Registro Español de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista. XXI Informe Oficial de la Sección de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (1990-2011)

Introduction and objectives

The Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology presents a yearly report on the data collected for the national registry. This information shows how procedures are distributed throughout Spain and makes comparisons with other countries feasible.

Methods

Institutions provided their data voluntarily (online) and were analyzed by the Working Group's Steering Committee.

Results

Data were provided by 108 hospitals (72 public and 36 private) that mainly treat adults, Covering 138 480 diagnostic procedures, 123 746 of which were coronary angiograms, slightly more than the year before, with a rate of 3008 coronary angiograms per million population. Percutaneous coronary interventions decreased slightly to 63 202 procedures with a rate of 1373 interventions per million population. Of the 94 701 stents implanted, 61% were drug-eluting stents. In the acute phase of myocardial infarction, 15 491 coronary interventions were performed, 9.4% more than in 2010, representing 24.6% of the total number of coronary interventions. The most frequent intervention for adult congenital heart disease was atrial septal defect closure (298 procedures). Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty continued to decrease (286 procedures) and percutaneous aortic valve implantations increased, but at a slower pace than in the previous year, with 770 units implanted in 2011.

Conclusions

The greatest increase in activity has occurred in the field of myocardial infarction and percutaneous aortic valve implantation. The number of other procedures, both diagnostic and therapeutic, remained stable.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

Spanish Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Intervention Registry. 22nd Official Report of the Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology (1990-2012)

Introduction and objectives

The Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology presents the yearly report on the data collected for the Spanish registry.

Methods

Institutions provided their data voluntarily (online) and the information was analyzed by the Working Group's Steering Committee.

Results

Data were provided by 109 hospitals (71 public and 38 private) that mainly treat adults. There were 136 912 diagnostic procedures, 120 441 of which were coronary angiograms, slightly fewer than the year before, with a rate of 2979 diagnostic studies per million population. Percutaneous coronary interventions increased slightly to 65 909 procedures, for a rate of 1434 interventions per million population. Of the 99 110 stents implanted, 62% were drug-eluting stents. In all, 17 125 coronary interventions were carried out during the acute phase of myocardial infarction, 10.5% more than in 2011, representing 25.9% of the total number of coronary interventions. The most frequently performed intervention for adult congenital heart disease was atrial septal defect closure (292 procedures). The use of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty continued to decline (258 procedures) and percutaneous aortic valve implantations increased by only 10% in 2012.

Conclusions

In 2012, the only increase in hemodynamic activity occurred in the field of ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and the increasing trend had slowed for percutaneous aortic valve implantation and other procedures affecting structure.     

Spanish cardiac catheterization and coronary intervention registry. 20th official report of the spanish society of cardiology working group on cardiac catheterization and interventional cardiology (1990-2010)

Introduction and objectives

The Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology presents on a yearly basis a report on the data collected for the national registry. This information displays how procedures are distributed throughout Spain and makes comparisons with other countries feasible.

Methods

Institutions render their data voluntarily (online) and they are analyzed by the Working Group's steering committee.

Results

Data was sent by 113 hospitals (71 public and 41 private) that treat mainly adults, reporting 135 486 diagnostic procedures, 119 118 of them coronary angiograms, slightly less than the year before, and with a rate of 2945 coronary angiograms per million inhabitants. Percutaneous coronary interventions increased a bit, to 64 331 procedures and a rate of 1398 interventions per million. Of 100 371 stents implanted, 61.3% were drug-eluting stents. In the acute phase of myocardial infarction, 14 248 coronary interventions were carried out, 6% more than in 2009 and 22% of the total number of coronary interventions. The most frequent intervention for adult congenital heart disease was closure of an atrial septal defect (295 procedures). Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty continues to decrease (326 procedures) and percutaneous aortic valve implantations are growing rapidly, with 655 units implanted in 2010.

