Coronary Flow, Left Ventricular Contractile and Heart Rate Reserve in Non-Ischemic Heart Failure.

Background: Left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR), coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), and heart rate reserve (HRR) affect outcome in heart failure (HF). They can be simultaneously measured during dipyridamole stress echocardiography (DSE). Aim: To assess the value of comprehensive DSE in patients with non-ischemic HF. Methods: We evaluated 610 patients with HF, no history of coronary artery disease, and no inducible regional wall motion abnormalities: 270 patients with preserved ejection fraction (≥50%), 146 patients with mid-range ejection fraction (40-49%), and 194 patients with reduced ejection fraction (<40%). All underwent DSE (0.84 mg/kg in 6') in 7 accredited laboratories. We measured LVCR (abnormal value ≤ 1.1), CFVR in left anterior descending artery (abnormal value: ≤2.0), and HRR (peak/rest heart rate; abnormal value: ≤1.22). All patients were followed up. Results: Abnormal CFVR, LVCR, and HRR occurred in 29%, 45%, and 47% of patients, respectively (p < 0.001). After a median follow-up time of 20 months (interquartile range: 12-32 months), 113 hard events occurred in 105 patients with 41 deaths, 8 myocardial infarctions, 61 admissions for acute HF, and 3 strokes. The annual mortality rates were 0.8% in 200 patients with none abnormal criteria, 1.8% in 184 patients with 1 abnormal criterion, 7.1% in 130 patients with 2 abnormal criteria, 7.5% in 96 patients with 3 abnormal criteria. Conclusions: Abnormal LVCR, CFVR, and HRR were frequent during DSE in non-ischemic HF patients. They target different pathophysiological vulnerabilities (myocardial function, coronary microcirculation, and cardiac autonomic balance) and are useful for outcome prediction.

Feasibility and functional correlates of left atrial volume changes during stress echocardiography in chronic coronary syndromes.

An enlarged left atrial volume index (LAVI) at rest mirrors increased LA pressure and/or impairment of LA function. A cardiovascular stress may acutely modify left atrial volume (LAV) within minutes. Aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and functional correlates of LAV-stress echocardiography (SE) Out of 514 subjects referred to 10 quality-controlled labs, LAV-SE was completed in 490 (359 male, age 67 ± 12 years) with suspected or known chronic coronary syndromes (n = 462) or asymptomatic controls (n = 28). The utilized stress was exercise in 177, vasodilator in 167, dobutamine in 146. LAV was measured with the biplane disk summation method. SE was performed with the ABCDE protocol. The intra-observer and inter-observer LAV variability were 5% and 8%, respectively. ∆-LAVI changes (stress-rest) were negatively correlated with resting LAVI (r = - 0.271, p < 0.001) and heart rate reserve (r = -.239, p < 0.001). LAV-dilators were defined as those with stress-rest increase ≥ 6.8 ml/m2, a cutoff derived from a calculated reference change value above the biological, analytical and observer variability of LAVI. LAV dilation occurred in 56 patients (11%), more frequently with exercise (16%) and dipyridamole (13%) compared to dobutamine (4%, p < 0.01). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, B-lines ≥ 2 (OR: 2.586, 95% CI = 1.1293-5.169, p = 0.007) and abnormal contractile reserve (OR: 2.207, 95% CI = 1.111-4.386, p = 0.024) were associated with LAV dilation. In conclusion, LAV-SE is feasible with high success rate and low variability in patients with chronic coronary syndromes. LAV dilation is more likely with reduced left ventricular contractile reserve and pulmonary congestion.

Efeitos da aplicação da EPAP (Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure) sobre a tolerância ao esforço em pacientes portadores de insuficiência cardíaca / Effects of the use of EPAP (Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure) on exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure

INTRODUÇÃO: Novas abordagens terapêuticas que objetivam melhorar a sensação de dispneia e fadiga em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca, como a aplicação de pressão positiva expiratória nas vias aéreas (EPAP), podem ser aplicadas na tentativa de melhorar a capacidade funcional e a qualidade de vida. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da utilização da EPAP ( Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure) durante o esforço em indivíduos portadores de IC classe funcional II e III (NYHA). MÉTODOS: Dos 390 pacientes, foram selecionados 28 com FEVE < 40%. O Teste de Caminhada de seis minutos (TC6') foi realizado três vezes: o primeiro para a familiarização, um com a máscara e o outro sem a máscara de EPAP, sendo válido os dois últimos. A comparação entre os dados obtidos foi realizada por meio de teste t de Student pareado ou teste de Wilcoxon, conforme a normalidade dos dados. RESULTADOS: a percepção de esforço foi maior após a caminhada com a utilização da máscara quando comparado na ausência da máscara. Houve elevação significativa na saturação de oxigênio quando os pacientes estavam usando a máscara de EPAP. CONCLUSÃO: O uso da máscara de EPAP aumenta a percepção de esforço e o trabalho ventilatório, porém, não aumentou a distância percorrida no TC6, sendo sua aplicabilidade questionável em programas de reabilitação cardiovascular.

INTRODUCTION: New therapeutic approaches that aim to improve the sensation of dyspnea and fatigue in patients with heart failure, as the application of positive pressure airway expiratory (EPAP) Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure should be tested in an attempt to improve functional capacity and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the use of EPAP during exercise in patients with heart failure functional class II and III (NYHA). METHODS: Of 390 patients, 28 were selected with LVEF <40%. The Walk Test six minutes (6-MWT) was performed three times with and without the EPAP, reflecting the greater distance in the analysis. The comparison between the data obtained was performed by paired t test or Wilcoxon test as the normality of the data. RESULTS: The use of EPAP increased volume without significant minutes, but the perceived exertion was higher after the walk with the use of the mask when compared in the absence of a mask. There was a significant increase in oxygen saturation compared with the group that did not use. There was no improvement in distance walked in 6-MWT with the use of EPAP. CONCLUSION: Use of EPAP mask increases the perception of ventilatory effort and work, but its applicability in routine cardiac rehabilitation programs based on our preliminary data is questionable.

Policitemia vera: relato de caso / Polycythemia vera: case report

A policitemia vera (PV) é um transtorno mieloproliferativo das células hematopoiéticas, caracterizada poruma produção anormal e acentuada de eritrócitos, leucócitos e plaquetas. É uma doença rara, com uma incidênciade 2,3/100.000 pessoas por ano. Apresentamos um relato de caso de uma paciente de 45 anos com sintomas,sinais e achados sugestivos de policitemia vera.

The polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disturb from haematopoietic cells characterized by abnormal and overstated production of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. It is a rare disease with an incidenceof 2.3/100.000 people per year. We present a case report of a 45 years old patient with symptoms, signs andsuggestive results of polycythemia vera.