Estratificación de riesgo en el síndrome coronario agudo. Nuevos marcadores de amplia y rápida disponibilidad.

RESUMEN La estratificación precoz de riesgo en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) es un reto de la cardiología en general, justificado por numerosas razones, entre otras: 1) se trata de una patología con elevada incidencia y prevalencia en nuestro medio; 2) los cambios epidemiológicos observados en los últimos años; 3) la elevada morbimortalidad, fundamentalmente las primeras horas tras el episodio agudo; y 4) la aparición reciente de una clasificación para los SCA (figura 1). En esta tesis doctoral, desarrollada mediante artículos científicos publicados se plantearon los siguientes objetivos concretos: 1. Nos propusimos evaluar la influencia de la comorbilidad, cuantificada mediante el iCh determinado en el momento del ingreso hospitalario, en la aparición de un episodio mayor (mortalidad total o reinfarto) tanto a corto (30 días) como largo plazo (1 año) tras un ingreso, tras un infarto agudo de miocardio. 2. Determinar el grado de asociación y la forma funcional entre el recuento leucocitario (RL) obtenido en el momento del ingreso y la mortalidad por todas las causas a largo plazo, en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMEST) e infarto agudo de miocardio sin elevación del segmento ST (IAMSEST). 3. Determinar el poder pronóstico de la disfunción renal determinada mediante la creatinina sérica o el filtrado glomerular estimado, para predecir episodios mortales a largo plazo en pacientes ingresados por SCASEST. Además se Analizó si el efecto pronóstico independiente atribuible a la creatinina sérica/filtrado glomerular estimado varía en función de presencia de insuficiencia cardiaca al ingreso en pacientes con IAMEST. 4. Determinar si el análisis conjunto de mioglobina y troponina I proporciona información pronóstica adicional a la determinación aislada de troponina I para predecir episodios de mortalidad cardiaca durante el ingreso hospitalario. 5. Analizar si datos recogidos rutinariamente de la historia clínica permiten crear una puntuación de riesgo útil para la estratificación de los sujetos con dolor torácico agudo que no presentan ni desviación del segmento ST ni elevación de troponina. Las conclusiones a las que se llegó en cada uno de los trabajos científico publicados fueron las siguientes: 1. La comorbilidad presente en el momento inicial en pacientes con IAM, y cuantificada mediante el Ich es un factor determinante en el pronóstico. La asociación entre el iCh y la aparición de episodios mayores (muerte o reinfarto) fue significativa tanto a 30 días como al año, aunque más intensa a partir de los 30 días de seguimiento. 2. El RL obtenido durante las primeras horas en pacientes con IAM se asocia intensa y significativamente con la mortalidad a largo plazo para ambos tipos de IAM, a pesar ajustar por variables pronósticas ampliamente reconocidas y aquellas relacionadas con la extensión de la necrosis. 3. La Creatinina sérica o el FGE, ambas como estimadores de la función renal, se comportan como marcadores bioquímicos asociados, de manera positiva e independiente, a la mortalidad al año de seguimiento en pacientes con SCASEST e IAMEST. Además, en este último, su valor pronóstico mostró valores diferenciales en función de la presencia de IC al ingreso. 4. En sujetos con SCASEST, la elevación de ambos marcadores de necrosis miocárdica (troponina y mioglobina) se asocia a un mayor riesgo de mortalidad a 30 días que el aumento aislado de la primera. 5. En pacientes con dolor torácico agudo, ausencia de alteraciones del segmento ST en el electrocardiograma ni elevación de troponina, presentan una tasa nada despreciable de episodios mayores al año de seguimiento. Variables clínicas, como las características del dolor, la presencia de 2 o más episodios en las 24 horas previas, la edad mayor de 67 años, la diabetes mellitus insulinodependiente y el antecedente de intervencionismo percutáneo, permiten la construcción de una puntuación clínica útil para la estratificación de riesgo de estos sujetos. __________________________________________________________________________________________________Risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains a challenge for cardiologist for several reasons: 1) high incidence and prevalence; 2) epidemiologic changes observed in the last years; 3) high morbidity and mortality rates and; 4) recent classification of ACS. In the present study, presented as compilation of published scientific articles, the objectives were: 1. To evaluate the influence of comorbidity (Charlson index) in 30-days and 1-year major events (mortality/reinfarction) after and admission for acute myocardial infarction. 2. To establish the independent association between white blood cells count (WBC) and long term mortality and to determine its functional form for both types of acute myocardial infarction. 3. To determine the prognostic value of renal dysfunction to predict long-term mortality in patients with non-ST-segment acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS). 4. To analyze the presence of a differential prognosis value of renal dysfunction to predict mortality in the presence of heart failure in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). 5. To conclude if myoglobin and troponin determination in patients with NSTACS add incremental prognostic value than isolated troponin determination to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTACS. 6. To create a clinical risk score to stratify the risk in patients with acute chest pain and no troponin elevation and non-ST-segment deviation. Conclusions. 1. Charlson index is strongly associated with 30-days and 1-year major events in patients with STEMI. 2. WBC obtained in the first 24 hours of acute myocardial infarction is independently associated with long-term mortality in STEMI and non-STEMI patients. 3. Renal dysfunction estimates, are independently associated with 1-year mortality in NSTACS and STEMI patients. 4. In STEMI patients, renal dysfunctions estimates show a higher risk trend in patients with no heart failure, meanwhile a lower risk trend is observed in patients with heart failure on admission. 5. In NSTACS, the elevation of myoglobin and troponin exhibit a higher 30-days mortality risk than isolated troponin elevation. 6. In patients with acute chest pain and no troponin elevation and non-ST segment deviation, variables as: 2 or more episodes of chest pain in the prior 24 hours, a typical chest pain, age higher than 67 years, insulindependent diabetes and previous percutaneous interventions were positively related with major 1-year events

