Leopoldo Pérez de Isla

Hospital Clínico San Carlos | HCSC · Servicio de Cardiología

Aims: Most heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients require intensive lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) including PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) to reach current LDL-C goals. Persistence with chronic treatment is important to reduce the burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We analysed persistence, efficacy, and impact on quality...

Background: It remains unknown whether the presence of coronary microcirculatory dysfunction (CMD) correlates with its equivalent condition in the brain, cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The cerebral-coronary connection (C3), a prospective blinded study, investigated the prevalence of CMD in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and its...

Defining patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) destined not to develop clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) has significant implications for precision and discovery medicine. We investigated the predictors of resilience to ASCVD in a cohort of 248 octogenarian patients with FH enrolled in the SAFEHEART study. Median ag...

Aims To investigate the relationship between gut microbiota composition and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis assessed by coronary artery calcium (CAC) quantification in individuals without previous cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods We included 20 patients over 18 years of age with no history of CVD who underwent multiple detector-compu...

More than 91,000 fatalities due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have occurred in Spain. Several factors are associated with increased mortality in this disease, including cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). However, information on the cardiac function of patients prior to the onset of COVID-19 is scarce and the potential impact it may have i...

Aims Knowledge of the features of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) who are protected from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is important for the clinical and prognostic care of this apparently high-risk condition. Our aim was to investigate the determinant and characteristics of patients with FH who are protected from...

Purpose of review: Degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most prevalent heart valve diseases in the adult population. The understanding of AS pathophysiology and involved risk factors have recently undergone a great advance, with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and other clinical conditions taking on...

Introduction The clinical behavior and prognosis of patients with asymptomatic paradoxical low-gradient aortic stenosis (PLGAS) still remain controversial. Some authors consider PLGAS as an echocardiographically poorly quantified moderate AS (MAS). We aimed to investigate the clinical behavior of PLGAS by comparing it with that of asymptomatic high...

Despite the availability of lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) that are safe and effective, the overall rate of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) control at a population level in real-life studies is low. Higher-intensity treatment, earlier intervention, and longer-term treatment have all been shown to improve outcomes. However, in clinical...

Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the additional contribution of coronary artery calcium (CAC) score to SAFEHEART (Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cohort Study) risk equation (SAFEHEART-RE) for cardiovascular risk prediction in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). Background: Common cardiovascular risk equations a...

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare myocardial mechanics using global longitudinal strain (GLS) before and after single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S). Materials and Methods A total of 21 obese patients undergoing SADI-S were prospectively included. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and...

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major cause of death worldwide and Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is an important cardiovascular risk factor. In Spain, approximately 25% of middle-aged adults suffer from HC. Our objective was to analyse current health strategies and plans in Spain related to CVD and HC in order to define possible future...

Resumen Las técnicas de imagen cardiovascular han revolucionado el manejo de la aterosclerosis coronaria. Gracias a ellas, la valoración de la presencia y extensión de la enfermedad aterosclerótica en los diferentes territorios arteriales es mucho más sencilla, contando con la ventaja de que se trata de técnicas no invasivas. En este capítulo, se r...

Aims Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are inherited disorders associated with premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is the most prevalent valvular heart disease and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and Lp(a) may be involved in its pathobiology. We inve...

Background and aims Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Semi-automated plaque characterization (SAPC) by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) provides information regarding coronary plaque burden and plaque characterization. Our aim was to quantify and chara...

Some coronary artery anomalies are associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction in young patients. There are few data on the clinical and prognostic relevance of isolated origin of the left circumflex artery from the pulmonary artery, an extraordinarily rare variant of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulm...

Introduction and objectives Myocardial strain analysis could provide additional information to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDC). Our aim was to analyze the feasibility of left ventricular strain evaluation using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (FT) in NIDC, and to determine its clini...

Introduction and objectives The SAFEHEART study was designed to analyze the situation of familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (FHH) and improve knowledge of this disease in Spain. Our objective was to determine the incidence rate of cardiovascular events, the estimated risk of developing an event and its modification, the use of lipid-lowerin...

Introduction and objectives Severe pericardial effusion (PE) is a potentially severe clinical entity. Idiopathic PE accounts for one-third of patients with severe PE. However, evidence-based treatments are scarce. The aim of the study was to investigate whether pericardial drainage is associated with prognostic improvement, and to evaluate the infl...

Resumen Introducción y objetivos El análisis de la deformación miocárdica puede aportar información adicional a la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) en la miocardiopatía dilatada no isquémica (MDNI). El objetivo es analizar la factibilidad del estudio del strain del ventrículo izquierdo mediante feature tracking (FT) de cardiorr...

