Doenças da tiroide e o coração / Thyroid disease and the heart

Os sinais e sintomas cardiovasculares das doenças de tiroide são achados clinicamente relevantes que acompanham tanto o hipertiroidismo quanto o hipotiroidismo. Com o conhecimento dos mecanismos celulares da ação dos hormônios da tiroide no coração e no sistema cardiovascular, podemos entender as alterações no débito cardíaco, contratilidade miocárdica, pressão arterial, resistência vascular e distúrbios do ritmo que resultam da disfunção da tiroide. A importância do reconhecimento dos efeitos da doença da tiroide sobre o coração também vem da observação de que a normalização da função da tiroide reverte as alterações hemodinâmicas. Nesta revisão, discutiremos os testes de função da tiroide necessários para o diagnóstico, bem como o tratamento necessário para restaurar o estado de eutiroidismo. A avaliação da função da tiroide em pacientes com doenças crônicas é difícil, especialmente pacientes na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva.Muitos destes pacientes têm baixos níveis séricos tanto de tiroxina(T4) quanto de triiodotironina (T3), e os seus níveis séricos detirotropina (TSH) também podem estar baixos. Apesar destas anormalidades, o tratamento desses pacientes com hormônio tiroidiano, além de controverso, parece ser de pouco benefício,inclusive podendo ser deletério. É possível que as alterações nas funções da tiroide durante doenças graves sejam protetoras, pois previnem excessivo catabolismo tecidual. Nós também revisamos as alterações no metabolismo do hormônio tiroidiano e o seu tratamento em pacientes com alterações dos testes de função tiroidiana induzidos por amiodarona.

The cardiovascular signs and symptoms of thyroid disease areclinically relevant findings that accompany both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. On the basis of the understanding of the cellular mechanisms of thyroid hormone action on the heart and cardiovascular system, it is possible to explain the changes in cardiacoutput, cardiac contractility, blood pressure, vascular resistance,and rhythm disturbances that result from thyroid dysfunction. The importance of the recognition of the effects of thyroid disease on the heart also derives from the observation that restoration of normal thyroid function most often reverses the abnormal cardiovascular hemodynamics. In the present review, we discuss the appropriate thyroid function tests to establish a suspected diagnosis as well asthe treatment modalities necessary to restore patients to a euthyroidstate. Assessment of thyroid function in patients with nonthyroidalillness is difficult, especially among those hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Many of them have low serum concentrations of both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), and their serumthyrotropin (TSH) concentration also may be low. Despite these abnormalities, treatment of these patients with thyroid hormone,while controversial, appears to be of little benefit, and may beharmful. It is possible that the changes in thyroid function during severe illness are protective in that they prevent excessive tissue catabolism. We also review the alterations in thyroid hormone metabolism and the approach to the management of patients with amiodarone-induced alterations in thyroid function tests.

Impact of cardiology referral: clinical outcomes and factors associated with physicians' adherence to recommendations

OBJECTIVES: Cardiology referral is common for patients admitted for non-cardiac diseases. Recommendations from cardiologists may involve complex and aggressive treatments that could be ignored or denied by other physicians. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients who were given recommendations during cardiology referrals and to examine the clinical outcomes of patients who did not follow the recommendations. METHODS: We enrolled 589 consecutive patients who received in-hospital cardiology consultations. Data on recommendations, implementation of suggestions and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Regarding adherence of the referring service to the recommendations, 77% of patients were classified in the adherence group and 23% were classified in the non-adherence group. Membership in the non-adherence group (p<0.001; odds ratio: 10.25; 95% CI: 4.45-23.62) and advanced age (p = 0.017; OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) were associated with unfavorable outcomes. Multivariate analysis identified four independent predictors of adherence to recommendations: follow-up notes in the medical chart (p<0.001; OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.48-4.01); verbal reinforcement (p = 0.001; OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.23-2.81); a small number of recommendation (p = 0.001; OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.80-0.94); and a younger patient age (p = 0.002; OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Poor adherence to cardiology referral recommendations was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Follow-up notes in the medical chart, verbal reinforcement, a limited number of recommendations and a patient age were associated with greater adherence to recommendations. .

