Position Statement on the Use of Myocardial Strain in Cardiology Routines by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology's Department Of Cardiovascular Imaging - 2023. / Posicionamento do Departamento de Imagem Cardiovascular da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre o Uso do Strain Miocárdico na Rotina do Cardiologista ­ 2023.

Central Illustration : Position Statement on the Use of Myocardial Strain in Cardiology Routines by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology's Department Of Cardiovascular Imaging - 2023 Proposal for including strain in the integrated diastolic function assessment algorithm, adapted from Nagueh et al.67 Am: mitral A-wave duration; Ap: reverse pulmonary A-wave duration; DD: diastolic dysfunction; LA: left atrium; LASr: LA strain reserve; LVGLS: left ventricular global longitudinal strain; TI: tricuspid insufficiency. Confirm concentric remodeling with LVGLS. In LVEF, mitral E wave deceleration time < 160 ms and pulmonary S-wave < D-wave are also parameters of increased filling pressure. This algorithm does not apply to patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), mitral annulus calcification, > mild mitral valve disease, left bundle branch block, paced rhythm, prosthetic valves, or severe primary pulmonary hypertension.

Figura Central : Posicionamento do Departamento de Imagem Cardiovascular da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre o Uso do Strain Miocárdico na Rotina do Cardiologista ­ 2023 Proposta de inclusão do strain no algoritmo integrado de avaliação da função diastólica, adaptado e traduzido de Nagueh et al. 67 AE: átrio esquerdo; Ap: duração da onda A reversa pulmonar; Am: duração da onda A mitral; DD: disfunção diastólica; FEVEr: fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo reduzida; IT: insuficiência tricúspide; SAEr: strain do AE de reservatório; SLGVE: strain longitudinal global do ventrículo esquerdo. Se remodelamento concêntrico, confirmar com SLGVE. Na presença de FEVEr, tempo de desaceleração da onda E mitral (TDE) < 160 ms e onda S < D pulmonar também são parâmetros de pressão de enchimento aumentada. Esse algoritmo não se aplica a pacientes com fibrilação atrial (FA), calcificação do anel mitral ou valvopatia mitral maior que discreta, bloqueio de ramo esquerdo (BRE), ritmo de marca-passo, próteses valvares ou hipertensão pulmonar (HP) primária grave.

Ligadura dos ramos da artéria torácica interna anastomosada na coronária descendente anterior e efeito nas velocidades do fluxo e no estado funcional do enxerto / Ligation of the branches of the anastomosed internal thoracic artery in the anterior descending coronary artery and the effect on flow velocities and functional status of the graft

Fundamento: Ocorre modificação no fluxo da artéria torácica interna, após sua anastomose na artéria coronária descendente anterior. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da ligadura dos ramos proximais da artéria torácica interna anastomosada na artéria coronária descendente anterior, quanto às velocidades e à reserva de velocidade de fluxo coronariano, em pacientes com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo preservada (> 50%). Métodos: Estudo prospectivo de pacientes com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo > 50% revascularizados. O Grupo I foi formado por 25 pacientes com ligadura dos grandes ramos da artéria torácica interna antes de sua anastomose na artéria coronária descendente anterior, e o Grupo II por 28 pacientes sem ligadura. Registrou-se o Doppler em nível proximal da artéria torácica interna no pré-operatório, pós-operatório precoce e no pós-operatório tardio de 6 meses. Foram mensurados os picos de velocidade sistólica e diastólica, e as velocidades médias sistólica e diastólica. A reserva de velocidade de fluxo coronariano foi obtida durante o ecocardiograma sob estresse com dobutamina no pós-operatório tardio de 6 meses. Resultados: No pós-operatório precoce, o pico de velocidade sistólica e a velocidade média sistólica diminuíram, enquanto aumentaram o pico de velocidade diastólica e a velocidade média diastólica nos dois grupos (p < 0,05). Do pós-operatório precoce para o tardio em 6 meses, apenas o pico de velocidade diastólica se modificou, diminuindo nos dois grupos (p < 0,05). Durante o ecocardiograma sob estresse com dobutamina, o pico de velocidade diastólica e a velocidade média diastólica aumentaram (p < 0,05), e os grupos não diferiram, mas o pico de velocidade sistólica e a velocidade média sistólica aumentaram apenas no Grupo II (p < 0,05). A reserva de velocidade de fluxo coronariano dos grupos calculada pelo pico de velocidade diastólica (Grupo I = 2,17 ± 0,64 e Grupo II = 2,28 ± 0,63) e pela velocidade média diastólica (Grupo I = 2,27 ± 0,54 e Grupo II = 2,5 ± 0,79) não diferiu. Conclusão: Em pacientes com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo preservada, a ligadura dos grandes ramos da artéria torácica interna anastomosada na artéria coronária descendente anterior não compromete a reserva de velocidade de fluxo coronariano, mas determina limitação no aumento das velocidades sistólicas

