceted. Nonpharmacologic treatments include weight reduction, exercise, and dietary modifications. Although the evidence of first line therapy for hypertension is still controversial, the recommendations for pharmacologic treatment are based on symptomatic hypertension, evidence of end-organ damage, stage 2 of hypertension, or stage 1 of hypertension unresponsive to lifestyle modifications, and hypertension with diabetes mellitus.

[Prevention and treatment of hypertension and coronary heart disease]. / Prevención y tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial sistémica en el paciente con enfermedad arterial coronaria.

The association between arterial systemic hypertension arterial coronary disease has been demonstrated by cumulated evidence of several epidemiological studies. Hypertension is an important independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease, vascular cerebral disease and nephropathy. Important advances exist in the knowledge of neurohumoral and hemodynamic factors that come together in the pathophysiology of the hypertension and in the development of coronary disease that allow to establish better strategies not only of treatment, but also of prevention, with the purpose of diminishing the cardiovascular mortality. The spectrum of the coronary artery disease secondary to atherosclerosis is wide and the strategies of treatment of hypertension must be adapted to each particular case. The treatment of both conditions needs of specific limits of agreement to the conditions of the patient and the form of presentation of each one of these disease.

[Extreme elevation of the blood pressure (hypertensive crisis): recommendations for its clinical-therapeutic approach]. / Elevación extrema de la presión arterial (crisis hipertensiva): recomendaciones para su abordaje clínico-terapéutico.

From beginnings of last century the hypertensive emergency was defined as the association of acutely elevation from the arterial pressure and the appearance of damage to end organ. At present is recognized the effects of the hypertensive emergency, the aspects of its patophysiology in which are included phenomenon of vasomotricity and the participation of different substances with vasoactives properties. The clinical presentation includes not only the manifestations of the increase of the arterial pressure, the end organ damage too; for this reason the hypertensive emergency needs the immediate reduction of the arterial tension to prevent the damage to specific organs. The treatment in every case will have to be individualized, with a wide knowledge of the characteristics of every medicament to obtain the best results. The diagnosis and treatment of the hypertensive emergencies needs often of the attention of its complications if they have appeared and later, of a treatment of support for the arterial hypertension.

[Clinical guidelines for detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of systemic arterial hypertension in Mexico (2008)]. / Guías clínicas para la detección, prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento de hipertensión arterial sistémica en México (2008).

The multidisciplinary Institutional Committee of experts in Systemic Arterial Hypertension from the National Institute of Cardiology "Ignacio Chávez" presents its update (2008) of "Guidelines and Recommendations" for the early detection, control, treatment and prevention of Hypertension. The boarding tries to be simple and realistic for all that physicians whom have to face the hypertensive population in their clinical practice. The information is based in the most recent scientific evidence. These guides are principally directed to hypertensive population of emergent countries like Mexico. It is emphasized preventive health measures, the importance of the no pharmacological actions, such as good nutrition, exercise and changes in life style, (which ideally it must begin from very early ages). "We suggest that the changes in the style of life must be vigorous, continuous and systematized, with a real reinforcing by part of all the organisms related to the health education for all population (federal and private social organisms). It is the most important way to confront and prevent this pandemic of chronic diseases". In this new edition the authors amplifies the information and importance on the matter. The preventive cardiology must contribute in multidisciplinary entailment. Based mainly on national data and the international scientific publications, we developed our own system of classification and risk stratification for the carrying people with hypertension, Called HTM (Arterial Hypertension in Mexico) index. Its principal of purpose this index is to keep in mind that the current approach of hypertension must be always multidisciplinary. The institutional committee of experts reviewed with rigorous methodology under the principles of the evidence-based medicine, both, national and international medical literature, with the purpose of adapting the concepts and guidelines for a better control and treatment of hypertension in Mexico. This work group recognizes that hypertension is not an isolated disease; therefore its approach must be in the context of the prevalence and interaction with other cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, dislipidemia and smoking among others. The urgent necessity is emphasized to approach in a concatenated form the diverse cardiovascular risk factors, since independently of which they share common pathophysiological mechanisms, its suitable identification and control will affect without any doubt the natural history of the other concatenated risk factor. By all means that to greater participation of factors, greater it will be the global cardiovascular risk but never, however, the specific weight is due to avoid that each one has on the global cardiovascular risk. In this Second edition we try to amplify and give systematic forms for the clinical approach for the suspicion of secondary hypertension and we emphasizes that hypertension in the woman with or without menopause should be careful analyzed, and special recommendations are given for the hypertension in pregnancy. Also we have approached some aspects related to the hypertensive emergencies and other special situations. In this second version some recommendations are presented for boarding hypertension in children and adolescents.

