Machine Learning Improves the Identification of Individuals With Higher Morbidity and Avoidable Health Costs After Acute Coronary Syndromes.

OBJECTIVES: Traditional risk scores improved the definition of the initial therapeutic strategy in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but they were not designed for predicting long-term individual risks and costs. In parallel, attempts to directly predict costs from clinical variables in ACS had limited success. Thus, novel approaches to predict cardiovascular risk and health expenditure are urgently needed. Our objectives were to predict the risk of major/minor adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and estimate assistance-related costs. METHODS: We used a 2-step approach that: (1) predicted outcomes with a common pathophysiological substrate (MACE) by using machine learning (ML) or logistic regression (LR) and compared with existing risk scores; (2) derived costs associated with noncardiovascular deaths, dialysis, ambulatory-care-sensitive-hospitalizations (ACSH), strokes, and MACE. With consecutive ACS individuals (n = 1089) from 2 cohorts, we trained in 80% of the population and tested in 20% using a 4-fold cross-validation framework. The 29-variable model included socioeconomic, clinical/lab, and coronarography variables. Individual costs were estimated based on cause-specific hospitalization from the Brazilian Health Ministry perspective. RESULTS: After up to 12 years follow-up (mean = 3.3 ± 3.1; MACE = 169), the gradient-boosting machine model was superior to LR and reached an area under the curve (AUROC) of 0.891 [95% CI 0.846-0.921] (test set), outperforming the Syntax Score II (AUROC = 0.635 [95% CI 0.569-0.699]). Individuals classified as high risk (>90th percentile) presented increased HbA1c and LDL-C both at <24 hours post-ACS and 1-year follow-up. High-risk individuals required 33.5% of total costs and showed 4.96-fold (95% CI 3.71-5.48, P < .00001) greater per capita costs compared with low-risk individuals, mostly owing to avoidable costs (ACSH). This 2-step approach was more successful for finding individuals incurring high costs than predicting costs directly from clinical variables. CONCLUSION: ML methods predicted long-term risks and avoidable costs after ACS.

The Impact of Education on All-cause Mortality Following St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI): Results from the Brazilian Heart Study. / O Impacto da Educação na Mortalidade por Todas as Causas após Infarto do Miocárdio com Supradesnivelamento do Segmento ST (IAMCSST): Resultados do Brasília Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Low schooling has been considered an important modifiable risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease for a long time. Despite that, whether this factor impacts the outcomes following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether schooling stands as an independent risk factor for mortality in STEMI patients. METHODS: STEMI-diagnosed patients were consecutively enrolled from a prospective cohort (Brasilia Heart Study) and categorized according to years of study quartiles (0-3, 4-5, 6-10 and >10 years). Groups were compared by student's t test for continuous variables and qui-square for categorical. Incidence of all-cause mortality was compared with Kaplan-Meyer with Cox regression adjusted by age, gender, and GRACE score. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant. SPSS21.0 was used for all analysis. RESULTS: The mean schooling duration was 6.63±4.94 years. During the follow-up period (mean: 21 months; up to 6.8 years), 83 patients died (cumulative mortality of 15%). Mortality rate was higher among the lowest quartile compared to those in the highest quartile [18.5 vs 6.8%; HR 2.725 (95% CI: 1.27-5.83; p=0.01)]. In multivariate analysis, low schooling has lost statistical significance for all-cause mortality after adjustment for age and gender, with HR of 1.305 (95% CI: 0.538-3.16; p=0.556), and after adjustment by GRACE score with an HR of 1.767 (95% CI: .797-3.91; p=0.161). CONCLUSION: Low schooling was not an independent risk factor for mortality in STEMI patients.

