Resumen Marco contextual: La prevalencia de los accidentes cerebrovasculares sigue siendo elevada, por lo que se recomiendan procedimientos clínicos. Objetivo: Validar, mediante la técnica Delphi, las intervenciones de enfermería en el abordaje de pacientes con sospecha de accidente cerebrovascular en fase aguda, con un panel de especialistas. Metodología: Se realizó una investigación de tipo Survey, basada en un estudio cuantitativo-descriptivo. Previamente se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sistemática. Resultados: La muestra estaba formada por seis especialistas. Tras dos rondas Delphi, se validaron las intervenciones de enfermería para pacientes con sospecha de accidente cerebrovascular en fase aguda, a saber: derivación correcta teniendo en cuenta el tiempo de progresión de los síntomas; abordaje en urgencias (basado en la evaluación ABCDEFGH); seguimiento y respuesta a las reacciones adversas durante y después de la trombolisis. Conclusión: La validación de las intervenciones de enfermería en el abordaje de pacientes con sospecha de accidente cerebrovascular agudo condujo al desarrollo de una sólida instrucción de trabajo para enfermeras.

Resumo Enquadramento: A prevalência do acidente vascular cerebral continua elevada, sendo recomendada a existência de procedimentos clínicos. Objetivo: Validar, através da técnica Delphi, intervenções de enfermagem na abordagem ao doente com suspeita de acidente vascular cerebral em fase aguda, com um painel de especialistas. Metodologia: Realizou-se uma pesquisa Survey, com base num estudo quantitativo-descritivo, sendo que uma revisão sistemática de literatura foi realizada previamente. Resultados: Amostra composta por seis especialistas. Realizadas duas rondas da técnica Delphi, foram validadas intervenções de Enfermagem ao doente com suspeita de acidente vascular cerebral, em fase aguda, nomeadamente: correto encaminhamento tendo em conta o tempo de evolução dos sintomas; abordagem em sala de emergência (baseada na avaliação ABCDEFGH); vigilância e resposta a reações adversas durante e após trombólise. Conclusão: A validação das intervenções de enfermagem na abordagem ao doente com suspeita de acidente vascular cerebral em fase aguda levou à elaboração de uma instrução de trabalho sólida, direcionada aos enfermeiros.

Abstract Background: The prevalence of stroke remains high, where clinical procedures are recommended. Objective: To validate, using the Delphi technique, nursing interventions in the approach to patients with suspected stroke in the acute phase, with a panel of specialists. Methodology: A survey was carried out, based on a quantitative-descriptive study. A systematic literature review was carried out beforehand. Results: The sample consisted of six specialists. Two rounds of the Delphi technique were used to validate nursing interventions for patients with suspected stroke in the acute phase, namely: correct referral taking into account the time of symptom progression; emergency room approach (based on the ABCDEFGH assessment); monitoring and response to adverse reactions during and after thrombolysis. Conclusion: The validation of nursing interventions in the approach to patients with suspected acute strokes led to the development of a solid work instruction for nurses.

ABSTRACT Introduction: a pressure ulcer is an injury that is located at the level of the skin and deeper tissues. The beginning of the appearance of pressure ulcers can constitute a major problem in the health of patients, causing physical discomfort, increasing hospitalization time and treatment costs. Objectives: describe the prevalence of hospitalized patients with pressure ulcers in the medical clinic service of the modular block of the National Hospital, 2022 - 2023. Methodology: observational, descriptive, prospective design study, which included 223 adult patients admitted to the medical clinic service of the Hospital Nacional (Itauguá, Paraguay) during the period from 2022 to 2023. Results: the prevalence found was 9.4 %. The average age was 64 years, with a predominance of males (58 %). The most frequent location of the ulcers was at the sacral level (64 %), 14 % were multiple. Cerebrovascular accident was found as a determining pathology for the development of pressure ulcers (41 %). Pressure ulcers grade 1 and 2 were the most frequent (41 % both). Conclusion: pressure ulcers are a common pathology in hospitalized patients. There are associated comorbidities, stroke being one of the most frequent.

RESUMEN Introducción: la úlcera por presión es aquella lesión que se localiza a nivel de la piel y tejidos más profundos. El comienzo de la aparición de ulceras por presión puede constituir un problema importante en la salud de los pacientes, causar molestias físicas, aumentar el tiempo de hospitalización y los costos de tratamiento. Objetivos: describir la prevalencia de pacientes internados que presentan úlceras por presión en el servicio de clínica médica del bloque modular del Hospital Nacional, 2022 a 2023. Metodología: estudio de diseño observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, que incluyó a 223 pacientes adultos internados en el Servicio de Clínica Médica del Hospital Nacional (Itauguá, Paraguay) durante el periodo de 2022 a 2023. Resultados: la prevalencia encontrada fue de 9,4 %. La edad media fue de 64 años, con predominio del sexo masculino (58 %). La localización más frecuente de las ulceras fue a nivel sacro (64 %), fueron múltiples el 14 %. Se encontró como patología determinante para el desarrollo de ulceras por presión el accidente cerebrovascular (41 %). Las ulceras por presión grado 1 y 2 fueron las más frecuentes (41 %, ambos). Conclusión: las ulceras por presión son una patología frecuente en pacientes internados. Existen comorbilidades asociadas, siendo el accidente cerebrovascular una de las más frecuentes.

