Abstract Background: Galectin-3 is the designation given to the protein that binds to ß-galactosides, expressed by activated macrophages and described as a cardiac fibrosis mediator. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), myocardial fibrosis is an independent predictor of adverse outcome; however, the association between Galectin-3 and myocardial fibrosis has not been studied in this cardiopathy. Objective: To evaluate the association of Galectin-3 and the presence of myocardial fibrosis in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Galectin-3 was measured in automated equipment using the Elisa technique in 100 participants divided into two groups: 50 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 50 healthy control subjects. All patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy underwent magnetic nuclear resonance with the late enhancement technique to investigate myocardial fibrosis. For the statistical analysis, p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Galectin-3 levels were low and did not show significant differences between patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the control group, 10.3 ± 3.1 ng/dL and 11.3 ± 2.6 ng/dL (p = 0.12) respectively. Myocardial fibrosis was a common finding and was identified in 84% (42/50) of patients with HCM, but no differences were observed between Galectin-3 levels when comparing patients with and without fibrosis, 10.3 ± 2.4 ng/dL and 10.1 ± 2.1 ng/dL (p = 0.59). Conclusion: The results did not show an association between Galectin-3 and myocardial fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggesting that non-inflammatory mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis formation and cardiac remodeling are involved in this cardiopathy.

Fundamento:A doença de Chagas é uma causa de miocardiopatia dilatada, sendo ainda pouco conhecida a função do átrio esquerdo (AE) nessa doença.Objetivo:Avaliar as diferenças nas funções do AE (reservatório, conduto e bomba) e sua correlação com os parâmetros ecocardiográficos das funções sistólica e diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo (VE).Método:10 controles (GC) e os seguintes pacientes com doença de Chagas: 26 com a forma indeterminada (GI); 30 com alterações eletrocardiográficas (GII); e 19 com disfunção de VE (GIII). Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a ecocardiografia bidimensional e em modo M, Doppler pulsado e Doppler tecidual.Resultados:Função de reservatório (fração de esvaziamento total: FET) (p < 0,0001), mais baixa no GIII do que no GC (p = 0,003), GI (p < 0,001) e GII (p < 0,001). Função de conduto (fração de esvaziamento passivo: FEP) (p = 0,004), mais baixa no GIII (GIII e GC, p = 0.06; GI e GII, p = 0.06; e GII e GIII, p = 0,07). Função de bomba (fração de esvaziamento ativo: FEA) (p = 0,0001), mais baixa no GIII do que no CG (p = 0,05), GI (p<0,0001) e GII (p = 0,002). Observou-se uma correlação negativa entre E/e’média e as funções de reservatório e de bomba (FET e FEA), e uma correlação positiva entre as ondas e’média e s’ (paredes septal e lateral) e as funções de reservatório, conduto e bomba.Conclusão:Observou-se comprometimento das funções do AE na miocardiopatia chagásica.

Background:Chagas disease is a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, and information about left atrial (LA) function in this disease still lacks.Objective:To assess the different LA functions (reservoir, conduit and pump functions) and their correlation with the echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions.Methods:10 control subjects (CG), and patients with Chagas disease as follows: 26 with the indeterminate form (GI); 30 with ECG alterations (GII); and 19 with LV dysfunction (GIII). All patients underwent M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, pulsed-wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging.Results:Reservoir function (Total Emptying Fraction: TEF): (p <0.0001), lower in GIII as compared to CG (p = 0.003), GI (p <0.001) and GII (p <0.001). Conduit function (Passive Emptying Fraction: PEF): (p = 0.004), lower in GIII (GIII and CG, p = 0.06; GI and GII, p = 0.06; and GII and GIII, p = 0.07). Pump function (Active Emptying Fraction: AEF): (p = 0.0001), lower in GIII as compared to CG (p = 0.05), GI (p<0.0001) and GII (p = 0.002). There was a negative correlation of E/e’average with the reservoir and pump functions (TEF and AEF), and a positive correlation of e’average with s’ wave (both septal and lateral walls) and the reservoir, conduit and pump LA functions.Conclusion:An impairment of LA functions in Chagas cardiomyopathy was observed.

