Abstract Background: Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is caused by an inflammatory process induced by Trypanosoma cruzi, which leads to myocarditis with reactive and reparative fibrosis. CCC progresses with myocardial perfusion abnormalities and histopathological events that affect cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Objectives: We evaluated the effects of aerobic physical training (APT) on myocardial perfusion and on morphological and functional impairments related with inflammation and fibrosis in Syrian hamsters with CCC. As a secondary objective, we analyzed the cross-sectional areas of the skeletal […]

Abstract Background Socioeconomic status has been linked to ischemic heart disease (IHD). High-income neighborhoods may expose individuals to a walking-promoting built environment for daily activities (walkability). Data from the association between income and IHD is lacking in middle-income countries. It is also uncertain whether walkability mediates this association. Objectives To investigate whether income is associated with IHD in a middle-income country and whether neighborhood walkability mediates the income-IHD association. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated 44,589 patients referred for myocardial perfusion […]

Abstract Background Correct TIMI frame count (CTFC), myocardial blush grade (MBG), and ST-segment resolution (STR) are parameters used to evaluate reperfusion at the microvascular level in patients that have undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) has been associated with thrombotic events in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and chronic venous insufficiency. Objectives To investigate the relationship of FAR with CTFC, MBG, and STR. Methods: The study included 167 consecutive patients who underwent successful pPCI for STEMI […]

Background: Functional assessment to rule out myocardial ischemia using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is extremely important and data on the Brazilian population are still limited. Objective: To assess the diagnostic performance of myocardial perfusion by CCTA in the detection of severe obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). To analyze the importance of anatomical knowledge to understand the presence of myocardial perfusion defects on SPECT imaging that is not identified on computed tomography (CT) […]

Introduction Evaluating patients with multivessel coronary disease using myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) remains a challenge as the extent and severity of the disease can be underestimated. This phenomenon occurs in part due to balanced ischemia and inaccuracy of traditional devices to identify small changes in coronary flow in the stress phase., New gamma cameras with cadmium and zinc telluride (CZT) detectors that are already commercially available have shown higher temporal and spatial resolution,– theoretically enabling dynamic acquisition of images and […]

Abstract Background: Data on the current situation of nuclear medicine practices in cardiology in Brazil are scarce. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recommended eight “good practices” to minimize patients’ ionizing radiation exposure during myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). Objectives: To assess the adoption of the eight good practices in MPS in Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data obtained by use of a questionnaire. All hypothesis tests performed considered a significance level of 5%. Results: We observed that 100% of […]