Impacto da Etiologia sobre a Função Atrial Esquerda em Pacientescom Refluxo Mitral Importante / Impact of Etiology on the Left Atrial Function in Patients with Severe Mitral Regurgitation

A adaptação à sobrecarga crônica de volume na insuficiência mitral (IM) tende a aumentar o átrioesquerdo (AE), predispondo a disfunção atrial e arritmias. Embora as dimensões do AE tragam importante informação prognóstica, a função contrátil atrial não tem sido estudada consistentemente na IM. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a função atrial em pacientes com IM por cardiopatia reumática (CR) eprolapso valvar mitral (PVM). Métodos: Foram estudados 54 pacientes com IM importante, com área do orifício regorgitante efetivo (ERO) ≥ 0,40 cm2,sendo 23 com CR e 31 com PVM, em ritmo sinusal, com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) > 60%. Foram medidos diâmetros e massa do VE, volumes do VE e AE (máximo, mínimo e pré-A), fração de esvaziamento total (FEsv.TAE), passiva (FEsv.P AE) e ativa (FEsv.A AE) do AE, para avaliar função. Medidas de Doppler transmitral e tecidual foram obtidas. Resultados: Comparados ao PVM, pacientes com CR eram mais jovens (35 ± 11 versus 55 ± 13 anos; p < 0,05) e do sexo feminino (17 versus 7 mulheres; p < 0,05); o índice de massa do VE foi maior no grupo PVM. O volume atrial máximo foiigual para os grupos, com maior volume mínimo (56,9 ± 30 versus 41,6 ± 17 mL; p = 0,02) e consequentemente menor FEsv.A AE (0,41 ± 0,11 versus 0,47 ± 0,07; p = 0,03) e FEsv.A AE (0,20 ± 0,08 versus 0,27 ± 0,07; p < 0,001) para o grupo CR. Conclusão: Embora mais jovens, pacientes com IM de etiologia reumática apresentam maior comprometimento da função atrial comparados a pacientes com PVM, possivelmente refletindo o acometimento do miocárdio atrial peladoença...

Adaptation to chronic volume overload in patients with mitral insufficiency (MI) tends to increase left atrium (LA), leading to LA dysfunction and arrhythmias. Though LA dimension is a well-known cardiovascular risk predictor, LA contractile function has not been thoroughly assessed in patients with MI of distinct etiologies. Objective: We aimed to assess LA structure and function in patients with MI due to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Methods: We assessed 54 patients with severe MI, defined by an effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) ≥ 0.40 cm2, 23 with RHD and 31 with MVP, all in sinus rhythm and with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction > 60%. We measured LV diameters and mass, and also volumes (Simpson) to assess function, including maximal, minimal and pre-atrial contraction volumes, and total (TLAEF), passive (PLAEF) and active (ALAEF) LAemptying fraction. Transmitral and tissue Doppler measurements were obtained. Results: Compared to MVP, patients with RHD were younger (35 ± 11 versus 55 ± 13 years) and mainly female (17 versus 7 female; p < 0.05);LV mass index was higher for MVP patients. Although LA maximal volume was similar for both groups, patients with RHD had higher minimal LA volumes (56.9 ± 30 versus 41.6 ± 17 ml; p = 0.02), resulting in lower TLAEF (0.41 ± 0.11versus 0.47 ± 0.07; p = 0.03) and ALAEF (0.20 ± 0.08versus 0.27 ± 0.07; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although younger, patients with MI due to RHD present with more severe LA dysfunction compared to MVP, possibly reflecting direct atrial impairment from rheumatic heart disease...