FUNDAMENTO: A baixa escolaridade tem sido considerada um fator de risco modificável significativo para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares há bastante tempo. Apesar disso, ainda não se sabe muito sobre esse fator impactar ou não os desfechos após infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST). OBJETIVO: Investigar se a escolaridade é um fator de risco independente para mortalidade em pacientes com IAMCSST. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes com diagnóstico de IAMCSST foram consecutivamente incluídos em uma coorte prospectiva (Brasília Heart Study) e categorizados de acordo com os anos dos quartis de estudo (0-3, 4-5, 6-10 e >10 anos). Os grupos foram comparados pelo teste t de Student para variáveis contínuas e qui-quadrado para categóricas. A incidência de mortalidade por todas as causas foi comparada com Kaplan-Meyer com regressão de Cox ajustada por idade, sexo e escore GRACE. Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados significativos. SPSS21.0 foi utilizado para todas as análises. RESULTADOS: A média de escolaridade foi de 6,63±4,94 anos. Durante o período de acompanhamento (média: 21 meses; até 6,8 anos), 83 pacientes vieram à óbito (mortalidade cumulativa de 15%). A taxa de mortalidade foi maior entre o quartil inferior em comparação com aqueles do quartil superior [18,5 vs. 6,8%; RR 2,725 (IC 95%: 1,27-5,83; p=0,01)]. Na análise multivariada, a baixa escolaridade perdeu significância estatística para mortalidade por todas as causas após ajuste para idade e sexo, com RR 1,305 (IC 95%: 0,538-3,16; p=0,556), e após ajuste pelo escore GRACE com RR 1,767 (IC 95%: 0,797-3,91; p=0,161). CONCLUSÃO: Investigar se a escolaridade é um fator de risco independente para mortalidade em pacientes com IAMCSST.

Gensini Score and Thrombus Burden Add Predictive Value to the SYNTAX Score in Detecting No-Reflow after Myocardial Infarction. / O Escore Gensini e a Carga Trombótica Adicionam Valor Preditivo ao Escore SYNTAX na Detecção de No-Reflow após Infarto do Miocárdio.

BACKGROUND: No-reflow after percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). SYNTAX score is a good predictor of no-reflow. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether atherosclerotic burden (Gensini score) and thrombus burden in the culprit coronary artery would improve the ability of the SYNTAX score to detect no-reflow. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients with STEMI who presented within 12 h of onset of symptoms were selected for this study. No-reflow was defined as TIMI flow < 3 o r TIMI flow = 3 but myocardial blush grade <2. Thrombus burden was quantified according to the TIMI thrombus grade scale (0 to 5). RESULTS: A total of 481 patients were included (mean age 61±11 years). No-reflow occurred in 32.8%. SYNTAX score (OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.08, p<0.01), thrombus burden (OR=1.17, 95%CI 1.06-1.31, p<0.01), and Gensini score (OR=1.37, 95%CI 1.13-1.65, p<0.01) were independent predictors of no-reflow. Combined scores had a larger area under the curve than the SYNTAX score alone (0.78 [0.73-0.82] vs 0.73 [0.68-0.78], p=0.03). Analyses of both categorical (0.11 [0.01-0.22], p=0.02), and continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI>0) (0.54 [0.035-0.73], p<0.001) showed improvement in the predictive ability of no-reflow in the combined model, with integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of 0.07 (0.04-0.09, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that, in patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, atherosclerotic burden and thrombus burden in the culprit artery add predictive value to the SYNTAX score in detecting the no-reflow phenomenon. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

FUNDAMENTO: O fenômeno de no-reflow após a intervenção coronária percutânea está associado a um pior prognóstico em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST). O escore SYNTAX é um bom preditor de no-reflow. OBJETIVO: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar se a carga aterosclerótica (escore Gensini) e a carga trombótica na artéria coronária culpada melhorariam a capacidade do escore SYNTAX para detectar o no-reflow. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo coorte prospectivo, foram estudados pacientes com IAMCSST consecutivos que se apresentaram dentro de 12 horas a partir do início dos sintomas. O no-reflow foi definido como fluxo TIMI < 3 ou fluxo TIMI =3 mas grau de blush miocárdico (myocardial blush grade) < 2. A carga trombótica foi quantificada de acordo com o grau TIMI de trombo (0 a 5). RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 481 pacientes no estudo, com idade média de 61±11 anos. O fenômeno de no-reflow ocorreu em 32,8% dos pacientes. O escore SYNTAX (OR=1,05, IC95% 1,01­1,08, p<0,01), a carga trombótica (OR=1,17, IC95% 1,06­1,31, p<0,01), e o escore Gensini (OR=1,37, IC95% 1,13­1,65, p<0,01) foram preditores independentes do no-reflow. Os escores combinados apresentaram uma maior área sob a curva quando comparados ao escore SYNTAX isolado (0,78 [0,73­0,82] vs 0,73 [0,68­0,78], p=0,03). A análise da melhora da reclassificação líquida (NRI) categórica (0,11 [0,01­0,22], p=0,02) e contínua (NRI>0) (0,54 [0,035­0,73], p<0.001) mostrou melhora na capacidade preditiva do no-reflow no modelo combinado, com melhora da discriminação integrada (IDI) de 0,07 (0,04­0,09, p<0,001). CONCLUSÕES: Nossos achados sugerem que, em pacientes com IAMCSST submetidos à intervenção coronária percutânea, a carga aterosclerótica e a carga trombótica na artéria culpada adicionam valor preditivo ao escore SYNTAX na detecção do fenômeno no-reflow. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

