Cardiac sympathetic innervation assessed with 123I-MIBG retains prognostic utility in diabetic patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction evaluated for primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator / La valoración de la inervación simpática cardiaca con 123I-MIBG mantiene su utilidad pronóstica en pacientes diabéticos con disfunción ventricular grave evaluados para implante de desfibrilador automático en prevención primaria

Background. Scintigraphy with iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) is a non-invasive tool for the assessment of cardiac sympathetic innervation (CSI) that has proven to be an independent predictor of survival. Recent studies have shown that diabetic patients with heart failure (HF) have a higher deterioration in CSI. It is unknown if 123I-MIBG has the same predictive value for diabetic and non-diabetic patients with advanced HF. An analysis is performed to determine whether CSI with 123I-MIBG retains prognostic utility in diabetic patients with HF, evaluated for a primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Material and methods. Seventy-eight consecutive HF patients (48 diabetic) evaluated for primary prevention ICD implantation were prospectively enrolled and underwent 123I-MIBG to assess CSI (heart-to-mediastinum ratio - HMR). A Cox proportional hazards multivariate analysis was used to determine the influence of 123I-MIBG images for prediction of cardiac events in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The primary end-point was a composite of arrhythmic event, cardiac death, or admission due to HF. Results. During a mean follow-up of 19.5 [9.3-29.3] months, the primary end-point occurred in 24 (31%) patients. Late HMR was significantly lower in diabetic patients (1.30 vs. 1.41, p = 0.014). Late HMR ≤ 1.30 was an independent predictor of cardiac events in diabetic (hazard ratio 4.53; p = 0.012) and non-diabetic patients (hazard ratio 12.31; p = 0.023). Conclusions. Diabetic patients with HF evaluated for primary prevention ICD show a higher deterioration in CSI than non-diabetics; nevertheless 123I-MIBG imaging retained prognostic utility for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients (AU)

Antecedentes. La gammagrafía con yodo-123-metayodobenzilguanidina (123I-MIBG) es una herramienta de la valoración de la actividad simpática cardiaca (ASC) que ha demostrado ser un predictor independiente de supervivencia. Estudios recientes han demostrado que los pacientes diabéticos con insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) presentan mayor deterioro de la ASC. Si 123I-MIBG tiene el mismo valor predictivo en diabéticos y no diabéticos es desconocido. Analizamos si la evaluación de la ASC con 123I-MIBG mantiene su utilidad pronóstica en pacientes diabéticos con IC evaluados para implante de DAI en prevención primaria. Material y métodos. Se incluyeron prospectivamente 78 pacientes (48 diabéticos) consecutivos evaluados para implante de DAI en prevención primaria a los que se les realizó una gammagrafía con 123I-MIBG para evaluar la ASC (índice corazón mediastino - ICM-). Se usó un modelo multivariado de riesgos proporcionales de Cox para analizar la influencia de 123I-MIBG en la predicción de eventos cardiacos tanto en pacientes diabéticos como no diabéticos. La variable principal de resultado es un compuesto de evento arrítmico, muerte cardiaca y hospitalización por IC. Resultados. Durante una media de seguimiento de 19.5 [9.3-29.3] meses, la variable principal de resultado ocurrío en 24 (31%) de los pacientes. El ICM tardío fue significativamente menor en el grupo de pacientes con diabetes mellitus (1.30 vs 1.41, p = 0.014). Un ICM tardío ≤1,30 fue predictor independiente de eventos cardiacos en pacientes diabéticos (HR 4,53; p = 0,012) y no diabéticos (HR 12,31; p = 0,023). Conclusión. Los pacientes diabéticos con IC grave evaluados para implante de DAI en prevención primaria presentan mayor deterioro de la ASC que los no diabéticos. 123I-MIBG mantiene utilidad pronóstica en pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos con IC (AU)

La ausencia de necrosis por cardiorresonancia en pacientes con miocardiopatía dilatada no filiada sugiere etiología no isquémica aun en presencia de enfermedad coronaria / The abscense of an ischemic pattern on cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of unknown origin suggests nonischemic etiology even with the presence of significan coronary artery disease

