Strategic Plan for Cardiovascular Health in Portugal - Portuguese Society of Cardiology (PESCP-SPC).

The Strategic Plan for Cardiovascular Health in Portugal is an initiative of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, aligned with efforts by the European Society of Cardiology and the World Heart Federation to develop national plans, at a local level within the cultural and socio-economic contexts, focused on cardiovascular health. The overarching goal is to promote and ensure the continuous and sustained improvement of cardiovascular health in the Portuguese population.The methodology identified key challenges and opportunities for the medium term, highlighted priority areas for intervention, and proposed strategic lines of action.

Quality improvement collaborative for improving patient care delivery in Argentine public health sector intensive care units.

Background: The demand for healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was excessive for less-resourced settings, with intensive care units (ICUs) taking the heaviest toll.

Objective: The aim was to achieve adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) use in 90% of patient encounters, to reach 90% compliance with objectives of patient flow (OPF) and to provide emotional support tools to 90% of healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time-series design in 14 ICUs in Argentina.

Can subcutaneous treprostinil be an alternative for treating pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease?

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the most feared complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc). There are currently specific drugs approved for PH group I (pulmonary arterial hypertension - PAH), but for PH related to lung disease (group III) the use of vasodilators is still controversial and not routinely recommended in patients with non-severe PH. However, SSc-PH-interstitial lung disease (ILD) has a poorer survival compared with SSc-PAH, making the management of these patients a challenge, ideally carried out in a reference centre.

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on ventilation dynamics measured during exertion in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome: A cross-sectional observational study.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended in people with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), although there is a lack of studies evaluating its benefits via the most commonly used primary endpoint: the six-minute walk test (6MWT). This study evaluated the effects of PR on the dynamics of ventilation measured during the 6MWT in patients with PACS and, secondarily, evaluated the association of these findings with measures of lung function and structure.

Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study of patients with PACS, in which 33 had undergone PR (PR-PACS group) and 32 had not undergone PR (NPR-PACS group).

Underuse of reperfusion therapy with systemic thrombolysis in high-risk acute pulmonary embolism in a Portuguese center.

Introduction: Reperfusion therapy is generally recommended in acute high-risk pulmonary embolism (HR-PE), but several population-based studies report that it is underused. Data on epidemiology, management and outcomes of HR-PE in Portugal are scarce.

Objective: To determine the reperfusion rate in HR-PE patients, the reasons for non-reperfusion, and how it influences outcomes.

Prevalence and predictors of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension following severe forms of acute pulmonary embolism.

Introduction And Objectives: The true prevalence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after pulmonary embolism (PE) in the Portuguese population remains unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of CTEPH two years after a symptomatic high- (HR) or intermediate-high risk (IHR) PE.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted with PE between 2014 and 2019 to a Portuguese referral center for pulmonary hypertension.

Ventilation dynamics using a portable device coupled to the six-minute walk test in people with long-COVID syndrome: a preliminary study.

Objective: To investigated the dynamic ventilatory responses and their influence on functional exercise capacity in patients with long-COVID-19 syndrome (LCS).

Results: Sixteen LCS patients were subjected to resting lung function (spirometry and respiratory oscillometry-RO) and cardiopulmonary performance to exercise (Spiropalm®-equipped six-minute walk test-6MWT and cardiopulmonary exercise test-CPX). At rest, spirometry showed a normal, restrictive and obstructive pattern in 87.

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia with cardioinhibitory syncope: Is a permanent pacemaker required?

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare facial pain syndrome, which in more rare cases can be associated with syncope. We present the outcome of a case report that combines this rare association that received medical therapy with anti-epileptic medication and permanent dual chamber pacemaker implantation. In this case, syncope episodes were associated with both vasodepressor and cardioinhibitory reflex syncope types.

Percutaneous versus surgical revascularization of unprotected left main coronary artery: Data from the Portuguese Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ProACS).

Background: In acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the optimal revascularization strategy for unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) culprit lesion has been under-investigated. Therefore, we compared clinical characteristics and short- and medium-term outcomes of percutaneous and surgical revascularization in ACS.

Methods And Results: Of 31886 patients enrolled in a multicenter, national, prospective registry study between October 2010 and December 2020, 246 (0.

Severe and Apparently Irreversible Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in a Patient with Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect - A Successful Case of Treat and Close Strategy.

Irreversible pulmonary arterial hypertension is considered a contraindication for surgical or percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) due to risk of right heart failure. We present a case of 37 years-old woman who was referred to our center due to progressive worsening fatigue and high probability of pulmonary hypertension on a transthoracic echocardiogram. The diagnostic work-up revealed the presence of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect and severe pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension on right heart cathetherization (RHC).

