Eduardo Barge-Caballero

Seguridad y viabilidad del retorno precoz de pacientes transferidos para angioplastia primaria a sus centros de origen

Introduccion y objetivos. Hasta la fecha existen pocos datos sobre la posibilidad de retornar a los pacientes con sindrome coronario agudo con elevacion del segmento ST (SCACEST) trasladados para angioplastia primaria (AP) a su centro de referencia. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la seguridad y viabilidad del retorno precoz de dichos pacientes a sus centros de origen. Metodos. Analisis de cohortes constituido por 200 pacientes consecutivos (edad, 62 ± 13 anos; el 83% varones) devueltos a su centro de origen tras la realizacion de AP, comparandolos con un grupo de 297 pacientes de similares caracteristicas pertenecientes a nuestra area sanitaria. Se analizo el tiempo de estancia en el hospital intervencionista y los eventos cardiovasculares de mas de 30 dias. Resultados. La mediana de permanencia en nuestro hospital fue de 8 h. El grupo retornado no presento ningun evento durante el traslado al hospital de origen. A los 30 dias no se observaron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes retornados y los del grupo control respecto a muerte (el 1 frente al 3,7%; p = 0,064), reingreso (el 5 frente al 4,5%; p = 0,657), complicaciones isquemicas (el 2,5 frente al 2%; p = 0,721), realizacion de nuevo cateterismo (el 5 frente al 2,5%; p = 0,112), accidentes cerebrovasculares (el 1 frente al 1%; p = 0,936) o el evento combinado (el 11 frente al 9,2%; p = 0,540). En un analisis multivariable, el retorno de los pacientes no se asocio con un mayor numero de eventos cardiovasculares (odds ratio = 1,32; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,62-2,80). Conclusiones. El retorno precoz de pacientes con IAM de bajo riesgo a su centro de origen tras AP es seguro y viable

Preoperative INTERMACS Profiles Determine Postoperative Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients Undergoing Emergency Heart Transplantation: Analysis of the Spanish National Heart Transplant Registry

Background—Postoperative outcomes of patients with advanced heart failure undergoing ventricular assist device implantation are strongly influenced by their preoperative Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profiles. We sought to investigate whether a similar association exists in patients undergoing emergency heart transplantation. Methods and Results—By means of the Spanish National Heart Transplant Registry database, we identified 704 adult patients treated with emergency heart transplantation in 15 Spanish centers between 2000 and 2009. Post-transplant outcomes were analyzed pertaining to patient preoperative INTERMACS profiles, which were retrospectively assigned by 2 blinded cardiologists. Before transplantation, INTERMACS profile 1 (critical cardiogenic shock) was present in 207 patients, INTERMACS profile 2 (progressive decline) in 291, INTERMACS profile 3 (inotropic dependence) in 176, and INTERMACS profile 4 (resting symptoms) was present in 30 patients. In-hospital postoperative mortality rates were, respectively, 43%, 26.8%, and 18% in patients with profiles 1, 2, and 3 to 4 (P<0.001). INTERMACS 1 patients also presented the highest incidence of primary graft failure (1: 31.3%, 2: 22.3%, 3–4: 21.8%; P=0.03) and postoperative need for dialysis (1: 33.2%, 2: 18.9%, 3–4: 21.5%; P<0.001). Adjusted odds-ratios for in-hospital postoperative mortality were 4.38 (95% confidence interval, 2.51–7.66) for profile 1 versus 3 to 4, 2.49 (95% confidence interval, 1.56–3.97) for profile 1 versus 2, and 1.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.02–3.03) for profile 2 versus 3 to 4. Long-term survival after hospital discharge was not influenced by preoperative INTERMACS profiles. Conclusions—Preoperative INTERMACS profiles determine outcomes after emergency heart transplantation. Results call for a change in policies related to the management of heart transplant candidates presenting with INTERMACS profiles 1 and 2.

