Search

In each influenza season, a distinct group of young, otherwise healthy individuals with no risk factors succumbs to life-threatening infection. To better understand the cause for this, we analyzed a broad range of immune responses in blood from a unique cohort of patients, comprising previously healthy individuals hospitalized with and without respiratory failure during one influenza season, and infected with one specific influenza A strain. This analysis was compared with similarly hospitalized influenza patients with known risk factors (total of n = 60 patients recruited). We found a sustained increase in a specific subset of proinflammatory monocytes, with high TNF-α expression and an M1-like phenotype (independent of viral titers), in these previously healthy patients with severe disease. The relationship between M1-like monocytes and immunopathology was strengthened using murine models of influenza, in which severe infection generated using different models (including the high-pathogenicity H5N1 strain) was also accompanied by high levels of circulating M1-like monocytes. Additionally, a raised M1/M2 macrophage ratio in the lungs was observed. These studies identify a specific subtype of monocytes as a modifiable immunological determinant of disease severity in this subgroup of severely ill, previously healthy patients, offering potential novel therapeutic avenues.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as respostas cardiorrespiratórias dos portadores de transplante cardíaco (TxC). MÉTODOS: Submeteram-se a testes ergoespirométricos 9 portadores de TxC (GI), pareados por sexo, idade, peso e altura, com 9 indivíduos sedentários, aparentemente sadios (GII). Os pacientes eram do sexo masculino, com idade de 48±12 anos, com TFI (NYHA) após 23±21 meses TxC. Faziam uso regular de ciclosporina, azatioprina, prednisona, dipiridamol e anti-hipertensivos. Os testes foram limitados por sintomas e interrompidos por exaustão. RESULTADOS: No pico do exercício, o GI apresentou desempenho significativamente inferior ao GII quanto ao VO2, VE, VEO2, FC, tempo de endurance e potência. No limiar anaeróbio, o GI apresentou VO2, tempo de endurance e potência significativamente inferior a do GII. Na potência de 40W o desempenho dos dois grupos foi similar. CONCLUSÃO: O GI apresentou desempenho cardiorrespiratório significativamente inferior no pico do exercício e similar na potência de 40W em relação ao GII, evidenciando os benefícios do TxC para cardiopatas em atividades habituais

A 48-year-old man with essential thrombocythemia suffered an extensive anterior acute myocardial infarction; this is a rare association. A pharmacological thrombolysis was performed, without success. He subsequently underwent successful rescue coronary angioplasty. To our knowledge, there is no other report in the literature relating the triad of essential thrombocythemia, acute myocardial infarction and rescue coronary angioplasty.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a incidência de doença coronária aterosclerótica (DCA) e/ou isquemia miocárdica em pacientes (pt) com alterações do segmento ST restritas à fase de recuperação (ASTRR) do teste ergométrico. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo em 19 pacientes não consecutivos com ASTRR, através da cinecoronariografia e/ou cintigrafia de esforço planar. Amostra de 18 homens, uma mulher, com idade de 58 ± 9 anos, 18 sintomáticos. RESULTADOS: ASTRR correspondem a segmentos ST infra-desnivelados de 1 a 4 mm da linha de base, com inversão da onda T durante a recuperação precoce (2pt), tardia (14 pt). Foi documentada DCA em 14 pt (nove submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização); miocardiopatia hipertensiva com coronárias normais em 3 pt e prolapso de válvula mitral em 1 pt. Em 13 casos a cinecoronariografia e/ou cintilografia de esforço foram realizados dentro de seis meses do Teste Ergométrico, sendo a presença de DCA e ou isquemia miocárdica detectadas em 8 pt. Em 3 pt, testes ergométricos sucessivos mostraram ASTRR reprodutíveis em dois casos. CONCLUSÃO: Os autores relatam a elevada prevalência de DCA e ou hipoperfusão transitória na cintigrafia de esforço em homens sintomáticos de meia idade com ASTRR no teste de esforço. PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) and or myocardial ischemia in patients (pt) with abnormal ST segments restrict to recovery phase (RRAST) of exercise testing (ET). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study in 19 non consecutive pt with RRAST, related to coronary arteriography or exercise planar scyntillography (18 men, 58 ± 9 years, 18 asymptomatic). RESULTS: RRAST corresponded to ST segment depression from 1 to 4 mm, with T inversion during early recovery (2pt); late (14 pt) or both (4pt). It was documented CAD (14 pt and 9) with artery-by-pass surgery); hypertensive myocardiopathy with normal coronary (3 pt), and mitral prolapse valve (1 pt).In 13 pt with coronary arteriography or exercise scyntillography, within the first 6 months from exercise testing, myocardial ischemia was confirmed in 8 pt in 3 pt, successive exercise testing showed RRAST reproductive in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: The authors report the high incidence of CAD and or transitory hypoperfusion during myocardial scyntillography in symptomatic men with middle age with RRAST during exercise testing.

