Manuel Lorenzo López Reboiro

By Isabel Izuzquiza-Avanzini, Raquel Gutiérrez-López, Manuel Lorenzo López-Reboiro, Clara Martínez-Vivero and José López-Castro

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a pro-inflammatory and prothrombogenic virus with a high mutagenic profile, which produces active infection of variable duration in various organs and systems, and it has been observed that patients who have already suffered from the disease, especially in its more severe forms such as bilateral pneumonia or respiratory distress, present symptoms and signs of chronic multi-organ involvement. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that generate endothelial damage (chronic reactive endotheliitis) and subsequent thrombosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection are still not sufficiently elucidated, and in this chapter, we explore these mechanisms and therapeutic options to reduce prothrombosis and multiple vascular involvement that cause morbidity and mortality in this disease. In particular, we will evaluate heparin doses according to the stage of infection and its correlation with improved survival.

Part of the book: Anticoagulation

By Manuel Lorenzo López Reboiro, Raul Franco Gutierrez, Laura Ramos Rúa, María del Carmen Basalo Carbajales, Laura Rodrigo Lara, Candela Fraga González, Celia Sobrado Moreiras, José Manuel Cerqueiro González and José López Castro

Atrial fibrillation is a very frequent arrhythmia in our daily clinical practice, either isolated or associated with other heart diseases. It has high relevance as it can act as a decompensating agent of other heart diseases or damage the myocardium itself. Traditionally, the treatment of atrial fibrillation has been based on rhythm and rate control and also the treatment of its complications. To rhythm control, electrical or pharmacological cardioversion has been used, and different groups of bradycardizing drugs have been used for rate control. Anticoagulation is the most relevant treatment to prevent thromboembolic phenomena secondary to atrial fibrillation. However, with the recent development of endovascular procedures, the use of ablation to maintain sinus rhythm in this kind of patients has been increased displacing the use of other treatment strategies. Therefore, in this chapter, we would review the present evidence in the use of ablation techniques as atrial fibrillation treatment.

Part of the book: Atrial Fibrillation