Introduction: Modification of internal thoracic artery flow occurs after its anastomosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Objective: To evaluate the effect of ligation of the proximal branches of anastomosed internal thoracic artery flow on the left anterior descending in relation to velocities and coronary flow velocity reserve in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction preserved (> 50%). Methods: Prospective study of patients with left ventricular ejection fraction > 50% and revascularized. Group I was composed of 25 patients with ligation of the major branches of the internal thoracic artery flow before its anastomosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery, and Group II was composed of 28 patients without ligation. Doppler was recorded at the proximal level of internal thoracic artery flow in the preoperative, early postoperative and 6 months later. The systolic peak velocity and diastolic, and systolic mean velocity and diastolic were measured. Coronary flow velocity reserve was obtained during dobutamine stress echocardiography in postoperative period 6 months later. Results: In the postoperative, the systolic peak velocity and the systolic mean velocity decreased while increasing the diastolic peak velocity and the diastolic mean velocity in the groups (p < 0.05). From the postoperative to the postoperative period 6 months later, only the diastolic peak velocity modified, occurring its decrease in the groups (p < 0.05). During the dobutamine stress echocardiography, diastolic peak velocity and the diastolic mean velocity increased (p < 0.05) and groups did not differ, however, the systolic peak velocity and the systolic mean velocity increased only in Group II (p < 0.05). The coronary flow velocity reserve of the groups calculated by diastolic peak velocity (Group I = 2.17 ± 0.64 and Group II =2.28 ± 0.63) and diastolic mean velocity (Group I = 2.27 ± 0.54 and Group II = 2.5 ± 0.79) did not differ. Conclusion: In patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, the ligation of the large branches of the anastomosed internal thoracic artery flow into the left anterior descending coronary artery does not compromise the coronary flow velocity reserve, but determines limitation in the increase of the systolic velocities

Uso de fibrinolítico em tromboembolismo pulmonar e comparação de resultado em estudos de imagem. Relato de caso / Fibrinolysis in pulmonary embolism and results comparison in imaging studies. Case report

Tromboembolismo pulmonar é uma doença caracterizada por êmbolos alojados na artéria pulmonar principal ou em seus ramos, gerando bloqueio do fluxo sanguíneo pelos pulmões. Um grande êmbolo pulmonar é uma das poucas causas de morte virtualmente instantânea, sendo considerado uma das etiologias possíveis de atividade elétrica sem pulso. O tratamento do tromboembolismo pulmonar agudo deve incluir anticoagulação com heparina de baixo peso molecular, fondaparinux ou heparina comum endovenosa em bólus seguida de infusão contínua. Nos pacientes hemodinamicamente estáveis e sem disfunção de ventrículo direito, a anticoagulação sistêmica tem bom prognóstico, não sendo indicada a realização de trombólise. No grupo de pacientes hemodinamicamente instáveis, o uso de fibrinolíticos pode ter benefícios como a dissolução de grande parte do trombo obstrutivo da circulação pulmonar, assim como a promoção de lise da fonte do êmbolo nas veias profundas dos membros inferiores. Em pacientes hemodinamicamente estáveis e com disfunção de ventrículo direito, há controvérsias quanto à realização de trombólise. Alguns ensaios clínicos controlados sugerem que estes pacientes podem se beneficiar da resolução mais rápida do êmbolo, com melhora da função do ventrículo direito. Um dos argumentos de estudos que questionam a decisão por trombólise em pacientes hemodinamicamente estáveis e com disfunção de ventrículo direito é o de que esta pode ser resultado de outra doença de base do paciente, não sendo, pois, uma consequência do tromboembolismo pulmonar. Este relato de caso descreve um caso de tromboembolismo pulmonar, além de apresentar uma revisão de literatura do tema embolia pulmonar.

