Comparison Between Treatment Strategies of Carotid Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

ABSTRACT Introduction: In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), stroke is a major complication that increases morbidity and mortality. The presence of carotid stenosis (CS) increases risk of stroke, and the optimal treatment remains uncertain due to the lack of randomized clinical trials. The aim of this study is to compare three management approaches to CS in patients submitted to CABG. Methods: From 2005 to 2015, 79 consecutive patients with significant CS submitted to CABG were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided in three groups, according to CS treatment: 17 underwent staged carotid endarterectomy (CEA)-CABG, 26 underwent synchronous CEA-CABG, and 36 underwent isolated CABG without carotid intervention. The primary outcomes were composed by 30-day postoperative acute myocardial infarction (MI), 30-day postoperative stroke, and death due to all causes during the follow-up. Results: Patients were evaluated during an average 2.05 years (95% confidence interval = 1.51-2.60) of follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events, including death, postoperative MI, and postoperative stroke, occurred in 76.5% of the staged group, 34.6% of the synchronous group, and 33.3% of the isolated CABG group (P=0.007). As for MI, the rates were 29.4%, 3.85%, and 11.1% (P=0.045), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in total mortality rates (35.3%, 30.8%, and 25.0%, respectively; P=0,72) and stroke (29.4%, 7.7%, and 8.3%, respectively; P=0,064) between groups. Conclusion: Staged CEA-CABG is associated with higher major adverse cardiac events and MI rate when compared to the strategy of synchronous and isolated CABG, but without statistically difference in total mortality during the entire follow-up.

Very Long-Term Prognostic Role of Admission BNP in Non-ST Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome / Papel Prognóstico a Muito Longo Prazo do BNP de Admissão na Síndrome Coronariana Aguda sem Elevação do Segmento ST

Abstract Background: BNP has been extensively evaluated to determine short- and intermediate-term prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome, but its role in long-term mortality is not known. Objective: To determine the very long-term prognostic role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for all-cause mortality in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Methods: A cohort of 224 consecutive patients with NSTEACS, prospectively seen in the Emergency Department, had BNP measured on arrival to establish prognosis, and underwent a median 9.34-year follow-up for all-cause mortality. Results: Unstable angina was diagnosed in 52.2%, and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, in 47.8%. Median admission BNP was 81.9 pg/mL (IQ range = 22.2; 225) and mortality rate was correlated with increasing BNP quartiles: 14.3; 16.1; 48.2; and 73.2% (p < 0.0001). ROC curve disclosed 100 pg/mL as the best BNP cut-off value for mortality prediction (area under the curve = 0.789, 95% CI= 0.723-0.854), being a strong predictor of late mortality: BNP < 100 = 17.3% vs. BNP ≥ 100 = 65.0%, RR = 3.76 (95% CI = 2.49-5.63, p < 0.001). On logistic regression analysis, age >72 years (OR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.62-8.86, p = 0.002), BNP ≥ 100 pg/mL (OR = 6.24, 95% CI = 2.95-13.23, p < 0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99, p = 0.049) were independent late-mortality predictors. Conclusions: BNP measured at hospital admission in patients with NSTEACS is a strong, independent predictor of very long-term all-cause mortality. This study allows raising the hypothesis that BNP should be measured in all patients with NSTEACS at the index event for long-term risk stratification.