Rehospitalization burden and morbidity risk in patients with heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction

Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) has been proposed as a distinct HF phenotype, but whether patients on this category fare worse, similarly, or better than those with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) or preserved EF (HFpEF) in terms of rehospitalization risks over time remains unclear. We prospectively included 2961 consecutive patients admitted for acute HF (AHF) in our institution. Of them, 158 patients died during the index admission, leaving the sample size to be 2803 patients. Patients were categorized according to their EF: HFrEF if EF ≤ 40% (n = 908, 32.4%); HFmrEF if EF = 41-49% (n = 449, 16.0%); and HFpEF if EF ≥ 50% (n = 1446, 51.6%). Covariate-adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were used to evaluate the association between EF status and recurrent all-cause and HF-related admissions. At a median follow-up of 2.6 years (inter-quartile range: 1.0-5.3), 1663 (59.3%) patients died, and 6035 all-cause readmissions were registered in 2026 patients (72.3%), 2163 of them HF related. Rates of all-cause readmission per 100 patients-years of follow-up were 150.1, 176.9, and 163.6 in HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF, respectively (P = 0.097). After multivariable adjustment, when compared with that of patients with HFrEF and HFpEF, HFmrEF status was not significantly associated with a different risk of all-cause readmissions (IRR = 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-1.27; P = 0.926; and IRR = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.74-1.18; P = 0.621, respectively) or HF-related readmissions (IRR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.77-1.46; P = 0.725; and IRR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.82-1.50; P = 0.511, respectively). Following an admission for AHF, patients with HFmrEF had a similar rehospitalization burden and a similar risk of recurrent all-cause and HF-related admissions than had patients with HFrEF or HFpEF. Regarding morbidity risk, HFmrEF seems not to be a distinct HF phenotype

Long-term mortality and trajectory of potassium easurements following an episode of acute severe hyperkalemia

Background: Hyperkalaemia is a common condition in patients with comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) or congestive heart failure (HF). Moreover, severe hyperkalaemia is a potentially life-threatening condition that is associated with a higher risk of adverse clinical events such as ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Currently, data regarding the prognostic implications of chronic hyperkalaemia are available; however, information about the long-term clinical consequences after an episode of severe hyperkalaemia remains scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the trajectory of potassium measurements in patients with acute hyperkalaemia and long-term all-cause mortality. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study that included patients with acute severe hyperkalaemia [potassium (K) >6 mEq/L] without haemolysis in the emergency room of Dr Peset University Hospital in Valencia, Spain searching the lab database from January 2016 to March 2017. The multivariable-adjusted association of serum potassium with mortality was assessed by using comprehensive state-of-the-art regression methods that can accommodate time-dependent exposure modelling. Results: We found 172 episodes of acute hyperkalaemia in 160 patients in the emergency room. The mean ± standard deviation age of the sample was 77 ± 12 years and 60.5% were males. The most frequent comorbidities were CKD (71.2%), HF (35%) and diabetes mellitus (56.9%). Only 11.9% of the patients were on chronic dialysis. A quarter of the patients did not have previous CKD, making hyperkalaemia an unpredictable life-threatening complication. During the acute episode, mean potassium and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were 6.6 ± 0.6 (range 6.1-9.2) mEq/L and 23 ± 16 (range 2-84) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. After a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 17.3 (2.2-23.7) months, 68 patients died (42.5%). Recurrences of hyperkalaemia (K >5.5 mEq/L) were detected in 39.5% of the patients who were monitored during follow-up. We found that previous potassium levels during an acute severe hyperkalaemia episode were not predictors of mortality. Conversely, the post-discharge longitudinal trajectories of potassium were able to predict all-cause mortality (overall P = 0.0015). The effect of transitioning from hyperkalaemia to normokalaemia (K >5.5 mEq/L to K ≤5.5 mEq/L) after the acute episode was significant, and inversely associated with the risk of mortality. Conclusions: Potassium levels prior to a severe hyperkalaemic event do not predict mortality. Conversely, following an episode of acute severe hyperkalaemia, serial kinetics of potassium trajectories predict the risk of death. Further evidence is needed to confirm these findings and clarify the optimal long-term management of these patients

