RESUMO

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) enables early diagnosis of myocardial damage by evaluating myocardial strain. We aimed to study sequential changes in structural and ventricular functional parameters during Chagas disease (CD) natural history in an animal model. 37 Syrian hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) and 20 with saline (Control). Echocardiography was performed before the infection (baseline), at 1 month (acute phase), 4, 6, and 8 months (chronic phase) using Vevo 2100 (Fujifilm Inc.) ultrasound system. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), Global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial (GRS) strain were evaluated. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was used to assess right ventricular function. At 8 months, animals were euthanized and LV myocardial samples were analyzed for quantitation of inflammation and fibrosis. LVEF decreased over time in Chagas group and a difference from Control was detected at 6 months (p-value of groups#time interaction = 0.005). There was a pronounced decrease in GLS, GCS and TAPSE in Chagas group (p-value of groups#time interaction = 0.003 for GLS, < 0.001 for GCS and < 0.009 for TAPSE vs Control) since the first month. LVESD, LVEF and GLS were significantly correlated to the number of inflammatory cells (r = 0.41, p = 0.046; r = - 0.42, p = 0.042; r = 0.41, p = 0.047) but not to fibrosis. In the Syrian hamster model of CD STE parameters (GLS and GCS) showed an early decrease. Changes in LVEF, LVESD, and GLS were correlated to myocardial inflammation but not to fibrosis.

Assuntos

Doença de Chagas , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda , Animais , Cricetinae , Modelos Animais , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Volume Sistólico , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/diagnóstico por imagem , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/etiologia , Função Ventricular Esquerda

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) complicating acute rheumatic fever (ARF) remains an important health problem in developing countries. No definitive diagnostic test for ARF exists and the role of Doppler echocardiography (DEC) for long-term prognostic evaluation following ARF is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of DEC in patients with ARF as a predictor of chronic valve dysfunction. METHODS: Prospectively enrolled patients with clinical ARF had a DEC performed soon after diagnosis and repeated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and thereafter at every 1-2 years. We defined chronic valve dysfunction by ≥ 3 of the following: increased valve thickening, commissure fusion, subvalvular thickening, reduced leaflet mobility, non-trivial mitral and/or aortic regurgitation. We performed univariate analysis and developed multivariate logistic regression models to identify variables that may influence evolution to RHD. p <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We evaluated 70(57% men) patients, 10.8±5.6 years-old during the ARF episode and followed for 95±26 months. Chronic valve dysfunction was identified in 36(51.4%) which fulfilled criteria for RHD and 10(27.8%) of them died or underwent valve surgery. Univariate analysis showed that mitral valve thickening and presence of mitral regurgitation at baseline DEC, were associated with RHD(p<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression showed that only mitral valve thickness either as a continuous (Odds-Ratio:5.8;95%CI:1.7-19.7) or as a categorical variable (Odds-Ratio:4.04;95%CI:1.06-15.3) was an independent predictor of chronic valve dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral leaflets thickening documented at the time of diagnosis of ARF is a consistent prognostic marker for the subsequent evolution to RHD.

Assuntos

Valva Mitral/fisiologia , Febre Reumática/fisiopatologia , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Insuficiência da Valva Mitral/fisiopatologia , Análise Multivariada , Estudos Prospectivos , Cardiopatia Reumática/fisiopatologia

