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Woven coronary disease is a rare pathology with unknown etiology. Although initially considered benign, recent publications report myocardial ischemia caused by the affected vessel. Since most patients are asymptomatic, long-term follow-up to understand its behavior is mandatory. We report a multivessel woven disease case with documented ischemia that was submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting and remained asymptomatic for two years of follow-up.

Diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre Angina Instavel e Infarto Agudo do Miocardio sem Supradesnivel do Segmento ST – 2021

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.

Introduction Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a serious mechanical complication after acute coronary syndrome and is related to high mortality. Even with advances in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) such as reperfusion therapies, complication rates are still high. During quarantine, patients presenting mechanical complications after AMI have increased in our institution. Methods From a retrospective database analysis in our institution between the years 2004 and 2020, we identified 37 cases of VSR after AMI. Four chronic cases were excluded from our analysis. The primary endpoint was to identify baseline characteristics that increased 30-day mortality. Results Among 33 acute cases of VSR, 24 cases were submitted to surgery. The 30-day mortality of the operated patients was 45.8%. From 2004 to 2019 our average number of operations of VSR was 1.9 cases/year with an increase to 4 cases/year in 2020. Diabetes mellitus, age, cardiogenic shock, and use of intra-aortic balloon pump were associated with significantly increased mortality using logistic regression. Conclusion We reported an increased number of mechanical complication cases from April to September 2020, compared to our historical records. Despite therapeutic advances, mortality rates remain high. Although the number of cases is small to conclude that the pandemic was responsible for this augmentation, we believe that it is related to the decreased number of patients seeking medical assistance.

The current challenge of cardiac surgery (CS) is to improve outcomes in adverse scenarios. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a quality improvement program (QIP) on hospital mortality in the largest CS center in Latin America.Patients were divided into two groups: before (Jan 2013-Dec 2015, n = 3534) and after establishment of the QIP (Jan 2017-Dec 2019, n = 3544). The QIP consisted of the implementation of 10 central initiatives during 2016. The procedures evaluated were isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG), mitral valve surgery, aortic valve surgery, combined mitral and aortic valve surgery, and CABG associated with heart valve surgery. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to adjust for inequality in patients' preoperative characteristics before and after the implementation of QIP. A multivariate logistic regression model was built to predict hospital mortality and validated using discrimination and calibration metrics.The PMS paired two groups using 5 variables, obtaining 858 patients operated before (non-QIP) and 858 patients operated after the implementation of the QIP. When comparing the QIP versus Non-QIP group, there was a shorter length of stay in all phases of hospitalization. In addition, the patients evolved with less anemia (P = 0.001), use of intra-aortic balloon pump (P = 0.003), atrial fibrillation (P = 0.001), acute kidney injury (P 0.001), cardiogenic shock (P = 0.011), sepsis (P = 0.046), and hospital mortality (P = 0.001). In the multiple model, among the predictors of hospital mortality, the lack of QIP increased the chances of mortality by 2.09 times.The implementation of a first CS QIP in Latin America was associated with a reduction in length of hospital stay, complications and mortality after the cardiac surgeries analyzed.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in March 2020, the number of people infected with COVID-19 worldwide increases continuously. Brazil is being followed with great concern in the international media, as it can, very soon, be the epicenter of the pandemic. Initial surgical data suggest that patients who acquire COVID-19 in the perioperative period are prone to a higher morbidity and mortality, however, evidence in cardiac surgery is still scarce. This article aims to aggregate to the growing evidence suggesting that perioperative infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 contributes to a more morbid evolution of the case.

Background The performance of traditional scores is significantly limited to predict mortality in high-risk cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of STS, ESII and HiriSCORE models in predicting mortality in high-risk patients undergoing CABG. Methods Cross-sectional analysis in the international prospective database of high-risk patients: HiriSCORE project. We evaluated 248 patients with STS or ESII (5–10%) undergoing CABG in 8 hospitals in Brazil and China. The main outcome was mortality, defined as all deaths occurred during the hospitalization in which the operation was performed, even after 30 days. Five variables were selected as predictors of mortality in this cohort of patients. The model’s performance was evaluated through the calibration-in-the-large and the receiver operating curve (ROC) tests. Results The mean age was 69.90±9.45, with 52.02% being female, 25% of the patients were on New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV and 49.6% had Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class 4 angina, and 85.5% had urgency or emergency status. The mortality observed in the sample was 13.31%. The HiriSCORE model showed better calibration (15.0%) compared to ESII (6.6%) and the STS model (2.0%). In the ROC curve, the HiriSCORE model showed better accuracy (ROC = 0.74) than the traditional models STS (ROC = 0.67) and ESII (ROC = 0.50). Conclusion Traditional models were inadequate to predict mortality of high-risk patients undergoing CABG. However, the HiriSCORE model was simple and accurate to predict mortality in high-risk patients.

Introduction: The presence of mild to moderate pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery is common and oral medical therapy is usually able to treat it. Larger effusions are less frequent and surgical intervention is usually necessary. However, there are some rare cases of large effusions that are recurrent even after intervention and become challenging to treat. Methods: We describe the case of a patient submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) without any intraoperative complications, who was regularly discharged from the hospital. She was referred to our emergency department twice after surgery with large pericardial effusion that was drained. Even after those two interventions and with adequate oral medication, the large effusion recurred. Results: During follow-up, the patient had her symptoms resolved, with no need for further hospital admission. Her echocardiograms after the last intervention showed no pericardial effusion. The present surgical technique demonstrated to be easy to perform, thus it should be considered as a treatment option for these rare cases of large and repetitive effusions, which do not respond to the traditional methods. Conclusions: In challenging cases of recurrent and large pericardial effusions, the pericardial-peritoneal window is an alternative surgical technique that brings clinical improvement and diminishes the risk of cardiac tamponade.

