Temporal Trends in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: 10-Year Analysis of the TAVIDOR Registry. / Tendência Temporal no Implante Percutâneo de Bioprótese Aórtica: Análise de 10 Anos do Registro TAVIDOR.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has established itself as the preferential strategy to approach severe aortic stenosis. Information on procedural improvements and nationwide results obtained with the technique throughout the past decade are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the temporal variation of the demographic profile, procedural characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI procedures at the Rede D'Or São Luiz. METHODS: Observational registry comprising 29 national institutions, comparing the characteristics of the TAVI procedures performed from 2012 to 2017 (Group 1) to those performed from 2018 to 2023 (Group 2). The statistical significance level adopted was p < 0.05. RESULTS: This study assessed 661 patients, 95 in Group 1 and 566 in Group 2, with a mean age of 81.1 years. Group 1 patients had a higher prevalence of New York Heart Association functional class III or IV and STS risk score > 8%. In addition, they more often underwent general anesthesia, transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring, and access through femoral dissection. Group 2 patients had a higher success rate of the TAVI procedure (95.4% versus 89.5%; p = 0.018), lower mortality (3.9% versus 11.6%; p = 0.004), and less often needed permanent pacemaker implantation (8.5% versus 17.9%; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year temporal trends analysis of the TAVIDOR Registry shows a reduction in patients' clinical complexity over time. Furthermore, the advance to minimalistic implantation techniques, added to the technological evolution of the devices, may have contributed to the favorable outcomes observed among those whose implantation occurred in the last 5 years studied.

FUNDAMENTO: O implante percutâneo de bioprótese valvar aórtica (TAVI) consolidou-se como opção terapêutica da estenose aórtica de grau importante. Dados sobre as características evolutivas dos procedimentos e dos resultados obtidos com a técnica ao longo da última década, em escala nacional, são desconhecidos. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a tendência temporal referente ao perfil demográfico, características dos procedimentos e desfechos hospitalares de pacientes submetidos a TAVI na Rede D'Or São Luiz. MÉTODOS: Registro observacional envolvendo 29 instituições nacionais. Comparou-se características dos procedimentos realizados de 2012 a 2017 (Grupo 1) e de 2018 a 2023 (Grupo 2). Foram considerados significantes os resultados com valor de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 661 casos, 95 pertencentes ao Grupo 1 e 566 ao Grupo 2. A média de idade foi 81,1 anos. Observou-se no Grupo 1 maior prevalência de pacientes em classe funcional III ou IV e escore de risco > 8%. Foi mais frequente o emprego de anestesia geral, monitorização ecocardiográfica transesofágica e via de acesso por dissecção. Maior taxa de sucesso do procedimento (95,4% versus 89,5%; p = 0,018) foi aferida em implantes efetivados a partir de 2018, assim como menor mortalidade (3,9% versus 11,6%; p = 0,004) e necessidade de marcapasso definitivo (8,5% versus 17,9%; p = 0,008). CONCLUSÕES: A análise temporal de 10 anos do Registro TAVIDOR demonstra uma queda na complexidade clínica dos pacientes. Além disso, o avanço para técnicas de implante minimalistas, somadas à evolução tecnológica dos dispositivos, podem ter contribuído para desfechos favoráveis dentre aqueles cujo implante ocorreu no último quinquênio.

Comparison of direct stenting versus stenting with predilation for the treatment of selected coronary narrowings.

Direct stenting may reduce costs, procedure times, and injury to the vessel wall, positively influencing acute and late results. This study was designed to demonstrate 6-month clinical outcome equivalence between direct and standard stenting techniques. Four hundred eleven patients (425 lesions) were randomized in 7 sites to undergo direct (210 patients, 216 lesions) or conventional (201 patients, 209 lesions) stent implantation. Lesions with severe calcification were excluded. Angiographic success rate was 100% in the direct stent group (2.8% requiring balloon predilation) and 98.6% in the predilation group (p = 0.12). Direct stenting was associated with decreased use of balloons (0.15 vs 1.09 balloons/lesion treated) and with a trend toward a reduction of procedure time (22.7 +/- 15.0 vs 25.6 +/- 18.2 minutes; p = 0.073). Fluoroscopy time and contrast volume were not different between groups. At 6-month follow-up, the incidences of death (direct [1.4%] vs predilation [2.5%]), myocardial infarction (5.3% vs 5.0%), and target vessel revascularization (8.2% vs 10.5%) were similar in both groups. Major adverse cardiac event-free survival rate was 87.5% for those who underwent the direct stent technique and 85.5% for patients who underwent predilation (p = 0.0002 for equivalence). In conclusion, direct stenting is at least equivalent to the standard technique in terms of 6-month clinical outcomes when performed on selected coronary lesions without significant calcification. This strategy is associated with decreased use of balloons, but, in general, does not significantly reduce procedure times.

