Desempenho do Escore SHARPEN e do Índice de Comorbidade de Charlson para Predição de Mortalidade durante a Internação Hospitalar e após a Alta na Endocardite Infecciosa / Performance of the SHARPEN Score and the Charlson Comorbidity Index for In-Hospital and Post-Discharge Mortality Prediction in Infective Endocarditis

Resumo Fundamento O SHARPEN foi o primeiro escore desenvolvido especificamente para a predição de mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes com endocardite infecciosa (EI), independentemente da realização de cirurgia cardíaca. Objetivos Analisar a capacidade do escore SHARPEN na predição de mortalidade hospitalar e mortalidade após a alta e compará-la à do Índice de Comorbidade de Charlson (ICC). Métodos Estudo retrospectivo do tipo coorte incluindo internações por EI (segundo os critérios de Duke modificados) entre 2000 e 2016. A área sob a curva ROC (AUC-ROC) foi calculada para avaliar a capacidade preditiva. Curvas de Kaplan-Meier e regressão de Cox foram realizadas. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Estudamos 179 internações hospitalares. A mortalidade hospitalar foi 22,3%; 68 (38,0%) foram submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Os escores SHARPEN e ICC (mediana e intervalo interquartil) foram, respectivamente, 9(7-11) e 3(2-6). O escore SHARPEN mostrou melhor predição de mortalidade hospitalar em comparação ao ICC nos pacientes não operados (AUC-ROC 0,77 vs. 0,62, p = 0,003); não foi observada diferença no grupo total (p=0,26) ou nos pacientes operados (p=0,41). Escore SHARPEN >10 na admissão foi associado a uma menor sobrevida hospitalar no grupo total (HR 3,87; p < 0,001), nos pacientes não operados (HR 3,46; p = 0,006) e de pacientes operados (HR 6,86; p < 0,001) patients. ICC > 3 na admissão foi associada a pior sobrevida hospitalar nos grupos total (HR 3,0; p = 0,002), de pacientes operados (HR 5,57; p = 0,005), mas não nos pacientes não operados (HR 2,13; p = 0,119). A sobrevida após a alta foi pior nos pacientes com SHARPEN > 10 (HR 3,11; p < 0,001) e ICC > 3 (HR 2,63; p < 0,001) na internação; contudo, não houve diferença na capacidade preditiva entre esses grupos. Conclusão O SHARPEN escore foi superior ao ICC na predição de mortalidade hospitalar nos pacientes não operados. Não houve diferença entre os escores quanto à mortalidade após a alta.

Abstract Background SHARPEN was the first dedicated score for in-hospital mortality prediction in infective endocarditis (IE) regardless of cardiac surgery. Objectives To analyze the ability of the SHARPEN score to predict in-hospital and post-discharge mortality and compare it with that of the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Methods Retrospective cohort study including definite IE (Duke modified criteria) admissions from 2000 to 2016. The area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC) was calculated to assess predictive ability. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression was performed. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We studied 179 hospital admissions. In-hospital mortality was 22.3%; 68 (38.0%) had cardiac surgery. Median (interquartile range, IQR) SHARPEN and CCI scores were 9(7-11) and 3(2-6), respectively. SHARPEN had better in-hospital mortality prediction than CCI in non-operated patients (AUC-ROC 0.77 vs. 0.62, p = 0.003); there was no difference in overall (p = 0.26) and in operated patients (p = 0.41). SHARPEN > 10 at admission was associated with decreased in-hospital survival in the overall (HR 3.87; p < 0.001), in non-operated (HR 3.46; p = 0.006) and operated (HR 6.86; p < 0.001) patients. CCI > 3 at admission was associated with worse in-hospital survival in the overall (HR 3.0; p = 0.002), and in operated patients (HR 5.57; p = 0.005), but not in non-operated patients (HR 2.13; p = 0.119). Post-discharge survival was worse in patients with SHARPEN > 10 (HR 3.11; p < 0.001) and CCI > 3 (HR 2.63; p < 0.001) at admission; however, there was no difference in predictive ability between these groups. Conclusion SHARPEN was superior to CCI in predicting in-hospital mortality in non-operated patients. There was no difference between the scores regarding post-discharge mortality.

