Systemic Arterial Hypertension Research Articles

NURSING CARE FOR PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH SYSTEMIC ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION:

Aging can bring about several diseases, including systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), which is why the present work has the general objective of demonstrating nursing care for patients diagnosed with systemic arterial hypertension. In relation to the specific objectives, it is: Identify the profile of the patient who presents systemic arterial hypertension; verify which activities are provided by nursing care with the aim of controlling hypertension; Analyze which means of care and prevention should be adopted to obtain a better quality of life in hypertensive patients. To this end, a literature review will be carried out, which is a review of the research of other authors on the aforementioned topic. Only from there will it be possible to catalog the intended results and obtain a more critical look at the relationship between SAH and aging.

Abstract PO5-16-08: Breast cancer in men: 15 years of experience in an oncology reference center in northern Mexico

Abstract Background Breast cancer in men accounts for about 1% of all breast cancers. Classic risk factors include increasing age, a family history of cancer, and mutations in predisposing genes. The alteration of the estrogen-androgen ratio has been as involved in the genesis of this cancer due to its increased risk in conditions such as liver dysfunction, obesity, marijuana use, thyroid disease, Klinefelter’s syndrome, hormonal therapies, orchitis, cryptorchidism, and testicular damage. Purpose Hereby we aim to update the analysis of the published demographic, clinical and treatment-related characteristics of this disease in our center including the last 15 years, as well as newly identified relevant variables that will serve as the basis for awareness and screening programmes for our population. Methods We performed a retrospective observational analysis of the medical records of men diagnosed with breast cancer that were treated in “Centro Universitario Contra el Cáncer” between January 2007 and December 2022. A total of seventeen cases of male breast cancer were included in the analysis. The variables included are age at diagnosis, body mass index, comorbidities, cigarette and alcohol use, method of diagnosis, histological type/grade, clinical stage, estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) receptor status, and treatment received. We also looked at the dates of symptom onset, diagnosis, and treatment to determine the intervals between these events. SPSS v25 software was used for data analysis. The Shapiro-Wilk test was employed to determine the normality of the variables. Variables with a normal distribution were described with median and interquartile range for the 25th and 75th percentiles. Categorical variables were expressed as absolute numbers and percentages. Results Although we found some similarities between the characteristics of our population and those reported in the American and European series, there were many significant differences. Mean age at diagnosis was 62.9 (±11.7) years, 5.5 years earlier than the reported age of 68.4 years. In terms of risk factors, our population was twice as likely to report a family history of cancer as the American series (41% vs. 15-20%). Overweight and obesity together accounted for 76.5% followed by alcohol consumption in 70.6% and cigarette smoking in 47.1% of patients. Diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension were present in 70% of our population. These entities are known to alter the estrogen-androgen ratio. The initial symptom in 88.2% of patients was a retroareolar tumor. The mean time from symptom onset to cancer diagnosis was 14.4 months. Estrogen and/or progesterone receptor status was positive in 82.3%. HER2 overexpression was not found. 17.6% of the cancers were classified as triple negative in contrast to the 0.3% reported in other series. Regarding treatment, 88.3% underwent upfront surgery, of which 76% were modified radical mastectomies. Axillary node dissection was performed in 86.6% of the cases and sentinel node biopsy in the rest. Seventy-six percent of patients received chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the adjuvant setting. Tamoxifen was the most common drug of choice (87.5%) in the patients considered as candidates for hormonal therapy Conclusions This study updates the results previously reported from our center with additional information that enabled new important conclusions to be drawn about our population. These findings provide the basis for a better understanding of this disease, which is necessary to establish public policies and recommendations to reduce the negative impact of this type of cancer. Table. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of the Patients Citation Format: Fernando Peña, Javier A. Martínez-Moyano, Francisco Alvarado-Villarreal, Carlos Salazar-Mejía, David Hernández-Barajas, Oscar Vidal-Gutiérrez. Breast cancer in men: 15 years of experience in an oncology reference center in northern Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-16-08.

