2009;93(1) – ABC CARDIOL

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Artigo Original

Maternal-fetal outcome and prognosis of cardiac surgery during pregnancy

Walkiria Samuel Ávila et al. Ana Maria Milani Gouveia Pablo Pomerantzeff Maria Rita Lemos Bortolotto … Max Grinberg Noedir Stolf Marcelo Zugaib

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery improves the maternal prognosis in cases refractory to medical therapy. However, it is associated with risks to the fetus when performed during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze maternal-fetal outcome and prognosis related to cardiac surgery performed during pregnancy and puerperium. METHODS: The outcome of 41 gestations of women undergoing cardiac surgery during pregnancy and puerperium was studied. Fetal cardiotocography was performed throughout the procedure in patients with gestational age above 20 weeks. RESULTS: Mean maternal age was 27.8 ± 7.6 years; there was a predominance of patients with rheumatic valve disease (87.8%), of whom 15 (41.6%) underwent reoperation due to prosthetic valve dysfunction. Mean extracorporeal circulation time was 87.4± 43.6min and hypothermia was used in 27 (67.5%) cases. Thirteen (31.7%) mothers experienced no events and gave birth to live healthy newborns. Postoperative outcome of the remaining 28 (68.3%) pregnancies showed: 17 (41.5%) maternal complications and three (7.3%) deaths; 12 (29.2%) fetal losses, and four (10%) cases of neurological malformation, two of which progressed to late death. One patient was lost to follow-up after surgery. Nine (21.9%) patients underwent emergency surgery, and this variable was correlated with maternal prognosis (p<0.001) CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgery during pregnancy allowed survival of 92.7% of the mothers, and 56.0% of the patients who presented cardiac complications refractory to medical therapy gave birth to healthy children. Worse maternal prognosis was correlated with emergency surgery.

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Case Report

Dobutamine stress echocardiography-induced broken heart syndrome (Takotsubo Syndrome)

Francisco Juarez Cruz de Vasconcelos Filho et al. Cezario Antonio Martins Gomes Oscar Aires de Queiroz José Erirtonio Façanha Barreto

We report a case of dobutamine stress echocardiography-induced Takotsubo syndrome in a 76-year-old hypertensive patient with clinical complaints of chest pain in an elective visit to the cardiologist. Dobutamine-stress-echocardiography was requested to rule out chest pain of coronary origin. During the test, at peak exercise, echocardiogram showed apical akinesia and electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in D1, AVL, and V2. The patient was hospitalized and underwent coronary angiography, which showed normal coronary arteries and left ventricular apical ballooning. During follow-up, the patient’s condition remained stable, with regression of the manifestations 21 days after the initial presentation.

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Point of view

Hormonal replacement and cardiovascular disease: a guideline against the evidence

Flávio Danni Fuchs

POINT OF VIEW

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Image

Late involution of obstructive rhabdomyoma of the mitral valve

IMAGE

Late involution of obstructive rhabdomyoma of the mitral valve

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Artigo Original

Lipoprotein (a) is associated with basal insulin levels in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Syed Shahid Habib et al. Muhammad Aslam Syed Fayaz Ahmad Shah Abdul Khaliq Naveed

BACKGROUND: It has not been clearly established whether insulin resistance/deficiency leads directly to atherogenesis or through its association with other risk factors such as Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. OBJECTIVE: This project aimed at studying the association between basal Insulin, Lipids and Lipoprotein(a) levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. METHODS: Fasting blood samples were analyzed for Insulin, Lipoprotein(a), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in 60 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and 28 healthy subjects. We divided patients into two groups based on basal insulin levels: > 10 µIU/ml and < 10 µIU/ml. RESULTS: Insulin levels were higher in diabetic versus control individuals [p < 0.05]. TC (p< 0.01), LDL-C (p< 0.05), TC/HDL ratio (p< 0.01) and TG levels (p< 0.05) were higher and HDL- C levels were significantly lower (p 10 µIU/ml when compared to those with basal insulin < 10 µIU/ml (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a significant relationship of Lp(a) with insulin levels (r = 0.262, p < 0.05) and Insulin Glucose ratio (r = 0.257, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lp(a) levels correlate inversely with insulin levels in Type 2 diabetic patients. Lp(a) may be one of the cardiovascular risk factor in type 2 diabetic patients with longer duration of DM.

