Associação entre o Perfil Hemodinâmico da Insuficiência Cardíaca à Admissão Hospitalar e Mortalidade - Programa Boas Práticas Clínicas em Cardiologia / Association between Hemodynamic Profile at Hospital Admission and Mortality in Acute Heart Failure Patients Included in the Best Practice in Cardiology Program in Brazil

Resumo Fundamento: A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) é responsável por alta carga de internações hospitalares. A sua forma de apresentação está relacionada ao prognóstico da doença. Objetivos: Descrever a associação entre o perfil hemodinâmico de admissão hospitalar na IC aguda, baseado em congestão (úmido ou seco) e perfusão (frio ou quente), e desfechos de mortalidade, tempo de internação e chance de reinternação. Métodos: Estudo de coorte, envolvendo pacientes do projeto "Boas Práticas Clínicas em Cardiologia", internados por IC aguda em hospitais públicos brasileiros, entre março de 2016 a dezembro de 2019, com seguimento de seis meses. Foram realizadas análises das características populacionais e do perfil hemodinâmico de admissão, além de análises de sobrevivência pelos modelos de Cox para associação entre o perfil de admissão e mortalidade, e regressão logística para chance de reinternação, considerando nível de significância estatística de 5%. Resultados: Foram avaliados 1978 pacientes, com idade média foi 60,2 (±14,8) anos e fração de ejeção média do ventrículo esquerdo de 39,8% (±17,3%). Houve altas taxas de mortalidade no seguimento de seis meses (22%), com associação entre os perfis hemodinâmicos frios e a mortalidade hospitalar (HR=1,72; IC95% 1,27-2,31; p < 0,001) e em 6 meses (HR= 1,61, IC 95% 1,29-2,02). A taxa de reinternação em 6 meses foi de 22%, sendo maior para os pacientes admitidos em perfis úmidos (OR 2,30; IC95% 1,45-3,65; p < 0,001). Conclusões: A IC aguda no Brasil apresenta altas taxas de mortalidade e reinternações e os perfis hemodinâmicos de admissão hospitalar são bons marcadores prognósticos dessa evolução.

Abstract Background: Heart failure (HF) contributes to a high burden of hospitalization, and its form of presentation is associated with disease prognosis. Objectives: To describe the association of hemodynamic profile of acute HF patients at hospital admission, based on congestion (wet/dry) and perfusion (cold/warm), with mortality, hospital length of stay and risk of readmission. Methods: Cohort study, with patients participating in the "Best Practice in Cardiology" program, admitted for acute HF in Brazilian public hospitals between March 2016 and December 2019, with a six-month follow-up. Characteristics of the population and hemodynamic profile at admission were analyzed, in addition to survival analysis using Cox proportional hazard model for associations between hemodynamic profile at admission and mortality, and logistic regression for the risk of rehospitalization, using a statistical significance level of 5%. Results: A total of 1,978 patients were assessed, with mean age of 60.2 (±14.8) years and mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 39.8% (±17.3%). A high six-month mortality rate (22%) was observed, with an association of cold hemodynamic profiles with in-hospital mortality (HR=1.72, 95%CI 1.27-2.31; p < 0.001) and six-month mortality (HR= 1.61, 95%CI 1.29-2.02). Six-month rehospitalization rate was 22%, and higher among patients with wet profiles (OR 2.30; 95%CI 1.45-3.65; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Acute HF is associated with high mortality and rehospitalization rates. Patient hemodynamic profile at admission is a good prognostic marker of this condition.

Associations Between Coronary Artery Calcification and Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain and Diastolic Parameters: the ELSA-Brasil Study.

Atherosclerosis burden can be evaluated in asymptomatic patients by measuring coronary artery calcification (CAC), whereas the global longitudinal strain (GLS) and diastolic function parameters (mitral E/e' ratio, septal e', and lateral e') are used to evaluate subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. We investigated whether subjects with CAC (CAC >0 Agatston units) would present with an impairment in LV functional parameters. Among the participants of the ELSA-Brasil cohort free of clinically prevalent cardiovascular disease who performed cardiac computed tomography and echocardiography within the study protocol, we tested whether those with CAC >0 presented with worse GLS and diastolic function parameters. CAC >0 was present in 203 of the 612 included participants (33.17%; age 51.4 ± 8.6 years, 52.1% women). Absolute CAC values did not correlate with GLS (ro = 0.07, p = 0.105) but did so with E/e' (ro = 0.19, p <0.001), septal e' (ro = 0.28, p <0.001), and lateral e' (ro = 0.30, p <0.001), with stronger correlations in men. Those with CAC >0 had worse mitral E/e' ratios (7.75 ± 0.13 vs 7.01 ± 0.09; p ≤0.001), septal e' (8.25 ± 0.15 vs 9.59 ± 0.11 cm/s; p <0.001), and lateral e' (10.13 ± 0.20 vs 11.99 ± 0.14 cm/s; p ≤0.001), respectively. However, these associations were not independent of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, smoking, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, persisting only as significant associations of CAC >0 with mitral E/e' ratio and septal e' in men. There is an association between subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and impaired LV functional parameters. These associations are more likely attributed to the presence of common cardiovascular risk factors in the general population. However, in men, it seems to exist as an independent association.