Prevalence, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia in diabetic participants of two brazilian cohorts: a place far from heaven.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular mortality. Over the last years, mortality has decreased significantly, more in individuals with diabetes than in healthy ones. That is mostly due to the control of other cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of our study was to analyze the dyslipidemia control in two diabetes cohorts. METHODS: Patients from two distinct cohorts were studied, 173 patients from the BHS (Brasília Heart Study) and 222 patients from the BDS (Brazilian Diabetes Study). The data on dyslipidemia control were studied in both different populations. All patients had diabetes. RESULTS: There are significant differences concerning comorbidities between the LDL-C and BDS groups. The average glycated hemoglobin is of 8.2 in the LDL-C > 100 group in comparison with 7.7 and 7.5 in the 70-100 and < 70 groups, respectively (p = 0.024). There is a higher percentage of hypertensive patients with LDL between 70-100 (63.9%), when comparing the < 70 and > 100 groups (54.3% and 54.9%, respectively; p = 0.005). Diastolic pressure is higher in the group with LDL > 100, with an average of 87 mmHg, in comparison with 82.6 mmHg and 81.9 mmHg in the 70-100 and < 70 groups, respectively (p = 0.019). The group with LDL > 100 has the greatest percentage of smokers (8.7%) in comparison with the groups with LDL between 70-100 and < 70 (5.6% and 4.3%, respectively; p = 0.015). There is also a difference in the previous incidence of coronaropathy. In the group with LDL < 70, 28.3% of patients had already experienced a previous infarction, compared with 11.1% and 10.6% in the 70-100 and > 100 groups, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The data in our study have shown that the dyslipidemia control in diabetic patients is inadequate and there is a tendency of direct association between lack of blood glucose control and lack of dyslipidemia control, in addition to the association with other cardiovascular risk factors, such as diastolic hypertension and smoking. This worsened control might be related to the plateau in the descending curve of mortality, and investments in this regard can improve the cardiovascular health in diabetic patients.

O impacto da educação na mortalidade por todas as causas após infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST): resultados do brasília heart study / The impact of education on all-cause mortality following St-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): results from the brazilian Heart study

Resumo Fundamento A baixa escolaridade tem sido considerada um fator de risco modificável significativo para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares há bastante tempo. Apesar disso, ainda não se sabe muito sobre esse fator impactar ou não os desfechos após infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST). Objetivo Investigar se a escolaridade é um fator de risco independente para mortalidade em pacientes com IAMCSST. Métodos Os pacientes com diagnóstico de IAMCSST foram consecutivamente incluídos em uma coorte prospectiva (Brasília Heart Study) e categorizados de acordo com os anos dos quartis de estudo (0-3, 4-5, 6-10 e >10 anos). Os grupos foram comparados pelo teste t de Student para variáveis contínuas e qui-quadrado para categóricas. A incidência de mortalidade por todas as causas foi comparada com Kaplan-Meyer com regressão de Cox ajustada por idade, sexo e escore GRACE. Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados significativos. SPSS21.0 foi utilizado para todas as análises. Resultados A média de escolaridade foi de 6,63±4,94 anos. Durante o período de acompanhamento (média: 21 meses; até 6,8 anos), 83 pacientes vieram à óbito (mortalidade cumulativa de 15%). A taxa de mortalidade foi maior entre o quartil inferior em comparação com aqueles do quartil superior [18,5 vs. 6,8%; RR 2,725 (IC 95%: 1,27-5,83; p=0,01)]. Na análise multivariada, a baixa escolaridade perdeu significância estatística para mortalidade por todas as causas após ajuste para idade e sexo, com RR 1,305 (IC 95%: 0,538-3,16; p=0,556), e após ajuste pelo escore GRACE com RR 1,767 (IC 95%: 0,797-3,91; p=0,161). Conclusão Investigar se a escolaridade é um fator de risco independente para mortalidade em pacientes com IAMCSST.

