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Introduction and Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a central component in the management of cardiovascular disease. While its potential benefits have been extensively explored and confirmed, its implementation is still suboptimal, due to various possible barriers. This study aimed to assess training and attitudes concerning CR among physicians in a Portuguese setting., Methods: An online questionnaire structured in three parts (participant characteristics, training and attitudes concerning CR, and a brief general knowledge assessment) was developed and sent to members of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. The study population encompassed physicians with a medical specialty or residents from the third year onward of a specialty program., Results: A total of 97 individuals (57.7% male, 61.9% aged ≤50 years) presented valid answers. CR was available at the workplace of 54.6% of participants. Most of them considered that the time allocated to CR training during residency was inadequate, and thought that more time was needed for this purpose. Most had not dedicated (or intended to dedicate) time for CR training, with lack of time being the most frequently attributed reason. In terms of referral, a substantial proportion of subjects did not refer patients, with lack of CR centers and human resources being the most frequent reasons., Conclusions: This survey provides contemporary data on CR training and attitudes, highlighting areas of potential improvement, such as time allocated to training in this area. These results could provide a useful pragmatic framework for optimization of training and awareness in this pivotal field of cardiovascular medicine., (Copyright © 2024 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Digital health (DH) is a broad concept, bringing together technology and healthcare, that is playing an increasingly important role in the daily routine of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and promises to contribute to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. There are no solid data on the position of Portuguese HCPs toward the implementation of DH in cardiovascular medicine. This national cross-sectional study aims to provide a snapshot of DH implementation in Portuguese cardiovascular HCP routines and to identify both expectations and barriers to its adoption., Methods: An 18-question survey was created specifically for this study and distributed to 1174 individuals on the Portuguese Society of Cardiology mailing list., Results: We collected 117 valid responses (response rate 10%). Almost all participants had smartphones and laptops, and two-thirds had tablets. Electronic medical information systems were the most used DH tool (84% of respondents) and were considered the most important for improving cardiovascular care. Implantable technologies (sensors and devices), telemedicine and social media were used by more than two out of three respondents and considered «very important» or «extremely important» by most of them. Most participants showed positive expectations regarding the impact of DH in cardiovascular medicine: 78% agreed that DH could improve health outcomes, 64% that it promotes health literacy and 63% that it could decrease healthcare costs. The top-rated barriers were patients' inability to use smartphones, limited access to electronic devices, and lack of legal regulation of DH., Conclusion: Most Portuguese cardiovascular HCPs had at least three electronic devices (mainly smartphones, laptops and tablets) and showed positive expectations regarding DH's current and future impact on cardiovascular medicine. Patient DH literacy, technology adoption, and DH regulation were identified as the most important barriers to increasing the adoption of DH tools in cardiovascular medicine., (Copyright © 2024 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Current epidemiological data on heart failure (HF) in Portugal derives from studies conducted two decades ago. The main aim of this study is to determine HF prevalence in the Portuguese population. Using current standards, this manuscript aims to describe the methodology and research protocol applied., Methods: The Portuguese Heart Failure Prevalence Observational Study (PORTHOS) is a large, three-stage, population-based, nationwide, cross-sectional study. Community-dwelling citizens aged 50 years and older will be randomly selected via stratified multistage sampling. Eligible participants will be invited to attend a screening visit at a mobile clinic for HF symptom assessment, anthropomorphic assessment, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) testing, one-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and a sociodemographic and health-related quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D). All subjects with NT-proBNP ≥125 pg/mL or with a prior history of HF will undergo a diagnostic confirmatory assessment at the mobile clinic composed of a 12-lead ECG, comprehensive echocardiography, HF questionnaire (KCCQ) and blood sampling. To validate the screening procedure, a control group will undergo the same diagnostic assessment. Echocardiography results will be centrally validated, and HF diagnosis will be established according to the European Society of Cardiology HF guidelines. A random subsample of patients with an equivocal HF with preserved ejection fraction diagnosis based on the application of the Heart Failure Association preserved ejection fraction diagnostic algorithm will be invited to undergo an exercise echocardiography., Conclusions: Through the application of current standards, appropriate methodologies, and