Publications by authors named "Maria Eugenia Vazquez-Alvarez"
Catheter-directed interventions in acute pulmonary embolism. Position statement of SEC-Interventional Cardiology Association/SEC-Ischemic Heart Disease and Acute Cardiovascular Care Association/SEC-Working Group on Pulmonary Hypertension.
Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed)
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of hospital deaths and cardiovascular issues, with traditional treatments like anticoagulation and surgery being standard options.
- Recent advancements include catheter-directed interventions (CDI), such as thrombolysis, which may quickly enhance patient outcomes, despite limited supporting evidence from clinical trials.
- A joint report highlights the need for rapid response teams, thorough patient evaluation, and collaborative methods to optimize treatment and outcomes for those dealing with PE.
Article Synopsis
- The article reviews the 2023 activity report from the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, highlighting key trends in interventional cardiology practices in Spain.
- A survey involving 119 hospitals revealed a slight decrease in diagnostic studies but an increase in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), with a notable rise in the use of drug-coated balloons and techniques for plaque modification.
- The findings indicate a stabilization in coronary interventions while showcasing a growth in complex procedures, particularly for valvular and nonvalvular structural heart diseases, with primary PCI becoming the leading treatment for myocardial infarction.
Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) treatment is based on risk stratification according to European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. However, emerging therapies in acute PE may require a more granular risk classification. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to propose a new RIsk claSsification Adapting the SCAI shock stages to right ventricular failure due to acute PE (RISA-PE).
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- This article reports on the annual activities of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology for 2022.
- A total of 111 centers participated, revealing a 4.8% increase in diagnostic studies and a significant 22% rise in PCIs on the left main coronary artery, while the overall PCI numbers remained stable.
- Key trends included a preference for the radial approach in 94.9% of cases, increased use of drug-eluting balloons and intracoronary imaging, and a continuous rise in noncoronary procedures, especially those related to heart valve and structural heart issues.
Introduction And Objectives: Catheter-directed therapy (CDT) for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is an emerging therapy that combines heterogeneous techniques. The aim of the study was to provide a nationwide contemporary snapshot of clinical practice and CDT-related outcomes.
Methods: This Investigator-initiated multicenter registry aimed to include consecutive patients with intermediate-high risk (IHR) or high-risk (HR), acute PE eligible for CDT.
Important breakthroughs have considerably improved the outcomes of the percutaneous treatment of valvular heart diseases during the last decades. However, calcium deposition and progressive calcification of the left-sided heart valves present a challenge with prognostic implications that have not been addressed until recently. In the case of native mitral stenosis with no surgical options, a compelling need for tackling heavily calcified valves has led to the development of novel debulking techniques and to the use of aortic balloon-expandable bioprosthesis in the mitral position.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndothelial dysfunction in patients with angina and non-obstructed coronary arteries is associated with an increased risk of mayor cardiovascular events. Results of the Spanish ENDOCOR registry.
Int J Cardiol
January 2023
Background: Coronary endothelial dysfunction and vasospasm are potential causes of ischemia in patients without obstructive coronary stenoses (INOCA).
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of endothelial dysfunction and the clinical profile of patients with INOCA in Spain, as well as to identify the predictors and the prognostic impact of endothelial dysfunction in this scenario.
Methods: A total of 438 consecutive patients with INOCA in whom the acetylcholine test was performed were prospectively enrolled.
Background: Endothelial and microvascular dysfunction are frequently found in the non-culprit territory in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to determine whether an impaired coronary physiology of the non-culprit territory impacts long-term prognosis.
Methods: FISIOIAM was an observational single-center study which included patients with AMI and another coronary artery lesion in a different territory.
Article Synopsis
- About half of patients with STEMI have issues in multiple coronary arteries, yet the condition of nonculprit arteries has not been fully explored.
- A study involving 84 patients showed a high prevalence of microvascular and endothelial dysfunction, with only 7% showing normal function in nonculprit arteries after initial treatment.
- Despite the findings of dysfunction, no in-hospital deaths or major complications occurred, and there were no adverse events related to nonculprit arteries within 6 months of follow-up.
Physicians cannot rely solely on the angiographic appearance of epicardial coronary artery stenosis when evaluating patients with myocardial ischemia. Instead, sound knowledge of coronary vascular physiology and of the methods currently available for its characterization can improve the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of invasive assessment of the coronary circulation, and help improve clinical decision-making. In this article we summarize the current methods available for a thorough assessment of coronary physiology.
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