[Translated article] Pharmaceutical care in respiratory diseases: Current situation and opportunities for hospital pharmacy in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory diseases present a challenge for the healthcare system due to their prevalence and clinical impact. The aim of this study was to explore the current situation of hospital pharmacy in the field of respiratory diseases. METHOD: Observational, cross-sectional study, with a national scope, divided into 2 parts. In an initial phase, the activity and level of pharmaceutical care in respiratory diseases was evaluated through an online questionnaire using REDCap. The survey was addressed to department chiefs and consisted of 17 items, divided into 2 modules: general data and general activity. The second phase was open to hospital pharmacists, with the aim of exploring their opinion on care, training, and improvement needs. The number of items in this phase was 19, divided into 5 modules: general data, pharmaceutical care, competencies, training, and degree of satisfaction. RESULTS: In the first phase, 23 hospitals were included. Most of them (n=20) had a pharmacist in charge of respiratory diseases. However, a large proportion of them dedicated less than 40% of their working day to this activity. The pharmacist's activity occurred at the level of external patients (n=21), hospitalised patients (n=16), and secondarily in management (n=8). Integration is greater in pathologies such as asthma, IPF, pulmonary hypertension, and bronchiectasis. Participation in committees was present in 15 hospitals, with variability in pathologies and degree of involvement. In the second phase, 164 pharmacists participated, who considered pharmaceutical care in cystic fibrosis, asthma, and lung transplant as a priority. 51% considered integration to be adequate and 91% considered it necessary to implement prioritisation criteria. Professional competencies ranged from 6.5 to 6.9 out of 10 points. Only 45% of participants had received specific training in the last 4 years, indicating greater priority for asthma, pulmonary hypertension, and IPF. CONCLUSIONS: Most centers have pharmacists specialised in respiratory diseases. However, there is room for improvement in terms of subspecialisation, participation in multidisciplinary committees, implementation of prioritisation criteria, diversification in pathologies treated, as well as greater specific training in this area.

Pharmaceutical care in respiratory diseases: Current situation and opportunities for Hospital Pharmacy in Spain. / Atención farmacéutica en enfermedades respiratorias: situación y oportunidades de la farmacia hospitalaria en España.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory diseases present a challenge for the healthcare system due to their prevalence and clinical impact. The aim of this study was to explore the current situation of hospital pharmacy in the field of respiratory diseases. METHOD: Observational, cross-sectional study, with a national scope, divided into 2 parts. In an initial phase, the activity and level of pharmaceutical care in respiratory diseases was evaluated through an online questionnaire using REDCap. The survey was addressed to department chiefs and consisted of 17 items, divided into 2 modules: general data and general activity. The second phase was open to hospital pharmacists, with the aim of exploring their opinion on care, training, and improvement needs. The number of items in this phase was 19, divided into 5 modules: general data, pharmaceutical care, competencies, training and degree of satisfaction. RESULTS: In the first phase, 23 hospitals were included. Most of them (n=20) had a pharmacist in charge of respiratory diseases. However, a large proportion of them dedicated less than 40% of their working day to this activity. The pharmacist's activity occurred at the level of external patients (n=20), hospitalized patients (n=16), and secondarily in management (n=8). Integration is greater in pathologies such as asthma, IPF, pulmonary hypertension, and bronchiectasis. Participation in committees was present in 15 hospitals, with variability in pathologies and degree of involvement. In the second phase, 164 pharmacists participated, who considered pharmaceutical care in cystic fibrosis, asthma and lung transplant as a priority. Fifty-one percent considered integration to be adequate and 91% considered it necessary to implement prioritization criteria. Professional competencies ranged from 6.5-6.9 out of 10 points. Only 45% of participants had received specific training in the last four years, indicating greater priority for asthma, pulmonary hypertension and IPF. CONCLUSIONS: Most centers have pharmacists specialized in respiratory diseases. However, there is room for improvement in terms of sub specialization, participation in multidisciplinary committees, implementation of prioritization criteria, diversification in pathologies treated, as well as greater specific training in this area.

Ivabradine for controlling heart rate in permanent atrial fibrillation: A translational clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological options for rate control in atrial fibrillation are scarce. Ivabradine was postulated to reduce the ventricular rate in this setting. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the mechanism of inhibition of atrioventricular conduction produced by ivabradine and to determine its efficacy and safety in atrial fibrillation. METHODS: The effects of ivabradine on atrioventricular node and ventricular cells were studied by in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp experiments and mathematical simulation of human action potentials. In parallel, a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III clinical trial compared ivabradine with digoxin for uncontrolled permanent atrial fibrillation despite ß-blocker or calcium channel blocker treatment. RESULTS: Ivabradine 1 µM inhibited "funny" current and rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel current by 28.9% and 22.8%, respectively (P < .05). The sodium channel current and L-type calcium channel current were reduced only at 10 µM. Ivabradine slowed the firing frequency of a modeled human atrioventricular node action potential by 10.6% and induced a minimal prolongation of ventricular action potential. Thirty-five (51.5%) patients were randomized to ivabradine and 33 (49.5%) to digoxin. The mean daytime heart rate decreased by 11.6 beats/min (-11.5%) in the ivabradine arm (P = .02) vs 19.6 (-20.6%) in the digoxin arm (P < .001), although the noninferiority margin of efficacy was not met (Z = -1.95; P = .97). The primary safety end point occurred in 3 patients (8.6%) on ivabradine and in 8 (24.2%) on digoxin (P = .10). CONCLUSION: Ivabradine produced a moderate rate reduction in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. The inhibition of funny current in the atrioventricular node seems to be the main mechanism responsible for this reduction. Compared with digoxin, ivabradine was less effective, was better tolerated, and had a similar rate of serious adverse events.

Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Cardiac Arrhythmia Care: Experience of a Spanish Tertiary Hospital During the Health Crisis Triggered by the First Wave of the Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a deep restructuring of cardiovascular care, especially in the setting of cardiac arrhythmia units, which are characterized by a wide variety of clinical and interventional activities. We describe the experience of a large university hospital deeply hit during the COVID-19 health crisis (first outbreak of the pandemic), focusing on the exceptional measures implemented and their impact in terms of outcomes. We performed a retrospective study comparing the human and structural resources and the activity of a cardiac arrhythmia unit in a Spanish tertiary hospital for two consecutive periods: from January 12, 2020, to March 8, 2020 ("pre-COVID stage"), and from March 9, 2020, to May 2, 2020 ("COVID stage"). Data were contextualized within the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region of Madrid. The measures implemented were promotion of non-face-to-face consultations, selection of urgent procedures, design of a "COVID-free" circuit for outpatient interventions, and protocolization for patients with COVID-19. A total of 3,526 consultations and 362 procedures were performed. During the COVID stage, the number of consultations remained stable, and the electrophysiology rooms' activity decreased by 55.2% with a relative increase in the number of urgent-hospitalized cases attended (11.8% COVID-19-positive patients). The electrophysiology rooms' activity returned to "normal" in the last week of the COVID stage, with no contagion being detected among patients or professionals. In conclusion, the measures implemented allowed us to respond safely and efficiently to the health care needs of patients with arrhythmias during the COVID-19 crisis and may be useful for other institutions facing similar situations.

Complete interatrial block in a left-atrial dependent atrioventricular node.

INTRODUCTION: A middle-age woman underwent an electrophysiologic study due to recurrent atypical atrial flutter. METHODS AND RESULT: Radiofrequency ablation of cavotricuspid isthmus and anterior mitral line was performed. During energy delivery on the anterior left atrial wall, interatrial dissociation and complete block of the sinus impulse to the atrioventricular (AV) node was observed. AV node activation became dependent on a subsidiary left atrial rhythm. CONCLUSION: Anatomical location of intra and inter-atrial connections must be taken into account when performing extensive ablation procedures, specially in cases with prior cardiac surgeries.

¿Hay un nuevo fármaco disponible para el control de la frecuencia cardiaca de pacientes con fibrilación auricular permanente? Respuesta / Do we have a new drug for heart rate control in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation? Response

No disponible

Ivabradina para el control crónico de la frecuencia cardiaca en fibrilación auricular permanente. Diseño del proyecto BRAKE-AF / Ivabradine for chronic heart rate control in persistent atrial fibrillation. Design of the BRAKE-AF project

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La ivabradina es un inhibidor de la corriente If, principal determinante de la función marcapasos del nódulo sinusal, aprobado como antianginoso y para tratar la insuficiencia cardiaca. Existen indicios sobre su capacidad para inhibir la conducción a través del nódulo auriculoventricular (NAV). Sobre esta base, el proyecto BRAKE-AF plantea el uso de ivabradina como agente cronotrópico negativo en fibrilación auricular (FA). MÉTODOS: Se realizará un ensayo clínico multicéntrico de fase III, aleatorizado, abierto, en paralelo, con diseño de no inferioridad, para comparar la ivabradina frente a la digoxina en 232 pacientes con FA permanente no controlada con bloqueadores beta o antagonistas del calcio; el objetivo primario es la reducción de la frecuencia cardiaca media diurna en un Holter de 24 h a los 3 meses. El ensayo se apoyará en un estudio electrofisiológico que analizará el efecto de la ivabradina en el potencial de acción del NAV humano, utilizando un modelo experimental en células de ovario de hámster chino transfectadas con el ADN que codifica la expresión de los distintos canales que componen dicho potencial de acción, registrando las corrientes iónicas mediante la técnica del parche de membrana. RESULTADOS: Se obtendrá información tanto del efecto de la ivabradina en las corrientes iónicas y el potencial de acción del NAV como de su eficacia y su seguridad en pacientes con FA permanente. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados del proyecto BRAKE-AF podrían permitir que la ivabradina se incluyera en el limitado arsenal de fármacos disponibles actualmente para el control de frecuencia en la FA