Home-based rehabilitation improves functional capacity and quality of life in women with systemic sclerosis: A preliminary study.

Background: Recent initiatives, such as earlier diagnosis and treatment, have enhanced the survival of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Despite these initiatives, there is extreme variability in rehabilitation strategies for these patients. In 2006, the Glittre-ADL test (TGlittre) was developed to evaluate functional capacity using multiple tasks similar to the activities of daily living (ADLs).

Continuous Aspiration Mechanical Thrombectomy for the management of intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism: Data from the first cohort in Portugal.

Introduction: This study describes the experience of a reference center using continuous aspiration mechanical thrombectomy for acute high- and intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: Twenty-nine consecutive patients with acute central PE (48.3% high-risk PE; 82.

Assessment of the Microbiological Quality and Safety in Takeaway Sushi Meals in Portugal.

Being a food product that contains perishable ingredients and involves a significant degree of manual handling during preparation, sushi is regarded as a potentially hazardous food, which may lead to foodborne disease outbreaks. In Portugal, consumption of takeaway sushi meals has strongly increased throughout the past few years; however, there is limited information regarding its compliance with food quality standards. Under this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality and safety of take-away ready-to-eat sushi meals in Lisbon, Portugal.

Can home rehabilitation impact impulse oscillometry and lung ultrasound findings in patients with scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease? A pilot study.

Objective: Exercise has been demonstrated to be beneficial for improving physical capacity and quality of life in people with scleroderma, although knowledge of its impact on the respiratory system is limited. This study evaluated the impact of therapist-oriented home rehabilitation (TOHR) on impulse oscillometry (IOS) and lung ultrasound (LUS) findings in patients with scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Results: Twelve women with scleroderma underwent spirometry, IOS, and LUS before and after performing TOHR.

Anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery from the ascending thoracic aorta and a right patent ductus arteriosus associated with pulmonary hypertension in a woman of childbearing age: an unprecedented approach.

A female patient in her early 30s, with a medical history of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease, lost to follow-up, was referred to a pulmonary hypertension reference centre. The patient presented at a WHO functional class of II in a low-risk category. A transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated severe pulmonary hypertension with right ventricular dysfunction.

Safety and efficacy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty in a Portuguese pulmonary hypertension expert center.

Introduction: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an alternative therapy in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) or residual/recurrent pulmonary hypertension (PH) after surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term efficacy and safety of a BPA program.

Methods: This prospective single-center study included all BPA sessions performed in CTEPH patients between 2017 and 2019.

Safety and efficacy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty in a Portuguese pulmonary hypertension expert center.

Introduction: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an alternative therapy in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) or residual/recurrent pulmonary hypertension (PH) after surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term efficacy and safety of a BPA program.

Methods: This prospective single-center study included all BPA sessions performed in CTEPH patients between 2017 and 2019.

Revascularization Strategies in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock: Results from the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Background: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), cardiogenic shock (CS), and multivessel disease (MVD) questions remain unanswered when it comes to intervention on non-culprit arteries.

Objective: This article aims to 1) characterize patients with MI, CS and MVD included in the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes (ProACS); 2) compare different revascularization strategies in the sample; 3) identify predictors of in-hospital mortality among these patients.

Methods: Observational retrospective study of patients with MI, CS and MVD included in the ProACS between 2010 and 2018.

Neurological Complications in Patients with Infective Endocarditis: Insights from a Tertiary Centre.

Background: Neurological complications are common in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Recent data suggest that neurologic events are a major determinant of prognosis, and that surgery is critical in improving the outcome.

Objective: To characterize patients with IE and neurological complications and to determine predictors of embolization to the central nervous system (CNS) and mortality.

The Glittre Activities of Daily Living Test in patients with acromegaly: Associations with hand function and health-related quality of life.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders in acromegaly compromise upper and lower limb activity. Corresponding changes can be better assessed by a functional capacity test incorporating multitasking, such as the Glittre Activities of Daily Living Test (GA-T).

Objectives: To evaluate functional capacity in adults with acromegaly using the GA-T and to correlate functional capacity with hand function and health-related quality of life.

The Prognostic Value of Exercise Echocardiography After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Exercise echocardiography (EE) is a valuable noninvasive method for diagnostic and prognostic assessment of ischemic cardiac disease. The prognostic value of a negative EE test is well known overall, but its role in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention remains poorly validated. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prognostic value of treadmill EE and to determine predictors of cardiac events in this population, with an emphasis on nonpositive (negative or inconclusive) test results.