The National Response to Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to changes in healthcare institutions and medical assistance. Non-SARS-CoV-2 related diseases were indirectly affected by the pandemic. Nonetheless, their treatment remains crucial.

Acute coronary syndrome and stress: Is there a relationship?

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the result of a complex pathophysiological process with various dynamic factors. The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a validated instrument for estimating stress levels in clinical practice and may be useful in the assessment of ACS.

Methods: We carried out a single-center prospective study engaging patients hospitalized with ACS between March 20, 2019 and March 3, 2020.

Prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients: A Portuguese registry.

Introduction: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for the extent of myocardial infarction that is strongly related to short- and long-term prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of BNP levels in a Portuguese cohort of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted with STEMI included in the Portuguese Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ProACS) between 2010 and 2019.

Early and late new-onset of atrial fibrillation in acute coronary syndromes: Their differences in mortality and cardiac event.

Background: In a stressful situation like acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the occurrence of the first episode of atrial fibrillation is more frequent. The impact of the timing occurrence of AF new-onset (nAF) in the setting of ACS is still debatable.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective study based on the Acute Coronary Syndrome Portuguese National Registry, including 29 851 patients admitted for ACS between 1/10/2010 and 4/09/2019.

Effectiveness of Reminiscence Therapy versus Cognitive Stimulation Therapy in Older Adults with Cognitive Decline: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study.

Cognitive impairment can represent a predecessor to neuro-degenerative processes; however, evidence suggests that non-pharmacologic interventions such as reminiscence therapy (RT) and cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) can potentially stabilize or reverse this trend. Community-based settings are widely regarded as the key area of intervention by healthcare professionals in this field. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effects of an RT and a CST program in the cognition, depressive symptomatology, and quality of life (QoL) of older adults with cognitive decline who attend community support structures (CSS) in central Portugal.

Revascularization strategies in STEMI and multivessel disease.

Introduction: The main treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the re-establishment of the coronary flow of infarct-related arteries. However, 50% of cases present multivessel disease (MVD), negatively affecting mortality. Complete revascularization (CR) is currently advocated since it reduces major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

A systemic review of endocardial left ventricular pacing.

Background: Endocardial left ventricular pacing is an alternative technique used in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), when placement of a left ventricular lead is not possible via the coronary sinus or in non-responders to conventional CRT.

Objectives: To review the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of endocardial left ventricular pacing.

Methods: Systematic research on Medline (PubMed), ClinicalTrials.

High-grade atrioventricular block in acute coronary syndrome: Portuguese experience.

Background: The high-grade atrioventricular block (HAVB) occurrence in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a potentially life-threatening complication, that demands a rapid and efficient response regarding reperfusion time and rhythm stabilization. This study aimed to analyse the rate, clinical features, therapeutic approach, complications, in-hospital mortality and follow-up of HAVB in the setting of ACS.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective study based on the Acute Coronary Syndrome Portuguese National Registry, including 32157 patients admitted for ACS between 1/10/2010-3/05/2020, classified according to the presence or absence of HAVB during the hospitalization for ACS.

Older adult care in nursing education: How have curricula been developed?

Given the rapidly growing older adult population, future nurses should increase their knowledge and skills in gerontological nursing to deliver high-quality care to older adults. The aim of this national survey (n = 40 nursing schools) was to analyse the status of gerontology education in Portuguese baccalaureate nursing programmes. Data were collected using a 51-item questionnaire about baccalaureate nursing education programmes and gerontology-related topics.

An inappropriate shock after reprogramming tachycardia zones.

A patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) (Abbott®) had episodes of slow monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) and his ICD was programmed with three tachycardia zones. During the follow-up, he received an inappropriate shock. Upon interrogation (of the device), trigeminal pattern binned as ventricular sensing (VS)-VS-ventricular fibrillation (VF) was detected.

Does orthostatic hypotension predict the occurrence of nocturnal arterial hypertension in the elderly patient?

Objective: To determine whether the presence of orthostatic hypotension--which, in this age-group, could be due to varying degrees of autonomic dysfunction--is an indicator of nocturnal arterial hypertension.

Patients: Between 1999 and 2001 we prospectively and consecutively studied 93 elderly patients with untreated (office) arterial hypertension, 65 (70%) of whom were true hypertensives according to 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

Interventions: The patients were studied by clinical examination including blood pressure (BP) measurement in dorsal decubitus and orthostatic position, 24 h ABPM, evaluation of vascular distensibility by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and Doppler echocardiography.

[Pulmonary hypertension. Topic review. 2 clinical cases].

The authors describe two cases of pulmonary hypertension (PHT). In the first case it is secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism, a frequent and serious occurrence, witch is well known as a cause of PHT. In the second case the PHT is probably secondary to infection by human immunodeficiency virus, also a serious and frequent condition in clinical practice but which was only recently identified as a cause of PHT.