Cardiovascular Statistics ­ Brazil 2023 / Estatística Cardiovascular ­ Brasil 2023

The publication Cardiovascular Statistics ­ Brazil aims to provide an annual compilation of data and research on the epidemiology of CVDs in Brazil.  The report integrates official statistics from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and other governmental entities alongside data from the GBD project, coordinated by the IHME at the University of Washington. Additionally, it incorporates data derived from various sources and scientific studies, including cohorts and registries, that relate to CVDs and their associated risk factors. This publication is intended for a wide range of individuals, including researchers, clinicians, patients, healthcare policymakers, media professionals, the general public, and other interested parties seeking extensive national data about heart disease and stroke.  Volunteer researchers from various Brazilian universities and research institutions carry out the project. The group is led by a five-member steering committee (ALPR, CAP, DCM, GMMO, and LCCB). The Brazilian Society of Cardiology fully supports this initiative, and the project receives collaborative support from the GBD Brazil Network and an International Committee (GAR, PP, and TAG) from both the IHME/University of Washington (GAR) and the World Heart Federation (PP and TAG). 

A publicação Estatística Cardiovascular ­ Brasil tem por objetivo fornecer uma compilação anual dos dados e das pesquisas sobre a epidemiologia das DCV no Brasil.  Este documento integra as estatísticas oficiais do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil e outras entidades governamentais ao lado de dados do projeto GBD, coordenado pelo IHME da Universidade de Washington. Além disso, incorpora dados derivados de várias fontes e estudos científicos, inclusive coortes e registros, relacionados às DCV e fatores de risco associados. Esta publicação destina-se a um público variado, incluindo pesquisadores, clínicos, pacientes, formuladores de políticas de saúde, profissionais da mídia, o público em geral e todos aqueles que buscam dados nacionais abrangentes sobre DCV e acidente vascular cerebral. Pesquisadores voluntários de várias universidades e instituições de pesquisa brasileiros realizaram este projeto. O grupo é liderado por um comitê diretivo com cinco membros (ALPR, CAP, DCM, GMMO e LCCB). A Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia apoia integralmente esta iniciativa e o projeto recebe colaboração da Rede GBD Brasil1 e do GBD International Committee (GAR, PP e TAG) do IHME/Universidade de Washington (GAR) e da World Heart Federation (PP e TAG). 

Are physical inactivity, sitting time and screen time associated with obstructive sleep apnea in adults? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sitting time, screen time and low physical activity (PA) levels have been associated with several diseases and all-cause mortality. PA is related to better sleep quality and absence of daytime sleepiness, along with lower risks of obstructive syndrome apnea (OSA). However, studies on the relationship between sitting time, screen time and OSA are scarce in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To analyze associations between PA levels, sitting time, screen time and OSA among adults with suspected sleep disorder. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. METHODS: Data were collected from 369 adults with suspected sleep disorders who visited the hospital's neurophysiology clinic between August 2015 and January 2017. RESULTS: Correlations between hypopnea and PA indicators were demonstrated for total sitting time (0.123; P = 0.019) and total screen time (0.108; P = 0.038). There was also a correlation between latency for rapid-eye-movement sleep (REM_LAT) and total sitting time (0.103; P = 0.047) and a negative correlation between mean oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO_Avg) and total PA time (-0.103; P = 0.048). There were no associations between PA parameters and apnea-hypopnea index. After adjusting for confounding factors (body mass index, age and gender), sitting time and screen time were not associated with OSA. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for anthropometric and clinical factors, excessive sitting time or screen time was not associated with OSA in adults suspected of sleep disorders. Age, gender, hypertension, body mass index and waist circumference were associated with OSA.

