Cardiovascular telerehabilitation – concept CTR is a program that comprises one or more components of traditional CVR, commonly offered in CVR programs at home or outside a hospital/specialized center environment; it is delivered through digital technology (telemonitoring, e-learning, telecoaching). Its objective is to manage CVD and improve different physical, emotional, psychological, and social aspects of patients, especially those located in areas with low levels of access, whether due to their place of residence or difficulty in accessing advanced care., […]

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with hypercoagulability. It remains uncertain whether ongoing anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients who later contract COVID-19 improves clinical outcomes. Objectives: To compare chronic oral anticoagulation with no previous anticoagulation in patients with AF who contracted a COVID-19 infection concerning the outcomes of all-cause mortality, COVID-19 mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and hospitalization. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for eligible studies from inception to December 2022. […]

Abstract Background New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) occurs in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. It is still unknown whether clinical and laboratory data assessed upon hospital admission have predictive value for NOAF. Objectives To analyze, upon hospital admission, variables with predictive potential for the occurrence of NOAF in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods Observational, retrospective, case-control study. Electronic medical reports of consecutive patients, 60 years of age or older, hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia between March 1st and July 15th, 2020, […]

Abstract Background Concomitant coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are associated with increased adverse in-hospital outcomes. Objectives This study aimded to evaluate the angiographic, procedural, laboratory, and prognostic differences in COVID-19-positive and negative patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods A single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted between November 2020 and August 2022 in a tertiary-level hospital. According to their status, patients were divided into two groups (COVID-19 positive and negative). All patients […]

In China, December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection rapidly evolved into a pandemic. The S protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2), which is part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), to serve as a cell-entry receptor. These receptors are widely expressed in the heart, intestines, kidneys, pancreas and respiratory tract. The RAAS is a signaling pathway that acts as a homeostatic regulator of vascular function, responsible for blood pressure control. ACE 2 is an enzyme […]

Abstract Background Despite no evidence showing benefits of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine with or without azithromycin for COVID-19 treatment, these medications have been largely prescribed in Brazil. Objectives To assess outcomes, including in-hospital mortality, electrocardiographic abnormalities, hospital length-of-stay, admission to the intensive care unit, and need for dialysis and mechanical ventilation, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, and to compare outcomes between those patients and their matched controls. Methods A retrospective multicenter cohort study that included consecutive laboratory-confirmed […]