Valor Prognóstico da Troponina T e do Peptídeo Natriurético Tipo B em Pacientes Internados por COVID-19 / Prognostic Value of Troponin-T and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19

Resumo Fundamento: A COVID-19 causa grave acometimento pulmonar, porém o sistema cardiovascular também pode ser afetado por miocardite, insuficiência cardíaca e choque. A elevação de biomarcadores cardíacos tem sido associada a um pior prognóstico. Objetivos: Avaliar o valor prognóstico da Troponina T (TnT) e do peptídeo natriurético tipo B (BNP) em pacientes internados por Covid-19. Métodos: Amostra de conveniência de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Foram coletados dados dos prontuários com o objetivo de avaliar a relação da TnT e o BNP medidos nas primeiras 24h de admissão com o desfecho combinado (DC) óbito ou necessidade de ventilação mecânica. Análise univariada comparou os grupos com e sem DC. Modelo multivariado de Cox foi utilizada para determinar preditores independentes do DC. Resultados: Avaliamos 183 pacientes (idade=66,8±17 anos, sendo 65,6% do sexo masculino). Tempo de acompanhamento foi de 7 dias (1 a 39 dias). O DC ocorreu em 24% dos pacientes. As medianas de TnT e BNP foram 0,011 e 0,041 ng/dl (p<0,001); 64 e 198 pg/dl (p<0,001) respectivamente para os grupos sem e com DC. Na análise univariada, além de TnT e BNP, idade, presença de doença coronariana, saturação de oxigênio, linfócitos, dímero-D, proteína C reativa titulada (PCR-t) e creatinina, foram diferentes entre os grupos com e sem desfechos. Na análise multivariada boostraped apenas TnT (1,12[IC95%1,03-1,47]) e PCR-t (1,04[IC95%1,00-1,10]) foram preditores independentes do DC. Conclusão: Nas primeiras 24h de admissão, TnT, mas não o BNP, foi marcador independente de mortalidade ou necessidade de ventilação mecânica invasiva. Este dado reforça ainda mais a importância clínica do acometimento cardíaco da COVID-19. (AArq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(4):660-666)

Abstract Background: COVID-19 causes severe pulmonary involvement, but the cardiovascular system can also be affected by myocarditis, heart failure and shock. The increase in cardiac biomarkers has been associated with a worse prognosis. Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value of Troponin-T (TNT) and natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients hospitalized for Covid-19. Methods: This was a convenience sample of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Data were collected from medical records to assess the association of TnT and BNP measured in the first 24 hours of hospital admission with the combined outcome (CO) of death or need for mechanical ventilation. Univariate analysis was used to compare the groups with and without the CO. Cox's multivariate model was used to determine independent predictors of the CO. Results: We evaluated 183 patients (age = 66.8±17 years, 65.6% of which were males). The time of follow-up was 7 days (range 1 to 39 days). The CO occurred in 24% of the patients. The median troponin-T and BNP levels were 0.011 and 0.041ng/dL (p <0.001); 64 and 198 pg/dL (p <0.001), respectively, for the groups without and with the CO. In the univariate analysis, in addition to TnT and BNP, age, presence of coronary disease, oxygen saturation, lymphocytes, D-dimer, t-CRP and creatinine, were different between groups with and without outcomes. In the bootstrap multivariate analysis, only TnT (1.12 [95% CI 1.03-1.47]) and t-CRP (1.04 [95% CI 1.00-1.10]) were independent predictors of the CO. Conclusion: In the first 24h of admission, TnT, but not BNP, was an independent marker of mortality or need for invasive mechanical ventilation. This finding further reinforces the clinical importance of cardiac involvement in COVID-19. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(4):660-666)

El corazón en los tiempos del COVID-19 / The heart in the times of COVID-19

SarsCov2 infection produces a clinical syndrome known as COVID-19, which presents mainly respiratory manifestations and various conditions are associated with a higher rate of complications of this pathology, with acute cardiovascular syndrome by COVID-19 being a relatively common complication. In this article we will review the most frequent manifestations, the prognosis, the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of these.

Cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19: not to be missed

Abstract In December 2019, a striking appearance of new cases of viral pneumonia in Wuhan led to the detection of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2). By analyzing patients with severe manifestations, it became apparent that 20 to 35% of patients who died had preexisting cardiovascular disease. This finding warrants the important need to discuss the influence of SARS-CoV2 infection on the cardiovascular system and hemodynamics in the context of clinical management, particularly during mechanical ventilation. The SARS-CoV2 enters human cells through the spike protein binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is important to cardiovascular modulation and endothelial signaling. As ACE2 is highly expressed in lung tissue, patients have been progressing to acute respiratory injury at an alarming frequency during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Moreover, COVID-19 leads to high D-dimer levels and prothrombin time, which indicates a substantial coagulation disorder. It seems that an overwhelming inflammatory and thrombogenic condition is responsible for a mismatching of ventilation and perfusion, with a somewhat near-normal static lung compliance, which describes two types of pulmonary conditions. As such, positive pressure during invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) must be applied with caution. The authors of this review appeal to the necessity of paying closer attention to assess microhemodynamic repercussion, by monitoring central venous oxygen saturation during strategies of IMV. It is well known that a severe respiratory infection and a scattered inflammatory process can cause non-ischemic myocardial injury, including progression to myocarditis. Early strategies that guide clinical decisions can be lifesaving and prevent extended myocardial damage. Moreover, cardiopulmonary failure refractory to standard treatment may necessitate the use of extreme therapeutic strategies, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Enfermedades cardio-metabólicas en el embarazo: revisión sobre diagnóstico, tratamiento y proyección del riesgo cardiovascular a largo plazo / Cardio-metabolic diseases in pregnancy: a review on diagnosis, treatment and projection of long-term cardiovascular risk

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares representan la mayor causa de morbimortalidad a nivel mundial. Si bien presenta un descenso en la población general, en las mujeres tiende a mantenerse estable la prevalencia de enfermedad coronaria. Varios factores propios de la mujer predisponen a que esto ocurra, incluyendo el embarazo, mediado tanto por los cambios hematológicos y cardiovasculares característicos de la gestación; como por patologías asociadas, principalmente trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo y diabetes gestacional. Su presencia se ha asociado fuertemente a la aparición a futuro de otras patologías de alto riesgo cardiovascular como hipertensión crónica, dislipidemia y diabetes mellitus. Dado el impacto que esto representa, se hace imperante la identificación de grupos de alto riesgo y la implementación de medidas preventivas, así como de diagnóstico precoz y tratamientos adecuados con el fin de disminuir complicaciones materno-fetales en las etapas perinatal y posparto.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although there is a decrease in general population, the prevalence of coronary heart disease remains stable in women. Several factors typical of womenkind predispose to cardiovascular disease, including pregnancy, mediated by hematological and cardiovascular changes characteristic of it; and by associated pathologies, mainly hypertensive disorders and diabetes. The presence of these diseases has been strongly associated with future presence of other conditions of high cardiovascular risk such as chronic hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Given this impact, the identification of high-risk groups and the implementation of preventive measures, as well as early diagnosis and adequate treatment in order to reduce both maternal and fetal complications in perinatal and postpartum stages becomes imperative.

Design of Treatment System for Poor Peripheral Circulation Using Air Wave Pressure Based on STM32 Microprocessor / 中国医疗器械杂志

This study designs an intermittent pneumatic pressurization device with STM32 series single chip as the core. The working state of the air pump and the plurality of air chambers is controlled by the IO port of the single chip microcomputer, and the circulating inflation of the plurality of air bags is realized. The pressure monitoring system consists of a silicon piezoresistive pressure sensor, a high-precision operational amplifier and a 12-bit AD converter which monitors the gas pressure of each gas path in real time to ensure the safety of the equipment. The system is easy to operate, simple in function, and has strong practicability.