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Artigo Original

Association of fitness and waist circumference with hypertension in Brazilian elderly women

Maressa Priscila Krause et al. Tatiane Hallage Mirnaluci Paulino Ribeiro Gama Cristiane Petra Miculis … Nívea da Silva Matuda Sergio G. da Silva

BACKGROUND: The protective effect of cardiorespiratory fitness, regardless of obesity, has been recognized in adults. However, this association is still not clear in elderly individuals. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between hypertension and cardiorespiratory fitness in 1,064 elderly Brazilian women. METHODS: Central obesity was estimated by waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness by the 6-minutes walk test. ANOVA one way, chi-square and logistic regression were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 53.9%. The central obesity group had higher odds for hypertension when compared with the non-central-obesity group, in the same cardiorespiratory fitness group. Furthermore, both the central obesity and non-central obesity groups had a progressive increase in the odds ratio for hypertension, from the highest to lowest fitness groups, indicating an inverse relation between fitness and central adiposity. The non-central obesity group had the lowest odds ratios (OR), 1.49 (95%IC 0.97-2.28) and 1.54 (95%IC 0.94-2.51); whereas the central obesity group had an OR of 2.08 (95%IC 1.47-2.93), 2.79 (95%IC 1.79-4.33) and 3.09 (95%IC 1.86-5.12). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the waist circumference measurement is a strong predictor of hypertension and suggested that the protective effect of cardiorespiratory fitness can be extended to elderly women, even to those with central obesity.

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Artigo Original

Blood pressure measurement during aerobic exercise: subsidies for cardiac rehabilitation

Emanuel Couto Furtado et al. Plínio dos Santos Ramos Claudio Gil Soares de Araújo

BACKGROUND: Institutional documents recommend that hemodynamic variables – heart rate (HR) and systolic (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) – be routinely controlled at the aerobic part of supervised exercise sessions for coronary disease patients. OBJECTIVE: a) to determine the pattern and reproducibility of the blood pressure (BP) throughout 15 minutes of physical exercise at constant and moderate intensity; and b) to compare the BP measurement obtained with digital and conventional device during the exercise. METHODS: Thirty adult individuals of both sexes (65±11 yrs) were assessed for 15 minutes during lower-limb cycle ergometry and the BP was measured every 2 minutes, between the 3rd and the 13th minutes, using a Tango digital sphygmomanometer (Suntech, USA) and in the 14th minute, using a mercury column sphygmomanometer. Seven days later, at similar time of the day, six individuals had the test repeated to evaluate reproducibility. RESULTS: Whereas the DAP did not vary throughout the exercise (p > 0.05), SAP increased from the 3rd to 7th minute (146±4.1 versus 158±4.5 mmHg, p0.05) and a small difference for DAP (72±2.4 versus 78±2.3 mmHg; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: For exercises of moderate and constant intensity in a cycle ergometer with a 15-minute duration, BP measurements must be carried out from the 7th minute on. The digital measurements with the Tango equipment and those obtained with the conventional mercury-column sphygmomanometer were, for clinical purposes, very similar and reproducible.

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Artigo Original

Subclinical coronary artery disease in patients with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus undergoing hemodialysis

Dinaldo Cavalcanti de Oliveira et al. Fabio Sandoli de Brito Junior Rosley Weber Alvarenga Fernandes João Roberto de Sa Valter Correia de Lima

BACKGROUND: In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis occurs earlier in life and coronary artery disease (CAD) constitutes the major cause of death. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the prevalence and anatomic characteristics of coronary artery disease (CAD) in type 1 diabetic patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of 20 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus undergoing hemodialysis without known CAD. CAD was assessed by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). QCA was performed in all lesions >30%, visually. All proximal 18-mm segments of the coronary arteries were analyzed by IVUS. All other coronary segments with stenosis >30% were also analyzed. RESULTS: Angiography detected 29 lesions >30% in 15 patients (75%). Eleven (55%) of the lesions were >50% and 10 (50%) >70%. Thirteen patients had all 3 major arteries interrogated by IVUS. Atherosclerosis was present in all patients and in all 51 proximal 18-mm segments analyzed. The mean vessel diameter of these segments was significantly larger at the IVUS than at the QCA, for all vessels. IVUS images of 25 (86.2%) of the 29 lesions >30% were obtained. Fibrotic plaques were common (48%) and 60% had intermediate vessel remodeling. CONCLUSION: CAD was present in all vessels of all type 1 diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. These findings are in agreement with other autopsy, angiography and IVUS studies. Additionally, they indicate the need for additional epidemiological and imaging studies to better understand and treat such a complex and serious clinical condition affecting young people.