Are physical inactivity, sitting time and screen time associated with obstructive sleep apnea in adults? A cross-sectional study

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sitting time, screen time and low physical activity (PA) levels have been associated with several diseases and all-cause mortality. PA is related to better sleep quality and absence of daytime sleepiness, along with lower risks of obstructive syndrome apnea (OSA). However, studies on the relationship between sitting time, screen time and OSA are scarce in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To analyze associations between PA levels, sitting time, screen time and OSA among adults with suspected sleep disorder. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. METHODS: Data were collected from 369 adults with suspected sleep disorders who visited the hospital's neurophysiology clinic between August 2015 and January 2017. RESULTS: Correlations between hypopnea and PA indicators were demonstrated for total sitting time (0.123; P = 0.019) and total screen time (0.108; P = 0.038). There was also a correlation between latency for rapid-eye-movement sleep (REM_LAT) and total sitting time (0.103; P = 0.047) and a negative correlation between mean oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO_Avg) and total PA time (-0.103; P = 0.048). There were no associations between PA parameters and apnea-hypopnea index. After adjusting for confounding factors (body mass index, age and gender), sitting time and screen time were not associated with OSA. CONCLUSION: After adjusting for anthropometric and clinical factors, excessive sitting time or screen time was not associated with OSA in adults suspected of sleep disorders. Age, gender, hypertension, body mass index and waist circumference were associated with OSA.

Efficacy of gamification-based smartphone application for weight loss in overweight and obese adolescents: study protocol for a phase II randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns that are prevalent in younger age cohorts. Preventive or therapeutic interventions are difficult to implement and maintain over time. On the other hand, the majority of adolescents in the United States have a smartphone, representing a huge potential for innovative digitized interventions, such as weight loss programs delivered via smartphone applications. Although the number of available smartphone applications is increasing, evidence for their effectiveness in weight loss is insufficient. Therefore, the proposed study aims to assess the efficacy of a gamification-based smartphone application for weight loss in overweight and obese adolescents. The trial is designed to be a phase II, single-centre, two-arm, triple-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a duration of 6 months. METHOD: The intervention consists of a smartphone application that provides both tracking and gamification elements, while the control arm consists of an identically designed application solely with tracking features of health information. The proposed trial will be conducted in an urban primary care clinic of an academic centre in the United States of America, with expertise in the management of overweight and obese adolescents. Eligible adolescents will be followed for 6 months. Changes in body mass index z score from baseline to 6 months will be the primary outcome. Secondary objectives will explore the effects of the gamification-based application on adherence, as well as anthropometric, metabolic and behavioural changes. A required sample size of 108 participants (54 participants per group) was calculated. DISCUSSION: The benefits of the proposed study include mid-term effects in weight reduction for overweight and obese adolescents. The current proposal will contribute to fill a gap in the literature on the mid-term effects of gamification-based interventions to control weight in adolescents. This trial is a well-designed RCT that is in line with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement.

Cardiovascular Risk Stratification and Statin Eligibility Based on the Brazilian vs. North American Guidelines on Blood Cholesterol Management.

