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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Angiogenesis helps to reestablish microcirculation after myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we aimed to further understand the role of the antiangiogenic isoform vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A165b after MI and to explore its potential as a coadjuvant therapy to coronary reperfusion.; METHODS: Two mice MI models were formed: a) permanent coronary ligation (nonreperfused MI); b) transient 45-minute coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion (reperfused MI); in both models, animals underwent echocardiography before euthanasia at day 21 after MI induction. We determined serum and myocardial VEGF-A165b levels. In both experimental MI models, we assessed the functional and structural role of VEGF-A165b blockade. In a cohort of 104 ST-segment elevation MI patients, circulating VEGF-A165b levels were correlated with cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months and with the occurrence of adverse events (death, heart failure, and/or reinfarction).; RESULTS: In both models, circulating and myocardial VEGF-A165b levels were increased 21 days after MI induction. Serum VEGF-A165b levels inversely correlated with systolic function evaluated by echocardiography. VEGF-A165b blockade increased capillary density, reduced infarct size, and enhanced left ventricular function in reperfused, but not in nonreperfused, MI experiments. In patients, higher VEGF-A165b levels correlated with depressed ejection fraction and worse outcomes.; CONCLUSIONS: In experimental and clinical studies, higher serum VEGF-A165b levels are associated with worse systolic function. Their blockade enhances neoangiogenesis, reduces infarct size, and increases ejection fraction in reperfused, but not in nonreperfused, MI experiments. Therefore, VEGF-A165b neutralization represents a potential coadjuvant therapy to coronary reperfusion. Copyright © 2020 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

SARS-CoV2 infection, also known as COVID-19 (coronavirus infectious disease-19), was first identified in December 2019. In Spain, the first case of this infection was diagnosed on 31 January, 2020 and, by 30 March 2020, has caused 7340 deaths, especially in the elderly. Due to the rapidly evolving situation regarding this disease, the data reported in this article may be subject to modifications. The older population are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 infection and to developing severe disease. The higher morbidity and mortality rates in older people have been associated with comorbidity, especially cardiovascular disease, and frailty, which weakens the immune response. Due to both the number of affected countries and the number of cases, the current situation constitutes an ongoing pandemic and a major health emergency. Because Spain has one of the largest older populations in the world, COVID-19 has emerged as a geriatric emergency. This document has been prepared jointly between the Geriatric Cardiology Section of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology. © 2020 Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. on behalf of Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia.

SARS-CoV-2 infection, also known as COVID-19 (coronavirus infectious disease-19), was first identified in December 2019. In Spain, the first case of this infection was diagnosed on 31 January, 2020 and, by 15 April 2020, has caused 18 579 deaths, especially in the elderly. Due to the rapidly evolving situation regarding this disease, the data reported in this article may be subject to modifications. The older population are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 infection and to developing severe disease. The higher morbidity and mortality rates in older people have been associated with comorbidity, especially cardiovascular disease, and frailty, which weakens the immune response. Due to both the number of affected countries and the number of cases, the current situation constitutes an ongoing pandemic and a major health emergency. Because Spain has one of the largest older populations in the world, COVID-19 has emerged as a geriatric emergency. This document has been prepared jointly between the Section on Geriatric Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology. Copyright © 2020 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Heart failure is a complex entity, with high morbidity and mortality. The clinical course and outcome are uncertain and difficult to predict. This document, instigated by the Heart Failure and Geriatric Cardiology Working Groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, addresses various aspects related to palliative care, where most cardiovascular disease will eventually converge. The document also establishes a consensus and a series of recommendations with the aim of recognizing and understanding the need to implement and progressively apply palliative care throughout the course of the disease, not only in the advanced stages, thus improving the care provided and quality of life. The purpose is to improve and adapt treatment to the needs and wishes of each patient, who must have adequate information and participate in decision-making. (C) 2019 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Introduction and objectives: The optimal treatment of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and cardiorenal syndrome type 1 (CRS-1) is far from being well-defined. Arterial hypoperfusion in concert with venous congestion plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of CRS-I. Plasma carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) has emerged as a surrogate of fluid overload in AHF. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of CA125 for tailoring the intensity of diuretic therapy in patients with CRS-1. Methods: Multicenter, open-label, parallel clinical trial, in which patients with AHF and serum creatinine >= 1.4 mg/dL on admission will be randomized to: a) standard diuretic strategy: titration-based on conventional clinical and biochemical evaluation, or b) diuretic strategy based on CA125: high dose if CA125 > 35 U/mL, and low doses otherwise. The main endpoint will be renal function changes at 24 and 72 hours after therapy initiation. Secondary endpoints will include: a) clinical and biochemical changes at 24 and 72 hours, and b) renal function changes and major clinical events at 30 days. Results: The results of this study will add important knowledge on the usefulness of CA125 for guiding diuretic treatment in CRS-1. In addition, it will pave the way toward a better knowledge of the pathophysiology of this challenging situation. Conclusions: We hypothesize that higher levels of CA125 will identify a patient population with CRS-1 who could benefit from the use of a more intense diuretic strategy. Conversely, low levels of this glycoprotein could select those patients who would be harmed by high diuretic doses. (C) 2017 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Introduction and objectives: Microvascular obstruction exerts deleterious effects after myocardial infarction. To elucidate the role of ischemia-reperfusion injury on the occurrence and dynamics of microvascular obstruction, we performed a preliminary methodological study to accurately define this process in an in vivo model. Methods: Myocardial infarction was induced in swine by means of 90-min of occlusion of the mid left anterior descending coronary artery using angioplasty balloons. Intracoronary infusion of thioflavin-S was applied and compared with traditional intra-aortic or intraventricular instillation. The left anterior descending coronary artery perfused area and microvascular obstruction were quantified in groups with no reperfusion (thioflavin-S administered through the lumen of an inflated over-the-wire balloon) and with 1-min, 1-week, and 1-month reperfusion (thioflavin-S administered from the intracoronary catheter after balloon deflation). Results: In comparison with intra-aortic and intraventricular administration, intracoronary infusion of thioflavin-S permitted a much clearer assessment of the left anterior descending coronary artery perfused area and of microvascular obstruction. Ischemia-reperfusion injury exerted a decisive role on the occurrence and dynamics of microvascular obstruction. The no-reperfusion group displayed completely preserved perfusion. With the same duration of coronary occlusion, microvascular obstruction was already detected in the 1-min reperfusion group (14% +/- 7%), peaked in the 1-week reperfusion group (21% +/- 7%), and significantly decreased in the 1-month reperfusion group (4% +/- 3%; P < .001). Conclusions: We present proof-of-concept evidence on the crucial role of ischemia-reperfusion injury on the occurrence and dynamics of microvascular obstruction. The described porcine model using intracoronary injection of thioflavin-S permits accurate characterization of microvascular obstruction after myocardial infarction. (C) 2015 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.