Does Sweden and Brazil have the same problem? Low or decreasing PA levels often correspond with a high or rising gross national product. In high-income countries, 26% of men and 35% of women were insufficiently physically active, as compared to 12% of men and 24% of women in low-income countries. This drop is partly due to inactivity during leisure time and sedentary behavior at home or during work. Also, an increase in car, bus and train use has contributed to […]

Background: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cardiovascular mortality. Several studies have demonstrated the diagnostic and prognostic value of single photon computed tomography-myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (SPECT-MPI) in the evaluation of patients with suspected IHD, including in obese population. Data on clinical risk factors and their association with abnormal myocardial perfusion in obese patients are scarce in the Brazilian population. Objective: To determine the factors associated with abnormal myocardial […]

Abstract Background: The Fontan-Kreutzer procedure (FK) was widely performed in the past, but in the long-term generated many complications resulting in univentricular circulation failure. The conversion to total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is one of the options for treatment. Objective: To evaluate the results of conversion from FK to TCPC. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records for patients who underwent the conversion of FK to TCPC in the period of 1985 to 2016. Significance p < 0,05. Results: Fontan-type operations [...]

Background: A subset of patients who take antiplatelet therapy continues to have recurrent cardiovascular events which may be due to antiplatelet resistance. The effect of low response to aspirin or clopidogrel on prognosis was examined in different patient populations. Objective: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of poor response to dual antiplatelet therapy and its relationship with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in young patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: In our study, we included 123 patients under the […]

Background: Early exposure to obesity favors greater risks of cardiovascular factors such as dyslipidemia. Objectives: To establish the prevalence of dyslipidemia, and to evaluate its association with nutritional status of the adolescents attended at the ambulatory of the Adolescent Health Studies Center of the University Hospital Pedro Ernesto. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study, the sample of which was of convenience, consisting of adolescents from 12 to 18 years old of both genders. The lipid profile was evaluated, along […]

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, leading to endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis impairment . MiR-126 and miR-210 support angiogenic response in endothelial cells. Objective: The present study sought to explore the effect of garlic and voluntary exercise, alone or together, on miR-126 and miR-210 expressions and cardiac angiogenesis in rats with type 1 diabetes. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 7): Control, Diabetes, Diabetes+Garlic, Diabetes+Exercise, and Diabetes+Garlic+Exercise. […]

Abstract Background: The low or non-adherence to reduction of sodium intake has been identified as one of the main precipitating factors of heart failure (HF). The Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire (DSRQ) identifies factors that can interfere with adherence to this recommendation. However, there is still no cut-point to define adherence for this questionnaire. Objectives: To identify the cut-point for satisfactory adherence to the Brazilian version of the DSRQ, (the Questionário de Restrição de Sódio na Dieta, QRSD). Methods: Multicenter study. […]

Background: Trimetazidine (TMZ) is an anti-ischemic drug. In spite of its protective effects on cardiovascular system, there is no scientific study on the usefulness of TMZ treatment for prolonged QT interval and cardiac hypertrophy induced by diabetes. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of TMZ on QT interval prolongation and cardiac hypertrophy in the diabetic rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 8) by simple random sampling method. Control (C), diabetic (D), […]

Background: In menopause, there is greater cellular exposure to oxidative stress, related to the decreased antioxidative effects of estrogen. These metabolic changes favor the progression of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Abnormal function of the aorta – the most important artery – is associated with many cardiovascular diseases. Collagen, especially types I and III, is one of the most important aortic wall components and it can be affected by many factors, including menopause. The 8-OHdG is one of the main […]

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 […]

Coronary artery disease In 2018, Rev Port Cardiol reported the 15-year results of the Portuguese Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PorACS). This is a multi-center, continuous, and ongoing registry which has already involved more than 45,000 events, from 45 centers. It is one of the largest national registries in this field, which is only exceeded by the SWEDEHEART and the MINAP registries. This article provides very important information about the epidemiology and evolution of ACS treatment. First, it demonstrates that […]

Infective endocarditis (IE), a microbial infection of the cardiac or adjacent vascular endothelium, remains a feared disease, although the modern diagnosis systematizations date back to 1885 by Osler. Although relatively uncommon, with approximately 3-10 cases per 100,000 individuals/year, the mortality remains high: more than one-third of patients die in the first year after the diagnosis., Only early diagnosis and treatment, whether exclusively clinical or associated with cardiac surgery, may interfere to reduce this high mortality rate. IE used to be […]

Clinical aspects This was a male patient, who presented with ascending aortic dissection, and who, even after surgery for dissection repair, developed a picture of severe heart failure and died. The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) showed that patients with aortic dissection were older than our patient, 61 years; and a majority of males (63%). Regarding the diseases related to the dissection, they were: Marfan syndrome (6.7%), hypertension (69.3%), atherosclerosis (24.4%), previously known aortic aneurysm (12.4%), previous aortic […]

Case Report A 59-year-old asymptomatic female patient, with a diagnosis of a large bilateral coronary-pulmonary artery fistula made in 2007 was investigated after a cardiac murmur was identified on a routine examination. At the time, conservative treatment was chosen. Cardiac auscultation showed a more audible systolic-diastolic murmur in the upper left sternal border, with a more audible component in systole. There were no other findings in the cardiological physical examination or even the overall segmental examination. The patient had no […]

January issue of 2019, vol. 112(1), pages 67-75 In “Sex-Related Effects of Prenatal Stress on Region-Specific Expression of Monoamine Oxidase A and B Adrenergic Receptors in Rat Hearts”, consider Tanja Jevdjovic as the correct form for the name of the author Tanja Jevjdovic. […]