Abstract Background The incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) may vary significantly among countries. Although populous, Brazil is often underrepresented in international records. Objectives This study aimed to describe the quality of care and the two-year incidence of cardiovascular events and associated prognostic factors in CIHD patients in a tertiary public health care center in Brazil. Methods Patients with CIHD who reported for clinical evaluation at Instituto do Coração (São Paulo, Brazil) were registered and followed for two years. The primary endpoint was a composite of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or death. A significance level of 0.05 was adopted. Results From January 2016 to December 2018, 625 participants were included in the study. Baseline characteristics show that 33.1% were women, median age 66.1 [59.6 – 71.9], 48.6% had diabetes, 83.1% had hypertension, 62.6% had previous MI, and 70.4% went through some revascularization procedure. At a median follow-up (FU) of 881 days, we noted 37 (7.05%) primary endpoints. After adjustments, age, previous stroke, and LDL-cholesterol were independently associated with the primary endpoint. Comparing baseline versus FU, participants experienced relief of angina based on the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) scale according to the following percentages: 65.7% vs. 81.7% were asymptomatic and 4.2% vs. 2.9% CCS 3 or 4 (p < 0.001). They also experienced better quality of medication prescription: 65.8% vs. 73.6% (p < 0.001). However, there was no improvement in LDL-cholesterol or blood pressure control. Conclusion This study shows that CIHD patients had a two-year incidence of the primary composite endpoint of 7.05%, and the reduction of LDL-cholesterol was the only modifiable risk factor associated with prognosis.

Resumo Fundamento A incidência de eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes com doença cardíaca isquêmica crônica (DCIC) pode variar significativamente entre os países. Embora populoso, o Brasil é frequentemente sub-representado nos registros internacionais. Objetivos Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever a qualidade do atendimento e a incidência de eventos cardiovasculares em dois anos, além de fatores prognósticos associados em pacientes com DCIC em um centro terciário de saúde pública no Brasil. Métodos Pacientes com DCIC que compareceram para avaliação clínica no Instituto do Coração (São Paulo, Brasil) foram cadastrados e acompanhados por dois anos. O desfecho primário foi um composto de infarto do miocárdio (IM), acidente vascular encefálico ou morte. Um nível de significância de 0,05 foi adotado. Resultados De janeiro de 2016 a dezembro de 2018, 625 participantes foram incluídos no estudo. As características basais mostram que 33,1% eram mulheres, a idade mediana era de 66,1 [59,6 – 71,9], 48,6% tinham diabetes, 83,1% tinham hipertensão, 62,6% tinham IM prévio e 70,4% passaram por algum procedimento de revascularização. Em um acompanhamento mediano de 881 dias, 37 (7,05%) desfechos primários foram observados. Após ajustes, idade, acidente vascular encefálico prévio e colesterol LDL foram independentemente associados ao desfecho primário. Comparando a linha de base com o acompanhamento, os participantes relataram alívio da angina com base na escala da Sociedade Cardiovascular Canadense (SCC) de acordo com as seguintes porcentagens: 65,7% vs. 81,7% eram assintomáticos e 4,2% vs. 2,9% eram SCC 3 ou 4 (p < 0,001). Eles também relataram melhor qualidade na prescrição de medicamentos: 65,8% vs. 73,6% (p < 0,001). No entanto, não houve melhora no colesterol LDL ou no controle da pressão arterial. Conclusão O presente estudo mostra que pacientes com DCIC apresentaram uma incidência de 7,05% do desfecho primário composto em um período de dois anos, sendo a diminuição do colesterol LDL o único fator de risco modificável associado ao prognóstico.

