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Background: Studies have shown different mortalities due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular diseases (CbVD) in the five Brazilian regions. Socioeconomic conditions of those regions are frequently used to justify differences in mortality due to those diseases. In addition, studies have shown a reduction in the differences between the mortality rates of the five Brazilian regions., Objective: To update CVD mortality data in women and men in the five Brazilian regions., Methods: Mortality and population data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and Ministry of Health. Risk of death was adjusted by use of the direct method, with the 2000 world standard population as reference. We analyzed trends in mortality due to CVD, IHD and CbVD in women and men aged ≥ 30 years in the five Brazilian regions from 1980 to 2012., Results: Mortality due to: 1) CVD: showed reduction in the Northern, West-Central, Southern and Southeastern regions; increase in the Northeastern region; 2) IHD: reduction in the Southeastern and Southern regions; increase in the Northeastern region; and unchanged in the Northern and West-Central regions; 3) CbVD: reduction in the Southern, Southeastern and West-Central regions; increase in the Northeastern region; and unchanged in Northern region. There was also a convergence in mortality trends due to CVD, IHD, and CbVD in the five regions., Conclusion: The West-Central, Northern and Northeastern regions had the worst trends in CVD mortality as compared to the Southeastern and Southern regions. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)., Competing Interests: Potential Conflict of Interest No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Background: Studies have questioned the downward trend in mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Brazil in recent years., Objective: to analyze recent trends in mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in the Brazilian population., Methods: Mortality and population data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the Ministry of Health. Risk of death was adjusted by the direct method, using as reference the world population of 2000. We analyzed trends in mortality from CVD, IHD and stroke in women and men in the periods of 1980-2006 and 2007-2012., Results: there was a decrease in CVD mortality and stroke in women and men for both periods (p < 0.001). Annual mortality variations for periods 1980-2006 and 2007-2012 were, respectively: CVD (total): -1.5% and -0.8%; CVD men: -1.4% and -0.6%; CVD women: -1.7% and -1.0%; DIC (men): -1.1% and 0.1%; stroke (men): -1.7% and -1.4%; DIC (women): -1.5% and 0.4%; stroke (women): -2.0% and -1.9%. From 1980 to 2006, there was a decrease in IHD mortality in men and women (p < 0.001), but from 2007 to 2012, changes in IHD mortality were not significant in men [y = 151 + 0.04 (R2 = 0.02; p = 0.779)] and women [y = 88-0.54 (R2 = 0.24; p = 0.320)., Conclusion: Trend in mortality from IHD stopped falling in Brazil from 2007 to 2012.