Fluid and hemodynamic management in hemodialysis patients: challenges and opportunities / Manejo hídrico e hemodinâmico em pacientes em hemodiálise: desafios e oportunidades

Abstract Fluid volume and hemodynamic management in hemodialysis patients is an essential component of dialysis adequacy. Restoring salt and water homeostasis in hemodialysis patients has been a permanent quest by nephrologists summarized by the 'dry weight' probing approach. Although this clinical approach has been associated with benefits on cardiovascular outcome, it is now challenged by recent studies showing that intensity or aggressiveness to remove fluid during intermittent dialysis is associated with cardiovascular stress and potential organ damage. A more precise approach is required to improve cardiovascular outcome in this high-risk population. Fluid status assessment and monitoring rely on four components: clinical assessment, non-invasive instrumental tools (e.g., US, bioimpedance, blood volume monitoring), cardiac biomarkers (e.g. natriuretic peptides), and algorithm and sodium modeling to estimate mass transfer. Optimal management of fluid and sodium imbalance in dialysis patients consist in adjusting salt and fluid removal by dialysis (ultrafiltration, dialysate sodium) and by restricting salt intake and fluid gain between dialysis sessions. Modern technology using biosensors and feedback control tools embarked on dialysis machine, with sophisticated analytics will provide direct handling of sodium and water in a more precise and personalized way. It is envisaged in the near future that these tools will support physician decision making with high potential of improving cardiovascular outcome.

Resumo O volume de fluidos e o controle hemodinâmico em pacientes em hemodiálise é um componente essencial da adequação da diálise. A restauração da homeostase do sal e da água em pacientes em hemodiálise tem sido uma busca constante por parte dos nefrologistas, no que condiz à abordagem do "peso seco. Embora essa abordagem clínica tenha sido associada a benefícios no desfecho cardiovascular, recentemente tem sido questionada por estudos que mostram que a intensidade ou agressividade para remover fluidos durante a diálise intermitente está associada a estresse cardiovascular e dano potencial a órgãos.para remover fluidos durante a diálise intermitente está associada a estresse cardiovascular e dano potencial a órgãos. Uma abordagem mais precisa é necessária para melhorar o desfecho cardiovascular nessa população de alto risco. A avaliação e monitorização do estado hídrico baseiam-se em quatro componentes: avaliação clínica, ferramentas instrumentais não invasivas (por exemplo, US, bioimpedância, monitorização do volume sanguíneo), biomarcadores cardíacos (e.g. peptídeos natriuréticos), algoritmos e modelagem de sódio para estimar a transferência de massa. O manejo otimizado do desequilíbrio hídrico e de sódio em pacientes dialíticos consiste em ajustar a remoção de sal e líquido por diálise (ultrafiltração, dialisato de sódio), e restringir a ingestão de sal e o ganho de líquido entre as sessões de diálise. Tecnologia moderna que utiliza biosensores e ferramentas de controle de feedback, hoje parte da máquina de diálise, com análises sofisticadas, proporcionam o manejo direto sobre o sódio e a água de uma maneira mais precisa e personalizada. Prevê-se no futuro próximo que essas ferramentas poderão auxiliar na tomada de decisão do médico, com alto potencial para melhorar o resultado cardiovascular.

Eventos cardiovasculares y su relación con cambios tensionales / Cardiovascular events and their relation to tension changes

RESUMEN La tensión arterial no es constante, y cambia frecuentemente en respuesta a estímulos fisiológicos de la vida diaria. Se realizó una revisión sistemática en inglés y español de los principales artículos publicados en PubMed, Scielo y MEDLINE durante el periodo comprendido desde el año 2010 hasta 2018, acerca de la variabilidad de la tensión arterial y sus complicaciones. Esto se ha documentado por el uso de la medición ambulatoria de la tensión arterial, una técnica que cada vez está más disponible para medir la tensión arterial y sus variaciones durante el día y la noche, con una frecuencia regular cada 15- 30 minutos a lo largo de un periodo de 24 horas. Esta técnica ha demostrado la diferencia de la tensión arterial en las diferentes mediciones durante el día y la noche, estos cambios en tan corto tiempo son predictores de las complicaciones cardiovasculares independiente de los valores absolutos (AU).