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine feasibility, reference intervals, and reproducibility of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in adult Syrian hamsters. BACKGROUND: Syrian hamster is an experimental model for several heart diseases. Echocardiography allows the evaluation of structure and function with bidimensional conventional techniques and STE. However, there is no data regarding reference values for bidimensional LVEF and myocardial strain in hamsters. METHODS: A total of 135 female Syrian hamsters were anesthetized and studied with a small animal dedicated echocardiography system. Echocardiography measurements were obtained from M-mode and B-mode images. Feasibility and 95% reference intervals were obtained for LVEF using three different approaches: LVEF_Teichholz (from M-mode linear measurements), LVEF_BMode (from area-length method), and LVEF_ STE (from strain), and for global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS), and radial (GRS) endocardial strain. Reproducibility was assessed as intra-class correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Feasibility of LVEF and endocardial strain was high (95% in FEVE_Teichholz, 93% in the LVEF_BMode, 84% in the LVEF_STE, 84% from PSLAX, and 80% from PSSAX). Values of LVEF_Teichholz were significantly higher than values of LVEF_BMode, and LVEF_STE-derived methods (59.0 ± 5.8, 53.8 ± 4.7, 46.3 ± 5.7, p < 0.0001). The 95% reference intervals for GLS, GCS, and GRS were respectively -13.6(-7.5;-20.4)%, -20.5 ± 3.1%, and + 34,7 ± 7.0%. Intra-class correlation coefficients were 0.49 - 0.91 for LVEF measurements, 0.73 - 0.92 for STE, with better results for LVEF_Teichholz and GLS. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of LVEF by several methods and STE parameters is feasible in hamsters. Reference intervals for LVEF and STE obtained for this experimental animal model can be applied at future research.

Assuntos

Ecocardiografia Tridimensional , Ecocardiografia , Volume Sistólico/fisiologia , Função Ventricular Esquerda/fisiologia , Animais , Cricetinae , Ecocardiografia/métodos , Ecocardiografia Tridimensional/métodos , Estudos de Viabilidade , Ventrículos do Coração/fisiopatologia , Interpretação de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodos , Valores de Referência , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/fisiopatologia

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) have pronounced myocardial fibrosis, which may predispose to sudden cardiac death, despite well-preserved global left ventricular (LV) systolic function. Cardiac magnetic resonance can assess myocardial fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequences. OBJECTIVES: This prospective study evaluated if the presence of scar by LGE predicted hard adverse outcomes in a cohort of patients with CCC. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 140 patients with CCC (52.1% female; median age 57 years [interquartile range: 45 to 67 years]) were included. Cardiac magnetic resonance cine and LGE imaging were performed at enrollment with a 1.5-T scanner. The primary endpoint was the combination of cardiovascular death and sustained ventricular tachycardia. The secondary endpoint was the combination of cardiovascular death, sustained ventricular tachycardia, or cardiovascular hospitalization during follow-up. RESULTS: After a median of 34 months (interquartile range: 24 to 49 months) of follow-up, 11 cardiovascular deaths, 3 episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia, and 20 cardiovascular hospitalizations were recorded. LGE scar was present in 71.4% of the patients, with the lateral, inferolateral, and inferior walls most commonly affected. Patients with positive LGE had lower LV ejection fraction and higher LV end-diastolic volume and LV mass than patients without LGE. No difference in other cardiovascular risk factors was noted. Patients with scar had higher event rates compared with those without scar for the primary (p = 0.043) and the secondary (p = 0.016) endpoint. In multivariable analysis, age and LGE area were related to primary outcome; age and lower LV ejection fraction were related to the secondary outcome. The pattern of LGE myocardial fibrosis was transmural, focal, or diffuse scar in approximately one-third of patients with positive LGE, and no pattern was specifically related to outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CCC, presence of scar by LGE is common and is strongly associated with major adverse outcomes.

Assuntos

Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/diagnóstico por imagem , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/mortalidade , Cicatriz/diagnóstico por imagem , Cicatriz/mortalidade , Ventrículos do Coração/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Idoso , Doença Crônica , Estudos de Coortes , Eletrocardiografia/tendências , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Imagem Cinética por Ressonância Magnética/tendências , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mortalidade/tendências , Prognóstico , Estudos Prospectivos

