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To evaluate the impact on perinatal outcomes related with placental insufficiency, by the application of the new 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines to a group of chronic hypertensive pregnancies during their first trimester assessment. The best multivariate predictive model for p-PE included a previous PE background (OR = 15) and mean arterial pressure in mmHg (OR = 1.1). EP01.38: Perinatal outcomes of pregestational hypertension according to blood pressure range at 11-14-week scan: impact of the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines. [Extracted from the article]

The Chilean Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (SOCHICAR) is a scientific society whose mission is to improve the nation's cardiovascular health. Its primary goals include discussing issues affecting the specialty and engaging in various activities that support its advancement. To achieve these goals, numerous educational initiatives are undertaken for health professionals, including physicians in cardiology training programs. Training specialists in Chile is the responsibility of the universities, which design the curriculum and plan the program according to the graduate profile. SOCHICAR seeks to integrate these new generations of cardiologists, setting up tasks that contribute to their training. It seemed relevant to us to state our position as a Scientific Society in importants aspects related to this process: the graduate profile of the clinical cardiologist, the necessary competencies for their performance nationally, the identification of deficient areas in their training period, and the Society's contributions to this university-dependent process. A total of 15 cardiologists from SOCHICAR, at different stages of professional development, various geographic areas, and areas of performance and functions, were invited to participate in three working groups. This SOCHICAR position statement may be useful and an important source of information to be considered by authorities, accrediting entities, training centers, and the Chilean Society of Cardiology.

Cardiomyopathy is commonly observed in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), even when they have normal renal function and arterial pressure. The role of cardiomyocyte polycystin-1 (PC1) in cardiovascular pathophysiology remains unknown. PC1 is a potential regulator of BIN1 that maintains T-tubule structure, and alterations in BIN1 expression induce cardiac pathologies. We used a cardiomyocyte-specific PC1-silenced (PC1-KO) mouse model to explore the relevance of cardiomyocyte PC1 in the development of heart failure (HF), considering reduced BIN1 expression induced T-tubule remodeling as a potential mechanism. PC1-KO mice exhibited an impairment of cardiac function, as measured by echocardiography, but no signs of HF until 7-9 months of age. Of the PC1-KO mice, 43% died suddenly at 7 months of age, and 100% died after 9 months with dilated cardiomyopathy. Total BIN1 mRNA, protein levels, and its localization in plasma membrane-enriched fractions decreased in PC1-KO mice. Moreover, the BIN1 + 13 isoform decreased while the BIN1 + 13 + 17 isoform was overexpressed in mice without signs of HF. However, BIN1 + 13 + 17 overexpression was not observed in mice with HF. T-tubule remodeling and BIN1 score measured in plasma samples were associated with decreased PC1-BIN1 expression and HF development. Our results show that decreased PC1 expression in cardiomyocytes induces dilated cardiomyopathy associated with diminished BIN1 expression and T-tubule remodeling. In conclusion, positive modulation of BIN1 expression by PC1 suggests a novel pathway that may be relevant to understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to cardiomyopathy in ADPKD patients.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a growing public health problem in nearly 50% of patients with heart failure. Therefore, research on new strategies for its diagnosis and management has become imperative in recent years. Few drugs have successfully improved clinical outcomes in this population. Therefore, numerous attempts are being made to find new pharmacological interventions that target the main mechanisms responsible for this disease. In recent years, pathological mechanisms such as cardiac fibrosis and inflammation, alterations in calcium handling, NO pathway disturbance, and neurohumoral or mechanic impairment have been evaluated as new pharmacological targets showing promising results in preliminary studies. This review aims to analyze the new strategies and mechanical devices, along with their initial results in pre-clinical and different phases of ongoing clinical trials for HFpEF patients. Understanding new mechanisms to generate interventions will allow us to create methods to prevent the adverse outcomes of this silent pandemic.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on perinatal outcomes related to placental insufficiency with the application of the new 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines to a group of chronic hypertensive pregnancies during their first-trimester assessment., Study Design: This retrospective cohort study included pregnancies with preconceptional hypertension and known perinatal outcomes. In the first trimester, a combined screening for preterm preeclampsia (p-PE) was performed, including blood pressure (BP), mean uterine artery Doppler, and maternal characteristics. Patients were divided, according to the 2017 ACC/AHA consensus, into the following groups: elevated or less, Stage 1, and Stage 2. For adverse perinatal outcome assessment, univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, considering the "elevated or less" group as a reference. Odds ratios (OR) were compared with linear trend analysis. The main outcomes measured were preterm PE and FGR < 3 rd percentile., Results: Of the 130 included patients, 59 (45.4%) were classified as elevated or less, 47 (36.2%) as Stage 1, and 24 (18.4%) as Stage 2. p-PE showed a significant increase according to BP range [7% (OR = 1.0), 19.6% (OR = 3.2), and 21.7% (OR = 3.7)]; trend p = 0.02, for elevated or less, Stage 1, and Stage 2, respectively. There was a non-significant increased trend of FGR < 3 rd percentile according to the BP stage. The best multivariate predictive model for p-PE included a previous PE background (OR = 15) and mean arterial pressure in mmHg (OR = 1.1)., Conclusion: The use of the 2017 ACC/AHA consensus in pregnancies with chronic hypertension identifies an intermediate risk group for placental-mediated diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Sepúlveda-Martínez, Conrads, Guiñez, Guiñez, Llancaqueo and Parra-Cordero.)

