Abstract Background: Tele-cardiology tools are valuable strategies to improve risk stratification. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of tele-electrocardiography (ECG) to predict abnormalities in screening echocardiography (echo) in primary care (PC). Methods: In 17 months, 6 health providers at 16 PC units were trained on simplified handheld echo protocols. Tele-ECGs were recorded for final diagnosis by a cardiologist. Consented patients with major ECG abnormalities by the Minnesota code, and a 1:5 sample of normal individuals underwent clinical questionnaire and screening echo interpreted remotely. Major heart disease was defined as moderate/severe valve disease, ventricular dysfunction/hypertrophy, pericardial effusion, or wall-motion abnormalities. Association between major ECG and echo abnormalities was assessed by logistic regression as follows: 1) unadjusted model; 2) model 1 adjusted for age/sex; 3) model 2 plus risk factors (hypertension/diabetes); 4) model 3 plus history of cardiovascular disease (Chagas/rheumatic heart disease/ischemic heart disease/stroke/heart failure). P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: A total 1,411 patients underwent echo; 1,149 (81%) had major ECG abnormalities. Median age was 67 (IQR 60 to 74) years, and 51.4% were male. Major ECG abnormalities were associated with a 2.4-fold chance of major heart disease on echo in bivariate analysis (OR = 2.42 [95% CI 1.76 to 3.39]), and remained significant after adjustments in models (p < 0.001) 2 (OR = 2.57 [95% CI 1.84 to 3.65]), model 3 (OR = 2.52 [95% CI 1.80 to3.58]), and model 4 (OR = 2.23 [95%CI 1.59 to 3.19]). Age, male sex, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease were also independent predictors of major heart disease on echo. Conclusions: Tele-ECG abnormalities increased the likelihood of major heart disease on screening echo, even after adjustments for demographic and clinical variables. Background Telecardiology Tele cardiology stratification Objective teleelectrocardiography tele electrocardiography (ECG (echo PC. . (PC) Methods months protocols TeleECGs ECGs cardiologist code 15 5 1: remotely moderatesevere moderate severe dysfunctionhypertrophy dysfunction hypertrophy dysfunction/hypertrophy effusion wallmotion wall motion follows age/sex agesex sex hypertension/diabetes hypertensiondiabetes hypertension diabetes (hypertension/diabetes) Chagas/rheumatic Chagasrheumatic Chagas rheumatic diseaseischemic diseasestrokeheart stroke failure. failure failure) Pvalues P values 005 0 05 0.0 Results 1411 411 1,41 1149 149 1,14 81% 81 (81% IQR 74 years 514 51 51.4 2.4fold 24fold fold 2.4 OR 242 42 95% 95 [95 176 76 1.7 3.39, 339 3.39 , 39 3.39]) p 0.001 0001 001 257 57 2.5 184 84 1.8 3.65, 365 3.65 65 3.65]) 252 52 180 80 to3.58, to358 to3.58 to3 58 to3.58]) 223 23 2.2 95%CI 95CI 159 59 1.5 3.19. 319 3.19 19 3.19]) Age Conclusions TeleECG variables (PC (hypertension/diabetes 00 0. 141 41 1,4 114 14 1,1 8 (81 7 51. 4fold 24 2. 9 [9 1. 33 3.3 3.39] 0.00 000 25 18 36 3.6 3.65] to35 to3.5 to3.58] 22 31 3.1 3.19] 1, 11 (8 [ 3. to3. (

Resumo Fundamento: As ferramentas de telecardiologia são estratégias valiosas para melhorar a estratificação de risco. Objetivo: Objetivamos avaliar a acurácia da tele-eletrocardiografia (ECG) para predizer anormalidades no ecocardiograma de rastreamento na atenção primária. Métodos: Em 17 meses, 6 profissionais de saúde em 16 unidades de atenção primária foram treinados em protocolos simplificados de ecocardiografia portátil. Tele-ECGs foram registrados para diagnóstico final por um cardiologista. Pacientes consentidos com anormalidades maiores no ECG pelo código de Minnesota e uma amostra 1:5 de indivíduos normais foram submetidos a um questionário clínico e ecocardiograma de rastreamento interpretado remotamente. A doença cardíaca grave foi definida como doença valvular moderada/grave, disfunção/hipertrofia ventricular, derrame pericárdico ou anormalidade da motilidade. A associação entre alterações maiores do ECG e anormalidades ecocardiográficas foi avaliada por regressão logística da seguinte forma: 1) modelo não ajustado; 2) modelo 1 ajustado por idade/sexo; 3) modelo 2 mais fatores de risco (hipertensão/diabetes); 4) modelo 3 mais história de doença cardiovascular (Chagas/cardiopatia reumática/cardiopatia isquêmica/AVC/insuficiência cardíaca). Foram considerados significativos valores de p < 0,05. Resultados: No total, 1.411 pacientes realizaram ecocardiograma, sendo 1.149 (81%) com anormalidades maiores no ECG. A idade mediana foi de 67 anos (intervalo interquartil de 60 a 74) e 51,4% eram do sexo masculino. As anormalidades maiores no ECG se associaram a uma chance 2,4 vezes maior de doença cardíaca grave no ecocardiograma de rastreamento na análise bivariada (OR = 2,42 [IC 95% 1,76 a 3,39]) e permaneceram significativas (p < 0,001) após ajustes no modelo 2 (OR = 2,57 [IC 95% 1,84 a 3,65]), modelo 3 (OR = 2,52 [IC 95% 1,80 a 3,58]) e modelo 4 (OR = 2,23 [IC 95% 1,59 a 3,19]). Idade, sexo masculino, insuficiência cardíaca e doença cardíaca isquêmica também foram preditores independentes de doença cardíaca grave no ecocardiograma. Conclusões: As anormalidades do tele-ECG aumentaram a probabilidade de doença cardíaca grave no ecocardiograma de rastreamento, mesmo após ajustes para variáveis demográficas e clínicas. Fundamento Objetivo teleeletrocardiografia tele eletrocardiografia (ECG Métodos meses portátil TeleECGs Tele ECGs cardiologista 15 5 1: remotamente moderadagrave moderada moderada/grave disfunçãohipertrofia disfunção hipertrofia ventricular motilidade forma idade/sexo idadesexo hipertensão/diabetes hipertensãodiabetes hipertensão diabetes (hipertensão/diabetes) Chagas/cardiopatia Chagascardiopatia Chagas cardiopatia reumáticacardiopatia reumática isquêmicaAVCinsuficiência AVC cardíaca. . cardíaca) 005 0 05 0,05 Resultados total 1411 411 1.41 1149 149 1.14 81% 81 (81% intervalo 74 514 51 51,4 masculino 24 2, OR 242 42 IC 95 176 76 1,7 3,39 339 39 3,39] 0,001 0001 001 257 57 2,5 184 84 1,8 3,65, 365 3,65 , 65 3,65]) 252 52 180 80 3,58 358 58 3,58] 223 23 2,2 159 59 1,5 3,19. 319 3,19 19 3,19]) Idade Conclusões teleECG clínicas (hipertensão/diabetes 00 0,0 141 41 1.4 114 14 1.1 8 (81 7 51, 9 1, 3,3 33 0,00 000 25 18 36 3,6 3,65] 3,5 35 22 31 3,1 3,19] 0, 1. 11 (8 3, (

The publication Cardiovascular Statistics – Brazil aims to provide an annual compilation of data and research on the epidemiology of CVDs in Brazil.&nbsp; The report integrates official statistics from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and other governmental entities alongside data from the GBD project, coordinated by the IHME at the University of Washington. Additionally, it incorporates data derived from various sources and scientific studies, including cohorts and registries, that relate to CVDs and their associated risk factors. This publication is intended for a wide range of individuals, including researchers, clinicians, patients, healthcare policymakers, media professionals, the general public, and other interested parties seeking extensive national data about heart disease and stroke.&nbsp; Volunteer researchers from various Brazilian universities and research institutions carry out the project. The group is led by a five-member steering committee (ALPR, CAP, DCM, GMMO, and LCCB). The Brazilian Society of Cardiology fully supports this initiative, and the project receives collaborative support from the GBD Brazil Network and an International Committee (GAR, PP, and TAG) from both the IHME/University of Washington (GAR) and the World Heart Federation (PP and TAG).&nbsp;

A publicação Estatística Cardiovascular – Brasil tem por objetivo fornecer uma compilação anual dos dados e das pesquisas sobre a epidemiologia das DCV no Brasil.&nbsp; Este documento integra as estatísticas oficiais do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil e outras entidades governamentais ao lado de dados do projeto GBD, coordenado pelo IHME da Universidade de Washington. Além disso, incorpora dados derivados de várias fontes e estudos científicos, inclusive coortes e registros, relacionados às DCV e fatores de risco associados. Esta publicação destina-se a um público variado, incluindo pesquisadores, clínicos, pacientes, formuladores de políticas de saúde, profissionais da mídia, o público em geral e todos aqueles que buscam dados nacionais abrangentes sobre DCV e acidente vascular cerebral. Pesquisadores voluntários de várias universidades e instituições de pesquisa brasileiros realizaram este projeto. O grupo é liderado por um comitê diretivo com cinco membros (ALPR, CAP, DCM, GMMO e LCCB). A Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia apoia integralmente esta iniciativa e o projeto recebe colaboração da Rede GBD Brasil1 e do GBD International Committee (GAR, PP e TAG) do IHME/Universidade de Washington (GAR) e da World Heart Federation (PP e TAG).&nbsp;