[Clinical indications for implant of CID in patients with coronary heart disease and cardiac failure]. / Indicaciones clínicas para el implante de desfibrilador automático implantable (DAI) en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva y cardiopatía isquémica.

The mortality of the myocardial acute infarction has diminished with the introduction of the new strategies of reperfusion; this way, the number of patients with ventricular left dysfunction has increased. This one is a special population with risk greater than rest of people of suffering an event of cardiac sudden death (SD). This fact needs of a suitable process of stratification of the risk for SD that this population has and it is necessary measures of primary and secondary prevention to diminish the mortality of these patients. In this paper the clinical characteristics of this population by precedent of heart attack of the myocardium and/or ventricular left dysfunction are checked. These characters can suggest the indication for the implant of an automatic defibrillator.

[Guidelines of the National Institute of Cardiology "Ignacio Chávez" for the treatment of systemic arterial hypertension]. / Guías del Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia "Ignacio Chávez" para el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial sistémica.

The arterial hypertension in Mexico has a prevalence of 30%, with some differences in the geographical distribution. Of this population two relevant aspects are outlined: the high prevalence of arterial hypertension in young people and the common association with other factors of cardiovascular risk. Associated with these facts, it is of be making notice that an important percentage of this people doesn't know the diagnosis, and that those who have this diagnosis established often does not receive treatment or, has an evil control of the value of the arterial tension them in spite of receiving pharmacological treatment. The guidelines for the treatment of the arterial hypertension in our country are based on anatomic characteristics proper of our population, and they are based in a process of risk stratification elaborated with the same characteristics. These guidelines are the recommendations for the initial treatment of the arterial hypertension but must be remembered the fundamental concept of the medicine that establishes that any treatment must be completely individualized.

[Electric therapy for heart failure]. / Terapia eléctrica de la insuficiencia cardíaca.

The different means for treating congestive heart failure have not yet achieved the improvement in quality of life and the prognosis of people with terminal stage cardiac disease. Some treatment resources, such as cardiac transplant, are only accessible for a selected group of patients. In the last decade, the interest on the role of electromechanic disturbances has grown and has motivated special interest for the use of the pacemaker as a tool for the treatment of congestive heart failure. During this period we have seen an important progress of this kind of treatment and, nowadays, multicenter studies have shown the hemodynamic improvement of the patients treated with this method. Selection of patients for this kind of treatment should be careful; although today it can be known which patients can benefit from this device in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

[Follow-up of a group of patients with automatic implantable defibrillator]. / Seguimiento de un grupo de pacientes con desfibrilador automático implantable.

UNLABELLED: The automatic implantable defibrillator (AID) is the treatment of choice for primary and secondary prevention of sudden death. At the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, since October 1996 until January 2002, 25 patients were implanted with 26 AID. There were 23 men (92%) and the mean age of the whole group, was 51.4 years. Twenty-three patients (92%) presented structural heart disease, the most common was ischemic heart disease in 13 patients (52%), with a mean ejection fraction of 37.8%. One patient without structural heart disease had Brugada Syndrome. The most frequent clinical arrhythmia was ventricular tachycardia in 14 patients (56%). The mean follow-up was of 29.3 months during which a total of 30 events of ventricular arrhythmia were treated through AID; six of them were inappropriate due to paroxismal atrial fibrillation; 10 AID patients (34%) have not applied for therapy. Three patients (12%) of the group died due to congestive heart failure refractory to pharmacologic treatment. CONCLUSION: The implant of the AID is a safe and effective measure for primary and secondary prevention of sudden death. World-wide experience evidences, that this kind of device has not modified the mortality rate due to heart failure in these patients, but it has diminished sudden arrhythmic death.