SUMMARY Blood pressure is not constant, and changes frequently in response to the physiological stimuli of everyday living. Was carried out a systematic revision in English and Spanish of the main articles published in PubMed, Scielo and MEDLINE during the period from the year 2010 up to 2018, about the variability of the Blood pressure and his complication. This has been documented by the use of ambulatory Blood pressure monitoring, a technique becoming more widely available that measures Blood pressure at regular intervals-typically each 15-30 min-throughout a 24-h period. This technique has demonstrated that differences among the daylong multiple readings-labelled as short-term variability-are predictive of cardiovascular outcomes independent of absolute Blood pressure levels (AU).

Caracterización de los factores de riesgo en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica Hospital "Mártires del 9 de Abril", período 2016-2017 / Characterization of risk factors in patients with ischemic heart disease. Hospital "Martires del 9 de abril", period 2016-2017

RESUMEN Introducción: las enfermedades cardiovasculares constituyen la principal causa de muerte en la mayoría de los países. Se describen los factores de riesgo para enfermedad coronaria como no modificables: edad, sexo y antecedentes familiares; y modificables relacionados al estilo de vida: tabaquismo, dislipidemia, obesidad, sedentarismo, diabetes, uso abusivo de alcohol y la enfermedad hipertensiva. Objetivo: caracterizar los factores de riesgo asociados a la cardiopatía isquémica en Atención Secundaria de Salud. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo transversal en pacientes ingresados en el Hospital "Mártires del 9 de Abril" de Sagua la Grande, en el periodo comprendido entre los años 2016 y 2017. Integraron la muestra 96 pacientes que ingresaron con diagnóstico de cardiopatía isquémica. Se describieron las características demográficas de los mismos; fueron identificados los factores de riesgo y se determinó la frecuencia de asociación de otras formas clínicas de ateromatosis. Resultados: los pacientes fueron mayores de 60 años de edad; la mayoría tenían color de la piel blanca; presentaban antecedentes patológicos familiares de cardiopatía isquémica; las principales formas de cardiopatía isquémica fueron: angina e insuficiencia cardiaca; todos los pacientes presentaron uno o más factores de riesgo cardiovascular, los más significativos fueron, hipertensión arterial, tabaquismo aumento de la circunferencia abdominal y personalidad tipo "A". Conclusiones: la mayoría de los pacientes exhibieron alteraciones en el electrocardiograma: descenso del segmento ST, bloqueo de rama izquierda del haz de His y fibrilación auricular; se observó hipertrigliceridemia y se apreció asociación entre enfermedad renal crónica y angina.

ABSTRACT Introduction: cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in most of the countries. The risk factors for coronary disease are described as unmodifiable: age, sex and family history; and modifiable related to lifestyle: smoking, dyslipidemia, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, abusive use of alcohol and hypertensive disease. Objective: to characterize the risk factors associated to ischemic heart disease in secondary health care. Material and methods: observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study in patients admitted in "Mártires del 9 de Abril" Hospital, Sagua la Grande, between 2016 and 2017. The sample consisted of 96 patients admitted with a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease. Their demographic characteristics were described; the risk factors were identified and the frequency of association of other clinical forms of atheromatosis was determined. Results: the patients were aged more than 60 years; most of them were white people and had family pathological antecedents of ischemic heart disease; the main forms of ischemic heart disease were angina and heart failure; all patients showed one or more cardiovascular risk factors being arterial hypertension, smoking, increase of abdominal circumference and type A personality the most significant ones. Conclusions: the majority of patients showed alterations in the electrocardiogram: ST segment decrease, His bundle left branch blockage and atrial fibrillation; hypertriglyceridemia was observed and there was an association between chronic kidney disease and angina.

