The effect of dobutamine without and with L-arginine on arterial compliance in heart failure patients.

The effect of dobutamine on carotid and brachial arteries compliance and the association of L-arginine as a potential nitric oxide pathway restorer were evaluated in patients with heart failure. Twenty-seven outpatients participated. Drugs used for the treatment of heart failure were withheld at least 24 hours before the study. The carotid and brachial artery diameters and hemodynamic variables were evaluated by ultrasonography and Doppler in baseline conditions, with dobutamine, with flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and with placebo or L-arginine alone and associated with dobutamine. There was a significant increase in carotid peak blood flow with dobutamine when compared with that at baseline (P = 0.0001) or with L-arginine or placebo (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0001, respectively), with increase of the cardiac index (P = 0.0001). Dobutamine did not increase carotid arterial compliance. FMD significantly increased the brachial peak blood flow (P = 0.0022) and the artery diameter (P = 0.0001). Dobutamine did not change the brachial artery diameter. Brachial peak blood flow was increased with dobutamine alone or associated with placebo or L-arginine comparing with L-arginine or placebo alone (P = 0.0168 and P = 0.0140, respectively), but was not increased compared with that at baseline. L-arginine infusion was not associated with changes in carotid, brachial, or in the cardiac index. We concluded that dobutamine increased carotid peak blood flow in patients with heart failure, although without changing the arterial compliance. The FMD of brachial artery was maintained, while brachial artery response to dobutamine infusion was less reliable. The carotid artery may be under the direct influence of the heart, while the brachial artery may be under predominant local control.

Noninvasive detection of coronary allograft vasculopathy by myocardial contrast echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive detection of coronary allograft vasculopathy is still challenging. To determine the accuracy of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in detecting coronary allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation, we studied 35 asymptomatic patients (30 men, aged 46 +/- 12.7 years) with normal left ventricular function. METHODS: Patients underwent MCE with continuous contrast (perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin) administration. Images were obtained at baseline and during peak dobutamine (up to 40 mg/kg/min) with intermittent harmonic imaging. Areas failing to increase contrast enhancement during peak stress were regarded as abnormal. Coronary artery obstructions greater than 50% at angiography were considered significant. RESULTS: Seven out of 10 patients with coronary artery disease had a positive MCE and one patient with a positive MCE had no angiographically detected disease (sensitivity = 70%, specificity = 96%, accuracy = 88.6%). Agreement between the vascular territory and perfusion defects was good for the left anterior descending coronary artery (kappa = 0.56), but not for other arteries. Although 5 patients had multivessel disease, multiple perfusion defects were detected in only one patient. CONCLUSION: MCE showed good accuracy in detecting the presence of coronary allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation; however, it failed to identify the extent of the disease.

Hemodynamic and tissue oxygenation responses to exercise and beta-adrenergic blockade in patients with hyperthyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced dyspnea is a frequent feature in patients with hyperthyroidism. HYPOTHESIS: Data from clinical studies to elucidate the origin of this symptom are lacking. In the current study, we examined the hemodynamic and oxygenation responses to exercise and beta-adrenergic blockade in patients with hyperthyroidism and their relationship with dyspnea. METHODS: Hemodynamic studies were performed under resting conditions and after isotonic exercise in 15 patients with hyperthyroidism and 11 control subjects. Exercise was applied using a bicycle ergometer, with progressive loads. In the hyperthyroid group, measurements were repeated at rest and during supine exercise after administering 15 mg of intravenous metoprolol. RESULTS: End-diastolic pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac index were higher in the hyperthyroid group than in controls (18.6 +/- 5.3 vs. 11.2 +/- 4.9 mmHg; p = 0.02, and 6.0 +/- 1.7 vs. 2.8 +/- 0.5 l/min/m2; p = 0.0001, respectively). After exercise, there was an increase in end-diastolic pulmonary artery pressure in the hyperthyroid group (18.6 +/- 5.3 to 25.5 +/- 9.9 mmHg; p = 0.02), revealing impaired cardiocirculatory reserve. Pulmonary arteriolar resistance increased significantly in parallel with end-diastolic pulmonary artery pressure after drug administration, suggesting an inadequate cardiovascular response after beta blockade in patients with hyperthyroidism. CONCLUSION: We observed that functional left ventricular reserve is impaired in patients with hyperthyroidism, suggesting an explanation for the frequent symptom of dyspnea and impaired exercise tolerance. Moreover, we also suggest that beta-adrenergic blockade may adversely affect cardiovascular function in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Myocardial contrast echocardiography in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease: comparison with myocardial nuclear scintigraphy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) using PESDA and adenosine in bolus (ADN) with myocardial nuclear scintigraphy (NS) in patients (pts) undergoing routine investigation with a high probability of having coronary artery disease. METHODS: This study comprised 125 pts (85 men) with 58.4 +/- 10.6 years, who underwent MCE and NS within 4 weeks. MCE was performed with PESDA in a continuous infusion at rest and after administration of an adenosine bolus. The LV walls was divided into 3 territories related to the coronary arteries, in a total of 375 territories. MCE was normal when an increase in contrast intensity occurred after ADN. The reduction in contrast intensity at rest or after ADN was defined as an abnormal MCE result. NS was performed according to classical protocols. When compared per patient, both examinations were considered concordant when they were normal or abnormal, independent of its location. The comparison by territory was considered concordant when perfusion defects existed or not in the same territory. The chi-square test was used to determine the significance of concordance. RESULTS: In 106/125 pts, MCE and NS were concordant (84.8% - P < 0.001). Concordance occurred in 342/375 territories (91.2% - P < 0.001). For the LAD territory, concordance was 87.2%; for the RCA, 93.6%; and for the CX, 92.8% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An excellent concordance exists between MCE and NS in assessing pts for coronary artery disease; therefore, MCE may represent a good alternative for assessing myocardial perfusion.