RESUMO

Activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cause cardiomyocyte injury during acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APT). However, the functional consequences of this alteration are not known. We examined whether doxycycline (a MMP inhibitor) improves right ventricle function and the cardiac responses to dobutamine during APT. APT was induced with autologous blood clots (350 mg/kg) in anaesthetized male lambs pre-treated with doxycycline (Doxy, 10 mg/kg/day, intravenously) or saline. Non-embolized control lambs received doxycycline pre-treatment or saline. The responses to intravenous dobutamine (Dob, 1, 5, 10 µg/kg/min.) or saline infusions at 30 and 120 min. after APT induction were evaluated by echocardiography. APT increased mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance index by ~185%. Doxycycline partially prevented APT-induced pulmonary hypertension (P < 0.05). RV diameter increased in the APT group (from 10.7 ± 0.8 to 18.3 ± 1.6 mm, P < 0.05), but not in the Doxy+APT group (from 13.3 ± 0.9 to 14.4 ± 1.0 mm, P > 0.05). RV dysfunction on stress echocardiography was observed in embolized lambs (APT+Dob group) but not in embolized animals pre-treated with doxycycline (Doxy+APT+Dob). APT increased MMP-9 activity, oxidative stress and gelatinolytic activity in the RV. Although doxycycline had no effects on RV MMP-9 activity, it prevented the increases in RV oxidative stress and gelatinolytic activity (P < 0.05). APT increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations (P < 0.05), doxycycline partially prevented this alteration (P < 0.05). We found evidence to support that doxycycline prevents RV dysfunction and improves the cardiac responses to dobutamine during APT.

Assuntos

Dobutamina/uso terapêutico , Inibidores de Metaloproteinases de Matriz/uso terapêutico , Embolia Pulmonar/complicações , Embolia Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico , Disfunção Ventricular Direita/complicações , Disfunção Ventricular Direita/tratamento farmacológico , Doença Aguda , Animais , Pressão Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Débito Cardíaco/efeitos dos fármacos , Dobutamina/farmacologia , Doxiciclina/farmacologia , Doxiciclina/uso terapêutico , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Ventrículos do Coração/efeitos dos fármacos , Ventrículos do Coração/patologia , Ventrículos do Coração/fisiopatologia , Hipertensão Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico , Hipertensão Pulmonar/etiologia , Hipertensão Pulmonar/patologia , Hipertensão Pulmonar/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Miócitos Cardíacos/efeitos dos fármacos , Miócitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Miócitos Cardíacos/patologia , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Embolia Pulmonar/patologia , Embolia Pulmonar/fisiopatologia , Ovinos , Troponina I/sangue , Resistência Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Vasodilatação/efeitos dos fármacos , Disfunção Ventricular Direita/patologia , Disfunção Ventricular Direita/fisiopatologia

RESUMO

We investigated whether there is an association between anxiety disorders and mitral valve prolapse. We compared mitral valve prolapse prevalence in individuals with panic disorder (n = 41), social anxiety disorder (n = 89) and in healthy controls (n = 102) in an attempt to overcome the biases of previous studies. Our results show no associations between panic disorder or social anxiety disorder and mitral valve prolapse, regardless of the diagnostic criteria employed, and that the relationship between these conditions seems not to be clinically relevant.

Assuntos

Transtornos de Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Prolapso da Valva Mitral/epidemiologia , Adulto , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Instabilidade Articular/epidemiologia , Masculino , Prolapso da Valva Mitral/diagnóstico por imagem , Ultrassonografia , Adulto Jovem

