El abordaje femoral demostró que es practico y seguro para la realización de procedimientos coronarios diagnósticos y terapéuticos. No obstante, presenta la limitación de varias horas de reposo en cama poscateterismo, la restricción de la actividad física en los días posteriores y una demanda importante de cuidados médicos y de enfermería. El objetivo del presente estudio prospectivo y aleatorio fue establecer silos abordajes humeral y/o radial por función podrían mejorar estas limitaciones del abordaje femoral sin incremento de las dificultades y las complicaciones periprocedimientos . Entre julio de 1994 y junio de 1995, 429 pacientes consecutivos enviados en forma ambulatoria para una cinecoronariografía se asignaron aleatoriamente a ser abordados por vía femoral (F) (141 pacientes), humeral (H) (150 pacientes) o radial (R) (138 pacientes), todas ellas por función percutánea . La edad promedio fue 63 ± 10 años . El 73% de los pacientes eran de sexo masculino . Las características clínicas y angiográficas de la población fueron similares en los tres grupos . Los puntos finales primarios fueron los tiempos operativos (tiempo total de sala, tiempo arterial, tiempo de fluoroscopia, tiempo a la deambulación y al alta), necesidad de internación vinculada al abordaje y dolor a nivel del abordaje .(...)

Introducción La expansión asimétrica (EA) de los stents consiste en una distribución heterogénea del metal en la circunferencia de la pared arterial y está producida por distorsiones de la arquitectura normal del sent expandido. Esto estaría vinculado a una mayor agresión sobre la pared del vaso en los lugares con mayor concentración de metal y su consiguiente aumento de la proliferación endotelial. Algunos estudio experimentales previos avalarían estas afirmaciones. Objetivos El objetivo del presente estudio fue explorar el efecto de la EA sobre la hiperplasia neointimal en aorta de conejos hipercolesterolémicos, además de evaluar en qué grado la sobreexpansión por alta presión de un stent influye sobre la configuración de éste. Material y métodos Se implantaron 20 stents tubulares de acero inoxidable 316L en la aorta abdominal de conejos New Zealand hipercolesterolémicos. Se realizó ultrasonido intravascular (IVUS) durante el implante y a las ocho semanas previo al sacrificio. El análisis del IVUS se utilizó para medir el grado de retracción elástica de los stents y para clasificar los stents en simétricos o asimétricos. Para esto último se integraron en un dibujo planar todos los cortes recibidos durante el retiro mecánico del IVUS a 1mm/seg (estereomorfometría). Se realizó el análisis histológico de engrosamiento neointimal mediante la comparación de los stents asimétricos (A) respecto de los simétricos (S) y los cuadrantes con mayor concentración de metal (M+) respecto de aquellos donde existía mayor cantidad de pared libre de metal (M-). Resultados Completaron el seguimiento 17 animales y se registró una mortalidad precoz del 15%. Se observó mayor hiperplasia neointimal en los stents definidos asimétricos (264,65 versus 185,00 micrones) (p=0,025) y en las zonas con mayor concentración de metal (279,00 versus 205,34 micrones) (p=0,022). No se observaron diferencias significativas en cuanto a la simetría o al monto de hiperplasia neointimal al comparar ambas técnicas de implante. La retracción mecánica fue significativamente mayor en las stents 3,0 sobreexpandidos (0,28 ± 0,18 versus 0,10 ± 0,11 mm) (p< 0,001). Conclusión De acuerdo con evidencias previas y con lo que sugerirían los mecanismos fisiopatológicos involucrados, la expansión asimétrica de stents en la aorta abdominal de conejos hipercolesterolémicos produce un aumento significativo de la hiperplasia neointimal debido a mayor hiperplasia en zonas de mayor concentración de metal.

