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To investigate a potential association between beta-blocker exposure and survival in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).In this real-world prospective registry of 128 consecutive patients with ATTR-CM recruited in 7 institutions in Galicia (Spain), survival of 65 patients who received beta blockers on registry enrollment was compared with that of 63 untreated controls by means of both unweighted Cox regression and Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Tolerance to and adverse effects of beta blockers were recorded. Median study follow-up was 520 days.Patients with ATTR-CM who received beta blockers showed statistically significant lower all-cause mortality than untreated controls as evaluated by either unweighted Cox regression (hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.79) or Cox regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting (hazard ratio, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.41; P.001). Several sensitivity analyses confirmed the internal validity of these results. The overall frequency of beta-blocker suspension due to adverse effects was 25% (95% CI, 15.5% to 34.5%).In this real-world, prospective, multi-institutional registry, patients with ATTR-CM who received beta blockers had lower all-cause mortality than untreated controls.

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives: Recently, there have been important advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Our aim was to provide an updated description of its 2 most frequent types: the transthyretin CA (ATTR-CA) and the light chain CA (AL-CA). Methods: Prospective registry of patients with CA diagnosed in 7 institutions in Galicia (Spain) between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2020. Variables related to clinical characteristics, complementary tests, survival and causes of death were collected. Results: One hundred and forty-three patients with CA were consecutively included, 128 ATTR-CA (89.5%) and 15 AL-CA (10.5%). Mean age was 79.6±7.7 years and 23.8% were women. Most patients with ATTR-CA were diagnosed non-invasively (87.5%). On physical examination, 35.7, 35 and 7% had Popeye's sign, Dupuytren's contracture and macroglossia, respectively. Twelve-month and 24-month survival was 92.1 and 76.2% in the ATTR-CA group, and 78.6 and 61.1% in the AL-CA group (P=.152). The cause of death was cardiovascular in 80.8% of the cohort. Conclusions: ATTR-CA can be diagnosed non-invasively in most cases and it is the most common type of CA in routine clinical practice. Furthermore, an increase in the short-term survival of CA appears to be observed, which could be due to advances related to its diagnosis and treatment. [Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Recientemente se han producido importantes avances en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la amiloidosis cardiaca (AC). Nos propusimos realizar una descripción actualizada de sus 2 tipos más frecuentes: la AC por transtirretina (AC-ATTR) y la AC por cadenas ligeras (AC-AL). Métodos. Registro prospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de AC en 7 hospitales de Galicia entre el 1 de enero de 2018 y el 30 de junio de 2020. Se recogieron variables relativas a características clínicas, pruebas complementarias, supervivencia y causas de muerte. Resultados. Se incluyeron de forma consecutiva 143 pacientes con AC, 128 AC-ATTR (89,5%) y 15 AC-AL (10,5%). La edad media fue de 79,6 ± 7,7 años y un 23,8% fueron mujeres. La mayoría de los pacientes con AC-ATTR se diagnosticaron de forma no invasiva (87,5%). En la exploración física, un 35,7, un 35 y un 7% de los pacientes presentaban el signo de Popeye, contractura de Dupuytren y macroglosia, respectivamente. La supervivencia a los 12 y 24 meses fue del 92,1 y el 76,2% en el grupo AC-ATTR, y del 78,6 y el 61,1% en el grupo AC-AL (p = 0,152). La causa de muerte fue cardiovascular en el 80,8% de la cohorte. Conclusiones. La AC-ATTR puede ser diagnosticada en la mayoría de los casos de manera no invasiva y es la forma de AC más frecuente en la práctica clínica habitual. Además, parece observarse un aumento en la supervivencia a corto plazo de la AC que en parte podría deberse a los avances relacionados con su diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Aims: The utility of biomarkers in characterizing atrial cardiomyopathy is unclear. We aim to test the ability of biomarkers of fibrosis (galectin-3 (Gal-3)) and adiposity (fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) and leptin) to predict: (1) the presence of low-voltage areas (LVA) in the electroanatomic voltage mapping; and (2) the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods: Patients referred for PVI were enrolled. Areas of bipolar voltage < 0.5 mV were considered as LVA. An aggregate score incorporating AF pattern (paroxysmal, persistent and long-standing persistent) and peripheral levels of FABP4 (>20 ng/mL) was developed. Results: 299 patients were included. AF was paroxysmal in 100 (33%), persistent in 130 (43%) and long-standing persistent in 69 (23%). Multivariable analysis revealed age, left atrium area, and the proposed score as independent predictors of LVA. During a mean follow-up period of 972 ± 451 days, freedom from AF recurrence was 63%. The score incorporating AF pattern and FABP4 levels accurately predicted freedom from AF recurrence, stratifying risk into ranges from 28% (score of 1) to 68% (score of 3). Cox regression models identified the score including AF pattern + FABP4 as the best model for AF recurrence (hazard ratio 2.32; 95% CI, 1.19 to 4.5; p = 0.014). Conclusions: Traditional clinical classification of atrial cardiomyopathy may be improved by markers of adiposity (FABP4). The combination allows better prediction of the presence of LVA and AF recurrence post-PVI. Gal-3 provided no added predictive value.