RESUMO

UNLABELLED: Cardiac sympathetic denervation and ventricular arrhythmia are frequently observed in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). This study quantitatively evaluated the association between cardiac sympathetic denervation and sustained ventricular tachycardia (SVT) in patients with CCC. METHODS: We prospectively investigated patients with CCC and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than 35% with SVT (SVT group: n = 15; mean age ± SD, 61 ± 8 y; LVEF, 51% ± 8%) and patients without SVT (non-SVT group: n = 11; mean age ± SD, 55 ± 10 y; LVEF, 57% ± 10%). Patients underwent myocardial scintigraphy with (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) for the evaluation of sympathetic innervation and resting perfusion with (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) for the evaluation of myocardial viability. A visual semiquantitative score was attributed for regional uptake of each radiotracer using a 17-segment left ventricular segmentation model (0, normal; 4, absence of uptake). A mismatch defect was defined as occurring in segments with a (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake score of 0 or 1 and a (123)I-MIBG score of 2 or more. RESULTS: Compared with the non-SVT group, the SVT group had a similar (99m)Tc-MIBI summed score (6.9 ± 7.5 vs. 4.4 ± 5.2, respectively, P = 0.69) but a higher (123)I-MIBG summed score (10.9 ± 7.8 vs. 22.4 ± 9.5, respectively, P = 0.007) and a higher number of mismatch defects per patient (2.0 ± 2.2 vs. 7.1 ± 2.0, respectively, P < 0.0001). The presence of more than 3 mismatch defects was strongly associated with the presence of SVT (93% sensitivity, 82% specificity; P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: In CCC, the amount of sympathetically denervated viable myocardium is associated with the occurrence of SVT. Myocardial sympathetic denervation may participate in triggering malignant ventricular arrhythmia in CCC patients with relatively well-preserved ventricular function.

Assuntos

3-Iodobenzilguanidina , Doença de Chagas/diagnóstico por imagem , Doença de Chagas/patologia , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos , Sistema Nervoso Simpático/diagnóstico por imagem , Taquicardia Ventricular/etiologia , Idoso , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/complicações , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/diagnóstico por imagem , Circulação Coronária/fisiologia , Ecocardiografia , Eletrocardiografia , Feminino , Humanos , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Cintilografia , Simpatectomia , Sistema Nervoso Simpático/fisiopatologia

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Structural myocardial abnormalities have been extensively documented in hypothyroidism. Experimental studies in animal models have also shown involvement of thyroid hormones in gene expression of myocardial collagen. This study was planned to investigate the ability of ultrasonic tissue characterization, as evaluated by integrated backscatter (IBS), to early identify myocardial involvement in thyroid dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 15 patients with hyperthyroidism (HYPER), 8 patients with hypothyroidism (HYPO), 14 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and 19 normal (N) subjects, who had normal LV systolic function. After treatment, 10 HYPER, 6 HYPO, and 8 SCH patients were reevaluated. IBS images were obtained and analyzed in parasternal short axis (papillary muscle level) view, at left ventricular (LV) posterior wall. The following IBS variables were analyzed: 1) the corrected coefficient (CC) of IBS, obtained by dividing IBS intensity by IBS intensity measured in a rubber phantom, using the same equipment adjustments, at the same depth; 2) cardiac cyclic variation (CV) of IBS--peak-to-peak difference between maximal and minimal values of IBS during cardiac cycle; 3) cardiac cyclic variation index (CVI) of IBS--percentual relationship between the cyclic variation (CV) and the mean value of IBS intensity. RESULTS: CC of IBS was significantly larger (p < 0.05) in HYPER (1.57 +/- 0.6) and HYPO (1.53 +/- 0.3) as compared to SCH (1.32 +/- 0.3) or N (1.15 +/- 0.27). The CV (dB) (HYPO: 7.5 +/- 2.4; SCH: 8.2 +/- 3.1; HYPER: 8.2 +/- 2.0) and the CVI (HYPO: 35.6 +/- 19.7%; SCH: 34.7 +/- 17.5%; HYPER: 37.8 +/- 11.6%) were not significantly different in patients with thyroid dysfunction as compared to N (7.0 +/- 2.0 and 44.5 +/- 15.1%). CONCLUSIONS: CC of IBS was able to differentiate cardiac involvement in patients with overt HYPO and HYPER who had normal LV systolic function. These early myocardial structural abnormalities were partially reversed by drug therapy in HYPER group. On the other hand, although mean IBS intensity tended to be slightly larger in patients with SCH as compared to N, this difference was not statistical significant.

