Cardiovascular diseases stand as the leading cause of mortality among adults globally. For decades, comprehensive evidence has underscored the correlation between infections, particularly those involving the respiratory system, and an elevated risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, as well as all-cause mortality. The mechanisms through which infections heighten cardiovascular events are intricate, encompassing immune system activation, systemic inflammation, hypercoagulable states, sympathetic system activation, and increased myocardial oxygen demand. Respiratory infections further contribute hypoxemia to this complex interplay. These mechanisms intertwine, giving rise to endothelial dysfunction, plaque ruptures, myocardial depression, and heart failure. They can either instigate de novo cardiovascular events or exacerbate pre-existing conditions. Compelling evidence supports...

Objetivo. La enfermedad de Chagas representa un problema de salud pública en Latinoamérica y el electrocardiograma constituye una herramienta crucial en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de esta patología. En este contexto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue cuantificar el cambio en la capacidad de detectar patrones electrocardiográficos por parte de los profesionales de la salud después de completar un curso virtual. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un curso virtual asincrónico con siete clases pregrabadas. Los participantes respondieron el mismo cuestionario al inicio y al final del entrenamiento. Con base en estas respuestas se compararon los resultados pre y postest de cada participante. Resultados. Se incluyeron 1656 participantes de 21 países; el 87,9% eran médicos, el 5,2% enfermeros, el 4,1% técnicos y el 2,8% estudiantes de medicina. El 3,1% respondió correctament...

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares representan la primera causa de muerte en adultos de todo el mundo. Desde hace décadas se ha documentado que las infecciones en general, y particularmente las que involucran el aparato respiratorio, incrementan el riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares, cerebrovasculares y la mortalidad por todas las causas. Los mecanismos por los que las infecciones incrementan los eventos cardiovasculares son complejos, e incluyen la activación del sistema inmune, la inflamación sistémica, estados de hipercoagulabilidad, activación del sistema simpático y el aumento de la demanda miocárdica de oxígeno. En las infecciones respiratorias se agrega la hipoxemia. Estos mecanismos se interrelacionan, generando disfunción endotelial y accidentes de placa, y/o depresión miocárdica e insuficiencia cardíaca. Estos mecanismos pueden producir eventos cardiovasc...

Objective. To evaluate the self-perception of cardiology residents in Argentina regarding their abilities to help their patients stop smoking, as well as their opinions about their knowledge and skills in this area. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out using secondary data from a study carried out in five Latin American countries and Spain, focusing on the information provided by cardiology residents in Argentina. Discrete variables were expressed as median and interquartile range, and categorical variables were expressed as percentages, and were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, depending on the relative frequency of the expected values. Results. 447 residents participated; 87.5% routinely provided brief advice to quit smoking, and 11.6% used validated questionnaires to assess the degree of addiction. Furthermore, 32.1% stated that th...

Objective. To evaluate the self-perception of cardiology residents in Argentina regarding their abilities to help their patients stop smoking, as well as their opinions about their knowledge and skills in this area. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out using secondary data from a study carried out in five Latin American countries and Spain, focusing on the information provided by cardiology residents in Argentina. Discrete variables were expressed as median and interquartile range, and categorical variables were expressed as percentages, and were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, depending on the relative frequency of the expected values. Results. 447 residents participated; 87.5% routinely provided brief advice to quit smoking, and 11.6% used validated questionnaires to assess the degree of addiction. Furthermore, 32.1% stated that th...