Proposal of a Modified Classification of Hypertensive Crises: Urgency, Impending Emergency, and Emergency.

Systemic arterial hypertension (HTN) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality, and HTN crises contribute significantly to an unfavourable clinical course. For decades, HTN crises have been dichotomized into hypertensive emergency (HTN-E) and hypertensive urgency (HTN-U). The main difference between the two is the presence of acute hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) - if HMOD is present, HTN crisis is HTN-E; if not, it is HTN-U. Patients with HTN-E are in a life-threatening situation. They are hospitalized and receive antihypertensive drugs intravenously (IV). On the other hand, patients with HTN-U are usually not hospitalized and receive their antihypertensives orally. We suggest a modification of the current risk stratification scheme for patients with HTN crises. The new category would be the intermediate risk group, more precisely the 'impending HTN-E' group, with a higher risk in comparison to HTN-U and a lower risk than HTN-E. 'Impending HMOD' means that HMOD has not occurred (yet), and the prognosis is, therefore, better than in patients with ongoing HMOD. There are three main reasons to classify patients as having impending HTN-E: excessively elevated BP, high-risk comorbidities, and ongoing bleeding/high bleeding risk. Their combinations are probable. This approach may enable us to prevent some HTNEs by avoiding acute HMOD using a timely blood pressure treatment. This treatment should be prompt but controlled.

Acute Interstitial Nephritis Associated with Smilax Consumption: Case Report

The cocolmeca herb (Smilax) belongs to the smilacaceae family, comprising around 350 species of tropical and subtropical distribution, used as popular medicine in Central America and the Caribbean islands. In Mexico it has been used mainly for weight loss. Case presentation: A 52-year-old man with a history of systemic arterial hypertension and grade I obesity, with consumption of smilax for at least two months, presented deterioration in renal function, with initial studies with urea 90 mg/dl and serum creatinine 3.6. mg/dl, infectious and systemic causes were ruled out, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis was confirmed by percutaneous biopsy, management was given with methylprednisolone boluses and renal function improved. The use of traditional remedies is common throughout the world, with use rates exceeding 80% in some populations. It is considered that approximately 2% of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is due to AIN.

Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: From Bedside to Bench and Back Again.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and fibrosis which affects the skin and internal organs. One key aspect of SSc vasculopathy is pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) which represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with SSc. The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension is complex, with multiple vascular cell types, inflammation, and intracellular signaling pathways contributing to vascular pathology and remodeling. In this review, we focus on shared molecular features of pulmonary hypertension and those which make SSc-PAH a unique entity. We highlight advances in the understanding of the clinical and translational science pertinent to this disease. We first review clinical presentations and phenotypes, pathology, and novel biomarkers, and then highlight relevant animal models, key cellular and molecular pathways in pathogenesis, and explore emerging treatment strategies in SSc-PAH.

Aberrant long-chain fatty acid metabolism associated with evolving systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

We sought to investigate differential metabolism in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) versus those who do not, as a method of identifying potential disease biomarkers. In a nested case-control design, serum metabolites were assayed in SSc subjects who developed right heart catheterization-confirmed PAH (n = 22) while under surveillance in a longitudinal cohort from Johns Hopkins, then compared with metabolites assayed in matched SSc patients who did not develop PAH (n = 22). Serum samples were collected at "proximate" (within 12 months) and "distant" (within 1-5 yr) time points relative to PAH diagnosis. Metabolites were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). An LC-MS dataset from SSc subjects with either mildly elevated pulmonary pressures or overt PAH from the University of Michigan was compared. Differentially abundant metabolites were tested as predictors of PAH in two additional validation SSc cohorts. Long-chain fatty acid metabolism (LCFA) consistently differed in SSc-PAH versus SSc without PH. LCFA metabolites discriminated SSc-PAH patients with mildly elevated pressures in the Michigan cohort and predicted SSc-PAH up to 2 yr before clinical diagnosis in the Hopkins cohort. Acylcholines containing LCFA residues and linoleic acid metabolites were most important for discriminating SSc-PAH. Combinations of acylcholines and linoleic acid metabolites provided good discrimination of SSc-PAH across cohorts. Aberrant lipid metabolism is observed throughout the evolution of PAH in SSc. Lipidomic signatures of abnormal LCFA metabolism distinguish SSc-PAH patients from those without PH, including before clinical diagnosis and in mild disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Abnormal lipid metabolism is evident across time in the development of SSc-PAH, and dysregulated long-chain fatty acid metabolism predicts overt PAH.

