Association of cardiovascular risk factors and myocardial hypertrophy in women with preeclampsia history.

AIMS: A historic of preeclampsia (PE) has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. There are substantial evidences that cardiovascular changes resulting from PE can persist even after pregnancy end. Therefore, the aims was to evaluate the prevalence of myocardial hypertrophy in young women 12 months after PE event as well as try to identify risk factors for these changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-center observational prospective cross-sectional study that included 118 consecutive patients after 12 months of PE. Clinical and laboratory evaluations, echocardiogram were performed. Myocardial hypertrophy (LVH) was defined as an index myocardial mass ≥ 45 g/m2.7, for women. Classical risk factors for CVD were considered. Analysis included linear or logistic regression and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Significance level of 5 %. KEY FINDINGS: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) was identified in 52 patients (44 %), overweight/obesity (OOB) in 82 (69 %), dyslipidemia in 68 (57 %) and metabolic syndrome in 47 patients (40 %). LVH was present in 35 cases (29 %) and associated with OOB (OR = 4.51; CI95%:1.18-17.17, p < 0.001), in a model corrected for age and SAH diagnosis. When only the metabolic syndrome components were analyzed, in the multiple logistic regression model, the abdominal circumference was the only clinical variable associated with LVH (OR = 17.65; CI95%:3.70-84.17; p < 0.001). SIGNIFICANCE: It was observed a high prevalence of ventricular hypertrophy in young women with a history of pre-eclampsia. This condition was associated with the presence of obesity.

Cardiomiopatias / Cardiomyopathies

As diferenças de comportamento das doenças cardiovasculares associadas ao gênero ganharam relevância nos últimos anos, principalmente no que se refere às peculiaridades relacionadas às pacientes do sexo feminino. Um fator interessante é o menor conhecimento das mulheres quanto ao risco que essas doenças trazem a sua saúde, contribuindo para o diagnóstico menos precose e pior prognóstico. De forma geral, a resposta aos agentes agressores cardíacos pode ser bastante distinta quando se comparam homens e mulheres. Espera-se que a compreensão dessas peculiaridades tenha impacto positivo no diagnóstico, no tratamento e no prognóstico de mulheres com cardiopatias. A literatura não apresenta muitas evidências sobre as particularidades das cardiomiopatias nas mulheres. No entanto, o cardiologista deve estar atento para reconhecer as diferenças na apresentação clínica e na evolução relacionadas ao gênero. Nesta revisão serão abordadas as cardiomiopatias dilatadas, hipertróficas, periparto e alcoólica (primárias). Dentre as secundárias serão descritas algumas peculiaridades do comprometimento cardíaco na paciente com amiloidose, diabetes melito, doenças autoimunes e cardiotoxicidade induzida por terapia antitumoral.

Gender-related differences have gained relevance in cardiovascular diseases in recent years, especially regarding women-related peculiarities. An interesting fact is the lesser knowledge of women on the risk that cardiovascular diseases pose to their health, thus contributing to delaying diagnosis and worse prognosis. In general, men and women have very different responses to cardiac aggressive agents. It is expected that the understanding of these peculiarities may have a positive impact on the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of women with heart diseases. Literature data do not provide broad evidences on the particularities of cardiomyopathies in women. However, the cardiologist must pay close attention to identify gender-related differences in the clinical presentation and clinical course. This review will address primary dilated, hypertrophic, peripartum and alcoholic cardiomyopathies. Peculiarities of secondary cardiomyopathy in patients with amyloidosis, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases and cardiotoxicity induced by anti-tumoral therapy will also be reported.

A importância do eletrocardiograma, da radiografia de tórax e dos testes de capacidade funcional na avaliação das valvopatias mitrais / Importance of electrocardiograms, chest radiography and functional capacity tests in the evaluation of mitral valve diseases

O eletrocardiograma e a radiografia de tórax continuam sendo métodos importantes e atuais no auxílio ao diagnóstico e à terapêutica das doenças valvares...