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Objective: Frailty is a syndrome that predisposes older individuals to adverse health outcomes, such as disability, dependence, falls, hospitalization, post-operative complications, and poor health in general. This study aimed to identify factors associated with frailty in older people with chronic diseases in Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a nonprobabilistic sample of 230 older people (aged ⩾ 60 years) from four Colombian cities. Frailty was based on Fried’s phenotype (frail defined as having ⩾3 criteria). Comorbidities were classified based on Charlson’s Comorbidity Index and key questionnaires for activities of daily living (ADLs) were evaluated. Results: Most were female (57.8%) with a mean ± SD age of 71.9 ± 8 years. Among them, 27.4% were frail and 58.7% were prefrail. Female gender, age ⩾ 75 years, low educational and socioeconomic level, dependence on ADLs, and cognitive impairment were associated with higher odds of prefrailty/frailty. Conclusions: Prefrailty and frailty are common among older people with chronic diseases in Colombia. This syndrome is associated with social and health-related conditions, which should be addressed when providing care for these patients.

The objectives of this article are to reflect on the rationale behind the use of echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease and to provide key recommendations about steps needed to implement and improve echocardiographic screening programs in Latin America. Rheumatic heart disease remains a public health problem affecting mainly low-income and lower-middle-income countries and populations. Latin America is an area with economic inequalities, and the epidemiology of rheumatic heart disease remains largely unknown. Echocardiographic screening is useful for updating the epidemiology and providing early diagnosis of the disease. We discuss different approaches used in successful echocardiographic screening programs worldwide and in Latin America. We then identify the key elements needed to establish successful echocardiographic screening programs in Latin America, including increased awareness and involvement from multiple sectors (e.g. the community, health care professionals, scientific organizations and public health entities), identification of areas in need, development of a plan and structure that include different screening approaches, and how to ensure appropriate follow up for those who screen positive.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWHIV) are at a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to assess the factors associated with CAD among PLWHIV in Colombia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on adults newly diagnosed with HIV, reported to the Colombian HIV/AIDS registry from 2018 to 2021. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were compared by age (

Objectives: We aimed to describe the clinical, microbiological, and imaging characteristics of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) in studies from Latin America (LATAM). Methods: A systematic search through PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO from inception until February 2021 was conducted. We included observational studies that assessed adults with IE from LATAM and reported data on clinical, microbiological, or imaging characteristics. Data were independently extracted by 2 authors and the risk of bias was evaluated by study design with its respective tool. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Forty-four studies were included. Most cases were male (68.5%), had a predisposing condition including valve disease (24.3%), or had a prosthetic valve (23.4%). Clinical manifestations included fever (83.9%), malaise (63.2%), or heart murmur (57.7%). A total of 36.4% and 27.1% developed heart failure or embolism, respectively. Blood cultures were negative in 23.9% and S. aureus (18.6%) and the viridans group streptococci (17.8%) were the most common isolates. Most cases were native valve IE (67.3%) affecting mainly left-sided valves. Echocardiographic findings included vegetations (84.3%) and regurgitation (75.9%). In-hospital mortality was 25.1%. Conclusions: This is the first systematic review that evaluated the characteristics of IE in LATAM patients. A lack of multicenter studies reflects the need for these studies in LATAM.

Objetivo: el síndrome coronario agudo es una importante causa de morbimortalidad en Colombia, con una alta carga en calidad de vida, muertes, impacto social y costos para el sistema. El control subóptimo de las dislipidemias tiene múltiples causas, entre ellas el uso inadecuado de las estatinas, la inercia terapéutica, la baja difusión y la adopción de las guías y protocolos de manejo, adicional a las barreras de acceso a la atención y a los medicamentos, y la falta de trazabilidad en la atención a partir del evento isquémico agudo. El proyecto “Ruta de atención y manejo de los lípidos en el paciente con síndrome coronario agudo” busca identificar las brechas en la atención clínica y el manejo de la dislipidemia en los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo en Colombia, y plantear soluciones para cerrarlas. Materiales y método: se realizaron 178 encuestas a profesionales médicos en instituciones de todo el país, para conocer las pautas de manejo de los pacientes con dislipidemia en el paciente con síndrome coronario agudo. Un panel de 17 expertos analizó los resultados y definió las brechas entre la práctica clínica, la evidencia disponible y el manejo recomendado, y planteó recomendaciones para cerrarlas. Resultados y Conclusiones: este artículo muestra las principales brechas detectadas en el manejo de la dislipidemia en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo en Colombia, y emite recomendaciones de manejo de la dislipidemia, coherentes con las necesidades y características del Sistema de Salud colombiano.

