Menor Prevalência e Extensão da Aterosclerose Coronária na Doença de Chagas Crônica por Angiotomografia Coronária

BackgroundIn Chagas’ disease endemic regions, there has been for many years a recurrent empirical observation that coronary artery disease (CAD) is uncommon in patients with Chagas’ disease. Previous pathological and invasive coronary angiography studies led to controversial results.ObjectiveWe sought to investigate whether CAD is less prevalent and less severe in patients with chronic Chagas’ disease when compared with a matched population with a similar CAD risk profile.MethodsA total of 86 participants, 43 consecutive patients with chronic Chagas’ disease and 43 asymptomatic individuals, without any prior history of cardiac disease or known CAD (control group), were included. Patients and controls were matched according to gender, age, and Framingham risk score. All participants underwent coronary calcium scoring and coronary computed tomography angiography on a 320-row detector scanner. Statistical significance level adopted was p < 0.05.ResultsThe coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was significantly lower in patients with Chagas’ disease than in controls (p<0.05). The presence of coronary atherosclerotic plaques was significantly less frequent in patients with Chagas’ disease than in controls (20.9% versus 41.9%, p=0.037). After adjustment for the Framingham score, the odds ratio for the presence of any coronary artery calcium (CAC) in Chagas patients was 0.26 (95%CI: 0.07-0.99, p=0.048). The pattern is similar for CACS > 10 (OR: 0.11, 95%CI: 0.01-0.87, p=0.04) and for the presence of any stenosis (OR: 0.06, 95%CI: 0.01-0.47, p=0.001). Propensity score matching also indicated an effect of Chagas disease on the CACS (-21.6 points in the absolute score and 25% less of patients with CACS >10, p=0.015).ConclusionsCAD is less prevalent and less severe in patients with chronic Chagas’ disease when compared with a matched population with a similar CAD risk profile. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1051-1060)     

Desempenho Diagnóstico da Angiotomografia Computadorizada e da Avaliação Seriada de Troponina Cardíaca Sensível em Pacientes com Dor Torácica e Risco Intermediário para Eventos Cardiovasculares

BackgroundCoronary tomography angiography (CTA) has been mainly used for chest pain evaluation in low-risk patients, and few data exist regarding patients at intermediate risk.ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of serial measures of sensitive troponin and CTA in intermediate-risk patients.MethodsA total of 100 patients with chest pain, TIMI risk scores of 3 or 4, and negative troponin were prospectively included. All patients underwent CTA and those with coronary stenosis ≥ 50% were referred to invasive coronary angiography. Patients with coronary lesions <50% were discharged and contacted 30 days later by a telephone call to assess clinical outcomes. Outcomes were hospitalization, death, and myocardial infarction at 30 days. The comparison between methods was performed by Kappa agreement test. The performance of troponin measures and CTA for detecting significant coronary lesions and clinical outcomes was calculated. Results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.ResultsCoronary stenosis ≥ 50% on CTA was found in 38% of patients and significant coronary lesions on coronary angiography were found in 31 patients. Two clinical events were observed. Kappa agreement analysis showed low agreement between troponin measures and CTA in the detection of significant coronary lesions (kappa = 0.022, p = 0.78). The performance of CTA for detecting significant coronary lesions on coronary angiography or for predicting clinical events at 30 days was better than sensitive troponin measures (accuracy of 91% versus 60%).ConclusionCTA performed better than sensitive troponin measures in the detection of significant coronary disease in patients with chest pain and intermediate risk for cardiovascular events.     

