Women Undergoing Mitral Valve Replacement: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract Background Although cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, few data exist on risk factors and treatment of these diseases in women. This leads to a delay in the institution of appropriate therapies and worse outcomes in this population. Objective We aimed to identify predictors of morbidity and mortality in women undergoing isolated mitral valve replacement. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study with 104 women who underwent isolated mitral valve replacement at a referral hospital for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, performed from January 2011 to December 2016. Data were obtained from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed to calculate odds ratio, unpaired Student's t-test, and binary logistic regression. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Mean age of patients was 43.73 (±13.85) years. Most patients had a diagnosis of rheumatic disease prior to surgery (76%; N=79). Mortality rate was 4.9% (N = 5). There was a statistically higher risk of death among patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) (<50%) (OR = 14.833, 95% CI 2.183 - 100.778, P=0.001) and older age (P = 0.009). There was an inverse association between a previous diagnosis of rheumatic disease and death (OR = 0.064, 95% CI 0.007 - 0.606, P=0.002). Logistic regression showed reduced EF at preoperative evaluation as a predictor of death and a diagnosis of rheumatic disease as a protective factor. Conclusion Older age and reduced EF were associated with postoperative mortality. Reduced EF was a predictor of death, and rheumatic disease was associated with better surgical outcomes.

Clinical Characteristics and Therapeutic Adherence of Women in a Referral Outpatient Clinic for Severe Hypertension

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death worldwide. There is a lack of studies addressing this issue in women and its risk factors, such as hypertension. Objective To evaluate the clinical and therapeutic profile of women with hypertension and to determine which factors are related to treatment adherence and blood pressure control. Methods Cross-sectional study of 181 hypertensive women treated at an outpatient referral clinic. Data were obtained from medical records, face-to-face interviews, and physical examination, using a standardized form. Statistical analysis was performed with prevalence ratio, chi-square and Student's t test. Significance was accepted at p<0.05. Results Most patients were mixed-race or black (91.7%) and the mean age was 66.09 years. Only 44.2% of patients had controlled blood pressure. The prevalence of stroke was 14.9%, whereas the prevalence of coronary artery disease was 19.3%. The mean number of oral antihypertensive drugs prescribed to each individual was 3.41. A history of stroke was more often found in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (p=0.013) and in those using three or more antihypertensives (p=0.023). Eighty patients (44.2%) had high treatment adherence. Depression was more frequently reported by patients with poorer adherence to treatment (p=0.026). Conclusion Women with hypertension presented a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular events, including a significantly higher prevalence of stroke in those with uncontrolled hypertension. Self-reported depression may help identify patients at risk of nonadherence to treatment.

Drug Profile and Therapeutic Adherence of African-Brazilians with Apparent Resistant Hypertension

Abstract Background Resistant hypertension (RH) is manifested by the presence of blood pressure values resistant to antihypertensive therapy. RH is highly prevalent among black individuals, increasing cardiovascular risk in this population and requiring effective control of this comorbidity. Objectives To investigate the medication profile and therapeutic adherence in black people with apparent RH. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, with a convenience sample of individuals with apparent RH. Data were obtained from medical records. Therapeutic adherence was assessed using the Morisky Therapeutic Adherence Scale of 8 items (MMAS-8) and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS, version 23. Significance was set at p <0.05. Results Of the 120 individuals, 90 (75%) were women and 72 (60%) were black. Mean SBP was 153.09 (SD 25.59) mm Hg and mean DBP, 90.82 (SD 16.91) mm Hg, with a statistical difference in relation to the target pressure for SBP. Regarding the medication profile, 79.2% of the individuals used the recommended regimen for RH (ACEI / ARB + Diuretic + CCB), with the fourth most used drug being beta-blockers. The average score in MMAS-8 was 6.62 (SD 1.38) points, with 19.2%, 50.0%, and 30.8% showing low, medium, and high adherence, respectively. Conclusions It was evidenced that two-thirds of the individuals did not have high therapeutic adherence and not all used the ideal regimen for the management of RH, nor full doses. Thus, most individuals were probably affected by pseudoresistance, which was initially diagnosed as apparent RH. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement at a cardiovascular surgery referral service: a retrospective analysis

