Radi Macruz, Associate Professor in the Department of Cardio-Pulmonology at Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, died in São Paulo on November 30, 2020, at the age of 95. He was born on July 5, 1925 in São Paulo, son of the Lebanese couple Kalil and Nini Macruz. Attended medical school at FMUSP and became the great pioneer physician, introducing many advances that made him one of the most relevant icons. He was an idealizer in pursuit of […]

Background: Neurological complications are common in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Recent data suggest that neurologic events are a major determinant of prognosis, and that surgery is critical in improving the outcome. Objective: To characterize patients with IE and neurological complications and to determine predictors of embolization to the central nervous system (CNS) and mortality. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to a tertiary center with the diagnosis of IE from 2006 to 2016. Statistical significance was defined by a […]

Abstract Background: Myocardial reperfusion is a fundamental part of the treatment for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and is responsible for reducing morbidity and mortality in affected patients. However, reperfusion rates are usually lower and mortality rates higher in women compared to men. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of the use of reperfusion therapies among women and men with STEMI in hospitals where percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is available in the state of Sergipe. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study […]

Abstract Background Individuals with severe hypercholesterolemia are at a high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Many of them have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Objectives To assess from a patient perspective the degree of awareness about severe hypercholesterolemia, especially FH, ASCVD risk perception, cascade screening performance, and treatment of individuals participating in a routine health evaluation program. Methods From a database of 70,000 Brazilian individuals evaluated between 2006 and 2016, 1,987 (2.8%) met the inclusion criteria (age ≥ 18 years […]

Abstract Background: Worsening renal function (WRF) is frequently observed in the setting of aggressive diuresis for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and is associated with poor outcomes in some studies. Objective: We sought to assess the relationship of WRF and congestion at discharge with events (cardiac death or heart failure hospitalization). Methods: Eighty patients with ADHF were studied. WRF was defined by an absolute increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.5 mg/dL from the values measured at the […]

Abstract Background: The incidence of restenosis of the coronary artery after a bare-metal stent implant has been lower than in simple balloon angioplasty; however, it still shows relatively high rates. Objective: The aim of this study was to find new risk indicators for in-stent restenosis using carotid ultrasonography, that, in addition to the already existing indicators, would help in decision-making for stent selection. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional prospective study including 121 consecutive patients with chronic coronary artery disease […]

Abstract Background: The development of a new class of medications that are highly capable of reducing LDL-cholesterol renewed the interest in the characterization of familial hypercholesterolemia patients. Nevertheless, little is known about the lipid profile of patients in tertiary healthcare centers in Brazil in order to better estimate the real occurrence of familial hypercholesterolemia, with initial suspect of LDL-cholesterol levels above 190 mg/d/L. Objectives: This study evaluated the lipid profile (total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) in ambulatory patients from a general […]

Abstract Background: Heart transplant is the main therapeutic alternative for advanced heart failure patients. Several risk factors affect these patients’ survival; however, few studies about the topic are available in Brazil. Objectives: To review the survival rates of heart transplant patients in the Brazilian Public Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS) between 2000 and 2015. Methods: This is a non-concurrent, open cohort study, involving cardiac transplant patients in Brazil. The cumulative survival probability was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier […]

Abstract Background: It is suggested that serglycin has important functions in fibrin stabilization and inflammation but there is limited information on its clinical value for atherosclerotic heart disease. Objective: The purpose of this study is to find out serum serglycin levels in acute myocardial infarction patients and in the control group individuals; and to investigate the association between serglycin levels with inflammation markers and infarct size markers. Methods: The study population consisted of 75 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction […]

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, after several decades of decrease, has shown a tendency towards the stabilization in some countries, including Brazil and Rio de Janeiro state. This new tendency was not further analyzed by gender, age group and region of the Rio de Janeiro state. Objective: To analyze the trends of premature and late mortality from CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) by gender in the city of Rio de Janeiro (capital) and the health […]

Abstract Background: A major cause of death worldwide, cardiovascular diseases and their prevalence in cardiologists are little known. Objectives: To describe life habits and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and to investigate the prevalence of diagnosis, awareness, and control of these CVRF among cardiologists members affiliated to and specialists from the Brazilian Society of Cardiology. Methods: National multicenter cross-sectional study to assess Brazilian cardiologists using a questionnaire on life habits, preexisting diseases, current medications, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and levels of […]