Context and Objectives: Glycoprotein inhibitors (abciximab, eptifibatide and tirofiban) are used in patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction before percutaneous coronary intervention. Of these, tirofiban is the least effective. We hypothesized that the response to tirofiban might be associated with glycoprotein gene mutations., Design and Setting: Prospective study at Emergency Unit, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo., Method: Intrahospital evolution and platelet aggregation in response to tirofiban were analyzed in relation to four glycoprotein mutations in 50 patients indicated for percutaneous coronary intervention: 17 (34%) with unstable angina and 33 (66%) with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Platelet aggregation was analyzed using the Born method. Blood samples were obtained before and one hour after tirofiban infusion. Glycoproteins Ia (807C/T ), Ib (Thr/Met) , IIb (Ile/Ser ) and IIIa (PIA ) were the mutations selected., Results: Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, previous coronary artery disease and stroke were similar between the groups. Mutant glycoprotein IIIa genotypes had lower platelet aggregation before tirofiban administration than that of the wild genotype (41.0% ± 22.1% versus 55.9% ± 20.8%; P = 0.035). Mutant glycoprotein IIIa genotypes correlated moderately with lower platelet inhibition (r = -0.31; P = 0.030). After tirofiban administration, platelet glycoprotein Ia, Ib, IIb and IIIa mutations did not influence the degree of inhibition of platelet aggregation or intrahospital mortality., Conclusions: Mutations of glycoproteins Ia, Ib, IIb and IIIa did not influence platelet aggregation in response to tirofiban in patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Truck driver sleepiness is a primary cause of vehicle accidents. Several causes are associated with sleepiness in truck drivers. Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with sleep disorders and with primary risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We analyzed the relationship between these conditions and prevalence of sleepiness in truck drivers., Methods: We analyzed the major risk factors for CVD, anthropometric data and sleep disorders in 2228 male truck drivers from 148 road stops made by the Federal Highway Police from 2006 to 2011. Alcohol consumption, illicit drugs and overtime working hours were also analyzed. Sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale., Results: Mean age was 43.1 ± 10.8 years. From 2006 to 2011, an increase in neck (p = 0.011) and abdominal circumference (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglyceride plasma levels (p = 0.014), and sleepiness was observed (p < 0.001). In addition, a reduction in hypertension (39.6% to 25.9%, p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (32% to 23%, p = 0.033) and overtime hours (52.2% to 42.8%, p < 0.001) was found. Linear regression analysis showed that sleepiness correlated closely with body mass index (β = 0.19, Raj2 = 0.659, p = 0.031), abdominal circumference (β = 0.24, Raj2 = 0.826, p = 0.021), hypertension (β = -0.62, Raj2 = 0.901, p = 0.002), and triglycerides (β = 0.34, Raj2 = 0.936, p = 0.022). Linear multiple regression indicated that hypertension (p = 0.008) and abdominal circumference (p = 0.025) are independent variables for sleepiness., Conclusions: Increased prevalence of sleepiness was associated with major components of the MetS.

Objectives: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in women. The proposed treatments for women are similar to those for men. However, in women with multivessel stable coronary artery disease and normal left ventricular function, the best treatment is unknown., Methods: A post hoc analysis of the MASS II study with 10 years of follow-up, mean (standard deviation) 6.8 (3.7) years, enrolled between May 1995 and May 2000, evaluated 188 women with chronic stable multivessel coronary artery disease who underwent medical treatment, percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Primary end-points were incidence of total mortality, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or refractory angina. Data were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle., Results: Women treated with percutaneous coronary intervention and medical treatment had more primary events than those treated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery, respectively, of 34, 44 and 22% (P = 0.003). Survival rates at 10 years were 72% for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, 72% for percutaneous coronary intervention and 56% for medical treatment (P = 0.156). For the composite end-point, Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, diabetes, hypertension, treatment allocation, prior myocardial infarction, smoking, number of vessels affected and total cholesterol, had a higher incidence of primary events with medical treatment than with coronary artery bypass graft surgery [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.38 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-4.05); P = 0.001], a lower incidence with percutaneous coronary intervention than with medical treatment [HR = 0.60 (95% CI: 0.38-0.95); P = 0.031] but no differences between coronary artery bypass graft surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention. Regarding death, a protective effect was observed with percutaneous coronary intervention compared with medical treatment [HR = 0.44 (95% CI: 0.21-0.90); P = 0.025]., Conclusions: Percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft surgery compared with medical treatment had better results after 10 years of follow-up., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in our population. There was a progressive decrease in mortality due to CVD up to 2005., Objective: To update the trends in mortality from cardiovascular diseases in Brazil and in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (MRSP) from 1990 to 2009., Methods: Mortality and population data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the Ministry of Health. The risk of death was adjusted by the direct method, having as reference the world population in 2000., Results: There was a progressive decrease in the risk of death from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in Brazil and in the MRSP. From 1990 to 2009, there was a decrease in mortality from IHD and stroke in men and women in Brazil and in the MRSP. There was a greater reduction in mortality from IHD in men in the MRSP than in Brazil (36.24% vs. 23.35%, p <0.001) and in women in the MRSP (44.55% vs. 29.5%; p <0.001). The highest reduction in stroke mortality was observed in men in the MRSP, when compared to Brazil (42.43% vs. 34.9%, p = 0.036) and an equal reduction in women in the MRSP and in Brazil (42.98% vs. 36.15%, p = 0.082). The decrease in mortality was significant for all age groups., Conclusion: We observed a progressive decrease in mortality from CVD, IHD and stroke in Brazil and in the MRSP. In spite of this decrease, we still have high rates of mortality from these diseases.

