Parada Cardiorrespiratória Extra-Hospitalar durante a Pandemia da Doença por Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) no Brasil: A Mortalidade Oculta

The world changed in just a few months after the emergence of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a beta coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. Brazil currently has the world’s second-highest COVID-19 death toll, second only to the USA. The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading fast in the world with more than 181 countries affected. This editorial refers to the article published in Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia: “Increase in home deaths due to cardiorespiratory arrest in times of COVID-19 pandemic.”¹ Their main results show a gradual increase in the rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Their data demonstrate a proportional increase of 33% of home deaths in March 2020 compared to previous periods. Their study is the first Brazilian paper to demonstrate the same trend observed in other countries.     

Câncer e Doenças Cardiovasculares na Pandemia de COVID-19

The challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic cretead to the healthcare system have made it necessary to adapt routines and services, with the objectives of controlling the spread of the virus and preserving health. Safe and correct management of patients in risks groups, such as elderly patients, patients with cardiovascular diseases, and patients with cancer, has become even more important. Thus, cardio-oncology has gained a new dimension, with the aim of adapting to patients’ needs during the pandemic by restructuring the system of care in a manner that offers quality and safety in healthcare.     

Mortalidade por Doenças Cardiovasculares Segundo o Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade e as Estimativas do Estudo Carga Global de Doenças no Brasil, 2000-2017

BackgroundThe Brazilian Information System on Mortality (SIM) is of vital importance in monitoring the trends of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and is aimed at supporting public policies.ObjectiveTo compare historical series of CVD mortality based on data from the SIM, with and without correction, and from the Brazil Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2017, in the 2000-2017 period.MethodsAnalysis of CVD mortality in Brazil between 2000 and 2017. Three CVD mortality estimates were compared: Crude SIM, Corrected SIM, and GBD 2017. Absolute numbers and age-standardized rates were used to compare the estimates for Brazil, its states and the Federal District.ResultsIn the SIM, the total of deaths ranged from 261,000, in 2000, to 359,000, in 2017. In the GBD 2017, the total of deaths ranged from 292,000 to 388,000, for the same years, respectively. A high proportion of the causes of death from CVD corresponded to garbage codes, classified according to the GBD 2017, reaching 42% in 2017. The rates estimated by GBD ranged from 248.8 (1990) to 178.0 (2017) deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The rates of the Crude SIM and Corrected SIM also showed a reduction for the whole series analyzed, the Crude SIM showing lower rates: 204.9 (1990) and 155.1 (2017) deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants. When analyzing by the states and Federal District, the Crude SIM trends reversed, with an increase in mortality rates in the Northern and Northeastern states.ConclusionThis study shows the decrease in CVD mortality rates in Brazil in the period analyzed. Conversely, when analyzing by the states and Federal District, the Crude SIM showed an increase in those rates for the Northern and Northeastern states. The use of crude data from the SIM can result in interpretation errors, indicating an increase in rates, due to the increase in death data capture and the improvement in the definition of the underlying causes of death in the past decade, especially in the Northern and Northeastern regions, justifying the use of corrected data in mortality analyses. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(2):152-160)     

O Impacto da COVID-19 no Diagnóstico de Doenças Cardíacas na América Latina Uma Subanálise do INCAPS COVID

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the delivery of care for cardiovascular diseases in Latin America. However, the effect of the pandemic on the cardiac diagnostic procedure volumes has not been quantified.ObjectiveTo assess (1) the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac diagnostic volumes in Latin America and (2) determine its relationship with COVID-19 case incidence and social distancing measures.MethodsThe International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey assessing changes in cardiac diagnostic volumes resulting from COVID-19. Cardiac diagnostic volumes were obtained from participating sites for March and April 2020 and compared to March 2019. Social distancing data were collected from Google COVID-19 community mobility reports and COVID-19 incidence per country from the Our World in Data.ResultsSurveys were conducted in 194 centers performing cardiac diagnostic procedures, in 19 countries in Latin America. Procedure volumes decreased 36% from March 2019 to March 2020, and 82% from March 2019 to April 2020. The greatest decreases occurred in echocardiogram stress tests (91%), exercise treadmill tests (88%), and computed tomography calcium scores (87%), with slight variations between sub-regions of Latin America. Changes in social distancing patterns (p < 0.001) were more strongly associated with volume reduction than COVID-19 incidence (p = 0.003).ConclusionsCOVID-19 was associated with a significant reduction in cardiac diagnostic procedures in Latin America, which was more related to social distancing than to the COVID-19 incidence. Better balance and timing of social distancing measures and planning to maintain access to medical care is warranted during a pandemic surge, especially in regions with high cardiovascular mortality.     

