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Mediterranean and low-fat diets are effective in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. We did a long-term randomised trial to compare the effects of these two diets in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.The CORDIOPREV study was a single-centre, randomised clinical trial done at the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Córdoba, Spain. Patients with established coronary heart disease (aged 20-75 years) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio by the Andalusian School of Public Health to receive a Mediterranean diet or a low-fat diet intervention, with a follow-up of 7 years. Clinical investigators (physicians, investigators, and clinical endpoint committee members) were masked to treatment assignment; participants were not. A team of dietitians did the dietary interventions. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was a composite of major cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, revascularisation, ischaemic stroke, peripheral artery disease, and cardiovascular death. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00924937.From Oct 1, 2009, to Feb 28, 2012, a total of 1002 patients were enrolled, 500 (49·9%) in the low-fat diet group and 502 (50·1%) in the Mediterranean diet group. The mean age was 59·5 years (SD 8·7) and 827 (82·5%) of 1002 patients were men. The primary endpoint occurred in 198 participants: 87 in the Mediterranean diet group and 111 in the low-fat group (crude rate per 1000 person-years: 28·1 [95% CI 27·9-28·3] in the Mediterranean diet group vs 37·7 [37·5-37·9] in the low-fat group, log-rank p=0·039). Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of the different models ranged from 0·719 (95% CI 0·541-0·957) to 0·753 (0·568-0·998) in favour of the Mediterranean diet. These effects were more evident in men, with primary endpoints occurring in 67 (16·2%) of 414 men in the Mediterranean diet group versus 94 (22·8%) of 413 men in the low-fat diet group (multiadjusted HR 0·669 [95% CI 0·489-0·915], log-rank p=0·013), than in 175 women for whom no difference was found between groups.In secondary prevention, the Mediterranean diet was superior to the low-fat diet in preventing major cardiovascular events. Our results are relevant to clinical practice, supporting the use of the Mediterranean diet in secondary prevention.Fundacion Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero; Fundacion Centro para la Excelencia en Investigacion sobre Aceite de Oliva y Salud; local, regional, and national Spanish Governments; European Union.

The importance of Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) converters in several applications has led to the introduction of advanced control strategies like Model Predictive Control (MPC). This paper proposes a new adaption of the Optimal Switching Sequence MPC (OSS-MPC) for application in a Single-Phase CHB. The control region of CHB converters is studied in order to apply this new strategy with the objective of tracking grid current and balancing the capacitor voltages of the modules. Another important contribution is the fixed switching period, which is an improvement over other MPC techniques. Starting from the control region, switching sequences are designed considering both switching states and time duration of each state. The method is tested through simulations.

The Modular Multilevel Converter is used for a variety of applications including HVDC transport, photovoltaic generation and electric system storage among others. Its characteristic circulating currents can be employed for energy balance but they increase the losses of the converter. This paper focuses on obtaining the minimum currents that can still be used for this purpose. The optimization is made analytically, so that the numerical methods from previous publications are no longer needed. The method is tested through simulations.

Energy storage systems are expected to play a fundamental part in the integration of increasing renewable energy sources into the electric system. They are already used in power plants for different purposes, such as absorbing the effect of intermittent energy sources or providing ancillary services. For this reason, it is imperative to research managing and sizing methods that make power plants with storage viable and profitable projects. In this paper, a managing method is presented, where particle swarm optimisation is used to reach maximum profits. This method is compared to expert systems, proving that the former achieves better results, while respecting similar rules. The paper further presents a sizing method which uses the previous one to make the power plant as profitable as possible. Finally, both methods are tested through simulations to show their potential.

A doubly three-phase fed synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) is designed for electrical vehicle powertrain application. SynRM aims to deliver instant power and high power density, high torque at low speeds and high power at high speeds, wide speed range, high efficiency throughout its range of operation, ruggedness, high safety at a reasonable cost. Under these requirements, a 60 kW, 9000 rpm and 400 Nm SynRM has been designed. The main objective is to demonstrate the SynRM powertrain operation behaviour and determinate the operation points electrically and thermally. To reach the proposed SynRM goal, a new direct torque control algorithm based on output regulation subspace theory control is presented. The winding motor topology is galvanic isolated, so it is possible to operate with the six phases directly to the load and because of that, the combination with a back-to-back (B2B) converter becomes so profitable. To validate the system, two B2B full-converters and two motors (SynRM and induction machine) were used in a real test bench. Finally, a simulated and real efficiency map is obtained covering different drive cycles range. Some remarks about normal and failure mode of operation are presented.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Los requisitos existentes en el informe de posicionamiento terapeutico y la necesidad de visado dificultan el uso de anticoagulantes orales de accion directa (ACOD) en Espana. El mal control de la anticoagulacion con antagonistas de la vitamina K es un criterio aceptado para su prescripcion. Nuestro objetivo es analizar el acceso al tiempo en rango terapeutico (TRT) por parte del cardiologo durante la consulta, y el tiempo empleado para realizar dichos tramites. Metodos Participaron 171 servicios de cardiologia de Espana. Los cardiologos propuestos por sus jefes de servicio fueron entrevistados por una empresa externa durante su consulta, solicitandoles que accedieran a la historia clinica de un paciente con fibrilacion auricular no valvular anticoagulado con antagonistas de la vitamina K y se cronometraron los tiempos requeridos. Resultados Se entrevistaron a 588 cardiologos (49% Conclusiones Un tercio de los cardiologos en nuestro pais no tiene acceso directo al INR y TRT durante la consulta. El porcentaje de pacientes mal controlado es muy elevado. Los tiempos necesarios para el proceso de prescripcion de ACOD son relevantes. Estos datos pueden ayudar a mejorar el uso de ACOD en una indicacion admitida por la administracion.

