Resumo Fundamento A ventriculografia esquerda é um método invasivo para avaliar a função sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo. Depois do advento de métodos não invasivos, o seu uso tem sido questionado por resultar em algum risco para o paciente. Objetivos Avaliar quais fatores associam-se independentemente com a decisão de realizar ventriculografia em pacientes com doença arterial coronariana. Métodos Tratou-se de um estudo analítico, retrospectivo, avaliando prontuários eletrônicos e banco de dados e comparando 21 variáveis de interesse pré-definidas entre pacientes submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia. Foi considerado significante p < 0,05. Resultados Avaliamos 600 pacientes consecutivos, e a ventriculografia esquerda foi realizada na maioria dos pacientes submetidos a uma cineangiocoronariografia (54%). Depois da análise multivariada, os pacientes com síndromes coronarianas crônicas ( odds ratio [OR] 1,72; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC 95%]: 1,20–2,46; p < 0,01) tiveram maior chance de serem submetidos ao procedimento. Os pacientes com função ventricular conhecida (OR = 0,58; IC 95%: 0,40–0,85; p < 0,01), os revascularizados (OR 0,31; IC 95% 0,14–0,69; p < 0,01), os hipertensos (OR 0,58; IC 95%: 0,36–0,94; p = 0,02) e aqueles com maiores valores de creatinina (OR 0,42; IC 95% 0,26–0,69; p < 0,01) tiveram maior chance de não realizar ventriculografia. Conclusões Nos pacientes submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia, o diagnóstico de síndrome coronariana crônica associou-se de modo independente com uma maior realização da técnica, enquanto ter a função ventricular previamente conhecida, ser hipertenso, ter sido submetido a revascularização cirúrgica prévia e ter valores de creatinina mais elevados associaram-se a uma maior chance de não realizar o método.

Abstract Background Left ventriculography is an invasive method for assessment of left ventricular systolic function. Since the advent of noninvasive methods, its use has been questioned, as it carries some risk to the patient. Objective To assess which factors are independently associated with the decision to perform ventriculography in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods Analytical, retrospective, database review study of electronic medical records comparing 21 predefined variables of interest among patients undergoing coronary angiography. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. Results We evaluated 600 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Left ventriculography was performed in the majority of cases (54%). After multivariate analysis, patients with chronic coronary syndrome (OR 1.72; 95% CI: 1.20–2.46; p < 0.01) were more likely to undergo the procedure. Patients with known ventricular function (OR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.40–0.85; p < 0.01); those with a history of CABG (OR 0.31; 95% CI: 0.14–0.69; p < 0.01) or hypertension (OR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.36–0.94; p = 0.02); and those with higher creatinine levels (OR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26–0.69; p < 0.01) had greater odds of not undergoing ventriculography. Conclusions In patients undergoing coronary angiography, a diagnosis of chronic coronary syndrome was independently associated with greater likelihood of left ventriculography, while having previously determined ventricular function, a history of hypertension or CABG, and higher creatinine levels were associated with a decreased likelihood of undergoing this procedure.

Paciente com 45 anos de idade, do sexo feminino, testemunha de Jeová, portadora de síndrome de Lutembacher, com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC) grau funcional IV da New York Heart Association (NYHA) e desnutrição grave. O ecocardiograma revelou comunicação interatrial tipo ostium secundum, com 38 mm de diâmetro; área valva mitral de 0,5 cm², com escore de Wilkins de 10; hipertensão pulmonar grave, com pressão sistólica estimada em 96 mmHg; ventrículo direito com significativa dilatação e disfunção grave; e insuficiência valvar tricúspide grave. Apesar do tratamento clínico otimizado, não houve melhora do quadro de ICC nem do estado geral, motivando a mudança da conduta de tratamento cirúrgico inicial para tratamento em dois tempos, primeiramente por meio de valvotomia mitral por balão, como ponte para a cirurgia. A área valvar mitral pós-procedimento aumentou para 1,34 cm². A paciente evoluiu com significativa melhora clínica, sendo realizada cirurgia 120 dias após, com substituição da válvula mitral por uma prótese mecânica e atriosseptoplastia com patch de pericárdio bovino, além de cerclagem da válvula tricúspide. A alta hospitalar ocorreu 11 dias após a cirurgia. Atualmente, encontra-se no sexto mês pós-procedimento cirúrgico, evoluindo com estabilidade clínica e melhora da qualidade de vida.