Background: Admission hyperglycaemia is associated with mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but controversy exists whether hyperglycaemia uniformly affects both genders. We evaluated coronary risk factors, gender, hyperglycaemia and their effect on hospital mortality., Methods: 959 ACS patients (363 women and 596 men) were grouped based on glycaemia ≥ or < 200 mg/dL and gender: men with glucose < 200 mg/dL (menG-); women with glucose < 200 mg/dL (womenG-); men with glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (menG+); and women with glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (womenG+). A logistic regression analysis compared the relation between gender and glycaemia groups and death, adjusted for coronary risk factors and laboratory data. RESULTS GROUP: menG- had lower mortality than menG + (OR = 0.172, IC95% 0.062-0.478), and womenG + (OR = 0.275, IC95% 0.090-0.841); womenG- mortality was lower than menG + (OR = 0.230, IC95% 0.074-0.717). No difference was found between menG + vs womenG + (p = 0.461), or womenG- vs womenG + (p = 0.110). Age (OR = 1.067, IC95% 1.031-1.104), EF (OR = 0.942, IC95% 0.915-0.968), and serum creatinine (OR = 1.329, IC95% 1.128-1.566) were other independent factors related to in-hospital death., Conclusions: Death was greater in hyperglycemic men compared to lower blood glucose men and women groups, but there was no differences between women groups in respect to glycaemia after adjustment for coronary risk factors.

Background: The relationship between admission time to an emergency service and in-hospital outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is controversial. Admission during off-hours would be associated with worse prognosis., Objective: To assess the influence of admission time on prolonged hospitalization and mortality for ACS patients, regarding regular hours (7AM-7PM) and off-hours (7PM-7AM)., Methods: The study assessed prospectively 1,104 consecutive ACS patients. In-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay ≥ 5 days were the outcomes analyzed., Results: Admission during regular hours was greater as compared with that during off-hours (63% vs. 37%; p < 0.001). Unstable angina was more prevalent during regular hours (43% vs. 32%; p < 0.001), while non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was during off-hours (33% vs. 43%; p = 0.001). Differences in neither mortality nor length of hospital stay were observed in the time periods studied. Predictive factors for length of hospital stay ≥ 5 days were as follows: age [OR 1.042 (95%CI: 1.025 - 1.058), p < 0.001]; ejection fraction (EF) [OR 0.977 (95%CI: 0.966 - 0.988), p < 0.001]; NSTEMI [OR 1.699 (95%CI: 1.221 - 2.366), p = 0.001]; and smoking [OR 1.723 (95%CI: 1.113 - 2.668), p = 0.014]. Predictive factors for in-hospital mortality were as follows: age [OR 1.090 (95%CI: 1.047 - 1.134), p < 0.001]; EF [OR 0.936 (95%CI: 0.909 - 0.964), p < 0.001]; and surgical treatment [OR 3.781 (95%CI: 1.374 - 10.409), p = 0.01]., Conclusion: Prolonged length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality in ACS patients do not depend on admission time.

