Relação entre Velocidade de Onda de Pulso e Biomarcadores Cardiovasculares em Pacientes com Fatores de Risco

BackgroundThe relationship between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and biomarkers of structural changes of the left ventricle and carotid arteries remains poorly understood.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between PWV and these biomarkers.MethodsThis was an analytical, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Medical records of patients with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and pre-hypertension or hypertension, who underwent central blood pressure (CBP) measurement using Mobil-O-Graph®, and carotid doppler or echocardiography three months before and after the CBPM were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson or Spearman correlation, linear bivariate and multiple regression analysis, and the t test (independent) or Mann-Whitney test. A p <0.05 indicated statistical significance.ResultsMedical records of 355 patients were analyzed, mean age 56.1 (±14.8) years, 51% male. PWV was correlated with intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotids (r=0.310) and left ventricular septal thickness (r=0.191), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (r=0.215), and left atrial diameter (r=0.181). IMT was associated with PWV adjusted by age and peripheral systolic pressure (p=0.0004); IMT greater than 1 mm increased the chance of having PWV above 10 m/s by 3.94 times. PWV was significantly higher in individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy (p=0.0001), IMT > 1 mm (p=0.006), carotid plaque (p=0.0001), stenosis ≥ 50% (p=0.003), and target-organ damage (p=0.0001).ConclusionPWV was correlated with IMT and echocardiographic parameters, and independently associated with IMT. This association was stronger in individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy, increased IMT, carotid plaque, stenosis ≥ 50%, and target organ damage. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1125-1132)     

Agrupamentos de Fatores de Risco Cardiometabólicos e sua Associação com Aterosclerose e Inflamação Crônica em Adultos e Idosos em Florianópolis,Sul do Brasil

Background The significant increase in cardiovascular diseases in developing countries alerts about their impact on underprivileged populations.Objective To identify the relationship of clusters of metabolic syndrome (MS) components with atherosclerosis and chronic inflammation among adults and elderly.Methods Cross-sectional analysis using data from two population-based cohort studies in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil (EpiFloripa Adult Cohort Study, n = 862, 39.9±11.5 years; EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study, n = 1197, 69.7±7.1 years). Blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC), and lipid and glucose levels were analyzed as individual factors or as clusters (either as the number of components present in an individual or as combinations of components). Outcomes included carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), atherosclerotic plaques, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses adjusted for confounding factors were used. The statistical significance adopted was 5%.Results Individuals with high BP, elevated WC, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia (6.1% of the sample) showed higher IMT and CRP than those negatives for all MetS components. Elevated WC was a common determinant of systemic inflammation, while the coexistence of high BP and elevated WC (clusters of two or three factors) was associated with higher IMT (β between +3.2 and +6.1 x 10-2 mm; p value < 0.05) and CRP (_EXPβ between 2.18 and 2.77; p value < 0.05).Conclusion The coexistence of high BP and elevated WC was associated with increased IMT and CRP levels, but central obesity affected systemic inflammation either alone or in combination with other risk factors.     

Avaliação Macroscópica da Aterosclerose nas Artérias: Uma Ferramenta de Avaliação na Autópsia

