Effects of high-intensity interval versus continuous exercise training on post-exercise heart rate recovery in coronary heart-disease patients.

Background: Heart rate recovery (HRR) has been considered a prognostic and mortality indicator in both healthy and coronary patients. Physical exercise prescription has shown improvements in VO2peak and HRR, but most of the studies have been carried out applying continuous training at a moderate intensity, being very limited the use of protocols of high intensity interval training in coronary patients. We aimed to compare the effects of a moderate continous training (MCT) versus a high intensity interval training (HIIT) programme on VO2 peak and HRR. Methods: Seventy three coronary patients were assigned to either HIIT or MCT groups for 8 weeks. Incremental exercise tests in a cycloergometer were performed to obtain VO2peak data and heart rate was monitored during and after the exercise test to obtain heart rate recovery data. Results: Both exercise programmes significantly increase VO2peak with a higher increase in the HIIT group (HIIT: 4.5± 4.46 ml/kg/min vs MCT: 2.46±3.57 ml/kg/min; P=0.039). High intensity interval training resulted in a significantly increase in HRR at the first and second minute of the recovery phase (15,44±7,04 vs 21,22 ±6,62, P <0,0001 and 23,73±9,64 vs 31,52±8,02, p <0,0001, respectively). Conclusions: The results of our research show that the application of HIIT to patients with chronic ischemic heart disease of low risk resulted in an improvement in VO2peak, and also improvements in post-exercise heart-rate recovery, compared with continuous training.pre-print792 K

Mechanical efficiency of high versus moderate intensity aerobic exercise in coronary heart disease patients: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Mechanical efficiency (ME) refers to the ability of an individual to transfer energy consumed by external work. A decreased ME, could represent an increased energy cost during exercise and may, therefore, be limited in terms of physical activity. This study aimed to compare the influence of two different exercise protocols: moderate continuous training (MCT) versus high intensity interval training (HIIT), as part of a cardiac rehabilitation program on ME values among coronary patients.  Methods: One hundred and ten coronary patients were assigned to either HIIT or MCT groups for 8 weeks. Incremental exercise tests in a cycle ergometer were performed to obtain VO2peak. Net energy expenditure (EE) and ME were obtained at intensities corresponding to the first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory thresholds, and at VO2peak. Results: Both exercise programs significantly increase VO2peak with a higher increase in the HIIT group (2.96 ± 2.33 mL/kg/min vs. 3.88 ± 2.40 mL/kg/min, for patients of the MCT and HIIT groups, respectively, p &lt; 0.001). The ME at VO2peak and VT2 only significantly increased in the HIIT group. At VT1, ME significantly increased in both groups, with a greater increase in the HIIT group (2.20 ± ± 6.25% vs. 5.52 ± 5.53%, for patients of the MCT and HIIT groups, respectively, p &lt; 0.001).  Conclusions: The application of HIIT to patients with chronic ischemic heart disease of low risk re- sulted in a greater improvement in VO2peak and in ME at VT1, than when MCT was applied. Moreover, only the application of HIIT brought about a significant increase in ME at VT2 and at VO2peak.

Mechanical efficiency of high versus moderate intensity aerobic exercise in coronary heart disease patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Mechanical efficiency (ME) refers to the ability of an individual to transfer energy consumed by external work. A decreased ME, could represent an increased energy cost during exercise and may, therefore, be limited in terms of physical activity. This study aimed to compare the influence of two different exercise protocols: moderate continuous training (MCT) versus high intensity interval training (HIIT), as part of a cardiac rehabilitation program on ME values among coronary patients. Methods: One hundred and ten coronary patients were assigned to either HIIT or MCT groups for 8 weeks. Incremental exercise tests in a cycle ergometer were performed to obtain VO2peak. Net energy expenditure (EE) and ME were obtained at intensities corresponding to the first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory thresholds, and at VO2peak. Results: Both exercise programs significantly increase VO2peak with a higher increase in the HIIT group (2.96 ± 2.33 mL/kg/min vs. 3.88 ± 2.40 mL/kg/min, for patients of the MCT and HIIT groups, respectively, p < 0.001). The ME at VO2peak and VT2 only significantly increased in the HIIT group. At VT1, ME significantly increased in both groups, with a greater increase in the HIIT group (2.20 ± ± 6.25% vs. 5.52 ± 5.53%, for patients of the MCT and HIIT groups, respectively, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The application of HIIT to patients with chronic ischemic heart disease of low risk resulted in a greater improvement in VO2peak and in ME at VT1, than when MCT was applied. Moreover, only the application of HIIT brought about a significant increase in ME at VT2 and at VO2peak. (Cardiol J 2019; 26, 2: 130–137)post-print251 K

