Radiotherapy-induced diffuse myocardial fibrosis in early-stage breast cancer patients - multimodality imaging study with six-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Breast radiotherapy (RT) induces diffuse myocardial changes, which may increase the incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This study aimed to evaluate the early signs of diffuse fibrosis after RT and their evolution during a six-year follow-up. METHODS: Thirty patients with early-stage left-sided breast cancer were studied with echocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG) at baseline, after RT, and at three-year and six-year follow-up visits. Echocardiography analysis included an off-line analysis of integrated backscatter (IBS). ECG was analysed for fragmented QRS (fQRS). In addition, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed at the six-year control. The left ventricle 16-segment model was used in cardiac imaging, and respective local radiation doses were analysed. RESULTS: Regional myocardial reflectivity in inferoseptal segments increased by 2.02 (4.53) dB (p = 0.026) and the percentage of leads with fQRS increased from 9.2 to 16.4% (p = 0.002) during the follow-up. In CMR imaging, abnormal extracellular volume (ECV) and T1 mapping values were found with anteroseptal and apical localization in a median of 3.5 (1.00-5.75) and 3 (1.25-4.00) segments, respectively. A higher left ventricle radiation dose was associated with an increased likelihood of having changes simultaneously in CMR and echocardiography (OR 1.26, 95% Cl. 1.00-1.59, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: After radiotherapy, progressive changes in markers of diffuse myocardial fibrosis were observed in a multimodal manner in ECG and echocardiography. Changes in echocardiography and abnormal values in CMR were localized in the septal and apical regions, and multiple changes were associated with higher radiation doses.

Vectocardiographic analysis of right ventricular electrical conduction delay

Introdução: A interpretação eletrocardiográfica do atraso final da condução no ramo do ventrículo direito do coração já gerou algumas hipóteses de que esse ramo direito não é único como demonstrado anatomicamente e que pode ser divido em ramos terminais distintos quando analisamos o traçado através do vetocardiograma.Método: Separados 227 eletrocardiogramas com características típicas definidas como atraso final de condução dos pacientes do serviço de eletrocardiografia do Centro Universitário FMABC, de ambos os sexos na faixa de idade de 18 a 87 anos, etnias, peso e estatura variadas com fatores de risco cardiovascular ou sem fator de risco, realizamos vetocardiograma nesses pacientes para observar o comportamento da porção final da condução elétrica. Resultado: Analisando os traçados vetocardiográficos dos pacientes que apresentavam o atraso final de condução no eletrocardiograma, confirmamos no registro pelo plano frontal, a presença do atraso final de condução, porém registravam em três regiões distintas; 103 pacientes no quadrante superior direito entre -120º e -150º, 45 pacientes no quadrante inferior direito entre +170º e -170º e medial e 79 pacientes no quadrante inferior direito entre +110º e + 140º.Conclusão: A despolarização elétrica do coração no ventrículo direito no traçado eletrocardiográfico aparentemente registra alterações típicas que podemos diagnosticar como uma despolarização de um feixe único, porém ao realizarmos vetocardiograma, registramos três zonas distintas de despolarização ventricular direita com atraso, ou seja, três setores distintos da parede livre do ventrículo direito como atraso Tipo I (superior), Tipo II (inferior), e Tipo III (medial).

Introduction: The electrocardiographic interpretation of end conduction delay (ECD) in the right ventricular branch of the heart has already generated some hypotheses that this right branch is not single, as anatomically demonstrated, and can be divided into distinct terminal branches when we analyze tracings through the vectorcardiogram.Methods: There were 227 electrocardiograms selected, with typical characteristics defined as ECD of patients from the electrocardiography service of the Centro Universitário Saúde ABC, of both sexes, in the age range of 18 to 87 years, with varied ethnicities, weight and height, with cardiovascular risk factors or without them. We performed vectorcardiograms in these patients to observe the behavior of the final portion of electrical conduction.Results: Analyzing the vectorcardiographic tracings of patients who presented ECD in electrocardiogram, we confirmed in the recording by the frontal plane, the presence of ECD but recorded in three distinct regions; 103 patients in the right upper quadrant between -120° and -150°, 45 patients in the right lower quadrant between +170° and -170°, and medial, and 79 patients in the right lower quadrant between +110° and + 140°.Conclusion: Electrical depolarization of the heart in the right ventricle in electrocardiographic tracings apparently records typical alterations that we can diagnose as depolarization of a single bundle; but when we performed vectorcardiograms, we recorded three distinct zones of right ventricular depolarization with delay; i.e., three distinct sectors of right ventricle free wall delay, such as type I (upper), type II (lower) and type III (medial).