Abstract Background The effective management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is time-dependent. Objectives To assess the impacts of the implementation of prehospital care on admission rates and mortality associated with AMI. Methods Retrospective, ecological study, which assessed data from the Brazilian Universal Health System, from all 853 municipalities of Minas Gerais, from 2008 to 2016. Excessive skewness of general and in-hospital mortality rates was smoothed using the empirical Bayes method. This study assessed the relationship between Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) in each municipality and the following 3 outcomes: mortality rate due to AMI, AMI in-hospital mortality, and AMI hospitalization rate, using the Poisson hierarchical model. Rates were corrected by age structure and detrended by seasonality and temporal influences. A confidence interval of 95% was adopted. Results AMI mortality rates decreased throughout the study, on average 2% per year, with seasonal variation. AMI in-hospital mortality also showed a decreasing trend, from 13.81% in 2008 to 11.43% in 2016. SAMU implementation was associated with decreased AMI mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.967, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.936 to 0.998) and AMI in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.914, 95% CI 0.845 to 0.986), with no relation with hospitalizations (OR = 1.003, 95% CI 0.927 to 1.083). Conclusion SAMU implementation was associated with a modest but significant decrease in AMI in-hospital mortality. This finding reinforces the key role of prehospital care in AMI care and the need for investments on this service to improve clinical outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. (AMI timedependent. timedependent time dependent. dependent time-dependent Retrospective System 85 Gerais 200 2016 inhospital hospital method (SAMU model influences 95 adopted 2 year variation trend 1381 13 81 13.81 1143 11 43 11.43 odds OR [OR 0967 0 967 0.967 [CI 0936 936 0.93 0.998 0998 998 0914 914 0.914 0845 845 0.84 0.986, 0986 0.986 , 986 0.986) 1003 1 003 1.003 0927 927 0.92 1.083. 1083 1.083 . 083 1.083) low middleincome middle income countries 8 20 201 9 138 13.8 114 4 11.4 096 96 0.96 093 93 0.9 0.99 099 99 091 91 0.91 084 84 0.8 098 0.98 98 100 00 1.00 092 92 108 1.08 08 13. 11. 09 0. 10 1.0 1.

Resumo Fundamento O manejo efetivo de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) é tempo-dependente. Objetivos Avaliar os impactos da implantação do atendimento pré-hospitalar nas taxas de internação e de mortalidade associadas ao IAM. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo e ecológico, que avaliou dados do Sistema Único de Saúde, de todos os 853 municípios de Minas Gerais, de 2008 a 2016. A assimetria excessiva da mortalidade geral e intra-hospitalar por IAM foi suavizada usando o método empírico de Bayes. Este estudo avaliou a relação entre o do Serviço de Atendimento Médico de Urgência (SAMU) em cada município e os seguintes 3 desfechos: taxa de mortalidade geral por IAM, taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar por IAM e taxa de internação por IAM, utilizando o modelo hierárquico de Poisson. As taxas foram corrigidas pela estrutura etária e destendenciadas pela sazonalidade e influências temporais. Foi adotado um intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados As taxas de mortalidade por IAM diminuíram ao longo do estudo, em média 2% por ano, com variação sazonal. A mortalidade intra-hospitalar também apresentou tendência de queda, de 13,81% em 2008 para 11,43% em 2016. A implantação do SAMU foi associada à diminuição