Fundamento: Pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) apresentam disfunção ventricular esquerda e redução da pressão arterial média (PAM). O aumento do estímulo adrenérgico causa vasoconstrição e resistência dos vasos, mantendo a PAM, enquanto aumenta a resistência vascular periférica e a rigidez dos vasos condutores. O aumento da pressão de pulso (PP) reflete a complexa interação do coração com os sistemas arteriais e venosos. O aumento da PP é um importante marcador de risco em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca crônica (ICC). A ventilação não invasiva (VNI) tem sido utilizada para IC aguda descompensada para melhorar a congestão e a ventilação pelos efeitos respiratórios e hemodinâmicos. No entanto, nenhum desses estudos relatou o efeito da VNI na PP. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os efeitos agudos da VNI com CPAP (pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas) sobre a PP em pacientes ambulatoriais com ICC. Métodos: Seguindo um protocolo randomizado, duplo-cego, cruzado e controlado com placebo, 23 pacientes com ICC (17 homens, 60 ± 11 anos, IMC 29 ± 5 kg/cm2, classes II e III da NYHA) foram submetidos à CPAP via máscara nasal durante 30 minutos na posição reclinada. A pressão da máscara foi de 6 cmH2O, enquanto o placebo foi fixado em 0-1 cmH2O. PP e outras variáveis hemodinâmicas não invasivas foram avaliadas antes, durante e depois do placebo e do modo CPAP. Resultados: A CPAP diminuiu a frequência cardíaca de repouso (pré: 72 ± 9; pós 5 min: 67 ± 10 bpm , p < 0,01) e PAM (CPAP: 87 ± 11; controle 96 ± 11 mmHg , p < 0,05 pós 5 min). A CPAP diminuiu a PP (CPAP: 47 ± 20 pré para 38 ± 19 mmHg pós; controle: 42 ± 12 mmHg, pré para 41 ± 18 pós p < 0,05 pós 5 min). Conclusão: A VNI com CPAP diminuiu a pressão de pulso em pacientes com ICC estável. Ensaios clínicos futuros devem investigar se esse efeito está associado com melhora no desfecho clínico.

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) have left ventricular dysfunction and reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP). Increased adrenergic drive causes vasoconstriction and vessel resistance maintaining MAP, while increasing peripheral vascular resistance and conduit vessel stiffness. Increased pulse pressure (PP) reflects a complex interaction of the heart with the arterial and venous systems. Increased PP is an important risk marker in patients with chronic HF (CHF). Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been used for acute decompensated HF, to improve congestion and ventilation through both respiratory and hemodynamic effects. However, none of these studies have reported the effect of NIV on PP. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the acute effects of NIV with CPAP on PP in outpatients with CHF. Methods: Following a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, and placebo-controlled protocol, twenty three patients with CHF (17 males; 60 ± 11 years; BMI 29 ± 5 kg/cm2, NYHA class II, III) underwent CPAP via nasal mask for 30 min in a recumbent position. Mask pressure was 6 cmH2O, whereas placebo was fixed at 0-1 cmH2O. PP and other non invasive hemodynamics variables were assessed before, during and after placebo and CPAP mode. Results: CPAP decreased resting heart rate (Pre: 72 ± 9; vs. Post 5 min: 67 ± 10 bpm; p < 0.01) and MAP (CPAP: 87 ± 11; vs. control 96 ± 11 mmHg; p < 0.05 post 5 min). CPAP decreased PP (CPAP: 47 ± 20 pre to 38 ± 19 mmHg post; vs. control: 42 ± 12 mmHg, pre to 41 ± 18 post p < 0.05 post 5 min). Conclusion: NIV with CPAP decreased pulse pressure in patients with stable CHF. Future clinical trials should investigate whether this effect is associated with improved clinical outcome.