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Case Report

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Giovanni Giannini et al. Petherson S. Grativvol Marcelo L. C. Vieira Marcos de Oliveira … Luis A. Lisboa Sérgio A. de Oliveira

We report the case of a patient with septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergoing surgical correction in which the use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography permitted the planning of the surgical approach and an immediate knowledge of the surgical outcome.

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Case Report

Myocardial infarction caused by coronary artery injury after a blunt chest trauma

Márcio Silva Miguel Lima et al. Jeane Mike Tsutsui Victor Sarli Issa

We report the case of a 29-year-old man, victim of a car accident, who suffered a severe blunt chest trauma, with evolving congestive heart failure. He had previously had a good overall health status, with no symptoms of cardiovascular disease. At the initial assessment, the electrocardiogram showed Q waves in the precordial leads and the echocardiogram disclosed severe left ventricular dysfunction. Coronary angiogram showed a proximal left anterior descending coronary artery lesion, with anterior wall akinesis on contrast-enhanced ventriculography. A Thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed no viability. He remained on medical treatment with good evolution.

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Página do Presidente

Continuing education and environment in the center of action

Antonio Carlos Palandri Chagas

THE PRESIDENT’S PAGE

Continuing education and environment in the center of action

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Artigo Original

Validation of the Portuguese version of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire

Vitor Oliveira Carvalho et al. Guilherme Veiga Guimarães Dirceu Carrara Fernando Bacal Edimar Alcides Bocchi

BACKGROUND: The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) is an important measurement instrument for assessing the quality of life of heart failure patients. Despite being largely used within our context, the questionnaire had not yet been translated and validated into the Portuguese language. OBJECTIVE: Of this study was to translate and validate the Portuguese version of the MLHFQ for use in heart failure patients. METHODS: Forty patients with heart failure (30 men, LVEF 30±6%, 55% ischemic etiology, classified as NYHA I to III), clinically stable and on optimized drug therapy underwent maximal cardiopulmonary stress testing to assess their physical capacity. Right after the test, the MLHFQ duly translated into Portuguese was administered by the same investigator. The NYHA functional classification was provided by the medical team. RESULTS: The Portuguese version of the MLHFQ had the same structure and metrics of the original version. There was no difficulty in the administration of the questionnaire or in the patient’s understanding of the questions. The Portuguese version of the MLHFQ was consistent with peak VO2, duration of the cardiopulmonary test, and NYHA functional classification. There was no difference in the score mean for the questionnaire between the group of patients with ischemic etiology and the group with non-ischemic etiology. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the MLHFQ proposed in this study proved to be valid for heart failure patients, and constitutes a new and important instrument for assessing quality of life.

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Artigo Original

Role of lipoperoxidation in the remodeling intensification induced by beta-carotene after infarction

Paula S. Azevedo et al. Daniella R. Duarte Marcos F. Minicucci Beatriz B. Matsubara … Luiz S. Matsubara Rosângela Novo Ethel L. Novelli Álvaro O. Campana Sergio A. R. Paiva Leonardo A. M. Zornoff

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms involved in the biggest remodeling caused by the post-infarct beta-carotene are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of lipoperoxidation in the ventricular remodeling after infarct of the myocardium in rats supplemented with beta-carotene. METHODS: Rats were infarcted and divided into two groups: C (control) and BC (500mg/kg/regimen). After six months, echocardiogram and biochemical evaluation were performed. The t test was used, with 5% significance. RESULTS: The animals from BC group presented highest means of the diastolic (C = 1.57 ± 0.4 mm²/g, BC = 2.09 ± 0.3 mm²/g; p < 0.001) and systolic (C = 1.05 ± 0.3 mm²/g, BC = 1.61 ± 0.3 mm²/g; p < 0.001) areas of LV, which were adapted according to the rat's body weight. The systolic function of LV, evaluated by the area variation fraction, was lower in the animals supplemented with beta-carotene (C = 31.9 ± 9.3%, BC = 23.6 ± 5.1%; p = 0.006). The animals supplemented with beta-carotene presented higher values of the E/A relation (C = 2.7 ± 2.5, BC = 5.1 ± 2.8; p = 0.036). No differences were found between the groups concerning the cardiac levels of the GSH (C = 21 ± 8 nmol/mg of protein, BC = 37 ± 15 nmol/mg of protein; p = 0.086), GSSG (C = 0.4 (0.3-0.5) nmol/g of protein, BC = 0.8 (0.4-1.0; p = 0.19) of protein; p = 0.246) and lipoperoxides (C = 0.4 ± 0.2 nmol/mg of tissue, BC = 0.2 ± 0.1 nmol/mg of tissue; p = 0.086). CONCLUSION: The highest remodeling in infarcted rats supplemented with beta-carotene does not depend on the lipoperoxidation.

