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Introduction: Cardiovascular risk calculators (CRC) are not locally validated and calibrated. Surrogate biomarkers of insulin resistance had identified subjects at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease., Aim: Establish the frequency of surrogate biomarkers of insulin resistance and their correlation with CRC in primary prevention non-diabetic hypertensive subjects., Methods: This is an observational registry with a prospective consecutive outpatient's sample. The TyG index (TyGi) was calculated as logarithm (Ln) of (fasting triglycerides [mg/dl]×fasting plasma glucose [mg/dl]/2). Patients were stratified according to quartiles of TyGi. Pearson correlation coefficient between TyGi and other relevant variables was evaluated., Results: Four hundred six patients were included with a mean age 55.9±13 years, 231 p (56.9%) males. The mean TyGi was 8.667±0.53. Patients in the highest quartiles of TyGi had significantly higher median difference between expected and actual ASCVD risk (p=0.02), higher frequency of AHA/ACC Pooled Cohort Equation >7.5% (p<0.005), and higher levels of metabolic biomarkers such as median triglyceridemia/HDL cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL) (p<0.0005), glycaemia and A1C (p<0.001 and p=0.02, respectively). The correlation between TyGi and TG/HDL was highly significant (r=0.7076; r 2 =0.5007; p<0.0001), and intermediate with non-HDL cholesterol (r=0.4553, r 2 =0.2073; p<0.0001)., Conclusions: Non-diabetic hypertensive patients with high TyGi, a surrogate biomarker of insulin resistance, had a higher 10-year cardiovascular risk by AHA/ACC Pooled Cohort Equation. TyGi is statistically and significantly correlated with other biomarkers of insulin resistance. TyGi could be a reliable biomarker in clinical practice to stratify cardiovascular risk., (Copyright © 2024 SEH-LELHA. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare providers have overcome difficult experiences such as workplace violence. Nurses are particularly vulnerable to workplace violence. The objective of this study was to characterize violence and aggression against nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America., Methods: An electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted in 19 Latin American countries to characterize the frequency and type of violent actions against front-line healthcare providers., Results: Of the original 3544 respondents, 16% were nurses (n = 567). The mean age was 39.7 ± 9.0 years and 79.6% (n = 2821) were women. In total, 69.8% (n = 2474) worked in public hospitals and 81.1% (n = 2874) reported working regularly with COVID-19 patients. Overall, about 68.6% (n = 2431) of nurses experienced at least one episode of workplace aggression during the pandemic. Nurses experienced weekly aggressions more frequently than other healthcare providers (45.5% versus 38.1%, p < .007). Nurses showed a trend of lower reporting rates against the acts of aggression suffered (p = .076). In addition, nurses were more likely to experience negative cognitive symptoms after aggressive acts (33.4% versus 27.8%, p = .028). However, nurses reported considering changing their work tasks less frequently compared to other healthcare providers after an assault event (p = .005)., Conclusion: Workplace violence has been a frequent problem for all healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America. Nurses were a particularly vulnerable subgroup, with higher rates of aggressions and cognitive symptoms and lower rate of complaints than other healthcare providers who suffered from workplace violence. It is imperative to develop strategies to protect this vulnerable group from aggressions during their tasks., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the leading cause of death in Colombia. While the rate of hypertension awareness in Colombia is generally high, rates of treatment initiation, adherence, and blood pressure (BP) control are suboptimal. Major international hypertension guidelines recommend starting treatment with a combination of antihypertensive agents, and the use of a single-pill combination (SPC) to maximize adherence. In contrast, Colombian hypertension guidelines recommend starting treatment with diuretic monotherapy in most patients, and only initiating combination therapy in those with BP > 160/100 mmHg. Therefore, the aim of the current narrative review is to examine the rationale for using SPCs to treat hypertension in Colombia, in the context of the major issues for BP control there. There is evidence of widespread therapeutic inertia in hypertension management, particularly in primary care, in Colombia. Moreover, combination therapy, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and long-acting calcium channel blockers, which are internationally recommended as first-line drug therapies, are underutilized there. Adherence to antihypertensive therapy is low in Colombia and may be enhanced by use of SPCs as well as better patient education and follow-up. While there are promising national initiatives to improve BP management, more needs to be done by individual physicians. Antihypertensive SPCs are available on the national essential medicines list and may help to overcome some of the problems with suboptimal adherence, therapeutic inertia, and low rates of BP control that contribute to the high cardiovascular death rate in Colombia., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To share a Latin-American perspective of the use of telemedicine, together with blood pressure measurements outside the medical office, as a potential contribution to improving access to the health system, diagnosis, adherence, and persistence in hypertension treatment., Material and Methods: A document settled by a Writing Group of Mexico Hypertension Experts Group, Interamerican Society of Hypertension, Epidemiology and Cardiovascular Prevention Council of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology, and National Cardiologist Association of Mexico., Results: In almost all Latin American countries, the health sector faces two fundamental challenges: (1) ensure equitable access to quality care services in a growing population that faces an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, and (2) optimise the growing costs of health services, maintaining equity, accessibility, universality, and quality. Telehealth proposes an innovative approach to patient management, especially for chronic conditions, intending to provide remote consultation, education, and follow-up to achieve measurements and goals. It is a tool that promises to improve access, empower the patient, and somehow influence their behaviour about lifestyle changes, improving prevention and reducing complications of hypertension. The clinical practitioner has seen increased evidence that the use of out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement and telemedicine are helpful tools to keep patients and physicians in contact and promote better pharmacological adherence and BP control. A survey carried out by medical and scientific institutions showed that practitioners are up-to-date with telemedicine, had internet access, and had hardware availability., Conclusions: A transcendent issue is the need to make the population aware of the benefits of taking blood pressure to avoid complications of hypertension, and in this scenario, promote the creation of teleconsultation mechanisms for the follow-up of patients diagnosed with hypertension.

