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Abstract Aims Iron deficiency (ID) is associated with an impaired cardiac function and remodelling in heart failure (HF). Treatment with ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has been showed recently to improve biventricular systolic function and ventricular strain parameters in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction and ID, but there is no evidence on the benefit of FCM on the left atrium (LA). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of FCM on LA longitudinal strain (LA‐LS). Methods and results This is a post hoc subanalysis of a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial that enrolled 53 ambulatory patients with HF, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)

Hypertension, a primary risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases, is a global health concern. Early identification and effective management of hypertensive individuals are vital for reducing associated health risks. This study explores the potential of deep learning (DL) techniques, specifically GoogLeNet, ResNet-18, and ResNet-50, for discriminating between normotensive (NTS) and hypertensive (HTS) individuals using photoplethysmographic (PPG) recordings. The research assesses the impact of calibration at different time intervals between measurements, considering intervals less than 1 h, 1–6 h, 6–24 h, and over 24 h. Results indicate that calibration is most effective when measurements are closely spaced, with an accuracy exceeding 90% in all the DL strategies tested. For calibration intervals below 1 h, ResNet-18 achieved the highest accuracy (93.32%), sensitivity (84.09%), specificity (97.30%), and F1-score (88.36%). As the time interval between calibration and test measurements increased, classification performance gradually declined. For intervals exceeding 6 h, accuracy dropped below 81% but with all models maintaining accuracy above 71% even for intervals above 24 h. This study provides valuable insights into the feasibility of using DL for hypertension risk assessment, particularly through PPG recordings. It demonstrates that closely spaced calibration measurements can lead to highly accurate classification, emphasizing the potential for real-time applications. These findings may pave the way for advanced, non-invasive, and continuous blood pressure monitoring methods that are both efficient and reliable.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide that affects more than 10% of the Spanish population. CKD is associated with high comorbidity rates, poor prognosis and major consumption of health system resources. Since the publication of the last consensus document on CKD seven years ago, little evidence has emerged and few clinical trials on new diagnostic and treatment strategies in CKD have been conducted, apart from new trials in diabetic kidney disease. Therefore, CKD international guidelines have not been recently updated. The rigidity and conservative attitude of the guidelines should not prevent the publication of updates in knowledge about certain matters that may be key in detecting CKD and managing patients with this disease. This document, also prepared by 10 scientific associations, provides an update on concepts, clarifications, diagnostic criteria, remission strategies and new treatment options.The evidence and the main studies published on these aspects of CKD have been reviewed. This should be considered more as an information document on CKD. It includes an update on CKD detection, risk factors and screening; a definition of renal progression; an update of remission criteria with new suggestions in the older population; CKD monitoring and prevention strategies; management of associated comorbidities, particularly in diabetes mellitus; roles of the Primary Care physician in CKD management; and what not to do in Nephrology.The aim of the document is to serve as an aid in the multidisciplinary management of the patient with CKD based on current recommendations and knowledge. Resumen: La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) es un importante problema de salud pública a nivel mundial afectando a mas del 10% de la población española. Se asocia a elevada comorbilidad, mal pronóstico, así como a un gran consumo de recursos en el sistema sanitario. Desde la publicación del último documento de consenso sobre ERC publicado hace siete años, han sido escasas las evidencias y los ensayos clínicos que hayan mostrado nuevas estrategias en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la ERC, con excepción de los nuevos ensayos en la enfermedad renal diabética. Esta situación ha condicionado que no se hayan actualizado las guías internacionales en este aspecto. Esta rigidez y actitud conservadora de las guías no debe impedir la publicación de actualizaciones en el conocimiento en algunos aspectos, que pueden ser clave en la detección y manejo del paciente con ERC. En este documento, elaborado en conjunto con diez sociedades científicas, se muestra una actualización sobre conceptos, aclaraciones, criterios diagnósticos, estrategias de remisión y nuevas opciones terapéuticas.Se han revisado las evidencias y los principales estudios publicados en estos aspectos de la ERC, considerándose más bien un documento de información sobre este padecimiento. El documento incluye una actualización sobre la detección de la ERC, factores de riesgo, cribado, definición de progresión renal, actualización en los criterios de remisión con nuevas sugerencias en la población anciana, monitorización y estrategias de prevención de la ERC, manejo de comorbilidades asociadas, especialmente en diabetes mellitus, funciones del médico de Atención Primaria en el manejo de la ERC y qué no hacer en Nefrología.El objetivo del documento es que sirva de ayuda en el manejo multidisciplinar del paciente con ERC basado en las recomendaciones y conocimientos actuales.