Sobrevida de Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca Aguda e Fração de Ejeção Intermediária em um País em Desenvolvimento - Estudo de Coorte no Sul do Brasil / Survival of Patients with Acute Heart Failure and Mid-range Ejection Fraction in a Developing Country - A Cohort Study in South Brazil

Resumo Fundamento A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) com fração de ejeção na faixa média ou intermediária (ICFEI) (em inglês, "mid-range ejection fraction) foi recentemente descrita em diretrizes europeia e brasileira recentes sobre o manejo da insuficiência cardíaca (IC). A fração de ejeção (FE) é um parâmetro importante para direcionar terapia e prognóstico. Estudos têm mostrado resultados conflitantes sem dados representativos de países em desenvolvimento. Objetivo Analisar e comparar a taxa de sobrevida em pacientes com ICFEI com pacientes com IC e FE reduzida (ICFEr), e pacientes com IC e FE preservada, e avaliar as características clínicas desses pacientes. Métodos Estudo coorte que incluiu pacientes com IC aguda admitidos no departamento de emergência de um hospital terciário, referência em cardiologia, localizado no sul do Brasil, entre 2009 e 2011. A amostra foi dividida em três grupos de acordo com a FE: reduzida, intermediária e preservada. Curva de Kaplan-Meier foi analisada de acordo com a FE, e uma análise de regressão logística foi realizada. A significância estatística foi estabelecida em p<0,05. Resultados Um total de 380 pacientes foram analisados. A maioria dos pacientes apresentaram ICFEp (515), seguido de ICFEr (32%) e ICFEI (17%). Os pacientes com ICFEI apresentaram características intermediárias em relação à idade, pressão arterial, e diâmetros ventriculares, e a maioria era de etiologia isquêmica. O período mediano de acompanhamento foi de 4 anos. Não se observou diferença na sobrevida geral ou na mortalidade cardiovascular (p=0,03) entre os grupos de FE (FE reduzida: mortalidade de 40,5%; FE intermediária: 39,7%, e FE preservada 26%). A mortalidade hospitalar foi 7,6%. Conclusão Não houve diferença na taxa de sobrevida entre os grupos de FE diferentes. Os pacientes com ICFEI apresentaram maior mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares em comparação a pacientes com ICFEp. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(1):14-23)

Abstract Background Heart Failure with mid-range Ejection Fraction (HFmEF) was recently described by European and Brazilian guidelines on Heart Failure (HF). The ejection fraction (EF) is an important parameter to guide therapy and prognosis. Studies have shown conflicting results without representative data from developing countries. Objective To analyze and compare survival rate in patients with HFmEF, HF patients with reduced EF (HFrEF), and HF patients with preserved EF (HFpEF), and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of these patients. Methods A cohort study that included adult patients with acute HF admitted through the emergency department to a tertiary hospital, reference in cardiology, in south Brazil from 2009 to 2011. The sample was divided into three groups according to EF: reduced, mid-range and preserved. A Kaplan-Meier curve was analyzed according to the EF, and a logistic regression analysis was done. Statistical significance was established as p < 0.05. Results A total of 380 patients were analyzed. Most patients had HFpEF (51%), followed by patients with HFrEF (32%) and HFmEF (17%). Patients with HFmEF showed intermediate characteristics related to age, blood pressure and ventricular diameters, and most patients were of ischemic etiology. Median follow-up time was 4.0 years. There was no statistical difference in overall survival or cardiovascular mortality (p=.0031) between the EF groups (reduced EF: 40.5% mortality; mid-range EF 39.7% and preserved EF 26%). Hospital mortality was 7.6%. Conclusion There was no difference in overall survival rate between the EF groups. Patients with HFmEF showed higher mortality from cardiovascular diseases in comparison with HFpEF patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(1):14-23)