Association of lifestyle with deep learning predicted electrocardiographic age.

Background: People age at different rates. Biological age is a risk factor for many chronic diseases independent of chronological age. A good lifestyle is known to improve overall health, but its association with biological age is unclear. Methods: This study included participants from the UK Biobank who had undergone 12-lead resting electrocardiography (ECG). Biological age was estimated by a deep learning model (defined as ECG-age), and the difference between ECG-age and chronological age was defined as Δage. Participants were further categorized into an ideal (score 4), intermediate (scores 2 and 3) or unfavorable lifestyle (score 0 or 1). Four lifestyle factors were investigated, including diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and smoking. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between lifestyle factors and Δage, and the models were adjusted for sex and chronological age. Results: This study included 44,094 individuals (mean age 64 ± 8, 51.4% females). A significant correlation was observed between predicted biological age and chronological age (correlation coefficient = 0.54, P < 0.001) and the mean Δage (absolute error of biological age and chronological age) was 9.8 ± 7.4 years. Δage was significantly associated with all of the four lifestyle factors, with the effect size ranging from 0.41 ± 0.11 for the healthy diet to 2.37 ± 0.30 for non-smoking. Compared with an ideal lifestyle, an unfavorable lifestyle was associated with an average of 2.50 ± 0.29 years of older predicted ECG-age. Conclusion: In this large contemporary population, a strong association was observed between all four studied healthy lifestyle factors and deaccelerated aging. Our study underscores the importance of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the burden of aging-related diseases.

Parasite DNA and Markers of Decreased Immune Activation Associate Prospectively with Cardiac Functional Decline over 10 Years among Trypanosoma cruzi Seropositive Individuals in Brazil.

Parasitemia and inflammatory markers are cross-sectionally associated with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) among patients with Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the prospective association of the parasite load and host immune response-related characteristics with CCC (that is, progressors) among T. cruzi seropositive individuals has only been partially defined. In a cohort of T. cruzi seropositive patients in Montes Claros and São Paulo, Brazil who were followed over 10 years, we identified the association of a baseline T. cruzi parasite load and systemic markers of inflammation with a decline in cardiac function and/or the presence of cardiac congestion 10 years later. The progressors (n = 21) were individuals with a significant decline in the left ventricular ejection fraction and/or elevated markers of cardiac congestion after 10 years. The controls (n = 31) had normal markers of cardiac function and congestion at the baseline and at the follow-up. They were matched with the progressors on age, sex, and genetic ancestry. The progressors had higher mean parasite loads at the baseline than the controls (18.3 vs. 0.605 DNA parasite equivalents/20 mL, p < 0.05). Of the 384 inflammation-related proteins analyzed, 47 differed significantly at a false discovery rate- (FDR-) corrected p < 0.05 between the groups. There were 44 of these 47 proteins that were significantly higher in the controls compared to in the progressors, including the immune activation markers CCL21, CXCL12, and HCLS1 and several of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily of proteins. Among the individuals who were seropositive for T. cruzi at the baseline and who were followed over 10 years, those with incident CCC at the 10-year marker had a comparatively higher baseline of T. cruzi parasitemia and lower baseline markers of immune activation and chemotaxis. These findings generate the hypothesis that the early impairment of pathogen-killing immune responses predisposes individuals to CCC, which merits further study.

Saúde Cardiovascular e Fibrilação ou Flutter Atrial: Um Estudo Transversal do ELSA-Brasil / Cardiovascular Health and Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter: A Cross-Sectional Study from ELSA-Brasil

Resumo Fundamento A associação entre o status de saúde cardiovascular ideal ( ideal cardiovascular health ( ICVH) e diagnóstico de fibrilação ou flutter atrial (FFA) foi menos estudado em comparação a outras doenças cardiovasculares. Objetivos Analisar a associação entre o diagnóstico de FFA e métricas e escores de ICVH no Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). Métodos Este estudo analisou dados de 13141 participantes com dados completos. Os traçados eletrocardiográficos foram codificados de acordo com o Sistema de Minnesota, em um centro de leitura centralizado. As métricas do ICVH (dieta, atividade física, índice de massa corporal, tabagismo, glicemia de jeju, e colesterol total) e escores do ICVH foram calculados conforme proposto pela American Heart Association . Modelos de regressão logística bruta e ajustada foram construídos para analisar associações de métricas e escores do ICVH com diagnóstico de FFA. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em 0,05. Resultados A idade mediana da amostra foi de 55 anos, e 54,4% eram mulheres. Nos modelos ajustados, os escores de ICVH não apresentaram associação significativa com diagnóstico de FFA prevalente [odds ratio (OR):0,96; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%):0,80-1,16; p=0,70). Perfis de pressão arterial ideal (OR:0,33; IC95%:0,1-0,74; p=0,007) e colesterol total ideal (OR:1,88; IC95%:1,19-2,98; p=0,007) foram significativamente associados com o diagnóstico de FFA. Conclusões Não foram identificadas associações significativas entre escores de ICVH global e diagnóstico de FFA após ajuste multivariado em nossas análises, devido, ao menos em parte, às associações antagônicas da FFA com métricas de pressão arterial e de colesterol total do ICVH. Nossos resultados sugerem que estimar a prevenção da FFA por meio de escore de ICVH global pode não ser adequado, e as métricas do ICVH devem ser consideradas separadamente.