Percepções dos Participantes de Reabilitação Cardíaca sobre seus Comportamentos em Saúde e Necessidades de Informação durante a Pandemia COVID-19 no Brasil

BackgroundCOVID-19 has impacted how people receive health care for many conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.ObjectivesTo examine perceptions of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants regarding their health behaviors and information needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a 27-item questionnaire, developed by the investigators, was administered online to participants from two CR programs. Questions included health literacy (HL; using the Brief Health Literacy Screening Tool), technology use, perceptions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and information needs. Pearson correlation coefficients, paired t-tests, and ANOVA were used as appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests.ResultsOverall, 159 (25.5%) CR participants answered the questionnaire. Of these, 89.9% had limited or marginal HL and 96.2% reported having internet access at home. Patients are mainly concerned about their family’s health and their own, as well as how the coronavirus is dangerous to their health and how it has changed their lifestyle. Participants perceived that the quality of their health behaviors significantly decreased during the pandemic. The pandemic also changed information needs of CR participants as new needs emerged, such as the control of anxiety levels, staying motivated to live healthily during a pandemic, and how COVID-19 can impact their health condition. Participants with adequate HL significantly perceived the severity of the disease and having access to information significantly more than those with limited HL.ConclusionsOur results highlighted the impact of the pandemic on CR participants’ perceptions regarding their health behaviors and information needs, which can be influenced by HL levels.     

Associação da Hipertensão com a Gravidade e a Mortalidade de Pacientes Hospitalizados com COVID-19 em Wuhan,China: Estudo Unicêntrico e Retrospectivo

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between hypertension and severity/mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.MethodsA total of 337 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, from January 20 to February 25, 2020, were enrolled and analyzed in a retrospective, single-center case study. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 0.05.ResultsOf the 337 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, 297 (87.8%) were discharged from the hospital and 40 patients (22.9%) died. The median age was 58 years (range, 18-91 years). There were 112 (33.2%) patients diagnosed with hypertension at admission (median age, 65.0 years [range, 38-91 years]; 67 [59.8%, 95%CI: 50.6%-69.0%] men, p=0.0209). Patients with hypertension presented a significantly higher portion of severe cases (69 [61.6%, 95%CI:52.5%-70.8%] vs. 117 [52.0%, 95%CI: 45.4%-58.6%] in severe patients and 23 [19.3%, 95%CI:12.9%-28.1%] vs. 27 [12.0%, 95%CI: 7.7%-16.3%] in critical patients, p=0.0014) and higher mortality rates (20 [17.9%, 95%CI: 10.7%-25.1%] vs. 20 [8.9%, 95%CI: 5.1%-12.6%, p=0.0202). Moreover, hypertensive patients presented abnormal levels of multiple indicators, such as lymphopenia, inflammation, heart, liver, kidney, and lung function at admission. The hypertension group still displayed higher levels of TnT and creatinine at approaching discharge.ConclusionHypertension is strongly associated with severity or mortality of COVID-19. Aggressive treatment may be considered for COVID-19 patients with hypertension, especially regarding cardiac and kidney injury.     

O Efeito da Doença de Coronavírus 2019 nas Doenças Cardiovasculares

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic affecting the world, seen in more than 1,300,000 patients. COVID-19 acts through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Cardiovascular comorbidities are more common with COVID-19, and nearly 10% of cases develop myocarditis (22% of critical patients). Further research is needed to continue or discontinue ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, which are essential in hypertension and heart failure in COVID-19. Intensive research is promising for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.     

