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Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the possible pharmacological interactions between safinamide and antidepressants, and in particular the appearance of serotonin syndrome with data from real life., Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with Parkinson's disease from our Movement Disorders Unit, who were under treatment with any antidepressant drug and safinamide. Specifically, symptoms suggestive of serotonin syndrome were screened for. Also, we collected time of simultaneous use, doses of levodopa and other antiparkinsonian drugs., Results: Clinical records were reviewed for the study period of September 2018 to September 2019. Seventy-eight PD patients who were treated with safinamide of which 25 (32.05%) had a concomitant treatment with an antidepressant drug, being sertraline and escitalopram the most frequent. Mean age was 80 years±8.43 and H&Y stage was 3 [2-4]. Mean dose of levodopa used was 703.75mg±233.15. Median duration of concomitant treatment with safinamide and antidepressant drug was 6 months (IQR 20.5), and over eighteen months in 5 cases. No case of serotonin syndrome was recorded, neither was any of its typical manifestations combined or in isolation., Conclusions: Our real clinical practice study suggests that concomitant use of safinamide with antidepressant drugs in PD patients seemed to be safe and well tolerated, even in the long term. However, caution is warranted, individualizing treatment regimens and monitoring the potential appearance of adverse effects., (Copyright © 2021 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the possible pharmacological interactions between safinamide and antidepressants, and in particular the appearance of serotonin syndrome with data from real life., Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with Parkinson's disease from our Movement Disorders Unit, who were under treatment with any antidepressant drug and safinamide. Specifically, symptoms suggestive of serotonin syndrome were screened for. Also, we collected time of simultaneous use, doses of levodopa and other antiparkinsonian drugs., Results: Clinical records were reviewed for the study period of September 2018 to September 2019. Seventy-eight PD patients who were treated with safinamide of which 25 (32.05%) had a concomitant treatment with an antidepressant drug, being sertraline and escitalopram the most frequent. Mean age was 80 years±8.43 and H&Y stage was 3 [2-4]. Mean dose of levodopa used was 703.75mg±233.15. Median duration of concomitant treatment with safinamide and antidepressant drug was 6 months (IQR 20.5), and over eighteen months in 5 cases. No case of serotonin syndrome was recorded, neither was any of its typical manifestations combined or in isolation., Conclusions: Our real clinical practice study suggests that concomitant use of safinamide with antidepressant drugs in PD patients seemed to be safe and well tolerated, even in the long term. However, caution is warranted, individualizing treatment regimens and monitoring the potential appearance of adverse effects., (Copyright © 2021 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The clinical problems of patients with movement disorders (MD) are complex, and the duration and frequency of face-to-face consultations may be insufficient to meet their needs. We analysed the implementation of an e-mail-based query service for our MD unit's patients and their primary care physicians (PCPs)., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive emails sent and received over a period of 4 months, one year after implementation of the e-mail inquiry system. All patients received the during consultations, and PCPs, during scheduled informative meetings. We recorded and later analysed the profile of the questioner, patients' demographic and clinical data, number of queries, reason for consultation, and actions taken., Results: From 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2015, the service received 137 emails from 63 patients (43% male, mean age 71±10.5) diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (76%), atypical parkinsonism (10%), and others (14%); 116 responses were sent. Twenty (32%) emails were written by patients, 38 (60%) by their caregivers, and 5 (8%) by their PCPs. The reasons for consultation were clinical in 50 cases (80%): 16 (32%) described clinical deterioration, 14 (28%) onset of new symptoms, and 20 (40%) side effects or concerns about medications. In 13 cases (20%), the query was bureaucratic: 11 were related to appointments (85%) and 2 were requests for clinical reports (15%). In response, new appointments were scheduled in 9 cases (14%), while the rest of the questions were answered by email. Patients were satisfied overall and the additional care burden on specialists was not excessive., Conclusions: Implementing an e-mail-based consultation system is feasible in MD units. It facilitates both communication between neurologists and patients and continued care in the primary care setting., (Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Heart failure (HF) is more prevalent and evolves more rapidly in patients with renal failure (RF). Renal failure not only produces myocardial damage, but also induces the development of clinical heart failure thus making the treatment of these patients more difficult. The incidence of HF in patients with RF is around 15%. Renal function in patients with RF is lower than in the general population. This is true for patients with preserved and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). HF mortality increases 30% for every 1-mg/dL increase in creatinine and renal function should always be considered when assessing the cardiovascular risk and therapeutic alternatives of cardiovascular patients. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, Angiotensin receptor blockers and aldosterone blockers may cause acute renal failure and serum creatinine and potassium should be closely monitored. Chronic RF is a human model of accelerated atherosclerosis. It induces a rapid progression of coronary atherosclerosis and make atherosclerotic plaques more vulnerable to acute coronary syndromes (ACS) because of coagulation changes inherent to RF. Ischemia is also more frequent due to the imbalance between oxygen requirements and supplies. Chronic RF is associated with a worse outcome in patients with ACS and increases the risk of bleeding, and is associated with a higher mortality in patients under surgical or percutaneous coronary revascularization. Of the patients treated with an interventional coronary procedure (ICP), 3,3% suffer acute RF. Saline administration at a dose of 1 ml/kg/h for 12 hours before and 12 hours after ICP prevents the development of acute RF. Although the role of N-acetylcysteine is under discussion, taking into account the favourable risk profile of this drug, it seems reasonable to administer N-acetylcysteine in addition to saline administration. In ACS patients with severe RF, the risk of severe bleeding depends upon the anticoagulation regimen, increasing particularly when unfractionated heparin is used in combination with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

