Chest Pain in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Its Association With the Culprit Artery and Fibrotic Segment Identified by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance.

Background: It is still very controversial whether the characteristics of pain in the acute myocardial infarction could be related to the culprit coronary artery. There are no data about associations of pain with the ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and left ventricular (LV) fibrotic segments. Methods: Data from 328 participants who had STEMI and were included in the B and T Types of Lymphocytes Evaluation in Acute Myocardial Infarction (BATTLE-AMI) study were analyzed. The culprit artery was identified by coronary angiography and the injured myocardial segments by cardiac magnetic resonance. The statistical significance was established by P value < 0.05. Results: A total of 223 patients (68%) were selected. Association was not observed between chest pain and the culprit artery (P = 0.237), as well as between pain irradiation and the culprit artery (P = 0.473). No significant difference was observed in the pain localization in relation to the segments in the short axis basal, mid, apical, and long axis, except for the mid inferior segment. The data were not considered clinically relevant because this association was observed in only one of 17 segments after multiple comparisons. Conclusions: In patients with STEMI, no associations were observed between the location or irradiation of acute chest pain and/or adjacent areas and the culprit artery, or between pain and segmental myocardial fibrosis in the LV.

Importância dos métodos de imagem no diagnóstico diferencial de cardiopatia hipertensiva e cardiomiopatia hipertrófica: relato de caso / The importance of imaging methods in the differential diagnosis of hypertensive cardiopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a case report

Caso clínico de homem de 31 anos, branco, casado, cozinheiro, natural do Nepal, procedente de São Paulo há 4 anos, em acompanhamento ambulatorial após encaminhamento do pronto-socorro (PS) por angina atípica e pressão alta sic. Pela análise do prontuário verificou-se que o paciente permaneceu no PS por 48 horas e ao exame físico a ausculta cardíaca era normal e a pressão arterial (PA) 140X85 mm Hg. O eletrocardiograma (ECG) mostrava critérios eletrocardiográficos para hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) e alterações da repolarização ventricular e os marcadores de necrose miocárdica apresentavam aumentos discretos. Na consulta ambulatorial o paciente não referia queixas, a PA estava normal e foram realizados: monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA) de 24 horas, ecocardiograma (ECO) e angiotomografia de coronárias. A MAPA mostrou níveis pressóricos normais (vigília e sono respectivamente 112x65 e 106x51 mmHg), o ECO não detectou HVE e a angiotomografia de coronárias não identificou obstruções coronarianas e o escore de cálcio era zero. A ressonância magnética de coração (RMC) mostrou aumento da espessura miocárdica de ventrículo direito (VD), hipertrofia miocárdica assimétrica de predomínio septal acometendo paredes anterior e lateral do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) com maior espessura no segmento inferoseptal medial (25 mm). Detectou-se presença de realce tardio mesocárdico nas inserções superior e inferior do VD na região do septo interventricular, além de realce tardio heterogêneo em segmentos antero-septal e ínfero-septal mediobasal. A massa de fibrose miocárdica foi estimada em 6,4g (2,2% da massa total do VE). Todos esses achados são típicos de cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) com predomínio septal e envolvimento do VD. Este caso chamou a atenção por se tratar de paciente com apresentação clínica de angina, hipertensão e critérios de HVE pelo ECG não confirmada pelo ECO em que a RMC fez o diagnóstico de CMH. Portanto, a avaliação multimodal com diversas técnicas diagnósticas muitas vezes se faz necessária para a confirmação diagnóstica da CMH.