Introducción: En nuestro medio existe escasa evidencia sobre la incidencia de rehospitalización, factores predictores y evolución clínica de los pacientes con estenosis aórtica (EAo) grave valorados por un Heart Team. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia, los predictores de rehospitalización y la evolución clínica de pacientes con EAo grave valorados por el Heart Team. Material y métodos: Estudio unicéntrico de cohorte retrospectivo, que incluyó pacientes con EAo grave valorados por el Heart Team. Se analizaron las características del total de la cohorte, y según la presencia o ausencia de rehospitalización, en un seguimiento de 2 años. Resultados: La edad promedio de la población (n = 275) fue de 83,3 ± 6,9 años, con 51,1% de sexo femenino y una incidencia de rehospitalización de 21,5%. Los pacientes rehospitalizados fueron más añosos (85,54 ± 6,66 vs. 82,62 ± 6,87 años; p = 0,003), más frágiles (97,4% vs. 89,3%; p = 0,035), con mayor riesgo quirúrgico (STS score 6,11 ± 4,79 vs. 4,72 ± 4,12; p = 0,033), y fibrilación auricular (FA) previa (40,7% vs. 23,6%; p = 0,009), en comparación con los no rehospitalizados. Se identificó la FA previa como factor de riesgo independiente de rehospitalización (OR 4,59; IC 95% 1,95-10,81, p<0,001). La incidencia de rehospitalización fue de 33,9% para el implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI), 1,7% para la cirugía de reemplazo valvular (CRVAo), y 64,4% para el tratamiento conservador (p = 0,002). A 2 años, la rehospitalización se asoció a una mayor mortalidad (47,5% vs. 13,4%; p <0,001). Conclusiones: En pacientes con EAo grave valorados por un Heart Team se observó una significativa incidencia de rehospitalización a 2 años, que se asoció a mayor mortalidad. La FA fue un factor de riesgo independiente de rehospitalización. Cómo citar este artículo: Garmendia CM, Seropian IM, Chiabrando JG, Medina de Chazal H, Cal M, Kotowicz V y cols. Prevalencia, predictores e impacto clínico de la rehospitalización en pacientes con estenosis valvular aórtica valorados por un Heart Team. Rev Argent Cardiol 2021;89:501-506 http://dx.doi.org/10.7775/rac.es.v89.i6.20459

Introducción: El implante valvular aórtico percutáneo (TAVI) ha surgido como una alternativa terapéutica en pacientes con estenosis aórtica grave sintomática inoperables o de elevado riesgo quirúrgico. El acceso transapical surge como alternativa para aquellos pacientes con contraindicación de implante valvular aórtico percutáneo transfemoral. Objetivo: Valorar la factibilidad y la reproducibilidad del implante valvular aórtico percutáneo transapical en nuestro centro y comparar la evolución a corto y mediano plazo con los pacientes sometidos a implante valvular aórtico percutáneo transfeoral. Material y métodos: Se evaluó una cohorte retrospectiva de 80 pacientes tratados con implante valvular aórtico percutáneo transapical (n = 24) y transfemoral (n = 56) en nuestro centro. Se compararon las complicaciones relacionadas con el procedimiento según las definiciones VARC-2, y se analizó la mortalidad a corto y mediano plazo entre ambos grupos. Resultados: Los pacientes del grupo transapical eran más añosos (83,6 ± 5 versus 80,0 ± 8,3; p = 0,04); presentaron mayor prevalencia de coronariopatía (el 75% versus el 44%; p = 0,04) y mayor prevalencia de vasculopatía periférica (el 37% versus el 16%; p = 0,01). El grupo transapical tuvo menor exposición a rayos X, (tiempo de fluoroscopia de 14,9 minutos ± 5,8 versus 22,9 minutos ± 8,7; p = 0,001); y una mayor tendencia a requerir diálisis luego del procedimiento (el 12,5% versus 1,8%, p = 0,13). El grupo transapical permaneció más tiempo internado (13,6 ± 23 días versus 7,2 ± 6,9 días, p = 0,05). La mortalidad a 30 días fue mayor en el grupo transapical (el 20,8% versus el 5,4%; p = 0,03) y al año (el 25% versus el 8,9%; p = 0,04). Conclusiones: En nuestra experiencia, el implante valvular aórtico percutáneo transapical es factible y puede ser realizado como un procedimiento reproducible para pacientes no aptos para el implante valvular aórtico percutáneo transfemoral. El acceso transapical se asoció con mayor mortalidad durante el seguimiento, particularmente en el período posoperatorio a 30 días, lo que coincide con varios reportes publicados.