Background: Patients with a cardiovascular (CV) history may be at greater risk of becoming ill and die due to SARS-CoV-2., Aim: To assess the incidence of CV complications in COVID-19 patients, the type of complication, and their association with CV history., Material and Methods: The clinical course of 1,314 patients with COVID-19 admitted consecutively to critical care units of 10 Chilean hospitals was registered between April and August of 2020., Results: The median age of patients was 59 years and 66% were men. One hundred-four (8%) had a CV history, namely heart failure (HF) in 53 (4.1%), coronary heart disease in 50 (3.8 %), and atrial fibrillation in 36 (2.7 %). There were CV complications in 359 patients (27.3%). The most common were venous thrombosis in 10.7% and arrhythmias in 10.5%, HF in 7.2%, type 2 acute myocardial infarction in 4.2%, arterial thrombosis in 2.0% and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in 1.6%. When adjusted by age, sex and risk factors, only HF (Odds ratio (OR) = 7.16; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 3.96-12.92) and ACS (OR = 5.44; 95% CI, 1.50-19.82) were significantly associated with CV history. There was no association with arrhythmias, type 2 acute myocardial infarction, arterial or venous thrombosis., Conclusions: Patients with a history of CV disease are at greater risk of suffering HF and ACS when hospitalized due to COVID-19. Arrhythmias, type 2 AMI, and arterial or venous thrombosis occur with the same frequency in patients with or without CV history, suggesting that these complications depend on inflammatory phenomena related to the infection.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic status of chronic Chagas disease (cChD) patients treated with nifurtimox., Methods: An observational study was performed in 146 cChD patients followed over a mean of 7.9 years., Results: Of the 146 patients, 41 (28.1%) with normal electrocardiogram (ECG) at baseline maintained this condition, 34 (23.3%) with altered ECG at baseline normalised the alterations, and 46 (31.5%) with ECG abnormalities at baseline maintained this condition [23 (15.8%) with small alterations]. Finally, 25 cases (17.1%) in indeterminate phase altered the ECG. Differences before and after follow-up (P < 0.001) were found. The percentage of beneficial treatment was different than expected by chance (Z = 4.8; P < 0.001) and the annual percentage of cases that developed ECG alterations was lower than that of a historical cohort of untreated patients (P < 0.001). An echocardiogram was performed in 68 patients with baseline ECG alterations. The ejection fraction (EF) was normal in 57 (83.8%) and abnormal in 11 (16.2%). In 38 patients with ECG abnormalities that did not progress after treatment, EF and segmental motility (SM) were normal in 31 (81.6%) and 26 (68.4%), respectively. In 17 patients with ECG abnormalities, EF and SM were normal in 15 (88.2%) and 14 (82.4%) cases, respectively., Conclusion: Less progression to cardiomyopathy compared with a historical untreated cohort as well as the EF/SM results in patients with abnormal ECG that did not progress and in indeterminate cChD that altered the ECG suggests a beneficial effect of nifurtimox., Competing Interests: Competing interests None declared., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Isolated cardiac involvement of COVID-19 is an infrequent presentation, and myocardial infarction is even less common. We report a 30-year-old man presenting with retrosternal pain of insidious onset whose intensity increases suddenly. On admission, the patient had tachycardia and an EKG showed a 1 mm ST-elevation and diffuse PQ segment depression. Troponin was 26.9 ng/ml (normal value [NV] < 0.03), inflammatory parameters were elevated, and SARS-CoV 2 PCR was positive. He was hospitalized with the diagnosis of myopericarditis secondary to SARS-CoV 2. He progressed favorably without pain during the hospital stay and with decreasing troponin values. A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was compatible with an infero-lateral transmural infarction. A coronary angiography showed a distal occlusion of the circumflex artery. Consequently, anticoagulation and double platelet anti-aggregation were started. The patient evolved favorably, with a decreasing troponin curve (last at discharge 0.49 ng/ml) and a control EKG with pathological Q in DIII and AvF, and symmetrically inverted T in DII, DIII, AvF, V4, V5, and V6.

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a cardioprotective strategy against myocardial damage by ischemia-reperfusion. Many in-vivo and ex-vivo animal researches have demonstrated that RIPC decreases significantly the ischemia-reperfusion myocardial damage, by up to 58% in isolated rat heart. Cardiac artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is a clinical model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and a clinical potential application to RIPC. However, although RIPC has shown successful results in experimental studies, clinical trials on CABG have failed to demonstrate a benefit of RIPC in humans. Strikingly, the main proposed factors associated with this translational failure also impair the balance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which has shown to play a key role in RIPC cardioprotection in animal models. Comorbidities, chronic pharmacological treatment and anesthesic drugs - common conditions in CABG patients - cause an ANS imbalance through parasympathetic activity decrement. On the other hand, ANS and specially the parasympathetic branch are essentials to get cardioprotection by RIPC in animal models. Consequently, we propose that ANS imbalance in CABG patients would explain the failure of RIPC clinical trials. Whether our hypothesis is true, many patients could be benefited by RIPC: a cheap, simple and virtually broad-available cardioprotective maneuver. In this paper we discuss the evidence that support this hypothesis and its clinical implications., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Chronic inflammation and infections are involved in the development and progression of atherosclerotic vascular disease., Aim: To evaluate the association between periodontitis and early atherosclerosis., Material and Methods: Fifty-three subjects who received periodontal treatment and regular maintenance for at least 10 years, and 55 subjects with periodontitis but without a history of periodontal treatment were studied. Carotid artery intima-media wall thickness (CIMT) was measured with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. A blood sample was obtained to measure high sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, lipoprotein cholesterol, leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Covariates included age, gender, smoking, level of education, body mass index and physical activity. The benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA) test was used to determine the number of periodontal sites with periodontal pathogens., Results: CIMT value was significantly higher in subjects with periodontitis than those without it (0.775 ± 0.268 and 0.683 ± 0.131 mm respectively, p = 0.027). C-reactive protein, leukocyte count and percentage of sites with periodontal pathogens were also significantly higher in subjects with periodontitis. Regression analysis identified age, periodontitis, and smoking as independent predictors of CIMT., Conclusions: These results suggest that untreated periodontitis is associated with early atherosclerotic carotid lesions and higher levels of inflammatory markers.

