Incidencia y valor pronóstico de la existencia de cardiopatía isquémica en pacientes diabéticos asintomáticos de alto riesgo cardiovascular sometidos a un estudio gated-SPECT de perfusión miocárdica / Incidence and prognostic value of ischemic heart disease in high risk cardiovascular asymptomatic diabetic patients detected by gated myocardial perfusion SPECT study

Objetivo. Determinar la utilidad clínica de la gated-SPECT de perfusión miocárdica en la detección de isquemia silente en pacientes diabéticos sin síntomas ni eventos cardiovasculares previos y evaluar implicaciones pronósticas. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 56 pacientes diabéticos asintomáticos tras una gated-SPECT de perfusión miocárdica para diagnóstico de enfermedad isquémica. El criterio de isquemia fue: ligera SDS<4, moderada SDS de 4 a 8, severa SDS>8. Se realizó un análisis estadístico multivariante para identificar variables predictoras de un estudio anormal y se registraron hasta diciembre de 2010 los eventos cardiovasculares. Resultados. Una alta proporción de los 56 pacientes presentó un estudio de perfusión anormal (46,4%), existiendo isquemia moderada-severa en el 10,7%, necrosis con isquemia en el 5,4% y necrosis en el 7,1%. No encontramos diferencias en cuanto al tipo de esfuerzo (tapiz rodante o dipiridamol). Existió una alta combinación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular. En el análisis multivariante, la nefropatía diabética fue la única que se relacionó con una SPECT anormal (p=0,043). En el seguimiento, los eventos fueron: 2 revascularizaciones precoces, 5 ingresos en cardiología, 10 muertes de no origen cardíaco. La existencia de isquemia en la SPECT se relacionó de forma significativa con la aparición de eventos cardiovasculares (p<0,05). Conclusión. La SPECT de perfusión miocárdica en diabéticos asintomáticos con alta asociación de factores de riesgo detecta la existencia de isquemia silente, la cual parece relacionarse con futuros eventos cardiovasculares. La nefropatía diabética sugiere mayor probabilidad de estudios anormales; sin embargo, es preciso establecer los criterios de cribado para un mayor rendimiento y un menor coste económico(AU)

Aim. To determine the clinical utility of the gated myocardial perfusion SPECT to detect silent ischemia in asymptomatic diabetic patients without previous coronary events and to evaluate the prognosis of this population. Material and methods. A retrospective study of 56 asymptomatic diabetics referred for a gated myocardial perfusion SPECT for diagnosis of ischemic disease was performed. The criteria for ischemia were: mild SDS<4, moderate SDS 4-8, severe SDS>8. A multivariable statistical analysis was carried out to identify possible predictive variables of an abnormal SPECT. The cardiovascular events were recorded up to December-2010. Results. A high proportion of the 56 patients had an abnormal perfusion study (46.4%), there being moderate-severe ischemia in 10.7%, necrosis with ischemia in 5.4% and necrosis in 7.1%. We found no statistical differences in the type of stress used (treadmill or dipyridamole). The patients had a high combination of cardiovascular risk factors. In the multivariate analysis, diabetic nephropathy was the only factor related to an abnormal SPECT (p=0.043). The events recorded in the follow-up were: 2 early revascularizations, 5 cardiology admissions, 10 non-cardiac related deaths. The existence of ischemia in the SPECT was significantly related to the appearance of cardiovascular events (p<0.05). Conclusion. A gated myocardial perfusion SPECT in asymptomatic diabetics with high combination of cardiovascular risk factors detects silent ischemia in a significant proportion and this seems to be related to future coronary events. Diabetic nephropathy implies a greater likelihood of abnormal studies. However, the screening criteria in this population still need to be established for better performance and lower cost(AU)

[Incidence and prognostic value of ischemic heart disease in high risk cardiovascular asymptomatic diabetic patients detected by gated myocardial perfusion SPECT study]. / Incidencia y valor pronóstico de la existencia de cardiopatía isquémica en pacientes diabéticos asintomáticos de alto riesgo cardiovascular sometidos a un estudio gated-SPECT de perfusión miocárdica.