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Ivabradine is an inhibitor of the If channel, the main determinant of the pacemaker function of the sinus node. The drug has been approved for the treatment of angina and heart failure. There is some evidence of its role as an inhibitor of atrial-ventricular node (AVN) conduction. The aim of the BRAKE-AF project is to assess ivabradine use for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, parallel, open-label, noninferiority phase III clinical trial will be conducted to compare ivabradine vs digoxin in 232 patients with uncontrolled permanent AF despite beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers. The primary efficacy endpoint is the reduction in daytime heart rate measured by 24-hour Holter monitoring at 3 months. This clinical trial will be supported by an electrophysiological study of the effect of ivabradine on the action potential of the human AVN. To do this, an experimental model will be used with Chinese hamster ovarium cells transfected with the DNA encoding the expression of the t channels involved in this action potential and recording of the ionic currents with patch clamp techniques. RESULTS: New data will be obtained on the effect of ivabradine on the human AVN and its safety and efficacy in patients with permanent AF. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the BRAKE-AF project might allow inclusion of ivabradine within the limited arsenal of drugs currently available for rate control in AF

Ivabradine for chronic heart rate control in persistent atrial fibrillation. Design of the BRAKE-AF project.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Ivabradine is an inhibitor of the If channel, the main determinant of the pacemaker function of the sinus node. The drug has been approved for the treatment of angina and heart failure. There is some evidence of its role as an inhibitor of atrial-ventricular node (AVN) conduction. The aim of the BRAKE-AF project is to assess ivabradine use for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, parallel, open-label, noninferiority phase III clinical trial will be conducted to compare ivabradine vs digoxin in 232 patients with uncontrolled permanent AF despite beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers. The primary efficacy endpoint is the reduction in daytime heart rate measured by 24-hour Holter monitoring at 3 months. This clinical trial will be supported by an electrophysiological study of the effect of ivabradine on the action potential of the human AVN. To do this, an experimental model will be used with Chinese hamster ovarium cells transfected with the DNA encoding the expression of the t channels involved in this action potential and recording of the ionic currents with patch clamp techniques. RESULTS: New data will be obtained on the effect of ivabradine on the human AVN and its safety and efficacy in patients with permanent AF. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the BRAKE-AF project might allow inclusion of ivabradine within the limited arsenal of drugs currently available for rate control in AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT03718273.

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators in patients with left ventricular assist devices: case report and comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly used in patients with advanced heart failure, many of whom have been or will be implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Interaction between both devices is a matter of concern. Subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) obtains its signals through subcutaneous vectors, which poses special challenges with regards to adequate performance following LVAD implantation. CASE SUMMARY: We describe the case of a 24-year-old man implanted with an S-ICD because of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, severe biventricular dysfunction, and self-limiting sustained ventricular tachycardias. After the implantation of a HeartMate 3™ (Left Ventricular Assist System, Abbott) several months later, the S-ICD became useless because of inappropriate sensing due to electromagnetic interference and attenuation of QRS voltage. DISCUSSION: We reviewed the reported cases in PubMed about the concomitant use of S-ICD and LVAD. Seven case reports about the performance of S-ICD in patients with an LVAD were identified, with discordant results. From these articles, we analyse the potential causes for these differing results. Pump location and operating rates in LVAD, as well as changes in the subcutaneous-electrocardiogram detected by the S-ICD after LVAD implantation are related to sensing disturbances when used in the same patient.

Respuesta al ECG de julio de 2019 / Response to ECG, July 2019

No disponible

ECG de julio de 2019 / ECG, July 2019

No disponible

Multiple ICD shocks in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy: What is the mechanism?

We present the case of a 45-year-old male patient with dilated cardiomyopathy who suffers from multiple implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks. The analysis of the ICD tracing and the electrophysiological study allows to conclude that bundle branch re-entrant tachycardia is the most likely diagnosis, even in absence of conduction abnormalities in his basal electrocardiography.

Entrapment of "PV-Tracker" guidewire in the pulmonary veins during atrial fibrillation ablation with PVAC Gold.

We report the entrapment of Pulmonary Vein Ablation Catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) and its guidewire within the right pulmonary veins in two patients. The catheters could be retrieved without complications but they were disabled in both cases. This nondescribed incident should be recognized by PVAC users since it may be a source of potential severe complications during pulmonary vein isolation procedures.