Legal and Forensic Medicine Specialty in Spain: the consolidation by the medical residency system

The specialty of Legal and Forensic Medicine (Medicina Legal y Forense [MLF]) emerged through the need for doctors to serve the Justice Administration as advisors to the Courts and Tribunals in the resolution of medical/biological issues arising in the field of law enforcement, establishing a bridge between medicine and law. MLF started in 1843 when Pere Mata's plan to reform the teaching of Medicine at Spanish universities included MLF as an individual discipline in the studies of Medicine and Surgery, and the first MLF chair was created at the Universidad Central of Madrid. Later, in 1855, the role of the forensic doctor was established with the enactment of the Health Law, which led to the creation of the Corps of Forensic Doctors (Cuerpo de Médicos Forenses [CMF]) in 1862.1 Since then, academic legal medicine and the professional legal medicine practiced by the forensic doctors of the Justice Administration have become somewhat separated. On the one hand, academic MLF, under the university faculty, has been primarily concerned with the provision of undergraduate teaching, as well as MLF research and knowledge transfer. On the other hand, the practical aspects involved in assisting the Justice Administration has fallen in the main to professional MLF

Experiencia con la prótesis de pericardio bovino Carpentier-Edwards® en posición pulmonar en pacientes con cardiopatías congénitas

Introducción. El número de pacientes con cardiopatías complejas corregidas en la infancia que necesitan una sustitución valvular pulmonar para restaurar la competencia o solucionar la estenosis del tracto de salida de ventrículo derecho ha aumentado en los últimos años. El injerto ideal continúa siendo motivo de controversia. En el servicio de cirugía cardiovascular del Hospital Ramón y Cajal de España, se comenzó a utilizar prótesis de pericardio bovina de Carpentier-Edwards® siendo el objetivo de este estudio su evaluación a corto y medio plazo. Materiales y Métodos. Entre enero de 2004 y mayo de 2010 fueron intervenidos 42 pacientes para sustitución valvular pulmonar mediante prótesis de pericardio bovino. El estudio fue ambispectivo con prospección durante los dos últimos años. Resultados. La mediana de la edad fue de 20,96 años (amplitud intercuartil 10,5 años). El número medio de cirugías previas fue de 1,9±0,9 siendo el tiempo medio entre la última cirugía y la implantación de la prótesis de 17,2±7 años. Las indicaciones quirúrgicas fueron: disfunción del ventrículo derecho (45%), su dilatación progresiva (38%), arritmias ventriculares (14%) y síncopes (3%). La mortalidad precoz de causa cardiológica fue de dos pacientes. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 2,1±1,4 años (rango entre 0,1 y 6,3 años) estando el 94,3% de ellos en clase funcional I de la New York Heart Association. El gradiente Doppler pico transprotésico por ecocardiografía fue de 18,5±17 mm Hg. No se observaron cambios degenerativos ni ningún tipo de deterioro estructural de la prótesis. Conclusiones. La prótesis de pericardio bovino en posición pulmonar presenta excelentes resultados a corto y medio plazo. Sin embargo, es necesario un seguimiento mayor para confirmar lo resultados iniciales respecto a su durabilidad y hemodinamia a largo plazo. Palabras Clave: Cardiopatías congénitas. Prótesis valvulares cardíacas. Tetralogía de Fallot. Válvula pulmonar. &nbsp;&nbsp; Experience with Carpentier Edwards® bovine pericardium prosthesis in pulmonary position in patients with congenital heart diseases.Introduction. In recent years the number of patients with complex congenital heart disease previously corrected in infancy who need a pulmonary valve replacement has increased dramatically. The ideal substitute remains a source of dispute. Nowadays, in the unit of cardiovascular surgery of the Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Spain, its being implanting in this position the bovine pericardium Carpentier-Edwards® prosthesis. The aim of the study its short and medium-term assessment. Material and methods. Between January 2004 and May of 2010, 42 patients have been operated for pulmonary valve replacement with pericardium prosthesis. The study was ambispective, being prospective in its last two years. Results. The median age of the patients was 20.96 years (interquartile 10.5 years). The mean number of surgeries prior to the pulmonary valve replacement was 1.9±0.9, being the mean time between the “corrective” surgery and the prosthetic implantation 17.2±7 years. The main indications for this surgery were: right ventricle dysfunction (45%), progressive dilation of the same ventricle (38%), ventricular arrhythmias (14%) and syncopes (3%). Two patients died in the immediate postoperative due to cardiological causes. The mean follow-up time has been 2.1±1.4 years (0.1-6.3). The 94.3 % of the surviving patients are in functional class I, according to the New York Health Association. The peak Doppler transprosthetic gradient determined by echocardiography was 18.5±17 mm Hg. In the echocardiograpic follow-up there have been neither degenerative changes nor any type of structural deterioration of the prosthesis. Conclusions. The bovine pericardium prosthesis in pulmonary position presents excellent results in the short and medium-term. However, it is necessary a longer follow-up to confirm our initial results regarding its durability and long-term haemodynamics. Keywords: Congenital abnormalities. Heart valve prosthesis. Tetralogy of Fallot. Pulmonary valve. Valve prosthesis implantation