Foi avaliada neste estudo a presença de caspase-3-clivada no coração de ratos irradiados durante o declínio da função ventricular. Ratas Wistar foram irradiadas com uma dose única de radiação (15 Gy) diretamente no coração e as análises molecular, histológica e fisiológica foram realizadas treze meses pós a irradiação dos animais. As expressões de procolágeno tipo I, TGF-ß1 e caspase-3-clivada foram analisadas usando Western blotting. Alterações cardíacas estruturais e funcionais foram investigadas por meio de ecocardiografia e microscopia eletrônica. No grupo irradiado, os níveis de procolágeno tipo I, TGF-ß1 e caspase-3-clivada estão aumentados Alterações histológicas importantes (degeneração do tecido cardíaco e deposição de colágeno) e funcionais (fração de ejeção reduzida) foram observadas. Dados sugerem que o declínio da função cardíaca após a exposição à radiação ionizante está relacionado, em parte, com aumento do colágeno e da caspase-3-clivada.

The caspase-3-cleaved presence was evaluated in this study in the heart of irradiated rats, during the decline of ventricular function. Female Wistar rats were irradiated with a single dose of radiation (15 Gy) delivered directly to the heart and the molecular, histological and physiological evaluations were performed at thirteen months post-irradiation. The expressions of procollagen type I, TGF-ß1 and caspase-3-cleaved were analyzed using Western blotting. Cardiac structural and functional alterations were investigated by echocardiography and electron microscopy. In the irradiated group, the levels of procollagen type I, TGF-ß1 and caspase-3-cleaved are increased. Significant histological changes (degeneration of heart tissue and collagen deposition) and functional (reduced ejection fraction) were observed. Data suggest that the cardiac function decline after exposure to ionizing radiation is related, in part, to increased collagen and increased caspase-3-cleaved.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os possíveis mecanismos envolvidos na evolução da disfunção ventricular direita e esquerda em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). MÉTODOS: A ressonância magnética foi aplicada em 27 pacientes com DPOC divididos em grupos, DPOCc e DPOCs, de acordo com a presença ou ausência de disfunção ventricular direita, respectivamente, e 11 controles (grupo C). O exame Doppler ecocardiográfico foi empregado para análise do grau de hipertensão pulmonar. RESULTADOS: O diâmetro do ventrículo direito foi similar nos 3 grupos, DPOCs, DPOCc e C, 29±8 mm vs 31±7 mm vs 30±6 mm; p NS, respectivamente. Foram observados hipertrofia ventricular direita somente nos grupos DPOC (8±2 mm e 9±3 mm vs 5±1 mm; p<0,01), percentual de espessamento sistólico da parede lateral do ventrículo direito similar (%RVLWT) (86±82% vs 41±35% vs 86±89%; p NS) e diferentes frações de ejeção ventricular esquerda entre os 3 grupos (69±9% vs 55±16% vs 76±6%; p<0,01); correlação linear positiva e significante entre o diâmetro diastólico do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) e o débito sistólico do VE (r=0,72, p < 0,01). Não houve correlação entre os volumes pulmonares e a gasometria arterial com a função ventricular. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve correlação entre a gravidade da função pulmonar e o grau de comprometimento da função ventricular. Fica a ser elucidado se um preservado %RVLWT significa a possibilidade de reversibilidade da função ventricular direita. No entanto, confirmamos a presença do fenômeno da interdependência ventricular.