Conclusions

The greatest increase in activity has occurred in the field of myocardial infarction and percutaneous aortic valve implantation. The other procedures, both diagnostic and therapeutic, remain stable.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org     

Registro Español de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista. XXVIII Informe Oficial de la Sección de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (1990-2018)

Introduction and objectivesThe Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology presents its annual report on the activity data for 2018.MethodsData were voluntarily provided by participating centers. The information was introduced online and was analyzed by the Steering Committee of the Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology.ResultsIn 2018, data were reported by 109 hospitals, 83 of these centers are public. A total of 157 632 diagnostic procedures (140 670 coronary angiograms) were performed. This year, the number of percutaneous coronary interventions increased to 72 520 (2.2% increase). There was also an increase in the complexity of coronary interventions: 10.6% in chronic total occlusions and 4.2% in unprotected left main treatment. A total of 21 261 interventional procedures were performed in the acute myocardial infarction setting, of which 91% were primary angioplasties (9.6% higher than in 2017). A total of 108398 stents were implanted, of which 93.8% were drug-eluting stents (3.5% increase). Radial approach was used in 89.4% of interventional procedures. The number of transcatheter aortic valve implantations continued to increase (25.3% increase, n = 3537), as well as the number of percutaneous mitral valve repair procedures (21.4% increase, n = 328), left atrial appendage closures (10.6% increase, n = 644) and patent foramen ovale closures (81% increase, n = 514).ConclusionsAn increase in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures was reported in 2018, particularly in primary percutaneous coronary interventions. The use of the radial approach and complex procedures also increased. The number of structural procedures rose significantly, following the trend seen in recent years.     

Registro Español de Desfibrilador Automático Implantable. VIII Informe Oficial del Grupo de Trabajo de Desfibrilador Automático Implantable de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2011)

Introduction and objectives

To summarize the findings of the Spanish Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Registry for 2011 compiled by the Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Section of the Spanish Society of Cardiology.

Methods

Each implantation team voluntarily and prospectively recorded data on a data collection form, which was then sent to the Spanish Society of Cardiology.

Results

Overall, 4481 device implantations were notified, representing 83.6% of the estimated total number of implantations. The notified implantation rate was 97 per million population and the estimated total implantation rate was 116.2 per million. First implantations accounted for 70.2% of the total notified. Data were collected from 167 hospitals (22 more than in 2010). Most implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantations took place in men (82.1%). The mean age was 62.4 (14.1) years. Most patients had severe or moderate-to-severe ventricular dysfunction and were in New York Heart Association functional class II. The most frequent underlying cardiac condition was ischemic heart disease, followed by dilated cardiomyopathy. The number of indications for primary prevention increased over the previous year and accounted for 70.6% of first implantations. Overall, 78.4% of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators were implanted by cardiac electrophysiologists.

Conclusions

The 2011 Spanish Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Registry includes data on almost 84% of all implantations of these devices performed in Spain. This was the first year in which the number of implants decreased slightly from the previous year, as also occurred in the rest of Europe. The percentage of implants for primary prevention continued to increase.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org     

Seguimiento de 3 años de pacientes con lesiones de bifurcación tratados con stents liberadores de sirolimus o everolimus: estudio de colaboración de SEAside y CORpal

Introduction and objectives

To compare the 3-year incidence of major events in patients with bifurcation lesions treated with provisional sirolimus-eluting stents vs everolimus-eluting stents.

Methods

A pooled analysis of 2 prospective randomized trials with similar methodology (SEAside and CORpal) was performed. In these trials, 443 patients with bifurcation lesions were randomly assigned to treatment with either sirolimus-eluting stents or everolimus-eluting stents. The clinical follow-up was extended up to 3 years to assess major adverse cardiovascular events (death or acute myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization).

Results

At 3 years, survival free of major adverse cardiovascular events was 93.2% vs 91.3% in the everolimus-eluting stent group vs the sirolimus-eluting stent group (P = .16). Exploratory land-mark analysis for late events (occurring after 12 months) showed significantly fewer major adverse cardiovascular events in the everolimus-eluting stent group: 1.4% vs 5.4% in the sirolimus-eluting stent group (P = .02).

Conclusions

Provisional stenting with either sirolimus-eluting stents or everolimus-eluting stents in bifurcation lesions is associated with low rates of major adverse events at 3-years’ follow-up. The results of a subanalysis of events beyond 1 year, showing a lower event rate with everolimus-eluting stents than with sirolimus-eluting stents, suggest that studies exploring the long-term clinical benefit of the latest generation of drug-eluting stents are warranted.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Registro Español de Marcapasos. IX Informe Oficial de la Sección de Estimulación Cardiaca de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2011)

Introduction and objectives

To describe the results of the analysis of pacemaker implantations reported to the Spanish Pacemaker Registry in 2011, with particular reference to the population distribution and the selection of pacing modes.