BACKGROUND:: The best way to select individuals for lipid-lowering treatment in the population is controversial. OBJECTIVE:: In healthy individuals in primary prevention: to assess the relationship between cardiovascular risk categorized according to the V Brazilian Guideline on Dyslipidemia and the risk calculated by the pooled cohort equations (PCE); to compare the proportion of individuals eligible for statins, according to different criteria. METHODS:: In individuals aged 40-75 years consecutively submitted to routine health assessment at one single center, four criteria of eligibility for statin were defined: BR-1, BR-2 (LDL-c above or at least 30 mg/dL above the goal recommended by the Brazilian Guideline, respectively), USA-1 and USA-2 (10-year risk estimated by the PCE ≥ 5.0% or ≥ 7.5%, respectively). RESULTS:: The final sample consisted of 13,947 individuals (48 ± 6 years, 71% men). Most individuals at intermediate or high risk based on the V Brazilian Guideline had a low risk calculated by the PCE, and more than 70% of those who were considered at high risk had this categorization because of the presence of aggravating factors. Among women, 24%, 17%, 4% and 2% were eligible for statin use according to the BR-1, BR-2, USA-1 and USA-2 criteria, respectively (p < 0.01). The respective figures for men were 75%, 58%, 31% and 17% (p < 0.01). Eighty-five percent of women and 60% of men who were eligible for statin based on the BR-1 criterion would not be candidates for statin based on the USA-1 criterion. CONCLUSIONS:: As compared to the North American Guideline, the V Brazilian Guideline considers a substantially higher proportion of the population as eligible for statin use in primary prevention. This results from discrepancies between the risk stratified by the Brazilian Guideline and that calculated by the PCE, particularly because of the risk reclassification based on aggravating factors. FUNDAMENTO:: Existe controvérsia sobre a melhor forma de selecionar indivíduos para tratamento hipolipemiante na população. OBJETIVOS:: Em indivíduos saudáveis em prevenção primária: avaliar a relação entre o risco cardiovascular segundo a V Diretriz Brasileira de Dislipidemias e o risco calculado pelas pooled cohort equations (PCE); comparar a proporção de indivíduos elegíveis para estatinas, de acordo com diferentes critérios. MÉTODOS:: Em indivíduos de 40 a 75 anos submetidos consecutivamente a avaliação rotineira de saúde em um único centro, quatro critérios de elegibilidade para estatina foram definidos: BR-1, BR-2 (LDL-c acima ou pelo menos 30 mg/dL acima da meta preconizada pela diretriz brasileira, respectivamente), EUA-1 e EUA-2 (risco estimado pelas PCE em 10 anos ≥ 5,0% ou ≥ 7,5%, respectivamente). RESULTADOS:: Foram estudados 13.947 indivíduos (48 ± 6 anos, 71% homens). A maioria dos indivíduos de risco intermediário ou alto pela V Diretriz apresentou risco calculado pelas PCE baixo e mais de 70% daqueles considerados de alto risco o foram devido à presença de fator agravante. Foram elegíveis para estatina 24%, 17%, 4% e 2% das mulheres pelos critérios BR-1, BR-2, EUA-1 e EUA-2, respectivamente (p < 0,01). Os respectivos valores para os homens foram 75%, 58%, 31% e 17% (p < 0,01). Oitenta e cinco por cento das mulheres e 60% dos homens elegíveis para estatina pelo critério BR-1 não seriam candidatos pelo critério EUA-1. CONCLUSÕES:: Comparada à diretriz norte-americana, a V Diretriz Brasileira considera uma proporção substancialmente maior da população como elegível para estatina em prevenção primária. Isso se relaciona com discrepâncias entre o risco estratificado pela diretriz brasileira e o calculado pelas PCE, particularmente devido à reclassificação de risco baseada em fatores agravantes.

The Expected Cardiovascular Benefit of Plasma Cholesterol Lowering with or Without LDL-C Targets in Healthy Individuals at Higher Cardiovascular Risk.

