Forty years of a Postgraduate Program in Cardiology at a Brazilian public university: indicators of its graduates

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the profile of graduates of the Postgraduate Program (PGP) in Cardiology of a public federal university, according to sociodemographic factors and professional trajectory. Methods: The variables were collected from databases from the observed institution and digital platforms. The analysis of differences between the various levels of degrees was carried out in three cohorts: the entire historical series (graduates from 1978-2021), the first 20 years (1978-1997) and the second 20 years (1998-2018). Results: The results demonstrated that most students from the PGP completed a PhD and are men over 30 years old, they came from public universities and the Southeast region. In the first 20 years, significant differences were observed in the distribution of masters and doctors working professionally at the institution analyzed, as well as in the age of the students. In the 20 years of the second half, there were differences between masters and PhD working professionally in the institution itself, as they came from private universities, they are women and PhD. Conclusions: The changes in the profile of masters and PhD that graduated from this PGP in cardiology reflect transformations that occurred in the job market and academy over the decades.

Microparticles: potential new contributors to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis?

Abstract Background Microparticles (MPs) are membrane-derived vesicles released from cells undergoing activation or apoptosis with diverse proinflammatory and prothrombotic activities, that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EMPs), and monocyte-derived microparticles (MMPs) in SSc patients, and the association between MPs and the clinical features of SSc. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 70 patients with SSc and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Clinical and nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) data were obtained from all patients. Plasma levels of PMPs (CD42+/31+), EMPs (CD105+), and MMPs (CD14+) were quantified by flow cytometry. Results Patients were mainly females (90%), with a mean age of 48.9 years old. PMP, EMP, and MMP levels were significantly increased in SSc patients compared to controls (79.2% ± 17.3% vs. 71.0% ± 19.8%, p = 0.033; 43.5% ± 8.7% vs. 37.8% ± 10.4%, p = 0.004; and 3.5% ± 1.3% vs. 1.1% ± 0.5%, p < 0.0001, respectively). PMP levels were significantly higher in patients with positive anti-topoisomerase-I antibodies (p = 0.030) and in patients with a disease duration > 3 years (p = 0.038). EMP levels were lower in patients with a higher modified Rodnan skin score (p = 0.015), and in those with an avascular score > 1.5 in NFC (p = 0.042). Conclusion The increased levels of PMPs, EMPs and MMPs in scleroderma patients might indicate a possible role for these agents in the pathogenesis of this challenging disease.

Análise crítica dos estudos que mudaram a prática clínica recente: dislipidemias / Critical analysis of studies that changed recent clinical practice: dyslipidemias

Os eventos isquêmicos continuam a ocorrer em pacientes com fatores de risco mal controlados, como os que têm concentrações elevadas de LDL-colesterol ou de triglicérides, nos que têm diabetes e doença aterosclerótica multivascular, a despeito do tratamento com estatinas. Além dos eventos iniciais, esses pacientes têm risco substancial de eventos recorrentes, possivelmente fatais. A avaliação dos eventos recorrentes traz a perspectiva da carga total de eventos ateroscleróticos a que esses pacientes estão expostos e não apenas dos primeiros eventos. Dois estudos com novas terapêuticas hipolipemiantes abordaram a redução de eventos cardiovasculares e também de eventos totais, de um primeiro evento e de eventos subsequentes. O evolocumabe, um inibidor da pró-proteína convertase subtilisina/quexina tipo 9 e o icosapenta etil, formulação altamente purificada de ácido graxo ômega 3 demonstraram reduções dos eventos cardiovasculares primários e secundários chave, bem como dos eventos totais, dos primeiros eventos e dos eventos subsequentes em pacientes de alto risco e risco muito alto que usam estatinas, mas com um risco elevado de novos eventos cardiovasculares. Pelos benefícios demonstrados, essas estratégias terapêuticas poderão ser incorporadas à prática clínica, desde que avaliadas num contexto de risco e benefício, e com um custo-efetividade aceitável

Ischemic events continue to occur in patients with poorly controlled risk factors, such as those with high concentrations of LDL-cholesterol or triglycerides and those with diabetes and multivascular artherosclerotic disease, in spite of treatment with statins. These patients are at risk not only for the first, but also for recurrent ischemic events, which can be fatal. The evaluation of recurrent events brings a perspective of the total burden of artherosclerotic events to which the patient is exposed and not only of the first one. Two studies using new lipid-lowering therapies addressed the reduction of cardiovascular events and also of total events, of a first event, and of subsequent events. Evolocumab, a proprotein convertase subutilisin kexin type 9 inhibitor, and icosapent ethyl, a highly purified formulation of omega-3 fatty acid, demonstrated reductions in key primary and secondary cardiovascular events, as well as in total events, first events and subsequent events in high and very high risk patients taking statins, but with a high risk of new cardiovascular events. Based on the benefits observed, these therapeutic strategies can be incorporated into clinical practice, provided they are evaluated within a risk benefit context, with an acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio

Análise crítica dos estudos que mudaram a prática clínica recente: inflamação e doença coronariana / Critical analysis of the studies that changed recent clinical practice: inflammation and coronary disease

Os estudos com estatinas envolvendo desfechos clínicos mostraram que, mesmo atingindo as metas lipídicas, os pacientes que persistem com níveis aumentados de proteína C-reativa, têm maior risco de eventos cardiovasculares. A doença aterosclerótica das coronárias também apresentou maior regressão nos estudos com estatinas, quando ocorreu além de redução efetiva de LDL-colesterol, redução da proteína-C reativa. Nos últimos anos, dois importantes estudos com terapias anti-inflamatórias mostraram resultados divergentes. O estudo CANTOS, com o anticorpo monoclonal canaquinumabe, mostrou redução do eventocombinado de morte cardiovascular, infarto ou acidente vascular cerebral não fatais, e a magnitude do benefício foi associada ao grau de diminuição de marcadores inflamatórios, como proteína C-reativa ou interleucina 6. No estudo CIRT, os pacientes que receberam o anti-inflamatório metotrexato não tiveram redução de desfechos cardiovasculares, mas tampouco tiveram redução dos mencionados marcadores inflamatórios. Esses resultados, em conjunto, sugerem que o bloqueio específico de uma via inflamatória, como a citocina, pode ser mais relevante do que efeito anti-inflamatório per se e revela um caminho para diminuição do risco inflamatório residual

Studies with statins involving clinical endpoints have shown that, in spite of achieving lipid goals, patients with high levels of C-reactive protein are at higher risk for cardiovascular events. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease has also presented greater regression in studies with statins when, in addition to an effective reduction in LDL cholesterol, a reduction in C-reactive protein was achieved. In recent years, two important studies involving anti-inflammatory therapies reported divergent results. The CANTOS study, with the human monoclonal antibody canakinumab, showed a decrease in combined cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke events and the magnitude of that benefit was associated with the degree of reduction in the inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. In the CIRT study, patients who received the anti-inflammatory methotrexate did not have a decrease in cardiovascular outcomes, but neither was there a reduction in the inflammatory markers mentioned. Taken together, these results suggest that the specific blockade of an inflammatory pathway, such as that of cytokine,may be more relevant than the antiinflammatory effect per se and reveal a promising way to reduce the residual inflammatory risk

Obesidade e dislipidemia - metas de redução; uso de dietas e medicamentos / Obesity and dyslipidemia - reduction targets; use of diets and drug products

As doenças cardiovasculares continuam sendo a principal causa de morte no Brasil desde o final da década de 1960, a despeito da tendência de queda observada nos últimos anos. A mudança de estilo de vida relacionada à urbanização e globalização, com alta ingestão calórica e menor gasto energético, o rápido aumento da população idosa devido à maior expectativa de vida levaram à maior prevalência de obesidade e dislipidemias e, consequentemente, doenças cardiovasculares e metabólicas. Pesquisas de base populacional, estudos de coorte e de caso e de controle apontam para a importância do crescimento dos fatores de risco e diferenças regionais indicam que as políticas públicas e o atendimento médico devem priorizar intervenções de saúde tendo como objetivo a prevenção e controle dos fatores de risco mais prevalentes em nosso meio. A abordagem terapêutica da obesidade deve incluir não apenas a redução isolada do peso, e sim, atrelada à melhora metabólica ampla que se associe à diminuição do risco de complicações cardiovasculares. De um modo geral, a perda de peso é mais frequentemente alcançada ao longo dos primeiros meses ou do primeiro ano de exposição aos fármacos e embora alguns sejam mais efetivos, eventos adversos são frequentes, limitando o tratamento a longo prazo. O grande avanço e a maior segurança nos últimos anos vieram com o uso de medicamentos antiiperglicemiantes, como análogos de GLP-1, permitindo o uso a longo prazo com manutenção de resultados e adicionando benefícios cardiovasculares. A abordagem terapêutica das dislipidemias no paciente obeso é imperativa para a evolução desse perfil de pacientes, nos quais múltiplos fatores fisiológicos, bioquímicos, metabólicos e clínicos, estão interconectados e diretamente relacionados com aumentos substanciais do risco de diabetes, de doença aterosclerótica cardiovascular e mortalidade por todas as causas

