OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate angiotensin receptor blocker add-on therapy in patients with low cardiac output during decompensated heart failure. METHODS: We selected patients with decompensated heart failure, low cardiac output, dobutamine dependence, and an ejection fraction <0.45 who were receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The patients were randomized to losartan or placebo and underwent invasive hemodynamic and B-type natriuretic peptide measurements at baseline and on the seventh day after intervention. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01857999. RESULTS: We studied 10 patients in the losartan group and 11 patients in the placebo group. The patient characteristics were as follows: age 52.7 years, ejection fraction 21.3%, dobutamine infusion 8.5 mcg/kg.min, indexed systemic vascular resistance 1918.0 dynes.sec/cm5.m2, cardiac index 2.8 L/min.m2, and B-type natriuretic peptide 1,403 pg/mL. After 7 days of intervention, there was a 37.4% reduction in the B-type natriuretic peptide levels in the losartan group compared with an 11.9% increase in the placebo group (mean difference, -49.1%; 95% confidence interval: -88.1 to -9.8%, p = 0.018). No significant difference was observed in the hemodynamic measurements. CONCLUSION: Short-term add-on therapy with losartan reduced B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients hospitalized for decompensated severe heart failure and low cardiac output with inotrope dependence.

FUNDAMENTO: Durante a descompensação da insuficiência cardíaca, ocorre uma intensa ativação do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona, entretanto, o uso de inibidor da enzima de conversão de angiotensina (IECA) não pode bloqueá-lo completamente. De outro modo, a adição de bloqueador do receptor de angiotensina II (BRA) pode ser útil quando ocorre a dependência de inotrópico. Avaliamos a eficiência da associação BRA-IECA para retirada da dobutamina na insuficiência cardíaca avançada e descompensada. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia da associação de bloqueador do receptor AT1 de angiotensina II ao inibidor de enzima de conversão, para a retirada da dobutamina em pacientes com dependência de suporte inotrópico decorrente da descompensação aguda da insuficiência cardíaca crônica. MÉTODOS: Em um estudo caso-controle (N = 24), selecionamos pacientes internados por descompensação da insuficiência cardíaca e com uso por mais de 15 dias de dobutamina, ou uma ou mais tentativas sem sucesso de retirada; dose otimizada de IECA; e FEVE < 0,45. Os pacientes então receberam adicionalmente BRA (n = 12) ou não (controle, n = 12). O desfecho foi o sucesso na retirada da dobutamina, avaliado pela regressão logística, com p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A fração de ejeção foi de 0,25, e a idade de 53 anos, com dose de dobutamina de 10,7 μg/kg.min. O sucesso na retirada de dobutamina ocorreu em oito pacientes do grupo BRA (67,7%), e em dois no grupo controle (16,7%). A "odds ratio" foi de 10,0 (intervalo de confiança de 95%:1,4 a 69,3; p = 0,02). A piora da função renal foi semelhante (grupo BRA: 42% vs. grupo controle: 67%, p = 0,129). CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo piloto, a associação BRA-IECA foi relacionada ao sucesso na retirada da dobutamina, na insuficiência cardíaca avançada descompesada. A piora da função renal foi semelhante em ambos os grupos. Estudos adicionais são necessários para esclarecer o assunto.

BACKGROUND: During heart failure (HF) decompensation, an intense activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system occurs; however, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) cannot block it completely. Otherwise, the addition of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) can be useful when the inotropic dependence occurs. We evaluated the efficacy of the ARB-ACEI association on dobutamine withdrawal in advanced decompensated HF. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of association angiotensin receptor blocker - angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor to withdraw the intravenous inotropic support in decompensated severe heart failure. METHODS: In a case-control study (N = 24), we selected patients admitted at the hospital due to HF that had been using dobutamine for more than 15 days, with one or more unsuccessful drug withdrawal attempts; optimized dose of ACEI and ejection fraction (EF) < 0.45. Then, the patients additionally received ARB (n=12) or not (control, n=12). The outcome was the successful dobutamine withdrawal, evaluated by logistic regression, with a p < 0.05. RESULTS: The EF was 0.25 and the age was 53 years, with a dobutamine dose of 10.7 μg/kg.min. The successful drug withdrawal was observed in 8 patients from the ARB group (67.7%) and in 2 patients from the control group (16.7%). The odds ratio (OR) was 10.0 (95%CI: 1.4 to 69.3; p = 0.02). The worsening in renal function was similar (ARB group: 42% vs. control group: 67%; p=0.129). CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, the ARB-ACEI association was associated with successful dobutamine withdrawal in advanced decompensated heart failure. The worsening in renal function was similar in both groups. Further studies are necessary to clarify the issue.