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.

Prognostic value of CT angiography in patients with inconclusive functional stress tests.

OBJECTIVES: We attempted to determine the prognostic value of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in patients with inconclusive functional stress tests. BACKGROUND: Patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and inconclusive noninvasive cardiac stress tests represent a frequent management challenge. METHODS: We examined 529 consecutive patients with suspected CAD and prior inconclusive functional stress tests. All patients underwent a coronary CTA scan using a 64-slice multidetector row scanner. CAD severity by coronary CTA was categorized as: 1) no evidence of CAD; 2) nonobstructive coronary plaques (< 30%); 3) mild stenosis (30% to 49%); 4) moderate stenosis (50% to 69%); and 5) severe stenosis (≥ 70%). Patients were also categorized according to a modified Duke prognostic CAD index. Survival analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for baseline risk factors and coronary artery calcium score. The primary outcome of the study was the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Among patients with inconclusive stress tests, the large majority (69%) did not demonstrate significant CAD by coronary CTA. During a mean follow-up of 30.1 ± 11.1 months, there were 20 (3.8%) deaths and 17 (3.2%) nonfatal myocardial infarctions. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that the presence of increasing degrees of obstructive CAD by CTA was an independent predictor of adverse events (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.66 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23 to 2.23], p = 0.001). Indeed, the presence of ≥ 50% coronary stenosis was associated with an increased risk of events (HR: 3.15 [95% CI: 1.26 to 7.89], p = 0.01). Likewise, the Duke prognostic CAD index was also found to be an independent predictor of events (HR: 1.54 [95% CI: 1.20 to 1.97], p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with inconclusive functional stress tests, the noninvasive assessment of CAD severity by coronary CTA has been shown to provide incremental prognostic information beyond the evaluation of traditional risk factors and coronary artery calcium score.

Hematoma intracoronário como manifestação de dissecção espontânea de artéria coronária / Intracoronary hematoma as a manifestation of spontaneous coronary artery dissection

A dissecção espontânea de artéria coronária é um quadro de etiologia ainda não bem esclarecida. Diferentes estudos associam essa entidade a período gestacional, estresse físico, doenças do colágeno e vasculites. Em geral, os pacientes não apresentam os fatores de risco clássicos para doença arterial coronária, o que torna obrigatória a suspeita dessa afecção, especialmente em adultos jovens com síndrome coronária aguda. Neste artigo relatamos o caso de paciente do sexo feminino, de 38 anos de idade, com síndrome coronária aguda sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST e hematoma intracoronário sem dissecção aparente, diagnosticado pelo ultrassom intracoronário, em artéria coronária direita. Não existe, até o presente momento, consenso quanto à melhor forma de tratamento nesses casos.

The etiology of spontaneous coronary artery dissection has not been well clarified. Different studies associate it to pregnancy, physical stress, collagen diseases and vasculitis. In general, patients do not have the classic risk factors for coronary artery disease, which makes mandatory the suspicion of this condition, especially in young adults with acute coronary syndromes. We report the case of a 38-year-old female with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome and intracoronary hematoma with no apparent dissection, diagnosed by intravascular ultrasound, in the right coronary artery. There is no consensus so far on the best way to treat these cases.

