congestive heart failure

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Artigo Original

Angiotensin II receptor blocker add-on therapy for low cardiac output in decompensated heart failure

Marcelo E. Ochiai et al. Antonio C. P. Barretto Juliano N. Cardoso Robinson T. Munhoz … Paulo C. Morgado José A. F. Ramires

BACKGROUND: During heart failure (HF) decompensation, an intense activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system occurs; however, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) cannot block it completely. Otherwise, the addition of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) can be useful when the inotropic dependence occurs. We evaluated the efficacy of the ARB-ACEI association on dobutamine withdrawal in advanced decompensated HF. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of association angiotensin receptor blocker – angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor to withdraw the intravenous inotropic support in decompensated severe heart failure. METHODS: In a case-control study (N = 24), we selected patients admitted at the hospital due to HF that had been using dobutamine for more than 15 days, with one or more unsuccessful drug withdrawal attempts; optimized dose of ACEI and ejection fraction (EF) < 0.45. Then, the patients additionally received ARB (n=12) or not (control, n=12). The outcome was the successful dobutamine withdrawal, evaluated by logistic regression, with a p < 0.05. RESULTS: The EF was 0.25 and the age was 53 years, with a dobutamine dose of 10.7 μg/kg.min. The successful drug withdrawal was observed in 8 patients from the ARB group (67.7%) and in 2 patients from the control group (16.7%). The odds ratio (OR) was 10.0 (95%CI: 1.4 to 69.3; p = 0.02). The worsening in renal function was similar (ARB group: 42% vs. control group: 67%; p=0.129). CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, the ARB-ACEI association was associated with successful dobutamine withdrawal in advanced decompensated heart failure. The worsening in renal function was similar in both groups. Further studies are necessary to clarify the issue.

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Artigo Original

Clinical evaluation and hepatic laboratory assessment in individuals with congestive heart failure

Luiz Antônio Brito Arruda Vasconcelos et al. Eros Antônio de Almeida Luiz Felipe Bachur

OBJECTIVES: To verify the clinical alterations and, in particular, hepatic laboratory alterations in patients in each of the heart failure (HF) functional classes. METHODS: The clinical and laboratory data – alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), bilirubin and coagulogram – of 50 patients admitted in 2002 to a tertiary hospital with the diagnosis of heart failure were researched by means of a cross sectional study. The patients were separated in accordance with their HF class and their data were compared statistically. Patients with hepatopathy of any etiology were excluded. RESULTS: Analysis of the mean transaminase values revealed a significant increase only for the Class IV patients. On the other hand, alkaline phosphatase and GGT presented a progressive increase in accordance with the HF class. CONCLUSION: HF is characterized by a progressive cholestatic profile of laboratory alterations, while transaminase values are only elevated in advanced HF. It is of utmost importance to understand these alterations in order to avoid unnecessary hepatic investigations in individuals with heart failure.

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Artigo Original

Relative role of left ventricular geometric remodeling and of morphological and functional myocardial remodeling in the transition from compensated hypertrophy to heart failure in rats with supravalvar aortic stenosis

Edson Antonio Bregagnollo et al. Marco Aurélio Mestrinel Katashi Okoshi Fábio Cardoso Carvalho … Isamara Fernanda Bregagnollo Carlos Roberto Padovani Antonio Carlos Cicogna

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative contribution of left ventricular (LV) geometric remodeling and of morphological and functional myocardial changes in rats with induced supravalvar aortic stenosis (SAS), in the transition from compensated hypertrophy to congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Twenty one weeks after induction of SAS, the rats were classified as controls (CG, n=13), without congestive heart failure (SG, n=11), or with congestive heart failure (SG-HF, n=12). All groups were evaluated with echocardiographic, hemodynamic and morphological study of the myocardium. RESULTS: Twenty one weeks after SAS: mass index (SG-HF>SG>CG, pCG, pSG>CG, pSG>CG, pSG>CG, pSG>CG, p<0.05). In the SG-HF group, LV geometric remodeling was characterized by a significant increase in dimensions and relative thickness of the normal wall (excentric remodeling), whereas the SG group presented a concentric remodeling. Indexes of LV performance in the SG-HF group were significantly lower than those of the SG group. CONCLUSION: The SG-HF and SG groups differed primarily in the LV geometric remodeling and structural myocardial remodeling process, which established a chronically compensated state in the SG group and triggered CHF in the SG-HF group in the presence of equivalent degrees of impaired contractility.