Utilidad de la escala INTERMACS para estratificar el pronóstico tras el trasplante cardiaco urgente

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Our aim was to assess the prognostic value of the INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) scale in patients undergoing urgent heart transplantation (HT). METHODS Retrospective analysis of 111 patients treated with urgent HT at our institution from April, 1991 to October, 2009. Patients were retrospectively assigned to three levels of the INTERMACS scale according to their clinical status before HT. RESULTS Patients at the INTERMACS 1 level (n=31) more frequently had ischemic heart disease (P=.03) and post-cardiothomy shock (P=.02) than patients at the INTERMACS 2 (n=55) and INTERMACS 3-4 (n=25) levels. Patients at the INTERMACS 1 level showed higher preoperative catecolamin doses (P=.001), a higher frequency of use of mechanical ventilation (P<.001), intraaortic balloon (P=.002) and ventricular assist devices (P=.002), and a higher frequency of preoperative infection (P=.015). The INTERMACS 1 group also presented higher central venous pressure (P=.02), AST (P=.002), ALT (P=.006) and serum creatinine (P<.001), and lower hemoglobin (P=.008) and creatinine clearance (P=.001). After HT, patients at the INTERMACS 1 level had a higher incidence of primary graft failure (P=.03) and postoperative need for renal replacement therapy (P=.004), and their long-term survival was lower than patients at the INTERMACS 2 (log rank 5.1, P=.023; HR 3.1, IC 95% 1.1-8.8) and INTERMACS 3-4 level (log rank 6.1, p=0.013; HR 6.8, IC 95% 1.2-39.1). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the INTERMACS scale may be a useful tool to stratify postoperative prognosis after urgent HT.

Prevalencia, causas y pronóstico de las «falsas alarmas» al laboratorio de hemodinámica en pacientes con sospecha de infarto de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST

Introduccion y objetivos. Determinar prevalencia, causas y pronostico de las «falsas alarmas» al laboratorio de hemodinamica (FALH) en una red regional de angioplastia primaria. Metodos. Registro prospectivo de 1.662 pacientes remitidos para angioplastia primaria entre enero de 2003 y agosto de 2008. Se definio FALH como ausencia de lesion coronaria causal. Resultados. En 120 pacientes (7,2%; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 5,9-8,5) no se identifico ninguna lesion coronaria causal. De ellos, 104 (6,3%; IC del 95%, 5,1-7,4) recibieron un diagnostico alternativo a IAMCEST, 91 (5,5%; IC del 95%, 4,3-6,6) no presentaron enfermedad coronaria significativa y 64 (3,8%; IC del 95%, 2,9-4,8) presentaron marcadores de dano miocardico negativos. Los diagnosticos alternativos mas frecuentes fueron: infarto con onda Q previo (18 casos), alteraciones inespecificas del segmento ST (11), pericarditis (10) y discinesia apical transitoria (10). La mortalidad a 30 dias fue similar en los pacientes con y sin lesion causal (el 5,8 frente al 5,8%; p = 0,99). La prevalencia de FALH fue discretamente superior entre los pacientes remitidos desde los servicios de urgencias de hospitales no intervencionistas sin evaluacion previa por un cardiologo que entre los remitidos por cardiologos desde el servicio de urgencias del hospital intervencionista (el 9,5 frente al 6,1%; p = 0,02; odds ratio [OR] = 1,64; IC del 95%, 1,08-2,5). No observamos un exceso de FALH entre los pacientes remitidos por medicos de UVI Moviles-061 (7,2%; p = 0,51; OR = 1,37; IC del 95%, 0,79-2,37). Conclusiones. Hemos observado una prevalencia de FALH del 7,2% de acuerdo con el criterio de ausencia de lesion coronaria causal. Nuestros resultados indican que diferentes modelos de activacion del laboratorio de hemodinamica podrian justificar discretas variaciones en la prevalencia de FALH.

Prevalence, etiology, and outcome of catheterization laboratory false alarms in patients with suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence, causes and outcome of catheterization laboratory false alarms (CLFAs) in a regional primary angioplasty network. METHODS A prospective registry of 1,662 patients referred for primary angioplasty between January 2003 and August 2008 was reviewed to identify CLFAs (i.e. when no culprit coronary lesion could be found). RESULTS No culprit coronary lesion could be identified in 120 patients (7.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9-8.5%). Of these, 104 (6.3%, 95% CI, 5.1-7.4%) had a discharge diagnosis other than ST-elevation myocardial infarction, 91 (5.5%; 95% CI, 4.3-6.6%) had no significant coronary disease, and 64 (3.8%; 95% CI, 2.9-4.8%) tested negative for cardiac biomarkers. The most frequent alternative diagnoses were: previous Q-wave myocardial infarction (18 cases), nonspecific ST-segment abnormalities (11), pericarditis (10) and transient apical dyskinesia (10). The 30-day mortality rate was similar in patients with and without culprit lesions (5.8% vs. 5.8%; P=.99). The prevalence of CLFAs was slightly higher in patients not previously evaluated by a cardiologist and referred from emergency departments in hospitals without catheterization laboratories than in those referred by cardiologists from emergency departments at hospitals with such facilities (9.5% vs. 6.1%; P=.02; odds ratio=1.64; 95% CI, 1.08-2.5). The prevalence of CLFAs was not significantly higher in patients referred by physicians with out-of-hospital emergency medical services (7.2%; P=.51; odds ratio=1.37; 95% CI, 0.79-2.37). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of CLFAs was 7.2%, with the criterion of no culprit coronary lesion. Our findings suggest that different patterns of referral to catheterization laboratories could account for small variations in the prevalence of CLFAs.

