Abnormal echocardiographic findings after COVID-19 infection: a multicenter registry.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed health systems worldwide. There is conflicting data regarding the degree of cardiovascular involvement following infection. A registry was designed to evaluate the prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities in adults recovered from COVID-19. We prospectively evaluated 595 participants (mean age 45.5 ± 14.9 years; 50.8% female) from 10 institutions in Argentina and Brazil. Median time between infection and evaluation was two months, and 82.5% of participants were not hospitalized for their infection. Echocardiographic studies were conducted with General Electric equipment; 2DE imaging and global longitudinal strain (GLS) of both ventricles were performed. A total of 61.7% of the participants denied relevant cardiovascular history and 41.8% had prolonged symptoms after resolution of COVID-19 infection. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 61.0 ± 5.5% overall. In patients without prior comorbidities, 8.2% had some echocardiographic abnormality: 5.7% had reduced GLS, 3.0% had a LVEF below normal range, and 1.1% had wall motion abnormalities. The right ventricle (RV) was dilated in 1.6% of participants, 3.1% had a reduced GLS, and 0.27% had reduced RV function. Mild pericardial effusion was observed in 0.82% of participants. Male patients were more likely to have new echocardiographic abnormalities (OR 2.82, p = 0.002). Time elapsed since infection resolution (p = 0.245), presence of symptoms (p = 0.927), or history of hospitalization during infection (p = 0.671) did not have any correlation with echocardiographic abnormalities. Cardiovascular abnormalities after COVID-19 infection are rare and usually mild, especially following mild infection, being a low GLS of left and right ventricle, the most common ones in our registry. Post COVID cardiac abnormalities may be more frequent among males.

[Manejo de la cesación tabáquica entre residentes de cardiología de Iberoamérica]. / Smoking cessation management among Iberoamerica's cardiology residents

Introduction and objectives: Although cardiologists frequently assist patients who suffer damage from smoking, the degree of training they receive to manage this problem during their residency is unknown. Because of this, we'd proposed to ­evaluate the preferences and practices of cardiology residents for smoking cessation of the attending patients. Materials and methods: Closed, prefixed, voluntary and anonymous survey among doctors who carried out the specialty of cardiology in 5 countries of Latin America and Spain. Results: 716 residents were surveyed; 62.4% from Argentina, 19% from Mexico, 6.8% from Spain, 6.7% from Chile, 3.2% from Uruguay, and 1.9% from Paraguay. When asked about the importance they assigned to this problem (using a scale of 1-10), 85.8% assigned this question a score of 8 or higher. While 80.5% of the participants expressed giving short anti-tobacco advice routinely, only 27.7% used pharmacological therapy for this purpose. Among those who did not use pharmacological therapy, 58.3% said that the reason was not being familiar with the treatments; 62.9% of the surveyed said they had not received any type of training in this problem. Those residents who received some type of training reported feeling more prepared for this (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: We found that cardiology residents have a low knowledge of pharmacological treatment and relatively low confidence to provide assistance in smoking cessation. This topic should be included in the training of future cardiologists in order to achieve a more comprehensive cardiovascular prevention.

Introducción y objetivos: Si bien los cardiólogos asisten cotidianamente a pacientes que sufren daño por el tabaquismo, no se conoce el grado de formación que reciben sobre esta problemática durante su residencia. Debido a ello nos propusimos evaluar las preferencias y prácticas de los residentes de cardiología para la cesación tabáquica de los pacientes que asisten. Materiales y métodos: Encuesta cerrada, prefijada, voluntaria y anónima entre médicos que realizaban la especialidad de cardiología en cinco países de Latinoamérica y España. Resultados: Se encuestaron 716 residentes: un 62.4% de Argentina, un 19% de México, un 6.8% de España, un 6.7% de Chile, un 3.2% de Uruguay y un 1.9% de Paraguay. Con respecto a la importancia que asignaban a esta problemática (empleando una escala de 1-10), el 85.8% le asignó a esta pregunta una puntuación de 8 o mayor. Mientras el 80.5% de los participantes expresó dar consejo breve antitabáquico sistemáticamente, solamente un 27.7% empleaban terapia farmacológica con este fin. Entre quienes no empleaban terapia farmacológica, el 58.3% manifestó que el motivo era no encontrarse familiarizados con los tratamientos. El 62.9% de los encuestados dijo no haber recibido ningún tipo de formación en esta problemática. Aquellos residentes que recibieron algún tipo de formación manifestaron sentirse más preparados (p < 0.0001). Conclusión: Encontramos un bajo conocimiento sobre el tratamiento farmacológico y relativamente poca seguridad por parte de los residentes de cardiología para brindar asistencia en cesación tabáquica. Consideramos esencial incluir este tópico en la formación de los futuros cardiólogos a fin de lograr una prevención cardiovascular más integral.

