Prognosis of chronic Chagas heart disease and other pending clinical challenges.

In this chapter, the main prognostic markers of Chagas heart disease are addressed, with an emphasis on the most recent findings and questions, establishing the basis for a broad discussion of recommendations and new approaches to managing Chagas cardiopathy. The main biological and genetic markers and the contribution of the electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance are presented. We also discuss the most recent therapeutic proposals for heart failure, thromboembolism and arrhythmias, as well as current experience in heart transplantation in patients suffering from severe Chagas cardiomyopathy. The clinical and epidemiological challenges introduced by acute Chagas disease due to oral contamination are discussed. In addition, we highlight the importance of ageing and comorbidities in influencing the outcome of chronic Chagas heart disease. Finally, we discuss the importance of public policies, the vital role of funding agencies, universities, the scientific community and health professionals, and the application of new technologies in finding solutions for better management of Chagas heart disease.

Impacts of social inequalities on the survival of heart transplant recipients in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplant (HT) is an alternative for patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Social inequalities may influence survival, but are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of social and clinical inequalities on the survival of HT recipients. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study conducted at a Brazilian hospital from 2006 to 2018. RESULTS: Three hundred and two patients were analyzed. Most HT recipients were male (205, 67.9%), mixed race 146 (48.3%), retired (166, 56.5%), median age 47 (38-57) years, and had studied no more than eight years (191, 65.8%), were younger than 60 years old (256, 84.7%). 149 (51.7%) had per capita monthly income inferior to one Brazilian minimum wage, equivalent to US$250. 123 (95.4%) out of 129 patients had allograft cellular rejection 2R or 3R. Median donor age was 32 (23-39) years. The overall survival was 76.6%, 62.2%, and 58.2%, at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Age <60 years old and higher income were associated with a greater chance of survival (p-values .009 and <.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Younger age and higher per capita income had positive impact on HT recipient survival. The level of education did not affect survival in this cohort.

Comparison of Quality of Life Between Patients with Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplantation is the treatment indicated for patients with advanced and refractory heart failure (HF). The transplant is expected to increase survival and improve the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to compare the level of HRQoL, as well as social and clinical variables, between patients with advanced HF and heart transplant (HT) recipients. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted at a Brazilian university hospital, during outpatient consultations. The level of HRQoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and the comparison of the level of HRQoL was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-two patients participated in the study. Seventy-nine of them had advanced-stage HF and 183 were HT recipients. Compared to patients with advanced HF, HT recipients had a better level of HRQoL, were less frequently absent from work due to health problems, had higher income, used a higher number of medications, and there was a higher percentage of retirees among them (P-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In every comparison, HT recipients showed a better level of HRQoL than patients with advanced HF, along with less absence from work and higher income. These results suggest that heart transplantation can improve HRQoL and survival of patients with advanced HF.

Health-Related Quality of Life of Heart Transplant Recipients Living in a Developing Country.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation (HT) is the treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). It is hoped that the procedure increases both survival rates and the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which may, however, be compromised by post-transplant complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the level of HRQoL in HT recipients and considered the influence of variables from social and clinical contexts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of HT recipients. The level of HRQoL was assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire during outpatient consultation. RESULTS: This study analyzed 186 HT recipients from a total of 192 eligible patients. The median level of HRQoL was ≥67.8 points in all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (physical, psychological, social relationships, and environment) and general score of perception of the level of quality of life (QoL) and health. Variables such as age, ethnicity, per capita income, time from last hospitalization, number of current medications, and number of hospitalizations after HT were significantly related to at least 1 domain of the WHOQOL-BREF. CONCLUSION: In this study, HRQoL of HT recipients living in a developing country can be considered satisfactory given the high score obtained in all domains of WHOQOL-BREF and in the perception of the level of QoL and health.

Implications for Clinical Practice from a Multicenter Survey of Heart Failure Management Centers.