A 45-year-old female patient, Jehovah's Witness, was diagnosed with Lutembacher syndrome, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV congestive heart failure (CHF) and severe malnutrition. Echocardiogram showed an ostium secundum atrial septal defect, 38 mm in diameter, mitral valve area of 0.5 cm², Wilkins score of 10, severe pulmonary hypertension, estimated systolic pressure of 96 mmHg, right ventricle with significant dilation and severe dysfunction and severe tricuspid valve insufficiency. Despite optimal clinical treatment, there was no improvement of CHF or the patient's overall condition, which led to a change in the initial conduct of surgical treatment to a two-stage therapy, starting with balloon mitral valvotomy, as a bridge to surgery. Postoperative mitral valve area increased to 1.34 cm². The patient evolved with significant clinical improvement, and surgery was performed 120 days later with mitral valve replacement by a mechanical valve and atrioseptoplasty using a bovine pericardial patch in addition to tricuspid valve cerclage. Patient was discharged 11 days after the surgery and is currently on the sixth postoperative month, evolving with clinical stability and improvement in quality of life.

INTRODUÇÃO: Aproximadamente 90% dos pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) recebem enxerto de artéria torácica interna esquerda. A ocorrência de estenose da artéria subclávia esquerda pode resultar em falência do enxerto por limitação de fluxo coronário. A prevalência de estenose da artéria subclávia esquerda em pacientes com aterosclerose coronária grave, considerados candidatos a CRM, não é conhecida. OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência e a eficácia da avaliação clínica para diagnosticar a estenose da artéria subclávia esquerda em candidatos a CRM. MÉTODO: Em um registro multicêntrico, realizouse angiografia seletiva da artéria subclávia esquerda em pacientes com indicação de CRM na ocasião da cinecoronariografia. Estenoses maiores ou iguais a 50% antes da origem da artéria torácica interna foram consideradas significativas. RESULTADOS: Dos 205 pacientes estudados, 16 (7,8%) apresentavam estenose significativa da artéria subclávia esquerda. A medida da pressão arterial não-invasiva diferencial entre os membros superiores > 10 mmHg teve baixa sensibilidade (37,5%) e baixo valor preditivo positivo (13,3%) para a identificação da estenose. Não foram identificados preditores clínicos de estenose da artéria subclávia pela análise univariada. CONCLUSÃO: Estenose da artéria subclávia esquerda não é incomum em pacientes com indicação de CRM. O gradiente de pressão entre os membros superiores é um método diagnóstico insuficiente. Portanto, em pacientes candidatos a CRM, a realização de arteriografia seletiva da artéria subclávia esquerda deve ser considerada, pelo risco de comprometimento de fluxo e síndrome do roubo coronário-subclávio em pacientes com estenose da subclávia não diagnosticada que recebem enxerto de artéria torácica interna esquerda.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 90% of the patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) receive a left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft. Stenosis of the left subclavian artery can result in graft failure due to restricted coronary flow. The prevalence of stenosis of the left subclavian artery in patients with severe coronary atherosclerosis, deemed candidates to CABG, is not known. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of stenosis of left subclavian artery in CABG candidates, as well as the diagnostic effectiveness of clinical evaluation. METHODS: In a multicenter registry, selective angiography of the left subclavian artery was carried out in patients considered candidates to CABG during coronary cineangiography. Stenoses > 50% proximal to the origin of the LITA were considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients were included. Significant stenosis of the left subclavian artery was observed in 16 (7.8%) patients. Noninvasive differential arterial blood pressure measurement > 10 mmHg between both arms showed low sensitivity (37.5%) and low positive predictive value (13.3%) for stenosis identification. No clinical predictors of significant stenosis were identified by univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Stenosis of the left subclavian artery is not uncommon in CABG candidates. Noninvasive blood pressure gradient between both arms has low diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, in patients candidates to CABG, selective angiography of the left subclavian artery should be considered, because of the risk of reduced flow and coronary-subclavian steal syndrome in patients with non-diagnosed stenosis of the subclavian artery who receive a LITA graft.

