High prevalence of giardiasis and stronglyloidiasis among HIV-infected patients in Bahia, Brazil.

Diarrhea due to intestinal microbial infections is a frequent manifestation among HIV-infected patients. It has been postulated that HIV-infected patients may have special types of intestinal infections, and that immune activation from such parasites may affect the progression of HIV disease. To evaluate these associations, the frequency of infections was examined in HIV-infected patients in Bahia, Brazil. To determine the potential impact of the presence of intestinal parasitic infections on HIV disease progression, a retrospective study approach was used. The medical charts of 365 HIV-infected patients who had been treated at the AIDS Clinic of the Federal University of Bahia Hospital were reviewed, and the prevalence of parasites was compared with 5,243 HIV-negative patients who had attended the hospital during the same period of time. Among HIV-infected subjects, CD(4) count, RNA plasma viral load (VL), and number of eosinophils were compared according to their stool examination results. The overall prevalence of each parasite was similar for HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. However, the prevalence of S. stercoralis (p<10(-7)) and G. lamblia (p=0.005) was greater for HIV-infected subjects. The mean CD(4) count and viral load of HIV patients in our clinic who had stool examinations was 350 cells +/- 340 and 4.4 +/- 1.4 log RNA viral load, respectively. In this patient group there was no clear association between the level of the absolute CD(4) count or the viral load and a specific parasitic infection. The presence of an intestinal parasitic infection was not associated with faster progression of the HIV disease among HIV-infected patients. We conclude that strongyloidiasis and giardiasis are more frequent in HIV-infected patients in Bahia, Brazil. If this association is due to immune dysregulation, as has been proposed elsewhere, it must occur in patients after only minor shifts in CD(4) count from normal levels, or as a result of immune dysfunction not represented by CD(4) count. These infections do not appear to alter the progression of HIV disease.

Prognostic factors of rheumatic mitral stenosis during pregnancy and puerperium.

OBJECTIVE: To identify 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 (<2,500 g), and extended stay in the nursery or hospitalization in newborn ICU. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD of age of the patients was 28.8+/-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% confidence interval (CI) =0.8-39.7) for level 2 MVA and 11.4 (95% CI=1.7-74.5) for level 3 MVA. The prepregnancy FC (FC > or = II and III versus I) was also associated with risk for maternal events (RR=2.7; 95% 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.

[Efficacy and tolerance of the bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide combination in arterial hypertension]. / Eficácia e tolerabilidade da associação bisoprolol/ hidroclorotiazida na hipertensão arterial.

PURPOSE: Multicenter, open and non-controlled study to evaluated the efficacy and the tolerability of a low-dose combination of two anti-hypertensive agents: a cardioselective beta-blocker, bisoprolol (2.5 and 5.0 mg) with 6.25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide. METHODS: One hundred and six patients in the stage I and stage II of the systemic hypertension (mild to moderate) were given the bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide combination once daily and the diastolic and systolic blood pressures were monitored during the 8-week trial. RESULTS: The bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide combination reduced the initial mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively, from the 157.4 mmHg and 98.8 mmHg to 137.3 mmHg and 87.4 mmHg. At the end of the treatment period, 61% of the patients normalized blood pressure values (< 90 mmHg) and 22.9% of them had responded to the treatment, resulting in a total response rate (normalized + responsive) of 83.9% of cases. Adverse events were described only in 18.9% of the patients and dizziness and headache were the most common. There were no clinically significant changes on plasma levels of potassium, uric acid, glucose, or in the lipid profile. CONCLUSION: The combination of low dosages of bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide may be considered an effective, well tolerated and rational alternative for the initial treatment of the patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

[Temporal QT dispersion in patients with systemic blood hypertension]. / Dispersão temporal do QT em pacientes com hipertensão arterial sistêmica.