OBJECTIVES: This observational, cross-sectional study based aimed to test whether heart failure (HF)-disease management program (DMP) components are influencing care and clinical decision-making in Brazil. METHODS: The survey respondents were cardiologists recommended by experts in the field and invited to participate in the survey via printed form or email. The survey consisted of 29 questions addressing site demographics, public versus private infrastructure, HF baseline data of patients, clinical management of HF, performance indicators, and perceptions about HF treatment. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 98 centers (58% public and 42% private practice) distributed across Brazil. Public HF-DMPs compared to private HF-DMP were associated with a higher percentage of HF-DMP-dedicated services (79% vs 24%; OR: 12, 95% CI: 94-34), multidisciplinary HF (MHF)-DMP [84% vs 65%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-8), HF educational programs (49% vs 18%; OR: 4; 95% CI: 1-2), written instructions before hospital discharge (83% vs 76%; OR: 1; 95% CI: 0-5), rehabilitation (69% vs 39%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-9), monitoring (44% vs 29%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 1-5), guideline-directed medical therapy-HF use (94% vs 85%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 0-15), and less B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) dosage (73% vs 88%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-9), and key performance indicators (37% vs 60%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-7). In comparison to non- MHF-DMP, MHF-DMP was associated with more educational initiatives (42% vs 6%; OR: 12; 95% CI: 1-97), written instructions (83% vs 68%; OR: 2: 95% CI: 1-7), rehabilitation (69% vs 17%; OR: 11; 95% CI: 3-44), monitoring (47% vs 6%; OR: 14; 95% CI: 2-115), GDMT-HF (92% vs 83%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 0-15). In addition, there were less use of BNP as a biomarker (70% vs 84%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 1-8) and key performance indicators (35% vs 51%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 91,6) in the non-MHF group. Physicians considered changing or introducing new medications mostly when patients were hospitalized or when observing worsening disease and/or symptoms. Adherence to drug treatment and non-drug treatment factors were the greatest medical problems associated with HF treatment. CONCLUSION: HF-DMPs are highly heterogeneous. New strategies for HF care should consider the present study highlights and clinical decision-making processes to improve HF patient care.

Epilepsy or syncope? An analysis of 55 consecutive patients with loss of consciousness, convulsions, falls, and no EEG abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Patients with loss of consciousness and convulsion often have the diagnosis of epilepsy despite normal electroencephalograms (EEGs). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proportion of patients referred to neurologists with presumed epilepsy and normal EEGs who have an alternative cause of syncope. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study of 55 consecutive patients aged 6-85 (41 +/- 24) years presenting with faints, falls, convulsions, and normal EEGs, who were referred to neurologists before going to cardiologists. All patients underwent clinical examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. Head-up tilt table testing (HUT), 24-hour-Holter, and carotid sinus massage was offered as needed. Electrophysiological studies were undertaken in patients with structural heart disease or severe palpitations. RESULTS: Anticonvulsant agents had been prescribed to 35 patients (64%) before entering the study. Vasovagal syncope was found in 22 (40%) patients, life-threatening arrhythmias in seven (13%), carotid sinus hypersensitivity in six (11%), orthostatic hypotension in three (5%), and aortic stenosis in one (2%). Etiology of syncope could not be found in 16 (29%) patients. Arrhythmias comprised two complete atrioventricular blocks, one sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, one ventricular fibrillation, one atrial tachycardia, and two atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardias. Two patients developed a prolonged asystole during HUT. Presumptive diagnosis of syncope was found in 39 patients (71%). Patients on or off anticonvulsant drugs had 64% and 84% diagnosis of syncope, respectively (odds ratio = 0.33; 95% confidence interval 0.08-1.36; P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Life-threatening arrhythmias and syncope can be present in patients with presumed epilepsy and normal EEG. Prescription of anticonvulsant agents in these patients should wait for a cardiovascular assessment.

Chagas Disease Infection Reactivation after Heart Transplant.

Chagas disease, caused by a Trypanosona cruzi infection, is one of the main causes of heart failure in Latin America. It was originally a health problem endemic to South America, predominantly affecting residents of poor rural areas. With globalization and increasing migratory flows from these areas to large cities, the immigration of T. cruzi chronically-infected people to developed, non-endemic countries has occurred. This issue has emerged as an important consideration for heart transplant professionals. Currently, Chagas patients with end-stage heart failure may need a heart transplantation (HTx). This implies that in post-transplant immunosuppression therapy to avoid rejection in the recipient, there is the possibility of T. cruzi infection reactivation, increasing the morbidity and mortality rates. The management of heart transplant recipients due to Chagas disease requires awareness for early recognition and parasitic treatment of T. cruzi infection reactivation. This issue poses challenges for heart transplant professionals, especially regarding the differential diagnosis between rejection and reactivation episodes. The aim of this review is to discuss the complexity of the Chagas disease reactivation phenomenon in patients submitted to HTx for end-stage chagasic cardiomyopathy.

