2011;97(2) – ABC CARDIOL

Editorial

Obesity and insulin resistance: "window" to myocardial dysfunction

Marcel Liberman

EDITORIAL

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Anatomopathological Session

Case 4/2011 – agranulocytosis and puerperal sepsis in women after the use of ceftriaxone

Haliana Muzio Candido et al. Maria Rita Bortolotto Tânia Mara Varejão Strabelli Luiz Alberto Benvenuti

ANATOMICAL-CLINICAL CORRELATION

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Image

Amplatzer septal occluder for closing foramen ovale: view through 3D echocardiography

Marcelo Luiz Campos Vieira et al. Carlos A. Pedra

IMAGE

Amplatzer septal occluder for closing foramen ovale: view through 3D echocardiography

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Case Report

Use of octreotide in the treatment of chylothorax and chyloperitoneum

Cristiane Felix Ximenes Pessotti et al. Ieda Biscegli Jatene Paulo Emanuel Uhrovcik Buononato Patrícia Figueiredo Elias … Anna Carolina Domingues Pinto Maria Fernanda Jensen Kok

Report of three cases of chylothorax and one case of chylous ascites in children who had undergone cardiac surgery with no response to routine clinical treatment, based on fasting and long-term parenteral nutrition. Treatment with octreotide at an initial dose of 1.0 mcg/kg/h was chosen, with a gradual increase of 1.0 mcg/kg/hr/day until a maximum dose of 4.0 mcg/kg/h. All cases had a favorable response, with gradual reduction of drainage output until prognosis improvement with no significant side effects.

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Artigo Original

Markers of redox imbalance in the blood of hypertensive patients of a community in Northeastern Brazil

Sandra Mary Lima Vasconcelos et al. Marília Oliveira Fonseca Goulart Maria Alayde Mendonça da Silva Vanusa Manfredini … Mara da Silveira Benfato Luiza Antas Rabelo Gilberto Fontes

BACKGROUND: Recent studies describe the participation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in hypertension. OBJECTIVE: To identify the redox imbalance in the blood of hypertensive. METHODS: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl group were quantified in the blood of 20 hypertensives and 21 controls. The individuals had a Body Mass Index of > 18.5 and < 30 kg/m², glycemia < 100 mg/dL, serum cholesterol < 200 mg/dL, and were nonsmokers, non-pregnant and non-lactating women, non-users of alopurinol and probucol, with hypertensives on antihypertensive medication. All individuals underwent a preparatory period of 4 weeks without alcohol, vitamin supplements, dexamethasone and paracetamol. RESULTS: Reduced levels of CAT (p 0.013), GSH (p 0.003) and MDA (p 0.014), and high levels of GPx (p 0.001) and ceruloplasmin (p 0.015) were obtained in the hypertensive group compared with controls. A positive correlation between systolic pressure and MDA in hypertensive and diastolic pressure and CAT in controls was obtained. CONCLUSION: The data obtained suggest that the hypertensives were in redox imbalance, despite the possibly attenuating effect of their antihypertensive medication.

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Letter to the Editor

Cardiovascular risks in adolescents with different degrees of obesity

Kerginaldo Paulo Torres et al. Samara Gomes Torres Ricardo Oliveira Guerra

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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Case Report

Atypical truncus arteriosus operated at 28 years of age: importance of differential diagnosis

Lilian Maria Lopes et al. Jose Pedro da Silva Luciana da Fonseca Sonia Meiken … André Bavaresco Cristóvão Salvador Gustavo Spadaccia dos Santos Fernandes

This is the case of 28 year-old adult with suspected congenital heart disease since birth, not treated in childhood at the his family’s choice. At 27 years old, he was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and systemic-pulmonary collaterals, where surgery was contraindicated. A new review in our department showed that it was an atypical form of truncus arteriosus. The fact that a common arterial trunk with left-right shunt was viewed by echocardiography was a crucial fact for the indication of new catheterization, opening the prospect of surgical correction. Currently, the patient is well, with 7 years of postoperative outcome.

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Letter to the Editor

Are we ready to assess young athletes?