The present document provides scientific evidence reviewed and analysed by a group of specialist clinicians in hypertension that aims to give an insight into a pharmacological strategy to improve blood pressure control. Evidence shows that most hypertensive patients will need at least two drugs to achieve blood pressure goals. There is ample evidence showing that treatment adherence is inversely related to the number of drugs taken. Observational studies show that use of drug combinations to initiate treatment reduces the time to reach the treatment goal and reduces CVD, especially with single pill combinations (SPCs). This work, based on recommendations of the Argentine Federation of Cardiology and Argentine Society of Hypertension as a reference, aims to review the more recent evidence on SPC, and to serve as guidelines for health professionals in their clinical practice and to the wider use of SPCs for the treatment of hypertension. Evidence from clinical trials on the effectiveness and adverse effects of using SPCs are provided. An analysis is also made of the main contributions of SPCs in special populations, e.g., elderly and diabetic patients, and its use in high risk and resistant hypertension. The effects of SPCs on hypertensive-mediated organ damage is also examined. Finally, we provide some aspects to consider when choosing treatments in the economic context of Latin-America for promoting the most efficient use of resources in a scarce environment and to provide quality information to decision makers to formulate safe, cost-effective, and patient-centered health policies. Finally, future perspectives and limitations in clinical practice are also discussed., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

The aim of the study was to evaluate hypertension treatment effects on mechanical efficiency of the cardiovascular system and cardiac reverse remodeling in hypertensive patients. This is an observational prospective study, consecutive hypertension patients. Left ventricle mass index measured by Devereux 2D method and diastolic function following the Guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. Left ventricular end systolic elastance (Ees) was measured by Guarracino calculator, the effective arterial elastance (Ea) and ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) measured by Sunagawa et al. single beat method adapted by Chen et al. in human ventricles. The sample was analyzed in quartiles (Q) according to VAC. Follow-up 2 years. In total, 288 patients, mean age 56.3 ± 12.5 years and 168 patients (58.3%) males. VAC increased from 0.303 ± 0.07 to 0.54 ± 0.25 (p < 0.005) in Q1 mainly due to a reduction in Ees from 5.25 ± 2.3 to 3.68 ± 0.25 mmHg/ml (p < 0.01), while Ea increased from 1.5 ± 0.53 to 1.64 ± 0.56 mmHg/ml (p = NS). The frequency of LVH was reduced from 31.9 to 10.8% in Q1 (p < 0.025). The frequency of normal diastolic function increased from 75 to 94.6% (p < 0.01) in Q1, from 78.7 to 100% in Q2 (p < 0.005), from 87.1 to 100% (p < 0.025) in Q3 and from 88.7 to 100% (0,025) in Q4. Patients with the worst ventricular-arterial uncoupling were the most benefited from hypertension treatment. Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy was observed only in the group of patients with the worst ventricular-arterial uncoupling, while improvement in diastolic function was demonstrated in all quartiles of patients., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Japanese Society of Hypertension.)