Objective: Anticoagulation is a challenge for the prophylaxis of thromboembolic events in elderly patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Stable anticoagulation is defined as the time within >70% of the therapeutic range. However, the dosage required to achieve stable anticoagulation remains unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the warfarin dose necessary for the maintenance of stable oral anticoagulation therapy in elderly patients., Methods: We analyzed 112 consecutive outpatients with atrial fibrillation who were >65 years of age, had received anticoagulation therapy with warfarin for more than 1 year and had a stable international normalized ratio between 2.0 and 3.0 for >6 months. The international normalized ratio was measured in the central laboratory using the traditional method., Results: The patients were stratified according to the following age groups: <75 or >75 years and <80 or >80 years. The mean daily doses of warfarin were similar for patients <75 or >75 years (3.34+1.71 versus 3.26 +1.27 mg/ day, p = 0.794) and <80 or >80 years (3.36+ 1.49 versus 3.15 + 1.23 mg/day, p = 0.433). In 88 (79%) patients, the daily warfarin dose was between 2 and 5 mg/day; in 13 (11%) patients, the daily warfarin dose was <2.0 mg/day; and in 11 (10%) patients, the daily warfarin dose was >5.0 mg/day. The correlation between the daily warfarin dose and the international normalized ratio was 0.22 (p = 0.012)., Conclusion: Stable anticoagulation was achieved in 80% of patients who received doses of 2 to 5 mg/day of warfarin, and the mean daily dose was similar across the age groups analyzed.

Objectives: Admission hyperglycemia and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are associated with mortality in acute coronary syndromes, but no study compares their prediction in-hospital death., Methods: Patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), in-hospital mortality and two-year mortality or readmission were compared for area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy (ACC) of glycemia and BNP., Results: Respectively, AUC, SEN, SPE, PPV, NPV, and ACC for prediction of in-hospital mortality were 0.815, 71.4%, 84.3%, 26.3%, 97.4%, and 83.3% for glycemia = 200 mg/dL and 0.748, 71.4%, 68.5%, 15.2%, 96.8% and 68.7% for BNP = 300 pg/mL. AUC of glycemia was similar to BNP (P = 0.411). In multivariate analysis we found glycemia ≥200mg/dL related to in-hospital death (P = 0.004). No difference was found in two-year mortality or readmission in BNP or hyperglycemic subgroups., Conclusion: Hyperglycemia was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in NSTEMI and had a good ROC curve level. Hyperglycemia and BNP, although poor in-hospital predictors of unfavorable events, were independent risk factors for death or length of stay >10 days. No relation was found between hyperglycemia or BNP and long-term events.

Objective: Involvement of the left ventricular anterior wall in ST-elevation myocardial infarction has a worse prognosis compared with other regions. In non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, noninvasive methods of locating the ischemic myocardial territory have been limited. The objective of this report is therefore to determine what factors are predictive of the anterior location of the ischemic myocardial territory., Methods: This study included 170 patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Clinical, echocardiographic, and laboratory characteristics, including B-type natriuretic peptide measured within 24 hours of hospitalization, and coronary angiographic features were analyzed., Results: The mean age was 64.5 ± 12.3 years, and 112 of the patients were male (66%). The median follow-up was 23 months. The territory involved, as determined from the angiogram, was divided into anterior [n = 80 (47%)] regions and inferior and lateral [n = 90 (53%)] regions. Multivariate analysis showed that B-type natriuretic peptide was the only independent predictor of an anterior wall infarct [OR = 3.70 (95% CI: 1.61 - 8.53); P = 0.002] in non-STelevation myocardial infarction patients. Multivariate analysis also showed that B-type natriuretic peptide was an independent predictor of in-hospital cardiac events during index admission [OR = 5.05 (95% CI: 1.49 - 17.12); P = 0.009] and of cardiac events occurring during follow-up [HR = 1.79 (95% CI: 1.05 - 3.04); P = 0.032]., Conclusions: B-type natriuretic peptide was the only factor independently associated with anterior wall involvement in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and the peptide levels upon admission predicted in-hospital and subsequent cardiac events.