Resumo: Introdução: A hipertensão arterial (HA) é a principal causa de morte por doenças cardiovasculares. Apesar dos avanços, o percentual de hipertensos não diagnosticados e não tratados é de 58,4%. A avaliação do dano cognitivo na hipertensão concentra-se na prevenção do acidente vascular cerebral, enquanto o dano funcional é ignorado. Esse manejo inadequado pode ser multifatorial. É objetivo fue analisar a opinião dos médicos sobre a relação entre hipertensão arterial e danos cognitivos. Metodologia: Estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal desenvolvido no período entre agosto de 2020 e agosto de 2023. Análise de dados obtidos a partir de questionário autoaplicável, anônimo e voluntário. Revelar informações sobre o perfil profissional, conhecimento sobre a HA, sua ligação com o comprometimento cognitivo (DC), diagnóstico e tratamento. Resultados: Foram incluídos 222 profissionais, 215 (96,8%) concordam com a existência de ligação entre hipertensão e outros fatores de risco cardiovascular na DC e 218 (98,1%) reconhecem ajudar pacientes com risco de sofrer de D.C. A avaliação da DC é realizada em casos selecionados por 132 (59,4%) participantes e 59 (26,7%) a fazem sempre. Dos que realizam avaliação, 103 (54%) utilizam o Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), 10 (5,2%) utilizam a Avaliação Cognitiva de Montreal (MoCA) e 9 (4,7%) utilizam o Clock Drawing Test. Em relação à diminuição da pressão arterial em pacientes idosos e a ligação com o risco de DC: 54 (24,3%) não reconhecem risco e 65 (29,2%) reconhecem risco moderado-alto. Em referência à implicação do tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares e DC: 217 (97,7%) reconheceram o efeito benéfico. Discussão: Dado o reconhecimento da ligação entre hipertensão e DC, seria de esperar que a DC fosse investigada na grande maioria, no entanto apenas 26,7% sempre a avaliam. Não há consenso sobre o método, sendo o MEEM o mais utilizado, com baixa aplicação do teste MoCA e/ou Clock Drawing Test, sendo estes últimos os que avaliam a função executiva, majoritariamente alterada nos DC vinculados à HA. Embora o tratamento das doenças cardiovasculares seja reconhecido como benéfico em relação à DC, o controle da HA em idosos é considerado arriscado. É feito um diagnóstico de uma situação em que é evidente uma disparidade entre o que se reconhece como saber e o que se afirma fazer. Conclusões: O papel da doença vascular no dano cerebral funcional é reconhecido, considerando-se necessário conhecer o estado cognitivo dos pacientes, porém há baixa aplicação de testes de triagem que avaliam a função executiva. Nesse contexto, evidencia-se uma lacuna entre o conhecimento e a prática médica.

Abstract: Introduction: High blood pressure (HBP) is the leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease. Despite the advances, the percentage of undiagnosed and untreated hypertensive patients is 58.4%. The evaluation of cognitive damage in HBP focuses on preventing stroke, while functional damage is ignored. This inadequate management may be multifactorial. The objective was to analyze the opinions that doctors have about the relationship between high blood pressure and cognitive damage. Methodology: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study developed in the period between August 2020 and August 2023. Analysis of data obtained from a self-administered, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire. Revealing information on the professional profile, knowledge of HBP, its link with cognitive impairment (CD), diagnosis and treatment. Results: 222 professionals were included, 215 (96.8%) agree with the existence of a link between HBP and other cardiovascular risk factors in CD, and 218 (98.1%) acknowledge assisting patients at risk of suffering from CD. The CD evaluation is carried out in selected cases by 132 (59.4%) participants and 59 (26.7%) always do it. Of those who perform evaluation, 103 (54%) use the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), 10 (5.2%) use the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and 9 (4.7%) use the Clock Drawing Test. Regarding the decrease in blood pressure in elderly patients and the link with risk of CD: 54 (24.3%) do not recognize risk and 65 (29.2%) recognize a moderate-high risk. In reference to the implication of the treatment of cardiovascular disease and CD: 217 (97.7%) recognized a beneficial effect. Discussion: Given the recognition of the link between HBP and CD, it would be expected that CD would be investigated in the vast majority, however only 26.7% always evaluate it. There is no consensus on the method, the MMSE being the most used, with a low application of the MoCA test and/or Clock Drawing Test, the latter being the ones that evaluate executive function, mostly altered in CD linked to HBP. Although the treatment of cardiovascular disease is recognized as beneficial with respect to CD, the control of HBP in older adults is considered risky. A diagnosis is made of a situation where a disparity is evident between what one recognizes as knowing and what one claims to do. Conclusions: The role of vascular disease in functional brain damage is recognized, considering it necessary to know the cognitive status of patients, however there is a low application of screening tests that evaluate executive function. In this context, a gap between medical knowledge and practice is shown.

