[Early invasive strategy in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. The paradox continues]. / Uso de la estrategia invasiva precoz en el síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación de ST. La paradoja continúa.

OBJECTIVE: Observational studies have reported a paradoxical inverse relationship between the use of an early invasive strategy (EIS) and the risk of events in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS). The study objectives are: 1) to examine the association between baseline risk in patients with NSTE ACS and the use of EIS; and 2) to identify some of the factors independently associated to the use of EIS. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Intensive care units participating in the SEMICYUC ARIAM Registry. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of NSTE-ACS within 48 hours of evolution between the months of April-July 2010. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOMES: Coronary angiography with or without angioplasty within 72 hours, risk stratification using the GRACE scale. RESULTS: We analyzed 543 patients with NSTE-ACS, of which 194 were of low risk, 170 intermediate risk and 179 high risk. The EIS was used in 62.4% of the patients at low risk, in 60.2% of those with intermediate risk, and in 49.7% of those at high risk (p for tendency 0.0144). The EIS was used preferentially in patients with low severity and comorbidity. In the logistic regression model, EIS was independently associated to the availability of a catheterization laboratory (OR 2.22 [CI 95% 1.55 to 3.19]), the presence of ST changes on ECG (OR 1.80 [1.23 to 2.64]), or the existence of a low risk of bleeding (OR 0.76 [0.66 to 0.88)]. Conversely, EIS was less prevalent in patients with diabetes (OR 0.60 [0.41 to 0.88]) or tachycardia upon admission (OR 0.54 [0 36 to 0.82]). CONCLUSIONS: In 2010 there remained a lesser relative use of EIS in patients at high risk, due in part to an increased risk of bleeding in these patients.

Indicadores de calidad en el síndrome coronario agudo para el análisis del proceso asistencial pre e intrahospitalario / Quality indicators in the acute coronary syndrome for the analysis of the pre- and in-hospital care process

Se presenta un mapa de 27 indicadores para medir la calidad de la asistencia prestada a los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) que son atendidos en el ámbito pre e intrahospitalario. Se incluyen indicadores de proceso técnicos (registro de los intervalos asistenciales, realización del ECG, monitorización y acceso venoso, evaluación de los riesgos pronóstico, hemorrágico y de mortalidad intrahospitalaria, empleo de técnicas de reperfusión y realización de ecocardiografía), indicadores de proceso farmacológicos (antiagregación plaquetaria, anticoagulación, trombolisis, administración de beta-bloqueantes, inhibidores de conversión de la angiotensina e hipolipemiantes) e indicadores de resultado (escalas de calidad de la atención prestada y mortalidad) (AU)

We present a map of 27 indicators to measure the care quality given to patients with acute coronary syndrome attended in the pre- and hospital area. This includes technical process indicators (registration of care intervals, performance of electrocardiogram, monitoring and vein access, assessment of prognostic risk, hemorrhage and in-hospital mortality, use of reperfusion techniques and performance of echocardiograph), pharmacological process indicators (platelet receptors inhibition, anticoagulation, thrombolysis, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting inhibitors and lipid lowering drugs) and outcomes indicators (quality scales of the care given and mortality) (AU)

[Quality indicators in the acute coronary syndrome for the analysis of the pre- and in-hospital care process]. / Indicadores de calidad en el síndrome coronario agudo para el análisis del proceso asistencial pre e intrahospitalario.

We present a map of 27 indicators to measure the care quality given to patients with acute coronary syndrome attended in the pre- and hospital area. This includes technical process indicators (registration of care intervals, performance of electrocardiogram, monitoring and vein access, assessment of prognostic risk, hemorrhage and in-hospital mortality, use of reperfusion techniques and performance of echocardiograph), pharmacological process indicators (platelet receptors inhibition, anticoagulation, thrombolysis, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting inhibitors and lipid lowering drugs) and outcomes indicators (quality scales of the care given and mortality).

La desfibrilación temprana: conclusiones y recomendaciones del I Foro de Expertos en Desfibrilación Semiautomática / Early defibrillation: conclusions and recommendations of the First Expert Forum in Semiautomatic Defibrillation

No disponible

Desfibrilador externo automático: un instrumento eficaz que puede aplicarse inefectivamente / Automatic external defibrillator. An effective instrument that can be used ineffectively

No disponible

[Guidelines of the Spanish Society of Cardiology for cardiopulmonary resuscitation]. / Guías de actuación clínica de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología en resucitación cardiopulmonar.

Cardiac arrest, consistent on cessation of cardiac mechanical activity, is diagnosed in the absence of consciousness, pulse and breath. The totality of measurements applied to revert it is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Two different levels can be distinguished: basic vital support and advanced cardiac vital support. In the basic vital support methods which do not require special technology are used: opening of air lines, mouth to mouth ventilation, cardiac massage; recently, there is a tendency to include the use of defibrillator. Advanced cardiac vital support should be the continuation of basic vital support. In this situation defibrillator, venous cannulation, orotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation with high content in oxygen and drugs are used. Before beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, one should make sure that a real cardiac arrest is present, less than 10 min have elapsed, the victim does not have an immediately fatal prognosis and there is no deny by the victim or his/her family to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In case of doubt it should be always practised. It is important to know the diagnosis and prognosis of the cause of cardiac arrest as soon as possible, in order to treat it and decide if the maneuvers should be continued. Hydro-electrolytic disturbances must be treated and neurological damage after cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be assessed. Only 20% of patients who recover an effective cardiac rhythm after cardiopulmonary resuscitation are discharged from hospital without neurological sequelae.