A cycle ergometer exercise program improves exercise capacity and inspiratory muscle function in hospitalized patients awaiting heart transplantation: a pilot study

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a cycle ergometer exercise program on exercise capacity and inspiratory muscle function in hospitalized patients with heart failure awaiting heart transplantation with intravenous inotropic support. Methods: Patients awaiting heart transplantation were randomized and allocated prospectively into two groups: 1) Control Group (n=11) - conventional protocol; and 2) Intervention Group (n=7) - stationary cycle ergometer exercise training. Functional capacity was measured by the six-minute walk test and inspiratory muscle strength assessed by manovacuometry before and after the exercise protocols. Results: Both groups demonstrated an increase in six-minute walk test distance after the experimental procedure compared to baseline; however, only the intervention group had a significant increase (P =0.08 and P =0.001 for the control and intervention groups, respectively). Intergroup comparison revealed a greater increase in the intervention group compared to the control (P <0.001). Regarding the inspiratory muscle strength evaluation, the intragroup analysis demonstrated increased strength after the protocols compared to baseline for both groups; statistical significance was only demonstrated for the intervention group, though (P =0.22 and P <0.01, respectively). Intergroup comparison showed a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control (P <0.01). Conclusion: Stationary cycle ergometer exercise training shows positive results on exercise capacity and inspiratory muscle strength in patients with heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation while on intravenous inotropic support.

Hospitalização e mortalidade por insuficiência cardíaca em hospitais públicos no município de São Paulo / Hospitalization and mortality rates for heart failure in public hospitals in São Paulo

FUNDAMENTO: Os avanços no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca (IC) resultaram em redução da taxa de mortalidade e de hospitalização. Por outro lado, quando hospitalizados, os pacientes apresentam alto risco de óbito. OBJETIVO: Como são poucos os estudos com esse grupo de pacientes no Brasil, analisamos os números de internação e óbito por IC no SUS do município de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo histórico realizado entre 1992 e 2010. Os dados foram obtidos no DATASUS. Utilizamos os testes qui-quadrado e T para a comparação entre os períodos 1992-1993 e 2008-2009 e modelos de regressão logística quando apropriado. O nível de significância considerado foi de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: Houve redução de 32 por cento no número de internações por IC entre 1992-1993 e 2008-2009 (p = 0,002). A taxa de mortalidade hospitalar por IC foi de 15 por cento, com aumento de 15 por cento no período (p = 0,004). Entre 1992-1993, o tempo médio de hospitalização por IC foi de 8,8 dias. Entre 2008-2009, 11,3 dias (p = 0,001). Agosto foi o mês com maior incidência de internações por IC, 20 por cento maior do que fevereiro, mês de menor incidência (p = 0,041). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo apresentou as modificações nas tendências de hospitalização e mortalidade hospitalar por IC ao longo das duas últimas décadas. Ressaltamos importantes implicações: 1º: redução em 32 por cento no número de internações por IC em hospitais do SUS no município de São Paulo; 2º: aumento de 25 por cento no tempo de hospitalização; e 3º: padrão sazonal de internação por IC, com pico no terceiro trimestre.

BACKGROUND: Advances in the treatment of heart failure (HF) have resulted in reduced mortality and hospitalization rates. On the other hand, when hospitalized, patients are at high risk of death. OBJECTIVE: As there are few studies in this group of patients in Brazil, we analyzed the numbers of hospitalization and deaths due to HF in the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) in the city of São Paulo. METHODS: Historical prospective study carried out between 1992 and 2010. The data were obtained from DATASUS. We used Chi-square and t tests for comparison between the periods 1992-1993 and 2008-2009 and logistic regression models when appropriate. The level of significance was set at 5 percent. RESULTS: There was a 32 percent decrease in the number of hospitalizations for HF between 1992-1993 and 2008-2009 (p = 0.002). The in-hospital mortality rate for HF was 15 percent, with a 15 percent increase in the period (p = 0.004). Between 1992 and 1993, the mean time of hospitalization for HF was 8.8 days. Between 2008 and 2009, it was 11.3 days (p = 0.001). August was the month with the highest incidence of hospitalizations for HF, 20 percent higher than in February, the month with the lowest incidence (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: This study showed changes in trends of hospitalization for HF and mortality over the last two decades. We emphasize important implications: 1: 32 percent decrease in the number of hospitalizations for HF in SUS hospitals in São Paulo; 2: 25 percent increase in hospitalization time, and 3: seasonal pattern of hospitalization for HF, with a peak in the third quarter.

Neurologic complications after heart transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Neurologic complications are known as important cause of morbidity and mortality in orthotopic heart transplantation. Our aim was to identify the frequency and outcome of neurologic complications after heart transplantation in a prospective observational study. METHOD: From September 93 to September 99, as part of our routine heart transplantation protocol all patients with end-stage cardiac failure were evaluated by the same neurologist before and at the time of any neurologic event (symptom or complaint) after transplantation. RESULTS: Out of 120 candidates evaluated, 62 were successfully transplanted (53 male; median age 45.5 years, median follow-up 26.8 months). Fifteen patients (24 percent) had ischemic, 22 (35 percent) idiopathic, 24 (39 percent) Chagas' disease and 1 (2 percent) had congenital cardiomyopathy. Neurologic complications occurred in 19 patients (31 percent): tremor, severe headache, transient encephalopathy and seizures related to drug toxicity or metabolic changes in 13; peripheral neuropathy in 4; and spinal cord compression in two (metastatic prostate cancer and epidural abscess). No symptomatic postoperative stroke was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although frequent, neurologic complications were seldom related to persistent neurologic disability or death. Most of the complications resulted from immunosuppression, however, CNS infection was rare. The absence of symptomatic stroke in our series may be related to the lower frequency of ischemic cardiomyopathy

Tratamento cirúrgico de drenagem anômala total de veias pulmonares em veia cava superior direita / Surgical Treatment of Total Anomalous Pulmonory Venous Drainage into the Right Superior Vena Cava

This report describes a 2-month-old boy with diagnosis of total anomalous pulmonary venous obstruction and marked hypertension established by cross-sectioned echocardiography and catheterization with angiography. Successful surgical correction was performed with profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest. The risk factors and the high operative mortality associated with this type of anomaly are analyzed

Criança de 2 meses de idade, com diagnóstico de drenagem anômala total de veias pulmonares para veia cava superior direita com drenagem obstrativa e hipertensão pulmonar severa, estabelecido através de ecocardiografia e exame hemodinâmico. Realizada correção cirúrgica com sucesso através de hipotermia profunda e parada circulatória total. Os fotores de risco e a alta mortalidade cirúrgica associada a este tipo de anomalias são analisados

Edema agudo de pulmäo secundário a feocromocitoma: relato de caso / Acute pulmonary edema secondary to pheochromocytoma: a case report

Os autores apresentam o caso de uma paciente de 36 anos de idade, portadora de feocromocitoma abdominal cuja manifestaçäo clínica foram episódios repetidos de edema agudo do pulmäo. Concluíram pela etiologia näo cardiogénica visto que näo se evidenciou cardiopatia, após propedéutica clínica, eletrocardiográfica, ecocardiográfica e cinecoronariográfica