Resumen: La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) es un importante problema de salud pública a nivel mundial afectando a más del 10% de la población española. Se asocia a elevada comorbilidad, mal pronóstico, así como a un gran consumo de recursos en el sistema sanitario. Desde la publicación del último documento de consenso sobre ERC publicado hace siete años, han sido escasas las evidencias y los ensayos clínicos que hayan mostrado nuevas estrategias en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la ERC, con excepción de los nuevos ensayos en la enfermedad renal diabética. Esta situación ha condicionado que no se hayan actualizado las guías internacionales específicas de ERC. Esta rigidez y actitud conservadora de las guías no debe impedir la publicación de actualizaciones en el conocimiento en algunos aspectos, que pueden ser clave en la detección y manejo del paciente con ERC. En este documento, elaborado en conjunto por diez sociedades científicas, se muestra una actualización sobre conceptos, aclaraciones, criterios diagnósticos, estrategias de remisión y nuevas opciones terapéuticas.Se han revisado las evidencias y los principales estudios publicados en estos aspectos de la ERC, considerándose más bien un documento de información sobre esta patología. El documento incluye una actualización sobre la detección de la ERC, factores de riesgo, cribado, definición de progresión renal, actualización en los criterios de remisión con nuevas sugerencias en la población anciana, monitorización y estrategias de prevención de la ERC, manejo de comorbilidades asociadas, especialmente en diabetes mellitus, funciones del médico de Atención Primaria en el manejo de la ERC y qué no hacer en Nefrología.El objetivo del documento es que sirva de ayuda en el manejo multidisciplinar del paciente con ERC basado en las recomendaciones y conocimientos actuales. Abstract: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide that affects more than 10% of the Spanish population. CKD is associated with high comorbidity rates, poor prognosis and major consumption of health system resources. Since the publication of the last consensus document on CKD seven years ago, little evidence has emerged and few clinical trials on new diagnostic and treatment strategies in CKD have been conducted, apart from new trials in diabetic kidney disease. Therefore, CKD international guidelines have not been recently updated. The rigidity and conservative attitude of the guidelines should not prevent the publication of updates in knowledge about certain matters that may be key in detecting CKD and managing patients with this disease. This document, also prepared by 10 scientific societies, provides an update on concepts, clarifications, diagnostic criteria, remission strategies and new treatment options.The evidence and the main studies published on these aspects of CKD have been reviewed. This should be considered more as an information document on CKD. It includes an update on CKD detection, risk factors and screening; a definition of renal progression; an update of remission criteria with new suggestions in the older population; CKD monitoring and prevention strategies; management of associated comorbidities, particularly in diabetes mellitus; roles of the Primary Care physician in CKD management; and what not to do in Nephrology.The aim of the document is to serve as an aid in the multidisciplinary management of the patient with CKD based on current recommendations and knowledge.

