Jaime Aboal

Perfil clínico, pronóstico y variabilidad en el tratamiento del síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST. Datos del registro PEPA

Objectives. To assess the clinical characteristics and inter-hospital variability in the treatment and prognosis of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. Patients and method. Data from the PEPA study, a prospective registry that enrolled 4,115 patients in 18 Spanish hospitals, were analyzed. Results. The mean age of the patients enrolled was 65 years, 33% were women, and 26% had diabetes. Large differences were observed in the clinical profile of patients admitted to different centers, especially relative the history of previous disease, prior coronary revascularization, and co-morbidity. Antiplatelet treatment was used in 93% of patients, heparin in 45%, beta-blockers in 42%, nitrates in 67%, and calcium antagonists in 46%. During hospitalization, exercise stress testing was performed in 37% of patients, coronary angiography in 32%, coronary angioplasty in 9%, and coronary surgery in 4%. Inter-hospital variability was minimal for the use of antiplatelet agents, wide for the use of heparin and betablockers, and huge for the use of revascularization procedures. Mortality and the incidence of death or myocardial infarction were 2.6% and 4.4% during hospitalization, and 4.6% and 8% at 3 months, with wide interhospital variability. These differences were not significant once adjusted for clinical characteristics and the treatment received at admission. Conclusions. Patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes represent an heterogeneous

Impact of Frailty and Functional Status on Outcomes in Elderly Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Angioplasty: Rationale and Design of the IFFANIAM Study

The IFFANIAM study (Impact of frailty and functional status in elderly patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty) is an observational multicenter registry to assess the impact of frailty and functional status on outcomes of elderly patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary angioplasty. STEMI patients age 75 years or older undergoing primary angioplasty will be extensively studied during admission in 4 tertiary care Hospitals in Spain, assessing their baseline functional status (Barthel index, Lawton‐Brody index), frailty (Fried criteria, FRAIL scale [fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight]), comorbidities (Charlson index), nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form), and quality of life (Seattle Angina Questionnaire). Participants will be managed according current recommendations. The primary outcome will be the description of 1‐year mortality, its causes, and associated factors. Secondary outcomes will be functional capacity and quality of life. Results will help to better understand the impact of frailty and functional ability on outcomes in elderly STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty, thus potentially contributing to improving their clinical management. Higher life expectancy has resulted in a large segment of elderly population and an increase in myocardial infarction in these patients. This calls attention to healthcare systems to focus on promoting methods to improve the clinical management of this population.

Clinical Characteristics and Vital and Functional Prognosis of Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors Admitted to Five Cardiac Intensive Care Units

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest constitute an increasing patient population in cardiac intensive care units. Our aim was to characterize these patients and determine their vital and functional prognosis in accordance with the latest evidence. METHODS A multicenter, prospective register was constructed with information from patients admitted to 5 cardiac intensive care units from January 2010 through January 2012 with a diagnosis of resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The information included clinical status, cardiac arrest characteristics, in-hospital course, and vital and neurologic status at discharge and at 6 months. RESULTS A total of 204 patients were included. In 64% of cases, a first shockable rhythm was identified. The time to return of spontaneous circulation was 29 (18) min. An etiologic diagnosis was made in 86% of patients; 44% were discharged with no neurologic sequelae; 40% died in the hospital. At 6 months, 79% of survivors at discharge were still alive and neurologically intact with minimal sequelae. Short resuscitation time, first recorded rhythm, pH on admission >7.1, absence of shock, and use of hypothermia were the independent variables associated with a good neurologic prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Half the patients who recovered from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest had good neurologic prognosis at discharge, and 79% of survivors were alive and neurologically intact after 6 months of follow-up.

Trends in Q-wave acute myocardial infarction case fatality from 1978 to 2007 and analysis of the effectiveness of different treatments

BACKGROUND We sought to analyze the trends in first Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI) case fatality from 1978 to 2007 in a population-based hospital register, to determine the variables related to these changes, and to assess the effectiveness of current AMI management. METHODS Population-based hospital registry included patients with first Q-wave AMI aged 25 to 74 years admitted between 1978 and 2007. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, treatments, and procedures used during hospital stay, and 28-day case fatality were recorded. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis of six 5-year periods. RESULTS The 30-year study included 3,982 patients. Mean 28-day case fatality was 8.96%, with a decreasing trend from 16.6% in the first 5-year period to 4.7% in the sixth (P for trend < .001). Study period was independently associated with case fatality. Case-fatality reduction attributable to pharmacologic treatments was 51% overall; in 24-hour survivors, pharmacologic treatments and broad use of invasive procedures explained 39% and 38%, respectively, of the difference between the observed case fatality in 2003-2007 and 1978-1982. CONCLUSION A dramatic decrease in 28-day case fatality occurred during this 30-year period and was mainly related to the use of antiplatelet drugs, β-blockers, thrombolysis, and invasive procedures. These data support the current guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndrome.

The Girona Territori Cardioprotegit Project: Performance Evaluation of Public Defibrillators

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES In recent years, public access defibrillation programs have exponentially increased the availability of automatic external defibrillators (AED) in public spaces but there are no data on their performance in our setting. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the performance of AED since the launch of a public defibrillation program in our region. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted of electrocardiographic tracings and the performance of AED in a public defibrillation program from June 2011 to June 2015 in the province of Girona, Spain. RESULTS There were 231 AED activations. Full information was available on 188 activations, of which 82% corresponded to mobile devices and 18% to permanent devices. Asystole was the most prevalent rhythm (42%), while ventricular fibrillation accounted for 23%. The specificity of the device in identifying a shockable rhythm was 100%, but there were 8 false negatives (sensitivity 83%). There were 47 shockable rhythms, with a spontaneous circulation recovery rate of 49% (23 cases). There were no accidents related to the use of the device. CONCLUSIONS Nearly half of the recorded rhythms were asystole. The AED analyzed showed excellent safety and specificity, with moderate sensitivity. Half the patients with a shockable rhythm were successfully treated by the AED.