Abstract Background The association between ideal cardiovascular health (ICVH) status and atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) diagnosis has been less studied compared to other cardiovascular diseases. Objective To analyze the association between AFF diagnosis and ICVH metrics and scores in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods This study analyzed data from 13,141 participants with complete data. Electrocardiographic tracings were coded according to the Minnesota Coding System, in a centralized reading center. ICVH metrics (diet, physical activity, body mass index, smoking, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and total cholesterol) and scores were calculated as proposed by the American Heart Association. Crude and adjusted binary logistic regression models were built to analyze the association of ICVH metrics and scores with AFF diagnosis. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results The sample had a median age of 55 years and 54.4% were women. In adjusted models, ICVH scores were not significantly associated with prevalent AFF diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]:0.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:0.80-1.16; p=0.70). Ideal blood pressure (OR:0.33; 95% CI:0.15-0.74; p=0.007) and total cholesterol (OR:1.88; 95% CI:1.19-2.98; p=0.007) profiles were significantly associated with AFF diagnosis. Conclusions No significant associations were identified between global ICVH scores and AFF diagnosis after multivariable adjustment in our analyses, at least partially due to the antagonistic associations of AFF with blood pressure and total cholesterol ICVH metrics. Our results suggest that estimating the prevention of AFF burden using global ICVH scores may not be adequate, and ICVH metrics should be considered in separate.

Associação entre Bloqueio Atrioventricular e Mortalidade em Pacientes de Atenção Primária: O Estudo CODE / Association between Atrioventricular Block and Mortality in Primary Care Patients: The CODE Study

Resumo Fundamento O bloqueio atrioventricular (BAV) descreve um comprometimento na condução dos átrios para os ventrículos. Embora o curso clínico do BAV tenha sido avaliado, os achados são de países de alta renda e, portanto, não podem ser extrapolados para a população latina. Objetivo Avaliar a associação entre BAV e mortalidade. Métodos Foram incluídos pacientes do estudo CODE (Clinical Outcomes in Digital Electrocardiology), maiores de 16 anos que realizaram eletrocardiograma (ECG) digital de 2010 a 2017. Os ECGs foram relatados por cardiologistas e por software automatizado. Para avaliar a relação entre BAV e mortalidade, foram utilizados o modelo log-normal e as curvas de Kaplan-Meier com valores de p bicaudais < 0,05 considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados O estudo incluiu 1.557.901 pacientes; 40,23% eram homens e a média de idade foi de 51,7 (DP ± 17,6) anos. Durante um seguimento médio de 3,7 anos, a mortalidade foi de 3,35%. A prevalência de BAV foi de 1,38% (21.538). Os pacientes com BAV de primeiro, segundo e terceiro graus foram associados a uma taxa de sobrevida 24% (taxa de sobrevida relativa [RS] = 0,76; intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%: 0,71 a 0,81; p < 0,001), 55% (RS = 0,45; IC de 95%: 0,27 a 0,77; p = 0,01) e 64% (RS = 0,36; IC de 95%: 0,26 a 0,49; p < 0,001) menor quando comparados ao grupo controle, respectivamente. Os pacientes com BAV 2:1 tiveram 79% (RS = 0,21; IC de 95%: 0,08 a 0,52; p = 0,005) menor taxa de sobrevida do que o grupo controle. Apenas Mobitz tipo I não foi associado a maior mortalidade (p = 0,27). Conclusão BAV foi um fator de risco independente para mortalidade geral, com exceção do BAV Mobitz tipo I.

Abstract Background Atrioventricular block (AVB) describes an impairment of conduction from the atria to the ventricles. Although the clinical course of AVB has been evaluated, the findings are from high-income countries and, therefore, cannot be extrapolated to the Latinx population. Objective Evaluate the association between AVB and mortality. Methods Patients from the CODE (Clinical Outcomes in Digital Electrocardiology) study, older than 16 years who underwent digital electrocardiogram (ECG) from 2010 to 2017 were included. ECGs were reported by cardiologists and by automated software. To assess the relationship between AVB and mortality, the log-normal model and the Kaplan-Meier curves were used with two-tailed p-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The study included 1,557,901 patients; 40.2% were men, and mean age was 51.7 (standard deviation ± 17.6) years. In a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, the mortality rate was 3.35%. The AVB prevalence was 1.38% (21,538). Patients with first-, second-, and third-degree AVB were associated with 24% (relative survival rate [RS] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-0.81; p < 0.001), 55% (RS = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.27-0.77; p = 0.01), and 64% (RS = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.26-0.49; p < 0.001) lower survival rate when compared to the control group, respectively. Patients with 2:1 AVB had 79% (RS = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.08-0.52; p = 0.005) lower survival rate than the control group. Only Mobitz type I was not associated with higher mortality (p = 0.27). Conclusion AVB was an independent risk factor for overall mortality, with the exception of Mobitz type I.

Cardiovascular Health and Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter: A Cross-Sectional Study from ELSA-Brasil. / Saúde Cardiovascular e Fibrilação ou Flutter Atrial: Um Estudo Transversal do ELSA-Brasil.