Assuntos

Ecocardiografia Doppler , Cardiopatias , Hipertireoidismo/complicações , Hipotireoidismo/complicações , Adulto , Antitireóideos/uso terapêutico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Feminino , Cardiopatias/diagnóstico por imagem , Cardiopatias/etiologia , Cardiopatias/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Hipertireoidismo/tratamento farmacológico , Hipotireoidismo/tratamento farmacológico , Masculino , Metimazol/uso terapêutico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Sístole/fisiologia , Tiroxina/uso terapêutico , Função Ventricular Esquerda/fisiologia

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at analyzing the association between myocardial perfusion changes and the progression of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with chronic Chagas' cardiomyopathy (CCC). BACKGROUND: Pathological and experimental studies have suggested that coronary microvascular derangement, and consequent myocardial perfusion disturbance, may cause myocardial damage in CCC. METHODS: Patients with CCC (n = 36, ages 57 +/- 10 years, 17 males), previously having undergone myocardial perfusion single-positron emission computed tomography and 2-dimensional echocardiography, prospectively underwent a new evaluation after an interval of 5.6 +/- 1.5 years. Stress and rest myocardial perfusion defects were quantified using polar maps and normal database comparison. RESULTS: Between the first and final evaluations, a significant reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction was observed (55 +/- 11% and 50 +/- 13%, respectively; p = 0.0001), as well as an increase in the area of the perfusion defect at rest (18.8 +/- 14.1% and 26.5 +/- 19.1%, respectively; p = 0.0075). The individual increase in the perfusion defect area at rest was significantly correlated with the reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (R = 0.4211, p = 0.0105). Twenty patients with normal coronary arteries (56%) showed reversible perfusion defects involving 10.2 +/- 9.7% of the left ventricle. A significant topographic correlation was found between reversible defects and the appearance of new rest perfusion defects at the final evaluation. Of the 47 segments presenting reversible perfusion defects in the initial study, 32 (68%) progressed to perfusion defects at rest, and of the 469 segments not showing reversibility in the initial study, only 41 (8.7%) had the same progression (p < 0.0001, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSIONS: In CCC patients, the progression of left ventricular systolic dysfunction was associated with both the presence of reversible perfusion defects and the increase in perfusion defects at rest. These results support the notion that myocardial perfusion disturbances participate in the pathogenesis of myocardial injury in CCC.

Assuntos

Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/fisiopatologia , Circulação Coronária , Sístole , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/etiologia , Função Ventricular Esquerda , Idoso , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/complicações , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/patologia , Progressão da Doença , Ecocardiografia , Teste de Esforço , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Imagem de Perfusão do Miocárdio , Volume Sistólico , Tomografia Computadorizada de Emissão de Fóton Único , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/patologia , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/fisiopatologia

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: Although the possible relationship between panic disorder and mitral valve prolapse (MVP) attracted considerable research interest in the 1980s and 1990s, the reported prevalence of MVP in these patients has been inconsistent and widely variable. Clinical and epidemiologic studies have produced controversial data on possible association or definite causal relationship between these 2 entities. The primary objective of the present review was to summarize the current state of knowledge on the association between panic disorder and MVP, including the influence of diagnostic criteria for MVP on the controversial results. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, LILACS, and EMBASE databases using the keywords panic and mitral. Inclusion criteria were articles concerning the reciprocal association of MVP and panic disorder, published from the earliest dates available through December 2006. STUDY SELECTION: All relevant articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese and reporting original data related to the association of MVP and panic disorder were included. Forty articles fulfilling the criteria for inclusion in this review were identified. DATA SYNTHESIS: Even though the reported prevalence of MVP in panic disorder varied from 0% to 57%, a significant association between the 2 disorders was documented in 17 of the 40 studies. Such inconsistent results were due to sampling biases in case or control groups, widely different diagnostic criteria for MVP, and lack of reliability of MVP diagnosis. None of the reviewed studies used the current state-of-the-art diagnostic criteria for MVP to evaluate the volunteers. Apparently, the more elaborate the study methodology, the lower the chance to observe a significant relationship between these 2 conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Published results are insufficient to definitely establish or to exclude an association between MVP and panic disorder. If any relationship does actually exist, it could be said to be infrequent and mainly occur in subjects with minor variants of MVP. To clarify this intriguing issue, future studies should mainly focus on the observed methodological biases and particularly should use the current criteria for MVP as the standard for evaluation.