Long-term prognostic impact of anticoagulation on patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing hemodialysis

Introducción y objetivos: La evidencia de la eficacia y seguridad de la anticoagulación oral con dicumarínicos en pacientes en hemodiálisis con fibrilación auricular (FA) es controvertida. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es evaluar las implicaciones a nivel pronóstico a largo plazo de la anticoagulación con dicumarínicos en una cohorte de pacientes con FA no valvular en programa de hemodiálisis debido a insuficiencia renal terminal. Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo con inclusión consecutiva de 74 pacientes en hemodiálisis con FA. El periodo de inclusión fue de enero de 2005 a octubre de 2016. Las variables principales fueron mortalidad por todas las causas, reingresos no programados y sangrados. Resultados: La edad media fue de 75 ± 10 años; el 66,2% fueron hombres y 43 pacientes (58,1%) recibieron acenocumarol. Durante una mediana de seguimiento de 2,40 años (IQR = 0,88-4,15), el acenocumarol no demostró beneficio en supervivencia [HR = 0,76, IC 95% (0,35-1,66), p = 0,494]. Sin embargo, los pacientes anticoagulados presentaron más riesgo de hospitalizaciones cardiovasculares recurrentes [IRR = 3,94, IC 95% (1,06-14,69), p = 0,041]. Hubo una tendencia a un aumento de hospitalizaciones repetidas de causa isquémica en los pacientes anticoagulados [IRR = 5,80, IC 95% (0,86-39,0), p = 0,071]. Se observó una tendencia estadística hacia un mayor riesgo de sangrados totales recurrentes en los anticoagulados [IRR = 4,43, IC 95% (0,94-20,81), p = 0,059]. Conclusiones: En el presente estudio, la anticoagulación oral con acenocumarol en pacientes en hemodiálisis con FA no supuso un aumento de la supervivencia, y sin embargo, se asoció con un mayor riesgo de hospitalizaciones de causa cardiovascular y una tendencia a mayor riesgo de sangrados totales.Introduction and objectives: Evidence for the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation with dicumarines in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on hemodialysis is controversial. The aim of our study is to evaluate the long-term prognostic implications of anticoagulation with dicumarines in a cohort of patients with non-valvular AF on a hemodialysis program due to end-stage renal disease. Methods: Retrospective, observational study with consecutive inclusion of 74 patients with AF on hemodialysis. The inclusion period was from January 2005 to October 2016. The primary variables were all-cause mortality, non-scheduled readmissions and bleeding during follow-up. Results: Mean age was 75 ± 10 years; 66.2% were men and 43 patients (58.1%) received acenocoumarol. During a median follow-up of 2.40 years (IQR = 0.88-4.15), acenocoumarol showed no survival benefit [HR = 0.76, 95% CI (0.35-1.66), p = 0.494]. However, anticoagulated patients were at increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular hospitalizations [IRR = 3.94, 95% CI (1.06-14.69), p = 0.041]. There was a trend towards an increase in repeated hospitalizations of ischemic cause in anticoagulated patients [IRR = 5.80, 95% CI (0.86-39.0), p = 0.071]. There was a statistical trend towards a higher risk of recurrent total bleeding in patients treated with acenocoumarol [IRR = 4.43, 95% CI (0.94-20.81), p = 0.059]. Conclusions: In this study, oral anticoagulation with acenocoumarol in patients with AF on hemodialysis did not increase survival. However, it was associated with an increased risk of hospitalizations of cardiovascular causes and a tendency to an increased risk of total bleeding