Evaluation of the European Society of Cardiology Risk Assessment Score in Incident Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may be stratified as low, intermediate, or high risk of 1-year mortality. In 2022, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) updated and simplified its risk stratification tool, based on three variables: World Health Organization functional class, serum N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide and six-minute walk distance, applied at follow-up visits, intended to guide therapy over time. We applied the 2022 ESC risk assessment tool at baseline and follow-up (within 2 years) to a multinational incident cohort of systemic sclerosis-associated PAH (SSc-PAH). Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox hazards regression, and accelerated failure time models were used to evaluate survival by risk score. At baseline (n = 260), the majority of SSc-PAH (72.2%) were graded as intermediate risk of death according to the 2022 tool. At follow-up, according to 2022 tool, half (55.5%) of the cohort were classified as low or intermediate-low risk. The 2022 risk model at follow-up was able to differentiate survival between risk strata. All three individual parameters (World Health Organization functional class, N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide, six-minute walk distance) were significantly associated with mortality at baseline and/or follow-up. The 2022 ESC risk assessment strategy applied at baseline and follow-up predicts survival in SSc-PAH. Treatment decisions for SSc-PAH should include risk assessments, aiming to achieve low-risk status according to the 2022 ESC guidelines.

Segmental thoracic anesthesia for transabdominal colectomy with spontaneous ventilation through combined spinal-epidural block. Case report with video

Introduction: The combined spinal-epidural (CSE) technique offers advantages over the epidural or single injection spinal anesthesia alone. Assessing the distance between the dura mater and the spinal cord in the thoracic region with magnetic resonance imaging showed that there is a large space that allows the needle to enter without reaching the spinal cord. Segmental thoracic spinal anesthesia is being used in several types of surgery. Case report: A woman aged 73 years, 64 kg, 163 cm, physical status ASA II, type II diabetic, with systemic arterial hypertension, was scheduled for resection of a tumor in the right colon. The CSE was placed at the T9-T10 interspace and 10mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was injected into the subarachnoid space. The epidural catheter (20G) was then inserted four centimeters. Sedation was obtained with 1mg of midazolam as needed (total 5mg). Two hours after 0.5% bupivacaine had to be administered in a bolus of 25 mg through the catheter. There was no necessity for the use of vasopressor drugs or atropine. Conclusion: This case has provided evidence that segmental spinal anesthesia can be an effective anesthetic technique for gastrointestinal surgery with spontaneous ventilation, and the infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine with an elastomeric pump provided 40 hours of analgesia.

Isolated left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy: case report and brief review on diagnostic imaging methods

Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is a rare congenital heart disease with an estimated incidence of 0.014-0.045% in a general population. It occurs due to a morphogenetic abnormality during embryogenesis that inhibits myocardial compaction and determines prominent trabeculae with deep intertrabecular spaces and thickening of the adjacent myocardium in two distinct layers. Diagnosis is generally established via transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) with further confirmation with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). A 57-year-old male patient previously diagnosed with systemic arterial hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reported chest pain and dyspnea upon exertion, headache, and dizziness. During outpatient investigation, the patient was submitted to a stress electrocardiogram that was positive for ischemia and led to a cineangiocoronariography with no signs of coronary artery obstruction. At the echocardiography lab, several trabeculations were detected in the apical region of the left ventricle. A diagnosis of LVNC was established and the results were confirmed via CMR. Management was initiated with the goal of symptom relief. LVNC is a relatively unknown pathology that is frequently underdiagnosed at earlier stages. As presented, we highlight the importance of multimodality imaging, especially TTE and CMR, in the diagnosis of this congenital heart condition.

