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The impact of left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) on the prognosis of Chagas cardiomyopathy is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of LVRR can predict mortality in these patients.From January 2000 to December 2010, the medical charts of 159 patients were reviewed. LVRR was defined as an increase of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and a decrease of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) by two-dimensional echocardiography. No patient underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy or required mechanical ventricular assistance.At baseline, median (25th-75th) LVDD was 64 mm (59-70), and median LVEF was 33.2% (26.4-40.1). LVRR was detected in 24.5% of patients in a 40-month (26-64) median follow-up. In the LVRR group, LVDD decreased from 64 mm (59-68) to 60 mm (56-65; p0.001), and LVEF increased from 31.3% (24.1-39.0) to 42.5% (32.2-47.7; p0.001). However, LVRR was not associated with heart failure hospitalization, cardiogenic shock, heart transplantation, or mortality (p0.05 for all comparisons). The Cox proportional hazard model analysis identified only cardiogenic shock (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-3.85; p0.001) and serum sodium level (HR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.86-0.96; p0.001) as independent predictors of all-cause mortality.Left ventricular reverse remodeling occurs in one quarter of patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy and have no impact on the outcomes of patients with this condition.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: This study analyzed the arrival of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Brazil and its impact on coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: Patients undergoing isolated CABG in six hospitals in Brazil were divided into two periods: pre-COVID-19 (March-May 2019, N = 468) and COVID-19 era (March-May 2020, N = 182). Perioperative data were included on a dedicated REDCap platform. Patients with clinical and tomographic criteria and/or PCR (+) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were considered COVID-19 (+). Logistic regression analysis was performed to create a multiple predictive model for mortality after CABG in COVID-19 era. RESULTS: Compared to 2019, in 2020, CABG surgeries had a 2.8-fold increased mortality risk (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1-7.6, p = .041), patients who evolved with COVID-19 had a 11-fold increased mortality risk (95% CI: 2.2-54.9, p < .003), rates of morbidities and readmission to the intensive care unit. The surgical volume was decreased by 60%. The model to predict mortality after CABG in the COVID-19 era was validated with good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow = 1.43) and discrimination (receiver operating characteristic = 0.78). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse impact on mortality, morbidity and volume of patients undergoing CABG.

Aims This study aimed to develop and validate a simple method for predicting long‐term all‐cause mortality in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) residing in an area where Chagas disease is endemic, which will be important not only for patients living in Latin America but also to those living in developed non‐endemic countries. Methods and results A total of 677 patients with a wide spectrum of aetiologies for left ventricular systolic dysfunction and receiving optimized evidence‐based treatment for CHF were prospectively followed for approximately 11 years. We established a risk score using Cox proportional hazard regression models. After multivariable analysis, four variables were independently associated with mortality and included in the CALL Risk Score: Chagas cardiomyopathy aetiology alone [hazard ratio, 3.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.61–4.33; P

Clinical prediction models for deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery exist, although they have a poor impact in external validation studies. We developed and validated a new predictive model for 30-day DSWI after CABG (REPINF) and compared it with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons model (STS). The REPINF model was created through a multicenter cohort of adults undergoing CABG surgery (REPLICCAR II Study) database, using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression, internally and externally validated comparing discrimination, calibration in-the-large (CL), net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), trained between the new model and the STS PredDeep, a validated model for DSWI after cardiac surgery. In the validation data, c-index = 0.83 (95% CI 0.72–0.95). Compared to the STS PredDeep, predictions improved by 6.5% (IDI). However, both STS and REPINF had limited calibration. Different populations require independent scoring systems to achieve the best predictive effect. As the STS, the REPINF external validation across multiple centers it’s important to guide healthcare professionals as a quality improvement tool in the prevention of DSWI after CABG surgery.

Clinical prediction models for deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery exist, although they have a poor impact in external validation studies. We developed and validated a new predictive model for 30-day DSWI after CABG (REPINF) and compared it with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons model (STS). The REPINF model was created through a multicenter cohort of adults undergoing CABG surgery (REPLICCAR II Study) database, using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression, internally and externally validated comparing discrimination, calibration in-the-large (CL), net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), trained between the new model and the STS PredDeep, a validated model for DSWI after cardiac surgery. In the validation data, c-index = 0.83 (95% CI 0.72–0.95). Compared to the STS PredDeep, predictions improved by 6.5% (IDI). However, both STS and REPINF had limited calibration. Different populations require independent scoring systems to achieve the best predictive effect. The external validation of REPINF across multiple centers is an important quality improvement tool to generalize the model and to guide healthcare professionals in the prevention of DSWI after CABG surgery.