The aim of this study was to explore the different attitudes of physicians regarding international recommendations for the management of dyslipidemia in routine medical practice. Seven clusters of questions were designed to characterize the surveyed population. Eight hundred ninety-eight physicians answered the survey, 68.3% cardiologists and 40.0% had specialties related to cardiovascular prevention. 29.6% of physicians supported LDL goals above 70 mg/dL in secondary prevention. Acceptance of values lower than 70 mg/dL was associated with greater levels of continuing education (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.45-0.91; P = 0.014), specialization in preventive cardiology (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.88; P = 0.017) or diabetology (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24-0.98; P = 0.043). A less aggressive attitude toward the achievement of guideline goals were observed in physicians who considered LDL values higher than 70 mg/dL as the goal in secondary prevention. One-third of physicians in the survey do not follow goals recommended by international guidelines., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the opinion of Latin-American physicians on remote blood pressure monitoring and telehealth for hypertension management., Material and Methods: Cross-sectional survey of physicians residing in Latin-America. The study was conducted by the Mexico Hypertension Experts Group, Interamerican Society of Hypertension, Interamerican Society of Cardiology Epidemiology and Cardiovascular Prevention Council, and National Cardiologist Association of Mexico. An online survey composed of 40 questions using Google Forms was distributed from 7 December 2021, to 3 February 2022. The survey was approved by the GREHTA Ethics Committee and participation was voluntary and anonymous. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to identify the challenges of telehealth., Results: 1753 physicians' responses were gathered. The responses came from physicians from different Latin-American countries, as follows: 24% from Mexico, 20.6% from Argentina, 14.7% from Colombia, 10.9% from Brazil, 8.7% from Venezuela, 8.2% from Guatemala and 3.2% from Paraguay. Responders with a high interest in carrying out their assistance task through remote telemonitoring reached 48.9% (821), while 43.6% are already currently conducting telemonitoring. A high number, 62%, claimed to need telemonitoring training. There is a direct relation between higher interest in telemonitoring and age, medical specialty, team working, residence in the biggest cities, expectations regarding telemedicine and reimbursement., Conclusions: Remote monitoring is feasible in Latin-America. General practitioners and specialists from bigger cities seem eager and are self-perceived as well-trained and experienced. Facilities and resources do not seem to be a challenge but training reinforcement and telemedicine promotion is necessary for those physicians less motivated.PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARYWhat is the context?Hypertension is one of the leading worldwide modifiable risk factors for premature death. Strong evidence supports that effective treatment of this condition results in a significant reduction of hard outcomes.Only 20%-30% of hypertensive patients are within the blood pressure targets recommended by guidelines in Latin-America. There is an urgent need to implement innovative strategies to reverse this alarming health situation.What is new?Latin-American physicians were highly predisposed to telemonitoring practice. This high motivation was not influenced by hardware or software availability, technological knowledge or experience, by volume of monthly consultations, or by area (private-public) where the care activity is carried out.This high motivation may be supported by the conviction that this practice could be very useful as a complement to face-to-face assistance and a highly effective tool to improve adherence even though respondents considered that just 10% of the patients would prefer telemonitoring over office consultation.What is the impact?Facilities and resources do not seem to be a challenge but training reinforcement and telemedicine promotion is necessary for those physicians less motivated. The general perception is that it is necessary to move forward to resolve legal gaps and financial aspects.Physicians must adapt to changes and develop new communication strategies in a world where the unrestricted access to teleinformation makes patients self-perceived as experts.

Adequate diagnosis, treatment, and control of arterial hypertension (AHT) continues to be a pending issue in the attempt to reduce the incidence of premature mortality and disability due to cardiovascular disease, which is a reality worldwide and in the region of the Americas in particular.Despite having adequate diagnostic algorithms and efficient treatment schemes, the gap between medical knowledge and reality reveals the great difficulty in ensuring that patients follow recommendations. Adherence to treatment is a great challenge and a proper understanding of its dimensions is essential when designing strategies to improve control of AHT.It is clear that part of the solution is having adequate information and disseminating it, but actions that guarantee implementation are no less important. That is why clinical practice guidelines that try to address this problem are welcome. The recent publication of the World Health Organization's guidance on arterial hypertension is a clear example of this type of initiative.Implementation programs are arguably one of the biggest challenges in contemporary medicine. The development of multimodal interventions aimed at improving response capacity at the first level of care and promoting the development of integrated health services networks appears to be the most appropriate way to achieve adequate control of AHT.Scientific societies clearly play an important role in these initiatives by providing support and coordinating interactions among the different actors involved.

Introduction: The increase in the pulsatile component of left ventricle afterload is suspected to cause a mismatch between the left ventricle (LV) and the vascular tree., Aim: To demonstrate that ventricular-arterial uncoupling is frequently present in the development of LV hypertrophy (H) and diastolic dysfunction (DD) in hypertension (HBP)., Methods: Observational study, HBP patients with ejection fraction > 54%. Conventional 2D echocardiography and tissue Doppler performed following imaging guidelines. LV end systolic elastance (Ees), the effective arterial elastance (Ea), and ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) measured by Chen single beat method., Results: 288 patients, mean age 56.3 ± 12.5 years and 168 patients (58.3%) males. Mean LV mass index was 87.2 ± 20.4 grs/m 2 and frequency of LVH 20.1% (58 patients). The mean VAC was 0.54 ± 9.23. LV Stroke volume, stroke work and systolic stress were 46.2 ± 10.3 cc/m 2 , 91.4 ± 22.2 g-min/m 2 , and 57 ± 14.6 dynes/cm 2 in quartile 1, and 33.5 ± 6.6 cc/m 2 , 65.5 ± 15.2 g-min/m 2 , and 77.8 ± 17.1 dynes/cm 2 , in quartile 4, respectively (p < 0.001). Peripheral resistance index was 3349 ± 1072 and 4410 ± 1143 dynes*s/cm-5/m 2 quartiles 1 vs. 4 (p < 0.005). The frequency of LVH was 31.9% in quartile 1 and 11.3% in quartile 4 (p < 0.005) and LVH or DD was 37.5% and 12.7%, respectively (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Stroke volume and stroke work were significantly increased while systolic stress and peripheral resistance index were significantly reduced in patients with worst VAC. Ventricular-arterial uncoupling is mostly caused by an increase in Ees rather than by an elevation of Ea. LVH or DD are more frequent in the worst cases of ventricular-arterial uncoupling., (© 2022. Italian Society of Hypertension.)

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.

