Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Infective Endocarditis at three Tertiary Centers in Brazil from 2003 to 2017

Abstract Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease with high morbimortality and an increasing incidence. With improved diagnosis and treatment, a number of epidemiological changes have been reported over time. Objectives We sought to describe the epidemiological profile, mortality predictors, and analysis of a possible microbiological transition in patients admitted to three tertiary centers in Brazil. Methods In this cross-sectional retrospective study, data from 211 patients with definite or probable IE were analyzed according to the modified Duke criteria between 2003 and 2017. The association between categorical variables was assessed using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic models were built to investigate mortality. We considered p <0.05 statistically significant. Results The median age of the sample was 48 (33-59) years old, 70.6% were men, and the most prevalent pathogen was Staphylococcus spp. (19%). Mortality was 22.3%, with increasing age being the leading risk factor for death (p = 0.028). Regarding the location of the disease, native valves were the most affected site, with the aortic valve being more affected in men than women (p = 0.017). The mean number of cases of Staphylococcus spp. (τ = 0.293, p = 0.148) and Streptococcus spp. (τ = -0.078, p = 0.727) has remained stable over the years. Conclusion No trend towards reduced or increased mortality was evident between 2003 and 2017. Although Staphylococcus spp. were the most prevalent pathogen, the expected epidemiological transition could not be observed.

Association between Insulin use and Infective Endocarditis: An Observational Study

Abstract Background: The association between Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Infective Endocarditis (IE) is controversial in the literature, since many controversial results have been published. However, when evaluating specifically the evidence on IE and individuals with DM using insulin, we found only two observational studies that considered this variable, with discordant results regarding the prognosis and prevalence of Staphylococcus sp in insulin users compared to non-users. Despite the lack of evidence, in clinical practice the insulin use could be interpreted as minor criteria "injection drug use", using the modified Duke criteria for IE diagnosis. Objectives: To compare the microbiological and valvar profile, as well as the outcome of non-diabetic and diabetic patients with IE who were insulin users or not. Methods: This was an observational, analytical and retrospective study of patients diagnosed with IE between 2003 and 2015 in three tertiary care centers. A total of 211 patients were included, of which 17 were diabetics and 9 were insulin users. Patients were compared using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and Fisher's exact test, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The mortality from IE in diabetic individuals was higher than that of non-diabetic patients, but with no statistical significance (35.29% vs. 21.1%; p = 0.221), even when the groups were divided into insulin-user diabetic, non-insulin user diabetic and non-diabetic patients (33.3% vs. 37.5% vs. 21.1%, p = 0.229). There was a difference regarding the prevalence of IE caused by S. aureus (57.1% vs. 14.3% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.029) and the involvement of the tricuspid valve (33.3% vs. 0.00% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.034) among insulin users. Conclusion: In our sample, insulin use or the presence of DM did not mean higher in-hospital mortality from IE. It is not possible to generalize the microbiological and valvar findings due to the lack of studies evaluating insulin users in IE; however, particularities have been previously reported and may indicate a different behavior of IE in these patients. New studies considering the insulin use variable are required to elucidate the association between DM and IE.

Medidas das circunferências abdominal e cervical para mensurar riscos cardiovasculares / Measures of abdominal and neck circumferences to measure cardiovascular risks

Introdução: as cardiopatias são a principal causa de morte e de alocação de recursos públicos em hospitalizações no Brasil. Levando-se em conta que o IMC é pouco descritivo quanto à distribuição de tecido adiposo/muscular, há outro método para obter a relação com riscos cardíacos: circunferência abdominal e cervical. A gordura visceral é vista como depósito patogênico, conferindo riscos metabólicos. Já a circunferência do pescoço reflete o acúmulo de gordura na parede das artérias carótidas. Considerando essa incidência, trabalhos que abordem esses aspectos demonstram relevância no contexto de obesidade e sedentarismo. Objetivos: evidenciar a relação entre as medidas das circunferências abdominal e do pescoço e a hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Metodologia: estudo realizado no CEM-MG, com medidas das circunferências do pescoço e abdome e IMC de 328 cardiopatas após TCLE e questionário. O nível de confiança é de 95%. Com fatores de inclusão/exclusão. Resultados: a circunferência abdominal acima do valor aumenta 3,87 vezes a chance de hipertensão (valor-p=0,000).Já a cervical aumenta 2,38 (1,09; 5,19) vezes (valor p=0,026). Conclusão:embora não interfiram diretamente sobre cardiopatias, as medidas analisadas têm papel secundário sobre estas. Isso porque foi comprovada com o estudo a significância de tais medidas para hipertensão, que representa um importante desencadeante para as demais cardiopatias. Assim, há forte relação das circunferências abdominal e cervical sobre as cardiopatias e os fatores de risco para desenvolvê-las. Essa mensuração mostra-se importante também para mapeamento da saúde dos pacientes.