Fístulas da Artéria Coronária

Coronary artery fistula is a rare anatomic abnormality of the coronary arteries that affects 0.002% of the general population and represents 14% of all anomalies of coronary arteries. Its clinical relevance focuses mainly on the mechanism of the coronary steal phenomenon, causing myocardial functional ischemia, even in the absence of stenosis; therefore, angina and effort dyspnea are common symptoms. The suggested diagnostic approach is driven by patients’ symptoms, and it consists of a number of instrumental examinations like ECG, treadmill test, echocardiography, computed tomography scan, cardiac magnetic resonance, and coronary angiography. If it is not an incidental finding, coronary angiography is required in view of optimal therapeutic planning. Small fistulae are usually asymptomatic, and prognosis is excellent if they are managed medically with clinical follow-up and echocardiography every 2 to 5 years. Large/giant, symptomatic fistulae, on the contrary, should undergo invasive closure, via either transcatheter approach or surgical ligation, whose results are equivalent at long-term follow-up. Antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of bacterial endocarditis is recommended in all patients with coronary artery fistulae who undergo dental, gastrointestinal, or urological procedures. Life-long follow-up is always essential to ensure that the patient does not undergo progression of the disease or further cardiac complications.     

A Associação da Relação Proteína C-Reativa/Albumina em Pacientes com Ectasia da Artéria Coronária Isolada

BackgroundCoronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as diffuse or localized dilatation of coronary artery lumen with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.0 times the adjacent normal coronary artery. The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) is a useful inflammatory marker, which has been documented in coronary artery disease.ObjectiveTo analyze the association of CAE and CAR.MethodsA case-control protocol was used in this study. We included 102 consecutive patients with isolated CAE without stenosis (56 men and 46 women; mean age 60.4 ± 8.8 years). The control subjects consisted of an equal number of sex and age matched patients with normal coronary arteries (55 men and 47 women; mean age 61.2 ± 9.1 years). Clinical features, laboratory findings, and medication use history were recorded. Student’s t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and linear and logistic regression analysis were performed. A 2-sided p < 0.05 was statistically considered significant.ResultsThe CAR was increased in patients with CAE compared to the controls (32 and 16; p < 0.001). In addition, the CAR was found to be an independent predictor of CAE (OR = 2.202; 95% CI 1.184 – 5.365; p < 0.001).ConclusionIn the present study, we determined that CAR levels were significantly higher in the CAE group than in the control group, and the CAR was significantly correlated with CAE. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)     

Medição do Fluxo Sanguíneo Coronário em Angiogramas Coronários Convencionais por um Novo Método Baseado na Detecção da Densidade de Contraste. Uma Visão Fisiológica

Background TIMI flow grade and corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) are widely used methods to evaluate angiographic coronary blood flow. Measurement of coronary blood flow (CBF) on standard coronary angiography (CAG) has aroused great interest recently, trying to combine the CTFC concept with new methods for post-angioplasty and for cardiac syndrome X assessment. Additionally, coronary slow flow it is now considered a major criterion for microvascular angina.Objective Explore a new approach of quantitative angiographic measurement of CBF based on densitometric contrast detection in CAG off-line, using an accessible software to obtain a more precise and reliable CBF assessment.Methods Thirty patients were studied and divided in 2 groups, normal coronary blood flow (NF) and slow coronary blood flow (SF), according to CTFC definition. The DM was applied to the study sample to differentiate between NF and SF. Non-parametric statistics was used to assess differences between groups at p<0.05.Results The DM normal reference value obtained for coronary blood flow was 9 [5–10] frames. NF vs SF group were compared and expressed as median [interquartile range], for the left anterior descending: 10 [7-11] vs 21 [8-33];p= 0.016; circumflex: 9 [4-13] vs 14 [11-30]; p= 0.012 and right coronary artery: 5 [3-11] vs 13 [8-26]; p=0.009.Conclusion The DM showed the feasibility of measuring coronary blood flow with precision, consistency and reproducible in a standard coronary angiogram, showing the additional capability to differentiate between NF and SF in chest pain patients with normal coronary arteries. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(3):503-512)     

Associação entre a Gravidade da Doença Arterial Coronariana e Câncer de Pulmão: Um Estudo Piloto Transversal