Background: Restenosis after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) remains an important clinical problem, even with stent implantation. The ability of noninvasive testing to diagnose restenosis has had only inconsistent demonstration., Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the ability of exercise treadmill testing (ETT) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to diagnose restenosis in patients treated by PPCI within 12 hours of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Methods: From August 2003 to January 2006, 64 patients (mean age of 56.2±10.2 years, 53 males) were enrolled after PPCI. Only patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 40%, as assessed by resting transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), were included. ETT with 12-lead ECG monitoring and right precordial leads, as also MPI were performed at 6 weeks, 6 months, and one year after intervention. Coronary angiography was performed at six months., Results: Single-vessel disease was observed in 46.9% of the patients. The left anterior descending coronary artery was treated in 48.4% of the patients. Angiographic restenosis occurred in 28.8%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of ETT in detecting restenosis were not significant. Right precordial leads did not add information. MPI sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy correlated with restenosis only in the 6-month follow-up, both when considering summed difference score >2 (p=0.006) and >4 (p=0.014)., Conclusion: ETT did not discriminate restenosis in this population. MPI performed at 6 months correlated with restenosis and proved useful during follow-up.

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in women and men in Brazil, but the trends for the death ratios for ischemic heart disease and stroke in women and men remain unknown., Method: In this study, the trends for the death ratios among women and men who were over 30 years of age were analyzed from 1980 to 2005. Data were collected for both the Brazilian population and the metropolitan area of São Paulo. Estimates of the population size and data for mortality were then obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the Ministry of Health. The risk for death was adjusted using a direct method., Results: Death rates due to cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke have declined in both Brazil and the metropolitan region of São Paulo. A linear regression analysis revealed a similar trend for ischemic heart disease and demonstrated a male/female ratio of 1.653 ± 0.001 (r=0.228; p=0.262) in Brazil and 1.763 ± 0.008 (r=0.863; p<0.001) in São Paulo. Comparisons between the slopes of the linear regressions showed an increased ischemic heart disease ratio in men/women in São Paulo in comparison to those in Brazil (p<0.0001). The linear regression showed an increasing trend for the male/female stroke ratio of 1.252 ± 0.004 (r=0.776; p<0.0001) in Brazil and 1.331 ± 0.006 (r=0.580; p=0.002) in São Paulo. Comparisons between the regressions for the stroke ratio were similar for men/women in São Paulo compared to Brazil (p=0.244)., Conclusion: We observed an increased trend in the ratio for ischemic heart disease death in men compared to women. Improvements in the control of risk factors and treatments for both men and women are mandatory to reduce the number of ischemic heart disease-related deaths in Brazil.

Background: Circulatory diseases (CD) are the major cause of death in Brazil, being cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) predominant. In developed countries ischemic heart diseases (IHD) predominate., Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the ratio between cerebrovascular diseases/ischemic heart diseases (CVD/IHD) in males and females who were 30 years of age and older., Methods: Population estimates and mortality data for CD, IHD and CVD were provided by the Ministry of Health for the period between 1980 and 2005. The risk of death from IHD and CVD per 100,000 Brazilians and CVD/IHD ratio were analyzed in 10-year age ranges as of 30 years of age. The risk of death was adjusted by direct method by using 1960 world population as the standard population., Results: It was observed that the risk of death from IHD and CVD increased exponentially as age advanced. CVD was the major cause of death in Brazil until 1996, when IHD took the lead. In the period between 1980 and 2005 a 33.25% reduction in death risk from CD was observed in the Brazilian population. In that same period, the metropolitan area of the capital city of São Paulo reported a 45.44% reduction. The CVD/IHD ratio was shown to be higher among younger women - from 2.53 in 1980 down to 2.04 in 2005 in the Brazilian population, and from 2.76 in 1980 down to 1.96 in the metropolitan area of the capital city of São Paulo, with decreasing figures for subsequent age ranges. Among males, the CVD/IHD ratio was close to < 1 in all age ranges., Conclusion: A transition in death risk from CD could be observed in Brazil, with current predominance of IHD.

