Abstract Background Coronary tomography angiography (CTA) has been mainly used for chest pain evaluation in low-risk patients, and few data exist regarding patients at intermediate risk. Objective To evaluate the performance of serial measures of sensitive troponin and CTA in intermediate-risk patients. Methods A total of 100 patients with chest pain, TIMI risk scores of 3 or 4, and negative troponin were prospectively included. All patients underwent CTA and those with coronary stenosis ≥ 50% were referred to invasive coronary […]

Abstract Background Contemporary diagnosis of ACS and risk stratification are essential for appropriate management and reduction of mortality and recurrent ischemic events, in the acute phase of disease and after hospitalization. The Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction recommends the detection of troponin levels above the 99th percentile. Objectives To evaluate the occurrence of early death and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients without elevation of troponin (0.034 ng/mL and

Abstract Background: Although non-ischemic troponin elevation is frequently seen in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED), consensus regarding its management is lacking. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize patients admitted to the ED with non-ischemic troponin elevation and to identify potential mortality predictors in this population. Methods: This retrospective observational study included ED patients with a positive troponin test result between June and July of 2015. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were excluded. Data […]

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) has played an important role in the risk stratification of patients during the in-hospital phase of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but few studies have determined its role as a long-term prognostic marker in the outpatient setting. Objective: To investigate the association between levels of hs-cTnI measured in the subacute phase after an ACS event and long-term prognosis in a highly admixed population. Methods: We measured levels of hs-cTnI in 525 patients 25 to 90 […]

Abstract Introduction: Despite having higher sensitivity as compared to conventional troponins, sensitive troponins have lower specificity, mainly in patients with renal failure. Objective: Study aimed at assessing the sensitive troponin I levels in patients with chest pain, and relating them to the existence of significant coronary lesions. Methods: Retrospective, single-center, observational. This study included 991 patients divided into two groups: with (N = 681) and without (N = 310) significant coronary lesion. For posterior analysis, the patients were divided into […]

Abstract Backgrounds: Despite their clear therapeutic benefits, anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is a major concern limiting the ability to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with cancers. The early identification of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is of vital importance to assess the cardiac risk against the potential cancer treatment. Objective: To investigate whether speckle-tracking analysis can provide a sensitive and accurate measurement when detecting doxorubicin-induced left ventricular injury. Methods: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups with 8 rats each, given doxorubicin intraperitoneally at weekly […]