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SUMMARY: Cerebral hemorrhage (CH) presents a significant risk for cognitive decline. Our research aimed to assess the impact of Apricot Kernel Oil (AKO) on cognitive function and inflammatory response in a hemorrhagic stroke model using Wistar rats, and to examine their correlation. Fifty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: a control group, an AKO supplemented group (receiving 400 mg/kg AKO), a CH group (with induced CH), and CH groups supplemented with 200 and 400 mg/kg AKO, each containing 10 rats. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Y-electric maze test across these groups. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time PCR were utilized to analyze the protein and gene expression profiles of inflammatory and apoptotic factors in the brain. Compared to the control group, rats in the CH group took longer to master the maze criteria (P<0.05). Moreover, the CH group exhibited significantly increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conversely, rats in the CH+400 mg/kg AKO group showed opposite trends in electrical simulation time, inflammatory factor protein, and gene expression profile (Bcl- 2, BAX, Caspase-3, and p53) compared to the CH group (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that AKO extract may ameliorate cognitive dysfunction following CH in rats, potentially through modulation of inflammatory factors secreted by microglia.

RESUMEN: La hemorragia cerebral (HC) presenta un riesgo significativo de deterioro cognitivo. Nuestra investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar el impacto del aceite de semilla de albaricoque (ASA) en la función cognitiva y la respuesta inflamatoria en un modelo de accidente cerebrovascular hemorrágico utilizando ratas Wistar, y examinar su correlación. Se asignaron aleatoriamente cincuenta ratas Wistar a cinco grupos: un grupo control, un grupo suplementado con ASA (que recibió 400 mg/kg de ASA), un grupo HC (con HC inducido) y grupos HC suplementados con 200 y 400 mg/kg de ASA, cada uno. La función cognitiva se evaluó mediante la prueba del laberinto eléctrico Y en estos grupos. Además, se utilizaron un ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas y una PCR en tiempo real para analizar los perfiles de expresión de proteínas y genes de factores inflamatorios y apoptóticos en el cerebro. En comparación con el grupo de control, las ratas del grupo HC tardaron más en dominar los criterios del laberinto (P<0,05). Además, el grupo HC exhibió niveles significativamente mayores de citocinas proinflamatorias interleucina-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 y factor de necrosis tumoral- α, y niveles reducidos de citocinas antiinflamatorias IL-4 e IL-10 en comparación al grupo control (P<0,05). Por el contrario, las ratas del grupo HC+400 mg/kg ASA mostraron tendencias opuestas en el tiempo de simulación eléctrica, la proteína del factor inflamatorio y el perfil de expresión génica (Bcl-2, BAX, Caspasa-3 y p53) en comparación con el grupo HC (P <0,05). Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que el extracto de ASA puede mejorar la disfunción cognitiva después de la HC en ratas, potencialmente mediante la modulación de factores inflamatorios secretados por la microglia.

