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V Bertomeu

Publications and source records attributed to V Bertomeu.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Echocardiographic evaluation of the evolutionary changes after heart transplantation.

AIM: To undertake an evolutionary analysis of echocardiographic examinations carried out during follow-up of cardiac transplant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 193 consecutive patients transplanted between August 1998 and December 2004. We excluded pediatric, cardiopulmonary, and repeat transplants. Four echocardiographic examinations were analyzed per patient (first, second, third quarter and the last study carried out; average time from transplant: 1115 +/- 681 days). The total number of examinations was 772. The evaluated variables were thickness of walls and diameters of the cavities, systolic and diastolic functions, pericardial effusion, and number of rejections. RESULTS: The isovolumetric relaxation time showed reduced values during early echocardiography with subsequent increases during evolution (first echocardiogram: 92 +/- 16 vs final echocardiogram 101 +/- 16 ms; P < .0001). Right ventricular function showed initial deterioration with subsequent recovery (first echocardiogram: 16% vs final echocardiogram: 8%; P < .05); moreover, the existence of delayed malfunction of the right ventricle was correlated with a higher incidence of transplant rejection (P < .01). Pericardial effusion was initially present with a tendency to reduce over time (first echocardiogram: 58% vs final echocardiogram: 12%; P < .0001). There was no difference in the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac transplant patients undergo evolutionary echocardiogram alterations that were mainly early and normalized as of the first quarter. The most usual changes in this period were restrictive isovolumetric behavior accompanied by some degree of depressed right ventricular function. Right ventricular malfunction during late evolution was correlated with a higher incidence of transplant rejection during follow-up.

Electrocardiography↗

[Strategies for effective control of arterial hypertension in Spain. Consensus document].

Blood pressure (BP) control is inadequate among treated hypertensive patients in Spain. Control rates are lower than 40% of all treated patients and the cause of this problem is multifactorial. Despite the fact that possible solutions to this problem have been repeatedly suggested by expert groups along the last 10 years, BP control rates are still low. This fact have a negative impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of patients with hypertension. The aim of the present document has been to achieve a consensus on effective specific measures in order to improve hypertension control rates in Spain. These measures involve health care professionals (physicians, nurses, pharmaceutics), health care authorities and patients. The document summarizes the consensus conference of several scientific societies involved in cardiovascular medicine in five group of measures: a) improvement of the methodology of office BP measurement; b) improvement of compliance to treatment by patients; c) clarification of pressure targets to be achieved in hypertensive patients; d) optimization of life style modifications and pharmacological treatment of hypertension; and e) continuous medical education. The document emphasize life style changes as a crucial aspect to be implemented in all patients. These changes have a beneficial impact on pressure reduction, contribute to a better control of associated cardiovascular risk factors, and increase the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs. Health care professionals should base their clinical practice on the recommendations of guidelines in order to modify their therapeutic attitudes in patients whose targets have not been achieved.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

[Albuminuria and cardiovascular risk: basal results of the KORAL-CARDIO study].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Albuminuria is a marker of higher cardiovascular and renal risk in hypertension; it also indicates the need of a tighter control of blood pressure with drugs blocking the renin-angiotensin system. The objective of the KORAL-CARDIO study was to assess the clinical picture and management of patients with hypertension and cardiac disease and albuminuria not previously treated with angiotensin inhibitors. METHODS: A total of 2711 hypertensive patients (44% female) with ischemic or hypertensive cardiopathy or atrial fibrillation and with a positive screening test for albuminuria was included. Type 2 diabetes was also present in 42%. RESULTS: Macroalbuminuria was present in 7.2% of non diabetic and 12.7% of diabetic patients, respectively. Associated complications were: 25% and 35% body mass index over 30 kg/m2; 22% and 39% ischemic heart disease; 4% and 8% stroke; 19% and 22% atrial fibrillation; 42% and 53% high cholesterol levels; 8% and 8% grade 3 hypertension, for non-diabetics and diabetics respectively. Antihypertensive monotherapy was used in 66% of non-diabetics and in 63% of diabetics; only 7% of patients in both groups were treated with triple antihypertensive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular complications are very frequently associated to albuminuria in patients with hypertension and heart disease not previously treated with angiotensin inhibitors. Blood pressure control was clearly inadequate in this group.

Aged↗

Risk stratification of patients with acute chest pain and normal troponin concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcome of patients with acute chest pain and normal troponin concentrations. DESIGN: Prospective cohort design. SETTING: Single centre study in a teaching hospital in Spain. PATIENTS: 609 consecutive patients with chest pain evaluated in the emergency department by clinical history (risk factors and a chest pain score according to pain characteristics), ECG, and early (< 24 hours) exercise testing for low risk patients with physical capacity (n = 283, 46%). All had normal troponin concentrations after serial determination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Myocardial infarction or cardiac death during six months of follow up. RESULTS: 29 events were detected (4.8%). No patient with a negative early exercise test (n = 161) had events versus the 6.9% event rate in the remaining patients (p = 0.0001). Four independent predictors were found: chest pain score > or = 11 points (odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 5.5, p = 0.04), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.7, p = 0.03), previous coronary surgery (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3 to 7.6, p = 0.01), and ST segment depression (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 6.3, p = 0.003). A risk score proved useful for patient stratification according to the presence of 0-1 (2.7% event rate), 2 (10.2%, p = 0.008), and 3-4 predictors (29.2%, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A negative troponin result does not assure a good prognosis for patients coming to the emergency room with chest pain. Early exercise testing and clinical data should be carefully evaluated for risk stratification.

Acute Disease↗

[A case of Carney syndrome].

The Carney complex is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterised by multiple neoplasies, including myxomas at various sites (cardiac, cutaneous, mammary), spotty pigmentation, endocrine overactivity (Cushing's syndrome, acromegalia), testicular tumours and schwannomas. This report describes the case of a 43-year-old woman with an acute inferior myocardial infarction, probably due to coronary embolization from a large left atrial myxoma and who presented this association. A brief review of the Carney complex is provided after discussion of this rare case that required an screening of family members.

Adult↗

[The characteristics, management and prognosis of the acute myocardial infarct patient in the Valencian Community in 1995: the results of the PRIMVAC Registry (The Registry Project of Acute Myocardial Infarct in Valencia, Alicante and Castellón). As representatives of the PRIMVAC investigators].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Regional registers of patients with acute myocardial infarction are scarce in Spain. The PRIMVAC register (Proyecto de Registro de Infarto agudo de Miocardio de Valencia, Alicante y Castellón) was initiated to obtain updated information on the management of these patients in the Valencia Autonomous Community. Data of the first twelve months of the register are presented. METHODS: The 17 participating hospitals cover 2,833,938 inhabitants. Demographic, clinical, procedural and outcome data as well as predictive variables of mortality were analysed in the patients with acute myocardial infarction during their stay in the coronary care units from 1 December 1994 to 30 November 1995. RESULTS: During 12 months, 2,377 patients were included. Mean age was 65.3 years (SD 11.9) and 23.2% were female. Left ventricular failure was present in 39.8%. Thrombolytic therapy was applied in 42.1% with a median time delay of 195 min from chest pain onset. This time was longer in the women (250 min) and in the elderly (210 min). The in-coronary-care-unit-mortality rate was 13.9%. Age, female gender, diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, Q wave and right ventricular infarction independently predicted increased early mortality. CONCLUSION: Present data show the feasibility of an acute myocardial infarction register in the Valencia Autonomous Community. Although an acceptable level of thrombolysis has been reached, the mortality rate is still high. The long delay in initiating thrombolysis, particularly in female and elderly patients is remarkable.

Chi-Square Distribution↗