Background: Cardiovascular mortality is decreasing but remains the leading cause of death world-wide. Respiratory infections such as influenza significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Despite of proven benefits, influenza vaccination is not fully implemented, especially in Latin America., Objective: The aim was to develop a regional consensus with recommendations regarding influenza vaccination and cardiovascular disease., Methods: A multidisciplinary team composed by experts in the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease from the Americas, convened by the Inter-American Society of Cardiology (IASC) and the World Heart Federation (WHF), participated in the process and the formulation of statements. The modified RAND/UCLA methodology was used. This document was supported by a grant from the WHF., Results: An extensive literature search was divided into seven questions, and a total of 23 conclusions and 29 recommendations were achieved. There was no disagreement among experts in the conclusions or recommendations., Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between influenza and cardiovascular events. Influenza vaccination is not only safe and a proven strategy to reduce cardiovascular events, but it is also cost saving. We found several barriers for its global implementation and potential strategies to overcome them., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s).)

Introduction: Hypertensive mediated heart disease is the consequence of anatomical and functional changes in cardiovascular system. The benefits on left ventricular (LV) diastolic impairment and remodeling of hypertension treatment are well established., Aim: To evaluate LV structure, systolic and diastolic function of treated hypertensive patients on a medium to long term follow-up., Methods: Prospectively observational cohort study. Hypertensive patients over 18 years, ultrasound evaluation of LV structure and diastolic and systolic function, follow-up at least once a year. Diastolic function assessed following recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging., Results: 285 patients, mean follow up of 1731 ± 952 days. Sample mean age 56.3 ± 12.5 years, 166 patients (58.3%) were males. Baseline blood pressure 147.8 ± 19/86.8 ± 11 mm Hg, 5 years blood pressure 134.4 ± 15.7/79 ± 9 mm Hg (p < 0.005 SBP and p < 0.01 DBP). Baseline fixed dose combinations 115 patients (40.4%), follow-up 53.1% (p < 0.05). LV remodeling was detected in 88 patients (30.9%) vs. 30.1% at 5 years (p = NS). The frequency of an E/e' ratio > 14 was reduced from 38 patients (13.3%) to 3.6% (p < 0.001), e' septal velocity < 7 cm/sec or e' lateral velocity < 10 cm/sec was reduced from 38.6% (110 patients) to 19.3% (p < 0.001). Baseline normal diastolic function was detected in 85.6% (244 patients) and 94% at the end of the follow-up (p < 0.02)., Conclusions: In this observational cohort followed by a mean of 5 years, the main benefit of hypertension treatment was the prevention or regression of diastolic dysfunction.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income regions such as Latin America. This is because of the combination and interaction in different proportions of a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and socio-economic and cultural characteristics. This reality brings about the need to change paradigms to consistently and systematically boost cardiovascular prevention as the most cost-effective medium- to long-term strategy to reduce their prevalence in medium- and low-resource countries, not only in Latin America but also in other global regions. To achieve the therapeutic goals in various diseases, including CVD, the current literature demonstrates that the most effective way is to carry out the patient's diagnosis and treatment in multidisciplinary units. For this reason, the Inter American Society of Cardiology (IASC) proposes the creation of cardiometabolic prevention units (CMPUs) as a regional initiative exportable throughout the world to standardise cardiovascular prevention based on the best available evidence. This ensures homogeneity in the global management of cardiometabolic risk factors and access to quality medicine independently of the population's social situation. These guidelines, written by a panel of experts in cardiovascular prevention, defines what a CMPU is, its objectives and the minimum requirements for it, as well as proposing three categories and suggesting an operational scheme. It must be used as a guide for all individuals or centres that, aware of the need for multidisciplinary and standardised work, want to create a unit for the comprehensive management of cardiometabolic risk established as an international research network. Lastly, the document makes meaningful points on the determination of cardiovascular risk and its importance. These guidelines do not cover specific targets and therapeutic schemes, as these topics will be extensively discussed in another SIAC publication, namely a statement on residual cardiometabolic risk., Competing Interests: P.L-J. received speaker honoraria from Ferrer, Menarini, and Abbott. A.L. has been a consultant to Amgen, Pfizer, Raffo, Kowa, Gador, and PTC; received speaker honoraria from Amgen, Baliarda, Raffo, Sanofi, Pfizer, and PTC; and received research grants from Amgen, Resverlogix, Esperion, and Novonordisk. C.I.P-N. received speaker honoraria from Ferrer outside the content of this manuscript. E. R. is an employee in the Medical Department in Ferrer Laboratories. F.S.W., D.P., F.L., A.S.L., L.M., E.B., J.R.G-M., R.L., O.V., L.C., A.P., and G.B. have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s).)

