To editor The identification of an optimal modality to monitor the severity of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains imperative. The authors demonstrated that a prolonged RS interval on the electrocardiogram was associated with adverse clinical outcomes in this cohort, under the hypothesis that right heart electrical conduction is compromised in patients with severe PAH. Nonetheless, several concerns merit consideration. […]

Abstract Background The H2FPEF and HFA-PEFF scores were developed to support the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and may also help predict cardiovascular outcomes. Objective To assess the prognostic value of these scores in a cohort of individuals with HFpEF. Methods This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Brazil between March 2019 and December 2021. After clinical evaluation, echocardiography, and exercise testing, the H2FPEF and HFA-PEFF scores were calculated. Patients were classified into […]

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article by Carvalho et al. titled “Potentially Inappropriate Cardioverter Defibrillator Implants in Secondary Prevention of Death”, which highlights the critical role of socioeconomic and psychosocial markers (EPSM) in predicting early mortality post-implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. While the study provides valuable insights into multidisciplinary team (MDT) assessments, we would like to address two significant limitations that could refine future research and clinical practice. […]

Abstract Background Although the clinical features of chronic Chagas’ cardiomyopathy (CCC) have been well established, clinical data about the patients are scarce. Objectives The current analysis reports the results of the I Brazilian Heart Failure Registry (BREATHE) assessing baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with acute heart failure due to CCC. Methods BREATHE enrolled a total of 3,013 adult patients hospitalized with acute heart failure. We analyzed comparatively 261 (8.7%) patients with chronic CCC and 2,752 (91.3%) patients with […]

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Few studies have evaluated the survival and prognostic factors of patients with this condition in light of the therapeutic advances of recent decades. Objectives To describe the survival, possible factors associated with mortality, and clinical characteristics of participants with HF in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods The cohort followed 15105 participants from 2008 to 2023. Sociodemographic variables, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, […]

Abstract Background Heart failure is a global pandemic that causes a significant reduction in quality of life, with an impact on hospital expenses. It is important to know the temporal trends of hospitalizations and mortality in order to outline coping strategies. Objective The objective of this study was to describe the temporal trends of hospitalizations due to heart failure and mortality during hospitalizations between 2000 and 2021 in Brazil. Methods We conducted a study on temporal trends in the rates […]

Abstract The “Fantastic Four,” a term coined in 2021 to refer to the four key drug pillars in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin system and neprilysin inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors), has demonstrated excellent performance in reducing morbidity and mortality in this setting. However, in heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction, the same benefits were not observed with this combined treatment where, for many years, […]