Systemic arterial hypertension and metabolic profile: a systematic review

Introduction: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the difficulty in diagnosing SAH in the early stages, the rapid detection and management of SAH are essential in preventing the development of target organ injuries. Newer technologies such as metabolomics have been revealed as promising alternatives for SAH diagnoses. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate, through a systematic review, the metabolomic profile of individuals with and without SAH. Methods: This review followed the PRISMA guidelines on reporting items. It analyses articles selected from the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases that compares metabolites in a hypertensive group with a non-hypertensive group. Results: The differences that reached statistical significance were a higher prevalence of lipids and lactic acid in the hypertensive group, as well as a reduction in methionine. Conclusion: Future research should be conducted to establish a possible clinical implication to this metabolite alteration, by linking it to a potential target organ injury for SAH, such as atherosclerosis, renal failure, retinopathy our ventricular hypertrophy.

WCN24-2610 CKD mortality from 2000 to 2019: a comparative analysis between the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension as secondary causes in Brazil, Latin America, and the Worl

WCN24-2610 CKD mortality from 2000 to 2019: a comparative analysis between the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension as secondary causes in Brazil, Latin America, and the Worl

What do we know about the role of menopause in cardiovascular autonomic regulation in hypertensive women?

We investigated the systemic arterial hypertension effects on cardiovascular autonomic modulation and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in women with or without preserved ovarian function. A total of 120 women were allocated into two groups: middle-aged premenopausal women (42 ± 3 y old; n = 60) and postmenopausal women (57 ± 4 y old; n = 60). Each group was also divided into two smaller groups (n = 30): normotensive and hypertensive. We evaluated hemodynamic and anthropometric parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness, BRS, heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure variability. The effects of hypertension and menopause were assessed using a two-way analysis of variance. Post hoc comparisons were performed using the Student-Newman-Keuls test. Comparing premenopausal groups, women with systemic arterial hypertension showed lower BRS (9.1 ± 4.4 vs 13.4 ± 4.2 ms/mm Hg, P < 0.001 ) and HRV total variance (1,451 ± 955 vs 2,483 ± 1,959 ms 2 , P = 0.005) values than normotensive; however, the vagal predominance still remained. On the other hand, both postmenopausal groups showed an expressive reduction in BRS (8.3 ± 4.2 vs 11.3 ± 4.8 ms/mm Hg, P < 0.001) and HRV characterized by sympathetic modulation predominance (low-frequency oscillations; 56% ± 17 vs 44% ± 17, P < 0.001), in addition to a significant increase in blood pressure variability variance (28.4 ± 14.9 vs 22.4 ± 12.5 mm Hg 2 , P = 0.015) compared with premenopausal groups. Comparing both postmenopausal groups, the hypertensive group had significantly lower values ​​of HRV total variance (635 ± 449 vs 2,053 ± 1,720 ms 2 , P < 0.001) and BRS (5.3 ± 2.8 vs 11.3 ± 3.2 ms/mm Hg) than the normotensive. Hypertensive middle-aged premenopausal women present HRV autonomic modulation impairment, but they still maintain a vagal predominance. After menopause, even normotensive women show sympathetic autonomic predominance, which may also be associated with aging. Furthermore, postmenopausal women with hypertension present even worse cardiac autonomic modulation.

Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Ophthalmohypertension as Independent Risk Factors for Poor Response to Antiangiogenic Therapy with Line 1 Drugs in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: to assess hypertension as a risk factor for a poor response to antiangiogenic therapy.Patients and methods. Systemic blood pressure was studied in 84 patients (92 eyes) with age-related macular degeneration who were treated with intravitreal injections of Eilea in a fixed mode.Results. It was found that significantly more often a poor response to treatment in the form of partial non-resposing or progression of the disease, despite treatment, is associated with elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP, p = 0.01). An increase in systolic (SBP) blood pressure in patients with arterial hypertension and AMD is accompanied by an increase in eye perfusion pressure (p &lt; 0.01), which apparently worsens the absorption of angiostatics and causes a poor response to treatment. According to the results of the study, the most favorable corridor of SBP values associated with ideal response is in the range of values of 104–140 mm Hg, and DBP is in the range of 68–80 mm Hg st., which should be taken as the recommended parameters of blood pressure in patients with nVMD receiving a course of treatment for Eylea. Intraocular pressure (IOP) has demonstrated itself as a second modifiable independent and independent risk factor for poor response to treatment with nVMD with line 1 anti-VEGF therapy drugs. Intraocular pressure (IOP) has demonstrated itself as a second modifiable independent and independent risk factor for poor response to nVMD treatment with line 1 anti-VEGF therapy drugs. The biomarker associated with the ideal response was — 12.6 mm Hg, and the corridor of recommended values — 11–21 mm Hg. An increase in ophthalmotonus with the output of personalized values beyond this corridor seems to worsen the outcome of treatment.Conclusion. The identification of modifiable risk factors is extremely important in practical ophthalmology, as it opens up the possibility of increasing the patient’s chances of a better treatment outcome. Modifiable risk factors are valuable and powerful tools that replenish our arsenal. Information about them is important not only in the treatment of AMD, but can also be the patient’s motivation for switching to a healthy lifestyle and reducing the risk of developing the disease.

Systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by a distinct peripheral T helper cell profile.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by multiple clinical manifestations. Vasculopathy is a main disease hallmark and ranges in severity from an exacerbated Raynaud phenomenon to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The potential involvement of the immune system in SSc-associated vascular abnormalities is not clear. Here, we set out to study SSc-related immune parameters and determine whether and which peripheral T cell subsets associate with vascular severity in SSc patients. Peripheral blood and clinical data were collected from 30 SSc patients, 5 patients with idiopathic PAH and 15 age and sex-matched healthy donors (HD). In this cross-sectional cohort, SSc patients with PAH (n = 15) were matched for their age, sex and medication with SSc patients with no signs of PAH (n = 15). Lymphocyte subsets were quantified by multi-colour flow cytometry. SSc patients exhibited elevated percentages of T peripheral helper cells (Tph), CD4+GZMB+ T cells and decreased levels of Th1 cells compared with HD. Increased presence of both CD4+ and CD8+ exhausted-like (CD28-) T cells, characterized by raised cytokine and cytotoxic signature, was also observed in SSc compared with HD blood. Furthermore, IL-4 expressing CD4+CD8+ T cells were significantly increased in SSc peripheral blood. Interestingly, the presence of PAH in SSc was accompanied by a distinct T helper profile, characterized by raised percentages of Th17 and Tph cells. SSc patients with severe vasculopathy (presence of PAH) exhibited a distinct T cell profile, suggesting a potential role of auto-immune inflammation in SSc vascular complications.

(O-10) CLINICAL PROFILE AND SATISFACTION LEVEL OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING PENILE PROSTHESIS IMPLANTATION AT PEDRO ERNESTO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (HUPE/UERJ) 2018-2022