Background Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Objectives The study protocol FHBGEP was design to investigate the main genomic, epigenomic, and pharmacogenomic factors associated with FH and polygenic hypercholesterolemia (PH). Methods FH patients will be enrolled at six research centers in Brazil. An exon-targeted gene strategy will be used to sequence a panel of 84 genes related to FH, PH, pharmacogenomics and coronary artery disease. Variants in coding and regulatory regions will be identified using a proposed variant discovery pipeline and classified according to the American College Medical Genetics guidelines. Functional effects of variants in FH-related genes will be investigated by in vitro studies using lymphocytes and cell lines (HepG2, HUVEC and HEK293FT), CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, luciferase reporter assay and other technologies. Functional studies in silico, such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and conformational analysis, will be used to explore the impact of novel variants on protein structure and function. DNA methylation profile and differential expression of circulating non-coding RNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs) will be analyzed in FH patients and normolipidemic subjects (control group). The influence of genomic and epigenomic factors on metabolic and inflammatory status will be analyzed in FH patients. Pharmacogenomic studies will be conducted to investigate the influence of genomic and epigenomic factors on response to statins in FH patients. Summary The FHBGEP protocol has the potential to elucidate the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of FH and PH, particularly in the Brazilian population. This pioneering approach includes genomic, epigenomic and functional studies, which results will contribute to the improvement of the diagnosis, prognosis and personalized therapy of FH patients.

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to describe a novel statewide registry for cardiac surgery in Brazil (REPLICCAR), to compare a regional risk model (SPScore) with EuroSCORE II and STS, and to understand where quality improvement and safety initiatives can be implemented.MethodsA total of 11 sites in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, formed an online registry platform to capture information on risk factors and outcomes after cardiac surgery procedures for all consecutive patients. EuroSCORE II and STS values were calculated for each patient. An SPScore model was designed and compared with EuroSCORE II and STS to predict 30-day outcomes: death, reoperation, readmission, and any morbidity.ResultsA total of 5222 patients were enrolled in this study between November 2013 and December 2017. The observed 30-day mortality rate was 7.6%. Most patients were older, overweight, and classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III; 14.5% of the patient population had a positive diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease, 10.9% had insulin-dependent diabetes, and 19 individuals had a positive diagnosis of Chagas disease. When evaluating the prediction performance, we found that SPScore outperformed EuroSCORE II and STS in the prediction of mortality (0.90 vs. 0.76 and 0.77), reoperation (0.84 vs. 0.60 and 0.56), readmission (0.84 vs. 0.55 and 0.51), and any morbidity (0.80 vs. 0.65 and 0.64), respectively (pConclusionsThe REPLICCAR registry might stimulate the creation of other cardiac surgery registries in developing countries, ultimately improving the regional quality of care provided to patients.

Background: We hypothesized that polymicrobial posttraumatic osteomyelitis (PTO) may be associated with worse outcomes when compared to monomicrobial PTO. We therefore attempted to show the outcomes and predisposing factors associated with polymicrobial PTO.Methods: A single-center case-control study was carried out from 2007 to 2012. The outcome variables analyzed were: the need for additional surgical and antibiotic treatments, rates of amputation, and mortality associated with the infection. Univariate and multivariable analyses using multiple logistic regression were performed to identify risk factors associated with polymicrobial PTO, and p < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Among the 193 patients identified, polymicrobial PTO was diagnosed in 37.8%, and was significantly associated with supplementary surgical debridement (56.1% vs. 31%; p < 0.01), a higher consumption of antibiotics, and more amputations (6.5% vs 1.3%; p < 0.01). Factors associated with polymicrobial PTO in the multivariable analysis were older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01 to 1.03, p = 0.04), working in agriculture (OR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.05 to 7.79, p = 0.04), open fracture Gustilo type III (OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.02 to 5.56, p = 0.04), need for blood transfusion (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.07 to 4.32, p = 0.03), and need for supplementary debridement (OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.29 to 5.16, p = 0.01).Conclusions: PTO is polymicrobial in more than one-third of patients, associated with extra surgical and clinical treatment, and worse outcomes including higher rates of amputation.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether rivaroxaban alone or in combination with aspirin would be more effective than aspirin alone for secondary cardiovascular prevention.METHODS: In this double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 27,395 participants with stable atherosclerotic vascular disease to receive rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) plus aspirin (100 mg once daily), rivaroxaban (5 mg twice daily), or aspirin (100 mg once daily). The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, or myocardial infarction. The study was stopped for superiority of the rivaroxaban-plus-aspirin group after a mean follow-up of 23 months.RESULTS: The primary outcome occurred in fewer patients in the rivaroxaban-plus-aspirin group than in the aspirin-alone group (379 patients [4.1%] vs. 496 patients [5.4%]; hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.86; PCONCLUSIONS: Among patients with stable atherosclerotic vascular disease, those assigned to rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) plus aspirin had better cardiovascular outcomes and more major bleeding events than those assigned to aspirin alone. Rivaroxaban (5 mg twice daily) alone did not result in better cardiovascular outcomes than aspirin alone and resulted in more major bleeding events. (Funded by Bayer; COMPASS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01776424 .).