Introducción: La angioplastia coronaria en octogenarios aumenta, pero esta población está poco representada en los estudios aleatorizados por su alto riesgo.Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados de angioplastia coronaria de pacientes octogenarios e identificar predictores independientes de mala evolución en el seguimiento.Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, pacientes consecutivos con angioplastia coronaria junio 2011 a Septiembre 2013 en un Hospital Polivalente. Se compararon octogenarios (edad ≥ 80 años) con el resto. Se evaluaron las características basales y del procedimiento. Se evaluó la mortalidad y los eventos cardiovasculares mayores (MACE, muerte, infarto o stroke) a 30días, 1 y 3 años. Se realizó un análisis univariado y multivariado para predictores de mala evolución.Resultados: Se incluyeron 1030 pacientes, 20,2% octogenarios. La edad promedio de los octogenarios era de 83 años (RIC 81-86).Estos presentaron más factores de riesgo y comorbilidades. La tasa de éxito y la cantidad de stents fue similar entre los grupos.La tasa de MACE fue mayor en octogenarios a 30 días (14,4% vs. 4,9%; p < 0,001), 1 año (23,9% vs. 8,5%; p < 0,001) y a 3 años (p < 0,0001), a expensas de mortalidad sin diferencias en el infarto (4,8% vs. 3,8%), el stroke (1,7% vs. 1,6%), ni en complicaciones del procedimiento. Los predictores independientes de muerte en octogenarios incluyen IRC, EPOC y deterioro de la función ventricular. La edad ≥ 80 años fue un predictor independiente de MACE en la población general.Conclusiones: Observamos una aceptable tasa de éxito de angioplastia coronaria en pacientes octogenarios, asociada con un aumento de la mortalidad inmediata y alejada que no parece relacionada con el procedimiento. La IRC, el EPOC y el deterioro de la función ventricular son predictores independientes de mal pronóstico en estos pacientes.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment leading to a significant reduction in the early complications and in-hospital mortality, a significant proportion of STEMI survivors develop heart failure (HF) at follow-up. The classic paradigm of HF after STEMI is one characterized by left ventricular adverse remodeling (LVAR) and encompasses the process of regional and global structural and functional changes that occur in the heart as a consequence of loss of viable myocardium, increased wall stress and neurohormonal activation, and results in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). More recently, however, with further improvements in the treatment of STEMI the incidence and entity of LVAR appear to be largely reduced, yet the risk for HF following STEMI is not abolished and remains substantial, identifying a new paradigm by which patients with STEMI present with HF and preserved EF (HFpEF) characterized by reduction of diastolic or systolic reserve independent of LVAR.

Iatrogenic coronary artery dissections (ICAD) are rare but potentially devastating complications during coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Intima media complex separation may be produced either by the catheter tip or during PCI. Patient characteristics and procedure related risk factors are intimately linked to catheter induced ICAD over diagnostic angiography. Moreover, the increasing complexity of patients undergoing PCI, which frequently involves treatment of heavily calcified or occluded vessels, has increased the likelihood of dissections during PCI. A prompt recognition, along with a prompt management (either percutaneous, surgical or even careful watching), are key in preventing catastrophic consequences of ICAD, such as left ventricular dysfunction, cardiogenic shock, periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiac death. This review aims to summarize the main updates concerning the pathophysiology, highlight key risk factors and suggest recommendations in management and treatment of ICAD.