Maria Cecília Solimene et al. Max Grinberg

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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Point of view

Poster: a practice to be revised!

Luís Beck-da-Silva et al. Luís Eduardo Rohde

POINT OF VIEW

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Artigo Original

Validity of maximum heart rate prediction equations for children and adolescents

Fabiana Andrade Machado et al. Benedito Sérgio Denadai

BACKGROUND: There are no studies in the literature to validate equations that predict maximum heart rate (HRmax) in children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the validity of the HRmax predictive equations “220 – age” and “208 – (0.7 x age)” in boys aged 10 and 16. METHODS: A progressive maximal exertion test was carried out in 69 apparently healthy boys aged 10 to 16. The initial test velocity was 9 km/h, with 1-km/h increments every three minutes. The test was maintained until maximum voluntary exertion was achieved, considering HRmax as the highest heart rate attained during the test. The measured HRmax was compared with the values predicted by the “220 – age” and “208 – (0.7 x age)” equations, using ANOVA for repeated measures. RESULTS: The mean values of HRmax (bpm) were: 200.2 ± 8.0 (measured), 207.4 ± 1.5 (“220 – age”) and 199.2 ± 1.1 (“208 – (0.7 x age)”). The HRmax predicted by the “220 – age” equation was significantly higher (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: The “220 – age” equation overestimated the measured HRmax and was not valid for this population. The “208 – (0.7 x age)” equation was valid for this population, showing results that were quite similar to those of measured HRmax. Future studies with larger sample sizes can verify whether the HRmax does not depend on age for this population, a situation in which the constant 200 bpm value would be more appropriate for HRmax.

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Artigo Original

Left ventricular end diastolic pressure and acute coronary syndromes

Rogério Teixeira et al. Carolina Lourenço Rui Baptista Elisabete Jorge … Paulo Mendes Fátima Saraiva Silvia Monteiro Francisco Gonçalves Pedro Monteiro Maria J. Ferreira Mário Freitas Luís Providência

BACKGROUND: Data is lacking in the literature regarding the prognostic impact of left ventricular-end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) across acute coronary syndromes (ACS). OBJECTIVE: To assess LVEDP and its prognostic implications in ACS patients. METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal and continuous study of 1329 ACS patients from a single center between 2004 and 2006. Diastolic function was determined by LVEDP. Population was divided in two groups: A – LVEDP 26.5 mmHg (n = 226). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups with respect to risk factors for cardiovascular disease, medical history and medical therapy during admission. In group A, patients with non-ST elevation ACS were more frequent, as well as normal coronary angiograms. In-hospital mortality was similar between groups, but one-year survival was higher in group A patients (96.9 vs 91.2%, log rank p = 0.002). On a multivariate Cox regression model, a LVEDP > 26.5 mmHg (HR 2.45, 95%CI 1.05 – 5.74) remained an independent predictor for one-year mortality, when adjusted for age, LV systolic ejection fraction, ST elevation ACS, peak troponin, admission glycemia, and diuretics at 24 hours. Also, a LVEDP > 26.5 mmHg was an independent predictor for a future readmission due to congestive HF (HR 6.65 95%CI 1.74 – 25.5). CONCLUSION: In our selected population, LVEDP had a significant prognostic influence.

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Artigo Original

Comparison between 2D and 3D echocardiography in the evaluation of reverse remodeling after CRT

Viviane Tiemi Hotta et al. Martino Martinelli Filho Charles Mady Wilson Mathias Jr. Marcelo L.C. Vieira