Study of coronary sinus flow reserve through transesophageal Doppler echocardiography in normal subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Coronary Flow Reserve in the Coronary Sinus through transesophageal Doppler echocardiography in normal subjects. METHODS: We obtained technically adequate flow samples for analysis in 10 healthy volunteers (37+/-8 years, 5 men) with no history of heart or systemic disease and with mean left ventricular mass index by transthoracic echocardiography of 87+/-18 g/m2. Coronary sinus flow velocity was recorded within the coronary sinus with the patient in a resting condition and during intravenous adenosine infusion at a dose of 140 micro g/kg/min for 4 minutes. Recording of coronary sinus blood flow was possible in all cases with measurement of peak systolic, diastolic, and retrograde velocities (PSV, PDV, and PRV, cm/sec), mean systolic and diastolic velocities (MSV and MDV, cm/sec), and systolic and diastolic velocity time integral (VTI S and VTI D, cm/sec). RESULTS: The coronary flow reserve was calculated as the ratio between the blood flow in the basal state and the maximum measured hyperemic blood flow with adenosine infusion. Results are shown as mean and standard deviations. (CFR = PSV + PDV - PRV/basal PSV): 1st min = 2.2+/-0.21; 2nd min = 3+/-0.3; 3rd min = 3.4+/-0.37; 4th min = 3.6 +/- 0.33. CONCLUSION: Although coronary sinus flow had significantly increased in the first minute, higher velocities were seen at third and fourth minutes, indicating that these should be the best times to study coronary sinus flow with intravenous adenosine in continuous infusion.

Comparison of open commissurotomy and balloon valvuloplasty in mitral stenosis. A five-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical and laboratory data in patients with mitral stenosis undergoing open commissurotomy or balloon valvuloplasty, who were followed up for 5 years. METHODS: Eighty-one patients were prospectively assessed prior to the procedure (PRE) and immediately after the procedure, in the immediate postoperative period (IPO), and followed up yearly for 5 years (PO12M, PO24M, PO36M, PO48M, and PO60M). They were randomized into the following 2 groups: GC (group undergoing open commissurotomy): 37 patients (32.4 +/- 7.2 years; 89.2% females); and GV (group undergoing balloon valvuloplasty): 44 patients (32.9 +/- 9.5 years; 90.9% females). The patients' assessment comprised the following items: functional class, occurrence of events, electrocardiography, and Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: A significant improvement in functional class occurred in most patients. Three patients in GC and in GV were in functional class III in PO60M. No difference in the mitral gradient was observed between the groups. A difference in the mean mitral valve areas was observed between the groups during the entire evaluation. No patients died. In regard to the IPO of GC, 3 patients had moderate mitral insufficiency (MI), and 3 had bleeding (1 was reoperated upon). In the IPO of GV, 4 patients had moderate MI, 1 had severe MI, 2 had cardiac tamponade, and 1 patient required surgery due to severe MI. Over 60 months, 9 GV patients evolved to moderate or severe MI, while 6 GC patients evolved to moderate or severe MI, and 2 other GC patients required surgery due to double mitral dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The rate of success in open mitral commissurotomy and balloon mitral valvuloplasty was 100%, and the rate of complications was low. During follow-up, a mild elevation in mitral gradient and a drop in mitral valve area were observed in both groups.