BackgroundAtherosclerosis, in some cases, is an asymptomatic condition, and it is important to know the degree of arterial impairment caused by plaques and its association with risk factors. Autopsy examination provides understanding of basic disease processes and assessment to data about macroscopic characteristic of atherosclerotic involvement.ObjectiveTo macroscopically assess and standardize atherosclerotic involvement of aorta, carotid and iliac arteries and compare with age, gender and causes of death.MethodsWe collected 53 aortic arteries, 53 right carotid arteries, 53 left carotid arteries, 53 right iliac arteries and 53 left iliac arteries. For this assessment, the extension of fatty streaks, atheromatous plaques, fibrosis and calcification were considered, being the reference to score the degree of atherosclerotic involvement. Many degrees of atherosclerosis and accurate values were observed for mild, moderate and severe classification. For statistical analysis, data were analyzed using the software GraphPad Prism® 7.0. Differences were considered statistically significant if p-value was less than 5% (p <0.05).ResultsCarotid arteries had greater atherosclerotic involvement compared to the other arteries (K = 15.73, p = 0.0004). Atherosclerosis was progressive and significant with increasing age (carotid arteries: t = 6.321; p <0.0001; aorta: U = 83.5; p <0.0001; iliac: U = 306; p <0.0001) and as cause of cardiovascular death (carotids: t = 5.047; p <0.0001; aorta: U = 98.5; p = 0.0068; iliac: U = 467.5; p = 0.0012).ConclusionMacroscopic assessment of atherosclerosis is an innovative and low-cost way of direct visualization of atherosclerotic plaques, enabling an association with risk factors such as increasing age and cardiovascular diseases, providing important data for clinical practice.     

Fístula da Artéria Coronária: Associação entre Padrões de Trajetos,Características Clínicas e Cardiopatias Congênitas

Background Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a direct connection of one or more coronary arteries to cardiac chambers or a large vessel; it may be associated with congenital heart disease.Objective To establish CAF pathway patterns from echocardiographic data and to correlate them with clinical aspects and congenital heart disease.Methods A total of 7.183 medical records of children under the age of five years with cardiac disease submitted to color Doppler echocardiography and Spearman’s Correlation test were used to associate signs and symptoms and cardiopathy to CAF with a significance level of 5%.Results Twenty six children (0.0036%) presented CAF: from the right coronary artery (RCA) to the right ventricle (RV) 26.92%, from the left coronary artery (LCA) to the RV 23.08%, from the anterior interventricular branch (AIVB) to RV 23.08%, RCA to right atrium (RA) 11.54%, LCA for pulmonary trunk (PT) 7.69% or AIVB for PT 7.69%. In 57.69% of the patients, there was a positively correlated symptomatology to CAF with p=0.445 related to dyspnea or cyanosis (53.84%); in 96.15%, congenital heart disease associated with CAF, mainly interventricular communication (IVC) or interatrial communication (IAC) in 34.62% positively correlated to CAF with p=0.295. CAF pathway was represented in three dimensions by software modeling, texturing and animation Cinema 4D R19.Conclusion CAF is an uncommon anatomical entity that presents a clinical picture compatible with dyspnea and cyanosis, and this is associated with congenital heart disease, mainly with IVC or IAC. According to echocardiographic analyzes, fistulas in RCA, LCA, or AIVB represent about one-third of the patients, with a priority pathway for right heart chambers.     

Escore de Cálcio Coronário e Estratificação do Risco de Doença Arterial Coronariana em Pacientes com Acidente Vascular Encefálico Isquêmico Aterosclerótico e não-Aterosclerótico

BackgroundIschemic Stroke (IS) and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) frequently coexist and share atherosclerotic disease risk factors. According to the American Heart Association, IS subtypes may be considered CAD risk equivalents, but the evidence for non-atherosclerotic IS is uncertain. Additionally, the Coronary Calcium Score (CCS) is an accurate marker to address CAD risk; however, CCS distribution between IS subtypes is not well characterized.ObjectivesTo compare the CCS between atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic IS groups; and to determine which covariates were associated with high CCS in IS.MethodsThis cross-sectional design included all patients with IS, 45 to 70 years of age at the time of the stroke, consecutively admitted to a rehabilitation hospital between August 2014 and December 2016, without prevalent CAD. All patients underwent CT scanning for CCS measurement. CCS≥100 was considered a high risk for CAD, with a significance level of p<0.05.ResultsFrom the 244 studied patients (mean age 58.4±6.8 years; 49% female), 164 (67%) had non-atherosclerotic etiology. The proportions of CCS≥100 were similar between the atherosclerotic and the non-atherosclerotic groups (33% [n=26] x 29% [n=47]; p= 0.54). Among all IS patients, only age ≥60 years was independently associated with CCS≥100 (OR 3.5; 95%CI 1.7-7.1), accounting for hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, sedentarism, and family history of CAD.ConclusionAtherosclerotic IS did not present a greater risk of CAD when compared to non-atherosclerotic IS according to CCS. Only age ≥60 years, but not etiology, was independently associated with CCS≥100.     