Achados ao ecocardiograma transtorácico em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID- 19: resultados do registro brasileiro de ecocardiografia durante a pandemia de COVID-19 (ECOVID) / Transthoracic echocardiography findings of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: results from the brazilian echocardiography registry during the COVID-19 Pandemic (ECOVID)

Fundamento: A ecocardiografia transtorácica (ETT) pode desempenhar um papel crucial na avaliação das manifestações cardíacas da COVID-19. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi relatar a prevalência das principais anormalidades ecocardiográficas em pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19. Métodos: Realizou-se estudo observacional multicêntrico prospectivo com pacientes com COVID-19 submetidos a ETT durante a internação. Pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca prévia, doença arterial coronariana ou fibrilação atrial foram classificados como portadores de doença cardiovascular (DCV) prévia. Foram coletados dados clínicos e ecocardiográficos da estrutura e da função cardíaca. Resultados: Avaliamos 310 pacientes com COVID-19, com 62±16 anos de idade, 61% homens, 53% com hipertensão arterial, 33% com diabetes e 23% com DCV prévia. No total, 65% dos pacientes necessitaram de suporte em unidade de terapia intensiva. As alterações ecocardiográficas mais prevalentes foram hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) (29%), hipertensão pulmonar (25%), disfunção sistólida do VE (16,5%), disfunção sistólica do ventrículo direito (VD) (15,9%), disfunção diastólica do VE grau II/III (11%) e alteração da contratilidade regional do VE (11%). Derrame pericárdico foi incomum (7%). Hipertrofia do VE (25 vs. 45%, p=0,001), disfunção sistólica do VE (11 vs. 36%, p<0,001), alterações da contratilidade regional (6 vs. 29%, p<0,001), disfunção diastólica do VE grau II/III (9 vs. 19%, p=0,03) e hipertensão pulmonar (22 vs. 36%, p=0,019) foram menos comuns nos pacientes sem do que com DCV prévia. A disfunção sistólica do VD mostrou-se semelhante em pacientes sem e com DCV prévia (13 vs. 25%, p=0,07). Conclusões: Entre os pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19, os achados ecocardiográficos anormais foram comuns, porém menos encontrados naqueles sem DCV. A disfunção sistólica do VD pareceu afetar de forma semelhante pacientes com e sem DCV prévia. (AU)

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) may play a crucial role in the evaluation of cardiac manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: We aimed to report the prevalence of the main echocardiographic abnormalities of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: We performed a prospective multicenter observational study in patients with COVID-19 who underwent TTE during hospitalization. Patients with pre-existing heart failure, coronary artery disease, or atrial fibrillation were categorized as having previous cardiovascular disease (CVD). Clinical and echocardiographic data about cardiac structure and function were collected. Results: We evaluated 310 patients with COVID-19 (mean age, 62±16 years; 61% men; 53% with arterial hypertension; 33% with diabetes; and 23% with previous CVD). Overall, 65% of the patients required intensive care unit support. The most prevalent echocardiographic abnormalities were LV hypertrophy (29%), pulmonary hypertension (25%), left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (16.5%), right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction (15.9%), grade II/III LV diastolic dysfunction (11%), and LV regional wall motion abnormality (11%). Pericardial effusion was uncommon (7% of cases). LV hypertrophy (25% vs. 45%, p=0.001), LV systolic dysfunction (11% vs. 36%, p<0.001), regional wall motion abnormalities (6% vs. 29%, p<0.001), grade II/III LV diastolic dysfunction (9% vs. 19%, p=0.03), and pulmonary hypertension (22% vs. 36%, p=0.019) were less common in patients without previous CVD. RV systolic dysfunction occurred at similar frequencies in patients with versus without previous CVD (13% vs. 25%, p=0.07). Conclusions: Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, abnormal echocardiographic findings were common, but less so among those without previous CVD. RV systolic dysfunction appeared to affect similar proportions of patients with versus without previous CVD. (AU)

