Coronavirus disease-2019 and heart: assessment of troponin and cardiovascular comorbidities as prognostic markers in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease-2019 in a tertiary center in Brazil

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to evaluate the correlation of cardiac troponin T levels with comorbidities and in-hospital outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 in Brazil. METHODS: Data from a cohort of 3,596 patients who were admitted with suspected coronavirus disease-2019 in a Brazilian tertiary center, between March and August 2020, were reviewed. A total of 2,441 (68%) patients had cardiac troponin T determined in the first 72 h of admission and were stratified into two groups: elevated cardiac troponin T (cardiac troponin T >0.014 ng/mL) and normal cardiac troponin T. Associations between troponin, comorbidities, biomarkers, and outcomes were assessed. Regression models were built to assess the association of several variables with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 2,441 patients were embraced, of which 924 (38%) had normal cardiac troponin T and 1,517 (62%) had elevated cardiac troponin T. Patients with elevated cardiac troponin T were older and had more comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, arrhythmia, renal dysfunction, liver disease, stroke, cancer, and dementia. Patients with abnormal cardiac troponin T also had more altered laboratory parameters on admission (i.e., leukocytes, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and B-type natriuretic peptide), as well as more need for intensive care unit, vasoactive drugs, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, and blood transfusion. All-cause mortality was markedly higher among patients with increased cardiac troponin T (42 vs. 16%, P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that in-hospital mortality was not independently associated with troponin elevation. CONCLUSION: This study showed that cardiac troponin T elevation at admission was common and associated with several comorbidities, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease-2019, but it was not an independent marker of in-hospital mortality.

Acompanhamento de Dois Anos de Pacientes com Cardiopatia Isquêmica Crônica em um Centro Especializado no Brasil / Two-Year Follow-Up of Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease Patients in a Specialized Center in Brazil

Resumo Fundamento A incidência de eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes com doença cardíaca isquêmica crônica (DCIC) pode variar significativamente entre os países. Embora populoso, o Brasil é frequentemente sub-representado nos registros internacionais. Objetivos Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever a qualidade do atendimento e a incidência de eventos cardiovasculares em dois anos, além de fatores prognósticos associados em pacientes com DCIC em um centro terciário de saúde pública no Brasil. Métodos Pacientes com DCIC que compareceram para avaliação clínica no Instituto do Coração (São Paulo, Brasil) foram cadastrados e acompanhados por dois anos. O desfecho primário foi um composto de infarto do miocárdio (IM), acidente vascular encefálico ou morte. Um nível de significância de 0,05 foi adotado. Resultados De janeiro de 2016 a dezembro de 2018, 625 participantes foram incluídos no estudo. As características basais mostram que 33,1% eram mulheres, a idade mediana era de 66,1 [59,6 - 71,9], 48,6% tinham diabetes, 83,1% tinham hipertensão, 62,6% tinham IM prévio e 70,4% passaram por algum procedimento de revascularização. Em um acompanhamento mediano de 881 dias, 37 (7,05%) desfechos primários foram observados. Após ajustes, idade, acidente vascular encefálico prévio e colesterol LDL foram independentemente associados ao desfecho primário. Comparando a linha de base com o acompanhamento, os participantes relataram alívio da angina com base na escala da Sociedade Cardiovascular Canadense (SCC) de acordo com as seguintes porcentagens: 65,7% vs. 81,7% eram assintomáticos e 4,2% vs. 2,9% eram SCC 3 ou 4 (p < 0,001). Eles também relataram melhor qualidade na prescrição de medicamentos: 65,8% vs. 73,6% (p < 0,001). No entanto, não houve melhora no colesterol LDL ou no controle da pressão arterial. Conclusão O presente estudo mostra que pacientes com DCIC apresentaram uma incidência de 7,05% do desfecho primário composto em um período de dois anos, sendo a diminuição do colesterol LDL o único fator de risco modificável associado ao prognóstico.