Objective: To provide real world observational data about glucose control, the burden of diabetes, comorbidities, and cardiovascular risk factors among patients initiating second-line therapy in Latin America (LA). Methods: This report is a cross-sectional analysis of the LA cohort of the DISCOVER study, describing the regional prevalence of microvascular and macrovascular complications in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil. Results: One thousand six hundred and sixteen patients were included in 69 investigational sites. Hemoglobin A1c was >7% (42 mmol/mol) in 81.3% of subjects. Macrovascular complications were reported by 13.8% of the subjects. Microvascular conditions were reported in 15.2% of the subjects. The prevalence of hypertension and of hyperlipidemia was 55.5% and 45.9%, respectively. Blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein were out of target levels in 38.5%, 51.2%, and 81.7% of the patients, respectively. Overweight or obesity was reported in 83.8% of the cases. Conclusion: Our study shows that patients with type 2 diabetes in LA are not reaching their glucose, lipids, blood pressure, and weight targets. The prevalence of microvascular (15.2%), macrovascular (13.8%), and uncontrolled comorbidities in patients at an early stage of the disease (initiating a second-line therapy) highlights the need for more aggressive risk factor screening as well as treatment in LA. Abbreviations: CV = cardiovascular; CVD = cardiovascular disease; DM = diabetes mellitus; HbA1c = hemoglobin A1c; LA = Latin America/Latin American; LDL = low density cholesterol; T2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A predictive index for cardiac surgery associated-acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) may improve clinical decision-making. We aimed to apply the Simplified Renal Index Scoring Scheme (SRISS) for estimating risk of postoperative RRT in Brazilian population. We

Background Periprocedural myocardial injury after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may affect the patient's prognosis and may be due to a different set of factors beyond the atherosclerotic plaque instability. Considering the challenges in the diagnosis of myocardial injury after CABG, the aim of this study was to determine the association between postoperative early elevation of high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and all-cause 30-day mortality after CABG. Methods We enrolled 600 consecutive patients who underwent CABG. The hsTnT value was measured immediately before surgery and in the morning of the first postoperative day. Results The baseline hsTnT was 13 ng/L (7–26 ng/L) and 273 patients (45.7%) had baseline hsTnT above the 99th percentile/upper reference limit (URL) (14 ng/L). The median for hsTnT at first postoperative day was 235 ng/L (152–425 ng/L). We calculated the postoperative hsTnT ratio to URL for each patient, representing the number of times exceeding the URL (hsTnT value divided by 14 ng/L). The multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazard model revealed that age (years) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–1.20; p Conclusion In our series, age and higher postoperative hsTnT levels were independent and reliable predictors of all-cause 30-day mortality after CABG.

Several trials have reported that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM), improve endothelial function. The current study investigated the effects of vildagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, compared to glibenclamide on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and blood pressure in patients with T2DM and hypertension. Patients aged over 35 years with T2DM and hypertension, but without cardiovascular disease, were randomly allocated to treatment with vildagliptin (n = 25) or glibenclamide (n = 25). Both groups took metformin. Endothelial function was evaluated by peripheral artery tonometry (Endo-PAT 2000) to calculate the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and arterial stiffness. Primary outcome was change in the RHI after 12 weeks of treatment. Twenty-four-hour non-invasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed using a Mobil-O-Graph® 24-h PWA monitor. Arterial stiffness was assessed using the augmentation index corrected for 75 bpm (AIx75), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central systolic blood pressure (cSBP). There were no changes in the RHI in the vildagliptin group (before 2.35 ± 0.59; after 2.24 ± 0.60; p value = NS) or in the glibenclamide group (before 2.36 ± 0.52; after 2.34 ± 0.50; p value = NS), with no differences between groups (p value = NS). There was also no difference between vildagliptin and glibenclamide treatment in respect to AIx75 (p value = NS), cSBP (p value = NS) or PWV (p value = NS). Vildagliptin and glibenclamide similarly do not change the endothelial function and arterial stiffness after 12 weeks of treatment in diabetic and hypertensive patients without cardiovascular disease. Thus, vildagliptin has a neutral effect on vascular function. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02145611, registered on 11 Jun 2013.