Abstract Background Low schooling has been considered an important modifiable risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease for a long time. Despite that, whether this factor impacts the outcomes following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is poorly understood. Objective To investigate whether schooling stands as an independent risk factor for mortality in STEMI patients. Methods STEMI-diagnosed patients were consecutively enrolled from a prospective cohort (Brasilia Heart Study) and categorized according to years of study quartiles (0-3, 4-5, 6-10 and >10 years). Groups were compared by student's t test for continuous variables and qui-square for categorical. Incidence of all-cause mortality was compared with Kaplan-Meyer with Cox regression adjusted by age, gender, and GRACE score. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant. SPSS21.0 was used for all analysis. Results The mean schooling duration was 6.63±4.94 years. During the follow-up period (mean: 21 months; up to 6.8 years), 83 patients died (cumulative mortality of 15%). Mortality rate was higher among the lowest quartile compared to those in the highest quartile [18.5 vs 6.8%; HR 2.725 (95% CI: 1.27-5.83; p=0.01)]. In multivariate analysis, low schooling has lost statistical significance for all-cause mortality after adjustment for age and gender, with HR of 1.305 (95% CI: 0.538-3.16; p=0.556), and after adjustment by GRACE score with an HR of 1.767 (95% CI: .797-3.91; p=0.161). Conclusion Low schooling was not an independent risk factor for mortality in STEMI patients.

O Escore Gensini e a Carga Trombótica Adicionam Valor Preditivo ao Escore SYNTAX na Detecção de No-Reflow após Infarto do Miocárdio / Gensini Score and Thrombus Burden Add Predictive Value to the SYNTAX Score in Detecting No-Reflow after Myocardial Infarction

Resumo Fundamento O fenômeno de no-reflow após a intervenção coronária percutânea está associado a um pior prognóstico em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST). O escore SYNTAX é um bom preditor de no-reflow. Objetivo Nosso objetivo foi avaliar se a carga aterosclerótica (escore Gensini) e a carga trombótica na artéria coronária culpada melhorariam a capacidade do escore SYNTAX para detectar o no-reflow. Métodos Neste estudo coorte prospectivo, foram estudados pacientes com IAMCSST consecutivos que se apresentaram dentro de 12 horas a partir do início dos sintomas. O no-reflow foi definido como fluxo TIMI < 3 ou fluxo TIMI =3 mas grau de blush miocárdico (myocardial blush grade) < 2. A carga trombótica foi quantificada de acordo com o grau TIMI de trombo (0 a 5). Resultados Foram incluídos 481 pacientes no estudo, com idade média de 61±11 anos. O fenômeno de no-reflow ocorreu em 32,8% dos pacientes. O escore SYNTAX (OR=1,05, IC95% 1,01-1,08, p<0,01), a carga trombótica (OR=1,17, IC95% 1,06-1,31, p<0,01), e o escore Gensini (OR=1,37, IC95% 1,13-1,65, p<0,01) foram preditores independentes do no-reflow. Os escores combinados apresentaram uma maior área sob a curva quando comparados ao escore SYNTAX isolado (0,78 [0,73-0,82] vs 0,73 [0,68-0,78], p=0,03). A análise da melhora da reclassificação líquida (NRI) categórica (0,11 [0,01-0,22], p=0,02) e contínua (NRI>0) (0,54 [0,035-0,73], p<0.001) mostrou melhora na capacidade preditiva do no-reflow no modelo combinado, com melhora da discriminação integrada (IDI) de 0,07 (0,04-0,09, p<0,001). Conclusões Nossos achados sugerem que, em pacientes com IAMCSST submetidos à intervenção coronária percutânea, a carga aterosclerótica e a carga trombótica na artéria culpada adicionam valor preditivo ao escore SYNTAX na detecção do fenômeno no-reflow. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background No-reflow after percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). SYNTAX score is a good predictor of no-reflow. Objective We aimed to evaluate whether atherosclerotic burden (Gensini score) and thrombus burden in the culprit coronary artery would improve the ability of the SYNTAX score to detect no-reflow. Methods In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients with STEMI who presented within 12 h of onset of symptoms were selected for this study. No-reflow was defined as TIMI flow < 3 o r TIMI flow = 3 but myocardial blush grade <2. Thrombus burden was quantified according to the TIMI thrombus grade scale (0 to 5). Results A total of 481 patients were included (mean age 61±11 years). No-reflow occurred in 32.8%. SYNTAX score (OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.08, p<0.01), thrombus burden (OR=1.17, 95%CI 1.06-1.31, p<0.01), and Gensini score (OR=1.37, 95%CI 1.13-1.65, p<0.01) were independent predictors of no-reflow. Combined scores had a larger area under the curve than the SYNTAX score alone (0.78 [0.73-0.82] vs 0.73 [0.68-0.78], p=0.03). Analyses of both categorical (0.11 [0.01-0.22], p=0.02), and continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI>0) (0.54 [0.035-0.73], p<0.001) showed improvement in the predictive ability of no-reflow in the combined model, with integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of 0.07 (0.04-0.09, p<0.001). Conclusions Our findings suggest that, in patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, atherosclerotic burden and thrombus burden in the culprit artery add predictive value to the SYNTAX score in detecting the no-reflow phenomenon. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Prevalence, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia in diabetic participants of two brazilian cohorts: a place far from heaven