Background:\ud \ud The STICH trial showed superiority of coronary artery bypass plus medical treatment (CABG) over medical treatment alone (MED) in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%. In previous publications, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) prior to CABG was associated with worse prognosis.\ud Objectives:\ud \ud The main purpose of this study was to analyse if prior PCI influenced outcomes in STICH.\ud Methods and results:\ud \ud Patients in the STICH trial (n = 1212), followed for a median time of 9.8 years, were included in the present analyses. In the total population, 156 had a prior PCI (74 and 82, respectively, in the MED and CABG groups). In those with vs. without prior PCI, the adjusted hazard-ratios (aHRs) were 0.92 (95% CI = 0.74–1.15) for all-cause mortality, 0.85 (95% CI = 0.64–1.11) for CV mortality, and 1.43 (95% CI = 1.15–1.77) for CV hospitalization. In the group randomized to CABG without prior PCI, the aHRs were 0.82 (95% CI = 0.70–0.95) for all-cause mortality, 0.75 (95% CI = 0.62–0.90) for CV mortality and 0.67 (95% CI = 0.56–0.80) for CV hospitalization. In the group randomized to CABG with prior PCI, the aHRs were 0.76 (95% CI = 0.50–1.15) for all-cause mortality, 0.81 (95% CI = 0.49–1.36) for CV mortality and 0.61 (95% CI = 0.41–0.90) for CV hospitalization. There was no evidence of interaction between randomized treatment and prior PCI for any endpoint (all adjusted p > 0.05).\ud Conclusion:\ud \ud In the STICH trial, prior PCI did not affect the outcomes of patients whether they were treated medically or surgically, and the superiority of CABG over MED remained unchanged regardless of prior PCI.\ud Clinical trial registration:\ud \ud Clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier: NCT00023595

We present a patient with an acute type A aortic dissection that involves the aortic root. The high mortality of patients with this condition is often associated with operations performed by surgeons with minimal experience dealing with aortic diseases. Therefore, less-experienced surgeons often opt for less complicated techniques like supracoronary ascending aortic replacement. However, according to the latest guidelines for the management of aortic diseases, the aortic root should be replaced when it is compromised by the dissection. The Bentall–de Bono technique treats the aortic root and demands less experience than valve-sparing aortic surgery.

Arterial revascularization, and in particular, left internal mammary artery (LIMA), has shown to improve survival of patients with coronary artery disease. Complete revascularization often requires the use of other grafts and saphenous vein graft is still the most common conduit used. Several other types of grafts have been utilized during revascularization, including the radial artery and gastroepiploic artery. It is recognized that its venous structure can change when submitted to long-term blood pressure regimen. We, herein, report left internal mammary vein (LIMV) utilized as a novel conduit for coronary artery revascularization, that was patent after 6 years. LIMV is an easy graft to harvest if the LIMA is dissected as a pedicle. The long-term patency of LIMV is unknown, but its usage could be suggested for elderly patients with peripheral vascular disease, when long graft patency is not required.

Background In patients eligible for coronary artery bypass grafting, no data assess the importance of the Heart Team in programming the best surgical strategy for patients with diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to determine the contribution of the Heart Team in predicting the feasibility of coronary artery bypass graft and angiographic surgical success in these patients based on visual angiographic analysis. Methods Patients with diffuse and severe CAD undergoing incomplete coronary artery bypass graft surgery were prospectively included. One-year postoperative coronary angiograms were obtained to evaluate graft occlusion. Two clinical cardiologists, two cardiovascular surgeons, and one interventional cardiologist retrospectively analyzed preoperative angiograms. A subjective scale was applied at a single moment to quantify the chance of successful coronary artery bypass grafting for each coronary territory with anatomical indication for revascularization. Based on individual scores, the Heart Team's and the specialists' scores were calculated and compared. Results The examiners evaluated 154 coronary territories, of which 85 (55.2%) were protected. The Heart Team's accuracy for predicting the angiographic success of the surgery was 74.9%, almost equal to that of the surgeons alone (73.2%). Only the interventional cardiologist predicted left anterior descending territory grafting success. The Heart Team had good specificity and reasonable sensitivity, and the surgeons had high sensitivity and low specificity in predicting angiographic success. Conclusion The multispecialty Heart Team achieved good accuracy in predicting the angiographic coronary artery bypass graft success in patients with diffuse CAD, with a high specificity and reasonable sensitivity.

Background Dual antiplatelet therapy is recommended for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Approximately 10% to 15% of these patients will undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for index events, and current guidelines recommend stopping clopidogrel at least 5 days before CABG. This waiting time has clinical and economic implications. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate if a platelet reactivity-based strategy is noninferior to standard of care for 24-h post-CABG bleeding. Methods In this randomized, open label noninferiority trial, 190 patients admitted with ACS with indications for CABG and on aspirin and P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, were assigned to either control group, P2Y12 receptor inhibitor withdrawn 5 to 7 days before CABG, or intervention group, daily measurements of platelet reactivity by Multiplate analyzer (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Vienna, Austria) with CABG planned the next working day after platelet reactivity normalization (pre-defined as ≥46 aggregation units). Results Within the first 24 h of CABG, the median chest tube drainage was 350 ml (interquartile range [IQR]: 250 to 475 ml) and 350 ml (IQR: 255 to 500 ml) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p for noninferiority Conclusions A strategy based on platelet reactivity-guided is noninferior to the standard of care in patients with ACS awaiting CABG regarding peri-operative bleeding, significantly shortens the waiting time to CABG, and decreases hospital expenses. (Evaluation of Platelet Aggregability in the Release of CABG in Patients With ACS With DAPT; NCT02516267 )

Background Ischemic cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular dysfunction are well established to represent the main determinants of poor survival and premature death compared with preserved ventricular function. However, the role of myocardial revascularization as a therapeutic alternative is not known to improve the long-term prognosis in this group of patients. This study will investigate whether myocardial revascularization contributes to a better prognosis for patients compared with those treated with drugs alone and followed over the long term. Methods The study will include 600 patients with coronary artery disease associated with ischemic cardiomyopathy. The surgical or drug therapy option will be randomized, and the events considered for analysis will be all-cause mortality, nonfatal infarction, unstable angina requiring additional revascularization, and stroke. The events will be analyzed according to the intent-to-treat principle. Patients with multivessel coronary disease and left ventricular ejection fraction measurements of less than 35% will be included. In addition, myocardial ischemia will be documented by myocardial scintigraphy. Markers of myocardial necrosis will be checked at admission and after the procedure. Discussion The role of myocardial revascularization (CABG) in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure is not clearly established. The surgical option of revascularizing the myocardium is a procedure designed to reduce the load of myocardial hibernation in patients with heart failure caused by coronary artery disease. On the other hand, the assessment of myocardial viability is frequently used to identify patients with left ventricular ischemic dysfunction in which CABG may add survival benefit. However, the effectiveness of this option is uncertain. The great difficulty in establishing the efficacy of surgical intervention is based on the understanding of viability without ischemia. Thus, this study will include only patients with viable and truly ischemic myocardium to correct this anomaly. Trial registration Evaluation of a randomized comparison between patients with coronary artery disease associated with ischemic cardiomyopathy submitted to medical or surgical treatment: MASS-VI (HF), ISRCTN77449548, Oct 10th, 2019 (retrospectively registered).