Abstract Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is a marker of pulmonary vascular remodeling. A non-invasive model assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has been proposed to estimate PVR. However, its accuracy has not yet been evaluated in patients with heart failure. We prospectively included 108 patients admitted with acute heart failure (AHF), in whom a right heart catheterization (RHC) and CMR were performed at the same day. PVR was estimated by CMR applying the model: PVR = 19.38 − [4.62 × Ln pulmonary artery average velocity (in cm/s)] − [0.08 × right ventricle ejection fraction (in %)], and by RHC using standard formulae. The median age of the cohort was 67 years (interquartile range 58–73), and 34% were females. The median of PVR assessed by RHC and CMR were 2.2 WU (1.5–4) and 5 WU (3.4–7), respectively. We found a weak correlation between invasive PVR and PVR assessed by CMR (Spearman r = 0.21, p = 0.02). The area under the ROC curve for PVR assessed by CMR to detect PVR ≥ 3 WU was 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47–0.68. In patients with AHF, the non-invasive estimation of PVR using CMR shows poor accuracy, as well as a limited capacity to discriminate increased PVR values.

Abstract Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile in terms of changes in renal function after co‐treatment with sacubitril/valsartan and empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods and results This multicentre observational analysis included 108 patients with T2D and HFrEF treated with both agents: baseline sacubitril/valsartan (Group A; n = 43), baseline empagliflozin (Group B; n = 42), or both agents initiated simultaneously (Group C; n = 23). The primary endpoint was estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) dynamics across treatment groups. A binary characterization of worsening renal function (WRF)/improved renal function (IRF) was included in the primary endpoint. WRF and IRF were defined as an increase/decrease in serum creatinine ≥ 0.3 mg/dL or GFR ≥ 20%. Changes in quantitative variables were evaluated using joint modelling of survival and longitudinal data (JM). Rates and their treatment differences were determined by Poisson regression. The mean left ventricle ejection fraction and eGFR were 32 ± 6% and 70 ± 28 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. At a median follow‐up of 1.01 years (inter‐quartile range 0.71–1.50), 377 outpatient visits were recorded. Although there were differences in GFR trajectories over time within each treatment, they did not achieve statistical significance (omnibus P = 0.154). However, when these differences were contrasted among groups, there was a significant decrease in GFR in Group A as compared with Group B (P = 0.002). The contrast between Groups C and B was not significant (P = 0.430). These differences were also reflected when the rates for WRF and IRF were contrasted among treatments. Conclusions The co‐administration of sacubitril/valsartan and empagliflozin in patients with HFrEF and concomitant T2D appears to be safe in terms of renal function.

Abstract Aims Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is related with worse outcomes. Insulin treatment is associated with sodium and water retention, weight gain, and hypoglycaemia—all pathophysiological mechanisms related to HF decompensation. This study aimed to evaluate the association between insulin treatment and the risk of 1 year readmission for HF in patients discharged for acute HF. Methods and results We prospectively included 2895 consecutive patients discharged after an episode of acute HF in a single tertiary hospital. Multivariable Cox regression, adapted for competing events, was used to assess the association between insulin treatment and 1 year readmission for HF in patients discharged after acute HF. Participants' mean age was 73.4 ± 11.2 years, 50.8% were women, 44.7% had T2DM [including 527 (18.2%) on insulin therapy], and 52.7% had preserved ejection fraction. At 1 year follow‐up, 518 (17.9%) patients had died and 693 (23.9%) were readmitted for HF. The crude risk of readmission for HF was higher in patients on insulin, with no differences in 1 year mortality. After multivariable adjustment, patients on insulin were at significantly higher risk of 1 year readmission for HF than patients with diabetes who were not on insulin (hazard ratio 1.28; 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.59, P = 0.022) and patients without diabetes (hazard ratio 1.26; 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.55, P = 0.035). Conclusion Following acute HF, patients with T2DM on insulin therapy are at increased risk of readmission for HF. Further studies unravelling the mechanisms behind this association are warranted.

