Atención a los pacientes con enfermedades cardiacas agudas y críticas. Posición de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología

Clinical profile, management and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock undergoing transfer between centers in Spain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical profile, management, and prognosis of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (STEMI-CS) requiring interhospital transfer, as well as the prognostic impact of structural variables of the treating centers in this setting.

METHODS

This study included patients with STEMI-CS treated at revascularization-capable centers from 2016 to 2020. The patients were divided into the following groups: group A: patients attended throughout their admission at hospitals with interventional cardiology without cardiac surgery; group B: patients treated at hospitals with interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery; and group C: patients transferred to centers with interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery. We analyzed the association between the volume of STEMI-CS cases treated, the availability of cardiac intensive care units (CICU), and heart transplant with hospital mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 4189 episodes were included: 1389 (33.2%) from group A, 2627 from group B (62.7%), and 173 from group C (4.1%). Transferred patients were younger, had a higher cardiovascular risk, and more commonly underwent revascularization, mechanical circulatory support, and heart transplant during hospitalization (P<.001). The crude mortality rate was lower in transferred patients (46.2% vs 60.3% in group A and 54.4% in group B, (P<.001)). Lower mortality was associated with a higher volume of care and CICU availability (OR, 0.75, P=.009; and 0.80, P=.047).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of transfers in patients with STEMI-CS in our setting is low. Transferred patients were younger and underwent more invasive procedures. Mortality was lower among patients transferred to centers with a higher volume of STEMI-CS cases and CICU.

Impact of shock aetiology and hospital characteristics on the clinical profile, management and prognosis of patients with non ACS-related cardiogenic shock

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of cases of cardiogenic shock (CS) are due aetiologies other than acute coronary syndromes (non ACS-CS). We assessed differences regarding clinical profile, management, and prognosis according to the cause of CS among nonselected patients with CS from a large nationwide database.

METHODS

We performed an observational study including patients admitted from the hospitals of the Spanish National Health System (SNHS) with a principal or secondary diagnosis code of CS (2016-2019). Data were obtained from the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS). Hospitals were classified according to the availability of cardiology related resources, as well as the availability of Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU).

RESULTS

A total of 10,826 episodes of CS were included, of whom 5,495 (50.8%) were non-ACS related. Non ACS-CS patients were younger (71.5 vs. 72.4 years) and had a lower burden of arteriosclerosis-related comorbidities. Non ACS-CS cases underwent less often invasive procedures and presented lower in-hospital mortality (57.1% vs. 61%,p < 0.001). The most common main diagnosis among non ACS-CS was acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (ADCHF) (35.4%). A lower risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate was observed in high volume hospitals (52.6% vs. 56.7%; p < 0.001), as well as in centers with ICCU (OR: 0.71; CI 95%: 0.58-0.87; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

More than a half of cases of CS were due to non-ACS causes. Non ACS-CS cases are a very heterogeneous group, with different clinical profile and management. Management at high-volume hospitals and availability of ICCU were associated with lower risk adjusted mortality among non ACS-CS patients.

The Intersection Between Heart Failure and Critical Care Cardiology: An International Perspective on Structure, Staffing, and Design Considerations

The overall patient population in contemporary cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) has only increased with respect to patient acuity, complexity, and illness severity. The current population has more cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities, a higher prevalence of multiorgan injury, and consumes more critical care resources than previously. Patients with heart failure (HF) now occupy a large portion of contemporary tertiary or quaternary care CICU beds around the world. In this review, we discuss the core issues that relate to the care of critically ill patients with HF, including global perspectives on the organization, designation, and collaboration of CICUs regionally and across institutions, as well as unique models for provisioning care for patients with HF within a health care setting. The latter includes a discussion of traditional and emerging models, specialized HF units, the makeup and implementation of multidisciplinary team-based decision-making, and cardiac critical care admission and triage practices. This article illustrates the ways in which critically ill patients with HF have helped to shape contemporary CICUs throughout the world and explores how these very patients will similarly help to inform the future maturation of these specialized critical care units. Finally, we will critically examine broad, contemporary, international models of HF and cardiac critical care delivery in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia, and conclude with opportunities for the further investigation and generation of evidence for care delivery.

Impact of creating a haemodynamics room, a coronary unit and a primary angioplasty programme on the prognosis of acute coronary syndrome in a district hospital

OBJECTIVE

This work aims to analyze the prognosis and mortality of patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome before and after the implementation of a coronary care unit, hemodynamics room, and the Código Corazón [Infarction Code] primary angioplasty program METHODS: We conducted an observational, retrospective study that analyzed the epidemiological characteristics, reperfusion strategies, adverse cardiovascular events, and mortality over a follow-up period of five years. The results from the post-code period (March 1 - December 31, 2012; n=471) were compared with those from the pre-code period (March 1 - December 31, 2009; n=432).

RESULTS

There were no differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups. However, an increase in ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (STE-ACS) from 17.6% to 34.8% (p<.001) was observed during the postcode phase. The use of percutaneous coronary intervention was made widespread at the hospital and was used in 64.8% of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) cases and in 95.5% of STE-ACS cases. A reduction was observed in readmissions (from 38.2% to 25.1% for NSTE-ACS (p=.001) and from 23.7% to 11.0% for STE-ACS (p=.018)), the composite prognostic variable of adverse cardiovascular events and 5-year mortality (from 58.7% to 45% (p=.001) for NSTE-ACS and from 40.8% to 23.8% (p=.009) for STE-ACS), and a decrease in 30-day mortality in STE-ACS (from 11.8% to 3.7%; p=.021).

CONCLUSIONS

With the structural changes in the hospital, the use of percutaneous coronary intervention was made widespread and improved the prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome, decreasing admissions, adverse cardiovascular events and mortality.