Febre reumática – patogênese e vacina / Rheumatic fever – pathogenesis and vaccine

Há um amplo espectro de doenças causadas por estreptococos do grupo A (GAS), e estas são consideradas um problema de saúde pública em países em desenvolvimento, com aproximadamente 600 milhões de casos/ano. As infecções causadas por GAS podem ocasionar doenças invasivas como faringite e pioderma com seqüelas auto-imunes graves como a febre reumática (FR) e glomerulonefrite. A FR acomete principalmente crianças e jovens, inicia com poliartrite na maioria dos casos. Tem como sequelas principais a coreia de Sydenham e a doença reumática cardíaca (DRC), considerada a forma mais grave da doença e caracterizada por lesões cardíacas valvares progressivas e permanentes, que necessitam de cirurgias cardíacas para correção valvular, com alto custo para os Sistemas de Saúde, no mundo. A presente revisão descreve os principais mecanismos desencadeadores das lesões reumáticas no coração e o desenvolvimento da vacina contra o Streptococcus pyogenes para prevenção das principais sequelas decorrentes das streptococcias.

Group A streptococci (GAS) infections are considered a public health problem in developing countries, with about 600 million cases per year and are responsible for an wide spectrum of diseases, mainly invasive diseases as pharyngitis and pyoderma that lead to rheumatic fever (RF) and glomerulonephritis autoimmune sequelae. RF affects children and young adults, and presents differentmanifestations such as rheumatic heart disease (RHD), Sydenham chorea, erythema marginatum, subcutaneousnodules. RHD is considered the most serious complications leading to cardiac valvular lesions characterized byprogressive and permanent heart-valve damage, which entails high cost to the Healthy System around the world. In the present review we described the mechanisms that lead to rheumatic heart lesions and the development of avaccine against Streptococcus pyogenes.

Valvuloplastía mitral percutánea: experiencia del Hospital San Juan de Dios / Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty: the San Juan de Dios Hospital experience

Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados alejados de la valvuloplastía mitral percutánea (VMP), y analizar los factores asociados con eventos y reestenosis tardía. Métodos y resultados: De 252 VPM realizadas entre diciembre de 1987 y diciembre de 2006, 245 pacientes tuvieron un mínimo de 6 meses de seguimiento y evaluación ecocardiográfica antes y después del procedimiento (97 por ciento). La edad media fue de 46,3 +/- 11,37 años, las mujeres fueron 83,6 por ciento. La media de seguimiento fue de 35,25 +/- 28,84 meses, rango 6-132. La muerte cardiovascular, y el reemplazo de la válvula mitral o una segunda VMP fueron considerados como marcadores de peor resultado. El área de la válvula mitral aumentó de 1,0 +/- 0,17 cm2 a 1,71 +/- 0,31 cm2 (p <0,0001) después del procedimiento. Durante el seguimiento, 53 pacientes (21,6 por ciento) presentaron reestenosis, que fue predicha por un Score de Wilkins > 8 (p = 0,03). Cinco pacientes fallecieron (2,04 por ciento), 22 (8,9 por ciento) requirieron reemplazo de la válvula mitral y 11 (4,5 por ciento) una segunda VMP. No encontramos variables clínicas o ecocardiográficas capaces de predecir estos eventos. Conclusiones La VMP tuvo una tasa aceptable de complicaciones atribuibles al procedimiento. Las características ecocardiográficas de la válvula mitral se correlacionaron con la reestenosis. La incidencia de eventos tardíos es baja.

Objective: To evalúate the long-term results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV), and analyze the factors associated with restenosis and late events. Methods and results: Of 252 PMV performed between December 1987 and December 2006, 245 patients with a minimum of 6 months follow-up and echocardiographic evaluation before and after the procedure, were selected for long-term follow-up (97 percent). The mean age was 46.3 +/- 11.37 years old, 83.6 percent women. The mean follow-up was 35.25 +/- 28.84 months, range 6-132. Cardiovascular death, and mitral valve replacement or second PMV, were considered as markers of worst outcome. The mitral valve area increased from 1.0+/-0.17cm2 to 1.71 +/- 0.31 cm2 (p <0.0001) after the first procedure. During follow up, 53 patients (21.6 percent) developed restenosis, which was predicted by a Wilkins score > 8 (p = 0.03). Five (2.04 percent) patients died. Twenty-two (8.9 percent) required mitral valve replacement and 11(4.5 percent) a second PMV. We found that no clinical or echocardiographic variables were able to predict these events. Conclusions: PMV had an acceptable rate of complications attributable to the procedure. The echocardiographic characteristics of the mitral valve correlated with restenosis. The incidence of late events is low.