Background: The effect of vaccination against the influenza virus on the mortality due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remains controversial., Objective: To analyze the mortality by CVD before and after the start of the vaccination against the Influenza virus in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil., Methods: We analyzed the mortality due to ischemic heart diseases (IHD), cerebrovascular diseases (CbVD) and external causes (EC) in the population of the metropolitan region of the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, aged > or = 60 years, before and after the start of the vaccination program against Influenza. The population estimates and mortality data were obtained, respectively, from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE; www.ibge.gov.br) and from the Brazilian Ministry of Health (www.datasus.gov.br) for the period between 1980 and 2006. The risk of death was adjusted by the direct method, using the 1960 world standard population., Results: The comparisons between the inclinations of the regression lines were similar for CbVD (p = 0.931) and EC (p = 0.941); however, for IHD (p = 0.022), a significant decrease was observed in the regression line of the post-vaccination period, when compared to the pre-vaccination period. A change in the tendency towards mortality after 1996 was significant only for the IHD (p = 0.022), remaining unaltered for the CbVD (p = 0.931) and EC (p = 0.941)., Conclusion: The vaccination against the Influenza virus was associated with a significant decrease in the mortality due to IHD.

Background: Patients (pts) with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) can benefit from a decrease in the blood pressure (BP), according to recent studies., Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the fixed combination: amlodipine + enalapril, when compared to amlodipine in the normalization of the diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) (<85 mmHg), in pts with CAD and systemic arterial hypertension (SAH)., Methods: Double-blind and randomized study, with two groups of pts with DAP > or =90 and <110 mmHg and CAD. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%, symptoms of heart failure or angina class III and IV, severe diseases and DAP > or =110 mmHg during the four-week wash-out with atenolol treatment alone, were excluded. After the wash-out, pts were randomly distributed for the use of the combination (A) or amlodipine (B) and were followed every four weeks up to 98 days. The initial doses (in mg) were, respectively: A- 2.5/10 and B- 2.5; the doses were increased when DAP > 85mmHg, at the visits. Statistical analysis was carried out with chi2, Fischer and analysis of variance, for p< 0.05., Results: Of the 110 selected pts, 72 (A= 32, B= 40) were randomized. The decreases in DAP and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) were significant (p< 0.01), but with no difference between the groups in mmHg: SAP, A (127.7 +/- 13.4) and B (125.3 +/- 12.6) (p= 0.45) and DAP, A (74.5 +/- 6.7 mmHg) and B (75.5 +/- 6.7 mmHg) (p= 0.32). Group A presented a lower incidence of lower-limb edema: (7.1% vs 30.6%, p=0.02) on the 98th day of follow-up., Conclusion: The fixed combination of enalapril and amlodipine, as well as isolated amlodipine, was effective in the normalization of BP in pts with CAD and SAH stages I and II, adding blockage of the renin-angiotensin system.