Profile of Effective Donors for Heart Transplantation: Experience of a Brazilian Center.

BACKGROUND: Brazil's transplant network is a consolidated, worldwide-recognized program, with about 96% of heart transplantations (HTs) financed by its Unified Health System. It is known that the number of HTs has risen in the past few years, but it still does not meet the demand. This study aims to characterize the profile of the heart donors of a Brazilian center and ascertain the factors contributing to the increase in number of HTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study, developed between 2012 and 2018 at a Brazilian transplant center. RESULTS: There were 210 donations for HT in this period. The median age of donors in years (range) was 33 (24-40), and the donors were 15.5 years younger than the recipients (P value < .001). One hundred forty-two donors (67.6%) were male, 98 (46.7%) were mullato, and 115 (54.8%) had cranioencephalic trauma as the cause of brain death. The distance from the transplant center to the organ procurement area was short in 183 (87.1%) cases, enabling a allograft ischemic time with a median of 125 minutes. There was a relevant association between donor age and cause of brain death (P < .001), sex and cause of brain death (P < .001), and organ procurement area and allograft ischemic time (P < .001). Hospitals that provide urgent and emergency care served as sources for a larger number of organ donations. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that the profile of most donors for HT include young adult mullato men who were victims of cranioencephalic trauma. In addition, these donors had few comorbidities and a median age of 33 years.

Genetic profiling of Trypanosoma cruzi directly in infected tissues using nested PCR of polymorphic microsatellites.

The investigation of the importance of the genetics of Trypanosoma cruzi in determining the clinical course of Chagas disease will depend on precise characterisation of the parasites present in the tissue lesions. This can be adequately accomplished by the use of hypervariable nuclear markers such as microsatellites. However the unilocal nature of these loci and the scarcity of parasites in chronic lesions make it necessary to use high sensitivity PCR with nested primers, whose design depends on the availability of long flanking regions, a feature not hitherto available for any known T. cruzi microsatellites. Herein, making use of the extensive T. cruzi genome sequence now available and using the Tandem Repeats Finder software, it was possible to identify and characterise seven new microsatellite loci--six composed of trinucleotide (TcTAC15, TcTAT20, TcAAT8, TcATT14, TcGAG10 and TcCAA10) and one composed of tetranucleotide (TcAAAT6) motifs. All except the TcCAA10 locus were physically mapped onto distinct intergenic regions of chromosome III of the CL Brener clone contigs. The TcCAA10 locus was localised within a hypothetical protein gene in the T. cruzi genome. All microsatellites were polymorphic and useful for T. cruzi genetic variability studies. Using the TcTAC15 locus it was possible to separate the strains belonging to the T. cruzi I lineage (DTU I) from those belonging to T. cruzi II (DTU IIb), T. cruzi III (DTU IIc) and a hybrid group (DTU IId, IIe). The long flanking regions of these novel microsatellites allowed construction of nested primers and the use of full nested PCR protocols. This strategy enabled us to detect and differentiate T. cruzi strains directly in clinical specimens including heart, blood, CSF and skin tissues from patients in the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease.