FUNDAMENTO: Durante la descompensación de la insuficiencia cardiaca, ocurre una intensa activación del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona, sin embargo, el empleo de inhibidor de la enzima de conversión de angiotensina (IECA) no puede bloquearlo completamente. De otro modo, la adición de bloqueante del receptor de angiotensina II (BRA) puede ser útil cuando ocurre la dependencia de inotrópico. Evaluamos la eficiencia de la asociación BRA-IECA para retirada de la dobutamina en la insuficiencia cardiaca avanzada y descompensada. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia de la asociación de bloqueante del receptor AT1 de angiotensina II al inhibidor de enzima de conversión, para la retirada de la dobutamina en pacientes con dependencia de soporte inotrópico que trascurre de la descompensación aguda de la insuficiencia cardiaca crónica. MÉTODOS: En un estudio caso-control (N = 24), seleccionamos a pacientes internados por descompensación de la insuficiencia cardiaca y con empleo por más de 15 días de dobutamina, o una o más intentos sin éxito de retirada; dosis optimizada de IECA; y FEVI < 0,45. Así que los pacientes recibieron adicionalmente BRA (n = 12) o no (control, n = 12). El desenlace fue el éxito en la retirada de la dobutamina, evaluado por la regresión logística, con p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: La fracción de eyección fue de 0,25, y la edad de 53 años, con dosis de dobutamina de 10,7 μg/kg.min. El éxito en la retirada de dobutamina ocurrió en ocho pacientes del grupo BRA (67,7%), y en dos en el grupo control (16,7%). La "odds ratio" fue de 10,0 (intervalo de confianza de 95%:1,4 a 69,3; p = 0,02). El empeoramiento de la función renal se halló similar (grupo BRA: 42% vs grupo control: 67%, p = 0,129). CONCLUSIÓN: En este estudio piloto, la asociación BRA-IECA se relacionó al éxito en la retirada de la dobutamina, en la insuficiencia cardiaca avanzada descompensada. El empeoramiento de la función renal fue similar en ambos los grupos. Estudios adicionales son necesarios para clarificar el asunto.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of delirium on post-discharge mortality in hospitalized older patients. INTRODUCTION: Delirium is frequent in hospitalized older patients and correlates with high hospital mortality. There are only a few studies about its impact on post-discharge mortality. METHODS: This is a prospective study of patients over 60 years old who were hospitalized in the Geriatric Unit at Hospital das Clínicas of São Paulo between May 2006 and March 2007. Upon admission, demographics, comorbidities, number of drugs taken, and serum albumin concentration were evaluated for each patient. Delirium was diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria. Patients were divided into group A (with delirium) and group B (without delirium). One year after discharge, the patients or their caregivers were contacted to assess days of survival. RESULTS: The sample included 199 patients, 66 (33%) of whom developed delirium (Group A). After one year, 33 (50%) group A patients had died, and 45 (33.8%) group B patients had died (p = 0.03). There was a significant statistical difference in average age (p = 0.001) and immobility (p <0.001) between groups A and B. There were no statistically significant differences between groups A and B in number of drugs taken greater than four (p = 0.62), sex (p = 0.54) and number of diagnoses greater than four (p = 0.21). According to a multivariate analysis, delirium was not an independent predictor of post-discharge mortality. The predictors of post-discharge mortality were age > 80 years (p = 0.029), albumin concentration < 3.5 g/dl (p = 0.001) and immobility (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Delirium is associated with higher post-discharge mortality as a dependent predictor.

OBJETIVO: Estudar o valor prognóstico das variáveis do teste ergométrico em pacientes idosos com doença aterosclerótica coronariana e isquemia induzida pelo esforço. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 64 pacientes idosos (61 homens, idade de 73 ± 5 anos) com doença aterosclerótica coronariana, comprovada por coronariografia, clinicamente estável, fração de ejeção de ventrículo esquerdo maior ou igual a 0,40 e isquemia miocárdica durante o teste ergométrico. A cada seis meses, os pacientes foram avaliados para eventos cardíacos (morte, infarto do miocárdio, angina instável, angioplastia e revascularização do miocárdio). RESULTADOS: Após seguimento médio de 48 meses, 23 (36%) pacientes sofreram eventos cardíacos. Não houve diferença clínica e angiográfica entre os pacientes que sofreram o evento e os que não o sofreram. Pela análise multivariada, a presença de dor precordial durante o teste ergométrico (risco relativo de 2,668 e p = 0,031) e a freqüência cardíaca no início da isquemia (risco relativo de 0,966 e p = 0,009) foram associadas a eventos cardíacos. CONCLUSÃO: Nessa população idosa, a presença de dor precordial durante o teste ergométrico e a freqüência cardíaca no início da isquemia foram associadas a eventos cardíacos. Essas variáveis podem ser úteis para avaliação do risco de pacientes com doença aterosclerótica coronariana estável.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic value of exercise stress test variables in elderly patients with coronary atherosclerosis and exercise-induced ischemia. METHODS: Sixty-four elderly patients (61 men, 73 ± 5 years old) with coronary atherosclerosis, verified by cardiac catheterization, that were clinically stable, had a left ventricle ejection fraction greater than or equal to 0.40 and developed myocardial ischemia during the exercise stress test were studied. The patients were evaluated every six months for cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, angioplasty and myocardial revascularization). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of 48 months, 23 (36%) patients suffered cardiac events. There was no clinical or angiographical differences among the patients that suffered cardiac events and those that did not. Using multivariate analysis, the presence of chest pain during the exercise stress test (relative risk 2.668, p = 0.031) and the heart rate at the onset of ischemia (relative risk 0.966, p = 0.009) were associated with cardiac events. CONCLUSION: In this elderly population, the presence of chest pain during the exercise stress test and the heart rate at the onset of ischemia were associated with cardiac events. These variables could be useful for risk evaluation in patients with stable coronary atherosclerosis.