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Cardiac sympathetic innervation assessed with (123)I-MIBG retains prognostic utility in diabetic patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction evaluated for primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: Scintigraphy with iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) is a non-invasive tool for the assessment of cardiac sympathetic innervation (CSI) that has proven to be an independent predictor of survival. Recent studies have shown that diabetic patients with heart failure (HF) have a higher deterioration in CSI. It is unknown if (123)I-MIBG has the same predictive value for diabetic and non-diabetic patients with advanced HF. An analysis is performed to determine whether CSI with (123)I-MIBG retains prognostic utility in diabetic patients with HF, evaluated for a primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive HF patients (48 diabetic) evaluated for primary prevention ICD implantation were prospectively enrolled and underwent (123)I-MIBG to assess CSI (heart-to-mediastinum ratio - HMR). A Cox proportional hazards multivariate analysis was used to determine the influence of (123)I-MIBG images for prediction of cardiac events in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The primary end-point was a composite of arrhythmic event, cardiac death, or admission due to HF. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 19.5 [9.3-29.3] months, the primary end-point occurred in 24 (31%) patients. Late HMR was significantly lower in diabetic patients (1.30 vs. 1.41, p=0.014). Late HMR≤1.30 was an independent predictor of cardiac events in diabetic (hazard ratio 4.53; p=0.012) and non-diabetic patients (hazard ratio 12.31; p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients with HF evaluated for primary prevention ICD show a higher deterioration in CSI than non-diabetics; nevertheless (123)I-MIBG imaging retained prognostic utility for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Lipoproteínas de alta densidad y necrosis miocárdica en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio y elevación del segmento ST / High-density lipoproteins and myocardial necrosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction and ST segment elevation

Introducción y objetivo. Las concentraciones plasmáticas de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (cHDL) descendidas constituyen un indicador de mal pronóstico en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo. Hemos evaluado la relación entre las cifras de cHDL y la extensión de la necrosis miocárdica estimada por cardiorresonancia magnética en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio y elevación persistente del segmento ST en quienes se indicó reperfusión miocárdica. Pacientes y métodos. Análisis retrospectivo de 139 pacientes (edad media: 59,8 años; hombres: 79%) ingresados por infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación persistente del segmento ST y a quienes se efectuó una cardiorresonancia magnética. Las imágenes indicativas de necrosis miocárdica (realce tardío del gadolinio) se cuantificaron y relacionaron con la concentración de cHDL. Resultados. Los pacientes con cHDL≤40mg/dl (69% del total), en comparación con los que tenían un cHDL >40mg/dl, mostraron un área de necrosis miocárdica más extensa: el número de segmentos miocárdicos con patrón de necrosis transmural fue significativamente mayor (4,7 vs. 2,1; p<0,001), al igual que el porcentaje de necrosis miocárdica de la masa miocárdica total (18,2 vs. 11,3%; p=0,01). Los pacientes con disminución de cHDL tuvieron una menor fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (49,7 vs. 57,2%; p<0,001). Conclusiones. La concentración de cHDL disminuido es muy frecuente en los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio y elevación persistente del segmento ST. Este descenso de cHDL se asoció a una mayor área de necrosis y peor fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo(AU)

Introduction and aim. Low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) is a prognostic factor in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HDLC and myocardial necrosis estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and reperfusion strategy. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 139 patients (mean age 59.8 years; 79% men) admitted with STEMI who underwent a CMR in the first week. Results. With a comparable reperfusion strategy used and time of ischemia, patients with HDLC ≤ 40mg/dL (69% of total) had more extensive areas of myocardial necrosis after STEMI, in number of segments with late gadolinium enhancement (RTG) with transmural necrosis pattern (4.7 vs. 2.1, P<.001) and in percentage of RTG with respect total mass myocardial (18.2 vs. 11.3%, P<.01), and worst left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (49.7 vs. 57.2%, P<.001). Conclusions. We conclude that low HDLC are very common in patients with STEMI and associated with increased necrosis and a worse LVEF in the CRM study(AU)

High-density lipoproteins and myocardial necrosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction and ST segment elevation.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) is a prognostic factor in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HDLC and myocardial necrosis estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and reperfusion strategy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 139 patients (mean age 59.8 years; 79% men) admitted with STEMI who underwent a CMR in the first week. RESULTS: With a comparable reperfusion strategy used and time of ischemia, patients with HDLC ≤40 mg/dl (69% of total) had more extensive areas of myocardial necrosis after STEMI, in number of segments with late gadolinium enhancement (RTG) with transmural necrosis pattern (4.7 vs. 2.1%, p < .001) and in percentage of RTG with respect to total mass myocardial (18.2 vs. 11.3%, p < .01), and worst left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (49.7 vs. 57.2%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that low HDLC are very common in patients with STEMI and associated with increased necrosis and a worse LVEF in the CRM study.