Ceramidas Plasmáticas na Estratificação de Risco das Doenças Cardiovasculares

Ceramide production takes place throughout the body and plays a key role in the maintenance of normal physiology. However, ceramide levels are altered during disease states, particularly considering the development of diabetes and dyslipidemia. Ceramide production is also associated with atherosclerotic plaque instability. Recent studies revealed that patients with unstable coronary artery disease (CAD) presented increased plasma ceramide levels (especially C16, C18, and C24:1). These molecules are currently considered emerging biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), being used for predicting atherosclerotic plaque instability and adverse cardiovascular events independently from traditional risk factors. With the aim of describing and discussing the role of ceramides in the stratification of cardiovascular diseases, this narrative review contextualizes the importance of this biomarker in the present cardiology scenario.     

Tendência da Mortalidade por Doenças Cerebrovasculares no Brasil (1996-2015) e Associação com Desenvolvimento Humano e Vulnerabilidade Social

BackgroundCerebrovascular diseases (CBVD) are the second major cause of death in the world.ObjectiveTo analyze the mortality trend of CBVD in Brazil (1996 to 2015) and its association with Human Development Index (HDI) and the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI).MethodsThis is an ecological study. We analyzed the mortality rate standardized by CBVD. Death data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and populational data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The model of regression by inflection points (Joinpoint regression) was used to perform the temporal analysis, calculating the Annual Percent Change (APC) and Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), with 95% of confidence interval and a significance of 5%. Trends were classified as increasing, decreasing or stationary. A multivariate regression model was used to analyze the association between mortality by CBVD, HDI and SVI.ResultsDuring this period, 1,850,811 deaths by CBVD were recorded. We observed a reduction in the national mortality rate (APC -2.4; p = 0.001). Twenty federation units showed a significant trend, of which 13 showed reduction, including all states in the Midwest (n=4), Southeast (n=4) and South (n=3). The HDI was positively associated and the SVI was negatively associated with mortality (p = 0.046 and p = 0.026, respectively).ConclusionAn unequal epidemiological course of mortality was observed between the regions, being higher in the Southeast and South states, with a significative tendency of reduction, and lower in the North and Northeast states, but with a significative tendency of increase. HDI and SVI showed an association with mortality. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(1):89-99)     

Repercussões da Pandemia de COVID-19 na Prática Assistencial de um Hospital Terciário

BackgroundWe still do not have information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical care activity in Brazil.ObjectiveTo describe the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care routine of a tertiary hospital, which is a regional reference in cardiology and oncology.MethodsCross-sectional cohort study. We conducted a survey of medical visits from March 23, 2020 (when local commerce was closed) to April 23, 2020 (P20), in comparison with the same period in 2019 (P19).ResultsWe found decreases in the number of cardiology consultations, exercise tests, Holter, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram (90%, 84%, 94%, 92%, 94%, and 81%, respectively). In relation to cardiac surgery and cardiac catheterization, there were 48% and 60% decreases, respectively. There was an increase in the number of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (33%) and definitive pacemaker implantations (29%). There were 97 admissions to the ICU during P19, in contrast with 78 during P20, a 20% decrease. Visits to the cardiac emergency room (45%) and admissions to the cardiology ward (36%) also decreased. The decrease in oncology consultations was 30%. Chemotherapy sessions decreased from 1,944 to 1,066 (45%), and radiotherapy sessions decreased by 19%.ConclusionCOVID-19 has led to a considerable decrease in the number of consultations in outpatient clinics for cardiology, oncology, and other specialties. There was a concerning decrease in the number of cardiac surgeries, chemotherapy sessions, and radiotherapy sessions during the initial weeks of the pandemic. The number of people seeking care in the cardiac emergency room and the number of admissions to the cardiology ward and ICU also decreased, generating concern regarding the evolution and prognosis of these patients with pathologies other than COVID-19 during this pandemic time. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)