BACKGROUND:: There is controversy whether management of blood cholesterol should be based or not on LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) target concentrations. OBJECTIVES:: To compare the estimated impact of different lipid-lowering strategies, based or not on LDL-c targets, on the risk of major cardiovascular events in a population with higher cardiovascular risk. METHODS:: We included consecutive individuals undergoing a routine health screening in a single center who had a 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) ≥ 7.5% (pooled cohort equations, ACC/AHA, 2013). For each individual, we simulated two strategies based on LDL-c target (≤ 100 mg/dL [Starget-100] or ≤ 70 mg/dL [Starget-70]) and two strategies based on percent LDL-c reduction (30% [S30%] or 50% [S50%]). RESULTS:: In 1,897 subjects (57 ± 7 years, 96% men, 10-year ASCVD risk 13.7 ± 7.1%), LDL-c would be lowered from 141 ± 33 mg/dL to 99 ± 23 mg/dL in S30%, 71 ± 16 mg/dL in S50%, 98 ± 9 mg/dL in Starget-100, and 70 ± 2 mg/dL in Starget-70. Ten-year ASCVD risk would be reduced to 8.8 ± 4.8% in S50% and 8.9 ± 5.2 in Starget-70. The number of major cardiovascular events prevented in 10 years per 1,000 individuals would be 32 in S30%, 31 in Starget-100, 49 in S50%, and 48 in Starget-70. Compared with Starget-70, S50% would prevent more events in the lower LDL-c tertile and fewer events in the higher LDL-c tertile. CONCLUSIONS:: The more aggressive lipid-lowering approaches simulated in this study, based on LDL-c target or percent reduction, may potentially prevent approximately 50% more hard cardiovascular events in the population compared with the less intensive treatments. Baseline LDL-c determines which strategy (based or not on LDL-c target) is more appropriate at the individual level. FUNDAMENTOS:: Há controvérsias sobre se o controle do colesterol plasmático deve ou não se basear em metas de concentração de colesterol LDL (LDL-c). OBJETIVOS:: Comparar o impacto estimado de diferentes estratégias hipolipemiantes, baseadas ou não em metas de LDL-c, sobre o risco de eventos cardiovasculares maiores em uma população de risco cardiovascular mais elevado. MÉTODOS:: Foram incluídos indivíduos consecutivamente submetidos a uma avaliação rotineira de saúde em um único centro e que apresentavam um risco em 10 anos de doença cardiovascular aterosclerótica (DCVAS) ≥ 7,5% ("pooled cohort equations", ACC/AHA, 2013). Para cada indivíduo, foram simuladas duas estratégias baseadas em meta de LDL-c (≤ 100 mg/dL [Emeta-100] ou ≤ 70 mg/dL [Emeta-70]) e duas estratégias baseadas em redução percentual do LDL-c (30% [E30%] ou 50% [E50%]). RESULTADOS:: Em 1.897 indivíduos (57 ± 7 anos, 96% homens, risco em 10 anos de DCVAS 13,7 ± 7,1%), o LDL-c seria reduzido de 141 ± 33 mg/dL para 99 ± 23 mg/dL na E30%, 71 ± 16 mg/dL na E50%, 98 ± 9 mg/dL na Emeta-100 e 70 ± 2 mg/dL na Emeta-70. O risco em 10 anos de DCVAS seria reduzido para 8,8 ± 4,8% na E50% e para 8,9 ± 5,2 na Emeta-70. O número de eventos cardiovasculares maiores prevenidos em 10 anos por 1.000 indivíduos seria de 32 na E30%, 31 na Emeta-100, 49 na E50% e 48 na Emeta-70. Em comparação com a Emeta-70, a E50% evitaria mais eventos no tercil inferior de LDL-c e menos eventos no tercil superior de LDL-c. CONCLUSÕES:: As abordagens hipolipemiantes mais agressivas simuladas neste estudo, com base em meta de LDL-c ou redução percentual, podem potencialmente prevenir cerca de 50% mais eventos cardiovasculares graves na população em comparação com os tratamentos menos intensivos. Os níveis basais de LDL-c determinam qual estratégia (baseada ou não em meta de LDL-c) é mais apropriada para cada indivíduo.

Cardiovascular Risk Stratification and Statin Eligibility Based on the Brazilian vs. North American Guidelines on Blood Cholesterol Management / Estratificação de Risco Cardiovascular e Elegibilidade para Estatina com Base na Diretriz Brasileira vs. Norte-Americana para Manejo do Colesterol

Abstract Background: The best way to select individuals for lipid-lowering treatment in the population is controversial. Objective: In healthy individuals in primary prevention: to assess the relationship between cardiovascular risk categorized according to the V Brazilian Guideline on Dyslipidemia and the risk calculated by the pooled cohort equations (PCE); to compare the proportion of individuals eligible for statins, according to different criteria. Methods: In individuals aged 40-75 years consecutively submitted to routine health assessment at one single center, four criteria of eligibility for statin were defined: BR-1, BR-2 (LDL-c above or at least 30 mg/dL above the goal recommended by the Brazilian Guideline, respectively), USA-1 and USA-2 (10-year risk estimated by the PCE ≥ 5.0% or ≥ 7.5%, respectively). Results: The final sample consisted of 13,947 individuals (48 ± 6 years, 71% men). Most individuals at intermediate or high risk based on the V Brazilian Guideline had a low risk calculated by the PCE, and more than 70% of those who were considered at high risk had this categorization because of the presence of aggravating factors. Among women, 24%, 17%, 4% and 2% were eligible for statin use according to the BR-1, BR-2, USA-1 and USA-2 criteria, respectively (p < 0.01). The respective figures for men were 75%, 58%, 31% and 17% (p < 0.01). Eighty-five percent of women and 60% of men who were eligible for statin based on the BR-1 criterion would not be candidates for statin based on the USA-1 criterion. Conclusions: As compared to the North American Guideline, the V Brazilian Guideline considers a substantially higher proportion of the population as eligible for statin use in primary prevention. This results from discrepancies between the risk stratified by the Brazilian Guideline and that calculated by the PCE, particularly because of the risk reclassification based on aggravating factors.