Assessing intermediate coronary lesions: angiographic prediction of lesion severity on intravascular ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) can detect atherosclerotic compromise in coronary segments where conventional angiography cannot. However, IVUS is more invasive, expensive and laborious than angiography. We compared the detection of stenosis by IVUS and angiography and identified angiographic predictors of severe luminal stenosis on IVUS in patients with angiographically-intermediate coronary lesions. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with myocardial ischemia and intermediate stenosis by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) underwent IVUS assessment of the culprit artery. The results from IVUS and QCA were compared using the two-tailed unpaired t-test. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify QCA parameters that could predict the presence of severe stenosis on IVUS, defined as a minimum luminal area (MLA) < or = 4 mm2. RESULTS: A total of 63 stenotic coronary lesions were classified as intermediate by QCA; 68% of these were found to be severe on IVUS. There was a weak correlation between IVUS and QCA with respect to percentage of stenosis, minimum luminal diameter, reference segment diameter and length of atherosclerotic compromise. In contrast, there was a significant difference in the assessment of reference segment luminal diameter, which was 2.83 +/- 0.56 mm by angiography versus 3.45 +/- 0.69 mm by IVUS (p < 0.0001). The only angiographic predictor of the presence of severe coronary stenosis on IVUS was a distal reference segment diameter < or = 2.42 mm. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with angiographically-intermediate lesions, the frequency of severe stenosis detected by IVUS was high, indicating that angiography underestimated the severity of stenosis. Distal reference segment diameter was the only predictor of a small MLA and could be used to stratify these lesions into groups with higher and lower risk of severe stenosis.

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.

Pontes miocárdicas múltiplas / Multiple myocardial coronary bridges

White woman, 31 years old, complaint pain in the left arm, at rest, and few months later she had pain in the precordial region with dyspnea, diaphoresis and dizziness without any inducing factor. One hour later, symptoms ceased spontaneously, remaining daily precordial pain. Subsidiary examinations as cineangiocoronariography revealed 100 per cent of arterial lumen constriction in the middle portion of the descending coronary artery, during systole, as well as in the diagnoalis and marginal branches. Multiple myocardial coronary bridges has been described in necropsy, but during cinecoronarioangiography, this case appeared to be the first one

Técnicas de ablaçäo por cateter (fulguraçäo): experiência inicial / Technics of catheter ablation (fulguration): initial experience

A técnica de ablaçäo por cateter ou fulguraçäo consiste na destruiçäo do foco ou circuito de uma taquicardia com choques elétricos aplicados através de cateteres eletrodos em locais determinados pelo mapeamento endocárdico. Ela foi aplicada para ablaçäo da junçäo atrioventricular (AV) em 9 casos. Para ablaçäo de vias anômalas em 7 casos e para ablaçäo da origem de taquicardia ventricular em 5 casos. A fulguraçäo da junçäo AV resultou em bloqueio AV total (BAVY) definitivo em 7 pacientes sendo necessário o uso de marcapasso (MP) definitivo. Um paciente com taquicardia nodal teve suas crises controladas com preservaçäo da conduçäo AV, näo necessitando do MP. Um paciente com taquicardia atrioventricular teve lesäo parcial do feixe de His eficaz para impedir taquicardia somente nos 3 primeiros meses a qual houve recorrência. Näo houve complicaçöes e o óbito tardio ocorrido em 1 paciente näo foi relacionado. A fulguraçäo de vias anômalas teve sucesso duradouro somente em 2 de 7 pacientes. Näo se registraram óbitos porém houve 3 casos de tamponamento que requereram drenagem em 2 pacientes e sutura do seio coronário com circulaçäo extracorpórea em 1 paciente. A fulguraçäo do foco de origem de taquicardia ventricular resultou em sucesso somente em 1 dentre 5 pacientes. A única complicaçäo registrada foi hipotensäo arterial em 1 caso requerendo volume e drogas para seu controle. Em toda a série foram aplicados entre 1 e 3 choques por sessäo e realizadas entre 1 e 5 sessöes de fulguraçäo. A energia empregada variou entre 100 e 400 joules. Aproximadamente 50% dos cateteres foram inutilizados após a fulguraçäo. Em conclusäo a fulguraçäo é procedimento promissor para o controle de certas taquicardias refratárias sendo maior o grau de sucesso e menor o número de complicaçöes quando aplicada para ablaçäo de junçäo AV. A ablaçäo de vias anômalas e do foco de taquicardia ventricular apresentam maiores complicaçöes e menor eficácia pelo que devem ser consideradas ainda experimentais

Comparação entre comissurotomia e valvoplastia por cateter-balão na estenose mitral: cinco anos de acompanhamento / Comparison of open commissurotomy and balloon valvuloplasty in mitral stenosis: a five-year follow-up