Background: Studies investigating effects of periodontal treatment (PT) on markers of inflammation in healthy subjects show conflicting results. Few studies have investigated the effects of PT among subjects with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors., Aim: To report the results of a pilot prospective study on the effects of periodontal treatment on markers of inflammation among subjects with CHD risk factors., Material and Methods: Seventy three patients aged 53+/-6 years (25% males) with chronic periodontitis, dyslipidemia and other CHD risk factors were subjected to PT consisting on root planning and oral metronidazol and amoxicillin for 7 days. Periodontal clinical parameters, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were assessed before and at 6 weeks after PT. Polymorphisms at the ILlA-889 and IL1B+3954 genes were also genotyped., Results: After the treatment period, CRP levels significantly increased from 3.6+/-3.7 mg/ L to 5.4+/-5.7 mg/L (p =0.001). No significant changes were observed in fibrinogen levels and ESR. Higher post-treatment CRP levels were significantly associated with the composite polymorphic genotype at the ILlA-889 and IL1B+3954 genes (p =0.0001), and extensive periodontitis (p =0.005). Moderate alcohol consumption appeared as a protective factor for CRP elevation (p =0.029)., Conclusions: The increase of the CRP levels after PT in patients with CVD risk factors appeared associated with IL-1 gene polymorphisms and extensive periodontitis.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors have been used clinically for lowering total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Interindividual pharmacological differences observed with this treatment have been attributed to genetic differences. The aim of this study was to assess the association in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction by atorvastatin and (TTA)n polymorphism in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase gene in patients with coronary artery disease. Changes in total cholesterol levels, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and free F(2)-isoprostanes were also evaluated. In an open study, patients received 40 mg atorvastatin daily for 8 weeks. Genotyping was done through polymerase chain reaction. The genotype distribution of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (TTA)n polymorphism was: >10/>10 in 22 out of 64 patients (34%), >10/10 in 14 out of 64 patients (22%) and 10/10 in 28 out of 64 patients (44%). The reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by atorvastatin was not different between allelic variants (TTA)n repeat polymorphism. Reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were observed in atorvastatin-treated patients with alleles >10/>10 and 10/10. Free F(2)-isoprostanes and total cholesterol were also significantly lower after treatment for all alleles, irrespective of type of polymorphism. In conclusion, the changes induced by atorvastatin treatment on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and free F(2)-isoprostane concentrations were not related to the presence of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase polymorphism (TTA)n.

Background: In pulmonary embolism, the computed tomography (CT) images can be used as a prognostic index measuring the embolic load, according to the location and size of thrombus and the right/left ventricular diameter ratio., Aim: To assess the predictive value of embolic load and right/left ventricular diameter ratio for early and late mortality in acute pulmonary embolism (PTE)., Material and Methods: The pulmonary CT of 418 patients with suspected PTE was reviewed. Embolic load was assessed by three independent evaluators and the right/left ventricular diameter ratio was measured in those exams that were positive for PTE. A logistic regression analysis was done between these parameters and mortality. Reproducibility was calculated using Bland and Altman analysis., Results: There was a high concordance between raters to calculate embolic load (r =0,95, p <0,001). Only the right/left ventricular diameter ratio and the presence were predictive of global mortality. The predictive value for embolic load was below the significance level, No parameter was predictive of early mortality., Conclusions: The concordance between raters for the assessment of embolic load was high in this study. However no imaging parameter had a predictive value for early mortality. The right/left ventricular diameter ratio had a predictive value for global mortality at three months.

Introduction and Objective: In patients with congestive heart failure, neurohormonal activation plays an important role in disease progression and prognosis. The aim of this study was to document the evolution of neurohormonal activation after heart transplantation., Patients and Method: Thirty-seven patients on the waiting list for heart transplantation were included in the study. Plasma levels of angiotensin II, aldosterone, endothelin, atrial natriuretic peptide and adrenomedullin were measured before heart transplantation and again 1, 4, 9 and 12 months afterwards. Plasma levels of norepinephrine and renin were measured before and 1 month after heart transplantation., Results: The levels of angiotensin II, norepinephrine and renin showed a nonsignificant trend towards reduction. The levels of aldosterone were unchanged, and an increase in endothelin levels was seen 9 and 12 months after transplantation. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide and adrenomedullin were significantly lower 1, 4, 9 and 12 months after heart transplantation compared to pretransplant levels., Conclusions: During the first several months after heart transplantation there were no significant reductions in plasma levels of angiotensin II, aldosterone and endothelin, and there were significant reductions soon after surgery in peptides with a predominantly vasodilator effect (atrial natriuretic peptide and adrenomedullin). This unfavorable neurohormonal profile may contribute to the development of posttransplant complications such as edema, arterial hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.

Most cases of atrial fibrillation are converted with antiarrhythmic medications or external electric defibrillation. However, in some refractory patients, an internal transcatheter defibrillation must be attempted. We report a 50 years old male with an atrial fibrillation of one year duration that was refractory to pharmacological treatment and in whom external cardioversion was unsuccessful. After the application of a bifasic shock of 10 joules between a catheter in the right atrium and another one located at the coronary sinus, the patient was converted to sinus rhythm. At two months of follow up, the patient continues in sinus rhythm.