[Internal cardioversion in chronic atrial fibrillation]. / Cardioversión interna de la fibrilación auricular crónica.

The importance of atrial fibrillation has always motivated the search of new treatment alternatives. Internal cardioversion has been proposed as a choice in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, giving rise to the development of atrial defibrillator. We present the case of a 68 years old patient without structural heart disease and with diagnosis of chronic atrial fibrillation of 10 months of evolution. He received treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs and successful electrical external cardioversion, but he relapsed a week later. For this reason, we decided to perform internal cardioversion with an electrocatheter (DAIG) placed in the coronary sinus through the right jugular vein and under light sedation with propofol (2 mg/kg weight). We applied three shocks of 1, 3, and 5 joules, being able to convert to sinus rhythm without complications. The patient continues under treatment with antiarrhythmic agents. Internal cardioversion has shown to be an effective way for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, using a light sedation and low energy level to reestablish the sinus rhythm.

[Trans-septal puncture for radiofrequency ablation of left accessory pathway]. / Punción transeptal para la ablación con radiofrecuencia de una vía accesoria izquierda.

We present the case of an 18-year-old male patient with diagnosis of Wolff Parkinson-White syndrome due to a left free wall accessory pathway. We performed an electrophysiology study and transseptal punction guided by transesophageal echocardiogram to via access to the left atrium. We performed successful radiofrequency ablation of the accessory pathway, observing disappearance of the delta wave on the first attempt. There were no complications. In follow-up a 10 months, the patient had no clinical nor electrocardiographic evidence of recurrence. Transseptal radiofrequency ablation is an alternative for treatment of some arrhythmias localized in the left side of the heart.

Neurocardiogenic syncope in chronic atrioventricular block.

We report a 37-year-old man with type I second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block (atypical Wenckebach's periodicity) referred to our department for pacemaker implantation because of an episode of syncope. After exhaustive evaluation, including electrophysiological test, in which Wenckebach's cycles with block within the AV node was demonstrated, syncope was considered to be neurally mediated. Head-up tilt testing with sublingual isosorbide dinitrate was positive. The decrease in atrial rate at the beginning of the vasovagal reaction was not immediately accompanied by a depressed AV node conduction. Only at the moment of syncope did incomplete AV block appear. This observation illustrates (1) a neurally mediated origin of syncope in a patient with chronic AV block, and (2) the different time-course responses of the sinus and AV nodes to autonomic tone.

Aneurisma de aorta torácica por úlcera aterosclerótica penetrante: tratamiento endovascular, hibrido o cirugía: revisión / Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the thoracic aorta: endovascular treatment, hybrid or surgery: a review

The aortic aneurysm is part of the acute aortic syndromes (AAS). Aortic aneurysms have a weakened tunica media. Acute aneurysm expansion may herald rupture with high morbility and mortality. Five percent of AAS are diagnosed as pentetrating atherosclerotic ulcer which is an ulceration of an atherosclerotic lesion of the aorta that penetrates the internal elastic lamina and allows hematoma formation within the tunica media of the aortic wall. Endovascular treatment is an alternative to surgery and has provided an adequate rate of successful repair. There is another type of treatment which combines surgery and endovascular repair (the hybrid open-endovascular repair) which provides adequate results. The afford mention case is about a patient with a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. The hematoma that results from this ulcer extends and self-contains the aneurysm, with a high risk of rupture. We will also describe the aneurysm treatment options.