Abstract INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious pulmonary circulation disease caused by several etiologies, including schistosomiasis. The present study retrospectively evaluated the clinical and hemodynamic characteristics of patients with schistosomal PAH (PAH-Sch) compared to those of non-Sch PAH patients (non-Sch PAH). METHODS: Patients treated at the Pronto-Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco and diagnosed by right cardiac catheterization were divided into PAH-Sch and non-Sch PAH groups. Their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and echocardiography and hemodynamic parameters were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Among the included 98 patients (mean age, 45 ± 14 years; 68 women [69.4%]), we found 56 PAH-Sch and 42 non-Sch PAH. The age distribution was heterogeneous in the PAH-Sch group, with patients predominantly ranging from 50-59 (p <0.004). Dyspnea was the most common symptom, reported by 92 patients (93.8%), and commonly present for over two years prior to diagnosis. Clinical symptoms were similar in both groups, with no differences in functional class, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (p = 0.102), 6-minute walk test score (p = 0.234), NT-proBNP serum levels (p = 0.081), or hemodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PAH-Sch present clinical, laboratory, and hemodynamic profiles similar to those with PAH resulting from other etiologies of poor prognosis. PAH is an important manifestation of schistosomiasis in endemic regions that is often diagnosed late.

Resumo Fundamento: A oclusão percutânea do apêndice atrial esquerdo (OAAE) é uma alternativa eficaz à anticoagulação oral (ACO) para a prevenção de acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) em pacientes com fibrilação atrial não-valvular (FANV). Objetivo: Apresentar os resultados imediatos e o seguimento tardio de pacientes submetidos a OAAE e incluídos no Registro Brasileiro de Oclusão Percutânea do Apêndice Atrial Esquerdo. Métodos: 91 pacientes com FANV, alto risco de AVC (escore CHA2DS2VASc = 4,5 ± 1,5) e restrição à AO (escore HAS-BLED = 3,6 ± 1,0) foram submetidos a 92 procedimentos de OAAE com as próteses Amplatzer Cardiac Plug e Watchman em 11 centros do Brasil, entre o final de 2010 e a metade de 2016. Resultados: Utilizaram-se 96 próteses no total (1,04 próteses/procedimento, incluindo-se o uso de 1 prótese não-dedicada adicional em um dos casos), obtendo-se sucesso em 97,8% dos procedimentos. Realizaram-se procedimentos associados à OAAE em 8,7% dos pacientes. Observou-se oclusão total do AAE em 93,3% dos casos com sucesso, e nos casos de oclusão incompleta, nenhum leak foi > 2,5 mm. Um paciente necessitou do implante simultâneo de 2 próteses. Houve 7 complicações maiores periprocedimento (5 derrames pericárdicos necessitando pericardiocentese, 1 embolização da prótese não-dedicada e 1 embolia aérea coronariana sem sequelas) e 4 menores. No seguimento de 128,6 pacientes-ano, houve 3 óbitos não relacionados ao procedimento, 2 sangramentos maiores (um deles em um dos casos de insucesso da OAAE), formação de trombo sobre a prótese em 2 casos (tratados com sucesso com reinstituição da ACO por 3 meses), e 2 AVCs (2,2%). Conclusões: Neste registro multicêntrico de mundo real, que incluiu pacientes com FANV e alto risco de sangramento e de eventos tromboembólicos, a OAAE foi eficaz na prevenção de AVC e sangramento quando comparada às taxas de AVC previstas pelos escores CHA2DS2VASc e HASBLED para esta população. O índice de complicações do procedimento foi aceitável, considerando se tratar do início da curva de aprendizado da maioria dos operadores envolvidos.

Abstract Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an effective alternative to oral anticoagulation (OA) for the prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Objective: To present the immediate results and late outcomes of patients submitted to LAAC and included in the Brazilian Registry of Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure. Methods: 91 patients with NVAF, high stroke risk (CHA2DS2VASc score = 4.5 ± 1.5) and restrictions to OAC (HAS-BLED score = 3.6 ± 1.0) underwent 92 LAAC procedures using either the Amplatzer cardiac plug or the Watchman device in 11 centers in Brazil, between late 2010 and mid 2016. Results: Ninety-six devices were used (1.04 device/procedure, including an additional non-dedicated device), with a procedural success rate of 97.8%. Associated procedures were performed in 8.7% of the patients. Complete LAAC was obtained in 93.3% of the successful cases. In cases of incomplete closure, no residual leak was larger than 2.5 mm. One patient needed simultaneous implantation of 2 devices. There were 7 periprocedural major (5 pericardial effusions requiring pericardiocentesis, 1 non-dedicated device embolization and 1 coronary air embolism without sequelae) and 4 minor complications. After 128.6 patient-years of follow-up there were 3 deaths unrelated to the procedure, 2 major bleedings (one of them in a patient with an unsuccessful LAAC), thrombus formation over the device in 2 cases (both resolved after resuming OAC for 3 months) and 2 strokes (2.2%). Conclusions: In this multicenter, real world registry, that included patients with NVAF and high thromboembolic and bleeding risks, LAAC effectively prevented stroke and bleeding when compared to the expected rates based on CHA2DS2VASc and HASBLED scores for this population. Complications rate of the procedure was acceptable considering the beginning of the learning curve of most of the involved operators.