Multicenter study of perioperative evaluation for noncardiac surgeries in Brazil (EMAPO)

INTRODUCTION: The accuracy of perioperative evaluation methods available is better than chance, but their performance is not ideal. OBJECTIVES: To compare a new evaluation method (EMAPO) to the American College of Physicians method for determining the risk of cardiovascular complications in noncardiac surgeries and to look for new influencing variables. METHODS: Evaluations through EMAPO and the American College of Physicians method were employed for 700 patients. Cardiac events and deaths were recorded, the risk variables related to the occurrence of complications were verified, and the models were compared by analyzing the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Mortality rate was 3.4 percent, and the incidence of cardiovascular complications was 5.3 percent. Renal failure (P = 0.01), major surgery (P = 0.004), and emergency surgery (P = 0.003) were independently related to the occurrence of cardiovascular complications. The two methods produced similar results. CONCLUSION: EMAPO is as good as the American College of Physicians method in determining the risk of cardiovascular complications in noncardiac surgeries. New variables related to surgical risk were identified.

INTRODUÇÃO: A precisão dos métodos de avaliação perioperatória disponíveis é melhor que o acaso, porém está longe do ideal. OBJETIVOS: Comparar um novo método de avaliação perioperatória (EMAPO) ao método do American College of Physicians para determinar o risco cardíaco em cirurgias não cardíacas e buscar novas variáveis envolvidas na determinação deste risco. MÉTODOS: O EMAPO e o método do American College of Physicians foram aplicados em 700 pacientes. A ocorrência de eventos cardíacos e de mortes foi documentada, a relação entre as variáveis de risco e as complicações foi estabelecida e os métodos foram comparados analisando as áreas sob a curva ROC. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade foi 3.4 por cento e a incidência de complicações cardiovasculares 5.3 por cento. A presença de insuficiência renal (p=0.01), cirurgia de grande porte (p=0.004) e cirurgia de emergência (p=0.003) se correlacionaram com a ocorrência de complicações cardiovasculares na análise multivariada. Não houve diferença entre os dois métodos. CONCLUSÕES: O EMAPO é tão eficaz quanto o método do American College of Physicians para determinar o risco de complicações cardiovasculares em cirurgias não cardíacas. Novas variáveis relacionadas com o risco perioperatório foram encontradas.

Parte II: monitorização hemodinâmica básica e cateter de artéria pulmonar / Part II: basic hemodynamic monitoring and the use of pulmonary artery catheter