Paciente de 21 anos de idade, com história de dispnéia progressiva aos esforços, fadiga e desconforto torácico leve, mal caracterizado, há aproximadamente um ano, com piora nos últimos trinta dias, quando evoluiu para dispnéia aos mínimos esforços, dispnéia paroxística noturna e ortopnéia. Negava passado de febre reumática e de faringite de repetição. Ecocardiografia transesofágica evidenciou acentuado aneurisma subvalvar em ventrículo esquerdo com regurgitação mitral grave, sem imagens sugestivas de trombo em seu interior. Cineangiocoronariografia realizada a seguir evidenciou estenose dinâmica de até 75% do tronco coronariano esquerdo, artéria descendente anterior em comunicação com estrutura aneurismática trombosada em sua porção inicial e artéria circunflexa com estenose de 75% a 90%, atribuída a compressão extrínseca ocasionada pelo próprio aneurisma subvalvar. Indicado procedimento cirúrgico, negado pela paciente e por seus familiares. A paciente faleceu depois de trinta dias.

A 21-year-old woman with a history of progressive exertion dyspnea, fatigue and mild chest pain lasting 1 year and worsening 1 month before progressing quickly for minimum effort dyspnea, orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. She denied past of rheumatic fever and repeated pharyngitis. Transesophageal echocardiogram (ETE) evidenced an important subvalvar aneurysm in the left ventricle with severe mitral regurgitation, without suggestive images of thrombus in its interior. A coronary showed dynamic narrowing of up to 75% of the left main coronary artery (LMCA), the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in communication with aneurysm structure with thrombus in its initial portion and circumflex artery (Cx) with narrowing of 75-90% that was attributed to an extrinsic compression caused by the above mentioned subvalvar aneurysm. A surgical procedure was indicated but was refused, both by the patient and by her family; such refusal evolved into death 30 days after.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of coronary interventions performed through the radial artery. METHODS: We studied 103 patients with ages from 38 to 86 years (57±8.7), 90 (87%) males, and: radial pulse with a good amplitude, presence of ulnar pulse, a good collateral flow through the palmar arch assessed with the Allen's test. RESULTS: The vascular approach was obtained in 97 (94%) patients, 88 (91%) treated electively and 9 (9%) during acute myocardial infarction, for primary angioplasty; 56 (64%) unstable angina; 22 (25%) stable angina; 10 (11%) were asymptomatic, 6 referred for recanalization of chronic occlusion and 4 silent ischemia in the first week after acute myocardial infarction. We approached 107 arteries: anterior descending artery, 49 (46%); right coronary artery, 27 (25%); circumflex artery, 25 (23%); diagonal artery, 6 (6%); and 2 saphenous vein bypass grafts. We treated 129 lesions: 80 (62%) B2 type; 23 (18%) B1 type; 17 (13%) C type; and 9 (7%). A type. There were 70 stents , and 59 balloon angioplasties performed. Thirty-two (33%) patients used GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The mean duration of the elective procedure was 42.3±12.8 min. Success, correct stent deployment and residual lesion <20%, was reached in 100% of the lesions treated with stent implantation; arterial dilation with residual lesion <50% was obtained in 96% of the lesions treated with transluminal coronary angioplasty (TCA). Complications, were: 1 (1.0%) non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction; 2 (2%) hematomas in the forearm; and 2 losses of radial pulse. CONCLUSION: Radial artery aproach is practical and safe for percutaneous coronary interventions there was a low incidence of complications.