BackgroundThe direct relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and lung cancer is not well known.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the anatomical severity of CAD and lung cancer.MethodsThree-hundred study patients, including 75 recently diagnosed lung cancer patients and 225 matched non-cancer patients, underwent coronary angiography during hospitalization without previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The SYNTAX score (SXscore) was used to assess the severity of CAD. A high SXscore (SXhigh) grade was defined as SXscore > 15 (the highest quartile of the SXscore). The Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to assess the distribution of patients’ SXscores. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between the severity of CAD and lung cancer. P-values were set when significance level was 5%.ResultsThe distribution trend of patients’ SXscore by quartiles was different between lung cancer patients and control patients (from the lowest to the highest quartile: 20.0%, 20.0%, 24.0%, 36.0% vs. 26.7%, 26.2%, 25.8%, 21.3%, p=0.022). The SX high rate was higher in lung cancer patients than in control patients (36.0% vs. 21.3%, p=0.011).The highest quartile of the SXscore showed higher risk of lung cancer in comparison to the lowest quartile (OR: 2,250, 95%CI: 1,077 to 4,699 ; P-trend= 0.016). After adjustment, patients in the highest quartile of the SXscore had higher risk of lung cancer (OR: 2,149, 95%CI: 1,008 to 4,584; P-trend= 0.028). Patients with high SXscore (> 15) had 1,985 times more chances of having lung cancer (95%CI: 1,105–3,563, P= 0.022).ConclusionsThe anatomical severity of CAD is associated with the risk of lung cancer, which indicates that a thorough lung cancer screening may be significant among severe CAD patients.     

Padronizando a Exposição à Radiação durante o Cateterismo Cardíaco em Crianças com Cardiopatia Congênita: Dados de um Registro Multicêntrico Brasileiro

BackgroundIn recent years the increasing number of interventional procedures has resulted in growing concerns regarding radiation exposure for patients and staff. The evaluation of radiation exposure in children is difficult due to the great variability in body weight. Therefore, reference levels of radiation are not well defined for this population.ObjectivesTo study and validate the ratio of dose-area product (DAP) to patient weight as a reference measurement of radiation for hemodynamic congenital heart disease procedures in children.MethodsThis observational multicenter study uses data obtained from a Brazilian registry of cardiac catheterization for congenital heart disease from March 2013 to June 2014. Inclusion criteria were all patients aged <18 years old undergoing hemodynamic procedures for congenital heart disease, with recorded DAP doses. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsThis study evaluated 429 patients with median age and weight of 50 (10, 103) months and 15 (7, 28) kg, respectively. Median DAP was 742.2 (288.8, 1,791.5) μGy.m2. There was a good correlation between DAP and weight-fluoroscopic time product(rs=0.66). No statistically significant difference was observed in DAP/weight ratio between therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. There was a wide variation in the DAP/weight ratio among the therapeutic procedures (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe DAP/weight ratio is the simplest and most applicable measurement to evaluate radiation exposure in a pediatric population. Although there is limited literature available, the doses obtained in the present study were similar to those previously found. Ongoing research is important to evaluate the impact of strategies to reduce radiation exposure in this population (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)     

Níveis mais Baixos de Fetuína-A Sérica estão Associados a um Maior Risco de Mortalidade em Dez Anos em Pacientes com Infarto do Miocárdio por Supradesnivelamento do Segmento ST

BackgroundFetuin-A is an anti-inflammatory and anti-calcification factor involved in the course of coronary artery disease (CAD). In line with these functions, fetuin-A has been investigated as a cardiovascular risk marker in many studies. However, the association between fetuin-A and the prognosis of CAD patients is still controversial.ObjectivesThe present study was conducted to identify the association between serum fetuin-A level and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).MethodsOne hundred eigthy consecutive patients with STEMI were enrolled in the study. The study population was divided into subgroups (lower, ≤288 µg/ml; and higher, >288 µg/ml) according to the median fetuin-A level. Clinical follow-up data was obtained by annual contact with the patients or family members by telephone. The causes of death were also confirmed by the national health database. Two-sided p-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 10 years, 71 deaths were recorded , 62 of whom died from CVD. Both CVD and all-cause mortality were found to be significantly higher in the lower fetuin-A group than the higher fetuin-A group (44% vs 24%, p= 0.005; 48% vs 31%, p= 0.022, respectively). In Cox regression proportional hazard analyses, fetuin-A was found to be an independent predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality.ConclusionsLow fetuin-A concentration is associated with a poor long-term prognosis after STEMI, regardless of the traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings have strengthened previous studies that consistently demonstrate the determining role of anti-inflammatory mediators in acute coronary syndromes.     

Acurácia da Redução do Segmento-ST Pós-Trombólise como Preditor de Reperfusão Adequada em Estratégia Fármaco-Invasiva

Background Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is considered the “gold standard” for coronary reperfusion. However, when not available, the drug-invasive strategy is an alternative method and the electrocardiogram (ECG) has been used to identify reperfusion success.Objectives Our study aimed to assess ST-Segment changes in post-thrombolysis and their power to predict recanalization and using the angiographic scores TIMI-flow and Myocardial Blush Grade (MBG) as an ideal reperfusion criterion.Methods 2,215 patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) undergoing fibrinolysis [(Tenecteplase)-TNK] and referred to coronary angiography within 24 h post-fibrinolysis or immediately referred to rescue therapy were studied. The ECG was performed pre- and 60 min-post-TNK. The patients were categorized into 2 groups: those with ideal reperfusion (TIMI-3 and MBG-3) and those with inadequate reperfusion (TIMI and MBG <3). The ECG reperfusion criterion was defined by the reduction of the ST-Segment >50%. A p-value <0.05 was considered for the analyses, with bicaudal tests.Results The ECG reperfusion criterion showed a positive predictive value of 56%; negative predictive value of 66%; sensitivity of 79%; and specificity of 40%. There was a weak positive correlation between ST-Segment reduction and ideal reperfusion angiographic data (r = 0.21; p <0.001) and low diagnostic accuracy, with an AUC of 0.60 (95%CI: 0.57-0.62).Conclusion The ST-Segment reduction was not able to accurately identify patients with adequate angiographic reperfusion. Therefore, even patients with apparently successful reperfusion should be referred to angiography soon, to ensure adequate macro and microvascular coronary flow.     

Intervenção Coronariana Percutânea em Lesões não Protegidas de Tronco

BackgroundThe advent of drug-eluting stents allowed the percutaneous coronary intervention to present safe results in lesions in the left main coronary artery.ObjectivesTo analyze the results of the percutaneous treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery lesion with the use of intravascular ultrasound.MethodsStudy of consecutive case series carried out from January 2010 to December 2018. Clinical data were collected from patients as well as prognostic scores and data on coronary lesion. Low-grade residual lesion (less than 50%) on angiography and minimum luminal area greater than 6 mm²on intravascular ultrasound were considered successful. The adopted significance level was 5%.Results107 cases were analyzed. The multivessel lesion was predominant, with most (39.25%) of the lesions being found in three vessels in addition to the left main coronary artery. The SYNTAX score had a mean of 46.80 (SD: 22.95), and 70 (65.42%) patients had a SYNTAX score above 32 points. Angiographic success of percutaneous intervention was considered in 106 (99.06%) patients. The overall rate of major cardiac and cerebrovascular events in the hospital outcome was 6.54%, being similar in patients with SYNTAX score ≤ 32 (8.10%) and ≥ 33 (5.71%; p = 0.68).ConclusionsPercutaneous intervention in cases of unprotected left main coronary artery lesion was safely performed and presented excellent results. Considerable angiographic success of treatment guided by intravascular ultrasound was achieved. The rate of major cardiac and cerebrovascular events was similar between patients at low and high risks.     