Implante de marcapasso definitivo em gestante portadora de valvopatia mitral reumática / Permanent pacemaker implantation in a pregnant woman with rheumatic mitral valve disease / Implante de marcapaso definitivo en gestante portadora de valvulopatía mitral reumática

Descrevemos um caso raro de implante de marcapasso definitivo em gestante, portadora de valvopatia mitral reumática, previamente submetida à valvoplastia percutânea por cateter-balão. A paciente apresentava bloqueio atrioventricular de grau avançado, de causa não-reversível, sintomático e manifesto no 3º trimestre da gestação.

We describe a rare case of permanent pacemaker implantation in a pregnant woman with rheumatic mitral valve disease previously undergoing percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. She presented symptomatic advanced atrioventricular block of non-reversible cause and manifest in the third trimester of gestation.

Describimos un caso raro de implante de marcapaso definitivo en gestante, portadora de valvulopatía mitral reumática, previamente sometida a valvuloplastia percutánea por catéter balón La paciente presentaba bloqueo atrioventricular en grado avanzado, de causa irreversible, sintomático y manifiesto en el 3º trimestre de gestación.

Valvoplastia mitral percutânea complicada com tamponamento cardíaco em paciente gestante / Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty complicated by cardiac tamponade in a pregnant patient

A ocorrência de Hemopericárdio com Tamponamento Cardíaco é uma complicação da Valvoplastia Mitral Percutânea por balão (VMB), que apesar de pouco freqüente, pode ter graves conseqüências materno-fetais. Este artigo descreve o caso de um tamponamento cardíaco após VMB em uma mulher de 28 anos, com estenose mitral reumática severa na 20ª semana de gravidez.

The occurrence of hemopericardium with cardiac tamponade is a complication of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) which, although uncommon, may have severe maternal and fetal consequences. This article describes a case of cardiac tamponade following BMV in a 28-year-old woman with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in the 20th week of gestation.

Percutaneous balloon valvotomy for combined rheumatic mitral and aortic stenosis

Balloon dilatation of the mitral valve is an established modality of treating patients with mitral stenosis. However, there is limited experience for simultaneous dilatation of combined mitral and aortic stenosis report our experience in percutaneous balloon valvotomy for combined mitral and aortic rheumatic stenosis. we describe a case of a 33 years old woman who successfully balloon valvotomy for rheumatic mitral and aortic stenosis via the transseptal anterog ade approach using Inoue balloon for mitral valve and retrograde approach single balloon for aortic valve. Double valve balloon valvotomy is feasible and safe in selected patients with combined mitral and aortic rheumatic stenosis

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy.

Two hundred patients underwent Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) from January 2003 to July 2004. Seventy four percent of the patients were female. Age ranged from 10 years old to 61 years and mean age was 29 years. Twenty three percent of the patients were under 21 years of age. Atrial fibrillation was present in 32.0% of the cases. Mean mitral valve area increased from 0.90cm2 (+/- 0.14) to 1.82cm2 (+/- 0.21) (p = 0.018). Left atrial mean pressure decreased from 21 mmHg mean to 7 mmHg. Subjective improvement was reported in 98.0% of the patients immediately after the procedure. There was no mortality during the hospital stay or within the first month of the procedure. Significant mitral regurgitation of grade 3 was noted in 5 patients. Two developed severe mitral regurgitation. The complications were negligible. One had systemic embolisation during the procedure which recovered over a period of time. One developed deep vein thrombosis which recovered after treatment.