A six-phase synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) is designed for electrical vehicle (EV) powertrain applications. The SynRM in the charger mode is able to provide instantaneous power and high power density, high efficiency with two modes of charge, robust reliability, high safety and fault tolerance. The properties of the SynRM are 60 kW, 9000 rpm and 400 N m. The main objective of the SynRM powertrain used as a charger is proved electrically, thermically and to be fault tolerant using a specific test bench. The winding motor topology is galvanic isolated, making it possible to load directly from the single-phase and three-phase grid, enabling two ways of charging, which increases the reliability. For this reason, the back-to-back full-converter and the SynRM as a charger are used. The main goal is to prove the utility as a charger and the great efficiency derived from the SynRM plus inverter topology for electric cars. This SynRM + inverter topology offers redundancy for all load modes.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Comparar la estrategia de revascularizacion percutanea de lesiones graves en ramas coronarias secundarias (RS) (diametro ≥ 2 mm) de arterias epicardicas mayores frente al tratamiento conservador. Metodos Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en el que se compara a pacientes con lesiones graves en RS de arterias epicardicas principales tratados con revascularizacion percutanea o con un tratamiento farmacologico a criterio del operador. Se analizo el porcentaje de eventos relacionados con la rama (muerte cardiovascular, infarto de miocardio atribuible a RS o necesidad de revascularizacion de la RS). Resultados Se analizaron 679 lesiones en RS (662 pacientes). Tras un seguimiento medio de 22,2 ± 10,5 meses, no hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos de tratamiento en mortalidad de causa cardiovascular (el 1,7 frente al 0,4%; p = 0,14), infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) no fatal (el 1,7 frente al 1,7%; p = 0,96) o necesidad de revascularizacion de la RS (el 4,1 frente al 5,4%; p = 0,45) ni en el porcentaje total de eventos (el 5,1 frente al 6,3%; p = 0,54). Las variables que mostraron asociacion con la ocurrencia de eventos en el analisis multivariable fueron la diabetes (sHR = 2,87; IC95%, 1,37-5,47; p = 0,004), IAM previo (sHR = 3,54; IC95%, 1,77-7,30; p Conclusiones En el seguimiento, el porcentaje de eventos relacionados con la RS fue bajo respecto al total de pacientes, sin diferencias significativas entre una y otra estrategia de tratamiento. Las variables que se asociaron con la ocurrencia de eventos en el analisis multivariable fueron la diabetes mellitus, el antecedente de IAM y la mayor longitud de la lesion.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To analyze the percutaneous revascularization strategy for severe lesions in the secondary branches (SB) (diameter ≥ 2mm) of major epicardial arteries compared with conservative treatment. METHODS This study analyzed patients with severe SB lesions who underwent percutaneous revascularization treatment compared with patients who received pharmacological treatment. The study examined the percentage of branch-related events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction attributable to SB, or the need for revascularization of the SB). RESULTS We analyzed 679 SB lesions (662 patients). After a mean follow-up of 22.2±10.5 months, there were no significant differences between the 2 treatment groups regarding the percentage of death from cardiovascular causes (1.7% vs 0.4%; P=.14), nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (1.7% vs 1.7%; P=.96), the need for SB revascularization (4.1% vs 5.4%; P=.45) or in the total percentage of events (5.1% vs 6.3%; P=.54). The variables showing an association with event occurrence on multivariate analysis were diabetes (SHR, 2.87; 95%CI, 1.37-5.47; P=.004), prior AMI (SHR, 3.54; 95%CI, 1.77-7.30; P