Reabilitação Cardíaca Baseada em Exercícios Fortemente Relacionada com Redução do Volume Plaquetário Médio

BackgroundMean platelet volume (MPV), which is a simple measure of platelet activation, has recently become an interesting topic in cardiovascular research. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive intervention that decreases mortality-morbidity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Studies on the effects of exercise on platelet activation have yielded conflicting results.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an exercise-based CR programs on MPV in patients with stable CAD.MethodsThe sample was composed of 300 consecutive stable CAD patients. The patients were divided into two groups: CR group (n = 97) and non-CR group (n = 203). Blood analysis was performed. Point-Biserial correlation measures were performed to show correlation between MPV change and CR. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe decrease in MPV was greater in the CR group than in the non-CR group [(-1.10(-1.40-(-0.90)) vs. (-0.10 (-2.00-0.00)); p< 0.001]. ΔMPV had a positive correlation with Δ neutrophil (r = 0.326, p < 0.001), ΔTG (r = 0.439, p < 0.001), ΔLDL-c (r = 0.478, p < 0.001), ΔWBC (r = 0.412, p < 0.001), and ΔCRP (r = 0.572, p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between ΔMPV% and CR (r=0.750, p<0.001).ConclusionsWe were able to show that exercise-based CR has a strong relationship with MPV reduction in patients with CAD. We consider that decreased platelet activation with exercise-based CR might play an important role in reducing thrombotic risk in patients with stable CAD. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)     

O Coração de Pacientes Pediátricos com COVID-19: Novos Insights a Partir de um Estudo Ecocardiográfico Sistemático em um Hospital Terciário no Brasil

BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic represents a huge burden to the health system in the world. Although pediatric COVID-19 patients have been relatively spared compared with adults, recent reports showed an increasing number of critically ill patients with multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-c), with marked cardiovascular impairment. Nevertheless, little is known about the relationship between cardiac abnormalities and inflammatory and coagulation biomarkers.Objectivesto investigate echocardiographic abnormalities in pediatric patients with COVID-19 admitted to tertiary hospital.Methodsthis was a retrospective longitudinal study, based on the review of medical records and echocardiograms of patients (0-19 years) admitted to a tertiary hospital between March 30 and June 30, 2020. For statistical analysis, the significance level was set at 5% (p < 0.05).ResultsForty-eight patients were enrolled, 73% with preexisting diseases, 20 (41.7%) with MIS-c. Median age was 7.5 (0-18.6) years; 27 (56.2%) were male. Median duration of hospitalization was 15.4 (2-92) days and seven (14.6%) patients died. A total of 70 echocardiograms were performed; 66.7% patients were scanned only once and 33.3% multiple times. Twenty-three (48%) patients showed echocardiographic abnormalities: eight (16.6%) left ventricle (LV) systolic dysfunction, six (12.5%) right ventricle (RV) systolic dysfunction and 12 (25%) coronary dilatation (Z-score>+2.5). Echocardiographic abnormalities were significantly associated with MIS-c, admission to the pediatric intensive care unit, multiple organ dysfunction, ventilatory/vasoactive support, and death (p<0.05). Significantly higher d-dimer (ng/mL) levels were detected in patients with LV dysfunction [16733(4157-115668) vs. 2406.5(190-95040)], RV dysfunction [25769(3422-115668) vs. 2803.5(190-95040)] and coronary artery dilation [9652.5(921-115668) vs. 2724(190- 95040)] (p<0.05).ConclusionEchocardiographic abnormalities in COVID-19 pediatric patients were frequent and associated with worse clinical outcomes. Exacerbation of the inflammation and coagulation pathways may play an important role in cardiovascular injury in those patients.     

