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Purpose: To evaluate the predictive value of a bedside index in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS)., Methods: We studied the association of leuko-platelet index (LPI: platelet count * leukocyte count/10 8 ) with risk of mortality, shock, or heart failure (combined end point-CEP), and with the response to antiplatelet therapy, measured by light transmission aggregometry., Results: In the derivation cohort we included 1100 patients with non STEM-ACS, GRACE score of 133 ± 52, Crusade score 24,3 ± 14, 66% male, 65 + 11 years. LPI was 17 (12-24). LPI was higher (19 (13-25)) in patients with MI than in patients with unstable angina (16 (12-22) in (p < 0.001)). A total of 115 patients (10.5%) had the CEP. CEP was associated to LPI (OR 1.04 (1.002-1.08), p = 0.03), age (OR 1.01 (0.97-1.05), p = 0.62) and GRACE>140 (OR 8.1 (2.2-29), p = 0.02). LPI (OR 1.04 (1.004-1.07) p = 0.03) and GRACE score (OR 1.02 (1.01-1.03) p < 0.01) were associated to cardiovascular mortality. We confirmed these results in the validation cohort #1 (686 patients, 61 + 11 years old, 47% nonST-ACS, 53% ST-ACS, 21% had CEP) and in validation cohort #2 (218 patients, 56.8% males, 73 + 7 years old, 79% nonST-ACS, GRACE score 136 + 30) and 8.3% with CEP. We used the cutoff points of LPI obtained in the derivation cohort (>24)., Conclusions: LPI > 24 was associated to CEP (OR (1.7-5.2), p 0.01), independently of age (OR 1 (0.98-1.02), p = 0.8), and GRACE score (OR 1.01 (0.99-1.01), p 0.69), and It was associated to antiplatelet resistance (OR 1.03 (95% CI 1.00-1.06) p = 0.05)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare none conflict of Interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

One in every four coronarographies performed to study myocardial ischemia shows coronary angiographic stenosis less than 50%. This data triggered an increasing interest in the medical community. The American Society of Cardiology recently published a position paper about the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of this entity. Our group performed a narrative review reflecting the opinion of cardiology experts from different centers in Argentina. It aims physiopatologic and diagnostic aspect to understand the current approach in patients with MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries) e INOCA (demonstrated angina and ischemia but without coronary lesions that justify this syndrome).

Our objective was to evaluate clinical characteristics, results and morbi-mortality in primary angioplasty (PA), of patients treated with PA within 36 hours of a myocardial infarction (MI), included in a prospective, transversal, multicenter and national survey (ARGEN-IAM-ST). A total of 1142 patients treated with PA were registered, 61.2 ± 12 years old, 88% male, 20% diabetics and 58% with hypertension; 77.6% in Killip Kimball I and 6.2% in cardiogenic shock. The time from the onset of pain until admission was 153 (75-316) minutes, and door-balloon of 91 (60-150) minutes. The transferred patients (17%) showed longer delay to admission, 200 minutes (195-420; p = 0.0001) and door-to-balloon 113.5 minutes (55-207); p = 0.099. In 47.6% of the cases, the PA was made in the anterior descending artery, in 36.4% in the right coronary artery, in 14.8% in the circumflex artery and in 1.2% in the left coronary artery; in 95% with stent (29% pharmacological); 95% was successful, 1.3% presented post-infarct angina (APIAM), 1.3% re-infarct, 8.8% shock and 3.2% bleeding. Age > 64 years (OR 6.2 (95% CI: 3.2-12), p <0.001), diabetes (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.6-3.9, p < 0.001), re-infarction or APIAM (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3-8.3, p = 0.011) and shock (OR 29.2 (15.6-54.8), p < 0.001) were independently associated with higher mortality. In-hospital mortality of acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation treated with PA was 7.6%. Transference from other center was associated with delay in the admission and treatment. Cardiogenic shock and post-infarct ischemia were associated with high mortality. There were no procedural variables associated with mortality.

Investigators have raised doubts as to the safety of the Swan Ganz catheter (SGC). In order to define the point of view of cardiologists in our country, the Argentine Society of Cardiology's Emergency Council organized a meeting to analyze their views in different settings (non-cardiac surgery, cardiac surgery, acute coronary syndromes and heart failure) using the RAND-UCLA appropriateness method. A detailed review with the scientific evidence was sent to the experts in cardiology prior to the meeting in the SAC auditorium where the panellists selected the clinical variables create the specific situations. These hypothetic situations were resent to the panellists at a second stage for their individual evaluation, rating the benefit-to-harm ratio of the procedure on a scale of 1 to 9 (1 meant that the expected harms greatly outweighed the expected benefits, and 9 that the expected benefits greatly outweighed the expected harms, 5 could mean either that the harms and benefits were roughly equal). Two experts analyzed the results, describing the agreement/disagreement ratio. Finally, each indication was classified as "appropriate" "uncertain" or "inappropriate" ,for the procedure in accordance with the panelists' median score: median scores in the 1-3 range were classified as inappropriate, those in the 4-6 range as uncertain, and those in the 7-9 range as appropriate. We observed high disagreement rates in SGC indications between cardiologists. However, the panelists were in favor of SGC use when situations included shock and myocardial dysfunction, especially in the presence of organic dysfunction. There were some situations when panelists considered SGC not useful, in patients without organ failure.

Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the association of VitD deficiency (<50 mmol/l) and cardiovascular risk factors in a healthy population, from July-November 2012, in a private center at Buenos Aires province. 333 people were included, aged 41.6±12.4 years (58.6% men), 49.2% practiced no physical activity, 56.8% were overweight (70.3% man vs 37.7% women, p<0.001), 12.5% with systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and 6% diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mmHg. VitD deficiency was observed in 29.1% (31.3% man vs 26.1% women, p=0.3), more frequent with obesity (OR 1.85, IC95:1.05-3.25, p=0.02), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C)<50 mg/dl (OR 1.71, IC95:1.06-2.76, p=0.02) and triglycerides>150 mg/dl (OR 1.77, IC95:1.02-3.06, p=0.03). A trend towards VitD deficiency and SBP>140 mmHg (OR 1.88, IC95:0.93-3.77, p=0.07) or DBP>90 mmHg (OR 1.39, IC95:0.5-3.65, p=0.5) was observed. Lineal correlation between VitD and HDL-C (p<0.001) or triglycerides (p<0.001) was observed. Multiple logistic regression showed that VitD deficiency association with low HDL-C was independent of age, female sex, obesity and physical activity. Association of VitD deficiency with hypetriglyceridemia was independent of age, female sex and obesity. This study shows an association between VitD deficiency and cardiovascular risk factors like obesity, low HDL <50 mg/dl and hypertriglyceridemia. A trend toward higher SBP was also observed. Experimental studies are granted in order to establish a cause-effect relationship.

Hyperglycemia after cardiac surgery is a common finding associated with the worse outcomes affecting both diabetic and non diabetic patients. Despite the large number of publications available, there is no universally accepted approach to this problem. In an initiative of the Emergency Council of the Argentine Society of Cardiology, local experts gathered to discuss the management of hyperglycemia after adult cardiac surgery. The main objective of the present paper is to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding glycemic control in postoperative cardiac surgery.

Hyperglycemia with or without pre-existing diabetes mellitus, occurs frequently in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. Previous studies have demonstrated that hyperglycemia is highly prevalent and is associated with an increased risk of hospital complications and death. The underlying pathophysiology related an adverse clinical outcome to hyperglycemia is unclear, and it is uncertain whether increased serum glucose is simply a marker of adverse outcomes or their cause. Detrimental effects of hyperglycemia on the cardiovascular system are multiple. Glycemia control with insulin would prevent adverse outcomes. Numerous glucose-control protocols have been developed and tested proving to be safe and effective. In an initiative from the Emergency Council of the Argentine Society of Cardiology, local experts analyzed the management of hyperglycemia in acute coronary syndrome. The main objective of the prevent statement is to summarize the current state of knowledge on glycemic control, and to offer general recommendations regarding glucose management in the coronary care unit.

Introduction: Clinical nonresponse to clopidogrel has been associated with variability in response. This has led to the development of other P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, such as prasugrel and ticagrelor, with different pharmacokinetic characteristics that influence their pharmacodynamics., Areas Covered: Clopidogrel response variability is attributable to its complex pharmacokinetics and is vulnerable to genetic polymorphisms in genes involved in absorption, metabolism and drug-drug interactions (i.e., proton pump inhibitors). Prasugrel which has a simpler metabolism, leading to greater bioavailability, seems to be less affected by genetic or drug-drug interactions and achieves a greater antiplatelet effect. Ticagrelor is the most novel compound approved with a simpler metabolism. Both prasugrel and ticagrelor reached their antiplatelet effect faster and to a much greater extent than clopidogrel. All these differences observed in kinetics explain, to some degree, the efficacy and safety profile observed in clinical trials for these molecules associated with other antiplatelet agents (aspirin, gpIIb/IIIa inhibitors) and anticoagulants., Expert Opinion: Clopidogrel is still the best standard of care. However, the pharmacokinetic advantages of both prasugrel and ticagrelor allow clinicians to center patient management by selecting the best drug for the appropriate subject.

Introduction: Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the main therapeutic agents used to prevent embolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite their proven efficacy, VKAs are underused and have several limitations. In recent years, there has been great interest in the development of new oral anticoagulants with a more efficient pharmacological profile, first tested in venous thromboembolism prevention and later in AF., Areas Covered: The authors review the pharmacological differences between dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban, and potential subgroups of patients in whom these new drugs would constitute a possible alternative to VKA therapy. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data from each compound are analyzed in respect to their potential use in AF. This article provides an exhaustive review of the current status of this topic and the controversies still regarding each drug., Expert Opinion: Apixaban and rivaroxaban are under evaluation for thromboembolic prevention in AF; dabigatran was recently approved for this indication. Therefore, it is important to know the characteristics of these drugs as a potential alternative to VKAs.

Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the most frequent causes of acute renal failure in hospitalized patients. It is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Risk factors and prevention strategies are not well defined. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and clinical risk factors associated to the development of contrast induced nephropathy in patients hospitalized for ACS. In a retrospective cohort we analyzed consecutive patients hospitalized for ACS undergoing urgent PCI within 72 hours from the admission. CIN was defined as a 25% increase of creatinine levels from baseline at 48 hours from the PCI. The inclusion period was from January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2010. A total of 125 patients were analyzed, and CIN occurred in 13 (10.4%) patients. An independent association was found between age (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.004 to 1.11; p = 0.034), multiple vessel angioplasty (OR 2.2; 95% IC 1.07 to 4.8; p = 0.03) and the volume of contrast infused (OR 1.007; 95% CI 1.001 to 1.01; p = 0.014) with the development of CIN.

We conducted a meeting of experts to establish rules for the management of patients with cardiovascular devices when they require a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in the most common clinical scenarios, defining whether the study is safe, unsafe or conditional.