OBJETIVO: Comparar dados clínicos-laboratoriais em portadores de estenose mitral submetidos à comissurotomia ou valvoplastia por cateter-balão, obtidos ao longo de 5 anos de acompanhamento. MÉTODOS: Foram acompanhados, prospectivamente, 81 pacientes no pré (PRÉ), imediatamente após o procedimento (POI), e ao longo de cinco anos (PO12M, PO24M,..., PO60M) e randomizados em dois grupos: GC: 37 pacientes (32,4 ± 7,2 anos e 89,2 por cento mulheres) e GV: 44 pacientes (32,9 ± 9,5 anos e 90,9 por cento mulheres). A avaliação compreendeu: classe funcional, ocorrência de eventos, eletrocardiograma e ecodopplercardiograma. RESULTADOS: Houve melhora expressiva da classe funcional na maioria dos pacientes, três casos do GC e do GV estavam em classe funcional III no PO60M. Não houve diferença em relação ao gradiente mitral entre os grupos. Houve diferença das médias de área valvar mitral entre os grupos durante toda avaliação. Não ocorreram óbitos. No POI do GC observamos 3 casos com insuficiência mitral (IM) moderada, 3 com sangramento (1 reoperado) e, no GV, 4 casos com IM moderada, 1 com IM importante, 2 com tamponamento cardíaco, 1 caso necessitou cirurgia por IM importante. Ao longo de 60 meses, no GV, 9 casos evoluiram com IM moderada ou importante e no GC, 6 casos evoluiram com IM moderada ou importante e outros dois necessitaram cirurgia por dupla disfunção mitral. CONCLUSAO: Ambos os métodos obtiveram 100 por cento de sucesso com baixa taxa de complicações. No seguimento, houve elevação discreta do gradiente mitral e queda de área valvar mitral em ambos os grupos.

Avaliação comparative entre valvoplastia percutânea e comissurotomia a céu aberto na estenose mitral / Comparison between percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty and open commissurotomy for mitral stenosis

PURPOSE: To compare immediate and late (12 months) follow-up of clinical and Doppler echocardiographic results between percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty and open commissurotomy in a prospective and randomized trial. METHODS: Eighty eight symptomatic patients with severe mitral stenosis and favorable anatomy were randomized in a prospective trial comparing the two procedures. All patients were submitted to clinical and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation before the procedures and immediate and twelve months thereafter. RESULTS: Mean mitral gradient (mmHg) decreased from 12.2 +/- 5.8 to 5.80 +/- 2.7 (p < 0.001) in commissurotomy group (CG) and from 11.7 +/- 6.1 to 5.0 +/- 2.4 (p < 0.001) in the balloon valvuloplasty group (VG). Mitral valve are (cm2) increased from 0.98 +/- 0.21 to 2.52 +/- 0.46 in CG and from 1.05 +/- 0.25 to 2.18 +/- 0.40 in VG (p < 0.001). In both groups there was a slight decrease in mitral valve area at 12 month follow-up. There was no death in either group. One patient in the VG had moderate mitral regurgitation and underwent surgery. At the 12 month follow-up, all patients in CG and 97.7of patients in VG were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. CONCLUSION: Both procedures were safe and showed similar immediate improvement in mitral gradient and functional class. Mitral valve area had a greater increase immediately after commissurotomy, however, there was a significantly greater reduction in the CG after 12 months of follow-up, when compared to balloon valvuloplasty. In both groups, mitral gradient remained reduced and most patients did not change functional class during the follow-up.

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

Efeitos hemodinâmicos de baixas doses de clortalidona em pacientes com hipertensäo arterial sistêmica leve / Hemodynamic effects of low dosis of chlorthalidone in patients with light systemic arterial hypertension

Objetivo - Avaliar os efeitos hemodinâmicos de baixas doses de clortalidona em pacientes com hipertensäo arterial sistêmica leve. Métodos - Oito pacientes com hipertensäo arterial sistêmica (HAS) leve, com idade de 52 ñ 8.9 anos, sendo 7 do sexo masculino. Avaliaçäo clínica, medidas da pressäo arterial sistólica (PAS), diastólica (PAD) e da freqüência cardíaca, em posiçöes supina e ortostática, foram obtidas no início e, posteriormente, a cada 2 semanas, durante 12 semanas, sendo as 2 primeiras em uso de placebo. Os exames laboratoriais hemograma, sódio, potássio, uréia, creatinina, glicemia, transaminases hepáticas e urina I, foram realizados no início e no final do estudo. A monitorizaçäo hemodinâmica foi realizada com cateter de Swan-Ganz em artéria pulmonar obtendo-se as pressöes médias de átrio direito, artéria pulmonar e capilar pulmonar, em mmHg. O débito cardíaco (DC) foi obtido pela técnica da termodiluiçäo. Como parâmetro derivado obteve-se a resistência vascular sistêmica (RVS). As medidas foram realizadas nas 2ª (pré) e 12ª (pós) semanas de tratamento com 50mg de clortalidona em dias alternados. Resultados - Observou-se reduçäo significante, nas posiçöes supina e ortostática, da PAS (p = 0,005 e p = 0,003) e PAD (p < 0,001 em ambas as posiçöes). A FC manteve-se inalterada. A monitorizaçäo hemodinâmica observou-se reduçäo estatisticamente significativa da RVS (p < 0,02) e o DC manteve-se inalterado. Conclusäo - A clortalidona em baixas doses mostrou-se eficaz no tratamento da HAS e o mecanismo básico deve-se a reduçäo da RVS