Dyslipidaemia plays a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Every year, scientific institutions publish cardiovascular prevention guidelines with updated goals and recommendations based on new evidence. However, medical barriers exist that make achieving these goals difficult and gaps between guidelines and best daily clinical practice still persist. The International Society of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy designed the Surveillance of Prescription Drugs in the Real World Project (VIPFARMA ISCP), a survey for physicians who manage lipid disorders in high-risk patients. Seven clusters of questions will be analysed comprising demographics, institution profile, access to continuing medical education, clinical practice profile, attitude regarding use of statins, knowledge regarding proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors and attitudes regarding medical decisions about triglycerides. The present study will be the first part of a larger programme and aims to shed light on barriers between lipid-lowering drug therapy recommendations in the 2019 European Society of Cardiology guidelines and clinical practice in different countries., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2021, Radcliffe Cardiology.)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic's mental health consequences remain unknown., Aim: To assess the mental health status of ambulatory cardiometabolic patients during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Spanish speaking Latin American countries., Methods: Cardiometabolic patients without COVID-19 evidence in 13 Latin American countries answered a survey between June 15th and July 15th, 2020. The Diagnosis Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition was used to identify the presence of major depressive symptoms., Results: The sample included 4216 patients, 1590 (37.71%; IC95% 36.24-39.19) were considered suffering major depression. Female gender, consuming ≥5 medications day, physical activity <100 minutes weekly, low fruits and vegetables intake, poor treatment adherence, reduced food consumption were independently associated to the presence of major depressive symptoms., Conclusions: The CorCOVID Latam Psy study showed that one-third of the Latin American Spanish speaking population is suffering from major depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has modified the cardiovascular care of ambulatory patients. The aim of this survey was to study changes in lifestyle habits, treatment adherence, and mental health status in patients with cardiometabolic disease, but no clinical evidence of COVID-19., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in ambulatory patients with cardiometabolic disease using paper/digital surveys. Variables investigated included socioeconomic status, physical activity, diet, tobacco use, alcohol intake, treatment discontinuation, and psychological symptoms., Results: A total of 4,216 patients (50.9% males, mean age 60.3 ± 15.3 years old) from 13 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries were enrolled. Among the study population, 46.4% of patients did not have contact with a healthcare provider, 31.5% reported access barriers to treatments and 17% discontinued some medication. Multivariate analysis showed that non-adherence to treatment was more prevalent in the secondary prevention group: peripheral vascular disease (OR 1.55, CI 1.08-2.24; p = 0.018), heart failure (OR 1.36, CI 1.05-1.75; p = 0.017), and coronary artery disease (OR 1.29 CI 1.04-1.60; p = 0.018). No physical activity was reported by 38% of patients. Only 15% of patients met minimum recommendations of physical activity (more than 150 minutes/week) and vegetable and fruit intake. Low/very low income (45.5%) was associated with a lower level of physical activity (p < 0.0001), less fruit and vegetables intake (p < 0.0001), more tobacco use (p < 0.001) and perception of depression (p < 0.001). Low educational level was also associated with the perception of depression (OR 1.46, CI 1.26-1.70; p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Patients with cardiometabolic disease but without clinical evidence of COVID-19 showed significant medication non-adherence, especially in secondary prevention patients. Deterioration in lifestyle habits and appearance of depressive symptoms during the pandemic were frequent and related to socioeconomic status., Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s).)

The extraordinary expansion of cardiometabolic risk factors, the impact they generate in the development of hypertension and its specific phenotypes, and its implications in cardiovascular risk and therapeutic decision-making deserve an extensive and careful reflection. The aim of this review is to analyze the available evidence and gaps in the relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors and hypertension phenotypes. Overweight or obese patients, dyslipidemic, carbohydrate intolerant and type 2 diabetic patients have a significantly higher probability of suffering from high blood pressure than subjects without metabolic disorders. Masked hypertension should be systematically suspected in subjects with type 2 diabetes or metabolic disorders and borderline hypertension independently of the debate on the reproducibility of blood pressure phenotypes diagnosis. Some minor difficulties emerge to understand the phenotypes of hypertension in diabetic individuals, since clinical practice guidelines are not homogeneous in their postulates regarding the blood pressure targets at office and ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring. The small number of diabetic hypertensive patients included in epidemiological studies, and the presence of confounding factors, such as the duration of diabetes, the quantity and type of drugs indicated for the treatment of both hypertension and diabetes, or the level of diabetes control, undermine the possibilities to draw conclusions of value for the clinical practice., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

The presence of hypertensive mediated organ damage is related to increased vascular risk and mortality and its prevention should be a therapeutic target and a surrogate marker of in/adequate blood pressure control. In old adult hypertensive patients the therapeutic target should be to prevent major cardiovascular events, but in young hypertensive subjects the focus should be pointed on preventing the development of hypertensive mediated organ damage, since most of the hard events are preceded by functional and structural tissues injury. Hypertension Guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology and European Society of Hypertension recognizes that some variables like electrocardiographic or echocardiographic left ventricle hypertrophy, chronic kidney disease or advance retinopathy, all considered as hypertensive mediated organ damage, may be modifiers of cardiovascular risk estimated by the SCORE system, and for that reason they should be screened in hypertensive patients. It is well known the problem of limited health systems financial resources in many low and even median income countries which precludes the possibilities of generalizing the search for hypertension mediated organ damage in all hypertensive patients. In these scenario the recommendation to perform a detailed screening should be critically evaluated. Some questions remained unanswered: the screening generalization of hypertensive mediated organ damage should modify the cardiovascular risk score of the patients, if its presence could modify the therapeutic approach, and as a consequence, if the treatment adjustment should prolong life expectancy and ameliorate the quality of life.

