COVID-19 in heart transplant patients: Case reports from Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic continues, with a late hyperinflammatory phase. The immunosuppressive therapy used in heart transplant patients, in theory, could reduce inflammation, thus benefitting patients with COVID-19. So far, however, there is still very little literature on this subject. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study. We described laboratory parameters and clinical outcomes from 11 heart transplant patients with COVID-19 assisted at Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology between March and July 2020. RESULTS: Patients with ages of between 35 and 79 years were enrolled, and heart transplantation ranged from 3 to 264 months. The main comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (9/11; 81.8%), hypertension (10/11; 90.9%), and chronic renal disease (6/11; 54.5%). Cyclosporine A was used in 10 (90.9%) patients, mycophenolate mofetil in 9 (81.8%) patients, and mTOR inhibitor in 5 (45.5%) patients. Fever and cough were observed in 8 (72.7%) patients, and dyspnea and gastrointestinal symptoms in 5 (45.5%) patients. Lymphopenia was observed in 10 (90.9%) patients and thrombocytopenia in 5 (45.5%) patients. The higher level of troponin associated with chest tomography above 50% of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates with ground-glass opacity (GGO) was observed in those with the worst outcomes. Nine patients needed intensive care, and hospital stay ranged from 4 to 21 days, with 2 (18.2%) patients requiring vasopressor drugs and mechanical ventilation, and three (27.3%) patients dying due to COVID-19 complications. CONCLUSION: Heart transplant patients had similar symptoms and outcomes as the general population; immunosuppressive therapy seems not to have protected them. Patients who presented higher levels of troponin and D-dimer, associated with greater GGO pulmonary infiltrates, had worse outcomes. More studies with larger cohorts may clarify immunosuppressive effects on COVID-19 outcomes.

Ivabradine plus conventional treatment vs conventional treatment alone in reducing the mean heart rate in heart transplant recipients: A randomized clinical trial.

The absence of afferent nerves for heart rate (HR) regulation leaves the transplanted heart under the influence of its internal and hormonal control. The HR of heart transplantation (HTx) recipients varies from to 90-110 bpm, indicating a lack of vagal parasympathetic tone. We hypothesized that the reduction in mean HR using an If-channel antagonist (ivabradine) could be effective and safe in HTx recipients. The primary objective of this open-label randomized clinical trial was to compare the mean HR at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after randomization between an ivabradine plus conventional treatment group (IG) and conventional treatment alone group (CG). The secondary objectives were reduction in mortality, graft dysfunction, and ventricular mass. All patients were randomized between 1 and 12 months after HTx. Ivabradine started at randomization. Of the 35 patients, 54.28% were in the CG and 45.72% in the IG. There were no significant between-group differences in demographics. Over time, the HR differences between the groups became significant (P < .01). There were no significant between-group differences in mortality, graft dysfunction, and ventricular mass. We conclude that ivabradine could effectively and consistently reduce the HR in HTx recipients.

Donor hypernatremia and smoking addiction contribute to primary graft failure in heart transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Primary graft failure (PGF) is an important contributor to early mortality, accounting for 41% of deaths within the first 30 days after heart transplantation (HT). Donor hypernatremia has been associated with PGF development. However, controversial data exist regarding the impact of sodium deregulation in patient survival after HT. This study aimed to assess the influence of donor hypernatremia on PGF development and to determine the serum sodium level threshold to assist in decision-making for organ procurement. METHODS: The medical record from 200 HT patients and organ donors were retrospectively assessed and categorized by PGF occurrence. Donor sodium levels were compared and cut-off points obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A multiple logistic regression model was applied to assess the effects of factors and covariates that influence PGF development. RESULTS: Sodium levels of donors were significantly higher in recipients who developed PGF than those who did not develop PGF (162 vs. 153 mmol/L, P = .001). The sodium cut-off value determined by the ROC curve was 159 mmol/L. The group who received organs from donors with a serum sodium concentration ≥159 mmol/L had a higher incidence of PGF (63.3% vs 32.4%, P < .001). Furthermore, donor sodium levels ≥159 mmol/L increased the likelihood of recipients developing PGF by 3.4 times. It is also observed that the incidence of donor smoking addiction was significantly higher in the PGF group (28.6% vs. 11.5%, P = .004) and donor smoking addiction increased the risk of developing PGF by 2.8 times. CONCLUSION: Smoking addiction and the application of suboptimal organs from donors with hypernatremia contribute to primary graft failure in heart transplantation.