a strong research protocol, the PORTHOS study will determine the prevalence of HF in mainland Portugal and enable a comprehensive characterization of HF patients, leading to a better understanding of their clinical profile and health-related quality of life., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Cardioneuroablation (CNA), a technique based on radiofrequency ablation of cardiac vagal ganglia, was developed to treat recurrent vasovagal syncope (VVS) with a predominant cardioinhibitory component, as an alternative to pacemaker implantation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and success rate of CNA guided by extracardiac vagal stimulation in patients with highly symptomatic cardioinhibitory VVS., Methods: Prospective study of patients who underwent anatomically guided CNA at two cardiology centers. All patients had a history of recurrent syncope with a predominant cardioinhibitory component and refractory to conventional measures. Acute success was determined by the absence or significant reduction of cardiac parasympathetic response to extracardiac vagal stimulation. The primary endpoint was the recurrence of syncope during follow-up., Results: In total, 19 patients (13 males; mean age 37.8±12.9 years) were included. Ablation was acutely successful in all patients. One patient had a convulsive episode after the procedure, which was deemed unrelated to the ablation, requiring admission to intensive care but without sequelae. No other complications occurred. At a mean follow-up of 21.0±13.2 months (range 3-42 months), 17 patients remained free of syncope. The remaining two patients had recurrence of syncope and, despite undergoing a new ablation procedure, required pacemaker implantation during follow-up., Conclusion: Cardioneuroablation, confirmed by extracardiac vagal stimulation, appears to be an effective and safe treatment option for highly symptomatic patients with refractory VVS with a predominant cardioinhibitory component, providing a new potential approach as an alternative to pacemaker implantation., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objective: Coronary artery disease is highly prevalent among patients with severe aortic stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). As indications for TAVR are now expanding to younger and lower-risk patients, the need for coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during their lifetime is expected to increase. The objective of our study was to assess the need for CA and the feasibility of re-engaging the coronary ostia after TAVR., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 853 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR between August 2007 and December 2020. Patients who needed CA after TAVR were selected. The primary endpoint was the rate of successful coronary ostia cannulation after TAVR., Results: Of a total of 31 CAs in 28 patients (3.5% of 810 patients analyzed: 57% male, age 77.8±7.0 years) performed after TAVR, 28 (90%) met the primary endpoint and in three cannulation was semi-selective. All failed selective coronary ostia cannulations occurred in patients with a self-expanding valve. Sixteen (52%) also had indication for PCI, which was successfully performed in all. The main indication for CA was non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (35%, n=11). Two cases of primary PCI occurred without delay. There were no complications reported during or after the procedure., Conclusion: Although CA was rarely needed in patients after TAVR, selective diagnostic CA was possible in the overwhelming majority of patients. PCI was performed successfully in all cases, without complications., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Current rates of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) range between 3.4% and 25.9%. PPMI is associated with a worse prognosis. A lower valve implantation depth is associated with an increased risk of conduction disturbances. Theoretically, cusp-overlap projection (COP) has the potential to enable higher valve deployment., Objective: To compare the 30-day PPMI incidence post-TAVI using self-expanding valves according to the fluoroscopic guidance technique., Methods: This retrospective single-center study assessed consecutive patients undergoing TAVI with CoreValve™ valves between April 2019 and November 2021, grouped according to the fluoroscopic guidance technique (COP vs. coplanar implantation technique [CIT])., Results: A total of 122 patients were included, predominantly women (52.5%), with a mean age of 81.6±5.5 years. COP was used in 49.2% of the sample. The CIT group had a significantly higher prevalence of previous beta-blocker use (p<0.01), lower baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.04) and a higher EuroSCORE II (p=0.02). The 30-day PPMI rate was 27.9% (n=34), with no significant difference between the COP and CIT groups (26.7% vs. 29.0%, p=0.77). Complete atrioventricular block was the main cause (38.5%). Likewise, mean fluoroscopy time (p=0.14) and contrast volume (p=0.35) used were similar between the two groups. Radiation dose was lower in the COP group (p=0.02). There was no significant difference between post-TAVI grades III and IV aortic valve regurgitation (p=0.27) and there were no cases of periprocedural acute coronary occlusion., Conclusions: This study shows that the COP technique, although safe and not associated with increased complexity, did not significantly reduce the 30-day PPMI rate compared to the traditional CIT view., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Social media (SoMe) has a flourishing role in cardiovascular (CV) medicine as a facilitator of academic communication not