da mortalidade por IAM ( odds ratio [OR] = 0,967, IC 95% 0,936 a 0,998) e mortalidade intra-hospitalar por IAM (OR = 0,914, IC 95% 0,845 a 0,986), sem associação significativa com internações (OR 1,003, IC 95% 0,927 a 1,083). Conclusão A implantação do SAMU esteve associada a uma redução modesta, mas significativa, na mortalidade intra-hospitalar. Esse achado reforça o papel fundamental do cuidado pré-hospitalar no cuidado do IAM e a necessidade de investimentos nesse serviço para melhorar os desfechos clínicos em países de baixa e média renda. (IAM tempodependente. tempodependente tempo dependente. dependente tempo-dependente préhospitalar pré hospitalar ecológico Saúde 85 Gerais 200 2016 intrahospitalar intra Bayes (SAMU Poisson temporais 95 2 ano sazonal queda 1381 13 81 13,81 1143 11 43 11,43 OR [OR 0967 0 967 0,967 0936 936 0,93 0,998 0998 998 0914 914 0,914 0845 845 0,84 0,986, 0986 0,986 , 986 0,986) 1003 1 003 1,003 0927 927 0,92 1,083. 1083 1,083 . 083 1,083) modesta intrahospitalar. hospitalar. renda 8 20 201 9 138 13,8 114 4 11,4 096 96 0,96 093 93 0,9 0,99 099 99 091 91 0,91 084 84 0,8 098 0,98 98 100 00 1,00 092 92 108 1,08 08 13, 11, 09 0, 10 1,0 1,

Resumo Fundamento: O impacto dos fatores de risco (FR) sobre a morbimortalidade por doença cardiovascular (DCV) na maioria dos países de língua portuguesa (PLP) é pouco conhecido. Objetivo: Analisar a morbimortalidade por DCV atribuível aos FR e sua variação nos PLP de 1990 a 2019, a partir de estimativas do estudo Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019. Métodos: Avaliamos as mudanças nos FR ocorridas no período, as taxas de mortalidade e os anos de vida perdidos por incapacidade (DALYs), padronizados por idade, entre 1990 e 2019. Realizou-se a correlação entre a variação percentual das taxas de mortalidade e o índice sociodemográfico (SDI) de cada PLP pelo método de Spearman. O valor p<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: A pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) elevada foi o principal fator de risco para mortalidade e DALY por DCV para todos os PLP. A mortalidade por DCV mostrou uma tendência de redução em 2019, maior em Portugal (-66,6%, IC95% -71,0 - -61,2) e no Brasil (-49,8%, IC95% -52,5 - -47,1). Observou-se tendência à correlação inversa entre SDI e a variação percentual da mortalidade, que foi significativa para os riscos dietéticos (r=-0,70, p=0,036), colesterol LDL elevado (r=-0,77, p=0,015) e PAS elevada (r=-0,74, p=0,023). Conclusões: Além da PAS, os FR dietéticos e metabólicos justificaram uma maior variação da carga de DCV, correlacionada com o SDI nos PLP, sugerindo a necessidade de adoção de políticas de saúde adaptadas à realidade de cada país, visando a redução de seu impacto sobre a população.

Abstract Background: The impact of risk factors (RF) on morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) for most Portuguese-speaking countries (PSC) is little known. Objectives: We aimed to analyze the morbidity and mortality from CVD attributable to RF and its variation, from 1990 to 2019, in PSC, based on estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study. Methods: We evaluated changes in cardiovascular RF, mortality rates and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) between 1990 and 2019. The correlation between percentage changes in mortality rates and the sociodemographic index (SDI) of each PSC was evaluated by the Spearman method. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) was the main RF for mortality and DALYs for CVD for all PSC. Mortality from CVD showed a downward trend in 2019, more accentuated in Portugal (-66.6%, 95%CI -71.0 - -61.2) and in Brazil (-49.8%, 95%CI -52.5 - -47.1). There was a trend towards an inverse correlation between SDI and the percent change in mortality, which was significant for dietary risks (r=-0.70, p=0.036), high LDL cholesterol (r=-0.77, p=0.015) and high SBP (r=-0.74, p=0.023). Conclusions: In addition to SBP, dietary and metabolic RF justified a greater variation in the burden of CVD correlated with SDI in the PSC, suggesting the need to adopt health policies adapted to the reality of each country, aiming to reduce their impact on population.