OBJECTIVE: To identifity characteristics associated with complications during pregnancy and puerperium in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. METHODS: Forty-one pregnant women (forty-five pregnancies) with mitral stenosis, followed-up from 1991 to 1999 were retrospectively evaluated. Predictor variables: the mitral valve area (MVA), measured by echocardiogram, and functional class (FC) before pregnancy (NYHA criteria).Maternal events: progression of heart failure, need for cardiac surgery or balloon mitral valvulotomy, death, and thromboembolism. Fetal/neonatal events: abortion, fetal or neonatal death, prematurity or low birth weight (<2,500g), and extended stay in the nursery or hospitalization in newborn ICU. RESULTS: The mean ± SD of age of the patients was 28.8±4.6 years. The eventful and uneventful patients were similar in age and percentage of first pregnancies. As compared with the level 1 MVA, the relative risk (RR) of maternal events was 5.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) =0.8-39.7) for level 2 MVA and 11.4 (95% CI=1.7-74.5) for level 3 MVA. The prepregnancy FC (FC > or = II and III versus I) was also associated with a risk for maternal events (RR=2.7; 95% CI=1.4-5.3).MVA and FC were not importantly associated with these events, although a smaller frequency of fetal/neonatal events was observed in patients who had undergone balloon valvulotomy. CONCLUSION: In pregnant women with mitral stenosis, the MVA and the FC are strongly associated with maternal complications but are not associated with fetal/neonatal events. Balloon mitral valvulotomy could have contributed to reducing the risks of fetal/neonatal events in the more symptomatic patients who had to undergo this procedure during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety and efficacy of coronary angioplasty with stent implantation in unstable coronary syndromes. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of in-hospital and late evolution of 74 patients with unstable coronary syndromes (unstable angina or infarction without elevation of the ST segment) undergoing coronary angioplasty with stent placement. These 74 patients were compared with 31 patients with stable coronary syndromes (stable angina or stable silent ischemia) undergoing the same procedure. RESULTS: No death and no need for revascularization of the culprit artery occurred in the in-hospital phase. The incidences of acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction were 1.4% and 3.2% (p=0.6) in the unstable and stable coronary syndrome groups, respectively. In the late follow-up (11.2±7.5 months), the incidences of these events combined were 5.7% in the unstable coronary syndrome group and 6.9% (p=0.8) in the stable coronary syndrome group. In the multivariate analysis, the only variable with a tendency to significance as an event predictor was diabetes mellitus (p=0.07; OR=5.2; 95% CI=0.9-29.9). CONCLUSION: The in-hospital and late evolutions of patients with unstable coronary syndrome undergoing angioplasty with intracoronary stent implantation are similar to those of the stable coronary syndrome group, suggesting that this procedure is safe and efficacious when performed in unstable coronary syndrome patients.

Foram estudados os resultados precoces do uso do enxerto livre de artéria radial (AR) para a revascularização do miocárdio em 20 pacientes operados no período de maio a novembro de 1996. Pertenciam ao sexo masculino 16 (80%) com média de idades de 57,1 anos (35 a 69). Foi utilizada a esternotomia mediana com o auxílio da circulação extracorpórea e a cardioplegia sangüínea intermitente em todos os casos. A AR foi retirada do membro superior não dominante e utilizada como parte aorto-coronária em 100% dos casos. Foi realizado um total de 64 enxertos, com média de 3,2 por pacientes (2 a 5). A AR foi anastomosada ao ramo diagonal 9 (45%) vezes, ao ramo marginal esquerdo da artéria circunflexa 6 (30%), à coronária direita 4 (20%) e ao ramo interventricular anterior 1 (5%). A artéria torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) foi utilizada em 100% dos pacientes, a artéria torácica interna direita (ATID) em 7 (35%), e a veia safena em 13 (65%). O diltiazen oral foi utilizado no período per-operatório para a prevenção do espasmo arterial. Não houve mortalidade hospitalar ou durante o seguimento de até 10 meses. Foi realizado estudo cineangiocoronáriográfico no período pós-operatório imediato em 17 (85%) pacientes, que mostrou fluxo normal na AR em 16 (94,1%). Não houve seqüelas no membro superior do doador. Os resultados observados são semelhantes aos obtidos com a revascularização do miocárdio pelas técnicas usuais no Serviço, sem incremento na morbimortalidade precoce. A normalidade precoce do enxerto de artéria radial mostrou-se comparável ao da artéria torácica interna esquerda, coincidindo com os recentes relatos da técnica.