BACKGROUND: The association between ideal cardiovascular health (ICVH) status and atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) diagnosis has been less studied compared to other cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between AFF diagnosis and ICVH metrics and scores in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). METHODS: This study analyzed data from 13,141 participants with complete data. Electrocardiographic tracings were coded according to the Minnesota Coding System, in a centralized reading center. ICVH metrics (diet, physical activity, body mass index, smoking, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and total cholesterol) and scores were calculated as proposed by the American Heart Association. Crude and adjusted binary logistic regression models were built to analyze the association of ICVH metrics and scores with AFF diagnosis. Significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The sample had a median age of 55 years and 54.4% were women. In adjusted models, ICVH scores were not significantly associated with prevalent AFF diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]:0.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:0.80-1.16; p=0.70). Ideal blood pressure (OR:0.33; 95% CI:0.15-0.74; p=0.007) and total cholesterol (OR:1.88; 95% CI:1.19-2.98; p=0.007) profiles were significantly associated with AFF diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: No significant associations were identified between global ICVH scores and AFF diagnosis after multivariable adjustment in our analyses, at least partially due to the antagonistic associations of AFF with blood pressure and total cholesterol ICVH metrics. Our results suggest that estimating the prevention of AFF burden using global ICVH scores may not be adequate, and ICVH metrics should be considered in separate.

FUNDAMENTO: A associação entre o status de saúde cardiovascular ideal ( ideal cardiovascular health ( ICVH) e diagnóstico de fibrilação ou flutter atrial (FFA) foi menos estudado em comparação a outras doenças cardiovasculares. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a associação entre o diagnóstico de FFA e métricas e escores de ICVH no Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). MÉTODOS: Este estudo analisou dados de 13141 participantes com dados completos. Os traçados eletrocardiográficos foram codificados de acordo com o Sistema de Minnesota, em um centro de leitura centralizado. As métricas do ICVH (dieta, atividade física, índice de massa corporal, tabagismo, glicemia de jeju, e colesterol total) e escores do ICVH foram calculados conforme proposto pela American Heart Association . Modelos de regressão logística bruta e ajustada foram construídos para analisar associações de métricas e escores do ICVH com diagnóstico de FFA. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em 0,05. RESULTADOS: A idade mediana da amostra foi de 55 anos, e 54,4% eram mulheres. Nos modelos ajustados, os escores de ICVH não apresentaram associação significativa com diagnóstico de FFA prevalente [odds ratio (OR):0,96; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%):0,80-1,16; p=0,70). Perfis de pressão arterial ideal (OR:0,33; IC95%:0,1-0,74; p=0,007) e colesterol total ideal (OR:1,88; IC95%:1,19-2,98; p=0,007) foram significativamente associados com o diagnóstico de FFA. CONCLUSÕES: Não foram identificadas associações significativas entre escores de ICVH global e diagnóstico de FFA após ajuste multivariado em nossas análises, devido, ao menos em parte, às associações antagônicas da FFA com métricas de pressão arterial e de colesterol total do ICVH. Nossos resultados sugerem que estimar a prevenção da FFA por meio de escore de ICVH global pode não ser adequado, e as métricas do ICVH devem ser consideradas separadamente.

Diagnóstico de Fibrilação Atrial na Comunidade Utilizando Eletrocardiograma e Autorrelato: Análise Transversal do ELSA-Brasil / Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis using ECG Records and Self-Report in the Community: Cross-Sectional Analysis from ELSA-Brasil

Resumo Fundamento: A fibrilação ou flutter atrial (FFA) é a arritmia cardíaca sustentada mais comum. Existem poucos dados sobre a epidemiologia da FFA na América do Sul. Objetivo: O presente estudo procurou descrever a epidemiologia clínica da FFA e o uso de anticoagulantes na avaliação da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). Métodos: Foram analisados dados de 13.260 participantes do ELSA-Brasil. A FFA foi definida pelo eletrocardiograma ou por autorrelato. Modelos de regressão logística foram construídos para analisar fatores associados à FFA. Este estudo também analisou se idade e sexo estavam associados ao uso de anticoagulantes para evitar acidente vascular cerebral. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados: A idade mediana foi de 51 anos, e 7.213 (54,4%) participantes eram mulheres. A FFA foi detectada em 333 (2,5%) participantes. O aumento da idade (razão de chances [RC]:1,05; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 1,04-1,07), hipertensão (RC:1,44; IC95%:1,14-1,81) coronariopatia (RC: 5,11; IC95%:3,85-6,79), insuficiência cardíaca (RC:7,37; IC95%:5,00-10,87) e febre reumática (RC:3,38; IC95%:2,28-5,02) foram associadas à FFA. Dos 185 participantes com FFA e pontuação no CHA2DS2-VASc≥2, apenas 20 (10,8%) usavam anticoagulantes (50,0% entre aqueles com FFA no eletrocardiograma de linha de base). O uso de anticoagulantes nesse grupo foi associado a maior idade (1,8% vs 17,7% naqueles com idade ≤ 54 e ≥ 65 anos, respectivamente; p=0,013). Observou-se uma tendência ao menor uso de anticoagulantes em mulheres (7,1% vs. 16,4% em mulheres e homens, respectivamente; p=0,055). Conclusões: No recrutamento do ELSA-Brasil, 2,5% dos participantes tinham FFA. O baixo uso de anticoagulantes era comum, o que representa um desafio para os cuidados de saúde nesse cenário.