Introduction The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, with focus on the mutation in thealpha-synucleingene (SNCA).Objective To analyse the polymorphism SNCA-A53T in patients with familial PD (FPD) and sporadic PD (SPD).Method A total of 294 individuals were studied, regardless of sex and with mixed ethnicity. The study group with 154 patients with PD, and the control group included 140 individuals without PD. The genotyping ofSNCA-A53T was performed by PCR/RFLP. Significance level was p < 0.05.Results Among all patients, 37 (24%) had FPD and 117 (75.9%) had SPD. The absence ofSNCA-A53T mutation was observed in all individuals.Conclusion SPD is notably observed in patients. However, the SNCA-A53T mutation was absent in all individuals, which does not differ controls from patients. This fact should be confirmed in a Brazilian study case with a more numerous and older population.

Summary Background Oral anticoagulation is underused in patients with atrial fibrillation. We assessed the impact of a multifaceted educational intervention, versus usual care, on oral anticoagulant use in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods This study was a two-arm, prospective, international, cluster-randomised, controlled trial. Patients were included who had atrial fibrillation and an indication for oral anticoagulation. Clusters were randomised (1:1) to receive a quality improvement educational intervention (intervention group) or usual care (control group). Randomisation was carried out centrally, using the eClinicalOS electronic data capture system. The intervention involved education of providers and patients, with regular monitoring and feedback. The primary outcome was the change in the proportion of patients treated with oral anticoagulants from baseline assessment to evaluation at 1 year. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02082548. Findings 2281 patients from five countries (Argentina, n=343; Brazil, n=360; China, n=586; India, n=493; and Romania, n=499) were enrolled from 48 clusters between June 11, 2014, and Nov 13, 2016. Follow-up was at a median of 12·0 months (IQR 11·8–12·2). Oral anticoagulant use increased in the intervention group from 68% (804 of 1184 patients) at baseline to 80% (943 of 1184 patients) at 1 year (difference 12%), whereas in the control group it increased from 64% (703 of 1092 patients) at baseline to 67% (732 of 1092 patients) at 1 year (difference 3%). Absolute difference in the change between groups was 9·1% (95% CI 3·8–14·4); odds ratio of change in the use of oral anticoagulation between groups was 3·28 (95% CI 1·67–6·44; adjusted p value=0·0002). Kaplan-Meier estimates showed a reduction in the secondary outcome of stroke in the intervention versus control groups (HR 0·48, 95% CI 0·23–0·99; log-rank p value=0·0434). Interpretation A multifaceted and multilevel educational intervention, aimed to improve use of oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and at risk for stroke, resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of patients treated with oral anticoagulants. Such an intervention has the potential to improve stroke prevention around the world for patients with atrial fibrillation. Funding Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, and Pfizer.

Background: Renal dysfunction is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery. For a better assessment of renal function, calculation of creatinine clearance (CC) may be necessary. Objective: To objectively evaluate whether CC is a better risk predictor than serum creatinine (SC) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Analysis of 3,285 patients registered in a prospective, consecutive and mandatory manner in the Sao Paulo Registry of Cardiovascular Surgery (REPLICCAR) between November 2013 and January 2015. Values of SC, CC (Cockcroft-Gault) and EuroSCORE II were obtained. Association analysis of SC and CC with morbidity and mortality was performed by calibration and discrimination tests. Independent multivariate models with SC and CC were generated by multiple logistic regression to predict morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery. Results: Despite the association between SC and mortality, it did not calibrate properly the risk groups. There was an association between CC and mortality with good calibration of risk groups. In mortality risk prediction, SC was uncalibrated with values > 1.35 mg /dL (p < 0.001). The ROC curve showed that CC is better than SC in predicting both morbidity and mortality risk. In the multivariate model without CC, SC was the only predictor of morbidity, whereas in the model without SC, CC was not only a mortality predictor, but also the only morbidity predictor. Conclusion: Compared with SC, CC is a better parameter of renal function in risk stratification of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Resumo Fundamentos: Disfunção renal é preditor independente de morbimortalidade após cirurgia cardíaca. Para uma melhor avaliação da função renal, o cálculo do clearance de creatinina (CC) pode ser necessário. Objetivo: Avaliar objetivamente se o CC é melhor que a creatinina sérica (CS) para predizer risco nos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Métodos: Análise em 3285 pacientes do Registro Paulista de Cirurgia Cardiovascular (REPLICCAR) incluídos de forma prospectiva, consecutiva e mandatória entre novembro de 2013 e janeiro de 2015. Foram obtidos valores de CS, CC (Cockcroft-Gault) e do EuroSCORE II. Análise de associações da CS e do CC com morbimortalidade foi realizada mediante testes de calibração e discriminação. Por regressão logística múltipla, foram criados modelos multivariados independentes com CS e com CC para predição de risco de morbimortalidade após cirurgia cardíaca. Resultados: Apesar da associação entre a CS e morbimortalidade, essa não calibrou adequadamente os grupos de risco. Houve associação entre o CC e morbimortalidade com boa calibração dos grupos de risco. Na predição do risco de mortalidade, a CS ficou descalibrada com valores >1,35 mg/dL (p < 0,001). A curva ROC revelou que o CC é superior à CS na predição de risco de morbimortalidade. No modelo multivariado sem CC, a CS foi a única preditora de morbidade, enquanto que no modelo sem a CS, o CC foi preditor de mortalidade e o único preditor de morbidade. Conclusão: Para avaliação da função renal, o CC é superior que a CS na estratificação de risco dos pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca.