Trombosis segmentaria sigmoidea consecuente a neoplasia maligna de colon. A propósito de un caso interesante / Sigmoid segmental thrombosis consequent to colon malignant neoplasia. On the purpose of a case

RESUMEN Se presentó un caso de una paciente de 78 años de edad, procedente del municipio de Calimete, con antecedentes patológicos personales de infarto agudo miocárdico sin elevación del segmento ST e hipertensión arterial. Llegó a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos de Emergencia, de Colón con un estado toxico infeccioso severo. Fue intervenida quirúrgicamente con el diagnóstico presuntivo de una trombosis mesentérica. Se constató dicho diagnóstico complementario a una neoplasia maligna de colon sigmoides. Falleció producto a un shock séptico refractario a aminas. En la necropsia se reportaron hallazgos de interés.

ABSTRACT The authors present the case of a 78-years-old female patient from the municipality of Calimete, with personal pathological antecedents of acute myocardial infarct without ST segment elevation and arterial hypertension. She arrived to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of Colon with a severe toxic-infectious status. She underwent a surgery with a presumptive mesenteric thrombosis. It was stated that diagnosis, complementary to a sigmoid colon malignant neoplasia. She died as a product of an amine-refractory septic shock. The autopsy showed findings of interest.

Cardiac parameters and endothelial function in a strength athlete: a case report

We aimed to discuss a case of strength training athlete who competes in international competitions regarding cardiac (dimension and function), vascular (endothelium and vascular resistance), hemodynamic (blood pressure), given limited evidence supporting these cardiovascular adaptations as well as concerning endothelial function in long-term high-intensity strength training. Methods: We assessed heart structure and function (echocardiography); systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP); endothelium-dependent vasodilation (flow-mediated dilation, FMD); maximum force tested in the squat, bench press, and deadlift; and maximum oxygen consumption (spirometry). Results: powerlifter's cardiac dimensions (interventricular septum 13 mm; posterior wall thickness 12 mm; LV diastolic diameter 57 mm; left ventricle mass 383 g; LV mass adjusted by body surface area 151.4 g/m2) are above the proposed cutoff values beyond which pathology may be considered. Moreover, cardiovascular function systolic (ejection fraction by Simpson's rule, 71%) is preserved and FMD measure is fairly close and above normal; however, a mild increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed (130/89 mmHg, respectively). Conclusion: Cardiac remodeling cannot be viewed as either pathological or harmful to the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, we showed an improvement in endothelial function.(AU)

ACE gene dosage determines additional autonomic dysfunction and increases renal angiotensin II levels in diabetic mice

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate cardiovascular autonomic modulation and angiotensin II (Ang II) activity in diabetic mice that were genetically engineered to harbor two or three copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene. METHODS: Diabetic and non-diabetic mice harboring 2 or 3 copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene were used in the present study. Animals were divided into 4 groups: diabetic groups with two and three copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (2CD and 3CD) and the respective age-matched non-diabetic groups (2C and 3C). Hemodynamic, cardiovascular, and autonomic parameters as well as renal Ang II expression were evaluated. RESULTS: Heart rate was lower in diabetic animals than in non-diabetic animals. Autonomic modulation analysis indicated that the 3CD group showed increased sympathetic modulation and decreased vagal modulation of heart rate variability, eliciting increased cardiac sympathovagal balance, compared with all the other groups. Concurrent diabetes and either angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism resulted in a significant increase in Ang II expression in the renal cortex. CONCLUSION: Data indicates that a small increase in angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in diabetic animals leads to greater impairment of autonomic function, as demonstrated by increased sympathetic modulation and reduced cardiac vagal modulation along with increased renal expression of Ang II.