Abstract Background: Atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Limited data can be found on AFF epidemiology in South America. Objective: The present study sought to describe the clinical epidemiology of AFF and the use of stroke prevention medication in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline assessment. Methods: This study analyzed data from 13,260 ELSA-Brasil participants. AFF was defined according to ECG recording or by self-report. Logistic regression models were built to analyze factors associated with AFF. This study also analyzed if age and sex were associated with anticoagulant use for stroke prevention. Significance level was set at 5%. Results: Median age was 51 years and 7,213 (54.4%) participants were women. AFF was present in 333 (2.5%) participants. Increasing age (odds ratio [OR]:1.05; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.04-1.07), hypertension (OR:1.44; 95%CI: 1.14-1.81), coronary heart disease (OR: 5.11; 95%CI: 3.85-6.79), heart failure (OR:7.37; 95%CI: 5.00-10.87), and rheumatic fever (OR:3.38; 95%CI: 2.28-5.02) were associated with AFF. From 185 participants with AFF and a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2, only 20 (10.8%) used anticoagulants (50.0% among those with AFF in the baseline ECG). Stroke prevention in this group was associated with a higher age (1.8% vs 17.7% in those aged ≤ 54 and ≥ 65 years, respectively; p=0.013). A trend towards a reduced anticoagulant use was observed in women (7.1% vs. 16.4% in women and men, respectively; p=0.055). Conclusions: At the ELSA-Brasil baseline, 2.5% of the participants had AFF. The lack of stroke prevention was common, which is an especially challenging point for healthcare in this setting.

Towards automatic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease on echocardiographic exams through video-based deep learning.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects an estimated 39 million people worldwide and is the most common acquired heart disease in children and young adults. Echocardiograms are the gold standard for diagnosis of RHD, but there is a shortage of skilled experts to allow widespread screenings for early detection and prevention of the disease progress. We propose an automated RHD diagnosis system that can help bridge this gap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were conducted on a dataset with 11 646 echocardiography videos from 912 exams, obtained during screenings in underdeveloped areas of Brazil and Uganda. We address the challenges of RHD identification with a 3D convolutional neural network (C3D), comparing its performance with a 2D convolutional neural network (VGG16) that is commonly used in the echocardiogram literature. We also propose a supervised aggregation technique to combine video predictions into a single exam diagnosis. RESULTS: The proposed approach obtained an accuracy of 72.77% for exam diagnosis. The results for the C3D were significantly better than the ones obtained by the VGG16 network for videos, showing the importance of considering the temporal information during the diagnostic. The proposed aggregation model showed significantly better accuracy than the majority voting strategy and also appears to be capable of capturing underlying biases in the neural network output distribution, balancing them for a more correct diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Automatic diagnosis of echo-detected RHD is feasible and, with further research, has the potential to reduce the workload of experts, enabling the implementation of more widespread screening programs worldwide.

Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Is Increased in Chagasic Cardiomyopathy.

Chagas disease (CD) mainly conveys stroke risk through structural cardiac disease. However, stroke and cognitive impairment are seen in CD independently of cardiac disease severity. Chronic inflammation may be an explanation for this association, because inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke and dementia. In the present study, we selected five candidate biomarkers for Chagas disease: interleukin-6, membrane metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), orosomucoid, and neprilysin. We sought to determine if mean levels of proinflammatory biomarkers are higher in patients with heart failure (HF) associated with Chagas disease when compared with other etiologies of HF. Patients were consecutively enrolled from subspecialty HF outpatient clinics at two university-based hospitals. Serum biomarker levels from blood samples were analyzed by ELISA. Severity of HF on echocardiography was worse in non-CD when compared with CD patients. No significant difference was observed in the levels of candidate biomarkers between the CD and non-CD groups. We found a significantly 2.2 ng/mL higher level of TIMP1 in CD when compared with non-CD patients with HF after adjustment for age and gender (95% confidence interval = 0.1 to 4.5, P = 0.037). In patients with heart failure, serum TIMP1 is increased in Chagas patients despite a lower myocardial disease severity on echocardiography when compared with non-Chagas patients. TIMP1 is probably one of multiple mediators of inflammatory injury.

