Impact of platelet phenotype on myocardial infarction

In acute myocardial infarction patients the injured vascular wall triggers thrombus formation in the damage site. Fibrin fibers and blood cellular elements are the major components of thrombus formed in acute occlusion of coronary arteries. It has been established that the initial thrombus is primarily composed of activated platelets rapidly stabilized by fibrin fibers. This review highlights the role of platelet membrane phenotype in pathophysiology of myocardial infarction. Here, we regard platelet phenotype as quantitative and qualitative parameters of the plasma membrane outer surface, which are crucial for platelet participation in blood coagulation, development of local inflammation and tissue repair

Denervación renal en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial. Posicionamiento conjunto de la SEH-LELHA y la ACI-SEC

Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor. Despite pharmacological treatment, a high percentage of patients do not achieve an adequate blood pressure control. Renal sympathetic denervation is a minimally invasive intervention for the management of hypertension involving the interruption of the renal artery sympathetic nervous system using a catheter-based approach. The early studies showed promising results, but the controversial results coming from the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial sent this technique into oblivion. Over the last 3 years, new clinical trials have appeared including new devices used in different populations, which definitively proves the effectiveness of renal sympathetic denervation. This joint position statement from the Spanish Society of Hypertension-Spanish League for Combating High Blood Pressure (SEH-LELHA), and the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) reviews the evidence available on the efficacy and safety profile of renal sympathetic denervation for the management of hypertension. Based on the results of clinical trials, recommendations have been established on what patients may be eligible for renal sympathetic denervation and under what circumstances

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

Análisis del proceso de derivación del paciente hipertenso en España: Estudio DERIVA

Introducción: La buena comunicación entre niveles asistenciales es clave para el control de la hipertensión arterial. Objetivos: Valorar la adecuación de la derivación del hipertenso desde atención primaria a atención especializada. Como objetivos secundarios, valoramos el contenido del informe de derivación y la concordancia entre el motivo de derivación y el diagnóstico final. Diseño: Estudio observacional descriptivo. Emplazamiento: Estudio realizado a nivel nacional. Participantes: Médicos de atención especializada que reciben pacientes hipertensos derivados de atención primaria. Mediciones principales: En una visita basal, el médico de atención especializada evaluó la calidad del informe de derivación y al paciente, y en visita final se establecen diagnóstico y tratamiento definitivos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1.769 sujetos, edad media de 62,4 (13,6) años, 45% mujeres. El tiempo medio de diagnóstico de hipertensión fue de 8,0 (7,7) años. Algo más de la mitad de los informes de derivación contienen información muy buena (5,4%; IC 4,3-6,5) o suficiente (50,7%; IC 48,4-53,0). Un 7,1% (IC 5,9-8,3) no indican causa de derivación. Fueron correctas el 74,7% de las derivaciones, y el 30% de estas fueron tardías. La concordancia entre las causas de derivación y los diagnósticos finales fueron bajas (índice Kappa 0,208). Conclusiones: Una cuarta parte de los pacientes se derivan innecesariamente, y del 75% de los bien derivados, un 30% lo fueron tardíamente. Se debería mejorar la coordinación operativa entre los 2 niveles de atención en el área de hipertensión y del riesgo cardiovascular

Valoración desde atención primaria del manejo del hipertenso en atención especializada (estudio DERIVA-DOS)

