The Automatic External Cardioverter-Defibrillator

In-hospital cardiac arrest remains a major problem but new technologies allowing fully automatic external defibrillation are available. These technologies allow the concept of “external therapeutic monitoring” of lethal arrhythmias. Since early defibrillation improves outcome by decreasing morbidity and mortality, the use of this device should improve the outcome of in-hospital cardiac arrest victims. Furthermore, the use of these devices could allow safe monitoring and treatment of patients at risk of cardiac arrest who not necessarily must be in conventional monitoring units (Intensive or Coronary Care Units) saving costs with a more meaningful use of resources. The capability to provide early defibrillation within any patient-care areas should be considered as an obligation (“standard of care”) of the modern hospital

Anticoagulant selection in relation to the SAMe-TT2R2 score in patients with atrial fibrillation: The GLORIA-AF registry

Aim The SAMe-TT2R2 score helps identify patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) likely to have poor anticoagulation control during anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and those with scores >2 might be better managed with a target-specific oral anticoagulant (NOAC). We hypothesized that in clinical practice, VKAs may be prescribed less frequently to patients with AF and SAMe-TT2R2 scores >2 than to patients with lower scores. Methods and results We analyzed the Phase III dataset of the Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA-AF), a large, global, prospective global registry of patients with newly diagnosed AF and ≥1 stroke risk factor. We compared baseline clinical characteristics and antithrombotic prescriptions to determine the probability of the VKA prescription among anticoagulated patients with the baseline SAMe-TT2R2 score >2 and ≤ 2. Among 17,465 anticoagulated patients with AF, 4,828 (27.6%) patients were prescribed VKA and 12,637 (72.4%) patients an NOAC: 11,884 (68.0%) patients had SAMe-TT2R2 scores 0-2 and 5,581 (32.0%) patients had scores >2. The proportion of patients prescribed VKA was 28.0% among patients with SAMe-TT2R2 scores >2 and 27.5% in those with scores ≤2. Conclusions The lack of a clear association between the SAMe-TT2R2 score and anticoagulant selection may be attributed to the relative efficacy and safety profiles between NOACs and VKAs as well as to the absence of trial evidence that an SAMe-TT2R2-guided strategy for the selection of the type of anticoagulation in NVAF patients has an impact on clinical outcomes of efficacy and safety. The latter hypothesis is currently being tested in a randomized controlled trial

Outcomes and predictive value of the 2MACE score in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with rivaroxaban in a prospective, multicenter observational study: The EMIR study

atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with rivaroxaban and to improve the accuracy of 2MACE. Methods: This was a post-authorization and observational study of AF adults treated with rivaroxaban for ≥ 6 months. The primary endpoint was any of the major adverse cardiac events (MACE), namely, cardiovas cular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and myocardial revascularization. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the performance of 2MACE, and a new score, 2MACER to predict MACE. Results: A total of 1433 patients were included (74.2 ± 9.7 years, CHA2DS2-VASc 3.5 ± 1.5, 26.9% 2MACE ≥ 3). The annual event rates (follow-up 2.5 years) were 1.07% for MACE, 0.66% for throm boembolic events and 1.04% for major bleeding. Patients with 2MACE ≥ 3 (vs. < 3) had higher risk of stroke/systemic embolism/transient ischemic attack (odds ratio [OR] 5.270; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.216–12.532), major bleeding (OR 4.624; 95% CI 2.163–9.882), MACE (OR 3.202; 95% CI 1.548–6.626) and cardiovascular death (OR 3.395; 95% CI 1.396–8.259). 2MACE was recalcu lated giving 1 more point to patients with baseline a glomerular filtration rate < 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 (2MACER); (2MACER vs. 2MACE: IDI 0.1%, p = 0.126; NRI 23.9%, p = 0.125; AUC: 0.651 [95% CI 0.547–0.755] vs. 0.638 [95% CI 0.534–0.742], respectively; p = 0.361). Conclusions: In clinical practice, AF patients anticoagulated with rivaroxaban exhibit a low risk of events. 2MACE score acts as a modest predictor of a higher risk of adverse outcomes in this population. 2MACER did not significantly increase the ability of 2MACE to predict MACE. (Cardiol J 2022; 29, 4: 601–609