Abstract Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) can significantly impact couples' sexual quality of life, with penile prosthesis implants often yielding satisfaction rates of up to 90%. This treatment remains underutilized, less than 5% of refractory ED patients to undergo this therapy. This study aims to assess the satisfaction levels of patients who have undergone penile prosthesis implantation and explore associated factors. Methods We reviewed 48 medical records of patients who underwent penile prosthesis implantation between 2018-2022 and administered satisfaction questionnaires 6 months after the procedure. Results 93% expressed satisfaction post-surgery, with 66% reporting increased libido. Additionally, 83% noted ease in achieving penetration, 75% were content with the prosthesis size, and 95% stated willingness to undergo the surgery again. Common causes of sexual dysfunction were post-radical prostatectomy (45%), followed by diabetes mellitus (22%). Peyronie's disease was the etiology in 6% of cases, and priapism in 2%. The average age was 63 years (range: 27-80), with 20% being obese, 37% having diabetes mellitus, and 56% experiencing systemic arterial hypertension. Approximately 20% of procedures presented complications, surgical wound infection being the most common and prosthesis extrusion the most severe. Discussion Literature identifies predictors associated with satisfaction after penile prosthesis implantation, such as Peyronie's disease, BMI &amp;gt; 30, post-radical prostatectomy, implant type, postoperative complications, and patient age; our study revealed that only 7% expressed dissatisfaction, primarily due to postoperative complications. Conclusion Penile prosthesis implantation proves to be a safe procedure with a high success rate and satisfaction level. Dissatisfaction primarily arises from postoperative complications, emphasizing the importance of offering this therapeutic option to patients with severe ED. Financing No conflict.

Incidence and associated factors of surgical site infection in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery: a 7-year cohort study

Surgical site infections (SSI) constitute 31% of all hospital-acquired conditions, with ankle and foot surgical procedures showing an incidence of SSI ranging from 0.5% to 6.5%. This study aimed to assess the incidence of both superficial and deep surgical site infections in foot and ankle surgery, along with associated factors. Conducted as a retrospective cohort study, it included 2180 patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery in a private hospital between 2014 and 2020, encompassing elective and trauma cases. Outcome variables comprised SSI, while predictor variables encompassed sex, age, diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, smoking, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and body mass index. Logistic regression models were employed to identify associations between study variables. The incidence of surgical site infections stood at 4% (83/2180), comprising a rate of 2.8% (57/2180) for superficial infections and 1.2% (26/2180) for deep infections. Smoking (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.4–5.3) and ASA score >2 (OR 3.4, 95%CI 1.2–8.4) emerged as independent factors associated with surgical site infections. The group with deep infections exhibited higher proportions of smokers (p = 0.002), systemic arterial hypertension (p = 0.018), trauma surgery (p = 0.049), and an ASA score >2 (p = 0.011). Overall infection incidence in this cohort reached 4%, with trauma cases, smoking, hypertension, and an ASA score >2 independently linked to deep infections. Surgeons should be cognizant of these risk factors when managing prophylactic antibiotic regimens for patients.

Calcinosis in Rheumatic Disease Is Still an Unmet Need: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Patients with immune-mediated rheumatic disease-related calcinosis comprise a subgroup at risk of encountering a more severe clinical outcome. Early assessment is pivotal for preventing overall disease progression, as calcinosis is commonly overlooked until several years into the disease and is considered as a 'non-lethal' manifestation. This single-center retrospective study explored the prevalence, clinical associations, and impact on survival of subcutaneous calcinosis in 86 patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD). Calcinosis predominantly appeared in individuals with longstanding disease, particularly systemic sclerosis (SSc), constituting 74% of cases. Smaller calcinosis lesions (≤1 cm) were associated with interstitial lung disease, musculoskeletal involvement, and digital ulcerations, while larger lesions (≥4 cm) were associated with malignancy, severe peripheral artery disease, and systemic arterial hypertension. The SSc calcinosis subgroup exhibited a higher mean adjusted European Scleroderma Study Group Activity Index score than those without. However, survival rates did not significantly differ between the two groups. Diltiazem was the most commonly used treatment, and while bisphosphonates reduced complications related to calcinosis, complete resolution was not achieved. The findings underscore current limitations in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating calcinosis, emphasizing the need for further research and improved therapeutic strategies to improve patient care and outcomes.

