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Biomedical subjects

Salvador Cruz-Flores

Publications and source records attributed to Salvador Cruz-Flores.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

State of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Hispanic/Latino Adults in the United States: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Cardiovascular disease became the leading cause of death among Hispanic individuals in the United States in 2022. Hispanic adults experience a disproportionate burden of cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Hispanic populations are highly heterogeneous, with substantial variations in genetic ancestry and sociocultural influences that shape cardiovascular disease risk and outcomes. The "Hispanic paradox," describing lower cardiovascular disease mortality despite higher risk factor burden, is increasingly recognized as an oversimplification that does not apply uniformly across Hispanic heritage groups, sexes, or disease types. Disaggregated data reveal substantial differences in risk profiles and disease burden among Hispanic heritage groups, emphasizing the limitations of treating this population as a monolithic unit. Recent evidence demonstrates widening disparities in hypertension control, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic diseases among Hispanic populations, threatening this prior mortality advantage. Advancing cardiovascular and equitable health will require developing a deeper understanding of the unique drivers of cardiovascular disease within diverse Hispanic communities, addressing barriers such as language and insurance access, and implementing culturally tailored interventions and policies. This scientific statement summarizes current cardiovascular disease epidemiology in Hispanic populations, emphasizing heritage group variation and social and structural determinants of health, and presents strategies to improve prevention and healthcare delivery. Key priorities for advancing cardiovascular health in Hispanic adults include expanding disaggregated data collection, increasing representation in research, and ensuring equitable implementation of precision medicine approaches, including genomics, multi-omics, and artificial intelligence, while addressing environmental exposures, psychosocial stressors, and policy-related drivers of risk in order to achieve the American Heart Association's 2028 Impact Goals to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere.

AHA Scientific Statements↗
PubMed2005

Improving pilot response to in-flight strokes: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: When a passenger suffers an in-flight stroke (IFS), the pilot decides when to expedite access to ground care. Pilot pro-activeness towards IFS could improve outcome and should be promoted. Unfortunately, little is known about a pilot's stroke pro-activeness or limiting factors. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention (American Stroke Association, 30-slide stroke awareness lecture) through an internet-based computer system using pilot students and instructors as subjects. Pilots completed pre-intervention and post-intervention tests of 25 simulated in-flight scenarios that describe strokes and other neurological and medical symptoms. Outcomes chosen were the percentage of pilots that would use a medical radio service, declare an emergency on board, or divert to the nearest airport for each scenario. RESULTS: Participant pilots (n = 104) were less likely to respond to IFS than to myocardial infarction (p < 0.001). Fear of retaliation by an employer was the most important modifiable limitation. The educational program increased the simulated rate of emergency declarations for in-flight vertebrobasilar strokes (p < 0.001) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pilot-simulated response to certain IFS improves immediately after this educational intervention, which should be disseminated in schools and airlines. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term benefits of this intervention and the impact on actual diversion rates. Companies should also review their policies to shield pilots from retaliation when altering the flight plan for patients.

Aviation↗
PubMed2005

Blood pressure surge precedes intracerebral hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Most patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have very high blood pressure (BP) on presentation, but it is unclear whether such pressure elevation is the cause or a consequence of the ICH. This controversy could be clarified by determining the exact temporal relationship between the BP elevation and the onset of the ICH. Several case reports have attributed ICH to specific situations in which the BP was inferred to be high. Unfortunately, those cases lacked continuous monitoring of BP and neurological exam. METHODS: Single case observation in a University-based tertiary medical center. RESULTS: A neurologically intact 64-year-old woman whose BP and neurological status were monitored during admission to a medical intensive care unit. The patient suddenly developed a decreased level of consciousness and a right hemispheric syndrome 3.5 hours after demonstrating systolic BP values in the range 200 mmHg. An unenhanced computed tomography scan of the brain demonstrated a right ICH. CONCLUSION: In this monitored case, the BP surge clearly preceded the onset of neurological symptoms by 3.5 hours, supporting the view that the acute BP elevation was the cause of ICH.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed2005

Cerebral air embolism secondary to intra-aortic balloon pump rupture.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral air embolism is a neurological emergency. It has been reported following cardiac catheterization, central venous catheter insertion, and cardiothoracic surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report a case of massive cerebral air embolism secondary to intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) rupture. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain showed serpiginous hypodensities following the sulci associated with hypodense brain parenchymal lesions. CONCLUSION: The prompt recognition of cerebral air embolism secondary to IABP rupture requires a high level of suspicion and is confirmed by head CT.