A Variação Anormal da Pressão Arterial Circadiana está Associada aos Escores SYNTAX em Pacientes Hospitalizados com Síndrome Coronariana Aguda

Background Blunted nocturnal blood pressure (BP) reduction, referred to as non-dipper hypertension, is a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Objectives This study aimed to investigate the relationship between non-dipper hypertension and the severity and complexity of coronary artery disease using SYNTAX score in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome.Methods A total of 306 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome were screened. Patients who were clinically stable and admitted to the intermediate intensive care unit at least 24 hours after angiography and/or successful revascularization. After the exclusion criteria, 141 patients (34 female and 107 male; mean age 61 ± 11 years) were included. Non-dipper hypertension has been defined as a 0% to 10% decrease in average systolic BP at nighttime compared to daytime, measured at hourly intervals using the same automatic BP measuring device on bedside monitors (Vismo PVM-2701; Nihon Kohden Corp., Tokyo, Japan). SYNTAX score was calculated with an online calculator. The independent predictors of SYNTAX score were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results The patients with non-dipper hypertension had higher SYNTAX score than the patients with dipper hypertension (11.12 ± 6.41 versus 6.74 ± 6.45, p < 0.0001). In a multivariable logistic regression model, non-dipper hypertension status (odds ratio: 5.159; 95% confidence interval: 2.246 to 11.852, p < 0.001), sex (p = 0.012) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.008) emerged as independent predictors of high SYNTAX score.Conclusions The results of our study provide a possible additional mechanism linking abnormal circadian BP profile with coronary artery disease severity and complexity in patients with acute coronary syndrome.     

Fatores que Impactam a Decisão de Realizar Ventriculografia Esquerda em Doença Arterial Coronariana

BackgroundLeft ventriculography is an invasive method for assessment of left ventricular systolic function. Since the advent of noninvasive methods, its use has been questioned, as it carries some risk to the patient.ObjectiveTo assess which factors are independently associated with the decision to perform ventriculography in patients with coronary artery disease.MethodsAnalytical, retrospective, database review study of electronic medical records comparing 21 predefined variables of interest among patients undergoing coronary angiography. P-values <0.05 were considered significant.ResultsWe evaluated 600 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Left ventriculography was performed in the majority of cases (54%). After multivariate analysis, patients with chronic coronary syndrome (OR 1.72; 95% CI: 1.20–2.46; p < 0.01) were more likely to undergo the procedure. Patients with known ventricular function (OR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.40–0.85; p < 0.01); those with a history of CABG (OR 0.31; 95% CI: 0.14–0.69; p < 0.01) or hypertension (OR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.36–0.94; p = 0.02); and those with higher creatinine levels (OR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26–0.69; p < 0.01) had greater odds of not undergoing ventriculography.ConclusionsIn patients undergoing coronary angiography, a diagnosis of chronic coronary syndrome was independently associated with greater likelihood of left ventriculography, while having previously determined ventricular function, a history of hypertension or CABG, and higher creatinine levels were associated with a decreased likelihood of undergoing this procedure.     

Relação entre os Sinais de Strain do Ventrículo Direito no Eletrocardiograma e Níveis de Biomarcadores Associados à Gravidade da Pneumonia por COVID-19

BackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may lead to severe disease that can cause death. COVID-19 is known to affect the cardiovascular system. Early detection of the progression to the severe disease stage that affects the cardiovascular system may play a critical role in the treatment of COVID-19.ObjectivesTo explore the possible relationship between the COVID-19 pneumonia and right ventricular strain findings on electrocardiography (ECG).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 141 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Spearman’s correlation and logistic regression analyses were applied to assess relationships between ECG manifestations of right ventricular strain and levels of biomarkers and other laboratory and chest imaging findings. The significance level was considered as < 0.05.ResultsThe ECG signs of right ventricular stress were significantly more frequent and the levels of fibrinogen, CRP, and ferritin were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with elevated levels of hs-cTnI, procalcitonin and D-dimer. The univariate analysis showed there are significant relations between the presence of bilateral pneumonia, most of the ECG signs of right ventricular strain and cardiac injury and inflammatory and thrombotic biomarkers. The multivariate analysis revealed that ST-segment elevation in V₁and the S₁Q₃T₃pattern are independent predictors of cardiac damage (odds ratio=0.23; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.90; p=0.035) and elevated procalcitonin levels (odds ratio=0.19; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.62; p=0.006), respectively.ConclusionThe findings of the present study suggest that right heart damage is prevalent in COVID-19. In addition, our study shows the clinical value of ECG in evaluating and monitoring the patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.     