Galectina-3 Associada a Formas Graves e Mortalidade em Longo Prazo em Pacientes com Doença de Chagas / Galectin-3 Associated with Severe Forms and Long-term Mortality in Patients with Chagas Disease

Resumo Fundamento As características histopatológicas da doença de Chagas (DCC) são: presença de miocardite, destruição das fibras cardíacas e fibrose miocárdica. A Galectina-3 (Gal-3) é um biomarcador envolvido no mecanismo de fibrose e inflamação que pode ser útil para a estratificação de indivíduos com DCC por risco. Objetivos Nosso objetivo foi avaliar se níveis elevados de Gal-3 estão associados a formas graves de cardiomiopatia chagásica (CC) e são preditivos de mortalidade. Métodos Estudamos doadores de sangue (DS) positivos para anti-T. cruzi: não-CC-DS (187 DS sem CC com eletrocardiograma [ECG] e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo [FEVE] normais); CC-Não-Dis-DS (46 DS com CC e apresentando ECG anormal, mas FEVE normal); e 153 controles negativos correspondentes. Esta amostra foi composta por 97 pacientes com CC grave (CC-Dis). Usamos as correlações de Kruskall-Wallis e Spearman para testar a hipótese de associações, assumindo um p bicaudal <0,05 como significativo. Resultados O nível de Gal-3 foi de 12,3 ng/mL para não-CC-DS, 12,0 ng/mL para CC-Não-Dis-DS, 13,8 ng/mL para controles e 15,4 ng/mL para CC-Dis. FEVE <50 foi associada a níveis mais elevados de Gal-3 (p=0,0001). Em nosso modelo de regressão linear ajustado, encontramos associação entre os níveis de Gal-3 e os parâmetros do ecocardiograma em indivíduos positivos para T. cruzi. Nos pacientes CC-Dis, encontramos uma associação significativa de níveis mais elevados de Gal-3 (≥15,3 ng/mL) e morte ou transplante cardíaco em acompanhamento de cinco anos (Hazard ratio - HR 3,11; IC95% 1,21- 8,04; p=0,019). Conclusões Em pacientes com CC, níveis mais elevados de Gal-3 estiveram significativamente associados a formas graves da doença e maior taxa de mortalidade em longo prazo, o que significa que pode ser um meio efetivo para identificar pacientes de alto risco. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(2):248-256)

Abstract Background The histopathological characteristics of Chagas disease (ChD) are: presence of myocarditis, destruction of heart fibers, and myocardial fibrosis. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker involved in the mechanism of fibrosis and inflammation that may be useful for risk stratification of individuals with ChD. Objectives We sought to evaluate whether high Gal-3 levels are associated with severe forms of Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) and whether they are predictive of mortality. Methods We studied anti-T. cruzi positive blood donors (BD): Non-CC-BD (187 BD without CC with normal electrocardiogram [ECG] and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]); CC-Non-Dys-BD (46 BD with CC with abnormal ECG but normal LVEF); and 153 matched serum-negative controls. This cohort was composed of 97 patients with severe CC (CC-Dys). We used Kruskall-Wallis and Spearman's correlation to test hypothesis of associations, assuming a two-tailed p<0.05 as significant. Results The Gal-3 level was 12.3 ng/mL for Non-CC-BD, 12.0 ng/mL for CC-Non-Dys-BD, 13.8 ng/mL for controls, and 15.4 ng/mL for CC-Dys. LVEF<50 was associated with higher Gal-3 levels (p=0.0001). In our linear regression adjusted model, we found association between Gal-3 levels and echocardiogram parameters in T. cruzi-seropositive subjects. In CC-Dys patients, we found a significant association of higher Gal-3 levels (≥15.3 ng/mL) and subsequent death or heart transplantation in a 5-year follow-up (Hazard ratio - HR 3.11; 95%CI 1.21-8.04; p=0.019). Conclusions In ChD patients, higher Gal-3 levels were significantly associated with severe forms of the disease and more long-term mortality, which means it may be a useful means to identify high-risk patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(2):248-256)

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic course in the number and severity of hospitalizations for other natural causes in a large urban center in Brazil.

The COVID-19 pandemic may indirectly impact hospitalizations for other natural causes. Belo Horizonte is a city with 2.5 million inhabitants in Brazil, one of the most hardly-hit countries by the pandemic, where local authorities monitored hospitalizations daily to guide regulatory measures. In an ecological, time-series study, we investigated how the pandemic impacted the number and severity of public hospitalizations by other natural causes in the city, during 2020. We assessed the number and proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and in-hospital deaths for all-natural causes, COVID-19, non-COVID-19 natural causes, and four disease groups: infectious, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neoplasms. Observed data from epidemiological week (EW) 9 (first diagnosis of COVID-19) to EW 48, 2020, was compared to the mean for the same EW of 2015-2019 and differences were tested by Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The five-week moving averages of the studied variables in 2020 were compared to that of 2015-2019 to describe the influence of regulatory measures on the indicators. During the studied period, there was 54,722 hospitalizations by non-COVID-19 natural causes, representing a 28% decline compared to the previous five years (p<0.001). There was a concurrent significant increase in the proportion of ICU admissions and deaths. The greater reductions were simultaneous to the first social distancing decree or occurred in the peak of COVID-19 hospitalizations, suggesting different drivers. Hospitalizations by specific causes decreased significantly, with greater increase in ICU admissions and deaths for infectious, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases than for neoplasms. While the first reduction may have resulted from avoidance of contact with healthcare facilities, the second reduction may represent competing causes for hospital beds with COVID-19 after reopening of activities. Health policies must include protocols to address hospitalizations by other causes during this or future pandemics, and a plan to face the rebound effect for elective deferred procedures.

