Concordance between vessel-specific and vascular territory coronary functional assessment: A comparison of quantitative flow ratio and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) are utilized for assessing coronary artery disease (CAD) significance. We aimed to analyze their concordance and prognostic impact. AIMS: We aimed to analyze the concordance between QFR and MPS and their risk stratification. METHODS: Patients with invasive coronary angiography and MPS were categorized as concordant if QFR ≤ 0.80 and summed difference score (SDS) ≥ 4 or if QFR > 0.80 and SDS < 4; otherwise, they were discordant. Concordance was classified by coronary territory involvement: total (three territories), partial (two territories), poor (one territory), and total discordance (zero territories). Leaman score assessed coronary atherosclerotic burden. RESULTS: 2010 coronary territories (670 patients) underwent joint QFR and MPS analysis. MPS area under the curve for QFR ≤ 0.80 was 0.637. Concordance rates were total (52.5%), partial (29.1%), poor (15.8%), and total discordance (2.6%). Most concordance occurred in patients without significant CAD or with single-vessel disease (89.5%), particularly without MPS perfusion defects (91.5%). Leaman score (odds ratio [OR]: 0.839, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.805-0.875, p < 0.001) and MPS perfusion defect (summed stress score [SSS] ≥ 4) (OR: 0.355, 95% CI: 0.211-0.596, p < 0.001) were independent predictors for discordance. After 1400 days, no significant difference in death/myocardial infarction was observed based on MPS assessment, but Leaman score, functional Leaman score, and average QFR identified higher risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: MPS showed good overall accuracy in assessing QFR significance but substantial discordance existed. Predictors for discordance included higher atherosclerotic burden and MPS perfusion defects (SSS ≥ 4). Leaman score, QFR-based functional Leaman score, and average QFR provided better risk stratification for all-cause death and myocardial infarction than MPS.

Incidência de síndromes coronarianas agudas no período da pandemia da COVID-19 em serviço de referência em atendimento de cardiologia na cidade de Curitiba / Incidence of acute coronary syndromes during the pandemic period of COVID-19 in a cardiology reference service in the city of Curitiba

Introdução: As doenças cardiovasculares compõem importante causa de óbito pelo mundo, sendo as doenças isquêmicas do coração responsáveis por um número considerável dessas mortes. A COVID-19, doença causada pelo SARS-CoV-2, pode causar importantes complicações e implicações cardiovasculares, dentre elas as síndromes coronarianas agudas. Este estudo teve como objetivo relacionar dados de prevalência de síndromes coronarianas agudas durante o período de pandemia pela COVID-19 (2020) com os dados do ano anterior (2019). Métodos: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, analítico e transversal, com obtenção de variáveis por meio da análise dos prontuários de todos os pacientes adultos, de ambos os sexos, internados por infarto agudo do miocárdio, angina instável e doença isquêmica do coração entre os meses de janeiro a dezembro de 2019 e de janeiro a dezembro de 2020, em um hospital de referência para cardiologia em Curitiba (PR). As variáveis obtidas foram sobre diagnóstico dessas doenças, consulta clínica, exames laboratoriais e exames de imagem. Os dados encontrados foram correlacionados entre si para definirmos possíveis relações de causalidade. Resultados: Houve redução de 40,38% na incidência de internamentos pelos diagnósticos citados em 2020 em comparação a 2019. Não houve diferença entre dias de início de sintomas entre os anos comparados, dias de internamento ou número de comorbidades apresentadas pelos pacientes, apesar de haver maior número de diagnósticos de angina instável e de presença de dor torácica nos indivíduos atendidos em 2020. Conclusão: A pandemia da COVID-19 impactou a vida de todas as pessoas, inclusive na busca por atendimento em unidades de saúde e hospitais em todo o mundo, resultando em menor procura aos serviços de saúde, inclusive para doenças graves e agudas, que podem levar ao aumento da morbimortalidade populacional.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are an important cause of death worldwide, and ischemic heart diseases account for a considerable number of these deaths. COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, may pose important cardiovascular complications and implications, including acute coronary syndromes. This study aimed to compare prevalence data of acute coronary syndromes during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020) to the previous year (2019). Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional study, with variables acquired through the analysis of the medical records of all adult patients of both sexes admitted for acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and ischemic heart disease between the months of January to December 2019, and January to December 2020, to a cardiology reference hospital in Curitiba (PR). The variables obtained were about diagnosis of these diseases, clinical consultation, laboratory tests, and imaging tests. The data found were then correlated with each other to define possible causal relations. Results: There was a 40.38% reduction in the incidence of hospitalizations for the cited diagnoses in 2020 compared to 2019. There was no difference between days of onset of symptom between the compared years, days of hospitalization, or number of comorbidities presented by patients, although there was a higher number of diagnoses of unstable angina and presence of chest pain in individuals seen in 2020. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the lives of all people, including the search for care in health facilities and hospitals worldwide, resulting in a lower demand for health services, including for severe and acute diseases, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality in the population.