Resolution of an acute aortic syndrome with aortic valve insufficiency post-PCI.

BACKGROUND: Acute aortic syndrome is the modern term that includes aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, and symptomatic aortic ulcer. Iatrogenic coronary artery dissection extending to the aorta during percutaneous coronary intervention is a very rare but life-threatening complication. Despite some reports of spontaneous recovery, most of these patients are treated surgically as a spontaneous aortic dissection, especially if there is a complication of the aortic lesion. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old white female was submitted to an angioplasty in the right coronary without success and the procedure was complicated by a dissection in aortic root with progressive extension to the ascending aorta. This lesion deformed the aortic valve, leaving it with an acute moderate regurgitation. Because of current use of clopidogrel and clinical stability of the patient, the local Heart Team decided to withdrawn this antiplatelet for 5 days before surgery despite the risk related to the aortic syndrome. A new echocardiogram 3 days later showed that the hematoma was reabsorbed with improvement of the aortic insufficiency. An angiotomography confirmed the reabsorption of the hematoma. The surgery was canceled and the patient was maintained in a conservative treatment and discharged. Seventeen months later, she was re-evaluated and was still asymptomatic without aortic regurgitation in the echocardiogram and showing progressive regression of the aortic hematoma in the tomography. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the conservative treatment, this case of iatrogenic aortic dissection complicated by an acute aortic regurgitation had a good evolution in a follow-up of 17 months.

Daily anticipatory rhythms of behavior and body temperature in response to glucose availability in rats

When food is available recurrently at a particular time of day, several species increase their locomotion in the hours that precede food delivery, a phenomenon called food anticipatory activity (FAA). In mammals, many studies have shown that FAA is driven by a food-entrained circadian oscillator (FEO) that is distinct from the light-entrained pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. Few studies have investigated the effect of sugar ingestion on food anticipatory rhythms and the FEO. We aimed to extend the understanding of the role of glucose on the emergence of food anticipatory rhythms by investigating whether glucose ingestion is sufficient to produce daily food anticipation, reflected by motor activity and core body temperature rhythms. Under a 12 h/12 h light/dark cycle, chow-deprived rats had glucose solution available between Zeitgeber Time (ZT) 6 and ZT 9 for 10 days (glucose restriction group), whereas control animals had chow available within the same time window (chow restriction group). Animals in both groups exhibited anticipatory motor activity and body temperature around the fourth day of the scheduled food restriction. Glucose-fed rats ingested ~15 kcal on the days immediately before FAA emergence and reached an intake of ~20 kcal/day, whereas chow-fed rats ingested ~40 kcal/day. The glucose restriction group exhibited a pattern of food anticipation (activity and temperature) that was extremely similar to that observed in the chow restriction group. We conclude that glucose ingestion is a sufficient temporal cue to produce recurrent food anticipation, reflected by activity and temperature rhythms, in rats.

Angiotensin II contributes to arterial compliance in congestive heart failure.

Arterial compliance is determined by structural factors, such as collagen and elastin, and functional factors, such as vasoactive neurohormones. To determine whether angiotensin II contributes to decreased arterial compliance in patients with heart failure, this study tested the hypothesis that administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor improves arterial compliance. Arterial compliance and stiffness were determined by measuring carotid artery diameter, using high-resolution duplex ultrasonography, and blood pressure in 23 patients with heart failure secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Measurements were made before and after intravenous administration of enalaprilat (1 mg) or vehicle. Arterial compliance was inversely related to both baseline plasma angiotensin II (r = -0.52; P = 0.015) and angiotensin-converting enzyme concentrations (r = -0.45; P = 0.041). During isobaric conditions, enalaprilat increased carotid artery compliance from 3.0 +/- 0.4 to 5.0 +/- 0.4 x 10(-10) N(-1). m(4) (P = 0.001) and decreased the carotid artery stiffness index from 17.5 +/- 1.8 to 10.1 +/- 0.6 units (P = 0.001), whereas the vehicle had no effect. Thus angiotensin II is associated with reduced carotid arterial compliance in patients with congestive heart failure, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition improves arterial elastic properties. This favorable effect on the pulsatile component of afterload may contribute to the improvement in left ventricular performance that occurs in patients with heart failure treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Comparison between percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty and open commissurotomy for mitral stenosis. A prospective and randomized study.