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Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) disproportionately affects low-income and middle-income countries. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have been less represented in scientific literature. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, burden and implemented screening and prevention strategies of RHD in LAC. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and SciELO from 1990 to April 2021. Observational and experimental studies that described data on the epidemiology, burden, or prevention/screening strategies of RHD, regardless of age or language, were included. The risk of bias was assessed by previously published tools depending on their study design. Pre-specified data were independently extracted and presented by each topic (epidemiology, burden, prevention/screening). PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021250043. Results: Forty-eight studies out of 1692 non-duplicate records met the eligibility criteria. They were mainly from Brazil, observational in design, and hospital-based. Data on the epidemiology of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) was not recent (most before 2000) with studies describing decreasing incidence through the years. The prevalence of RHD was described in six studies, ranging from 0.24 to 48 per 1,000 among studies evaluating schoolchildren. Nine studies described data based on admissions, ranging from 0.04% to 7.1% in single-center studies. Twenty-four studies assessed the burden of RHD with most of them reporting mortality rates/proportions and complications such as the need for intervention, atrial fibrillation, or embolism. Six preventive strategies were identified that included educational, register-based, and/or secondary prophylaxis strategies. Three well-established echocardiographic screening studies in Brazil and Peru were identified. Conclusions: Most ARF/RHD research in LAC comes from a single country, Brazil where preventive/screening efforts have been conducted. There was a paucity of data from several countries in the region, reflecting the need for epidemiological studies from more countries in LAC which will provide a better picture of the current situation of ARF/RHD and guide the implementation of preventive strategies.

Introducción: a diario en Colombia mueren 60 mujeres por enfermedad cardiovascular y las mujeres de raza negra tienen mayor riesgo. Según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) estas muertes son, en su mayoría, prevenibles. El cuidado como estilo de vida es una intervención del programa “Actúa con corazón de mujer” de la Sociedad Colombiana de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular (SCC) y la Fundación Colombiana del Corazón (FCC). Objetivo: formar líderes para promover la adopción de comportamientos saludables. Método: se seleccionaron municipios con población de raza negra y compromiso de las autoridades locales. 395 mujeres fueron elegidas. La percepción del riesgo se midió con un instrumento adaptado por la FCC. La intervención educativa se dividió en cuatro sesiones en cada municipio durante cinco meses. Las participantes fueron formadas en toma de presión arterial; se utilizó la automonitorización de presión arterial (AMPA) para confirmar hipertensión y se incluyeron mediciones antropométricas y fisiológicas para calcular el riesgo cardiovascular y de diabetes. Resultados: Los resultados consolidados de los instrumentos y mediciones aplicados demostraron significativos aportes en reducción de riesgo cardiovascular, en razón de una nueva percepción de los peligros y de la incorporación de comportamientos saludables. Conclusiones: las mujeres aprendieron del cuidado. 90% reportaron percepción “ideal” del riesgo, hicieron promesas y adoptaron comportamientos tomando acción frente a sus factores de riesgo y más del 50% evidenciaron cambios en las medidas antropométricas. Los resultados demuestran que estrategias de educación, especialmente con líderes comunitarias, pueden ser de gran relevancia para la salud pública.

Background: Hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, overweight, obesity, and tobacco (smoking, chewing, and vaping), together with a pro-inflammatory and procoagulant state, are the main risk factors related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Objective and methods: A group of experts from the Americas, based on their clinical expertise in cardiology, cardiovascular prevention, and cardiometabolic (CM) diseases, joined together to develop these practical recommendations for the optimal evaluation and treatment of residual CM risk factors in Latin America, using a modified Delphi methodology (details in electronic TSI) to generate a comprehensive CM risk reduction guideline, and through personalized medicine and patient-centered decision, considering the cost-benefit ratio The process was well defined to avoid conflicts of interest that could bias the discussion and recommendations. Results: Residual risk reduction should consider therapeutic options adapted to specific patient needs, based on five treatment objectives: triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, inflammation, impaired glucose metabolism, high blood pressure, and prothrombotic status. Comprehensive control of all CM risk factors should be a priority to deal with this important public health problem and prevent premature deaths. The recommendations in this paper address the evidence-based treatment of CM risk and are intended for clinical application in Latin American countries.