Resumo Fundamento: O BNP foi exaustivamente avaliado para a determinação do prognóstico em curto e médio prazo em pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda, mas o seu papel para a mortalidade a longo prazo é incerta. Objetivo: Determinar o papel prognóstico a muito longo prazo do peptídeo natriurético do tipo B (BNP) para a mortalidade por todas as causas em pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (SCASSST). Métodos: Coorte de 224 pacientes consecutivos com SCASSST, prospectivamente atendidos no setor de emergência, em que se mediu o BNP na chegada para estabelecer o prognóstico ao longo do seguimento mediano de 9,34 anos para a mortalidade por todas as causas. Resultados: Diagnosticou-se angina instável em 52,2% e infarto do miocárdio sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST em 47,8%. A mediana do BNP da admissão foi de 81,9 pg/mL (intervalo IQ = 22,2; 225) e a taxa de mortalidade correlacionou-se com quartis crescentes de BNP: 14,3; 16,1; 48,2; e 73,2% (p < 0,0001). A curva ROC revelou 100 pg/mL como o melhor ponto de corte de BNP para a predição de mortalidade (área sob a curva = 0,789, 95% CI = 0,723-0,854) sendo um forte preditor de mortalidade tardia: BNP < 100 = 17,3% vs. BNP ≥ 100 = 65,0%, RR = 3,76 (IC 95% = 2,49-5,63, p < 0,001). Na análise de regressão logística, idade>72 anos (OR = 3,79, IC 95% = 1,62-8,86, p = 0,002), BNP ≥ 100 pg/mL (OR = 6,24, IC 95% = 2,95-13,23, p < 0,001) e taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (OR = 0,98, IC 95% = 0,97-0,99, p = 0,049) foram preditores independentes de mortalidade tardia. Conclusões: O BNP medido na admissão hospitalar em pacientes com SCASSST é um forte preditor independente de mortalidade por todas as causas de muito longo prazo. Este estudo permite que se levante a hipótese de que o BNP deva ser medido em todos os pacientes com SCASSST no evento-índice para a estratificação de risco a longo prazo.

Avaliação dos benefícios funcionais de um programa de reabilitação cardíaca / Evaluation of the functional benefits of a cardiac rehabilitation program

Fundamentos: Um grande número de estudos tem confirmado que o treinamento físico é um dos métodos mais eficazes para melhorar a capacidade funcional e o bem-estar dos pacientes cardiopatas. Objetivo: Avaliar os benefícios clínicos e funcionais do Programa de Reabilitação Cardíaca em pacientes encaminhados ao Centro de Cardiologia do Exercício do Instituto Estadual de Cardiologia Aloysio de Castro, Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo tipo coorte, comparativo antes e depois da participação no Programa de Reabilitação Cardíaca numa amostra de 88 indivíduos (60 homens e 28 mulheres) com idade entre37 anos e 81 anos. A maioria dos pacientes era portadora de doença coronariana estável. As principais variáveis analisadas dos testes ergométricos foram a duração doexercício, consumo de oxigênio do pico de exercício (VO2pico), o equivalente metabólico (MET), o déficit aeróbico funcional (FAI), o duplo-produto no pico do exercício(DP pico), a redução da frequência cardíaca no primeiro minuto da recuperação, a presença de isquemia, a classe funcional segundo a NYHA e a aptidão cardiorrespiratória (APCR) segundo a American Heart Association. Resultados: Houve melhora significativa da maioria das variáveis analisadas tais como da capacidade funcional,da duração do exercício, do VO2 pico, da quantidade deMET obtidos, do FAI, e da APCR (p<0,0001). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas em relação ao duplo produto(p=0,1359). Conclusão: O Programa de Reabilitação Cardíaca utilizado neste estudo proporcionou significativa melhora dos parâmetros fisiológicos, hemodinâmicos, funcionais e autonômicos dos pacientes e, consequentemente, no desempenho cardiovascular e metabólico no exercício.

Background: A great number of studies have confirmed that physical training is one of the most effective methods of improving functional capacity and well-being in patients with heart disease.Objective: To evaluate the clinical and functional benefits of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in patients referred to the Cardiac Exercise Center at the Aloysio de Castro State Institute of Cardiology in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Methods: A retrospective comparative cohort study was conducted of a sample of 88 individuals (60 men and 28 women) between 37 and 81 years old. Most of the patients had stable coronary artery disease. The main parameters analyzed for the treadmill tests wereexercise duration, peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2), metabolic equivalent (MET), functional aerobicimpairment (FAI), peak exercise double product (peak DP), reduction in heart rate for the first minute of recovery, presence of ischemia, NYHA functional class and American Heart Association cardiorespiratory fitness. Results: There was significant improvement in mostof the parameters analyzed, such as functional capacity, exercise duration, peak VO2, MET achieved, FAI and cardiorespiratory fitness (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference for the double product (p=0.1359). Conclusion: The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program used in this study provided significant improvements in the physiological, hemodynamic, functional and autonomic parameters of the patients and consequently their cardiovascular and metabolic exerciseperformance.