Eighty patients with tight and pliable mitral stenosis were randomized in a prospective trial comparing percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty and open commissurotomy. Mitral valve area increased significantly in both groups immediately after the procedures. However, a decrease in mitral valve area occurred in both groups at 6, 12 and 24 months during the follow-up. There was no death in either group. Two patients had significant mitral regurgitation after percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. After 24 months, all patients in the commissurotomy group and 97.4% of the patients in the balloon valvuloplasty group were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II.

Long-term impact of renal transplantation on carotid artery properties and on ventricular hypertrophy in end-stage renal failure patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine prospectively the impact of renal transplantation on the morphological and functional characteristics of the carotid arteries and heart in a group of end-stage renal failure patients without overt cardiovascular disease, followed up for >3 years. METHODS: Twenty-two patients were evaluated 2-3 weeks after renal transplantation, and again 12 and 40 months post-transplant, using high resolution ultrasound imaging and echocardiography. RESULTS: Kidney and patient survival were 100% at the end of follow-up without any major cardiovascular events. After 40+/-1.2 months, carotid morphological parameters were normalized: carotid intima-media thickness fell from 788+/-24 to 676+/-32 microm (P<0.01) and the carotid wall/lumen ratio fell from 118+/-3 to 103+/-3 microm (P<0.01). Significant reduction of left ventricular (LV) posterior wall thickness (11.5+/-0.2 to 11.3+/-0.2 mm, P<0.05) and LV mass index (172+/-9 to 158+/-8 g/m(2), P<0.01) was already observed after 12+/-0.2 months. Further reduction of LV posterior wall thickness (10.4+/-0.3 mm, P<0.01) and of LV mass index (136+/-7 g/m(2), P<0.01) also occurred after 40+/-1.2 months. However, carotid distensibility (19.5+/-2.1 vs 22+/-2.4, not significant (NS)) and LV compliance (early to atrial flow ratio: 1.2+/-0.1 vs 1.3+/-0.1, NS) remained abnormal, and normalization of the LV mass was attained by only 25% of the patients with LV hypertrophy on baseline. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the rate of change of reduction of the intima-media thickness was influenced by age (negative association, P<0.001) and was positively related to white race (P<0.05), female sex (P<0.01) and to the parallel reduction of maximum carotid diameter (P<0.001). Reduction of LV mass index over time was negatively related to the duration of dialysis treatment and to the parallel increase observed in body mass index and haematocrit, and was positively related to the simultaneous reduction of diastolic blood pressure (P<0.01 for all variables). CONCLUSIONS: Successful renal transplantation improves but does not cause complete regression of the cardiovascular alterations of end-stage renal disease. Only intima-media thickness was normalized by transplantation, whereas LVMI and carotid and ventricular distensibility remained abnormal. The results suggest that extended duration of dialysis, weight gain, high blood pressure and high haematocrit may adversely affect the rate of change of post-transplant cardiovascular hypertrophy.

Ecocardiografia de contraste miocárdico em pacientes com doença arterial coronariana suspeita ou conhecida: comparação com a cintilografia miocárdica com radioisótopos / Myocardial contrast echocardiography in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease: comparison with myocardial nuclear scintigraphy

OBJETIVO: Comparar a ecocardiografia de contraste miocárdico (ECM) usando PESDA e adenosina em bolus (ADN) com a cintilografia miocárdica com radioisótopos (CM) em pacientes (pts) submetidos a investigação e alta probabilidade de doença arterial coronariana. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 125 pts, 58,4 ± 10,6 anos, 85 homens, com ECM e CM, realizados com intervalo máximo de 4 semanas. ECM foi realizada com PESDA em infusão contínua em repouso e após ADN. As paredes do VE foram divididas em 3 territórios relacionados às artérias coronarianas, totalizando 375 territórios. ECM foi normal quando houve aumento da intensidade do contraste após ADN. Diminuição da intensidade do contraste em repouso ou após ADN foi definida como ECM anormal. CM foi realizada usando protocolos clássicos. Comparados por pacientes, foram considerados concordantes quando ambos exames eram normais ou anormais independente de localização. A comparação por território foi considerada concordante quando havia ou não déficit perfusional num mesmo território. A significância da concordância foi feita pelo teste do qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Em 106/125 pts ECM e CM foram concordantes (84,8 por cento - p<0,001). Houve concordância em 342/375 territórios (91,2 por cento - p<0,001). Para o território de DA a concordância foi de 87,2 por cento, para CD 93,6 por cento e para CX 92,8 por cento (p<0,001). CONCLUSAO: Existe uma ótima concordância entre ECM e CM nos pts em investigação para doença arterial coronariana, podendo a ECM representar uma alternativa à avaliação da perfusão miocárdica.