Objective: to compare the international normalized ratio (INR) measured by a point-of-care (POC) testing device with that measured by the conventional method in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy with warfarin sodium., Methods: The INR of 383 warfarin-treated patients (mean age: 56.5 years; 207 female) was measured in capillary blood using the Hemochron Jr. device and compared with that of venous plasma samples determined by the conventional method performed in a Coag-A-Mate analyzer. Results were evaluated globally and for the following subgroups: INR < 2.0, from 2.0 to 3.5, and > 3.5., Results: Using both methods, the comparison between INR values yielded a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.86. However, mean differences in INR in both tests, considering the three subgroups, proved to be statistically significant (p <0.001): 0.14 +/- 0.21 (INR< 2.0); 0.54 +/- 0.31 (2.0 < or = INR < or = 3.5), and 1.64 +/- 1.10 (INR> 3.5). Paired Students t-test analysis revealed a p value < 0.001 for the three subgroups studied., Conclusion: The use of point-of-care testing for monitoring oral anticoagulation has some limitations. Anticoagulation intensity was underestimated by this method in the three subgroups studied.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends of ischemic and cerebrovascular death risk in the five regions--Midwest, Northeast, North, Southeast and South--of Brazil from 1981 to 2001., Methods: Data on mortality due to cerebrovascular and coronary heart diseases in the five regions of Brazil were obtained from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The data source was the SIM--Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (System of Information on Mortality), from the Department of Health Information Analysis. The population estimates were obtained from the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) census of 1991 and 2000, and population estimates of 1996, all from DATASUS. The codes used in this study were International Classification of Diseases ICD-9 430-438 and ICD-10 I60-I69 for cerebrovascular diseases and ICD-9 410-414 and ICD-10 I21-I25 for ischemic disease. Statistical analysis was carried out by adjusted linear models., Results: There was a decline trend in death rates due to cerebrovascular disease at all age ranges and in both sexes in the South, Southwest, and Midwest regions. Additionally, death rates due to ischemic heart disease declined in the South and Southwest regions. There was a stabilization of the death risk in the Midwest and an increase in the Northeast region., Conclusion: The risk of death due to cerebrovascular and ischemic heart diseases declined in the Southwest and South, which are the more developed regions of Brazil, whereas the risk increased in the less developed ones, mainly in the Northeast region.

Objective: Analyze the trends in the risk of death from circulatory diseases (CD) in thirteen states in Brazil between 1980 and 1998., Methods: Data on mortality from CD, ischemic heart diseases (IHD), and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) in thirteen states were obtained from the Ministry of Health data base. Populational estimates from 1980 to 1998 were calculated through interpolation, using the Lagrange method, based on data from the 1970, 1980, 1991 censuses, and 1996 populational count. The trends were analyzed by multiple linear regression model., Results: Mortality due to CD showed a trend towards decrease in most states. In Pernambuco state males presented increase in all age ranges, whereas in Goiás increase was shown from 40 years of age on, and in Bahia and Mato Grosso, from 50 years of age. Females showed increase starting at 30 in Mato Grosso, at 40 in Pernambuco, and in Goiás, in the age ranging from 30 to 49 years of age. In Goiás, increase was discreet in all other age ranges. As for IHD, mortality increase was reported in all age ranges in Mato Grosso and Pernambuco; in Bahia, Goiás and Pará, from 40 on. As for CVD, mortality increase was reported in all age ranges in Mato Grosso and Pernambuco; and from 40 on in Bahia and Goiás., Conclusion: Significant increase in the risk of death from circulatory diseases could be observed in less developed states in Brazil.

Objectives: Inflammation and activation of immune system cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study analyzes the white blood count, including neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils, of patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI)., Methods: The white blood cell count was analyzed in 232 patients without diabetes between the ages of 15 and 88. One hundred and forty-two patients were angiographically diagnosed with CAD (57 with stable CAD and 85 with AMI) and compared to 90 control individuals. The control and CAD groups were similar in respect to age, body mass index, family history, smoking habits, hypertension, HDL and LDL (all variables with p > 0.25)., Results: The univariate analysis revealed a higher prevalence of leukocytosis in the CAD group, which in turn was higher in the AMI patients than the stable CAD patients. The same trend was observed for monocytes. However, the distribution of all other cells in the complete blood count (CBC) was similar. Multivariate analysis using the logistic regression method with the stepwise (all variables) and backward models (p < 0.25), showed that monocytosis was an independent variable for CAD and AMI., Conclusion: The number of monocytes, one of the most important components of the inflammatory process in the atherosclerosis plaque was an independent risk marker for CAD and AMI.