Methods

Information provided by the European Pacemaker Patient Identification Card was processed using a purpose-built computer application.

Results

Data from 115 hospitals were analyzed, totaling 13 373 cards, representing an estimated 38% of implantations. The number of pacemaker generators and resynchronization devices implanted was 738 and 56.2 units per million population, respectively. The mean age of the patients who received a device was 76.7 years. Overall, 57.2% of first implantations and 56.5% of replacements were performed in men. Most implantations (38.7%) and generator replacements (41.9%) were performed in patients aged between 80 and 89 years. Of the pacemaker leads used, 99.7% were bipolar and 63% used an active fixation system. Overall, 20% of the patients with atrioventricular block or sick sinus syndrome were paced in VVI/R mode despite being in sinus rhythm.

Conclusions

With respect to previous years, the use of conventional pacemakers remained stable and the implantation of resynchronization devices has increased. The number of implantation procedures continues to be higher in men and in younger patients. Age and the degree of blockage remain as factors influencing the appropriate choice of pacing mode.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

Prevalencia de obesidad infantil y juvenil en España en 2012

Introduction and objectives

Obesity is a major cardiovascular risk factor. In Spain, few studies have physically measured height and weight to estimate the magnitude of the problem. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of child and adolescent obesity in Spain in 2012.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional probability sample of 1018 children, representative of the Spanish population aged between 8 and 17 years old, with objectively measured height and weight, along with other sociodemographic variables. We calculated the prevalence of overweight and obesity according to the criteria of the World Health Organization, the International Obesity Task Force, and the enKid study.

Results

In the group aged 8 to 17 years old, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26% and 12.6%, respectively; 4 in 10 young people were overweight or obese. Excess weight was found in 45% of the group aged 8 to 13 years and in 25.5% of that aged 14 to 17 years. This cardiovascular risk factor was associated with lower social class and lower educational level.

Conclusions

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in Spain remains high (close to 40%), but has not increased in the last 12 years.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en.     

Implantación electiva de stent recubierto en la coartación y recoartación en el joven y en el adulto

Introduction and objectives

Stent implantation is an effective therapy for aortic coarctation and recoarctation. However, in adolescents and adults, aortic wall rupture and dissection can occur, as well as aneurysms during follow-up. In order to reduce these complications, we electively implant covered stents.

Methods

Since 2005, we have performed the procedure using femoral access in 17 patients (2 adolescents and 15 adults), 16 electively and 1 as a rescue procedure. We used the Mullins technique in all cases, implanting a NuMED^® covered stent.

Results

Good stent apposition was achieved in all 17 procedures; 8 patients required a distal flare. Gradient was reduced from 40 (16) mmHg to 2 (2) mmHg (P<.001) and lumen diameter increased from 4 (2) mm to 19 (3) mm (P<.001). Two exceptional cases are discussed: one patient with aortic wall rupture who underwent a rescue procedure using a stent within a covered stent and another patient with total obstruction and intercostal aneurysm in whom the outcome was fatal at 48 h postprocedure (autopsy is shown). Four-year clinical follow-up included Doppler echocardiography; an additional imaging technique was required in 13 patients. All patients recovered well and there were no complications.

Conclusions

Covered stents are effective in treating coarctation and recoarctation in adolescents and adults, are the treatment of choice in patients with complex anatomy, and must be available in the operating room as a rescue device when implanting a conventional stent.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Registro Español de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista. XXVII Informe Oficial de la Sección de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (1990-2017)

Introduction and objectives

To present the annual report of the Working Group on Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology on the activity data for 2017.

Registro Español de Ablación con Catéter. XI Informe Oficial de la Sección de Electrofisiología y Arritmias de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2011)

Introduction and objectives

The findings of the 2011 Spanish Catheter Ablation Registry are presented.

Methods

Data were collected in two ways: retrospectively using a standardized questionnaire, and prospectively from a central database. Each participating center selected its own preferred method of data collection.

Results

Sixty-six Spanish centers voluntarily contributed data to the survey. Some 9662 ablation procedures were analyzed, averaging 146 (104) per center. The three main conditions treated were atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (n=2537; 26%), typical atrial flutter (n=2205; 23%) and accessory pathways (n=1813; 19%). Atrial fibrillation was the fourth most common substrate treated (n=1535; 16%) and showed a slight increase over figures for 2010. Ventricular arrhythmia ablation has increased considerably. The overall success rate was 94%; major complications occurred in 2.2% and overall mortality was 0.04%.

