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Introduction and objectives The present report describes the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart transplants in Spain and updates the data to 2019. Methods We describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart transplants performed in Spain in 2019, as well as trends in this procedure from 2010 to 2018. Results In 2019, 300 transplants were performed (8794 since 1984; 2745 between 2010 and 2019). Compared with previous years, the most notable findings were the decreasing rate of urgent transplants (38%), and the consolidation of the type of circulatory support prior to transplant, with an almost complete disappearance of counterpulsation balloon (0.7%), stabilization in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (9.6%), and an increase in the use of ventricular assist devices (29.0%). Survival from 2016 to 2018 was similar to that from 2013 to 2015 (P=.34). Survival in both these periods was better than that from 2010 to 2012 (P=.002 and P=.01, respectively). Conclusions Heart transplant activity has remained stable during the last few years, as have outcomes (in terms of survival). There has been a trend to a lower rate of urgent transplants and to a higher use of ventricular assist devices prior to transplant.

Introduction and objectives Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited disease characterized by polymorphic or bidirectional ventricular arrhythmias (VA) triggered by physical or emotional stress in young people with a structurally normal heart. Beta-blockers are the cornerstone of treatment, while flecainide has recently been incorporated into the therapeutic arsenal. The aim of this study was to report our experience with this drug. Methods The cohort included 174 genotype-positive CPVT-patients from 7 families. We collected data from patients who were receiving flecainide and analyzed the indications, adverse effects and dosage, clinical events, VA and arrhythmic window during exercise testing, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks during follow-up. Results Eighteen patients (10.4%) received flecainide; 17 patients in combination with beta-blockers, and 1 patient as monotherapy due to beta-blocker intolerance. None of the patients presented side effects. In 13 patients (72.2%) the indication was the persistence of exercise-induced VA and in 5 patients (27.7%) persistent ICD-shocks, despite on beta-blockers. After flecainide initiation, the exercise-induced VA quantitative score was reduced by more than 50% in 66.7% of the members of family 1 (32.76 ± 84.06 vs 74.38 ± 153.86; P = .018). The arrhythmic window was reduced (5.8 ± 11.9 bpm vs 19.69 ± 21.27 bpm; P = .007), and 4 of 5 patients with appropriate ICD shocks experienced no further shocks in the follow-up. Conclusions In CPVT-patients flecainide reduces clinical events, exercise-induced VA, the arrhythmic window, and ICD shocks, with good tolerance.

In the last decades, we have experienced an increase in the prevalence of obesity in western countries with a higher demand for bariatric surgery and consequently prolonged waiting times. Currently, in many public hospitals, the only criterion that establishes priority for bariatric surgery is waiting time regardless of obesity severity. We propose a new, simple, and homogeneous clinical prioritization system, the Obesity Surgery Score (OSS), which takes into account simultaneously and equitably the time on surgical waiting list and the obesity severity based on three variables: body mass index, obesity-related comorbidities, and functional limitations. We have reviewed the current literature related to obesity clinical staging systems, and we have carried out an analysis of our patients in waiting list and divided their characteristics according to their degree of severity (A, B, or C) in the OSS. Patients with OSS grade C have a higher mean BMI, greater severity in comorbidities, and greater socio-labor impact. The current surgery waiting time of our series is of 26 months. Currently, 27 patients (51.9%) with OSS grade B and 15 patients (51.7%) with OSS grade C have been on our waiting list for more than 1 year. Since the obesity severity, the waiting time and its clinical consequences are associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality, it is important to apply a structured prioritization system for bariatric surgery waiting list. This allows prioritization of patients at greater risk, improves patient prognosis, and optimizes costs and available health resources.

Carta científica

Background: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited disease characterized by ventricular arrhythmias (VA) triggered in a situation of physical or emotional stress in young people with structurally normal heart. The cornerstone of the treatment are the beta

Vitamin D deficiency has been described in many diseases and indeed in the general population. However fewer reports have been published in young and healthy people. Vitamin D deficiency should not be found in medical students of the Canary Islands, because they have all the resources to avoid it.To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a population of medical students of both gender from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.103 medical students of both genders from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. They completed a questionnaire and a physical examination. Vitamin D (25- hydroxycholecalciferol [25-HCC]), parathyroid hormone, biochemical markers of bone remodeling and a general biochemical study were performed. Bone mineral density was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine and the proximal femur. Quantitative ultrasounds parameters were measured at the calcaneus.Only 38.8% of the students of Medicine (42.1% of males and 44.9% of females) have 25-HCC values higher than 30 ng/dl as widely recommended nowadays. Vitamin D deficiency (20 ng/ml) is observed in 32.6% and vitamin D insufficiency (30 ng/ml) in 28.6% of the students of Medicine in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.Although they have optimal conditions for having good levels of vitamin D, near two thirds of the medical students in the Canaries have low values of vitamin D.