Impacto de un sistema de evaluación de tiempos a la reperfusión en infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del ST / Impact of an Evaluation System of Times to Reperfusion in ST-segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

RESUMEN • Introducción: El tratamiento del infarto con supradesnivel del ST (IAMCEST) es tiempo-dependiente, por lo que los centros con angioplastia primaria (ATCp) deben estar organizados para asegurar una rápida reperfusión. Objetivos: Evaluar el impacto de un sistema de evaluación sistemática de los tiempos de reperfusión y feedback de resultados en la reducción de las demoras. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, realizado en 46 centros con ATCp 24/7 de la Iniciativa Stent-Save a Life! Argentina. Se incluyeron pacientes con IAMCEST sometidos a ATCp antes de las 12 h desde el inicio de los síntomas, asistidos entre marzo de 2016 y febrero de 2019. La población se dividió en tres etapas consecutivas de 1 año cada una desde la inclusión de cada centro. Resultados: Se incluyeron 3492 pacientes consecutivos (primer año: 1482; segundo año: 1166; tercer año: 844). Se observó una reducción significativa del tiempo puerta-balón (TPB) (68, 60 y 50 min; p < 0,0001) a lo largo de los años considerados, independientemente de dónde haya sido el primer contacto médico (PCM) y del tiempo desde el primer contacto médico (PCM) al balón (115, 112 y 98 min; p < 0,0001), sin diferencias en el tiempo desde el inicio de los síntomas al PCM ni en el tiempo total de isquemia (TTI). Asimismo, en aquellos pacientes que tuvieron su PCM en centros sin hemodinamia y fueron derivados para la realización de ATCp, se observó una disminución del TTI (274, 260 y 235 min; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La implementación de un programa puerta-balón (PPB) en centros con ATCp permitió reducir los tiempos al tratamiento.

ABSTRACT • Background: Treatment of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is time-dependent; therefore centers with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) capability should be organized to achieve rapid reperfusion. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a systematic evaluation of reperfusion times with periodic feed-back of results in reducing delays to treatment. Methods: This was an observational, prospective study conducted in 46 centers with 24/7 pPCI capability participating in the Stent-Save a Life! Argentina Initiative. Patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI within 12 hours from the onset of symptoms were included from March 2016 to February 2019. The population was divided into three consecutive stages lasting one year each since the inclusion of each center in the Stent-Save a Life! Initiative. Results: A total of 3,492 patients were included (1st year: 1,482, 2nd year: 1,166, 3rd year: 844). There was a significant reduction in door-to-balloon (DTB) time (68, 60 and 50 min; p <0.0001), regardless of the type of first medical contact (FMC), and of the time from FMC to reperfusion (115, 112 and 98 min; p<0.0001), without differences in time from the onset of symptoms to FMC or total ischemic time (TIT). In addition, patients with FMC in centers without PCI capability who were referred for pPCI also evidenced a significant reduction of TIT (274, 260 and 235 min; p<0.001). Conclusion: The implementation of a DTB program in centers with pPCI capability resulted in a significant reduction of treatment times.

Iniciativa Stent-Save a Life! Argentina / Stent-Save a Life! Argentina Initiative

RESUMEN 31. Introducción: La iniciativa Stent-Save a Life! (SSL) es un programa europeo que busca mejorar el acceso de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del ST (IAMCEST) a un tratamiento de reperfusión basado en las recomendaciones de las guías clínicas, reduciendo así su morbimortalidad. Objetivo: Describir los resultados de los primeros tres años de la iniciativa SSL Argentina Material y métodos: Se realizó inicialmente un mapeo para analizar la situación local y luego se desarrolló el Programa Puerta-Balón (PPB) como un proceso de mejora continua para centros con capacidad de realizar angioplastia primaria (ATCp). Resultados: Desde marzo de 2016 hasta marzo de 2018 se trataron 3041 pacientes con IAMCEST en 38 centros participantes del citado programa. El 20% (n = 610) de esos pacientes tuvo su primer contacto médico (PCM) con el servicio de emergencias médicas. Excluyendo los 184 pacientes sin lesiones coronarias (6% del total), el 93% fue reperfundido, principalmente con ATCp (95%). El tiempo global de isquemia fue de 117 minutos, variando según el momento del PCM. La mortalidad global intrahospitalaria fue del 7%. Conclusiones: La falta de una "cultura de reperfusión" fue la barrera en común de centros públicos y privados que motivó el desarrollo del PPB. La identificación de los puntos críticos que impiden un tratamiento a tiempo, junto con la organización de los centros puertas adentro, representan el primer paso para mejorar la atención de estos pacientes. Es necesario el trabajo integrado de todos los actores involucrados a partir de la organización de redes de atención, adaptadas a la realidad local de cada centro y región.