Background Proper treatment of patients with diffuse, severe coronary artery disease (CAD) is a challenge due to its complexity. Thus, data on the outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in this population is scarce. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of CABG on the clinical and functional status, as well as graft patency in those individuals. Methods Patients with severe and diffuse CAD who underwent incomplete CABG due to complex anatomy or extensive distal coronary involvement were evaluated preoperatively and 1 year after surgery. Postoperative coronary angiography was performed to evaluate graft patency. Graft occlusion was defined as the complete absence of opacification of the target vessel. Stratified analysis of graft occlusion was performed by graft type and territories, defined as left anterior descending artery (LAD), the left circumflex branch, and the right coronary artery territories; the latter two, grouped, were further classified as non-LAD territory. Results A total of 57 patients were included, in whom 131 grafts were placed. There was a significant improvement in Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina symptom severity (Z = –6.1; p Conclusion In patients with diffuse CAD, incomplete CABG surgery resulted in a significant clinical improvement, with acceptable graft occlusion rates at 1 year, particularly for IMA grafts to the LAD territory.

Currently there is a progressive increase in the prevalence of diabetes in a referred for cardiovascular surgery. Benefits of glycemic management (< 180 mg/dL) in diabetic patients compared to patients without diabetes in perioperative cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study is to present recommendations based on international evidence and adapted to our clinical practice for the perioperative management of hyperglycemia in adult patients with and without diabetes undergoing cardiovascular surgery. This update is based on the latest current literature derived from articles and guidelines regarding perioperative management of diabetic patients to cardiovascular surgery.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to states of insulin resistance that predispose to development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The aim was to investigate whether plasma lipids and lipid metabolism differ in MetS patients compared to those with T2DM with poor glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin7.0). Eighteen patients with T2DM, 18 with MetS and 14 controls, paired for age (40-70 years) and body mass index (BMI), were studied. Plasma lipids and the kinetics of a triacylglycerol-rich emulsion labeled with [(3)H]-triolein ([(3)H]-TAG) and [(14)C]-cholesteryl esters ([(14)C]-CE) injected intravenously followed by one-hour blood sampling were determined. Lipid transfers from an artificial nanoemulsion donor to high-density lipoprotien (HDL) were assayed in vitro. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL cholesterol (mg/dl) were not different in T2DM (128 ± 7; 42 ± 7) and MetS (142 ± 6; 39 ± 3), but triacylglycerols were even higher in MetS (215 ± 13) than in T2DM (161 ±11, p0.05). Fractional clearance rate (FCR, in min(1)) of [(3)H]-TAG and [(14)C]-CE were equal in T2DM (0.008 ± 0.018; 0.005 ± 0.024) and MetS (0.010 ± 0.016; 0.006 ± 0.013), and both were reduced compared to controls. The transfer of non-esterified cholesterol, phospholipids and triacylglycerols to HDL was higher in MetS and T2DM than in controls (p0.01). Cholesteryl ester transfer and HDL size were equal in all groups. Results imply that MetS is equal to poorly controlled T2DM concerning the disturbances of plasma lipid metabolism examined here, and suggest that there are different thresholds for the insulin action on glucose and lipids. These findings highlight the magnitude of the lipid disturbances in MetS, and may have implications in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Introduction The most widely used model for predicting mortality in cardiac surgery was recently remodeled, but the doubts regarding its methodology and development have been reported. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the EuroSCORE II to predict mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafts or valve surgery at our institution. Methods One thousand consecutive patients operated on coronary artery bypass grafts or valve surgery, between October 2008 and July 2009, were analyzed. The outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality. Calibration was performed by correlation between observed and expected mortality by Hosmer Lemeshow. Discrimination was calculated by the area under the ROC curve. The performance of the EuroSCORE II was compared with the EuroSCORE and InsCor (local model). Results In calibration, the Hosmer Lemeshow test was inappropriate for the EuroSCORE II (P=0.0003) and good for the EuroSCORE (P=0.593) and InsCor (P=0.184). However, the discrimination, the area under the ROC curve for EuroSCORE II was 0.81 [95% CI (0.76 to 0.85), P

The human heart expresses the type 2 deiodinase (D2) that activates thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3). At the same time, the inactivating type 3 deiodinase (D3) has been found in a rat model of right ventricular hypertrophy. It is not known whether the human myocardium metabolizes thyroid hormone. This study examined myocardial thyroid hormone metabolism in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) undergoing aortic valve replacement and in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.Myocardial thyroid hormone metabolism was assessed by analyzing the difference in serum thyroid hormone levels between the aortic root (incoming blood) and the coronary sinus (outgoing blood) of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A total of 23 patients with AS and 35 patients with CAD were included. Patients received a pre-surgical echocardiogram, and pre-, during and post-surgical thyroid hormone serum levels were collected in the myocardial and peripheral circulations.Patients with AS exhibited the expected left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy (i.e., 20-30% increase in LV posterior wall and interventricular septum thickness and ∼10% increase in AS in LV diastolic diameter). Immediately before cardiopulmonary bypass, blood flowing through the AS myocardium exhibited a 4.6% reduction in T3 and 6.9% increase in rT3 levels, decreasing the serum T3/rT3 ratio by 9.6%. T4 and thyrotropin serum levels remained similar between the aortic root and coronary sinus. In contrast, no myocardial thyroid hormone metabolism was observed in CAD patients. Notably, the AS myocardium lost the ability to inactivate thyroid hormone after cardiopulmonary bypass, possibly due to myocardial stunning.There is accelerated thyroid hormone inactivation in the AS myocardium, which is likely the result of D3 expression. No evidence to suggest thyroid hormone activation in the myocardium was obtained in the present study.