Clinical Experience with Diltiazem in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. Coronary artery diseases, atrial fibrillation or hypertensive heart disease, are among the most important cardiovascular disorders. Hypertension represents a significant risk factor for cardiovascular mortality; thus, control of high blood pressure has become a priority to prevent major complications. Although the choice of drugs for treating hypertension remains controversial, extensive clinical evidences point to calcium channel blockers as first-line agents. Diltiazem, a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, is an effective and safe antihypertensive drug, alone or in combination with other agents. Diltiazem lowers myocardial oxygen demand through a reduction in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility, representing also a good alternative for the treatment of stable chronic angina. Furthermore, diltiazem reduces conduction in atrioventricular node, which is also useful for heart rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation. In this review, clinical experts highlight studies on diltiazem effectiveness and safety for the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases and make evidence-based recommendations regarding the management of diltiazem in the clinical pracSponsorship for this review and the article processing charges was funded by Lacer Spain. All named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship for this manuscript, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given final approval to the version to be published. Writing assistance in the preparation of this manuscript was provided by Patricia Rodriguez, PhD, and editorial assistance was provided by Springer Healthcare. Support for this assistance was funded by Lacer Spain

Impact of heart failure on the clinical profile and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with rivaroxaban. Data from the EMIR study

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the presence of heart failure (HF) on the clinical profile and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) anticoagulated with rivaroxaban. Methods: Observational and non-interventional study that included AF adults recruited from 79 Spanish centers, anticoagulated with rivaroxaban ≥ 6 months before inclusion. Data were analyzed according to baseline HF status. Results: Out of 1,433 patients, 326 (22.7%) had HF at baseline. Compared to patients without HF, HF patients were older (75.3 ± 9.9 vs. 73.8 ± 9.6 years; p = 0.01), had more diabetes (36.5% vs. 24.3%; p < 0.01), coronary artery disease (28.2% vs. 12.9%; p < 0.01), renal insufficiency (31.7% vs. 22.6%; p = 0.01), higher CHA2DS2-VASc (4.5 ± 1.6 vs. 3.2 ± 1.4; p < 0.01) and HAS-BLED (1.8 ± 1.1 vs. 1.5 ± 1.0; p < 0.01). After a median follow-up of 2.5 years, among HF patients, annual rates of stroke/ /systemic embolism/transient ischemic attack, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization and cardiovascular death), cardiovascular death, and major bleeding were 1.2%, 3.0%, 2.0%, and 1.4%, respectively. Compared to those patients without HF, HF patients had greater annual rates of MACE (3.0% vs. 0.5%; p < 0.01) and cardiovascular death (2.0% vs. 0.2%; p < 0.01), without significant differences regarding other outcomes, including thromboembolic or bleeding events. Previous HF was an independent predictor of MACE (odds ratio 3.4; 95% confidence interval 1.6–7.3; p = 0.002) but not for thromboembolic events or major bleeding. Conclusions: Among AF patients anticoagulated with rivaroxaban, HF patients had a worse clinical profile and a higher MACE risk and cardiovascular mortality. HF was independently associated with the development of MACE, but not with thromboembolic events or major bleeding. (Cardiol J 2022; 29, 6: 936–947)

Pseudoestenosis mitral de rápida evolución por mixoma auricular

Secondary cardiac tumours are 20-40 times more frequent than primary tumours. Around 80% of primary tumours are benign, and more than 50% of these are myxomas. Within the myxomas, 80% arises at the level of the left atrium, and its form of presentation is very varied, being able to cause obstruction of the left ventricle entrance tract, arrhythmias and embolic phenomenaLos tumores cardiacos secundarios son 20-40 veces más frecuentes que los primarios. En torno al 80 % de los tumores primarios son benignos, y más del 50% de estos son mixomas. Dentro de los mixomas, el 80% se origina a nivel de aurícula izquierda, y su forma de presentación es muy variada, pudiendo provocar obstrucción del tracto de entrada del ventrículo izquierdo, arritmias y fenómenos embólicos

Effectiveness and safety of dabigatran in Latin American patients with atrial fibrillation:Two years follow up results from GLORIA-AF registry