Purpose - To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of low dosis of chlortalidone (CHT) in patients with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). Methods - Eight patients with mild SAH, mean age of 52± 8.9 years, 7 men, were studied. Clinical evaluation, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and heart rate (HR), in supine and standing positions, were obtuined before and every two weeks, first two in placebo, during 12 weeks. Laboratory data, hemogram, sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, glucose, hepatic aminotransferases and urinalysis, were done and at end of study. Hemodynamic monitorization was periormed by Swan-Gans catheter in pulmonary artery to obtain RAP and PAWP, in mmHg. Cardiac output (CO) was obtained by thermodilution method. Systemic vascular resistence (SVR) arised from variables above. Hemodynamic variables were measured at 2nd and 12th weeks during treatment with 50mg of chlorthalidone each 48 h. Results - A significant reduction of SBP (p = 0.005 and p = 0.003), DBP (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001), respectively in supine and standing positions. HR did not show statistical diference. At hemodynamic monitoring was observed a signifcative reduction of SVR (p < 0.02), but not with CO. Conclusion - Chlorthalidone in low dosis was effective to treat mild SAH, basically by lowering SVR

Valvoplastia mitral por cateter-baläo em pacientes de alto risco operatório / Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty in Surgical High Risk Patients

Objetivo - Analisar os reultados da valvoplastia mitral por cateter-baläo (VMCB) em pacientes de alto risco operatório. Métodos - Vinte (12// pacientes dentre 172 comsecutivos submetidos a VMCB foram considerados de alto risco operatório. Dezessete (85//) eram mulheres e a média etária de 43(18-69) anos. Treze (65//) encontravam-se em edema agudo dos pulmöes (3 gestantes, 2 com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) prévio, 1 com tromboembolismo pulmonar e outro com insuficiência renal crônica) e 7 (35//) em classe funcional (CF) III (2 com insuficiência coronariana crônica, 2 com obesidade maligna, 1 com neoplasia de pulmäo, 1 com caquexia cardíaca e outro com AVC prévio). Realizaram VMCB pela técnica transeptal sendo utilizado duplo baläo em 10(45//), baläo Inoue em 5(25//), monofoíl em 3(15//) e bifoil em 2(10//) pacientes. Resultados - Dezessete (85//) pacientes com sucesso e 2 (10//) com melhora clínica expressiva. Os resultados hemodinâmicos pré x pós-VMCB foram: pressäo de átrio esquerdo (PAE) em mmHg 28,2 ñ 10,0 x 15,2 ñ 9,2 (n = 20) (p < 0,001); gradiente transvalvar mitral médio (G) em mmHg 21,2 ñ 10,7 x 10,7 ñ 6,7 (n = 18) ( , 0,001); área valvar mitral (AVM) em cm² 0,73 ñ 0,6 (n = 11) (p < 0,001); pressäo média de artéria pulmonar em mmHg 52,0 ñ 18,2 x 40,1 ñ 14,7 (n = 18) (p < 0,001); índice cardíaco em L/min/m² 2,1 ñ 0,4 x 2,5 ñ 0,6 (n = 14) (p < 0,001). No ecocardiograma os resultados comparativos pré, pós e após 6 meses da VMCB foram: área valvar mitral (cm²) 1,06 ñ 0,39 x 1,92 ñ 0,51 x 1,65 ñ 0,5 e gradientes transvalvar mitral (mmHg) 13,8 ñ 4,7 x 7,3 ñ 3,6 x 7,3 ñ 4,4. Houve 2 óbitos imediatos (tromboembolismo pulmonar e falência de multiplos órgäos) e 1 extra-hospitalar. As complicaçöes foram: 2(10//) pacientes com complicaçöes neurológicas, 1(5//) com comunicaçäo interatrial e outro com perfuraçäo da átrio direito (5//). Conclusäo - A VMCB oferece alternativa ao tratamento cirurgico em pacientes considerados de alto risco operatório e manutençäo do sucesso em seis meses de seguimento