Echocardiographic screening of pregnant women by non-physicians with remote interpretation in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Impact of heart disease (HD) on pregnancy is significant. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of integrating screening echocardiography (echo) into the Brazilian prenatal primary care to assess HD prevalence. METHODS: Over 13 months, 20 healthcare workers acquired simplified echo protocols, utilizing hand-held machines (GE-VSCAN), in 22 primary care centres. Consecutive pregnant women unaware of HD underwent focused echo, remotely interpreted in USA and Brazil. Major HD was defined as structural valve abnormalities, more than mild valve dysfunction, ventricular systolic dysfunction/hypertrophy, or other major abnormalities. Screen-positive women were referred for standard echo. RESULTS: At total, 1 112 women underwent screening. Mean age was 27 ± 8 years, mean gestational age 22 ± 9 weeks. Major HD was found in 100 (9.0%) patients. More than mild mitral regurgitation was observed in 47 (4.2%), tricuspid regurgitation in 11 (1.0%), mild left ventricular dysfunction in 4 (0.4%), left ventricular hypertrophy in 2 (0.2%) and suspected rheumatic heart disease in 36 (3.2%): all, with mitral valve and two with aortic valve (AV) involvement. Other AV disease was observed in 11 (10%). In 56 screen-positive women undergoing standard echo, major HD was confirmed in 45 (80.4%): RHD findings in 12 patients (all with mitral valve and two with AV disease), mitral regurgitation in 40 (14 with morphological changes, 10 suggestive of rheumatic heart disease), other AV disease in two (mild/moderate regurgitation). CONCLUSIONS: Integration of echo screening into primary prenatal care is feasible in Brazil. However, the low prevalence of severe disease urges further investigations about the effectiveness of the strategy.

Impact of incorporating echocardiographic screening into a clinical prediction model to optimise utilisation of echocardiography in primary care.

INTRODUCTION: Access to public subspecialty healthcare is limited in underserved areas of Brazil, including echocardiography (echo). Long waiting lines and lack of a prioritisation system lead to diagnostic lag and may contribute to poor outcomes. We developed a prioritisation tool for use in primary care, aimed at improving resource utilisation, by predicting those at highest risk of having an abnormal echo, and thus in highest need of referral. METHODS: All patients in the existing primary care waiting list for echo were invited for participation and underwent a clinical questionnaire, simplified 7-view echo screening by non-physicians with handheld devices, and standard echo by experts. Two derivation models were developed, one including only clinical variables and a second including clinical variables and findings of major heart disease (HD) on echo screening (cut point for high/low-risk). For validation, patients were risk-classified according to the clinical score. High-risk patients and a sample of low-risk underwent standard echo. Intermediate-risk patients first had screening echo, with a standard echo if HD was suspected. Discrimination and calibration of the two models were assessed to predict HD in standard echo. RESULTS: In derivation (N = 603), clinical variables associated with HD were female gender, body mass index, Chagas disease, prior cardiac surgery, coronary disease, valve disease, hypertension and heart failure, and this model was well calibrated with C-statistic = 0.781. Performance was improved with the addition of echo screening, with C-statistic = 0.871 after cross-validation. For validation (N = 1526), 227 (14.9%) patients were classified as low risk, 1082 (70.9%) as intermediate risk and 217 (14.2%) as high risk by the clinical model. The final model with two categories had high sensitivity (99%) and negative predictive value (97%) for HD in standard echo. Model performance was good with C-statistic = 0.720. CONCLUSION: The addition of screening echo to clinical variables significantly improves the performance of a score to predict major HD.

Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopic-Guided Epicardial Access for Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation.

Background The usual approach to epicardial access in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy and megacolon is surgical access to avoid bowel injury. However, there are concerns regarding its safety in cases of Chagas cardiomyopathy with reports of prolonged mechanical ventilation and high mortality in this clinical setting. The aim of this study was to examine feasibility and complication rates for ventricular tachycardia ablation performed with laparoscopic-guided epicardial access. Methods and Results This single center study examined complication rates of the first 11 cases of ventricular tachycardia ablation in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy, using laparoscopic guidance to access epicardial space. All 11 patients underwent epicardial VT ablation using laparoscopic-guided epicardial access, and the complication rates were compared with historical medical reports. The main demographic features of our population were age, 63±13 years; men, 82%; and median ejection fraction, 31% (Q1=30% and Q3=46%). All patients were sent for ventricular tachycardia ablation because of medical therapy failure. The reason for laparoscopy was megacolon in 10 patients and massive liver enlargement in 1 patient. Epicardial access was achieved in all patients. Complications included 1 severe cardiogenic shock and 1 phrenic nerve paralysis. No intra-abdominal organ injury occurred; only 1 death, which was caused by progressive heart failure, was reported more than 1 month after the procedure. Conclusions Laparoscopic-guided epicardial access in the setting of ventricular tachycardia ablation and enlarged intra-abdominal organ is a simple alternative to more complex surgical access and can be performed with low complication rates.

Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Effectiveness in a Middle-Income Setting: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

PURPOSE: The impact of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CCR) in Latin America is not well known. Herein, the pre-specified tertiary outcomes of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) trial are reported: disease-related knowledge, depressive symptoms, and heart-health behaviors (exercise, diet, and smoking). METHODS: This was a single-blinded, single-center (Brazil) randomized trial with three parallel arms: CCR (exercise + education) versus exercise-only CR versus wait-list control. Eligible patients were randomized in blocks of four with 1:1:1 concealed allocation. The CR program was 6 mo long. Participants randomized to exercise-only CR received 36 exercise classes; the CCR group also received 24 educational sessions, including a workbook. All outcomes were assessed at pre-test and 6-mo later (blinded). Analysis of covariance was performed by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP). RESULTS: A total of 115 (89%) patients were randomized; 93 (81%) were retained. There were significant improvements in knowledge with CCR (ITT [51.2 ± 11.9 pre and 60.8 ± 13.2 post] and PP; P < .01), with significantly greater knowledge with CCR versus control (ITT mean difference [MD] = 9.5, 95% CI, 2.3-16.8) and CCR vs exercise-only CR at post-test (ITT MD = 6.8, 95% CI, 0.3-14.0). There were also significant improvements in self-reported exercise with CCR (ITT [13.7 ± 15.8 pre and 32.1 ± 2 5.7 post] and PP; P < .001), with significantly greater exercise with CCR versus control at post-test (ITT MD = 7.6, 95% CI, 3.8-11.4). Also, there were significant improvements in diet with CCR (PP: 3.4 ± 7.5 pre and 8.0 ± 7.0 post; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In this first-ever randomized trial of CR for coronary artery disease in Latin America, the benefits of CCR have been supported.

Percutaneous closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect using left internal jugular vein access in a child with situs inversus and absence of inferior caval vein.

Femoral vein access is the first choice for percutaneous atrial septal defect closure, and when it cannot be used due to anatomic reasons, the alternative sites should be considered, frequently increasing the complexity of the procedure. Here we report the case of a 3-year-old boy, with situs inversus and dextrocardia, electively referred for percutaneous closure of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect. During the procedure, agenesis of the infra-hepatic segment of the inferior caval vein was diagnosed, and no double inferior caval vein or right superior caval vein were identified by ultrasound or angiography. Therefore, we opted to perform the procedure through the left internal jugular vein, with fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. Catheters were navigated through a hydrophilic guidewire, and a Stiff guidewire was positioned in the left ventricle for better support. An Amplatzer septa occluder 19 was successfully deployed without major difficulties and the patient was discharged after 24 hours in good clinical condition. Percutaneous atrial septal defect closure through alternative access sites, especially in the presence of situs inversus, may pose significant challenges to the interventional team. In this case, the left internal jugular vein has shown to be a feasible option, allowing the navigation and manipulation of devices without complications. Provided the expertise of the interventional team, and awareness of the risks involved, alternative access sites can be successfully used for paediatric structural interventions.

Efficacy of Dexrazoxane in Preventing Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized trials on the efficacy of dexrazoxane in patients with breast cancer who were treated with anthracyclines with or without trastuzumab. BACKGROUND: Breast cancer treatment with anthracyclines and trastuzumab is associated with an increased risk of cardiotoxicity. Among the various strategies to reduce the risk of cardiotoxicity, dexrazoxane is an option for primary prevention, but it is seldom used in clinical practice. METHODS: Online databases were searched from January 1990 up to March 1, 2019, for clinical trials on the use of dexrazoxane for the prevention of cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer receiving anthracyclines with or without trastuzumab. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven randomized trials and 2 retrospective trials with a total of 2,177 patients were included. Dexrazoxane reduced the risk of clinical heart failure (RR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.40; p < 0.001) and cardiac events (RR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.49; p < 0.001) irrespective of previous exposure to anthracyclines. The rate of a partial or complete oncological response, overall survival, and progression-free survival were not affected by dexrazoxane. CONCLUSIONS: Dexrazoxane reduced the risk of clinical heart failure and cardiac events in patients with breast cancer undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab and did not significantly impact cancer outcomes. However, the quality of available evidence is low, and further randomized trials are warranted before the systematic implementation of this therapy in clinical practice.

Effects of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation on functional capacity and cardiovascular risk factors in Brazilians assisted by public health care: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading burden of disease worldwide. Moreover, CVD-related death rates are considered an epidemic in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Research shows that cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation reduces death and improves disability and quality of life. Given the growing epidemic of CVD in LMICs and the insufficient evidence about CR programs in these countries, a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) in Latin America is warranted. Objective To investigate the effects of comprehensive CR on functional capacity and cardiovascular risk factors. Method The design is a single-blinded RCT with three parallel arms: comprehensive CR (exercise + education) versus exercise-based CR versus wait-list control (no CR). The primary outcome will be measured by the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test. Secondary outcomes are risk factors (blood pressure, dyslipidemia, dysglycemia, body mass index and waist circumference); tertiary outcomes are heart health behaviors (exercise, medication adherence, diet, and smoking), knowledge, and depressive symptoms. The CR program is six months in duration. Participants randomized to exercise-based CR will receive 24 weeks of exercise classes. The comprehensive CR group will also receive 24 educational sessions, including a workbook. Every outcome will be assessed at baseline and 6-months later, and mortality will be ascertained at six months and one year. Conclusion This will be the first RCT to establish the effects of CR in Latin America. If positive, results will be used to promote broader implementation of comprehensive CR and patient access in the region and to inform a larger-scale trial powered for mortality.