Despite epidemiological findings of improvements in cardiovascular risk factors with a light-to-moderate intake of alcohol, many misconceptions remain regarding alcohol intake and the risks and benefits of consumption. We sought to examine physician attitudes and recommendations regarding alcohol intake in a cohort of Argentine physicians and to establish their sources of knowledge. An online national survey was distributed through the Argentine Federation of Cardiology (FAC) to cardiologists, internal medicine specialists, general and other subspecialty physicians in Argentina. The survey was completed by 745 physicians, of whom 671 (90%) were cardiologists. In total, 35% of physicians viewed moderate alcohol intake to be beneficial for cardiovascular health, 36% believed only wine offered such benefits, 24% viewed any intake to be harmful, and 5% had other opinions. More than half (57%) self-reported their knowledge came from academic sources. Regarding knowledge of drinking guidelines, only 41% of physicians were aware of the concept of "standard drink". Physicians were generally not comfortable converting standard drinks into other metric units, however men tended to be more comfortable than women ( p = 0.052). Physicians were not satisfied with their knowledge of drinking guidelines (3.01 ± 2.73, on a 0⁻10 scale). Physicians were generally comfortable in counselling patients regarding safe limits of consumption (6.22 ± 3.20, on a 0⁻10 scale). Argentine physicians were not satisfied with their knowledge of alcohol consumption guidelines or their understanding of the reported metrics. Only one-third of study participants viewed moderate alcohol intake as beneficial for cardiovascular health. This study shows the necessity to optimize the sources of knowledge.

This is an executive summary made by a group of experts named Latin American Academy for the study of Lipids (ALALIP). In the current clinical guidelines, atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) is a poorly recognized entity. Due to the frequent lipid alterations associated with AD in Latin America (LA), we organized a group of experts named (ALALIP) to generate a document in order to analyze their prevalence and to offer practical recommendations., Methodology: using the Delphi methodology, we conducted a comprehensive literature review with emphasis on those publications related to LA. Subsequently, we developed key questions for discussion. As a convention, those recommendations that had a 100% of acceptance were considered unanimous, those with >80% were consensual, and those with <80% were in disagreement., Results: a systematic analysis of national health surveys and regional cohort studies showed a consistently high prevalence of the lipid abnormalities that define AD: low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) range from 34.1% to 53.3% and elevated triglycerides (TG) range from 25.5% to 31.2%. These abnormalities could be related to high consumption of food with a high caloric density, cholesterol and trans fats, a sedentary lifestyle and perhaps epigenetic changes CONCLUSIONS: lipid abnormalities that define AD have a high prevalence in LA. The interaction between an unfavorable lifestyle, inheritance and epigenetic changes is probably their cause. It is important to design a global study of risk factors in LA to know its true prevalence in the region, its consequences and to derive from its treatment strategies., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: LV dysfunction develops early in hypertension, even previously to left ventricular remodeling., Aims: To determine the frequency of morphologic and functional heart abnormalities associated to abnormal modified Tei Index in untreated hypertensive (HBP) patients (p) with preserved ejection fraction (pEF)., Methods: Case-control study. Three groups: (1) HBP without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH); (2) HBP with LVH; (3) non-HBP controls. Ejection fraction >54 % identified pEF. LVH measured by Devereux method. Systolic and diastolic functions assessed by standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler. 2013 ESH/ESC Hypertension Guidelines normal values were considered. Tei index measured at the lateral and septal LV walls in apical 4-chamber view by tissue Doppler, value >0.40 considered abnormal., Statistical Analysis: multifactorial ANOVA test adjusted by sex and age, p < 0.05 statistically significant., Results: The study included 14 controls, 88 HBP p without LVH, and 19 HBP p with LVH. The HBP p sample mean age was 58.7 ± 13.5 years and 52 (44.1 %) were males. Mean Tei Index was 0.35 ± 0.03 in controls; 0.42 ± 0.05 in HBP without LVH; and 0.42 ± 0.06 in HBP with LVH (p < 0.025). Abnormal Tei Index was present in 2p (14.3 %) controls; 64 p (72.7 %) HBP without LVH; and 15 p (78.9 %) HBP with LVH (p < 0.0009). Tissue Doppler's wave was 8.4 ± 0.9 cm/s in controls; 8 ± 1.6 cm/s in HBP without LVH and 7.8 ± 1.1 cm/s in HBP with LVH., Conclusions: (1) Left ventricular dysfunction is frequent in HBP p, even without LVH; (2) modified tissue Doppler Tei index is a useful tool for the diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Prediction charts allow treatment to be targeted according to simple markers of cardiovascular risk; many algorithms do not recommend screening asymptomatic target organ damage which could change dramatically the assessment., Objective: To demonstrate that target organ damage is present in low cardiovascular risk hypertensive patients and it is more frequent and severe as global cardiovascular risk increases., Methods: Consecutive hypertensive patients treated at a single Latin American center. Cardiovascular risk stratified according to 2013 WHO/ISH risk prediction chart America B. Left ventricular mass assessed by Devereux method, left ventricular hypertrophy considered >95g/m(2) in women and >115g/m(2) in men. Transmitral diastolic peak early flow velocity to average septal/lateral peak early diastolic relaxation velocity (E/e' ratio) measured cut off value >13. Systolic function assessed by tissue Doppler average interventricular septum/lateral wall mitral annulus rate systolic excursion (s wave)., Results: A total of 292 patients were included of whom 159 patients (54.5%) had cardiovascular risk of <10%, 90 (30.8%) had cardiovascular risk of 10-20% and 43 (14.7%) had cardiovascular risk of >20%. Left ventricular hypertrophy was detected in 17.6% low risk patients, 27.8% in medium risk and 23.3% in high risk (p<0.05), abnormal E/e' ratio was found in 13.8%, 31.1% and 27.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Mean s wave was 8.03+8, 8.1+9 and 8.7+1cm/s for low, intermediate and high risk patients, respectively (p<0.025)., Conclusions: Target organ damage is more frequent and severe in high risk; one over four subjects was misclassified due to the presence of asymptomatic target organ damage., (Copyright © 2015 SEHLELHA. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: The loss of the viscoelastic properties of central arteries independently of blood pressure loads could stimulate the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction, renal failure, or cerebral vascular injury., Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine if an elevated systolic aortic pressure is a marker of more frequent target organ damage (TOD) in hypertensive low cardiovascular risk (CVR) patients., Methods: Hypertensive non treated consecutive patients (p) assisted at first visit in a specialized center with a CVR according to WHO Americas B area score less than 10 % were included. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and tissue Doppler diastolic and systolic function were measured as Lang et al. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 18:1440-1463, 2005) and Nagueh et al. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 22:107-133, 2009). Cardiac TOD was considered according to 2013 European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by MDRD formula, a value <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) was considered TOD. Systolic aortic pressured (CAoP) was measured by radial tonometry and classified according to criteria proposed by Herbert et al. (Eur Heart J 35:3100-3132, 2014). Continue variables are reported as means with standard deviation and discrete variables as absolute values and percentages. Statistical analysis was performed with Students t test, significant differences were considered with a p value < 0.05 RESULTS: 155 p were included; 23 p (14.8 %) had elevated CAoP while 132 p (85.2 %) had normal CAoP. Sample mean age was 54.1 + 12.9 years; 85 p (54.8 %) were males. Dyslipidemia was detected in 44 p (28.4 %), and 18 p (11.6 %) were smokers. Mean blood pressure was 143.7 + 17.1 mmHg/86.4 + 12.3 mmHg in p with normal (n) CAoP and 140.3 + 12 mmHg/81.9 + 6.8 mmHg in p with CAoP elevated e (p = NS). Mean CAoP in p with normal values was 117.4 + 10.9 mmHg and 116.9 + 10.7 in p with elevated values (p = NS). The average s wave was 7.42 + 1 cm/sec in n CAoP p vs 6.6 + 1 cm/sec in e CAoP p (p < 0.05) while and E/e' ratio >13 was detected in 14.4 % n CAoP p vs 8.7 % e CAoP p (p = NS). Mean GFR was 105.4 + 40.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in n CAoP p vs 103.9 + 45.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in e CAoP p (p = NS) and GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) was present in 4.5 % n CAoP p vs 26.1 % e CAoP p (p < 0.0125)., Conclusions: At the same level of CVR according to WHO Americas B score patients with elevated CAoP had lower longitudinal left ventricular systolic function and renal function was more deteriorated.