Sympathetic Dysautonomia in Heart Failure by 123I-MIBG: comparison between Chagasic, non-Chagasic and heart transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a severe public health problem because of its high morbidity and mortality and elevated costs, thus requiring better understanding of its course. In its complex and multifactorial pathogenesis, sympathetic hyperactivity plays a relevant role. Considering that sympathetic dysfunction is already present in the initial phases of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) and frequently associated with a worse prognosis, we assumed it could be more severe in CCC than in cardiomyopathies of other etiologies (non-CCC). OBJECTIVES: To assess the cardiac sympathetic dysfunction 123I-MIBG) of HF, comparing individuals with CCC to those with non-CCC, using heart transplant (HT) patients as denervated heart parameters. METHODS: We assessed 76 patients with functional class II-VI HF, being 25 CCC (17 men), 25 non-CCC (14 men) and 26 HT (20 men), by use of cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine 123I-MIBG) scintigraphy, estimating the early and late heart-to-mediastinum ratio (HMR) of 123I-MIBG uptake and cardiac washout (WO%). The 5% significance level was adopted in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The early and late HMR values were 1.73 ± 0.24 and 1.58 ± 0.27, respectively, in CCC, and 1.62 ± 0.21 and 1.44 ± 0.16 in non-CCC (p = NS), being, however, higher in HT patients (p < 0.001). The WO% values were 41.65 ± 21.4 (CCC), 47.37 ± 14.19% (non-CCC) and 43.29 ± 23.02 (HT), p = 0.057. The late HMR values showed a positive weak correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in CCC and non-CCC (r = 0.42 and p = 0.045; and r = 0.49 and p = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSION: Sympathetic hyperactivity 123I-MIBG) was evidenced in patients with class II-IV HF, LVEF < 45%, independently of the HF etiology, as compared to HT patients.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The Role of Myocardial Deformation Indices and Right Ventricle Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Abstract Background: Right ventricular dysfunction is a major complication in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and, despite its prognostic implications, is rarely considered in routine clinical analysis. Objectives: To compare RV function variables with standard and advanced echocardiographic techniques in patients with stable COPD and controls. Methods: Twenty COPD patients classified as GOLD ≥ II (13 men aged 68.4 ± 8.3 years) and 20 matched controls were compared. Myocardial strain/strain rate indices were obtained by tissue Doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Right ventricular ejection fraction was obtained with three-dimensional software. Free wall myocardial thickness (FWMT) and tricuspid annular systolic excursion (TAPSE) were also measured. Numerical variables were compared between groups with Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. Associations between categorical variables were determined with Fisher's exact test. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: All myocardial deformation indices, particularly global longitudinal strain (-17.2 ± 4.4 vs -21.2: ± 4.4 = 0.001) and 3D right ventricular ejection fraction (40.8 ± 9.3% vs 51.1 ± 6.4% p <0.001) were reduced in COPD patients. These patients presented higher right ventricular FWMT and lower TAPSE values than controls. Conclusion: Myocardial deformation indices, either tissue Doppler or speckle tracking echocardiography and 3D right ventricular ejection fraction, are robust markers of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with stable COPD. Assessing global longitudinal strain by speckle tracking echocardiography is a more practical and reproducible method.

Perfil alimentar de transplantados cardíacos de um centro transplantador brasileiro - Atuação da enfermagem neste cenário / Perfil alimentario de los trasplantes de corazón en un centro de trasplante brasileño - Desempeño de la enfermería en este escenario / Food profile of heart transplants in a brazilian transplantation center - Nursing performance in this scenario

Objetivo- Descrever o perfil alimentar de pacientes pós transplante cardíaco (TC) tardio de um centro transplantador brasileiro. Método- Estudo observacional transversal com delineamento descritivo. O estudo ocorreu em uma instituição de ensino público de Minas Gerais. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período de 2017 a 2019. Resultados-. A amostra do estudo foi composta por 62 indivíduos transplantados entre os anos de 2006 a 2016. Aproximadamente 63% era do sexo masculino. A média de idade foi de 46,53 anos. O consumo de carboidratos e gorduras foi adequado em 46,77% e 59,68% da amostra, respectivamente. Já o consumo de proteínas foi acima do recomendado em 77,42% e o consumo de fibras abaixo do recomendado em 79,03%. Conclusão- Houve a predominância do sexo masculino. Os indivíduos apresentaram um consumo adequado somente de carboidratos e gorduras. Não houve na literatura estudos descrevendo a atuação do enfermeiro no processo de nutrição neste cenário(AU)

Objective- To describe the dietary profile of patients after late heart transplantation (HT) from a Brazilian transplant center. Method- Cross-sectional observational study with descriptive design. The study took place in a public education institution in Minas Gerais. Data collection took place from 2017 to 2019. Results-. The study sample consisted of 62 individuals transplanted between 2006 and 2016. Approximately 63% were male. The mean age was 46.53 years. The consumption of carbohydrates and fats was adequate in 46.77% and 59.68% of the sample, respectively. The consumption of proteins was above the recommended in 77.42% and the consumption of fibers below the recommended in 79.03%. Conclusion- There was a predominance of males. The individuals presented an adequate consumption of only carbohydrates and fats. There were no studies in the literature describing the role of nurses in the nutrition process in this scenario(AU)