Abstract Background The incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) may vary significantly among countries. Although populous, Brazil is often underrepresented in international records. Objectives This study aimed to describe the quality of care and the two-year incidence of cardiovascular events and associated prognostic factors in CIHD patients in a tertiary public health care center in Brazil. Methods Patients with CIHD who reported for clinical evaluation at Instituto do Coração (São Paulo, Brazil) were registered and followed for two years. The primary endpoint was a composite of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or death. A significance level of 0.05 was adopted. Results From January 2016 to December 2018, 625 participants were included in the study. Baseline characteristics show that 33.1% were women, median age 66.1 [59.6 - 71.9], 48.6% had diabetes, 83.1% had hypertension, 62.6% had previous MI, and 70.4% went through some revascularization procedure. At a median follow-up (FU) of 881 days, we noted 37 (7.05%) primary endpoints. After adjustments, age, previous stroke, and LDL-cholesterol were independently associated with the primary endpoint. Comparing baseline versus FU, participants experienced relief of angina based on the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) scale according to the following percentages: 65.7% vs. 81.7% were asymptomatic and 4.2% vs. 2.9% CCS 3 or 4 (p < 0.001). They also experienced better quality of medication prescription: 65.8% vs. 73.6% (p < 0.001). However, there was no improvement in LDL-cholesterol or blood pressure control. Conclusion This study shows that CIHD patients had a two-year incidence of the primary composite endpoint of 7.05%, and the reduction of LDL-cholesterol was the only modifiable risk factor associated with prognosis.

Occurrence of recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation in the immediate postoperative period of myocardial revascularization surgery. Although common, a devalued complication

SUMMARY Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery, with a prevalence between 15-40% after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Several strategies have been tested for the prevention and management of AF postoperatively. Previous studies and analysis of records have shown higher rates of hospitalization and clinical outcomes associated with this entity, including increased mortality in the short- and long-term. This perspective reviews the topic, and offers recommendations for the management of this arrhythmia in the postoperative period of CABG, with a special focus on anticoagulation strategies.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU in a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil - study protocol

OBJECTIVES: We designed a cohort study to describe characteristics and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the largest public hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as Latin America becomes the epicenter of the pandemic. METHODS: This is the protocol for a study being conducted at an academic hospital in Brazil with 300 adult ICU beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients. We will include adult patients admitted to the ICU with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 during the study period. The main outcome is ICU survival at 28 days. Data will be collected prospectively and retrospectively by trained investigators from the hospital's electronic medical records, using an electronic data capture tool. We will collect data on demographics, comorbidities, severity of disease, and laboratorial test results at admission. Information on the need for advanced life support and ventilator parameters will be collected during ICU stay. Patients will be followed up for 28 days in the ICU and 60 days in the hospital. We will plot Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate ICU and hospital survival and perform survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model to identify the main risk factors for mortality. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04378582. RESULTS: We expect to include a large sample of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU and to be able to provide data on admission characteristics, use of advanced life support, ICU survival at 28 days, and hospital survival at 60 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide epidemiological data about critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Brazil, which could inform health policy and resource allocation in low- and middle-income countries.

Presença de microalbuminúria como fator de risco em pacientes diabéticos portadores de doença arterial coronária estável / Microalbuminuria as a risk factor in diabetic patients with stable coronary artery disease

A microalbuminúria é admitida como o principal marcadorpara o desenvolvimento de nefropatia diabética. Sua presençatambém é preditora independente de morbidade e mortalidadecardiovasculares. A relação da microalbuminúria com fatoresde risco clássicos para a doença multiarterial coronária (DAC)também tem sido mostrada em estudos epidemiológicos. Opresente estudo tem o objetivo de determinar a prevalênciade microalbuminúria em um grupo de pacientes diabéticosportadores de DAC e relacionar a sua presença com os fatoresclássicos de risco cardiovascular. Trata-se de um estudotransversal realizado com pacientes diabéticos portadoresde DAC, que realizam tratamento no Instituto do Coração(InCor-HCFMUSP). Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros:idade, presença ou ausência de HAS, tempo de diabetes,tabagismo, perfil lipídico, hemoglobina glicada e presença demicroalbuminúria/proteinúria, a partir da coleta urinária em24 horas. Os pacientes foram estratificados em três grupos,conforme o valor de albuminúria. Foram feitas análisesestatísticas comparando as diferentes variáveis entre os trêsgrupos. Nesta amostra de pacientes portadores de DM e DACmultiarterial estável, observou-se uma relação crescente entreos valores de albuminúria e o tempo de diabetes mellitus, níveisséricos de LDL-colesterol e triglicérides.