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)     

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)     

Perfil Clínico e Evolução de Pacientes com Infecção Relacionada a Dispositivos Cardíacos Eletrônicos Implantáveis

Background In recent years, the incidence of infections related to cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) has increased sharply, impacting mortality.Objective To verify the proportion of patients with CIED infection; to analyze their clinical profile and the variables related to the infection and its progression.Methods Retrospective and longitudinal observational study including 123 patients with CIED infection among 6406 procedures. Parametric tests and a level of significance of 5% were used in the statistical analysesResults The mean age of patients was 60.1 years and mean length of stay in hospital was 35.3 days; most (71) patients were male, and the system was completely removed in 105 cases. Infectious endocarditis (IE) and sepsis were observed in 71 and 23 patients, respectively. Intra-hospital mortality was 19.5%. IE was associated with extrusion of the generator (17.0% vs 19.5% with and without IE, respectively, p = 0.04, inverse association) and sepsis (15.4% vs 3.2%, p = 0.01). Intra-hospital death was associated with IE (83.3% vs 52.0% with and without intra-hospital death, respectively, p = 0.005) and sepsis (62.5% vs 8.1%, p < 0.0001). Ninety-nine patients were discharged. During a mean follow-up of 43.8 months, mortality rate was 43%; among patients with sepsis, it was 65.2% (p < 0.0001). By applying a Kaplan-Meier survival curve, we did not indicate significant associations with sex, etiologic agent, ejection fraction, IE, or treatment modality. The death rate was 32.8% for patients subjected to endocardial electrode reimplantation and 52.2% for epicardial reimplantation (p = 0.04). Chagasic etiology (44.7% of the baseline heart diseases) did not influence clinical and laboratory variables or disease progression.Conclusion The infection rate was 1.9%, mostly in men. We observed an association of intra-hospital mortality with IE and sepsis. After discharge, the annual mortality rate was 11.8%, influenced by sepsis during hospitalization and epicardial implantation. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)     

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.     

Efeitos Terapêuticos da Tripla Antiagregação Plaquetária em Pacientes Femininas Idosas com Diabetes e Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio

BackgroundDual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the cornerstone treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of triple antiplatelet therapy (TAPT) in elderly female patients with diabetes and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsWe designed a randomized, single-blind study. Control group A (97 elderly male patients with diabetes and STEMI, whose CRUSADE scores were < 30) received aspirin, ticagrelor, and tirofiban. A total of 162 elderly female patients with diabetes and STEMI were randomly divided into two groups according to CRUSADE score. Group B (69 patients with CRUSADE score > 31) received aspirin and ticagrelor. Group C (93 patients with CRUSADE score < 30) received aspirin, ticagrelor and tirofiban. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsCompared to the findings in group A, post-PCI Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 blood flow and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade 3 were significantly less prevalent in group B (p < 0.05). When compared to groups A and C, the incidence of major adverse complications was significantly higher in group B (p < 0.05).ConclusionTAPT could effectively reduce the incidence of major complications in elderly female patients with diabetes and STEMI. However, close attention should be paid to hemorrhage in patients receiving TAPT. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)     

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.     