Conclusions

Data from the 2011 registry show a continued increase in the number of ablations performed with a generally high success rate and few complications. The use of complex substrate ablation continues to grow.     

Características demográficas y clínicas de los pacientes con enfermedad coronaria estable: resultados del registro CLARIFY en España

Introduction and objectives

Coronary artery disease is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of the CLARIFY registry is to study the treatment of outpatients with coronary artery disease in the setting of daily clinical practice.

Methods

The CLARIFY registry is a prospective registry conducted in 41 countries that included outpatients with stable coronary artery disease attending primary care or specialist units between October 2009 and June 2010. The present study describes the baseline characteristics of the Spanish cohort compared with the western European cohorts included in the registry.

Results

A total of 33 248 patients were included: 14 726 in western Europe and 2257 in Spain (selected by 192 cardiologists). The majority of the participants in Spain were men (81%) with a mean age of 65 years. There was a higher frequency of diabetes (34% vs 25%; P < .0001), coronary artery disease family history (19% vs 31%; P < .0001), myocardial infarction (64% vs 60%; P < .0001), and stroke (5% vs 3%; P = .0007) in the Spanish cohort than in the western European cohorts. The most common treatments in the Spanish sample were lipid-lowering drugs (96%), acetylsalicylic acid (89%), and beta-blockers (74%).

Conclusions

Patients in the Spanish cohort are similar to those in the western European cohorts and seem to be representative of the Spanish population with coronary artery disease. Therefore, they form a suitable basis for the study of prognostic factors at 5-year follow-up.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Registro Español de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista. XXIX Informe Oficial de la Asociación de Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (1990-2019)

Introduction and objectivesThe Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) presents its annual report on the activity for 2019.MethodsAll Spanish centers with a catheterization laboratory were invited to participate. Data were introduced online and analyzed by an external company together with the Steering Committee of the ACI-SEC.ResultsA total of 119 centers participated (83 public, 36 private). In all, there were 165 124 diagnostic studies (4.7% more than in 2018). The use of pressure wire and intravascular ultrasound increased by 20% and that of optical coherence tomography by 8.4%. The number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) rose by 4.5% (75 819 procedures). Of these, 22 529 were performed in the acute myocardial infarction setting, with 91.8% being primary PCI (6.3% increase). The mean number of primary PCIs per million inhabitants increased to 439. Among PCIs, access was radial in 88.3%. There were 4281 transcatheter aortic valve implantations (21.0% increase), with an average of 90.9 per million inhabitants. Mitral valve repair also rose by 17.4% (n = 385), left atrial appendage closure by 43.0% (n = 921) and patent foramen ovale closure by 38.1% (n = 710).ConclusionsIn 2019, the use of intracoronary diagnostic techniques increased, as did that of diagnostic and therapeutic coronary procedures, mainly in primary PCI. Of particular note was the marked increase in the number of transcatheter aortic valve implantations, as well as in the number of mitral valve repairs and left atrial appendage and patent foramen ovale closure procedures.     

Registro Español de Desfibrilador Automático Implantable. IX Informe Oficial de la Sección de Electrofisiología y Arritmias de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (2012)

Introduction and objectives

To summarize the findings of the Spanish Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator Registry for 2012 compiled by the Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias Section of the Spanish Society of Cardiology.

Methods

Prospective data recorded voluntarily on single-page questionnaires were sent to the Spanish Society of Cardiology by each implantation team.

Results

Overall, 4216 device implantations were reported, representing 80.8% of the estimated total number of implantations. The reported implantation rate was 91.2 per million population and the estimated total implantation rate was 113 per million. The proportion of first implantations was 69.4%. We collected data from 161 hospitals (6 fewer than in 2011). The majority of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients were men (83.4%). Mean age was 61.8 (13.4) years. Most patients had severe or moderate-to-severe ventricular dysfunction and were in New York Heart Association functional class II. Ischemic heart disease was the most frequent underlying cardiac condition, followed by dilated cardiomyopathy. The number of indications for primary prevention decreased over the previous year and now account for 58.1% of first implantations. Overall, 81% of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator were implanted by cardiac electrophysiologists.