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is a useful method for screening and assessing response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). 3D echocardiography has already established its role in the evaluation of ventricular volumes and ejection fraction (LVEF) with excellent correlation of results when compared with MRI. OBJECTIVE: To compare the evaluation of ventricular volumes (LVDV, LVSV), LVEF, and LV mass before and after CRT by 2D echocardiography and three-dimensional echocardiography. METHODS: We evaluated 24 patients with HF FCIIIouIV (NYHA), sinus rhythm QRS > 150 ms, during an optimized therapy for HF undergoing CRT. We conducted electrocardiogram (ECG), clinical evaluation, 2D and 3D echocardiography before, three and six months after CRT. The comparison between the techniques was performed using Pearson’s correlation (r). Results: At baseline, the correlation between methods was 0.96 for evaluation of LVDV, 0.95 for evaluation of LVSV, 0.87 for LVEF and 0.72 for LV mass. After three months of CRT, the correlation between methods for analysis of LVDV was 0.96, 0.95 for LVSV, 0.95 for LVEF, and 0.77 for LV mass. After six months of CRT, the correlation between 2D and 3D echocardiography for analysis of LVDV was 0.98, 0.91 for LVSV, 0.96 for LVEF, and 0.85 for LV mass. CONCLUSION: This study reported was a reduction of LVDV, LVSV, besides improvement in LVEF after CRT. There was an excellent correlation between the 2D and 3D echocardiography for evaluation of ventricular volumes and LVEF, and a good correlation between methods for evaluation of left ventricular mass before and after CRT.

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Artigo Original

Comparison and correlation between self-measured blood pressure, casual blood pressure measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

Weimar Kunz Sebba Barroso de Souza et al. Paulo César Brandão Veiga Jardim Ludmila Brito Porto Fabrício Alves Araújo … Ana Luíza Lima Sousa Cláudia Maria Salgado

BACKGROUND: Casual blood pressure (BP) measurement by healthcare professionals is subject to great variability and new methods are necessary to overcome this limitation. OBJECTIVE: To compare and assess the correlation between the BP levels obtained by self-measured BP (SMBP), casual BP measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). METHODS: We assessed hypertensive individuals submitted to the three methods of BP measurement at an interval 0.05) and different from the casual measurement (p < 0.05). At the analysis of correlation, SMBP values were higher than the casual measurements, considering ABPM as the reference standard in BP measurements. CONCLUSION: SMBP showed a better correlation with ABPM than the casual measurement and was also better correlated with the latter, especially regarding the DBP and should be considered as a low-cost alternative for the follow-up of the hypertensive patient.

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Artigo Original

Ergoreflex activity in heart failure

Juliana Fernanda Canhadas Belli et al. Fernando Bacal Edimar Alcides Bocchi Guilherme Veiga Guimarães

A large body of evidence has suggested the existence of a reflex network that becomes hyperactive secondary to musculoskeletal alterations that occur in heart failure (HF) syndrome. Together with sympathoinhibitory cardiovascular reflexes, suppressed in the presence of the syndrome, heart failure can contribute to physical exercise intolerance. The hyperactivation of signals originated from receptors located in skeletal muscles (mechanoreceptors – metaboreceptors) is a recently proposed hypothesis to explain the origin of fatigue and dyspnea symptoms in HF. In HF, other alterations in the reflex control system, which are not mutually exclusive, contribute to dyspnea. The inappropriate stimulation of the arterial baroreceptors, with the consequent lack of inhibition of the muscle metaboreflex and carotid chemoreflex unloading and the increase in the renal vasoconstriction with angiotensin II release can also be considered. Although the functional alterations of the reflexes were used independently to illustrate the sympathetic excitation observed in HF, the interaction between these reflexes under normal and pathological conditions, especially its contribution to the sympathoexcitatory state found in HF, has not been broadly investigated. Therefore, questions about a possible association between the muscle receptors (mechano and metaboreceptors) in the genesis of the ergoreflex exacerbation, observed in HF, remain. Thus, the objective of this review was to integrate the knowledge on the mechano and metaboreflex (ergoreflex) in HF syndrome, as well as to clarify the influence of HF drug therapy on the ergoreflex.