Introdução: As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) continuam a ser a principal causa de mortalidade em todo o mundo. A adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso é uma questão importante no manejo das DCV crônicas, influenciando diretamente os resultados e os custos com saúde. Objetivos: Esta revisão sistemática, apoiada pela Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, avalia o impacto da baixa adesão aos medicamentos cardiovasculares em desfechos clínicos críticos, como morte e eventos cardiovasculares. Métodos: Foi realizada uma busca abrangente em quatro bases de dados, incluindo Medline, Embase, Lilacs e Cochrane Library. A revisão incluiu revisões sistemáticas com meta-análises que relataram estimativas de risco para a adesão aos medicamentos cardiovasculares. Foram selecionadas quatro revisões sistemáticas, cada uma incorporando estudos observacionais. Resultados: Os principais achados indicam que um aumento na adesão aos medicamentos reduz significativamente o risco de eventos cardiovasculares, acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e morte por todas as causas. Especificamente, uma melhoria de 20% na adesão a medicamentos antihipertensivos, hipolipemiantes e outros medicamentos cardiovasculares correlacionou-se com reduções nos eventos cardiovasculares de 7%, 10% e 9%, respectivamente; AVC de 17%, 13% e 18%; e morte de 12%, 9% e 10%. A certeza das evidências foi moderada, sugerindo que esses efeitos provavelmente estão presentes. Esses achados enfatizam a importância de melhorar a adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso para aprimorar os resultados clínicos no manejo das DCV. Conclusões: As evidências demonstraram reduções em desfechos duros tanto na prevenção primária quanto secundária através do controle de condições como hipertensão e concentrações elevadas de colesterol LDL, bem como os benefícios da terapia antiplaquetária em doenças ateroscleróticas. No entanto, são necessários estudos adicionais para elucidar melhor a relação entre a adesão aos medicamentos cardiovasculares e a melhoria dos desfechos clínicos críticos.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Medication adherence is an important issue in managing chronic CVD, directly influencing outcomes and healthcare costs. Objectives: This systematic review, supported by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, evaluates the impact of poor adherence to cardiovascular medications on critical clinical outcomes such as death and cardiovascular events. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across four databases, including Medline, Embase, Lilacs, and the Cochrane Library. The review included systematic reviews with meta-analyses that reported risk estimates for adherence to cardiovascular medications. Four systematic reviews, each incorporating observational studies, were selected. Results: The principal findings indicate that an increase in adherence to medications significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, stroke, and all-cause death. Specifically, a 20% improvement in adherence to antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and other cardiovascular medications correlated with reductions in cardiovascular events by 7%, 10%, and 9%, respectively; stroke by 17%, 13%, and 18%; and death by 12%, 9%, and 10%. The certainty of the evidence was moderate, suggesting that these effects are likely present. These findings emphasize the importance of enhancing medication adherence to improve clinical outcomes in CVD management. Conclusions: Evidence has demonstrated reductions in hard endpoints in both primary and secondary prevention through the control of conditions such as hypertension and elevated LDL cholesterol concentrations, as well as the benefits of antiplatelet therapy in atherosclerotic disease. However, additional studies are needed to better elucidate the relationship between adherence to cardiovascular medications and the improvement of critical clinical outcomes.

Abstract Introduction. Paradoxical embolism is a thrombotic event originating in the venous circulation, which manifests as arterial embolism through an anatomical cardiac or pulmonary defect. It is mainly associated with stroke, also presenting as acute myocardial infarction, renal infarction, and other ischemic events. Clinical case. A 47-year-old patient was admitted due to abdominal pain, which required emergency surgical management, finding significant intestinal ischemia. Additional studies found protein S deficiency and evidence of a patent foramen ovale. Discussion. Arterial thrombosis is known as unusual thrombosis; this situation requires to rule out associated thrombophilia or other prothrombotic diseases. Protein S deficiency is a rare thrombophilia, which in adults causes venous thrombosis. In the presence of anatomical defects, such as a patent foramen ovale, it can progress to arterial embolism, presenting a picture of paradoxical embolism. The study work of these patients requires imaging that demonstrates the aforementioned defect, as well as the possible origin of the emboli. Management is based on full anticoagulation, treatment of existing thrombotic manifestations, and management of the anatomical defect. Conclusions. Paradoxical embolism should be suspected in case of unusual thrombosis. It requires exhaustive studies based on imaging, and management should consist of anticoagulation and closure of the defect.

Resumen Introducción. La embolia paradójica es un evento trombótico originado en la circulación venosa, que se manifiesta como embolismo arterial por medio de un defecto anatómico a nivel cardíaco o pulmonar. Se asocia principalmente a eventos cerebrovasculares, aunque se han encontrado casos de infarto agudo de miocardio, infarto renal y otros eventos isquémicos. Caso clínico. Paciente de 47 años, quien consultó por cuadro de dolor abdominal, que requirió manejo quirúrgico de urgencia, donde identificaron isquemia intestinal importante. Los estudios adicionales hallaron déficit de proteína S y persistencia de foramen oval permeable. Resultados. La presencia de trombosis arterial se conoce como trombosis de sitios inusuales y requiere de estudios para descartar trombofilias asociadas u otros estados protrombóticos. El déficit de proteína S es una trombofilia infrecuente, la cual se asocia en la vida adulta a eventos trombóticos de origen venoso. En presencia de defectos anatómicos, como un foramen oval permeable, puede progresar a embolia arterial, configurando un cuadro de embolismo paradójico. La estratificación de estos pacientes requiere imágenes que demuestran el defecto mencionado, así como el posible origen de los émbolos. El manejo se basa en anticoagulación plena, manejo de soporte, resolver las manifestaciones trombóticas existentes y un cierre temprano del defecto anatómico. Conclusiones. El embolismo paradójico debe sospecharse en caso de trombosis de sitios inusuales. Requiere de un estudio exhaustivo con imágenes y su manejo debe basarse en anticoagulación y cierre del defecto.