Background: the presence of systolic dysfunction has not been well recognized in hypertensive patients (p)., Objectives: The aim of this study is to demonstrate that hypertensive p with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have systolic dysfunction, and that this functional alteration increases when it is associated to diastolic dysfunction (DD)., Methods: descriptivecross-sectional studywith aprospectivelycollected sample according to specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Left ventricular function was evaluated with conventional echocardiography, mitral valvular orifice Doppler and tissue Doppler following international guidelines. The p were divided in four groups by the presence or absence of LVH and DD., Statistical Analysis: students t tests and ANOVA test, statistical significance <0,05., Results: 292 p were included, 130 p (51 %) LVH- DD-; 36 p (5,9 %) LVH- DD+; 87 p (37,6 %) LVH+ DD-; and 39 p (5,5 %) LVH+ DD+. Patients with diastolic dysfunction were older and more frequently of female sex, had greater systolic blood pressure and central aortic systolic blood pressure. The shortening rate of longitudinal myocardial fibers measured by tissue Doppler (s wave) were 6,3 +1,1 cm/sec in LVH+ DD+ p, 7,2+1,3 cm/sec in LVH+ DD- p, 6,8+1,2 cm/sec in LVH- DD+ p, and 7,8+0,6 cm/seg in LVH- DD- p (<0,005)., Conclusions: hypertensives p had systolic dysfunction when LVH is present and it is greater when it is associated to DD.

Unlabelled: Antihypertensive drugs action should last at least 24 h in order to enhance adherence, with positive impact on CV morbimortality. ABPM allow us to evaluate duration of action of drugs, against placebo, using Trough:Peak Ratio, antihypertensive effect in the last 4 h interdosis, and calculating the rate of BP morning surge. Losartán is an Antagonist At1 with good antihypertensive efficacy and renal, cardiac and cerebrovascular protection. Some studies shows less than 24 hs of action, that suggest twice a day dosing. The merge of a new formulation, Losartan Cronos, a bilayer tablet containing 50 mg of Losartan immediate release (IR) and 50 mg extended release (ER) would allow 24 h coverage, maintaining the previous advantages., Objectives: To assess antihypertensive duration of action of Losartán Cronos in patients with essential hypertension throughout a 24-h dosing interval, using ABPM and response rates, AASI and Smoothness Index., Methods: 97 essential hypertensives, where included and received a single morning dose of Losartán Cronos (50 mg of regular release and 50 mg of controlled and retarded release) during 8 weeks. Performed valid ABPM post placebo and post active treatment. Results Mean age 58 (26-86), 60% women. 63% treatment naïve. The mean reduction in BP from baseline to week 8 (end of treatment) was statistically significant for all times analyzed (24 hours, daytime, night-time, and last 4 hours monitoring). There were no significant changes in 24h heart rate. BP morning surge (mmHg/hour) decreased from 4.53 to 3,68 (p=0.03).T:P Ratio was 0.91 for SBP and 1.14 for DBP. Smoothness Index: SBP 2.86 (95% CI 1.84-3.7) - DBP 3.17 (95% CI 2.03-3.9) 19 patients had adverse events, no-one cough, all mild, without discontinuations. Conclusion Losartán Cronos demonstrated efficacy and safety, decreases BP without significant effects in heart rate, it reduces the pulse pressure, and its effect lasts for 24 hs, assessed by T:P ratio, last 4 hours effects, decreasing morning surge, also presenting homogeneous effect, since its Smoothness Index is high. Our results suggests daily monodose administration.