Quinolone-related Achilles Tendinopathy in Heart Transplant Patients: Incidence and Risk Factors

BACKGROUND A high incidence of Achilles tendinopathy--tendinitis or rupture--has been observed after quinolone treatment in lung and kidney transplant patients. In the absence of relevant published data, we aimed to determine its incidence, clinical features, risk factors and outcome among heart graft recipients. METHODS We studied the clinical records of all adult heart transplant patients who were prescribed quinolones at our center between August 1995 and September 2006. Achilles tendinopathy had been diagnosed clinically, with ultrasound assessment when necessary. In all cases, quinolone treatment had been terminated upon diagnosis of tendinopathy. RESULTS During this period, quinolones had been given on 242 occasions to 149 heart transplant patients (33 women, 116 men). Achilles tendinopathy developed on 14 occasions (5.8%; 95% confidence interval: 2.8% to 8.7%), affecting 13 men and 1 woman (mean age: 62 years). Three cases involved tendon rupture, and bilateral tendinopathy was present in 8 cases. The median time between the start of treatment and onset of symptoms was 2.5 days, with 12 patients being asymptomatic 2 months after drug withdrawal. Independent risk factors for tendinopathy were renal dysfunction (p = 0.03) and increased time between transplantation and treatment (p = 0.005). Incidence was not influenced by the type, dose or previous administration of quinolones, or by the immunosuppressive regimen. CONCLUSIONS Quinolone-related Achilles tendinopathy is frequent among heart transplant patients, especially in the presence of renal dysfunction or lengthy post-transplantation survival. If no alternative anti-bacterial therapy is available for high-risk patients, close clinical surveillance should be warranted.

Angioplastia primaria en el Area Norte de Galicia: cambios asistenciales y resultados tras la implantacion del programa PROGALIAM

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To analyze changes in healthcare delivery and results for primary angioplasty at Centro Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña following implementation of the PROGALIAM protocol. METHODS Observational registry of 1434 patients referred for primary angioplasty between 2003 and 2007. Results under PROGALIAM (May 2005 - December 2007; n=963) were compared with those from the preceding period (January 2003 - April 2005; n=388). RESULTS After implementing PROGALIAM, there were increases in the number of primary angioplasty procedures (preceding period, 14.4 cases/month; PROGALIAM, 32.2 cases/month), mean patient age (preceding period, 61.3 (11.9) years; PROGALIAM, 64.2 (11.7) years; P<.001), and the percentage of patients referred from peripheral hospitals and treated after normal working hours. Overall median first medical contact-to-balloon time increased (previous period, 106 min; PROGALIAM, 113 min; P=.02), but decreased significantly among patients referred from noninterventional centers (previous period, 171 min; PROGALIAM, 146 min; P<.001). Percentage of cases with an first medical contact-to-balloon time <120 min remained unchanged among interventional-center patients (preceding period, 69%; PROGALIAM, 71%; P=.56) and increased among patients at noninterventional centers, although it remained low in this subgroup (preceding period, 17%; PROGALIAM, 30%; P=.04). Thirty-day mortality (preceding period, 5.2%; PROGALIAM, 6.2%; P=.85) and 1-year mortality (preceding period, 9.5%; PROGALIAM, 10.2%; P=.96) remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of PROGALIAM allowed us to increase the percentage of patients receiving primary angioplasty without jeopardizing the clinical results of this treatment.

