[Position statement for improvement in reperfusion of ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Latin America].

The treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction has barriers depending on the geographic region. Primary coronary angioplasty is the treatment of choice, if it is performed on time and by experienced operators. However, when it is not available, the administration of fibrinolysis and referral for rescue angioplasty, in case of negative reperfusion, is the best strategy.

How to set up regional STEMI networks: a "Stent - Save a life!" initiative.

Clinical guidelines recommend the development of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks at community, regional and/or national level to ideally offer primary coronary angioplasty, or at least the best available STEMI care to all patients. However, there is a discrepancy between this clinical recommendation and daily practice, with no coordinated care for STEMI patients in many regions of the world. While this can be a consequence of lack of resources, in reality it is more frequently a lack of organisational power.

Surgical Risk Scoring in TAVR: Still Needed? A Metaregression Analysis.

Several randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) against surgical aortic valve replacement have been published to date. The fact that higher risk populations were implemented first does not necessarily mean that they benefit more from a TAVR procedure. We performed meta-analysis of the 8 randomized clinical trials performing TAVR for both mortality and stroke outcomes.

[Acute myocardial infarction in patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia].

Coronary involvement in COVID-19 infection usually presents as type 2 acute myocardial infarction (AMI), due to increased 02 consumption and reduction of oxygen supply, and less frequently as type 1 (STEMI). In that cases, thrombogenicity of the infection may contribute to acute coronary occlusion. We present 2 cases of middle-aged men, with few or none cardiovascular risk factors, who were in hospital during 10 days because pneumonia due to COVID-19 with good evolution.

TAVR prosthesis recoil: Unknowns and implications.

TAVR acute recoil has not been properly assessed with current generation balloon-expandable prosthesis. Acute recoil was greater during initial deployment than in postdilatation, in middle stent than inflow or outflow, and in antero-posterior than lateral axis. No predictors or clinical implications of acute valvular recoil were detected, calling for further research to better understand this phenomenon.

Retrograde approach for chronic total occlusion angioplasty: At your own risk.

The retrograde approach is needed to increase procedural success in chronic total occlusion angioplasty. This systematic review of the literature demonstrated that retrograde approach is associated with more complex anatomy, worse in-hospital and long-term outcomes. Retrograde approach needs expertise, used judiciously, and major focus in patient safety when performed.

Telehealth in Heart Failure Care during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Argentina.

Background And Objectives: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, virtual visits (VVs) were recommended as an innovative and necessary alternative for patients with heart failure (HF). To assess the feasibility and acceptability of VVs in patients with HF, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and heart transplant (HT).

Methods: We designed a single-centre cohort study.

[Cardiovascular disease in times of COVID-19].

There are increasing reports of a drastic drop in consultations and cardiovascular procedures (including urgencies and emergencies) in regions affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a consequent marked increase in total mortality that is not fully explained by COVID-19. Cardiovascular disease leads the ranking in deaths in adults in Argentina with 280 deaths per day, and in recent decades we have reduced its mortality by 20-30% through various evidence-based interventions. Herein we conducted predictive analyses to understand what could be the consequences of a worse implementation of those interventions.

Bioabsorbable-polymer drug-eluting stents in acute myocardial infarction: Insights from the ULLISE registry.

Limited information is available about the performance of bioabsorbable-polymer drug-eluting stents in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. Patients treated with these stents presenting with acute myocardial infarction are at higher risk of adverse events compared with stable patients. Further clinical trials are needed to fully understand the role of bioabsorbable-polymer drug-eluting stents in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction.

Limitations of Repeat Revascularization as an Outcome Measure: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

Repeat revascularization is a commonly used outcome measure in trials comparing percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and differences in this outcome often drive the relative risk for the primary endpoint. However, repeat revascularization as an outcome measure has important limitations that complicates its meaningful interpretation, including confounding by indication (driven by varying use of stress testing and thresholds for invasive angiography), differential likelihood of revascularization after graft versus stent failure, uncertainty of the prognostic impact of repeat revascularization, and patient preferences and appraisal of the import of repeat revascularization. Knowledge of these issues will result in better appreciation of the utility of repeat revascularization as a clinically meaningful outcome measure.

Five-year clinical outcomes of zotarolimus-eluting stents in coronary total occlusions.

Aims: Reports of long-term outcomes of patients treated with drug-eluting stents in total coronary occlusions are limited. We analysed clinical outcomes of patients treated with the zotarolimus-eluting Resolute stent (R-ZES) implanted in coronary total occlusions versus non-occluded lesions.

Methods And Results: Patients treated with R-ZES and included in four trials (RESOLUTE All Comers, RESOLUTE International, RESOLUTE China RCT, and RESOLUTE China Registry) were pooled and divided into three groups - patients with chronic total occlusions (CTO), patients with total occlusions that had occurred recently (rec-TO), and patients without total occlusions (non-TO).

Transradial access: A case for knowledge translation.

Current transradial access (TRA) practices are unknown in the United States and the rest of the world. There is a decline in preprocedure collateral assessment, low use of ultrasound, and infrequent radial patency check after hemostasis. Significant knowledge-practice gaps exist in TRA calling for more dissemination and education.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement hemodynamic durability: Still in question?

This study shows excellent transcatheter aortic valve replacement hemodynamic mid-term durability, aligned with prior research up to 5-years. Long-term (10+ years) data are needed before treating young low-risk people with aortic stenosis. Data so far are excellent, indicating a prosperous future for this procedure in young patients.