Abstract Background Short message service (SMS) to promote healthcare improves the control of cardiovascular risk factors, but there is a lack of evidence in low and middle-income countries, particularly after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Objective This study aims to evaluate whether the use of SMS increases risk factor control after hospital discharge for ACS. Methods IMPACS is a 2-arm randomized trial with 180 patients hospitalized due to ACS at a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Eligible patients were randomized (1:1) to an SMS intervention (G1) or standard care (G2) upon hospital discharge. The primary endpoint was set to achieve 4 or 5 points in a risk factor control score, consisting of a cluster of 5 modifiable risk factors: LDL-C <70mg/dL, blood pressure (BP) <140/90mmHg, regular exercise (≥5 days/week, 30 minutes/session), nonsmoker status, and body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2] at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were components of the primary outcome plus rehospitalization, cardiovascular death, and death from any cause. Results are designated as significant if p<0.05. Results From randomized patients, 147 were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 58 (51–64) years, 74% males. The primary outcome was achieved by 12 (16.2%) patients in G1 and 15 (20.8%) in G2 (OR=0.73, 95%CI 0.32–1.70, p=0.47). Secondary outcomes were also similar: LDL-C<70 mg/dl (p=0.33), BP<140/90 mmHg (p=0.32), non-smoker (p=0.74), regular exercise (p=0.97), BMI (p=0.71), and rehospitalization (p=0.06). Death from any cause occurred in three participants (2%), including one cardiovascular death in each group. Conclusion SMS intervention did not significantly improve cardiovascular risk factor control when compared to standard care in patients discharged after ACS in Brazil.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: To better understand trends in the main cause of death in Brazil, we sought to analyze the burden of cardiovascular risk factors (RF) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) attributable to specific RFs in Brazil from 1990 to 2019, using the estimates from the GBD 2019 study. METHODS: To estimate RF exposure, the Summary Exposure Value (SEV) was used, whereas for disease burden attributed to RF, mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) due to CVD were used. For comparisons over time and between states, we compared age-standardized rates. The sociodemographic index (SDI) was used as a marker of socioeconomic conditions. RESULTS: In 2019, 83% of CVD mortality in Brazil was attributable to RF. For SEV, there was a reduction in smoking and environmental RF, but an increase in metabolic RF. High systolic blood pressure and dietary risks continue to be the main RF for CVD mortality and DALY. While there was a decline in age-standardized mortality rates attributable to the evaluated RF, there was also a stability or increase in crude mortality rates, with the exception of smoking. It is important to highlight the increase in the risk of death attributable to a high body mass index. Regarding the analysis per state, SEVs and mortality attributable to RF were higher in those states with lower SDIs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the reduction in CVD mortality and DALY rates attributable to RF, the stability or increase in crude rates attributable to metabolic RFs is worrisome, requiring investments and a renewal of health policies.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact on the behavior of individuals and the organization of health systems. This study analyzed the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on public hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in a large city in Brazil, Belo Horizonte, MG, with approximately 2.5 million inhabitants. METHODS: In a time-series analysis, this study used administrative data from the national “Hospital Information System” from 2010 to February 2020 to estimate the expected number of hospitalizations for CVD by month during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belo Horizonte in 2020 using the Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average model. For CVD, this study compared the expected number of hospital admissions, intensive care use, deaths during hospitalization, and mean length of stay with the observed number during the period. RESULTS: There were 6,517 hospitalizations for CVD from March to December 2020, a decrease of 16.3% (95% CI: 4.7-25.3) compared to the projected. The number of intensive care hospitalizations for CVD fell 24.1% (95% CI 13-32.7). The number of deaths also decreased (17.4% [80% CI: 0 - 0.30]), along with the reduction in hospitalizations, as did the length of stay for CVD hospitalizations. These reductions, however, were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations for CVD were 16.3% lower than expected in a large Brazilian city, possibly due to the fear of getting infected or going to hospitals. Public campaigns informing how to proceed in case of CVD show that prompt urgent attention is essential to mitigate the indirect effects of the pandemic on CVD.