PURPOSE: To evaluate QT dispersion in hypertensive patients, with and without left ventricular hypertrophy, and compare with normal persons. METHODS: Thirty eight patients (21 male and 17 female, age 55 +/- 15 years) underwent echocardiography and simultaneous 12 lead, vertically aligned, electrocardiogram at 50 mm/s speed. No patient was on antiarrhythmic therapy. There were 19 non-hypertensive patients that constituted the control group (G-I). Group II was constituted by the other 19 patients, who were hypertensives. This group was further divided in group II-A (9 patients without left ventricular hypertrophy) and group II-B (10 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy). QT dispersion was obtained by the difference between the longest and the shortest QT registered. RESULTS: QT dispersion was significantly increased on hypertensive patients, both with and without left ventricular hypertrophy, when compared to controls (G-I 31 +/- 9 ms, G-II 52 +/- 15 ms. P < 0.0001; G-IIa 46 +/- 10 ms and G-IIb 56 +/- 18 ms X G-I, p < 0.0005). In hypertensive patients, there was no statistically significant difference between group II-A and group II-B. CONCLUSION: We conclude that QT dispersion is significantly increased on hypertensive patients when compared to non-hypertensive individuals and that such increase, occurs before left ventricular hypertrophy develops. These findings suggest that, in hypertensive patients, electrical changes in left ventricular myocardium can precede structural and morphological abnormalities. Such findings offer new insights into the mechanisms related to enhanced mortality among hypertensive patients.

Dispersäo temporal do QT em pacientes com hipertensäo arterial sistêmica / QT dispersion in patients with hypertension

OBJETIVO - Avaliar a medida da dispersäo do QT (DQT) em portadores de hipertensäo arterial sistêmica, com e sem hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) e comparar com indivíduos normais. MÉTODOS - Foram submetidos a ecocardiograma e eletrocardiograma (ECG) de 12 derivaçöes simultâneas, alinhadas, na velocidade de 50mm/s, 38 pacientes (21 homens e 17 mulheres, com idade média 55ñ15 anos). Nenhum deles estava em uso de antiarrítmicos. Dezenove eram näo hipertensos constituindo o grupo controle (G-I); 19 hipertensos (GII), sendo 9 sem HVE (índice de massa 96ñ33g/m²=GIIa) e 10 portadores de HVE (índice de massa 163ñ33 g/m²=GIIb). A DQT foi obtida pela subtraçäo entre o mior e o menor QT medidos nas 12 derivaçöes, obtendo-se a média de 3 batimentos consecutivos. RESULTADOS - A DQT foi maior nos indivíduos hipertensos com ou sem HVE, quando comparada com indivíduos controles (G-I31ñ9ms, G-II52ñ15ms, P<0,001; G-IIa 46ñ10ms e G-IIb 56ñ18ms X G-I, p<0,0005). Entretanto, quando comparamos entre si os indivíduos hipertensos com e sem hipertrofia ventricular esquerda, apesar de ter havido diferença em valores absolutos quando testado estatisticamente, essa diferença näo foi identificada. CONCLUSÄO - A DQT é significativamente maior nos indivíduos hipertensos e estas modificaçöes ocorrem antes do aparecimento de HVE, sugerindo que alteraçöes elétricas do miocárdio podem preceder alteraçöes morfológicas e estruturais. Estes achados podem servir como subsídios para a compreensäo dos mecanismos relacionados à maior mortalidade dos hipertensos

Purpose - To evaluate QT dispersion in hypertensive patients, with and without left ventricular hypertrophy, and compare with normal persons. Methods - Thirty eight patients (21 male and 17 female, age 55±15 years) underwent echocardiography and simultaneous 12 lead, vertically aligned, electrocardiogram at 50mm/s speed. No patient was on antiarrythmic therapy. There were 19 non-hypertensive patients that constituted the control group (G-I). Group II was constituted by the other 19 patients, who were hypertensives. This group was further divided in group II-A (9 patients without left ventricular hypertrophy) and group II-B (10 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy). QT dispersion was obtained by the difference between the longest and the shortest QT registered. Results - QT dispersion was significantly increased on hypertensive patients, both with and without left ventricular hypertrophy, when compared to controls (G-I 31±9 ms, G-II 52±15ms, P<0.0001; G-IIa 46±10ms and GIIb 56±18ms X G-I, p<0.0005). In hypertensive patients, there was no statistically significant difference between group II-A and group II-B. Conclusion - We conclude that QT dispersion is significantly increased on hypertensive patients when compared to non-hypertensive individuals and that such increase, occurs before left ventricular hypertrophy develops. These findings suggest that, in hypertensive patients, electrical changes in left ventricular myocardium can precede structural and morphological abnormalities. Such findings offer new insights into the mechanisms related to enhanced mortality among hypertensive patients

[Predictors of hospital mortality in the thrombolytic era for acute myocardial infarction in Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil]. / Preditores de mortalidade hospitalar na era trombolítica para o infarto agudo do miocárdio em Salvador (BA).