Intragraft vasculitis and gene expression analysis: Association with acute rejection and prediction of mortality in long-term heart transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Vasculitis entails heterogeneous origins; it starts with an inflammatory process that leads to small vessels' necrosis, hemorrhage, and ischemic lesion, and may further result in occlusion of the vascular lumen. Vasculitis' contribution to allograft rejection is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the incidence of vasculitis in the early stages of heart transplantation as well as to assess the intragraft genes' expression associated with vascular function and subsequently to verify the way in which it affects the outcome of the allograft. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 300 archive paraffin-embedded endomyocardial biopsies from 63 heart allograft recipients were assessed. Cellular rejection and vasculitis were diagnosed through histological analysis, and antibody-mediated rejection was performed with immunohistochemical C4d staining. The transcripts of ICAM, VCAM, VEGF, CCL2, IFNG, TGFB, TNF, ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2 genes were examined through quantitative polymerase chain reaction using B2M for normalization. RESULTS: We observed a higher prevalence of severe vasculitis in the early period of post-transplant, and recovery was observed to take place around 1 year post-transplant. Additionally, vasculitis was found to be directly associated with acute cellular rejection and antibody-mediated rejection. The intense C4d capillary positivity predicts higher long-term cardiovascular disease mortality. In comparison with the vasculitis-free group, the group with severe vasculitis displayed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and an upregulation of VCAM and IFNG associated with the downregulation of VEGF, ADIPOR1, and ADIPOR2. CONCLUSION: The vasculitis associated with the presence of C4d and the change in intragraft gene expression profile may contribute to poor allograft outcomes.

Absolute Lymphocyte Count: a Predictor of Positive Serum PCR for Trypanosoma cruzi in Patients with Chagas Disease Undergoing Heart Transplantation. / Contagem Absoluta de Linfócitos: um Preditor de PCR Sérica Positiva para o Trypanosoma cruzi em Pacientes com Chagas Submetidos ao Transplante Cardíaco.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether lymphopenia is a risk factor for the reactivation of Chagas disease in heart transplantation (HTx), as recently described in the reactivation of cytomegalovirus in transplant patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether lymphopenia in the perioperative period of heart transplantation is related to early Trypanosoma cruzi parasitemia. METHODS: This observational, retrospective study analyzed a sample from January 2014 to January 2023). Parasitemia was evaluated in the first 3 months after HTx using serum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compared with the total lymphocyte count in the perioperative period of HTx using receiver operating characteristic curves. Baseline characteristics were compared with PCR for Chagas using independent Cox proportional hazards models. A significance level of 5% was adopted. RESULTS: The sample (n = 35) had a mean age of 52.5 ± 8.1 years, and 22 patients (62.8%) had positive PCR for Chagas. The mean lowest lymphocyte values in the first 14 days after HTx were 398 ± 189 and 755 ± 303 cells/mm3 in patients with and without parasitemia, respectively, within 3 months after HTx (area under the curve = 0.857; 95% confidence interval: 0.996 to 0.718, sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 86.4%). A cutoff value of less than 550 lymphocytes/mm3 was determined as a risk factor for the presence of parasitemia. Patients with lymphocytes < 550 units/mm3 in the first 14 days after HTx presented positive PCR in 80% of cases. For every increase of 100 lymphocytes/mm3, the risk of PCR positivity was reduced by 26% (hazard rate ratio = 0.74; 95% confidence interval: 0.59 to 0.93, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: There was an association between lymphopenia in the perioperative period of HTx and early T. cruzi parasitemia detected by PCR.