Importância da proteína C-reativa no diagnóstico e no prognóstico intra-hospitalar em pacientes com dor torácica na sala de emergência / C-reactive protein diagnostic and prognostic value in patients presenting at the emergency room with chest pain / C-reactive protein diagnostic and prognostic value in patients presenting at the emergency room with chest pain

OBJETIVO: Testar os valores diagnóstico e prognóstico imediatos da proteína C-reativa (PCR) nos pacientes admitidos na sala de emergência (SE) com dor torácica (DT) e sem elevação do segmento ST no eletrocardiograma (ECG). MÉTODOS: De janeiro de 2002 a dezembro de 2003, 980 pacientes consecutivos foram atendidos com DT suspeita de síndrome coronariana aguda na SE (idade = 64,9 ± 14,3 anos, homens = 55 por cento, diabéticos = 18 por cento, ECG normal = 84 por cento). Dosou-se a PCR na admissão, a creatinofosfoquinase MB fração massa (CKMB) e a troponina I seriadas, além de se registrar ECG seriados. As medidas da PCR foram padronizadas (PCR-p) pelo valor do limite superior da normalidade (LSN) do teste utilizado (3,0 mg/L para a PCR de alta sensibilidade-PCR-AS e 0,1 mg/dl para PCR titulada-PCR-t). RESULTADOS: Foi diagnosticado infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) em 125 pacientes, e seus valores para a PCR-p foram 1,31 ± 2,90 (mediana = 0,47) versus 0,79 ± 1,39 (0,30) nos sem IAM (p = 0,031). A PCR-p > 1,0 apresentou sensibilidade de 30 por cento, especificidade de 80,4 por cento, valores preditivos positivo e negativo de 6,1 por cento e de 96,7 por cento, para o diagnóstico de IAM. Houve quarenta eventos cardíacos intra-hospitalares (óbitos = dezesseis, revascularizações de urgência = 22, IAM = dois). No 1° quartil da PCR-p (< 0,10) registraram-se três eventos, enquanto no 4° quartil (> 0,93) ocorreram quinze eventos (p = 0,003). Na regressão logística foram preditores independentes para eventos cardíacos a insuficiência ventricular esquerda, o sexo masculino e a PCR-p > 0,32, com razão de chances de 7,6, 2,8 e 2,2, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Nos pacientes atendidos com DT na SE, a PCR-p: 1) Não foi um bom marcador de IAM, apesar de um valor normal praticamente afastar esse diagnóstico; 2) Um valor superior a um terço do seu limite superior da normalidade (LSN) (>1 mg/L da PCR-AS ou >0,33 mg/dl da PCR-t) foi preditor de eventos cardíacos adversos intra-hospitalares.

