Abstract Background Complete thrombosis of the false lumen facilitates remodeling of type B aortic dissection (TBAD). Morphological characteristics affect thrombosis in the false lumen. Objectives Discuss the factors present before admission that influence false lumen thrombosis in patients with TBAD. Methods We studied 282 patients diagnosed with TBAD in our hospital between January 2008 and December 2017. We divided the subjects into a thrombotic group and a non-thrombotic group based on whether any thrombus was detectable in the false lumen. […]

Abstract Background Chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., anthracyclines, trastuzumab) commonly used for treating malignant tumors have been demonstrated to have cardiotoxic effects, which is associated with poor prognosis. Three-dimensional echocardiography has been used to predict cancer chemotherapy-induced cardiac dysfunction. Objectives Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of strain parameters, global area strain (GAS), longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential strain (GCS), and radial strain (GRS) by meta-analysis. Methods Relevant studies were searched from the Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Statistical analysis was performed […]

Abstract Background The diagnosis of acute myocarditis is usually made with clinical and laboratory parameters. This can sometimes be mixed up with diseases that have similar clinical features, making the diagnosis difficult. Therefore, the use of more specific biomarkers, in addition to the classically used biomarkers such as troponin, will accelerate the diagnosis. In addition, these biomarkers may help us to understand the mechanism of myocarditis development and thus predict unpredictable clinical outcomes. Objective This study aims to reveal the […]

Abstract Background It is known that around 30% of patients have higher blood pressure (BP) values when examined at the office than at home. Worldwide, only 35% of patients with hypertension undergoing treatment have reached their BP targets. Objective To provide epidemiological data on BP control in the offices of a sample of Brazilian cardiologists, considering office and home BP measurement. Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis of patients with a hypertension diagnosis and undergoing antihypertensive treatment, with controlled BP […]

Abstract Background At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with myocardial infarction (MI) took longer to present to hospitals because of fear of contamination and health care access difficulties. Objectives To assess interventional cardiology procedures performed during the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for MI approach. Methods Prospective registry of 24 cardiac catheterization laboratories in Brazil, with adult patients undergoing interventional cardiology procedures between May 26 and November 30, 2020. The outcomes were cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV complications, death, […]

Abstract Background Several studies have associated dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with cardiovascular risk but there are still many controversies. Most of these studies have focused on the effects of palmitic acid on circulating lipids. Stearic acid usually shows a neutral effect on blood lipids, however, there is a lack of clinical studies assessing the link with inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers. Objective To evaluate the association of red blood cell (RBC) SFA (palmitic and stearic acids) with circulating inflammatory […]

Abstract Background Patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure (HF) are subject to developing worsening episodes that require more complex interventions. The Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) risk model was developed in the United States to predict the risk of in-hospital worsening HF. Objective To use the ADHERE risk model in the assessment of risk of in-hospital worsening HF and to determine its sensitivity and specificity in hospitalized patients. Methods This cohort study was conducted at a Brazilian […]

Abstract Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) resulting from ventricular arrhythmia is the main complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) is associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in several heart diseases, but its role in HCM remains uncertain. Objective: To evaluate the association of MTWA with the occurrence of SCD or potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias in HCM patients in a long-term follow-up. Methods: Patients diagnosed with HCM and NYHA functional class I-II were consecutively selected. At the […]

Abstract Background: Previous studies have identified inequalities in the variation of mortality rates from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) when comparing regions with different levels of socioeconomic development indicators. Objective: To analyze the variation in IHD and CBVD mortality rates and economic development, evaluated by the sociodemographic index (SDI) and social vulnerability index (SVI) in Brazil over a period of 20 years. Methods: Ecological study of time series of crude and standardized mortality rates (direct method, based […]

Abstract Background: Heart failure (HF) management has markedly improved, but a clinically meaningful improvement in functional capacity and quality of life is perhaps more important for patients than living longer. Objective: This study aimed to review the improvement in quality of life with sacubitril/valsartan in patients with HF and reduced/preserved ejection fraction (EF) from prospective clinical trials. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies published from inception to July […]

The immune system reacts to stimuli such as foreign molecules and tissue damage. Inflammation is an innate physiological response of the organism to tissue injuries triggered by physical, chemical, and biological agents such as infection, trauma, toxin, and tissue necrosis. Once started, the process only ends with the elimination or neutralization of the aggressor agent and the regeneration of the damaged tissue. The inflammatory process results from complex reactions triggered by molecular and biochemical events involving immune cells, connective tissue […]

Abstract Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subgroup of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although it is known that hemorrhagic complications are common, thrombotic complications are not as rare as thought. However, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke incidence are very rare during AML. Here, we present the astonishing case of APL diagnosed with pancytopenia in its presentation with acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.

Abstract Coronary-cameral fistulas, though mostly regarded as congenital entities, have also been encountered as complications of major traumas and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). On the other hand, interventricular septal (IVS) hematoma might potentially arise mostly during retrograde chronic total occlusion (CTO) interventions and has a benign course in this context. Herein, we describe a challenging PCI complication (and its management strategy) presenting with IVS hematoma, right ventricular fistula, and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction due to a misimplanted coronary […]

Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a well-established risk factor for ischemic heart disease, the most prevalent cause of heart failure. Treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and PAI is debatable. Here, we briefly discuss the evidence for treating both conditions. Trials in this particular population are lacking in the literature. In 1983, a single prospective study showed a long-term follow-up of 22 patients with PAI. Seven patients developed HF during a mean follow-up of 30 […]

In December 1987, with over 300 experimental coronary implants performed in dogs and cadavers, Palmaz and Schatz, accompanied by Dr. Eduardo Sousa (Dante Pazzanese Cardiology Institute), performed the first human stent implantation in São Paulo, with a prosthesis developed by Palmaz himself. However, the initial results of the first multicenter study on the subject were less than encouraging, as the device showed high rates of subacute occlusion (18%), despite the Palmaz stent presenting numerous favorable aspects of biocompatibility, mechanics, and […]

Dear Editor I appreciate the efforts of Alves et al. when they tried to evaluate all-cause in-hospital mortality in patients admitted for STEMI and NSTEMI in hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2000 onward, concluding that in-hospital mortality in low- and middle-income countries was high in comparison with rates reported in high-income countries and to improve these estimates, higher use of reperfusion therapy must be pursued. […]