Resumo Fundamento: Existe controvérsia sobre a melhor forma de selecionar indivíduos para tratamento hipolipemiante na população. Objetivos: Em indivíduos saudáveis em prevenção primária: avaliar a relação entre o risco cardiovascular segundo a V Diretriz Brasileira de Dislipidemias e o risco calculado pelas pooled cohort equations (PCE); comparar a proporção de indivíduos elegíveis para estatinas, de acordo com diferentes critérios. Métodos: Em indivíduos de 40 a 75 anos submetidos consecutivamente a avaliação rotineira de saúde em um único centro, quatro critérios de elegibilidade para estatina foram definidos: BR-1, BR-2 (LDL-c acima ou pelo menos 30 mg/dL acima da meta preconizada pela diretriz brasileira, respectivamente), EUA-1 e EUA-2 (risco estimado pelas PCE em 10 anos ≥ 5,0% ou ≥ 7,5%, respectivamente). Resultados: Foram estudados 13.947 indivíduos (48 ± 6 anos, 71% homens). A maioria dos indivíduos de risco intermediário ou alto pela V Diretriz apresentou risco calculado pelas PCE baixo e mais de 70% daqueles considerados de alto risco o foram devido à presença de fator agravante. Foram elegíveis para estatina 24%, 17%, 4% e 2% das mulheres pelos critérios BR-1, BR-2, EUA-1 e EUA-2, respectivamente (p < 0,01). Os respectivos valores para os homens foram 75%, 58%, 31% e 17% (p < 0,01). Oitenta e cinco por cento das mulheres e 60% dos homens elegíveis para estatina pelo critério BR-1 não seriam candidatos pelo critério EUA-1. Conclusões: Comparada à diretriz norte-americana, a V Diretriz Brasileira considera uma proporção substancialmente maior da população como elegível para estatina em prevenção primária. Isso se relaciona com discrepâncias entre o risco estratificado pela diretriz brasileira e o calculado pelas PCE, particularmente devido à reclassificação de risco baseada em fatores agravantes.

The Expected Cardiovascular Benefit of Plasma Cholesterol Lowering with or Without LDL-C Targets in Healthy Individuals at Higher Cardiovascular Risk / Benefício Cardiovascular Esperado pela Redução do Colesterol Plasmático com ou sem Metas de LDL-C em Indivíduos Saudáveis de Risco Cardiovascular mais Elevado

Abstract Background: There is controversy whether management of blood cholesterol should be based or not on LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) target concentrations. Objectives: To compare the estimated impact of different lipid-lowering strategies, based or not on LDL-c targets, on the risk of major cardiovascular events in a population with higher cardiovascular risk. Methods: We included consecutive individuals undergoing a routine health screening in a single center who had a 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) ≥ 7.5% (pooled cohort equations, ACC/AHA, 2013). For each individual, we simulated two strategies based on LDL-c target (≤ 100 mg/dL [Starget-100] or ≤ 70 mg/dL [Starget-70]) and two strategies based on percent LDL-c reduction (30% [S30%] or 50% [S50%]). Results: In 1,897 subjects (57 ± 7 years, 96% men, 10-year ASCVD risk 13.7 ± 7.1%), LDL-c would be lowered from 141 ± 33 mg/dL to 99 ± 23 mg/dL in S30%, 71 ± 16 mg/dL in S50%, 98 ± 9 mg/dL in Starget-100, and 70 ± 2 mg/dL in Starget-70. Ten-year ASCVD risk would be reduced to 8.8 ± 4.8% in S50% and 8.9 ± 5.2 in Starget-70. The number of major cardiovascular events prevented in 10 years per 1,000 individuals would be 32 in S30%, 31 in Starget-100, 49 in S50%, and 48 in Starget-70. Compared with Starget-70, S50% would prevent more events in the lower LDL-c tertile and fewer events in the higher LDL-c tertile. Conclusions: The more aggressive lipid-lowering approaches simulated in this study, based on LDL-c target or percent reduction, may potentially prevent approximately 50% more hard cardiovascular events in the population compared with the less intensive treatments. Baseline LDL-c determines which strategy (based or not on LDL-c target) is more appropriate at the individual level.