Pulmonary embolism is a disease characterized by the presence of emboli lodged in the main pulmonary artery or in its branches, causing an obstruction to blood flow through the lungs. A large pulmonary embolus is one of the of the few cases of sudden death, being one of the possible aetiologies of pulseless electric activity. The treatment of pulmonary embolismshould include anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux or IV bolus of unfractionated heparin followed by continuous infusion. In hemodynamically stable patients with no right ventricular dysfunction, systemic anticoagulation carries a good prognosis, with thrombolysis not being indicated in those patients. In hemodynamically unstable patients, the use of fibrinolytic agents can lead to the dissolution of a large part of the obstructing thrombus in the pulmonary circulation, as well as the promotion of lysis of the primary thrombus in the deep veins of the lower limbs, which originated the pulmonary emboli. In hemodynamically stable patients with right ventricular dysfunction, there are controversies as to the use of thrombolysis. A few controlled clinical trials have suggested that these patients could benefit from the more rapid dissolution of thrombi seen with thrombolysis, leading to a greater improvement in right ventricular function. One of the arguments of the articles that question the use thrombolysis in hemodinamically stable patients with right ventricle dysfunction is that this dysfunction could be the result of another underlying disease the patient may have, rather than a result of pulmonary embolism. This case report describes a case of pulmonary embolism and presents a literature review of the referred theme.

The impact of ligation of proximal side branches on blood flow and functional status of the internal thoracic artery in coronary anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: The effect of proximal side branches on the patency of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is controversial. We used echocardiography and Doppler to verify the effect of ligation of branches on the flow and coronary flow reserve (CFR) of the grafted ITA in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: We prospectively investigated 53 patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF >50%) who underwent CABG of the ITA. In Group I (25 patients), major branches were ligated during ITA anastomosis to the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, whereas no ligation was performed in Group II (28 patients). Systolic flow (SF), diastolic flow (DF), and total flow (TF = SF + DF) were measured by Doppler echocardiography at the proximal level of the ITA preoperatively, at early postoperative stage, and 6 months after surgery. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed at 6 months to determine CFR. RESULTS: The ITA flow was predominantly systolic before surgery and diastolic in the postoperative period. We found no differences between the groups in DF. On DSE, SF (19.5±9 mL/min vs 32.7±19 mL/min; P=.003) and TF (79±21 mL/min vs 101±47 mL/min; P=.037) were higher in Group II. There were no differences in CFR (1.9±0.46 vs 2.11±0.56; P=.143). CONCLUSION: In patients with preserved LVEF, ligation of major side branches during anastomosis to the LAD does not alter ITA flow or CFR.

Bloqueio atrioventricular total em dextrocardia e doença de Chagas: implante de marcapasso dupla-câmara com upgrade para estimulação biventricular / Complete atrioventricular block in dextrocardia and Chagas disease: implant of a dual chamber pacemaker with upgrade to biventricular stimulation

A dextrocardia é uma anomalia rara e sua associação ao bloqueio atrioventricular total é ainda maisincomum. A cardiopatia chagásica crônica é uma doença endêmica no Brasil, onde o aparecimento dessaarritmia é relativamente frequente (forma arritmogênica). Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 38 anos de idade submetida a implante de marcapasso dupla-câmara por bloqueio atrioventricular total, portadora de cardiopatia chagásica crônica, que, em seu acompanhamento, apresentou insuficiência cardíaca refratária e necessidade de ressincronização cardíaca, evoluindo com melhora da classe funcional em sua avaliação precoce.