The manifestation of cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery may depend on genetic factors related to lipid metabolism, including apolipoprotein E (APOE) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene polymorphisms.We investigated the association between APOE HhaI and CETP TaqIB polymorphisms [PCR-RFLP] and occurrence of cholelithiasis over up to 8 months of follow-up after gastroplasty to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 220 patients distributed in Group 1 (G1) 114 with cholelithiasis postoperatively and Group 2 (G2) 106 without cholelithiasis, including biochemical and anthropometric profiles analyses.In our series, the allelic and genotypic distributions of CETP TaqIB and APOE HhaI polymorphisms were similar in both groups (P 0.05). The subgroup analysis evidenced that 54% of the patients from G1, APOE*4 allele carriers compared with APOE*3/3 carriers, presented altered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) serum levels (P = 0.022) before bariatric surgery. The B1 allele for CETP was associated to more quickly elevation of HDL cholesterol levels just in individuals without cholelitiasis (P 0.0001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrates correlation between APOE*4 allele, higher total cholesterol (TC) serum levels and prediposition to cholelitiasis in preoperative period. However, the presence of postoperative cholelithiasis was not associated with altered lipid profile.The CETP TaqIB and APOE HhaI polymorphisms do not seem to have association with gallstones in the late postoperative bariatric surgery, considering that these genetic variants do not differ subgroups of patients who are eligible to routine prophylactic cholecystectomy, at least in Brazilian population.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE - e2, e3, e4 alleles) plays a role in the regulation of lipid metabolism, with the e4 considered to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the apoE polymorphisms in Brazilians with CAD and their influence on the lipid profile and other risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking). Two hundred individuals were examined: 100 patients with atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary angiography and 100 controls. Blood samples were drawn to determine apoE polymorphisms and lipid profile. As expected, the e3 allele was prevalent in the CAD (0.87) and non-CAD groups (0.81; P = 0.099), followed by the e4 allele (0.09 and 0.14, respectively; P = 0.158). The e3/3 (76 and 78%) and e3/4 (16 and 23%) were the most common genotypes for patients and controls, respectively. The lipid profile was altered in patients compared to controls (P < 0.05), independently of the e4 allele. However, in the controls this allele was prevalent in individuals with elevated LDL-cholesterol levels only (odds ratio = 2.531; 95% CI = 1.028-6.232). The frequency of risk factors was higher in the CAD group (P < 0.05), but their association with the lipid profile was not demonstrable in e4 carriers. In conclusion, the e4 allele is not associated with CAD or lipid profile in patients with atherosclerosis. However, its frequency in the non-CAD group is associated with increased levels of LDL-cholesterol, suggesting an independent effect of the e4 allele on lipid profile when the low frequency of other risk factors in this group is taken into account.

Background Vildagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), shows beneficial effects on endothelial function. This study aims to evaluate the effect of vildagliptin on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with T2DM and hypertension. Methods Fifty over 35-year-old patients with T2DM and hypertension, without cardiovascular disease, will be randomly allocated to two groups: group 1 will receive vildagliptin added-on to metformin and group 2, glibenclamide added-on to metformin. Biochemical tests (glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, and microalbuminuria), 24-h non-invasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and assessment of endothelial function and arterial stiffness will be performed in both groups before and after 12 weeks of treatment. The endothelial function will be assessed by peripheral arterial tonometry, which measures the reactive hyperemia index (vasodilation), and arterial stiffness will be evaluated by applanation tonometry. All analysis will be performed using SPSS Statistical Software. For all analysis, a 2-sided P

Objetivo:Avaliar se a concentracao serica pre-operatoria de peptideo natriuretico cerebral tipo B (BNP) e preditora de mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardiaca.Metodos:Foram avaliados 488 pacientes consecutivamente submetidos a cirurgia cardiaca valvar ou a cirurgia de revascularizacao do miocardio no periodo de janeiro de 2009 a julho de 2012. Estes foram seguidos, prospectivamente, por 30 dias de pos-operatorio.Resultados:Em nossa casuistica, a mortalidade geral foi igual a 9,6% e 52% dos pacientes foram submetidos a cirurgia de revascularizacao do miocardio. Analise de curva ROC (Receiver Operating Charactheristic) encontrou o valor de corte otimo de BNP igual a 382 pg/mL para mortalidade geral (AUC=0,73, IC95%=0.66 a 0,81, P 382 pg/mL (P=0,033, HR=2,05, IC 95%=1,06 a 3,98) foi preditor independente de mortalidade geral em 30 dias de pos-operatorio.Conclusao:A concentracao serica pre-operatoria do BNP e um preditor independente de mortalidade em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia valvar ou de revascularizacao do miocardio.