Purpose - To evaluate percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) in surgical high risk patients. Methods - Twenty (12%) patients out of 172 submitted to a PMBV were considered high surgical risk cases; 17 (85%) were women and mean age was 43 (18- 69). Thirteen (65%) were in acute pulmonary edema (3 were pregnant, 2 had previous cerebrovascular event, 1 had pulmonar thromboembolism and other had chronic renal failure), and 7 (35%) were in functional class (CF) III (2 had coronary artery disease, 2 severe obesity, 1 pulmonar neoplasy, 1 cardiac cachexia and one with previous cerebrovascular event). All patients underwent PMBV through transeptal technique. Double balloon was used in 10 (50%) patients; Inoue balloon in 5 (25%), monofoil in 3 (15%) and bifoil in 2 (10%). Results - Seventeen (85%) obtained success and 2 (10%) had clinical improvement. The hemodinamic results pre versus post-PMBV showed: left atrium pressure (LAP) mmHg 28.2±10,0 x 15.2±9.2 (n=20) (p<0.001), mitral mediam gradient (G) mmHg 21.2±10.7 x 10.7±.7 (n=18)(p<0.001), mitral valve area (MVA) cm2 0.73±0.3 x 1.73±0.6 (n=11) (p<0.001), pulmonary artery pressure mmHg 52.0±18.2 x 40.1±14.7 (n=18) (p<0.001) and cardiac index L/min/m2 2.1±0.4 x 2.5±0.6(n=14) (p<0.001). Comparative echocardiography results pre, post and 6 months after PMBV showed: MVA 1.06±0.39 x 1.92±0.51 x 1.65±0.5 and G 13.8±4.7 x 7.3±3.6 x 7.3±4.4. There were two immediate deaths (pulmonary thromboembolism and multiple organs failure) and other after hospital discharge. The complications were: 2 (10%) patients with neurological complications, 1 (5%) atrial septal deffect and other right atrium perforation (5%). Conclusion - PMBV offers an alternative to surgical treatment in high risk surgical patients and the results are maintained in the 6 month follow-up

Síndrome de hipoplasia do coraçäo esquerdo: avaliaçäo clínica de 40 casos / Hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Clinical evaluation of 40 patients

Estudar a síndrome de hipoplasia do coraçäo esquerdo (SHCE), enfatizando aspectos clínicos e conduta terapêutica. Quarenta pacientes, 24 do sexo masculino, com idades entre um e 120 (média seis) dias. O diagnóstico foi baseado no quadro clínico, eletrocardiograma. Oito pacientes foram submetidos a caterismo cardíaco. Em 21 casos houve confirmaçäo por estudo necroscópico. Vinte e dois (55%) pacientes evoluiram para o óbito apesar das medidas clínicas instituídas. Em 16 (40%) realizou-se cirurgia paliativa, técnica de Norwood em 14 e bandagem do tronco pulmonar com interposiçäo de tubo de dacron entre este e o tronco braquiocefálico em dois. Dos pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de Norwood, três tiveram resultados imediatos favoráveis. Os pacientes submetidos ao outro procedimento citado, faleceram nos 12§ e 30§ dias de pós-operatório, em conseqüência de infecçäo. A SHCE é cardiopatia grave, com insuficiência cardíaca de manifestaçäo precoce (geralmente na primeira semana de vida) e de evoluçäo inexorável para o óbito quando se utilizam apenas as medidas clínicas habituais. O sucesso das técnicas cirúrgicas paliativas depende basicamente do diagnóstico precoce e do manuseio clínico adequado

Purpose: To study the hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) emphasizing clinical aspects and therapeutic measures. Patients and Methods: Forty patients, 24 male, ages ranging between one to 120 days (mean six days). Diagnosis was established by clinical elements, eletrocardiogram, chest X-ray and Doppler echocardiogram. Eight patients underwent cardiac catheterization. In 21 patients anatomical diagnosis was confirmed by necropsy. Results: Twenty-two patients (55%) died, in spite of all possible clinical measures. In 16 (40% ) palliative surgery was performed, Norwood technique in 14 and pulmonary artery banding with Dacron graft interposition between pulmonary trunk and brachiocephalic trunk in two. Immediate postoperative results were favorable in three patients (Norwood technique). Both patients underwent the other described technique died at 12th and 30th postoperative day due to infection. Conclusion: HLHS is a severe cardiac anomaly with a fast downhill evolution mostly at first week of life. The good results depend basically of early diagnosis as well as of an adequate clinical management for an appropriate time in indication of the palliative surgical technique.