Electrical storm (ES) is a life-threatening condition that may lead to recurrent arrhythmias, need for ventricular mechanical support, and death. The study aimed to assess the burden of arrhythmia recurrence and in-hospital outcomes of patients admitted for ES in a large urban hospital. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted with ventricular arrhythmias from January 2018 to June 2021 and identified 61 patients with ES, defined as 3 or more episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) within 24 hours. We reviewed the in-hospital outcomes and compared outcomes between patients who had no recurrence of VT/VF after the first 24 hours (34 [56%]), those with recurrence of 1 or 2 episodes of VT/VF within a 24-hour period (15 [24%]), and patients with 3 or more recurrent VT/VF events consistent with recurrent ES after the first 24 hours (12 [20%]). Patients with recurrent ES had significantly higher in-hospital mortality as compared with those with recurrent VT/VF not meeting criteria for ES or no recurrences of VT/VF (3 [25%] vs 0 [0%] vs 0 [0%]; p = 0.002). Moreover, patients with recurrent ES also had higher rates of the combined end points of ventricular mechanical support and death (7 [58%] vs 1 [6%] vs 1 [3%], p < 0.001), invasive mechanical ventilation and death (10 [83%] vs 2 [13%] vs 2 [6%], p < 0.001), catheter ablation or death (12 [100%] vs 7 [47%] vs 12 [35%], p < 0.001) and heart transplantation and death (3 [25%] vs 2 [13%] vs 0 [0%], p = 0.018). In conclusion, patients admitted with ES have a high risk of in-hospital recurrence, associated with extremely poor outcomes. (C) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND:Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality. It may present with diverse clinical presentations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of these clinical presentations.METHODS:We performed a retrospective cohort study, in which symptomatic PAD patients were included from 2014 to 2020 at a university hospital in Argentina. We classified symptomatic PAD in intermittent claudication (IC), chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and acute ischemia (AI). Our primary endpoint was to compare the composite of all-cause mortality and major amputation events between the three groups.RESULTS:We included 309 patients, with a median follow up of 1.87 years (IQR 0.72-3.67). The primary endpoint was more prevalent in CLTI and AI patients (33% and 33.3%) compared to IC patients (8.1%), P<0.001. CLTI and AI were independently associated with the primary endpoint after adjusting for clinical variables of interest (OR 4.04 95%CI [1.86-9.07], P<0.001 and OR 5.40 95%CI [2.18-13.7], P<0.001, respectively). Mortality incidence rate (per 100 patients/year) was similar between AI and CLTI patients (14.2 95% CI [8.0-24.1] and 13.1 95%CI [8.8-19.7], respectively, P=0.67) but higher compared to IC (2.9 95%CI [1.6-5.1], P<0.01). Major amputation events were more prevalent in CLTI (16.5%) compared to AI (8.9%) and IC patients (1.2%), P<0.01.CONCLUSIONS:Those with CLTI and AI have a particular increased risk of all-cause death and major amputation events. Although mortality incidence was similar between AI and CLTI patients, the latter have an increased risk of major amputation events compared to AI and IC patients.

Background: Right ventricle strain serum biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), are prognostic in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Prognosis accuracy in patients with discordancy between serum biomarkers remains, however, unknown. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis in patients with intermediate or high risk PE and discordant serum biomarkers of RV strain as follows: high hs-cTnT and low NT-proBNP ('high troponin discordance'), compared to patients with low hs-cTnT and high NT-proBNP ('high NT-proBNP discordance'). Cut-off values for high hs-cTnT were >= 14 pg/mL in patients <75 years and >= 45 pg/mL in patients >75-year. Cut-off values for high NT-proBNP were >= 600 pg/mL. The primary end-point was a composite of death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, mechanical ventilation, and inotrope use at one month. 'High troponin discordance', age, sex and body mass index (BMI) were included in a logistic regression model. Time to event analysis was performed using Kaplan Meier curves and Log-rank test. Results: 73 patients were included. 'High troponin discordance' patients (n=41) were younger, presented with a higher heart rate, more frequent bilateral PE, and received more thrombolytics as treatment compared with 'high NT-proBNP discordance' patients (n = 32). Primary end-point was significantly higher in the 'high troponin discordance' patients (29.3% vs 9.4%, p=0.045). 'High troponin discordance' was independently associated with the primary end-point after adjusting for age, sex and BMI. Log rank test confirmed worse outcome in the high troponin discordance group (p=0.037). Conclusions: High troponin discordance' patients with intermediate/high risk PE, had worse outcomes than patients with high BNP discordance.