FUNDAMENTO: É desconhecido se a linfopenia é fator de risco para a reativação da doença de Chagas no transplante cardíaco (TxC), como recentemente descrito na reativação de citomegalovírus em pacientes transplantados. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a linfopenia no perioperatório do TxC está relacionada à parasitemia precoce pelo Trypanosoma cruzi. MÉTODOS: Amostra analisada (janeiro de 2014 a janeiro de 2023) em estudo observacional e retrospectivo. A parasitemia foi avaliada nos primeiros 3 meses após o TxC por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase sérica (PCR) e comparada com a contagem total de linfócitos no perioperatório do TxC por curvas ROC. Comparadas características de base com a PCR Chagas por modelos de risco proporcionais de Cox independentes. Nível de significância adotado de 5%. RESULTADOS: Amostra (n = 35) apresentou idade média de 52,5 ± 8,1 anos e PCR Chagas positiva em 22 pacientes (62,8%). As médias dos menores valores de linfócitos nos primeiros 14 dias do TxC foram 398 ± 189 e 755 ± 303 células/mm3 em pacientes com e sem parasitemia nos 3 meses após o TxC, respectivamente (área sob a curva = 0,857; intervalo de confiança de 95%: 0,996 a 0,718, sensibilidade e especificidade de 83,3% e 86,4%). Determinado valor de corte inferior a 550 linfócitos/mm3 como fator de risco para presença de parasitemia. Pacientes com linfócitos < 550 unidades/mm3 nos primeiros 14 dias do pós-TxC apresentaram PCR positiva em 80% dos casos. Para cada aumento de 100 linfócitos/mm3, o risco de positividade da PCR é reduzido em 26% (razão de riscos = 0,74; intervalo de confiança de 95%: 0,59 a 0,93, p = 0,009). CONCLUSÃO: Houve associação entre a linfopenia no perioperatório do TxC com a parasitemia precoce pelo T. cruzi detectada por PCR.

Long Covid as an Indication for Heart Transplantation and Its Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: The post-acute cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19, known as long COVID, have yet to be comprehensively characterized. There is also an increased risk of heart failure in individuals without cardiovascular disease before SARS-CoV-2 infection. The literature lacks information regarding the characteristics of patients with long COVID who developed advanced heart failure refractory to guideline-directed medical therapy. METHODS: We describe the characteristics of patients with long COVID (LC) who were listed for heart transplantation. The study population comprised 45 patients listed for heart transplantation, divided into 2 groups: patients with etiologies other than LC (n = 41) and patients with LC (n = 4) between January 2020 and March 2022. The endpoint of this study was the description of the characteristics of each group. RESULTS: The average duration of hospitalization after the acute infectious episode with SARS-CoV-2 was 150 ± 113 days, and all patients were hospitalized in New York Heart Association class IV. All LC patients were oligosymptomatic in the initial infection, did not require hospitalization in the acute phase, had a lower ejection fraction, used more intra-aortic balloon pumps, had lower pulmonary vascular resistance, and fewer comorbidities compared with other etiologies, suggesting a clinical feature compatible with low cardiac output rather than congestion. CONCLUSIONS: This study is an early investigation of patients listed for heart transplantation due to a complex syndrome of COVID-19. These preliminary findings warrant further large-scale investigation.

Home-based training program in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: a randomized pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the effects of home-and center-based exercise training programs on functional capacity, inspiratory muscle strength, daily physical activity level, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) over a 12-week period. METHODS: This study included 23 patients with CHF (left ventricular ejection fraction 31±6%) randomized to a home-based (n=11) or center-based (n=12) program. Patients underwent 12 weeks of aerobic training (60%-70% heart rate reserve): walking for the home-based and supervised cycling for the center-based group, both combined with resistance training (50% of 1 maximum repetition). At baseline and after 12 weeks of training, we assessed cardiopulmonary test variables, 6-min walk test distance (6 MWD), steps/day with accelerometry, and QoL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire). Maximal inspiratory pressure and handgrip strength were measured at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of training. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03615157. RESULTS: There were no adverse events during training in either group. The home- and center-based training groups obtained similar improvements in peak oxygen uptake, maximal ventilation, and 6 MWD. However, there were significant between-group differences: center-based training was more effective in improving maximal inspiratory pressure (p=0.042), number of steps/day (p=0.001), and QoL (p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Home-based training is safe and can be an alternative to improve the exercise capacity of patients with stable CHF. However, center-based training was superior in improving inspiratory muscle strength, QoL, and daily physical activity.

Benznidazole as Prophylaxis for Chagas Disease Infection Reactivation in Heart Transplant Patients: A Case Series in Brazil.