Introduction and Objectives: To investigate how thienopyridine treatment, with or without associated fibrinolysis, affects the rates of major bleeding and inhospital death in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Methods: The rates of major bleeding and in-hospital death were studied in 14,259 consecutive patients with STEMI. During hospitalization, 5340 (38%) received thienopyridines, 3007 (21%) received fibrinolytic drugs, and 2044 (14%) received both., Results: Major bleeding occurred more frequently in patients who received thienopyridines with or without fibrinolytics, in 4.6% and 4.1%, respectively, compared with 2.3% in those who received fibrinolytics alone and 2.8% in those who received neither (P< .001). Multivariate analysis, which included adjustments for risk factors for bleeding, percutaneous coronary intervention and cardiac catheterization, showed that thienopyridine treatment was an independent risk factor for bleeding (odds ratio=1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.31). In-hospital mortality was lower in patients who received a thienopyridine, and such treatment was an independent predictor of lower mortality (odds ratio=0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.60)., Conclusions: Thienopyridine treatment was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding but also with a better in-hospital prognosis. These findings in unselected patients with STEMI, who are representative of those seen in daily clinical practice, complement, but do not replace, the data obtained in randomized clinical trails of selected patients.

Background and Objective: Increasing life expectancy in Western countries in the last decades has resulted in a significant gradual increasing number of octogenarians referred for cardiac surgery. There is a need for a critical evaluation of the long-term surgical outcome and quality of life in the elderly. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors of mortality in octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery and to assess the long term survival and quality of life., Patients and Method: Data were reviewed on 150 patients aged over 80 years--mean age (standard deviation): 82.7 (2.5) years--who underwent cardiac surgery at our institution in the last 26 years. We analyzed clinical and epidemiological variables included in the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (euroSCORE), in-hospital morbidity and mortality, long term survival and quality of life after cardiac surgery., Results: The 30-day mortality rate was 30.1%, with a mean hospital stay of 16.5 days (13-27). Emergent procedure, reparation of postinfarction ventricular ruptures, New York Heart Association functional class IV, chronic renal failure and previous myocardial infarction were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Mean follow up was 72.2 (9.9) months with survival rates of 87.3% and 57% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Late postoperative quality of life in our 53 long-term survivors was significantly better than prior to surgery. New York Heart Association functional class improved from 2.52 to 1.48. Most survivors (97.7%) were satisfied with present quality of life, Conclusions: Cardiac surgery in octogenarians is associated with increased in-hospital mortality rate and longer hospital stay. Our findings support that cardiac surgery can be performed in a selected elderly population with good long-term survival and quality of life.

Congestive heart failure is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and is the main cause of hospitalization among patients older than 65 years. Moreover, its prevalence is expected to reach nearly epidemic proportions, so that the need for new treatments is clear. In this article we review current and future strategies for the treatment of systolic heart failure that are based on a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this disorder and on the results of controlled clinical trials of different treatments. Drugs under development (phase II and III clinical trials) have been classified into four main groups: neurohumoral antagonists, inotropic agents, modulators of myocardial remodeling, and future approaches to treatment such as gene therapy and anti-apoptotic drugs. We also discuss new strategies for the treatment of diastolic heart failure.