Changes in lower extremity blood flow during advancing phases of pregnancy and the effects of special footwear / Mudanças no fluxo sanguíneo das extremidades inferiores nas fases avançadas da gravidez e os efeitos de calçado especial

Background: During pregnancy, a number of changes affecting venous blood flow occur in the circulatory system, such as reduced vein wall tension or increased exposure to collagen fibers. These factors may cause blood stagnation, swelling of the legs, or endothelial damage and consequently lead to development of venous disease. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of special footwear designed to improve blood circulation in the feet on venous blood flow changes observed during advancing phases of pregnancy. Methods: Thirty healthy pregnant women participated in this study at 25, 30, and 35 weeks of gestation. Participants were allocated at random to an experimental group (n = 15) which was provided with the special footwear, or a control group (n = 15). At each data collection session, Doppler measurements of peak systolic blood flow velocity and cross-sectional area of the right popliteal vein were performed using a MySonoU6 ultrasound machine with a linear transducer (Samsung Medison). The differences were compared using Cohen's d test to calculate effect size. Results: With advancing phases of pregnancy, peak systolic velocity in the popliteal vein decreased significantly in the control group, whereas it increased significantly in the experimental group. No significant change in cross-sectional area was observed in any of the groups. Conclusions: Findings in the experimental group demonstrated that wearing the footwear tested may prevent venous blood velocity from reducing during advanced phases of pregnancy. Nevertheless, there is a need for further investigation of the beneficial effect on venous flow of the footwear tested and its application

Contexto: Durante a gravidez, uma série de mudanças que afetam o fluxo venoso ocorrem no sistema circulatório, tais como menor tensão da parede venosa ou aumento da exposição a fibras de colágeno. Esses fatores podem causar estagnação sanguínea, inchaço das pernas ou dano endotelial e, consequentemente, levar ao desenvolvimento de doença venosa. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do uso de calçados especiais projetados para melhorar a circulação sanguínea dos pés sobre as mudanças no fluxo venoso observadas nas fases avançadas da gravidez. Métodos: Trinta gestantes saudáveis participaram deste estudo às 25, 30 e 35 semanas de gestação. As participantes foram aleatoriamente designadas a um grupo experimental (n = 15) que recebeu calçados especiais, ou um grupo controle (n = 15). A cada sessão de coleta de dados, foram obtidas medidas Doppler do pico de velocidade do fluxo sanguíneo sistólico e da área transversal da veia poplítea direita, utilizando-se um aparelho de ultrassom MySonoU6 com transdutor linear (Samsung Medison). As diferenças foram comparadas utilizando-se o teste d de Cohen para calcular o tamanho do efeito. Resultados: Nas fases avançadas da gravidez, o pico da velocidade sistólica na veia poplítea diminuiu significativamente no grupo controle, porém aumentou significativamente no grupo experimental. Não houve mudanças significativas na área transversal da veia poplítea em nenhum dos grupos. Conclusões: Os achados do grupo experimental demonstraram que o uso dos calçados especiais testados pode evitar que a velocidade do fluxo venoso diminua nas fases avançadas da gravidez. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para investigar os efeitos benéficos sobre o fluxo venoso do uso dos calçados testados e suas aplicações

Symptoms of anxiety and depression are related to cardiovascular responses to active, but not passive, coping tasks

Objective: Anxiety and depression have been linked to blunted blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) reactions to mental stress tests; however, most studies have not included indices of underlying hemodynamics nor multiple stress tasks. This study sought to examine the relationships of anxiety and depression with hemodynamic responses to acute active and passive coping tasks. Methods: A total of 104 participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales and mental arithmetic, speech, and cold pressor tasks while BP, HR, total peripheral resistance, and cardiac output (CO) were assessed. Results: After adjustment for traditional risk factors and baseline cardiovascular activity, depression scores were negatively associated with systolic BP, HR, and CO responses to the mental arithmetic task, while anxiety scores were inversely related to the systolic BP response to mental arithmetic. Conclusion: High anxiety or depression scores appear to be associated with blunted cardiac reactions to mental arithmetic (an active coping task), but not to the cold pressor test or speech tasks. Future research should further examine potential mechanisms and longitudinal pathways relating depression and anxiety to cardiovascular reactivity. Clinical trial registration number: TCTR20160208004