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Artigo Original

Validity and equivalence of the Portuguese version of the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire

Geraldo de Albuquerque Maranhão-Neto et al. Antonio Carlos Ponce de Leon Paulo de Tarso Veras Farinatti

BACKGROUND: The Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) has been used to individualize exercise testing (ET) and to indirectly assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in epidemiological studies. Nevertheless, there is no validated Portuguese version. OBJECTIVE: To verify the criterion-related validity and the measurement equivalence of a Portuguese version of VSAQ in 95 individuals, 8 women (aged 69 ± 7 years) referred to ET. METHODS: The subjects performed a cardiopulmonary test with incremental to maximal exercise on a cycle ergometer. The correlation between VSAQ score and Maximum Measured and Estimated METs was compared to results from other studies. The VSAQ Nomogram was calculated and its results were compared to CRF real values by linear regression. Limits of concordance and mean differences (biases) were assessed according to the Bland Altman methodology. RESULTS: The VSAQ scores were significantly correlated to the Measured METs (r = 0.64) and Estimated METs (r = 0.67), results that were equivalent to those obtained by the original versions. The VSAQ Nomogram presented multiple R of 0.78 (Measured MET) and 0.80 (Estimated MET). However, the Nomogram seems to have underestimated CRF values greater than 6 METs. CONCLUSION: The VSAQ version confirmed its validity and equivalence to the original version, especially when evaluating individuals with coronary heart disease and older adults.

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Artigo Original

Ventricular dyssynchrony and increased BNP levels in right ventricular apical pacing

Cláudia Drummond Guimarães Abreu et al. Maria do Carmo Pereira Nunes Márcia Melo Barbosa Manoel Otávio Costa Rocha Antônio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro

BACKGROUND: Long-term right ventricular apical pacing can cause ventricular dyssynchrony and, secondarily, neurohumoral alterations and increase in cardiac morbimortality. OBJECTIVE: To analyze ventricular dyssynchrony and its effects on BNP levels in patients with pacemakers and long-term right ventricular (RV) apex pacing. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 85 patients with single or dual chamber pacemaker, NYHA functional class I or II and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 35%. The dyssynchrony assessment was carried out using several echocardiographic techniques, including Tissue Synchronization Imaging (TSI), with the analysis of the 12 segments. BNP was measured at the same time when the echocardiogram was performed, but the examiner was blinded to the results. RESULTS: Forty-six women and 39 men, aged 58 ± 12 years, with Chagas’ disease (56%) and controlled hypertensive individuals (62%), were included in the study. LVEF was 52 ± 8% and the mean QRS duration was 139 ms (120-180 ms). BNP levels were altered in 36.5% of the sample (cutoff = 60 pg/ml). At the multivariate linear regression analysis, BNP was correlated with age (p = 0.024), LVEF (p < 0.0001) and left ventricular (LV) pre-ejection time (p = 0.009), which is an intraventricular dyssynchrony index. CONCLUSION: In clinically stable patients receiving conventional cardiac pacing, the intraventricular dyssynchrony was an independent predictor of BNP level increase after adjusted for age and LVEF.

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Artigo Original

Vasculitides and eosinophils in emdomyocardial biopsies as rejection predictors in heart transplantation

Reginaldo Cipullo et al. Marco Aurélio Finger João Manoel Rossi Neto Carlos Mendes Contreras … Nádia Van Geen Poltronieri Mabel de Moura Barros Zamorano Lílian Mary da Silva Paulo Chaccur Jarbas Jackson Dinkhuysen Noedir Antônio Groppo Stolf

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of vasculitides, ischemic lesions, Quilty effect and the presence of eosinophils in endomyocardial biopsies of heart transplantation recipients with mild rejection has yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether these histological findings observed in endomyocardial biopsies (eosinophils, vasculitides, Quilty effect and ischemic lesions) are capable of predicting acute graft rejection. METHODS: A total of 1,012 consecutive endomyocardial biopsies were reevaluated; of these, 939 were classified as OR or 1R according to the Nomenclature of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation of 2005 and divided in two groups: (1) Predictive biopsies: those that preceded acute rejection; and (2) Nonpredictive biopsies: those that did not precede acute rejection. We compared the occurrence of the following histological findings: vasculitides, ischemic lesions, Quilty effect and eosinophils between the groups by uni- and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that the presence of severe vasculitides and eosinophils were the best predictors for future acute rejection, with the following odds ratios: 10.60 (95%CI: 3.62 – 31.06. p < 0.001) and 6.26 (95%CI: 3.16 – 12.43, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Severe vasculitides and eosinophils in myocardial biopsies are the main predictive factors of acute graft rejection post-heart transplantation.