only during conferences and congresses, but also by scientific societies and journals. However, there is no solid data illustrating the use of SoMe by CV healthcare professionals (CVHP) in Portugal. Hence, the main goal of this national cross-sectional survey was to accurately characterize SoMe use by Portuguese CVHPs., Methods: A 35-item questionnaire was specifically developed for this study, approved by the Digital Health Study Group of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology (SPC), and sent, by e-mail, to the mailing list of the SPC (including 1293 potential recipients)., Results and Conclusion: There were 206 valid answers. Fifty-two percent of respondents were female and 58% were younger than 44 years of age with almost two out of three participants being physicians. Ninety-two percent of the survey participants reported that they are currently using SoMe; LinkedIn was the most common platform used for professional purposes. Sixty-four percent believed SoMe had had a positive impact on their clinical practice; 77% and 49% had used SoMe for acquiring and sharing information related to COVID-19, respectively. In conclusion, the majority of Portuguese CVHPs that participated in this survey are actively using SoMe, with a greater participation of those <45 years of age; its clinical impact is positive, with a leading role in the dissemination of evidence during the COVID pandemic., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a possible complication after prosthetic valve implantation. PVL can cause significant symptoms of congestive heart failure and/or hemolysis. Medical therapy is palliative and reoperation has a high mortality rate. Percutaneous transcatheter closure is a promising alternative for symptomatic patients at high surgical risk. We aim to review the efficacy and safety of percutaneous PVL closure in a consecutive series of patients referred to our center., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and technical procedural data of patients referred to our center for percutaneous PVL closure between January 2009 and November 2015., Results: Twenty procedures were performed in 18 patients under general anesthesia and under transesophageal echocardiographic and radiographic guidance. Fourteen mitral PVLs were successfully treated in 13 patients and one aortic PVL in one patient. Most (eight) of the PVLs closed were in mitral bioprostheses. Two patients underwent a second intervention, which was technically successful in one. Technical success was achieved in 15 (75%) of the procedures. At discharge, median NYHA functional class decreased by one and hemolytic anemia decreased from seven cases (38.9%) to two (11.1%). Two patients had minor bleeding at the femoral vascular access site. Survival rates at six, 12 and 24 months were 77.8%, 77.8% and 61.1%, respectively., Conclusions: In our experience, percutaneous PVL closure was overall effective and safe. The procedure is complex and a second intervention may be necessary. Percutaneous PVL closure may be a feasible alternative for selected symptomatic patients at high surgical risk refractory to medical therapy., (Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Short periods of myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion induce a cardioprotective mechanism when the myocardium is subsequently subjected to a prolonged period of ischemia, a phenomenon known as ischemic preconditioning. As well as its application in the myocardium, ischemic preconditioning can also be induced by brief interruptions of blood flow to other organs, particularly skeletal muscle. Transient ischemia induced noninvasively by inflating a cuff on a limb, followed by reperfusion, helps reduce the damage caused to the myocardium by interruption of the coronary circulation. Remote ischemic preconditioning involves activation of humoral and/or neural pathways that open mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the myocardium and close mitochondrial permeability transition pores, making cardiomyocytes less vulnerable to ischemia-induced cell death. This cardioprotective mechanism is now being translated into clinical practice, with positive results in several clinical trials in coronary artery bypass surgery, surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms, valve replacement surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention. However, certain factors weaken the subcellular mechanisms of preconditioning - age, comorbidities, medication, anesthetic protocol - and appear to explain the heterogeneity of results in some studies. Detailed understanding of the pathways involved in cardioprotection induced by ischemic preconditioning is expected to lead to the development of new drugs to reduce the consequences of prolonged ischemia., (Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.)

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive technique which is increasingly used in different thoracic aortic pathologies such as aortic aneurysm, complicated type B aortic dissection, aortic trauma, intramural hematoma and penetrating aortic ulcer. In this paper we discuss the main indications for endovascular stent-grafts in the treatment of thoracic aortic disease, based on three cases in which this procedure was used for three different conditions: degenerative aneurysm, complicated type B dissection and post-traumatic injury. These case reports add to the evidence that TEVAR is a safe and feasible therapeutic alternative in selected patients with thoracic aortic disease, improving aortic remodeling, with relatively low morbidity and mortality. The main complications and difficulties related to the procedure are also discussed.