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Diabetes is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular mortality. Over the last years, mortality has decreased significantly, more in individuals with diabetes than in healthy ones. That is mostly due to the control of other cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of our study was to analyze the dyslipidemia control in two diabetes cohorts. METHODS Patients from two distinct cohorts were studied, 173 patients from the BHS (Brasília Heart Study) and 222 patients from the BDS (Brazilian Diabetes Study). The data on dyslipidemia control were studied in both different populations. All patients had diabetes. RESULTS There are significant differences concerning comorbidities between the LDL-C and BDS groups. The average glycated hemoglobin is of 8.2 in the LDL-C > 100 group in comparison with 7.7 and 7.5 in the 70-100 and < 70 groups, respectively (p = 0.024). There is a higher percentage of hypertensive patients with LDL between 70-100 (63.9%), when comparing the < 70 and > 100 groups (54.3% and 54.9%, respectively; p = 0.005). Diastolic pressure is higher in the group with LDL > 100, with an average of 87 mmHg, in comparison with 82.6 mmHg and 81.9 mmHg in the 70-100 and < 70 groups, respectively (p = 0.019). The group with LDL > 100 has the greatest percentage of smokers (8.7%) in comparison with the groups with LDL between 70-100 and < 70 (5.6% and 4.3%, respectively; p = 0.015). There is also a difference in the previous incidence of coronaropathy. In the group with LDL < 70, 28.3% of patients had already experienced a previous infarction, compared with 11.1% and 10.6% in the 70-100 and > 100 groups, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The data in our study have shown that the dyslipidemia control in diabetic patients is inadequate and there is a tendency of direct association between lack of blood glucose control and lack of dyslipidemia control, in addition to the association with other cardiovascular risk factors, such as diastolic hypertension and smoking. This worsened control might be related to the plateau in the descending curve of mortality, and investments in this regard can improve the cardiovascular health in diabetic patients.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O diabetes é importante causa de mortalidade cardiovascular. Nos últimos anos, a mortalidade diminuiu substancialmente, mais em diabéticos do que em não diabéticos, em grande parte devido ao controle de outros fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Nosso estudo tem como objetivo analisar o controle de dislipidemia em duas coortes de diabéticos. MÉTODOS Foram estudados pacientes de duas coortes distintas, sendo 173 pacientes do BHS (Brasília Heart Study) e 222 pacientes do BDS (Brazilian Diabetes Study). Os dados sobre controle de dislipidemia foram estudados nas duas populações diferentes. Todos os pacientes eram diabéticos. RESULTADOS Há diferenças significativas em relação às comorbidades entre os grupos de LDL-C no BDS. A média de hemoglobina glicada é de 8,2 no grupo com LDL-C > 100, comparado com 7,7 e 7,5 nos grupos 70-100 e < 70, respectivamente (p = 0,024). Há maior porcentagem de pacientes hipertensos com LDL entre 70-100 (63,9%), quando comparado aos grupos < 70 e > 100 (54,3% e 54,9%, respectivamente; p = 0,005). A pressão diastólica é mais elevada no grupo com LDL > 100, com média de 87 mmHg, comparado com 82,6 mmHg e 81,9 mmHg nos grupos 70-100 e < 70, respectivamente (p = 0,019). O grupo com LDL > 100 tem maior porcentagem de tabagistas (8,7%) quando comparado aos grupos com LDL entre 70-100 e < 70 (5,6% e 4,3%, respectivamente; p = 0,015). Há, também, diferença na incidência prévia de coronariopatia. No grupo com LDL < 70, 28,3% dos pacientes já apresentaram infarto prévio, comparados com 11,1% e 10,6% nos grupos 70-100 e > 100, respectivamente (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO Os dados do nosso estudo mostram que o controle de dislipidemia em diabéticos é inadequado, e há uma tendência de associação direta entre descontrole glicêmico e descontrole de dislipidemia, além de associação com outros fatores de risco cardiovascular, como hipertensão diastólica e tabagismo. Esse pior controle pode estar relacionado ao platô no descenso da curva de mortalidade, e o investimento nesse quesito pode melhorar a saúde cardiovascular dos diabéticos.