Objective: To assess the clinical and demographic characteristics of a population with ischemic heart disease admitted in the final decades of the 20th century., Methods: This study retrospectively assessed patients hospitalized with ischemic heart disease divided into the following 2 groups: acute group - 11.181 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted from 1/1/82 to 12/31/94; and chronic group - 4.166 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery from 1/1/84 to 12/31/94., Results: In the acute group, an increase in the percentage of females (from 22.7% to 27.7%, P<0.001) and diabetic individuals (from 12.4% to 17.5%, P<0.001) was observed, as was an increase in age (from 57.4 +/- 11.5 to 59.9 +/- 12.1 years, P<0.05). In-hospital mortality was greater among females (27.8% and 15.7%, P=0.001), among diabetic individuals (24.2% and 17.8%, P=0.001), and among the elderly (60.9 +/- 15.2 and 57.7 +/- 11.8 years, P=0.0001). In the chronic group, an increase in the percentage of females (from 17.5% to 27.2%, P=0.001) was observed, as was an increase in age (from 56.3 +/- 8.6 to 60.5 +/- 9.6 years, P=0.0001). In-hospital mortality was greater among females (8.3% and 5.8%, P<0.05) and among the elderly (58.1 +/- 9.1 and 62.1 +/- 7.9 years, P=0.0001)., Conclusion: The characteristics of the population studied with ischemic heart disease point towards a worse prognosis, due to the greater percentages of females, older patients, and diabetic patients, groups known to have greater in-hospital mortality.

Objective: Early coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with risk factors (RF). Offspring of parents with a RF have a greater prevalence of them. However, the distribution of RF in parents and siblings of patients with early CAD is unknown., Methods: The study comprised the parents and siblings of 42 patients with early CAD (< 45 years), 29 males. Their mean age was 39.5 +/- 3.7 years. The following major RF were analyzed: smoking (> 5 cigarretes/day), hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL), hypertension (diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg), and diabetes (glycemia > 126 mg/dL)., Results: Of a total of 102 RF, 4, 3, 2, and 1 were observed in, respectively, 5, 15, 15, and 7 patients with early CAD, the most prevalent being smoking (86%) and hypercholesterolemia (83%). Diabetes was observed in 15 (36%) and hypertension in 16 (38%) patients. Smoking was more prevalent in the fathers (76%) and hypercholesterolemia in the mothers (30%). In 183 siblings, 131 RF were observed (1 patient with the disease had a mean of 4.7 siblings). The prevalences of smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes in the siblings were, respectively, 32%, 18%, 14%, and 9%. The incidence of RF was as follows: 72 (39%) siblings had 1 RF, 25 (14%) siblings had 2 RF, and 3 (2%) siblings had 3 RF. In parents and their offspring, smoking was moderately correlated (r=0.43; P=0.02) with CAD., Conclusion: Smoking habit of parents is passed on to offspring, and, in association with hypercholesterolemia, it was the major cause of early CAD in offspring. High prevalence of smoking in offspring shows the potential responsibility of parents in the incidence of the disease in offspring.

Objective: To assess the trends of the risk of death due to circulatory (CD), cerebrovascular (CVD), and ischemic heart diseases (IHD) in 11 Brazilian capitals from 1980 to 1998., Methods: Data on mortality due to CD, CVD and IHD were obtained from the Brazilian Health Ministry, and the population estimates were calculated by interpolation with the Lagrange method based on census data from 1980 and 1991 and the population count of 1996. The trends were analyzed with the multiple linear regression method., Results: CD showed a trend towards a decrease in most capitals, except for Brasília, where a mild increase was observed. The cities of Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Cuiabá, Goiânia, Belém, and Manaus showed a decrease in the risk of death due to CVD and IHD, while the city of Brasília showed an increase in CVD and IHD. The city of São Paulo showed a mild increase in IHD for individuals of both sexes aged 30 to 39 years and for females aged 40 to 59 years. In the cities of Recife and Salvador, a reduction in CD was observed for all ages and both sexes. In the city of Recife, however, an increase in IHD was observed at younger ages (30 to 49 years), and this trend decreased until a mild reduction (-4%) was observed in males >/= 70 years., Conclusion: In general, a reduction in the risk of death due to CD and an increase in IHD were observed, mainly in the cities of Recife and Brasília.