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Introduction and objectives: Intrapatient blood level variability (IPV) of calcineurin inhibitors has been associated with poor outcomes in solid-organ transplant, but data for heart transplant are scarce. Our purpose was to ascertain the clinical impact of IPV in a multi-institutional cohort of heart transplant recipients. Methods: We retrospectively studied patients aged = 18 years, with a first heart transplant performed between 2000 and 2014 and surviving = 1 year. IPV was assessed by the coefficient of variation of trough levels from posttransplant months 4 to 12. A composite of rejection or mortality/graft loss or rejection and all-cause mortality/graft loss between years 1 to 5 posttransplant were analyzed by Cox regression analysis. Results: The study group consisted of 1581 recipients (median age, 56 years; women, 21%). Cyclosporine immediate-release tacrolimus and prolonged-release tacrolimus were used in 790, 527 and 264 patients, respectively. On multivariable analysis, coefficient of variation > 27.8% showed a nonsignificant trend to association with 5-year rejection-free survival (HR, 1.298; 95%CI, 0.993-1.695; P =.056) and with 5-year mortality (HR, 1.387; 95%CI, 0.979-1.963; P =.065). Association with rejection became significant on analysis of only those patients without rejection episodes during the first year posttransplant (HR, 1.609; 95%CI, 1.129-2.295; P =.011). The tacrolimus-based formulation had less IPV than cyclosporine and better results with less influence of IPV. Conclusions: IPV of calcineurin inhibitors is only marginally associated with mid-term outcomes after heart transplant, particularly with the tacrolimus-based immunosuppression, although it could play a role in the most stable recipients. Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en © 2021 Sociedad Española de Cardiología

Introduction and objectives: To evaluate the interaction between comorbidity burden and the benefits of in-hospital revascularization in elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Methods: This retrospective study included 7211 patients aged >= 70 years from 11 Spanish NSTEACS registries. Six comorbidities were evaluated: diabetes, peripheral artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, renal failure, and anemia. A propensity score was estimated to enable an adjusted comparison of in-hospital revascularization and conservative management. The end point was 1-year all-cause mortality. Results: In total, 1090 patients (15%) died. The in-hospital revascularization rate was 60%. Revascularization was associated with lower 1-year mortality; the strength of the association was unchanged by the addition of comorbidities to the model (HR, 0.61; 95%CI, 0.53-0.69; P = .0001). However, the effects of revascularization were attenuated in patients with renal failure, peripheral artery disease, and chronic pulmonary disease (P for interaction = .004, .007, and .03, respectively) but were not modified by diabetes, anemia, and previous stroke (P = .74, .51, and .28, respectively). Revascularization benefits gradually decreased as the number of comorbidities increased (from a HR of 0.48 [95%CI, 0.39-0.61] with 0 comorbidities to 0.83 [95%CI, 0.62-1.12] with >= 5 comorbidities; omnibus P = .016). The results were similar for the propensity score model. The same findings were obtained when invasive management was considered the exposure variable. Conclusions: In-hospital revascularization improves 1-year mortality regardless of comorbidities in elderly patients with NSTEACS. However, the revascularization benefit is progressively reduced with an increased comorbidity burden. Renal failure, peripheral artery disease, and chronic lung disease were the comorbidities with the most detrimental effects on revascularization benefits. (C) 2020 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Few studies have addressed to date the interaction between sex and diabetes mellitus (DM) in the prognosis of elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Our aim was to address the role of DM in the prognosis of non-selected elderly patients with NSTEACS according to sex. A retrospective analysis from 11 Spanish NSTEACS registries was conducted, including patients aged =70 years. The primary end point was one-year all-cause mortality. A total of 7211 patients were included, 2,770 (38.4%) were women, and 39.9% had DM. Compared with the men, the women were older (79.95 ± 5.75 vs. 78.45 ± 5.43 years, p < 0.001) and more often had a history of hypertension (77% vs. 83.1%, p < 0.01). Anemia and chronic kidney disease were both more common in women. On the other hand, they less frequently had a prior history of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease or comorbidities such as peripheral artery disease and chronic pulmonary disease. Women showed a worse clinical profile on admission, though an invasive approach and in-hospital revascularization were both more often performed in men (p < 0.001). At a one-year follow-up, 1090 patients (15%) had died, without a difference between sexes. Male sex was an independent predictor of mortality (HR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.32, p = 0.035), and there was a significant interaction between sex and DM (p = 0.002). DM was strongly associated with mortality in women (HR: 1.45, 95% CI = 1.18-1.78; p < 0.001), but not in men (HR: 0.98, 95% CI = 0.84-1.14; p = 0.787). In conclusion, DM is associated with mortality in older women with NSTEACS, but not in men.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been demonstrated to be more effective and safer than vitamin-K antagonist (VKA) for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). This meta-analysis aims to assess the effect of DOACS vs. VKA in patients >= 80 and AF. Primary endpoints were stroke or systemic embolism and all-cause death. Secondary endpoints included major bleeding, intracranial bleeding, and gastrointestinal bleeding. A random-effects model was selected due to significant heterogeneity. A total of 147,067 patients from 16 studies were included, 71,913 (48.90%) treated with DOACs and 75,154 with VKA (51.10%). The stroke rate was significantly lower in DOACs group compared with warfarin group (Relative risk (RR): 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.82; p < 0.001). All-cause mortality was significantly lower in DOACs group compared with warfarin group (RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.70-0.96; p = 0.012). Compared to warfarin, DOACs were not associated with reductions in major bleeding (RR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.69-1.04; p = 0.108) or gastrointestinal bleeding risk (RR: 1.08, 95% CI 0.76-1.53; p = 0.678) but a 43% reduction of intracranial bleeding (RR: 0.47, IC 95% 0.36-0.60; p < 0.001) was observed. Our meta-analysis demonstrates that DOACs are effective and safe with statistical superiority when compared with warfarin in octogenarians with AF.

