Adherence to optimal medical therapy and control of cardiovascular risk factors in patients after ST elevation myocardial infarction in Mexico.

Introduction: In developing countries, there is a notable scarcity of real-world data on adherence to optimal medical therapy (OMT) and its correlation with major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our study focuses on addressing this gap by evaluating adherence to OMT, examining its influence on the risk of MACEs after STEMI, and assessing subsequent cardiovascular risk factor control in Mexico. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of post-STEMI patients after hospital discharge. Adherence to treatment was assessed over a median of 683 days (interquartile range: 478-833) using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ). Patients were followed up for 4.5 years to monitor MACEs (cardiovascular death, cardiogenic shock, recurrent myocardial infarction, and heart failure). Results: We included 349 patients with a mean age of 58.08 years (±10.9), predominantly male (89.9%). Hypertension (42.4%), smoking (34.3%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (31.2%), obesity (22.92%), and dyslipidemia (21.4%) were highly prevalent. Adherence to OMT per SMAQ was 44.7%. The baseline clinical characteristics of adherent and non-adherent patients did not significantly differ. OMT prescription rates were as follows: acetylsalicylic acid, 91.1%; P2Y12 inhibitors, 76.5%; and high-intensity statins, 86.6%. While non-adherent patients had a numerically higher rate of MACEs (73 vs. 49 first events), there was no statistically significant difference (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 0.90-1.88). Discussion: In this real-world study of patients after STEMI, we observed low adherence to OMT, a low proportion of global cardiovascular risk factor control, and a numerically higher incidence of recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events in non-adherent patients. Strategies to improve adherence to OMT and risk factor control are needed.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes in Adults With Moderate-to-Severe Complexity Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Palliation or Surgical Repair.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) survival rate has improved dramatically due to advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. However, concerning the unrepaired CHD population of moderate and severe complexity, the data regarding risk predictors and surgical outcomes are scarce. Our aim was to describe the surgical results and predictors of in-hospital outcomes in adult patients with moderate-to-severe complexity CHD that were not repaired in childhood. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 49 adult patients with moderate-to-complex CHD who were treated in a single medical centre. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were obtained on admission, after surgical procedures and during follow-up. Results: Most of the patients were female (66%). Left ventricular ejection fraction and right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening were within the normal range. The median pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 37 (27-55) mm Hg. The median time was 118 (80-181) minutes for extracorporeal circulation and 76 (49-121) minutes for aortic cross-clamping. The most frequent complication was postoperative complete atrioventricular block (12.2%). In-hospital survival rate was 87.7%. The development of low cardiac output syndrome with predominant right ventricle failure in the postoperative period was the most important predictor of in-hospital death (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Deciding to treat adults with CHD is challenging in moderate and severe unrepaired cases. Adequate clinical, functional, and imaging evaluation is essential to determine each patient's suitability for surgical management and to achieve the best clinical outcome for this population.

Contexte: Grâce aux avancées réalisées en matière de techniques diagnostiques et thérapeutiques, la survie des patients atteints d'une cardiopathie congénitale s'est considérablement améliorée. Cependant, en ce qui concerne les personnes atteintes d'une cardiopathie congénitale non corrigée présentant une complexité modérée ou extrême, les données portant sur les facteurs de risque prédictifs ainsi que sur les résultats chirurgicaux sont rares. Notre objectif était de décrire les résultats chirurgicaux ainsi que les facteurs prédictifs des résultats obtenus en milieu hospitalier chez les patients adultes atteints d'une cardiopathie congénitale présentant une complexité modérée ou extrême qui n'a pas été corrigée pendant l'enfance. Méthodologie: Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte rétrospective comprenant 49 patients adultes atteints d'une cardiopathie congénitale modérée ou complexe qui ont reçu leurs traitements dans un seul centre médical. Les variables cliniques et échocardiographiques ont été obtenues au moment de l'admission, après les interventions chirurgicales et pendant la période de suivi. Résultats: Les patients étaient en majorité des femmes (66 %). La fraction d'éjection du ventricule gauche ainsi que la fraction de raccourcissement de la voie d'éjection ventriculaire droite sont demeurées dans les limites de la normale. La pression systolique médiane de l'artère pulmonaire a été de 37 mmHg (27-55 mmHg). Le temps médian écoulé pour la circulation extracorporelle a été de 118 minutes (80-181 minutes) et pour le clampage de la crosse aortique, de 76 minutes (49-121 minutes). Le bloc auriculo-ventriculaire postopératoire complet a été la complication la plus fréquente (12,2 %). Le taux de survie en milieu hospitalier a été de 87,7 %. Le développement du syndrome du faible débit cardiaque accompagné d'une insuffisance prédominante du ventricule droit durant la période postopératoire a constitué le principal facteur prédictif de décès à l'hôpital (p = 0,03). Conclusion: Il est difficile de traiter les adultes qui présentent une cardiopathie congénitale modérée ou sévère non corrigée. Il est essentiel que les évaluations cliniques, fonctionnelles et par imagerie soient réalisées de façon adéquate pour déterminer si une prise en charge chirurgicale convient aux patients et pour garantir les meilleurs résultats cliniques chez ces derniers.