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Artigo Original

Analysis of ventilation and hemodynamic changes resulting from noninvasive bilevel pressure mechanical ventilation applied to patients with congestive heart failure

Ariadne Fernandes de Barros et al. Luciana Costa de Barros Márcia Cristina Sangean Joaquim Minuzo Vega

OBJECTIVE: To observe in practice how noninvasive bilevel positive pressure, applied at different levels, may interfere with systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Fourteen CHF patients (mean age 62.85 years) were treated with noninvasive bilevel mechanical ventilation. Patients were consecutively treated with an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) of 5 cmH2O, 10 cmH2O, 15 cmH2O, 10 cmH2O, and 5 cmH2O, maintaining a variation in pressure (deltaP) of 5 cmH2O between the inspiratory pressure (IPAP) and the expiratory pressure (EPAP). Ventilation and hemodynamic data were collected at these time points, as well as 5 minutes before the beginning of the protocol and 5 minutes after its completion. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in the respiratory rate between the moment just before the beginning of the protocol and 5 minutes after positive pressure mask placement (p=0.022), and in oxygen saturation, between the final minute of EPAP at 5 cmH2O and after the removal of the mask (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: Noninvasive bilevel mechanical ventilation improves oxygenation and reduces respiratory work, thus being beneficial for patients with congestive heart failure. It was not possible to observe statistically significant changes in the hemodynamic data due to the small number of patients and to other associated heart diseases.

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Artigo Original

Technical aspects of coronary sinus catheterization based on the atrial component of the intracavitary electrogram and radiological anatomy during the implantation procedure of a biventricular pacemaker

Fernando Sérgio Oliva de Souza et al. Nicola Luciano Mortati Domingo Marcolino Braile Reinaldo Wilson Vieira … Salomon Ordinola Rojas Alessandre Caputo Rabelo Januário Manuel de Souza Sérgio Almeida de Oliveira

OBJECTIVE: To present a technical proposal based on the experience of 130 implantations using a simplified technique for coronary sinus catheterization, based on the atrial component of the intracavitary electrogram and radiological anatomy. METHODS: From October, 2001 to October, 2004, 130 biventricular pacemaker implantations were performed, using radiological anatomy and observation of the intracavitary electrogram, focusing on the atrial component. RESULTS: The implantation of the system using left ventricular pacing via coronary sinus was not possible in 8 patients. Difficulties on the cannulation of the coronary ostium were felt in 12 patients and difficulties of lead advancement through the coronary sinus were felt in 15 patients. The mean time of radioscopy utilization was 18.69 min. CONCLUSION: The implantation technique, using the atrial component morphology of the intracavitary electrogram and radiological anatomy showed to be workless, safe and effective for the cannulation of the coronary sinus ostium requesting reduced time of radioscopy.

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Artigo Original

Cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in patients of different age group with congestive heart failure

Marcelo de Castro César et al. Fábio Tadeu Montesano Rosiane Vieira Zuza Diniz Dirceu Rodrigues Almeida … Antonio Sérgio Tebexreni Turíbio Leite de Barros

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims at comparing cardiorespiratory functional capacity during exercise – represented by indicators of functional limitation, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and anaerobic threshold – plus cardiopulmonary responses to maximal exercise in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients belonging to different age groups. METHODS: Fifty-four CHF patients, stratified by age group, were evaluated as follows: group I – 30 to 39 years (n = 12); group II – 40 to 49 years (n = 18); group III – 50 to 59 years (n = 17); and group IV – 60 years and above (n = 7). All patients underwent maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on treadmills. A single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare different age groups. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in maximal oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold among the age groups, nor in maximal values for carbon dioxide production, oxygen pulse, respiratory exchange ratio, pulmonary ventilation, and ventilatory equivalents for oxygen and carbon dioxide. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that cardiorespiratory functional capacity during exercise in patients with CHF, as well as cardiopulmonary variables at maximal exercise, may be similarly affected by the heart disease in all studied age groups.