Twenty patients underwent myocardial revascularization with a radial artery (RA) between May and November 1996. The mean age was 57.1 years (35 to 69) and 16 patients (80%) were male. Midsternotomy, extracorporeal circulation and antegrade blood cardioplegia were always used. A total of 64 grafts, 3.2 per patient (2 to 5), were performed: in 9 patients (45%) to the diagonal branch, in 6 (30%) to the obtuse marginal branch, in 4 (20%) to the right coronary artery and 1(5%) to the left anterior descending artery. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was also used in every patient, the right IMA in 7 (35%) and additional saphenous vein grafts in another 13 (65%). Calcium channel blockers were used orally to prevent RA spasm. There were no hospital deaths nor during follow up of 10 months. Seventeen immediate coronary angiographies have been performed. RA grafts were patent in 16 (94.1%). There was no ischemic sequelae of the superior limb secondary to graft harvesting. Our results are similar to many other recent published series, and no morbidity or mortality increase has been noticed with RA used for Coronary artery bypass grafting.

Foram analisados 135 pacientes levados a cirurgia do aparelho valvar, com idade inferior a quinze anos, no período de 11 anos (fevereiro de 1975 a fevereiro de 1986). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o tipo de cirurgia realizada. No grupo I, formado por 60 crianças, foi preservado o aparelho valvar por técnicas cirúrgicas reparadoras da anatomia e função valvar. Tivemos uma mortalidade cirúrgica de 7%, 34% estão sem seguimento. Dos pacientes acompanhados, 72% encontram-se assintomáticos, ou pouco sintomáticos; 2 pacientes (5%) foram a óbito tardio e 22% foram reoperados para implante de prótese. No grupo II, 75 pacientes foram levados a cirurgia, para implante de prótese. A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 12% e 13 pacientes (20%) estão sem seguimento. Dos pacientes acompanhados, 71 % estão assintomáticos, ou pouco sintomáticos; 4% voltaram a apresentar sintomas; 13% (7 pacientes) foram a óbito tardio e 23% (12 pacientes) foram reoperados. À análise mais detalhada dos dois grupos, as mortalidades hospitalar e tardia nos induzem a concluir que se deve fazer todo o empenho na preservação do aparelho valvar lesado. O baixo nível sócio-econômico, responsável pela baixa faixa etária em que são atingidos os pacientes em suas lesões valvares, é também responsável pela extrema dificuldade em se manter o acompanhamento clínico pós-operatório.

Valvular surgery was performed in 135 patients under the age of 15 years during the period between February 1975 and February 1986. They are devided in two groups: group I) plastic repair, 60 patients; group II) prosthetic surgery, 75 patients. In group I hospital mortality was 7%. Were lost to follow-up 34% of the survivors. Among the patients under control, 72% have no symptoms. 5% died and 22% have had another surgery for prosthesis placement. In group II hospital mortality was 12% and 20% of survivors were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining patients, 71 % have no, or few symptoms, 4% are symptomatic and not doing well; 13% have died and 23% have had a second operation. In conclusion, we think that every effort should be made to preserve native valves in this young group of patients.