Introduction and objectives Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by progressive fibrofatty replacement of predominantly right ventricular myocardium . This cardiomyopathy is a frequent cause of sudden cardiac death in young people and athletes. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of pathological or likely pathological desmosomal mutations in patients with high-risk definite ARVC. Methods This was an observational, retrospective cohort study , which included 36 patients diagnosed with high-risk ARVC in our hospital between January 1998 and January 2015. Genetic analysis was performed using next-generation sequencing . Results Most patients were male (28 patients, 78%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 45 ± 18 years. A pathogenic or probably pathogenic desmosomal mutation was detected in 26 of the 35 index cases (74%): 5 nonsense, 14 frameshift, 1 splice, and 6 missense. Novel mutations were found in 15 patients (71%). The presence or absence of desmosomal mutations causing the disease and the type of mutation were not associated with specific electrocardiographic, clinical, arrhythmic, anatomic, or prognostic characteristics. Conclusions The incidence of pathological or likely pathological desmosomal mutations in ARVC is very high, with most mutations causing truncation. The presence of desmosomal mutations was not associated with prognosis.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La miocardiopatia arritmogenica del ventriculo derecho (MCAVD) es una cardiopatia hereditaria definida por la sustitucion progresiva de miocardio ventricular derecho por tejido fibroadiposo. Es causa frecuente de la muerte subita de jovenes atletas. El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer la incidencia de variantes desmosomicas patogenicas o probablemente patogenicas en pacientes con MCAVD definitiva de alto riesgo. Metodos El estudio de cohortes retrospectivo observacional incluyo a 36 pacientes diagnosticados de MCAVD definitiva de alto riesgo en nuestro hospital entre enero de 1998 y enero de 2015. El analisis genetico se realizo con next-generation sequencing. Resultados La mayoria eran varones (28 pacientes, 78%) con una media de edad al diagnostico de 45 ± 18 anos. Se detecto al menos 1 variante desmosomica patogenica o probablemente patogenica en 26 de los 35 casos indice (74%): 5 nonsense, 14 frameshift, 1 splice y 6 missense. En 15 pacientes (71%) se encontraron mutaciones nuevas. La presencia o la ausencia de mutaciones desmosomicas o la naturaleza de estas no se asociaron con caracteristicas electrocardiograficas, clinicas, arritmicas, anatomicas o pronosticas especificas. Conclusiones La incidencia de variantes desmosomicas patogenicas o probablemente patogenicas en MCAVD definitiva de alto riesgo fue muy alta, con mayoria de mutaciones que causan truncamiento. La presencia de mutaciones desmosomicas no se asocio con el pronostico.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

This paper focusses on a hybrid topology for a CHB, where some or the modules are equipped with energy storage systems. In addition to the well-known capabilities of the CHB as a STATCOM, the hybrid topology has new advantages as a grid stabilizer. However, the current ripple on the energy storage systems has negative effects which tends to result in expensive solutions. To overcome this inconvenient, a previously known balance strategy is modified to prevent the ripple without compromising the DC-Link balance. This new control method is demonstrated through simulations.

Resumen Antecedentes y objetivos La cardiopatia isquemica es la principal causa de mortalidad en el anciano. Los sindromes geriatricos se han relacionado con un aumento de comorbilidad y mortalidad en este grupo etario. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la influencia de los sindromes geriatricos en los pacientes de edad avanzada que reciben revascularizacion coronaria percutanea. Metodos Se incluyeron de forma prospectiva 220 pacientes diagnosticados de enfermedad coronaria multivaso. Los sindromes geriatricos estudiados fueron: fragilidad por cuestionario de Fried, comorbilidad por indice de Charlson y dependencia por escala de Barthel. Resultados En el 42,1% de los pacientes existia algun grado de fragilidad (indice de Fried ≥ 1), se observo algun grado de dependencia funcional (Barthel Conclusiones En nuestra poblacion los sindromes geriatricos estudiados son mas frecuentes en los pacientes que presentan algun MACE. Observamos una tendencia a sufrir menos MACE si la revascularizacion percutanea realizada es completa.

INTRODUCTION Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure. The variable phenotype suggesting that determined environmental factors may have an influence. The aim of our study was to discover the impact of the dynamic physical activity on patients with high-risk definite ARVC/D. METHODS AND RESULTS Collection of data on physical activity at the time of diagnosis was conducted at an in-person clinical interview. The intensity of the activity was classified in accordance with the mean frequency of weekly physical exercise sessions in the 10 years before diagnosis and into the following three groups of dynamic activity: high/competitive (>3 h/wk), moderate (1 to 3 h) and minimal/inactive (