Serum Potassium Dynamics During Acute Heart Failure Hospitalization

[Abstract] Background. Available information about prognostic implications of potassium levels alteration in the setting of acute heart failure (AHF) is scarce. Objectives. We aim to describe the prevalence of dyskalemia (hypo or hyperkalemia), its dynamic changes during AHF-hospitalization, and its long-term clinical impact after hospitalization. Methods. We analyzed 1779 patients hospitalized with AHF who were included in the REDINSCOR II registry. Patients were classified in three groups, according to potassium levels both on admission and discharge: hypokalemia (potassium  5 mEq/L). Results. The prevalence of hypokalemia and hyperkalemia on admission was 8.2 and 4.6%, respectively, and 6.4 and 2.7% at discharge. Hyperkalemia on admission was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (OR = 2.32 [95% CI: 1.04–5.21] p = 0.045). Among patients with hypokalemia on admission, 79% had normalized potassium levels at discharge. In the case of patients with hyperkalemia on admission, 89% normalized kalemia before discharge. In multivariate Cox regression, dyskalemia was associated with higher 12-month mortality, (HR = 1.48 [95% CI, 1.12–1.96], p = 0.005). Among all patterns of dyskalemia persistent hypokalemia (HR = 3.17 [95% CI: 1.71–5.88]; p < 0.001), and transient hyperkalemia (HR = 1.75 [95% CI: 1.07–2.86]; p = 0.023) were related to reduced 12-month survival. Conclusions. Potassium levels alterations are frequent and show a dynamic behavior during AHF admission. Hyperkalemia on admission is an independent predictor of higher in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, persistent hypokalemia and transient hyperkalemia on admission are independent predictors of 12-month mortality.This work is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness) and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, through the CIBER in cardiovascular diseases (CB16/11/00502)

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Cardiorespiratory fitness measured with cardiopulmonary exercise testing and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is inversely associated with mortality in apparently healthy subjects and in some clinical populations, but evidence for the association between CRF and all-cause and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in patients with established CVD is lacking. This study aimed to quantify this association. Methods We searched for prospective cohort studies that measured CRF with cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with CVD and that examined all-cause and CVD mortality with at least 6 months of follow-up. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using random-effect inverse-variance analyses. Results Data were obtained from 21 studies and included 159,352 patients diagnosed with CVD (38.1% female). Pooled HRs for all-cause and CVD mortality comparing the highest vs. lowest category of CRF were 0.42 (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.28–0.61) and 0.27 (95%CI: 0.16–0.48), respectively. Pooled HRs per 1 metabolic equivalent (1-MET) increment were significant for all-cause mortality (HR = 0.81; 95%CI: 0.74–0.88) but not for CVD mortality (HR = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.48–1.18). Coronary artery disease patients with high CRF had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.32; 95%CI: 0.26–0.41) than did their unfit counterparts. Each 1-MET increase was associated with lower all-cause mortality risk among coronary artery disease patients (HR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.76–0.91) but not lower among those with heart failure (HR = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.36–1.32). Conclusion A better CRF was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and CVD. This study supports the use of CRF as a powerful predictor of mortality in this population

Estudio de la perfusión coronaria postinfarto mediante análisis cuantitativo de la ecocardiografía miocárdica con inyección de contraste por vía intravenosa

Introducción y objetivos. Tras un infarto de miocardio el daño en la microcirculación indica un peor pronóstico. Investigamos la utilidad del estudio cuantitativo de la ecografía miocárdica con inyección de contraste por vía intravenosa (EMC-i.v.) para analizar la perfusión coronaria en comparación con la inyección intracoronaria (EMC-i.c.). Pacientes y método. Estudiamos a 42 pacientes con un primer infarto con elevación del segmento ST, enfermedad de un vaso y arteria abierta (TIMI 3, estenosis 0,75) y EMC-i.v. (perfusión de SonoVue, imágenes únicas capturando 1 de cada 6 ciclos con trigger en telesístole, perfusión normal si > 0,9). Se consideró que un paciente tenía perfusión alterada si 2 o más segmentos estaban afectados. Resultados. La cuantificación de EMC-i.v. se realizó en 5 ± 1 min. No se detectaron efectos secundarios. De los 176 segmentos del área infartada, 141 (80%) presentaron una EMC-i.c. normal y 35 (20%), alterada. Por pacientes, la EMC-i.c. fue normal en 31 (74%) casos y estaba afectada en 11 (26%). Una perfusión normal con EMC-i.v. mostró una sensibilidad del 91%, una especificidad del 84% y un índice kappa del 0,67 para predecir una perfusión normal con EMC-i.c. (r = 0,86; p < 0,0001 entre ambas técnicas). Conclusiones. Un análisis cuantitativo de imágenes únicas capturadas durante una perfusión intravenosa de contraste es un método sencillo, rápido y válido para el análisis de la perfusión coronaria postinfarto al compararlo con EMC-i.c