Narrative review: the holy grail: update on pharmacotherapy for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the presence of clinical signs and/or symptoms of heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50%. Risk factors associated with this disease include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation (AF), obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite the multiple risk factors identified for this condition, treatment and management remain challenging and a subject of ongoing research. Since a treatment approach that alters the natural course or lowers mortality for this disease has not been found, treating co-morbidities and symptom management is essential. From the comorbidities, hypertension is identified as the main risk factor for disease development. Thus, after congestive symptom control with diuretics, blood pressure (BP) management is considered one of the most important preventive measures and also a target for treatment. Amongst antihypertensives, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and aldosterone antagonists are the therapeutic agents used that have a role in reducing hospitalizations. Implantable monitoring devices have also been shown to reduce hospitalizations in comparison to standard heart failure therapies by allowing to tailor diuretic therapy based on ongoing hemodynamic data. In this manuscript we discuss pharmacologic strategies for HFpEF patients by risk factors, including those with and without a potential role.

Thermodilution Cardiac Output: A Concept Over 250 Years in the Making.

The need to quantify blood flow through the heart has led to the development of different techniques for its measurement. The 3 main approaches are the Fick method, dye dilution, and thermodilution techniques. The latter 2 are based on the use of indicators that indirectly quantify blood flow. These have slowly been developed over centuries, from the concept of measuring blood flow, to a technique, and its clinical utility. Thermodilution is the most popular dilution method used for measuring cardiac output (CO) in the clinical setting. The information obtained during this procedure is relevant in the process of clinical decision making in patients with critical illness, valvular heart disease, and congestive heart failure. The technique increased in popularity in the early 1970's after Swan and Ganz invented the pulmonary artery catheter that simplified thermodilution enough to utilize it as a bedside procedure. This was only possible with simple yet clever engineering methods that are not commonly known in the medical community. Despite these advancements, the concept of measuring CO by dilution techniques is one where its optimal use in the clinical setting continues to be an area of investigation. The thermodilution concept and the mechanism of measuring CO will be discussed in the following review.

A retrospective analysis of laser endartherectomy assisted balloon angioplasty for popliteal and infrapopliteal peripheral arterial disease.

OBJECTIVES: To describe our single center experience with the use of laser endartherectomy assisted balloon angioplasty in popliteal and infrapopliteal arterial disease. BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) carries significant morbidity to patients. Some patients may have multiple comorbid conditions potentially limiting therapeutic options for PAD. Endovascular interventions are aimed at decreasing arterial disease symptoms, improve wound healing and ultimately limb salvage. There is limited data on below the knee PAD and simultaneous laser endartherectomy use in this anatomic location. METHODS: The cohort comprised 41 patients that underwent laser assisted balloon angioplasty from 2010 to 2013. All patients had popliteal and infrapopliteal arterial disease. Outcomes evaluated were limb salvage and symptom relief 12months following the procedure. A comparison between the patients that underwent amputation and those with limb salvage was also performed. RESULTS: All the patients had TASC II (Trans Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus) type D lesions. Most patients reported persistent PAD symptoms by six months, with 17% remaining symptom free by 12months. Affected limb salvage was 69%. Five patients (12%) died and one third of the patients had a new peripheral angiogram. In the repeat angiogram, most patients showed initial target vessel occlusion. No statistically significant differences were found between the patients that preserved their limb to those who underwent amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Laser assisted balloon angioplasty use for complex popliteal and infrapopliteal arterial disease is a therapeutic option when limb salvage is the goal. Despite this, symptom recurrence and the need for repeated angiography continue to be high.

Pneumopericarditis: A Case of Acute Chest Pain with ST Segment Elevation.

Pneumopericarditis describes a clinical scenario where fluid and air are found within the pericardial space. Although infrequent, pneumopericarditis should be considered in patients presenting with acute chest pain as a differential diagnosis. This is relevant in patients with history of upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, as this may lead to a fistula communicating the GI tract and the pericardium. We report a 42-year-old man with history of numerous surgical interventions related to a Nissen fundoplication that presented with acute chest pain and inferior lead ST segment elevations. Emergent coronary angiography was negative for coronary vascular disease but fluoroscopy revealed air in the pericardial space. Subsequent radiographic studies helped confirm air in the pericardial space with a fistulous communication to the stomach. Ultimate treatment for this defect was surgical closure.

Clinical preventive services in Guatemala: a cross-sectional survey of internal medicine physicians.

BACKGROUND: Guatemala is currently undergoing an epidemiologic transition. Preventive services are key to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases, and smoking counseling and cessation are among the most cost-effective and wide-reaching strategies. Internal medicine physicians are fundamental to providing such services, and their knowledge is a cornerstone of non-communicable disease control. METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011 to evaluate knowledge of clinical preventive services for non-communicable diseases. Interns, residents, and attending physicians of the internal medicine departments of all teaching hospitals in Guatemala completed a self-administered questionnaire. Participants' responses were contrasted with the Guatemalan Ministry of Health (MoH) prevention guidelines and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations. Analysis compared knowledge of recommendations within and between hospitals. RESULTS: In response to simulated patient scenarios, all services were recommended by more than half of physicians regardless of MoH or USPSTF recommendations. Prioritization was adequate according to the MoH guidelines but not including other potentially effective services (e.g. colorectal cancer and lipid disorder screenings). With the exception of colorectal and prostate cancer screening, less frequently recommended by interns, there was no difference in recommendation rates by level. CONCLUSION: Guatemalan internal medicine physicians' knowledge on preventive services recommendations for non-communicable diseases is limited, and prioritization did not reflect cost-effectiveness. Based on these data we recommend that preventive medicine training be strengthened and development of evidence-based guidelines for low-middle income countries be a priority.