CEUS cardiac exam protocols International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) recommendations.

The present CEUS Cardiac Exam Protocols represent the first effort to promulgate a standard set of protocols for optimal administration of ultrasound enhancing agents (UEAs) in echocardiography, based on more than two decades of experience in the use of UEAs for cardiac imaging. The protocols reflect current clinical CEUS practice in many modern echocardiography laboratories throughout the world. Specific attention is given to preparation and dosing of three UEAs that have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and additional regulatory bodies in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. Consistent with professional society guidelines (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 31:241-274, 2018; J Am Soc Echocardiogr 27:797-810, 2014; Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 18:1205, 2017), these protocols cover unapproved "off-label" uses of UEAs-including stress echocardiography and myocardial perfusion imaging-in addition to approved uses. Accordingly, these protocols may differ from information provided in product labels, which are generally based on studies performed prior to product approval and may not always reflect state of the art clinical practice or guidelines.

3D printing of normal and pathologic tricuspid valves from transthoracic 3D echocardiography data sets.

AIMS: To explore the feasibility of using transthoracic 3D echocardiography (3DTTE) data to generate 3D patient-specific models of tricuspid valve (TV). METHODS AND RESULTS: Multi-beat 3D data sets of the TV (32 vol/s) were acquired in five subjects with various TV morphologies from the apical approach and analysed offline with custom-made software. Coordinates representing the annulus and the leaflets were imported into MeshLab (Visual Computing Lab ISTICNR) to develop solid models to be converted to stereolithographic file format and 3D print. Measurements of the TV annulus antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) diameters, perimeter (P), and TV tenting height (H) and volume (V) obtained from the 3D echo data set were compared with those performed on the 3D models using a caliper, a syringe and a millimeter tape. Antero-posterior (4.2 ± 0.2 cm vs. 4.2 ± 0 cm), ML (3.7 ± 0.2 cm vs. 3.6 ± 0.1 cm), P (12.6 ± 0.2 cm vs. 12.7 ± 0.1 cm), H (11.2 ± 2.1 mm vs. 10.8 ± 2.1 mm) and V (3.0 ± 0.6 ml vs. 2.8 ± 1.4 ml) were similar (P = NS for all) when measured on the 3D data set and the printed model. The two sets of measurements were highly correlated (r = 0.991). The mean absolute error (2D - 3D) for AP, ML, P and tenting H was 0.7 ± 0.3 mm, indicating accuracy of the 3D model of <1 mm. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional printing of the TV from 3DTTE data is feasible with highly conserved fidelity. This technique has the potential for rapid integration into clinical practice to assist with decision-making, surgical planning, and teaching.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Morbidity and Mortality-Related Factors: a 5-Year Experience in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has become an option for high-surgical-risk patients with aortic valve disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in-hospital and one-year follow-up outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of transcatheter aortic valve implantation cases from July 2009 to February 2015. Analysis of clinical and procedural variables, correlating them with in-hospital and one-year mortality. RESULTS: A total of 136 patients with a mean age of 83 years (80-87) underwent heart valve implantation; of these, 49% were women, 131 (96.3%) had aortic stenosis, one (0.7%) had aortic regurgitation and four (2.9%) had prosthetic valve dysfunction. NYHA functional class was III or IV in 129 cases (94.8%). The baseline orifice area was 0.67 ± 0.17 cm2 and the mean left ventricular-aortic pressure gradient was 47.3±18.2 mmHg, with an STS score of 9.3% (4.8%-22.3%). The prostheses implanted were self-expanding in 97% of cases. Perioperative mortality was 1.5%; 30-day mortality, 5.9%; in-hospital mortality, 8.1%; and one-year mortality, 15.5%. Blood transfusion (relative risk of 54; p = 0.0003) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (relative risk of 5.3; p = 0.036) were predictive of in-hospital mortality. Peak C-reactive protein (relative risk of 1.8; p = 0.013) and blood transfusion (relative risk of 8.3; p = 0.0009) were predictive of 1-year mortality. At 30 days, 97% of patients were in NYHA functional class I/II; at one year, this figure reached 96%. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed with a high success rate and low mortality. Blood transfusion was associated with higher in-hospital and one-year mortality. Peak C-reactive protein was associated with one-year mortality.

Recommendations for the imaging assessment of prosthetic heart valves: a report from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging endorsed by the Chinese Society of Echocardiography, the Inter-American Society of Echocardiography, and the Brazilian Department of Cardiovascular Imaging.