Estudo do fluxo de reserva coronariana no seio coronariano através de Dopper ecocardiograma transesofágico em indivíduos normais / Study of coronary sinus flow reserve through transesophageal Doppler echocardiography in normal subjects

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the Coronary Flow Reserve in the Coronary Sinus through transesophageal Doppler echocardiography in normal subjects. METHODS - We obtained technically adequate flow samples for analysis in 10 healthy volunteers (37±8 years, 5 men) with no history of heart or systemic disease and with mean left ventricular mass index by transthoracic echocardiography of 87±18 g/m². Coronary sinus flow velocity was recorded within the coronary sinus with the patient in a resting condition and during intravenous adenosine infusion at a dose of 140 æg/kg/min for 4 minutes. Recording of coronary sinus blood flow was possible in all cases with measurement of peak systolic, diastolic, and retrograde velocities (PSV, PDV, and PRV, cm/sec), mean systolic and diastolic velocities (MSV and MDV, cm/sec), and systolic and diastolic velocity time integral (VTI S and VTI D, cm/sec). RESULTS - The coronary flow reserve was calculated as the ratio between the blood flow in the basal state and the maximum measured hyperemic blood flow with adenosine infusion. Results are shown as mean and standard deviations. (CFR = PSV + PDV -- PRV/basal PSV): 1st min = 2.2±0.21; 2nd min = 3±0.3; 3rd min = 3.4±0.37; 4th min = 3.6 ± 0.33. CONCLUSION - Although coronary sinus flow had significantly increased in the first minute, higher velocities were seen at third and fourth minutes, indicating that these should be the best times to study coronary sinus flow with intravenous adenosine in continuous infusion

Arterial distensibility as a possible compensatory mechanism in chronic aortic regurgitation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate elastic properties of conduit arteries in asymptomatic patients who have severe chronic aortic regurgitation. METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers aged 30Ý1 years (control group) and 14 asymptomatic patients with severe aortic regurgitation aged 29Ý2 years and left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.61Ý0.02 (radioisotope ventriculography) were studied. High-resolution ultrasonography was performed to measure the systolic and diastolic diameters of the common carotid artery. Simultaneous measurement of blood pressure enabled the calculation of arterial compliance and distensibility. RESULTS: No differences were observed between patients with aortic regurgitation and the control group concerning age, sex, body surface, and mean blood pressure. Pulse pressure was significantly higher in the aortic regurgitation group compared with that in the control group (78Ý3 versus 48Ý1mmHg, P<0.01). Arterial compliance and distensibility were significantly greater in the aortic regurgitation group compared with that in the control group (11.0Ý0.8 versus 8.1Ý0.7 10-10 N-1 m4, P=0.01 e and 39.3Ý2.6 versus 31.1Ý2.0 10-6 N-1 m², P=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic aortic regurgitation have increased arterial distensibility. Greater vascular compliance, to lessen the impact of systolic volume ejected into conduit arteries, represents a compensatory mechanism in left ventricular and arterial system coupling

Efeitos da rejeição na reserva de contratilidade do enxerto após o transplante cardíaco / Effects of rejection on the contratile reserve of the graft after heart trasnplantation

OBJETIVO- Testar a hipótese de que a rejeiçäo após transplante cardíaco poderia diminuir a reserva de contralidade do ventrículo esquerdo (VE).MÉTODOS - Foram estudados 11 pacientes utilizando-se metodologia näo invasiva (ecocardiografia e pressäo arterial sistêmicca). Os parämetros ecocardiográficos epressóricos (pressäo sistólica final (PSF), frequência cardíaca (FC)volumes diastólico final (VDF) e sistólico final (VSF), fraçäo de ejeçäo (FE), esforço sistólico final (ESF) e a relaçäo de final de sístole entre o esforço e o volume (ESF/VSF) do VE foram obtidos em 68 estudos realizados sete dias-12 meses após o transplante.De acordo com o resultado das biopsias, os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos:grup A- sem rejeiçäo (53 estudos) e grupos B - com rejeiçäo (15 estudos).RESULTADOS - A infusäo de nitroprussiato provocou mudanças significativas e semelhantes nos dois grupos em todos os parâmetros, com exeçäo da relaçäo ESF/VSF.(A=68ñ12mL), o VSF(A=12ñ5 e B=18ñ12mL) e o ESF(A=59ñ13 e B=82ñ20g/cm²); aumentou a FC(A=94ñ9eB=93ñ16bpm) e a FE(A=83ñ5eB=79ñ8 por cento) e näo provocou modificaçäo na relaçäo ESF/VSF (A=5,5ñ1,7 e B=4,8ñ1,5g/cm²/mL) A infusäo de dobutamina provocou mudanças distintas nos 2 grupos, com exeçäo da PSF que aumentou de forma similar (A=156ñ26eB149ñ26mmHg). Os aumentos na FC na FE e na relaçäo ESF/vsf foram significamente maiores no grupo A do que no grupo B (FC-A=117ñ19 e B=102ñ25bpm; Fe- A=91ñ4e B=78ñ11 por cento, ESF/VSf - A=13,1ñ6 e B=6,1ñ3,1g/cm²/mL), bem como foram significativamente menores no grupo A o VDF (57ñ18x94ñ35mL),o VSF (5ñ3x24ñ20mL) e o ESF (57ñ21x102ñ40g/cm²).CONCLUSAO- A rejeiçäo pode näo alterar a funçäo contrátil de repouso do VE mas deprime sua reserva de contralidade.