Dextrocardia is a rare anomaly, and its association with complete atrioventricular block is even moreunusual. Chronic Chagasic heart disease is endemic in Brazil, where the onset of this arrhythmia is relatively frequent (arrhythmogenic form). We report a 38-year-old patient with Chagasic heart disease undergoing implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker for complete atrioventricular block, who developed refractory heart failure during the follow-up and required cardiac resynchronization, evolving with improved functional class in the early assessment.

Ensino de emergências na graduação com participação ativa do estudante / Undergraduate training on emergencies with active student participation

O ensino médico sofreu intensas modificações nos últimos anos. A rápida evolução do conhecimento requer metodologias que estimulem a metacognição, substituindo o excesso de conteúdo pelo"aprender a aprender", formando profissionais construtores ativos do seu conhecimento e capacitados para refletir sobre a própria prática. A importância do conteúdo de emergências é inquestionável, especialmente na graduação, pois se trata de uma área de grande carência de profissionais que vem sendo cada vez mais ocupada pelo médico recém-graduado, quase sempre despreparado para se conduzir diante da gravidade dos casos. Simular a realidade integra o saber ao fazer, aliados ao desenvolvimento de habilidades. O ensino das emergências em cenários reais é insubstituível, contudo limitado por questões de segurança do paciente e pela impossibilidade de repetição de procedimentos.A simulação em laboratório de habilidades propicia contato do aluno com diversas situações em ambiente controlado, permite repetição e favorece o aprendizado significativo mediante discussão dos temas e reflexão sobre a própria prática.Este artigo descreve a inserção longitudinal do conteúdo de emergências médicas no currículo de um curso de Medicina,utilizando técnicas de simulação e reflexão acerca da prática como metodologia de aprendizado, além da vivência em ambientes de prática real.

Medical education has undergone substantial changes in recent years. The rapid evolution of knowledge demands new teaching models involving active learning, metacognition and reflexive practice. Training in emergency care is of utmost importance in an undergraduate medical course, since the lack of professionals in this area means that emergency care is often staffed by new graduates, almost always unprepared to deal with the severity of the cases. Training technical medical skills within this scenario is necessary to provide the medical student with a realistic vision of the work,however it is limited due to patient safety and the inability to repeat procedures. Teaching emergency care through high fidelity simulators is an excellent solution that allows procedures to be repeated as many times as necessary and favours meaningful learning through discussion of topics and reflections on the practices. This study describes how emergency care training has been included throughout the curriculum for undergraduate medical training in Brazil, using simulation and reflection on the practice as learning tools, as well as real life experience in emergency care settings.

Incremental value of perfusion over wall-motion abnormalities with the use of dobutamine-atropine stress myocardial contrast echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging for detecting coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Recently, multimodality imaging has been demonstrated to improve the sensitivity of dobutamine stress for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the additional value of myocardial perfusion (MP) over wall-motion (WM) analysis for detecting CAD, using real time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), in the same group of patients. METHODS: We studied 42 patients who underwent RTMCE and CMR during high-dose dobutamine stress with early injection of atropine. RESULTS: No difference was observed in the diagnostic accuracy of RTMCE and CMR for detecting angiographically significant CAD when considering WM analysis alone (73% [95% CI, 65-81] and 78% [95% CI, 70-84], respectively; P = NS) or combined analysis of WM and MP (80% [95% CI, 73-97] and 83% [95% CI, 77-90], respectively; P = NS). Combined analysis of WM and MP had higher sensitivity than the analysis of WM alone by RTMCE (88% [95% CI, 75-100] vs. 72% [95% CI, 54-90]) and by CMR (92% [95% CI, 81-100] vs. 80% [95% CI, 64-96]) with no differences in specificity. The association of abnormal WM and MP abnormalities during high-dose dobutamine-atropine stress had additional value for detecting CAD over the analysis of WM alone, both by RTMCE (χ(2) = 16.16-24.13; P = 0.005) and CMR (χ(2) = 12.73-27.41; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: RTMCE and CMR using the same dobutamine-atropine stress protocol had comparable diagnostic accuracies for the detection of angiographically significant CAD. MP imaging had additional value over WM analysis for the diagnosis of CAD, both at RTMCE and CMR.