[One-year clinical and angiographic follow-up after primary stenting]. / Evolución clínica y angiográfica al año de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio tratados con stent primario.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The late reocclusion or restenosis rate of the infarct related artery is frequent after primary angioplasty. An implanted stent may be able to improve the coronary angioplasty results and long-term outcome of these patients. We present the clinical and angiographic outcome of a cohort of patients treated with primary stenting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 74 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty and stenting were followed for one year. An angiographic control was performed at the 6th month of follow-up in 91% of patients to assess the restenosis and reocclusion rates of the infarct-related artery. RESULTS: There were eight in-hospital deaths and three during follow-up (mortality rate 14.8%) and one non-fatal reinfarction (1.5%). The cumulative rate of recurrent ischemia was 6% at 3 months and 15% at 6 months, without any further increment at one-year follow-up. A new angioplasty was performed in 7 patients and three patients underwent surgical revascularization. Thus 80% of patients after discharge were free of events. The angiographic control showed only one reocclusion of the infarct related artery and a restenosis rate of 27%. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that primary stenting is an effective procedure in treating non-selected patients with acute myocardial infarction with a low long-term incidence of adverse events and a low restenosis rate.

[Changes in hospital mortality from acute myocardial infarction during the last 15 years. The impact of reperfusion treatments]. / Evolución de la mortalidad hospitalaria por infarto agudo de miocardio durante los últimos 15 años. Influencia de los tratamientos de reperfusión.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There are not any conclusive data about the changes in in-hospital mortality in a non-selected series of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction in different periods of time. We studied the in-hospital mortality of three extensive series of patients admitted to our Coronary Care Unit during different periods of time, the influence of reperfusion methods and their early application, as well as the changes in baseline characteristics of the three populations studied. METHODS: The in-hospital mortality of 1,858 consecutively-admitted patients during three different periods of time (1983-1986, 1992-1994, and 1995-1998) were studied. The demographic data, the previous history and risk factors, the evolution during the acute phase and the treatment prescribed with special attention to the reperfusion methods applied and the delay on its administration were compared. RESULTS: The differences in the baseline characteristics of the populations studied are described. In the two groups of the nineteen-nineties, an increase in the age and in the percentage of women, diabetics and hypertensives was compared. As for the characteristics of acute myocardial infarction, an increase of patients in Killip class 3 and 4 stands out besides other changes. Fibrinolitic treatment decreased during the third period due to the increment in primary angioplasty. There were no significant differences in hospital mortality among the three series studied. The treatment with thrombolysis and primary angioplasty during the first two hours showed a significant independent reduction of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The early application of thrombolysis and primary angioplasty showed an independent reduction of the hospital mortality in our study. Nevertheless the non-adjusted mortality rate did not show any change during the last 15 years.

[Torsades de pointes during treatment of leishmaniasis with meglumine antimoniate]. / Torsade de pointes durante el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis con antimoniato de meglumina.

Antimonial agents are the main drug to treat all forms of leishmaniasis. Meglumine antimoniate is the drug available in Spain and it is usually well tolerated. Nevertheless, this drug frequently alters ventricular repolarization, but few cases of sudden death, presumably related to ventricular arrhythmias, have been reported. We present a case of torsade de pointes during treatment with meglumine antimoniate coexisting with a severe hypokalemia probably due to an acute transitory tubulopathy.

[Transitory left deviation in the electrical axis of QRS during an exercise test as a manifestation of a severe proximal lesion of the descending anterior artery]. / Desviación izquierda transitoria del eje eléctrico del QRS durante la prueba de esfuerzo como manifestación de lesión severa proximal de la arteria descendente anterior.

The case of a patient in whom transient left axis deviation occurred during a treadmill exercise test is reported. Coronary angiography showed a 90% obstruction of the proximal left anterior descending artery. After a successful coronary angioplasty and stent implantation, a control exercise test was performed without a recurrence of angina or transient intraventricular conduction disturbance, reflecting the ischaemic nature of this abnormality.

[An analysis of the quality of life of rehabilitated patients]. / Análisis de la calidad de vida en los pacientes rehabilitados.

The improvement of the survival of cardiac patients may cause an impairment of their quality of life. At present, the study of the quality of life of the patients and its changes, must be considered as one of the aims of the Medicine. This study must be comprised clinical, functional, intellectual, social, and labor aspects, and all the items related to the environment of the patient. The first questionnaires used for the study of quality of life were generic but later on, specific questionnaires for different pathologies were found to be preferential. At present, there are questionnaires for hypertensive, myocardial infarction, angina and heart failure patients, and among them the questionnaire for myocardial infarction patients, structures and validated by the authors which has been used to study the quality of life postinfarction patients who followed a cardiac rehabilitation programme.