Resumen Introduccion La valvula aortica bicuspide (VAB) es la malformacion cardiaca congenita mas frecuente. Se asocia a un mayor riesgo de complicaciones cardiovasculares, entre las que se incluye la endocarditis infecciosa (EI). Metodos Estudio observacional, unicentrico de cohorte, que incluye de forma prospectiva a todos los pacientes ingresados por EI entre 1996 y 2014. Se analizan datos epidemiologicos, clinicos, microbiologicos, ecocardiograficos, complicaciones durante la hospitalizacion, necesidad quirurgica, mortalidad intrahospitalaria y seguimiento a un ano. Se excluyen los casos con endocarditis sobre valvulas protesicas o en otras localizaciones, y aquellos de cuya valvula aortica no se tienen datos certeros acerca de su morfologia. Se ha realizado un analisis estadistico comparativo entre VAB y tricuspide (VAT). Resultados De un total de 328 casos con EI, 118 (35,67%) fueron sobre valvula aortica. Tenian VAB 18 (16,22%). Los casos con VAB eran mas jovenes que los portadores de VAT (51 ± 19,06 vs. 60,83 ± 15,73 anos, p = 0,021) y tenian menos comorbilidad (indice de Charlson 0,67 ± 0,77 vs. 1,44 ± 1,64, p = 0,03). En el grupo con VAB observamos tendencia a EI causada por Staphylococcus spp. (38,9 vs. 21,5%, p = 0,137). Con diferencia estadistica, hubo mas complicaciones perivalvulares entre los casos con VAB (55,6% vs. 16,1%, p = 0,001) predominando los abscesos (38,9 vs. 16,1%, p = 0,047). Ser portador de VAB fue el unico factor predictor de las mismas (OR 7,87, IC del 95%, 2,38-26,64, p = 0,001). Los pacientes con VAB se operaron mas (83,3 vs. 44,1%, p = 0,004) y la mortalidad durante el ingreso hospitalario fue menor, aunque no alcanzo significacion estadistica (5,6 vs. 25,8%, p = 0,069). La supervivencia a un ano fue significativamente superior en el grupo de VAB (93,8 vs 69,3%, p = 0,048). Conclusiones Los pacientes con EI sobre VAB son jovenes, con poca comorbilidad asociada. Tienen frecuentemente complicaciones perivalvulares por lo que requieren cirugia precoz. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria comparada con EI sobre VAT es menor y la supervivencia a un ano es significativamente mayor.

Resumen Las nuevas tecnicas desarrolladas para el analisis genetico nos aportan informacion sobre las bases geneticas de las distintas miocardiopatias, entre ellas, de la miocardiopatia dilatada familiar. Realizamos esta revision con el fin de aportar informacion sobre la utilidad clinica del estudio genetico en el manejo de estos pacientes.

Aim: To evaluate the possible relationship between high levels of CA-125 and long-term prognosis in chronic heart failure patients after they undergo a cardiac transplantation (CT). Materials & methods: We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent a CT and had a previous determination of CA-125. Congestive patients and those whose survival was 35 U/ml). After CT, survival was significantly inferior in this group (96.3 vs 81%, 84.9 vs 64%, 70.7 vs 32.9% at 2, 5 and 8 years, p = 0.014). CA-125 >35 U/ml was the only factor independently associated to long-term mortality (OR: 3.94; 95% CI: 1.2–12.82; p = 0.023). Conclusion: Noncongestive patients with high levels of CA-125 had inferior long-term survival after CT.

This paper presents a new DC-Link voltage control method for Y-connected Cascaded H-Bridge Converters. Such converters have several redundancies which the presented method exploits to independently control the DC-Link voltages without affecting the output currents. This is achieved by solving an equivalent linear optimization problem subject to constraints. Simulation results are shown to verify that the method keeps DC-Links controlled even when power sources operate under different conditions.

The use of noninsulin antihyperglycaemic drugs in the hospital setting has not yet been fully described. This observational study compared the efficacy and safety of the standard basal-bolus insulin regimen versus a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (linagliptin) plus basal insulin in medicine department inpatients in real-world clinical practice. We retrospectively enrolled non-critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes with mild to moderate hyperglycaemia and no injectable treatments at home who were treated with a hospital antihyperglycaemic regimen (basal-bolus insulin, or linagliptin-basal insulin) between January 2016 and December 2017. Propensity score was used to match patients in both treatment groups and a comparative analysis was conducted to test the significance of differences between groups. After matched-pair analysis, 227 patients were included per group. No differences were shown between basal-bolus versus linagliptin-basal regimens for the mean daily blood glucose concentration after admission (standardized difference = 0.011), number of blood glucose readings between 100&ndash, 140 mg/dL (standardized difference = 0.017) and &gt, 200 mg/dL (standardized difference = 0.021), or treatment failures (standardized difference = 0.011). Patients on basal-bolus insulin received higher total insulin doses and a higher daily number of injections (standardized differences = 0.298 and 0.301, respectively). Basal and supplemental rapid-acting insulin doses were similar (standardized differences = 0.003 and 0.012, respectively). There were no differences in hospital stay length (standardized difference = 0.003), hypoglycaemic events (standardized difference = 0.018), or hospital complications (standardized difference = 0.010) between groups. This study shows that in real-world clinical practice, the linagliptin-basal insulin regimen was as effective and safe as the standard basal-bolus regimen in non-critical patients with type 2 diabetes with mild to moderate hyperglycaemia treated at home without injectable therapies.