PURPOSE: To determine the cumulative incidence and risk factors of in-hospital death due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the thrombolytic era and to assess the degree of incorporation of new therapeutical interventions to the treatment of AMI in Salvador, Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective study based on medical records of 388 patients hospitalized with an AMI in different hospitals between January 1993 and December 1994. The relative risk (RR) was used as a measure of association for the unadjusted analysis. To control for possible confoundears and to assess interactions, odds ratios (OR) were used to estimate the RR, by logistic regression models. RESULTS: During the hospitalization period 50 (12.9%) patients died. The main predictors of hospital mortality in the unadjusted comparisons were older age (age > 60 years) (RR = 2.76; p < 0.01), female gender (RR = 2.08; p = 0.01), Killip class > 1 (RR = 5.73; p < 0.01), anterior wall AMI (RR = 1.92; p = 0.02), previous stroke (RR = 4.13; p < 0.01) and systemic disease (RR = 2.76; p < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, older age (OR = 2.42; p = 0.02), Killip class > 1 (OR = 7.14; p < 0.01), anterior wall AMI (RR = 2.37; p = 0.02) and previous stroke (RR = 2.34; p = 0.04) were the main independent predictors of hospital death. Thrombolytic therapy was used in 143 patients (36.8%), aspirin in 322 (83%), beta blockers in 204 (52.6%) and heparin in 248 (63.9%). Cardiogenic shock was responsible for more than half of the death cases. CONCLUSION: Based on the data presented, older age, Killip class and anterior wall infarction are still important predictors of death due to AMI in the thrombolytic era, confirming other studies.

[Frequency of utilization and reasons for exclusion from thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction in Salvador-Bahia]. / Freqüência de utilização e razões de exclusão da terapia trombolítica no infarto agudo do miocárdio em Salvador-Bahia.

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of utilization and reasons for exclusion from thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the setting of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Salvador-BA. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study recording patients admitted with suspected AMI in six ICU in Salvador-BA between January/93 and December/94 were reviewed. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-eight of confirmed cases of AMI were analysed, 165 (42.0%) were admitted at public hospitals and 225 (58.0%) at private hospitals. Thrombolytic therapy was indicated in 143 (36.8%) patients. The thrombolysis was more frequently performed in men (PR = 1.96 IC 95% 1.39-2.77), in patients less than 60 years of age (PR = 4.46 CI 95% 2.17-9.19) and in those with Killip class I (PR = 2.62 CI 95% 1.60-4.31). The major reasons for excluding from thrombolytic therapy were late arrival, old age and lack of ST elevation. Thirty three percent of patients were excluded for more than one reasons. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender was associated with a reduced indication for thrombolytic therapy, independent of the clinical findings on admission. CONCLUSION: The frequency of the use and reasons for excluding patients from thrombolytic therapy in AMI in Salvador-BA were similar to those of other clinical studies. The recent recommendations of the Thrombolysis Brazilian Consensus will enhance the utilization of this therapy, as it expands its utilization to elderly patients and to those who arrive late to the hospital.

[Isradipine: a Brazilian multicenter study for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety in the treatment of mild and moderate arterial hypertension]. / Isradipina: estudo multicêntrico brasileiro de avaliação de eficácia e tolerabilidade no tratamento da hipertensão arterial leve e moderada.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of isradipine, a new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty outpatients with different races, who had supine and orthostatic diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > or = 95 mmHg and < or = 115 mmHg, with a mean age of 52.03 +/- 11.47 years, 70 men, 110 women; underwent the study. After a two-week wash-out period patients received isradipine 2.5 mg b.i.d. for 90 days. Follow-up visits were performed at the 30th, 60th and 90th days of treatment. RESULTS: At the end of treatment (90 days), a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in SBP and DBP in supine position was observed. A mean SBP was reduced from 159.28 +/- 16.99 to 142.51 +/- 15.12, and mean DBP declined from 101.49 +/- 6.82 to 86.63 +/- 7.40. Heart rate, weight, electrocardiograms and laboratory tests did not shows significant changes during treatment when compared to baseline evaluation. The most frequent related side effects (headache and dizziness with nausea) were transient, and at the end of the study 96.7% of the patients did not have any complaint. However, two patients were withdrawn from the trial because of important headache. CONCLUSION: Isradipine 2.5 mg by oral route, b.i.d. has shown to be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension in patients of both sexes and several ages and races.