We report the case of a 77-year-old man with heart failure (NYHA class IV), angina (CCS class III) and multiple comorbidities. The evaluation showed severe aortic sten osis and left main coronary disease. Due to the very high perioperative risk, conventional surgery was denied. It was therefore decided to perform a combined percutaneous intervention. First, left main PCI was successfully performed. A few days later, a percutaneous aortic valve prosthesis was implanted via a femoral approach using the CoreValve ReValving system. Immediately after prosthesis implantation, the control angiogram showed severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation, which was corrected by implanting another percutaneous aortic prosthesis inside the first one (valve-in-valve procedure). During follow-up the patient experienced a remarkable improvement in hemodynamic and clinical status. We demonstrate that the combination of two different percutaneous interventions in severe aortic and coronary disease is feasible and can be a suitable alternative approach in high surgical risk patients.

Introduction: Percutaneous aortic valve implantation is an emerging procedure for the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis., Methods: The procedure was performed in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, who had been refused for aortic valve replacement surgery. A self-expanding bioprosthesis within a nitinol frame delivered by an 18F catheter was used. Most of the procedures were performed through a femoral artery approach and under local anesthesia and sedation., Results: Thirty-two patients were treated, mean age 80 years, with various comorbidities and mean logistic EuroSCORE of 22%. The procedure was successful in all patients, with a significant improvement in transvalvular gradients. Two patients died due to procedure-related complications. The most common complications were vascular access related and high-degree atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker. No events were reported after one month follow-up, with most patients showing improvement in functional capacity. After 23 months of follow-up (mean 13 months) five additional deaths had occurred. No prosthesis-related events were observed., Conclusions: Percutaneous aortic valve implantation is safe and improves quality of life in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. It may be an alternative therapeutic option for patients with high risk features for aortic replacement surgery.

Recent studies have raised the concern that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) could potentially interfere with clopidogrel antiplatelet effect. This association is frequent in clinical practice and is recommended by recent consensus guidelines in patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Clopidogrel is a pro-drug which needs to be metabolized into its active metabolite, by cytochrome P450, especially by CYP2C19 isoenzyme. Various PPIs can inhibit CYP2C19, which could possibly decrease clopidogrel bioactivation process and, therefore, its antiplatelet effect. Various platelet function studies have shown that omeprazol can significantly decrease clopidogrel inhibitory effect on platelet P2Y12 receptor, leading to an increase in the number of patients who are "nonresponders" to clopidogrel. These pharmacokinetic studies also shown that this is not probably a class effect of PPIs, because they are metabolized to varying degrees by CYP2C19. The clinical impact of these observations remains uncertain, because various observational studies have shown conflicting results, and remains to demonstrate if PPIs can really increase the risk of cardiovascular events in patients taking clopidogrel. In this review we will discuss the pharmacokinetic basis underlying this drug interaction, the effect of different PPIs on platelet function tests and we will analyze in detail the potential clinical implications of using this association, both on cardiovascular and gastrointestinal events. Until further data is available, some clinical strategies can be recommended: (1) individual gastrointestinal risk assessment, with PPIs administration only to patients on dual anti-platelet therapy with additional GI risk factors; (2) preferential use of PPIs that have shown less interference with clopidogrel efficacy; (3) wide separation of PPI and clopidogrel dosing to minimize the risk of interaction (PPI may be given before breakfast and clopidogrel at bedtime); (4) or alternative use of histamine-2-receptor antagonist therapy, in patients at low GI risk.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is a common syndrome, accounting for nearly one half of all heart failure patients. It mostly affects the elderly, usually with multiple comorbidities, and has a poor prognosis, with high mortality rates and a significant impact on quality of life. Nevertheless, evidence-based therapeutic strategies for the management of HFPEF are still lacking, and so treatment remains largely empirical. This is probably why current treatment of HFPEF has not led to a significant improvement in prognosis. In this review article we will discuss the pathophysiology of HFPEF and its implications for the best treatment strategies to apply in these patients. We will also review the evidence supporting the use of each therapy in HFPEF. In addition, we will consider how an understanding of the pathophysiology of HFPEF can help in developing new therapeutic strategies that will improve the prognosis of this syndrome. Until new evidence-based clinical data are available, treatment of HFPEF should remain multidisciplinary and individualized to each patient.