Background Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance, in which aortic root dilation is the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Fibrillin-1 (FBN-1) gene mutations are found in more than 90% of MFS cases. The aim of our study was to summarise variants in FBN-1 and establish the genotype-phenotype correlation, with particular interest in the onset of aortic events, in a broad population of patients with an initial clinical suspicion of MFS. Material and methods This single centre prospective cohort study included all patients presenting variants in the FBN-1 gene who visited a Hereditary Aortopathy clinic between September 2010 and October 2016. Results The study included 90 patients with FBN-1 variants corresponding to 58 non-interrelated families. Of the 57 FBN-1 variants found, 25 (43.9%) had previously been described, 23 of which had been identified as associated with MFS, while the the remainder are described for the first time. For 84 patients (93.3%), it was possible to give a definite diagnosis of Marfan syndrome in accordance with Ghent criteria. 44 of them had missense mutations, 6 of whom had suffered an aortic event (with either prophylactic surgery for aneurysm or dissection), whereas 20 of the 35 patients with truncating mutations had suffered an event (13.6% vs. 57.1%, p

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is associated with increased mortality, but few data exist on the occurrence and clinical impact of AKI associated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and prognosis of AKI after percutaneous implantation of the CoreValve® (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) prosthesis.MethodsA total of 357 patients with severe aortic stenosis and 9 patients with pure native aortic regurgitation were treated with the CoreValve prosthesis. AKI was defined according to Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria as the absolute increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3mg/dl at 72h post percutaneous procedure.ResultsAKI was identified in 58 patients (15.8%), none of whom required renal replacement therapy. In patients with AKI, the mortality at 30 days was 13.5% compared with 1.6% of patients without AKI, [odds ratio (OR)=12.2 (95% CI 3.53–41.9); p

Aims Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one of the main causes of sudden death in young people. Recent clinical practice guidelines include a risk prediction model for sudden death (HCM Risk-SCD), which facilitates the decision of whether to implant a defibrillator. The aim of our study was to ascertain the percentage of events in our series of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and whether HCM Risk-SCD predicts the onset of arrhythmic events. Methods and results This was an observational, retrospective cohort study, which included 48 primary prevention defibrillator recipient patients with HCM. We compiled their demographic and clinical characteristics, estimated 5-year risk using HCM Risk-SCD, and collected the documentation on arrhythmias during follow-up. The majority was male (66.7%) and mean age at implantation was 44.44 ± 14.46 years. Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia was the most prevalent risk factor (66.67%), followed by a family history of sudden death (47.92%). Mean HCM Risk-SCD was 6.15 ± 5.01%. HCM Risk-SCD was the only factor independently associated with the onset of ventricular tachyarrhythmia, above any other classic risk factor or association [odds ratio = 1.46 (95% confidence interval 1.051–2.013); P = 0.02]. None of the 11 patients estimated as low risk using HCM Risk-SCD suffered any appropriate events ( P < 0.05). Conclusions During an average follow-up of 4 years, 16.67% presented appropriate events (4.16%/year). HCM Risk-SCD predicted the onset of events more suitably than classic risk factors.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivo Realizamos este estudio para conocer si la normalizacion de la funcion ventricular tras terapia de resincronizacion (TRC) es mantenida a largo plazo, y su impacto sobre terapias con desfibrilador (DAI) y mortalidad cardiovascular. Metodos En pacientes con miocardiopatia dilatada idiopatica con DAI-TRC, se analizo la fraccion de eyeccion (FE) basal y tras 6 meses del implante, definiendo un grupo (A) que normalizo la FE (≥ 55%) y un grupo (B) restante, con seguimiento a largo plazo, para conocer la evolucion de la FE en ambos grupos y su impacto clinico-arritmico. Resultados De 47 pacientes incluidos, 10 normalizaron la FE a los 6 meses. Los unicos factores predictores fueron el volumen telesistolico del ventriculo (OR: 0,94; IC 95%: 0,92-0,97) y orificio regurgitante mitral (OR: 0,89; IC 95%: 0,86-0,93). Tras seguimiento ecocardiografico medio de 46 meses los pacientes del grupo A mantuvieron la FE preservada (61 ± 6 vs. 64 ± 6%; p = 0,342), y no presentaron ningun evento arritmico. El grupo B, sin mejoria significativa de la FE, presento mas eventos arritmicos (0 vs. 29,7%; p = 0,039). Ademas, en el grupo A no se registro muerte cardiovascular, frente al grupo B con 12 (0 vs. 32,4%; p = 0,031). Conclusiones La normalizacion de la FE a corto plazo en pacientes con miocardiopatia dilatada idiopatica tras TRC se mantiene en el tiempo, e identifica a pacientes con un excelente pronostico a largo plazo.