AIM: To determine the clinical utility of the gated myocardial perfusion SPECT to detect silent ischemia in asymptomatic diabetic patients without previous coronary events and to evaluate the prognosis of this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 56 asymptomatic diabetics referred for a gated myocardial perfusion SPECT for diagnosis of ischemic disease was performed. The criteria for ischemia were: mild SDS<4, moderate SDS 4-8, severe SDS>8. A multivariable statistical analysis was carried out to identify possible predictive variables of an abnormal SPECT. The cardiovascular events were recorded up to December-2010. RESULTS: A high proportion of the 56 patients had an abnormal perfusion study (46.4%), there being moderate-severe ischemia in 10.7%, necrosis with ischemia in 5.4% and necrosis in 7.1%. We found no statistical differences in the type of stress used (treadmill or dipyridamole). The patients had a high combination of cardiovascular risk factors. In the multivariate analysis, diabetic nephropathy was the only factor related to an abnormal SPECT (p=0.043). The events recorded in the follow-up were: 2 early revascularizations, 5 cardiology admissions, 10 non-cardiac related deaths. The existence of ischemia in the SPECT was significantly related to the appearance of cardiovascular events (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A gated myocardial perfusion SPECT in asymptomatic diabetics with high combination of cardiovascular risk factors detects silent ischemia in a significant proportion and this seems to be related to future coronary events. Diabetic nephropathy implies a greater likelihood of abnormal studies. However, the screening criteria in this population still need to be established for better performance and lower cost.

Recomendaciones sobre las indicaciones clínicas de la gated-SPECT de perfusión miocárdica / Recommendations on Clinical Indications for Myocardial Perfusion Gated SPECT

Desde 1999 no se había realizado ninguna revisión de las Guías de actuación clínica de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología en Cardiología Nuclear, por lo que en este artículo exponemos las indicaciones clase I y IIa de la American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ACC/AHA/ASNC) con nivel de evidencia A o B, junto con las 27 indicaciones consideradas adecuadas por el Comité de expertos de la American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ACCF/ASNC) y los comentarios que hemos considerado oportuno añadir los firmantes de este artículo

Guidelines on Nuclear Cardiology have not been revised since 1999. Correspondingly, this article describes the class-I and class-IIa indications of the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA)/American Society for Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), which have a grade-A or grade-B level of supporting evidence. In addition, details are given of the 27 appropriateness criteria of the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF)/ASNC expert committee, along with additional comments which the authors of this review thought were appropriate to make at this time

[The effect of the mean platelet volume on the short-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarct]. / Influencia del volumen plaquetario medio sobre el pronóstico a corto plazo del infarto agudo de miocardio.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The increase of mean platelet volume in the late phase of myocardial infarction is an independent predictor for recurrent myocardial infarction and death, but the association between this finding and the short-term prognosis after acute myocardial infarction is unknown. The goals of this study were to assess the influence of mean platelet volume on the risk of death, recurrent ischemic events or cardiac heart failure during the in-hospital phase of myocardial infarction and to analyse the relationship between mean platelet volume and several demographic and clinical variables registered on admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population of 1,082 patients with acute myocardial infarction were distributed in two groups according to the platelet volume measured on admission: group 1, mean platelet volume > 9 fl (n = 443) and group 2, mean platelet volume < or = 9 fl (n = 639). The difference between both groups on the end-point of this study were assessed by univariate and multivariate statistical methods. An univariate analysis was also applied to assess the relationship between platelet volume and the baseline variables. RESULTS: A mean platelet volume > 9 fl was associated with a significant increase of risk for the combined end-point considered (OR = 1.37; p = 0.026). By univariate analysis, an increased platelet volume was related to a higher risk of cardiac failure (OR = 1.46; p = 0.01) and a non-significant increase in the incidence of recurrent ischemic events (OR = 1.35; p = 0.07). In addition, a large platelet volume was also associated with a higher prevalence of prior myocardial infarction, arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the increase of mean platelet volume on admission is an independent risk factor for cardiac heart failure and is associated with a non significant higher rates of ischemic events during the recovery phase of acute myocardial infarction.