Resumen El accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) es la principal causa de discapacidad y la tercera causa de mortalidad en nuestro país. Argentina y la región de las Américas se encuentran atravesando el peor brote epidémico de dengue del que se tenga registro, con una importan te demanda en el sistema de salud. El dengue podría aumentar el riesgo de ACV y dada la naturaleza tiem po dependiente del manejo de esta enfermedad para reducir la morbilidad y mortalidad, y las potenciales consideraciones a tener en cuenta en los pacientes con dengue, se presenta una revisión breve de la literatura con puntos de incertidumbre y aspectos a considerar en el protocolo o código de ACV, considerando las ca racterísticas clínicas y alta demanda del sistema de salud provocada por el dengue. Se realiza también un llamado a generar evidencia sobre el manejo del ACV en pacientes con dengue.

Abstract Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of mortality in our country. Argentina and the Region of the Americas are going through the worst epidemic outbreak of dengue on record with significant demand on the health system. Dengue could increase the risk of stroke and given the time-dependent nature of the management of this disease to reduce morbidity and mortality and the potential considerations to be taken into account in patients with dengue, we present a focused review of the literature with points of uncer tainty and aspects to be considered in the stroke code considering the clinical characteristics and high demand of the health system caused by the dengue fever. A call is also made to generate evidence on the management of stroke in patients with dengue.

RESUMEN: En este estudio, nuestro objetivo fue examinar el efecto de la coadministración del nuevo fármaco vasodilatador Riociguat junto con resveratrol para recuperar la neurodegeneración en lesiones por ataques cerebrovasculares experimentales. Para ello, se dividieron 35 ratas hembras adultas en cinco grupos (Control, MCAO, MCAO + R, MCAO + BAY, MCAO + C) de siete animales en cada uno. Los animales del grupo control no fueron sometidos a ninguna aplicación durante el experimento y se sacrificaron al final del estudio. Las ratas de los grupos expuestas a la oclusión de la arteria cerebral media (MCAO) indujeron un ataque cerebrovascular isquémico. El grupo MCAO + R recibió 30 mg/kg de resveratrol y el grupo MCAO + BAY recibió 10 mg/kg de Riociguat. El grupo MCAO + C recibió ambos fármacos simultáneamente. Los fármacos se administraron antes de la reperfusión y las dosis adicionales se administraron a las 24 y 48 horas de la reperfusión. Todos los animales en este estudio fueron sacrificados a las 72 horas del experimento. Se recibieron cerebros totales para su análisis. Los resultados indicaron que la MCAO provocaba lesiones graves en la estructura cerebral. Los niveles tisulares de Bax, IL-6 e IL- 1ß estaban regulados positivamente, pero se suprimió la inmunoexpresión antiapoptótica de Bcl-2 (p <0,05). En los animales tratados con resveratrol y Riociguat, las neurodegeneraciones y las expresiones de proteínas asociadas a la apoptosis y la inflamación mejoraron en comparación con el grupo MCAO, sin embargo el mayor éxito se obtuvo en el tratamiento combinado de animales expuestos en el grupo MCAO + C. Este estudio indicó que el nuevo estimulador de guanilato ciclasa soluble Riociguat no solo es un fármaco neuroprotector potente en el ataque cerebrovascular inducido por MCAO, sino que también la administración sinérgica de Riociguat junto con resveratrol tiene el potencial para aumentar el efecto neuroprotector del resveratrol en ratas experimentales expuestas a un ataque cerebrovascular.

SUMMARY: In this study we aimed to examine the effect of novel vasodilatory drug Riociguat co-administration along resveratrol to recover neurodegeneration in experimental stroke injury. For that purpose, thirty-five adult female rats were divided into five groups (Control, MCAO, MCAO + R, MCAO + BAY, MCAO + C) of seven animals in each. Animals in Control group did not expose to any application during the experiment and sacrificed at the end of the study. Rats in the rest groups exposed to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced ischemic stroke. MCAO + R group received 30 mg/kg resveratrol, and MCAO + BAY group received 10 mg/kg Riociguat. The MCAO + C group received both drugs simultaneously. The drugs were administered just before the reperfusion, and the additional doses were administered 24h, and 48h hours of reperfusion. All animals in this study were sacrificed at the 72nd hour of experiment. Total brains were received for analysis. Results of this experiment indicated that MCAO led to severe injury in cerebral structure. Bax, IL-6 and IL-1ß tissue levels were up-regulated, but anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 immunoexpression was suppressed (p<0.05). In resveratrol and Riociguat treated animals, the neurodegenerations and apoptosis and inflammation associated protein expressions were improved compared to MCAO group, but the most success was obtained in combined treatment exposed animals in MCAO + C group. This study indicated that the novel soluble guanylate stimulator Riociguat is not only a potent neuroprotective drug in MCAO induced stroke, but also synergistic administration of Riociguat along with resveratrol have potential to increase the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol in experimental cerebral stroke exposed rats.