Os microorganismos do grupo HACEK (Haemophilus spp, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens e Kingella kingae) são responsáveis por 3% dos casos de endocardites. Eles apresentam propriedades clínicas e microbiológicas semelhantes entre si: são bacilos gram-negativos, isolados mais facilmente em meios aeróbicos, suas culturas necessitam de tempo prolongado de incubação para crescimento (média 3,3 dias) e podem ser considerados como parte da flora normal do trato respiratório superior e da orofaringe1,2. Algumas características foram identificadas nas endocardites por esses agentes, como o quadro clínico insidioso¹, diagnóstico difícil pela natureza fastidiosa e culturas negativas3,4. A endocardite por Eikenella corrodens foi descrita pela primeira vez em 1972(5) e continua sendo um agente etiológico raro. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente com valva nativa que apresentou endocardite infecciosa causada por Eikenella corrodens.

The HACEK microorganisms (Haemophilus spp, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella kingae) account for 3% of the cases of endocarditis. They have the following similar clinical and microbiological properties: are Gram-negative bacilli, more easily isolated in aerobic media; their cultures require prolonged incubation time for growing (mean, 3.3 days); and may be considered part of normal flora of upper respiratory tract and oropharynx1,2. The following characteristics have been identified in endocarditis caused by the HACEK microorganisms: insidious clinical findings¹; difficult diagnosis due to the fastidious nature of the microorganisms; and negative cultures3,4. The Eikenella corrodens endocarditis was first described in 1972(5). That microorganism continues to be a rare etiological agent. We report the case of a female patient with native valve, who had Eikenella corrodens infective endocarditis.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre a evolução do desempenho cognitivo e o prognóstico de idosos após compensação de insuficiência cardíaca avançada. MÉTODOS: Selecionados, consecutivamente, 31 pacientes internados com insuficiência cardíaca classe IV da New York Heart Association, com idade > 64 anos (68 ±7) e fração de ejeção < 0,45 (0,38 ± 0,06). Submetidos a testes cognitivos (digit span, digit symbol, letter cancellation, trail making A e B) e teste de caminhada de 6min, 4 dias antes da alta (T1) e 6 semanas após (T2), cujos desempenhos foram comparados pelo teste T. O valor prognóstico dos escores dos testes cognitivos foram analisados pela regressão logística e o valor de maior acurácia dos testes associado com o prognóstico determinado pela ROC curve. RESULTADOS: Após 24,7 meses, 17 (55%) pacientes faleceram. Os desempenhos ao teste de caminhada e maioria dos testes cognitivos melhoraram entre T1 e T2. O escore do digit span entre os sobreviventes variou de 3,9 para 5,2 (p=0,003), permanecendo inalterado entre os que faleceram (4,1para 3,9; p=0,496). Melhora < 0,75 pontos no escore foi associada à mortalidade (risco relativo de 8,1; p=0,011). CONCLUSÃO: Em idosos, após a compensação de insuficiência cardíaca avançada, a ausência de melhora evolutiva do desempenho cognitivo foi associada a pior prognóstico.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between the evolution of cognitive performance and the prognosis of elderly patients after compensation of advanced heart failure. METHODS: Thirty-one patients older than 64 (68 ± 7) years and admitted with New York Heart Association class IV heart failure and ejection fraction = 0.45 (0.38 ± 0.06) were consecutively selected. They underwent cognitive tests (digit span, digit symbol, letter cancellation, trail making A and B) and the 6-minute walking test 4 days before (T1) and 6 weeks after (T2) hospital discharge, and their performances were compared using the t test. The prognostic value of the scores of the cognitive tests was analyzed with logistic regression, and the value of greatest accuracy of the tests was associated with the prognosis determined by the ROC curve. RESULTS: After 24.7 months, 17 (55%) patients had died. The performances in the 6-minute walking test and most cognitive tests improved between T1 and T2. The digit span score of the survivors ranged from 3.9 to 5.2 (P=0.003) and remained unaltered among those who died (4.1 to 3.9; P=0.496). An improvement < 0.75 points in the score was associated with mortality (relative risk of 8.1; P=0.011). CONCLUSION: In the elderly, after compensation of advanced heart failure, the lack of evolutionary improvement in cognitive performance was associated with a worse prognosis.