Endotheliitis, Shunts, and Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch in Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Literature Review of Disease Mechanisms.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has continued to impact global health. However, while immunity acquired by vaccines has been developed, 40% of the world's population has still not been vaccinated. Economic problems associated with acquiring novel therapies, misinformation, and differences in treatment protocols have generated catastrophic results, especially in low-resource countries. Understanding the pathophysiological aspects of coronavirus disease and the therapeutic strategies that have been validated to date is essential for successful medical care. In this review, I summarize the historical aspects of the virus, molecules involved in infecting the host, and consequences of viral interactions with and in tissues.

Endarterectomía carotídea en paciente con estenosis aórtica crítica. Importancia de la anestesia regional y del neuromonitoreo / Carotid endarterectomy in a patient with critical aortic stenosis. Importance of regional anesthesia and transoperative neurological monitoring

Resumen: La estenosis carotídea (EC) ocurre en 13% de los pacientes con estenosis valvular aórtica (EVA). El riesgo de evento vascular cerebral (EVC), en los pacientes con EC significativa sometidos a cirugía valvular cardíaca, puede aumentar hasta 11%. Someter a un paciente con EVA crítica y fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) disminuida a endarterectomía carotídea es todo un reto anestésico, cuyo principal objetivo es evitar la hipotensión y el bajo gasto cardíaco. La anestesia regional es una opción para estos pacientes. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 70 años con diagnóstico de EC significativa y EVA crítica con disfunción ventricular izquierda, al que se realizó endarterectomía carotídea con bloqueo del plexo cervical superficial por alto riesgo de colapso circulatorio. Dicha estrategia anestésica permitió mantener al paciente despierto durante la cirugía, al valorar continuamente su estado neurológico. Asimismo, se documentaron los cambios transoperatorios en el NIRS (Near-infrared spectroscopy) cerebral y Doppler transcraneal (DTC), los cuales se correlacionaron con el estado clínico del paciente. En un segundo tiempo se hizo cambio valvular aórtico sin complicaciones. En este caso destaca la importancia de la anestesia regional y el monitoreo neurológico con Doppler transcraneal, en pacientes sometidos a endarterectomía carotídea con alto riesgo quirúrgico por EVA crítica.

Abstract: Carotid stenosis occurs in 13% of patients with aortic valve stenosis. The risk of stroke in patients with significant carotid stenosis undergoing heart valve surgery may increase to 11%. Proposing a patient with critical aortic valve stenosis and left ventricular dysfunction to carotid endarterectomy is an anesthetic challenge, where the objective is to avoid hypotension and low cardiac output. Regional anesthesia is an option for these patients. Due to the high incidence of intraoperative stroke during carotid endarterectomy, continuous neurological monitoring is of relevance. We present the case of a 70-year-old man diagnosed with significant carotid stenosis and critical aortic valve stenosis and left ventricular dysfunction who underwent carotid endarterectomy with superficial cervical plexus block due to a high risk of circulatory collapse. In addition, this anesthetic strategy made it possible to keep the patient awake during surgery, and to continuously assess their neurological status. Likewise, transoperative changes in brain NIRS and transcranial Doppler were documented, which correlated with the patient's clinical status. In a second time, aortic valve replacement was performed without complications. This case highlights the importance of regional anesthesia and neurological monitoring in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy with high surgical risk due to critical aortic valve stenosis.