Concordance and prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in different vascular territories.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) in the carotid, femoral, and coronary territories is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular (CV) events. Whether it is sufficient to assess SA in a single vascular territory in early-stage disease is uncertain. We aimed to determine the prevalence and concordance of SA in these vascular beds in asymptomatic patients without known CV disease. METHODS: We enrolled patients aged 35 to 75 years who were asymptomatic, without known CV disease, and had undergone carotid and femoral Doppler ultrasonography and calcium scoring. Those receiving statins were excluded. SA was defined as the presence of plaques in the carotid and/or femoral arteries or the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries (Agatston score >0). RESULTS: A total of 212 patients were identified with a mean age of 53 ± 7 years, of which 60% (128 patients) were men. The prevalence of SA was 62%. The distribution of SA between the three territories was similar, involving the carotid territory in 38% of cases, the femoral in 31%, and the coronaries in 37%. The concordance between the different vascular territories was weak, with a k index of 0.21 between the coronary and carotid territories, 0.27 between the coronary and femoral territories, and 0.34 between the carotid and femoral territories. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SA in asymptomatic patients without known CV disease is high. The concordance in the presence of SA between the three vascular territories is weak. Therefore, all three vascular beds need to be investigated.

[Comparison of risk scores to predict subclinical atherosclerosis]. / Comparación de puntajes de riesgo para predecir aterosclerosis subclínica.

Subclinical atherosclerosis is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events, although it is unknown which of the risk scores is more useful to predict its presence in a Latin American population. The objective was to compare the performance of the risk scores: Framingham, Regicor and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator to predict the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic persons without known cardiovascular disease; as well as determining its prevalence and distribution in the different vascular beds. From 2014 to 2017, patients from 35 to 75 years, asymptomatic and without known cardiovascular disease who underwent a carotid and femoral Doppler echo and calcium score were evaluated. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as the presence of plaques in the carotid and/or femoral arteries or the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries (Agatston score > 0). A total of 212 patients were included. The mean age was 53 ± 7 years, of which 60% (128) were male. The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis was 62% (131 cases). Of these 131 subjects with a plaque in any of the territories, the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator was the one that identified the highest number of cases with high cardiovascular risk (39%), Framingham detected 20%, and Regicor 0% (p < 0.01). The net reclassification was 41%, 50% and 60% respectively (< 0.01). The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic persons without a history of cardiovascular disease was 62%. The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator was the most effective predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in this population.

La aterosclerosis subclínica es un potente predictor de eventos cardiovasculares, aunque se desconoce cuál de los puntajes de riesgo es más eficaz para predecir su presencia en una población latinoamericana. El objetivo fué comparar la performance de los puntajes de riesgo: Framingham, Regicor y Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator para predecir la existencia de aterosclerosis subclínica en pacientes asintomáticos sin enfermedad cardiovascular conocida; así como determinar la prevalencia y distribución en los distintos lechos vasculares. Desde 2014 a 2017 se evaluaron pacientes de 35 a 75 años asintomáticos y sin enfermedad cardiovascular conocida, a quienes se les realizó una eco Doppler carotídea y femoral, y score de calcio. Se definió como aterosclerosis subclínica a la presencia de placas en las arterias carótidas y/o femorales o a la presencia de calcio en las coronarias (score de Agatston > 0). Se estudiaron así 212 pacientes, edad media 53 ± 7 años, de los cuales el 60% (128) eran varones. La prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica fue 62% (131 casos). De esos 131 con placa en alguno de los territorios, el Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator fue el que identificó el mayor número de casos con riesgo cardiovascular elevado (39%), Framingham detectó 20%, y Regicor 0% (p < 0.01). La reclasificación neta fue del 41%, 50% y 60% respectivamente (< 0.01). La prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica en sujetos asintomáticos sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular fue 62%. El calculador Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator fue el más efectivo para predecir aterosclerosis subclínica en esta población.

Comparación de puntajes de riesgo para predecir aterosclerosis subclínica / Comparison of risk scores to predict subclinical atherosclerosis

