2013;100(4) – ABC CARDIOL

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of data comparing percutaneous and surgical closure of the secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). OBJECTIVES: Assessment of safety and efficacy of both methods of treatment in a referral center affiliated with the Ministry of Health. METHODS: Observational, prospective, non-randomized study of two cohorts of children and adolescents younger than 14 years, treated by catheterization or surgery. Data was collected prospectively in the percutaneous group (A) and retrospectively in the surgical group (B). RESULTS: A total of 75 patients (pts) were enrolled in group A from April 2009 to October 2011 and 105 pts were treated in group B from January 2006 to January 2011. Age was older and weight was higher in group B and the ASD diameter was similar in both groups. Technical success was achieved in all procedures and there were no deaths. Complications (most minor) occurred in 68% of group B and 4% of A (p < 0.001). Rates of total occlusion or non-significant residual shunts were similar in both groups. Median hospitalization time was 1.2 days in group A and 8.4 days in group B (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both treatment modalities are safe and effective, showing excellent outcomes. However, the percutaneous treatment has lower morbidity and shorter in-hospital stay length. These observations support the concept that percutaneous treatment of atrial septal defects should be regarded as the method of choice to manage selected patients with this condition.

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Resistance training controls arterial blood pressure in rats with L-NAME- induced hypertension

Ayslan Jorge Santos de Araujo et al. Anne Carolline Veríssimo dos Santos Karine dos Santos Souza Marlúcia Bastos Aires … Valter Joviniano Santana-Filho Emerson Ticona Fioretto Marcelo Mendonça Mota Márcio Roberto Viana Santos

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is a multifactorial chronic condition caused by either congenital or acquired factors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Resistance Training (RT) on arterial pressure, and on vascular reactivity and morphology, of L-NAME-treated hypertensive rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (200 – 250 g) were allocated into Sedentary Normotensive (SN), Sedentary Hypertensive (SH) and Trained Hypertensive (TH) groups. Hypertension was induced by adding L-NAME (40 mg/Kg) to the drinking water for four weeks. Arterial pressure was evaluated before and after RT. RT was performed using 50% of 1RM, 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 3 times per week for four weeks. Vascular reactivity was measured in rat mesenteric artery rings by concentration-response curves to sodium nitroprusside (SNP); phenylephrine (PHE) was also used for histological and stereological analysis. RESULTS: Resistance training inhibited the increase in mean and diastolic arterial pressures. Significant reduction was observed in Rmax (maximal response) and pD2 (potency) of PHE between SH and TH groups. Arteries demonstrated normal intima, media and adventitia layers in all groups. Stereological analysis demonstrated no significant difference in luminal, tunica media, and total areas of arteries in the SH and TH groups when compared to the SN group. Wall-to-lumen ratio of SH arteries was significantly different compared to SN arteries (p<0.05) but there was no difference when compared to TH arteries. CONCLUSIONS: RT was able to prevent an increase in blood pressure under the conditions in this study. This appears to involve a vasoconstrictor regulation mechanism and maintenance of luminal diameter in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats.

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Maximal heart rate: influence of sport practice during childhood and adolescence

Débora Helena Balassiano et al. Claudio Gil Soares de Araújo

BACKGROUND: The heart rate (HR) achieved at the end of an exercise test (ET) is called maximal HR and is known to have clinical and epidemiological relevance. For its correct measurement, it is necessary that the ET be truly maximal. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of a history of intense physical activity and/or participation in sports competitions during youth on the maximal HR (% of age-predicted HR) on a clinical cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). METHODS: A total of 600 non-athlete individuals (65.8% males) with a mean age of 46 ± 13.7 years, under primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and who underwent maximal CPET, were retrospectively selected. Their physical activity profile during childhood/adolescence (PAPCA) was classified in scores growing from 0 to 4, with value 2 corresponding to their respective age-predicted levels. RESULTS: None of the 20 individuals with maximal HR values equal to or greater than 200 bpm had been inactive or somewhat active during childhood/adolescence. A significant association was observed between PAPCA scores and maximal HR (% of age-predicted HR) (p = 0.02), with a 7-bpm higher value for PAPCA scores 3-4 (32.9% of the sample) in comparison to PAPCA 0-2. CONCLUSION: Two hypotheses exist to explain these results in individuals who had been more active during youth: a) persistence of chronic adaptations to training on the cardiac chronotropism, or b) higher ability and/or motivation to achieve a truly maximal CPET. Information on the physical activity profile during childhood / adolescence may contribute to the interpretation of maximal HR on ET.