Global Geriatric Assessment and In-Hospital Bleeding Risk in Elderly Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes: Insights from the LONGEVO-SCA Registry

BACKGROUND Bleeding risk scores have shown a limited predictive ability in elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). No study explored the role of a comprehensive geriatric assessment to predict in-hospital bleeding in this clinical setting. METHODS The prospective multicentre LONGEVO-SCA registry included 532 unselected patients with non-ST segment elevation ACS (NSTEACS) aged 80 years or older. Comorbidity (Charlson index), frailty (FRAIL scale), disability (Barthel index and Lawton-Brody index), cognitive status (Pfeiffer test) and nutritional risk (mini nutritional assessment-short form test) were assessed during hospitalization. CRUSADE score was prospectively calculated for each patient. In-hospital major bleeding was defined by the CRUSADE classification. The association between geriatric syndromes and in-hospital major bleeding was assessed by logistic regression method and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). RESULTS Mean age was 84.3 years (SD 4.1), 61.7% male. Most patients had increased troponin levels (84%). Mean CRUSADE bleeding score was 41 (SD 13). A total of 416 patients (78%) underwent an invasive strategy, and major bleeding was observed in 37 cases (7%). The ability of the CRUSADE score for predicting major bleeding was modest (AUC 0.64). From all aging-related variables, only comorbidity (Charlson index) was independently associated with major bleeding (per point, odds ratio: 1.23, p = 0.021). The addition of comorbidity to CRUSADE score slightly improved the ability for predicting major bleeding (AUC: 0.68). CONCLUSION Comorbidity was associated with major bleeding in very elderly patients with NSTEACS. The contribution of frailty, disability or nutritional risk for predicting in-hospital major bleeding was marginal.

Characterization of Electrocardiographic Findings in Young Students

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been used in the evaluation of young asymptomatic individuals to detect pre-existing heart disease, but systematic ECG use is controversial and there are no data on this population in our environment. We aimed to determine the prevalence and spectrum of electrocardiographic findings in a population of secondary school students. METHODS We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study of resting ECG findings in all 13 to 14-year-old secondary school students in a region of the province of Gerona between 2009 and 2017. ECG findings were classified into 3 groups according to the modified criteria of Corrado et al.: normal ECG findings, ECG findings suggestive of adaptive changes, and pathologic findings. Students with pathologic ECG findings were referred to a tertiary hospital, and complementary tests were performed according to a pre-established protocol. RESULTS A total of 1911 ECGs were obtained, with a participation rate of 79% of all high school students. In all, 1321 students (69%) had a normal ECG, 554 (29%) showed ECG findings suggestive of adaptive changes, and 36 (2%) had pathologic ECG findings. Among the group with pathologic findings, 5 (14%) had cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of heart disease in this group of asymptomatic secondary school students was 0.3%. CONCLUSIONS One third of the students had ECG findings that were mostly suggestive of physiological adaptation. One seventh of the students with pathologic ECG findings had pre-existing heart disease, although the overall prevalence of pre-existing heart disease was low.

Mechanical Chest Compressions and Traumatic Complications in Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest. Is There a Price to Pay?

Early, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival and neurological prognosis in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Mechanical compression systems have been developed with the aim of achieving uninterrupted CPR, without rescuer fatigue, or for use in places where manual resuscitation is impractical. The most widely-used at the moment are the piston system (LUCAS, Jolife; Sweden) and the distributing band system (AutoPulse, Zoll; USA). The benefit of these systems is debated, and there are few data on their safety. Our objective was to analyze the introduction of these mechanical systems to the medical emergency services network in our province, describing their use and associated complications. We prospectively included all patients admitted to a cardiological intensive care unit with the diagnosis of recovered out-ofhospital cardiac arrest from January 2016, which was when mechanical compression devices were introduced. We analyzed resuscitation times, neurological status at discharge according to the Glasgow-Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) and the complications in patients who received mechanical compressions compared with those who received manual compressions. Complications were defined as any new traumatic thoracic or abdominal lesion that could be explained as a consequence of

Selection of the Best of 2017 in Ischemic Heart Disease

Servicio de Cardiologı́a, Hospital Universitario Doctor Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain Unidad Coronaria, Servicio de Cardiologı́a, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain Servicio de Cardiologı́a, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain Servicio de Cardiologı́a, Hospital Sanitas CIMA, Barcelona; Servei de Medicina Intensiva, Consorci Sanitari Integral, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Unidad de Cuidados Agudos Cardiológicos, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, CIBER-CV, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Multiple aorto-right cavitary fistula: a rare complication of prosthetic valvular endocarditis in intravenous drug users

Aorto-cavitary fistula is an infrequent complication in infective endocarditis as well as multiple fistula, being the most rare among intracardiac fistulas. The prognosis of infective endocarditis worsens if there are fistulas associated, exceeding the mortality over 40% despite aggressive surgical treatment. Although transoesophageal echocardiography offers a better sensitivity and specificity, sometimes transthoracic echocardiography is enough to obtain these infrequent pictures that we present.