Objective: To describe major events at follow up in octogenarian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) according to anticoagulant treatment: direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Methods: A total of 578 anticoagulated patients aged >= 80 years with AF were included in a prospective, observational, multicenter study. Basal features, embolic events (stroke and systemic embolism), severe bleedings, and all-cause mortality at follow up were investigated according to the anticoagulant treatment received. Results: Mean age was 84.0 +/- 3.4 years, 56% were women. Direct oral anticoagulants were prescribed to 123 (21.3%) patients. Compared with 455 (78.7%) patients treated with VKAs, those treated with DOACs presented a lower frequency of permanent AF (52.9% vs 61.6%, P = .01), cancer history (4.9% vs 10.9%, P = .046), renal failure (21.1% vs 32.2%, P = .02), and left ventricular dysfunction (2.4% vs 8.0%, P = .03); and higher frequency of previous stroke (26.0% vs 16.6%, P = .02) and previous major bleeding (8.1% vs 3.6%, P = .03). There were no significant differences in Charlson, CHA2DS2VASc, nor HAS-BLED scores. At 3-year follow up, rates of embolic events, severe bleedings, and all-cause death (per 100 patients-year) were similar in both groups (DOACs vs VKAs): 0.34 vs 1.35 (P = .15), 3.45 vs 4.41 (P = .48), and 8.2 vs 11.0 (P = .18), respectively, without significant differences after multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-1.93, P = .19; HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.44-1.76, P = .72 and HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.53-1.33, P = .46, respectively). Conclusion: In this "real-world" registry, the differences in major events rates in octogenarians with AF were not statistically significant in those treated with DOACs versus VKAs.

The present report describes the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart transplants in Spain and updates the data to 2019.