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.

A B S T R A C T Introduction and objectives: The left atrium is clinically relevant in patients with mitral valve stenosis. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty on left atrium volumes and the left atrium emptying fraction in symptomatic mitral valve stenosis patients using 2-dimensional and real-time 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Methods: We carried out a prospective study of 28 consecutive symptomatic mitral valve stenosis patients, aged 22-72 (39 (11.5)) years, 24/28 (85.6%) women, who underwent to percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty between March 2009 and May 2011. Patients underwent 2- and 3-dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (atrial fibrillation) and invasive mitral valve area measurement. Echocardiographic analysis was performed before, 72 h after and 12 months after percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. The following parameters were analyzed: a) mitral valve area (2-dimensional planimetry, pressure half-time, 3-dimensional echocardiography, invasive hemody- namic measurement); b) indexed left atrium maximum and indexed minimum volumes, and c) left atrium emptying fraction. Results: The 3-dimensional parameters of the mitral valve stenosis patients before and 72 h and 12 months after percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty were as follows: a) mitral valve area: 0.9 (0.1) cm 2 ; 1.8 (0.2) cm 2 (P

Recent evidence suggests that β-arrestins, which are involved in G protein-coupled receptors desensitization, may influence mechanotransduction. Here, we observed that nitric oxide (NO) production was abrogated in human saphenous vein endothelial cells (SVECs) transfected with siRNA against β-arrestin 1 and 2 subjected to shear stress (SS, 15 dynes/cm2, 10 min). The downregulation of β-arrestins 1/2 in SVECs cells also prevented the SS-induced rise in levels of phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, Serine 1177). Interestingly, immunoprecipitation revealed that β-arrestin interacts with Akt, eNOS and caveolin-1 and these interactions are not influenced by SS. Our data indicate that β-arrestins and Akt/eNOS downstream signaling are required for early SS-induced NO production in SVECs, which is consistent with the idea that β-arrestins and caveolin-1 are part of a pre-assembled complex associated with the cellular mechanotransduction machinery.

Background The effect of proximal side branches on the patency of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is controversial. We used echocardiography and Doppler to verify the effect of ligation of branches on the flow and coronary flow reserve (CFR) of the grafted ITA in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods We prospectively investigated 53 patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF >50%) who underwent CABG of the ITA. In Group I (25 patients), major branches were ligated during ITA anastomosis to the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, whereas no ligation was performed in Group II (28 patients). Systolic flow (SF), diastolic flow (DF), and total flow (TF = SF + DF) were measured by Doppler echocardiography at the proximal level of the ITA preoperatively, at early postoperative stage, and 6 months after surgery. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed at 6 months to determine CFR. Results The ITA flow was predominantly systolic before surgery and diastolic in the postoperative period. We found no differences between the groups in DF. On DSE, SF (19.5±9 mL/min vs 32.7±19 mL/min; P=.003) and TF (79±21 mL/min vs 101±47 mL/min; P=.037) were higher in Group II. There were no differences in CFR (1.9±0.46 vs 2.11±0.56; P=.143). Conclusion In patients with preserved LVEF, ligation of major side branches during anastomosis to the LAD does not alter ITA flow or CFR.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). Many surgeons and clinicians believe that VTE after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has little clinical significance because it is seldom diagnosed. This study aimed to identify VTE after CABG, independent of clinical suspicion. In this prospective, observational, single-center study, 100 patients underwent computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (multidetector-64) and lower extremity venous compressive ultrasound after elective CABG. Patients with high risk for VTE were excluded. Aspirin was maintained throughout the preoperative and postoperative periods, and early ambulation was encouraged. Postoperatively, no mechanical or heparin prophylaxis was used in any patients. At the discretion of the surgeons, 83 surgeries were on-pump, and 17 were off-pump. On average, tomography and ultrasound were performed 7 ± 3 days after CABG. Isolated PE was observed in 13 of 100 patients (13%), simultaneous PE and DVT in 8 of 100 (8%), and isolated DVT in 4 of 100 (4%), thus totaling 25/100 VTEs (25%). Of the 21 PEs, 3 of 21 (14%) involved subsegmental, 15 of 21 (71%) segmental, 1 of 21 (5%) lobar, and 2 of 21 (10%) central pulmonary arteries. Of the 12 DVTs, all were distal (below the popliteal vein), and 2 of 12 (17%) were also proximal; 5 of 12 (42%) were unilateral, of which 3 of 5 (60%) on the contralateral saphenous vein-harvested leg. No VTE caused hemodynamic instability, and none was clinically suspected. In conclusion, VTEs were frequent, some extensive proximal VTEs occurred, but most were distally localized. Many patients in this series would have been discharged without diagnosis of and treatment for PE and/or DVT.

OBJETIVO: Permanecem as controvérsias sobre a utilização de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) na cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRM). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do 2000 Bernstein Parsonnet (2000BP) e EuroSCORE (EU) para escolha de CEC na CRM. MÉTODOS: Foram submetidos à CRM 1.551 pacientes consecutivos. CEC foi utilizada em 1.121 (72,3%) pacientes. O desempenho do 2000BP e EU para a amostra foi avaliado mediante testes de calibração, discriminação e correlação. Para ambos os escores de risco, o aumento do valor do escore e a presença de CEC tiveram relação direta com maior chance de óbito (P17,75, a presença de CEC aumentou a chance de óbito para 7,4 [IC95% (4,4-12,3), P4,5, a presença de CEC aumentou a chance de óbito para 5,4 [IC95% (3,3-9), P17,75 ou o EU>4,5 orientam a identificar pacientes que quando submetidos a CRM com CEC têm chance de óbito aumentada significativamente. OBJECTIVE: Remain controversies about the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the 2000 Bernstein Parsonnet (2000BP) and EuroSCORE (EU) for choice CPB in CABG. METHODS: 1.551 consecutive patients underwent CABG. CPB was used in 1.121 (72.3%) patients. The performance of 2000BP and EU was assessed by calibration, discrimination and correlation tests. For both risk scores, increasing the value of the score and presence of CPB were directly related to a higher risk of death (P17.75 the presence of CPB increased the chance of death to 7.4 [CI 95% (4.4-12.3), P4.5 the presence of CPB increased the chance of death to 5.4 [CI 95% (3.3-9), P17.75 or the EU>4.5 guide to identify patients who underwent CABG with CPB increases significantly the chance of death.