Introduction: Heart diseases are the leading cause of death and allocation of public resources in hospitalizations in Brazil. Given that BMI is little descriptive as to the distribution of adipose tissue and muscle, there is another method to obtain the relationship with heart risks: abdominal and neck circumference. Visceral fat is seen as pathogenic deposit, giving metabolic risks. Moreover neck circumference reflects the accumulationof fat in the wall of the carotid arteries. Considering this effect, work that approach these aspects demonstrate relevance in the context of obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Objectives: To demonstrate the relationship between measures of abdominal and neck circumferences and the presence of hypertension. Methodology: A study conducted in CEM-MG, with performance of the neck and abdomen circumference measurements and BMI of 328 cardiac patients after informed consent and questionnaire. The confidence level is 95%. With some inclusion and exclusion factors. Results: abdominal circumference circumference increases 3.87 times the odds for hypertension (p-value = 0.000). In the other hand, cervical circumference increases 2.38 (1.09, 5.19) times (p = 0.026). Conclusion: Although not interfere directly on heart disease, the measures examined are secondary role on these. That's because it was proven to study the significance of the measures for hypertension, which is a trigger for other diseases. Thus, there is strong relationship of abdominal and neck circumferences about heart diseases and risk factors to develop them. This measurement also shows important for health mapping of patients.

Marca-passo atrial no tratamento da hipotensão ortostática primária / Atrial pacemaker for treating primary orthostatic hypotension

Homem, 78 anos, com hipotensão ortostática neurogênica incapacitante não responsiva e terapêutica clássica, admitido em hospital para implantação de marca-passo atrial programável. Inicialmente, implantou-se marca-passo atrial temporário, a frequencia de 96 bpm (dia) e 60 bpm (noite). Observou-se melhora dos sintomas, justificando a implantação de marca-passo definitivo. Recomenda-se considerar esta modalidade terapeutica em idosos com hipotensão ortostática neurogênica sem taquicardia compensatória quando não houver resposta a tratamento clássico.

A 78-year-old male patient with incapacitating neurogenic orthostatic hypertension was admitted in hospital for implantation of programmable pacemaker after no response to classic treatment. The initial procedure consisted in implanting a temporary pacemaker at a frequency of 96 BPM in the morning and 60 BPM at night. A definitive pacemaker was implanted because of the improvement of symptoms. Such treatment modality is herein recommended for elderly patients suffering from neurogenic orthostatic hypotension without compensatory tachycardia when they show no positive response to the classic treatment.

Effect of propafenone on the contractile activity of latissimus dorsi muscle isolated in an organ chamber: experimental study in rats / Efeito da propafenona na atividade contrátil do músculo Latissimus dorsi isolado em câmara de órgão. Estudo experimental em ratos

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of propafenone on the contractile function of latissimus dorsi muscle isolated from rats in an organ chamber. METHODS: We studied 20 latissimus dorsi muscles of Wistar rats and divided them into 2 groups: group I (n=10), or control group - we studied the feasibility of muscle contractility; group II (n=10), in which the contralateral muscles were grouped - we analyzed the effect of propafenone on muscle contractility. After building a muscle ring, 8 periods of sequential 2-minute baths were performed, with intervals of preprogrammed electrical stimulation using a pacemaker of 50 stimuli/min. In group II, propafenone, at the concentration of 9.8 æg/mL, was added to the bath in period 2 and withdrawn in period 4. RESULTS: In group I, no significant depression in muscle contraction occurred up to period 5 (p>0.05). In group II, a significant depression occurred in all periods, except between the last 2 periods (p<0.05). Comparing groups I and II only in period 1, which was a standard period for both groups, we found no significant difference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Propafenone had a depressing effect on the contractile function of latissimus dorsi muscle isolated from rats and studied in an organ chamber

Marcapasso atrial programável no tratamento da hipotensäo ortostática neurogênica no idoso / Programmed atrial pacemaker in the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in the elderly

Marcapasso atrial programável foi implantado em paciente idoso (75 anos), portador de hipotensäo ortostática incapacitante, secundária á disfunçäo do sistema nervoso autónomo (Shy-Drager), näo responsiva à terapêutica clássica. Inicialmente, um marcapasso atrial programável temporário foi implantado, programado a uma freqüência de 96 bpm durante o dia, reduzindo para 60 bpm durante a noite. Observou-se com esta medida aumento do débito cardíaco. Os resultados favoráres encontrados nos encorajaram a implantar um marcapasso programável definitivo. O fabricante planejou um programador simples e seguro, operado pelo próprio paciente, que só altera a freqüência para a noite (60) e para o dia (96). Observou-se uma acentuada melhora na sintomatologia, sem quaisquer complicaçöes durante um seguimento de nove meses. Recomendamos que esta modalidade terapêutica seja considerada em idosos portadores de hipotensäo ortostática sintomática, secundária à disfunçäo autonômica, sem taquicardia compensatória adequada, quando näo houver resposta à terapêutica clássica