Objectives: To assess the clinical characteristics and inter-hospital variability in the treatment and prognosis of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes., Patients and Method: Data from the PEPA study, a prospective registry that enrolled 4,115 patients in 18 Spanish hospitals, were analyzed., Results: The mean age of the patients enrolled was 65 years, 33% were women, and 26% had diabetes. Large differences were observed in the clinical profile of patients admitted to different centers, especially relative the history of previous disease, prior coronary revascularization, and co-morbidity. Antiplatelet treatment was used in 93% of patients, heparin in 45%, beta-blockers in 42%, nitrates in 67%, and calcium antagonists in 46%. During hospitalization, exercise stress testing was performed in 37% of patients, coronary angiography in 32%, coronary angioplasty in 9%, and coronary surgery in 4%. Inter-hospital variability was minimal for the use of antiplatelet agents, wide for the use of heparin and beta-blockers, and huge for the use of revascularization procedures. Mortality and the incidence of death or myocardial infarction were 2.6% and 4.4% during hospitalization, and 4.6% and 8% at 3 months, with wide inter-hospital variability. These differences were not significant once adjusted for clinical characteristics and the treatment received at admission., Conclusions: Patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes represent an heterogeneous group with a high incidence of complications. Pharmacologic and, especially, invasive treatment varies widely in different hospitals. These results underline the importance of correct initial risk stratification and uniform treatment following the recommendations of clinical guidelines.

Introduction and Objective: Out of hospital sudden death constitutes a major sanitary problem. Early diagnosis and treatment are considered as the most important factors related with short term prognosis. However, there is little information about the outcome of patients admitted to the hospital after a successful recovery from an episode of sudden death outside the hospital. The objective of this study was to analyze the prognosis of patients who initially recovered after an episode of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and who were admitted to the coronary or intensive care unit., Patients and Methods: The clinical characteristics and outcome of 110 consecutive patients admitted to the coronary and intensive care units after an episode of extrahospital sudden death, who initially recovered with success, were retrospectively studied., Results: A total of 33 (30%) patients were discharged alive and without severe neurological damage, 67 (61%) patients died before discharge from hospital and 77 (70%) died or presented severe and permanent neurological damage. The latter group versus those who survived was older (63.6 +/- 13.5 vs 55.2 +/- 12.6 years old; p < 0.006) and had a longer delay in the beginning of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (8.3 vs 2.8 min.; p < 0.01). Mortality or severe neurological damage rate was higher in the group of those who had asystolia than in those with ventricular fibrillation in the first ECG (84% vs 55%), in those who arrived to the hospital unconscious (73.7% vs 15.4%) and in those who arrived in functional class IV (81% vs 16.6%)., Conclusions: Up to 30% of the patients admitted after an episode of extrahospital cardiac arrest were discharged alive and without severe neurological damage. Advanced age, functional class IV and the delay of cardiopulmonary resuscitation are related to a unfavorable outcome.

The abundant thrombi present in infarct-related arteries may impair the angiographic result of primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction. We describe the utilization of the thrombus-removal device X-Sizer before coronary stenting in 4 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty. The procedure was successful in all the cases and the patients were discharged without complications.

Introduction and Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in regional diastolic function between viable and non-viable myocardium when assessed by pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging performed in basal conditions., Patients and Methods: The study population included 21 patients with three-vessel disease and regional systolic dysfunction. These patients underwent transthoracic echocardiographic study and pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging in basal conditions and, in addition, stress echocardiography with dobutamine performed by a different investigator., Results: Three-hundred and twenty-two segments were studied, 140 of which (43%) had systolic dysfunction. Of the 140 segments with systolic dysfunction, 52 (37%) were considered hypokinetic by transthoracic echocardiography, 80 (57%) akinetic and 8 (6%) dyskinetic. As assessed by dobutamine echocardiography, 67 segments (48%) were considered viable and 73 (52%) non-viable. Viable segments had a higher peak velocity of the early diastolic wave e (5.5 +/- 1.9 vs. 4.7 +/- 2.0 cm/s; p = 0.03). An e/a ratio < 1 was more frequent in non-viable versus non-viable segments (52 vs. 70%; p < 0.05). There were no differences in relation to regional isovolumetric relaxation time and peak velocity of a wave. Although peak velocity of s wave was lower in non-viable segments, differences were not statistically significant., Conclusion: Compared with non-viable segments, viable myocardial segments have less impaired regional diastolic function as assessed by pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging.