Clinical case of 31-year-old male patient, white, married, born in Nepal living in São Paulo for 4 years, refered to the emergency room (ER) for atypical angina and high blood pressure sic. He remained under observation for 48 hours, and during this period the physical examination showed normal cardiac auscultation and blood pressure (BP) 140X85 mm Hg. The electrocardiogram (ECG) had criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and ventricular repolarization abnormality. He also had a slight increase of myocardial necrosis markers. As his symptoms improved, he was sent to the cardiac ambulatory. When the patient returned to the ambulatory he had no cardiac complaints, his BP was normal. It was then requested 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), echocardiography (ECHO), and coronary angiotomography. The ABPM presented normal blood pressure levels (awake and asleep respectively 112x65 and 106x51 mmHg), the ECHO did not show LVH, coronary angiotomography did not detect coronary obstructions and the calcium score was zero. A cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) of the heart was performed which showed increased myocardial thickness of the right ventricle (RV), asymmetric myocardial hypertrophy of septal interventricular that also affecting anterior and lateral walls of the left ventricle (LV) with greater thickness in the medial inferoseptal segment (25 mm). It also presented signal of late mesocardial enhancement in the superior and inferior RV insertions of the interventricular septum and heterogeneous late enhancement in anteroseptal and inferoseptal mediobasal segments. The myocardial fibrosis mass was estimated in 6.4g (2.2% of the total LV mass). All these findings are typical of septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with involvement of the RV. This case drew attention because it was a patient with a clinical presentation of angina, hypertension, and criteria for LVH by the ECG not confirmed by ECHO, but the CMR characterized as HCM. Therefore, multimodal evaluation diagnostic techniques in patient with electrocardiographic criteria of LVH without correlation with ECHO imagens were essential to the diagnosis of HCM.

HIPERTENSÃO ARTERIAL, DIABETES E INSUFICIÊNCIA CARDÍACA: RELATO DE CASO / HYPERTENSION, DIABETES AND HEART FAILURE: CASE REPORT

Caso clínico de homem de 66 anos, branco, casado, porteiro, com antecedentes pessoais de hipertensão arterial (HA) e diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) diagnosticados há mais de tres anos e sem tratamento. Há dois anos teve infarto do miocárdio (IAM) por doença arterial coronária (DAC) e relatou cansaço aos grandes e moderados esforços. Desde então faz seguimento ambulatorial e tratamento da HA e do DM2 com medicações em doses otimizadas buscando-se sempre os alvos terapeuticos recomendados assim como de estatina potente e ácido acetil salicílico. Há aproximadamente um ano, teve o diagnóstico de doença arterial periférica (DAP) ao apresentar limitação por dor em membro inferior direito ao caminhar pequenas distâncias (100 m). Relatou cansaço progressivo até pequenos esforços há um ano e negou dispneia paroxística noturna, ortopneia e edemas. Na consulta ambulatorial, o quadro clínico foi caracterizado como insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e ao exame clínico a pressão arterial não estava controlada. Os exames laboratoriais solicitados mostraram que o diabetes e o perfil lipídico estavam fora das metas preconizadas. O ecocardiograma mostrou fração de ejeção reduzida. Foi associada medicação hipoglicemiante ao esquema terapêutico e feito ajuste da medicação anti-hipertensiva, o que resultou em melhores controles da HA, do DM2, além de melhora sintomática da IC. Foi reforçada a importância das medidas não farmacológicas, da aderência ao tratamento medicamentoso e um seguimento ambulatorial multiprofissional rigoroso está sendo realizado. Relatamos este caso, não pela sua raridade ou excepcionalidade, mas por tratar-se de sequência de eventos que frequentemente encontramos na nossa prática diária. Quando fatores de risco importantes como a HA e o DM2 são diagnosticados e tratados tardiamente a evolução é bastante desfavorável levando à progressão e agravamento da doença aterosclerótica e à IC

Clinical case of a 66-year-old white male, married, caretaker, with a personal history of arterial hypertension (AH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) diagnosed for more than three years and without treatment. Two years ago, he had a myocardial infarction (AMI) due to coronary artery disease (CAD) and reported fatigue on great and moderate efforts. Since then, he has been following up on an outpatient basis and treating AH and DM2 with medications at optimized doses, always seeking the recommended therapeutic targets, as well as a potent statin and acetylsalicylic acid. Approximately one year ago, he was diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) when he presented pain limitation in the right lower limb when walking short distances (100 m). He reported progressive tiredness to slight exertion for a year and denied paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea and edema. In the outpatient consultation, the clinical scenario was characterized as heart failure (HF) and on clinical examination, blood pressure was not controlled. The laboratory tests requested showed that diabetes and lipid profile were outside the recommended goals. The echocardiogram showed reduced ejection fraction. Hypoglycemic medication was associated with the therapeutic regimen and adjustments were made to the antihypertensive medication, which resulted in better control of AH and DM2, in addition to symptomatic improvement in HF. The importance of non-pharmacological measures, adherence to drug treatment, and strict multiprofessional outpatient follow-up was being carried out. We report this case, not because of its rarity or exceptionality, but because it is a sequence of events that we frequently encounter in our daily practice. When important risk factors such as AH and DM2 are diagnosed and treated late, the evolution is very unfavorable, leading to the progression and worsening of atherosclerotic disease and HF