La aterosclerosis subclínica es un potente predictor de eventos cardiovasculares, aunque se desconoce cuál de los puntajes de riesgo es más eficaz para predecir su presencia en una población latinoamericana. El objetivo fué comparar la performance de los puntajes de riesgo: Framingham, Regicor y Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator para predecir la existencia de aterosclerosis subclínica en pacientes asintomáticos sin enfermedad cardiovascular conocida; así como determinar la prevalencia y distribución en los distintos lechos vasculares. Desde 2014 a 2017 se evaluaron pacientes de 35 a 75 años asintomáticos y sin enfermedad cardiovascular conocida, a quienes se les realizó una eco Doppler carotídea y femoral, y score de calcio. Se definió como aterosclerosis subclínica a la presencia de placas en las arterias carótidas y/o femorales o a la presencia de calcio en las coronarias (score de Agatston > 0). Se estudiaron así 212 pacientes, edad media 53 ± 7 años, de los cuales el 60% (128) eran varones. La prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica fue 62% (131 casos). De esos 131 con placa en alguno de los territorios, el Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator fue el que identificó el mayor número de casos con riesgo cardiovascular elevado (39%), Framingham detectó 20%, y Regicor 0% (p < 0.01). La reclasificación neta fue del 41%, 50% y 60% respectivamente (< 0.01). La prevalencia de aterosclerosis subclínica en sujetos asintomáticos sin antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular fue 62%. El calculador Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator fue el más efectivo para predecir aterosclerosis subclínica en esta población.

Subclinical atherosclerosis is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events, although it is unknown which of the risk scores is more useful to predict its presence in a Latin American population. The objective was to compare the performance of the risk scores: Framingham, Regicor and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator to predict the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic persons without known cardiovascular disease; as well as determining its prevalence and distribution in the different vascular beds. From 2014 to 2017, patients from 35 to 75 years, asymptomatic and without known cardiovascular disease who underwent a carotid and femoral Doppler echo and calcium score were evaluated. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as the presence of plaques in the carotid and/or femoral arteries or the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries (Agatston score > 0). A total of 212 patients were included. The mean age was 53 ± 7 years, of which 60% (128) were male. The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis was 62% (131 cases). Of these 131 subjects with a plaque in any of the territories, the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator was the one that identified the highest number of cases with high cardiovascular risk (39%), Framingham detected 20%, and Regicor 0% (p < 0.01). The net reclassification was 41%, 50% and 60% respectively (< 0.01). The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic persons without a history of cardiovascular disease was 62%. The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimator was the most effective predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in this population.

[High sensitivity T troponin and CA-125 as prognostic biomarkers in patients with end stage renal disease in hemodialysis]. / Troponina T ultrasensible y CA125 como marcadores pronóstico en pacientes con enfermedd renal terminal en hemodialisis.

INTRODUCTION: The end stage renal disease confers a high morbidity and mortality risk, mainly due to cardiovascular disease. The cardiac T troponin and carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) are useful biomarkers to determine cardiovascular prognosis in order to start preventive treatment in the high risk patients. METHODS: We included patients with end stage renal disease in hemodialysis treatment. Plasma high sensitivity cardiac T troponin (hs-TNT) and CA-125 were measured at the beginning of follow up. The patients with clinical evidence of an acute myocardial infarction were excluded. Twelve month after the measurement of the biomarkers the patients were called to assess the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and hospitalizations for any reason. RESULTS: Eighty seven patients were included. The mean age was 5815 years, and 76% were male. The hs-TNT was elevated in 95.4% of the patients and the median value was 49 ng/l (15.3 - 214.1). CA-125 median value was 13.7 U/ml (6.1 - 52.7). The patients that presented a MACE had higher CA-125 (p< 0.03) and hs-TNT (p <0.001); and all of them had a troponin value ≥ 69.37 ng/l. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of high hs-TNT was 95.4% and of CA-125 10%. MACE were significantly higher in patients with elevated biomarkers, conferring them prognostic utility in this group of patients.

Relationship between electrocardiographic characteristics of left bundle branch block and echocardiographic findings.

BACKGROUND: Complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) is an electrocardiographic (ECG) dromotropic disorder seen in patients with various structural heart diseases and sometimes is associated with poor prognosis. Its presence confounds the application of standard ECG criteria for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), myocardial infarction (MI) in the chronic phase, and pathologies that produce changes on ST-T segment. The aim of this investigation was to establish the relationship between CLBBB and cardiac structural abnormalities assessed by echocardiography. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study included ECG with CLBBB from 101 patients who also had transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) performed within 6 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of structural heart disease on TTE was 90%. No ECG criterion was useful to diagnose LVH since no relationship was observed between 9 different ECG signs and increased left ventricular mass index. QRS duration (p = 0.16) and left axis deviation (p = 0.09) were unrelated to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Eight ECG signs proposed for the diagnosis of the chronic phase of MI demonstrated similar effectiveness, with high specificity and reduced sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: CLBBB is associated with elevated prevalence of cardiac structural disease and hinders the application of common ECG criteria for the diagnosis of LVH, reduced LVEF, or chronic phase of MI. No ECG finding distinguished patients with structural heart disease from those with normal hearts. Electrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of MI in the chronic phase are useful when present, but when absent cannot rule it out.