Analysis of dyssynchrony and ventricular function in right univentricular stimulation at different positions

Abstract Introduction: Chronic stimulation of the right ventricle with pacemaker is associated with ventricular dyssynchrony and loss of contractility, even in subjects without previous dysfunction. In these patients, there is a debate of which pacing site is less associated with loss of ventricular function. Objective: To compare pacemaker-induced dyssynchrony among different pacing sites in right ventricular stimulation. Methods: Cross-sectional study of outpatients with right ventricle stimulation higher than 80% and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Pacing lead position (apical, medial septum or free wall) was assessed through chest X-rays. Every patient underwent echocardiogram to evaluate for dyssynchrony according to CARE-HF criteria: aortic pre-ejection time, interventricular delay and septum/posterior wall delay on M mode. Results: Forty patients were included. Fifty-two percent had apical electrode position, 42% mid septum and 6% free wall. Mean QRS time 148.97±15.52 milliseconds. A weak correlation between the mean QRS width and pre-aortic ejection time (r=0.32; P=0.04) was found. No difference in QRS width among the positions could be noted. Intraventricular delay was lower in apical patients against mid septal (34.4±17.2 vs. 54.3±19.1 P<0.05) - no difference with those electrode on the free wall. No difference was noted in the pre-aortic ejection time (P=0.9). Conclusion: Apical pacing showed a lower interventricular conduction delay when compared to medial septum site. Our findings suggest that apical pacing dyssynchrony is not ubiquitous, as previously thought, and that it should remain an option for lead placement.

The five-point Likert scale for dyspnea can properly assess the degree of pulmonary congestion and predict adverse events in heart failure outpatients

OBJECTIVES: Proper assessment of dyspnea is important in patients with heart failure. Our aim was to evaluate the use of the 5-point Likert scale for dyspnea to assess the degree of pulmonary congestion and to determine the prognostic value of this scale for predicting adverse events in heart failure outpatients. METHODS: We undertook a prospective study of outpatients with moderate to severe heart failure. The 5-point Likert scale was applied during regular outpatient visits, along with clinical assessments. Lung ultrasound with ≥15 B-lines and an amino-terminal portion of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level >1000 pg/mL were used as a reference for pulmonary congestion. The patients were then assessed every 30 days during follow-up to identify adverse clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We included 58 patients (65.5% male, age 43.5±11 years) with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 27±6%. In total, 29.3% of these patients had heart failure with ischemic etiology. Additionally, pulmonary congestion, as diagnosed by lung ultrasound, was present in 58% of patients. A higher degree of dyspnea (3 or 4 points on the 5-point Likert scale) was significantly correlated with a higher number of B-lines (p = 0.016). Patients stratified into Likert = 3-4 were at increased risk of admission compared with those in class 1-2 after adjusting for age, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association functional class and levels of NT-proBNP >1000 pg/mL (HR = 4.9, 95% CI 1.33-18.64, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In our series, higher baseline scores on the 5-point Likert scale were related to pulmonary congestion and were independently associated with adverse events during follow-up. This simple clinical tool can help to identify patients who are more likely to decompensate and whose treatment should be intensified. .

Varfarina e femprocumona: experiência de um ambulatório de anticoagulação / Warfarin and phenprocoumon: experience of an outpatient anticoagulation clinic / Warfarina y femprocumona: experiencia de una unidad de anticoagulación