Background Elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) may present delirium but its clinical relevance is unknown. This study aimed at determining the clinical associated factors, and prognostic implications of delirium in old-aged patients admitted for NSTE-ACS. Methods LONGEVO-SCA is a prospective multicenter registry including unselected patients with NSTE-ACS aged. 80 years. Clinical variables and a complete geriatric evaluation were assessed during hospitalization. The association between delirium and 6-month mortality was assessed by a Cox regression model weighted for a propensity score including the potential confounding variables. We also analysed its association with 6-month bleeding and cognitive or functional decline. Results Among 527 patients included, thirty-seven (7%) patients presented delirium during the hospitalization. Delirium was more frequent in patients with dementia or depression and in those from nursing homes (27.0% vs. 3.1%, 24.3% vs. 11.6%, and 11.1% vs. 2.2%, respectively; all P < 0.05). Delirium was significantly associated with in-hospital infections (27.0% vs. 5.3%, P < 0.001) and usage of diuretics (70.3% vs. 49.8%, P = 0.02). Patients with delirium had longer hospitalizations [median 8.5 (5.5-14) vs. 6.0 (4.0-10) days, P = 0.02] and higher incidence of 6-month bleeding and mortality (32.3% vs. 10.0% and 24.3% vs. 10.8%, respectively; both P < 0.05) but similar cognitive or functional decline. Delirium was independently associated with 6-month mortality (HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.02-2.13, P = 0.04) and 6-month bleeding events (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.98. 4.16, P < 0.01). Conclusions In-hospital delirium in elderly patients with NSTE-ACS is associated with some preventable risk factors and it is an independent predictor of 6-month mortality.

Background The magnitude of the association between diabetes (DM) and outcomes in elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is controversial. No study assessed the prognostic impact of DM according to frailty status in these patients. Methods The LONGEVO-SCA registry included unselected ACS patients aged >= 80 years. Frailty was assessed by the FRAIL scale. We evaluated the impact of previous known DM on the incidence of death or readmission at 6 months according to status frailty by the Cox regression method. Results A total of 532 patients were included. Mean age was 84.3 years, and 212 patients (39.8%) had previous DM diagnosis. Patients with DM had more comorbidities and higher prevalence of frailty (33% vs 21.9%, p = 0.002). The incidence of death or readmission at 6 months was higher in patients with DM (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.12-2.05, p 0.007), but after adjusting for potential confounders this association was not significant. The association between DM and outcomes was not significant in robust patients, but it was especially significant in patients with frailty [HR 1.72 (1.05-2.81), p = 0.030, p value for interaction = 0.049]. Conclusions About 40% of elderly patients with ACS had previous known DM diagnosis. The association between DM and outcomes was different according to frailty status.

Medical therapy could improve the prognosis of real-life patients discharged after a heart failure (HF) hospitalization. We aimed to determine the impact of discharge HF treatment on mortality and readmissions in different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) groups.

Background: In Spain, listing for high-urgent heart transplantation is allowed for critically ill candidates not weanable from temporary mechanical circulatory support (T-MCS). We sought to analyse the clinical outcomes of this strategy. Methods and results: We conducted a case-by-case, retrospective review of clinical records of 291 adult patients listed for high-urgent heart transplantation under temporary devices from 2010 to 2015 in 16 Spanish institutions. Survival after listing and adverse clinical events were studied. At the time of listing, 169 (58%) patients were supported on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), 70 (24%) on temporary left ventricular assist devices (T-LVAD) and 52 (18%) on temporary biventricular assist devices (T-BiVAD). Seven patients transitioned from VA-ECMO to temporary ventricular assist devices while on the waiting list. Mean time on T-MCS was 13.1 ± 12.6 days. Mean time from listing to transplantation was 7.6 ± 8.5 days. Overall, 230 (79%) patients were transplanted and 54 (18.6%) died during MCS. In-hospital postoperative mortality after transplantation was 33.3%, 11.9% and 26.2% for patients bridged on VA-ECMO, T-LVAD and T-BiVAD, respectively (P = 0.008). Overall survival from listing to hospital discharge was 54.4%, 78.6% and 55.8%, respectively (P = 0.002). T-LVAD support was independently associated with a lower risk of death over the first year after listing (hazard ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.30–0.92). Patients treated with VA-ECMO showed the highest incidence rate of adverse clinical events associated with T-MCS. Conclusion: Temporary devices may be used to bridge critically ill candidates directly to heart transplantation in a setting of short waiting list times, as is the case of Spain. In our series, bridging with T-LVAD was associated with more favourable outcomes than bridging with T-BiVAD or VA-ECMO.