Direct transfer of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients for primary percutaneous coronary intervention from short and long transfer distances decreases temporal delays and improves short-term prognosis: the PROGALIAM Registry

AIMS This study sought to evaluate the impact of a direct transfer strategy on treatment times and prognosis of patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI). METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a cohort study of 1,194 patients who underwent PPCI in our centre between May 2005 and December 2008. We studied the role of direct transfer on time to treatment and door-to-balloon delays and its effect on 30-day mortality adjusted by risk profile on admission. During this period, 255 patients (21%) experienced direct transfer (DT) from the field to the catheterisation laboratory. Patients referred directly for PPCI experienced lower median door-to-balloon delay (102 minutes vs. 125 minutes, p<0.0001) and lower time to treatment (median 189 minutes vs. 259 minutes, p<0.0001) when compared with those referred from emergency departments (ED). These differences were consistent, with respect to door-to-balloon delay and time to treatment interval, in patients from our catchment area: median 88 vs. 98 minutes, (p=0.003) and 174 vs. 219 minutes (p<0.0001) respectively, and from long-distance transfer: 110 vs. 169 minutes (p<0.0001) and 197 minutes vs. 342 minutes (p<0.0001) respectively. Patients in the DT group experienced lower 30-day mortality than patients transferred from the ED (2.7% vs. 6.8%, p=0.017). In a multivariable analysis, DT strategy was independently associated with better short-term prognosis (OR 0.33, CI95% 0.12 - 0.92). CONCLUSIONS Direct transfer reduces time delays and improves prognosis of patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Safety and feasibility of returning patients early to their originating centers after transfer for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES At present, little information is available on returning patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to their originating centers after transfer for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the early return of these patients to their originating centers. METHODS The cohort study involved 200 consecutive STEMI patients (age 62+/-13 years, 83% male) who were returned to their originating centers after PPCI. They were compared with a group of 297 patients with similar characteristics from our healthcare catchment area. The length of stay in the intervention hospital and major adverse cardiovascular events occurring within 30 days were recorded. RESULTS The median length of stay in the intervention hospital was 8 hours. No adverse events occurred during transport in the group who returned to their originating centers. At 30-day follow-up, no significant difference was observed between patients who returned and the control group in either mortality (1.0% vs. 3.7%; P=.064), readmission (5.0% vs. 4.5%; P=.657), ischemic complications (2.5% vs. 2.0%; P=.721), re-catheterization (5.0% vs. 2.5%; P=.112), stroke (1% vs. 1%; P=.936) or the composite end-point (11% vs. 9.2%; P=.540). Multivariate analysis showed that returning patients after PPCI was not associated with a significantly greater number of major adverse cardiovascular events (odds ratio=1.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-2.80). CONCLUSIONS The early return of patients with low-risk STEMI to their originating centers after PPCI was safe and feasible.

Impact of short-term mechanical circulatory support with extracorporeal devices on postoperative outcomes after emergency heart transplantation: Data from a multi-institutional Spanish cohort

OBJECTIVES We sought to investigate the potential impact of preoperative short-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with extracorporeal devices on postoperative outcomes after emergency heart transplantation (HT). METHODS We conducted an observational study of 669 patients who underwent emergency HT in 15 Spanish hospitals between 2000 and 2009. Postoperative outcomes of patients bridged to HT on short-term MCS (n=101) were compared with those of the rest of the cohort (n=568). Short-term MCS included veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenators (VA-ECMOs, n=23), and both pulsatile-flow (n=53) and continuous-flow (n=25) extracorporeal ventricular assist devices (VADs). No patient underwent HT on intracorporeal VADs. RESULTS Preoperative short-term MCS was independently associated with increased in-hospital postoperative mortality (adjusted odds-ratio 1.75, 95% CI 1.05-2.91) and overall post-transplant mortality (adjusted hazard-ratio 1.60, 95% CI 1.15-2.23). Rates of major surgical bleeding, cardiac reoperation, postoperative infection and primary graft failure were also significantly higher among MCS patients. Causes of death and survival after hospital discharge were similar in MCS and non-MCS candidates. Increased risk of post-transplant mortality affected patients bridged on pulsatile-flow extracorporeal VADs (adjusted hazard-ratio 2.21, 95% CI 1.48-3.30) and continuous-flow extracorporeal VADs (adjusted hazard-ratio 2.24, 95% CI 1.20-4.19), but not those bridged on VA-ECMO (adjusted hazard-ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.21-1.25). CONCLUSIONS Patients bridged to emergency HT on short-term MCS are exposed to an increased risk of postoperative complications and mortality. In our series, preoperative bridging with VA-ECMO resulted in comparable post-transplant outcomes to those of patients transplanted on conventional support.