OBJECTIVE: To test immediate diagnostic and prognostic values of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients admitted to the emergency room (ER) with chest pain (CP) without ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram (ECG). METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2003, 980 patients were consecutively seen in the ER with CP suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (age = 64.9 ± 14.3, men = 55 percent, diabetic = 18 percent, normal ECG = 84 percent). Serial CRP, creatine kinase MB mass (CKMB-mass) and troponin I determinations were performed on admission, in addition to serial ECG. CRP measurements were standardized (s-CRP) by the upper limit of normal (ULN) of the test used (3.0 mg/L for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] and 0.1 mg/dL for titrated CRP [t-CRP]). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients were diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and their s-CRP values were 1.31 ± 2.90 (median = 0.47) compared to 0.79 ± 1.39 (0.30) in no-AMI patients (p = 0.031). The s-CRP > 1.0 showed 30 percent sensitivity and 80 percent specificity, plus negative and positive predictive values of 6.1 percent and 96.7 percent, respectively, for AMI diagnosis. There were forty in-hospital cardiac events (16 deaths, 22 urgent revascularizations, and 2 acute myocardial infarction). In the first quartile of the s-CRP (< 0.10), three events were recorded, while in the fourth quartile (> 0.93) 15 events (p = 0.003) occurred. In the logistic regression model, masculine gender and s-CRP > 0.32 (odds ratio 7.6, 2.8 and 2.2, respectively) were independent predictors of cardiac events and left ventricular failure. CONCLUSION: In patients with chest pain presenting at the emergency room, s-CRP was not a good marker of AMI, although this diagnosis is virtually excluded by a normal value; in addition, values one-third above the upper limit of normal (>1 mg/L for hs-CRP or >0.33 mg/dL for t-CRP) were predictive of in-hospital adverse cardiac events.

Angiossarcoma cardíaco primário / Primary cardiac angiosarcoma

O angiossarcoma primário do coração é um tumor maligno raro, derivado do mesênquima, com predileção pelo átrio direito. Acomete mais homens, com idade média de 40 anos. Na maioria dos casos já tornando pior o prognóstico. As modalidades terapêuticas atualmente têm pouco sucesso, apenas prolongando a sobrevida em alguns meses, mesmo nos casos em que se consegue ressecção cirúrgica ampla ou transplante cardíaco. Relata-se o caso de uma paciente negra, de 53 anos, que apresentou súbito quadro de dor torácica direita e síncope e, posteriormente, evoluiu com dispnéia e síndrome da veia cava superior. A investigação pelos métodos de imagem demonstrou um tumor cardíaco no átrio direito sugestivo de sarcoma, sendo considerado de difícil abordagem cirúrgica. Em poucas semanas a paciente evoluiu para insuficiência pré-renal, congestão pulmonar e óbito após 4 meses do início dos sintomas

Ensaios clínicos recentes em dislipidemia: lições do ASCOT-LLA, ALLHAT-LLP e HPS / Recent clinical trials in dislipidemia: lessons from ASCOT-LLA, ALLHAT-LLP and HPS

As diretrizes atuais sobre o tratamento das dislipidemias para a prevenção primária e a secundária da doença arterial coronariana estipulam patamares variáveis de valor sérico de LDL colesterol, de acordo com o risco de doença, para a utilização de terapêutica farmacológica. Assim, pacientes sem evidência de doença arteriosclerótica, com até um fator de risco e LDL>ou igual a 190mg/dl, devem iniciar o uso de hipolipemiante. Para aqueles com dois ou mais fatores de risco, e risco de doença menor que 10 por cento em 10 anos, o tratamento deve ser iniciado se LDL maior ou igual a 160mg/dl, enquanto aqueles com risco de doença entre 10 por cento e 20 por cento em 10 anos recebem tratamento se LDL maior ou igual a 130mg/dl. Pacientes com risco de doença maior que 20 por cento em 10 anos, pacientes com diabetes, pacientes com doença arterioesclerótica e pacientes com doença coronariana recebem tratamento se LDL maior ou igual a 130mg/dl. Os níveis séricos de LDL a serem alcançados nestes 3 grupos de pacientes com o tratamento são menores que 160mg/dl, menores que 130mg/dl e menores que 100mg/dl, respectivamente. O estudo HPS demonstrou que, em pacientes com doença arteriosclerótica conhecida, mesmo quando o nível de LDL estiver menor que 100mg/dl, o uso de sinvastatina produz benefício na redução de eventos, sugerindo irrelevância de valor sérico do LDL na tomada de decisão do uso de estatina na prevenção secundária. O estudo ASCOTT-LLA demonstrou importante redução de eventos cardiovasculares com o uso de atorvastatina na prevenção primária de indivíduos de baixo risco e LDL menor ou igual a 130mg/dl, sugerindo uma mudança no...