Comparação das alterações da motilidade segmentar e da perfusão miocárdica durante o estresse pela dobutamina-atropina, pela ecocardiografia com contraste e pela ressonância magnética, na detecção de doença arterial coronária obstrutiva / Comparison of wall motion and myocardial perfusion abnormalities during dobutamine-atropine stress with myocardial contrast echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease

A detecção de alterações da motilidade segmentar do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) induzidas por um estresse farmacológico ou físico tem seu papel bem estabelecido na determinação não-invasiva de isquemia miocárdica. Entretanto, em sequência temporal, vários eventos secundários à isquemia ocorrem no miocárdio, sendo a heterogeneidade de perfusão um dos mais precoces a aparecer. Associação de parâmetros a serem analisados durante exames indutores de isquemia para diagnóstico de doença arterial coronária (DAC) tem sido amplamente estudada nos últimos anos. Ecocardiografia sob estresse pela dobutamina-atropina quando associada a contraste de microbolhas permite melhor visibilização dos segmentos do VE e análise da perfusão miocárdica. Ressonância magnética cardiovascular (RMC) é uma técnica que vem sendo amplamente utilizada na investigação de DAC tanto pela análise motilidade segmentar quanto pela análise da perfusão miocárdica, embora a combinação destes parâmetros tenha sido pouco estudada. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: determinar o valor incremental da análise de perfusão miocárdica sobre a análise da motilidade segmentar pela ecocardiografia com perfusão miocárdica em tempo real (EPMTR) e pela RMC e comparar, em um mesmo grupo de pacientes, a acurácia diagnóstica da EPMTR e RMC utilizando o mesmo protocolo sob estresse pela dobutamina-atropina, para detecção de DAC angiograficamente significativa. Estudamos 42 pacientes (média etária de 59 ± 7anos, 20 homens) com suspeita clinica de DAC e indicação de angiografia coronária. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao protocolo de estresse pela dobutamina-atropina na EPMTR e na RMC com intervalo de três dias a três meses. Para a obtenção da perfusão foi utilizado o contraste ecocardiográfico perflutreno na EPMTR e o contraste paramagnético baseado em gadolínio na RMC. Análise da motilidade segmentar e perfusão miocárdica foram realizadas, tanto na EPMTR quanto na RMC, por análise visual...

The detection of left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormalities induced by pharmacological or physical stress has a well established role in the non-invasive determination of myocardial ischemia. However, following the temporal sequence of events in the ischemic cascate, perfusion heterogeneity is one of the earliest and may occur before wall motion abnormalities. In the last years, association between parameters has been demonstrated to improve the diagnoses of coronary artery disease (CAD) during cardiac stress tests. Microbubble-based contrast agent allows for better LV endocardial border delineation and analysis of myocardial perfusion during stress echocardiography. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is a technique that has been extensively used to investigate CAD, both for the analysis of wall motion and myocardial perfusion. However, the combination of these parameters has not been completely defined in the literature. The objectives of this study were: to determine the additional value of myocardial perfusion over wall motion analysis with real-time myocardial perfusion echocardiography (RTMPE) and CMRI and to compare, in the same group of patients, the diagnostic accuracy of RTMPE and CMRI using the same dobutamine-atropine stress protocol for detection of angiographically significant CAD. A total of 42 patients were studied (mean age of 59±7 years, 20 men) with clinical suspicion of CAD and indication of coronary angiography. All patients underwent dobutamine-atropine stress protocol during RTMPE and CMRI, with intervals of three days to three months apart. Perflutren contrast agent was used for perfusion analysis by RTMPE, and paramagnetic gadolinium-based contrast was used by CMRI, both injected intravenously. Wall motion and myocardial perfusion were determined by visual analysis both in RTMPE and CMRI using the 17-segment model of the Joint Committee of the American Heart Association. All patients underwent invasive coronary angiography...