Background-Patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) have high mortality, and CC is a common indication for heart transplantation (HTx) in endemic countries. Chagas disease reactivation (CDR) is common after transplantation and is likely to cause adverse outcomes unless detected and treated appropriately. This study reviews our experiences with HTx among patients with CC, and the use of benznidazole (BZ) before transplantation. Methods-During the 18-year period from 1996 through 2014, 70 of 353 patients who underwent HTx (19.8%) had CC, and 53 patients met the inclusion criteria. The effectiveness of prophylactic treatment with BZ (dose of 5 mg/kg/day, two times per day, for at least four weeks and for a maximum of eight weeks) was determined based on the observed reduction in the incidence of CDR during the post-HTx period. Results-Prophylactic therapy was administered to 18/53 patients (34.0%). During the follow-up period, the incidence rate of CDR in our study was 34.0% (18/53). Based on logistic regression analysis, only prophylaxis (OR = 0.12; CI 0.02-0.76; p = 0.025) was considered to protect against CDR. Conclusion-Our study suggests that the use of BZ may reduce the incidence of CDR in patients undergoing HTx and warrants further investigation in a prospective, randomized trial.

VO2max-Based Physical Fitness Categories in a Brazilian Population with Supposed High Socioeconomic Status and without Structural Heart Disease. / Categorias de Aptidão Física Baseadas no VO2max em População Brasileira com Suposto Alto Nível Socioeconômico e sem Cardiopatia Estrutural.

BACKGROUND: The most widely used data for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) referrals are from the Cooper Clinic, which uses calculated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) values. OBJECTIVE: To develop CRF values from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) in a Brazilian population with high socioeconomic level and free of structural heart disease. VO2max testing results were compared with the Cooper Clinic and FRIEND Registry data. METHODS: CPX data from consecutive individuals between January 1,2000, and May 31,2016 were used in this study. Inclusion criteria were: VO2max by a pre-specified definition. We built a CRF chart according to VO2max percentiles: very poor (≤20%), poor (20-40%), fair (40-60%), good (60-80%), excellent (80-90%), and superior (≥90%). Kappa correlation was used to analyze our data in comparison with that of the other two databases. Statistical tests with p<0.005 were considered significant. RESULTS: Final cohort included 18,186 tests: 12,552 men, 5,634 women (7-84 years). The most recurrent response was "good" (20.2%). There was a mean difference in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and age in the CRF chart. An inverse correlation existed between VO2max and age, weight, and BMI. Using a linear regression and these variables, a predictive equation was developed for VO2max. Our findings differed from that of the other databases. CONCLUSION: We developed a classification for CRF and found higher values in all classification ranges of functional capacity in contrast to the Cooper Clinic and FRIEND Registry. Our findings offer a more accurate interpretation of ACR in this large Brazilian population sample when compared to previous standards based on the estimated VO2max. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(3):468-477).

FUNDAMENTO: Os dados mais utilizados como referência de aptidão cardiorrespiratória (ACR) são os de Cooper, que utiliza valores calculados de captação máxima de oxigênio (VO2máx). OBJETIVO: Desenvolver valores de ACR a partir do teste cardiopulmonar de exercício (TCPE) em uma população brasileira com alto nível socioeconômico e livre de cardiopatia estrutural. Os resultados dos testes de VO2max foram comparados aos dados de Cooper e do FRIEND Registry. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados neste estudo dados de TCPE de indivíduos consecutivos entre 1º de janeiro de 2000 e 31 de maio de 2016. Os critérios de inclusão foram: VO2máx pré-definido. Foi construído um gráfico de ACR de acordo com os percentuais do VO2máx: muito ruim (≤20%), ruim (20-40%), regular (40-60%), boa (60-80%), excelente (80-90%), e superior (≥90%). A correlação Kappa foi usada para analisar nossos dados em comparação aos dados dos outros dois bancos de dados. Os testes estatísticos com p<0,005 foram considerados significativos. RESULTADOS: A coorte final incluiu 18.186 testes: 12.552 homens, 5.634 mulheres (7 a 84 anos). A resposta mais recorrente foi "boa" (20,2%). Houve diferença média de peso, altura, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e idade no gráfico da ACR. Houve correlação inversa entre VO2máx e idade, peso e IMC. Usando uma regressão linear e essas variáveis, uma equação preditiva foi desenvolvida para o VO2máx. Nossas descobertas diferiram das dos outros bancos de dados. CONCLUSÃO: Desenvolvemos uma classificação para a ACR e encontramos valores mais altos em todas as faixas de classificação de capacidade funcional, em contraste com os dados de Cooper e do FRIEND Registry. Nossos achados oferecem uma interpretação mais precisa da ACR nessa grande amostra populacional brasileira, quando comparados aos padrões anteriores, com base no VO2máx estimado. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(3):468-477).