Angioplastia transluminal da anastomose aorto-pulmonar da cirurgia de Jatene: aplicaçäo em dois casos / Aorto-pulmonary anastomosis transluminal angioplasty in Jatene surgery: report of 2 cases

Dois pacientes portadores de Transposiçäo de grande artérias submetidos a cirurgia de Jatene aos seis dias e aos seis meses de idade apresentaram no período pós-operatório estenose na anastomose aorto-pulmonar, diagnosticada aos 3§ e 6§ anos de evoluçäo. Procedeu-se a angioplastia transluminal percultânea da referida obstruçäo, com sucesso, seis meses e imediatamente após o diagnóstico, respectivamente. Houve reduçäo dos gradientes de pressäo, respectivamente de 83 mmHg para 24 mmHg, e de 76 mmHg para 13 mmHg, com nítda melhora do aspecto angiográfico. Nenhum dos pacientes apresentou complicaçöes durante ou após o procedimento. Esta aplicaçäo da angioplastia trasluminal percutânea, inédita na literatura, deve ser cogitada como alternativa a correçäo cirúrgica da estenose do "novo" tronco pulmonar da cirurgia de Jatene

Two patients with transposition of the great arteries submitted to Jatene surgery at ages of 6 days and 6 months respectively, presented in the postoperative period stenosis of the aorto-pulmonary anastomosis. The diagnosis was made three and six years after the surgery. In both patients successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed, respectively six months and immediately after the diagnosis. Pressure gradients decreased from 83 mmHg to 24 mmHg in the first case, and from 76 mmHg to 13 mmHg in the other case, with clear improvement of the angiographic image. Complications of the procedure did not occur in any case. This application for PTA was not previously reported and should be considered as an altennative to the surgical correction of the new pulmonary trunk stenosis in the Jatene surgery

Análise das propriedades mecânicas do ventrículo esquerdo em portadores de valvopatia aórtica / Analysis of the mechanical properties of the left ventricle in patients with aortic valve diseases

Utilizando-se método ecocardiográfico-hemodinâmico simultâneo, foram estudados aspectos morfofuncionais do ventrículo esquerdo, de 41 pacientes, 11 normais (conjunto N), 14 com estenose aórtica (cnjunto EAo), sendo 8 em classes funcionais I e II (grupo EAoA e 6 em classes III e IV (grupo EAoB) e 16 pacientes com insuficiência aórtica (conjunto IAo) sendo 7 em classes I e II (grupo IaoA) e 9 em classes III e IV (grupo IAoB). No grupo eAoA observaram-se valores normais da funçäo do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) como conseqüência do desenvolvimento de adequada hipertrofia que, ao normalizar o esforço sistólico, seria capaz de manter funçäo adequada. No grupo EAoB notou-se depressäo da funçäo do VE conseqënte ao aumento do esforço sistólico e à diminuiçäo do estado contrátil do músculo. No conjunto EAo verificou-se relaçäo inversa entre a fraçäo de ejeçäo e o esforço sistólico sugerindo a importância da variável sistólica no determinismo do grau de funçäo ventricular. No grupo IAoA, a normalidade da funçäo cardíaca pareceu ser conseqënte ao desenvolvimento adequado de dilataçäo e de hipertrofia do VE. Apesar da observaçäo da diminuiçäo do estado contrátil, a normalizaçäo do esforço sistólico seria capaz de manter a funçäo cardíaca dentro dos valores normais. No grupo IAoB notou-se importante depressäo da funçäo cardíaca conseqüente ao aumento do esforço sitólico e à diminuiçäo do estado contrátil da musculatura

Experiência clínica com a estreptoquinase e procedimentos sequenciais para o tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio / Clinical trial with streptokinase and sequential procedures for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction

A infusäo intracoronária de estreptoquinase foi realizada em 117 pacientes com infarto do miocárdio, 4 ñ 2 horas após o início dos sintomas. A recanalizaçäo ou aumento da perviabilidade da artéria infartada foi observada em 87% dos pacientes, 32 ñ 22 minutos após o início da infusäo. A reperfusäo do miocárdio determinou a reduçäo de sinais clínicos e eletrocardiográficos da isquemia cardíaca e um aumento da fraçäo de ejeçäo do ventrículo esquerdo, principalmente nos pacientes com infarto inferior. Após a infusäo da estreptoquinase observou-se, no local da oclusäo inicial, obstruçäo residual que variou de 20 a 98% (82 ñ 17%). Dois óbitos ocorreram por acidente vascular cerebral hemorrágico e por choque septicêmico. Trinta e cinco pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento clínico. Recidiva precoce da obstruçäo foi notada em 24% dos pacientes e o estado angiocardiografico tardio näo mostrou modificaçäo no valor da fraçäo de ejeçäo. A evoluçäo clínica tardia (30-72 meses) foi satisfatória em apenas 45% dos pacientes. Trinta e um pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico e o estudo ventriculográfico demonstrou aumento da fraçäo de ejeçäo (de 0,59 ñ 0,17 para 0,65 ñ 0,14, p<0,01) principalmente nos pacientes com infarto anterior. Quatro óbitos foram observados na fase inicial do tratamento cirúrgico. Trinta e seis pacientes foram submetidos à angioplastia coronária observando-se significativa reduçäo da obstruçäo arterial e aumento da fraçäo de ejeçäo de 0,51 ñ 0,19 para 0,60 ñ 0,19 p < 0,001. Um paciente faleceu de choque cardiogênico e recidiva precoce da oclusäo foi observada em 11% dos pacientes. Outro paciente faleceu subitamente 6 meses após e 26% dos pacientes apresentaram episódios isquêmicos tardios. A evoluçäo clínica tardia (42-66 meses) foi satisfatória em 61% dos pacientes)...

Intracoronary brachytherapy in the treatment of in-stent restenosis. Initial experience in Brazil

Intracoronary brachytherapy using beta or gamma radiation is currently the most efficient type of therapy for preventing the recurrence of coronary in-stent restenosis. Its implementation depends on the interaction among interventionists, radiotherapists, and physicists to assure the safety and quality of the method. The authors report the pioneering experience in Brazil of the treatment of 2 patients with coronary in-stent restenosis, in whom beta radiation was used as part of the international multicenter randomized PREVENT study (Proliferation REduction with Vascular ENergy Trial). The procedures were performed rapidly and did not require significant modifications in the traditional techniques used for conventional angioplasty. Alteration in the radiological protection devices of the hemodynamic laboratory were also not required, showing that intracoronary brachytherapy using beta radiation can be incorporated into the interventional tools of cardiology in our environment

Relaçäo entre a funçäo ventricular esquerda pré-operatória e evoluçäo pós-operatória na estenose aórtica / Relationship between pre-operative left ventricular function and post-operative course in aortic stenosis

Estudou-se clínica e hemodinamicamente a funçäo ventricular pré-operatória de pacientes com estenose aórtica severa que foram depois submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico (grupo A com subgrupos A1, com fraçäo de ejeçäo > 55% e A2 fraçäo de ejeçäo < 55%) e com miocardiopatia dilatada. O subgrupo A, se compunha de 31 pacientes, o subgrupo A2, de 14 pacientes; o grupo B, por 9 pacientes. Observaram-se diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p <= 0,001) entre os subgrupos A1, e A2, para a pressäo diastólica final do ventrículo esquerdo (Pdf), para o estresse sistólico circunferencial do ventrículo esquerdo (ESC), para o estresse sistólico meridional (ESM) do ventrículo esquerdo, para a relaçäo volume diastólico final - massa do ventrículo esquerdo (V/M) e para o índice de Sagawa (IS). Entre o subgrupo A2 e o grupo B as diferenças significantes foram observadas para V/M e IS (p <0,05). No subgrupo A1 ocorreram 3 óbitos e no subgrupo A2, 2 óbitos. Após seguimento médico de 20 meses (8 a 48), 89% dos sobreviventes de A1 e 85% daqueles de A2 foram classificados funcionalmente em I/II. Em conclusäo, a condiçäo hemodinâmica pré-operatória näo se mostrou fator de influência da evoluçäo pós-operatório (imediata e tardia). Estes dados reforçam a indicaçäo de tratamento cirúrgico na estenose aórtica severa mesmo em presença de disfunçäo ventricular grave