Fatores prognósticos da estenose mitral reumática durante o período da gravidez e puerpério / Prognostic factors of rheumatic mitral stenosis during pregnancy and puerperium

OBJECTIVE: To identifity characteristics associated with complications during pregnancy and puerperium in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. METHODS: Forty-one pregnant women (forty-five pregnancies) with mitral stenosis, followed-up from 1991 to 1999 were retrospectively evaluated. Predictor variables: the mitral valve area (MVA), measured by echocardiogram, and functional class (FC) before pregnancy (NYHA criteria).Maternal events: progression of heart failure, need for cardiac surgery or balloon mitral valvulotomy, death, and thromboembolism. Fetal/neonatal events: abortion, fetal or neonatal death, prematurity or low birth weight (<2,500g), and extended stay in the nursery or hospitalization in newborn ICU. RESULTS: The mean + or - SD of age of the patients was 28.8 + or - 4.6 years. The eventful and uneventful patients were similar in age and percentage of first pregnancies. As compared with the level 1 MVA, the relative risk (RR) of maternal events was 5.5 (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) =0.8-39.7) for level 2 MVA and 11.4 (95 per cent CI=1.7-74.5) for level 3 MVA. The prepregnancy FC (FC > or = II and III versus I) was also associated with a risk for maternal events (RR=2.7; 95 per cent CI=1.4-5.3).MVA and FC were not importantly associated with these events, although a smaller frequency of fetal/neonatal events was observed in patients who had undergone balloon valvulotomy. CONCLUSION: In pregnant women with mitral stenosis, the MVA and the FC are strongly associated with maternal complications but are not associated with fetal/neonatal events. Balloon mitral valvulotomy could have contributed to reducing the risks of fetal/neonatal events in the more symptomatic patients who had to undergo this procedure during pregnancy.

Profile of secondary prophylaxis among children with rheumatic heart disease in Alexandria, Egypt

A cross-sectional study was conducted in specialist children's hospitals in Alexandria, which aimed to evaluate the current regimen of secondary prophylaxis for children suffering from rheumatic heart disease. Two-thirds of the patients had complied with their prophylactic regimen. Prophylactic failure occurred in one-third of the patients, raising doubts about the efficacy of the brands of penicillin prescribed. Recurrence of rheumatic fever was recorded in 37.3% of the patients, with semiurban or rural residence and non-compliance with secondary prophylaxis the significant risk factors. These unsatisfactory findings suggest the need for a more effective strategy of primary and secondary prophylaxis for controlling rheumatic fever in our community

Mycobacterium fortuitum endocarditis and meningitis after balloon mitral valvotomy.

Mycobacteria rarely cause endocardial infections. We describe the clinical course of a patient who developed endocarditis, and meningitis with Mycobacterium fortuitum following balloon mitral valvotomy. The patient was treated with amikacin and clarithromycin but did not respond. She developed haemolytic anaemia as the terminal event.

Simultaneous echocardiographic and catheterisation gradients and mitral valve area during balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

This study was aimed at estimating mean transmitral gradients by simultaneous Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation and determining mitral valve area by pressure half time, Gorlin's formula and two-dimensional echocardiography so as to assess the relative accuracy of these methods before and after balloon mitral valvuloplasty in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Left atrium-left ventricular, pulmonary artery wedge-left ventricular and echo gradients were simultaneously recorded in 18 patients undergoing balloon mitral valvuloplasty. Mitral valve area was estimated by pressure half time, Gorlin's equation and two-dimensional echocardiography. The correlation between left atrium-left ventricular and echo mean gradient before balloon mitral valvuloplasty was 0.96 (p < 0.03). Between pulmonary artery wedge-left ventricular and echo mean gradient, it was 0.95 (p < 0.04). The correlations between left atrium-left ventricular and pulmonary artery wedge-left ventricular mean gradient were also good. After balloon mitral valvuloplasty, similar good correlations were seen. On subgrouping the patients into those with high and low pulmonary artery pressure, good correlation persisted both before and after balloon mitral valvuloplasty. Mitral valve area by all the methods were similar before balloon mitral valvuloplasty. After balloon mitral valvuloplasty, mitral valve area by pressure half time was the least and by two-dimensional echocardiography, the maximum. All the three methods are equally accurate in estimating transmitral gradients and mitral valve area in mitral stenosis before balloon mitral valvuloplasty. Two-dimensional echocardiography is the best to estimate mitral valve area after balloon mitral valvuloplasty. Echocardiography can replace haemodynamic measurement of gradients and mitral valve area before and after balloon mitral valvuloplasty. But pressure half time is not recommended for measuring mitral valve area immediately after balloon mitral valvuloplasty where two-dimensional echocardiography mitral valve area is to be employed.