Clinical Heterogeneity of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated With Variants in TBX4

Background: The knowledge of hereditary predisposition has changed our understanding of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Genetic testing has been widely extended and the application of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension specific gene panels has allowed its inclusion in the diagnostic workup and increase the diagnostic ratio compared to the traditional sequencing techniques. This is particularly important in the differential diagnosis between Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Pulmonary Venoocclusive Disease. Methods: Since November 2011, genetic testing is offered to all patients with idiopathic, hereditable and associated forms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension or Pulmonary Venoocclusive Disease included in the Spanish Registry of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Herein, we present the clinical phenotype and prognosis of all Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension patients with disease-associated variants in TBX4. Results: Out of 579 adults and 45 children, we found in eight patients from seven families, disease-causing associated variants in TBX4. All adult patients had a moderate-severe reduction in diffusion capacity. However, we observed a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, including Pulmonary Venoocclusive Disease suspicion, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular abnormalities and congenital heart disease. Conclusions: Genetic testing is now essential for a correct diagnosis work-up in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. TBX4-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension has marked clinical heterogeneity. In this regard, a genetic study is extremely useful to obtain an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate management.This project was founded by Project "Bases Gene´tico Moleculares de la Medicina de Precisio´n en la Hipertensio´n Arterial Pulmonar". Funder: Instituto Carlos III. Ministerio de Economı´a y Competitividad. https://www.isciii.es/Paginas/Inicio.aspx Award number: PI 18/01233 Grant Recipient: P E-

Prevalence, features and predictive factors of liver nodules in Fontan surgery patients: The VALDIG Fonliver prospective cohort

Background & Aims: Fontan surgery is used to treat a variety of congenital heart malformations, and may lead to advanced chronic liver disease in the long-term. This study examines the prevalence, characteristics and predictors of liver nodules in patients following Fontan surgery. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study conducted at 8 European centres. Consecutive patients who had undergone Fontan surgery underwent blood tests, abdominal ultrasonography (US), transient elastography (Fibroscan®), echocardiography, haemodynamic assessments, and abdominal MRI/CT scan. The primary outcome measure was liver nodules detected in the MRI/CT scan. Predictors of liver nodules were identified by multivariate logistic regression. Results: One hundred and fifty-two patients were enrolled (mean age 27.3 years). The mean time elapsed from surgery to inclusion was 18.3 years. Liver nodule prevalences were 29.6% (95% CI 23–37%) on US and 47.7% (95% CI 39–56%) on MRI/CT. Nodules were usually hyperechoic (76.5%), round-shaped (>80%), hyperenhancing in the arterial phase (92%) and located in the liver periphery (75%). The sensitivity and specificity of US were 50% (95% CI 38–62%) and 85.3% (95% CI 75–92%), respectively. Inter-imaging test agreement was low (adjusted kappa: 0.34). In the multivariate analysis, time since surgery >10 years was the single independent predictor of liver nodules (odds ratio 4.18; p = 0.040). Hepatocellular carcinoma was histologically diagnosed in 2 of the 8 patients with hypervascular liver nodules displaying washout. Conclusion: While liver nodules are frequent in Fontan patients, they may go unnoticed in US. Liver nodules are usually hyperechoic, hypervascular and predominantly peripheral. This population is at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, the diagnosis of which requires confirmatory biopsy