Resumen Fundamento y objetivo La enfermedad cardiovascular es la principal causa de morbimortalidad en los paises industrializados. La cuantificacion del calcio arterial coronario (CAC) ha demostrado tener un valor pronostico independiente e incremental con respecto a los factores de riesgo tradicionales para la prediccion de mortalidad y episodios cardiovasculares. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue determinar la posible relacion entre el CAC y la cistatina C (CTC). Pacientes y metodo Se incluyeron 104 pacientes con dolor toracico estable, libres de enfermedad cardiovascular y nefropatia, con riesgo cardiovascular intermedio, en los que se determinaron el CAC (Agatston) y CTC. Resultados La CTC se asocio de forma independiente respecto a los factores de riesgo clasicos con el nivel de CAC y con la presencia de enfermedad coronaria. Conclusiones Los valores de CTC podrian asociarse con el CAC y con el riesgo de enfermedad coronaria. Es necesaria la aparicion de nuevos estudios para conocer la importancia de estos marcadores en la practica clinica habitual.

Aims We aimed to determine whether treatment with sildenafil improves outcomes of patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PH) after correction of valvular heart disease (VHD). Methods and results The sildenafil for improving outcomes after valvular correction (SIOVAC) study was a multricentric, randomized, parallel, and placebo-controlled trial that enrolled stable adults with mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 30 mmHg who had undergone a successful valve replacement or repair procedure at least 1 year before inclusion. We assigned 200 patients to receive sildenafil (40 mg three times daily, n = 104) or placebo (n = 96) for 6 months. The primary endpoint was the composite clinical score combining death, hospital admission for heart failure (HF), change in functional class, and patient global self-assessment. Only 27 patients receiving sildenafil improved their composite clinical score, as compared with 44 patients receiving placebo; in contrast 33 patients in the sildenafil group worsened their composite score, as compared with 14 in the placebo group [odds ratio 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.67; P

This study analyzed the potential associations of 7 myocardial fibrosis-related microRNAs with the quality of the collagen network (e.g., the degree of collagen fibril cross-linking or CCL) and the enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) responsible for CCL in 28 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) of whom 46% had a diagnosis of chronic heart failure (HF). MicroRNA expression was analyzed in myocardial and blood samples. From the studied microRNAs only miR-19b presented a direct correlation (p in vitro studies miR-19b inhibition increased (p

IntroductionCardiac adipose tissue is a source of progenitor cells with regenerative capacity. Studies in rodents demonstrated that the intramyocardial delivery of cells derived from this tissue improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI). We developed a new reparative approach for damaged myocardium that integrates the regenerative properties of cardiac adipose tissue with tissue engineering. In the adipose graft transposition procedure (AGTP), we dissect a vascularised flap of autologous pericardial adipose tissue and position it over the myocardial scarred area. Following encouraging results in acute and chronic MI porcine models, we performed the clinical trial (NCT01473433, AdiFLAP trial) to evaluate safety in patients with chronic MI undergoing coronary artery bypass graft. The good safety profile and trends in efficacy warranted a larger trial.Study designThe AGTP II trial (NCT02798276) is an investigator initiated, prospective, randomised, controlled, multicentre study to assess the efficacy of the AGTP in 108 patients with non-revascularisable MI. Patients will be assigned to standard clinical practice or the AGTP. The primary endpoint is change in necrotic mass ratio by gadolinium enhancement at 91 and 365 days. Secondary endpoints include improvement in regional contractibility by MRI at 91 and 365 days; changes in functional MRI parameters (left ventricular ejection fraction, left and right ventricular geometric remodelling) at 91 and 365 days; levels of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 7, 91 and 365 days; appearance of arrhythmias from 24 hour Holter monitoring at 24 hours, and at 91 and 365 days; all cause death or re-hospitalisation at 365 days; and cardiovascular death or re-hospitalisation at 365 days.Ethics and disseminationThe institutional review board approved the trial which will comply with the Declaration of Helsinki. All patients will provide informed consent. It may offer a novel, effective and technically simple technique for patients with no other therapeutic options. The results will be submitted to indexed medical journals and national and international meetings.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02798276, pre-results.