Fibroelastoma papilar del ventrículo izquierdo en presencia de prótesis valvular mitral. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Papilary fibroelastoma of the left ventricle in presence of mitral valvular prosthesis: case report and review of literature

El fibroelastoma papilar en un tumor cardiaco benigno raro, que previo al advenimiento de la ecocardiografía, era diagnosticado sólo en necropsias o de manera incidental en cirugía. Se puede presentar en la fuperficie endocárdica o en cualquiera de las válvulas, y aunque su tañamo generalmente es pequeño, se le asocia a fenómenos embolígenos, dolor torácico y muerte súbita. En este reporte se presenta el primer caso de fibroelastoma papilar, en presencia de una prótesis valvular mecánica en posición mitral, en una paciente de 55 años con cardiopatía reumática inactiva. El tumor fue detectado mediante ecocardiografía transtorácica y transesofágica

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in Jamaica: the initial experience

Although percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty has been performed in the Caribbean before, there has not been any detailed description in the English-speaking West Indian Medical literature hitherto. This report provides a description of the first four cases of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty performed in Jamaica.

Pulsoterapia em cardite reumática ativa / Pulsetherapy in rheumatic carditis

Os autores mostram a importância da megadose do esteróide metilprednisolona (pulsoterapia) em medicina, destacando sua importância na cardite reumática, particularmente nos casos graves. Mostram a experiência acumulada desde 1987 no trato de centenas de pacientes

Beneficial effect of balloon mitral valvotomy in reducing severity of associated tricuspid regurgitation.

This study was done to find out whether successful balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) reduces the severity of associated functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and if so, which variables predict this reduction. Of the 177 consecutive patients who underwent BMV, 53 were found to have functional TR. 2D echocardiography (Echo) with color Doppler was done before and 24-48 hours after BMV. Using the apical four-chamber view, the severity of TR was assessed by comparing the ratio of maximal tricuspid regurgitant jet area (TRA) to right atrial area (RAA). There was a significant reduction in TRA:RAA, after BMV (0.26 to 0.12; p < 0.05). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the predictors of TR reduction were: age less than 24 years (r = 0.56, p < 0.004), cardiothoracic ratio measured on chest X-ray > 60% (r = 0.43, p < 0.002) and pre-BMV pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) > 50 mm Hg (r = 0.51, p < 0.001).

Cardite reumatica ativa confirmada atraves da cintilografia miocardica com galio-67 / Acute rheumatic carditis confirmed by myocardial scintigraphy with gallium-67

Apresentamos um caso de cardite reumatica ativa em um menino de 11 anos de idade, cujo primeiro surto de Febre Reumatica (FR) se deu aos 9 anos. Como o paciente voltou a apresentar sinais de recorrencia da FR e ja era portador de sequelas valvulares, optou-se realizar uma cintilografia miocardica com galio-67 para tentar elucidar se havia ou nao evidencia de cardite ativa, visto a dificuldade diagnostica encontrada nestes casos de recorrencia e a possibilidade de que atraves da medicina nuclear se pudesse diferenciar em processo inflamatorio agudo ou cronico, o que leva a implicacoes terapeuticas distintas

Valvoplastia mitral com duplo cateter-baläo, avaliaçäo hemodinâmica de 52 casos um ano depois do procedimento / Mitral Valvoplasty by Double Balloon. Hemodynamic Evaluation of 52 Cases One Year After the Procedure