Abstract Aims The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in patients with heart failure (HF) and iron deficiency (ID) have not been completely characterized. The Myocardial‐IRON trial was a double‐blind, randomized trial that evaluated myocardial iron repletion following FCM vs. placebo in 53 patients with HF and ID. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated whether treatment with FCM was associated with cardiac magnetic resonance changes in left and right ventricular function (LVEF and RVEF, respectively) at different points of systolic dysfunction. Methods and results We included patients from the Myocardial‐IRON trial with left and right ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD and RVSD, respectively) at enrolment. Linear mixed regression models were used to evaluate changes at 7 and 30 days on LVEF and RVEF at cardiac magnetic resonance. At enrolment, 27 (50.9%) and 38 (71.7%) patients had LVEF

Background The mechanisms explaining the clinical benefits of ferric carboximaltose (FCM) in patients with heart failure, reduced or intermediate left ventricular ejection fraction, and iron deficiency remain not fully clarified. The Myocardial‐IRON trial showed short‐term cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) changes suggesting myocardial iron repletion following administration of FCM but failed to find a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction in the whole sample. Conversely, the strain assessment could evaluate more specifically subtle changes in contractility. In this subanalysis, we aimed to evaluate the effect of FCM on the short‐term left and right ventricular CMR feature tracking derived strain. Methods and Results This is a post hoc subanalysis of the double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial that enrolled 53 ambulatory patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction

The detection of hypertension (HT) is of great importance for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), as subjects with high blood pressure (BP) are asymptomatic until advanced stages of the disease. The present study proposes a classification model to discriminate between normotensive (NTS) and hypertensive (HTS) subjects employing electrocardiographic (ECG) and photoplethysmographic (PPG) recordings as an alternative to traditional cuff-based methods. A total of 913 ECG, PPG and BP recordings from 69 subjects were analyzed. Then, signal preprocessing, fiducial points extraction and feature selection were performed, providing 17 discriminatory features, such as pulse arrival and transit times, that fed machine-learning-based classifiers. The main innovation proposed in this research uncovers the relevance of previous calibration to obtain accurate HT risk assessment. This aspect has been assessed using both close and distant time test measurements with respect to calibration. The k-nearest neighbors-classifier provided the best outcomes with an accuracy for new subjects before calibration of 51.48%. The inclusion of just one calibration measurement into the model improved classification accuracy by 30%, reaching gradually more than 96% with more than six calibration measurements. Accuracy decreased with distance to calibration, but remained outstanding even days after calibration. Thus, the use of PPG and ECG recordings combined with previous subject calibration can significantly improve discrimination between NTS and HTS individuals. This strategy could be implemented in wearable devices for HT risk assessment as well as to prevent CVDs.

Background Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) improves symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life in heart failure and iron deficiency. The mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to examine changes in myocardial iron content after FCM administration in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency using cardiac magnetic resonance. Methods and Results Fifty‐three stable heart failure and iron deficiency patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous FCM or placebo in a multicenter, double‐blind study. T2* and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance sequences, noninvasive surrogates of intramyocardial iron, were evaluated before and 7 and 30 days after randomization using linear mixed regression analysis. Results are presented as least‐square means with 95% CI. The primary end point was the change in T2* and T1 mapping at 7 and 30 days. Median age was 73 (65–78) years, with N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, ferritin, and transferrin saturation medians of 1690 pg/mL (1010–2828), 63 ng/mL (22–114), and 15.7% (11.0–19.2), respectively. Baseline T2* and T1 mapping values did not significantly differ across treatment arms. On day 7, both T2* and T1 mapping (ms) were significantly lower in the FCM arm (36.6 [34.6–38.7] versus 40 [38–42.1], P=0.025; 1061 [1051–1072] versus 1085 [1074–1095], P=0.001, respectively). A similar reduction was found at 30 days for T2* (36.3 [34.1–38.5] versus 41.1 [38.9–43.4], P=0.003), but not for T1 mapping (1075 [1065–1085] versus 1079 [1069–1089], P=0.577). Conclusions In patients with heart failure and iron deficiency, FCM administration was associated with changes in the T2* and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance sequences, indicative of myocardial iron repletion. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03398681.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is a major diagnostic challenge in clinical practice, due to the lower sensitivity of the modified Duke criteria and a higher percentage of cases with negative or inconclusive echocardiography results. The delay in establishing medical and surgical treatment increases the morbidity/mortality rate. New imaging techniques and 18F-FDG PET/CT in particular have meant a significant advance in cases of high clinical suspicion and negative or inconclusive echocardiography, increasing the overall sensitivity of the modified Duke criteria.We report the case of a male patient with prosthetic valve endocarditis, where 18F-FDG PET/CT provided the diagnostic key, determining the origin of the endocarditis and avoiding treatment delay. Resumo: A endocardite das próteses valvulares é um desafio diagnóstico real na prática clínica devido à menor sensibilidade dos critérios de Duke modificados e a uma maior percentagem de casos em que o ecocardiograma é negativo ou inconclusivo. O atraso no início do tratamento médico ou cirúrgico aumenta a taxa de morbilidade e mortalidade, de modo que o surgimento de novas técnicas de imagem e, em particular, da 18F-FDG PET/CT tem sido um grande avanço em casos de alta suspeição clínica com ecocardiograma negativo ou duvidoso, o que aumenta a sensibilidade global dos critérios diagnósticos de endocardite.Apresentamos o caso clínico de um homem com endocardite da prótese valvular em quem 18F-FDG PET/CT foi a chave diagnóstica que permitiu diferenciar a origem da endocardite e evitar o atraso do tratamento. Keywords: Prosthetic valve endocarditis, Cardiac imaging, 18F-FDG PET/CT, Modified Duke criteria, Palavras-chave: Endocardite das próteses valvulares, Imagem cardíaca, 18F-FDG PET/CT, Critérios de Duke modificados