Resumen Introducción y objetivos El estudio SAFEHEART se diseñó para analizar la situación y mejorar el conocimiento de la hipercolesterolemia familiar heterocigota (HFH) en España. Nuestro objetivo es determinar la tasa de incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares, el riesgo estimado de sufrir un evento y su modificación, el empleo de tratamiento hi...

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a frequent disorder associated with premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Different clinical diagnosis criteria are available, and cost of genetic testing has been reduced in the last years; however, most cases are not diagnosed worldwide. Patients with FH are at high cardiovascular risk and the ris...

The current control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is very low and this is associated with an increase of cardiovascular outcomes. In addition, the latter this happens, the risk will be greater. This is mainly due to an insufficient use of the lipid-lowering therapy currently availa...

In row 4 of Table 3, ‘should’ should read as ‘may’; In 4.2.1, paragraph 3, ‘should’ should read ‘may’ to read ‘Overall, CAC score assessment with CT may be considered in individuals … ’ Also in the second row of ‘Recommendations for cardiovascular imaging for risk assessment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,’ the Class should read ‘llb’; I...

Background: Maximal doses of potent statins are the basement of treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Little is known about the use of different statin regimens in FH. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to describe the treatment changes and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement with atorvastatin (ATV)...

Resumen El control actual de la concentración de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad en el paciente con enfermedad cardiovascular ateroesclerótica es muy escaso y esto se asocia con un aumento del riesgo de que se presenten complicaciones cardiovasculares. Además, cuanto más tarde se logren dichos objetivos, el riesgo será mayor. Esto...

Background: Current consensus recommends extended vascular investigation in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). We here report our experience with the use of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for screening extra-coronary arteriopathy in patients presenting with SCAD. Methods: Patients presenting with SCAD in a Spanish...

Background and aims: Patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) may require proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9 (PCSK9) mAb as add-on therapy to achieve LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. However, the current cost of these therapies means that choosing suitable patients is based on consensus or clinical judgement rather than a quantit...

Background: The authors previously observed that some high-performance athletes, irrespective of type of sport, can show echocardiographically determined low left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF; <52%) together with normal heart rates and nondilated left ventricular (LV) cavities under resting conditions. The aim of this study was to determin...

Objective— Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common genetic disorder associated with premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Circulating microvesicles (cMV) are released when cells are activated. We investigated whether cMV could provide information on coronary calcification and atherosclerosis in FH patients. A...

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are inherited disorders associated with premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Cascade testing is recommended for FH, but there are no similar recommendations for elevated Lp(a). Objectives: This study investigated whether testing for Lp(a) was...

Resumen Los avances en el campo de la imagen cardiovascular han seguido aumentando de forma exponencial en este último año. Las técnicas de imagen cardiaca siguen buscando el origen fisiopatológico de un gran número de enfermedades cardiovasculares para determinar nuevas dianas terapéuticas, o anticiparse a la enfermedad detectando la alteración mi...

Introduction and objectives To describe the cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle and cardiovascular treatment adherence of cardiologists in Latin America, Portugal, and Spain. Methods Seventeen Scientific Societies of Cardiology from Latin America, Portugal, and Spain were invited to participate. Each member was sent by email a link to an electr...

Background and aims: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterized by high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The magnitude of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in FH patients is highly variable, and this can result from genetic factors. The aim of our study was to charact...

Purpose Vegetation size is a prognostic predictor in infective endocarditis (IE) and guides surgical management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of real‐time 3‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3DTEE) compared to 2DTEE in the diagnosis and characterization of vegetation, as well as its potential clinical impact. Me...

Aims To determine the prevalence and characteristics of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) among elite athletes and to analyse the effect of long-term exercise training on their aortas. Methods and results Consecutive BAV and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) elite athletes from a population of 5136 athletes evaluated at the Sports Medicine Center of the Span...

Resumen Introducción y objetivos El desarrollo tardío de insuficiencia tricúspide funcional tras cirugía valvular izquierda de origen reumático es un importante predictor de mal pronóstico. Este estudio investiga la utilidad y precisión diagnóstica del área tricúspide evaluada por ecocardiografía transtorácica tridimensional en comparación con el...

Purpose of review: Familial hypercholesterolemia is a frequent genetic disease associated with lifelong elevation of LDL-cholesterol and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statins are the cornerstone of treatment. However, with the introduction of novel LDL-cholesterol-lowering therapies, it is necessary to identify familial...

Introduction The quantitative measurement of the left ventricle by echocardiography is a fundamental tool in the diagnosis and prognosis of acquired and congenital diseases in the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to validate an automated three‐dimensional adaptive analytic echocardiographic algorithm, the so‐called Heart Model®...