Objetivo- Describir el perfil dietético de pacientes después de un trasplante cardíaco (TC) tardío de un centro de trasplante brasileño. Método- Estudio observacional transversal con diseño descriptivo. El estudio se llevó a cabo en una institución de educación pública en Minas Gerais. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo de 2017 a 2019. Resultados-. La muestra del estudio estuvo compuesta por 62 individuos trasplantados entre 2006 y 2016. Aproximadamente el 63% eran hombres. La edad media fue de 46,53 años. El consumo de carbohidratos y grasas fue adecuado en el 46,77% y 59,68% de la muestra, respectivamente. El consumo de proteína estuvo por encima del nivel recomendado en un 77,42% y el consumo de fibra por debajo del nivel recomendado en un 79,03%. Conclusión- Hubo predominio del sexo masculino. Los individuos presentaron un consumo adecuado de solo carbohidratos y grasas. No hubo estudios en la literatura que describieran el papel del enfermero en el proceso de nutrición en este escenario.(AU)

Prognosis of chronic Chagas heart disease and other pending clinical challenges

In this chapter, the main prognostic markers of Chagas heart disease are addressed, with an emphasis on the most recent findings and questions, establishing the basis for a broad discussion of recommendations and new approaches to managing Chagas cardiopathy. The main biological and genetic markers and the contribution of the electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance are presented. We also discuss the most recent therapeutic proposals for heart failure, thromboembolism and arrhythmias, as well as current experience in heart transplantation in patients suffering from severe Chagas cardiomyopathy. The clinical and epidemiological challenges introduced by acute Chagas disease due to oral contamination are discussed. In addition, we highlight the importance of ageing and comorbidities in influencing the outcome of chronic Chagas heart disease. Finally, we discuss the importance of public policies, the vital role of funding agencies, universities, the scientific community and health professionals, and the application of new technologies in finding solutions for better management of Chagas heart disease.

The amidase activity of human tissue kallikrein is significantly lower in the urine of patients with systolic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that activates several neurohumoral systems. There is little information on the participation of renal kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) in HF. Kallikreins are key enzymes in this system. Thus it was decided to evaluate the role of renal human tissue kallikrein (hK1) in HF patients and, indirectly, to evaluate the role of renal KKS in this disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-eight systolic HF patients, > or =18 years, in New York Heart Association's functional classes II-IV, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < or =40%, not receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were selected. Twenty-eight healthy individuals, paired according to gender, ethnics and age, were used as controls. Early-morning midstream urine from every subject was used. hK1 amidase activity was estimated with D-Val-Leu-Arg-Nan substrate. Creatinine was determined by Jaffe's method. hK1 amidase activity was expressed in muM.min(-1).mL(-1) urine and in muM.min(-1).mg(-1) creatinine to correct for differences in urine flow rate. hK1 amidase activities were significantly lower in the urine of HF patients. CONCLUSION: Because the hK1 amidase activity is significantly lower in the urine of systolic HF patients, it can be supposed that the activity of renal KKS may be suppressed in this disease.

Comparison of Quality of Life Between Patients with Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Recipients

Abstract Introduction: Heart transplantation is the treatment indicated for patients with advanced and refractory heart failure (HF). The transplant is expected to increase survival and improve the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to compare the level of HRQoL, as well as social and clinical variables, between patients with advanced HF and heart transplant (HT) recipients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted at a Brazilian university hospital, during outpatient consultations. The level of HRQoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and the comparison of the level of HRQoL was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Two hundred sixty-two patients participated in the study. Seventy-nine of them had advanced-stage HF and 183 were HT recipients. Compared to patients with advanced HF, HT recipients had a better level of HRQoL, were less frequently absent from work due to health problems, had higher income, used a higher number of medications, and there was a higher percentage of retirees among them (P-value < 0.001). Conclusion: In every comparison, HT recipients showed a better level of HRQoL than patients with advanced HF, along with less absence from work and higher income. These results suggest that heart transplantation can improve HRQoL and survival of patients with advanced HF.

Associated Clinical and Laboratory Markers of Donor on Allograft Function After Heart Transplant.