To analyze the clinical profile and therapeutic strategy in atrial fibrillation (AF) according to gender in a contemporaneous patient cohort a prospective, multicenter observational study was performed on consecutive patients diagnosed with AF and assessed by cardiology units in the region of Galicia (Spain). A total of 1007 patients were included, of which 32.3% were women. The mean age of the women was significantly greater than that of the men (71.6 versus 65.7 years, p &lt, 0.001), with a higher prevalence of hypertension (HTN) and valve disease. Women more often reported symptoms related to arrhythmia (28.2% in EHRA class I versus 36.4% in men), with a poorer level of symptoms (EHRA classes IIb and III). Thromboembolic risk was significantly higher among women (CHA2DS2-VASc 3 ± 1.3 versus 2 ± 1.5), in the same way as bleeding risk (HAS-BLED 0.83 ± 0.78 versus 0.64 ± 0.78) (p &lt, 0.001), and women more often received anticoagulation therapy (94.1% versus 87.6%, p = 0.001). Rhythm control strategies proved significantly less frequent in women (55.8% versus 66.6%, p = 0.001), with a lesser electrical cardioversion (ECV) rate (18.4% versus 27.3%, p = 0.002). Perceived health status was poorer in women. Women were older and presented greater comorbidity than men, with a greater thromboembolic and bleeding risk. Likewise, rhythm control strategies were less frequent than in men, despite the fact that women had poorer perceived quality of life and were more symptomatic.

Introduccion y objetivos La cistatina C es una proteina con una concentracion plasmatica estable y eliminacion exclusivamente renal. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar el valor pronostico de la cistatina C en pacientes con sindrome coronario agudo. Metodos Estudiamos prospectivamente a 203 pacientes ingresados por sindrome coronario agudo. Se realizo una determinacion analitica a las 24 h del ingreso que incluia creatinina, cistatina C, hemograma, colesterol total y fraccionado y marcadores de necrosis miocardica. Se estimo la tasa de filtrado glomerular mediante la ecuacion MDRD. Se compararon dos grupos segun las concentraciones sericas de cistatina C (> 0,95 y Resultados Noventa (44,3%) pacientes tenian cistatina C ≤ 0,95 mg/l y 113 (55,7%), > 0,95 mg/l. Aquellos con cistatina C > 0,95 mg/l presentaron peor evolucion hospitalaria con mas insuficiencia cardiaca (el 51,3 frente al 13,3%; p = 0,001), mayor mortalidad hospitalaria (el 17,6 frente al 3,3%; p = 0,001) y durante el seguimiento (el 22 frente al 5,6%; p = 0,001). En un modelo multivariable ajustado por edad, fraccion de eyeccion, troponina I y proteina C reactiva ultrasensible, la cistatina C demostro ser el predictor independiente mas potente de complicaciones cardiovasculares (RR = 1,91; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 1,03-3,53). Los pacientes con cistatina C > 0,95 y tasa de filtracion > 60/ml/1,73 m2 presentaron mayor mortalidad hospitalaria (el 10,2 frente al 3,9%; p = 0,001). Conclusiones La determinacion de cistatina C en el sindrome coronario agudo de alto riesgo podria ser un buen elemento clinico en la estratificacion de su riesgo durante la hospitalizacion, en particular en pacientes con filtrado glomerular normal.

Cardioembolic stroke accounts for one third of all ischemic strokes, and atrial fibrillation (AF) is the cardiac source of emboli in 50% of them. However, the absolute risk of stroke associated with AF has enormous variability, and several clinical risk stratification schemes have been proposed. One of the most validated and used in clinical practice is the CHADS2 index, characterized by its simplicity and rapid application. Current recommendations about antithrombotic therapy in AF patients are based on assessment of annual risk of stroke; thus, antiaggregation is indicated in patients with a low risk, and anticoagulation is prescribed when annual risk is greater than 2.5%. Relevant studies comparing rate and rhythm control do not defend achievement and maintenance of sinus rhythm as a routine management of AF patients and demonstrate that rate control is comparable or even better than rhythm control in terms of survival and quality of life. Optimal control of blood pressure is a relevant factor in preventing cardioembolic stroke in AF patients, because hypertension multiplies the risk of stroke by 12. Antihypertensive drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers proved to reduce AF recurrences, especially in the context of left ventricular dysfunction and ventricular hypertrophy.

Introduction and objectives The protein cystatin C has a stable plasma concentration and is eliminated exclusively by the kidneys. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of cystatin C in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods The prospective study included 203 hospitalized ACS patients. Clinical evaluation during the first 24 hours of hospitalization included a hemogram and measurement of creatinine, cystatin C, total and fractionated cholesterol, and markers of myocardial necrosis. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) equation. A comparison was made between 2 groups of patients divided according to a serum cystatin-C level above or below 0.95 mg/L. The mean follow-up period was 151 days. Results In total, 90 patients (44.3%) had a cystatin-C level ≤0.95 mg/L and 113 (55.7%) had a level >0.95 mg/L. Those with a cystatin-C level >0.95 mg/L had poorer in-hospital outcomes, including more frequent heart failure (51.3% vs 13.3%; P =.001) and higher in-hospital mortality (17.6% vs 3.3%; P =.001), as well as higher mortality throughout follow-up (22.0% vs 5.6%; P =.001). Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, ejection fraction and troponin-I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations showed that cystatin C was the most powerful independent predictor of a cardiovascular event (relative risk =1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-3.53). Patients with a GFR >60 mL/1.73 m 2 and a cystatin-C level >0.95 mg/L had higher in-hospital mortality (10.2% vs 3.9%; P =.001). Conclusions Measurement of cystatin C in high-risk ACS patients may be clinically useful for risk stratification during hospitalization, particularly in those with a normal GFR.

The presence of multicoronary artery disease is a predictor of a worse prognosis in patients who suffer from an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective of this study is to identify all clinical factors that are indicative of multicoronary artery disease in those patients who are suffering from an ACS.