Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics after six months of sacubitril/valsartan in Chagas heart disease - A case series.

Chagas cardiomyopathy is the most prevalent non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy in Latin America, with high morbidity and mortality even today. Treatment of these patients is based on the use of medications for heart failure. This study evaluated a case series of patients with Chagas heart disease who used sacubitril/valsartan at a referral hospital for this disease in Brazil. After 6 months, there was a symptomatic improvement in these individuals assessed by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, with a 44.3% reduction in the absolute number of patients classified as III-IV in the period (P = 0.035), but without changes in the parameters on the echocardiogram for reverse ventricular remodelling. There was a high mortality rate and number of hospitalizations. These results emphasize the importance of studying the use of sacubitril/valsartan in Chagas heart disease to better describe its effectiveness considering the particularities of these individuals.

Takotsubo syndrome: an overview of pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment with emphasis on cancer patients.

Takotsubo syndrome is a disease of great clinical importance that remains underdiagnosed. It is a form of acute heart failure characterized by a transient wall motion abnormality of the left ventricular apex typically triggered by emotional or physical stress. Takotsubo syndrome is commonly associated with cancer and results in poor outcomes. Therefore, early recognition and prompt therapy are essential to improve prognosis. The aim of this manuscript is to review the consequences of the association between cancer and Takotsubo to summarize the available evidence to guide physicians to improve the management of these patients.

Allopurinol versus Trimetazidine for the Treatment of Angina: A Randomized Clinical Trial. / Alopurinol Versus Trimetazidina para o Tratamento da Angina: Ensaio Clínico Randomizado.

BACKGROUND: Recently, it was demonstrated that allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, has cardiovascular and anti-ischaemic properties and may be a metabolic antianginal agent option.Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antianginal effect of allopurinol as a third drug for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial between 2018 and 2020 including patients with CAD who maintained angina despite initial optimization with beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. The individuals were randomized 1:1 to 300 mg of allopurinol twice daily or 35 mg of trimetazidine twice daily. The main outcome was the difference in the angina frequency domain of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ-AF). A probability (p) value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A hundred and eight patients were included in the randomization phase, with 54 (50%) in the allopurinol group and 54 (50%) in the trimetazidine group. Six (5.6%) individuals, 3 from each group, were lost to follow-up for the primary outcome. In the allopurinol and trimetazidine groups, the median SAQ-AF scores were 50 (30.0 to 70.0) and 50 (21.3 to 78.3), respectively. In both groups, the SAQ-AF score improved, but the median of the difference compared to baseline was lower in the allopurinol group (10 [0 to 30] versus 20 [10 to 40]; p < 0.001), as was the mean of the difference in the total SAQ score (12.8 ± 17.8 versus 21.2 ± 15.9; p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Both allopurinol and trimetazidine improved the control of angina symptoms; however, trimetazidine presented a greater gain compared to baseline. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - Registration Number RBR-5kh98y.

FUNDAMENTO: Recentemente, foi demonstrado que o alopurinol, um inibidor da xantina oxidase, possui propriedades cardiovasculares e anti-isquêmicas e pode ser uma opção de agente antianginoso metabólico. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito antianginoso do alopurinol como terceiro medicamento para pacientes com doença arterial coronariana (DAC) estável. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado entre 2018 e 2020 incluindo pacientes com DAC que mantiveram angina apesar da otimização inicial com betabloqueadores e bloqueadores dos canais de cálcio. Os indivíduos foram randomizados 1:1 para 300 mg de alopurinol 2 vezes ao dia ou 35 mg de trimetazidina 2 vezes ao dia. O desfecho principal foi a diferença no domínio da frequência da angina do Questionário de Angina de Seattle (QAS-FA). Foram considerados estatisticamente significativos valores de probabilidade (p) < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 108 pacientes na fase de randomização, com 54 (50%) no grupo alopurinol e 54 (50%) no grupo trimetazidina. Seis (5,6%) indivíduos, 3 de cada grupo, foram perdidos no seguimento para o desfecho primário. Nos grupos de alopurinol e trimetazidina, as pontuações medianas do QAS-FA foram 50 (30,0 a 70,0) e 50 (21,3 a 78,3), respectivamente. Em ambos os grupos, a pontuação do QAS-FA melhorou, mas a mediana da diferença em relação à linha de base foi menor no grupo alopurinol (10 [0 a 30] versus 20 [10 a 40]; p < 0,001), assim como a média da diferença na pontuação total do QAS (12,8 ± 17,8 versus 21,2 ± 15,9; p = 0,014). CONCLUSÃO: Tanto o alopurinol quanto a trimetazidina melhoraram o controle dos sintomas de angina; no entanto, a trimetazidina apresentou um ganho maior em relação à linha de base. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos ­ Número de Registro RBR-5kh98y.