Resumo Fundamento: As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) e câncer são as principais causas de morte no mundo. Essas doenças apresentam muitos fatores de risco em comum, e o controle de fatores de risco tradicionais para DCV foi associado com menor incidência de câncer. Objetivo: Analisar tendências nas taxas de mortalidade por câncer na população brasileira com idade entre 35 e 74 anos de 1996 a 2017. Métodos: As tendências nas taxas de mortalidade (bruta e ajustada por idade) foram analisadas quanto a todas as causas de morte, DCV e câncer. Os dados foram obtidos do banco de dados de mortalidade do Ministério da Saúde. O programa Joinpoint Regression foi usado para análise das tendências e ajustes nas taxas de saúde. O grau de mudanças nas taxas foi determinado pela variação percentual anual média (VPAM). O nível de significância estatística foi estabelecido em p<0,05. Resultados: A mortalidade por todas as causas (VPAM=-1,6%; p<0,001), CVD (VPAM =-2,3; p<0,001), doenças isquêmicas do coração (DIC) (VPAM =-1,6; p<0,001) e doenças cerebrovasculares (DCbV) (VPAM =-3.7; p<0.001) diminuiu. As mesmas tendências foram observadas para DCV em homens e mulheres (p<0,001). As taxas de mortalidade por todos os tipos de câncer (AAPC=-0,1; p=0,201), em homens (VPAM =-0,1; p=0,193) e mulheres (VPAM =-0,1; p=0,871) permaneceram inalteradas. Em 2002, a mortalidade por câncer excedeu a soma de mortes por DIC e DCbV. Se as tendências continuarem, a mortalidade por câncer também excederá a mortalidade por DCV até 2024. Nas mulheres, a mortalidade por câncer de mama, pulmão e cólon, aumentou, e a mortalidade por câncer de colo de útero e de estômago diminuiu. Nos homens, a mortalidade por câncer de pulmão, estômago, e esôfago diminuiu, e por câncer de próstata permaneceu inalterada. Conclusão: As DCV são atualmente as principais causas de morte no Brasil, mas as taxas de morte por câncer irão superar as taxas por DCV em poucos anos.

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer are the main causes of death worldwide. These diseases share many risk factors. Control of traditional risk factors for CVD was associated with lower incidence of cancers. Objective: To analyze CVD and cancer mortality rate trends in Brazilian population aged 35-74 years from 1996 to 2017. Methods: Crude and age-adjusted death rate trends were analyzed for all causes of death, CVD, and cancer. Data were obtained from mortality database of the Ministry of Health. Joinpoint Regression Program performed analysis of trends and adjustments in death rates. The degree of changes was determined by the average annual percent change (AAPC). Level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: Mortality from all causes of death (AAPC=-1.6%; p<0.001), CVD (AAPC=-2.3; p<0.001), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (AAPC=-1.6; p<0.001) and stroke (AAPC=-3.7; p<0.001) declined. Same trends were observed for CVD (p<0.001) in men and women. Death rates from all causes of cancer (AAPC=-0.1; p=0.201), in men (AAPC=-0.1; p=0.193) and in women (AAPC=-0.1; p=0,871) remained unchanged. In 2002, mortality from cancer exceeded the sum of deaths from IHD and stroke. If trends continue, cancer mortality will also exceed mortality from CVD by 2024. In women, death rates from breast, lung and colon cancer increased, and from cervical and gastric cancers decreased. In men, mortality from lung, stomach and esophagus cancer decreased, and from prostate cancer remained unchanged. Conclusion: CVD are currently the leading cause of death in Brazil, but death rates from cancer will exceed those from CVD in a few years.