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the mechanisms that may be involved in the evolution of right and left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging was used in 11 control patients (group C) and 27 patients with COPD, who were divided into 2 groups, COPDc and COPDs, according to the presence or absence of right ventricular dysfunction, respectively. Doppler echocardiography was used for assessing the degree of pulmonary hypertension. RESULTS: The right ventricular diameter was similar in the 3 groups, COPDs, COPDc and C (29±8 mm; 31±7 mm; and 30±6 mm; respectively, P=NS). Right ventricular hypertrophy was observed only in the COPD groups (8±2 mm and 9±3 mm vs 5±1 mm; P<0.01). The percentage of systolic right ventricular lateral wall thickening (%RVLWT) in the 3 groups were as follows: 86±82% vs 41±35% vs 86±89%; P=NS). Different left ventricular ejection fractions were observed in the groups as follows: 69±9% vs 55±16% vs 76±6%; P < 0.01. A positive and significant linear correlation was observed between the left ventricular (LV) diastolic diameter and the LV systolic volume (r = 0.72; P < 0.01). No correlation was observed between the pulmonary volumes, arterial blood gas analysis, and ventricular function. CONCLUSION: No correlation was observed between the severity of pulmonary function and the degree of ventricular function impairment. Whether a preserved %RVLWT means the possibility of reversibility of right ventricular function remains to be elucidated. However, the presence of the phenomenon of ventricular interdependence was confirmed.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se os diâmetros sistólicos finais do ventrículo esquerdo (DS) <FONT FACE=Symbol>³</font> 51mm em pacientes (pt) com insuficiência mitral crônica grave (IM) são indicadores de mau prognóstico após a cirurgia valvar mitral (CVM). MÉTODOS: Estudamos os dados clínicos e ecodopplercardiográficos pré-operatórios (pré), mediana de 36 dias, pós-operatórios precoces (pós1), mediana de 9 dias, e pós-operatórios tardios (pós2), média de 38,5±37,6 meses, em 11 pt (idade = 36±13 anos) com IM e DS >=51mm (média = 57±4mm) submetidos à CVM. Dez pt estavam em classe funcional III/IV da NYHA. RESULTADOS: Todos melhoraram de classe funcional, exceto 2. Dois faleceram devido à insuficiência cardíaca e endocardite infecciosa, 14 e 11 meses após a cirurgia, respectivamente. De acordo com a fração de ejeção (FE) no pós2 constatou-se existir 2 grupos: grupo 1 (n=6), cuja FE diminuiu no pós1, mas aumentou no pós2 (p=0,01) e grupo 2 (n=5), cuja FE diminuiu progressivamente do pós1 para o pós2 (p=0,10). Todos os pacientes com duração dos sintomas <=48 meses experimentaram melhora na FE no pós2 (p=0.01). CONCLUSÃO: DS >=51mm não estão sempre associados a prognóstico ruim após a CVM em pt com IM. A duração dos sintomas até 48 meses está associada à melhora da função ventricular esquerda.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether left ventricular end-systolic (ESD) diameters <FONT FACE=Symbol>£</FONT> 51mm in patients (pt) with severe chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) are predictors of a poor prognosis after mitral valve surgery (MVS). METHODS: Eleven pt (aged 36±13 years) were studied in the preoperative period (pre), median of 36 days; in the early postoperative period (post1), median of 9 days; and in the late postoperative period (post2), mean of 38.5±37.6 months. Clinical and echocardiographic data were gathered from each pt with MR and systolic diameter <FONT FACE=Symbol>³</FONT>51mm (mean = 57±4mm) to evaluate the result of MVS. Ten patients were in NYHA Class III/IV. RESULTS: All but 2 pt improved in functional class. Two pt died from heart failure and infectious endocarditis 14 and 11 months, respectively, after valve replacement. According to ejection fraction (EF) in post2, we identified 2 groups: group 1 (n=6), whose EF decreased in post1, but increased in post2 (p=0.01) and group 2 (n=5), whose EF decreased progressively from post1 to post2 (p=0.10). All pt with symptoms lasting <FONT FACE=Symbol>£</FONT> 48 months had improvement in EF in post2 (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: ESD <FONT FACE=Symbol>³</FONT>51mm are not always associated with a poor prognosis after MVS in patients with MR. Symptoms lasting up to 48 months are associated with improvement in left ventricular function.

