Fístula coronário-cavitária com aneurisma em seu trajeto: relato de caso de tratamento percutâneo / Coronary-cavitary fistula with aneurysm in its path: case report of percutaneous treatment

RESUMO: Discorre-se o caso de uma paciente de 29 anos com palpitações, dor torácica e dispneia aos esforços, com diagnóstico de fístula coronariana direita e submetida à correção percutânea de trajeto fistuloso com prótese Amplatzer.

ABSTRACT: The authors report the case of a 29-year-old, female patient with palpitations, chest pain, and dyspnea on exertion. The patient was diagnosed with right coronary fistula and underwent percutaneous correction of the fistulous tract with an Amplatzer prosthesis.

Myocardial strain pattern progress in patients with Coarctation of the Aorta undergoing aortic stenting

ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Ventricular function evaluation in coarctation of the aorta (CoA) has become more sophisticated and precise with speckle tracking, revealing subclinical changes. However, CoA stenting treatment effects in on myocardial strain are still controversial. This study aimed to estimate the extent to which changes in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) occur in patients with CoA who undergo stenting. METHODS: The study included 21 patients with CoA (median age: 15 years [8­39]) and 21 healthy individuals matched by age and gender. Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed 1 day before, 6 months, and 1 year after stenting. Correlations between LV GLS and arm-leg gradient, isthmus gradient on echocardiogram, age at intervention, left ventricular mass, and ejection fraction were tested. RESULTS: Before treatment, patients with CoA had lower LV GLS than the control group (−18.4% ± 1.96 vs −21.5% ± 1.37; P < .01), showing significant increase to −19.4% ± 2.1 at 6 months and −20.7% ± 2.19 at 1 year, P < .001. Only 28.5% (6 patients) had preserved GLS before treatment, improving to 80.9% (17 patients) in 1 year. The only variable correlated with low LV GLS values before treatment was age at intervention (Spearman's index = −0.571; P = .007). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous therapy showed significant LV GLS improvement 12 months after aortic stenting. Older patients have lower GLS, suggesting that early intervention may have positive effects on preservation of LV systolic function.

Myocardial strain pattern progress in patients with Coarctation of the Aorta undergoing aortic stenting.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ventricular function evaluation in coarctation of the aorta (CoA) has become more sophisticated and precise with speckle tracking, revealing subclinical changes. However, CoA stenting treatment effects in on myocardial strain are still controversial. This study aimed to estimate the extent to which changes in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) occur in patients with CoA who undergo stenting. METHODS: The study included 21 patients with CoA (median age: 15 years [8-39]) and 21 healthy individuals matched by age and gender. Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed 1 day before, 6 months, and 1 year after stenting. Correlations between LV GLS and arm-leg gradient, isthmus gradient on echocardiogram, age at intervention, left ventricular mass, and ejection fraction were tested. RESULTS: Before treatment, patients with CoA had lower LV GLS than the control group (-18.4% ± 1.96 vs -21.5% ± 1.37; P < .01), showing significant increase to -19.4% ± 2.1 at 6 months and -20.7% ± 2.19 at 1 year, P < .001. Only 28.5% (6 patients) had preserved GLS before treatment, improving to 80.9% (17 patients) in 1 year. The only variable correlated with low LV GLS values before treatment was age at intervention (Spearman's index = -0.571; P = .007). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous therapy showed significant LV GLS improvement 12 months after aortic stenting. Older patients have lower GLS, suggesting that early intervention may have positive effects on preservation of LV systolic function.

E/e` ratio is superior to speckle tracking for detecting elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients with coronary artery disease and preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND: A weak correlation has been reported between left ventricular filling pressures and the traditional echocardiographic tools for the evaluation of diastolic function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). On the other hand, studies that compared invasive measurements with speckle tracking echocardiography have shown promising results, but they were not exclusively targeted on this specific population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immediately before the left heart catheterization, a comprehensive two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and speckle tracking analysis was prospectively performed in outpatients referred for coronary angiography. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was measured before any contrast exposure. Eighty-one patients with coronary artery disease were studied, and the group with high LVEDP (n = 40) showed increased left atrial volume index (22 +/- 6 mL/m(2) vs 26 +/- 8.26 mL/m(2) , P = 0.04), E-wave velocity (65 +/- 15 cm/s vs 78 +/- 20 cm/s, P = 0.02), E/e` (average) ratio (8.14 +/- 2.0 vs 11.54 +/- 2.7, P = 0.03), and E/global circumferential strain rate E peak ratio (E/GCSRE ) (39 cm vs 46 cm, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between LVEDP and E/e` (rho = 0.56; P = 0.03), and between LVEDP and E/GCSRE ratio (rho = 0.43; P < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was 0.83 and 0.73, respectively (P < 0.05). E/e` and E/GCSRE were both independent predictors of elevated LVEDP (P < 0.05, with a higher C-statistic for the model including E/e` (0.89 vs 0.85). CONCLUSION: The E/e` ratio was able to identify elevated LVEDP in CAD patients with preserved LVEF with more accuracy than the E/GCSRE ratio.(AU)