[Abstract] Epicardial adipose tissue has been proposed to participate in the pathogenesis of heart failure. The aim of our study was to assess the expression of thermogenic genes (Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α), and PR-domain-missing 16 (PRDM16) in epicardial adipose tissue in patients with heart failure, stablishing the difference according to left ventricular ejection fraction (reduced or preserved). Among the 75 patients in our study, 42.7% (n=32) had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. UCP1, PGC1α and PRDM16 mRNA in EAT were significantly lower in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, male gender, body max index, presence of obesity, type-2-diabetes mellitus, hypertension and coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction were associated with the expression levels of UCP1, PGC1α and PRDM16 mRNA. Thermogenic genes expressions in epicardial adipose tissue (UCP1: OR 0.617, 95%CI 0.103-0.989, p=0.042; PGC1α: OR 0.416, 95%CI 0.171-0.912, p=0.031; PRDM16: OR 0.643, 95%CI 0.116-0.997, p=0.044) were showed as protective factors against the presence of heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and age (OR 1.643, 95%CI 1.001-3.143, p=0.026), presence of coronary artery disease (OR 6.743, 95%CI 1.932-15.301, p

A good design of a photovoltaic power system is based on the use of efficient PV converters and fast and accurate maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms to extract maximum energy from existing irradiance under different weather conditions. The typical configuration of a PV system for PV power plants is to use high-power central inverters (500 kilowatts each typically) and the MPPT method performance becomes critical to achieve maximum efficiency in the overall power system. In this paper, the well-known computer-science field binary search method has been adapted to be used as a MPPT controller for a high-power PV power system. It is demonstrated that the obtained performance is superior in both transient and steady-state conditions compared with the most well-known and simple MPPT techniques.

Aims Our aim was to describe the electrocardiographic findings of a large sample of Spanish workers from several different employment sectors. Methods and results Between May 2008 and November 2010, 13 495 consecutive 12-lead resting electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained during health examinations of working adults aged 16–74 years in 5 cities in different regions of Spain. Of those, 13 179 ECGs suitable for interpretation were included in this study. All tracings were classified by the same cardiologist, according to the Minnesota Code criteria. The mean age of the sample was 40 years, and 73.4% were male. Frequencies of complete right bundle branch block, complete left bundle branch block, and left ventricular hypertrophy were 1.1, 0.2, and 3.6%, respectively. Major Q wave abnormalities were observed in 1.7% of the subjects, T wave abnormalities in 0.7%, early repolarization in 2.4%, and other ST segment abnormalities in 0.2%. Atrial fibrillation was present in 0.08% of the workers and atrial flutter in 0.02%. Frequencies of the Wolff–Parkinson–White pattern, Brugada pattern, long QT pattern, and short QT pattern were 0.2, 0.068, 0.038, and 0.015%, respectively. Conclusion This study shows the electrocardiographic findings of a large sample of Spanish workers from several different employment sectors. The frequencies of many ECG patterns related to an adverse prognosis (left ventricular hypertrophy, complete left bundle branch block, T wave abnormalities, ST segment abnormalities, and atrial fibrillation) were low.

[ES] Fundamentos y objetivo: La leptina es una hormona plasmática que ha sido relacionada con la homeostasis cardiovascular y la aterosclerosis, pero no existen datos concluyentes sobre su asociación con la patogénesis de la enfermedad coronaria. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el valor de la leptina sérica en pacientes con angina estable y su relación con la gravedad de la enfermedad coronaria., Pacientes y método: Se incluyeron 204 pacientes, 152 con angina estable (grupo con enfermedad coronaria) y 52 sin enfermedad coronaria, excluida por tomografía computarizada cardíaca (grupo control). El grupo con enfermedad coronaria fue dividido en 2 subgrupos atendiendo a la gravedad de la afectación (enfermedad monovaso o multivaso, 46 y 106 pacientes respectivamente). Los niveles de leptina sérica fueron determinados mediante Enzyme-Linked Inmunosorbent Assay., Resultados: Los niveles de leptina fueron significativamente superiores en los pacientes con enfermedad multivaso y se asociaron de forma independiente con una mayor gravedad de la enfermedad coronaria en comparación con los controles (OR 1,14; IC95% 1,03-1,27; p = 0,014) y con pacientes con enfermedad monovaso (OR 1,12; IC95% 1,01-1,25; p = 0,036). Se testó el valor diagnóstico de la leptina sérica para el diagnóstico enfermedad multivaso, obteniendo un área bajo la curva en la curva Receiver Operating Characteristic de 0,6764 (IC95% 0,5765-0,7657)., Conclusiones: La leptina sérica se asoció en pacientes con angina estable con la mayor gravedad de la enfermedad coronaria, mostrando su implicación en el desarrollo de la enfermedad coronaria y como futuro objetivo terapéutico., [EN] Background and objectives: Leptin is a plasmatic peptide hormone that has been related to cardiovascular homeostasis and atherosclerosis but much is still unknown about its relationship with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of serum leptin in patients with stable angina and its relationship with the severity of coronary disease., Patients and methods: 204 patients, 152 with stable angina (coronary artery disease group) and 52 without coronary disease excluded by cardiac computerized tomography (control group) were included. The coronary artery disease group was divided into 2 subgroups according to severity of coronary disease (single or multivessel disease, 46 and 106 patients, respectively). Serum leptin levels were determined by Enzyme-Linked InmunoSorbent Assay., Results: Leptin levels were significantly higher in patients with multivessel disease and were independently associated with a greater severity of coronary artery disease when compared with controls (OR 1.14; 95%CI: 1.03-1.27; p = 0.014) and with patients with single vessel disease (OR 1.12; 95%CI: 1.01-1.25; p = 0.036). Serum leptin was tested as a diagnostic marker of multivessel disease with an area under the curve obtained from Receiver Operating Characteristics of 0.6764 (95%CI 0.5765-0.7657)., Conclusions: Serum leptin levels were associated in patients with stable angina with the severity of coronary artery disease, suggesting its value in the development of coronary disease and as a future therapeutic target.