Fundamento: Os anticoagulantes orais são amplamente utilizados na cardiologia. Contudo, uma avaliação sobre o seu uso na prática clínica ainda é necessária. Objetivos: Descrever as diferenças na manutenção do controle da anticoagulação, bem como a incidência de eventos hemorrágicos e tromboembólicos entre os usuários de varfarina e femprocumona. Métodos: Estudo de coorte não concorrente de 127 pacientes em uso de anticoagulação oral. Resultados: A femprocumona foi o anticoagulante mais utilizado em 60 por cento dos pacientes. A prevalência de INR<2 na última consulta era maior entre os usuários de varfarina (46 por cento vs. 19,5 por cento; p<0,001). Durante o seguimento, os usuários da femprocumona estiveram dentro dos níveis terapêuticos em 60,7 por cento do período em comparação com 45,6 por cento dos usuários da Varfarina (OR:1,84;CI95 por cento:1,59-2,13;p<0,001). A incidência de sangramentos foi de 5,3/100 pacientes/ano no grupo da femprocumona contra 18,8/100 pacientes/anos no grupo varfarina (RR:3,5;CI95 por cento:1,87-6,48;p<0,001). Conclusão: Pacientes que faziam uso da varfarina permaneceram em níveis subterapêuticos por um maior período, contudo também apresentaram mais eventos hemorrágicos. Usuários da femprocumona eram mais jovens e estavam utilizando a anticoagulação oral por um período maior, tendo apresentado menos efeitos adversos dessas medicações.

Background: Oral anticoagulants are broadly used in cardiology. However, it is still necessary to evaluate their use in clinical practice. Objectives: To describe the differences in the maintenance of anticoagulation control, as well as the incidence of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic events among users of warfarin and phenprocoumon. Methods: Non-concurrent cohort study of 127 patients using oral anticoagulation. Results: Phenprocoumon was the most frequently used anticoagulant in 60 percent of the patients. The prevalence of RNI<2 at the last medical appointment was higher among warfarin users (46 percent vs. 19.5 percent; p<0.001). During the follow-up, Phenprocoumon users were within the therapeutic range during 60.7 percent of the period, in comparison with 45.6 percent of warfarin users (OR:1.84; 95 percentCI:1.59-2.13; P<0.001). The incidence of bleeding was 5.3/100 patients/year in the phenprocoumon group versus 18.8/100 patients/year in the warfarin group (RR: 3.5; 95 percentCI: 1.87-6.48; P<0.001). Conclusion: Patients that used Warfarin remained at subtherapeutic levels for a longer period; however, they also presented more hemorrhagic events. Phenprocoumon users were younger and had been using oral anticoagulation for longer periods, presenting fewer drug-related adverse events.

Fundamento: Los anticoagulantes orales son ampliamente utilizados en la cardiología. Con todo, una evaluación acerca de su utilización en la práctica clínica es necesaria todavía. Objetivo: Describir las diferencias en el mantenimiento del control de la anticoagulación, así como la incidencia de eventos hemorrágicos y tromboembólicos entre sus usuarios de warfarina y femprocumona. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte no concurrente de 127 pacientes en tratamiento con anticoagulación oral. Resultados: La femprocumona fue el anticoagulante más utilizado en el 60 por ciento de los pacientes. La prevalencia de INR<2 en la última consulta era mayor entre los usuarios de warfarina (46 por ciento vs 19,5 por ciento; P<0,001). Durante el seguimiento, los usuarios de la femprocumona estuvieron dentro de los niveles terapéuticos en el 60,7 por ciento del período en comparación con el 45,6 por ciento de los usuarios de la warfarina (OR:1,84;CI95 por ciento:1,59-2,13;P<0,001). La incidencia de sangrados fue de 5,3/100 pacientes/año en el grupo de la femprocumona contra 18,8/100 pacientes/años en el grupo warfarina (RR:3,5;CI95 por ciento:1,87-6,48;P<0,001). Conclusión: Pacientes que hacían uso de la warfarina permanecieron en niveles subterapéuticos por un mayor período, sin embargo presentaron también más eventos hemorrágicos. Los usuarios de la femprocumona eran más jóvenes y estaban utilizando la anticoagulación oral por un período mayor, habiendo presentado menos efectos adversos de estas medicaciones.