Conclusions

The 2012 Spanish Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator Registry includes data on 80.8% of all implantable cardioverter-defibrillators implantations performed in Spain. This is the second consecutive year in which the number of implantations has slightly decreased compared to the previous year. This year, the percentage of implantations for primary prevention indications also decreased.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Análisis transversal de la resincronización cardiaca en España. Indicaciones,técnicas de implante,optimización y seguimiento

Introduction and objectives

A cross-sectional study of cardiac resynchronization therapy use in Spain was performed to analyze problems with indications, implantation, and patient follow-up.

Methods

Spanish cardiac resynchronization therapy implanter centers were identified, then the department members were surveyed and the data were recorded by each implantation team.

Results

Eighty-eight implanter centers were identified; of these, 85 (96.6%) answered the survey. A total of 2147 device implantations were reported, comprising 85.6% of the overall number of 2518 implantations estimated by the European Confederation of Medical Suppliers Associations for the same period. The reported implantation rate was 46 per million inhabitants versus an estimated implantation rate of 51 per million (European average, 131). Cardiac resynchronization therapy devices accounted for 84% of implantations, and upgrades to previously implanted devices, 16%. The majority of cardiac resynchronization therapy devices were implanted in men (70.7%). The mean age was 68 (12) years, and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 26.4% (5%). Most patients (67%) were in New York Heart Association functional class III. The group of patients for whom cardiac resynchronization therapy was indicated according to the latest update of the guidelines was significant: 17.3% among New York Heart Association class II patients and more than 21.6% among patients with atrial fibrillation. In all, electrophysiologists accounted for 73.8% of implanters, followed by surgeons, accounting for 21.4%.

Conclusions

The latest update of the guidelines is being progressively implemented in Spain, according to data obtained in patients in New York Heart Association class II or with atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless, the number of cardiac resynchronization therapy device implants is still well below the European average.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org     

Implante percutáneo de la válvula autoexpandible CoreValve en pacientes con estenosis aórtica grave y aorta de porcelana: seguimiento a medio plazo

Introduction and objectives

There is little information on the use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with severe aortic stenosis and porcelain aorta. The primary aim of this study was to analyze death from any cause after CoreValve^® implantation in patients with severe aortic stenosis, with and without porcelain aorta.

Methods

In this multicenter, observational prospective study, carried out in 3 hospitals, percutaneous aortic valves were implanted in 449 patients with severely calcified aortic stenosis. Of these, 36 (8%) met the criteria for porcelain aorta. The primary end-point was death from any cause at 2 years.

Results

Patients with porcelain aorta more frequently had extracardiac vascular disease (11 [30.6%] vs 49 [11.9%]; P=.002), prior coronary revascularization (15 [41.7%] vs 98 [23.7%]; P=.017), and dyslipidemia (26 [72.2%] vs 186 [45%]; P=.02). In these patients, there was greater use of general anesthesia (15 [41.7%] vs 111 [16.9%]; P=.058) and axillary access (9 [25%] vs 34 [8.2%]; P=.004). The success rate of the procedure (94.4 vs 97.3%; P=.28) and the incidence of complications (7 [19.4%] vs 48 [11.6%]; P=.20) were similar in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the primary end point at 24 months of follow-up (8 [22.2%] vs 66 [16%]; P=.33). The only predictive variable for the primary end point was the presence of complications during implantation (hazard ratio=2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-4.5; P=.001).

Conclusions

In patients with aortic stenosis and porcelain aorta unsuitable for surgery, percutaneous implantation of the CoreValve^® self-expanding valve prosthesis is safe and feasible.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Expérience multicentrique de l’utilisation du Sheathless 6.5 French dans l’angioplastie coronaire des lésions de bifurcation : faisabilité et sécurité

Background

Transradial intervention of coronary lesion is increasing in frequency and is associated with lower major vascular access site complications. However, the small size of the radial artery is a major limitation of this technique, especially for bifurcation lesions, because 6-French guiding catheters are necessary to optimize the technique. A Sheathless guiding catheter has recently been introduced, optimizing a large lumen with a small size.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to report our preliminary experience performing bifurcated transradial interventions using a 6.5 French Sheathless guide catheter.