Cardiorespiratory fitness data from 18,189 participants who underwent treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing in a Brazilian population.

PURPOSE: Cardiorespiratory fitness is inversely associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and mortality attributable to various cancers. It is often estimated indirectly using mathematical formulas for estimating oxygen uptake. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, especially oxygen uptake, represents the "gold standard" for assessing exercise capacity. The purpose of this report was to develop reference standards for exercise capacity by establishing cardiorespiratory fitness values derived from cardiopulmonary exercise testing in a Brazilian population. We focused on oxygen uptake standards and compared the maximal oxygen uptake [mLO2·kg-1·min-1] values with those in the existing literature. METHODS: A database was constructed using reports from cardiopulmonary exercise testing performed at Fleury laboratory. The final cohort included 18,189 individuals considered to be free of structural heart disease. Percentiles of maximal oxygen uptake for men and women were determined for six age groups between 7 and 84 years. We compared the values with existing reference data from patients from Norway and the United States. RESULTS: There were significant differences in maximal oxygen uptake between sexes and across the age groups. In our cohort, the 50th percentile maximal oxygen uptake values for men and women decreased from 44.7 and 36.3 mLO2·kg-1·min-1 to 28.4 and 22.3 mLO2·kg-1·min-1 for patients aged 20-29 years to patients aged 60-69 years, respectively. For each age group, both Norwegian men and women had greater cardiorespiratory fitness than cohorts in the United States and Brazil. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, our analysis represents the largest reference data for cardiorespiratory fitness based on treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Our findings provide reference values of maximal oxygen uptake measurements from treadmill tests in Brazilian populations that are more accurate than previous standard values based on workload-derived estimations. This data may also add information to the global data used for the interpretation of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Contagem Absoluta de Linfócitos: um Preditor de PCR Sérica Positiva para o Trypanosoma cruzi em Pacientes com Chagas Submetidos ao Transplante Cardíaco / Absolute Lymphocyte Count: a Predictor of Positive Serum PCR for Trypanosoma cruzi in Patients with Chagas Disease Undergoing Heart Transplantation

Resumo Fundamento É desconhecido se a linfopenia é fator de risco para a reativação da doença de Chagas no transplante cardíaco (TxC), como recentemente descrito na reativação de citomegalovírus em pacientes transplantados. Objetivo Avaliar se a linfopenia no perioperatório do TxC está relacionada à parasitemia precoce pelo Trypanosoma cruzi. Métodos Amostra analisada (janeiro de 2014 a janeiro de 2023) em estudo observacional e retrospectivo. A parasitemia foi avaliada nos primeiros 3 meses após o TxC por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase sérica (PCR) e comparada com a contagem total de linfócitos no perioperatório do TxC por curvas ROC. Comparadas características de base com a PCR Chagas por modelos de risco proporcionais de Cox independentes. Nível de significância adotado de 5%. Resultados Amostra (n = 35) apresentou idade média de 52,5 ± 8,1 anos e PCR Chagas positiva em 22 pacientes (62,8%). As médias dos menores valores de linfócitos nos primeiros 14 dias do TxC foram 398 ± 189 e 755 ± 303 células/mm3 em pacientes com e sem parasitemia nos 3 meses após o TxC, respectivamente (área sob a curva = 0,857; intervalo de confiança de 95%: 0,996 a 0,718, sensibilidade e especificidade de 83,3% e 86,4%). Determinado valor de corte inferior a 550 linfócitos/mm3 como fator de risco para presença de parasitemia. Pacientes com linfócitos < 550 unidades/mm3 nos primeiros 14 dias do pós-TxC apresentaram PCR positiva em 80% dos casos. Para cada aumento de 100 linfócitos/mm3, o risco de positividade da PCR é reduzido em 26% (razão de riscos = 0,74; intervalo de confiança de 95%: 0,59 a 0,93, p = 0,009). Conclusão Houve associação entre a linfopenia no perioperatório do TxC com a parasitemia precoce pelo T. cruzi detectada por PCR.