Cardiovascular disease has been the no. 1 cause of death in Brazil since the late 1960s, despite the downtrend observed in recent years. Lifestyle changes related to urbanization and globalization, high calorie intake and lower energy expenditure, combined with a rapidly aging population due to increased life expectancy, have led to a greater prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia, and consequently, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Population-based surveys, cohort and case-control studies underline the importance of the growth of risk factors, and regional differences indicate that public policies and medical care must prioritize health interventions in order to prevent and control the most prevalent risk factors in our country. The therapeutic approach to obesity must include not only weight reduction alone, but also in combination with comprehensive metabolic improvement, which is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular complications. In general, weight loss is more frequently achieved in the first few months or first year of exposure to medications, and although some drugs are more effective, adverse events are common, limiting treatment options to long-term therapy. The major advances and greater safety seen in recent years were achieved with the use of anti-hyperglycemic agents such as GLP-1 analogues, enabling long-term use with maintenance of results and adding cardiovascular benefits. The therapeutic approach to dyslipidemia in obese patients is imperative for the progress of this patient population, in which multiple physiological, biochemical, metabolic and clinical factors are interlinked and directly related to substantial increases in the risk of diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality

Regional QT Interval Dispersion as an Early Predictor of Reperfusion in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction after Fibrinolytic Therapy / A Dispersão do Intervalo QT Regional como Preditor Precoce de Reperfusão em Pacientes com Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio Pós-terapia Fibrinolítica

Abstract Background: Patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction attending primary care centers, treated with pharmaco-invasive strategy, are submitted to coronary angiography within 2-24 hours of fibrinolytic treatment. In this context, the knowledge about biomarkers of reperfusion, such as 50% ST-segment resolution is crucial. Objective: To evaluate the performance of QT interval dispersion in addition to other classical criteria, as an early marker of reperfusion after thrombolytic therapy. Methods: Observational study including 104 patients treated with tenecteplase (TNK), referred for a tertiary hospital. Electrocardiographic analysis consisted of measurements of the QT interval and QT dispersion in the 12 leads or in the ST-segment elevation area prior to and 60 minutes after TNK administration. All patients underwent angiography, with determination of TIMI flow and Blush grade in the culprit artery. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: We found an increase in regional dispersion of the QT interval, corrected for heart rate (regional QTcD) 60 minutes after thrombolysis (p = 0.06) in anterior wall infarction in patients with TIMI flow 3 and Blush grade 3 [T3B3(+)]. When regional QTcD was added to the electrocardiographic criteria for reperfusion (i.e., > 50% ST-segment resolution), the area under the curve increased to 0.87 [(0.78-0.96). 95% IC. p < 0.001] in patients with coronary flow of T3B3(+). In patients with ST-segment resolution >50% and regional QTcD > 13 ms, we found a 93% sensitivity and 71% specificity for reperfusion in T3B3(+), and 6% of patients with successful reperfusion were reclassified. Conclusion: Our data suggest that regional QTcD is a promising non-invasive instrument for detection of reperfusion in the culprit artery 60 minutes after thrombolysis.

Resumo Fundamento: Pacientes com infarto do miocárdico com elevação do segmento-ST atendidos em centros de atendimento primário e tratados de acordo com a estratégia fármaco-invasiva são submetidos à fibrinólise seguida de coronariografia em período de 2-24h. Neste cenário, o conhecimento de marcadores de reperfusão como a redução em 50% do segmento-ST é fundamental. Objetivo: Analisar o desempenho da dispersão do intervalo QT em adição aos critérios clássicos, como marcador precoce de reperfusão pós-terapia trombolítica. Métodos: Estudo observacional com a inclusão de 104 pacientes tratados com tenecteplase (TNKase) e referenciados a hospital de atendimento terciário. A análise dos eletrocardiogramas (ECG) consistiu em mensuração do intervalo QT e sua dispersão nas 12 derivações, e também apenas na região com supradesnivelamento-ST antes e 60min pós-TNKase. A angiografia foi realizada em todos os pacientes com obtenção do fluxo TIMI e Blush da artéria culpada. Foram considerados significantes valores de p < 0,05. Resultados: Observamos aumento da dispersão do intervalo QT, corrigido pela frequência cardíaca, regional (dQTcR) 60min pós-lise (p = 0,006) em infartos de parede anterior nos casos com fluxo TIMI 3 e Blush 3 [T3B3(+)]. Adicionando a dQTcR ao critério ECG (redução do ST > 50%) de reperfusão, a área sob a curva aumentou para 0,87 [(0,78-0,96), IC95%, p < 0,001] em pacientes com fluxo coronário T3B3(+). Nos pacientes com critério de ECG para reperfusão e dQTcR > 13 ms a sensibilidade e especificidade foram 93% e 71%, respectivamente, para reperfusão em T3B3(+), possibilitando reclassificar 6% dos pacientes com sucesso de reperfusão. Conclusão: Os dados sugerem a dQTcR como instrumento promissor na identificação não invasiva de reperfusão na artéria coronária culpada, 60min pós-trombólise.