Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and a health problem in low- and middle-income as well as high-income countries. They also constitute the main cause of death in Latin America, with ischemic heart disease as the principal cause in most countries of the region. In Cuba, heart disease is the first cause of death, followed by cancer and stroke. In its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN recognizes the importance of chronic non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. Cuba has participated actively as lead partner in design and implementation of the two regional technical cooperation projects conducted over the last six years by the International Atomic Energy Agency to address cardiovascular diseases in Latin American and Caribbean member states. These projects have generated greater interest among participating countries in the use of myocardial perfusion for dilated cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease compared to other imaging techniques; disseminated knowledge about nuclear cardiology techniques and clinical applications in heart failure and coronary artery disease; and made important contributions to implementing harmonized, appropriate and safe clinical protocols. Cuba's contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency's regional cardiology projects has fostered development of human resources and harmonized protocols both nationally and regionally, and demonstrated the importance of region-based scientific cooperation that ensures greater opportunities and more equitable access to resources. This participation has also accrued important benefits to Cuba's own nuclear cardiology program. KEYWORDS Cardiovascular disease, myocardial perfusion imaging, nuclear cardiology, scientific cooperation, low-income populations, Latin America, Caribbean region, Cuba.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide[1] and is a health problem for high-income countries
Due to the epidemiological transition; increased life expectancy, and increases in atherosclerotic risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, high blood pressure and smoking, CVD has become a major health problem for low- and middleincome countries. These include those of Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with a 2016 population of over 640 million.[2,3,4]
CVDs constitute the main cause of death in Latin America, with ischemic heart disease as the principal cause in most countries of the region.[3]
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide[1] and is a health problem for high-income countries. Cuba participated in the proposal of the main topics, project design, and organization and hosting of both ¿rst coordination meetings, and was the coordinator of the projects with the IAEA technical of¿cer and project management of¿cer These projects were: Harmonization of Nuclear Cardiology Techniques in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure, with Emphasis on Chagas Cardiomyopathy (2012– 2013) and Facing the High Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean through Nuclear Cardiology (2016–2018). The regional projects were successful, generating awareness and interest among participating countries on the use of myocardial perfusion in evaluating patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and in CAD, compared to other imaging modalities and in particular in assessment of cardiac synchronism; disseminating knowledge about nuclear cardiology techniques and clinical applications in heart failure and in CAD; and contributing to advances in implementation of standardized, appropriate and safe clinical protocols. More deeply study differences between men and women in relation to physiopathology of coronary heart disease and gender inÀuence, a little-examined question nationally and regionally that leads to disparities in CAD treatment.[20,21] Along these lines, national and regional support is needed, including from UN agencies, with an approach that does not overlook the clinical and pathophysiological speci¿cities of female patients
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