Northwest axis in the electrocardiogram - A sign of right ventricular remodeling in tetralogy of Fallot. A case report.

The typical ECG changes in tetralogy of Fallot are right axis deviation, large R waves in the anterior precordial leads and large S waves in the lateral precordial leads. We present a patient with extreme deviation of the frontal QRS axis between -90° and ± 180°. The child underwent open heart surgery twice before one year of age and a third time at nine years of age. The axis change persisted into adulthood.

High-dose adenosine versus saline-induced cardioplegic arrest in coronary artery bypass grafting: A randomized double-blind clinical feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In this clinical trial, we evaluated if a short-acting nucleoside, adenosine, as a high-dose bolus injection with blood cardioplegia induces faster arrest and provides better myocardial performance in patients after bypass surgery for coronary artery disease. METHODS: Forty-three patients scheduled for elective or urgent coronary artery bypass grafting were prospectively recruited in two-arm 1:1 randomized parallel groups to either receive 20 mg of adenosine (in 21 patients) or saline (in 22 patients) into the aortic root during the first potassium-enriched blood cardioplegia infusion. The main outcomes of the study were ventricular myocardial performance measured with cardiac index, right ventricular stroke work index, and left ventricular stroke work index at predefined time points and time to asystole after a single bolus injection of adenosine. Conventional myocardial biomarkers were compared between the two groups at predefined time points as secondary endpoints. Electrocardiographic data and other ad hoc clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Compared with saline, adenosine reduced the time to asystole (68 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 37-100) versus 150 (95% CI = 100-210) seconds, p = 0.005). With myocardial performance, the results were inconclusive, since right ventricular stroke work index recovered better in the adenosine group (p = 0.008), but there were no significant overall differences in cardiac index and left ventricular stroke work index between the groups. Only the post-cardiopulmonary bypass cardiac index was better in the adenosine group (2.3 (95% CI = 2.2-2.5) versus 2.1 (95% CI = 1.9-2.2) L/min/m2, p = 0.016). There were no significant differences between the groups in cardiac biomarker values. CONCLUSIONS: A high dose adenosine bolus at the beginning of the first cardioplegia infusion resulted in significantly faster asystole in coronary artery bypass grafting patients but enhanced only partially the ventricular performance.EudraCT number: 2014-001382-26. https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2014-001382-26/FI.

Brugada syndrome unmasked by fever and paradoxical lower degree of dromotropic disturbance in the right ventricular outflow tract

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited clinical-electrocardiographic arrhythmic entity with an autosomal dominant genetic pattern of inheritance or de novo variant. The syndrome has low worldwide prevalence, but is endemic in Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Philippines and Japan). The BrS is a subtle structural heart disease (SHD), and the diagnosis is only possible when the so-called type 1 Brugada ECG pattern is spontaneously present or induced for example with fever. Repolarization-depolarization disturbances in BrS patients can be caused by genetic mutations, abnormal neural crest cell migration, low expression of connexin-43 gap junction protein, or connexome disturbances. A recent autopsy study revealed increase in biventricular collagen with myocardial fibrosis when compared with control subjects although the main affected cardiac territory is the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). In this location, there is abnormally low expression of significant connexin-43 gap junction responsible for the electro-vectorcardiographic manifestations of terminal QRS conduction delay in the right standard precordial leads (V1-V2), high right precordial leads (V1H-V2H), as well as in the unipolar aVR lead ("the forgotten lead"). Based on their location, these leads reflect the electrical activity of the RVOT.