Inquérito nacional de unidades de dor torácia - 2002 / National survey of thoracic pain units - 2002

Objetivos: verificar o quantitativo de Unidades de Dor Torácica no Brasil e identificar as suas características de operacionalidade. Métodos: análise de questionário enviado em 2002 a todas as Unidades de Dor Torácica do Brasil conhecidas e rastreadas pelos pesquisadores, contendo perguntas sobre diversas características dos hospitais/clínicas onde estão instaladas e sobre o funcionamento de suas respectivas salas de emergência. Resultados: foram contatadas 47 Unidades de Dor Torácica; destas, 42 estavam em funcionamento e responderam ao questionário. A maior parte delas está localizada na região sul-sudeste e 37 em instituições privadas. Angioplastia e cirurgia cardíaca são realizadas na grande maioria destes centros e 1/3 deles realizam angioplastia primária. Nas unidades que administram fibrinolítico, o tempo porta-agulha mediano é de 30 minutos. A maioria das unidades realiza um teste de estresse pré-alta nos pacientes com dor torácica sem síndrome coronariana aguda. Muitas instituições informaram não conseguir pagamento dos atendimentos realizados na Unidade de Dor Torácica por parte das diversas fontes pagadoras. Conclusões: desde 1996, o crescimento das Unidades de Dor Torácica no Brasil tem sido constante, apesar de o quantitativo ainda ser pequeno. O atendimento médico prestado por estas unidades parece ser mais rápido e de melhor qualidade e eficiência que o padrão assistencial médio nacional, e por isso deve ser um modelo a ser buscado pelos gestores de saúde e fontes pagadoras.

Segurança, factibilidade e resultados do teste ergométrico na estratificação de pacientes com dor torácica na sala de emergência / Safety, feasibility, and results of exercise testing for stratifying patients with chest pain in the emergency room

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety, feasibility, and the results of early exercise testing in patients with chest pain admitted to the emergency room of the chest pain unit, in whom acute myocardial infarction and high-risk unstable angina had been ruled out. METHODS: A study including 1060 consecutive patients with chest pain admitted to the emergency room of the chest pain unit was carried out. Of them, 677 (64 percent) patients were eligible for exercise testing, but only 268 (40 percent) underwent the test. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients studied was 51.7±12.1 years, and 188 (70 percent) were males. Twenty-eight (10 percent) patients had a previous history of coronary artery disease, 244 (91 percent) had a normal or unspecific electrocardiogram, and 150 (56 percent) underwent exercise testing within a 12-hour interval. The results of the exercise test in the latter group were as follows: 34 (13 percent) were positive, 191 (71 percent) were negative, and 43 (16 percent) were inconclusive. In the group of patients with a positive exercise test, 21 (62 percent) underwent coronary angiography, 11 underwent angioplasty, and 2 underwent myocardial revascularization. In a univariate analysis, type A/B chest pain (definitely/probably anginal) (p<0.0001), previous coronary artery disease (p<0.0001), and route 2 (patients at higher risk) correlated with a positive or inconclusive test (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: In patients with chest pain and in whom acute myocardial infarction and high-risk unstable angina had been ruled out, the exercise test proved to be feasible, safe, and well tolerated

Unidades de dor torácica: uma forma moderna de manejo de pacientes com dor torácica na sala de emergência / Chest pain units: a modern way of managing patients with chest pain in the emergency department

It is estimated that 5 to 8 million individuals with chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of myocardial ischemia are seen each year in emergency departments (ED) in the United States 1,2, which corresponds to 5 to 10 percent of all visits 3,4. Most of these patients are hospitalized for evaluation of possible acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This generates an estimated cost of 3 - 6 thousand dollars per patient 5,6. From this evaluation process, about 1.2 million patients receive the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and just about the same number have unstable angina. Therefore, about one half to two thirds of these patients with chest pain do not have a cardiac cause for their symptoms 2,3. Thus, the emergency physician is faced with the difficult challenge of identifying those with ACS - a life-threatening disease - to treat them properly, and to discharge the others to suitable outpatient investigation and management

É o sexo feminino um preditor independente de mortalidade hospitalar no infarto agudo do miocárdio? / Is female sex an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction?