Avaliação da influência de alterações cardíacas na ultrassonografia vascular periférica de idosos / Assessment of cardiac influence on peripheral vascular Doppler in the elderly

Resumo Contexto As cardiopatias podem causar alterações no formato das ondas da ultrassonografia vascular (UV) em vasos periféricos. Essas alterações, tipicamente bilaterais e sistêmicas, são pouco conhecidas e estudadas. Objetivo Avaliar as ondas periféricas da UV de pacientes idosos para identificar alterações decorrentes de cardiopatias. Métodos Foram estudados 183 pacientes idosos submetidos a UV periférica no ano de 2014. Resultados Foram avaliados 102 mulheres (55,7%) e 81 homens (44,3%) com idade entre 60 e 91 anos (média de 70,4±7,2 anos). Encontraram-se alterações pela UV em 84 pacientes (45,9%). Foram identificadas 138 alterações de oito dos 13 tipos descritos na literatura: arritmia, onda bisferiens de pico sistólico, baixa velocidade de pico sistólico, pulsatilidade em veias femorais, bradicardia, taquicardia, onda de pulso parvus tardus e onda de pulso alternans. Houve baixa concordância entre a presença e a não presença de alterações na UV e na avaliação cardiológica. Na análise específica das alterações, os exames tiveram uma concordância variável, que foi boa para o achado de taquicardia, moderada para arritmia e baixa para bradicardia. Não houve concordância entre a UV e os exames cardiológicos para as demais alterações. Conclusões É possível identificar determinadas alterações cardíacas em idosos por meio da análise do formato das ondas periféricas da UV. É importante reconhecer e relatar a presença dessas alterações, pela possibilidade de alertar para um diagnóstico ainda não identificado nesses pacientes. Entretanto, mais estudos são necessários para que seja definida a importância das alterações no formato das ondas Doppler periféricas no reconhecimento de cardiopatias.

Abstract Background Heart diseases can cause changes to vascular ultrasonography (VUS) waveforms in peripheral vessels. These changes are typically bilateral and systemic, they have been little studied, and little is known about them. Objective To assess peripheral VUS waveforms in elderly patients in order to identify changes caused by heart diseases. Methods During 2014, a total of 183 elderly patients were examined with peripheral VUS and the results were analyzed. Results The sample comprised 102 women (55.7%) and 81 men (44.3%) with ages ranging from 60 to 91 years (mean of 70.4±7.2 years). Abnormalities were identified in VUS waveforms in 84 patients (45.9%). A total of 138 abnormalities were identified and classified into eight of the 13 categories described in the literature, as follows: arrhythmia, systolic pulsus bisferiens, low peak systolic velocity, pulsatile flow in femoral veins, bradycardia, tachycardia, pulsus tardus et parvus and pulsus alternans. There was low agreement between presence/absence of VUS abnormalities and cardiological assessments. Analysis of specific abnormalities revealed variable levels of agreement between VUS and cardiological assessments, ranging from good for tachycardia, moderate for arrhythmia, to low for bradycardia. There was no agreement between VUS and cardiological examinations for the remaining categories of abnormalities. Conclusions Certain cardiac abnormalities can be identified in elderly patients by analysis of peripheral VUS waveforms. It is important to recognize and report the presence of these abnormalities because there is a possibility that they may serve to signal hitherto unidentified diagnoses in these patients. However, further studies are needed to determine the importance of changes to peripheral Doppler waveforms to recognition of heart diseases.