Abstract Background: Fondaparinux is an effective and safe anticoagulant in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, due to the low representation of obese individuals in clinical trials, the effects of applying the results of this drug to this population remain uncertain. Objectives: To compare Fondaparinux to Enoxaparin in the treatment of obese patients with ACS. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study, including obese individuals (BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2) admitted with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina (UA) and treated with Fondaparinux or Enoxaparin between 2010 and 2020. The Fondaparinux and Enoxaparin groups were compared for their clinical and laboratory characteristics using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests, as appropriate. The incidence of primary outcomes (death, reinfarction, stroke, major bleeding) was compared between groups. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant for all analyses. Results: A total of 367 obese patients with NSTEMI or UA were included, of whom 258 used Fondaparinux and 109 used Enoxaparin. Mean age was 64 ± 12 years, and 52.9% were male. The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, prior coronary artery disease, prior stroke, and implementation of invasive strategy was similar between groups. The incidence of the primary outcome was 4.7% in the Fondaparinux group and 5.5% in the Enoxaparin group (p = 0.729). There was no difference between groups when analyzing the components of the primary outcome separately. Conclusion: In a sample of obese patients with NSTEMI or UA, there was no difference in the occurrence of the composite outcome (death, stroke, reinfarction, major bleeding) between patients who used Fondaparinux or Enoxaparin. Background ACS . (ACS) However trials uncertain Objectives Methods study BMI 3 Kg/m2 Kgm2 Kgm Kg m2 m nonSTsegment non ST segment (NSTEMI (UA 201 2020 chisquare chi square MannWhitney Mann Whitney tests appropriate death, death (death reinfarction stroke bleeding Pvalue P value 005 0 05 0.0 analyses Results 36 included 25 10 6 1 years 529 52 9 52.9 male diabetes hypertension dyslipidemia disease 47 4 7 4.7 55 5 5.5 p 0.729. 0729 0.729 729 0.729) separately Conclusion (ACS Kg/m 20 202 00 0. 2 52. 4. 5. 072 0.72 72 07 0.7

Resumo Fundamento: O fondaparinux é um anticoagulante eficaz e seguro usado no tratamento de síndromes coronarianas agudas (SCAs). No entanto, devido à baixa representatividade de indivíduos obesos em ensaios clínicos, os efeitos de se aplicar os resultados desse medicamento nesta população continuam incertos. Objetivos: Comparar o fondaparinux à enoxaparina no tratamento de obesos com SCA. Métodos: Este é um estudo do tipo coorte retrospectivo, incluindo indivíduos obesos (IMC ≥ 30 Kg/m2) internados com Infarto do Miocárdio sem Elevação do Segmento ST (IAMSSST) ou Angina Instável (AI) e tratados com fondaparinux ou enoxaparina entre 2010 e 2020. Os grupos que receberam fondaparinux e enoxaparina foram comparados quanto suas características clínicas e laboratoriais usando o teste do qui-quadrado e o teste de Mann-Whitney, conforme apropriado. A incidência dos desfechos primários (morte, reinfarto, acidente vascular cerebral, sangramento maior) foi comparada entre os grupos. Um p<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo em todas as análises. Resultados: Um total de 367 pacientes obesos com IAMSSST ou AI foi incluído, dos quais 258 usaram fondaparinux e 109 usaram enoxaparina. A idade média foi 64 ± 12 anos, 52,9% eram do sexo masculino. A prevalência e diabetes, hipertensão, dislipidemia, doença arterial coronariana prévia, acidente vascular cerebral prévio, e implementação de estratégia invasiva foi similar entre os grupos. A incidência do desfecho primário foi 4,7% no grupo fondaparinux e 5,5% no grupo enoxaparina (p = 0,729). Não houve diferença entre os grupos quando os componentes do desfecho primário foram analisados separadamente. Conclusão: Em uma amostra de pacientes obesos com IAMSSST ou AI, não houve diferença na ocorrência do desfecho composto (morte, acidente vascular cerebral, reinfarto, sangramento maior) entre os pacientes que utilizaram fondaparinux ou enoxaparina. Fundamento SCAs. SCAs . (SCAs) entanto clínicos incertos Objetivos SCA Métodos retrospectivo IMC 3 Kg/m2 Kgm2 Kgm Kg m2 m (IAMSSST (AI 201 2020 quiquadrado qui quadrado MannWhitney, MannWhitney Mann Whitney, Whitney Mann-Whitney apropriado morte, morte (morte reinfarto maior p005 p 0 05 p<0,0 análises Resultados 36 incluído 25 10 6 1 anos 529 52 9 52,9 masculino diabetes hipertensão dislipidemia prévia prévio 47 4 7 4,7 55 5 5,5 0,729. 0729 0,729 729 0,729) separadamente Conclusão (SCAs Kg/m 20 202 p00 p<0, 2 52, 4, 5, 072 0,72 72 p0 p<0 07 0,7 p< 0,