Only rarely do myxomas originate from the mitral valve. This is the report of a 49-year-old woman presenting with congestive heart failure. The diagnosis of an intracardiac tumor involving the anterior cuspid of the mitral valve was made by transesophageal echocardiography. The patient underwent surgery for tumor resection and plasty of the valve was made with reconstruction and preservation of the valve. The diagnosis of myxoma was confirmed by histology. This is the 23rd case of myxoma of the mitral valve reported in the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To verify if adaptive left ventricle (LV) characteristics are also present in individuals under 70 years of age with severe aortic stenosis (AS). METHODS: The study comprised 40 consecutive patients under 70 years of age with AS and no associated coronary artery disease, referred for valve surgery. Out of the 40 patients, 22 were men and 18 women, and the mean age was 49.8±14.3 years. Cardiac symptoms, presence of systemic hypertension (SH), functional class according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA), and valve lesion etiology were considered. LV cavity dimensions, ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), mass (MS), and relative diastolic thickness (RDT) were examined by Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Fourteen (63.6%) men and 11 (61.6%) women were classified as NYHA class III/IV (p=0.70). There was no difference in the frequency of angina, syncope or dyspnea between genders. The incidence of SH was greater in women than in men (10 versus 2, p=0.0044). Women had a smaller LV end-diastolic diameter index (32.1±6.5 x 36.5±5.3mm/m², p=0.027), LV end-systolic diameter index (19.9±5.9 x 26.5±6.4mm/m², p=0.0022) and LV mass index (MS) (211.4±71.1 x 270.9±74.9g/m², p=0.017) when compared with men. EF (66.2±13.4 x 52.0±14.6%, p=0.0032), FS (37.6±10.7 x 27.9±9.6%, p=0.0046) and RDT (0.58±0.22 x 0.44±0.09, p=0.0095) were significantly greater in women than in men. CONCLUSION: It is the patient gender rather than age that influences left ventricular adaptive response to AS.

OBJETIVO: Conhecer a evolução intra-hospitalar (IH) e pós-alta (PA) de uma população predominantemente idosa, com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC) na unidade de emergência (UE). MÉTODOS: Durante 11 meses, foram selecionados 57 pacientes consecutivos com ICC, atendidos em EU, com idade média de 69+15 (27 a 94) anos, sendo 39 (68,4%) homens. O diagnóstico de ICC baseou-se nos critérios de Boston. Avaliou-se a evolução IH e PA num período médio de 5,7+2,7 (1 a 12) meses, procurando-se identificar variáveis que se correlacionassem com a mortalidade e o mecanismo de morte, avaliado pelo sistema ACME . RESULTADOS: Oito (14%) pacientes faleceram na fase IH, sendo 7 por falência circulatória (FC), e 1 em pós-operatório (PO). Durante o seguimento ocorreram 9 (18,4%) óbitos, sendo 5 por FC, 2 mortes súbitas e 2 em PO (troca valvar mitral e ventriculectomia). A sobrevida dos pacientes que tiveram alta foi de 82% e 66%, aos 6 meses e 1 ano, respectivamente. Sódio sérico <135mEq/l (p= 0,004) e sexo feminino (p= 0,038) foram preditores independentes de mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes idosos com ICC atendidos em UE apresentam mortalidade IH e PA elevadas e alta taxa de reinternação hospitalar. A maioria morre por falência circulatória decorrente da progressão da ICC.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the in-hospital (IH) outcome and the short-term follow-up of predominantly elderly patients presenting to an emergency room (ER) with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: In an 11 month period, 57 patients presenting to the ER with CHF were included. Mean age was 69+15 years (27 to 94) and 39 (68,4%) were male. CHF diagnosis was based on the Boston criteria. We evaluated IH outcome and prognosis in a mean follow-up of 5,7+2,7 months (1 to 12). In addition, some mortality predictors and mechanisms of death according on the ACME system were identified. RESULTS: Eight patients (14%) died in the IH period. Modes of death were circulatory failure (CF) in 7, and peri-operative (PO) in one (aortic valve replacement). During follow-up 9 deaths ocurred. Five were due to CF, 2 were sudden and 2 were PO (mitral valve replacement and ventriculectomy). Six-months and 1-year survival rates of the patients who were discharged were 82% and 66%, respectively. Sodium lower than 135mEq/l (p= 0.004) and female gender (p= 0.038) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with CHF admitted to the ER have high in-hospital and short-term follow up mortalities. The majority die from CF due to worsening heart failure.