OBJETIVO: Avaliação não invasiva das respostas cardiopulmonares ao exercício a curto e longo prazo após valvotomia mitral por cateter balão. MÉTODOS: Estudaram-se 9 pacientes do sexo feminino, 35±9 anos, com estenose mitral, tipo funcional II ou III, em uso de digitálicos e diuréticos, através de teste ergoespirométrico, eletrocardiograma e ecocardiograma, antes e após valvotomia em fase precoce (3 a 5 dias) e tardia (8 a 12 meses). RESULTADOS: Os pacientes evoluíram para tipo funcional II (44%) ou I (56%), na fase tardia. Houve redução da freqüência cardíaca de repouso (87±11bpm vs 85±7bpm vs 75±9bpm) e elevação do número de estágios (4±1 estágios vs 5±2 estágios vs 6±1 estágios); a capacidade aeróbia máxima aumentou apenas na fase tardia (16±3mL/kg/min vs 18±4mL/kg/min vs 22±7mL/kg/min). O limiar anaeróbio, a ventilação pulmonar e o equivalente ventilatório do O2 permaneceram inalterados. Nas cargas submáximas de exercício ocorreu redução da freqüência cardíaca (estágio I: 124±18bpm vs 112±13bpm vs 87±15bpm), consumo de O2 (estágio I: 10±2mL/kg/min vs 8±2mL/kg/min vs 8±mL/kg/min) e ventilação pulmonar, nas fases precoce e tardia. A área valvar mitral mostrou reduções na fase tardia (0,94cm² vs 1,66cm² vs 1,20cm² ). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da tendência à reestenose parcial, houve melhora no tipo funcional e no desempenho cardiopulmonar com diminuição da sobrecarga circulatória no exercício submáximo. PURPOSE: To evaluate the early and late cardiorespiratory responses after balloon mitral valvuloplasty. METHODS: Nine female patients aged 35±9 years, with mitral stenosis, in class II or III (NYHA) underwent upright ergoespirometric test, resting electrocardiogram and echocardiogram before, 3 to 5 days (early evaluation) and 8 to 12 months (late evaluation) after mitral valvuloplasty. All patients were treated with digitalis and diuretics. RESULTS: During late evaluation, 44% patients were in class II and 56% were in class I (NYHA). The resting heart rate decreased (87±11bpm vs 85±7bpm vs 75±9bpm) and the number of steps increased (4±1 steps vs 5±2 steps vs 6±1 steps); the peak oxygen uptake improved only in the late evaluation (16±3mL/kg/min vs 18±4mL/kg/min vs 22±7mL/kg/min). The anaerobic threshold, minute ventilation (VE) and ventilatory equivalent for oxygen showed no change. The heart rate (1st step: 124±18bpm vs 112±13bpm vs 87±15bpm), O2 uptake (1st step: 10±2mL/kg/min vs 8±2mL/kg/min vs 8±2mL/kg/min) and VE decreased during submaximal exercise in early and late phases. The mitral valve area decreased in the late evaluation (0.94cm² vs 1.66cm² vs 1.20cm²). CONCLUSION: Although partial restenosis tended to occur in these patients, they improved the functional class and cardiorespiratory performance and cardiocirculatory load during submaximal exercise.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência de sinais de "coração de atleta" em desportistas deficientes para-olímpicos. MÉTODOS: Avaliação clínica, eletrocardiográfica, ecocardiográfica, vetorcardiográfica, ergométrica em 75 atletas, 27,8±6,7 anos, 56 homens, várias modalidades; com deficiência física (47), visual (12) e paralisia cerebral (16). RESULTADOS: Sinais de coração de atleta ocorreram em 33% dos exames clínicos (sopros e estalidos), em 55% dos eletrocardiogramas (bradicardia, bloqueio incompleto de ramo direito, sobrecargas, alterações de onda T), em 15% dos vetorcardiograma (sobrecargas), em 5% dos ecocardiogramas (dimensões cavitárias acima do habitual). Os sinais ocorreram em 51% dos atletas, sendo que em 46% dos casos havia 2 ou mais sinais e, em 12%, 4 ou mais sinais. O TE foi normal em 77% dos atletas; não houve ST isquêmico. Em 23% dos casos houve bloqueio divisional direito. CONCLUSÃO: Foram encontrados dois ou mais sinais de coração de atleta em 46% dos atletas deficientes para-olímpicos. PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of the athlete's, heart syndrome in elite disabled Brazilians athletes. METHODS: Seventy-five athletes, age 27.8±6.7 years, 56 men, with various disabilities (47 physical, 12 visual and 16 cerebral paralysis) underwent clinical, electrocardiographic, vectorcardiographic, ergometric and echocardiographic evaluations. RESULTS: Athlete's heart signs occurred in 33% of the clinical evaluations, in 55% of the electrocardiograms, in 15% of the vectorcardiograms, and in 5% of the echocardiograms. At least one of these signs was presented in 51% of the athletes. There were 2 or more abnormalities in 46% of the athletes and 4 or more signs in 12%. Exercise test was considered not ischemic in 77% of the subjects. There was right bundle branch block in 23% of the tests. CONCLUSION: There were two or more athlete's heart syndrome signs in 46% of Brazilian disabled athletes.

