Revista española de cardiología (English ed.)
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Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed) · Apr 2013
Low clinical penetrance in causal mutation carriers for cardiac channelopathies.
Cardiac channelopathies are genetic alterations that can cause sudden death. Long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome are 2 such conditions. Both are diagnosed according to previously published criteria. Our objective was to determine the sensitivity of these criteria in a consecutive series of patients carrying the mutations that cause them. ⋯ Current diagnostic criteria for long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome had low sensitivity in our sample of genetic carriers. Genetic tests supported by pharmacological tests can increase diagnostic sensitivity, especially in asymptomatic relatives.
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Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed) · Apr 2013
Factors associated with mortality in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests attended in basic life support units in the Basque Country (Spain).
To describe the epidemiological characteristics of cardiac arrests attended in basic life support units in the Basque Country (Spain) and look for factors associated with failure of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ⋯ Cardiac arrest survival was low. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation before the arrival of the ambulance was rare. A shockable rhythm, age younger than 65 years, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts, and a location away from home were associated with longer survival. It is necessary to develop strategies designed to reduce ambulance response time and educate the public in basic resuscitation.
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Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed) · Mar 2013
Update: Innovation in cardiology (II). Telecardiology: past, present and future.
Technological advances over the past decades have allowed improved diagnosis and monitoring of patients with acute coronary syndromes as well as patients with advanced heart failure. High-quality digital recordings transmitted wirelessly by cellular telephone networks have augmented the prehospital use of transportable electrocardiogram machines as well as implantable devices for arrhythmia monitoring and therapy. The impact of prehospital electrocardiogram recording and interpretation in patients suspected of acute myocardial infarction should not be underestimated. ⋯ Further, continuous electrocardiogram monitoring has improved arrhythmia diagnosis and dynamic ST-segment changes have been shown to provide important prognostic information in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Likewise, remote recording or monitoring of arrhythmias and vital signs seem to improve outcome and reduce the necessity of re-admissions or outpatient contacts in patients with heart failure or arrhythmias. In the future telemonitoring and diagnosis is expected to further impact the way we practice cardiology and provide better care for the patient with cardiovascular disease.