Microalbuminuria is accepted as a surrogate marker for thedevelopment of diabetic nephropathy. Its presence is alsoan independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity andmortality. The relationship of microalbuminuria with classicrisk factors for coronary multivessel disease (CAD) has alsobeen shown in epidemiological studies. The present studyaims to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria ina group of diabetic patients with CAD and correlate theirpresence with the classic cardiovascular risk factors. This isa cross-sectional study with diabetic patients with CAD whoperform treatment at the Heart Institute (Incor-HCFMUSP).We evaluated the following parameters: age, presence orabsence of hypertension, duration of diabetes, smoking, lipidprofile, glycated hemoglobin and microalbuminuria/proteinuriafrom urine collection in 24 hours. Patients were stratified into3 groups according to the value of albuminuria. Statisticalanalyzes were performed comparing the different variablesamong the three groups. In this sample of patients with diabetesand stable multivessel CAD there was a growing relationshipbetween the values of albuminuria and duration of diabetesmellitus, serum LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides.

Evolução da função ventricular esquerda em pacientes portadores de coronariopatia crônica submetidos ao tratamento clínico, cirúrgico e angioplastia - seguimento de 10 anos / Evolution of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with stable multivessel coronary disease undergoing medicine, angioplasty or surgery: 10-year follow-up of the MASS II trial

INTRODUÇÃO: Historicamente, os procedimentos de revascularização do miocárdio (cirúrgicos ou percutâneos) foram admitidos como opções terapêuticas efetivas para a proteção, em curto e médio prazo, do miocárdio isquêmico em pacientes portadores de doença arterial coronária. Todavia, não está estabelecido se tais procedimentos são essenciais para a preservação da função ventricular, nem se a ausência dos mesmos contribui para sua piora. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a evolução da fração de ejeção (FEVE) em pacientes portadores de doença multiarterial coronariana crônica estável, e com função ventricular esquerda preservada, dez anos após terem sido submetidos a três diferentes estratégias terapêuticas: revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio (RM), angioplastia coronária percutânea (ATC) ou tratamento medicamentoso (TM) isoladamente (subestudo do MASS II). MÉTODOS: Realizou-se o ecocardiograma transtorácico com doppler para avaliação da FEVE em pacientes portadores de DAC multiaterial estável no início do estudo e após dez anos das intervenções. O cálculo da FEVE foi realizado pelos métodos de Teichholz ou bidimensional. RESULTADOS: Dos 611 pacientes integrantes do estudo MASS II, 422 pacientes estavam vivos ao término de 10,32 (±1,43) anos de seguimento; destes, 108 pacientes do grupo TM, 111 do RM e 131 do ATC realizaram reavaliação ecocardiográfica da função ventricular. As principais características demográficas, clínicas e angiográficas foram semelhantes nos 3 grupos, bem como a ocorrência de infarto agudo do miocárdico (IAM). A FEVE foi semelhante entre os grupos no início do estudo (0,61 + 0,07, 0,61 + 0,08 e 0,61 + 0,09, respectivamente, para os grupos ATC, RM e TM [p=0,675]) e ao término do seguimento (0,56 + 0,11, 0,55 + 0,11 e 0,55 + 0,12, respectivamente, para os grupos ATC, RM e TM [p=0,675]). Observou-se redução da função ventricular (p<0,001) nos três grupos terapêuticos de forma semelhante (p=0,641). Outras variáveis, como gênero, diabetes, idade...

BACKGROUND: Historically, myocardial revascularization procedures, either by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), are assumed as effective therapeutic options for the protection of the ischemic myocardium. However, it is not established if those procedures are responsible for left ventricular function preservation, or even if their absence may contribute for the deterioration of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the evolution of LVEF in patients with chronic multivessel coronary heart disease and left ventricular function initially preserved, submitted to CABG, PCI or medical treatment (MT), after ten years of follow-up (MASS II substudy). METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in patients with multivessel coronary heart disease, participants of MASS II trial, previously to randomization for one of the three possible therapeutic strategies (CABG, PCI and MT), and after 10 years of follow-up. LVEF was measured by the biplane method (Simpson) or alternatively by the Teichholz method. RESULTS: Of the 611 patients participants of MASS II trial, 422 were alive after a follow-up of 10.32 (±1.43) years. 350 had LVEF reassessed: 108 patients in MT group, 111 in CABG group and 131 in PCI group. Main baseline characteristics were similar among the three groups, including demographic, angiographic and laboratorial findings. The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was also similar among the 3 groups. There was no difference of LVEF either at the beginning (0.61 + 0.07, 0.61 + 0.08 e 0.61 + 0.09 respectively for PCI, CABG and MT, p=0.675) and the end of follow up (0.56 + 0.11, 0.55 + 0.11 e 0.55 + 0.12 respectively for PCI, CABG and MT groups, p=0.675). However, there was a slight, but significant reduction (P<0.001) of LVEF, similar on the three therapeutic groups (p=0.641). The impact of other variables over LVEF evolution, such as gender, age...