INTRODUCTION: The rising prevalence of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates the exploration of the role of occupational therapy in rehabilitation of stroke. In the southern African country of South Africa, occupational therapy aligns with healthcare policies and laws, and this article presents a review of synthesized evidence of occupational therapy intervention in stroke care and rehabilitation. METHOD: Rapid review methodology was used to develop a research question about cerebrovascular accident - intervention by occupational therapists., The Cochrane Library and MEDLINE databases were searched for relevant articles published between 2018 and 2023. Twenty four articles met the inclusion criteria and were analysed according to quantitative and qualitative parameters. RESULTS: Evidence of occupational therapy intervention with post-stroke upper limb impairment was found in 37,5% of articles. Occupational therapy for global improvement in function, cognitive rehabilitation, balance, social participation, work, and leisure comprised 45,8% of articles, and one article each reported evidence for occupational therapy addressing ADL and caregiver interventions. CONCLUSION: Evidence from the past five years reflect diverse occupational therapy interventions with clients with stroke. Gaps in recent evidence remain in relation to context-specific interventions, especially from low- and middle-income countries. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Occupational therapists adopt a holistic approach to stroke rehabilitation, tailoring interventions to address the multifaceted needs and goals of individual stroke survivors. The effectiveness of individualised, occupation-based approaches across various domains are highlighted. • Therapists stay informed and up to date about emerging technologies and evidence-based practice to enhance their effectiveness in stroke rehabilitation. • This review provides evidence of the prevalence of upper limb impairments post-stroke, which will enable therapists to be well-versed in the diverse intervention approaches for upper limb rehabilitation as outlined in the literature reviewed, including technologies like Brain Computer Interface, Mental Practice, Mirror Therapy, and Action Observation Therapy. • Occupational therapy is vital in addressing cognitive impairments in stroke survivors, and practitioners can apply the evidence provided on interventions such as Virtual Reality and computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation that have shown promise in improving cognition and ADL.

BACKGROUND: Despite inpatient rehabilitation many stroke survivors struggle with community reintegration on returning home. The environment to which the stroke survivor returns affects and may limit participation in home and community-based activities. AIM: To describe stroke survivors' lived experiences of the environmental barriers and facilitators to community reintegration in an under resourced urban metropolitan sub-district in the Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS: A descriptive, qualitative study design with a phenomenological emphasis used semi-structured interviews to collect the data from purposefully selected stroke survivors who had been discharged for more than one year following inpatient rehabilitation. Supporting data were collected from interviews with two occupational therapists providing rehabilitation services to the stroke survivors. Deductive priori coding of semi-structured interviews with 11 stroke survivors, based on the environment subsystems described in the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model explored the barriers and facilitators to their community reintegration. FINDINGS: Of the six environmental sub systems in the PEOP model the systems and policy, access to information and health education, social determinants of health in the form of poor rehabilitation planning and loss of income as well as the built and natural environment presented the greatest barriers to the stroke survivor participants' community reintegration. However, reintegration was facilitated by social support and social capital, social determinants of health in the form of support groups as well as assistive technologies. CONCLUSION: Community reintegration continues to be a challenge for stroke survivors in an under-resourced urban sub-district due to environmental barriers associated with factors such as poor social support, inadequate implementation of policies and systems, poor compliance with home programmes, low socioeconomic status, poor access within the built and natural environment and inappropriate assistive devices. Several facilitators that occupational therapists can focus on to enable community reintegration included ensuring effective social support, access to community-based organisations, the introduction of home visits and provision of appropriate assistive devices. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE All stroke survivors must receive a comprehensive discharge plan to facilitate adequate access to continued rehabilitation and support for successful community reintegration. • There must be a specific referral to primary health care rehabilitation services on discharge from hospital. • Occupational therapists at community level have the responsibility to: o advocate for, or assist stroke survivors to self-advocate, the removal of inter-sectoral environmental barriers that limit their community reintegration and community participation, o where possible provide services in the home and involve midlevel workers when conducting home visits to enable successful reintegration into the home and resumption of occupational roles where possible, o look to other resources in their community that can assist in facilitating the community reintegration of stroke survivors to enable access to health, education, productive activities, and social and leisure participation opportunities, o improve their collaboration with the communities that they service.