Efeitos agudos da ibopamina sobre a mêcanica ea contralidade ventricular esquerda em Pacientes com Cardiomiopatia dilatada idiopática / Acute Effects of Ibopamine on Left Ventricular Mechanics and Contractility in Patients with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

OBJETIVO - Avaliar os efeitos agudos da ibopamina (IBO) sobre a mecânica e a contrabilidade miocárdica em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC)refratária secundária à cardiomiopatia dilatada idiopática.MÉTODOS- Foram estudados 10 pacientes (idade= 43+-7anos) do sexo masculino, em ritmo sinusal, com cardiomiopatia dilatada idiopática e ICC refratária.Foram realizados estudos ecocardiográficos e hemodinâmicos (cateter micro-tip) simultâneos, antes (basal) e após (20,40 e 60min) à administraçäo de um comprimido de 200mg de IBO.Para cada fase obtidas as relaçöes pressäo/diâmetro e esforço/de formaçäo do ventrículo esquerdo (VE).A partir destas relaçöes foram analisados:frequência cardíaca (FC-bpm), débito cardíaco (DC-L/m), pressäo diastólica final (PDF-mmHg); fraçäo de encurtamento (D por cento); elastância máxima (E máx - mmHg/cm/s);esforços sistólico final (ESF-g/cm2) e diastólito final (EDF-g/cm2); rididez da cavidade (Kp-mmHg/cm) e do músculo cardíaco (Km-g/cm2);e tempo da constante de relaxamento (Tau-ms).RESULTADOS- Na condiçäo basal e aos 20,40 e 60min após a administraçäo da IBO, näo houve variaçäo significante na FC (99+-7;99+-8e99+-10), e foram observados aumentos signifacantes do DC (4,13+-1,28;4,95+-1,38;5,13+-1,86;5,18+-1,57), do D por cento (13,7+-2,4;15,4+-2,8;15,9+-1,8;16,1+-2,0), e da E máx (14,8+-3,2;16+-3,6;17,7+-4,2;17,6+-4,2).Houve mudanças significativas, com aumento transitório inicial seguido de diminuiçäo da PDF ( 26,3+-4,2;30,6+-6,4;24,6+-5,6;22,3+-4,6) do EDF (79,7+-22,8;91,7+-29,6;79+-31;63+-17,3) e do Kp (27,2+-12,6;60+-26,7;27,9+-11,7;28+-11).CONCLUSAO - A IBO produziu efeito benéfico na funçäo sistólica e diastólica do VE, bem como aumentou a contratilidade em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca severa devido à cardiomiopatia dilatada idiopática

Purpose - The effects of ibopamine (IBO) on left ventricular (LV) mechanics and contractility have not been described. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that IBO has a contractile effect at a dose of 200mg. Methods - Ten male patients (43±7 years) with refractory heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were studied. The patients were submitted to simultaneous echo-Doppler and hemodynamic (microtip catheter) studies, before (B) and after (20, 40 and 60 minutes) a dose of 200mg of IBO. LV pressure/diameter and stress/strain relations were obtained. Subsequently, heart rate (HR-bpm), cardiac output (CO-L/m), end-diastolic pressure (EDPmmHg); fractional shortening (FS-%); maximal elastance (Emax-mmHg/cm/s); end systolic (ESS-g/cm2) and enddiastolic (EDS-g/cm2) stress; chamber (Kp-mmHg/cm) andmuscle (Km-g/cm2) stiffness, and the time of constant relaxation (Tau-ms) were analyzed. Results - Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation for conditions before and after IBO (20, 40 and 60 minutes) respectively. There was no change in HR (99±7; 100±7; 99±8; 99±10). Significant increa ses were observed in CO (4.13±1.28; 4.95±1.38; 5.13±1.86;5.18±1.57), FS (13.7±2.4; 15.4±2.8; 15.9±1.8; 16.1±2.0), and Emax (14.8±3.2; 16±3.6; 17.7±4.2; 17.6±4.2). A transient (20 minutes) increase followed by a decrease (40 and 60 minutes) ocurred in EDP (26.3±4.2; 30.6±6.4; 24.6±5.6; 22.3±4.6), EDS (79.7±22.8; 91.7±29.6; 79±31; 63±17.3), and Kp (27.2±12.6; 60±26.7; 27.9±11.7; 28.1±11). Conclusion - IBO has a beneficial effect on LV systolic and diastolic function as well as on contractility in patients with heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Aneurisma subvalvar mitral de ventrículo esquerdo / Mitral subvalvular aneurysm of the left ventricle