Background Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition in elderly patients and has been associated with adverse outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The present study aimed to determine the predictive value of serum creatinine-cystatin C ratio, that is, "Sarcopenia Index" (SI) as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia, and investigate its association with clinical outcomes after TAVR. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients undergoing TAVR between January, 2016 and December, 2018 at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Patients were excluded if <65-years old, presented previous surgical aortic valve replacement, severe chronic kidney disease, or hemodialysis requirement. The SI was obtained at baseline before TAVR. All-cause mortality and/or readmissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) were defined as the primary endpoint. Results In total 100 patients met inclusion criteria for the purpose of the study. Sarcopenia Index was significantly correlated with Timed Up and Go (r = -0.272, p = .010) and Gait Speed (r = -0.278, p = .005). During follow-up, 5/100 patients died within 30 days and a total of 10/100 patients died at 1-year follow-up. Moreover, survival curves were significantly worse (Log-rank test = p = .02) and CHF readmissions were more prevalent in the lowest SI tertile (Log-rank test = p = .01). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, we identified low SI (cutoff <= 66) as an independent predictor of long-term adverse outcomes (HR = 4.01, 95% CI = 1.31-12.27, p = .015) at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion Sarcopenia Index, surrogate for the degree of skeletal muscle mass (SMM), could be used as a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR.

BACKGROUND: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) has been typically performed through a femoral approach thus increasing the risk of bleeding and access site-related vascular complications. The aim of this study was to describe the safety and efficacy of transradial aortic valve valvuloplasty (TRBAV).METHODS: The present research is a retrospective, single-center study including patients undergoing TRBAV (October 2019-July 2020). BAV was performed using 18-25 mm balloons through an 8-10 French (F) radial sheath. Successful BAV was defined as ≥50% reduction in peak-to-peak gradient (efficacy endpoint). Procedural complications, including radial artery occlusion (RAO) at follow-up were evaluated (safety endpoint).RESULTS: Twenty-four patients underwent TRBAV were included, aged 81 (73-85) years, 70% males, EuroScoreII 3.1 (2.1-5.5). Aortic valve gradient was significantly reduced (pre-50±24 vs. 18.7±13 mmHg post, P<0.001), and 91% had successful BAV. Mean gradient drop was 31.4±16.8 mmHg. One patient (4%) required cross-over to femoral access for severe vasospasm and was excluded from the analysis. Most used sheaths were 8F (46%) and 9F (37%), mostly for 20 mm (50%) and 23 mm (38%) balloons. There were neither major procedural complications (neither balloon entrapment nor compartmental syndrome) nor minor complications (any access-site bleeding). RAO was observed in 2 patients (8%), both asymptomatic.CONCLUSIONS: TRBAV was safe, feasible, and efficacious with a small rate of conversion and RAO, suggesting reproducibility of this novel technique. TRBAV may represent an alternative to femoral access in selected patients although larger studies are warranted.

Introduction: Acute pericarditis is an inflammatory disease associated with a non-negligible risk of acute complications and future recurrence. The exact incidence of pericarditis recurrence in patients with a first uncomplicated clinical course is, however, unknown. Objectives: We sought to evaluate the incidence and clinical predictors of recurrence after a first episode of acute uncomplicated pericarditis in a large urban hospital in the USA. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review, through electronic health records, to complete a database that includes patients admitted with a first episode of acute pericarditis (according to ESC criteria) and then selected only those with uncomplicated course (without in-hospital death, large pericardial effusion [>20 mm] or tamponade, constriction, or failure of treatment) at the VCU Medical Center (Richmond, VA) between 2009 and 2018. Results: A total of 240 patients met acute pericarditis criteria: 174 (72%) patients had an uncomplicated course (median age was 50 [interquartile range 34 to 62] years, 45% females, 51% Black). Pericarditis was considered idiopathic in 89 patients (51%). During a median follow-up time of 184 [17- 434] days, 23 (13%) patients experienced at least one episode of recurrent pericarditis. When compared with those without recurrence, patients with recurrent pericarditis were more frequently females (15 [65%] vs 63 [42%], p=0.035) and had a higher prevalence of subacute/delayed presentation (defined as symptoms over several days without a clear-cut acute onset) (3 [13%] vs 1 [0.7%], p=0.008). There were no other clinical (including the use of anti-inflammatory therapies and pericarditis etiology) or laboratory differences between those with and without pericarditis recurrence at follow-up. At multivariate logistic regression analysis only subacute presentation remained predictor of recurrence at follow-up (odds ratio 20, 95% confidence interval [1.81-198.11], p=0.014). Conclusions: Approximately one every six patients with an acute pericarditis experience a recurrence over a 6-month median follow-up despite an initial uncomplicated course. Subjects with subacute presentation were at significantly higher risk of recurrence.