Objetivo - Avaliar os resultados hemodinâmicos e angiográficos tardios da valvoplastia mitral por duplo cateter-baläo, para tratamento da estenose mitral reumática. Métodos - Cinquenta e dois pacientes foram submetidos à avaliaçäo, sendo 84,6// do sexo feminino, com idade média de 21,9 anos. Oitenta e um por cento estavam na classe funcional I (NYHA), e 5,7// exibiam fibrilaçäo atrial, 18 meses após dilataçäo. Todos foram submetidos a estudo ecocardiográfico e cateterismo cardíaco com angiografia, 1 ano após o procedimento. Resultados - quarenta e seis pacientes (88,5//) exibiram, imediatamente após a valvoplastia, áerea valvar > 1,50cm². Em 6(11,5//), a área da valva mitral foi ó 1,50cm². Os casos em que se obteve área valvar ò 1,50cm², tiveram boa evoluçäo clínica, sem perda dos bons resultados hemodinâmicos e ecocardiográficos iniciais, incluindo o gradiente de pressäo diastólica mitral, as pressöes médias do átrio esquerdo e da artéria pulmonar e a área valvar mitral. Nos 6 casos em ques e obteve area valvar ó 1,50cm², 2 tiveram evoluçäo favorável, 2 foram redilatados, 1 aguarda tratamento cirúrgico e outro mantém-se em tratamento clínico a despeito do resultado hemodinâmico insatisfarório. Em 3 dos 52 casos (5,7), demonstrou-se, após o procedimento, a existência de comunicaçäo interatrial, em 2 sem repercussäo hemodinâmica, e, no 3º, com repercussäo, foi indicada a correçäo cirúrgica do defeito. A insuficiência mitral ocorreu em 16 casos (30,7//), sendo de grau + em 8 e de + a ++, nos demais, sem nenhum agravamento neste período evolutivo. Conclusäo - A valvoplastia mitral por duplo cateter-baläo é método eficaz para tratamento da estenose mitral reumática, havendo boa evoluçäo tardia, nos casos que apresentam área ò 1,50cm² imediatamente após a dilataçäo

Purpose - To evaluate the late hemodynamic and angiographic results of 52 patients who underwent mitral valvoplasty by the double balloon technique in the treatment of the rheumatic mitral stenosis. Methods - The mean follow-up was of 18 months and the patients had a Doppler-echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization one year after dilatation. Of the 52 patients 84.6% were femule and the mean age was 21.9% years. Eighty one percent were in NYHA class I whereas 5.7% had atrial fibrillation at the end of 18 months. Results Immediatly after valvoplasty 46 patients (88.5%) had a valvar area larger, and 6 (11.5%) smaller than 1.5 cm2 . The first group had a good clinical outcome with maintenance of the clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic results in the late followup, including the dyastolic gradient and the valvar area. Of the 6 cases with mitral area smaller than 1.5 cm2, 2 had a good clinical evolation, 2 were redilated, I was scheduled for surgery and the last one is under clinical management but with poor hemodynamic results. Three (5.7%) cases developed an atrial septal defect after the procedure, with hemodynamic repercussion in 1. Mitral regurgitation developed in 16 cases (+ in 8, +/++ in 8) without changes during the follow-up period. Conclusion - Double balloon mitral valvoplasty is a safe effective method in the treatment of the rheumathic mitral stenosis, and offers a better evolution in patients with a valvar area larger than 1.5 cm2 after the dilatation

Role of transesophageal echocardiography during balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed during balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) in 40 patients of rheumatic mitral stenosis, to assess its feasibility and additional benefits. The age range was 12-35 (mean 20 +/- 6) years. Patients were in an unsedated state and the procedure was tolerated by all without any complication. High resolution images of the interatrial septum and the puncture assembly were obtained which guided the septal puncture. In eight (20%) patients, puncture assembly had to be readvanced into superior vena cava and withdrawn down to obtain a satisfactory position for puncture. In 2 additional cases, the puncture assembly was redirected towards the fossa ovalis region under TEE guidance alone to obtain a successful septal puncture. TEE was not found useful in either negotiating the mitral valve or positioning the balloon catheter across it.