Cardiovascular Effects of Shock and Trauma in Experimental Models. A Review

Abstract Experimental models of human pathology are useful guides to new approaches towards improving clinical and surgical treatments. A systematic search through PubMed using the syntax (shock) AND (trauma) AND (animal model) AND (cardiovascular) AND ("2010/01/01"[PDat]: "2015/12/31"[PDat]) found 88 articles, which were reduced by manual inspection to 43 entries. These were divided into themes and each theme is subsequently narrated and discussed conjointly. Taken together, these articles indicate that valuable information has been developed over the past 5 years concerning endothelial stability, mesenteric lymph, vascular reactivity, traumatic injuries, burn and sepsis. A surviving interest in hypertonic saline resuscitation still exists.

Disfunción tiroidea y corazón / Thyroid dysfunction and heart

Los trastornos de la función tiroidea afectan profundamente al sistema cardiovascular. En esta revisión se presentan algunos aspectos fisiológicos de la interrelación entre tiroides y corazón, como también las consecuencias de la tirotoxicosis e hipotiroidismo sobre el aparato cardiovascular. Se analiza la influencia del hipertiroidismo en la gèc)nesis de la fibrilación auricular y del hipotiroidismo en el metabolismo de las lipoproteínas. Adicionalmente, el artículo se referirá a los potenciales efectos adversos del antiarrítmico amiodarona sobre la función tiroidea y cómo se investigan y tratan. Finalmente, se expone un caso clínico real para ilustrar con mayor claridad la enorme importancia que pueden alcanzar las relaciones fisiopatológicas entre el corazón y las afecciones de esta glándula endocrina.

Disorders of thyroid function profoundly affect the cardiovascular system. Inthisreviewsomephysiologicalaspectsoftherelationship between thyroid and the heart as well as the consequences of thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism on the cardiovascular system are presented. The influence of hyperthyroidism is analyzed in the genesis of atrial fibrillation and of hypothyroidism on lipoprotein metabolism. Furthermore, we refer to the potential adverse effects of the antiarrhythmic amiodarone on thyroid function and how they are investigated and treated. Finally, a real clinical case is exposed to more clearly illustrate the enormous importance that can reach the pathophysiological relationships between the heart and the diseases of the thyroid gland.

[Echocardiographic evidence of early diastolic dysfunction in Asymptomatic children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta]

Objectives: Structural and functional cardiovascular abnormalities have been reported in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta [OI]; however, there is a lack of paediatric literature on this topic. This study aimed to investigate cardiovascular abnormalities in children with OI in comparison to a control group

Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, between May 2013 and August 2014. Data from eight patients with OI and 24 healthy controls were compared using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography [TDE]

Results: The OI group had significantly lower peak early mitral valve flow velocity [P = 0.027], peak a-wave reversal in the pulmonary vein [P = 0.030] and peak early diastolic velocity of the mitral valve and upper septum [P = 0.001 each]. The peak late diastolic velocities of the mitral valve [P = 0.002] and the upper septum [P = 0.037] were significantly higher in the OI group; however, the peak early/late diastolic velocity ratios of the mitral valve [P = 0.002] and upper septum [P = 0.001] were significantly lower. Left ventricular dimensions and aortic and pulmonary artery diameters were larger in the OI group when indexed for body surface area. Both groups had normal systolic cardiac function

Conclusion: Children with OI had normal systolic cardiac function. However, changes in myocardial tissue Doppler velocities were suggestive of early diastolic cardiac dysfunction. They also had increased left ventricular dimensions and greater vessel diameters. These findings indicate the need for early and detailed structural and functional echocardiographic assessment and follow-up of young patients with OI

Atividade nervosa simpática e desenvolvimento de lesões de órgãos-alvo na hipertensão arterial: benefícios autonômicos induzidos pelo treinamento aeróbio / Sympathetic nerve activity and development of end-organ injury in hypertension: autonomic benefits induced by aerobic training