Nebivolol for the Treatment of Essential Systemic Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality worldwide, and systemic arterial hypertension is associated with a large number of these cases. The objective of health professionals and health policies should be searching for the best therapeutics to control this disease. A recent consensus indicated that ß-blockers have recently lost their place in initial indications for the treatment of systemic arterial hypertension and are now more indicated for the treatment of hypertension in association with other clinical situations such as angina, heart failure and arrhythmia; however, it is known that this approach was based on studies that evaluated older ß-blockers such as atenolol. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to perform a systematic review with subsequent meta-analysis on the use of nebivolol for hypertensive disease treatment, comparing it with drugs of the main antihypertensive classes. METHODS: This systematic review was based on a search of the MEDLINE (via Pubmed), Scopus, Cochrane, International Pharmaceuticals Abstracts (IPA), and Lilacs databases for randomized and double-blind clinical trials. In addition, we also searched for gray literature studies, to 31 July 2015. Next, a cumulative meta-analysis was performed, with studies being added in a sequential manner, evaluating their impact on the combined effect. For this project, we only meta-analyzed direct comparisons of random effect. RESULTS: Overall, 981 clinical trials were included in this systematic review. After careful analysis, 34 randomized and double-blind clinical trials were included to investigate the efficacy of nebivolol on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) control and adverse effects. The study population comprised 12,465 patients with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) aged between 18 and 85 years; 17% of subjects were of Black ethnicity, approximately 55% were men, and almost 10% had diabetes. In SBP management, nebivolol was superior to other ß-blockers and diuretics and showed no difference in efficacy when compared with angiotensin receptor blockers or calcium channel blockers. There were insufficient studies on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for adequate comparison of both SBP and DBP control. For DBP control, nebivolol was more efficient than other ß-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. DISCUSSION: Nebivolol is a third-generation ß-blocker with additional capabilities to improve blood pressure levels in patients with arterial hypertension, because it acts by additional mechanisms such as endothelium-dependent vasodilation associated with L-arginine and oxide nitric acid, nitric oxide activity on smooth muscle cells, decreasing platelet aggregation, and leukocyte adhesion in the endothelium, decreasing oxidative stress. Although nebivolol has shown good results in controlling hypertension in this study (with few adverse events when compared with placebo treatment) and has an unquestionable benefit in individuals with heart failure (mainly with reduced ejection fraction), there is a lack of studies proving the benefit of this drug for controlling hypertension and reducing clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular (or general) mortality, acute myocardial infarction, or stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Nebivolol demonstrated at least similar control of blood pressure levels in hypertensive individuals when compared with drugs of the most used classes. In addition, in relation to the control of arterial hypertension, studies with clinical outcomes should be performed to ensure the use of this drug in detriment to others with these well-established results.

A combinação das alterações anatômicas cardíacas na tetralogia de Fallot / The combination of cardiac anatomical changes in Fallot Tetralogy

A tetralogia de Fallot é a cardiopatia congênita cianótica mais comum. Caracteriza-se por tétrade de malformações anatômicas que incluem estenose pulmonar, defeito do septo ventricular, hipertrofia do ventrículo direito e dextroposição da aorta (cavalgamento da aorta). O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar e descrever as alterações anatômicas cardíacas, tratamento e prognóstico de pacientes com a doença. É revisão narrativa de artigos indexados na base de dados PubMed, Google Acadêmico e LILACS utilizando os descritores "tetralogy of Fallot", "congenital heart disease", "cyanotic disease". Em conclusão, a tetralogia de Fallot é cardiopatia congênita comum e com prognóstico ruim caso não seja realizado diagnóstico e tratamento precoces. O seguimento médico contínuo e próximo ao paciente é importante para acompanhar a evolução e programar novas intervenções caso necessárias.

