Inter-American Society of Cardiology (CIFACAH-ELECTROSIAC) and Latin-American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS): multidisciplinary review on the appropriate use of implantable cardiodefibrillator in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Our main objective was to present a multidisciplinary review on the epidemiology of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and the tools that could be used to identify malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and to perform risk stratification. In addition, indications and contraindications for the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in general and in special populations including the elderly and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are also given. METHODS: An expert group from the Inter American Society of Cardiology (IASC), through their HF Council (CIFACAH) and Electrocardiology Council (ElectroSIAC), together with the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), reviewed and discussed the literature regarding the appropriate use of an ICD in people with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF). Indications and contraindications for the use of ICD are presented in this multidisciplinary review. RESULTS: Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the usefulness of ICD in both primary and secondary prevention of SCD in HFpEF. There are currently precise indications and contraindications for the use of these devices. CONCLUSIONS: In some Latin American countries, a low rate of implantation is correlated with low incomes, but this is not the case for all Latin America. Determinants of the low rates of ICD implantation in many Latin American countries are still a matter of research. VA remains one of the most common causes of cardiovascular death associated with HFrEF and different tools are available for stratifying the risk of SCD in this population.

Tromboprofilaxis, anticoagulación y coagulopatía en tiempos de pandemia: recomendación de la ACATA, ACMI, SCC CCV y ACMV / Thromboprophylaxis, anticoagulation and coagulopathy in times of pandemic: The ACATA, ACMI, SCC CCV and ACMV recommendation

Resumen Introducción La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) puede predisponer a tromboembolia venosa o trombosis arterial debido a una respuesta inflamatoria aumentada, hipoxia, inmovilización y coagulación intravascular diseminada; hasta en un 20 a 50% de pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19 tienen alteraciones hematológicas relacionadas con coagulopatía (dímero D elevado, tiempo de protrombina prolongado, trombocitopenia y/o fibrinógeno bajo). Evaluaciones post mortem evidencian depósitos trombóticos microvasculares típicos, ricos en plaquetas en vasos pequeños de pulmones y otros órganos. Objetivo Brindar una aproximación práctica y actualizada en el manejo del paciente con riesgo elevado o que presentan eventos tromboembólicos en el marco de la actual pandemia por COVID-19. Material y métodos: Se realizó una revisión narrativa que incluyó estudios observacionales descriptivos. Se efectuó una búsqueda de la literatura de evidencia médica en diferentes buscadores como Science Direct y PubMed, usando las palabras claves “thromboprophylaxis”, “anticoagulation”, “thrombosis”, “anticoagulant”, “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “coronavirus”. Posteriormente se escribieron las recomendaciones generales referentes al tema. Conclusiones Existen diferentes formas en las que la pandemia por COVID-19 puede predisponer al desarrollo de enfermedades trombóticas o tromboembólicas, el efecto directo o indirecto de este virus relacionado con la tormenta de citocinas que precipita el inicio del síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica y predispone al desarrollo de eventos trombóticos; también las intervenciones disponibles pueden tener interacciones farmacológicas con antiagregantes y/o anticoagulantes.

Abstract Introduction Coronavirus 19 infection can predispose to VTE or arterial thrombosis due to a heightened inflammatory response, hypoxia, immobility and DIC. Up to 20-50% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 have hematological disorders related to coagulopathies (elevated D-dimer, prolonged PT, thrombocytopenia and/or low fibrinogen). Post-mortem examinations show typical platelet-rich microvascular thrombotic deposits in the small vessels of the lungs and other organs. Objective To provide a practical, updated approach to the treatment of patients at high risk for or with ongoing thromboembolic events in the current COVID-19 pandemic setting. Material and methods A narrative review was performed including descriptive observational studies. A search of the medical evidence literature was carried out in different search engines such as ScienceDirect and PubMed, using the following key words: “thromboprophylaxis”, “anticoagulation”, “thrombosis”, “anticoagulant”, “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”, and “coronavirus”, and general recommendations on the topic were subsequently composed. Conclusions The are various ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic may predispose to the development of thrombotic or thromboembolic diseases. The virus may have a direct or indirect effect related to the cytokine storm which triggers the onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and predisposes to the development of thrombotic events. The available interventions may also have pharmacological interactions with antiplatelet drugs and/or anticoagulants.

Latin-American Registry of Cardiovascular Disease and COVID-19: Rationale and Design of the CARDIO COVID 19-20 Registry.

Background: Infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) exhibits a strong infectivity but less virulence compared to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In terms of cardiovascular morbidity, susceptible population include elderly and patients with certain cardiovascular conditions. This infection has been associated with cardiac injury, cardiovascular complications and higher mortality. Objectives: The main objective of the CARDIO COVID 19-20 Registry is to determine the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities and cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 infected patients that required in-hospital treatment in different Latin American institutions. Methods: The CARDIO COVID 19-20 Registry is an observational, multicenter, ambispective, and hospital-based registry of patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection who required in-hospital treatment in Latin America. Enrollment of patients started on May 01, 2020 and was initially planned to last three months; based on the progression of pandemic in Latin America, enrollment was extended until December 2020, and could be extended once again based on the pandemic course in our continent at that moment. Conclusions: The CARDIO COVID 19-20 Registry will characterize the in-hospital population diagnosed with COVID-19 in Latin America in order to identify risk factors for worsening of cardiovascular comorbidities or for the appearance of cardiovascular complications during hospitalization and during the 30-day follow up period.