ABSTRACT Background: Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a well-known condition that has been recently redefined after excluding non-ischemic myocardial injury. ReSCAR was a prospective, multicenter registry of patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from January to August 2022. Objective: One of the main objectives of the registry was to define the prevalence of patients with MINOCA, their baseline clinical and paraclinical characteristics, and in-hospital outcome. This publication focuses on the results of the respective analysis. Methods: We conducted a nationwide, multicenter, prospective study of patients with ACS. The diagnosis of MINOCA was made following the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. The baseline characteristics of the patients wereanalyzed, as well as their outcome and significant differences with patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. The participating centers should have the availability to measure high-sensitivity cardiac troponin and perform coronary angiography. Results: A total of 984 patients from 15 centers were included. Eighty-five patients (8.6%) had a final diagnosis of MINOCA at discharge. Median age was 65 years (53-63), 48 (51.8%) were women, 55 (64.7%) had hypertension, 44 (51.8%) had dyslipidemia, 9 (10.6%) were diabetics and 23 (27.1%) were smokers. Median high-sensitivity cardiac troponins on admission (expressed as multiples of the 99th percentile) were 2.42 times higher (0.85-10.21) and the ECG had no ischemic changes in 71.8% of the patients. Coronary angiography was normal in 72.9% of the patients and the rest of the cases had coronary artery stenoses < 50%. Sixteen patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The median GRACE score was 115 (98-139), which corresponds to intermediate risk. The event rate for the composite outcome of stroke/myocardial infarction or death was1.2%, and there were no bleeding events BARC ≥type 2. The discharge prescription rate was 72.9% for aspirin, 27.1% for clopidogrel, 88.2% for statins, 67.1% for beta-blockers, and 22.4% for calcium channel blockers. In this registry, patients with MINOCA represent a significant proportion of those with ACS. Conclusion: The rate of in-hospital complications, including mortality, was low. There seems to be a strong opportunity for further investigations to confirm the diagnosis, pathophysiological mechanisms, and treatment of MINOCA.

RESUMEN Introducción: El infarto de miocardio sin obstrucciones coronarias significativas (MINOCA) es una conocida entidad que se ha redefinido recientemente al excluir la injuria miocárdica no isquémica. ReSCAR fue un registro prospectivo, multicéntrico de pacientes hospitalizados por síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) desde enero hasta agosto de 2022. Objetivo: Un objetivo principal del registro fue definir la prevalencia de pacientes con MINOCA, sus características basales clínicas y paraclínicas y evolución intrahospitalaria. Los resultados del análisis respectivo son la base de esta publicación. Material y métodos: Registro nacional prospectivo y multicéntrico de SCA. Diagnóstico de MINOCA de acuerdo con la Cuarta Definición Universal de Infarto de Miocardio. Análisis de las características basales, evolución y diferencias significativas respecto de los pacientes con coronariopatía obstructiva. Los centros participantes debían contar con determinación de troponina de alta sensibilidad y la posibilidad de realizar cinecoronariografía. Resultados: Se incluyeron 984 pacientes de 15 centros. Ochenta y cinco pacientes (8,6 %) tuvieron diagnóstico final de MINOCA al alta. Cuarenta y cuatro pacientes (51,8 %) eran mujeres, la mediana de edad fue de 65 años (53-63), 55 (64,7 %) pacientes eran hipertensos, 44 (51,8 %) dislipidémicos, 9 (10,6 %) diabéticos y 23 (27,1 %) fumadores. La mediana de troponina al ingreso (expresada como múltiplo del percentilo 99) fue de 2,42 (0,85-10,21) y el 71,8 % se presentó con un ECG sin cambios isquémicos. La angiografía coronaria fue normal en el 72,9 % de los pacientes y con lesiones menores de 50 % en el resto. Se realizó resonancia cardíaca a 16 pacientes. La mediana del score GRACE fue de 115 puntos (98-139), lo cual perfila un riesgo intermedio; con una tasa de eventos combinados de accidente cerebrovascular/infarto o muerte de 1,2 %, sin haberse registrado sangrados BARC 2 o más. La prescripción al alta de aspirina fue del 72,9 %, clopidogrel 27,1 %, estatinas 88,2 %, beta bloqueantes 67,1 % y antagonistas cálcicos 22,4 %. Conclusión: En este registro, los pacientes con MINOCA representan una proporción significativa de aquellos con SCA. La tasa de complicaciones intrahospitalarias, incluida la mortalidad, fue baja. Impresiona existir una fuerte oportunidad para profundizar los estudios para confirmar este diagnóstico, sus mecanismos fisiopatológicos y su tratamiento.