The First Brazilian Cardiovascular Registry of Atrial Fibrillation: Primary Results of the RECALL Study.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that atrial fibrillation (AF) affects approximately 1.5 million people in Brazil; however, epidemiological data are limited. We sought to evaluate the characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes in patients with AF in Brazil by creating the first nationwide prospective registry. METHODS: RECALL was a multicenter, prospective registry that included and followed for 1 year 4,585 patients with AF at 89 sites across Brazil from April 2012 to August 2019. Patient characteristics, concomitant medication use, and clinical outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable models. RESULTS: Of 4,585 patients enrolled, the median age was 70 (61, 78) years, 46% were women, and 53.8% had permanent AF. Only 4.4% of patients had a history of previous AF ablation and 25.2% had a previous cardioversion. The mean (SD) CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.2 (1.6); median HAS-BLED score was 2 (2, 3). At baseline, 22% were not on anticoagulants. Of those taking anticoagulants, 62.6% were taking vitamin K antagonists and 37.4% were taking direct oral anticoagulants. The primary reasons for not using an oral anticoagulant were physician judgment (24.6%) and difficulty in controlling (14.7%) or performing (9.9%) INR. Mean (SD) TTR for the study period was 49.5% (27.5). During follow-up, the use of anticoagulants and INR in the therapeutic range increased to 87.1% and 59.1%, respectively. The rates/100 patient-years of death, hospitalization due to AF, AF ablation, cardioversion, stroke, systemic embolism, and major bleeding were 5.76 (5.12-6.47), 15.8 (14.6-17.0), 5.0 (4.4-5.7), 1.8 (1.4-2.2), 2.77 (2.32-3.32), 1.01 (0.75-1.36), and 2.21 (1.81-2.70). Older age, permanent AF, New York Heart Association class III/IV, chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia were independently associated with increased mortality while the use of anticoagulant was associated with lower risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: RECALL represents the largest prospective registry of patients with AF in Latin America. Our findings highlight important gaps in treatment, which can inform clinical practice and guide future interventions to improve the care of these patients.

Persistent Symptoms and Disability After COVID-19 Hospitalization: Data From a Comprehensive Telerehabilitation Program.

OBJECTIVE: To report symptoms, disability, and rehabilitation referral rates after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization in a large, predominantly older population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, with postdischarge telemonitoring of individuals hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 at the first month after hospital discharge, as part of a comprehensive telerehabilitation program. SETTING: Private verticalized health care network specialized in the older population. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals hospitalized because of COVID-19. We included 1696 consecutive patients, aged 71.8±13.0 years old and 56.1% female. Comorbidities were present in 82.3% of the cases (N=1696). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dependence for basic activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using the Barthel Index and Lawton's Scale. We compared the outcomes between participants admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) vs those admitted to the ward. RESULTS: Participant were followed up for 21.8±11.7 days after discharge. During postdischarge assessment, independence for ADL was found to be lower in the group admitted to the ICU than the ward group (61.1% [95% confidence interval (CI), 55.8%-66.2%] vs 72.7% [95% CI, 70.3%-75.1%], P<.001). Dependence for IADL was also more frequent in the ICU group (84.6% [95% CI, 80.4%-88.2%] vs 74.5%, [95% CI, 72.0%-76.8%], P<.001). Individuals admitted to ICU required more oxygen therapy (25.5% vs 12.6%, P<.001), presented more shortness of breath during routine (45.2% vs 34.5%, P<.001) and nonroutine activities (66.3% vs 48.2%, P<.001), and had more difficulty standing up for 10 minutes (49.3% vs 37.9% P<.001). The rehabilitation treatment plan consisted mostly of exercise booklets, which were offered to 65.5% of participants. The most referred rehabilitation professionals were psychologists (11.8%), physical therapists (8.0%), dietitians (6.8%), and speech-language pathologists (4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals hospitalized because of COVID-19 present high levels of disability, dyspnea, dysphagia, and dependence for both ADL and IADL. Those admitted to the ICU presented more advanced disability parameters.