Prosthetic heart valve (PHV) dysfunction is rare but potentially life-threatening. Although often challenging, establishing the exact cause of PHV dysfunction is essential to determine the appropriate treatment strategy. In clinical practice, a comprehensive approach that integrates several parameters of valve morphology and function assessed with 2D/3D transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography is a key to appropriately detect and quantitate PHV dysfunction. Cinefluoroscopy, multidetector computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and to a lesser extent, nuclear imaging are complementary tools for the diagnosis and management of PHV complications. The present document provides recommendations for the use of multimodality imaging in the assessment of PHVs.

Recomendações para Avaliação por Imagens das Próteses Valvares Cardíacas / Recommendations for the Imaging Assessment of Prosthetic Heart Valves

Disfunção de prótese valvar cardíaca (PVC) é rara, porém é uma potencial ameaça à vida. Estabelecer o exato mecanismo da disfunção da PVC é desafiador, no entanto é essencial para determinar a estratégia terapêutica apropriada. Na prática clinica, uma abordagem abrangente que integra vários parâmetros de morfologia e função avaliados pelo eco transtorácico 2D/3D e transesofágico são fundamentais para detectar e quantificar a disfunção da PVC. A cinefluoroscopia, a tomografia computadorizada com multidectetores, a ressonância magnética cardíaca, e em menor escala, a imagem nuclear, são ferramentas complementares para o diagnóstico e abordagem das complicações das PVC. Este documento apresenta recomendações para o uso de imagem em multimodalidade para avaliação das PVCs

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Morbidity and Mortality-Related Factors: a 5-Year Experience in Brazil / Implante de Válvula Aórtica por Cateter e Seus Fatores de Morbimortalidade em Experiência de 5 Anos no Brasil

Abstract Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has become an option for high-surgical-risk patients with aortic valve disease. Objective: To evaluate the in-hospital and one-year follow-up outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Methods: Prospective cohort study of transcatheter aortic valve implantation cases from July 2009 to February 2015. Analysis of clinical and procedural variables, correlating them with in-hospital and one-year mortality. Results: A total of 136 patients with a mean age of 83 years (80-87) underwent heart valve implantation; of these, 49% were women, 131 (96.3%) had aortic stenosis, one (0.7%) had aortic regurgitation and four (2.9%) had prosthetic valve dysfunction. NYHA functional class was III or IV in 129 cases (94.8%). The baseline orifice area was 0.67 ± 0.17 cm2 and the mean left ventricular-aortic pressure gradient was 47.3±18.2 mmHg, with an STS score of 9.3% (4.8%-22.3%). The prostheses implanted were self-expanding in 97% of cases. Perioperative mortality was 1.5%; 30-day mortality, 5.9%; in-hospital mortality, 8.1%; and one-year mortality, 15.5%. Blood transfusion (relative risk of 54; p = 0.0003) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (relative risk of 5.3; p = 0.036) were predictive of in-hospital mortality. Peak C-reactive protein (relative risk of 1.8; p = 0.013) and blood transfusion (relative risk of 8.3; p = 0.0009) were predictive of 1-year mortality. At 30 days, 97% of patients were in NYHA functional class I/II; at one year, this figure reached 96%. Conclusion: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed with a high success rate and low mortality. Blood transfusion was associated with higher in-hospital and one-year mortality. Peak C-reactive protein was associated with one-year mortality.