Background:Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains an important issue. The aim of this study was to assess the value of a new discongruence index, to predict PPM after TAVR. Methods and Results: A total of 185 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR with the Edwards Sapien prosth...

Introduction Mitral regurgitation severity assessment is usually carried out using qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative parameters. The mitral valve navigation (MVN) tool allows to measure the mitral effective regurgitant orifice (MERO) from 3D echo datasets. Our aim was to validate the MVN as a new tool to quantify MERO. A secondary aim...

This document summarizes the concept of focused cardiac ultrasound, the basic technical aspects related to this technique, and its diagnostic objectives. It also defines training requisites in focused cardiac ultrasound. This consensus document has been endorsed by the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), the Spanish Society of Family and C...

Introduction and objectives: Late functional tricuspid regurgitation after rheumatic left-sided valve surgery is an important predictor of poor prognosis. This study investigated the usefulness and accuracy of 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography tricuspid area compared with conventional 2-dimensional diameter (2DD) for assessing significa...

Introduction and objective Early detection of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH) is needed to prevent premature cardiovascular events. Our aim is to describe the course of an HFH screening detection day in the Northern Cadiz Health Area in Spain and to analyze the data recorded. Subjects and methods Descriptive study of an FH cascade...

Resumen En el presente documento se sintetizan el concepto de ecocardioscopia, los aspectos técnicos fundamentales relacionados con esta técnica y sus objetivos diagnósticos. Además, se define cómo deben ser la formación y la capacitación en ecocardioscopia. Todo ello, avalado por la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI), la Sociedad Español...

Familial hypercholesterolaemia is the most common monogenic disorder associated with premature coronary artery disease. Mutations are most frequently found in the LDL receptor gene. Clinical criteria can be used to make the diagnosis; however, genetic testing will confirm the disorder and is very useful for cascade screening. Early identification a...

Background Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) confers an increased risk of premature atherosclerotic disease. Coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) can assess preclinical coronary atherosclerosis. Objectives To describe coronary CTA findings in asymptomatic molecularly defined FH individuals, to identify those factors related to...

Introduction and objective: Early detection of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH) is needed to prevent premature cardiovascular events. Our aim isto describe the course of an HFH screening detection day in the Northern Cadiz Health Area in Spain and to analyze the data recorded. Subjects and methods: Descriptive study of an FH casc...

Aim: rs599839 polymorphism has been related with low levels of cholesterol and reduced coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: We investigated the frequency of this polymorphism in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in the Spanish familial hypercholesterolemia cohort, 230 with and 202 without CHD. Results & discussion...

Resumen Introducción y objetivos Está demostrado que la tomografía computarizada con multidetectores (TCMD) es una alternativa factible a la coronariografía invasiva (CI). Sin embargo, se han indicado resultados contradictorios sobre el efecto de la puntuación de calcio (PC) coronario en la precisión diagnóstica de la TCMD. El objetivo de este est...

El pericardio está formado por dos capas: el pericardio visceral, constituido por una sola capa de células mesoteliales, elastina y colágeno, adherido a la superficie epicárdica del corazón, y una capa parietal avascular y con amplia red de fibras de colágeno. En el ser humano esta fina estructura llega a medir normalmente hasta 2 mm de espesor. Su...

Introduction and objectives: Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been demonstrated as a feasible alternative to invasive coronary angiography (ICA). However, contradictory results have been reported regarding the effect of coronary artery calcium score (CS) on the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT. Our aim was to assess the agreement of MDCT an...

La endocarditis infecciosa continúa siendo una entidad clínica de elevada mortalidad, que precisa de una detección precoz. El diagnóstico se fundamenta en los hallazgos clínicos, microbiológicos y ecocardiográficos. Sin embargo, en algunos escenarios, como la endocarditis protésica, la ecocardiografía ve reducido su rendimiento diagnóstico. Por est...

En medicina el contexto clínico es esencial para llevar a cabo un diagnóstico diferencial, y por este motivo es importante que los hallazgos de las pruebas de imagen vayan acompañados de la historia clínica del paciente para poderse interpretar. A continuación, se presenta el caso de una sospecha de endocarditis sobre válvula mitral que se remitió...

La evolución en el intervencionismo estructural percutáneo ha generado un desarrollo paralelo en las técnicas de imagen avanzada. La ecocardiografía en el intervencionismo estructural juega un papel básico en la selección de los pacientes, en la valoración durante el procedimiento y en el análisis inmediato de los resultados y la detección precoz d...

Background: Although risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have been described, models for predicting incident ASCVD have not been reported. Our aim was to use the SAFEHEART registry (Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cohort Study) to define key risk factors for predicting inciden...