FUNDAMENTO: O NT pro-BNP é marcador de disfunção sistólica e diastólica. OBJETIVO: Determinar os níveis de NT pro-BNP em pacientes com cardiopatia chagásica, hipertrófica, restritiva e afecções pericárdicas, e sua relação com medidas ecocardiográficas de disfunção sistólica e diastólica. MÉTODOS: Cento e quarenta e cinco pacientes foram divididos nos respectivos grupos: 1) cardiopatia chagásica (CCh) - 14 pacientes; 2) miocardiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) - 71 pacientes; 3) endomiocardiofibrose (EMF) - 26 pacientes; 4) derrame pericárdico (DP) - 18 pacientes; 5) e pericardite constritiva (PC) - 16 pacientes. Foi constituído um grupo-controle de 40 indivíduos sem doença cardíaca. O grau de acometimento miocárdico e o derrame pericárdico foram avaliados pelo ecocardiograma bidimensional e a restrição pelo Doppler pulsátil do fluxo mitral. O diagnóstico de PC foi confirmado por meio da ressonância magnética. Os níveis de NT pro-BNP foram medidos por imunoensaio com detecção por eletroquimioluminescência. RESULTADOS: O NT pro-BNP esteve aumentado (p < 0,001) na CCh (mediana 513,8 pg/ml), CMH (mediana 848 pg/ml), EMF (mediana 633 pg/ml), PC (mediana 568 pg/ml), DP (mediana 124 pg/ml), quando comparados ao grupo-controle (mediana 28 pg/ml). Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre PC e EMF (p = 0,14). No grupo hipertrófico, o NT pro-BNP correlacionou-se com tamanho de átrio esquerdo (r = 0,40; p < 0,001) e relação E/Ea (p < 0,01). No grupo restritivo, houve uma tendência de correlação com pico de velocidade de onda E (r = 0,439; p = 0,06). CONCLUSÃO: O NT pro-BNP encontra-se aumentado nas diversas miocardiopatias e afecções pericárdicas, e apresenta relação com o grau de disfunção sistólica e diastólica.

BACKGROUND: NT pro-BNP is a marker of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To determine NT pro-BNP levels in patients with chagasic, hypertrophic, and restrictive heart diseases, as well as with pericardial diseases, and their relation to echocardiographic measurements of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 145 patients were divided into the following groups: 1) Chagas' heart disease (CHD) - 14 patients; 2) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - 71 patients; 3) endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) - 26 patients; 4) pericardial effusion (PE) - 18 patients; and 5) constrictive pericarditis (CP) - 16 patients. The control group was comprised of 40 individuals with no heart disease. The degree of myocardial impairment and pericardial effusion were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography and the degree of restriction by pulsed Doppler transmitral flow. The diagnosis of CP was confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging. NT pro-BNP levels were determined through electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: NT pro-BNP was increased (p < 0.001) in CHD (median = 513.8 pg/ml), HCM (median = 848 pg/ml), EMF (median = 633 pg/ml), CP (median = 568 pg/ml), and PE (median = 124 pg/ml), when compared with the control group (median = 28 pg/ml). No statistically significant differences were found between CP and EMF (p = 0.14). In the hypertrophic group, NT pro-BNP was correlated with left atrial size (r = 0.40; p < 0.001) and with E/Ea ratio (p < 0.01). In the restrictive group, there was a trend of correlation with E-wave peak velocity (r = 0.439; p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: NT pro-BNP is increased in the different cardiomyopathies and pericardial diseases and is correlated with the degree of systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

OBJETIVO: Estudar os marcadores moleculares para os genes da cadeia pesada da beta-miosina cardíaca e da proteína-C de ligação à miosina em familiares de portadores de cardiomiopatia hipertrófica. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 12 famílias que realizaram anamnese, exame físico, eletrocardiograma, ecocardiograma e coleta de sangue para o estudo genético através da reação em cadeia da polimerasse. RESULTADOS: Dos 227 familiares 25% eram acometidos, sendo 51% do sexo masculino com idade média de 35±19 (2 a 95) anos. A análise genética mostrou ligação com o gene da b-miosina cardíaca em uma família e, em outra, ligação com o gene da proteína C de ligação à miosina. Em cinco famílias foram excluídas ligações com os dois genes; em duas, a ligação com o gene da proteína C de ligação à miosina, porém para o gene da b-miosina os resultados foram inconclusivos; em duas famílias os resultados foram inconclusivos para os dois genes e em uma foi excluída ligação para o gene da b-miosina mas ficou inconclusivo para o gene da proteína C de ligação à miosina. CONCLUSÃO: Em nosso meio, talvez predominem outros genes que não aqueles descritos na literatura, ou que existam outras diferenças genéticas relacionadas com a origem de nossa população e/ou fatores ambientais.

OBJECTIVE: To study the molecular markers for the genes of the heavy chain of cardiac beta-myosin and the myosin binding protein C in relatives of carriers of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Twelve families who had anamnesis, physical exam, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and blood collection for the genetic study through the chain reaction of polymerase. RESULTS: From the 227 relatives, 25% were ill-taken, with 51% men, with an average age of 35±19 (2 to 95) years old. The genetic analysis showed a connection with the gene of the cardiac b-myosin in a family and, in another, a connection with the gene of the myosin-binding protein C. In five families, the connections with the two genes were excluded; in two, the connection with the gene of the myosin-binding protein C, but for the b-myosin gene the results were non-conclusive; in two families, the results were non-conclusive for both genes and in one the connection for the b-myosin gene was excluded. The results were non-conclusive for the gene of the myosin-binding protein C. CONCLUSION: In our environment, other genes, different from those described in the literature, may prevail, or there are other genetic differences related to the origin of our population and/or environmental factors.