Comparação das alterações da motilidade segmentar e da perfusão miocárdica durante o estresse pela dobutamina-atropina, pela ecocardiografia com contraste e pela ressonância magnética, na detecção de doença arterial obstrutiva / Comparison of wall motion abnormalities and myocardial perfusion during dobutamine-atropine, by contrast echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of arterial disease

A detecção de alterações da motilidade segmentar do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) induzidas por um estresse farmacológico ou físico tem seu papel bem estabelecido na determinação não-invasiva de isquemia miocárdica. Entretanto, em sequência temporal, vários eventos secundários à isquemia ocorrem no miocárdio, sendo a heterogeneidade de perfusão um dos mais precoces a aparecer. Associação de parâmentros a serem analisados durante exames indutores de isquemia para diagnóstico de doença arterial coronária (DAC) tem sido amplamente estudada nos últimos anos. Ecocardiografia sobe estresse pela dobutamina-atropina quando associada a contraste de microbolhas permite melhor visibilização dos segmentos do VE e análise da perfusão miocárdica. Ressonância magnética cardiovascular (RMC) é uma técnica que vem sendo amplamente utilizada na investigação de DAC tanto pela análise motilidade segmentar quanto pela análise da perfusão miocárdica, embora a combinação destes parâmentros tenha sido pouco estudada. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: determinar o valor incremental da análise de perfusão miocárdica sobre a análise da motilidade segmentar pela ecocardiografia com perfusão miocárdica em tempo real (EPMTR) e pela RMC e comparar, em um mesmo grupo de pacientes, a acurácia diagnóstica da EPMTR e RMC utilizando o mesmo protocolo sob estresse pela dobutamina-atropina, para detecção de DAC angiograficamente significativa...

Prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography with early injection of atropine with versus without chronic beta-blocker therapy in patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease.

Although a new protocol of dobutamine stress echocardiography with the early injection of atropine (EA-DSE) has been demonstrated to be useful in reducing adverse effects and increasing the number of effective tests and to have similar accuracy for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with conventional protocols, no data exist regarding its ability to predict long-term events. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of EA-DSE and the effects of the long-term use of beta blockers on it. A retrospective evaluation of 844 patients who underwent EA-DSE for known or suspected CAD was performed; 309 (37%) were receiving beta blockers. During a median follow-up period of 24 months, 102 events (12%) occurred. On univariate analysis, predictors of events were the ejection fraction (p <0.001), male gender (p <0.001), previous myocardial infarction (p <0.001), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy (p = 0.021), calcium channel blocker therapy (p = 0.034), and abnormal results on EA-DSE (p <0.001). On multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of events were male gender (relative risk [RR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13 to 2.81, p = 0.013) and abnormal results on EA-DSE (RR 4.45, 95% CI 2.84 to 7.01, p <0.0001). Normal results on EA-DSE with beta blockers were associated with a nonsignificant higher incidence of events than normal results on EA-DSE without beta blockers (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.58 to 2.87, p = 0.54). Abnormal results on EA-DSE with beta blockers had an RR of 4.97 (95% CI 2.79 to 8.87, p <0.001) compared with normal results, while abnormal results on EA-DSE without beta blockers had an RR of 5.96 (95% CI 3.41 to 10.44, p <0.001) for events, with no difference between groups (p = 0.36). In conclusion, the detection of fixed or inducible wall motion abnormalities during EA-DSE was an independent predictor of long-term events in patients with known or suspected CAD. The prognostic value of EA-DSE was not affected by the long-term use of beta blockers.