ABSTRACT 39. Introduction: The Stent-Save a Life! (SSL) initiative is a European program that seeks to improve the access of patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) to reperfusion therapies based on clinical guideline recommendations, thus reducing morbidity and mortality. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the results of the first three years of the SSL Argentina initiative. Methods: Initially, a mapping was carried out to analyze the local situation and then the Door-to- Balloon Program (DBP) was developed as a continuous improvement process for centers with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) capability. Results: From March 2016 to March 2018, 3,041 patients with STEMI were treated in 38 centers participating in this program. In 20% of cases (n=610) patients had their first medical contact with the emergency medical services. After excluding 184 patients (6%) without coronary lesions, reperfusion therapy was performed in 93% of cases, mainly by pPCI (95%). Total ischemic time was 117 minutes, with differences according to the time of first medical contact. Overall in-hospital mortality was 7%. Conclusions: The lack of a "reperfusion culture" was the common barrier of public and private centers that motivated the development of the DBP. The identification of critical points that prevent treatment on time, together with enhancement of in-hospital organization, represent the first step to improve the care of these patients. The integrated work of all the involved parties is necessary to develop care networks adapted to the local reality of each center and region.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects in patients with an aberrant retroaortic coronary artery: is it safe?

Coexistence of an ostium secundum type atrial septal defect and a coronary artery anomaly with an aberrant retroaortic course is a rare congenital anomaly that may potentially complicate percutaneous atrial septal defects (ASD) closure. If the anterosuperior rim of the defect is deficient, the abnormally located coronary artery may be compressed or distorted by the implanted device causing myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, and eventually sudden cardiac death. Due to the potential occurrence of these fatal cardiac events, diagnosis of an aberrant coronary artery with a retroaortic course must be established before percutaneous ASD closure. In this report, two patients with this rare association are described in whom percutaneous closure of the defect was feasible and uneventful. The importance of a careful periprocedural, noninvasive echocardiographic coronary artery imaging is emphasized, and the rational for percutaneous atrial septal defect closure in this unusual anatomic arrangement is proposed.

Octreotide enhances portal pressure reduction induced by propranolol in cirrhosis: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In vitro, octreotide potentiates vasoconstriction in isolated, preconstricted, mesenteric arterial vessels. In cirrhotic patients, portal pressure (HVPG) reduction induced by propranolol is partly due to splanchnic vasoconstriction. AIM: To evaluate HVPG effects of octreotide administration in cirrhotic patients receiving long-term propranolol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, controlled trial. First study: a total of 28 patients were studied at baseline and 30 and 60 minutes after octreotide (200 mug) (N = 14) or placebo (N = 14) and then treated with propranolol for approximately 30 days (106 +/- 5 mg/day). Second study: after baseline evaluation patients received octreotide or placebo as they were assigned to in the first study and measurements repeated 30 and 60 minutes later. RESULTS: In the first study baseline HVPG was 18.7 +/- 0.9 mmHg and decreased to 17.1 +/- 1.1 mmHg and 17.1 +/- 1.0 mmHg (both P < 0.05 vs baseline) at 30 and 60 minutes after octreotide, respectively. Eight patients decreased their HVPG after octreotide. In the second study baseline HVPG was 15.6 +/- 1.3 mmHg (P < 0.01 vs baseline HVPG in first study) and decreased to 14.1 +/- 1.2 mmHg and 14.1 +/- 1.3 mmHg (25.7 +/- 5% lower than baseline HVPG in the first study, P < 0.01) (both P < 0.05 vs baseline) at 30 and 60 minutes after octreotide, respectively. Nine patients (2 responders/7 nonresponders to propranolol) decreased their HVPG after octreotide. Octreotide effects may be mediated by potentiation and additive mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide enhances HVPG reduction induced by propranolol in cirrhotic patients.