INTRODUCTION: Primary graft dysfunction is a major cause of mortality after heart transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate correlations between donor-related clinical/biochemical markers and the occurrence of primary graft dysfunction/clinical outcomes of recipients within 30 days of transplant. METHODS: The prospective study involved 43 donor/recipient pairs. Data collected from donors included demographic and echocardiographic information, noradrenaline administration rates and concentrations of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2), interleukins (IL-6 and IL-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, C-reactive protein and cardiac troponin I. Data collected from recipients included operating, cardiopulmonary bypass, intensive care unit and hospitalization times, inotrope administration and left/right ventricular function through echocardiography. RESULTS: Recipients who developed moderate/severe left ventricular dysfunction had received organs from significantly older donors (P =0.020). Recipients from donors who required moderate/high doses of noradrenaline (>0.23 µg/kg/min) around harvesting time exhibited lower post-transplant ventricular ejection fractions (P =0.002) and required longer CPB times (P =0.039). Significantly higher concentrations of sTNFR1 (P =0.014) and sTNFR2 (P =0.030) in donors were associated with reduced intensive care unit times (≤5 days) in recipients, while higher donor IL-6 (P =0.029) and IL-10 (P =0.037) levels were correlated with reduced hospitalization times (≤25 days) in recipients. Recipients who required moderate/high levels of noradrenaline for weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass were associated with lower donor concentrations of sTNFR2 (P =0.028) and IL-6 (P =0.001). CONCLUSION: High levels of sTNFR1, sTNFR2, IL-6 and IL-10 in donors were associated with enhanced evolution in recipients. Allografts from older donors, or from those treated with noradrenaline doses >0.23 µg/kg/min, were more frequently affected by primary graft dysfunction within 30 days of surgery.

Implications for clinical practice from a multicenter survey of heart failure management centers

OBJECTIVES: This observational, cross-sectional study based aimed to test whether heart failure (HF)-disease management program (DMP) components are influencing care and clinical decision-making in Brazil. METHODS: The survey respondents were cardiologists recommended by experts in the field and invited to participate in the survey via printed form or email. The survey consisted of 29 questions addressing site demographics, public versus private infrastructure, HF baseline data of patients, clinical management of HF, performance indicators, and perceptions about HF treatment. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 98 centers (58% public and 42% private practice) distributed across Brazil. Public HF-DMPs compared to private HF-DMP were associated with a higher percentage of HF-DMP-dedicated services (79% vs 24%; OR: 12, 95% CI: 94-34), multidisciplinary HF (MHF)-DMP [84% vs 65%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-8), HF educational programs (49% vs 18%; OR: 4; 95% CI: 1-2), written instructions before hospital discharge (83% vs 76%; OR: 1; 95% CI: 0-5), rehabilitation (69% vs 39%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-9), monitoring (44% vs 29%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 1-5), guideline-directed medical therapy-HF use (94% vs 85%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 0-15), and less B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) dosage (73% vs 88%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-9), and key performance indicators (37% vs 60%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 1-7). In comparison to non- MHF-DMP, MHF-DMP was associated with more educational initiatives (42% vs 6%; OR: 12; 95% CI: 1-97), written instructions (83% vs 68%; OR: 2: 95% CI: 1-7), rehabilitation (69% vs 17%; OR: 11; 95% CI: 3-44), monitoring (47% vs 6%; OR: 14; 95% CI: 2-115), GDMT-HF (92% vs 83%; OR: 3; 95% CI: 0-15). In addition, there were less use of BNP as a biomarker (70% vs 84%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 1-8) and key performance indicators (35% vs 51%; OR: 2; 95% CI: 91,6) in the non-MHF group. Physicians considered changing or introducing new medications mostly when patients were hospitalized or when observing worsening disease and/or symptoms. Adherence to drug treatment and non-drug treatment factors were the greatest medical problems associated with HF treatment. CONCLUSION: HF-DMPs are highly heterogeneous. New strategies for HF care should consider the present study highlights and clinical decision-making processes to improve HF patient care.

Cardiac sarcoidosis with severe involvement of the right ventricle: a case report.

We present the case of a patient who underwent cardiac transplantation with the diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Once the explanted heart was examined, a type of granulomatous myocarditis compatible with cardiac sarcoidosis was observed. However, there was severe involvement of the right ventricle, with markedly reduced width of the muscular layer and extensive fibrofatty replacement, findings similar to the ones encountered in cases of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Confocal immunofluorescence analysis revealed a reduced signal for plakoglobin and desmoplakin at the cardiac intercalated disks. The immunoreactive signal for desmin showed the typical sarcomeric distribution but not a concentrated signal at the intercalated disks, a pattern previously seen in an 11-year-old girl with Carvajal syndrome bearing a C-terminal truncating mutation in the desmoplakin gene. This case illustrates the difficult and challenging work involved in performing a differential diagnosis among idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, isolated cardiac sarcoidosis, and ARVC, all of which are clinical entities known to masquerade as one another.