A síndrome de Brugada (SBr) é uma entidade arrítmica clínico-eletrocardiográfica hereditária com padrão genético autossômico dominante de herança ou variante de novo. A síndrome tem baixa prevalência mundial, porém sendo endêmica no Sudeste Asiático (Tailândia, Filipinas e Japão). A SBr é uma doença cardíaca minimamente estrutural, sendo o diagnóstico só possível na presença do chamado padrão ECG de Brugada tipo 1 espontâneo ou induzido, por exemplo, a febre. Os distúrbios de repolarização-despolarização em pacientes com SBr podem ser causados por mutações genéticas responsáveis pela migração anormal de células da crista neural, baixa expressão "gap junctions" conexina-43 ou distúrbios do conexoma. Um estudo recente de autópsia revelou aumento do colágeno biventricular com fibrose miocárdica quando comparado aos controles, embora o principal território cardíaco afetado seja a via de saída do ventrículo direito (VSVD). Nessa área, há menor expressão da conexina-43, o que se traduz no ECG-VCG por atraso final de condução do QRS nas derivações precordiais direitas (V1-V2), precordiais direitas altas (V1H-V2H), bem como na derivação unipolar aVR ("a derivação esquecida"). Com base em sua localização, esses eletrodos refletem a atividade elétrica da VSVD

A Higher Mean Heart Radiation Dose Induces Higher Frequency of Multiple Cardiac Changes.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Radiotherapy (RT) induces late changes in all cardiac structures. Most studies of early changes focus on individual parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from eighty early-stage breast cancer patients at baseline, post-RT and three-year follow-up visit were assessed prospectively. Changes in ten cardiac parameters were collected including electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and biomarkers. A percentage of abnormal changes was calculated. RESULTS: The mean heart radiation dose (Dmean) was independently associated with the increased incidence of changes post-RT (ß=0.403, p<0.001) and at the three-year follow-up (ß=0.353, p=0.001). Each 1-Gray increase in Dmean increased the cardiac changes by 3.7% (95%CI=1.9-5.6%) after RT and 3.1% (95%CI=1.3, 4.9%) at the three-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: A higher cardiac radiation dose was independently associated with a higher incidence of changes in cardiac parameters. Multiparameter changes imply that the early phase after RT is already characterized by several overlapping cardiac changes.

COVID-19 and influenza: implications in the public health context / COVID-19 e influenza: implicações no contexto da saúde pública

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 continues to have a major impact on health and social systems around the world. The COVID-19 and influenza manifest themselves in a similar way, causing respiratory diseases that can present asymptomatically, as well as from the cold to severe respiratory problems until death. The form of transmission is similar, through contact with droplets or particles of saliva and secretions, which implies preventive actions that involve the same hygiene measures, use of masks and the need to cough using the elbow or disposable tissues. This characterizes a syndemic. It becomes necessary to monitor these diseases so that there are parameters for better decision-making on the appropriate clinical management of these respective diseases.

A pandemia de COVID-19 causada pelo novo coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 continua a ter um grande im-pacto nos sistemas de saúde e sociais em todo o mundo. torna-se necessário que haja monitoramento dessas doenças para que assim, tenha-se parâmetros para melhor tomada de decisão sobre a gestão clínica adequada sobre essas respectivas doenças. Os dois vírus se manifestam de forma semelhante, ao causarem doenças respiratórias que podem se apresentar de forma assintomáticas, assim como do resfriado a problemas respiratórios graves até a morte. A forma de transmissão são parecidas, por contato com gotículas ou partículas de saliva e secreções, o que implica nas ações de prevenção que perpassam pelas mesmas medidas higienização, uso de máscaras e a necessidade de tossir usando o cotovelo ou lenções descartáveis. Isto caracteriza uma sindemia.

Prehospital Adenosine Diphosphate Receptor Blocker Use, Culprit Artery Flow, and Mortality in STEMI: The MADDEC Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The newer adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor blockers ticagrelor and prasugrel are superior to clopidogrel in the long-term management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We evaluated the acute performance (prehospital loading) of these ADP receptor blockers in a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: In a retrospective, single-center registry study, data on all STEMI patients admitted for their first primary PCI between January 2007 and April 2020 were analyzed (n = 3218). The three ADP receptor blockers were mainly used during consecutive periods (clopidogrel 2007-2010, prasugrel 2011-2014, and ticagrelor 2014-2020), and were compared with risk factor-adjusted multivariate logistic regression for acute 3- and 7-day mortality and culprit artery flow before and after PCI. RESULTS: Of the 3218 total patients, 47.6% (n = 1532) were treated with ticagrelor, 22.1% (n = 711) were treated with prasugrel, and 30.3% (n = 975) were treated with clopidogrel. The use of ticagrelor or prasugrel as opposed to clopidogrel was associated with better culprit artery flow before PCI (odds ratio [OR] 1.21 for moderate or good flow, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.42, p = 0.022), as well as lower acute mortality (OR 0.66 for 3-day mortality, 95% CI 0.46-0.95, p = 0.025; and OR 0.71 for 7-day mortality, 95% CI 0.52-0.98, p = 0.039). The results in regard to acute mortality were highlighted among patients with short treatment delays (disappearing with longer treatment delays; p < 0.05 for interaction). CONCLUSIONS: The newer ADP receptor blockers are associated with lower mortality and better culprit artery flow at presentation when compared with clopidogrel. There are no significant differences between the two newer drugs. As the drugs were mainly used during three consecutive periods, unmeasured confounding related to the development of cardiac care and changes in the population may contribute to the results.

Brugada syndrome: current concepts and genetic background / Síndrome de Brugada: conceitos atuais e antecedentes genéticos

BACKGROUNG: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a hereditary clinical-electrocardiographic arrhythmic entity with low worldwide prevalence. The syndrome is caused by changes in the structure and function of certain cardiac ion channels and reduced expression of Connexin 43 (Cx43) in the Right Ventricle (RV), predominantly in the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (VSVD), causing electromechanical abnormalities. The diagnosis is based on the presence of spontaneous or medicated ST elevation, characterized by boost of the J point and the ST segment ≥2 mm, of superior convexity "hollow type" (subtype 1A) or descending rectilinear model (subtype 1B). BrS is associated with an increased risk of syncope, palpitations, chest pain, convulsions, difficulty in breathing (nocturnal agonal breathing) and/or Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) secondary to PVT/VF, unexplained cardiac arrest or documented PVT/VF or Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in the absence of apparent macroscopic or structural heart disease, electrolyte disturbance, use of certain medications or coronary heart disease and fever. In less than three decades since the discovery of Brugada syndrome, the concept of Mendelian heredity has come undone. The enormous variants and mutations found mean that we are still far from being able to concretely clarify a genotype-phenotype relationship. There is no doubt that the entity is oligogenetic, associated with environmental factors, and that there are variants of uncertain significance, especially the rare variants of the SCN5A mutation, with European or Japanese ancestors, as well as a spontaneous type 1 or induced pattern, thanks to gnomAD (coalition) researchers who seek to aggregate and harmonize exome and genome sequencing data from a variety of large-scale sequencing projects and make summary data available to the scientific community at large). Thus, we believe that this in-depth analytical study of the countless mutations attributed to BrS may constitute a real cornerstone that will help to better understand this intriguing syndrome.

INTRODUÇÃO: A Síndrome de Brugada (SBr) é uma entidade arrítmica clínico-eletrocardiográfica hereditária com baixa prevalência mundial. A síndrome é causada por alterações na estrutura e função de certos canais iônicos cardíacos e redução da expressão da Connexina 43 (Cx43) no Ventrículo Direito (VD), predominantemente no Trato de Saída do Ventricular Direito (VSVD), causando anormalidades eletromecânicas. O diagnóstico é baseado na presença de supradesnivelamento de ST espontâneo ou medicamentoso caracterizado por supradesnivelamento do ponto J e do segmento ST ≥2 mm, de convexidade superior "tipo covado" (subtipo 1A) ou modelo retilíneo descendente (subtipo 1B). A SBr está associado a um risco aumentado de síncope, palpitações, dor precordial, convulsões, dificuldade em respirar (respiração agonal noturna) e/ou Morte Cardíaca Súbita (MSC) secundária a PVT/VF, parada cardíaca inexplicada ou PVT/VF documentado ou Fibrilação atrial paroxística (FA) na ausência de doença cardíaca macroscópica ou estrutural aparente, distúrbio eletrolítico, uso de certos medicamentos ou coração coronário e febre. Em menos de três décadas desde a descoberta da síndrome de Brugada, o conceito de hereditariedade mendeliana se desfez. As enormes variantes e mutações encontradas significam que ainda estamos longe de sermos capazes de esclarecer concretamente uma relação genótipo-fenótipo. Não há dúvida de que a entidade é oligogenética associada a fatores ambientais, e que há variantes de significado incerto, principalmente as raras variantes da mutação SCN5A, com ancestrais europeus ou japoneses, bem como padrão espontâneo tipo 1 ou induzido, graças ao gnomAD (coalizão de pesquisadores que buscam agregar e harmonizar dados de sequenciamento de exoma e genoma de uma variedade de projetos de sequenciamento em grande escala e disponibilizar dados resumidos para a comunidade científica em geral). As enormes variantes e mutações encontradas significam que ainda estamos longe de sermos capazes de esclarecer concretamente uma relação genótipo-fenótipo. Assim, acreditamos que este estudo analítico em profundidade das inúmeras mutações atribuídas à BrS pode constituir uma verdadeira pedra angular que ajudará a compreender melhor esta síndrome intrigante.

The numerous denominations of the Brugada syndrome and proposal about how to put an end to an old controversy - a historical-critical perspective

BACKGROUNG: The eponymous Brugada Syndrome (BrS) in honor of its discovery as an independent entity by the Spanish/Catalan Brugada brothers, Pedro and Josep, has deserved numerous denominations derived mainly from the clinical genotype/phenotype correlation. The purpose of this manuscript is to present and analyze the nomenclatures that this intriguing and challenging syndrome has received over the past 28 years. We also compared the main features between cases from the first report of the Brugada brothers and an article by Martini et al. The nomenclatures used by these authors are closely linked to the BrS, but the cases (except one) presented in the article by Martini et al do not present the type 1 Brugada ECG pattern, which is mandatory for the diagnosis of BrS

INTRODUÇÃO: A Síndrome de Brugada (SB), em homenagem à sua descoberta como entidade independente pelos irmãos espanhóis / catalães Pedro e Josep Brugada, tem merecido inúmeras denominações derivadas principalmente da correlação genótipo /fenótipo clínico. O objetivo deste manuscrito é apresentar e analisar as nomenclaturas que esta intrigante e desafiadora síndrome recebeu nos últimos 28 anos. Também comparamos as principais características entre os casos do primeiro relato dos irmãos Brugada e um artigo de Martini e col. As nomenclaturas utilizadas por esses autores estão intimamente ligadas à SB, mas os casos (exceto um) apresentados no artigo de Martini e cols. não apresentam o padrão eletrocardiográfico de Brugada tipo 1, obrigatório para o diagnóstico da SB

A counterpoint paper: Comments on the electrocardiographic part of the 2018 Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction.

The Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (FUDMI) [published simultaneously in 2018 in numerous journals including Circulation, Journal of the American College of Cardiology and European Heart Journal] focuses mainly on the distinction between non-ischemic myocardial injury and myocardial infarction (MI), along with the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance, in order to define the etiology of myocardial injury. As a consequence, there is less emphasis on updating the parts of the definition concerning the electrocardiographic (ECG) changes related to MI. Evidence of myocardial ischemia is a prerequisite for the diagnosis of MI and the ECG is the main available tool for i) detecting acute ischemia, ii) triage and iii) risk stratification upon presentation. This review focuses on multiple aspects of ECG interpretation that we firmly believe should be considered for incorporation in any future update to the Universal Definition of MI. Our counterpoint view is that: a) the use of the ECG following coronary artery bypass surgery should be better explored and defined; b) the emphasis in the FUDMI on convex versus concave ST-elevation, which is questionable, should be balanced by the fact that many patients with true ST-elevation MI (STEMI) present with a concave form of ST elevation; c) reciprocal ST-depression in STEMI caused by right coronary artery or left circumflex artery occlusion, should be set against the fact that not all anterior STEMIs present with reciprocal ST-depression which can also be seen in cardiomyopathy and left ventricular hypertrophy; d) the "posterior" leads V7-V9 should be placed on a horizontal line from V4, rather than follow the 5th intercostal space; e) ST-depression in V1-V3 is not a manifestation of ischemia of the basal inferior segment, placed horizontally; f) Interpreting ST-T changes in patients with conduction abnormalities and pacemakers should be further defined.

Unusual ventricular activation produced by temporary transvenous cardiac pacing: electrovectorcardiographic findings / Activación ventricular inusual producida por estimulación cardíaca transvenosa temporal: hallazgos electrovectorcardiográficos

Abstract Complete heart block (CHB) results from dysfunction of the cardiac conduction system, which results in complete electrical dissociation. The ventricular escape rhythm can have its origin anywhere from the atrioventricular node to the bundle branch-Purkinje system. CHB typically results in bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, hemodynamic instability, syncope, or even Stokes-Adams syndrome. Escape rhythm originating above the bifurcation of the His bundle (HB) produces narrow QRSs with relatively rapid heart rate (HR) (except in cases of His system disease). We present a middle-aged man with an HR of 34 bpm, progressive fatigue, in whom a temporary pacemaker was implanted in the subtricuspid region. The post-intervention electrocardiogram had unusual features.

Resumen El bloqueo cardíaco completo (BCC) resulta de la disfunción del sistema de conducción cardíaco, lo que ocasiona una disociación eléctrica completa entre aurículas y ventrículos. El ritmo de escape resultante puede tener su origen en cualquier lugar desde el nodo auriculoventricular hasta el sistema His Purkinje. El BCC generalmente produce bradicardia, hipotensión, fatiga, inestabilidad hemodinámica, síncope o incluso el síndrome de Stokes-Adams. El ritmo de escape que se origina por encima de la bifurcación del haz de His produce intervalos QRS estrechos con frecuencia cardíaca no muy lenta (excepto en casos de enfermedad del sistema Hisiano). Presentamos a un hombre de mediana edad con una frecuencia cardíaca de 34 lpm, fatiga progresiva, en el que se implantó un marcapasos temporario en la región subtricuspídea. El electrocardiograma resultante a la intervención presentó características inusuales.

18-FDG-PET in a patient cohort suspected for cardiac sarcoidosis: Right ventricular uptake is associated with pathological uptake in mediastinal lymph nodes.

INTRODUCTION: In up to 65% of cardiac sarcoidosis patients, the disease is confined to the heart. Diagnosing isolated cardiac sarcoidosis is challenging due to the low sensitivity of endomyocardial biopsy. If cardiac sarcoidosis is part of biopsy-confirmed systemic sarcoidosis, the diagnosis can be based on cardiac imaging studies. We compared the imaging features of patients with isolated cardiac FDG uptake on positron emission tomography with those who had findings indicative of systemic sarcoidosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 137 consecutive cardiac FDG-PET/CT studies performed on subjects suspected of having cardiac sarcoidosis were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: 33 patients had pathological left ventricular FDG uptake, and 12 of these also had pathological right ventricular uptake. 16/33 patients with pathological cardiac uptake had pathological extracardiac uptake. 10/12 patients with both LV- and RV-uptake patterns had extracardiac uptake compared to 6/21 of those with pathological LV uptake without RV uptake. SUVmax values in the myocardium were higher among patients with abnormal extracardiac uptake. The presence of extracardiac uptake was the only imaging-related factor that could predict a biopsy indicative of sarcoidosis. CONCLUSION: Right ventricular involvement seems to be more common in patients who also have findings suggestive of suspected systemic sarcoidosis, compared with patients with PET findings indicative of isolated cardiac disease.

Autoría: desde el crédito a la responsabilidad. Reflexiones de la Red de Editores / Authorship: from credit to accountability. Reflections from the Editors´ Network / Autoria: do crédito à responsabilidade. Reflexões da Rede de Editores

Resumen: La Red de Editores de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología (ESC, por su sigla en inglés) constituye un foro dinámico dedicado a discusiones editoriales y respalda las recomendaciones del Comité Internacional de Editores de Revistas Médicas (ICMJE, por su sigla en inglés) destinadas a mejorar la calidad científica de las revistas biomédicas. La paternidad literaria confiere crédito, además de importantes recompensas académicas. Recientemente, sin embargo, el ICMJE ha destacado que la autoría también exige que los autores sean responsables y se hagan cargo de lo que publican. Estas cuestiones ahora están cubiertas por el nuevo (cuarto) criterio para la autoría. Los autores deben aceptar hacerse responsables de lo que escriben y garantizar un adecuado enfoque de las cuestiones concernientes a la precisión e integridad de todo el trabajo. Esta revisión analiza las implicancias de este cambio de paradigma en los requisitos de autoría con el objetivo de aumentar la conciencia sobre las buenas prácticas científicas y editoriales.

Summary: The Editors´ Network of the European Society of Cardiology provides a dynamic forum for editorial discussions and endorses the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors to improve the scientific quality of biomedical journals. Authorship confers credit and important academic rewards. Recently, however, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors emphasized that authorship also requires responsibility and accountability. These issues are now covered by the new (fourth) criterion for authorship. Authors should agree to be accountable and ensure that questions regarding the accuracy and integrity of the entire work will be appropriately addressed. This review discusses the implications of this paradigm shift on authorship requirements with the aim of increasing awareness on good scientific and editorial practices.

Resumo: A Rede de Editores da Sociedade Europeia de Cardiologia é um fórum dinâmico para discussões editoriais e apoia as recomendações do Comitê Internacional de Editores de Revistas Médicas, visando melhorar a qualidade científica das revistas biomédicas. A autoria confere crédito, além de importantes recompensas acadêmicas. Recentemente, no entanto, o Comitê Internacional de Editores de Revistas Médicas enfatizou que a autoria também requer que os autores sejam responsáveis do que escrevem e se encarreguem do que publicam. Essas questões agora estão cobertas pelo novo (quarto) critério de autoria. Os autores devem concordar em ser responsáveis e garantir que as questões relativas à precisão e integridade de todo o trabalho sejam abordadas de maneira apropriada. Esta revisão discute as implicações dessa mudança de paradigma nos requisitos de autoria, com o objetivo de aumentar a conscientização sobre as boas práticas científicas e editoriais.

Autoría: del crédito a la responsabilidad - Reflexiones de la red de editores / Authorship: From credit to accountability - Reflections from the Editors' network

Abstract The Editors’ Network of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) provides a dynamic forum for editorial discussions and endorses the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) to improve the scientific quality of biomedical journals. Authorship confers credit and important academic rewards. Recently, however, the ICMJE emphasized that authorship also requires responsibility and accountability. These issues are now covered by the new (fourth) criterion for authorship. Authors should agree to be accountable and ensure that questions regarding the accuracy and integrity of the entire work will be appropriately addressed. This review discusses the implications of this paradigm shift on authorship requirements with the aim of increasing awareness on good scientific and editorial practices.

Subsequent Event Risk in Individuals With Established Coronary Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: The Genetics of Subsequent Coronary Heart Disease (GENIUS-CHD) consortium was established to facilitate discovery and validation of genetic variants and biomarkers for risk of subsequent CHD events, in individuals with established CHD. METHODS: The consortium currently includes 57 studies from 18 countries, recruiting 185 614 participants with either acute coronary syndrome, stable CHD, or a mixture of both at baseline. All studies collected biological samples and followed-up study participants prospectively for subsequent events. RESULTS: Enrollment into the individual studies took place between 1985 to present day with a duration of follow-up ranging from 9 months to 15 years. Within each study, participants with CHD are predominantly of self-reported European descent (38%-100%), mostly male (44%-91%) with mean ages at recruitment ranging from 40 to 75 years. Initial feasibility analyses, using a federated analysis approach, yielded expected associations between age (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.14-1.16) per 5-year increase, male sex (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.13-1.21) and smoking (hazard ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.35-1.51) with risk of subsequent CHD death or myocardial infarction and differing associations with other individual and composite cardiovascular endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: GENIUS-CHD is a global collaboration seeking to elucidate genetic and nongenetic determinants of subsequent event risk in individuals with established CHD, to improve residual risk prediction and identify novel drug targets for secondary prevention. Initial analyses demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of a federated analysis approach. The consortium now plans to initiate and test novel hypotheses as well as supporting replication and validation analyses for other investigators.

Transient left anterior and septal fascicular blocks after self-expandable percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is indicated in severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, when there is intermediate-high surgical risk, or a condition considered inoperable, as in the case of "porcelain aorta" that could turn clamping or cannulation of the ascending aorta hazardous in open-heart surgery. Among the complications of this less invasive procedure, intraventricular conduction disorders subsequent to the procedure stand out. TAVI causes worsening of intraventricular dromotropic disorders in more than 75% of the cases, with the presence of preexisting right bundle branch block and first-degree atrioventricular block, deep prosthesis implant, male gender, size of the aortic annulus smaller than the prosthesis, and porcelain aorta being predictive of requirement for permanent pacemaker implant.