Lung ultrasound in heart failure. / Ecografía pulmonar en la insuficiencia cardiaca.

The present article reviews the usefulness of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis, prognostic stratification and treatment of patients with heart failure. The article addresses the technical aspects when performing lung ultrasonography, as well as the importance of the presence of B-lines in the diagnosis and the prognostic value of pulmonary congestion. Moreover, the article reviews the most recently published evidence on the use of lung ultrasound in heart failure. Lastly, the article references the new clinical trials currently underway, including the EPICC study conducted jointly by the Heart Failure and Clinical Ultrasonography Workgroups of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine.

Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine on the diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure. / Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología y la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del déficit de hierro en la insuficiencia cardíaca.

Iron deficiency in patients with heart failure is a medical problem of recent particular interest. This interest has resulted from the publication of several clinical trials that demonstrated that the administration of intravenous iron to such patients improved their functional capacity and even reduced the number of hospitalisations for heart failure decompensation. However, applying the evidence from these studies in clinical practice is still controversial, both in terms of the diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency (absolute and functional) and the optimal method for iron replenishment. This article is a consensus document that integrates the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Cardiology. The article reviews the scientific evidence and proposes a diagnostic and therapeutic performance protocol for iron deficiency in heart failure.

Reduction in hospitalisations and emergency department visits for frail patients with heart failure: Results of the UMIPIC healthcare programme.

OBJECTIVES: Heart failure (HF) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the usefulness of the Comprehensive Management Units for Patients with HF (Unidades de Manejo Integral para Pacientes con IC [UMIPIC]) programme. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We analysed the patient data from the UMIPIC programme, which was recorded in the HF registry (RICA) of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. We compared emergency department visits and hospitalisations for any cause and for HF during the year prior to inclusion in the programme against those that occurred during the subsequent follow-up year, using the chi-squared test. RESULTS: A total of 258 patients (mean age, 80years; 51.9% women) were included in the study. During the previous year, there were 693 hospitalisations for all causes and 174 hospitalisations during the follow-up (75% reduction, P<.001). There were 613 hospitalisations for HF during the previous year and 92 during the follow-up (85% reduction, P<.001); 655 vs. 302 in terms of emergency department visits for any cause (53.9% reduction, P<.001); and 440 vs. 120 for emergency department visits for HF (72% reduction, P<.001). There were no significant differences in the number of hospitalisations or emergency department visits for causes other than HF. CONCLUSIONS: The UMIPIC programme based on the comprehensive care of elderly patients with HF and comorbidity reduces the rate of hospital readmissions and emergency department visits during the first year of follow-up.

[Localization of the interpleural space using the "hanging drop" method]. / Localización del espacio interpleural por el método de la "gota colgante".

"Hanging drop" method was used in 45 patients to determine interpleural needle placement which was easily achieved in 100% of the cases, advancing a catheter through the needle without any difficulty. No pneumothorax was observed. In conclusion, we consider that "hanging drop" method is effective to determine interpleural needle placement, with little disturbance to the patient.