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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed an unprecedented burden on healthcare systems worldwide, changing the profile of interventional cardiology activity. Objectives: To quantify and compare the number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed for acute and chronic coronary syndromes during the first COVID-19 outbreak with the corresponding period in previous years. Methods: Data on PCI from the prospective multicenter Portuguese Registry on Interventional Cardiology (RNCI) were used to analyze changes in PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) and chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). The number of PCIs performed during the initial period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Portugal, from March 1 to May 2, 2020, was compared with the mean frequency of PCIs performed during the corresponding period in the previous three years (2017–2019). Results: The total number of PCIs procedures was significantly decreased during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Portugal (−36%, p

Introduction: Mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease is higher than in the general population. This is linked to traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, as well as with risk factors associated with end-stage renal disease itself. The aim of this study is to identify CV risk markers in patients beginning peritoneal dialysis (PD) and their association with CV events and CV mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 112 incident PD patients, in which demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters, valvular calcifications, types of PD solutions, hospitalizations, CV events and death were analyzed. Occurrence of CV events or death due to a CV event after PD initiation was defined as the primary endpoint. The use of icodextrin solution was taken as a marker of hypervolemia. Results: Mean age was 53.7±16.1 years. Patients were treated with PD for 29.3±17.4 months. Eighteen patients (16.1%) had valvular calcifications at baseline, 15 patients (13.4%) had major CV events and 11 patients (9.8%) died from CV-related causes. Cox proportional hazards analysis of CV events or CV-related mortality revealed that mitral calcification, use of icodextrin solution and low albumin were independent predictors of CV events or mortality. Conclusions: Traditional CV risk factors appear to have little impact on CV complications in PD patients. Nevertheless, hypervolemia, hypoalbuminemia and mitral calcifications were independent predictors of CV events or mortality in this group of patients. Resumo: Introdução: A taxa de mortalidade nos doentes com doença renal crónica terminal é significativamente mais elevada em comparação à população geral. Para isso contribuem fatores de risco cardiovascular (CV) clássicos e fatores de risco associados à própria doença renal crónica. Com este estudo pretendeu-se identificar marcadores de risco cardiovascular em doentes incidentes em diálise peritoneal (DP), e a sua associação a eventos cardiovasculares ou mortalidade cardiovascular. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospetivo de 112 doentes incidentes em DP, onde os dados demográficos, clínicos e laboratoriais, calcificações valvulares, tipo de soluções de DP, hospitalizações, eventos cardiovasculares e morte de causa cardiovascular após o início de DP foram considerados como outcomes primários. A utilização de solução de icodextrina foi usada como um marcador de hipervolemia. Resultados: A idade média foi de 53,7 ± 16,1 anos. Os doentes foram tratados com DP durante 29,3 ± 17,4 meses; 18 doentes (16,1%) apresentavam calcificações valvulares à data de início da técnica. Quinze doentes (13,4%) tiveram eventos CV major e 11 doentes (9,8%) morreram na sequência de eventos CV. A análise estatística por regressão de Cox mostrou que a calcificação mitral, o uso da solução de icodextrina e a hipoalbuminemia foram preditores independentes de eventos CV ou mortalidade CV. Conclusões: Os fatores tradicionais de risco CV aparentam ter pouco impacto no desenvolvimento das complicações CV dos doentes em DP. Porém, a hipervolemia, a hipoalbuminemia e a calcificação mitral foram preditores independentes de eventos CV ou mortalidade neste grupo de doentes. Keywords: Peritoneal dialysis, Cardiovascular events, Cardiovascular mortality, Palavras-chave: Diálise peritoneal, Eventos cardiovasculares, Mortalidade cardiovascular