Background: Real-world data from different regions are needed to support the external validity of con trolled trials and assess the impact of new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) in clinical practice. Methods: ‘‘GLORIA-AF” is a large, ongoing, multicenter, global, prospective registry program in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) at risk of stroke. Newly diagnosed patients with NVAF (within 4.5 months) and a CHA2DS2-VASc score 1 were consecutively enrolled. The study objective was to estimate the incidence rate of stroke and major bleeding after a two year follow up of patients on dabigatran that participated in the ‘‘GLORIA-AF” study (Phase II) in Latin America. Results: Latin America included 378 eligible patients that received dabigatran in eight countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Perú, and Venezuela): 56.3% were male; mean age was 70.3 ± 10.8 years; 43.4% had paroxysmal AF; 36.0% persistent AF and 20.6% permanent AF. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.2 ± 1.4; mean HAS-BLED score was 1.2 ± 0.8. Incidence rates for clinical events after 2-years of follow-up per 100 patient-years were as follows: stroke 0.33 (95% CI: 0.04–1.17), major bleeding 0.49 (95% CI: 0.10–1.42) and all-cause death 4.06 (95% CI: 2.63–6.00). Persistence with dabiga tran at 6, 12 and 24 months was 91%, 86%, and 80%, respectively. Conclusion: These regional data shows the sustained safety and effectiveness of dabigatran over two years of follow-up, consistent with already available evidence. An increase in accessibility and incorpo ration of NOAC to anticoagulant treatment strategies could potentially have a positive impact on AF stroke prevention in Latin America

Clinical characteristicas of patients suffering atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus. The attitude of the clinical cardiologist

Introducción y objetivos: La coexistencia de la fibrilación auricular y la diabetes mellitus es frecuente. Nuestro objetivo es analizar la manera como los cardiólogos tratamos a los pacientes que padecen ambas enfermedades en 2019. Métodos: Dise ̃namos un registro multicéntrico y prospectivo en el que incluimos todos los pacientes atendidos en consultas externas en los que coexistían ambas entidades. Se recogen parámetros clínicos, electrocardiográficos, ecocardiográficos y analíticos, el tratamiento que venían tomando los pacientes y la actitud terapéutica de los cardiólogos. Resultados: Durante 11 meses incluimos 658 pacientes, 55% mujeres, de 73,8 ± 8,5 a ̃nos de edad. Encontra- mos una elevadísima prevalencia de otros factores de riesgo con diferencias significativas entre géneros. No se utiliza el ácido acetilsalicílico y se anticoagula al 96% de aquellos que lo precisan según las guías. Aquellos que siguen tratados con antivitamina K tienen un tiempo en rango terapéutico de Rosendaal de 59,8 ± 31, pero solo se optimiza el tratamiento en el 57,4% (rango de variabilidad entre cardiólogos 10-93%, p = 0,001) de los que tenían un tiempo en rango terapéutico < 65%. La hemoglobina glucosilada era de 7 ± 1,2, y el 37,5% presentaban cifras de hemoglobina glucosilada ≥ 7. Los cardiólogos optimizaron el tratamiento en el 35,2% de ellos (rango de variabilidad entre cardiólogos 6,3-93%, p = 0,0001). Si esta era ≥ 7,5, se optimizaba en el 46,3% y si era ≥ 9 en el 63,2%. Conclusiones: La coexistencia de fibrilación auricular y diabetes mellitus define una población de ele- vadísimo riesgo cardiovascular. La intervención del cardiólogo en el tratamiento anticoagulante y antidiabético es buena, pero mejorable, y hay gran variabilidad entre profesionales.Introduction and objectives: The coexistence of atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus is frequent. Our goal was to analyse how cardiologists treated patients with both pathologies in 2019. Methods: We designed a prospective, multicentre registry in which we included all the patients in whom both pathologies coexisted. Clinical, analytical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic parameters were collected. In addition, we collected the treatment that patients had been taking and the attitude of cardiologists. Results: Over 11 months we included 658 patients, 55% women, 73.8 ± 8.5 years. We found an extremely high prevalence of other risk factors with significant differences between genders. Acetylsalicylic acid was not used and 96% of those who required it were anticoagulated according to the guidelines. Those who were treated with aVK had a Rosendaal’s time in therapeutic range of 59.8 ± 31, but treatment was only optimized in 57.4% (range of variability between cardiologists 10%-93%, P = .001) of which < 65% had time in therapeutic range. Glycated haemoglobin was 7.0 ± 1.2, and 37.5% had glycated hemoglobin levels ≥ 7.0. Cardiologists optimized treatment in 35.2% of them (range of variability between cardiologists 6.3%-93%, P = .0001). If it was ≥ 7.5, it was optimized in 46.3% and if it was ≥ 9 in 63.2%. Conclusions: The coexistence of atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus defines a population with a very high cardiovascular risk. The intervention of the cardiologist in anticoagulant and antidiabetic treatment is good, but it can be improved, and there is great variability among professionals