Resumo Fundamento: O implante de válvula aórtica por cateter tornou-se uma opção para pacientes com doença valvar aórtica de elevado risco cirúrgico. Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados dos seguimentos intra-hospitalar e de até 1 ano do implante de válvula aórtica por cateter. Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectiva de casos de implante de válvula aórtica por cateter entre julho de 2009 e fevereiro de 2015. Análise de variáveis clínicas e do procedimento, correlacionando com mortalidade intra-hospitalar e de 1 ano. Resultados: Foram submetidos ao implante 136 pacientes, com média de idade de 83 (80-87) anos, sendo 49% mulheres, 131 (96,3%) deles com estenose aórtica, um (0,7%) com insuficiência aórtica e quatro (2,9%) com disfunção de prótese. A classe funcional da NYHA foi III ou IV em 129 (94,8%) casos. A área valvar inicial foi 0,67 ± 0,17 cm2 e o gradiente ventrículo esquerdo-aorta médio de 47,3 ± 18,2 mmHg, com STS de 9,3% (4,8%-22,3%). As próteses implantadas eram autoexpansíveis em 97% dos casos. A mortalidade peroperatória em 1,5% dos casos; em 30 dias em 5,9%; intra-hospitalar em 8,1%; e após 1 ano em 15,5% dos casos. A hemotransfusão (risco relativo de 54; p = 0,0003) e a hipertensão arterial pulmonar (risco relativo de 5,3; p = 0,036) foram preditoras de mortalidade hospitalar; e a proteína C-reativa pico (risco relativo de 1,8; p = 0,013) e a hemotransfusão (risco relativo de 8,3; p = 0,0009) de mortalidade em 1 ano. Aos 30 dias, 97% dos pacientes estavam em classe NYHA I/II e, em 1 ano, o número chegou a 96%. Conclusão: O implante de válvula aórtica por cateter foi realizado com alto índice de sucesso e baixa mortalidade. A hemotransfusão associou-se com maior mortalidade hospitalar e de 1 ano. Proteína C-reativa pico se associou com a mortalidade de 1 ano.

Padrão de fluxo reverso no segmento distal da artéria descendente anterior pelo ecodopplercardiograma: importante achado encontrado na síndrome da origem anômala da artéria coronária esquerda / Echocardiographic reverse flow pattern seen in the distal segment of left anterior descending coronary artery: an important finding in anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery syndrome / Estándar de Flujo Reverso en el Segmento Distal de la Arteria Descendente Anterior por el Ecodopplercardiograma: Importante Hallazgo Encontrado en el Síndrome del Origen Anómalo de la Arteria Coronaria Izquierda

The anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare disease. Therefore, it is a major congenital coronary anomaly. The clinical course depends on the formation and development of collateral arteries. The pathophysiology is explained by the low pressure in the pulmonary arterial system, with the right coronary artery (RCA) filling the left coronary artery in a retrograde manner through collateral arteries, working as a phenomenon of coronary flow theft. This study reports a case in which another finding was observed. The flow pattern in the left coronary artery in its distal segment evaluated by pulsed Doppler confirms the diagnosis confirmed by angiography...

El origen anómalo de la arteria coronaria izquierda a partir del tronco de la arteria pulmonar es una enfermedad rara, no obstante es una importante anomalía congénita coronaria. El curso clínico depende de la formación y desarrollo de colaterales. La fisiopatología es explicada por la baja presión en el sistema arterial pulmonar, con la arteria coronaria derecha (ACD) llenando la arteria coronaria izquierda de forma retrógrada, a través de colaterales, funcionando como un fenómeno del robo de flujo coronario. Será relatado un caso en que fue observado otro hallazgo, el estándar del flujo en la arteria coronaria izquierda en su segmento distal, evaluado por el Doppler pulsado, corrobora el diagnóstico, que fue ratificado por la angiotomografía...

A origem anômala da artéria coronariana esquerda a partir do tronco da artéria pulmonar é uma doença rara, entretanto, uma importante anomalia congênita coronariana. O curso clínico depende da formação e desenvolvimento de colaterais. A fisiopatologia é explicada pela baixa pressão no sistema arterial pulmonar, com a artéria coronariana direita enchendo a artéria coronariana esquerda de forma retrógrada, através de colaterais, funcionando como um fenômeno do roubo de fluxo coronariano. Será relatado um caso em que foi observado outro achado: o padrão do fluxo na artéria coronariana esquerda em seu segmento distal, avaliado pelo Doppler pulsado, corrobora o diagnóstico, que foi ratificado pela angiotomografia...

Videothoracoscopy for isolated atrial fibrillation ablation through bipolar radiofrequency.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation, expenses with the healthcare system and the associated high morbidity and mortality have justified the search for new therapeutic approaches. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of the surgical technique, its safety and the initial outcome of the video-assisted surgery for the isolated atrial fibrillation ablation with bipolar radiofrequency. METHODS: Ten patients (90% men) with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (50% paroxystic type) that was refractory to drug therapy, with no heart disease that required concomitant surgical treatment, were submitted to arrhythmia ablation guided by thoracoscopy from May 2007 to May 2008. Clinical, laboratory and image variables were prospectively collected before, during surgery and at the postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: The surgery was carried out as planned in all patients. There was no intra-thoracic structure iatrogenic lesion or deaths. At the mean 6-month follow-up, 80% of the patients were free of atrial fibrillation. There was a significant improvement in the symptoms of New York Heart Association Functional Class heart failure (2.4 + or - 0.5 to 1.6 + or - 0.7; p = 0.011). There was no evidence of pulmonary vein stenosis at the angiotomography in this series. CONCLUSION: The video-assisted surgery for the treatment of atrial fibrillation is reproducible and safe. There is a heart failure symptom evolution improvement after the surgery.