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Artigo Original

Echocardiographic parameters of epicardial fat deposition and its relation to coronary artery disease

Juan Valiente Mustelier et al. Julio Oscar Cabrera Rego Angela Gala González Júlio César Gandarilla Sarmiento Beatriz Vega Riverón

BACKGROUND: Epicardial fat has been associated to the presence of significant coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association of lipomatous infiltration of the atrial septum and fat infiltration of the right ventricle remains uncertain. None of these parameters has been thoroughly studied in Hispanic patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between epicardial fat, lipomatous infiltration of the atrial septum and fat infiltration of the right ventricle with the presence of CAD. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty Hispanic patients (86 women and 164 men, mean age 61.5 ± 8 vs 62 ± 10 respectively), undergoing their first invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were studied. The day after the ICA, parameters of cardiac fat deposition were evaluated using 2D-echocardiography. Clinical (age, sex, personal antecedents of smoking habit, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as clinical presentation of CAD) and anthropometric (waist circumference and body mass index [BMI]) variables were also collected. RESULTS: Epicardial fat (OR 1.27 p = 0.009), as well as fat infiltration of the right ventricle (OR 2.94 p = 0.027), had a significant and independent association with the presence, but not the extent (p = 0.516) and clinical presentation (p = 0.153) of CAD. The extent of epicardial fat deposition showed a proportional and significant association (p = 0.001) with the presence of CAD. CONCLUSION: Epicardial fat and fat infiltration of the right ventricle were both significant and independent factors associated to the presence of CAD, which was proportionally increased according to the extent of cardiac fat deposition.

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Special Article

Rationality and methods of ACCEPT registry – Brazilian Registry of Clinical Practice in Acute Coronary Syndromes of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology

Luiz Alberto Piva e Mattos

BACKGROUND: Assessing the Brazilian clinical practice in patients with acute coronary syndrome, in public and private hospitals to identify gaps in the incorporation of clinical interventions with proven benefit. OBJECTIVE:To develop a registry of patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome to assess demographics, morbidity, mortality, and standard practice in the care of this condition. Besides, to assess the prescription of evidence-based interventions such as aspirin, statins, beta blockers and reperfusion, among others. METHODS: Registry-type prospective observational study intended to document hospital clinical practices of acute coronary syndrome in public and private hospitals in Brazil. In addition, longitudinal follow-up will be held until discharge and measurement of mortality and occurrence of serious events at 30 days, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The findings will be presented one year after the start of collection (September 2011), and consolidated after a meeting with the population to discuss the objectives sought. CONCLUSION: The analysis of this multicenter registry will design a horizontal perspective for the treatment of patients suffering from cardiovascular disease in Brazil.

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Atualização

Recent advances of the impact of obstructive sleep apnea on systemic hypertension

Rodrigo P. Pedrosa et al. Eduardo M. Krieger Geraldo Lorenzi-Filho Luciano F. Drager

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common clinical condition in the general population, especially among patients with cardiovascular diseases. More than just a local phenomenon of upper respiratory tract obstruction, OSA leads to systemic consequences that may include intermittent hypoxia, sudden reduction of the intrathoracic pressure, and the occurrence of micro-awakenings with sleep fragmentation. In the past decades, innumerous evidences have consistently pointed to OSA as an important factor related to the presence of cardiovascular diseases. In particular, the relationship between OSA and systemic hypertension (SH) is the one supported by the largest body of evidence. Currently, there are data suggesting that OSA is an important secondary cause of SH. More importantly, OSA is independently associated with poorer blood pressure control, changes in sleep dip, and presence of target-organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria. Randomized studies suggest that the management of OSA, especially with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) – which is considered the standard treatment for OSA – promotes a significant 24-hour blood pressure reduction, and this effect is more significant in the subgroup of patients with uncontrolled SH and drug-resistant SH. Despite all those evidences, OSA has still been underdiagnosed. The objective of this review is to discuss the recent advances in the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation, and treatment of OSA, as well as the benefits this treatment can bring on blood pressure.

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