ABSTRACT
La principal causa de muerte en Costa Rica desde 1970 en adelante históricamente ha sido el infarto agudo al miocardio previo a la pandemia por COVID-19. Está demostrado que las estrategias regionales de optimización del manejo del Infarto Agudo al Miocardio con Elevación del Segmento ST, mejoran el cumplimiento de las metas establecidas para la reperfusión coronaria; su implementación se traduce con múltiples beneficios para los diferentes sistemas de salud a nivel mundial. Estas estrategias deben ser comprendidas por equipos multidisciplinarios del sector prehospitalario, centros con y sin capacidad de Intervención Coronaria Percutánea (ICP), como protocolización, capacitación y retroalimentación constante. La inclusión de una estrategia Código Infarto ofrece potenciales beneficios adicionales al sistema de salud costarricense.
Regional management optimization strategies for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. Need for "Costa Rica Heart Attack Code" In recent years Costa Rica's leading cause of death has been myocardial infarction before COVID-19 pandemic. Regionalized strategies focused on the optimization of STEMI treatment improves guideline's recommendations adherence and their application is associated with better coronary reperfusion outcomes that tracks multiple benefits for the healthcare systems involved. These strategies are constituted by multidisciplinary teams from prehospital settings as well as centers with and without PCI capability that include proper protocolization, practical application of evidence based medicine. The incorporation of a STEMI Code strategy may offer potential additional benefits to Costa Rica healthcare.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Characterization of aerosol generation during exercise can inform the development of safety recommendations in the face of COVID-19. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does exercise at various intensities produce aerosols in significant quantities? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this experimental study, subjects were eight healthy volunteers (six men, two women) who were 20 to 63 years old. The 20-minute test protocol of 5 minutes rest, four 3-minute stages of exercise at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of age-predicted heart rate reserve, and 3 minutes active recovery was performed in a clean, controlled environment. Aerosols were measured by four particle counters that were place to surround the subject. RESULTS: Age averaged 41 ± 14 years. Peak heart rate was 173 ± 17 beat/min (97% predicted); peak maximal oxygen uptake was 33.9 ± 7.5 mL/kg/min; and peak respiratory exchange ratio was 1.22 ± 0.10. Maximal ventilation averaged 120 ± 23 L/min, while cumulative ventilation reached 990 ± 192 L. Concentrations increased exponentially from start to 20 minutes (geometric mean ± geometric SD particles/liter): Fluke >0.3 µm = 66 ± 1.8 â 1605 ± 3.8; 0.3-1.0 µm = 35 ± 2.2 â 1095 ± 4.6; Fluke 1.0-5.0 µm = 21 ± 2.0 â 358 ± 2.3; P-Trak anterior = 637 ± 2.3 â 5148 ± 3.0; P-Trak side = 708 ± 2.7 â 6844 ± 2.7; P-Track back = 519 ± 3.1 â 5853 ± 2.8. All increases were significant at a probability value of <.05. Exercise at or above 50% of predicted heart rate reserve showed statistically significant increases in aerosol concentration. INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest exercise testing is an aerosol-generating procedure and, by extension, other activities that involve exercise intensities at or above 50% of predicted heart rate reserve. Results can guide recommendations for safety of exercise testing and other indoor exercise activities.
Subject(s)
Aerosols/analysis , COVID-19/diagnosis , Exercise/physiology , Exhalation/physiology , Lung/metabolism , Respiratory Function Tests/methods , Adult , COVID-19/metabolism , Exercise Test/methods , Female , Healthy Volunteers , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , SARS-CoV-2 , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The role of portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for supplemental aerosol mitigation during exercise testing is unknown and might be relevant during COVID-19 pandemic. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the effect of portable HEPA filtering on aerosol concentration during exercise testing and its efficiency in reducing room clearance time in a clinical exercise testing laboratory? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Subjects were six healthy volunteers aged 20 to 56 years. In the first experiment, exercise was performed in a small tent with controlled airflow with the use of a stationary cycle, portable HEPA filter with fume hood, and particle counter to document aerosol concentration. Subjects performed a four-stage maximal exercise test that lasted 12 min plus 5 min of pretest quiet breathing and 3 min of active recovery. First, they exercised without mitigation then with portable HEPA filter running. In a separate experiment, room aerosol clearance time was measured in a clinical exercise testing laboratory by filling it with artificially generated aerosols and measuring time to 99.9% aerosol clearance with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) only or HVAC plus portable HEPA filter running. RESULTS: In the exercise experiment, particle concentrations reached 1,722 ± 1,484/L vs 96 ± 124/L (P < .04) for all particles (>0.3 µm), 1,339 ± 1,281/L vs 76 ± 104/L (P < .05) for smaller particles (0.3 to 1.0 µm), and 333 ± 209/L vs 17 ± 19/L (P < .01) for larger particles (1.0 to 5.0 µm) at the end of the protocol in a comparison of mitigation vs portable HEPA filter. Use of a portable HEPA filter in a clinical exercise laboratory clearance experiment reduced aerosol clearance time 47% vs HVAC alone. INTERPRETATION: The portable HEPA filter reduced the concentration of aerosols generated during exercise testing by 96% ± 2% for all particle sizes and reduced aerosol room clearance time in clinical exercise testing laboratories. Portable HEPA filters therefore might be useful in clinical exercise testing laboratories to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Subject(s)
Aerosols/analysis , Air Conditioning/methods , Air Filters , COVID-19/diagnosis , Pandemics , Adult , COVID-19/metabolism , Female , Healthy Volunteers , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Particle Size , Young AdultABSTRACT
Resumen Las enfermedades tiroideas pueden producir cambios en la estructura y función del corazón. La miocardiopatía dilatada (MCD) con disfunción sistólica inducida por hipotiroidismo, es un fenómeno poco común. El presente artículo describe el caso de un hombre joven que presentó síntomas de insuficiencia cardíaca y se le diagnosticó MCD, con ecocardiografía que revelaba hipoquinesia global y disminución severa de la función sistólica del ventrículo izquierdo. El perfil tiroideo reveló un valor de TSH de 89 UI/dl, con T4 menor a 0.3 ng/ml. Con el tratamiento hormonal se documentó una mejoría progresiva de la función sistólica ventricular izquierda y del cuadro clínico del paciente.