Systolic function of patients with myocardial infarction undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been published on the effect of bone-marrow stem cells on the left ventricle when acting on post- acute myocardial infarction remodeling. However, the results have been controversial. OBJECTIVE: To carry out an echocardiographic analysis of the systolic function of patients with acute myocardial infarction after autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell transplantation (AMBMCT) as performed via the intracoronary and intravenous routes. METHODS: This is an open-label, prospective, randomized study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: patients admitted for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (MI) who had undergone mechanical or chemical reperfusion within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms and whose echocardiogram showed decreased segmental wall motion and fixed perfusion defect related to the culprit artery. Autologous bone marrow was aspirated from the posterior iliac crest under sedation and analgesia of the patients randomly assigned for the treatment group. After laboratory manipulation, intracoronary or intravenous injection of 100 x 106 mononuclear cells was performed. Echocardiography (Vivid 7) was used to assess ventricular function before and three and six months after cell infusion. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were included, 14 in the arterial group (AG), 10 in the venous group (VG), and six in the control group (CG). No statistical difference was found between the groups for the echocardiographic parameters studied. CONCLUSION: Autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell transplantation did not improve the echocardiographic parameters of systolic function.

Pseudoaneurismas: quando e como tratá-los / Pseudoaneurysms: when and how to treat them / Pseudoaneurismas: Cuándo y Cómo Tratarlos

Pseudoaneurismas são complicações vasculares cada vez mais frequentes numa época em que a Medicina Intervencionista avança e mostra um significativo aumento dos seus procedimentos, sejam eles diagnósticos ou terapêuticos. Esta revisão busca definir essa patologia de maneira adequada, mostrando suas complicações, discorrendo sobre as várias formas de diagnóstico (clinico, US, Tomografia Computadorizada, Ressonância Magnética e Angiografia), bem como os vários tipos de tratamento propostos, (Expectante, Cirúrgico, por Compressão, Endovascular, com Injeções de Trombina e Salina). Este artigo, revendo os vários tipos de tratamento, avalia suas indicações, contraindicações e complicações, dando ênfase ao tratamento percutâneo com injeção de trombina.

Psudoaneurysms are vascular complications increasingly common at a time when the interventionist medicine progresses and shows a significant increase of its procedures, whether diagnostic or therapeutic. This review seeks to define this condition appropriately, showing its complications, discussing the various forms of diagnosis (Clinical, US, CT, MRI and Angiography), as well as the various types of treatment proposed (Expectant, Surgical, by Compression, Endovascular, with Injections of Thrombin and Salina); this article, reviewing the various types of treatment, assesses their indications, contraindications and complications, emphasizing the percutaneous treatment with thrombin injection.

Los pseudoaneurismas son complicaciones vasculares cada vez más frecuentes en una época en que la Medicina Intervencionista avanza y muestra un significativo aumento de sus procedimientos, sean ellos diagnósticos o terapéuticos. Esta revisión busca definir dicha patología de manera adecuada, mostrando sus complicaciones, reflexionando sobre las distintas formas de diagnóstico (clínico, US, Tomografía Computada, Resonancia Magnética y Angiografía), así como también los distintos tipos de tratamiento propuestos, (Expectante, Quirúrgico, por Compresión, Endovascular, con Inyecciones de Trombina y Salina). Este artículo, reviendo los distintos tipos de tratamiento, evalúa sus indicaciones, contraindicaciones y complicaciones, dando énfasis al tratamiento percutáneo con inyección de trombina

Miocardiopatia hipertrófica medioventricular associada ao aneurisma apical: estudo ecocardiográfico de dois casos / Mid-ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with apical aneurism: echocardiography study of two cases

A Miocardiopatia Hipertrófica (MCH) é uma doença caracterizada por ampla expressão genotípica e fenotípica, com curso clínico heterogêneo. A diversidade genética e fatores ambientais formam a base dessa heterogeneidade. É a causa mais comum de morte súbita em atletas jovens. A MCH medioventricular corresponde a 1% dos casos; pode estar associada a aneurisma apical e progressão para disfunção sistólica. Logo, o reconhecimento desse subgrupo, pelo estudo ecocardiográfico, é fundamental para melhor estratificação e acompanhamento desses pacientes. Neste relato, serão apresentados dois casos de miocardiopatia hipertrófica medioventricular, com aneurisma apical associado, seguidos de revisão da literatura.