Resumo: Introdução e objetivos: A intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) com balão eluidor de fármaco (DEB) tem vindo a ser utilizada no tratamento da reestenose intra-stent (RIS) e na doença coronária de pequenos vasos. O objetivo foi avaliar a eficácia clínica desta estratégia num registo multicêntrico. Métodos: Registo prospetivo de 2 centros com 156 doentes (dts) consecutivos incluídos, entre 2009 e 2010, submetidos a ICP com pelo menos um balão DEB. Definiu-se como endpoint primário a ocorrência combinada (MACE) de todas as causas de morte, EAM e revascularização da lesão alvo (TLR) a um ano de seguimento. Determinou-se os preditores independentes de prognóstico através da análise de regressão de Cox. Resultados: Foram tratadas 184 lesões com 206 DEB. O sucesso do procedimento foi obtido em 98% (150 dts). A um ano de seguimento, a sobrevida livre de endpoint composto ocorreu em 134 dts e foi de 86% (morte em 6%, EAM em 6% e TLR em 5%). Os preditores independentes de MACE foram a ICP na artéria descendente anterior (HR 2,81, 95% IC 1,21-6,51, p = 0,02) e história prévia de EAM (HR 3,46, 95% IC 1,35-8,84, p = 0,01). O diâmetro ou comprimento do DEB e a RIS não foram preditores de eventos. Conclusões: A ICP com DEB em dts do mundo real e neste cenário complexo de lesões é eficaz com baixa taxa de MACE a um ano de seguimento, incluindo TLR. Os resultados são igualmente bons se a intervenção é no contexto de RIS ou na doença coronária de novo. Abstract: Introduction and objectives: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with paclitaxel drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) is used mainly for treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and small vessel disease. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this strategy in a multicenter registry. Methods: Between 2009 and 2010 a prospective registry from two centers enrolled 156 consecutive patients undergoing PCI with at least one DEB. A primary composite endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI] and target lesion revascularization [TLR]) was assessed at one-year follow-up. Stepwise Cox regression was used to determine independent predictors of outcome. Results: DEBs (n=206) were used to treat 184 lesions. Procedural success was obtained in 98% of patients (n=150). At one-year follow-up, 86% (n=134) were free of the primary endpoint (6% death, 6% non-procedure related MI and 5% TLR). The independent predictors of MACE at one year were index PCI in the left anterior descending artery (HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.21-6.51; p=0.02) and a history of MI (HR 3.46, 95% CI 1.35-8.84; p=0.01). ISR and DEB diameter or length were not predictors of events. Conclusions: PCI with DEBs in real-world patients with complex lesions is effective, with a low rate of MACE, including TLR, at one-year follow-up. The results are equally good whether the intervention is for ISR or for native coronary disease. Palavras-chave: Balão eluidor de fármaco, Doença coronária dos pequenos vasos, Reestenose intra-stent, Keywords: Drug-eluting balloon, Small coronary vessel disease, In-stent restenosis

We report the case of a 40-year-old man with known Marfan syndrome who presented with severe aortic valve regurgitation secondary to significant aortic root dilatation. To rule out coronary artery disease and to evaluate the rest of the thoracic aorta before surgery, cardiac computed tomography (CT) was performed. A brief review of the literature shows how cardiac CT can, in selected cases, rule out coronary artery disease before non-coronary cardiothoracic surgery. Resumo: Descrevemos o caso de um doente de 40 anos de idade com Síndrome de Marfan, que apresenta regurgitação valvular aórtica grave, secundária a dilatação severa da raiz aórtica. Para excluir a presença de doença coronária e estudar os restantes segmentos aórticos antes da cirurgia, foi realizada uma angioTC cardíaca.Uma breve revisão da literatura demonstra como, em determinados contextos, a angioTC cardíaca pode ter vantagens na exclusão de doença coronária antes de cirurgia cardio-torácica não coronária. Keywords: Cardiac CT, Marfan syndrome, Aortic aneurysm, Palavras-chave: AngioTC cardíaca, Síndrome de Marfan, Aneurisma da aorta

Aims: Although half of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) present obstructive atherosclerotic disease 10 years after implantation, controversy remains concerning the ideal treatment. Our aim was to compare percutaneous revascularization (PCI) options in SVG lesions, according to intervention strategy and type of stent. Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis selected 618 consecutive patients with previous bypass surgery who underwent PCI between 2003 and 2008. Clinical and angiographic parameters were analyzed according to intervention strategy – PCI in SVG vs. native vessel vs. combined approach – and type of stent implanted – drug-eluting (DES) vs. bare-metal (BMS) vs. both. A Cox regressive analysis of event-free survival was performed with regard to the primary outcomes of death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target vessel failure (TVF). Results: During a mean follow-up of 796±548 days the rates of death, MI and TVF were 10.9%, 10.5% and 29.5%, respectively. With regard to intervention strategy (74.4% of PCI performed in native vessels, 17.2% in SVGs and 8.4% combined), no significant differences were seen between groups (death p=0.22, MI p=0.20, TVF p=0.80). The type of stents implanted (DES 83.2%, BMS 10.2%, both 3.2%) also did not influence long-term prognosis (death p=0.09, MI p=0.11, TVF p=0.64). The implantation of DES had a favorable impact on survival (p