Dear Editor, In the edition of Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, Mengjin Hu et al. evaluated the benefit of early invasive strategy for elderly patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), concluding that this strategy yields positive results in reducing myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiac events, and urgent revascularization outcomes. However, we have concerns regarding the authors’ claim of superiority and the relevance of the chosen outcomes for this specific population. Firstly, these outcomes (ischemia-driven outcomes) are mostly surrogate endpoints based on […]

Abstract Background Left ventriculography is an invasive method for assessment of left ventricular systolic function. Since the advent of noninvasive methods, its use has been questioned, as it carries some risk to the patient. Objective To assess which factors are independently associated with the decision to perform ventriculography in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods Analytical, retrospective, database review study of electronic medical records comparing 21 predefined variables of interest among patients undergoing coronary angiography. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. […]

Abstract Background: Usually viewed as a characteristic of old age, frailty may also occur in non-elderly people, primarily in those suffering from chronic disease. Frailty may increase operative risk. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of frailty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass (CABG) and/or heart valve replacement or reconstruction and/or heart valve surgery, as well as the influence of frailty on postoperative outcomes. Methods: Our study comprised 100 adults who underwent consecutive elective cardiac operations. Frailty was assessed using the Fried […]

A 3 years and 5 months old boy with a history of Kawasaki disease diagnosed at 6 months of age and a previous Non-ST myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery due to a large perfusion defect and moderate systolic dysfunction on Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) () and a coronary angiogram showing a partially thrombosed giant aneurysm on the Right coronary artery (RCA) and a complete occlusion of the proximal Left anterior descending artery (LAD) (). […]

Background: Vein graft restenosis has an adverse impact on bridge vessel circulation and patient prognosis after coronary artery bypass grafting. Objectives: We used the extravascular supporter ?-cyanoacrylate (?-CA), the local application rapamycin/sirolimus (RPM), and a combination of the two (?-CA-RPM) in rat models of autogenous vein graft to stimulate vein graft change. The aim of our study was to observe the effect of ?-CA, RPM, and ?-CA-RPM on vein hyperplasia. Methods: Fifty healthy Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into […]

Abstract Many non-invasive methods, such as imaging tests, have been developed aiming to add a contribution to existing studies in estimating patients’ prognosis after myocardial injury. This prognosis is proportional to myocardial viability, which is evaluated in coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction patients only. While myocardial viability represents the likelihood of a dysfunctional muscle (resulting from decreased oxygen supply for coronary artery obstruction), hibernation represents post-interventional functional recovery itself. This article proposes a review of pathophysiological basis of […]