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. It is characterized by tetrads of anatomical malformations that include pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, right ventricular hypertrophy, and aortic dextroposition (aortic cavalcade). The objectives of this study were to analyze and describe cardiac anatomical changes, treatment and prognosis of patients with the disease. It was a narrative review of articles indexed in PubMed, Academic Google and LILACS databases using the descriptors "Tetralogy of Fallot", "congenital heart disease", "cyanotic disease". In conclusion, tetralogy of Fallot is a common congenital heart disease with poor prognosis if early diagnosis and treatment are not performed. Continuous medical follow-up and to be close to the patient are important to monitor the evolution and schedule new interventions if necessary.

The Clinical Course of Takotsubo Syndrome Diagnosed According to the InterTAK Criteria

Abstract Background There has been an increase in the number of cases of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and of scientific publications on the theme over the last years. However, little is known about the status of this disease in Brazilian hospitals. Objective To assess mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and follow-up of TTS patients seen in a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study on 48 patients. Clinical data, signs and symptoms, complementary tests, MACE and all-cause mortality were assessed on admission and during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for analysis of all-cause mortality and risk for MACE at median follow-up. The 95% confidence interval was also calculated for a significance level of 5%. Results Mean age of patients was 71 years (SD±13 years), and most patients were women (n=41; 85.4%). During hospitalization, four patients (8.3%) died and five (10.4%) developed MACE. At median follow-up of 354.5 days (IQR of 81.5-896.5 days), the risk of all-cause mortality and MACE was 11.1% (95% CI= 1.8-20.3%) and 12.7% (95% CI= 3.3-22.3%), respectively. Conclusion TTS was associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in a tertiary hospital in Brazil, which were comparable to those observed in acute coronary syndrome. Therefore, the severity of TTS should not be underestimated, and new therapeutic strategies are required. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

O papel da monocitose no infarto agudo do miocárdio de ratos Wistar causado por isoproterenol / The role of monocytosis in acute myocardial infarction in Wistar rats caused by isoproterenol

Objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a relação entre IAM com a elevação de monócitos e avaliar os níveis de monócitos com os níveis dos marcadores de necrose miocárdica (CPK, TcT US). No grupo Teste (10 ratos) foi administrado isoproterenol 150mg/kg/dia por 2 dias consecutivos (via SC). No Controle (10 ratos), 2ml de solução salina. Após 24h da última aplicação, foi feita a eutanásia. Foi coletado sangue para análise laboratorial. A média de monócitos no grupo Controle foi de 5,6/100 células e no grupo Teste foi de 8,8/100 células (p=0,009). A taxa de mortalidade foi de 50%. Quanto ao peso, os grupos não tiveram diferença significativa. Feita análise da CPK, não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos, assim como na troponina T US. A maioria dos animais do grupo Teste (80%) obtiveram valores de TcT US maiores que o valor de referência. Houve um aumento monocitário significativo após o IAM

The objectiv this study is evaluate the relationship between AMI with elevated monocyte and evaluate monocyte levels to the levels of myocardial necrosis markers (CPK, TCT US). In the test group (10 rats); isoproterenol was administered 150 mg/kg/day for 2 consecutive days (subcutaneously). In the control (10 rats), 2 ml saline. After 24 hours of the last application, euthanasia was performed. Blood was collected for laboratory analysis. The mean of monocytes in the Control group was 5.6/100 cells and the Test group was 8.8/100 cells (p = 0.009). The mortality rate was 50%. Regarding weight, the groups had no significant difference. Analysis of CPK was made; there was no significant difference between the groups, as well as Troponin T US. Most animals of test group (80%) had TcT US values larger than the reference value. There was a significant increase in monocytes after AMI

Amiloidose cardíaca: relato de caso / Cardiac amyloidosis: case report

Introdução: Amiloidose cardíaca é uma doença rara. Pode ser consequência de qualquer amiloidose sistêmica, principalmente, quando essa for do tipo primária. Relato do caso: Mulher, 64 anos, diabética, hipertensa, internada, há um mês, com anasarca, distensão abdominal, hepatoesplenomegalia, emagrecimento de 30 quilos em dois anos. O ecocardiograma transtorácico demonstrou: hipertrofia concêntrica importante de VE, insuficiência mitral moderada, AE com dilatação moderada, hipertensão pulmonar discreta, EP: 5%, FE: 51%. Aspecto granuloso sugerindo infiltração amilóide. Comentários: O achado ecocardiográfico da doença é de miocardiopatia restritiva com tamanho ventricular e função sistólica normais e evidência de enrijecimento diastólico patológico.