Oclusão percutânea do apêndice atrial na fibrilação atrial com risco embólico / Percutaneous occlusion of the left appendage in atrial fibrillation

Fundamentos: A fibrilação atrial está associada a maior risco de eventos embólicos. O apêndice atrial esquerdoé a principal fonte de trombos.Objetivos: Avaliar a segurança e descrever a técnica de oclusão por cateter do apêndice atrial esquerdo.Métodos: Dois pacientes (um masculino com 79 anos e outro feminino com 91 anos) com fibrilação atrial, alto risco tromboembólico e contraindicação à anticoagulação foram submetidos à oclusão do apêndice atrial por viapercutânea. Resultados: Em ambos os casos, a prótese foi liberada sem fluxo residual, com completa exclusão da circulação e sem complicações. Os pacientes foram mantidos com dupla antiagregação plaquetária por três meses. Conclusões: A oclusão percutânea do apêndice atrialesquerdo é um novo e efetivo método para prevenção de eventos embólicos em pacientes com fibrilação atrial.

Cirurgia vídeo-assistida para a ablação da fibrilação atrial isolada por radiofrequência bipolar / Videothoracoscopy for isolated atrial fibrillation ablation through bipolar radiofrequency

FUNDAMENTO: A prevalência da fibrilação atrial, os gastos com o sistema de saúde e a elevada morbidade e mortalidade associadas a ela, têm justificado a procura por novas abordagens terapêuticas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a reprodutibilidade da técnica cirúrgica, a segurança e os resultados inicias da cirurgia vídeo-assistida para a ablação da fibrilação atrial isolada com radiofrequência bipolar. MÉTODOS: Dez pacientes (90 por cento homens) com fibrilação atrial (50 por cento paroxística) sintomática e refratária à terapia medicamentosa, sem doença cardíaca que requeresse cirurgia concomitante, foram submetidos à ablação da arritmia guiada por toracoscopia, no período de maio de 2007 a maio de 2008. Variáveis clínicas, laboratoriais e de imagem foram prospectivamente coletadas antes, durante e no seguimento pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: A cirurgia foi realizada conforme o planejado em todos os pacientes. Não houve lesão iatrogênica de estruturas intratorácicas ou óbitos. No seguimento médio de seis meses, 80 por cento dos pacientes estão livres de fibrilação atrial. Houve melhora significativa dos sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca classe funcional New York Heart Association (2,4 ± 0,5 para 1,6 ± 0,7; p = 0,011). Não houve evidência de estenose de veias pulmonares à angiotomografia, nesta série. CONCLUSÃO: A cirurgia vídeo-assistida para o tratamento da fibrilação atrial é reprodutível e segura. Há melhora evolutiva dos sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca após a cirurgia.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation, expenses with the healthcare system and the associated high morbidity and mortality have justified the search for new therapeutic approaches. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of the surgical technique, its safety and the initial outcome of the video-assisted surgery for the isolated atrial fibrillation ablation with bipolar radiofrequency. METHODS: Ten patients (90 percent men) with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (50 percent paroxystic type) that was refractory to drug therapy, with no heart disease that required concomitant surgical treatment, were submitted to arrhythmia ablation guided by thoracoscopy from May 2007 to May 2008. Clinical, laboratory and image variables were prospectively collected before, during surgery and at the postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: The surgery was carried out as planned in all patients. There was no intra-thoracic structure iatrogenic lesion or deaths. At the mean 6-month follow-up, 80 percent of the patients were free of atrial fibrillation. There was a significant improvement in the symptoms of New York Heart Association Functional Class heart failure (2.4 ± 0.5 to 1.6 ± 0.7; p=0.011). There was no evidence of pulmonary vein stenosis at the angiotomography in this series. CONCLUSION: The video-assisted surgery for the treatment of atrial fibrillation is reproducible and safe. There is a heart failure symptom evolution improvement after the surgery.