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A monitorização de funções vitais é uma das mais importantes e essenciais ferramentas no manuseio de pacientes críticos na UTI. Hoje é possível detectar e analisar uma grande variedade de sinais fisiológicos através de diferentes técnicas, invasivas e não-invasivas. O intensivista deve ser capaz de selecionar e executar o método de monitorização mais apropriado de acordo com as necessidades individuais do paciente, considerando a relação risco-benefício da técnica. Apesar do rápido desenvolvimento de técnicas de monitorização não-invasiva, a monitorização hemodinâmica invasiva com o uso do cateter de artéria pulmonar (CAP) ainda é um dos procedimentos fundamentais em UTI. O objetivo destas recomendações é estabelecer diretrizes para o uso adequado dos métodos básicos de monitorização hemodinâmica e CAP. MÉTODO: O processo de desenvolvimento de recomendações utilizou o método Delphi modificado para criar e quantificar o consenso entre os participantes. A AMIB determinou um coordenador para o consenso, o qual escolheu seis especialistas para comporem o comitê consultivo. Outros 18 peritos de diferentes regiões do país foram selecionados para completar o painel de 25 especialistas, médicos e enfermeiros. Um levantamento bibliográfico na MedLine de artigos na língua inglesa foi realizado no período de 1966 a 2004. RESULTADOS: Foram apresentadas recomendações referentes a 55 questões sobre monitorização da pressão venosa central, pressão arterial invasiva e cateter de artéria pulmonar. Com relação ao CAP, além de recomendações quanto ao uso correto foram discutidas as indicações em diferentes situações clínicas. CONCLUSÕES: A avaliação da pressão venosa central e da pressão arterial, além das variáveis obtidas com o CAP permite o entendimento da fisiologia indispensável para o cuidado de pacientes graves. Entretanto, a correta utilização dessas ferramentas é fundamental para os possíveis benefícios decorrentes do uso.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Monitoring of vital functions is one of the most important tools in the management of critically ill patients. Nowadays is possible to detect and analyze a great deal of physiologic data using a lot of invasive and non-invasive methods. The intensivist must be able to select and carry out the most appropriate monitoring technique according to the patient requirements and taking into account the benefit/risk ratio. Despite the fast development of non invasive monitoring techniques, invasive hemodynamic monitoring using Pulmonary Artery Catheter still is one of the basic procedures in Critical Care. The aim was to define recommendations about clinical utility of basic hemodynamic monitoring methods and the Use of Pulmonary Artery Catheter. METHODS: Modified Delphi methodology was used to create and quantify the consensus between the participants. AMIB indicated a coordinator who invited more six experts in the area of monitoring and hemodynamic support to constitute the Consensus Advisory Board. Twenty-five physicians and nurses selected from different regions of the country completed the expert panel, which reviewed the pertinent bibliography listed at the MEDLINE in the period from 1996 to 2004. RESULTS: Recommendations were made based on 55 questions about the use of central venous pressure, invasive arterial pressure, pulmonary artery catheter and its indications in different settings. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of central venous pressure and invasive arterial pressure, besides variables obtained by the PAC allow the understanding of cardiovascular physiology that is of great value to the care of critically ill patients. However, the correct use of these tools is fundamental to achieve the benefits due to its use.

Consenso brasileiro de monitorização e suporte hemodinâmico - parte III: métodos alternativos de monitorização do débito cardíaco e da volemia / Brazilian consensus of monitoring and hemodynamic support - part III: alternative methods for cardiac output monitoring and volemia estimation

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A interpretação do débito cardíaco e da pré-carga como números absolutos não traz grandes informações sobre a hemodinâmica do paciente crítico. Em contrapartida, a monitorização da resposta do débito cardíaco à expansão volêmica ou suporte inotrópico é uma ferramenta muito útil na unidade de terapia intensiva, quando o paciente apresenta algum sinal de má perfusão tecidual. Apesar do CAP ser considerado como " padrão-ouro" na avaliação destes parâmetros, foram desenvolvidas tecnologias alternativas bastante confiáveis para a sua monitorização. MÉTODO: O processo de desenvolvimento de recomendações utilizou o método Delphi modificado para criar e quantificar o consenso entre os participantes. A AMIB determinou um coordenador para o consenso, o qual escolheu seis especialistas para comporem o comitê consultivo. Outros 18 peritos de diferentes regiões do país foram selecionados para completar o painel de 25 especialistas, médicos e enfermeiros. Um levantamento bibliográfico na MEDLINE de artigos na língua inglesa foi realizado no período de 1966 a 2004. RESULTADOS: Foram apresentadas recomendações referentes à análise da variação da pressão arterial durante ventilação mecânica, débito cardíaco contínuo por contorno de pulso arterial, débito cardíaco por diluição do lítio, Doppler transesofágico, bioimpedância transtorácica, ecocardiografia e reinalação parcial de gás carbônico. CONCLUSÕES: As novas e menos invasivas técnicas para medida do débito cardíaco, pré-carga e fluidoresponsividade apresentam adequada precisão e podem ser uma alternativa ao uso do CAP em pacientes graves.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiac output and preload as absolute data do not offer helpful information about the hemodynamic of critically ill patients. However, monitoring the response of these variables to volume challenge or inotropic drugs is a very useful tool in the critical care setting, particularly for patients with signs of tissue hypoperfusion. Although PAC remains the " gold standard" to measure cardiac output and preload, new and alternative technologies were developed to evaluate these hemodynamic variables. METHODS: Modified Delphi methodology was used to create and quantify the consensus between the participants. AMIB indicated a coordinator who invited more six experts in the area of monitoring and hemodynamic support to constitute the Consensus Advisory Board. Twenty three physician and two nurses selected from different regions of the country completed the expert panel, which reviewed the pertinent bibliography listed at the MEDLINE in the period from 1996 to 2004. RESULTS: Recommendations regarding the use of arterial pulse pressure variation during mechanical ventilation, continuous arterial pulse contour and lithium dilution cardiac output measurements, esophageal Doppler waveform, thoracic electrical bioimpedance, echocardiography and partial CO2 rebreathing for monitoring cardiac output and preload were created. CONCLUSIONS: The new and less invasive techniques for the measurement of cardiac output, preload or fluid responsiveness are accurate and may be an alternative to PAC in critically ill patients.