Objective. A case of incessant ventricular tachycardia in a patient with Chagas' disease that was successfully terminated by chemical ablation is reported. Background. Chagas' disease is a common medical problem in South America. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias, atrioventricular conduction disturbances, congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death are important manifestations of this disease. Methods. Selective catheterization of the coronary artery supplying the arrhythmogenic area was performed by using a conventional angioplasty system and the arrhythmogenic area was ablated by injection of 96% sterile ethanol. Results. Ethanol (96%) injection initiaily in a lateral branch of the left circumflex artery and 2 days later in the proximal segment of the artery resulted in termination of ventricular tachycardia. Two weeks after ablation, programmed ventricular stimulation failed to induce ventricular tachycardia. Conclusion. Transcoronary chemical ablation should be considered in selected cases of Chagas' disease with incessant ventricuiar tachycardia.

Chronic nonparoxysmal sinus tachycardia has been described as an inappropriate and persistent sinus tachycardia that is not related to organic, physiologic and adrenergic states or automatic dysfunction. Some cases are very symptomatic and refractory to conventional therapy. In this report, we describe an unusual therapy for a refractory case of chronic nonparoxysmal sinus tachycardia.

PRESBYTERIAN MED CTR PHILADELPHIA,PHILADELPHIA HEART INST,39TH & MARKET ST,PHILADELPHIA,PA 19104

A 48-year-old man with essential thrombocythemia suffered an extensive anterior acute myocardial infarction; this is a rare association. A pharmacological thrombolysis was performed, without success. He subsequently underwent successful rescue coronary angioplasty. To our knowledge, there is no other report in the literature relating the triad of essential thrombocythemia, acute myocardial infarction and rescue coronary angioplasty.