Discrepancies between clinical and autopsy diagnoses persists worldwide.We evaluated autopsies in a university hospital in order to assess the accuracy of clinical cardiovascular diagnosis compared to postmortem findings.Four hundred nine consecutive autopsies between 2003 and 2006 were analyzed in a tertiary-care hospital in São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. The comparison of clinic-pathological cardiovascular findings was performed using Goldman's discrepancies classification.Autopsy rate at the hospital was 8%. Cardiovascular causes of death represented 42.8% (175 out of 409 patients) of autopsy diagnoses. In 98 (56%) patients, there were major discrepancies (class I and II), representing a large proportion of misdiagnoses for mesenteric infarction (84.6%), acute myocardial infarction (64.7%), aorta dissection (64.2%), and pulmonary embolism (62.5%). Highest concordance rates were observed in congestive heart failure (59%) and acute ischemic stroke (58.8%). Age, sex, length of stay and the last admission unit at the hospital were not associated with Goldman criteria.Clinic-autopsy discrepancies concerning cardiovascular death remain high in Brazil, despite technological resources available. Moreover, our findings reinforce the importance of postmortem examination in contributing to medical care improvement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether lipid profile (LP), apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A-I) and malondialdehyde (MDA) have any relationship with physical exercise by comparing the groups of footballers (FG) with sedentary individuals (CG) and their relatives (RFG and RCG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty individuals from FG and CG, 60 from RFG, and 57 from RCG were studied. RESULTS: FG showed lower levels of total cholesterol (119.5 ± 37.9 mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol fraction (53.6 ± 30.3), apo A-I (116.7 ± 11.9), and higher level of HDL-cholesterol fraction (HDLc) (49.7 ± 8.5) compared to RFG (148.3 ± 36.9, P = 0.02; 82.4 ± 37.7, P < 0.01; 124.6 ± 10.2, P = 0.03; and 42.7 ± 7.7, P < 0.01; respectively). Moreover, FG had reduced levels of MDA (101.0 ± 77.0 ng/mL) compared to CG (290.0 ± 341.0, P = 0.03) and RFG (209.9 ± 197.5, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an association between physical exercise and lower levels of MDA in FG. Physical activity seems to promote beneficial effects on the LP regardless of the genetic influence considering HDLc levels. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se perfil lipídico (PL), apolipoproteína A-1 (apo A-I) e malondialdeído (MDA) têm relação com atividade física comparando os grupos: jogadores de futebol (FG) com indivíduos sedentários (CG) e seus familiares. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 20 indivíduos de FG e CG, além de 60 familiares de FG (RFG) e 57 de CG (RCG). RESULTADOS: FG mostrou menores níveis (média ± DP [mg/dL]) de colesterol total (119.5 ± 37.9), LDL colesterol (53.6 ± 30.3), e apo A-I (116.7 ± 11.9), e maiores níveis de HDL colesterol (HDLc) (49.7 ± 8.5) comparado ao RFG (148.3 ± 36.9, P = 0.02; 82.4 ± 37.7, P < 0.01; 124.6 ± 10.2, P = 0.03; e 42.7 ± 7.7, P < 0.01; respectivamente). Além disso, o FG mostrou níveis reduzidos de MDA (101.0 ± 77.0 [ng/mL]) comparado a CG (290.0 ± 341.0, P = 0.03) e RFG (209.9 ± 197.5, P = 0.04). CONCLUSÕES: Esses resultados sugerem que existe uma associação entre atividade física e níveis reduzidos de MDA em FG. O exercício físico parece promover efeitos benéficos no PL independente da influência genética considerando os níveis de HDLc.