Abstract Introduction: We aimed to identify predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing isolated mitral valve replacement. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study with 164 patients who underwent isolated mitral valve replacement at a referral hospital for cardiovascular diseases, which were performed from January 2011 to December 2016. Data were obtained from medical records, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative information. Statistical analysis was performed to calculate odds ratio (OR), unpaired Student's t-test, and binary logistic regression. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: A total of 69.5% (n=114) of the patients had a diagnosis of rheumatic disease prior to surgery. Mortality rate was 6.7% (n=11). The most observed complication was the occurrence of postoperative arrhythmias (19.5%). On average, patients remained 5.34 days in the intensive care unit. There was a statistically significant enhanced risk of death among patients with previous diagnosis of endocarditis (OR 5.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1,368-19,915; P=0.008), reduced ejection fraction (EF) (< 50%) (OR 9.46, 95% CI 2,61-34,35; P<0.001), and mitral regurgitation (MR) (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.576-37.545; P=0.004). Patients who died were older than those who survived surgery (P<0.001) and had lower preoperative serum hemoglobin levels (P=0.018). Logistic regression showed age and reduced EF at preoperative evaluation as predictors of death. Conclusion: Older age, reduced serum hemoglobin levels, preoperative diagnosis of endocarditis, reduced EF, and MR were associated with postoperative mortality. Age and reduced EF were predictors of death.

Reparo inicial de defeito ósseo crítico na calvária de rato após aplicação de ondas vibratórias / Initial repair of critical bone defect in rat calvary after the application of vibratory waves

Introdução: fraturas ósseas extensas representam grande causa de morbidade e geram custos para o serviço de saúde. A vibração de baixa magnitude e alta frequência foi proposta como um tratamento alternativo para aumentar a massa óssea. Objetivo: Avaliar histomorfologicamente o reparo inicial de defeitos ósseos críticos após aplicação de ondas mecânicas vibratórias Metodologia: foram utilizados 10 Rattus norvegicus. Confeccionou-se defeitos críticos de 8,5 mm de diâmetro na calvária dos ratos. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos: Grupo Controle de Defeito Ósseo (GCDO) e Grupo Experimental de Vibração Imediata (GEVI). Animais do GEVI foram submetidos a ondas vibratórias de 60 Hz e aceleração vertical de 0,3 g; elas foram aplicadas três vezes/ semana, durante vinte minutos. Após quinze dias do ato operatório, os animais foram eutanasiados para a mensuração da extensão do defeito. Considerando que estes defeitos tinham o mesmo diâmetro inicial, admitiu-se como indicador indireto de deposição osteóide, a redução da extensão linear final dos mesmos. Resultados: observou-se neoformação de matriz osteoide, restrita às bordas ósseas, em ambos os grupos. A média de extensão linear, em milímetros, do defeito ósseo do GEVI foi de 5,83 (DP=0,79) e no GCDO, foi de 6,62 (DP= 0,63). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as médias (U=8,00, z=-1,604, p=0,132). Conclusão: evidenciou-se resposta osteogênica a partir da utilização da terapêutica vibratória, contudo de forma estatisticamente não-significante. Deste modo, o presente estudo demonstrou que a utilização das ondas vibratórias não favoreceu um reparo ósseo estatisticamente significante, no período e regime vibratório estudados.

Introduction: extensive bone fractures represent a major cause of morbidity and generate costs for the health service. Vibration of low magnitude and high frequency has been proposed as an alternative treatment to increase bone mass. Objective: to evaluate histomorphologically the initial repair of critical bone defects after application of vibrating mechanical waves. Methodology: 10 Rattus norvegicus were used. Critical defects of 8.5 mm in diameter were made in the calvaria of the rats. The animals were divided into two groups: Bone Defect Control Group (GCDO) and Experimental Immediate Vibration Group (GEVI). GEVI animals were submitted to 60 Hz vibrating waves and 0.3 g vertical acceleration; they were applied three times/week, for twenty minutes. Fifteen days after the surgery, the animals were euthanized to measure the extent of the defect. Considering that these defects had the same initial diameter, a reduction in their final linear extension was admitted as an indirect indicator of osteoid deposition. Results: neoformation of an osteoid matrix, restricted to bone borders, was observed in both groups. The mean linear extension, in millimeters, of the GEVI bone defect was 5.83 (SD = 0.79) and in the GCDO, it was 6.62 (SD = 0.63). There was no statistically significant difference between the means (U = 8.00, z = -1.604, p = 0.132). Conclusion: an osteogenic response was evidenced from the use of vibratory therapy, however in a statistically non-significant way. Thus, the present study demonstrated that the use of vibrating waves did not favor a statistically significant bone repair, during the studied period and vibration regime