A 21-year-old white man presented with cardiogenic shock and refractory pulmonary congestion. At the transthoracic echocardiogram a subvalvar left ventricular aneurysm of the inferior wall with severe mitral regurgitation was observed. The outcome was favorable after surgical correction of the mitral regurgitation and of the subvalvar aneurysm. We emphasize that, whenever possible, valvar repair is better than mitral replacement, since annulus tissue fragility causes suturing of the mitral prosthesis to be difficult.

Efeitos da ventriculectomia parcial nas propriedades mecânicas, forma e geometria do ventrículo esquerdo em portadores de cardiomiopatia dilatada / Effects of Partial Ventriculectomy on Left Ventricular Mechanical Properties, Shape and Geometry in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the short-term effects of the partial ventriculectomy (resection of lateral wall associated to mitral annuloplasty) on cardiac mechanics, contractility, shape and geometry of the left ventricle (LV). METHODS: Eleven male patients with severe congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy were studied. The mean age was 51 +/- 7 years and the functional class was III (five patients) or IV (six patients) before the surgery. Patients were evaluated before and at 17 +/- 4 days after the surgery by simultaneous LV pressure and echocardiographic data. End-diastolic pressure (EDP-mmHg), wall stress (EDS-g/cm2) and diameter (EDD-cm); endsystolic wall stress (ESS) and diameter (ESD), fractional shortening (FS-) and maximal elastance (Emax-mmHg/ cm/s); the diastolic slope of the pressure-diameter (Kp-mmHg/cm) and stress-strain (Km-g/cm2) loops; shape (L/ EDD, adimensional, where L is the LV long axis) and geometry (Th/EDD, adimensional, where TH is the LV diastolic thickness) were obtained. RESULTS: 1) The ressected muscle fragments (diamond shape) were 10.8 +/- 1.3 cm in length and 5 +/- 0.6 cm in width; 2) all patients were discharged from hospital (15-29 days) in class I (eight cases), II (two), and III (one); 3) it was observed a decrease in EDP (24.3 +/- 7.7 x 17.5 +/- 3.2, p = 0.016); in EDD (8.0 +/- 0.7 x 7.2 +/- 0.8, p = 0.002); in EDS (57.9 +/- 26.8 x 37.4 +/- 19.2, p = 0.005); in ESS (199 +/- 46.9 x 102.8 +/- 33.1, p = 0.004); in ESD (7.1 +/- 0.7 x 5.7 +/- 0.8, p < 0.001); in Kp (22.3 +/- 15.9 x 11.5 +/- 6.9, p = 0.014); and in K(m) (467.4 +/- 212 x 214.6 +/- 87.4, p = 0.01); and, 4) it was noted an increase in FS (11.5 +/- 1.8 x 19.8 +/- 3.9, p < 0.001); in Emax (13.8 +/- 2.2 x 18.6 +/- 3.2, p < 0.001); and in L/EDD (1.32 +/- 0.1 x 1.47 +/- 0.13, p < 0.007) and Th/Dd (0.11 +/- 0.04 x 0.17 +/- 0.08, p < 0.038). CONCLUSION: The partial ventriculectomy showed multiple significant beneficial effects in these dilated myopathic hearts.