Resumo Fundamentos: Há controvérsias sobre se o controle do colesterol plasmático deve ou não se basear em metas de concentração de colesterol LDL (LDL-c). Objetivos: Comparar o impacto estimado de diferentes estratégias hipolipemiantes, baseadas ou não em metas de LDL-c, sobre o risco de eventos cardiovasculares maiores em uma população de risco cardiovascular mais elevado. Métodos: Foram incluídos indivíduos consecutivamente submetidos a uma avaliação rotineira de saúde em um único centro e que apresentavam um risco em 10 anos de doença cardiovascular aterosclerótica (DCVAS) ≥ 7,5% ("pooled cohort equations", ACC/AHA, 2013). Para cada indivíduo, foram simuladas duas estratégias baseadas em meta de LDL-c (≤ 100 mg/dL [Emeta-100] ou ≤ 70 mg/dL [Emeta-70]) e duas estratégias baseadas em redução percentual do LDL-c (30% [E30%] ou 50% [E50%]). Resultados: Em 1.897 indivíduos (57 ± 7 anos, 96% homens, risco em 10 anos de DCVAS 13,7 ± 7,1%), o LDL-c seria reduzido de 141 ± 33 mg/dL para 99 ± 23 mg/dL na E30%, 71 ± 16 mg/dL na E50%, 98 ± 9 mg/dL na Emeta-100 e 70 ± 2 mg/dL na Emeta-70. O risco em 10 anos de DCVAS seria reduzido para 8,8 ± 4,8% na E50% e para 8,9 ± 5,2 na Emeta-70. O número de eventos cardiovasculares maiores prevenidos em 10 anos por 1.000 indivíduos seria de 32 na E30%, 31 na Emeta-100, 49 na E50% e 48 na Emeta-70. Em comparação com a Emeta-70, a E50% evitaria mais eventos no tercil inferior de LDL-c e menos eventos no tercil superior de LDL-c. Conclusões: As abordagens hipolipemiantes mais agressivas simuladas neste estudo, com base em meta de LDL-c ou redução percentual, podem potencialmente prevenir cerca de 50% mais eventos cardiovasculares graves na população em comparação com os tratamentos menos intensivos. Os níveis basais de LDL-c determinam qual estratégia (baseada ou não em meta de LDL-c) é mais apropriada para cada indivíduo.

The relationship between body mass index and the variation in plasma levels of triglycerides after short-term red wine consumption.

BACKGROUND: Alcoholic beverages may have protective cardiovascular effects but are known to increase the plasma levels of triglycerides (TG). Both TG and the ratio of TG to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-cholesterol) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVES: To determine the predictive factors for variations in plasma levels of TG and the TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio in patients after they had consumed red wine for 14 days. METHODS: Forty-two subjects (64% men, 46 ± 9 years, baseline body mass index [BMI] 25.13 ± 2.76 kg/m(2)) were given red wine (12% or 12.2% alc/vol, 250 mL/day with meals). Plasma concentration of lipids and glucose were measured before and after red wine consumption. Blood was collected after 12 hours of fast and alcohol abstention. RESULTS: Red wine increased plasma levels of TG from 105 ± 42 mg/dL to 120 ± 56 mg/dL (P = .001) and the TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio from 2.16 ± 1.10 to 2.50 ± 1.66 (P = .014). In a multivariate linear regression model that included age, baseline BMI, blood pressure, lipids, and glucose, only BMI was independently predictive of the variation in plasma TG after red wine (beta coefficient 0.592, P < .001). BMI also predicted the variation in TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio (beta coefficient 0.505, P = .001, adjusted model). When individuals were divided into three categories, according to their BMI, the average percentage variation in TG after red wine was -4%, 17%, and 33% in the lower (19.60-24.45 kg/m(2)), intermediate, and greater (26.30-30.44 kg/m(2)) tertiles, respectively (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with higher BMI, although nonobese, might be at greater risk for elevation in plasma TG levels and the TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio after short-term red wine consumption.