Tendências seculares da populaçäo com doença isquêmia do coraçäo internada do Instituto do Coraçäo - Säo Paulo / Secular trends in a population with ischemic heart disease admitted to the Instituto do Coraçäo in Säo Paulo

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical and demographic characteristics of a population with ischemic heart disease admitted in the final decades of the 20th century. METHODS: This study retrospectively assessed patients hospitalized with ischemic heart disease divided into the following 2 groups: acute group - 11.181 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted from 1/1/82 to 12/31/94; and chronic group - 4.166 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery from 1/1/84 to 12/31/94. RESULTS: In the acute group, an increase in the percentage of females (from 22.7 percent to 27.7 percent, P<0.001) and diabetic individuals (from 12.4 percent to 17.5 percent, P<0.001) was observed, as was an increase in age (from 57.4±11.5 to 59.9±12.1 years, P<0.05). In-hospital mortality was greater among females (27.8 percent and 15.7 percent, P=0.001), among diabetic individuals (24.2 percent and 17.8 percent, P=0.001), and among the elderly (60.9±15.2 and 57.7±11.8 years, P=0.0001). In the chronic group, an increase in the percentage of females (from 17.5 percent to 27.2 percent, P=0.001) was observed, as was an increase in age (from 56.3±8.6 to 60.5±9.6 years, P=0.0001). In-hospital mortality was greater among females (8.3 percent and 5.8 percent, P<0.05) and among the elderly (58.1±9.1 and 62.1±7.9 years, P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the population studied with ischemic heart disease point towards a worse prognosis, due to the greater percentages of females, older patients, and diabetic patients, groups known to have greater in-hospital mortality

Características demográficas da populaçäo submetida à cinecoronariografia no Instituto do Coraçäo da Faculdade de Medicina da USP de 1986 a 1995 / Demographic characteristics of the population undergoing cine coronary angiography at the Instituto do Coraçäo of the Medical School of USP from 1986 to 1995

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information about the profile and behavior of a population with ischemic heart disease undergoing cine coronary angiography and to determine disease severity. METHODS: Retrospective study assessing patients hospitalized at InCor from 1986 to 1995, in which the variables age, sex, and number of major coronary arteries with obstruction degree > 40 percent were analyzed. RESULTS: We studied 18,221 patients and observed a significant increase in the number of females (22.8 percent to 25.2 percent, P=0.001) and an increase in age (57.1±29.3 to 60.4±10.7 years, P=0.0001). A significant increase in the incidence of multivessel disease was observed, which was more frequent among males (69.2 percent and 64.5 percent) and among the older patients (59.8±9.8 and 56.8±10.7 years, P=0.0001). A reduction in the incidence of single-vessel disease was also observed (66.2 percent vs 69.2 percent and 33.8 percent vs 30.5 percent, respectively, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: A change in the profile of the population studied was observed as follows: patients undergoing cine coronary angiography at InCor were older, had a greater number of impaired major coronary arteries, and the number of females affected increased, leading to indices suggestive of a poorer prognosis

Alteraçöes eletrocardiográficas e sua relaçäo com os fatores de risco para doença isquêmica do coraçäo em populaçäo da área metropolitana de Säo Paulo / Electrocardiographic abnormalities and cardiovascular risk factors for ischemic heart disease in an adult population from Säo Paulo, Brazil