Abstract Background It is unknown whether lymphopenia is a risk factor for the reactivation of Chagas disease in heart transplantation (HTx), as recently described in the reactivation of cytomegalovirus in transplant patients. Objective To evaluate whether lymphopenia in the perioperative period of heart transplantation is related to early Trypanosoma cruzi parasitemia. Methods This observational, retrospective study analyzed a sample from January 2014 to January 2023). Parasitemia was evaluated in the first 3 months after HTx using serum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compared with the total lymphocyte count in the perioperative period of HTx using receiver operating characteristic curves. Baseline characteristics were compared with PCR for Chagas using independent Cox proportional hazards models. A significance level of 5% was adopted. Results The sample (n = 35) had a mean age of 52.5 ± 8.1 years, and 22 patients (62.8%) had positive PCR for Chagas. The mean lowest lymphocyte values in the first 14 days after HTx were 398 ± 189 and 755 ± 303 cells/mm3 in patients with and without parasitemia, respectively, within 3 months after HTx (area under the curve = 0.857; 95% confidence interval: 0.996 to 0.718, sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 86.4%). A cutoff value of less than 550 lymphocytes/mm3 was determined as a risk factor for the presence of parasitemia. Patients with lymphocytes < 550 units/mm3 in the first 14 days after HTx presented positive PCR in 80% of cases. For every increase of 100 lymphocytes/mm3, the risk of PCR positivity was reduced by 26% (hazard rate ratio = 0.74; 95% confidence interval: 0.59 to 0.93, p = 0.009). Conclusion There was an association between lymphopenia in the perioperative period of HTx and early T. cruzi parasitemia detected by PCR.

Is there any benefit using low-intensity inspiratory and peripheral muscle training in heart failure? A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Inspiratory and peripheral muscle training improves muscle strength, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). However, studies investigating different workloads for these exercise modalities are still lacking. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of low and moderate intensities on muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with stable HF (aged >18 years, NYHA II/III, LVEF <40%) were randomized to: non-exercise control group (n = 9), low-intensity training group (LIPRT, n = 13, 15% maximal inspiratory workload, and 0.5 kg of peripheral muscle workload) or moderate-intensity training group (MIPRT, n = 13, 30% maximal inspiratory workload and 50% of one maximum repetition of peripheral muscle workload). The outcomes were: respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, pulmonary function, exercise tolerance by the 6-minute walk test, symptoms based on the NYHA functional class, and quality of life using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. RESULTS: All groups showed similar quality-of-life improvements. Low and moderate intensities training programs improved inspiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle strength, and walking distance. However, only moderate intensity improved expiratory muscle strength and NYHA functional class in HF patients. CONCLUSIONS: The low-intensity inspiratory and peripheral resistance muscle training improved inspiratory and peripheral muscle strength and walking distance, demonstrating that LIPRT is an efficient rehabilitation method for debilitated HF patients. In addition, the moderate-intensity resistance training also improved expiratory muscle strength and NYHA functional class in HF patients.

[Isolated left ventricular noncompaction causing refractory heart failure]. / Miocárdio não compactado isolado evoluindo para insuficiência cardíaca refratária.

Left ventricular noncompaction is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by excessive left ventricular trabeculation, deep intertrabecular recesses and a thin compacted layer due to the arrest of compaction of myocardial fibers during embryonic development. We report the case of a young patient with isolated left ventricular noncompaction, leading to refractory heart failure that required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation followed by emergency heart transplantation.