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Implementation of the myocardial infarction system of care in city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Milena Soriano Marcolino et al. Luisa Campos Caldeira Brant Janaina Guimarães de Araujo Bruno Ramos Nascimento … Luiz Ricardo de Ataide Castro Paula Martins Lucas Lodi-Junqueira Antonio Luiz Ribeiro

BACKGROUND:The creation of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) management systems is aimed at optimizing the management of patients from early diagnosis to proper and timely treatment. OBJECTIVE: To assess the implantation of an AMI management system in the municipality of Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, and its impact on in-hospital mortality due to AMI. METHODS: The AMI management system was implanted in the municipality of Belo Horizonte between 2010 and 2011, aiming at increasing the access of patients of the public health system to the treatment recommended by the existing guidelines. The teams at the prompt care units were trained, and the system of tele-electrocardiography was implanted in those units. The primary outcomes of this retrospective observational study were the number of admissions and in-hospital mortality due to AMI, from 2009 to 2011. RESULTS: In the period studied, 294 professionals were trained and 563 electrocardiograms (ECGs) transmitted from prompt care units to coronary units. A significant reduction was observed in the in-hospital mortality rate (12.3% in 2009 versus 7.1% in 2011, p < 0.001), while the number of admissions due to AMI remained stable. The mean cost of admission increased (mean R$ 2,480.00 versus R$ 3,501.00; p < 0.001), the proportion of admissions including intensive care unit stay increased (32.4% in 2009 versus 66.1% in 2011; p < 0.001), and the number of patients admitted to tertiary hospitals increased (47.0% versus 69.6%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The AMI management system implantation increased the access of the population to proper treatment, thus reducing in-hospital mortality due to AMI.

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Peripheral artery disease and kidney function in hypertensive patients

Carolina Sarmento et al. Telmo Pereira João Maldonado Jorge Conde

BACKGROUND: Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have a high risk of developing cardiovascular events. There is a high prevalence of PAD in individuals with kidney disease and both are important risk factors for cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between PAD and renal function in hypertensive patients. METHODS: The sample consisted of 909 individuals with arterial hypertension. The presence of PAD was evaluated using the ankle-brachial index (ABI) method and renal function was assessed based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The subjects were divided into groups, according to abnormal (ABI < 0.9) and normal ABI (ABI 0.9-1.4). RESULTS: The percentage of subjects with abnormal ABI was 8%. In the group of individuals with abnormal ABI, prevalence of CKD was 23.4%, compared to a prevalence of 11.2% in patients with normal ABI. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, after adjusting the model to the conventional cardiovascular risk factors, identified a statistically significant and independent effect of eGFR on the likelihood of developing PAD, with an OR of 0.987 (CI: 0.97-1.00). CONCLUSION: An independent association between PAD and chronic kidney disease was observed in the present study. Therefore, the combination of an accurate diagnosis of kidney disease and routine ABI evaluation could constitute a more efficient means to identify subclinical PAD, allowing individuals to benefit from early interventions, aiming at reducing cardiovascular risk.