To analyze the biochemical profile and to characterize metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with cardiologic medical assistance using NCEP-ATPIII and IDF definitions.Two hundred patients and 140 controls were studied, considering total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDLc), LDL-cholesterol (LDLc), VLDL-cholesterol (VLDLc), triglycerides (TG), fasting glycemia, abdominal waist and hypertension. Significance level was defined as P0.05.Patients showed increased glycemia levels (103+/-31.4 mg/dL) and reduced HDLc levels (48+/-13.4 mg/dL) when compared to controls (88+/-29.7 mg/dL, P0.0001 and 53+/-15.9 mg/dL, P=0.0075; respectively). Male controls 31-50 years old showed increased TC levels (215+/-40.4 mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol (134+/-34 mg/dL), VLDL-cholesterol (30+/-11.8 mg/dL) and TG (150+/-59.4 mg/dL) when compared to women (185+/-38.2 mg/dL, P=0.0137; 111+/-35.8 mg/dL; P=0.0324; 19+/-9.7 mg/dL; P=0.0009; 93+/-49 mg/dL, P=0.0010; respectively). Women over 50 years of age showed increased TC concentrations (216+/-35.9 mg/dL), HDL-cholesterol (54+/-12.8 mg/dL) and LDL-cholesterol (138+/-30.8 mg/dL) when compared to men (190+/-44.7 mg/dL, P=0.0103; 47+/-14.5 mg/dL, P=0.0229; 119+/-33.3 mg/dL; P=0.0176; respectively). NCEP-ATPIII and IDF definitions had characterized MS in 35.5% and 46% of patients, respectively, bolding glycemia, TG and hypertension.Elevated glycemia levels and reduced HDLc levels were detected in patients. Altered lipid profile observed in men 31-50 years old signals higher risk for cardiovascular diseases in young adults, while a similar profile in aged women can reflect hormonal physiological changes. Both definitions for MS diagnosis discriminate patients from controls, especially IDF, sometimes with lower capacity to determine high risk for cardiovascular complications. The high prevalence of MS in patients, even with cardiologic medical assistance, suggests predisposition for cardiovascular manifestations in Brazilian individuals.