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Artigo Original

Measurement of human brain natriuretic peptide in patients with Chagas' disease

Railton Bezerra de Melo et al. Giordano Bruno de Oliveira Parente Edgar Guimarães Victor

OBJECTIVE: To measure the serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with chronic chagasic heart disease and in individuals with positive serology for Chagas’ disease and no heart impairment, and to correlate the serum BNP levels with the degree of cardiac impairment, cardiac dimensions, presence of a pacemaker, and ejection fraction. METHODS: Serum BNP concentrations were determined by use of the Triage – BNP Test produced by BIOSITE. Serum BNP was assessed in 25 patients from the Chagas’ disease outpatient clinic of the Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz, who were divided into 2 groups as follows: 1) G1 – comprising 13 assymptomatic patients with positive serology for Chagas’ disease and no heart disease detectable on electrocardiography, chest X-ray, and echocardiography; and 2) G2 – comprising 12 patients with Chagas’ disease and heart impairment. RESULTS: Significantly more elevated BNP levels were detected in the chagasic patients with cardiac impairment: (G1=4.4 ±4.4 pg/ml, G2=293.0±460.2 pg/ml); (P<0.01). In the 2 groups, the serum levels of BNP correlated neither with age nor with sex. The levels were directly proportional to functional class and cardiac area on chest X-ray. Although a trend towards an increment in systolic function impairment was observed, no linear correlation with the ejection fraction on echocardiography occurred. The presence of definitive pacemaker and electrocardiographic alterations did not change the serum BNP levels. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic individuals with a positive serology for Chagas' disease and no evidence of ventricular dysfunction have serum BNP levels similar to those of the general population.

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Original Article

New auxiliary indicators for the differential diagnosis of functional cardiorespiratory limitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure

Marcelo de Castro Cesar et al. Aquiles Camelier José Roberto Jardim Fábio Tadeu Montesano … Antonio Sérgio Tebexreni Turíbio Leite de Barros

OBJECTIVE: To differentiate the nature of functional cardiorespiratory limitations during exercise in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or congestive heart failure (CHF) and to determine indicators that may help their classifications. METHODS: The study comprised 40 patients: 23 with COPD and 17 with CHF. All individuals underwent maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill. RESULTS: The values of peak gas exchange ratio (R peak), peak carbon dioxide production (VCO2 peak), and peak oxygen ventilatory equivalent (V E O2 peak) were higher in the patients with CHF than in those with COPD, and, therefore, those were the variables that characterized the differences between the groups. For group classification, the differentiating functions with the R peak, VCO2 peak (L/min), and V E O2 peak variables were used as follows: group COPD: – 44.886 + 78.832 x R peak + 5.442 x VCO2 peak + 0.336 x V E O2 peak; group CHF: – 69.251 + 89.740 x R peak + 8.461 x VCO2 peak + 0.574 x V E O2 peak. The differentiating function, whose result is greater, correctly classifies the patient’s group as 90%. CONCLUSION: The R peak, VCO2 peak, and V E O2 peak values may be used to identify the cause of the functional cardiorespiratory limitations in patients with COPD and CHF.

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Ensaios Terapêuticos

Effects of carvedilol (beta1,beta2,alpha1-blocker) on refractory congestive heart failure

Edimar Alcides Bocchi et al. Fernando Bacal Giovanni Bellotti Dirceu Carrara José Antonio Franchini Ramires

PURPOSE: The effects of beta-blockers on severe heart failure are not well known. We investigated the effects of carvedilol (b1,b2,a1-blocker) on symptoms, functional class (FC), and left ventricular function in patients with refractory heart failure. METHODS: We studied 21 patients, mean age 56±10 years, 9 in FC IV, e 12 in FC III (intermittently with class IV). The initial dosage was 6.25mg, and it was increased progressively as tolerated. The mean dose was 42±11mg. The patients were submitted to routine clinical evaluation, and electrocardiogram. We determined after 196±60 days of follow-up the left ventricular end diastolic dimension (by echocardiogram), and left ventricular ejection fraction (using MUGA). RESULTS: Carvedilol was well tolerated by 16 (76%) patients. One patient is in FC II during increment of the dosage. Eight patients were in FC I, and 7 in FC II at 196±60 days of follow-up. Heart rate decreased from 96±15 to 67±10bpm (p<0.0001), left ventricular end diastolic diameter from 73±13 to 66±12mm (p<0.009), and the left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 0.21±0.06 to 0.34±0.12 (p<0.0003). CONCLUSION: Carvedilol may have beneficial effects on cardiac function, remodeling process, and FC. If tolerated, it seems to be a potential alternative option in the medical treatment of refractory heart failure. However, investigations are still necessary to clarify the long-term effects of carvedilol on this specific subgroup of patients.