Differences in the yield of the implantable loop recorder between secondary and tertiary centers

Background: The implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a useful tool for diagnosis of syncope or palpitations. Its easy use and safety have extended its use to secondary hospitals (those without an Electrophysiology Lab). The aim of the study was to compare results between secondary and tertiary hospitals. Methods: National prospective and multicenter registry of patients with an ILR inserted for clinical reasons. Data were collected in an online database. The follow-up ended when the first diagnostic clinical event occurred, or 1 year after implantation. Data were analyzed according to the center of reference; hospitals with Electrophysiology Lab were considered Tertiary Hospi­tals, while those hospitals without a lab were considered Secondary Hospitals. Results: Seven hundred and forty-three patients (413 [55.6%] men; 65 ± 16 year-old): 655 (88.2%) from Tertiary Centers (TC) and 88 (11.8%) from Secondary Centers (SC). No differences in clinical characteristics between both groups were found. The electrophysi­ologic study and the tilt table test were conducted more frequently in Tertiary Centers. Fol­low-up was conducted for 680 (91.5%) patients: 91% in TC and 94% in SC. There was a higher rate of final diagnosis among SC patients (55.4% vs. 30.8%; p &lt; 0.001). Tertiary Hospital patients showed a trend towards a higher rate of neurally mediated events (20% vs. 4%), while bradyarrhythmias were more frequent in SC (74% vs. 60%; p = 0.055). The rate of deaths and adverse events was similar in both populations. Conclusions: Patients with an ILR in SC and TC have differences in terms of the use of complementary tests, but not in clinical characteristics. There was a higher rate of diagnosis in Secondary Hospital patients.

Impact of heart failure on the clinical profile and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with rivaroxaban. Data from the EMIR study

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the presence of heart failure (HF) on the clinical profile and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) anticoagulated with rivaroxaban. Methods: Observational and non-interventional study that included AF adults recruited from 79 Spanish centers, anticoagulated with rivaroxaban ≥ 6 months before inclusion. Data were analyzed according to baseline HF status. Results: Out of 1,433 patients, 326 (22.7%) had HF at baseline. Compared to patients without HF, HF patients were older (75.3 ± 9.9 vs. 73.8 ± 9.6 years; p = 0.01), had more diabetes (36.5% vs. 24.3%; p &lt; 0.01), coronary artery disease (28.2% vs. 12.9%; p &lt; 0.01), renal insufficiency (31.7% vs. 22.6%; p = 0.01), higher CHA2DS2-VASc (4.5 ± 1.6 vs. 3.2 ± 1.4; p &lt; 0.01) and HAS-BLED (1.8 ± 1.1 vs. 1.5 ± 1.0; p &lt; 0.01). After a median follow-up of 2.5 years, among HF patients, annual rates of stroke/systemic embolism/transient ischemic attack, MACE-non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization and cardiovascular death-, cardiovascular death, and major bleeding were 1.2%, 3.0%, 2.0%, and 1.4%, respectively. Compared to those patients without HF, HF patients had greater annual rates of MACE (3.0% vs. 0.5%; p &lt; 0.01) and cardiovascular death (2.0% vs. 0.2%; p &lt; 0.01), without significant differences regarding other outcomes, including thromboembolic or bleeding events. Previous HF was an independent predictor of MACE (odds ratio 3.4; 95% confidence interval 1.6-7.3; p = 0.002) but not for thromboembolic events or major bleeding. Conclusions: Among AF patients anticoagulated with rivaroxaban, HF patients had a worse clinical profile and a higher MACE risk and cardiovascular mortality. HF was independently associated with the development of MACE, but not with thromboembolic events or major bleeding