Patients and methods

From March 2009 to February 2012 in three hospitals, 46 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study who underwent transradial approach (TRA) for percutaneous bifurcation coronary interventions using the 6.5 French Sheathless Eaucath guiding catheter system because of small radial artery caliber.

Results

In this study, 46 patients were enrolled with mean age of 72.13 ± 16.41 years. The majority of patients were females with sex-ratio 0.53. Procedural success using the 6.5 French Sheathless guide catheter system was 100 % with no cases requiring conversion to a conventional guide and catheter system. During procedures, adjunctive devices used in this cohort included IVUS (2 patients), 35 bifurcated lesions were treated with a kissing-balloon technique in the group of 46 patients undergoing bifurcation PCIs, one patient required rotational atherectomy, thrombus-aspiration catheters had used in four patients, FFR-guided angiography in four patients. We report one case of chronic total occlusion bifurcated lesion successfully treated using this hydrophilic catheter. There were no radial artery site complications.

Conclusion

The treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions with 6.5 French Sheathless guiding catheter by transradial approach is feasible and appears safe in this multicenter study.     

Remodelado inverso de aurícula izquierda en pacientes con estenosis de válvula mitral tras valvuloplastia percutánea: estudio ecocardiográfico bidimensional y tridimensional

Introduction and objectives

The left atrium is clinically relevant in patients with mitral valve stenosis. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty on left atrium volumes and the left atrium emptying fraction in symptomatic mitral valve stenosis patients using 2-dimensional and real-time 3 -dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.

Methods

We carried out a prospective study of 28 consecutive symptomatic mitral valve stenosis patients, aged 22-72 (39 [11.5]) years, 24/28 (85.6%) women, who underwent to percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty between March 2009 and May 2011. Patients underwent 2- and 3-dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (atrial fibrillation) and invasive mitral valve area measurement. Echocardiographic analysis was performed before, 72 h after and 12 months after percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. The following parameters were analyzed: a) mitral valve area (2-dimensional planimetry, pressure half-time, 3-dimensional echocardiography, invasive hemodynamic measurement); b) indexed left atrium maximum and indexed minimum volumes, and c) left atrium emptying fraction.

Results

The 3-dimensional parameters of the mitral valve stenosis patients before and 72 h and 12 months after percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty were as follows: a) mitral valve area: 0.9 (0.1) cm²; 1.8 (0.2) cm² (P<.001); 1.7 (0.2) cm² (P<.001); b) left atrium maximum volumes: 49.9 (12) mL/m²; 42 (11.4) mL/m² (P<.001); 40.3 (10.2) mL/m² (P<.001), and c) left atrium emptying fraction: 30.1 (9.4%); 40.6 (7.4%) (P<.001); 44.1 (8%) (P<.001), respectively.

Conclusions

In symptomatic mitral valve stenosis patients who underwent percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty analysis by 2- and 3-dimensional echocardiography, improvements in left atrium reverse remodeling and left atrium emptying fraction were observed 72 h and 12 months after the procedure.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Análisis coste-efectividad de dabigatrán para la prevención de ictus y embolia sistémica en fibrilación auricular no valvular en España

Introduction and objectives

Assessment of the cost-effectiveness of dabigatran for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in Spain, from the perspective of the National Health System.

Methods

Adaptation of a Markov chain model that simulates the natural history of the disease over the lifetime of a cohort of 10 000 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Model comparators were warfarin in a first scenario, and a real world prescribing pattern in a second scenario, in which 60% of the patients were treated with vitamin K antagonists, 30% with acetylsalicylic acid, and 10% received no treatment. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

Dabigatran reduced the occurrence of clinical events in both scenarios, providing gains in quantity and quality of life. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for dabigatran compared to warfarin was 17 581 euros/quality-adjusted life year gained and 14 118 euros/quality-adjusted life year gained when compared to the real world prescribing pattern. Efficiency in subgroups was demonstrated. When the social costs were incorporated into the analysis, dabigatran was found to be a dominant strategy (ie, more effective and less costly). The model proved to be robust.

Conclusions

From the perspective of the Spanish National Health System, dabigatran is an efficient strategy for the prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation compared to warfarin and to the real-world prescribing pattern; incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were below the 30 000 euros/quality-adjusted life year threshold in both scenarios. Dabigatran would also be a dominant strategy from the societal perspective, providing society with a more effective therapy at a lower cost compared to the other 2 alternatives.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org