Overview of Healthcare-Related Infections in Intensive Care Units of a public hospital

Introduction: Healthcare-Associated Infections are illnesses acquired after the patient's admission to the hospital unit and which manifest themselves during hospitalization or after discharge. Aim: To analyze the panorama of health-related infections in patients admitted to intensive care units. Outlining: Cross-sectional, retrospective study, collected from the Hospital Infection Control Commission database in a public hospital from July to December 2022. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated using logistic regressions. The study followed the ethical and legal precepts of resolution 466/2012. Results: There was a predominance of males and those aged over 60 years. The main clinical problems were co infection with COVID-19 and co-infection with HIV. Regarding previous conditions, Systemic Arterial Hypertension stood out. When analyzing the etiological agents, the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a marginally significant association with an increase in the chances of death. Implications: The use of invasive devices, prolonged hospital stay and other factors such as age, associated comorbidities, were predictors of mortality among patients, as well as risk factors for the development of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Carbapenemase infection.

Antihypertensive Effect of New Agonist of Adenosine Receptor in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Systemic arterial hypertension is a risk factor for cardiac, renal, and metabolic dysfunction. The search for new strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases led to the synthesis of new N-acylhydrazones to produce antihypertensive effect. Adenosine receptors are an alternative target to reduce blood pressure because of their vasodilatory action and antioxidant properties, which may reduce oxidative stress characteristic of systemic arterial hypertension. To evaluate the antihypertensive profile of novel selenium-containing compounds designed to improve their interaction with adenosine receptors. Vascular reactivity was evaluated by recording the isometric tension of pre-contracted thoracic aorta of male Wistar rats after exposure to increasing concentrations of each derivative (0.1 to 100 μM). To investigate the antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure and heart rate were determined after intravenous administration of 10 and 30 μmol/kg of the selected compound LASSBio-2062. Compounds named LASSBio-2062, LASSBio-2063, LASSBio-2075, LASSBio-2076, LASSBio-2084, LASSBio-430, LASSBio-2092, and LASSBio-2093 promoted vasodilation with mean effective concentrations of 15.5 ± 6.5; 14.6 ± 2.9; 18.7 ± 9.6; 6.7 ± 4.1; > 100; 6.0 ± 3.6; 37.8 ± 11.8; and 15.9 ± 5.7 μM, respectively. LASSBio-2062 (30 μmol/kg) reduced mean arterial pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats from 124.6 ± 8.6 to 72.0 ± 12.3 mmHg (p < 0.05). Activation of adenosine receptor subtype A3 and potassium channels seem to be involved in the antihypertensive effect of LASSBio-2062. The new agonist of adenosine receptor and activator of potassium channels is a potential therapeutic agent to treat systemic arterial hypertension.

Longitudinal Risk Phenotyping in Incident Systemic Sclerosis-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (SSc-PAH): An Unsupervised Cluster Analysis of the PHAROS Registry

Background: Systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) is characterized by pulmonary arterial remodeling resulting in right ventricular failure and death if untreated. Despite therapeutic advances, there is survival variability within the SSc-PAH population. The aim of this study was to delineate high-risk subgroups of SSc-PAH using readily available clinical parameters. Methods: We analyzed data from the PHAROS database, a prospective observational registry of incident SSc-PAH patients. Latent class modeling was performed based on trends in 6MWD over time. We compared survival between the clusters regarding baseline clinical parameters and changes in these parameters over time. Results: We identified four unique groups within 103 patients meeting our inclusion criteria, based on trajectories of 6MWD. Patients in Cluster 4 exhibited a decline in 6MWD over time and had the worst prognosis with a median survival of 3 years. Patients in Cluster 3, with the lowest baseline 6MWD, were associated with lower median survival (5 years) when compared to Clusters 1 and 2 (&gt; 9 and 7 years, respectively), despite an improvement in 6MWD over time. There were no meaningful changes in SF-36 and WHO functional class between the clusters, but BNP trended higher over time in the higher-risk clusters. Conclusion: We identified high-risk subsets of SSc-PAH characterized by significantly worse survival. Incident SSc-PAH patients with a decline in 6MWD over time or low baseline 6MWD had worse survival when compared to SSc-PAH patients who demonstrated relatively stable or mild reduction in 6MWD over time.