Chagas disease is a major health problem in South American because it affects 11 million people; 90 million are at risk of acquiring the disease, and about 12,500 persons die of the disease yearly [1]. Furthermore, Chagas disease has become global because of international immigration. It is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to humans through the contact of feces of blood-sucking bugs with human mucosa. Many years after infection, about 30% of patients develop chronic cardiomyopathy, whichmanifests by life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias [2], chronic systolic heart failure (CHF) [3], sudden cardiac death [4], and thromboembolism [5]. Chagas disease is the principal cause of CHF in referral centers where the disease is endemic. Prognosis for patients with CHF secondary to Chagas cardiomyopathy is very poor, with an annual mortality around 20% [6]. Overall, outcome for CHF secondary to Chagas cardiomyopathy is poor to that found in non-Chagas disease heart failure [7]. Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH)may affect about 33% of patients with chronic Chagas disease, and 8% of them develop CHF [8]. The purpose of this investigationwas to compare outcome of patients with CHF secondary to Chagas cardiomyopathywith thosewith CHF secondary to SAH in view of lack of such data in the medical literature. All patients with the diagnosis of CHF secondary to either Chagas cardiomyopathy or SAH routinely followed at our Cardiomyopathy Outpatient Service from January, 2000 to January, 2008 were initially considered for the study. Patients were entered in the study if they had 1) positive serology for Chagas disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction or 2) SAH (systolic blood pressure N 140 × 90 mmHg) at physical examination on admission or normal systemic arterial pressure but with a history of SAH treated with antihypertensive medication at study entry associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, as previously reported. Details of this patient's cohort have been described elsewhere [9]. All Chagas disease heart failure patients were treated as previously described [10], whereas hypertensive patients received standard treatment for CHF. The daily dose of each medication at the last follow-up visit before study close was noted. The T test for unpaired sample was used to compare continuous variables between patients with CHF secondary to Chagas cardiomyopathy and those with CHF secondary to SAH at baseline. A Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for confounders, were used to determine independent predictors of mortality for this specific patient population. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were constructed to estimate survival probability for both groups, and the log-rank sum test was used to compare survival probability between both patient groups. Differences at the level of p b 0.05 were considered of statistical significance. Table 1 lists the comparison of relevant clinical characteristics at baseline of patients with CHF secondary to Chagas cardiomyopathy and those with CHF secondary to SAH. Of interest, mean daily dose of carvedilol (21.7 ± 17.4 mg × 34.4 ± 19.7 mg; p b 0.005) and metoprolol succinate (106.2 ± 67.6 mg × 144.3 ± 65.4 mg; p b 0.06) was lower in Chagas disease patients than in those with SAH with CHF. Onmultivariable analysis, Beta-Blocker therapy [Hazard Ratio (HR)= 0.31; 95% Confidence Interval (95%) 0.2 to 0.44; p b 0.005], Chagas etiology of heart failure (HR= 2.2; 95% CI 1.47 to 3.40; p b 0.005), need of inotropic support (HR= 1.72; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.47; p= 0.004), left ventricular diastolic diameter (HR= 1.02; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.47; p= 0.002) and serum sodium levels (HR= 0.95; 95% CI 0.91 to 0.98; p= 0.006) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. Overall, patients were followed for 33 ± 21 months. Probability of survival for patients with CHF secondary to Chagas cardiomyopathy at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months was 76%, 56%, 45%, 37%, and 29%, respectively; nonetheless, probability of survival for those with CHF secondary to SAH at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months was 96%, 92%, 82%, 77%, and 73%, respectively (p b 0.05). Fig. 1 illustrates these data.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) affects about half of patients who died of Chagas disease followed at a referral center, and may victim up to 20% of patients without any evidence of heart disease [1]. In the vast majority of cases, SCD is caused by either sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) degenerating into ventricular fibrillation (VF) or direct VF [1]. In patients with non-Chagas disease dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction b35%, Implantable CardioverterDefibrillator (ICD) delivered-therapy has been recommended by international guidelines to avert SCD [2]. Conversely, the impact of ICD therapy in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy and a left ventricular ejection fraction b35% is unknown. Accordingly, we report herein our initial experience with ICD-delivered therapy in patients with severe Chagas cardiomyopathy. From January, 2006 to December, 2009, a total of 32 patients routinely followed at the Cardiomyopathy Outpatient Service of our Institution received ICD therapy for primary prevention of SCD. The study was approved by the Local Ethical Committee (protocol 3626/ 2010). Inclusion criteria were a left ventricular ejection fraction b35% at radionuclide ventriculography, receiving standard therapy for chronic systolic heart failure, and to have a reasonable expectation of 1-year survival after device implantation [2]. All patients were on New York Heart Association class II at the time of ICD implantation and none had syncope before device implantation. Nineteen (59%) patients had a positive serology for Chagas disease and were considered to have Chagas cardiomyopathy, whereas the remaining 13 (41%) patients had non-Chagas disease dilated cardiomyopathy. Device therapy consisted of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) or shock. ATP was the initial therapy for VT. Shock was the initial therapy when heart rate was higher than 200 beats per minute (VF zone), when ATP accelerated VT heart rate, or when ATP failed to abolish VT. Baseline characteristics of the study population are given in Table 1. It is noteworthy that 87% patients were on Beta-Blocker therapy. Sustained VT was detected in 4 (21%) of 19 patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy and in 2 (15%) patients with non-Chagas cardiomyopathy (pN0.05). VF was observed in 4 Chagas cardiomyopathy (21%) patients and in 2 (15%) non-Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (pN0.05). Overall, 10 (31%) patients were shocked. In total, shock occurrence was necessary to terminate 136 out of 172 (79%) episodes of VT/VF. Inappropriate shock occurred in 4 (12%) patients; 2 (10%) in Chagas and 2 (14%) in non-Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (pN0.05). A total of 101 episodes of VFwere observed in 6 patients. Median of episodes per patient was 6.5 (3, 38). Ninety-four episodes of VF were observed in four Chagas and 7 episodes of VF in two non-Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (p=0.03). Median time to first event was 78 (34, 151) days in Chagas and 173 (71, 593) days in non-Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (pb0.005). Median time to VF was 80 (22, 147) days in Chagas cardiomyopathy patients and 151 (43, 804) days in non-Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (pb0.005). Probability of freedom from shock occurrence was similar in Chagas and non-Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (Fig. 1). Median follow upwas 292 (78, 845) days in Chagas and 654 (158, 987) days in non-Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (pb0.005). Three (9%) patients died during the study period; 2 in Chagas and 1 in non-Chagas patients (pN0.05). The frequency of shock occurrence observed in our Chagas cardiomyopathy cohort in this study was similar to that reported in patients with non-Chagas cardiomyopathy [3]. The lower mortality rate observed in our study in comparison to studies of secondary prevention of SCD [4] in Chagas disease patients may partially be explained by the lower frequency of shock occurrence. Also, the frequency of shock episodes observed in this investigation was lower than that seen in Chagas disease patients receiving ICD therapy for secondary prevention of SCD [4–6]. This can account, at least in part, for the similarity of mortality rate observed in our study in comparison to that seen in non-Chagas cardiomyopathy patients [7]. The higher frequency of VF episodes/per patient observed in Chagas cardiomyopathy patients in this study can also reflect the characteristics of the pathogenesis of Chagas disease [8]. In patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy, foci of confluent fibrosis intermingled with mononuclear cell infiltrate disseminated throughout the myocardium are frequently seen. Moreover, myocardial ischemia

The Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone secreted in response to myocardial stress and its plasma levels correlates directly with prognosis in various clinical situations. It is promising its ability to predict clinical outcome in postoperative cardiac surgery. This study aims to