Introducción y objetivos En España, el balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico (BCIA) se ha usado frecuentemente como puente al trasplante cardiaco (TxC) urgente. El propósito es analizar los resultados de esta estrategia. Métodos Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva caso por caso de los registros clínicos de 281 pacientes adultos listados para TxC urgente asistidos con BCIA en 16 hospitales españoles entre 2010 y 2015. Se analizaron la supervivencia antes y después del trasplante y la incidencia de eventos adversos. Resultados Se trasplantó a 194 pacientes (69%; IC95%, 63, 3-74, 4) y 20 (7, 1%; IC95%, 4, 4-10, 8) fallecieron durante la asistencia, cuya duración media fue de 10, 9 ± 9, 7 días. El BCIA se explantó antes de obtener un órgano a 32 pacientes (11, 4%). En 35 pacientes (12, 5%; IC95%, 8, 8-16, 9) se implantó un dispositivo de asistencia circulatoria mecánica completa. El tiempo en la lista de espera urgente se incrementó desde 5, 9 ± 6, 3 días en 2010 hasta 15 ± 11, 7 días en 2015 (p = 0, 001). La supervivencia a 30 días y a 1 y 5 años tras el TxC fue del 88, 1% (IC95%, 85, 7-90, 5), 76% (IC95%, 72, 9-79, 1) y 67, 8% (IC95%, 63, 7-71, 9) respectivamente. La tasa de incidencia de eventos adversos mayores —disfunción del BCIA, ictus, hemorragia o infección— durante la asistencia fue de 26 (IC95%, 20, 6-32, 4) eventos/1.000 pacientes-día. La tasa de incidencia de explante del BCIA por complicaciones fue de 7, 2 (IC95%, 4, 5-10, 8) casos/1.000 pacientes-día. Conclusiones En el contexto de listas de espera cortas, el BCIA puede utilizarse como puente al TxC urgente con resultados aceptables. Esta estrategia conlleva una incidencia significativa de eventos adversos. Introduction and objectives: In Spain, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been used frequently as a bridge to urgent heart transplant (HT). We sought to analyze the clinical outcomes of this strategy. Methods: We conducted a case-by-case, retrospective review of clinical records of 281 adult patients listed for urgent HT under IABP support in 16 Spanish institutions from 2010 to 2015. Pre- and post-transplant survival and adverse clinical events were analyzed. Results: A total of 194 (69%, 95%CI, 63.3-74.4) patients were transplanted and 20 (7.1%, 95%CI, 4.4-10.8) died during a mean period of IABP support of 10.9 ± 9.7 days. IABP support was withdrawn before an organ became available in 32 (11.4%) patients. Thirty-five (12.5%, 95%CI, 8.8-16.9) patients transitioned from IABP to full-support mechanical devices. Mean urgent waiting list time increased from 5.9 ± 6.3 days in 2010 to 15 ± 11.7 days in 2015 (P =.001). Post-transplant survival rates at 30-days, 1-year, and 5-years were 88.1% (95%CI, 85.7-90.5), 76% (95%CI, 72.9-79.1), and 67.8% (95%CI, 63.7-71.9), respectively. The incidence rate of major adverse clinical outcomes—device dysfunction, stroke, bleeding or infection—during IABP support was 26 (95%CI, 20.6-32.4) episodes per 1000 patient-days. The incidence rate of IABP explantation due to complications was 7.2 (95%CI, 4.5-10.8) cases per 1000 patient-days. Conclusions: In a setting of short waiting list times, IABP can be used to bridge candidates to urgent HT with acceptable postoperative results, but there were significant rates of adverse clinical events during support. Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en

The present article reports the characteristics and results of heart transplantation in Spain since this therapeutic modality was first used in May 1984.

One day after implantation of a permanent pacemaker in an 82-year-old man, transthoracic echocardiography showed a mass in the right ventricle and a small pericardial effusion. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a mass attached to the pacemaker lead. Subcutaneous administration of enoxaparin was begun, and the patient remained free of symptoms for the duration of his hospital stay. Follow-up echocardiography performed before discharge failed to show the right ventricular mass, but a lung perfusion scan revealed multiple bilateral perfusion defects consistent with pulmonary emboli. The patient was discharged on a regimen of enoxaparin for another 30 days. Two years later, he remained asymptomatic. (Tex Heart Inst J 2001;28:318–9)