Estudo comparativo entre balão único de inoue e duplo balão na valvoplastia mitral percutânea. Resultados imediatos e após seguimento de um ano / Comparative study between inoue single balloon and double balloon in percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty. Immediate results and after 1 year follow-up

PURPOSE: To compare early and 12 months results of mitral stenosis (MS) correction by percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) using Inoue's single-balloon or double balloon techniques. METHODS: We submitted 139 consecutive patients to PMBV using Inoue single-balloon (n = 56, GI) or the double balloon technique (n = 83, GII). The two groups were similar, in: age, sex, functional class (FC), echocardiographic (ECHO) score, mitral valve area (MVA), and gradient (G) or presence of regurgitation. Clinical and ECHO data were compared before (PRE), immediately after (POI) and one year following the procedure (PO12M). RESULTS: PMBV was successfully performed in 53 (95) patients of GI and in 79 (96) of GII. Statistical analyses showed that the groups were similar at POI but different at PO12M (p < 0.002). ECHO immediately after PMBV showed that: MVA increased from 0.99 +/- 0.23 to 2.01 +/- 0.44cm2 (p < 0.001) in GI and from 0.94 +/- 0.23 to 2.09 +/- 0.35cm2 (p < 0.001) in GII and G decreased from 11.58 +/- 5.02 to 5.16 +/- 2.23mmHg (p < 0.001) in GI and from 12.48 +/- 4.89 to 5.96 +/- 3.21mmHg (p < 0.001) in GII. After one year 36 (64) patients in GI and 62 (74) in GII underwent an ECHO study. A comparison between immediate and one year follow-up results showed that MVA decreased from 2.01 +/- 0.4 to 2.00 +/- 0.3cm2 (NS) in GI and from 2.09 +/- 0.3 to 1.74 +/- 0.4cm2 (p < 0.001) in GII and G decreased from 5.16 +/- 2.2 to 5.50 +/- 2.9mmHg (NS) in GI and from 5.96 +/- 3.2 to 8.61 +/- 4.8mmHg (p < 0.001) in GII. There was therefore a sustained improvement of MVA and G after one year in GI and a significant decrease in MVA and G in GII. The FC after one year was similar and satisfactory in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both techniques are equally effective in relieving MS immediately after PMBV, but after one year, despite similar FC, Inoue-balloon technique seems to be superior to maintain MVA and G.

Objetivo - Comparar os resultados imediatos e de 12 meses das técnicas de duplo balão e do balão único de Inoue na correção da estenose mitral (EM) pela valvoplastia por cateter-balão (VMCB). Métodos - Submetemos 139 pacientes consecutivos, portadores de EM sintomática à VMCB. A técnica de Inoue foi utilizada em 56 pacientes (GI) e a do duplo balão em 83 (GII). Ambos os grupos eram semelhantes quanto a: idade, sexo, classe funcional (CF), escore ecocardiográfico, gradiente (G) e área valvar mitral (AVM), mitral (G) e pre sença de insuficiência mitral pela ecodopplercardiografia no pré-VMCB (PRE). Analisaram-se dados clínicoecocardiográficos, no PRE, logo após-VMCB (POI) e em 12 meses (PO12M). Resultados - A VMCB foi considerada com sucesso em 53 (95%) pacientes do GI e em 79 (96%) do GII. Análise estatística revelou que os grupos eram semelhantes no POI e diferentes no PO12M (p< 0,002). Os resultados no POI mostraram que a média da AVM (cm2) aumentou de 0,99 ± 0,23 para 2,01 ± 0,44 (p< 0,001) no GI e de 0,94 ± 0,23 para 2,09 ± 0,35 (p<0,001) no GII, o G (mmHg) diminuiu de 11,58 ± 5,02 para 5,16 ± 2,23 (p<0,001) no GI e de 12,48 ± 4,89 para 5,96 ± 3,21 (p<0,001) no GII. No PO12M, 36/53 (64%) pacientes no GI e 62/79 (74%) no GII realizaram acompanhamento clínico-ecocardiográfico. A comparação entre POI e PO12M mostrou: a) AVM de 2,01 ± 0,4 x 2,00 ± 0,3 (NS) no GI e de 2,09 ± 0,3 x 1,74 ± 0,4 no GII (p<0,001); b) G de 5,16 ± 2,2 x 5,50 ± 2,9 (NS) no GI e de 5,96 ± 3,2 x 8,61 ± 4,8 (p<0,001) no GII; c) no GI, dos 4 (11%) pacientes que estavam em CF II e 32 (89%) em CF III/IV no PRE, todos evoluíram para CF I/II no POI e permaneceram nesta CF no PO12M, de forma similar no GII, dos 12 (19%) pacientes que estavam em CF II e 50 (81%) em CF III/IV no PRE, todos menos um evoluíram para CF I/II no POI e permaneceram nesta CF no PO12M. Conclusão - As duas técnicas são igualmente efetivas no POI, todavia no PO12M, a técnica de Inoue mostrou-se superior na manutenção de AVM e G