História Familiar de Hipertensão Prejudica o Balanço Autonômico,mas não a Função Endotelial em Jovens Jogadores de Futebol

BackgroundThe family history of hypertension (FHH) imposes consistent risk for diverse chronic diseases that are accompanied by hypertension. Furthermore, the heart rate variability (HRV) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) are both related to maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), and are usually impaired during hypertensionObjectiveTo compare the autonomic modulation, the endothelial function (EF) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO_2max) of young athletes, separated according to their parents’ blood pressure (BP) history, in order to study the influence of their genetic background on those parameters.MethodsA total of 46 young male soccer players (18±2 years of age) were divided into four groups: 1-normotensive father and mother (FM-N); 2-only father was hypertensive (F-H); 3-only mother was hypertensive (M-H); 4-father and mother were hypertensive (FM-H). Measurements of BP, FMD, HRV and VO_2maxwere performed. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%.ResultsThe standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN; FM-N=314±185; FM-H=182.4± 57.8), the square root of the mean squared differences in successive RR intervals (RMSSD; FM-N=248±134; FM-H=87±51), the number of interval differences of successive NN intervals greater than 50ms (NN50; FM-N=367±83.4; FM-H=229±55), the ratio derived by dividing NN50 by the total number of NN intervals (pNN50; FM-N=32.4±6.2; FM-H=21.1±5.3) and the high (HF; FM-N=49±8.9; FM-H=35.3±12) and low-frequency (LF; FM-N=50.9±8.9; FM-H=64.6±12) components, in normalized units (%), were significantly lower in the FM-H group than in the FM-N group (p<0.05). On the other hand, the LF/HF ratio (ms²) was significantly higher (p<0.05). We found no significant difference between the groups in VO_2maxand FMD (p<0.05).ConclusionsIn young male soccer players, the FHH plays a potentially role in autonomic balance impairment, especially when both parents are hypertensive, but present no changes in VO_2maxand FMD. In this case, there is a decrease in the sympathetic-vagal control, which seems to precede the endothelial damage (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(1):52-58)     

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)     

Expressão de Proteína-1 Relacionada a Receptor de Lipoproteína de Baixa Densidade (LRP1) em Monócito em Correlação com EIMC em Pacientes Mexicanos Hipertensos

BackgroundArterial hypertension (HTA) represents a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is not yet known which specific molecular mechanisms are associated with the development of essential hypertension.ObjectiveIn this study, we analyzed the association between LRP1 monocyte mRNA expression, LRP1 protein expression, and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) of patients with essential hypertension.MethodsThe LRP1 monocyte mRNA expression and protein levels and cIMT were quantified in 200 Mexican subjects, 91 normotensive (NT) and 109 hypertensive (HT). Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.ResultsHT patients group had highly significant greater cIMT as compared to NT patients (p=0.002) and this correlated with an increase in the expression of LRP1 mRNA expression (6.54 vs. 2.87) (p = 0.002) and LRP1 protein expression (17.83 vs. 6.25), respectively (p = 0.001). These differences were maintained even when we divided our study groups, taking into account only those who presented dyslipidemia in both, mRNA (p = 0.041) and proteins expression (p < 0.001). It was also found that Ang II mediated LRP1 induction on monocytes in a dose and time dependent manner with significant difference in NT vs. HT (0.195 ± 0.09 vs. 0.226 ± 0.12, p = 0.046).ConclusionAn increase in cIMT was found in subjects with hypertension, associated with higher mRNA and LRP1 protein expressions in monocytes, irrespective of the presence of dyslipidemias in HT patients. These results suggest that LRP1 upregulation in monocytes from Mexican hypertensive patients could be involved in the increased cIMT. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(1):56-65)     

Episódios de Alta Frequência Atrial e sua Associação com Eventos Isquêmicos Cerebrais em Pacientes Chagásicos

BackgroundAtrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) are associated with an increased risk of cerebral ischemic events; however, there are no studies related to the presence of AHREs and cerebral ischemic events in Chagasic patients.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the presence of AHREs ≥ 6 minutes and cerebral ischemic events in Chagasic patients.MethodsCohort study with Chagasic patients with implantable electronic cardiac devices (IECDs), followed at the Arrhythmia Outpatient Clinic of a University Hospital, in the city of Salvador, state of Bahia, Brazil, between May 2016 and June 2017.. Patients diagnosed with atrial flutter / atrial fibrillation, with unicameral IECD and using oral anticoagulation were excluded. AHREs with atrial frequency ≥ 190 beats per minute and duration ≥ 6 minutes (min) were considered, and cerebral ischemic events were identified by computed tomography (CT) of the skull.ResultsThe 67 research participants (67.2% females, mean age 63.6 ± 9.2 years) were followed for 98 ± 28.8 days and 11.9% of the patients had AHREs ≥ 6 min. Skull CT showed silent cerebral ischemic events in 16.4% of the patients, 63.6% of whom had AHREs ≥ 6 min in the analysis of IECDs. Advanced age [OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.03-1.21; p=0.009] and the presence of AHREs ≥ 6 minutes [OR 96.2 (95% CI 9.4-987.4; p <0.001)] were independent predictors for ischemic events.ConclusionAHREs detected by IECDs were associated with the presence of silent cerebral ischemic events in Chagasic patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)     

Associação da Composição Corporal com Rigidez Arterial em Longevos

BackgroundArterial stiffness, obesity and sarcopenia correlate with each other and with cardiac outcomes in younger adults. However, there is little evidence of the association between body composition and markers of central arteries stiffness in long-lived people.ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between arterial stiffness and body composition in functionally independent long-lived individuals.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of the association between markers of arterial stiffness and body composition among participants in a longitudinal cohort of elderly individuals aged 80 years or older who were functionally independent and lived in the community . Body composition measurements were performed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and central circulation parameters (CCP) obtained by a non-invasive oscillometric method through the Mobil-O-Graph 24h PWA Monitor® device. The central parameters evaluated were: pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation Index (AIx), pulse pressure amplification index (PPAi) and central pulse pressure (cPP). These were correlated to total lean mass (LM) and appendicular lean mass (aLM), body fat percentage, and Baumgartner’s Index (BI). The level of significance was set at 5% for all tests.ResultsData from 124 elderly people with a mean age of 87.1 years (SD ± 4.3 years) were analyzed, with 74.2% of women and 57.3% of white. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation of AIx with LM (r = -0.391, p <0.001), aLM (r = -0.378, p <0.001), and BI (r = -0.258, p = 0.004). Also, cPP had an inversely proportional association with LM (r = -0.268, p = 0.003), aLM (r = -0.288, p = 0.001), and BI (r = -0.265, p = 0.003). When assessing the relationship between fat mass and CCP, a statistically significant direct relationship was observed only between AIx and body fat percentage (r = 0.197, p = 0.029).ConclusionIn long-lived people, body fat percentage is directly associated with arterial stiffness and inversely associated with the amount of LM. These findings may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk.     

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.     

Relação entre o Realce Tardio pelo Gadolínio e os Parâmetros de Repolarização Ventricular em Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca com Fração de Ejeção Reduzida

BackgroundHeart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a highly prevalent disease that requires repeating hospitalizations, causes significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, early recognition of poor outcome predictors is essential for patient management.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and repolarization parameters such as corrected QT (QTc) interval, Tp-e interval, frontal QRS-T angle detected by 12 lead electrocardiograph (ECG) in HFrEF.MethodIn this single-center, retrospective observational study included 97 consecutive HFrEF patients who had CMR scan. Study population was divided into two groups according to the presence of LGE. Echocardiographic and CMR measurements and demographic features were recorded. QTc intervals, Tp-e intervals, frontal QRS-T angles were calculated from the ECG. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsLGE was detected in 52 (53.6%) out of 97 HFrEF patients. QTc intervals (p=0.001), Tp-e intervals (p<0.001), frontal QRS-T angles (p<0.001) were found to be significantly higher in LGE group when compared to non-LGE group. In univariate regression analysis which was performed to investigate the predictors of LGE in HFrEF, all three repolarization parameters were reached significant values but in multivariate analysis the only repolarization parameter remained significant was Tp-e interval (OR=1.085 95% CI 1.032-1.140, p=0.001).ConclusionWith the prolongation of the Tp-e interval, the presence of myocardial fibrosis which is an arrhythmogenic substrate, can be predicted in patients with HFrEF.