RESUMO

Modelo do estudo: Retrospectivo. Objetivos do estudo: Avaliar o efeito do treinamento físico aeróbico nas variáveis cardiovasculares em pacientes coronariopatas participantes do Programa de Reabilitação Cardiovascular. Metodologia: Foram incluídos pacientes portadores de coronariopatia estável e foram avaliadas as variáveis cardiovasculares de testes ergométricos seriados, realizados antes e após um período mínimo de 12 semanas de treinamento físico aeróbico em um Programa de Reabilitação Cardiovascular, de fevereiro de 2002 a julho de 2005. Resultados: Documentou-se incremento significativo (p < 0,0001) do consumo de oxigênio pico(VO2 pico) após a reabilitação cardiovascular (30,1 ± 9,5 versus 35,5 ± 8,8 ml/kg/min). Este delta do VO2 pico apresentou correlação negativa com a capacidade física inicial, com maiores ganhos nos pacientes com menores valores iniciais de VO2 pico. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na pressão arterial sistólica e no duplo produto pico, e uma diferença de pequena magnitude foi observada na freqüência cardíaca pico. A melhora no limiar isquêmico do miocárdio, avaliada pelo consumo de oxigênio na positivação, foi ainda mais expressiva, com incremento de 7,4 ml/kg/min (p < 0,0001) (21,0 ± 6,9 versus 28,4 ± 8,2 ml/kg/min). Conclusões: A reabilitação cardiovascular melhorou a capacidade física e o limiar isquêmico de pacientes participantes do Programa de Reabilitação Cardiovascular. O benefício na capacidade física foi maior nos pacientes com menores valores iniciais de consumo de oxigênio pico.

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Study model: Retrospective. Study objectives: Evaluate the effect of aerobic physical training in cardiovascular variables in patients with coronary artery disease participants of a Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program. Methods: Patients with stable coronary artery disease were included and were analyzed the cardiovascular variables of exercise testing, carried out before and after a minimum period of 12 weeks of aerobic physical training in a Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program, from February 2002 to July 2005. Results: A significant increment (p <0.0001) of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was observed after the cardiovascular rehabilitation (30.1 ± 9.5 versus 35.5 ± 8.8 ml/kg/min). The difference of the VO2 max had negative correlation with the initial physical capacity, with greater benefits in patients with smaller initial values of VO2 max. Significant differences were not observed in maximal systolic blood pressure and double product, and a small difference was observed in maximal heart rate. The improvement in ischemic threshold was more pronounced, with an increment of 7.4 ml/kg/min in oxygen consumption, with statistical significance (p < 0.0001) (21.0 ± 6.9 versus 28.4 ± 8.2 ml/kg/min). Conclusions: The cardiovascular rehabilitation improved physical capacity and ischemic thresholdin patients participants of a Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program. The benefit in physical capacity was greater in patients with smaller initial values of maximal oxygen consumption.