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether female sex is a factor independently related to in-hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Of 600 consecutive patients (435 males and 165 females) with acute myocardial infarction, we studied 13 demographic and clinical variables obtained at the time of hospital admission through uni- and multivariate analysis, and analyzed their relation to in-hospital death. RESULTS: Females were older (p<0.001) and had a higher incidence of hypertension (p<0.001). Males were more frequently smokers (p<0.001). The remaining risk factors had a similar incidence among both sexes. All variables underwent uni- and multivariate analysis. Through univariate analysis, the following variables were found to be associated with in-hospital death: female sex (p<0.001), age >70 years (p<0.001), the presence of previous coronary artery disease (p=0.0004), previous myocardial infarction (p<0.001), infarction in the anterior wall (p=0.007), presence of left ventricular dysfunction (p<0.001), and the absence of thrombolytic therapy (p=0.04). Through the multivariate analysis of logistic regression, the following variables were associated with in-hospital mortality: female sex (p=0.001), age (p=0.008), the presence of previous myocardial infarction (p=0.02), and left ventricular dysfunction (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: After adjusting for all risk variables, female sex proved to be a variable independently related to in-hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction

Eficácia de uma estratégia diagnóstica para pacientes com dor torácica e sem supradesnível do segmento ST na sala de emergência / Efficacy of a diagnostic strategy for patients with chest pain and no ST-segment elevation in the emergency room

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a systematic model of care for patients with chest pain and no ST segment elevation in the emergency room. METHODS: From 1003 patients submitted to an algorithm diagnostic investigation by probability of acute ischemic syndrome. We analyzed 600 ones with no elevation of ST segment, then enrolled to diagnostic routes of median (route 2) and low probability (route 3) to ischemic syndrome. RESULTS: In route 2 we found 17 per cent acute myocardial infarction and 43 per cent unstable angina, whereas in route 3 the rates were 2 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. Patients with normal/non--specific ECG had 6 per cent probability of AMI whereas in those with negative first CKMB it was 7 per cent; the association of the 2 data only reduced it to 4 per cent. In patients in route 2 the diagnosis of AMI could only be ruled out with serial CKMB measurement up to 9 hours, while in route 3 it could be done in up to 3 hours. Thus, sensitivity and negative predictive value of admission CKMB for AMI were 52 per cent and 93 per cent, respectively. About one-half of patients with unstable angina did not disclose objective ischemic changes on admission. CONCLUSION: The use of a systematic model of care in patients with chest pain offers the opportunity of hindering inappropriate release of patients with ACI and reduces unnecessary admissions. However some patients even with normal ECG should not be released based on a negative first CKMB. Serial measurement of CKMB up to 9 hours is necessary in patients with medium probability of AMI.

Dor torácica na sala de emergência: a importância de uma abordagem sistematizada / Chest pain in the emergency room: importance of a systematic approach