Prognostic value of left atrial volume in patients who underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography for known or suspected coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial volume indexed (LAVI) has been reported as a predictor of cardiovascular events. We sought to determine the prognostic value of LAVI for predicting the outcome of patients who underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) for known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: From January 2000 to July 2005, we studied 981 patients who underwent DSE and off-line measurements of LAVI. The value of DSE over clinical and LAVI data was examined using a stepwise log-rank test. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 24 months, 56 (6%) events occurred. By univariate analysis, predictors of events were male sex, diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial diameter indexed, LAVI, and abnormal DSE. By multivariate analysis, independent predictors were LVEF (relative risk [RR] = 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.00), LAVI (RR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.05), and abnormal DSE (RR = 2.70, 95% CI 1.28-5.69). In an incremental multivariate model, LAVI was additional to clinical data for predicting events (chi(2) 36.8, P < .001). The addition of DSE to clinical and LAVI yielded incremental information (chi(2) 55.3, P < .001). The 3-year event-free survival in patients with normal DSE and LAVI < or =33 mL/m(2) was 96%; with abnormal DSE and LAVI < or =33 mL/m(2), 91%; with normal DSE and LAVI >34 mL/m(2), 83%; and with abnormal DSE and LAVI >34 mL/m(2), 51%. CONCLUSION: Left atrial volume indexed provides independent prognostic information in patients who underwent DSE for known or suspected CAD. Among patients with normal DSE, those with larger LAVI had worse outcome, and among patients with abnormal DSE, LAVI was still predictive.

Uso da ecocardiografia contrastada para avaliação de tumores e trombos / Contrast echocardiography for the evaluation of tumors and thrombi

A ecocardiografia contrastada baseia-se na injeção endovenosa de microbolhas que são marcadores de fluxo sangüíneo e aumentam o sinal ultra-sonográfico. O uso de agentes de contraste melhora a opacificação das cavidades cardíacas e o delineamento dos bordos endocárdicos, além de permitir a avaliação da perfusão. Recentemente, a ecocardiografia contrastada tem sido empregada na avaliação de massas cardíacas. Neste artigo são relatados um caso de mixoma atrial esquerdo (tumor benigno), um caso de metástase de adenocarcinoma de pulmão (tumor maligno) e um caso de trombo avaliados pela ecocardiografia contrastada, demonstrando que esse método tem o potencial para diagnosticar diferentes tipos de massas cardíacas.

Contrast echocardiography is based on intravenous injection of microbubbles that act as blood flow tracers and increase ultra-sound signal. Contrast agents have shown to improve cardiac cavities opacification and endocardial border delineation in addition to helping perfusion evaluation. Contrast echocardiography has recently been used to evaluate cardiac masses. In this report we will describe three cases evaluated by contrast echocardiography: a left atrial myxoma (benign tumor), a lung adenocarcinoma metastasis (malign tumor), and one thrombus. Contrast echocardiography showed to be valuable in the diagnosis of the different types of cardiac masses.

Prevalence of coronary artery disease and preoperative assessment in patients with valvopathy.

BACKGROUND: Coronary angiography has been indicated in the preoperative phase for patients with valvopathy over 35 years of age. However, the actual prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in this population has been little studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of and the risk factors for CAD in candidates for valve surgery in Brazil. METHODS: Coronary angiography was performed in 3,736 patients who were candidates for valve surgery; prevalence of and risk factors for CAD associated with valvopathy were assessed. RESULTS: CAD was associated with valvopathy in 121 patients (prevalence of 3.42%). In 79 patients (68.1%), CAD was diagnosed by means of preoperative coronary angiography. Of these 79 patients, 50 (63.3%) had isolated aortic valvopathy or aortic valvopathy associated with mitral valvopathy. Smoking habit was observed in 54 patients (68.3%), hypertension in four (43%), family history in 24 (30.3%), diabetes mellitus in 15 (18.9%), and obesity in eight (10.1%). Of the 121 patients, 95.7% were over 50 years of age. Only five (4.3% of the patients with CAD) were below 50 years of age, and all of them had at least one risk factor for CAD. CONCLUSION: CAD prevalence was low in the patients studied. Aortic valvopathy was the most frequent valvopathy associated with CAD, and most patients were over 50 years of age. The ideal age for routine preoperative coronary angiography in patients with valvopathy should be reassessed.