Resumo Fundamento O manejo efetivo de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) é tempo-dependente. Objetivos Avaliar os impactos da implantação do atendimento pré-hospitalar nas taxas de internação e de mortalidade associadas ao IAM. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo e ecológico, que avaliou dados do Sistema Único de Saúde, de todos os 853 municípios de Minas Gerais, de 2008 a 2016. A assimetria excessiva da mortalidade geral e intra-hospitalar por IAM foi suavizada usando o método empírico de Bayes. Este estudo avaliou a relação entre o do Serviço de Atendimento Médico de Urgência (SAMU) em cada município e os seguintes 3 desfechos: taxa de mortalidade geral por IAM, taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar por IAM e taxa de internação por IAM, utilizando o modelo hierárquico de Poisson. As taxas foram corrigidas pela estrutura etária e destendenciadas pela sazonalidade e influências temporais. Foi adotado um intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados As taxas de mortalidade por IAM diminuíram ao longo do estudo, em média 2% por ano, com variação sazonal. A mortalidade intra-hospitalar também apresentou tendência de queda, de 13,81% em 2008 para 11,43% em 2016. A implantação do SAMU foi associada à diminuição da mortalidade por IAM ( odds ratio [OR] = 0,967, IC 95% 0,936 a 0,998) e mortalidade intra-hospitalar por IAM (OR = 0,914, IC 95% 0,845 a 0,986), sem associação significativa com internações (OR 1,003, IC 95% 0,927 a 1,083). Conclusão A implantação do SAMU esteve associada a uma redução modesta, mas significativa, na mortalidade intra-hospitalar. Esse achado reforça o papel fundamental do cuidado pré-hospitalar no cuidado do IAM e a necessidade de investimentos nesse serviço para melhorar os desfechos clínicos em países de baixa e média renda.

Abstract Background The effective management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is time-dependent. Objectives To assess the impacts of the implementation of prehospital care on admission rates and mortality associated with AMI. Methods Retrospective, ecological study, which assessed data from the Brazilian Universal Health System, from all 853 municipalities of Minas Gerais, from 2008 to 2016. Excessive skewness of general and in-hospital mortality rates was smoothed using the empirical Bayes method. This study assessed the relationship between Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) in each municipality and the following 3 outcomes: mortality rate due to AMI, AMI in-hospital mortality, and AMI hospitalization rate, using the Poisson hierarchical model. Rates were corrected by age structure and detrended by seasonality and temporal influences. A confidence interval of 95% was adopted. Results AMI mortality rates decreased throughout the study, on average 2% per year, with seasonal variation. AMI in-hospital mortality also showed a decreasing trend, from 13.81% in 2008 to 11.43% in 2016. SAMU implementation was associated with decreased AMI mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.967, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.936 to 0.998) and AMI in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.914, 95% CI 0.845 to 0.986), with no relation with hospitalizations (OR = 1.003, 95% CI 0.927 to 1.083). Conclusion SAMU implementation was associated with a modest but significant decrease in AMI in-hospital mortality. This finding reinforces the key role of prehospital care in AMI care and the need for investments on this service to improve clinical outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the impact of the new coronavirus disease 2019 on coronary hospitalizations in the Brazilian private health system. METHODS: Data on coronary admissions in 2020 and a 2-year historical series were collected from the UNIMED-BH insurance system. RESULTS: Admission rates in 2020 reduced by 26% (95%CI, 22-30) in comparison with 2018/2019, markedly from March to May (37%) compared to the peak of the pandemic (June-September, 19%). Mortality was higher in 2020 (5.4%, 95%CI 4.5-6.4) than in 2018/2019 (3.6%, 95%CI 3.2-4.1). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant decrease in coronary admissions, with higher mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Cardiac involvement seems to impact prognosis of COVID-19, being more frequent in critically ill patients. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, evaluated by bedside echocardiography (echo), in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: Patients admitted in 2 reference hospitals in Brazil from Jul to Sept/2020 with confirmed COVID-19 and moderate/severe presentations underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation, and focused bedside echo (GE Vivid-IQ), at the earliest convenience, with remote interpretation. The association between demographics, clinical comorbidities and echo variables with all-cause hospital mortality was assessed, and factors significant at p<0.10 were put into multivariable models. RESULTS: Total 163 patients were enrolled, 59% were men, mean age 64±16 years, and 107 (66%) were admitted to intensive care. Comorbidities were present in 144 (88%) patients: hypertension 115 (71%), diabetes 61 (37%) and heart failure 22 (14%). In-hospital mortality was 34% (N=56). In univariate analysis, echo variables significantly associated with death were: LV ejection fraction (LVEF, OR=0.94), RV fractional area change (OR=0.96), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE, OR=0.83) and RV dysfunction (OR=5.3). In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for clinical and demographic variables, independent predictors of mortality were age≥63 years (OR=5.53, 95%CI 1.52-20.17), LVEF<64% (OR=7.37, 95%CI 2.10-25.94) and TAPSE<18.5 mm (OR=9.43, 95% CI 2.57-35.03), and the final model had good discrimination, with C-statistic=0.83 (95%CI 0.75-0.91). CONCLUSION: Markers of RV and LV dysfunction assessed by bedside echo are independent predictors of mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, after adjustment for clinical variables.