Impact of interstitial lung disease on the survival of systemic sclerosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension

To assess severity markers and outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with or without pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH-SSc/non-PAH-SSc), and the impact of interstitial lung disease (ILD) on PAH-SSc. Non-PAH-SSc patients from the Spanish SSc registry and PAH-SSc patients from the Spanish PAH registry were included. A total of 364 PAH-SSc and 1589 non-PAH-SSc patients were included. PAH-SSc patients had worse NYHA-functional class (NYHA-FC), worse forced vital capacity (FVC) (81.2 +/- 20.6% vs 93.6 +/- 20.6%, P < 0.001), worse tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (17.4 +/- 5.2 mm vs 19.9 +/- 6.7 mm, P < 0.001), higher incidence of pericardial effusion (30% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001) and similar prevalence of ILD (41.8% vs. 44.9%). In individuals with PAH-SSc, ILD was associated with worse hemodynamics and pulmonary function tests (PFT). Up-front combination therapy was used in 59.8% and 61.7% of patients with and without ILD, respectively. Five-year transplant-free survival rate was 41.1% in PAH-SSc patients and 93.9% in non-PAH-SSc patients (P < 0.001). Global survival of PAH-SSc patients was not affected by ILD regardless its severity. The multivariate survival analysis in PAH-SSc patients confirmed age at diagnosis, worse NYHA-FC, increased PVR, reduced DLCO, and lower management with up-front combination therapy as major risk factors. In conclusion, in PAH-SSc cohort risk of death was greatly increased by clinical, PFT, and hemodynamic factors, whereas it was decreased by up-front combination therapy. Concomitant ILD worsened hemodynamics and PFT in PAH-SSc but not survival regardless of FVC impairment

Impact of interstitial lung disease on the survival of systemic sclerosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension

To assess severity markers and outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with or without pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH-SSc/non-PAH-SSc), and the impact of interstitial lung disease (ILD) on PAH-SSc. Non-PAH-SSc patients from the Spanish SSc registry and PAH-SSc patients from the Spanish PAH registry were included. A total of 364 PAH-SSc and 1589 non-PAH-SSc patients were included. PAH-SSc patients had worse NYHA-functional class (NYHA-FC), worse forced vital capacity (FVC) (81.2 ± 20.6% vs 93.6 ± 20.6%, P &lt; 0.001), worse tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (17.4 ± 5.2 mm vs 19.9 ± 6.7 mm, P &lt; 0.001), higher incidence of pericardial effusion (30% vs 5.2%, P &lt; 0.001) and similar prevalence of ILD (41.8% vs. 44.9%). In individuals with PAH-SSc, ILD was associated with worse hemodynamics and pulmonary function tests (PFT). Up-front combination therapy was used in 59.8% and 61.7% of patients with and without ILD, respectively. Five-year transplant-free survival rate was 41.1% in PAH-SSc patients and 93.9% in non-PAH-SSc patients (P &lt; 0.001). Global survival of PAH-SSc patients was not affected by ILD regardless its severity. The multivariate survival analysis in PAH-SSc patients confirmed age at diagnosis, worse NYHA-FC, increased PVR, reduced DLCO, and lower management with up-front combination therapy as major risk factors. In conclusion, in PAH-SSc cohort risk of death was greatly increased by clinical, PFT, and hemodynamic factors, whereas it was decreased by up-front combination therapy. Concomitant ILD worsened hemodynamics and PFT in PAH-SSc but not survival regardless of FVC impairment

Tipificación genética y sus implicaciones clínicas en una población de pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar

Tesis inédita de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina, leída el 17/12/2013Depto. de MedicinaFac. de MedicinaTRUEunpu