Influenza Vaccination for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Americas: Consensus document of the Inter-American Society of Cardiology and the Word Heart Federation.
Álvaro Sosa Liprandi, María Inés Sosa Liprandi, Ezequiel José Zaidel, Gabriel M Aisenberg, Adrián Baranchuk, Eduardo Costa Duarte Barbosa, Gabriela Borrayo Sánchez, Bryce Alexander, Fernando Tomás Lanas Zanetti, Ricardo López Santi, Ana Girleza Múnera-Echeverri, Pablo Perel, Daniel Piskorz, Carlos Enrique Ruiz-Mori, Jorge Saucedo, Osiris Valdez, José Ramón González Juanatey, Daniel José Piñeiro, Fausto J Pinto, Fernando Stuardo Wyss Quintana
Author Information
Álvaro Sosa Liprandi: School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, AR. ORCID
María Inés Sosa Liprandi: Cardiology Department, Sanatorio Güemes, Buenos Aires, AR.
Ezequiel José Zaidel: Cardiology Department, Sanatorio Güemes, Buenos Aires, AR. ORCID
Gabriel M Aisenberg: University of Texas John P and Kathrine G McGovern School of Medicine, Houston, Texas, US. ORCID
Adrián Baranchuk: Division of Cardiology, Kingston Health Science Center, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, CA. ORCID
Eduardo Costa Duarte Barbosa: Cardiology Department, Hospital Sao Francisco-Santa Casa, Porto Alegre, BR. ORCID
Gabriela Borrayo Sánchez: Cardiology Department, Mexican Social Security Institute, Mexican National Association of Cardiologists, MX. ORCID
Bryce Alexander: Division of Cardiology, Kingston Health Science Center, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, CA. ORCID
Fernando Tomás Lanas Zanetti: Cardiology Department, CIGES, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, CL. ORCID
Ricardo López Santi: Cardiology Department, Hospital Italiano de La Plata, Buenos Aires, AR. ORCID
Ana Girleza Múnera-Echeverri: Cardiology Department, Hospital General Medellin Luz Castro de Gutierrez E.S.E. Medellin, CO. ORCID
Pablo Perel: Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, GB.
Daniel Piskorz: Argentine Federation of Cardiology, AR. ORCID
Carlos Enrique Ruiz-Mori: Cardiology Department, INEN, Lima, PE. ORCID
Jorge Saucedo: Cardiology Department, Froedtert Hospital and Medical College, Milwaukee, US.
Osiris Valdez: Cardiology Department, Centro Médico Central Romana, La Romana, DO.
José Ramón González Juanatey: Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Spanish Society of Cardiology, ES. ORCID
Daniel José Piñeiro: World Heart Federation, Geneva, CH.
Fausto J Pinto: World Heart Federation, Geneva, CH. ORCID
Fernando Stuardo Wyss Quintana: InterAmerican Society of Cardiology, AR. ORCID
Background: Cardiovascular mortality is decreasing but remains the leading cause of death world-wide. Respiratory infections such as influenza significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Despite of proven benefits, influenza vaccination is not fully implemented, especially in Latin America. Objective: The aim was to develop a regional consensus with recommendations regarding influenza vaccination and cardiovascular disease. Methods: A multidisciplinary team composed by experts in the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease from the Americas, convened by the Inter-American Society of Cardiology (IASC) and the World Heart Federation (WHF), participated in the process and the formulation of statements. The modified RAND/UCLA methodology was used. This document was supported by a grant from the WHF. Results: An extensive literature search was divided into seven questions, and a total of 23 conclusions and 29 recommendations were achieved. There was no disagreement among experts in the conclusions or recommendations. Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between influenza and cardiovascular events. Influenza vaccination is not only safe and a proven strategy to reduce cardiovascular events, but it is also cost saving. We found several barriers for its global implementation and potential strategies to overcome them.