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Effect of mitral valve repair on cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation

Dorival Julio Della Togna et al. Alexandre Antônio da Cunha Abizaid Romeu Sérgio Meneghelo David Costa de Souza Le Bihan … Auristela Isabel de Oliveira Ramos Samira Kaissar Nasr Felipe Souza Maia Zilda Machado Meneghelo Amanda Guerra de Moraes Sousa

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is the surgical procedure of choice for patients with chronic Mitral Regurgitation (MR). The good early and late results allow surgical indication before symptom onset. The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) can objectively assess functional capacity, but little is known about the effect of surgery on their variables. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of mitral repair on CPET variables in patients with chronic MR. METHODS: A total of 47 patients with severe MR were selected; these patients underwent mitral valve repair and were submitted to CPET ± 30 days before surgery, as well as six to 12 months after the surgery. RESULTS: There was predominance of functional class I or II NYHA in 30 (63.8%) and 34 patients (72.3%), respectively. A significant decrease in oxygen consumption (VO2) was observed after surgery, from 1,719 ± 571 to 1609 ± 428 mL min-1, p = 0.036. There was a decrease in Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope (OUES) from 1,857 ± 594 to 1763 ± 514, p = 0.073 and oxygen pulse (O2) increased after surgery, from 11.1 ± 3.2 to 11.9 ± 3, 2 mL.beat-1 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The mitral valve repair did not increase peak VO2 and OUES despite positive cardiac remodeling observed seven months after surgery. However, O2 pulse increased postoperatively, suggesting improved LV systolic performance. The CPET is a useful tool to assist in the medical management of patients with MR. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

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Lipid Tetrad Index (LTI) and Lipid Pentad Index (LPI) in healthy subjects

Charles Augusto dos Santos Morais et al. Samuel Henrique Vieira Oliveira Luciana Moreira Lima

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has increased steadily in recent years. Literature data show that about 35% of atherosclerotic events occur in the absence of classic risk factors, requiring a broader assessment of the individual to better characterize the risk. Lipid Tetrad Index (LTI) and Lipid Pentad Index (LPI) constitute a new and efficient evaluation of the lipid profile and CVD risk. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed LTI and LPI in undergraduate students, seeking to establish the parameters of these indices in healthy subjects and correlate them with the conventional lipid profile. METHODS: The study included 110 students, 48 (44%) males and 62 (56%) females, mean age 20.9 ± 1.7. Apolipoprotein-AI, apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were assessed, using specific diagnostic methods. LTI and LPI indices were calculated using the equations LTI = [total cholesterol x triglycerides x lipoprotein(a) / HDL] and LPI = [total cholesterol x triglycerides x lipoprotein(a) x apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein-AI], respectively. RESULTS: LTI and LPI values were significantly higher in females compared to males. As for the other parameters, there were significant differences between males and females only regarding total cholesterol, HDL and apolipoprotein-AI. There were significant and positive correlations between LDL and LTI and between LDL and LPI. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that both LTI and LPI were associated with LDL, a parameter not used to calculate lipid indices and widely used in clinical practice for cardiovascular risk assessment.

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Blood pressure treatment adherence and control through 24-hour ambulatory monitoring

Guilherme Brasil Grezzana et al. Airton Tetelbon Stein Lúcia Campos Pellanda

BACKGROUND: Although systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is an important cardiovascular risk factor, blood pressure level control often remains inadequate. Assessment of adherence to antihypertensive treatment through 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) may represent an important aid in the search for BP control targets. OBJECTIVE: To assess adherence to antihypertensive treatment and its association with BP values at 24-hour ABPM in hypertensive patients treated in primary health care (PHC) centers. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 143 hypertensive patients, who constituted a representative sample of patients from PHC centers in the town of Antonio Prado, RS. The Morisky-Green test was used to evaluate adherence and verify the number of medications used by patients, followed by 24-hour ABPM. RESULTS: We observed that 65.7% of the sample was considered adherent to the proposed treatment, 20.3% were moderately adherent and only 14% were classified as non-adherent. Considering all the 143 patients evaluated, 79 (55.2%) were identified as having controlled hypertension (130/80 mmHg), 103 (72%) had absence of nocturnal BP dip and 60 (41.9%) were uncontrolled while awake. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed a lack of adequate hypertension control with a consequent loss of opportunity for PHC professionals to adequately adjust the recommended BP control targets. This fact occurs in spite of proper adherence to antihypertensive treatment by patients in PHC centers.