To validate the 2000 Bernstein Parsonnet (2000BP) and additive EuroSCORE (ES) to predict mortality in patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery and/or heart valve surgery at the Heart Institute, University of São Paulo (InCor/HC-FMUSP).A prospective observational design. We analyzed 3000 consecutive patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery and/or heart valve surgery, between May 2007 and July 2009 at the InCor/HC-FMUSP. Mortality was calculated with the 2000BP and ES models. The correlation between estimated mortality and observed mortality was validated by calibration and discrimination tests.There were significant differences in the prevalence of risk factors between the study population, 2000BP and ES. Patients were stratified into five groups for 2000BP and three for the ES. In the validation of models, the ES showed good calibration (P = 0.596), however, the 2000BP (P = 0.047) proved inadequate. In discrimination, the area under the ROC curve proved to be good for models, ES (0.79) and 2000BP (0.80).In the validation, 2000BP proved questionable and ES appropriate to predict mortality in patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery and/or heart valve surgery at the InCor/HC-FMUSP.

Incomplete revascularization is associated with worse long-term outcomes. Autologous bone marrow cells (BMC) have recently been tested in patients with severe coronary artery disease. We tested the hypothesis that intramyocardial injection of autologous BMC increases myocardial perfusion in patients undergoing incomplete coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Twenty-one patients (19 men), 59 ± 7 years old, with limiting angina and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), not amenable to complete CABG were enrolled. BMC were obtained prior to surgery, and the lymphomonocytic fraction separated by density gradient centrifugation. During surgery, 5 mL containing 2.1 ± 1.3 × 108 BMC (CD34+ = 0.8 ± 0.3%) were injected in the ischemic non-revascularized myocardium. Myocardial perfusion was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and 1 month after surgery. The increase in myocardial perfusion was compared between patients with50% (group A, n = 11) with that of patients with50% (group B, n = 10) of target vessels (stenosis ≥ 70%) successfully bypassed. Injected myocardial segments included the inferior (n = 12), anterior (n = 7), and lateral (n = 2) walls. The number of treated vessels (2.3 ± 0.8) was significantly smaller than the number of target vessels (4.2 ± 1.0; P 0.0001). One month after surgery, cardiac MRI showed a similar reduction (%) in the ischemic score of patients in group A (72.5 ± 3.2), compared to patients in group B (78.1 ± 3.2; P = .80). Intramyocardial injection of autologous BMC may help increase myocardial perfusion in patients undergoing incomplete CABG, even in those with fewer target vessels successfully treated. This strategy may be an adjunctive therapy for patients suffering from a more advanced (diffuse) CAD not amenable for complete direct revascularization.

Background Mortality prediction after cardiac procedures is an essential tool in clinical decision making. Although rheumatic cardiac disease remains a major cause of heart surgery in the world no previous study validated risk scores in a sample exclusively with this condition. Objectives Develop a novel predictive model focused on mortality prediction among patients undergoing cardiac surgery secondary to rheumatic valve conditions. Methods We conducted prospective consecutive all-comers patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) referred for surgical treatment of valve disease between May 2010 and July of 2015. Risk scores for hospital mortality were calculated using the 2000 Bernstein-Parsonnet, EuroSCORE II, InsCor, AmblerSCORE, GuaragnaSCORE, and the New York SCORE. In addition, we developed the rheumatic heart valve surgery score (RheSCORE). Results A total of 2,919 RHD patients underwent heart valve surgery. After evaluating 13 different models, the top performing areas under the curve were achieved using Random Forest (0.982) and Neural Network (0.952). Most influential predictors across all models included left atrium size, high creatinine values, a tricuspid procedure, reoperation and pulmonary hypertension. Areas under the curve for previously developed scores were all below the performance for the RheSCORE model: 2000 Bernstein-Parsonnet (0.876), EuroSCORE II (0.857), InsCor (0.835), Ambler (0.831), Guaragna (0.816) and the New York score (0.834). A web application is presented where researchers and providers can calculate predicted mortality based on the RheSCORE. Conclusions The RheSCORE model outperformed pre-existing scores in a sample of patients with rheumatic cardiac disease.

INTRODUCTION: In elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction, very little is known about the role of surgical myocardial revascularization and percutaneous coronary intervention (invasive therapies - IT), especially in the context of long-term outcomes after hospital discharge. METHODS: We analyzed 1588 patients with MI who had been included prospectively in a databank and followed for up to 7.5 years. In this population, 548 patients were >70 years old (elderly group - EG), and 1040 were

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: We determined the degree of risk produced by the association of other surgical procedures with surgical myocardial revascularization in octogenarian patients and identified the risk factors that best explain hospital mortality. METHODS: This study was an observational analytical historical cohort study involving octogenarians operated on at our institution between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2005. We stratified the objective population as follows: Group 1 comprised octogenarians revascularized without associated procedures, and Group 2 comprised octogenarians revascularized with associated procedures. Statistical analyses included the t test for independent samples and multiple logistic regression analysis. Significance was accepted with an alpha error of 5%. RESULTS: Univariate analyses revealed the following clinical and statistically significant variables: hospital mortality (P=0.002), diabetes mellitus (P=0.017), preoperative endocarditis (P=0.001), cardiogenic shock (P=0.019), use of an intra-aortic balloon pump (P=0.026), preoperative risk score (Parsonnet), P