Introduction: Rotational atherectomy is usually performed in patients with angiographically determined high risk coronary lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of major adverse cardiac events (death, Q-wave infarction or new revascularization) after rotational atherectomy, as well as to identify the clinical characteristics associated with this incidence., Patients and Methods: The study population included 800 patients treated with rotational atherectomy from 1993 to 1999: 512 (64%), for de novo lesions, and 288 (36%) for restenosis. Balloon dilation and coronary stenting was performed in 95% and 34% of patients, respectively., Results: During hospitalization, 17 patients (2.1%) died, 16 (2%) had a Q-wave infarction, 30 (3.8%) a non-Q infarction, and new revascularization was performed in 28 (3.5%). The incidence of major adverse cardiac events was 6.5% (n = 52), this incidence being higher in the presence of diabetes (8.9 vs. 4.4%; p = 0.01), unstable angina or acute/recent myocardial infarction (7.6 vs. 3.3%; p = 0.02), multivessel disease (8.6 vs. 3.3%; p < 0.01), treated vessel other than right coronary (7.0 vs. 1.7%; p = 0.01), procedure in > 1 vessel (10.7 vs. 4.7%; p < 0.01), angiographic failure (62.5 vs. 5.5%; p < 0.001), and de novo lesions (8.4 vs. 2.5%; p < 0.01), with diabetes and treatment of de novo lesions being independent predictors of major adverse cardiac events. However, age, previous infarction, and left ventricular dysfunction, were not associated with the rate of events., Conclusion: Some simple variables are associated with a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events after rotational atherectomy. Advanced age, previous infarction and left ventricular dysfunction, however, do not necessarily imply a poorer prognosis in these patients.

Introduction and Objectives: Few reports in the literature have studied the characteristics and management of unstable angina in the elderly in Spain. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and the use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources in patients > or = 70 years of age., Patients and Methods: A total of 1,551 patients > or = 70 years of age were included out of 4,115 included in the PEPA registry with a follow up of 90 days. These patients were compared with 2,564 < 70 years., Results: In comparison, the elderly (76 +/- 5 years) versus the younger group (58 +/- 8.5 years) included a higher proportion of women (43 vs 27%), diabetics (30 vs 23%)and hypertensive patients (60 vs 49%) with a lower proportion (p < 0.001) of hypercholesterolemia (33 vs 43%), smoking (40 vs 60%) or family history (9 vs 17%). A previous history of angina (49 vs 35%) or infarction (38 vs31%) and comorbidity was found to be significantly more frequent in the elderly, with a worse previous functional class (NYHA > 2 out of 34 vs 15%). The elderly were treated with fewer invasive procedures (25 vs 44%) or catheterization (26 vs 36%) and they were more frequently controlled with medical treatment (86 vs 83%) although with a lower use of beta blockers (45 vs 53%). The mortality at 3 months was greater in the elderly (7.4 vs 3.0%;p < 0.005) with age being an independent predictor of bad prognosis. Cox multivariate analysis showed the age, ST segment depression, diabetes and heart failure on admission to be predictors of bad prognosis in the elderly., Conclusions: A different pattern is observed in cardiovascular risk factors with a more unfavorable clinical profile in elderly patients with unstable angina. The management of these patients is less aggressive and the mortality is greater. Diabetes, heart failure and ST segment depression on admission are independent predictors of bad prognosis in elderly patients.

Introduction: In patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty, the inability to achieve successful coronary reperfusion is associated with higher mortality. The objective of the study was to identify which characteristics may predict a lower angiographic success rate in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with coronary angioplasty., Patients and Methods: The study population is constituted by the 790 patients with acute myocardial infarction that were treated with angioplasty within the 12 hours after the onset of symptoms from 1991 to 1999 at our institution. A successful angiographic result was considered in presence of a residual stenosis < 50% and a TIMI flow 2 or 3 after the procedure., Results: A successful angiographic result and a final TIMI 3 flow were achieved in 736 (93.2%) and 652 (82.5%) patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with angiographic failure than in those with angiographic successful result (48 vs. 10%; p < 0.01). Age under 65 (91 vs. 95%; p = 0.02), non smoking (90 vs. 96%; p < 0,01), previous infarction (87 vs. 94%; p < 0.01), angioplasty after failed thrombolysis (83 vs. 94%; p = 0. 02), cardiogenic shock (80 vs. 95%; p < 0.01), undetermined location (67 vs. 93%; p < 0.01), non-inferior location (92 vs. 96%; p = 0.04), left bundle branch block (64 vs. 94%; p < 0.01), multivessel disease (91 vs. 95%; p = 0.02), left ventricular ejection fraction < 0.40 (89 vs. 97%; p < 0.01), no utilization of coronary stenting (90 vs. 96%; p < 0.01), and use of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation pump (82 vs. 95%; p < 0.01) were associated with a lower angiographic success rate. In the multivariable analysis, the following were independent predictors for angiographic failure: left bundle branch block (odds ratio [OR], 12.95; CI 95%, 3.00-53.90), cardiogenic shock (OR, 4.20; CI 95%, 1.95-8.75), no utilization of coronary stent (OR, 3.44; CI 95%, 1.71-7.37), and previous infarction (OR, 2.82; CI 95%, 1.29-5.90)., Conclusions: Coronary angioplasty allows a successful coronary recanalization in most patients with acute myocardial infarction. Some basic characteristics, however, may identify some subsets in which a successful angiographic result may be more difficult to obtain.