Cardiomiopatia não compactada do ventrículo esquerdo: seguimento evolutivo de um caso raro que evoluiu com aneurisma apical / Noncompacted left ventricular cardiomyopathy: evolutionary follow-up of a rare case that developed apical aneurysm

Paciente de 10 anos, acompanhado no ambulatório desde os 3 meses de vida encaminhado devido a aumento da área cardíaca ao RX. Na investigação inicial o ecocardiograma (ECO) evidenciou massa ventricular esquerda infiltrando o miocárdio, hipertrofia com disfunção sistodiastólica de grau moderado (FEVE: 44%). Realizada biópsia endomiocárdica que evidenciou fibrose discreta, sem componentes de neoplasia ou doença de depósito. Foi acompanhado inicialmente como portador de cardiomiopatia hipertrófica não obstrutiva com predomínio apical. Aos 5 anos, em seguimento ecocardiográfico, foi observado aumento das trabeculações na topografia apical e lateral do VE, sugerindo não-compactação com relação camadas não compactada/compactada de 2,25/1. Aos 10 anos de idade, novo ECO de seguimento evidenciou discinesia apical com aneurisma da ponta do VE (segmento 17), disfunção sistólica com FEVE de 51% pelo ECO 3D e Strain Global Longitudinal do VE de -11,6%. Realizada ressonância nuclear magnética que confirmou o diagnóstico de miocárdio não-compactado (MNC) e aneurisma apical do VE. Medicado com AAS e Carvedilol. DISCUSSÃO: A MNC é uma doença rara, de causa ainda indeterminada, caracterizada por aumento das trabeculações associadas a recessos intratrabeculares profundos que resulta em miocárdio espesso formado por duas camadas: uma compactada e outra não compactada. As manifestações clínicas são caracterizadas por disfunção miocárdica esquerda progressiva, insuficiência cardíaca grave, eventos tromboembólicos sistêmicos e pulmonares, taquiarritmias e morte. Existem poucos relatos de casos de MNC associados a aneurisma e sua causa permanece incerta. Especula-se que a formação aneurismática ocorra consequentemente a redução na microcirculação coronária das camadas compactada e não compactada. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Esse caso se faz de relevância por ser o primeiro relato com seguimento de 10 anos de um paciente com MNC a evoluir na infância com aneurisma apical do VE mantendo-se em classe funcional I durante o acompanhamento. Não há relatos de tal condição na infância, mostrando a importância do diagnóstico precoce e do seguimento com exames de imagens. Destaca-se aqui a natureza evolutiva e agressiva da cardiomiopatia não compactada. (AU)

High prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in Brazilian postmenopausal women with low and intermediate risk by Framingham score

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causeof mortality among women in several countries. Early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) could enable the adoption of preventive measures to avoid cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SA in Brazilian asymptomatic postmenopausal womenin Framingham Risk Score (FRS) low and intermediategroups. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US)scans were performed in 138 asymptomatic postmenopausal women (56.1±4.9 years of age) to survey for coronary artery and aortic calcification (CT scan) and assesscarotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and identify carotidplaques (US). The mean FRS was 2.64±2.13%. The prevalence of increased CIMT, carotid plaques, increased CIMT and/or plaques, coronary artery calcification (CAC)>0 and aortic calcification (AC) were, respectively, 45.7,37.7, 62.3, 23.9 and 45.7%. Normal imaging tests werefound in 22.4%. SA, defined as at least one abnormalimaging test, was associated with age, FRS, waist-to-ripratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL-c andApoA1 levels, and ApoA1/ApoB ratio...

Doppler ecografia das artérias carótidas: critérios de velocidade validados pela arteriografia / Doppler Ultrasonography of Carotid Arteries: Velocity Criteria Validated by Arteriography