[Coronary angioplasty using last generation materials. Immediate results]. / Angioplastia coronária utilizando material de última geração. Resultados imediatos.

PURPOSE: To present immediate results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with the use of last generation catheter devices. METHODS: 74 patients underwent PTCA mean age 55 years the majority of them with disease of one vessel (92%) and good left ventricular function (88%). There was a total of 80 lesions treated, 26 type A and 54 type B according to the Task Force for Coronary Angioplasty of the American College of Cardiology--American Heart Association Classification. Results were analysed by separate observers: one clinical cardiologist (C), one cardiovascular surgeon (S) and two hemodynamicists (H1, H2). RESULTS: A significant fail in the degree of coronary obstruction was demonstrated post PTCA in the opinion of the observers: C = 83 +/- 10.7/9.0 +/- 14; S = 86 +/- 13.0/9.3 +/- 11; H1 = 88.6 +/- 7.0/8.5 +/- 12; H2 = 88.5 +/- 8.0/8.3 +/- 12 (P less than 0.001). Angiographic success was attained in 94.6% of the cases and the complication rate was low 2.7%. CONCLUSION: The high primary success and the low complication rates seen in this series can be attributed to the careful selection of cases and advanced performance of the catheterization devices that were used.

Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure response to atrial pacing in idiopathic mitral valve prolapse.

The response of several parameters of left ventricular function to right atrial pacing was compared in 21 patients with idiopathic mitral valve prolapse and 10 normal patients. An inability to appropriately lower left ventricular end-diastolic pressure with increasing rates was demonstrated in the mitral valve prolapse group. This abnormality was not related to mitral regurgitation or factors other than ventricular performance per se.

Propranolol in mitral stenosis during sinus rhythm.

Patients with early symptomatic mitral stenosis usually suffer from pulmonary congestion on the basis of left atrial and pulmonary venous hypertension. They are often in sinus rhythm, and cardiac output is usually well maintained. Symptoms occur most often when heart rate, cardiac output, or both are increased. In this study, intravenous propranolol administered to patients with pure mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm resulted in significant reductions in mitral diastolic gradient (-7.1 mm. Hg +/- 1.6 SED), mean pulmonary wedge pressure (--6.9 mm. Hg +/- 1.2) and mean pulmonary artery pressures (--9.0 mm. Hg +/- 1.2). This was due to simultaneous reduction of heart rate (--13.0 beats/minute +/- 2.6 and cardiac output (--0.5 L./minute +/- 0.2). A small associated reduction of left ventricular systolic pressure (--5.1 mm. Hg +/- 2.6) was not accompanied by adverse clinical effects. A potential role for propranolol in medical management of pure mitral stenosis in the presence of sinus rhythm is suggested.

Sustained haemodynamic action of nitroglycerin ointment.

Intravenous vasodilators have been shown to improve the haemodynamic status of patients in congestive heart failure. However, neither intravenous nor sublingual preparations are suitable for chronic administration or use in ambulatory patients. In this study, nitroglycerin ointment bas administered to 11 patients in congestive heart failure. Mean pulmonary wedge and arterial pressures, as well as systemic blood pressures and heart rate were then monitored for 2 to 5 hours and compared with baseline values. Pulmonary wedge and arterial pressures, as well as systemic systolic arterial pressure, decreased significantly at 15 minutes after application and remained depressed for up to 5 hours. Systemic diastolic pressures fell significantly at 30 minutes and also remained significantly reduced for up to 5 hours. Thus, nitroglycerin ointment may be suitable for chronic vasodilator therapy of congestive heart failure.