Background and Objective: In the management of ischemic heart disease, elderly patients constitute a subgroup that, despite having a worse prognosis, are usually managed more conservatively. The objective of this study was to evaluate if, in the management of unstable angina, a more conservative attitude in elderly patients is maintained after stratification by exercise test., Patients and Methods: The study population is constitude by 859 patients admitted to hospital due to suspected unstable angina that were referred to exercise test after medical stabilization. The management (invasive versus conservative, according to submission to cardiac catheterization or not) of patients was retrospectively studied, comparing patients < or = 70 versus > 70 years-of age., Results: Out of the 859 patients, 156 (18%) were > 70 years old, and the exercise test was positive in 281 (33%). Cardiac catheterization was performed in 494 (57%): 62% in older and 38% in younger patients (p < 0.0001). Other characteristics associated with a more conservative management were: a negative exercise test, > 85% of the maximum heart rate, duration of exercise test more than 6 minutes, female gender, smoking and absence of episodes of rest angina. In the multivariate analysis, the statistically significant characteristics associated with an invasive management were the result of the exercise test (OR for positive result: 4.50; IC 95% = 2.73-7.63; p < 0.0001), the duration of exercise (OR for > or = 6 minutes: 0.51; IC 95% = 0.29-0.88; p = 0.0177), the percentage of the maximum heart rate (OR for > or = 85%: 0.65; IC 95% = 0.42-0.98; p = 0.0391) and age (OR for > 70 years 0.36; IC 95% = 0.20-0.62; p = 0.0004)., Conclusions: In the management of unstable angina, elderly patients constitute a more conservatively managed subgroup even after risk stratification with exercise test.

Objective: To describe the angiographic results and the in-hospital clinical outcome of patients with an acute phase of myocardial infarction treated with coronary angioplasty and stent placement., Methods: 268 patients with myocardial infarction were treated with angioplasty and coronary stenting within in our center 12 hours after the onset of symptoms from January in 1992 to March 1998. 366 stents were placed (1.4 +/- 0.7 per patient), 35% being Palmaz-Schatz, 26% Wiktor, 21% Multi-Link and 18% others. Stenting was elective in 171 patients (64%), and the majority of patients (91%) were treated with aspirin plus ticlopidine., Results: A successful angiographic result was achieved in 258 patients (96%). Minimum lumen diameter was increased from 0.2 +/- 0.3 to 2.7 +/- 0.7 mm (p < 0.001), and stenosis decreased from 94 +/- 8% to 13 +/- 11% (p < 0.001). Mortality was 15.3% (3.2%, 24.4% and 67.7% in patients in Killip class I, II-III and IV, respectively). Nonfatal reinfarction and recurrent ischemia rates were 2.6% and 9%, respectively. Stent thrombosis occurred in 8 patients (3.0%), and new target vessel revascularization was needed in 12 (4.5%)., Conclusions: Stent placement in acute myocardial infarction is associated with high angiographic success rate, as well as a good in-hospital outcome. Mortality is localized, especially in patients with cardiac failure at the beginning of the procedure.

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock have been developed by the Working Group on Heart Failure of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, in collaboration with other Scientific Sections and members of the society. The aim of this report is to promote a more consistent and effective clinical practice according to the principles of evidence based medicine or the recommendations widely accepted by the scientific community. At the same time the aim is to give guidance for epidemiological surveys, heart failure registers clinical assays and clinical quality assessment, and to contribute to cost containment. These twelve guidelines have been designed for doctors in general practice as well as specialists. Criteria for diagnosis and classification of heart failure (systolic and diastolic heart failure, left or right, acute or chronic) are defined. The more appropriate use of clinical or high technology laboratory studies are recommended as well as the most efficient strategies nowadays for the management of chronic stable, unstable or refractory heart failure, or acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock.