Assuntos

Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doença das Coronárias , Doenças Vasculares , Exercício Físico , Reabilitação

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease remains a significant public health issue and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Latin America. Despite nearly 1 century of research, the pathogenesis of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy is incompletely understood, the most intriguing challenge of which is the complex host-parasite interaction. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic review of the literature found in MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIREME, LILACS, and SCIELO was performed to search for relevant references on pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Chagas disease. Evidence from studies in animal models and in anima nobile points to 4 main pathogenetic mechanisms to explain the development of chronic Chagas heart disease: autonomic nervous system derangements, microvascular disturbances, parasite-dependent myocardial aggression, and immune-mediated myocardial injury. Despite its prominent peculiarities, the role of autonomic derangements and microcirculatory disturbances is probably ancillary among causes of chronic myocardial damage. The pathogenesis of chronic Chagas heart disease is dependent on a low-grade but incessant systemic infection with documented immune-adverse reaction. Parasite persistence and immunological mechanisms are inextricably related in the myocardial aggression in the chronic phase of Chagas heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Most clinical studies have been performed in very small number of patients. Future research should explore the clinical potential implications and therapeutic opportunities of these 2 fundamental underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.

Assuntos

Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/etiologia , Animais , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/imunologia , Autoimunidade , Sistema Nervoso Autônomo/fisiopatologia , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/tratamento farmacológico , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/imunologia , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/fisiopatologia , Cricetinae , Morte Súbita Cardíaca/etiologia , Denervação , Coração/parasitologia , Sistema de Condução Cardíaco/fisiopatologia , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita , Humanos , Camundongos , Microcirculação , Modelos Animais , Modelos Cardiovasculares , Modelos Neurológicos , Mimetismo Molecular , Isquemia Miocárdica/etiologia , Isquemia Miocárdica/fisiopatologia , Miocardite/etiologia , Miocardite/parasitologia , Miocárdio/imunologia , Miocárdio/patologia , Nitroimidazóis/uso terapêutico , Sistema Nervoso Parassimpático/fisiopatologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/imunologia , Tripanossomicidas/uso terapêutico , Trypanosoma cruzi/imunologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/fisiologia , Vacinação , Disfunção Ventricular Esquerda/etiologia

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Double-chambered right ventricle is a rare congenital disease frequently misdiagnosed in the adult patient. An anomalous muscle band divides the right ventricle in two cavities causing variable degree of obstruction. Although echocardiography is considered a useful method for the diagnosis of this pathology in children, it has been recognized the transthoracic scanning limitation in adults. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29 year-old patient with double-chambered right ventricle presenting mild exercise intolerance referred for follow up of a known ventricular septal defect in whom a complete diagnosis was obtained based only on transthoracic two dimensional echocardiography without the needing of cardiac catheterization. CONCLUSION: Based on non invasive echocardiographic diagnosis, patient was referred to surgical correction, which was completely successful.

Assuntos

Ecocardiografia , Cardiopatias Congênitas/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Cardiopatias Congênitas/cirurgia , Ventrículos do Coração , Humanos , Hipertrofia Ventricular Direita/diagnóstico por imagem , Masculino

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and the clinical characteristics of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in cirrhotic candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation and to identify the major respiratory parameters predictive of the presence of changes in arterial oxygenation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients underwent transthoracic contrast-enhanced echocardiography, pulmonary scintigraphy, pulmonary function test with diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and measurement of arterial blood gases. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were studied. Twenty-five patients (45%) presented with intrapulmonary vascular dilatations, but only 9 (16%) fulfilled the criteria for HPS. The clinical or demographic characteristics considered did not differ in the patients with and without HPS. The DLCO value was significantly lower in patients with HPS (P=.01). However, 32 (80%) of 40 patients with low DLCO values did not fulfill the criteria for HPS. An alveolar arterial oxygen gradient (AaPO2) of more than 20 mm Hg showed a higher diagnostic accuracy (91%) in the assessment of HPS than did the DLCO of less than 80% predicted (41%) and the AaPO2 of more than 15 mm Hg (71%). CONCLUSIONS: The AaPO2 proved to be a more reliable index than PaO2 and DLCO for the determination of changes in arterial oxygenation in HPS. The DLCO does not seem to be a good marker for HPS screening. Intrapulmonary vascular dilatations were frequent, even in patients who did not fulfill the criteria for HPS.