Relação entre o Índice Imune-inflamação Sistêmico e Circulação Colateral Coronariana em Pacientes com Oclusão Total Crônica

BackgroundInflammation plays a key role in the initiation and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel inflammatory parameter that has been shown to be associated with CAD.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between SII and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with stable CAD and chronic total occlusion (CTO).MethodsThe patients were divided into two groups, with poor CCC and good CCC, according to the Rentrop Classification. Ninety-four patients had poor CCC, and 81 patients had good CCC. Inflammation parameters were calculated from the laboratory results. The statistical significance level applied was 0.05.ResultsHigh SII level (OR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.004, p<0,001), absence of CTO in RCA (OR: 0.204, 95% CI: 0.096-0.436, p<0,001) and low Gensini score (OR: 0.980, 95% CI: 0.962-0.998, p=0,028) were significantly associated with poor CCC. The cutoff value of SII was 679.96 for the highest predictive power of poor CCC, with a sensitivity of 74.5% and specificity of 43.2%. Mortality rates were similar between the two groups during a mean follow-up of 21.5±10.8 months (p=0.107).ConclusionsHigh SII level, the absence of CTO in the right coronary artery, and low Gensini score were significantly related to poor CCC. The rapid and cost-effective use of new inflammatory markers in clinical practice guides the prognosis of CAD.     

Avaliação da Circulação Coronariana após a Cirurgia de Jatene

BackgroundCoronary artery evaluation remains after arterial switch operation a clinical challenge.ObjectiveThis study aims to correlate anatomical changes diagnosed by cardiac computed tomography (CCT) with physiological alterations on clinical evaluation to diagnose coronary obstruction in late ASO patients.MethodsThis study included 61 consecutive patients with mean age of 9.4 years who underwent ASO. The patients were submitted to echocardiography, electrocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test, and cardiac computed tomography to evaluate functional capacity and coronary artery anatomy.ResultsCardiac computed tomography revealed that only 3.3% of the patients had coronary stenosis. These patients were asymptomatic, and no signs of myocardial ischemia were detected by the tests.ConclusionThe incidence of coronary abnormalities in late ASO patients was 3.3% in our cohort. There is no clear guideline as to why, when, and how these patients should be screened or what to propose when a coronary obstruction is diagnosed in asymptomatic patients.     

Fibrose Cardíaca e Mudanças Evolutivas na Função Ventricular Esquerda em Pacientes com Cardiopatia Chagásica Crônica

BackgroundChagas heart disease (CHD) is a slow progressing condition with fibrosis as the main histopathological finding.ObjectivesTo study if cardiac fibrosis increases over time and correlates with increase in left ventricular (LV) size and reduction of ejection fraction (EF) in chronic CHD.MethodsRetrospective study that included 20 individuals (50% men; 60±10 years) with chronic CHD who underwent two cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with late gadolinium enhancement with a minimum interval of four years between tests. LV volume, EF, and fibrosis mass were determined by cardiac MRI. Associations of fibrosis mass at the first cardiac MRI and changes in LV volume and EF at the second cardiac MRI were tested using logistic regression analysis. P values <0.05 were considered significant.ResultsPatients were classified as follows: A (n=13; changes typical of CHD in the electrocardiogram and normal global and segmental LV systolic function) and B1 (n=7; LV wall motion abnormality and EF≥45%). Mean time between cardiac MRI studies was 5.4±0.5 years. LV fibrosis (in %LV mass) increased from 12.6±7.9% to 18.0±14.1% between MRI studies (p=0.02). Cardiac fibrosis mass at baseline was associated with decrease in >5 absolute units in LV EF from the first to the second MRI (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.03-2.13, p=0.03). LV fibrosis mass was larger and increased between MRI studies in the group that presented decrease in LV EF between the tests.ConclusionsEven patients at an initial stage of CHD show an increase in myocardial fibrosis over time, and the presence of LV fibrosis at baseline is associated with a decrease in LV systolic function.