Custos comparativos entre a revascularização miocárdica com e sem circulação extracorpórea / Comparative costs between myocardial revascularization with or without extracorporeal circulation

FUNDAMENTO: Técnicas cirúrgicas de revascularização miocárdica sem o uso de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) projetaram esperanças de resultados operatórios com menor dano sistêmico, menor ocorrência de complicações clínicas e menor tempo de internação hospitalar, gerando expectativas de menor custo hospitalar. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o custo hospitalar em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica com e sem o uso de CEC, e em portadores de doença multiarterial coronariana estável com função ventricular preservada. MÉTODOS: Os custos hospitalares foram baseados na remuneração governamental vigente. Acrescentaram-se aos custos uso de órteses e próteses, complicações e intercorrências clínicas. Consideraram-se o tempo e os custos de permanência na UTI e de internação hospitalar. RESULTADOS: Entre janeiro de 2002 e agosto de 2006, foram randomizados 131 pacientes para cirurgia com CEC (CCEC) e 128 pacientes sem CEC (SCEC). As características basais foram semelhantes para os dois grupos. Os custos das intercorrências cirúrgicas foram significativamente menores (p < 0,001) para pacientes do grupo SCEC comparados ao grupo CCEC (606,00 ± 525,00 vs. 945,90 ± 440,00), bem como os custos na UTI: 432,20 ± 391,70 vs. 717,70 ± 257,70, respectivamente. Os tempos de permanência na sala cirúrgica foram (4,9 ± 1,1 h vs. 3,9 ± 1,0 h), (p < 0,001) na UTI (48,2 ± 17,2 h vs. 29,2 ± 26,1h) (p < 0,001), com tempo de entubação (9,2 ± 4,5 h vs. 6,4 ± 5,1h) (p < 0,001) para pacientes do grupo com e sem CEC, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados permitem concluir que a cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica, sem circulação extracorpórea, proporciona diminuição de custos operacionais e de tempo de permanência em cada setor relacionado ao tratamento cirúrgico.

BACKGROUND: Surgical techniques of myocardial revascularization without the use of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) have raised hopes of attaining operative results with less systemic damage, lower occurrence of clinical complications and shorter hospital stay duration, generating expectations of lower hospital costs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hospital costs in patients submitted to myocardial revascularization with and without ECC and in those with stable multiarterial coronary disease with preserved ventricular function. METHODS: The hospital costs were based on the existing governmental reimbursement. The costs included that of ortheses and prostheses and clinical complications. The time and costs of ICU stay and hospital stay duration were considered. RESULTS: Between January 2002 and August 2006, 131 patients were randomized to surgery with ECC (SECC), whereas 128 were randomized to surgery without ECC (WECC). The basal characteristics were similar for both groups. The costs of surgical complications were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in patients from the WECC when compared to the SECC group (606.00 ± 525.00 vs. 945.90 ± 440.00), as well as ICU costs: 432.20 ± 391.70 vs. 717.70 ± 257.70, respectively. The duration of the operating room stay were 4.9 ± 1.1 h vs. 3.9 ± 1.0 h, p < 0.001; at the ICU it was 48.2 ± 17.2 h vs. 29.2 ± 26.1h) (p < 0.001), with intubation time of 9.2 ± 4.5 h vs. 6.4 ± 5.1h, p < 0.001 for patients from the group with and without ECC, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study allowed us to conclude that the myocardial revascularization surgery without extracorporeal circulation results in the decrease of operational costs and duration of the stay in each section related to the surgical treatment.