Aplicação do escore angiográfico SYNTAX em pacientes diabéticos, com doença aterosclerótica coronária obstrutiva multiarterial submetidos à terapia de revascularização miocárdica / SYNTAX Score application in diabetic patients with multivessel coronary artery disease randomized to CABG versus PCI - insights on the long-term follow-up

INTRODUÇÃO: O SYNTAX escore avalia a complexidade da doença arterial coronária (DAC). As diretrizes de revascularização miocárdica recomendam a sua utilização para auxiliar na escolha da melhor estratégia de tratamento (cirurgia ou angioplastia) nos pacientes com DAC estável. O diabetes está associado a DAC de maior complexidade. Poucos estudos avaliaram a aplicação do SYNTAX escore em pacientes diabéticos com DAC multiarterial. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o SYNTAX escore como preditor de eventos cardiovasculares adversos maiores (ECAM) nos grupos angioplastia coronária (ATC) e cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (RM) em pacientes diabéticos com DAC multiarterial. Comparar a RM e ATC em relação aos ECAM nas categorias do SYNTAX escore baixo, intermediário e alto. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, centro único, com pacientes diabéticos com DAC multiarterial randomizados para ATC ou RM. O SYNTAX escore foi calculado post hoc por avaliador independente. Pacientes foram categorizados de acordo com o SYNTAX escore: baixo ( <= 22), intermediário ( > 22 e < 33) e alto ( >= 33). Foi avaliada prospectivamente a incidência de ECAM compostos por infarto agudo do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral, necessidade de nova revascularização e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Pacientes diabéticos (n=191) com DAC multiarterial, foram randomizados para realização de RM (n=95) ou ATC com stent farmacológico (n=96). Foram excluídos da população 3 pacientes: um caso devido a desistência da RM após randomização e dois casos com coronariografias sem condições técnicas de cálculo do SYNTAX escore. Total de 188 pacientes, 96 no grupo ATC e 92 no grupo RM, foram acompanhados por tempo mediano de 6,5 anos (variando de 0,1 a 8,6 anos). Foi observada maior incidência de ECAM nos pacientes com SYNTAX escore intermediário no grupo ATC (17,6% baixo, 52,5% intermediário e 40,9% alto, p=0.02). Não foi observada diferença de ECAM entre as diferentes categorias de SYNTAX escore no grupo RM (13.5%...

AIMS: Evaluate the SYNTAX score (SS) in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACCE) in coronary angioplasty (PCI) and surgery (CABG) groups in diabetic patients with symptomatic multivessel Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Comparing CABG and PCI according SS category. METHODS AND RESULTS: Single center study including 188 patients randomized to PCI (n=96) or CABG (n=92), followed for a median of 6.5 (0.1 to 8.6) years. There were no differences in MACCE in the CABG group regardless of the SS categories (13.5% low, 15.6% intermediate, 34.8% higher, p=0.10), while in the PCI group significant differences in MACCE were detected (17.6% low, 52.5% intermediate and 40.9% higher, p=0.02). In the PCI and CABG groups SS did not predict MACCE in the Cox regression analysis (p > 0,05). Comparing PCI and CABG according SS category there was a higher incidence of MACCE in patients with intermediate SS in the PCI group (52.5% in PCI group vs 15.6% in CABG group, p=0.002) and no difference were observed in patients with low (17.6% in PCI vs 13.5% in CABG, p=0.59) and high SS ( 40.9% in PCI vs 34.8% in CABG, p=0.68). CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic patients with multivessel CAD the SS was not an independent risk factor for MACCE in the PCI and CABG groups. Diabetic patients with intermediate SS showed higher MACCE in the PCI group versus CABG.