Inflammation in Coronary Atherosclerosis: Insights into Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potential of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven immune-inflammatory disease that affects the arteries, leading to multifocal plaque development. The inflammatory process involves the activation of immune cells and various inflammatory pathways. Anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular events in individuals with coronary disease. However, their use is still limited due to concerns about long-term follow-up, cost-effectiveness, adverse effects, and the identification of the ideal patient profile to obtain maximum benefits. This review aims to improve the understanding of inflammation in coronary atherosclerosis and explore potential therapeutic interventions, encompassing both traditional and non-traditional anti-inflammatory approaches. By addressing these concepts, we seek to contribute to the advancement of knowledge about this type of treatment for coronary artery disease.

Acute coronary syndrome due to an invasive thymoma with blood supply by circumflex artery-a case report.

Thymomas are usually tumors with a good prognosis but with potential to invade nearby structures. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman previously diagnosed with an invasive thymoma that came to the emergence room with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome. After a coronary computed tomography angiography, it was seen that the tumor was invading the myocardial and it was irrigated by the left circumflex coronary and its branches. Considering her poor prognosis, it was decided not to make further interventions. This case highlights a unique and rare case of an unresectable thymoma that was invading the myocardium and it was irrigated by the left circumflex coronary and its branches, causing typical angina due to compromised coronary blood flow by the mass causing ischemia.

Alopurinol Versus Trimetazidina para o Tratamento da Angina: Ensaio Clínico Randomizado / Allopurinol versus Trimetazidine for the Treatment of Angina: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Resumo Fundamento Recentemente, foi demonstrado que o alopurinol, um inibidor da xantina oxidase, possui propriedades cardiovasculares e anti-isquêmicas e pode ser uma opção de agente antianginoso metabólico. Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito antianginoso do alopurinol como terceiro medicamento para pacientes com doença arterial coronariana (DAC) estável. Métodos Trata-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado entre 2018 e 2020 incluindo pacientes com DAC que mantiveram angina apesar da otimização inicial com betabloqueadores e bloqueadores dos canais de cálcio. Os indivíduos foram randomizados 1:1 para 300 mg de alopurinol 2 vezes ao dia ou 35 mg de trimetazidina 2 vezes ao dia. O desfecho principal foi a diferença no domínio da frequência da angina do Questionário de Angina de Seattle (QAS-FA). Foram considerados estatisticamente significativos valores de probabilidade (p) < 0,05. Resultados Foram incluídos 108 pacientes na fase de randomização, com 54 (50%) no grupo alopurinol e 54 (50%) no grupo trimetazidina. Seis (5,6%) indivíduos, 3 de cada grupo, foram perdidos no seguimento para o desfecho primário. Nos grupos de alopurinol e trimetazidina, as pontuações medianas do QAS-FA foram 50 (30,0 a 70,0) e 50 (21,3 a 78,3), respectivamente. Em ambos os grupos, a pontuação do QAS-FA melhorou, mas a mediana da diferença em relação à linha de base foi menor no grupo alopurinol (10 [0 a 30] versus 20 [10 a 40]; p < 0,001), assim como a média da diferença na pontuação total do QAS (12,8 ± 17,8 versus 21,2 ± 15,9; p = 0,014). Conclusão Tanto o alopurinol quanto a trimetazidina melhoraram o controle dos sintomas de angina; no entanto, a trimetazidina apresentou um ganho maior em relação à linha de base. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos - Número de Registro RBR-5kh98y

Abstract Background Recently, it was demonstrated that allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, has cardiovascular and anti-ischaemic properties and may be a metabolic antianginal agent option.Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antianginal effect of allopurinol as a third drug for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods This was a randomized clinical trial between 2018 and 2020 including patients with CAD who maintained angina despite initial optimization with beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. The individuals were randomized 1:1 to 300 mg of allopurinol twice daily or 35 mg of trimetazidine twice daily. The main outcome was the difference in the angina frequency domain of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ-AF). A probability (p) value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A hundred and eight patients were included in the randomization phase, with 54 (50%) in the allopurinol group and 54 (50%) in the trimetazidine group. Six (5.6%) individuals, 3 from each group, were lost to follow-up for the primary outcome. In the allopurinol and trimetazidine groups, the median SAQ-AF scores were 50 (30.0 to 70.0) and 50 (21.3 to 78.3), respectively. In both groups, the SAQ-AF score improved, but the median of the difference compared to baseline was lower in the allopurinol group (10 [0 to 30] versus 20 [10 to 40]; p < 0.001), as was the mean of the difference in the total SAQ score (12.8 ± 17.8 versus 21.2 ± 15.9; p = 0.014). Conclusion Both allopurinol and trimetazidine improved the control of angina symptoms; however, trimetazidine presented a greater gain compared to baseline. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - Registration Number RBR-5kh98y