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Original Article

Congestive heart failure. Correlation between functional class and systolic and diastolic functions assessed by Doppler echocardiography

Cesar Selem Kamel et al. Aristarco G. Siqueira-Filho Luiz Felipe Mena Barreto Marcos Benchimol

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of systolic or diastolic dysfunction, or both on congestive heart failure functional class. METHODS: Thirty-six consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of congestive heart failure with sinus rhythm, who were seen between September and November of 1998 answered an adapted questionnaire about tolerance to physical activity for the determination of NYHA functional class. The patients were studied with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Two groups were compared: group 1 (19 patients in functional classes I and II) and group 2 (17 patients in functional classes III and IV). RESULTS: The average ejection fraction was significantly higher in group 1 (44.84%±8.04% vs. 32.59%±11.48% with p=0.0007). The mean ratio of the initial/final maximum diastolic filling velocity (E/A) of the left ventricle was significantly smaller in group 1 (1.07±0.72 vs. 1.98±1.49 with p=0.03). The average maximum systolic pulmonary venous velocity (S) was significantly higher in group 1 (53.53cm/s ± 12.02cm/s vs. 43.41cm/s ± 13.55cm/s with p=0.02). The mean ratio of maximum systolic/diastolic pulmonary venous velocity was significantly higher in group 1 (1.52±0.48 vs. 1.08±0.48 with p=0.01). A predominance of pseudo-normal and restrictive diastolic patterns existed in group 2 (58.83% in group 2 vs. 21.06% in group 1 with p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Both the systolic dysfunction index and the patterns of diastolic dysfunction evaluated by Doppler echocardiography worsened with the evolution of congestive heart failure.

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Original Article

Effects of propranolol on the QT dispersion in congestive heart failure

Evandro Tinoco Mesquita et al. Flávia Cristina Carvalho de Deus Cassia Regina Guedes Eduardo Reis Maia … César Gerson Pereira Subieta Humberto Villacorta Patrice Alessandra dos Santos Helena Cramer Valeria Battistella Amado dos Santos Luis José Martins Romeo

OBJECTIVE – Studies have shown that therapy with beta-blockers reduces mortality in patients with heart failure. However, there are no studies describing the effects of propranolol on the QT dispersion in this population. The objective of this study was to assess the electrophysiological profile, mainly QT dispersion, of patients with heart failure regularly using propranolol. METHODS – Fifteen patients with heart failure and using propranolol were assessed over a period of 12 months. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded prior to the onset of beta-blocker therapy and after 3 months of drug use. RESULTS – A significant reduction in heart rate, in QT dispersion and in QTc dispersion was observed, as was also an increase in the PR interval and in the QT interval, after the use of propranolol in an average dosage of 100 mg/day. CONCLUSION – Reduction in QT dispersion in patients with heart failure using propranolol may explain the reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac death with beta-blocker therapy, in this specific group of patients.

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Artigo Original

Hospital outcome and short-term follow-up of predominatly elderly patients presenting to the emergency department with congestive heart failure

Humberto Villacorta et al. Nazareth Rocha Rosana Cardoso Sérgio Gaspar … Eduardo Reis Maia Therezil Bonates Daniel Kopiler Hans J. F. Dohmann Evandro Tinoco Mesquita

PURPOSE: To evaluate the in-hospital (IH) outcome and the short-term follow-up of predominantly elderly patients presenting to an emergency room (ER) with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: In an 11 month period, 57 patients presenting to the ER with CHF were included. Mean age was 69+15 years (27 to 94) and 39 (68,4%) were male. CHF diagnosis was based on the Boston criteria. We evaluated IH outcome and prognosis in a mean follow-up of 5,7+2,7 months (1 to 12). In addition, some mortality predictors and mechanisms of death according on the ACME system were identified. RESULTS: Eight patients (14%) died in the IH period. Modes of death were circulatory failure (CF) in 7, and peri-operative (PO) in one (aortic valve replacement). During follow-up 9 deaths ocurred. Five were due to CF, 2 were sudden and 2 were PO (mitral valve replacement and ventriculectomy). Six-months and 1-year survival rates of the patients who were discharged were 82% and 66%, respectively. Sodium lower than 135mEq/l (p= 0.004) and female gender (p= 0.038) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with CHF admitted to the ER have high in-hospital and short-term follow up mortalities. The majority die from CF due to worsening heart failure.

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