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of a systematic diagnostic approach in patients with chest pain in the emergency room in relation to the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the rate of hospitalization in high-cost units. METHODS: One thousand and three consecutive patients with chest pain were screened according to a pre-established process of diagnostic investigation based on the pre-test probability of ACS determinate by chest pain type and ECG changes. RESULTS: Of the 1003 patients, 224 were immediately discharged home because of no suspicion of ACS (route 5) and 119 were immediately transferred to the coronary care united because of ST elevation or left bundle-branch block (LBBB) (route 1) (74 per cent of these had a final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction [AMI]). Of the 660 patients that remained in the emergency room under observation, 77 (12 per cent) had AMI without ST segment elevation and 202 (31 per cent) had unstable angina (UA). In route 2 (high probability of ACS) 17 per cent of patients had AMI and 43 per cent had UA, whereas in route 3 (low probability) 2 per cent had AMI and 7 per cent had UA. The admission ECG has been confirmed as a poor sensitivity test for the diagnosis of AMI ( 49 per cent), with a positive predictive value considered only satisfactory (79 per cent). CONCLUSION : A systematic diagnostic strategy, as used in this study, is essential in managing patients with chest pain in the emergency room in order to obtain high diagnostic accuracy, lower cost, and optimization of the use of coronary care unit beds.

Mortalidade hospitalar no infarto agudo do miocárdio: E possível prever utilizando dados de admissão? / Hospital Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Is it Possible to Predict Using Admission Data?

PURPOSE: To identify clinical variables on admission that are related to hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to generate a mathematic model to predict accurately this mortality. METHODS: Prospective study with 347 consecutive patients with AMI in which clinical variables related to mortality were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. The mathematic model generated by multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied in each patient to determine his/her probability (P) of hospital death. Model's accuracy was validated by reliability and discrimination tests. RESULTS: Admission variables directly and independently related to hospital mortality: female gender, age, absence of history of hypertension, history of previous infarction, non-inferior AMI and Killip class. These six variables, when present cumulatively, showed increasing mortality rates. Mean P value for non-survivors was significantly greater than for survivors (43.2 +/- 31.4 vs 9.1 +/- 12.5, p < 0.00001). Reliability of the model to predict death, assessed by stratifying patients in three risk groups (low, medium and high) or continuously (by linear regression analysis) showed excellent predictive performance. Discrimination between survivors and non-survivors, assessed by C-index (concordance probability), disclosed 85 rate of success. CONCLUSION: Risk variables can be used in a mathematic model that is capable of predicting accurately in-hospital mortality of each patient with AMI. Mortality prediction can allow physicians to be more efficient in assessing risk-benefit ratios in these patients when faced with therapeutic decisions.

Objetivo - Identificar as variáveis clínicas de admissão que se relacionam com a mortalidade hospitalar no infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) e criar um modelo matemático capaz de prever acuradamente o seu risco. Métodos - Estudo prospectivo com 347 pacientes consecutivos com IAM nos quais se identificaram variáveis clínicas, que se relacionaram com a mortalidade, pelas análises univariada e multivariada. O modelo matemático obtido pela análise multivariada de regressão logística foi aplicado em cada paciente, para determinar a sua probabilidade (P) de óbito hospitalar. A acurácia do modelo foi validada por testes de confiabilidade e de discriminação. Resultados - Variáveis de admissão relacionadas, independentemente, com a mortalidade hospitalar: sexo feminino, idade, ausência de história de hipertensão, história de infarto prévio, IAM não-inferior e classe Killip que, quando presentes cumulativamente, mostraram taxas de mortalidades crescentes. O valor médio de P dos pacientes que faleceram foi significativamente maior que dos sobreviventes (43,2±31,4% vs 9,1±12,5%, p<0,00001). A confiabilidade do modelo matemático na previsão de óbitos, avaliada estratificadamente em três subgrupos de risco (baixo, médio e alto) ou continuamente (por análise de regressão linear), mostrou excelente desempenho preditivo. O poder discriminatório entre óbitos e sobreviventes, avaliado pelo índice - C (concordância de probabilidades), mostrou taxa de acerto de 85%. Conclusão - Variáveis clínicas podem ser utilizadas num modelo matemático, que é capaz de prever, acuradamente, a taxa de mortalidade hospitalar de cada paciente com IAM. A previsão desta mortalidade poderá permitir, aos médicos, maior eficiência na avaliação da relação risco-benefício destes pacientes, quando confrontados com decisões terapêuticas