Background and Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible differences in the impact of the components of metabolic syndrome (MS) on hypertensive patients from countries in Latin America and Spain., Patients and Method: Cross-sectional study in 632 hypertensives with MS recruited in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Chile, Venezuela and Colombia. Demographic and clinical data, as well as the impact of every single component of the MS were evaluated and compared depending on the country they came from., Results: Mean age was 55(14) years, with 54% females. Thirty-eight percent presented 3 MS criteria, 40% presented 4 criteria, and 22% all the 5 criteria. There were no differences among countries in relation to triglyceride mean values. Subjects from Brazil, Mexico, and Spain showed the highest values of fasting plasma glucose. Women from Venezuela and Brazil showed the highest values of waist circumference and women from Venezuela and Chile the lowest values of HDL-cholesterol. With respect to the proportion of patients with each component alteration, those from Venezuela showed the highest proportion of hypertriglyceridemia (83%) and low HDL-cholesterol (77%), whereas those from Spain exhibited the lowest (56% and 40%)., Conclusions: The impact of the components of MS is relatively homogeneous in Latin-America and Spain. However, some differences are detected, with atherogenic dyslipidemia being the predominant factor in Venezuela and abnormal fasting plasma glucose the main one in Spain.

This case-control study, analyzed the role of coronary risk factors in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the elderly, and established the nature of this association and the degree of risk. Data were derived from an investigation (1060 cases and 1071 controls) conducted in 35 coronary care units from clinical centres in Argentina between November 1991 and August 1994. Our analysis was based on data collected from subjects over age 65. Cases were 427 patients with AMI and without history of ischaemic heart disease. Controls were 396 subjects identified in the same centres as the cases. Odds ratios (OR) estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived from multiple logistic regression equations including terms for age, education, social status, smoking status, history of diabetes or hypertension, body mass index and family history of coronary heart disease. The risk factors independently and strongly related to the risk of AMI were the following: hyperlipidemia (serum cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl): OR = 1.76 (95% CI: 1.25-2.49), smoking habits: OR = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.06-2.4), hypertension: OR = 2.05 (95% CI: 1.51-2.73), diabetes OR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.12-2.70), one relative with family history of coronary heart disease: OR = 1.36 (95% CI: 0.93-1.97) and two or more relatives: OR = 2.63 (95% CI: 1.21-5.71). This study confirms in the elderly the importance of hyperlipidemia, tobacco, hypertension, diabetes and family history of coronary heart disease as risks factors of AMI.

The relation between family history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the risk of AMI was analyzed using data of a case-control study conducted in Argentina between 1992 and 1994. Case patients were 1,060 subjects with AMI admitted to 35 coronary care units, and controls were 1,071 subjects admitted to the same network of hospitals where cases had been identified, for a wide spectrum of acute conditions unrelated to known or likely risk factors for AMI: 31% of cases versus 15% of controls reported > or = 1 first-degree relative with history of AMI. Compared with subjects without family history of AMI, the odds ratio (OR) of AMI, after allowance for age, sex, cholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, education, social class, and physical exercise, was 2.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.74 to 2.74) for those with family history of AMI. The OR was 2.04 (95% CI 1.60 to 2.60) for subjects with 1 relative, and 3.18 (95% C 1.86 to 5.44) for those reporting > or = 2 relatives with AMI. In women the OR for any family history of AMI was 2.83, and in men 2.01. The association was of similar magnitude if the mother (OR 1.98), the father (OR 2.13), or a sibling (OR 2.48) had had an AMI. The association with family history was stronger at a younger age because the OR for subjects reporting > or = 2 more relatives with a history of AMI was 4.42 for subjects aged < 55 years, and 3.00 for those aged > or = 55 years. The association between AMI and family history of AMI was consistent across separate strata of education, social class, smoking, and serum cholesterol, but was less strong in subjects with history of diabetes and hypertension. When the interaction of known risk factors with family history of AMI was analyzed, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and smoking had approximately multiplicative effects on the relative risk. The OR was 4.50 for subjects with family history and cholesterol > or = 240 ml/dl, 4.52 for those with hypertension, and 5.77 for current smokers with family history of AMI. Thus, this study confirms that a family history of AMI is a strong and independent risk factor for AMI. In this population from Argentina, family history accounted for 14% of all cases of AMI in men and 26% in women.