Função sistólica de pacientes com infarto miocárdico submetidos a transplante autólogo da medula óssea / Systolic function of patients with myocardial infarction undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation

FUNDAMENTO: Diversos estudos foram publicados sobre a ação de células tronco da medula óssea no ventrículo esquerdo, ao atuarem no remodelamento pós-infarto agudo do miocárdio. Os resultados, no entanto, têm se mostrado controversos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar através do ecocardiograma a função sistólica de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio após o Transplante Autólogo de Células Mononucleares da Medula Óssea (TACMMO) através de duas vias injeção: intracoronariana e intravenosa. MÉTODOS: Estudo aberto, prospectivo, randomizado. Foram incluídos pacientes admitidos por infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST e submetidos à reperfusão mecânica ou química, dentro de 24 horas após o início dos sintomas, que apresentavam ao ecocardiograma redução da contratilidade segmentar e defeito fixo da perfusão relacionada à artéria culpada pelo IAM. A medula óssea autóloga foi aspirada da crista ilíaca posterior sob sedação e analgesia, nos pacientes randomizados para o grupo tratado. Após manipulação laboratorial, 100 milhões de células mononucleares foram injetadas por via intracoronariana ou intravenosa. Utilizamos o ecocardiograma (Vivid 7) para avaliar a função ventricular antes e após três e seis meses da infusão de células. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos trinta pacientes, 14 no grupo arterial (GA), dez no grupo venoso (GV) e seis no grupo controle (GC). Não houve diferença estatística dos parâmetros ecocardiográficos estudados entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O transplante autólogo de células mononucleares da medula óssea não demonstrou melhora dos parâmetros ecocardiográficos da função sistólica.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been published on the effect of bone-marrow stem cells on the left ventricle when acting on post- acute myocardial infarction remodeling. However, the results have been controversial. OBJECTIVE: To carry out an echocardiographic analysis of the systolic function of patients with acute myocardial infarction after autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell transplantation (AMBMCT) as performed via the intracoronary and intravenous routes. METHODS: This is an open-label, prospective, randomized study. Inclusion criteria: patients admitted for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (MI) who had undergone mechanical or chemical reperfusion within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms and whose echocardiogram showed decreased segmental wall motion and fixed perfusion defect related to the culprit artery. Autologous bone marrow was aspirated from the posterior iliac crest under sedation and analgesia of the patients randomly assigned for the treatment group. After laboratory manipulation, intracoronary or intravenous injection of 100 x 106 mononuclear cells was performed. Echocardiography (Vivid 7) was used to assess ventricular function before and three and six months after cell infusion. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were included, 14 in the arterial group (AG), 10 in the venous group (VG), and six in the control group (CG). No statistical difference was found between the groups for the echocardiographic parameters studied. CONCLUSION: Autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell transplantation did not improve the echocardiographic parameters of systolic function.

Importância do eco color Doppler na avaliação de fístulas arteriovenosas / The importance of color doppler imaging in the evaluation of patients with arteriovenous fistulas

Fundamentos: Grande número de pacientes com insuficiência renal terminal possuem fístulas arteriovenosas (FAVs) para realização de hemodiálise, e essas podem apresentar altas taxas de falência no 1º ano (até 40%). Objetivo: Avaliar FAVs, utilizando o Eco Color Doppler (ECD), tentando identificar possíveis anormalidades. Delineamento: Trabalho de análise exploratória, observacional, transversal de uma série de casos. Métodos: Foram estudadas 45 FAVs, sendo 30 pacientes, entre os quais 16 homens, (grupo A) que apresentavam dificuldades na hemodiálise; e 15 pacientes, entre os quais 10 homens, (grupo B), que não apresentavam dificuldades na hemodiálise. Foram utilizados aparelhos Vivid7 da GE Ultrasound, com transdutor linear (banda larga), com frequência de 7/10 Mhz e aplicativo para ultrassom vascular com Doppler pulsado, colorido e Power-Doppler. O estudo das FAVs, conforme nosso protocolo, inclui a avaliação da(s) artéria(s) do inflow e do seguimento arterial distal à fístula, a(s) anastomose(s) arterial e venosa em caso de enxerto, a veia do outflow, bem como as veias profundas e centrais de deságue daquele membro. Resultados: Identificamos anormalidades em todas as FAVs do grupo A e em 06 casos do grupo B. Conclusão: O ECD é excelente ferramenta na identificação de anormalidades dos pacientes com FAVs.