Assuntos

Síndrome Hepatopulmonar/diagnóstico , Síndrome Hepatopulmonar/fisiopatologia , Cirrose Hepática/complicações , Pulmão/fisiopatologia , Gasometria , Feminino , Síndrome Hepatopulmonar/sangue , Humanos , Cirrose Hepática/cirurgia , Transplante de Fígado , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Capacidade de Difusão Pulmonar/fisiologia

Assuntos

Cardiomiopatias/diagnóstico por imagem , Ecocardiografia/métodos , Miocárdio/ultraestrutura , Ecocardiografia/instrumentação , Ecocardiografia Doppler , Humanos

Assuntos

Humanos , Cardiomiopatias , Ecocardiografia , Miocárdio , Ecocardiografia , Ecocardiografia Doppler , Imagens de Fantasmas

Assuntos

Ecocardiografia Transesofagiana/métodos , Aneurisma Cardíaco/diagnóstico por imagem , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico por imagem , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas , Ventrículos do Coração/diagnóstico por imagem , Valva Mitral/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Cardíacos/métodos , Evolução Fatal , Aneurisma Cardíaco/complicações , Insuficiência Cardíaca/etiologia , Ventrículos do Coração/fisiopatologia , Ventrículos do Coração/cirurgia , Humanos , Masculino , Valva Mitral/diagnóstico por imagem , Valva Mitral/cirurgia

Assuntos

Humanos , Ecocardiografia Doppler em Cores/métodos , Doenças das Valvas Cardíacas , Determinação do Volume Sanguíneo , Doenças das Valvas Cardíacas/fisiopatologia

RESUMO

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical, angiographic and early follow-up findings of young patients suffering an acute myocardial infarction, in comparison with older patients with infarction, in the thrombolytic era. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 46 patients < 40 years-old (group I) at the time of an acute myocardial infarction was compared with that of 46 older patients, randomly selected, presenting with this syndrome between february, 1991 and february, 1996 (group II). In both groups a comparison was conducted regarding the proportions of gender, risk factors, type of infarction (Q vs non-Q), left ventricular function, coronary anatomy and early mortality (1 month). The medical treatment was comparable for both groups, including the utilization of thrombolytics. RESULTS: The groups were discriminated only by: higher prevalence of smoking, of angiographically normal coronary arteries, and of non-critical (< 75reduction of luminal diameter) coronary stenosis in group I; in the older group a higher proportion of patients had multivessel disease. Although not reaching statistical significance, a trend was observed to a more benign early course of the infarction in the patients less than < 40 years-old. CONCLUSION: The present findings are similar to those described in the pre-thrombolytic era, for young patients suffering an acute myocardial infarction.

Assuntos

Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Angiografia Coronária , Fibrinolíticos/uso terapêutico , Infarto do Miocárdio/tratamento farmacológico , Fumar , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Função Ventricular Esquerda , Infarto do Miocárdio/diagnóstico , Infarto do Miocárdio/epidemiologia

RESUMO

Woman, 42 years-old, receiving immunosuppressive therapy for a lymphoma, presented reagudization of Chagas' disease, from its indeterminate phase. Intense inflammatory visceral aggression, due to extensive intracellular proliferation of the Trypanosoma cruzi, was the likely mechanism for acute myocarditis leading to severe right ventricular failure. Antiparasite chemotherapy was effective in the control of visceral involvement and for the remission of cardiac failure. The clinical course in this case is compatible with the hypothesis of early right ventricular damage in Chagas' disease

Assuntos

Humanos , Feminino , Adulto , Disfunção Ventricular Direita/etiologia , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica/complicações , Ecocardiografia Doppler , Disfunção Ventricular Direita , Insuficiência Cardíaca/etiologia , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Cardiomiopatia Chagásica