Aims Cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 3/muscle LIM-domain protein (CRP3/MLP) mediates protein–protein interaction with actin filaments in the heart and is involved in muscle differentiation and vascular remodelling. Here, we assessed the induction of CRP3/MLP expression during arterialization in human and rat veins. Methods and results Vascular CRP3/MLP expression was mainly observed in arterial samples from both human and rat. Using quantitative real time RT–PCR, we demonstrated that the CRP3/MLP expression was 10 times higher in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from human mammary artery (h-MA) vs. saphenous vein (h-SV). In endothelial cells (ECs), CRP3/MLP was scarcely detected in either h-MA or h-SV. Using an ex vivo flow through system that mimics arterial condition, we observed induction of CRP3/MLP expression in arterialized h-SV. Interestingly, the upregulation of CRP3/MLP was primarily dependent on stretch stimulus in SMCs, rather than shear stress in ECs. Finally, using a rat vein in vivo arterialization model, early (1–14 days) CRP3/MLP immunostaining was observed predominantly in the inner layer and later (28–90 days) it appeared more scattered in the vessel layers. Conclusion Here we provide evidence that CRP3/MLP is primarily expressed in arterial SMCs and that stretch is the main stimulus for CRP3/MLP induction in veins exposed to arterial haemodynamic conditions.

BACKGROUND: Left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending artery (LITA-LADA) grafting has become a fundamental part of the coronary artery bypass graft procedure (CABG). This grafting in turn has led to an increased use of other arterial conduits, of which the radial artery (RA) is most popular. Whether RA grafting can be used in the emergency patient is controversial. METHODS: 47 patients with critical stenosis (>;70%) in all target vessels underwent CABG with LITA and RA grafts from 1996 to 2003. Patients were divided into elective (23 patients) and non-elective groups (24 patients) with LITA and RA grafts per patient being similar in both groups. Of these 47 patients, 5 died from non-cardiac complications and 12 were unavailable. Thus, 30 patients (71% of survivors) were studied by multidetector computed tomography. A total of 36 LITA and 64 RA grafts were studied. RESULTS: The RA patency rate for elective and non-elective grafts were 82% (31/38) and 85% (22/26), respectively (p=0.75). The RA had a similar patency rate for all target vessels ranging from 73% to 100%. Only one patient had a redo CABG and 29 (97%) are free from angina or re-intervention. LITA-LADA had a 92% (11/12) and 100% (10/10) patency rate for elective and non-elective groups, respectively (p=0.37). The sequential LITA-diagonal-LADA in the elective group had a 50% (03/06) patency rate, which was significantly lower than the 100% (08/08) patency rate of the non-elective group (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Radial Artery grafts can be used in both elective and non-elective patients with excellent results. INTRODUÇÃO: A anastomose da artéria torácica interna esquerda com a artéria descendente anterior (ATIE-DA) se tornou parte fundamental da cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (RM). Esta técnica levou ao aumento de utilização de outros enxertos arteriais, entre os quais, a artéria radial (AR) é muito usasa. Na literatura há controvérsia se a AR pode ser usada em pacientes em RM de emergência. MÉTODOS: 47 pacientes com lesões críticas (>;70%) em todas as artérias alvo foram submetidos à RM com ATIE e a AR entre 1996 e 2003. Os pacientes foram agrupados em eletivos (23 pacientes) e não eletivos (24 pacientes) sendo similares para número de enxertos de ATIE e AR por paciente. Dos 47 pacientes, 5 morreram de complicações não cardíacas e 12 não estavam disponíveis. Portanto, 30 pacientes (71% dos sobreviventes) foram estudados com tomografia computadorizada. Um total de 36 ATIE e 64 AR foram analisadas. RESULTADOS: a perviabilidade da AR nos grupos eletivo e não eletivo foram respectivamente 82% (31/38) e 85% (22/26) (p=0,75). A AR teve perviabilidade semelhante para todas as artérias alvo variando de 73% a 100%. Apenas um paciente foi submetido à nova RM e 29 (97%) estão livres de angina ou nova re-intervenção. ATIE-DA teve perviabilidade de 92% (11/12) e 100% (10/10) respectivamente nos grupos eletivo e não-eletivo (p=0,37). ATIE-Diagonal-DA seqüencial obteve perviabilidade de 50% (03/06) no grupo eletivo que foi significativamente menor que a perviabilidade de 100% (08/08) do não-eletivo (p=0,02). CONCLUSÃO: A AR pode ser utilizada nos pacientes eletivos e não eletivos com excelentes resultados.

A cholesterol-rich nanoemulsion (LDE) that mimics the composition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) acquires apoE in the plasma and is taken-up by the cells by LDL receptors. In this study, to verify whether free cholesterol (FC) and the cholesteryl ester (CE) components of LDL are taken-up differently by the vessels. LDE labeled with (3)H-cholesterol and (14)C-cholesteryl oleate was injected into 20 coronary artery disease patients 24 h before a scheduled myocardial coronary artery bypass grafting. The plasma kinetics of both radiolabels was determined from plasma samples collected over 24 h, and fragments of vessels discarded during surgery were collected and analyzed for radioactivity. LDE FC was removed faster than CE. The radioactive counting of LDE CE was greater than that of LDE FC in the blood, but the uptake of FC was markedly greater than that of CE in all fragments: fivefold greater in the aorta (p = 0.04), fourfold greater in the internal thoracic artery (p = 0.03), tenfold greater in the saphenous vein (p = 0.01) and threefold in the radial artery (p = 0.05). In conclusion, the greater removal from plasma of FC compared with CE and the remarkably greater vessel tissue uptake of FC compared with CE suggests that, in the plasma, FC dissociates from the nanoemulsion particles and precipitates in the vessels. Considering LDE as an artificial nanoemulsion model for LDL, our results suggest that dissociation of FC from lipoprotein particles and deposition in the vessel wall may play a role as an independent mechanism in atherogenesis.