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Metalloproteinases-2 and -9 predict left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction

Ana Lucia Cogni et al. Elaine Farah Marcos F. Minicucci Paula S. Azevedo … Katashi Okoshi Beatriz B. Matsubara Silméia Zanati Rodrigo Haggeman Sergio A. R. Paiva Leonardo A. M. Zornoff

BACKGROUND: The role of serum metalloproteinases (MMP) after myocardial infarction (MI) is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of serum MMP-2 and -9 as predictors of ventricular remodeling six months after anterior MI. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients after their first anterior MI. MMP activity was assayed 12 to 72 hours after the MI. An echocardiogram was performed during the hospitalization and six months later. RESULTS: We included 29 patients; 62% exhibited ventricular remodeling. The patients who exhibited remodeling had higher infarct size based on creatine phosphokinase (CPK) peak values (p = 0.037), higher prevalence of in-hospital congestive heart failure (p = 0.004), and decreased ejection fraction (EF) (p = 0.007). The patients with ventricular remodeling had significantly lower serum levels of inactive MMP-9 (p = 0.007) and significantly higher levels of the active form of MMP-2 (p = 0.011). In a multivariate logistic regression model, adjusted by age, CPK peak, EF and prevalence of heart failure, MMP-2 and -9 serum levels remained associated with remodeling (p = 0.033 and 0.044, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum levels of inactive MMP-9 were associated with the preservation of left ventricular volumes, and higher serum levels of the active form of MMP-2 were a predictor of remodeling 6 months after MI.

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Detection of early sub-clinical trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients

Helder Dores et al. João Abecasis Maria João Correia Filipa Gândara … Cândida Fonseca José Azevedo Isabel Arroja Ana Martins Miguel Mendes

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab (TZB) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, used for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, with recognized associated-cardiotoxicity. The methods for its early sub-clinical detection are not well defined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate TZB-induced cardiotoxicity in patients (pts) with breast cancer followed for a 3-month period of treatment. METHODS: Prospective study of consecutive pts treated with TZB for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer enrolled between May-September/2010. A comparison of clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic data, prior to and at the 3rd month after starting TZB was performed. Left ventricular systolic function deterioration (Cardiac Review and Evaluation Committee criteria) and diastolic function (American Society of Echocardiography classification) were studied. RESULTS: Data were available for 51 women, mean age = 55.4 ± 14.0y. At the 3rd month, no patient had symptomatic heart failure. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) did not differ at 3 months (69.3 ± 7.4 vs. 67.1 ± 6.5%, p > 0.05), decreasing in 57.9% pts (only one to LVEF < 55%). There was a significant increase in the E/e' ratio (3.9 ± 0.8 vs. 8.0 ± 1.9, p < 0,001) due to an e' velocity reduction (0.19 ± 0.02 vs. 0.10 ± 0.03, p < 0.001). Other diastolic parameters remained unchanged. Both the left atrial and the left ventricular volumes remained unchanged. N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide levels did not increase. During the follow up period two pts died and two were admitted to the hospital, all for non-cardiovascular causes. CONCLUSIONS: During the first 3 months of TZB treatment none of the pts presented overt heart failure or significant LVEF deterioration. A significant reduction in the E/e' ratio was detected, but neither the loading parameters nor LVEF changed significantly .

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Review Article

Echocardiography in chronic liver disease: systematic review

Vitor Gomes Mota et al. Brivaldo Markman Filho

BACKGROUND: Doppler echocardiography (Echo) is a non-invasive method of excellent accuracy to screen portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) and to assess intrapulmonary shunts (IPS) in chronic liver disease (CLD). In the past decade, Echo proved to play a fundamental role in the diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM). OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of relevant articles on the subject ‘Echo in CLD’. METHODS: In November 2011, a systematic review was performed in the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases, and the characteristics of the studies selected were reported. RESULTS: The search based on descriptors and free terms obtained 204 articles (179 in Pubmed, 21 in LILACS, and 1 in SciELO). Of those 204 articles, 22 were selected for systematic review. A meta-analysis could not be performed because of the heterogeneity of the articles. CONCLUSIONS: Echo should be part of CLD stratification for screening PPH, IPS and CCM, because, most of the time, such complications are diagnosed only when patients are already waiting for a liver transplant.

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