A disfunção autonômica encontra-se estreitamente associada ao estabe- lecimento da hipertensão arterial, sendo caracterizada por aumento da atividade simpática, redução do tônus vagal e disfunção barorreflexa, contribuindo para a instalação da insuficiência cardíaca, do infarto do miocárdio, do acidente vascular cerebral, entre outras comorbidades. Remodelamento hipertrófico de arteríolas cerebrais, ativação de quimiorreceptores, anormalidades na barreira hematoencefálica e aumento da atividade neuronal determinam a geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio e citocinas pró-inflamatórias em áreas de controle cardiovascular, as quais, em associação com a hiperativação do sistema renina-angiotensina, perpetuam a disfunção autonôrnica e favorecem a manutenção da hipertensão arterial crônica. Além disto, a disfunção barorreflexa aumenta a variabilidade da pressão arterial, predispondo à rarefação capilar e determinando a progressão de lesões de órgãos-alvo. Por sua vez, a maior disponibilidade de angiotensina li nos diferentes tecidos é um importante estímulo para a inflamação tecidual e hipertrofia de artérias/arteríolas periféricas, potencializando os efeitos deletérios desencadeados pela hiperatividade simpática e disfunção barorreflexa. A hipertensão, uma vez estabelecida, é uma doença crônica que exige tratamento continuado, o qual pode reduzir os níveis pressóricos, mas não curá-Ia. Um importante avanço no controle da hipertensão foi a constatação de que o treinamento aeróbio, mesmo não normalizando a pressão arterial, reduz acentuadamente o estresse oxidativo e a in- flamação em áreas autonômicas, corrigindo prontamente a disfunção barorreflexa, aumentando o tônus vaga I e reduzindo a atividade simpá- tica. Estas adaptações autonôrnicas, em associação com a reversão do remodelamento hipertrófico arteriolar em tecidos exercitados, reduzem a resistência vascular periférica e a pressão arterial.

Autononic dysfunction is closely related to the development of hypertension, being characterized by increased sympathetic activity, decreased vagal tonus and baroreflex dysfunction. These autonornic adaptations contribute to heart failure, myocardial infarction and stroke as well. Hypertrophic remodeling ofbrain arterioles, chemoreceptors activation, blood-brain barrier abnormalities determine reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines production and increased neuronal activity within autonornic brain areas controlling the cardiovascular system. These responses associated with hyperactivation ofthe renin-angiotensin system allow the maintenance of chronic hypertension. Furthermore, baroreflex dysfunction increases arterial pressure variability that causes capillary rarefaction and end-organs injuries. On several tissues, increased Angiotensin li production is an important stimulus for tissue inflammation and arteries/arterioles hypertrophy, thus potentiating the deleterious effects of sympathetic hyperactivity and baroreflex dysfunction. Once established, hypertension is a chronic disease that needs continuous treatment. Chronic pharmacological interventions are able to decrease arterial pressure, but not cure it. An important advance on hypertension control was our recent finding that aerobic training, even not normalizing arterial pressure, sharply decreases oxidative stress and inflammation into autonornic control areas and promptly corrects baro- reflex dysfunction and cardiac vagal activity. Theses training-induced autonomic adaptations associated with reversion ofhypertrophic arteriole remodeling contribute to decrease peripheraJ vascular resistance and arterial pressure in hypertensive subjects.

Cuando el tiroides habla, el corazón escucha / When the thyroid speaks, the heart listens

Thyroid dysfunction, whether it be from an increase or decrease in the levels of thyroid hormones, has multiple repercussions in the cardiovascular system which have been associated with an increase in mortality and heightened risk of cardiovascular events. This risk must be taken into consideration when evaluating patients with thyroid dysfunction in order to include strategies that assure a timely diagnosis and treatment of the above-mentioned complications. Similarly, it is necessary to evaluate the thyroid function in patients who present cardiovascular events such as heart failure, arrhythmias, coronary acute syndrome or acute stroke. Some of these alterations will cease with the recovery of euthyroidism. Randomized controlled trials are needed to define the best way to treat these patients, especially in cases of subclinical hypothyroidism, where it is still unknown if treatment with L-thyroxin helps reducing cardiovascular risk...