Impact of creating a hemodynamics room, a coronary care unit, and a primary angioplasty program on the prognosis of acute coronary syndrome in a district hospital

OBJECTIVE

This work aims to analyze the prognosis and mortality of patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome before and after the implementation of a coronary care unit, hemodynamics room, and the Código Corazón [Infarction Code] primary angioplasty program.

METHODS

We conducted an observational, retrospective study that analyzed the epidemiological characteristics, reperfusion strategies, adverse cardiovascular events, and mortality over a follow-up period of five years. The results from the post-code period (March 1 - December 31, 2012; n=471) were compared with those from the pre-code period (March 1 - December 31, 2009; n=432).

RESULTS

There were no differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups. However, an increase in ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (STE-ACS) from 17.6% to 34.8% (p<.001) was observed during the postcode phase. The use of percutaneous coronary intervention was made widespread at the hospital and was used in 64.8% of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) cases and in 95.5% of STE-ACS cases. A reduction was observed in readmissions (from 38.2% to 25.1% for NSTE-ACS (p=.001) and from 23.7% to 11.0% for STE-ACS (p=.018)), the composite prognostic variable of adverse cardiovascular events and 5-year mortality (from 58.7% to 45% (p=.001) for NSTE-ACS and from 40.8% to 23.8% (p=.009) for STE-ACS), and a decrease in 30-day mortality in STE-ACS (from 11.8% to 3.7%; p=.021).

CONCLUSIONS

With the structural changes in the hospital, the use of percutaneous coronary intervention was made widespread and improved the prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome, decreasing admissions, adverse cardiovascular events, and mortality.

Diabetes mellitus, revascularization and outcomes in elderly patients with myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock

Background

The prognostic role of diabetes mellitus (DM) in elderly patients with myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (MI-CS) remains controversial. Little information exists about the impact of intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) and revascularization on outcomes of elderly patients with MI-CS. We aimed to assess the prognostic impact of DM according to age in patients with MI-CS, and to analyze the impact ICCU management and revascularization on in-hospital mortality in MI-CS patients at older ages.

Methods

Discharge episodes with diagnosis of CS associated with MI were selected from the Spanish National Health System's Basic Data Set. Centers were classified according to their availability of ICCU. Main outcome measured was in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 23, 590 episodes of MI-CS were identified, of whom 12, 447 (52.8%) were in patients aged ≥ 75 years. The impact of DM on in-hospital mortality was different among age subgroups. While in younger patients, DM was associated to a higher mortality risk (0.52 vs. 0.47, OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.06-1.18, χ² < 0.001), this association became non-significant in older patients (0.76 vs. 0.81, χ² = 0.09). Adjusted mortality rate of MI-CS aged ≥ 75 years was lower in patients admitted to hospitals with ICCU (adjusted mortality rate: 74.2% vs. 77.7%, P < 0.001) and in patients undergoing revascularization (74.9% vs. 77.3%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Prognostic impact of DM in patients with MI-CS was different according to age, with a significantly lower impact at older ages. The availability of ICCU and revascularization were associated with better outcomes in these complex patients.

Trends in cardiogenic shock management and prognostic impact of type of treating center

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Current guidelines recommend centralizing the care of patients with cardiogenic shock in high-volume centers. The aim of this study was to assess the association between hospital characteristics, including the availability of an intensive cardiac care unit, and outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)-related cardiogenic shock (CS).

METHODS

Discharge episodes with a diagnosis of STEMI-related CS between 2003 and 2015 were selected from the Minimum Data Set of the Spanish National Health System. Centers were classified according to the availability of a cardiology department, catheterization laboratory, cardiac surgery department, and intensive cardiac care unit. The main outcome measured was in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 19 963 episodes were identified. The mean age was 73.4±11.8 years. The proportion of patients with CS treated at hospitals with a catheterization laboratory and cardiac surgery department increased from 38.4% in 2005 to 52.9% in 2015 (P <.005). Crude- and risk-adjusted mortality rates decreased over time, from 82% to 67.1%, and from 82.7% to 66.8%, respectively (both P <.001). Coronary revascularization, either percutaneous or coronary artery bypass grafting, was independently associated with a lower mortality risk (OR, 0.29 and 0.25; both P <.001, respectively). Intensive cardiac care unit availability was associated with lower adjusted mortality rates (65.3%±7.9 vs 72±11.7; P <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of patients with STEMI-related CS treated at highly specialized centers increased while mortality decreased during the study period. Better outcomes were associated with the increased performance of revascularization procedures and access to intensive cardiac care units over time.

The RECALCAR Project. Healthcare in the Cardiology Units of the Spanish National Health System, 2011 to 2014

The RECALCAR project (Spanish acronym for Resources and Quality in Cardiology Units) uses 2 data sources: a survey of cardiology units and an analysis of the Minimum Basic Data set of all hospital discharges of the Spanish National Health System. From 2011 to 2014, there was marked stability in all indicators of the availability, utilization, and productivity of cardiology units. There was significant variability between units and between the health services of the autonomous communities. There was poor implementation of process management (only 14% of the units) and scarce development of health care networks (17%). Structured cardiology units tended to have better results, in terms of both quality and efficiency. No significant differences were found between the different types of unit in the mean length of stay (5.5±1.1 days) or the ratio between successive and first consultations (2:1). The mean discharge rate was 5/1000 inhabitants/y and the mean rate of initial consultations was 16±4/1000 inhabitants/y. No duty or on-call cardiologist was available in 30% of cardiology units with 24 or more beds; of these, no critical care beds were available in 45%. Our findings support the recommendation to regionalize cardiology care and to promote the development of cardiology unit networks.