Thepresenceoflategadoliniumenhancement(LGE)incardiacmag-netic resonance (CMR), that enables quantification of myocardialfibro-sis[1],iscommoninpatientswithnonischemicdilatedcardiomyopathy(NIDC). LGE has been related to adverse clinical outcomes in patientswith NIDC, mainly in those with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy[1,2]. This study pretends to assess the long-term prognostic signifi-cance of LGE in an unselected population of patients with NIDC. Everyunderlying possible cause was included.Weperformed aretrospective cohortstudyinwhich64consecutiveoutpatients with heart failure secondary to NIDC were included. Allunderwent a CMR between August 2005 and November 2011. Thepresence and location of LGE were evaluated.Diagnosis was established according to the World HealthOrganization/International Society and Federation of Cardiology'sdefinition [3]. None of the patients presented previous history ofsignificant valvular disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictivecardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, or coronary artery disease.PatientsunderwentCMRjustafterthediagnosisofNIDCtocompletethe diagnostic evaluation. Exclusion criteria were: cardiac pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)/cardiac resynchronizationtherapy, renal insufficiency and severe obesity or claustrophobia.Patientswerefollowedviaclinicalvisits.Theprimaryoutcomewasacomposite endpoint of three events: cardiac death, hospitalization forheart failure and appropriate ICD firing. ICD devices were implanted insome patients after they underwent CMR.CMRimagingwasperformedona1.5Teslascanner(PhilipsMRSys-tem Achieva Release 2.6.3.7). Delayed contrast-enhanced images wereacquired 10 min after intravenous administration of 0.2 mmol/kg ofgadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, using inversion-recoveryfast gradient-echo pulse sequences in sequential short- and long-axisslices of the left ventricle.Allstudies were analyzedby aradiologistand acardiologist usinga workstation (Extended MR Work Space 2.6.2.4.). The presence andlocation of LGE were visually assessed.Qualitativevariableswereexpressedaspercentagesandquantitativeasmean±SD.Qualitativevariableswerecomparedwiththeχ

A doubly three-phase fed synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) using a full integrated H-bridge power converter topology for each phase is designed for electrical vehicle (EV) powertrain applications. The proposed motor and EV powertrain design consists of redundant motor and power converter, improving security and safety of the overall system. The main objective of this SynRM is to be able to provide instantaneous power and high power density, high torque at low speeds and high power at high speeds, wide speed range, high efficiency over its entire operating range, high efficiency regenerative braking, robustness reliability, high safety and security system at reasonable cost. Under these requirements a 60 kW, 9000 r.p.m. and 400 N.m. SynRM prototype has been designed. The SynRM powertrain thermal design is verified using finite difference method and by Solidworks flow simulation software. A prototype has been built to verify the motor design and the high efficiency of the SynRM based EV.

Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in dilated cardiomyopathy is poorly known within the context of current therapeutic approach. Our goal is to describe the present incidence of LVRR, the factors able to predict it and the long term prognosis of these patients.We performed a retrospective analysis of a cohort or 387 consecutive outpatients. Mean follow-up was 50.4 ± 28.4 months. Sustained LVRR occurred in 57.6% of patients. The number of coronary arteries with severe stenosis (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.55-0.86; p=0.001), New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA FC) (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.27-0.54; p0.001) as well as the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) at the end of follow-up (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.30-0.58; p0.001) and the time until first event (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03; p0.001) were independent predictors of left ventricular ejection fraction improvement. LVRR was tightly related to prognosis due to the fact that both improvement in cardiac function achieving normal or slightly impaired LVEF (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.56; p0.001) and shorter time to achieve LVRR (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99; p=0.017) formed part of the best model for predicting events in DCM.More than half of the patients showed sustained LVRR associated with a significantly better prognosis. Fewer numbers of coronary arteries with severe stenosis, milder NYHA FC and the absence of significant MR at the end of follow-up as well as longer event free period formed a simple model to prognosticate LVRR. LVRR and the time to achieve it were strongly related to long term prognosis in patients with DCM.