Abstract Background: Physical exercise has been considered an important non-pharmacological therapy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, its effects on minor cardiac remodeling are not clear. Objective: To evaluate the influence of aerobic exercise on the functional capacity, cardiac structure, left ventricular (LV) function, and gene expression of NADPH oxidase subunits in rats with small-sized myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Three months after MI induction, Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Sham; sedentary MI (MI-SED); and aerobic […]

Abstract Background: Obesity affects adolescence and may lead to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and endothelial dysfunction, an early marker of cardiovascular risk. Albeit obesity is strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it is not clear the role of OSA in endothelial function in adolescents with obesity. Objective: To investigate whether obesity during adolescence leads to MetS and/or OSA; and causes endothelial dysfunction. In addition, we studied the possible association of MetS risk factors and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) with endothelial […]

Abstract Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disease in women in reproductive age, and occurs in one of 10 women. The disease includes menstrual irregularity and excess of male hormones and is the most common cause of female infertility. Dyspnea is a frequent symptom and is often thought to be due to obesity, and whether it is due to cardiac dysfunction is unknown. Objective: To evaluate right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling and pulmonary arterial stiffness in […]

Abstract — Key Points Dysautonomia covers a range of clinical conditions with different characteristics and prognoses. They are classified as Reflex Syndromes, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (nOH) and Carotid Sinus Hypersensitivity Syndrome. Reflex (vasovagal) syndromes will not be discussed in this article.

Introduction The congenital defect, characterized by the exit of both large arteries from the right ventricle (RV), completely or even when overlapping more than 50% of one of the arteries over the interventricular septum, presents variable relationships between these arteries and the ventricular septal defect (VSD), as well as association with other anatomical and functional variables. In the most common associated defect, the isolated VSD, in a subaortic position or in that unrelated to the large arteries, the functional condition […]

Heart valve disease currently occupies the spotlight in cardiovascular medicine due to recent advances in imaging techniques and emerging therapeutic possibilities, attracting the attention of physicians, researchers, device manufacturers, and investors. Brazil has a prominent international role in the history and technological development of prosthetic heart valves used to treat this disease. The first worldwide implantation of a commercially available porcine valve bioprosthesis occurred in October 1968. About half a century later, in September 2019, passes on the physician and […]

Abstract Backgorund: Traditional and HIV-defined risk factors may be associated with an increase in cardiovascular events. Recent studies have suggested that the humoral immune response to modified LDL may be associated with the process of atherosclerosis. Objectives: To evaluate the presence of anti-oxLDL and apolipoprotein B-derived peptides in the blood, and their association with the endothelial function in HIV-infection. Methods: This study consecutively included subjects matched for age, gender, and demographic data in two groups: (1) HIV-infected and naïve for […]

Wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (wt-ATTR-CM) is increasingly recognized due to the recognition of the increasing prevalence, advances in diagnostic methods, and the development of effective treatments. We report the case of an 88-year-old female with history of hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and no relevant family history. She presented to the emergency department with history of syncope, productive cough, worsening dyspnea, and fever. The auscultation showed a grade III/VI systolic murmur in her left […]

Dear Editor, We would like to share ideas on the publication “Prognostic Value of Troponin-T and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 [1].” Almeida Jr. et al. reported using Memory box as a tool to support grief and concluded that “In the first 24h of admission, TnT, but not BNP, was an independent marker of mortality or need for invasive mechanical ventilation.” In COVID-19, cardiac complication is possible and is common in severe infection. Myocardial involvement is a […]

October 2019 Issue, vol. 113 (4), pages 787-891 In the “Updated Cardiovascular Prevention Guideline of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology – 2019”, with DOI: , published in the journal Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, on page 862, correct item “Non-HDL-cholesterol” in table 11.3, “> 145” to “<145”, in columns 1 and 2; on page 863, correct the item “Non-HDL-cholesterol”, in Lipids, from table 11.6, “> 145” to “< 145”, in columns 1 and 2. […]