Abstract Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with systolic dysfunction provoked by hypothyroidism is an uncommon phenomenon. In this article we describe a case of young male that presented heart failure symptomatology and was diagnosed with DCM, echocardiography showed global hypokinesia with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Thyroid analysis reveled a TSH of 89 IU/dl with T4 under 0.3 ng/ml. We documented progressive improvement of systolic left ventricular function and symptomatology with thyroid replacement therapy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Thyroid Hormones , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated , Costa Rica , Heart Failure , HypothyroidismABSTRACT
ResumenEl cor triatriatum sinester es una anormalidad cardiaca congénita poco frecuente, que constituye del 0,1 al 0,4% de todas las malformaciones cardiacas. Se caracteriza por una división anómala de la aurícula izquierda por una membrana fibromuscular, la cual genera dos cavidades que se comunican por uno o más orificios con distinto grado de obstrucción.Se asocia con otras anomalías cardiacas, principalmente con comunicación interauricular. Se puede presentar en la infancia, cuando suele ser fatal, o más tardíamente en el adulto, como insuficiencia cardiaca, o incluso cursar de forma asintomática, dependiendo del tamaño de los orificios y del gradiente de presión entre las cavidades. En este artículo se presenta el caso de un masculino de 30 años, sin patologías crónicas, quien consulta por disnea de grandes esfuerzos en los últimos 6 meses, a quien se le diagnostica por medio del ecocardiograma transtorácico y transesofágico un cor triatriatum sinister.
AbstractCor Triatriatum Sinister is a rare congenital heart defect, representing 0.1 to 0.4% of all cardiac malformations. This condition is characterized for an abnormal division of the left atrium by a fibromuscular membrane that generates two cavities, which are connected by one or more orifices with different degrees of obstruction. This condition is associated with other cardiac abnormalities mainly related to atrial septal defects. Its presentation in pediatric patients is often lethal, in adults it may appear as heart failure symptoms or as an asymptomatic finding in echocardiography depending on the pressure gradient between cavities. We present a case report of a 30 years old male without chronic conditions, who complained of dyspnea with strenuous physical activity occurring in the last 6 months, who was diagnosed with a cor triatriatum sinister by the use of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram.
Subject(s)
Adult , Congenital Abnormalities/diagnosis , Cor Triatriatum , Dyspnea, Paroxysmal/complicationsABSTRACT
El fumado es la principal causa de muerte prevenible alrededor del mundo. Aproximadamente el 50% de los fumadores crónicos morirán debido a una muerte relaciona con el tabaco. El cese temprano del fumado está asociado a un aumento en la esperanza de vida, mejor calidad de vida y reducción de los costos de salud por condiciones relacionadas al tabaco. Por estas razones la mayoría de guías clínicas mundiales recomiendan que todos los fumadores adultos que desean dejar de fumar inicien farmacoterapia, a menos de que exista alguna contraindicación. Varios fármacos se han utilizado en el tratamiento de esta adicción, sin embargo se afirma en la mayoría de los casos que las intervenciones psicológicas con los medicamentos ofrecen al paciente un mayor beneficio...
Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death around the world. Approximately 50% of long-term smokers will die for a smoking-related death. Early cessation of smoking is associated with important increases in life expectancy, improved quality of life, and reduced healthcare costs for smoking-associated conditions. For these reasons, clinical practice guidelines around the world recommend the use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy with all adult smokers interested in quitting, unless contraindicated. Various medications have used to treat nicotine dependence, however it is noted that psychological interventions when combined with pharmacotherapy will offer the greatest benefits to patients...
Subject(s)
Humans , Bupropion , Nicotine , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome , Tobacco Use DisorderABSTRACT
La enfermedad de hígado graso no alcohólico es una condición que engloba el espectro de esteatosis hepática no alcohólica simple y esteatohepatitis no alcohólica. Esta entidad afecta de un 20 a 30% de la población adulta general en sociedades occidentales. Asimismo suele estar asociada a obesidad, síndrome metabólico, diabetes, entre otras patologías cada vez más frecuentes a nivel mundial. Recientemente se reporta una prevalencia alarmante de 72% en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 en Costa Rica, los cuales representan un aproximado 10,5% de los costarricenses. Su alta prevalencia, clínica silente, asociación importante a riesgo cardiovascular y de complicaciones hepáticas serias, convierten esta entidad en un tema de suma relevancia para la salud pública...
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition that encompasses the spectrum of simple hepatic steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. This condition affects 20 to 30% of the general adult population in Western societies. Is often associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes among other frequent diseases nowadays. Recently it has been reported an alarming prevalence of 72% diabetic type 2 patients in Costa Rica, which are approximately 10,5% of the population in the country. Its high prevalence, silent clinical manifestations, important cardiovascular risk and serious liver complications association, turn this entity on a topic of great relevance to public health...