Introdução: Doppler Ecografia (DE) é largamente utilizada no diagnóstico das estenoses carotídeas. Em 2003, a Sociedade Americana de Radiologia divulgou um consenso propondo critérios para graduação das estenoses da Artéria Carótida Interna (ACI). Em 2009, um grupo do Reino Unido apresentou recomendações para realização da DE das artérias carótidas.Objetivo: Avaliar a acurácia dos critérios velocimétricos utilizados na graduação das estenoses da artéria carótidainterna por Doppler Ecografia comparados à arteriografia.Métodos: Em 73 pacientes (146 ACI), foram avaliados: Pico de Velocidade Sistólica (PVS), Velocidade DiastólicaFinal (VDF) da ACI e razão PVS ACI/Artéria Carótida Comum (ACC), para detecção de estenoses < 50%, 50% - 69% (PVS: 125 - 230 cm/s), 70% - 99% (PVS > 230 cm/s). A correlação entre DE e arteriografia foi feita pelo método de Spearman e p < 0,05 considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes foi 69 anos, 47 (64%) homens, 27 (37%) com acidente vascular encefálico, e 13 (18%)ataque isquêmico transitório. O melhor critério para estenoses de 50% - 69% foi PVS ACI ≥ 141 cm/s (sensibilidade: 94%, especificidade: 90%, acurácia: 93%) (AUC 0,97). Para estenoses entre 70% ‑ 99%, PVS ACI ≥ 176 cm/s mostrou sensibilidade: 92%; especificidade: 87%; acurácia: 90%; PVS ACI ≥ 230 cm/s teve sensibilidade: 89%; especificidade: 89%; acurácia:89% (AUC 0,96); e a razão PVS ACI/ACC≥ 4,0 teve sensibilidade: 70%; especificidade: 100%; e acurácia: 81% (AUC 0,96). Seis oclusões de ACI foram detectadas à DE e arteriografia. A correlação DE e arteriografia foi: PVS (0,81 – p < 0,001); VDF (0,78 – p < 0,001) e razão PVS ACI/ACC (0,81 – p < 0,001). Conclusões: Doppler Ecografia é um método confiável na detecção das estenoses carotídeas, correlacionando-se bem com a arteriografia, sendo importante validar os critérios DE que melhor se aplicam a cada serviço.

Introduction: The Doppler Ultrasonography (DU) is largely used to diagnose carotid stenoses. In 2003, the American Society of Radiology issued a consensus establishing criteria for gradating the stenoses of the Internal Carotid Artery (ICA). In 2009, a group in the United Kingdom presented recommendations for performing DU of carotid arteries. Objective: Evaluating the accuracy of the velocimetric criteria used to gradate internal carotid artery stenoses by Doppler Ultrasonographycompared to arteriography. Methods: We evaluated 73 patients (146 ICA): Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV), End-Diastolic Velocity (EDV) of ICA and the ICA/Common Carotid Artery (CCA) PSV ratio to detect stenoses < 50%, 50% - 69% (PSV: 125-230 (cm/s), 70% - 99% (PSV > 230 (cm/s). The correlation between DU and arteriography was ascertained with the Spearman’s method and p < 0.05 deemed statistically significant.Results: The patients’ average age was 69 years, 47 (64%) men, 27 (37%) with cerebrovascular accident, and 13 (18%), transient ischemic attack.The best criterion for stenoses of 50% - 69% was ICA PSV ≥ 141 cm/s (sensitivity: 94%, specificity: 90%, accuracy: 93%) (AUC 0.97). For stenoses between 70% - 99%, ICA PSV ≥ 176 cm/s presented sensitivity: 92%; specificity: 87%; accuracy: 90%; ICA PSV ≥ 230 cm/s presented sensitivity:89%; specificity: 89%; accuracy: 89% (AUC 0.96); and ICA/CCA PSV ratio ≥ 4.0 presented sensitivity: 70%; specificity: 100%; and accuracy:81% (AUC 0.96). Six ICA occlusions were detected by DU and arteriography. The DU and arteriography correlation was: PSV (0.81 – p < 0.001);EDV (0.78 – p < 0.001) and ICA/CCA PSV ratio (0.81 – p < 0.001).Conclusions: The Doppler Ultrasonography is a reliable method for detecting carotid stenoses, having a good correlation with arteriography.In this respect, validating the DU criteria which better suit each service is important.

Improvement of atherosclerotic markers in non-diabetic patients after bariatric surgery

Background The objective of this study was to assess the impact of bariatric surgery performed in extremely obesenon-diabetic subjects on the following parameters: endothelial function, inflammatory processes (assessed by highsensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]), carotid arteryintima-media thickness (CIMT), and glucose and lipid profiles. Methods Forty-seven obese individuals with body mass index >40 kg/m2 underwent bariatric surgery and returned for post-procedure assessment between 6 and 19 months after surgery. Ninety-three percent of patients were female.Their age ranged from 18 to 65 (mean 41) years old at baseline. Baseline was defined as the maximum of 30 days before surgery. Before and after surgery, all patients were subjected to a brachial artery ultrasound examination to evaluate endothelial-dependent dilation, CIMT by ultrasound, and laboratory analyses including glucose, lipidand inflammatory profiles were performed. Results Subjects lost an average of 33 % of their original weight (p<0.001). Flow-mediated dilation showed significant improvement after surgery from 7.4 % to 18.9 % (p<0.001)on average. There was regression of CIMT, with the median being reduced from 0.8 to 0.5mm(p<0.001). The median Hs-CRP reduced from 0.83 to 0.18 mg/dl (p<0.001), while glucose and lipid profiles were also improved after surgery. Conclusions This study shows that severely obese, non diabetic patients who had pronounced weight loss after bariatric surgery had an overall improvement in brachial flow-mediated dilation, CIMT, high-sensitivity CRP, and glucose and lipid metabolism. The best responses of the brachial flow-mediated dilation after surgery were observed in non-smokers and in younger subjects.