OBJETIVO: A doença isquêmica do coraçäo apresenta altas taxas de mortalidade e é a mais prevalente entre as doenças cardiovasculares. É uma doença multifatorial, cuja prevençäo depende do controle dos fatores de risco. O eletrocardiograma de repouso pode ser utilizado para detectar manifestaçöes da doença isquêmica do coraçäo quando o indivíduo ainda é assintomático. O objetivo do estudo foi o de analisar a relaçäo entre as anormalidades eletrocardiográficas e os fatores de risco para doença isquêmica do coraçäo em uma populaçäo adulta residente na área metropolitana de Säo Paulo. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo transversal com populaçäo do município de Cotia (SP). A amostra constou de 1067 indivíduos com idade acima de 20 anos, de ambos os sexos. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevista com utilizaçäo de um questionário padronizado. As variáveis estudadas foram: sexo, idade, tabagismo, atividade física, índice de massa corpórea, relaçäo cintura/quadril, pressäo arterial, diabetes melito, dislipidemia (colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol e triglicérides) e alteraçöes eletrocardiográficas. As alteraçöes eletrocardiográficas foram agrupadas em três categorias: alteraçöes de repolarizaçäo ventricular (ARV), sobrecarga do ventrículo esquerdo (SVE) e alteraçöes näo relacionadas à isquemia miocárdia ou sem alteraçöes (NRI). RESULTADOS: A populaçäo de estudo era predominantemente jovem, sendo 79 por cento abaixo de 50 anos, com idade de 39,8 anos ± 13,2 anos. Cerca de 59,3 por cento dos indivíduos eram do sexo feminino. O eletrocardiograma mostrou que 9,5 por cento da populaçäo apresentava ARV e 3,3 por cento apresentava SVE. O sexo feminino, a idade de risco (acima de 65 anos para mulheres e acima de 55 anos para homens), a presença de diabetes, hipertensäo arterial, colesterol total ³ a 200 mg/dl, LDL-colesterol ³ a 130 mg/dl, triglicérides acima de 200 mg/dl, índice de massa corpórea indicativo de sobrepeso ou obesidade (³25 Kg/m2),relaçäo cintura/quadril alterada correlacionaram-se positivamente com ARV. O sexo masculino, diabetes, hipertensäo arterial e o tabagismo foram correlacionados positivamente com SVE. Na presença de ARV no ECG encontramos uma razäo de chance de 3,54 para a ocorrência do diagnóstico de hipertensäo sistólica e de 1,83 para colesterol total ³ a 200 mg/dl. Na presença de SVE no ECG, a razäo de chance para a ocorrência do diagnóstico de hipertensäo sistólica observada foi de 5,92...

Hyperlipidemia related to the use of HIV-protease inhibitors: natural history and results of treatment with fenofibrate

Hyperlipidemia has been frequently recorded as a side effect of treating HIV patients with protease inhibitors (PI). This study was initiated to analyze the modifications on blood lipids in HIV-patients receiving PI and the safety and efficacy of the treatment with fenofibrate. Total (TC) and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and CD(4)(+) T-cell counts were measured in 30 HAART-naive patients (Group I) before and after PI introduction. In a second phase of the study, the effects of fenofibrate on lipids, CPK, CD(4)(+), and viral load were determined in 13 patients (Group II) with elevated TC or TG. In Group I, 60 of the patients showed TC or TG elevations. Average increments of 31 and 146 in TC and TG respectively (p<0.0006 and p<0.0001) were observed. In Group II, fenofibrate treatment was associated with decrements of 6.6 (TC) and 45.7 (TG) (p=0.07 and 0.0002) and no modifications on CPK, CD(4)(+), and viral load. In conclusion, hyperlipidemia is common during the treatment of HIV with protease inhibitors, and fenofibrate appears to be an effective and safe choice for its treatment.