Resumen: Introducción: Estudiar la opinión del médico de atención primaria (MAP) de la información de los pacientes remitida desde el médico especialista en hipertensión arterial (MEHTA). Diseño: Estudio observacional descriptivo. Emplazamiento: Realizado a nivel nacional. Participantes: Médicos de atención primaria que reciben hipertensos estudiados por MEHTA. Métodos: Se utilizó el consenso de derivación de la SEH-LELHA, y una encuesta en la que se recogían en la visita basal las características demográficas, antropométricas, presión y causa de derivación; en la posderivación se añaden preguntas sobre: tiempo utilizado en estudiar al paciente, modificaciones del diagnóstico y fármacos. Además se preguntó sobre el tiempo en recibir respuesta y se pidió la valoración del informe que le remite el MEHTA. Resultados: Participaron 578 investigadores de AP que incluyeron 1.715 pacientes válidos. Edad 60,7 ± 13,3 años, varones 62,7%. En prederivación los pacientes tomaban 2,3 ± 1,2 fármacos antihipertensivos, y 2,5 ± 1,2 en posderivación; la presión arterial pasó de 166 ± 21.6 / 97,7 ± 12,6 mmHg a 143 ± 14,4 / 85,5 ± 10,5 mmHg. Los pacientes controlados (PA < 140 y < 90 mmHg) pasaron del 5,8 al 32,2%. El tiempo transcurrido entre la visita al hospital y la recepción del informe fue de 72 ± 64 días. Se realizó ampliación del estudio por parte del MEHTA en 1.250 casos (72,9%). El MAP médico de familia recibió informe reglado en el 80,3% de los casos. Globalmente, el 63% de los MAP están totalmente de acuerdo con la actuación del especialista, el 29% parcialmente de acuerdo y el 2% nada de acuerdo. La derivación se ha valorado mediante opinión subjetiva del MAP como efectiva o muy efectiva en el 86% de los pacientes y nada efectiva en el 9%. Conclusiones: La comunicación entre niveles es clave en el cuidado de algunos pacientes hipertensos, como corresponde a una entidad crónica. Abstract: Introduction: To know the opinion/evaluation of the primary care physicians (PCPH) of the received information about patients that were attended in specialized care (SC). Design: Cross-sectional study. Location: Performed nationwide in primary care centers. Participants: Researchers from the primary care network. Methods: We used the SEH-LELHA derivation criteria guidelines, plus an ad hoc survey that included demographic and anthropometric data, blood pressure levels, and the main reason for derivation to SC at the baseline and final (post-derivation) visit. In addition, time deployed for the study of every patient, changes in diagnosis and treatment, type of follow-up, issues throughout the derivation process and assessment of the medical referred to the PCPH were evaluated. Results: With participation of 578 researchers from primary, the study included 1715 patients aged 60.7 ± 13.3 years, 62.7% male. Patients were taking 2.3 ± 1.2 (range 0-10) antihypertensive drugs pre-referral and 2.5 ± 1.2 (0-9) after derivation. Blood pressure levels changed from 166 ± 21.6 / 97.7 ± 12.6 mmHg to 143 ± 14.4 / 85.5 ± 10.5 mmHg. The number of controlled patients (BP < 140 and < 90 mmHg) increased from 5.8% to 32.2%. Time between pre- and post-derivation visit was 72 ± 64 days (median 57 days, IQ 26-99). The PCPH received a medical report in 80.3% of cases, 76.9% with an explanation of the results of the complementary tests, 75.8% with additional information or a reasoning of treatment and in 71% of cases information about the patient future management. 63% of PCPH were fully agreed with the management of the specialist, 29% agree and 2% strongly disagree. The derivation was evaluated as effective or very effective in 86% of patients and no effective in 9%. Conclusions: Communication between AE and SC in HTA is valued satisfactorily by MAP. However there is still room for improvement in the process. Palabras clave: Derivación, Coordinación entre niveles, Hipertensión, Niveles de atención de salud: Atención primaria, Atención especializada en hipertensión, Keywords: Derivation, Coordination between health-care levels, Hypertension, Primary care, Specializing in hypertension car

Modification over time of pulse wave velocity parallel to changes in aortic BP, as well as in 24-h ambulatory brachial BP.

Arterial stiffness as assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is a marker of preclinical organ damage and a predictor of cardiovascular outcomes, independently of blood pressure (BP). However, limited evidence exists on the association between long-term variation (Δ) on aortic BP (aoBP) and ΔcfPWV. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of ΔBP with ΔcfPWV over time, as assessed by office and 24-h ambulatory peripheral BP, and aoBP. AoBP and cfPWV were evaluated in 209 hypertensive patients with either diabetes or metabolic syndrome by applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor) at baseline(b) and at 12 months of follow-up(fu). Peripheral BP was also determined by using validated oscillometric devices (office(o)-BP) and on an outpatient basis by using a validated (Spacelabs-90207) device (24-h ambulatory BP). ΔcfPWV over time was calculated as follows: ΔcfPWV=[(cfPWVfu-cfPWVb)/cfPWVb] × 100. ΔBP over time resulted from the same formula applied to BP values obtained with the three different measurement techniques. Correlations (Spearman 'Rho') between ΔBP and ΔcfPWV were calculated. Mean age was 62 years, 39% were female and 80% had type 2 diabetes. Baseline office brachial BP (mm Hg) was 143±20/82±12. Follow-up (12 months later) office brachial BP (mm Hg) was 136±20/79±12. ΔcfPWV correlated with ΔoSBP (Rho=0.212; P=0.002), Δ24-h SBP (Rho=0.254; P<0.001), Δdaytime SBP (Rho=0.232; P=0.001), Δnighttime SBP (Rho=0.320; P<0.001) and ΔaoSBP (Rho=0.320; P<0.001). A multiple linear regression analysis included the following independent variables: ΔoSBP, Δ24-h SBP, Δdaytime SBP, Δnighttime SBP and ΔaoSBP. ΔcfPWV was independently associated with Δ24-h SBP (β-coefficient=0.195; P=0.012) and ΔaoSBP (β-coefficient= 0.185; P=0.018). We conclude that changes in both 24-h SBP and aoSBP more accurately reflect changes in arterial stiffness than do office BP measurements.This study is partially funded by two Spanish research grants (ISCIII -FIS PI08/0896 and FIS PI10/01011). It has also received a partial unrestricted funding from PfizerLaboratories, Spain

Clinical-biochemical parameters and drug treatment of hypertensive patients at start (baseline) and after treatment intensification during 12 months.

<p>Clinical-biochemical parameters and drug treatment of hypertensive patients at start (baseline) and after treatment intensification during 12 months.</p