Home-based training program in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: a randomized pilot study

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the effects of home-and center-based exercise training programs on functional capacity, inspiratory muscle strength, daily physical activity level, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) over a 12-week period. METHODS: This study included 23 patients with CHF (left ventricular ejection fraction 31±6%) randomized to a home-based (n=11) or center-based (n=12) program. Patients underwent 12 weeks of aerobic training (60%-70% heart rate reserve): walking for the home-based and supervised cycling for the center-based group, both combined with resistance training (50% of 1 maximum repetition). At baseline and after 12 weeks of training, we assessed cardiopulmonary test variables, 6-min walk test distance (6 MWD), steps/day with accelerometry, and QoL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire). Maximal inspiratory pressure and handgrip strength were measured at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of training. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03615157. RESULTS: There were no adverse events during training in either group. The home- and center-based training groups obtained similar improvements in peak oxygen uptake, maximal ventilation, and 6 MWD. However, there were significant between-group differences: center-based training was more effective in improving maximal inspiratory pressure (p=0.042), number of steps/day (p=0.001), and QoL (p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Home-based training is safe and can be an alternative to improve the exercise capacity of patients with stable CHF. However, center-based training was superior in improving inspiratory muscle strength, QoL, and daily physical activity.

Categorias de Aptidão Física Baseadas no VO2max em População Brasileira com Suposto Alto Nível Socioeconômico e sem Cardiopatia Estrutural / VO2max-Based Physical Fitness Categories in a Brazilian Population with Supposed High Socioeconomic Status and without Structural Heart Disease

Resumo Fundamento Os dados mais utilizados como referência de aptidão cardiorrespiratória (ACR) são os de Cooper, que utiliza valores calculados de captação máxima de oxigênio (VO2máx). Objetivo Desenvolver valores de ACR a partir do teste cardiopulmonar de exercício (TCPE) em uma população brasileira com alto nível socioeconômico e livre de cardiopatia estrutural. Os resultados dos testes de VO2max foram comparados aos dados de Cooper e do FRIEND Registry. Métodos Foram utilizados neste estudo dados de TCPE de indivíduos consecutivos entre 1º de janeiro de 2000 e 31 de maio de 2016. Os critérios de inclusão foram: VO2máx pré-definido. Foi construído um gráfico de ACR de acordo com os percentuais do VO2máx: muito ruim (≤20%), ruim (20-40%), regular (40-60%), boa (60-80%), excelente (80-90%), e superior (≥90%). A correlação Kappa foi usada para analisar nossos dados em comparação aos dados dos outros dois bancos de dados. Os testes estatísticos com p<0,005 foram considerados significativos. Resultados A coorte final incluiu 18.186 testes: 12.552 homens, 5.634 mulheres (7 a 84 anos). A resposta mais recorrente foi "boa" (20,2%). Houve diferença média de peso, altura, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e idade no gráfico da ACR. Houve correlação inversa entre VO2máx e idade, peso e IMC. Usando uma regressão linear e essas variáveis, uma equação preditiva foi desenvolvida para o VO2máx. Nossas descobertas diferiram das dos outros bancos de dados. Conclusão Desenvolvemos uma classificação para a ACR e encontramos valores mais altos em todas as faixas de classificação de capacidade funcional, em contraste com os dados de Cooper e do FRIEND Registry. Nossos achados oferecem uma interpretação mais precisa da ACR nessa grande amostra populacional brasileira, quando comparados aos padrões anteriores, com base no VO2máx estimado. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(3):468-477)

Abstract Background The most widely used data for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) referrals are from the Cooper Clinic, which uses calculated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) values. Objective To develop CRF values from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) in a Brazilian population with high socioeconomic level and free of structural heart disease. VO2max testing results were compared with the Cooper Clinic and FRIEND Registry data. Methods CPX data from consecutive individuals between January 1,2000, and May 31,2016 were used in this study. Inclusion criteria were: VO2max by a pre-specified definition. We built a CRF chart according to VO2max percentiles: very poor (≤20%), poor (20-40%), fair (40-60%), good (60-80%), excellent (80-90%), and superior (≥90%). Kappa correlation was used to analyze our data in comparison with that of the other two databases. Statistical tests with p<0.005 were considered significant. Results Final cohort included 18,186 tests: 12,552 men, 5,634 women (7-84 years). The most recurrent response was "good" (20.2%). There was a mean difference in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and age in the CRF chart. An inverse correlation existed between VO2max and age, weight, and BMI. Using a linear regression and these variables, a predictive equation was developed for VO2max. Our findings differed from that of the other databases. Conclusion We developed a classification for CRF and found higher values in all classification ranges of functional capacity in contrast to the Cooper Clinic and FRIEND Registry. Our findings offer a more accurate interpretation of ACR in this large Brazilian population sample when compared to previous standards based on the estimated VO2max. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(3):468-477)