[Appraisal of the state of the autonomic nervous system in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by the analysis of heart rate variability]. / Aproximación al conocimiento del estado del sistema nervioso autónomo en la miocardiopatía hipertrófica mediante el análisis de la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca.

INTRODUCTION: The analysis of heart rate variability has been accepted as a non-invasive method to evaluate the influence of the autonomic nervous system over the heart. Although heart rate variability has been used during the last decade in several illnesses the studies in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are scarce. OBJECTIVES: We report the activity of the autonomic nervous system in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using the analysis of heart rate variability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Heart rate variability was evaluate by the analyzing 24-h ambulatory electrocardiograms (Holter) in 20 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and in 15 controls. This method has been used to measure heart rate variability. Spectral analysis of the frequencies were calculated using fast Fourier transformation. Spectral heart rate variability was computed as high (0.15 to 0.40 Hz) low (0.04 to 0.15 Hz) and total (0.01 to 1.0 Hz). We compared the relation between low/high frequency as an index of the sympathetic/parasympathetic balance. All data are expressed as mean value +/- SD. The unpaired Student t-test was used. A two tailed p valued < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no differences in the mean heart rates among the patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and normal subjects (mean +/- SD: 71 +/- 9 versus 74 +/- 11 beats/minute; p = NS) while there was a significant decline in total spectral (mean +/- SD: 7.14 +/- 1.1 versus 7.57 +/- 0.6 ln [ms2]; p = 0.02) and high (mean +/- SD: 5.22 +/- 0.8 versus 5.63 +/- 1.3 ln [ms2]; p = 0.04) as well as in low spectral frequency of heart rate variability (mean +/- SD: 22 +/- 0.8 versus 5.63 +/- 1.3 ln [ms2]; p = 0.04) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. There were no differences in the low/high frequency component ratio in these patients (mean +/- SD: 1.1 +/- 0.1 versus 1.2 +/- 0.1 ln [ms2]; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: These facts suggest that the patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have an alteration in the autonomic nervous system: sympathetic (low spectral frequencies) and parasympathetic activity (high spectral frequencies), although this does not reflect an imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activities (relation of low to high spectral frequencies).

[Study of heart rate variability in acute myocardial infarction and its relationship with ventricular function and other clinical variables]. / Estudio de la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca en el infarto agudo de miocardio y su relación con la función ventricular y otras variables clínicas.

BACKGROUND: The influence of ventricular function (VF) on prognosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is well known. Heart rate variability (HRV), as a neurohumoral parameter could predict VF after discharge in AMI patients. Our goal is to investigate the possible relation among HRV, VF and another clinical variables in AMI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 37 patients with AMI after hospital discharge. Age, AMI type, location, enzymes, treatment (thrombolysis versus no thrombolysis) were evaluated. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was assessed by radionuclide ventriculography in 27 subjects. Twenty nine subjects without cardiopathy were the control group. Twenty four hour electrocardiographic recordings were obtained and a proper software was used to measure HRV. This was evaluated with time domain measures: RR interval, standard deviation of the mean RR interval (SDNN), standard deviation of the average of the RR intervals measured every 5 minutes during 24 hours (SDANN) and number of two consecutive RR intervals with a variability > 50 ms (pNN50). We considered a decreased variability if SDANN was less than 100 ms. Two groups were established: 1) low heart rate variability (LHRV) if SDANN was less than 100 ms, and 2) normal heart rate variability (NHRV) if SDANN was larger than 100 ms. Continuous variables were examined by the t-test, chi square for discrete ones and linear regression analysis was used to assess the relation among variables. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The percentage of infarcted patients in the group of LHRV is 75%, whereas it is 14% in the control group (p < 0.05). SDANN, SDNN and pNN50 values are significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the AMI than in the control group. LHRV was more frequent in patients with complicated AMI with congestive heart failure. LVEF was significantly lower (35% vs 56%) in the LHRV than in the NHRV group. No significant differences were found among: site, type infarct, treatment or ventricular ectopy in the Holter before discharge. There is good correlation (r = 0.635; p < 0.05) between LVEF and HRV measures. No correlation was found between HRV and age, or the enzymatic size of infarction. CONCLUSIONS: 1) LHRV is frequent in the late phase of AMI, and 2) LHRV can be an indirect index of left ventricular failure.

