Abstract Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease caused by a primary defect in the LDL-receptor gene. Distinct variants in the same gene characterize a compound heterozygote, but little is known about the phenotypes of the carriers. Therefore, herein, we describe the cascade screening of a Brazilian family with this characteristic. The index case, a 36-year-old male, had a total cholesterol level of 360 mg/dL (9.3 mmol/L) and LDL-c value of 259 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L), in addition to Achilles tendon […]

Abstract Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease caused by a primary defect in the LDL-receptor gene. Distinct variants in the same gene characterize a compound heterozygote, but little is known about the phenotypes of the carriers. Therefore, herein, we describe the cascade screening of a Brazilian family with this characteristic. The index case, a 36-year-old male, had a total cholesterol level of 360 mg/dL (9.3 mmol/L) and LDL-c value of 259 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L), in addition to Achilles tendon […]

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging RNA virus associated with a severe acute respiratory disease known as COVID-19. Although COVID-19 is predominantly a pulmonary disease, some patients have severe cardiovascular damage. We performed a quantitative evidence synthesis of clinical data, myocardial injury biomarkers, and cardiac complications associated with in-hospital death in patients with COVID-19. Methods We searched the databases PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to identify studies comparing clinical data, myocardial injury biomarkers, and cardiac complications between non-survivors and survivors […]

Abstract Ranolazine (RANO) prevents cardiac arrhythmia by blocking the late sodium current (INaL). A transmural gradient of Nav1.5 is found in the left ventricular wall of the heart. Thus, we investigated the effects of RANO in healthy cardiomyocytes and in a cellular model of type 3 long QT syndrome (LQT3). We used isolated endocardium (ENDO) and epicardium (EPI) cells and a video edge detection system and fluorescence microscopy to monitor calcium transients. RANO (0.1, 1, 10 and 30 uM, at […]

Selected clinically stable patients with heart failure (HF) who require prolonged intravenous inotropic therapy may benefit from its continuity out of the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to report on the initial experience and safety of a structured protocol for inotropic therapy in non-intensive care units in 28 consecutive patients hospitalized with HF that were discharged from ICU. The utilization of low to moderate inotropic doses oriented by a safety-focused process of care may reconfigure their role as a […]

Abstract The effect of third and second-generation type of beta-blocker on substrate oxidation especially during high-intensity exercises are scarce. The objective of the study is to explore differences of beta-blocker regimens (vasodilating vs. non-vasodilating beta-blockers) for substrate oxidation during in high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) in chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Eighteen CHF males (58.8 ± 9 years), 8 under use of β1 specific beta-blockers+alfa 1-blocker and 10 using β1 non-specific beta-blockers, were randomly assigned to 4 different […]

Abstract Changes in iron metabolism in heart failure (HF) have been described as an important prognostic marker. To check if the markers of iron kinetics are related to the morbidity and etiology of chagasic cardiomyopathy. Patients with Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy (CCC, n = 40), with indeterminate form (IND, n = 40), besides non-chagasic cardiomyopathy (NCh, n = 40). The mean age was 50.98 ± 5.88 in CCC, 50% were male, 49.68 ± 5.28 in IND, 52.2% were male, and 49.20 […]

Abstract Blood pressure (BP)-lowering therapy improves left ventricular (LV) parameters of hypertensive target-organ damage in stage II hypertension, but whether there is a drug-class difference in echocardiographic parameters in stage I hypertension patients is less often studied. In the PREVER treatment study, where individuals with stage I hypertension were randomized for treatment with diuretics (chlorthalidone/amiloride) or losartan, 110 participants accepted to participate in a sub-study, where two-dimensional echocardiograms were performed at baseline and after 18 months of antihypertensive treatment. As […]

Abstract Erdheim-Chester Disease is a rare entity, classified as an inflammatory myeloid neoplasm, with an unknown incidence, occurring preferentially in men after 50 years of age. Classically, it has a multisystemic presentation, with the skeletal system being the most frequently affected (90% of the patients), followed by genitourinary involvement in 60% of cases and central nervous system in the pituitary and diabetes insipidus in 25% of the cases. Cardiovascular manifestations are present in more than half of the patients, with […]

Abstract Background: Obesity is recognized as a major risk factor for the development of several metabolic complications. However, some obese individuals have a favorable metabolic profile. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify an easy parameter for recognizing metabolically healthy obese (MHO) women. Methods: A total of 292 non-diabetic women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 were selected, and 239 composed the final cohort. We classified the participants according to their metabolic state determined by […]