Acta Medica Port
-
Observational Study
Prophylaxis of Infective Endocarditis: A Cross Sectional Survey among Physician Members of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology.
In the last decade, the downgrading of indications for antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis caused an uncertain impact on the incidence of this condition. Since no data is available on the practice of infective endocarditis prophylaxis in Portugal, we aimed to characterize the pattern of antibiotic use for infective endocarditis prophylaxis and the compliance/awareness of scientific guidelines among physician members of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. ⋯ Infective endocarditis prophylaxis was generally guided by European scientific guidelines among physicians of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology. There was, however, an evident discrepancy between the guidelines and real-world perception of the risk of infective endocarditis. This highlights the sensed gap in accessing more robust scientific evidence.
-
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most important global medical challenges because of their high rates of morbidity and mortality. In this narrative review, the authors address the most important dermatologic signs that can be present in patients with cardiovascular disease. The early recognition of these underestimated entities is very important as it may lead to an early diagnosis and timely treatment, thus lessening the effects of long-term disease and possibly improving the prognosis.
-
Multicenter Study
The National Response to Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal.
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. Cardiovascular conditions such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are common, and it was necessary to adjust medical assistance to these diseases during the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the national impact and healthcare system response during the first wave of the pandemic in patients admitted for ACS. ⋯ During the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic there was a nationwide reduction in demand of healthcare services due to ACS events. Even though the Portuguese healthcare system was under strain and forced to divert resources and medical assistance towards the pandemic management, it was capable of responding adequately to ACS.
-
The Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) scale uses a simple and easily administered questionnaire to evaluate the adaptation of individuals to their cochlear implants. The aim of this study was to validate the NCIQ for European Portuguese, through its translation and cultural adaptation. It also presents the evaluation of reproducibility and the description of the results of this questionnaire in patients using IC. ⋯ This adaptation of the NCIQ questionnaire for European Portuguese should be considered a good tool to evaluate the level of satisfaction of cochlear implant users and, so far, it is the only scale in this field validated for application in the Portuguese population.