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 […]

Abstract Background Many clinical studies have confirmed that legumain is closely related to atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, different conclusions have been reached, and analyses and studies on atherosclerotic plaque characteristics in patients with increased plasma levels of legumain are still lacking. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the correlation between legumain and coronary atherosclerotic plaque characteristics. Methods A total of 81 patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD), including 43 patients with unstable angina (UA) and 38 patients with stable angina (SA), […]

Abstract Background Acute myocardial infarction is a major cause of mortality worldwide, and atherosclerotic plaque formation is the main pathophysiological mechanism, which results in chronic inflammation that induces erythrocyte maturation and may cause an increase in the red cell distribution width (RDW) index. Objective Evaluate the role of the anisocytosis index in patients with acute myocardial infarction in both types of infarctions as a predictor of severity. Methods Patients were included in the study according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, following […]

Abstract Background The long-term impact of hospitalization for COVID-19 on patients’ physical, mental, and cognitive health still needs further assessment. Objectives This study aims to evaluate factors associated with quality of life and cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular outcomes 12 months after hospitalization for COVID-19. Methods This prospective multicenter study intends to enroll 611 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 (NCT05165979). Centralized telephone interviews are scheduled to occur at three, six, nine, and 12 months after hospital discharge. The primary endpoint is defined […]

Abstract Background While Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 and n-6 PUFAs) have established effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, little is known about their impacts on LDL quality markers. Objective To assess the associations of n-3 and n-6 PUFA within red blood cells (RBC) with LDL particle size, small dense LDL-c (sdLDL-c), and electronegative LDL [LDL(-)] in adults with CVD risk factors. Methods Cross-sectional study involving 335 men and women aged 30 to 74 with at least […]

Abstract Background Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse has been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Pericoronary fat attenuation (pFA) is a marker of coronary inflammation, which is key in the atherosclerotic process. Objective To evaluate pFA and inflammatory profile in AAS users. Methods Twenty strength-trained AAS users (AASU), 20 AAS nonusers (AASNU), and 10 sedentary controls (SC) were evaluated. Coronary inflammation was evaluated by mean pericoronary fat attenuation (mPFA) in the right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending coronary artery […]

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 The accuracy of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification to assess prognosis may be limited compared with objective cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) parameters in heart failure (HF). Objective To investigate the prognostic value of the NYHA classification in addition to Weber class. Methods Adult outpatients with HF undergoing CPET in a Brazilian tertiary care center were included. The physician-assigned NYHA class and the CPET-derived Weber class were stratified into “favorable” (NYHA I or II; Weber A or […]

Abstract Background The association between exaggerated systolic blood pressure response to exercise (ESBPRE) and myocardial ischemia is controversial and little studied in patients with established or suspected chronic coronary syndrome. Objective To verify the relationship between myocardial ischemia and ESBPRE in patients undergoing exercise stress echocardiography (ESE). Methods This is a cross-sectional study with 14,367 patients undergoing ESE, from January 2000 to January 2022, divided into the following 2 groups: G1, composed of patients whose peak systolic pressure increased ≥ […]

Abstract Background Short and long-duration heart rate variability (HRV) data from Holter monitoring could identify predictors of all-cause death in heart failure (HF) patients. Objectives To build a predictive model of all-cause death in patients with HF using HRV. Methods Retrospective study including patients with suspected or confirmed HF who were admitted for decompensated HF or syncope that underwent Holter monitoring. In analysis of augmented sympathetic tonus, we evaluated the lowest HRV in nonoverlapping 10-minutes periods throughout 24h continuous electrocardiographic […]

Case Report We report the case of an 87-year-old male patient who presented with severe torrential tricuspid regurgitation with important hemodynamic repercussions and conditions of right heart failure, episodes of pulmonary thromboembolism, and deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs, in follow-up at the hospital’s cardiology service since 1996. The patient had severe comorbidities, including permanent atrial fibrillation in use of prophylactic enoxaparin and impossibility of safe oral anticoagulation due to chronic renal failure. Furthermore, he concomitantly presented stage 3 […]

Introduction The exercise stress test (EST) has been indicated in various clinical situations. Despite the robust evidence about the clinical significance of ST-T abnormalities during exercise, little attention has been paid to the development of exercise-induced intraventricular conduction disorders. Conduction disorders and fascicular blocks induced during EST are rare. The prevalence of stress-induced left bundle-branch blocks (LBBB) ranges from 0.3%-0.5%, and frequently, the prognosis is more adverse (greater CAD and heart failure prevalence). […]

Introduction Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and hypertension has been implicated as having the highest association of causation among all of the cardiovascular disease risk factors. Thus, unsurprisingly, hypertension is the main risk factor for death and the second major cause of disability-adjusted life years in Brazil, heavily impacting its population and national healthcare system. It is also directly linked to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter < 2.5 microns (PM 2.5 ), which has been [...]

To the Editor, We read with great interest the article: “Cost-Effectiveness of Using the Coronary Calcium Score to Guide Therapeutic Decisions in Primary Prevention in the Brazilian Population” The study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using the calcium score in therapeutic guidance for primary cardiovascular prevention. The analysis was based on population data from the “ Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA),” a cohort of 6,814 participants from different study centers in the United States. The inferences made by the […]

Arq Bras Cardiol. 2023;120(10):e20230188 In the Original Article “Isolated Left Atrium Morphofunctional Study of an Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension Model in Rats”, with DOI: https://doi.org/10.36660/abc.20230188, published in the journal Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, Arq Bras Cardiol. 2023; 120(10):e20230188, on page 1, change the name of the author Fabiana Silva Machado to: Fabiana da Silva Alcântara. […]

Abstract Innovations in devices during the last decade contributed to enhanced diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac insufficiency. These tools progressively adapted to minimally invasive strategies with rapid, widespread use. The present article focuses on actual and future directions of device-related diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure.