PRECISE Scale: a quantitative classification for androgenetic alopecia and its application to hair transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent genetic condition that can affect both male and female, and is considered the most frequent form of hair loss. Traditional scales and methods of classifying AGA are basically qualitative. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to propose a quantitative scale to classify AGA in order to assist hair transplantation surgery. METHODS: Based on whole hairless and thinning areas that needs to receive follicular units in a hair transplantation procedure, basic equations to support the scale are proposed. Additionally, the study involves simulations that apply the classification system and compare its results with those of qualitative methods. RESULTS: The PRECISE scale utilizes a range of 0-10, using 30 cm2 as the measured standard of a bald area. For hair transplantation, 1500 follicular units (FU) are recommended for each score in the PRECISE scale. Technological and manual methods to measure the hairless and thinning areas are presented and discussed. This new quantitative classification, combined with different and complementary methods of measurement of hairless and thinning areas endorse the understanding of the clinical condition by the patient and the planning of a surgery procedure. CONCLUSION: The developed PRECISE scale brings a different way of classifying Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), through an essentially quantitative evaluation. It can be used to elaborate the best strategy for the hair transplantation surgery and to improve the outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Comparação entre avaliação de isquemia miocárdica pela reserva de fluxo fracionada e cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica / Comparison between myocardial ischemia evaluation by fractional flow reserve and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

Lesões coronárias moderadas podem ser, ou não, responsáveis pela isquemia miocárdica. A análise funcional das lesões pode ser realizada por métodos invasivos e não invasivos. Comparar a análise funcional das lesões coronarianas moderadas pela reserva de fluxo fracionado e pela cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica. Foram estudados prospectivamente 47 pacientes com doença arterial coronária estável com pelo menos uma lesão coronariana moderada obstrutiva. Eles foram submetidos à reserva de fluxo fracionado e à cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica com intervalo médio de 24,5 dias, entre janeiro de 2013 e dezembro de 2015. Não houve alteração no estado clínico e nem no procedimento de revascularização entre exames. As variáveis populacionais foram descritas como mediana e interquartil. A reserva de fluxo fracionado foi realizada em um de tronco de coronária esquerda; 37 artérias coronárias descendentes; 12 artérias circunflexas e quatro artérias coronárias direitas. Reserva de fluxo fracionado < 0,8 foi considerada positiva. A análise comparativa entre os resultados dos testes foi feita pelo teste de Fisher bicaudal, sendo considerado significativo valor de p < 0,05. A reserva de fluxo fracionado < 0,8 foi encontrada no tronco de coronária esquerda (100%); 13 na artéria coronária descendente (35,14%); seis na artéria circunflexa (50%) e duas na artéria coronária direita (50%). Dentre os pacientes com reserva de fluxo fracionado positiva, 83% tinham isquemia miocárdica demonstrada na cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica (p = 0,058). Analisando especificamente o território da artéria coronária descendente, 83% dos pacientes com reserva de fluxo fracionado negativa não tinham isquemia na cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica, mas 69% dos pacientes com reserva de fluxo fracionado positiva não tinham isquemia na cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica (p = 0,413). Pode ocorrer discordância entre os resultados de análise funcional de lesões coronárias moderadas por testes invasivos e não invasivos

Moderate coronary artery lesions can be, or not, responsible for myocardial ischemia. The functional analysis of these lesions can be performed by invasive and noninvasive methods.To compare the functional analysis of moderate coronary lesions by fractional flow reserve and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. 47 patients with stable coronary artery disease and at least one moderate coronary artery obstruction were prospectively studied. They were submitted to fractional flow reserve and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with a median interval of 24.5 days between January 2013 and December 2015. There was no change in clinical status or revascularization procedure between the exams. The population variables were described as medians and interquartile range. Fractional flow reserve was performed in one left main coronary artery; 37 left descending coronary arteries; 12 circumflex arteries and 4 right coronary arteries. Fractional flow reserve < 0.8 was considered positive. The comparative analysis between the results of the tests was performed by two-tailed Fisher's test and a p-value 0.05 was considered significant.Fractional flow reserve < 0.8 was found in the left main coronary artery (100%); 13 in the left descending coronary artery (35.14%); 6 in circumflex artery (50%) and 2 in the right coronary artery (50%). Among the patients with positive fractional flow reserve, 83% had myocardial ischemia demonstrated by the myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (p = 0.058).When analyzing specifically the left descending coronary artery, 83% of the patients with negative fractional flow reserve showed no ischemia at the myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, but 69% of the patients with positive fractional flow reserve showed no ischemia at the myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (p = 0.413). Disagreements can occur between the results of the functional analysis of moderate coronary lesions by invasive and noninvasive tests

Mortality and morbidity of patients on the waiting list for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The public health care system in Brazil has extensive waiting lists of patients requiring complex operations such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The purpose of this study was to identify the mortality and morbidity rates of the patients awaiting CABG and identify predictors of adverse events and their association with perioperative outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of outpatient medical records of patients referred for this elective procedure in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Excluded from the study were records of patients with any of the following: an indication for urgent surgery, unstable angina or concomitant surgical valvular disease or subsequent transfer to clinical or percutaneous therapy. RESULTS: A total of 274 patients were identified and met the inclusion criteria, with a median waiting time for an operation of 142.7 days. While waiting for CABG surgery, 31 (11.3%) patients died of any cause and 42 (15.3%) patients had a serious cardiac event (death, myocardial infarction or unstable angina). Of the 22 (8%) incidents of acute myocardial infarction, 8 (2.9%) were non-fatal and 14 (5.1%) were fatal. There was a greater risk of death awaiting CABG surgery in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction below 45% (hazard ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval 1.02-5.32; P = 0.039). The operative mortality rate was 5.8%. Although there was no evidence of worse perioperative outcomes in patients with prolonged waiting times for an operation, there was an association between waiting more than 16 weeks for an operation and death while on the list. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive waiting periods for CABG contribute to higher mortality and morbidity rates, especially in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Age influences outcomes in 70-year or older patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in patients >70 years-old in comparison to patients <70 years-old. METHODS: Patients undergoing isolated CABG were selected for the study. The patients were grouped in G1 (age > 70 years-old) and G2 (age <70 years-old). The endpoints were in-hospital mortality, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, reexploration for bleeding, intra-aortic balloon for circulatory shock, respiratory complications, acute renal failure, mediastinitis, sepsis, atrial fibrillation, and complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). RESULTS: 1,033 patients were included, 257 (24.8%) in G1 and 776 (75.2%) in G2. Patients in G1 were more likely to have in-hospital mortality than G2 (8.9% vs. 3.6%, respectively; P=0.001), while the incidence of AMI was similar (5.8% vs. 5.5%; P=0.87) than G2. More patients in G1 had re-exploration for bleeding (12.1% vs. 6.1%; P=0.003). G1 had more incidence of respiratory complications (21.4% vs. 9.1%; P<0.001), mediastinitis (5.1% vs. 1.9%; P=0.013), stroke (3.9% vs. 1.3%; P=0.016), acute renal failure (7.8% vs. 1.3%; P<0.001), sepsis (3.9% vs. 1.9%;P=0.003), atrial fibrillation (15.6% vs. 9.8%; P=0.016), and CAVB (3.5% vs. 1.2%; P=0.023) than G2. There was no significant difference in the use of intra-aortic balloon. In the forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis age > 70-year-old was an independent predictive factor for higher in-hospital mortality (P=0.004), reexploration for bleeding (P=0.002), sepsis (P=0.002), respiratory complications (P<0.001), mediastinitis (P=0.016), stroke (P=0.029), acute renal failure (P<0.001), atrial fibrillation (P=0.021) and CAVB (P=0.031). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that patients > 70 years-old were at increased risk of death and other complications in the CABG's postoperative period in comparison to younger patients.

A idade influencia os desfechos em pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 70 anos submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica isolada / Age influences outcomes in 70-year or older patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados da cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRVM) isolada com circulação extracorpórea em pacientes com idade > 70 anos em comparação àqueles com < 70 anos. MÉTODOS: Pacientes submetidos consecutivamente à CRVM isolada. Os pacientes foram agrupados em G1 (idade e" 70 anos) e G2 (idade < 70 anos). Os desfechos analisados foram letalidade hospitalar, infarto agudo miocárdio (IAM), acidente vascular encefálico (AVE), reoperação para revisão de hemostasia (RRH), necessidade de balão intra-aórtico (BIA), complicações respiratórias, insuficiência renal aguda (IRA), mediastinite, sepse, fibrilação atrial (FA) e bloqueio atrioventricular total (BAVT). RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 1033 pacientes, 257 (24,8%) do G1 e 776 (75,2%) do G2. A letalidade hospitalar foi significantemente maior no G1 quando comparado ao G2 (8,9% vs. 3,6%, P=0,001), enquanto a incidência de IAM foi semelhante (5,8% vs. 5,5%; P=0,87). Maior número de pacientes do G1 necessitou de RRH (12,1% vs. 6,1%; P=0,003). Da mesma forma, no G1 houve maior incidência de complicações respiratórias (21,4% vs. 9,1%; P<0,001), mediastinite (5,1% vs. 1,9%; P=0,013), AVE (3,9% vs. 1,3%; P=0,016), IRA (7,8% vs. 1,3%, P<0,001), sepse (3,9% vs. 1,9%; P=0,003), fibrilação atrial (15,6% vs. 9,8%; P=0,016) e BAVT (3,5% vs. 1,2%; P=0,023) do que o G2. Não houve diferença significante na necessidade de BIA. Na análise regressão logística multivariada "forward stepwise", a idade >70 anos foi fator preditivo independente para maior letalidade operatória (P=0,004) e para RRH (P=0,002), sepse (P=0,002), complicações respiratórias (P<0,001), mediastinite (P=0,016), AVE (P=0,029), IRA (P<0,001), FA (P=0,021) e BAVT (P=0,031) no pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que pacientes com idade > 70 anos estão sob maior risco de morte e outras complicações no pós-operatório de CRVM em comparação aos pacientes mais jovens.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in patients >70 years-old in comparison to patients <70 years-old. METHODS: Patients undergoing isolated CABG were selected for the study. The patients were grouped in G1 (age > 70 years-old) and G2 (age <70 years-old). The endpoints were in-hospital mortality, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, reexploration for bleeding, intra-aortic balloon for circulatory shock, respiratory complications, acute renal failure, mediastinitis, sepsis, atrial fibrillation, and complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). RESULTS: 1,033 patients were included, 257 (24.8%) in G1 and 776 (75.2%) in G2. Patients in G1 were more likely to have in-hospital mortality than G2 (8.9% vs. 3.6%, respectively; P=0.001), while the incidence of AMI was similar (5.8% vs. 5.5%; P=0.87) than G2. More patients in G1 had re-exploration for bleeding (12.1% vs. 6.1%; P=0.003). G1 had more incidence of respiratory complications (21.4% vs. 9.1%; P<0.001), mediastinitis (5.1% vs. 1.9%; P=0.013), stroke (3.9% vs. 1.3%; P=0.016), acute renal failure (7.8% vs. 1.3%; P<0.001), sepsis (3.9% vs. 1.9%;P=0.003), atrial fibrillation (15.6% vs. 9.8%; P=0.016), and CAVB (3.5% vs. 1.2%; P=0.023) than G2. There was no significant difference in the use of intra-aortic balloon. In the forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis age > 70-year-old was an independent predictive factor for higher in-hospital mortality (P=0.004), reexploration for bleeding (P=0.002), sepsis (P=0.002), respiratory complications (P<0.001), mediastinitis (P=0.016), stroke (P=0.029), acute renal failure (P<0.001), atrial fibrillation (P=0.021) and CAVB (P=0.031). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that patients > 70 years-old were at increased risk of death and other complications in the CABG's postoperative period in comparison to younger patients.

Increased preoperative C-reactive protein levels are associated with inhospital death after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) is a predictor of cardiovascular risk, but its influence on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) is still incompletely studied. We studied the association between preoperative CRP and inhospital death after CABG. Patients with acute or chronic infectious or inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and prior cardiac surgery were excluded. Seventy-six patients were studied [27.6% with elevated CRP (>3 mg/l)]. Elevated CRP was more frequently found in patients who died than in those who survived (83.3% vs 17.1%, p = 0.003); mean CRP levels were, respectively, 6.5 ± 3.4 vs 2.4 ± 3.5 mg/l (p = 0.03). The hazard ratio of death was 11.7 for elevated CRP, and the ROC curve for the discrimination of death with CRP had an area under the curve of 0.82. An improvement to mortality risk prediction following CABG may be offered by the preoperative analysis of CRP.

Outcomes of patients with left main coronary artery disease undergoing medical or surgical treatment: a propensity-matched analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with significant (≥ 50%) left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) undergoing medical treatment (MT) or coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). METHODS: A total of 181 patients with significant LMCAD were followed for 4 ± 2 years. MT was done when patients refused CABG or because of either thin native vessels or high clinical risk. Events were defined as all-cause death, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, or subsequent CABG. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of death. A propensity score was created to compare outcomes of patients from the two treatment groups. RESULTS: CABG was performed in 78.5% of the patients. Overall, there were no significant differences in the incidences of death or other events between treatment groups. In patients with normal left ventricular (LV) function (ejection fraction, ≥ 45%), there were no significant differences in event rates with MT or CABG (death, 7.7 vs. 12.1%; myocardial infarction, 0 vs. 1.9%; percutaneous coronary intervention, 3.8 vs. 5.6%). For patients with LV dysfunction, death was more frequent with MT than with CABG (53.8 vs. 22.9%, P<0.001), whereas the incidence of other events was not statistically different. Age and LV dysfunction, but not treatment type, were independent predictors of death. When comparing propensity-matched patients from both treatment groups, there was also no difference in survival. CONCLUSION: Patients with 50% or more LMCAD and LV dysfunction had increased survival with CABG. However, outcomes of patients with 50% or more LMCAD and normal LV function were not significantly different with either MT or CABG.

Angina instável pós-infarto aumenta o risco de complicações na cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica? / Does post-infarction unstable angina increase the risk of coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

Fundamentos : Admite-se que os riscos de complicações pós-operatórias sejam maiores na angina instável pós-infarto.Objetivo: Verificar se a angina instável (AI) pósinfarto (classe C de Braunwald) aumenta o risco de eventos cardiovasculares maiores (ECMA) nacirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRVM) em comparação às síndromes coronarianas estáveis. Métodos: Em pacientes submetidos consecutivamenteà CRVM isolada, durante um período de dois anos, comparou-se a incidência de ECMA [morte, infarto agudo do miocárdio com onda Q (IAM) e acidentevascular encefálico (AVE)] entre aqueles com síndromes coronarianas estáveis (G1) e aqueles com AI classe B (G2) e AI classe C (G3) de Braunwald.Resultados: De 333 pacientes operados no período, 238 (71,0%) compunham o G1, 56 (17,0%) o G2 e 39 (12,0%) o G3. Mais pacientes dos G2 e G3apresentavam DPOC (12,5% e 10,0% vs 2,9%, p=0,005) e necessidade de cirurgia de urgência/emergência (18,0% e 33% vs 0,4%; p=0,0001) do que o G1. Não houve diferença significativa na morte hospitalar (4,6%, 8,9% e 5,1%; p=0,45), IAMQ (2,9%,3,6% e 5,1%; p=0,69) e AVE (5,5%, 0%, e 5,1%; p=0,17) ou ECMA (10,9%, 12,5% e 12,8%; p=0,85) entre osG1, G2 e G3, respectivamente.Conclusão: Este estudo sugere que a angina instável pós-IAM não aumenta o risco de eventos cardiovasculares maiores na CRVM em comparaçãoàs síndromes coronarianas estáveis.

Background: It is assumed that post-infarction unstable angina increases the risk of post-operative complications.Objective: To ascertain whether post-infarction unstable angina (Braunwald class C) increases the risk of major cardiovascular events (MACE) for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in comparison to stable coronary syndromes. Methods: In patients undergoing individual CABGconsecutively for a period of two years, the incidence of MACE (hospital mortality, non-fatal Q-wave myocardial infarction [AMI], and stroke) wascompared for patients with stable coronary syndromes (G1) and patients with class B unstable angina (G2),and patients with Braunwald class C unstable angina (G3). Results: Among 333 patients operated during thatperiod, 238 (71%) belonged to G1, 56 (17%) to G2, and 39 (12%) to G3. More G2 and G3 patients presentedCOPD (12.5% and 10.0% vs 2.9%, p=0.005), and the need for emergency / urgent surgery (18.0% and 33.0%vs 0.4%; p=0.0001) than in G1. No significant difference appeared in hospital mortality (4.6%, 8.9%, and 5.1%; p=0.45), non-fatal AMI (2.9%, 3.6%, and 5.1%; p=0.69), and stroke (5.5%, 0%, and 5.1%; p=0.17) or MACE(10.9%, 12.5%, and 12.8%; p=0.85) among G1, G2, and G3 respectively.Conclusion: This study suggests that post-infarction unstable angina did not increase the risk of MACE in CABG compared to stable coronary syndromes.

Quem vê coronária não vê coração / Coronary artery no mirror for the heart

Oclusão de uma ou mais artérias coronárias se associa, em geral, a importante comprometimento da função ventricular. Relata-se o caso de um paciente de 64 anos sem história ou eletrocardiograma de infarto agudo do miocárdio prévio, com oclusão proximal de duas importantes artérias coronárias e função ventricular preservada.

In general, occlusion of one or more coronary arteries is associated with significant weakening of the leftventricular function. This case study describes a 64-year old man with no history or electrocardiographic signs ofprior acute myocardial infarction, with proximal occlusion of two main coronary arteries and preserved left ventricular function.

Disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo e prognóstico após cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio / Left ventricular systolic dysfunction and prognosis after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Fundamentos: A cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRVM) promove uma melhora da sobrevivência de pacientes com doença arterial coronariana (DAC) e disfunção ventricular esquerda (DFVE).Objetivo: Analisar se a CRVM é capaz de igualar a sobrevivência de pacientes portadores de doença arterialcoronariana com DFVE e sem DFVE. Métodos: Pacientes (n=259) que sobreviveram à CRVM realizada entre 1/10/2001 e 31/1/2004 foramacompanhados por três anos após a cirurgia. A DFVE foi caracterizada por uma fração de ejeção do ventrículoesquerdo (FE) ≤40%. Foram formados dois grupos de acordo com a presença (G1; n=45) ou não (G2; n=214) deDFVE. Resultados: O G1 apresentava mais síndromes coronarianas agudas antes da CRVM (64,4% vs 40,2%;p=0,005); insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (17,8% vs 1,9%; p<0,0001); história prévia de infarto agudo do miocárdio (80% vs 60,3%; p=0,016) e doença pulmonarobstrutiva crônica (11,1% vs 2,3%; p=0,016) do que o G2. A sobrevivência cumulativa em três anos de seguimentofoi significantemente menor no G1 do que no G2 (88,8±4,7% vs 95,7±1,3%, respectivamente; p=0,05). ADFVE, no entanto, não foi fator independente para a menor sobrevivência no seguimento (p=0,119).Conclusão: Este estudo sugere que a CRVM não é capaz de igualar a sobrevivência de pacientes portadores de DAC e DFVE com a de pacientes com DAC sem DFVE.

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery prolongs the survival of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventriculardysfunction (LVD). Objective: To verify whether CABG can match the survival times of CAD patients with and without LVD. Methods: 259 patients who survived CAGB performed between October 1, 2001 and January 31, 2004 were followed up for three years, with LVD characterized by a left ventricle ejection fraction of ≤40%. Two groups of patients were established, based on the presence (G1; n=45) or absence (G2; n=214) of LVD. Results: G1 patients presented more acute coronarysyndromes before CABG (64.4% vs 40.2%; p=0.005), congestive heart failure (17.8% vs 1.9%; p<0.0001),previous history of acute myocardial infarction (80% vs 60.3%; p=0.016), and chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease (11.1% vs 2.3%; p=0.016) than G2. The threeyear cumulative survival rate was significantly lowerin G1 than in G2 (88.8±4.7% vs 95.7±1.3%, respectively; p=0.05). However, LVD was not an independent factor for shorter survival times during the follow-up period (p=0.119).Conclusion: this study suggests that CABG is unable to match the survival of patients with CAD and LVD to the survival of patients with CAD without LVD.

Lesão não aterosclerótica do óstio do tronco da coronária esquerda / Non atherosclerotic left main coronary artery ostial lesion

Relata-se um caso de cardiopatia isquêmica como manifestação inicial da arterite de Takayasu (AT). Paciente internada para cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica(CRVM), devido à angina estável e lesão isolada do tronco de coronária esquerda, apresentava alterações vasculares ao exame físico que sugeriram o diagnóstico de AT. O presente caso leva à reflexão sobre a pesquisa de etiologias alternativas à doença aterosclerótica coronariana, especialmente em indivíduos jovens ou com poucos fatores de risco. O acometimento da artéria coronária na AT, embora infrequente se comparado a outras lesões vasculares encontradas nesta doença, determina elevada morbimortalidade.

Perfil demográfico de candidatos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio: avaliação do controle de fatores de risco cardiovascular / Demographic profile of candidates for myocardial revascularization surgery: casriovascular risk factors control evaluation

Fundamentos: O tratamento da doença arterial coronariana (DAC) tem como base o controle dos seus fatores de risco. Com a divulgação de diretrizes para o manejo desses fatores, supõe-se que pacientes encaminhados para a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM), após otimização do tratamento clínico, encontrem-se de acordo com as metas estabelecidas. Objetivo: Avaliar, em pacientes internados para CRM, colesterol, glicemia, pressão arterial (PA) e índice de massa corporal (IMC), a fim de conhecer a adesão a metas estabelecidas para controle de hipercolesterolemia, diabetes, hipertensão arterial e obesidade. Métodos: Foram estudados 331 pacientes. Adesão a metas de controle foi considerada presente se colesterol total <200mg/dl, glicemia de jejum <110mg/dl, PA<140/90mmHg em não diabéticos e <130/80mmHg em diabéticos, e IMC <25kg/m². Resultados: Controle da hipercolesterolemia foi encontrado em 84 por cento dos pacientes e controle do diabetes, em 67 por cento. A PA encontrava-se dentro das metas...

Doença arterial coronariana acelerada em jovem submetido à radioterapia do mediastino / Accelerated coronary artery disease in a young patient submitted to mediastinal radiotherapy

Relata-se um caso de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) grave em paciente jovem submetido no passado à irradiação do mediastino para tratamento complementar de timoma linfoepitelial. O paciente de 32 anos de idade foi admitido no hospital com quadro de infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST, sendo tratado com angioplastia primária de artéria circunflexa. Ele apresentava história pregressa de irradiação do mediastino e 2 episódios de IAM aos 27 e 32 anos de idade. Como fatores de risco tradicionais, apresentava dislipidemia, com elevação dos n[iveis de colesterol total, LDL colesterol e triglicerideos, e ex-tabagismo. Na cinecoronariografia foi verificada a presença de doença multiarterial. Em razão da extensão e da gravidade das lesões arteriais coronarianas apresentadas pelo paciente atribuiu-se à radioterapia mediatinal o papel de acelerador da doença.

Functional assessment of coronary grafts on dobutamine pharmacological stress echocardiogram.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) when assessing the functional status of coronary grafts: sufficient (SUF) or insufficient (INS). METHODS: We carried out a prospective, observational study which included 25 patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The DSE and the coronary angiography were performed before the CABG and three months after the CABG. The left ventricle was divided into three territories per patient according to the three major coronary arterie: the anterior descending (AD), the circumflex (CX) and the right coronary (RC). Of the 75 possible territories, 54 were revascularized: 25 were specific to the AD artery and 29 of the CX/RC arteries. INS means luminal obstruction or occlusion greater than or equal to 50%. RESULTS: In 14 (26%) of the 54 revascularized territories the grafts were INS. The DSE detected ischemia in 16 (28%) territories; 10 of which had INS grafts. The DSE detected ischemia in 6 (15%) of the 40 territories whose grafts were SUF. Therefore, the DSE had a sensitivity of 71.4%, specificity of 85% and diagnostic accuracy of 81.4%. CONCLUSION: The DSE is a diagnostic method with high specificity and diagnostic accuracy, and good sensitivity for the functional assessment of coronary grafts.

Avaliação funcional dos enxertos coronarianos através do ecocardiograma sob estresse farmacológico com dobutamina / Functional assessment of coronary grafts on dobutamine pharmacological stress echocardiogram / Functional assessment of coronary grafts on dobutamine pharmacological stress echocardiogram

OBJETIVO: Verificar a sensibilidade, a especificidade e a acúracia diagnósticas do ecocardiograma de estresse com dobutamina (EED) ao avaliar o estado funcional dos enxertos coronarianos: suficientes (SUF) ou insuficientes (INS). MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, prospectivo, que incluiu 25 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRVM). Foram realizados o EED e a coronariografia, antes e três meses após a CRVM. O ventrículo esquerdo foi dividido em três territórios por paciente, de acordo com as três principais artérias do coração: descendente anterior (DA), circunflexa (CX) e coronária direita (CD). Dos 75 territórios possíveis, 54 foram revascularizados: 25 específicos da artéria DA e 29 das artérias CX/CD. INS significa oclusão ou obstrução luminal maior ou igual a 50 por cento. RESULTADOS: Dos 54 territórios revascularizados, em quatorze (26 por cento) os enxertos estavam INS. O EED detectou isquemia em dezesseis (28 por cento) territórios; em dez desses os enxertos estavam INS.O EED detectou isquemia em seis (15 por cento) dos quarenta territórios cujos enxertos estavam SUF. Portanto, o EED teve sensibilidade de 71,4 por cento, especificidade de 85 por cento, e acurácia diagnóstica de 81,4 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: O EED é um método diagnóstico com alta especificidade e acurácia diagnóstica e boa sensibilidade, na avaliação funcional dos enxertos coronarianos.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) when assessing the functional status of coronary grafts: sufficient (SUF) or insufficient (INS). METHODS: We carried out a prospective, observational study which included 25 patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The DSE and the coronary angiography were performed before the CABG and three months after the CABG. The left ventricle was divided into three territories per patient according to the three major coronary arterie: the anterior descending (AD), the circumflex (CX) and the right coronary (RC). Of the 75 possible territories, 54 were revascularized: 25 were specific to the AD artery and 29 of the CX/RC arteries. INS means luminal obstruction or occlusion greater than or equal to 50 percent. RESULTS: In 14 (26 percent) of the 54 revascularized territories the grafts were INS. The DSE detected ischemia in 16 (28 percent) territories; 10 of which had INS grafts. The DSE detected ischemia in 6 (15 percent) of the 40 territories whose grafts were SUF. Therefore, the DSE had a sensitivity of 71.4 percent, specificity of 85 percent and diagnostic accuracy of 81.4 percent. CONCLUSION: The DSE is a diagnostic method with high specificity and diagnostic accuracy, and good sensitivity for the functional assessment of coronary grafts.

High mortality associated with precluded coronary artery bypass surgery caused by severe distal coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with extensive coronary artery disease (CAD) have better prognosis when treated with coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG), especially when left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) is present. However, there are scanty data about the clinical course of patients not referred to CABG because of extensive and severe atherosclerotic involvement of distal coronary arteries (ENDCAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with multivessel (MV) or left main CAD (LM) who had CABG precluded because of ENDCAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between August 1999 and July 2001, 51 patients who had clinical indication but were not eligible for CABG because of ENDCAD were followed for at least 12 months or until death. There were 32 men and 19 women (age 61+/-9 years). Previous acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was present in 31 (60.8%), diabetes mellitus (DM) in 28 (54.9%), systemic arterial hypertension in 37 (72.5%), LVD (left ventricular ejection fraction <40%) in 26 (51%), 3 vessel CAD in 31 (60.8%), and LM in 4 (7.8%). During follow-up there were 20 cardiac (39.2%) deaths, 19 (37.2%) AMI, and 3 (5.8%) patients developed congestive heart failure. There were 2 (3.9%) noncardiac deaths. Patients with DM (60.7% versus 13%; P=0.001; odds ratio [OR], 10.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.46 to 43.09), LVD (76.9% versus 0%; P<0.0001; OR, 4.33; 95% CI, 2.14 to 8.74), 3-vessel CAD (51.6% versus 20%; P=0.039; OR, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.16 to 15.69), and LM (100% versus 34%; P=0.019; OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.004 to 1.556) were more likely to die. There was no deaths in patients with 2-vessel CAD but they had more nonfatal AMI (43.8% versus 14.3%; OR, 4.667; 95% CI, 1.188 to 18.332). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in whom CABG could not be performed because of ENDCAD had high mortality, especially in the presence of LVD. DM (particularly insulin-dependent), LM CAD, and 3-vessel CAD were independent markers of increased risk.