Background We analyzed our 22 years of experience with extraanatomic bypass grafting for repair of aortic arch coarctation in adults. Results from early and midterm follow-up with clinical evaluation and magnetic resonance angiography are reported. Methods Between November 1979 and December 2001, 18 consecutive patients aged 18 to 61 years (mean, 31.8 ± 13.3 years) underwent extraanatomic bypass grafting to repair coarctation of the aortic arch. Six patients (33.3%) had recoarctation after previous repair through a left thoracotomy, and 3 (16.7%) had associated cardiac diseases. The operative technique used in all patients was ascending aorta-to-descending thoracic aorta bypass with a polyethylene terephthalate fiber (Dacron) graft through a median sternotomy and posterior pericardial approach. Results Follow-up was completed in all patients, with a mean duration of 5.6 ± 5.7 years (range, 12 months to 22 years). The follow-up interval exceeded 10 years in 5 patients. No neurologic complications, early or late mortality, late reoperations, or graft complications occurred. Six patients (33.3%) had mild hypertension. All patients were asymptomatic with patent Dacron grafts confirmed by echocardiography. Magnetic resonance angiography, performed in 15 (83.3%) patients, revealed that the Dacron grafts were still patent at a mean interval of 4.0 ± 6.2 years (range, 5 days to 22 years) after repair. Conclusions Extraanatomic ascending aorta-to-descending thoracic aorta bypass grafting for repair of aortic arch coarctation in adults is safe, with low morbidity and no mortality. The favorable midterm results indicate this technique is a safe and less invasive means of repairing aortic arch coarctation or recoarctation in adults.

Background: Heart surgery has developed with increasing patient complexity. Objective: To assess the use of resources and real costs stratified by risk factors of patients submitted to surgical cardiac procedures and to compare them with the values reimbursed by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Method: All cardiac surgery procedures performed between January and July 2013 in a tertiary referral center were analyzed. Demographic and clinical data allowed the calculation of the value reimbursed by the Brazilian SUS. Patients were stratified as low, intermediate and high-risk categories according to the EuroSCORE. Clinical outcomes, use of resources and costs (real costs versus SUS) were compared between established risk groups. Results: Postoperative mortality rates of low, intermediate and high-risk EuroSCORE risk strata showed a significant linear positive correlation (EuroSCORE: 3.8%, 10%, and 25%; p < 0.0001), as well as occurrence of any postoperative complication EuroSCORE: 13.7%, 20.7%, and 30.8%, respectively; p = 0.006). Accordingly, length-of-stay increased from 20.9 days to 24.8 and 29.2 days (p < 0.001). The real cost was parallel to increased resource use according to EuroSCORE risk strata (R$ 27.116,00 ± R$ 13.928,00 versus R$ 34.854,00 ± R$ 27.814,00 versus R$ 43.234,00 ± R$ 26.009,00, respectively; p < 0.001). SUS reimbursement also increased (R$ 14.306,00 ± R$ 4.571,00 versus R$ 16.217,00 ± R$ 7.298,00 versus R$ 19.548,00 ± R$935,00; p < 0.001). However, as the EuroSCORE increased, there was significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the real cost increasing slope and the SUS reimbursement elevation per EuroSCORE risk strata. Conclusion: Higher EuroSCORE was related to higher postoperative mortality, complications, length of stay, and costs. Although SUS reimbursement increased according to risk, it was not proportional to real costs. Resumo Fundamentos: A cirurgia cardíaca evoluiu progressivamente com o aumento da complexidade dos pacientes. Objetivo: Avaliar a utilização de recursos e o custo real segundo o grupo de risco dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca, e compará-los com o valor ressarcido pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Método: Foram analisadas todas as cirurgias cardíacas realizadas entre janeiro e julho de 2013 em um centro terciário. Dados demográficos e clínicos permitiram o cálculo do valor ressarcido pelo SUS. Os pacientes foram estratificados em baixo, médio e alto risco pelo EuroSCORE. Os resultados clínicos, o uso de recursos e os custos (real versus SUS) foram comparados entre os grupos de risco estabelecidos. Resultados: Taxas de mortalidade pós-operatória de baixo, intermediário e alto risco apresentaram correlação linear positiva (EuroSCORE: 3,8%, 10% e 25%, respectivamente; p < 0,0001), assim como a ocorrência de alguma complicação pós-operatória (EuroSCORE: 13,7%, 20,7% e 30,8%, respectivamente; p = 0,006). O tempo de internação aumentou de 20,9 para 24,8 e 29,2 dias, respectivamente (p < 0,001). O custo real foi paralelo ao aumento da utilização de recursos, segundo o EuroSCORE (R$ 27.116,00 ± R$13.928,00 versus R$ 34.854,00 ± R$ 27.814,00 versus R$ 43.234,00 ± R$ 26.009,00, respectivamente; p < 0,001). O ressarcimento do SUS também aumentou (R$ 14.306,00 ± R$ 4.571,00 versus R$ 16.217,00 ± R$ 7.298,00 versus R$ 19.548,00 ± R$ 935,00; p < 0,001). Mesmo com aumento do EuroSCORE, houve diferença (p < 0,0001) progressiva entre o incremento do custo real e o ressarcimento do SUS. Conclusão: O aumento do EuroSCORE esteve relacionado a maiores morbimortalidade, tempo de internação e custos no pós-operatório. Embora o ressarcimento do SUS também aumente conforme o risco, ele não é proporcional ao custo real.

Coronary atherosclerotic plaque rupture following thoracic trauma – an uncommon cause of angina and ventricular tachycardia (“torsade de pointes“)

Background We and others have previously demonstrated that adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) transplantation improve cardiac dysfunction post-myocardium infarction (MI) under hemodynamic stress in rats. The beneficial effects appear to be associated with pleiotropic factors due to a complex interplay between the transplanted ASCs and the microenvironment in the absence of cell transdifferentiation. In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that mechanical stretch per se could change human ASCs (hASCs) into cardiovascular cell phenotypes that might influence post-MI outcomes. Methods Human ASCs were obtained from patients undergoing liposuction procedures. These cells were stretched 12%, 1Hz up to 96 hours by using Flexercell 4000 system. Protein and gene expression were evaluated to identify cardiovascular cell markers. Culture medium was analyzed to determine cell releasing factors, and contraction potential was also evaluated. Results Mechanical stretch, which is associated with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, failed to induce the expression of cardiovascular cell markers in human ASCs, and mesenchymal cell surface markers (CD29; CD90) remained unchanged. hASCs and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) displayed comparable contraction ability. In addition, these cells demonstrated a profound ability to secrete an array of cytokines. These two properties of human ASCs were not influenced by mechanical stretch. Conclusions Altogether, our findings demonstrate that hASCs secrete an array of cytokines and display contraction ability even in the absence of induction of cardiovascular cell markers or the loss of mesenchymal surface markers when exposed to mechanical stretch. These properties may contribute to beneficial post-MI cardiovascular outcomes and deserve to be further explored under the controlled influence of other microenvironment components associated with myocardial infarction, such as tissue hypoxia.