La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) es un importante problema de salud pública que puede afectar en sus diferentes estadios a cerca del 10% de la población española y que supone una elevada morbimortalidad, así como un importante consumo de recursos al Sistema Nacional de Salud. Diez sociedades científicas involucradas en el manejo del paciente renal nos hemos puesto de acuerdo para hacer una puesta al día del anterior documento de consenso sobre ERC de 2007. El presente es la edición abreviada del documento general extenso, que puede ser consultado en las páginas Web de cada una de las sociedades firmantes. Contiene los siguientes aspectos: definición, epidemiología y factores de riesgo de la ERC; criterios de diagnóstico, evaluación y estadificación de la ERC, albuminuria y estimación del filtrado glomerular; concepto y factores de progresión; criterios de derivación a nefrología; seguimiento del paciente, actitudes y objetivos por especialidad; prevención de la nefrotoxicidad; detección del daño cardiovascular; actitudes, estilo de vida y tratamiento: manejo de la hipertensión arterial, dislipidemia, hiperglucemia, tabaquismo, obesidad, hiperuricemia, anemia, alteraciones del metabolismo mineral y óseo; seguimiento coordinado por atención primaria-otras especialidades-nefrología; manejo del paciente en tratamiento renal sustitutivo, hemodiálisis, diálisis peritoneal y trasplante renal; tratamiento paliativo de la uremia terminal. Esperamos que sirva de gran ayuda en el manejo multidisciplinar del paciente con ERC, a la vista de las recomendaciones más actualizadas.