Evolução hospitalar de pacientes submetidos a assistência circulatória com balão intra-aórtico durante intervenção coronária percutânea de alto risco: registro InCor / In-hospital outcomes of patients submitted to circulatory support with intra-aortic balloon pump during high risk percutaneous coronary intervention: InCor registry

Introdução: O balão intra-aórtico (BIA) é utilizado há décadas como dispositivo de assistência circulatória, sendo recomendado na maioria das diretrizes, apesar da fraca evidência em relação à redução da mortalidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso do BIA como ferramenta adjunta na intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP). Métodos: Registro unicêntrico que analisou a evolução hospitalar de 134 pacientes consecutivos que utilizaram BIA durante ICP de alto risco ou na vigência de choque cardiogênico. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 64,7 ± 12,5 anos e 67,9 eram do sexo masculino. A população apresentou características de alto risco, com 33,5 de diabéticos, 73,1 tratados na vigência de infarto do miocárdio, 68,6 com padrão triarterial, e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo de 38,6 ± 16,1. Fluxo TIMI 2/3 foi obtido em 86,4 dos casos, sendo tratada 1,6 ± 0,6 lesão/paciente. Ocorreram 18 (13,4) reinfartos, dos quais 9 (6,7) por trombose do stent, sendo 2 (1,4) pacientes encaminhados para cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica e 16 (11,9), para nova ICP. A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 61,2 e a taxa de eventos cardíacos adversos maiores (ECAM) foi de 67,2. Por análise multivariada, foram preditores de mortalidade: idade > 65 anos, ICP prévia, necessidade de diálise e padrão triarterial. Os preditores de sobrevida foram: função ventricular normal, fluxo TIMI 2/3 ao final do procedimento e permanência do BIA > 72 horas. Conclusões: Os pacientes que utilizaram BIA durante ICP apresentaram perfil clínico de risco muito alto, que se refletiu em elevada taxa de óbito. Fatores clínicos, angiográficos e do procedimento podem identificar variáveis que interferem independentemente na mortalidade.

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been used for decades as a circulatory support device, being recommended in most guidelines, despite poor evidence of mortality reduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of IABP as an adjunct therapy in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Single center registry analyzing in-hospital outcomes of 134 consecutive patients submitted to IABP during high risk PCI or in the presence of cardiogenic shock. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.7 + 12.5 years and 67.9% were males. The population presented high-risk features, with 33.5% of diabetic patients, 73.1% treated in the presence of myocardial infarction, 68.6% with three-vessel disease and left ventricular ejection fraction of 38.6 + 16.1%. TIMI 2/3 flow was obtained in 86.4% of the cases and 1.6 + 0.6 lesion/patient was treated. There were 18 (13.4%) reinfarctions, of which 9 (6.7%) were due to stent thrombosis, 2 (1.4%) patients were referred for CABG and 16 (11.9%) for a new PCI. Hospital mortality was 61.2% and the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate was 67.2%. By multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality were: age > 65 years, prior PCI, need of dialysis and three-vessel disease. Predictors of survival were: normal ventricular function, TIMI 2/3 flow at the end of the procedure and IABP utilization > 72 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing PCI with IABP support have a very high risk clinical profile, which led to high mortality rates. Clinical, angiographic and procedure-related factors can identify independent variables for mortality.

Permanent pacemaker implantation in a pregnant woman with rheumatic mitral valve disease.

We describe a rare case of permanent pacemaker implantation in a pregnant woman with rheumatic mitral valve disease previously undergoing percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. She presented symptomatic advanced atrioventricular block of non-reversible cause and manifest in the third trimester of gestation.

Implante de marcapasso definitivo em gestante portadora de valvopatia mitral reumática / Permanent pacemaker implantation in a pregnant woman with rheumatic mitral valve disease / Implante de marcapaso definitivo en gestante portadora de valvulopatía mitral reumática

Descrevemos um caso raro de implante de marcapasso definitivo em gestante, portadora de valvopatia mitral reumática, previamente submetida à valvoplastia percutânea por cateter-balão. A paciente apresentava bloqueio atrioventricular de grau avançado, de causa não-reversível, sintomático e manifesto no 3º trimestre da gestação.

We describe a rare case of permanent pacemaker implantation in a pregnant woman with rheumatic mitral valve disease previously undergoing percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. She presented symptomatic advanced atrioventricular block of non-reversible cause and manifest in the third trimester of gestation.

Describimos un caso raro de implante de marcapaso definitivo en gestante, portadora de valvulopatía mitral reumática, previamente sometida a valvuloplastia percutánea por catéter balón La paciente presentaba bloqueo atrioventricular en grado avanzado, de causa irreversible, sintomático y manifiesto en el 3º trimestre de gestación.