The classification of the unstable angina syndrome has represented one of the main objectives of the cardiologists in the two last decades. The ambiguous definition of this syndrome has led to the phenomenon that numerous classifications have been achieved, based especially in the different clinical presentations of this syndrome, that are neither clearly matched with a different physiopathology nor with the prognosis. On the other hand, the validation of the majority of the classifications have been attempted through studies of selected populations with an insufficient number of patients in a syndrome with a wide spectrum of clinical presentation, pathophysiology and prognosis. On this basis, the existing classifications do not fully satisfy the scientific community, which is confirmed by the periodical appearance of new proposals. In our setting, the classifications which are most applied are those of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and Braunwald's Classification. Both offer the usefulness of their simplicity, since they only consider clinical aspects, but sustain the previously mentioned inconveniences. A more practical classification could possibly be based exclusively on physiopathological or prognostic characteristics, which allow a more adequate management of these patients.

Atheroma plaque rupture with liberation of tissue factor activates the coagulation cascade and plateletes, leading to the formation of intracoronary thrombi in many patients with acute coronary syndromes. In this process, tissue factor, thrombin, Factor Xa and fibrin play a major role. This review analyses the clinical efficacy of the antithrombotic drugs: fractionated heparin, low molecular or fractionated heparins, direct thrombin inhibitors, specific Xa factor inhibitors and inhibitors of the tissue factor pathway in patients with unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction. Enoxaparin, a low molecular weight fractionated heparin, has shown to be associated with a greater clinical efficacy, superior to that achieved with conventional heparin anticoagulation or treatment with aspirin, and probably should be considered as the antithrombotic of choice. Present clinical research should be aimed at the identification of patients with greater benefit, new treatment protocols with other antithrombotic drugs and the efficacy in special situations such as invasive coronary interventions or the association with other drug like, thrombolytic agents or new antiplatelet antiaggregants.

Introduction: In patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty, multivessel disease is associated with a higher mortality. However, if higher mortality is simply due to a higher prevalence of cardiogenic shock or if multivessel disease is an independent risk factor remains unclear., Objectives: To study if multivessel disease constitute an independent prognostic factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty, and to ascertain possible mechanisms contributing to the worse prognosis found in these patients., Patients and Methods: Between august 1991 and october 1996, 312 patients with acute myocardial infarction were treated with primary angioplasty in our center. Characteristics and in-hospital outcome of patients with or without multivessel disease were compared., Results: Patients with multivessel disease (n = 158; 51%) were older (64 +/- 11 vs 61 +/- 13 years; p = 0.017), less often smokers (60% vs. 76%; p = 0.006) and had a higher prevalence of diabetes (35% vs. 20%; p = 0.007), hypertension (54% vs. 39%; p = 0.012), prior acute myocardial infarction (29% vs. 5%; p < 0.001), prior coronary bypass (2% vs. 0%; p = 0.042) and Killip class IV at admission (19% vs. 8%; p < 0.001). Angiographic success rate was not different in patients with or without multivessel disease (89% vs. 92%; NS). Patients with multivessel disease had a higher in-hospital mortality (21% vs. 7%; p < 0.001), need of revascularization (17% vs. 3%; p < 0.001) and incidence of severe mitral regurgitation, (5% vs. 0%; p < 0.001), second or third atrioventricular blockade (10% vs. 1%; p < 0.001) and severe bleeding (4% vs. 1%; p = 0.089). After excluding patients with Killip class III or IV at admission, mortality was also higher in patients with multivessel disease (9% vs. 2%; p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis showed the following independent risk factors for mortality: age > 65 years, Killip class IV and multivessel disease., Conclusions: In patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty, multivessel disease is associated with higher mortality. This is due not only to a higher prevalence of cardiogenic shock at admission, but also to a worse baseline profile, a higher incidence of complications and a more frequent need of revascularization.

We report the case of a 62-year-old patient with a mitral prosthesis hospitalized with an anterior acute myocardial infarction who was treated with r-tPA. Some days later, the patient had mitral thrombosis with heart failure. Because of the high risk of surgical intervention, he was successfully treated with a new dose of r-tPA.

Introduction and Objectives: We present the results from the PREVESE Study, conducted in two phases: the first to identify the secondary prevention measurements recommended in Spain in patients who were discharged after a myocardial infarction; the second, 6 months later, to determine their evolution., Methods: Data was collected from 1,242 patients in 39 hospitals. An analysis was made of the patients background, risk factors, working status, diagnostic procedures used during hospitalization, laboratory findings and drug therapy prescribed at discharge. At the second control, the risk factors status, diagnostic or assessment tests performed during the 6-month period, working status, mortality and cardiac events were revised., Results: The previous history and risk factors studied showed a high risk profile among patients after myocardial infarction. Among the drug therapies prescribed at discharge the small percentage (6.7%) of lipid lowering prescriptions should be highlighted. An improvement in the risk factor profile was found at the six month checkup with a substantial reduction in the number of smokers, a very low number of hypertensives and an improvement in physical activity. There was no improvement in total-cholesterol levels., Conclusions: The implementation of preventive measures is not similar in all risk factors. An improvement is reached in prevention of smoking habit and hypertension, but not in the treatment of abnormal levels of hyperlipidemia.