[Changes in exercise capacity and in induced ischemia with an oral dose of 5 isosorbide mononitrate in patients with stable angina pectoris]. / Modificaciones en la capacidad de ejercicio y en la isquemia inducida con una dosis oral de 5-mononitrato de isosorbide en pacientes con angina de pecho estable.

In order to establish the effects of 5-isosorbide mononitrate on: the exercise capacity, the onset period of angina and ischemia along with the degree and on whether the duration time was prolonged up to 5 hours after the oral administration of 20 mg of this drug, we compare this drug against a placebo in a group of 15 patients with stable angina pectoris developed by effort who performed an exercise test using a bicycle ergometer. After the administration of 20 mg of 5-isosorbide mononitrate it was observed that onset time of angina (p less than 0.001), the onset time of ST decrease (p less than 0.002) and total time of exercise attained were significantly superior to those found in patients with placebo administration. Moreover, for the same degree of EKG ischemia (ST decrease) showed a superior exercise time was registered (p less than 0.002) after the administration of 5-isosorbide mononitrate (5-IM). Our results show that an oral dosage of 20 mg of 5-IM given to patients with stable angina pectoris increased the capacity and exercise tolerance delaying significantly the onset time of angina, the onset time of EKG ischemia and its decree induced by the effort up to 5 hours after its administration.

Isosorbide dinitrate sublingual therapy for inferior myocardial infarction: randomized trial to assess infarct size limitation.

To assess the potential of isosorbide dinitrate sublingual therapy for limiting myocardial infarct size, 41 patients with inferior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were studied. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to the control group and 21 to the treatment group. Patients in the treatment group received 10 mg of isosorbide dinitrate every 2 hours for 72 hours. To estimate infarct size, QRS scoring, peak creatine kinase (CK) serum levels and CK curves were used. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in maximal or cumulative activity of CK or QRS score (percent of left ventricle infarcted: 16% in the control group, 17% in the treatment group). In both groups the QRS score increased significantly by 13 hours after AMI, and the increase was highly significant by 19 to 23 hours. Thus, sublingual isosorbide dinitrate at the dosage given did not reduce infarct size in patients with inferior AMI.

[Permanent endocardial pacemaker. Review of 116 implantations (author's transl)]. / Marcapaso endocavitario permanente. A propósito de 116 implantaciones.

A retrospective study on the results of 116 permanent ventricular pacemaker implantations performed in the Service of Cardiology of the Hospital Clinico Universitario in Salamanca is reported. In the majority of cases the indication for a pacemaker was a complete atrioventricular block (53 cases). Sixteen cases had a "sick-sinus syndrome". An apparent cardiopathy was not found in 84 percent of the cases. In the group of patients with cardiopathy that of ischemic type was the most common. The technique of endocardiac catheter pacing was employed in all cases. An 18 percent of global complications occurred, but in no case an early electrode displacement was registered. Complications appeared at a later time included erosion of the pacemaker in ten cases, and displacement and/or deinsertion in seven. The mean life for 18 displaced generators was 41.3 months. A sudden equipment malfunction occurred in two cases, and an inhibition by potentials of the pectoralis major muscle in another. Morbidity rate was lower to that of other published series, may be due to the use of modern generators with a progressive reduction of its diameter and weight and more flexible electrodes which allow a better implantation. The mortality rate was zero.