Ontario score and cardiac risk during waiting for elective coronary bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Waiting lists for coronary bypass grafting are of major concern in several countries and prioritisation systems to the surgery have been proposed. The aim of this study was to verify the adequacy of Ontario score in predicting cardiac events during the waiting for elective coronary bypass grafting. METHODS: A composite end-point (sudden or cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina or hospital admission) and sudden, cardiac death were analysed in 460 patients referred to the surgery. The relation between Ontario score and events was verified. RESULTS: Median waiting time was 126 days. The composite end-point and sudden, cardiac death occurred in 21.7% and 2.7% of the cases, respectively. In relation to Ontario score > or = 6.00, considered the lower-risk subset, only patients in score <4.00 (7.2% of whole study population) presented a higher chance of the composite end-point during the waiting. ROC curve did not show adequate accuracy of Ontario score in predicting the composite end-point (area under the curve 0.53, p = 0.36). Ontario score could not predict the risk of death. Total complications and death occurred within acceptable waiting times by Ontario recommendation in 47.8% and 36.4% of the cases, respectively. Waiting longer than maximum wait defined by Ontario was not associated with an excess of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Ontario score showed a limited value in predicting cardiac events during the waiting for elective coronary bypass grafting. The results emphasise the need for shortening the wait in order to reduce complications in the period.

Cardiac complications during waiting for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery: incidence, temporal distribution and predictive factors.

OBJECTIVES: Since waiting lists for coronary artery bypass graft surgery are common and carry a risk of severe events, the purposes of this study were: (1) to analyse the incidence and temporal distribution of cardiac complications during waiting for elective coronary artery bypass grafting; (2) to identify predictive factors of such complications. METHODS: Data were collected from 574 patients referred to surgery from 1 January 1998 to 12 July 2001. Two types of complications were defined: (1) a composite end-point, which included cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina or hospital admission due to cardiac cause; (2) sudden or any cardiac death. Previous cardiac events, risk factors, clinical features, laboratory exams, non-invasive tests for myocardial ischemia, left ventricular function and coronary anatomy were analysed. Kaplan-Meier method, multivariate Cox regression and Student's t-test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Median time to surgery was 126 days (5-1022). Among 516 patients consecutively referred to the surgery from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2000, sudden or cardiac death occurred in 2.5% and the composite end-point in 22.9%. Most complications (72.1%) were observed within 120 days. The main factors predictive of sudden or cardiac death were severe left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure (univariate analysis). Independent predictive factors of the composite end-point were angina, heart failure functional classes and high triglyceride levels. CONCLUSIONS: During long delay for coronary artery bypass surgery, cardiac events are frequent and tend to occur early. Severe left ventricular dysfunction, advanced angina, heart failure functional classes and high triglyceride level must be considered when selection is necessary, in order to diminish morbidity and mortality during the waiting period.

Malignant hypertension and hypertensive encephalopathy in primary aldosteronism caused by adrenal adenoma.

Two cases are reported as follows: 1) 1 female patient with accelerated-malignant hypertension secondary to an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma; and 2) 1 female patient with adrenal adenoma, severe hypertension, and hypertensive encephalopathy. This association is a rare clinical finding, and malignant hypertension may modify the hormonal characteristic of primary aldosteronism, making its diagnosis more difficult. The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism should be considered in patients with malignant hypertension or hypertensive encephalopathy if persistent hypokalemia occurs. Identification of primary aldosteronism is of paramount importance for the patient's evolution, because the surgical treatment makes the prognosis more favorable.