Unstable heart failure is defined as class IV cardiac failure with symptoms that do not respond to empiric treatment, which causes hypotension, renal failure, hyponatremia and/or symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias. It may be reversible or refractory. Refractory or "end-stage" heart failure is an indication for heart transplant, provided that: a) all reversible ethiologic factors have been corrected; and b) aggressive treatment in the intensive care unit under hemodynamic monitoring has not been able to stabilize heart failure.

The clinical picture suggesting the etiologic diagnosis at the initial evaluation is described as well as the criteria and the diagnostic tests recommended to arrive to the definite diagnosis. Special emphasis is placed on the diagnosis of the reversible factors that may benefit from specific treatment.

The criteria required for the clinical and hemodynamic diagnosis of cardiogenic shock are described. The management of shock is briefly reviewed.

The recommendations for hospital admission are discussed. The need to avoid needless hospitalizations is emphasized.

The criteria required for the diagnosis of the four clinical aspects of the congestive heart failure, that are needed for the correct management of patients are discussed: the diagnosis of the syndrome, mechanism (systolic or diastolic dysfunction), ethology and functional capacity. The "initial evaluation" of patients presenting with symptoms of heart failure is described to encourage an structured diagnostic approach and the cost/effective use of diagnostic methods.

A 23 year-old primigravid woman presented eclampsia and HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) with severe left ventricular dysfunction after having a cesarean section. In a few weeks, clinic disappeared and ventricular function normalized. The importance of differential diagnosis between ventricular dysfunction in eclampsia and peripartum myocardiopathy is discussed.

Heart failure is a physiopathological condition, with an increasing incidence and prevalence, involving the action of a series of mechanisms known as "compensators", which are phylogenetically ready to normalize minute volume and blood pressure. These mechanisms include the activation of a series of neurohormonal systems: the sympathetic nervous system, the aldosterone renin-angiotensin system, vasopressin arginine, endothelin, which are basically vasoconstrictors, with the counterpoint of other vasodilator systems, such as the endothelial relaxation factor, certain prostaglandins and the bradykinin-kallikrein system, which modulate global response. The authors review the physiopathology of each of these system, as well as their significance in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of heart failure. We analyze the possible deleterious effects of neurohormonal activation, anatomically and at cardiovascular function level, and try to determine if they are capable of explaining the evolution and progression of heart failure, in a truly vicious circle, up until the irreversible heart failure phase. We review the current importance of the inhibition of the aldosterone renin-angiotensin system in the prophylaxis and treatment of heart failure. Furthermore, we describe the present-day value of the inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system in some forms of heart failure. We also analyze the different pharmacological treatments for heart failure: diuretics, inotropic agents, vasodilators (in their different pharmacological types), paying particular attention to their action on neurohormonal systems and their implications in the prognosis and evolution of heart failure.

Heart failure is a physiopathological condition, with an increasing incidence and prevalence, involving the action of a series of mechanisms known as "compensators", which are phylogenetically ready to normalize minute volume and blood pressure. These mechanisms include the activation of a series of neurohormonal systems: the sympathetic nervous system, the aldosterone renin-angiotensin system, vasopressin arginine, endothelin, which are basically vasoconstrictors, with the counterpoint of other vasodilator systems, such as the endothelial relaxation factor, certain prostaglandins and the bradykinin-kallikrein system, which modulate global response. The authors review the physiopathology of each of these systems, as well as their significance in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of heart failure. We analyze the possible deleterious effects of neurohormonal activation, anatomically and at the cardiovascular function level, and try to determine if they are capable of explaining the evolution and progression of heart failure, in a truly vicious circle, up until the irreversible heart failure phase. We review the current importance of the inhibition of the aldosterone renin-angiotensin system in the prophylaxis and treatment of heart failure. Furthermore, we describe the present-day value of the inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system in some forms of heart failure. We also analyze the different pharmacological treatments for heart failure: diuretics, inotropic agents, vasodilators (in their different pharmacological types), paying particular attention to their action on neurohormonal systems and their implications in the prognosis and evolution of heart failure.

