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.