Selection of the best of 2022 in congenital heart disease

This paper shows a selection of the most relevant articles in congenital heart diseases in the last year. About intervencional procedures, we comment the latest guidelines in 2021, as well as some interesting papers on the implementation of materials and techniques in the field of percutaneous treatment of congenital heart diseases. In cardiac imaging, we focus on articles related to the revolutionary advance of 4D-NMR and 3D echo in the study of these congenital diseases. Respect pediatrics, there are interesting studies about multisystem inflammatory syndrome linked to SARS-CoV-2 (MIS-C) and also in the field of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Related to surgery, we comment the hybrid technique for treating hypoplastic left ventricle. Finally, regarding arrhythmias in congenital heart disease, we focus our attention on atrial fibrillation, due to the peculiarities that exist in this type of patients.

Selection of the best of 2022 in congenital heart disease

This paper shows a selection of the most relevant articles in congenital heart diseases in the last year. About intervencional procedures, we comment the latest guidelines in 2021, as well as some interesting papers on the implementation of materials and techniques in the field of percutaneous treatment of congenital heart diseases. In cardiac imaging, we focus on articles related to the revolutionary advance of 4D-NMR and 3D echo in the study of these congenital diseases. Respect pediatrics, there are interesting studies about multisystem inflammatory syndrome linked to SARS-CoV-2 (MIS-C) and also in the field of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Related to surgery, we comment the hybrid technique for treating hypoplastic left ventricle. Finally, regarding arrhythmias in congenital heart disease, we focus our attention on atrial fibrillation, due to the peculiarities that exist in this type of patients. Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia

Effectiveness of acupuncture and auriculotherapy to reduce the level of depression, anxiety and stress in emergency health personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: To analyse the effectiveness of an intervention using acupuncture and auriculotherapy for the clinical reduction of symptoms of stress and anxiety in healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Prospective study comparing 2 cohorts. Setting: Emergency Room of the Hospital de Palamós, Girona. Participants: Health workers from the emergency service. A total of 22 professionals participated, 11 in each group. Interventions: The short version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was performed on all participants, the intervention group (IG) also received 6 sessions of acupuncture and auriculotherapy. Subsequently, the DASS-21 scale was repeated. Measurements: The variables were group, sex, age, professional category, years of experience in the emergency room, DASS-21 scale with its subscales for stress, anxiety and depression. Results: Of the professionals, 45.4% suffered stress, 40.9% anxiety and 27.2% depression. There is a reduction of stress by 90.9% in the IG vs 18.2% in the control group (CG), this being statistically significant. There is an anxiety reduction in 81.8% of the IG vs 63.6% of the CG: p =.065;odds ratio: 2.57 (95% confidence interval,.36–18.33). The mean anxiety of the IG is statistically lower in the post-intervention value than in the pre-intervention value (1.36 vs 3.90;p =.003), while in the CG (3.09 vs 2.45;p =.208). There is a reduction in the level of depression in 81.8% of the IG vs 45.5% of the CG (p =.183). Conclusions: Acupuncture is a treatment that improves stress and anxiety levels in healthcare professionals dealing with COVID-19.

Selection of the best of 2020 in congenital heart disease

This paper shows a selection of the most relevant articles in congenital heart diseases published since the end of the last year. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a significant challenge for the care of patients with congenital heart diseases. Multiple guidelines and consensus have been published (pulmonary hypertension, multimodality imaging during follow-up, ultrasound examination of the fetal heart and management of arrhythmias) and will be very useful for the standardization of the management of these complex patients. We highlight contributions related to risk stratification for sudden cardiac death and advanced heart failure therapies for patients with congenital heart disease. In this regard, the long waiting lists for pediatric heart transplantation are being reduced due to the progress in the management of potential donors. Finally, percutaneous interventions at any age and surgical techniques, with a particular focus on aortic valve leaflet reconstruction techniques in children and young adults, continue to develop and explore new paths previously unexpected.