Methods: Five patients with a family history of hypercholesterolemia were treated for one year with double filtered technique of LDL-apheresis: heterozygotic in four patient and homozygotic in one. All patients presented documented cardiovascular disease and had been treated unsuccessfully with lipid lowering drugs., Results: Plasmatic cholesterol was significantly reduced from 463.8 +/- 60.9 mg/dl to 326.36 +/- 36 mg/dl at 6 months after treatment and 347.56 +/- 68.1 mg/dl at 12 months (p < 0.05). LDL was also reduced from 407.92 +/- 69.39 mg/dl to 294.04 +/- 62.02 mg/dl and 296.6 +/- 82.42 mg/dl respectively (p < 0.05) and Apo B was reduced from 291.84 +/- 28.97 mg/dl to 224.5 +/- 47.11 mg/dl at 6 and 12 months respectively, without significant modifications of other lipidic parameters and without adverse events., Conclusions: LDL-apheresis is a therapeutic approach effective in the reduction of total plasmatic cholesterol, in conjunction with to LDL and APO B in patients refractory to lipid lowering agents.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate urate production by swine hearts using an in vivo regionally ischemic-reperfused model., Animals and Methods: Ten female pigs underwent 60 minutes of myocardial ischemia by clamping of the left anterior descending artery and afterwards 120 minutes of reperfusion. Epicardial biopsies and blood samples from coronary sinus were taken before ligation, at the end of ischemic period and 5, 30, 60 and 120 minutes upon reperfusion., Results: During ischemia, tissue levels of ATP and ADP greatly declined with a subsequent increase in the concentration of AMP, inosine and hypoxanthine (33 +/- 12 vs 93 +/- 17, 26 +/- 8 vs 768 +/- 86 and 32 +/- 10 vs 219 +/- 26 nmol/g dry weight, p < 0.01 for each). Despite the great increase in the hypoxanthine levels, uric acid concentration remained constant (69 +/- 9 vs 32 +/- 12 nmol/g dry weight, NS). Hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid concentrations increased in blood samples obtained from the coronary sinus at the end of ischemic period (17.99 vs 31.03 nmol/ml, p < 0.01, 0.29 vs 1.45 nmol/ml, p < 0.05 and 1.20 vs 2.31 nmol/ml, p < 0.01 respectively) and were enhanced upon reperfusion (35.8 and 3.89 nmol/ml for hypoxanthine and uric acid respectively, p < 0.05) without any significant modifications in their concentrations at the arterial level., Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the ischemic-reperfused swine heart produces urate probably outside the myocardium.

In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) thrombolysis reduces the infarct area, preserves ventricular function and improves survival. This effect is more significant in men with age between 65 and 75 years, anterior ST segment elevation or branch block, during the first 6 hours of evolution. In this review the comparative studies with placebo and between different fibrinolytic agents, in different doses or in combination are reviewed, and the drug selection, the actual impact or fibrinolysis and future directions of thrombolysis in patients with AMI are discussed. Reperfusion is highest with the use of double bolus tPA of front-loaded rapid tPA infusion. Reocclusion is more frequent after tPA and minimal after urokinase or the combination of tPA and urokinase. In the GISSI-2 and ISIS-3 studies, the mortality of patients treated with streptokinase, tPA or APSAC was similar. However, in the GUSTO study, with front loaded, rapid infusion of tPA, mortality was lower than with streptokinase, although this effect was only statistically significant in patients with anterior infarction or age < 75 years. Bleeding is more common with tPA, and allergic reactions are more frequent after streptokinase and APSAC than after tPA or urokinase. Symptomatic hypotension and bradycardia are also more frequent after streptokinase or APSAC, specially in patients with right ventricular infarction. Streptokinase and APSAC generate antibodies that may neutralize the effect of a second administration even years after the first dose. On the basis of the current clinical evidence it is not possible to recommend the use of a single fibrinolytic and, due to its lowest cost, streptokinase could be considered the first choice. However, in patients with previous thrombolysis, as well as in those with right ventricular infarction, the drug of choice should be tPA or urokinase; in young patients with anterior infarction tPA is more effective and in patients with difficult controls (mobile CCU, emergency wards, etc.) APSAC or urokinase may be considered the agent of choice because their easier administration. In spite of clear evidence of the efficacy of the thrombolytic therapy, it is only used in 20%-30% of the patients with AMI, and probably there is a selection of low risk patients. For these reasons, the impact of thrombolysis in the whole population of AMI is probably lower than it could be. Future directions for the use of thrombolytic agents include a better selection of the candidates and the drug to be used as well as the early administration of thrombolytics, even before the admission to the CCU.