Abstract Recently, gut microbiota has emerged as an important mediator of several diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, obesity, cancers and neuropsychiatric diseases including Alzheimer, autism and depression. Intestinal microbiota is formed by bacteria, fungi and viruses and its main function is to facilitate the absorption and metabolism of foods (protein, fat and carbohydrate). One example of the multiple actions of the gut microbiota is the bidirectional relationship between the intestine and the brain, the so-called “gut/brain axis”. Furthermore, metabolites produced by gut microbiota can induce effects locally or at distance, which suggests that the intestine is an endocrine organ. Given the participation of the gut microbiota in several diseases, there is great interest in strategies that may positively affect the gut flora and prevent or even treat diseases. Among these strategies, lifestyle change, but specially diet modulation has gained importance. In this article, we review the mechanisms through which intestinal microbiota participates in cardiovascular diseases and possible therapeutic interventions.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive detection of atherosclerosis is critical for its prevention. OBJECTIVE: To correlate non-invasively detectable indicators of coronary atherosclerosis, or Coronary Artery Disease (i.e., classical risk factors, hs-CRP test results, carotid intima-media thickness, endothelial function, ankle-brachial index and calcium score by computed tomography) with the extent of coronary disease assessed by the Friesinger index from conventional coronary angiography. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 100 consecutive patients, mean age 55.1 ± 10.7 years, 55% men and 45% women. Patients with acute coronary syndrome, renal dialytic insufficiency, collagen disease and cancer were not included. All patients were subjected to clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Endothelial function of the brachial artery and carotid artery were evaluated by high-resolution ultrasound; ankle-brachial index and computed tomography for coronary determination of calcium score were also performed, and non-HDL cholesterol and TG/HDL-c ratio were calculated. All patients were subjected to coronary angiography at the request of the assistant physician. We considered patients without an obstructive lesion (< 29% stenosis) demonstrated by coronary angiography to be normal. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that calcium score, HDL-c, TG/HDL ratio and IMT were significantly correlated with the Friesinger index. However, multivariate analysis indicated that only calcium score and low HDL-c levels correlated significantly with the extension of CAD. On the other hand, hs-CRP, LDL-c, flow-mediated dilation, and Framingham score did not correlate with the Friesinger index. ROC analysis showed that calcium score, HDL-c and TG-HDL ratio accurately predicted extensive CAD in a statistically significant manner. CONCLUSION: It is possible to approximately determine the presence and extent of CAD by non-invasive methods, especially by calcium score, HDL-c and TG/HDL-c ratio assays.

An abnormal ratio of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) indicates an atherogenic lipid profile and a risk for the development of coronary disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between lipid levels, specifically TG/HDL-c, and the extent of coronary disease. METHODS: High-risk patients (n = 374) submitted for coronary angiography had their lipid variables measured and coronary disease extent scored by the Friesinger index. RESULTS: The subjects consisted of 220 males and 154 females, age 57.2 ± 11.1 years, with total cholesterol of 210± 50.3 mg/dL, triglycerides of 173.8 ± 169.8 mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) of 40.1 ± 12.8 mg/dL, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) of 137.3 ± 46.2 mg/dL, TG/HDL-c of 5.1 ± 5.3, and a Friesinger index of 6.6 ± 4.7. The relationship between the extent of coronary disease (dichotomized by a Friesenger index of 5 and lipid levels (normal vs. abnormal) was statistically significant for the following: triglycerides, odds ratio of 2.02 (1.31-3.1; p = 0.0018); HDL-c, odds ratio of 2.21 (1.42-3.43; p = 0.0005); and TG/HDL-c, odds ratio of 2.01(1.30-3.09; p = 0.0018). However, the relationship was not significant between extent of coronary disease and total cholesterol [1.25 (0.82-1.91; p = 0.33)] or LDL-c [1.47 (0.96-2.25; p = 0.0842)]. The chi-square for linear trends for Friesinger > 4 and lipid quartiles was statistically significant for triglycerides (p = 0.0017), HDL-c (p = 0.0001), and TG/HDL-c (p = 0.0018), but not for total cholesterol (p = 0.393) or LDL-c (p = 0.0568). The multivariate analysis by logistic regression OR gave 1.3 ± 0.79 (p = .0001) for TG/HDL-c, 0.779 ± 0.074 (p = .0001) for HDL-c, and 1.234 ± 0.097 (p = 0.03) for LDL. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves showed that only TG/HDL-c and HDL-c were useful for detecting extensive coronary disease, with the former more strongly associated with disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although some lipid variables were associated with the extent of coronary disease, the ratio of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol showed the strongest association with extent.