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Review Article

Postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

Carlos Romério Costa Ferro et al. Dinaldo Cavalcanti de Oliveira Fabiana Piech Nunes Leopoldo Soares Piegas

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia frequently seen in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. In this context, it is associated with the presence of comorbidities, longer length of hospital stay, and higher costs related to surgery. The mechanisms involved in the genesis of AF in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery (AFPO) are different from those causing paroxysmal AF. Knowledge of these mechanisms permits the use of efficient measures to reduce the incidence of this arrhythmia. According to recommendations of the literature, treatment is efficient and safe, because the rates of reversion to sinus rhythm are high and complications are reduced, and it is not associated with a high frequency of side effects.

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Artigo Original

Body mass index as a marker of dyslipidemia in children

Cláudia Cruz Lunardi et al. Édio Luiz Petroski

BACKGROUND: Obesity is very frequently associated with conditions such as dyslipidemia e diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To verify the diagnostic value of the cut-off points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Conde & Monteiro (C&M) for the screening and identification of dyslipidemia in children between 10 and 12 years of age. METHODS: The Body Mass Index (BMI) of 374 children of the school network of the city of Santa Maria-RS was ascertained. The children were selected in a stratified manner from a population of 4,083 children. Lipid levels (reference standard) were determined by means of analysis of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides (TG). The cut-off points of the IOTF and C&M were used to classify the BMI. Descriptive statistics and analysis of sensitivity and specificity were employed. RESULTS: There was a statistical difference in excess weight prevalence between both proposals (24.7% and 28.6% for IOTF and C&M, respectively). A variation was observed in sensitivity (33% to 83%) and specificity (62% to 80%) between the cut-off points as to the detection of dyslipidemia. The percentage of false negatives was lower than the percentage of false positives. CONCLUSION: The proposals may be used to screen elevated TC and LDL-C in male individuals. Either the IOTF or the C&M classification may be used to identify subjects without dyslipidemia, as these proposals presented high specificity.

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Anatomopathological Session

Case 3/2009: a 75 years old man with heart failure after myocardial infarction and ventricular aneurysm

Gustavo Ken Hironaka et al. Rodrigo Barbosa Ésper Luiz Antonio Machado Cesar Cinthia Goulart Fernandes Dias … Wilson Mathias Jr. Jussara Bianchi Castelli

ANATOMOPATHOLOGICAL SESSION

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Artigo Original

Dobutamine-stress echocardiography in asymptomatic patients with aortic regurgitation

Marcia M. Barbosa et al. Claudia M. V. Freire Lúcia M. A. Fenelon William A. M. Esteves … Gilmar Reis Maria do Carmo P. Nunes

BACKGROUND: Decreased contractile reserve may already be present in asymptomatic patients with aortic regurgitation and normal ejection fraction (EF), thus indicating the need for frequent and accurate assessments of the left ventricular function for the early detection of systolic dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To analyze if increments in EF with low dose dobutamine could predict surgery and/or death in patients with aortic regurgitation. METHDOS: Dobutamine-stress echocardiography was performed in 24 patients with aortic regurgitation in order to analyze whether EF increments at low dobutamine doses could predict the need for surgery and/or death in this group of patients. RESULTS: Mean age was 37.8±16.8 years and 16 patients (66%) were male. EF increased from a mean baseline value of 62.3±7.9% to 71.5±10.5% at a dobutamine dose of 20 µg/kg/min (p<0.001). The patients were followed-up for 36.6±20.1 months; two patients died (one of cardiovascular death) and five underwent cardiac surgery. Baseline EF was correlated with surgery and death in the follow-up of patients. CONCLUSION: Baseline EF was correlated with surgery or death in the follow-up of young patients with aortic regurgitation. However, the percentage increase in EF at low dobutamine doses did not allow us to predict events in these patients.

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