Introduction and objectives: Transaxillary access (TXA) has become the most widely used alternative to transfemoral access (TFA) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to compare total in-hospital and 30-day mortality in patients included in the Spanish TAVI registry who were treated by TXA or TFA access. Methods: We analyzed data from patients treated with TXA or TFA and who were included in the TAVI Spanish registry. In-hospital and 30-day events were defined according to the recommendations of the Valve Academic Research Consortium. The impact of the access route was evaluated by propensity score matching according to clinical and echocardiogram characteristics. Results: A total of 6603 patients were included; 191 (2.9%) were treated via TXA and 6412 via TFA access. After adjustment (n = 113 TXA group and n = 3035 TFA group) device success was similar between the 2 groups (94%, TXA vs 95%, TFA; P = .95). However, compared with the TFA group, the TXA group showed a higher rate of acute myocardial infarction (OR, 5.3; 95%CI, 2.0-13.8); P= .001), renal complications (OR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.3-4.1; P = .003), and pacemaker implantation (OR, 1.6; 95%CI, 1.01-2.6; P = .03). The TXA group also had higher in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates (OR, 2.2; 95%CI, 1.04-4.6; P= .039 and OR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.2-4.5; P = .01, respectively). Conclusions: Compared with ATF, TXA is associated with higher total mortality, both in-hospital and at 30 days. Given these results, we believe that TXA should be considered only in those patients who are not suitable candidates for TFA.

Background. Most acute coronary syndromes are caused by the fracture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. These plaques are thin cap fibroatheromas, which can only be detected with invasive coronary imaging techniques. It is necessary to find a non-invasive biomarker of these vulnerable plaques in order to identify patients at risk without a coronary angiography. Metalloproteinase-1 is an enzyme involved in extracellular matrix metabolism which has been correlated with the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Its serum levels in patients with vulnerable plaques remain unknown. Methods. Patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease undergoing coronary angiography in our hospital were included. The coronary arteries were studied with optical coherence tomography to detect vulnerable plaques. Blood samples were taken from a peripheral vein and from the coronary sinus, to assess metalloproteinase-1 levels. Results. Fifty-one patients were included, 13 of whom had at least one vulnerable plaque. There were not significant differences in clinical characteristics, lipid profile or C reactive protein levels, between patients with or without vulnerable plaques. Patients with vulnerable plaques had significant higher metalloproteinase-1 levels both in peripheral (7330 5541 vs 2894 1783 pg/ml, p=0.025) and coronary sinus serum (6012 3854 vs 2707 1252 pg/ml, p=0.047). Conclusions. Patients with vulnerable plaques had significantly higher metalloproteinase-1 serum levels. Further studies with clinical follow up are needed to assess the prognostic value of serum metalloproteinase-1.

Aunque el alto volumen intervencionista ha demostrado ser importante para tener una baja tasa de complicaciones y una buena evolución a largo plazo, hay centros con bajo volumen intervencionista que por sus características pueden obtener resultados equiparables a los de alto volumen

Adicionalmente, la disponibilidad de infraestructuras que hacen que se tarde más o menos tiempo en recorrer una distancia son exclusivas de cada región, y se trata de una información imprescindible para la gestión óptima de los recursos. En conclusión, consideramos que trabajos como el realizado por Daponte-Codina1 y col1 dota a los responsables de la gestión de recursos de 112 del SAS de argumentos para la toma de decisiones correctas.

Objetivo. Conocer la valoración de los estudiantes respecto a la simulación como herramienta de formación y la opinión sobre la figura del alumno instructor. Sujetos y métodos. El taller se realizó en el Centro de Simulación y tuvo una duración aproximada de 90 minutos. En cada sesión estaba el alumno instructor con diez compañeros. Los alumnos instructores fueron formados previamente por un profesor de cardiología. Al finalizar la sesión, los estudiantes cumplimentaron un cuestionario de satisfacción anónimo que contenía preguntas relacionadas con el aprendizaje basado en la simulación y sobre la capacidad de sus compañeros para actuar como formadores. Resultados. Se obtuvieron encuestas de 291 estudiantes: 150 de quinto y 141 de sexto curso (82,4% y 71,2% de los matri - culados, respectivamente). Los datos obtenidos del cuestionario de satisfacción respecto a la metodología de aprendizaje obtuvieron puntuaciones entre 3,64 y 4,75 sobre 5. Las preguntas que valoraban la opinión acerca de los alumnos forma - dores obtuvieron valores entre 4,88 y 4,93 sobre 5. Conclusiones. La simulación es una herramienta docente complementaria muy valiosa. La participación de alumnos ins - tructores podría ser una ayuda adicional en los talleres de simulación de exploración cardiológica.