Embolism, Air↗
PubMed2005

Paroxysmal sympathetic storm.

INTRODUCTION: Paroxysmal sympathetic storm (PSS) is a rare syndrome characterized by episodic hypertension, hyperhydrosis, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and extensor posturing. CASE REPORTS: This article describes two cases of PSS: one following traumatic brain injury and the other following cardiac arrest. DISCUSSION: The first responded to labetalol, morphine, and codeine, whereas the second responded to labetalol. CONCLUSION: These observations underscore the importance of central opioid receptors and nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonists in modulating catecholamine pathways.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2003

Continuous or emergent EEG: can bedside caregivers recognize epileptiform discharges?

OBJECTIVE: When emergent or continuous EEG monitoring is carried out to detect subclinical seizures, expert interpretation of the results is usually not immediately available. We assessed the ability to recognize epileptiform discharges among various nonexpert bedside caregivers. A second objective was to determine whether such skill improves with a simple educational intervention. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective cohort study with an educational intervention in a university-based tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: All 125 neurology and neurosurgery residents, intensive care fellows, critical care and neurological floor nurses, and EEG technicians were offered participation. Of these, 50 completed the study and provided 2,398 EEG responses. INTERVENTIONS: A computer-based PowerPoint lecture designed to teach recognition of epileptiform discharges. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: (a) Average number of correct responses in identifying epileptiform discharges in a computer-based pre-test consisting of 24 EEG questions. (b) Impact of the educational intervention as measured by change in the mean average score in a similar post-test. The rate of correct responses by group ranged from 46% for medical critical care nurses to 94% for EEG technicians. Overall mean correct response rate was 14.72 (61%) for the pre-test, and increased to 16.06 (67%) in for post-test (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of epileptiform discharges by bedside caregivers is disturbingly low. A simple educational intervention only modestly improved such ability. Therefore we should not rely on nontrained personnel to interpret emergent or continuous recordings. EEG technicians are an exception, and their skill could be utilized during emergent studies.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2003

Tertiary care improves the chance for vaginal delivery in women with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the level of hospital care affects cesarean delivery rates for women with preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a population-based cohort study using Missouri birth certificate data for 1993 through 1999. Logistic regression was used to analyze data from 13,646 nulliparous women with preeclampsia who were delivered of singleton live births. RESULTS: After adjustment was made for gestational age and birth weight, the data showed that women with preeclampsia at primary and secondary hospitals were more likely to be delivered by cesarean delivery (odds ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.24,1.51; and odds ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07,1.26, respectively) than at tertiary hospitals. For women who were delivered at >or=37 weeks of gestation, cesarean delivery rates were 38.0%, 33.7%, and 30.0% for primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, respectively. Dysfunctional labor, cephalopelvic disproportion, and fetal distress were more commonly noted at primary and secondary hospitals (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Levels of expertise and staffing at tertiary hospitals may allow greater attempts and success with vaginal delivery among women with preeclampsia compared with primary or secondary hospitals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Angioplasty and stenting for symptomatic basilar artery stenosis.

A 71-year-old man with symptomatic basilar artery stenosis refractory to antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation underwent angioplasty and stenting of the basilar artery. The patient was discharged symptom-free on clodiprogel 75 mg qd and aspirin 325 mg qd. One month later, he presented with a right frontal intracerebral hemorrhage. Angioplasty with stenting for symptomatic basilar artery stenosis is feasible. Its role in the therapy of symptomatic basilar artery stenosis is not yet defined. Furthermore, the best medical treatment postprocedure is yet to be established.

Aged↗