This manuscript describes a rare situation where after acute myocardial infarction a patient underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), which identified a previously undiagnosed rupture of the free wall of the LV, leading to successful surgical management.

We describe the use of autologous bone marrow cells combined with transmyocardial laser revascularization in a 74-year-old man with refractory angina. Baseline cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed a markedly depressed left ventricle systolic function and an extensive area of myocardial ischemia. During surgery, 11 laser shots using a CO 2 Heart Laser System (PLC Medical Systems, Milford, MA) were fired and a 5-mL cell suspension containing 21.5 × 10 6 bone marrow cells/mL was delivered by multiple injections into the myocardium. At 6 months after the procedure, another cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed an almost complete resolution of the perfusion defect and an improvement in left ventricular contractility.

INTRODUCTION: The descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery is an option for coronary artery bypass grafting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early patency and adaptation of lumen diameter using multidetector computed angiotomography. METHODS: Thirty-two patients were selected to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting using the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery, the internal thoracic artery, and other grafts. Evaluations were carried out through high resolution computed tomography performed on the 7th and 90th postoperative day. Diameters of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery and the left internal thoracic artery were measured 3 cm before the distal anastomosis, in the middle portion, and 3 cm after the proximal anastomosis. Diameters were compared using paired t-test (P

21. Associate Professor at Faculty of Medicine at University of Sao Paulo. Director of the Coronary Disease Surgery Unit of the Heart Institute (InCor) at Faculty of Medicine at University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.2. Titular Professor of the Cardiovascular Surgery Discipline at Faculty of Medicine at University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.Correspondence address: Luis Alberto Oliveira DallanAv. Eneas Carvalho Aguiar, 44 – Cerqueira Cesar – Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil. Zip code: 05403-000 - E-mail: dcidallan@incor.usp.brArticle received on November 24

Acute pulmonary edema is a serious event. Its occurrence in association with interrupted aortic arch and coronary heart disease is rare. Recently, an old patient developed cardiogenic shock and acute pulmonary edema due to acute coronary insufficiency, associated with interrupted aortic arch. The coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the right coronary artery and 95% obstruction in the left main coronary artery, associated with interruption of the descending aorta. Coronary artery bypass graft was performed, without extracorporeal circulation, to the anterior descending coronary artery. We discuss the initial management, given the seriousness of the case. A associação de interrupção do arco aórtico e doença coronária é rara. Entretanto, recentemente nos deparamos com um paciente nessa condição, que culminou com choque cardiogênico e edema agudo de pulmão. A finalidade desta comunicação breve é transmitirmos e discutirmos se a conduta adotada foi a mais indicada. Sua coronária direita estava 100% ocluída e havia obstrução de 95% em tronco de coronária esquerda, associada à interrupção de aorta descendente. Realizamos apenas enxerto de veia safena para ramo da coronária esquerda, sem circulação extracorpórea. O paciente apresentou boa evolução imediata. Destacamos a conduta inicial adotada, diante da gravidade do caso.

Cardiovascular diseases represent the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality for the health system and cardiac surgery has an important impact on their resolutivity. The association and correlation of patients' demographic and clinical relevant information with the resources required for each stratum represent the possibility to adapt, improve and innovate into the healthcare programs. This project aims to remodel the "InsCor" risk score for the formulation of the SP-SCORE (Sao Paulo System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) in order to better reflects the complexity of cardiac surgical care. The participating hospitals include the Health Technology Assessment Centers in of the Health Secretariat' HTA Network of Sao Paulo State (HTA-NATSs / SES-SP). The SP-SCORE will use 10 variables of the InsCor model and others 8 variables with presumed influence in Brazil. The primary endpoints are morbidity and mortality. Bootstrap technique besides automated selection of variables (stepwise) will be used to develop a parsimonious model by multiple logistic regression. This project will contribute for the SUS-SP regionalized health-care (RRAS) sustainability and financing of the CABG and/or heart valve surgery programs promoting equitable allocation, increasing access and effectiveness, as well as characterizing the magnitude of available resources and its impact.

BACKGROUND: Risk scores show difficulties to attain the same performance in different populations. OBJECTIVE: To create a simple and accurate risk assessment model for patients submitted to surgery due to coronary and/or valvular disease at Instituto do Coracao da Universidade de Sao Paulo (InCor-HCFMUSP). METHODS: Between 2007 and 2009, 3,000 patients were submitted to surgical procedure due to coronary artery and/or valvular disease at InCor-HCFMUSP. From this record, data of 2/3 of the patients were used for model development (bootstrap technique), and 1/3 for internal validation of the model. The performance of the model (InsCor) was compared to the 2000 Bernstein-Parsonnet (2000BP) and EuroSCORE (ES) complexes. RESULTS: Only 10 variables were selected: age > 70 years, female sex; coronary revascularization + valve, myocardial infarction < 90 days; reoperation; surgical treatment of aortic valve; surgical treatment of tricuspid valve; creatinine < 2mg/dL; ejection fraction < 30%, and events. The Hosmer Lemeshow test for the InsCor was 0.184, indicating excellent calibration. The area under the ROC curve was 0.79 for the InsCor, 0.81 for the ES and 0.82 for 2000BP, confirming that the models are good and have similar discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: The InsCor and ES performed better than 2000BP at all stages of validation, but the new model, in addition to showing identification with the local risk factors, is simpler and more objective for mortality prediction in patients undergoing surgery due to coronary and/or valvular disease at InCor-HCFMUSP.