Análise crítica dos métodos de monitorizaçäo hemodinâmica em terapia intensiva / Critical analysis of hemodynamic monitoring methods on intensive care unit

Para um grupo específico de pacientes da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva com instabilidade hemodinâmica, a monitorizaçäo deve incluir a obtençäo do débito cardíaco e outros parâmetros que interferem na funçäo cardíaca: pressäo de enchimento ventricular esequerdo e resisténcia vascular sistêmica. Desde 1970, o cateter de Swan-Granz vem proporcionando melhor conhecimento dos fenômenos fisiopatológicos envolvidos no choque e orientando a terapêutica adequada. Hoje, com o cateter de artéria pulmonar, säo possíveis a medida contínua do débito cardíaco e a melhor avaliaçäo da funcäo do ventrículo direito. A controvérsia gerada pela indefiniçäo quanto aos reais benefícios do uso do cateter de Swan-Ganz tem estimulado ampla discussäo na literatura sobre o potencial dos diferentes métodos näo-invasivos de monitorizaçäo do débito cardíaco, resultado do avanço tecnológico. Ainda que näo possam ser considerados substitutos do método clássico invasivo, a bioimpedância torácica, o Doppler-ecocardiograma transesofágico, a análise pletismográfica do pulso e a medida do CO2 expirado proporcionam excelente avaliaçäo contínua da tendência do desempenho cardíaco e podem contribuir para a seleçäo dos pacientes que väo se beneficiar da monitorizaçäo invasiva.

Aneurisma subvalvar mitral de ventrículo esquerdo / Mitral subvalvular aneurysm of the left ventricle

A 21-year-old white man presented with cardiogenic shock and refractory pulmonary congestion. At the transthoracic echocardiogram a subvalvar left ventricular aneurysm of the inferior wall with severe mitral regurgitation was observed. The outcome was favorable after surgical correction of the mitral regurgitation and of the subvalvar aneurysm. We emphasize that, whenever possible, valvar repair is better than mitral replacement, since annulus tissue fragility causes suturing of the mitral prosthesis to be difficult.

Falência hepática aguda secundária a choque cardiogênico em portadores de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva / Acute Liver Failure Cardiogenic Shock in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Fulminant hepatic failure is a complication of severe cardiocirculatory failure, with high morbidity and mortality, and is frequently misdiagnosed as fulminant viral hepatitis. We report three cases of patients with chronic severe heart failure who developed cardiogenic shock complicated by elevation of aminotransferase levels above 1,000 soon after the most severe episode of hypotension. All the three patients presented regression of hepatic enzymes 72h after admission. Two patients developed hepatic encephalopathy and renal failure. One underwent the implantation of an artificial left ventricle, followed by orthotopic heart transplantation. One died of systemic multiple organ failure, after he had showed improvement on his hepatic profile, and one was sent to the ward, after 15 days with marked improvement on his clinical status and no signs of hepatic disease

Toxicidade pelo tiocianato decorrente do uso prolongado de nitroprussiato de sódio na insuficiência cardíaca grave / Thiocyanate toxicity arising from prolonged use of sodium nitroprusside in severe heart failure

PURPOSE--To evaluate the toxicity of thiocyanate induced by the infusion of sodium nitroprusside in patients with severe congestive failure. METHODS--We studied 23 patients with congestive heart failure, in class IV (NYHA) under continuous infusion of sodium nitroprusside with doses varying between 0.5 and 5.5 micrograms/kg/min. Clinical evaluation, thiocyanate serum dosage and laboratorial evaluation of renal, hepatic and pulmonary functions were done. RESULTS--Seventeen patients (74 per cent) presented toxic levels of thiocyanate (over 10 micrograms/ml), with the average of 29.9 +/- 4.4 micrograms/ml. Only renal function was related to the presence of intoxication. Clinical evaluation was not accurate to diagnose the thiocyanate toxicity in the patients. CONCLUSION--Sodium nitroprusside is potentially toxic, especially when the renal function is abnormal. Thiocyanate dosage is useful in diagnosing nitroprusside induced toxicity and then it contributes to an adequate treatment and prevention of clinical toxicity