Aim: We sought to define trends in AF prevalence and its medical management using recent data based on data from two cross-sectional studies performed in a European country in 1999 and 2009. Methods: CARDIOTENS 1999 and CARDIOTENS 2009 were two observational, cross-sectional, multicenter studies. Patients were recruited in from primary care and cardiology outpatient clinics. A total of 32 051 and 25 137 subjects were analyzed in the two studies, 1540 and 1524 of them, respectively, diagnosed with AF. Results: Over the course of the study period there was an increase in the prevalence of AF (from 4.8% to 6.1%), mainly due to the higher prevalence of AF in patients aged over 70 years (24.7% vs. 37.1%). Furthermore, patients with AF had a higher prevalence of hypertension (64.9% vs. 87.0%), diabetes (19.0% vs. 37.4%), heart failure (30.8% vs. 34.8%), coronary artery disease (23.0% vs. 25.8%) and previous stroke (1.5% vs. 8.9%). An overall increase in prescription of antithrombotic/antiplatelet therapy was observed (33.0% vs. 62.7% and 31.0% vs. 38.2% respectively); the difference observed in 1999 between prescription of oral anticoagulation by general practitioners and cardiologists was not seen in the later study. Differences in prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (28.0% vs. 40.7%), angiotensin receptor blockers (10.0% vs. 40.0%), beta-blockers (14.0% vs. 41.5%) and calcium channel blockers (21.0% vs. 34.9%) were also identified. Conclusions: The number of patients with AF and a higher risk for thromboembolic events increased over the last 10 years. More aggressive antithrombotic treatment has been observed, especially in older patients. Resumo: Objetivos: Procuramos definir as tendências prevalentes de fibrilhação auricular (FA) e o tratamento médico utilizando dados recentes, colhidos de dois estudos transversais realizados num país europeu entre 1999 e 2009. Métodos: CARDIOTENS 1999 e CARDIOTENS 2009 são dois estudos observacionais, transversais multicêntricos. Os pacientes foram recrutados de clínicas de ambulatório dirigidas por generalistas e cardiologistas. Um total de 32 051 e de 25 137 indivíduos foram analizados; 1 540 e 1 524 dos quais foram diagnosticados com FA. Resultados: Durante a realização do nosso estudo houve um aumento na incidência de FA (de 4,8% a 61,%) sobretudo devido à elevada prevalência de FA em pacientes com mais de 70 anos de idade (24,7% versus 37,1%). Para além disso doentes com FA revelam mais tendência para hipertensão (64,9% versus 87,0%), diabetes mellitus (19,0% versus 37,4%), insuficiência cardíaca (30,8% versus 34,8%), doença coronária (23% versus 25,8%) e acidente vascular cerebral prévio (1,5% versus 8,9%). No que se refere a terapia antitrombótica/antiplaquetária, foi observado um aumento generalizado na sua prescrição (33,0% versus 62,7% e 31,0% versus 38,2% respetivamente). Sobre este assunto, a diferença de prescrição de anticoagulantes orais observada em 1999 entre os generalistas e cardiologistas não se verifica atualmente. Diferenças nos agentes inibidores da enzima de conversão da angiotensina (28,0% versus 40,7%), bloqueadores recetores da angiotensina (10,0% versus 40,0%), beta-bloqueantes (14,0% versus 41,5%) e bloqueadores dos canais de cálcio (21,0% versus 34,9%) foram igualmente identificadas. Conclusões: O número de pacientes com FA e eventos trombo-embólicos com risco mais elevado aumentou ao longo da última década. Um tratamento antitrombótico mais agressivo foi observado sobretudo na população mais idosa. Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Risk factors, Oral anticoagulation, Upstream therapies, Palavras-chave: Fibrilhação auricular, Fatores de risco, Anticoagulação oral, Terapias de upstream

Abstract Worsening heart failure (HF) is a vulnerable period in which the patient has a markedly high risk of death or HF hospitalization (up to 10% and 30%, respectively, within the first weeks after episode). The prognosis of HF patients can be improved through a comprehensive approach that considers the different neurohormonal systems, with the early introduction and optimization of the quadruple therapy with sacubitril–valsartan, beta‐blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and inhibitors. Despite that, there is a residual risk that is not targeted with these therapies. Currently, it is recognized that the cyclic guanosine monophosphate deficiency has a negative direct impact on the pathogenesis of HF, and vericiguat, an oral stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase, can restore this pathway. The effect of vericiguat has been explored in the VICTORIA study, the largest chronic HF clinical trial that has mainly focused on patients with recent worsening HF, evidencing a significant 10% risk reduction of the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization (number needed to treat 24), after adding vericiguat to standard therapy. This benefit was independent of background HF therapy. Therefore, optimization of treatment should be performed as earlier as possible, particularly within vulnerable periods, considering also the use of vericiguat.