Análise crítica dos estudos que mudaram a prática clínica recente: hipertensão arterial / Critical analysis of studies that changed recent clinical practice: arterial hypertension

Os três estudos que tiveram importante influência na prática clínica de quem trabalha com hipertensão arterial foram os estudos SIMPLICITY HTN-3, PATHWAY 2 e SPRINT. O estudo SIMPLICITY HTN-3 pôs a dúvida um procedimento que já estava sendo utilizado na prática clínica, qual seja, denervação do nervo simpático renal através de ablação por ondas de radiofrequência. Foi o primeiro estudos com grupo controle que não mostrou diferença entre os desfechos específicos de controle da pressão arterial em pacientes com hipertensão resistente. Portanto, o estudo SIMPLICITY HTN 3 modificou a prática clínica no sentido de que todas as diretrizes de hipertensão são unânimes em afirmar que tal procedimento atualmente deva ser reservado para laboratórios específicos de investigação clínica do método e não deve ser empregado como opção estabelecida de tratamento. O estudo PATHWAY 2 consolida o uso do bloqueador de receptor de mineralocorticoides (espironolactona) como o quarto medicamento no fluxograma de tratamento da hipertensão arterial resistente. Os resultados foram tão impactantes que a diretriz europeia de hipertensão arterial mudou substancialmente a orientação da sequência farmacológica do tratamento. Por fim, o estudo SPRINT demonstrou a necessidade de intervenção em pacientes com hipertensão arterial com valores pressóricos abaixo de 140/90 mmHg na dependência da quantidade de risco adicional dos pacientes. Os resultados do estudo SPRINT motivaram alterações ou inclusões de seus dados em várias diretrizes nacionais e internacionais, tais como Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, American Heart Association e European Society of Cardiology

The three studies that have had an important influence on the clinical practice of who works with arterial hypertension were the SIMPLICITY HTN-3, PATHWAY 2 and SPRINT studies. The SIMPLICITY HTN-3 study raised doubts around a procedure that was already being used in clinical practice, the denervation of the sympathetic renal nerve through radiofrequency wave ablation. It was the first study with a control group that did not show a difference between the specific blood pressure control outcomes in patients with resistant hypertension. Therefore, the Simplicity HTN 3 Study modified clinical practice in the sense that all hypertension guidelines are unanimous in stating that currently such a procedure should be reserved for specific clinical investigation laboratories researching the method and should not be used as an established treatment option. The PATHWAY2 study consolidated the use of the mineralocorticoid receptor blocker (spironolactone) as the fourth drug in the resistant arterial hypertension treatment flowchart. The results were so impactful that the European guideline for arterial hypertension changed its orientation around the pharmacological sequence of resistant hypertension treatment substantially. Finally, the SPRINT study demonstrated the need for intervention in patients with arterial hypertension with pressure values below 140/90 mmHg, depending on the amount of additional cardiovascular risk in those patients. The results of the SPRINT study promoted changes to or inclusions of its data in various national and international guidelines, such as the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology

Correlation between C-Reactive Protein in Peripheral Vein and Coronary Sinus in Stable and Unstable Angina / Correlação entre Proteína C-Reativa em Veia Periférica e Seio Coronário na Angina Estável e Instável

Background: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is commonly used in clinical practice to assess cardiovascular risk. However, a correlation has not yet been established between the absolute levels of peripheral and central hs-CRP. Objective: To assess the correlation between serum hs-CRP levels (mg/L) in a peripheral vein in the left forearm (LFPV) with those in the coronary sinus (CS) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and a diagnosis of stable angina (SA) or unstable angina (UA). Methods: This observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted at the Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, and at the Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa de Sao Paulo, where CAD patients referred to the hospital for coronary angiography were evaluated. Results: Forty patients with CAD (20 with SA and 20 with UA) were included in the study. Blood samples from LFPV and CS were collected before coronary angiography. Furthermore, analysis of the correlation between serum levels of hs-CRP in LFPV versus CS showed a strong linear correlation for both SA (r = 0.993, p < 0.001) and UA (r = 0.976, p < 0.001) and for the entire sample (r = 0.985, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest a strong linear correlation between hs-CRP levels in LFPV versus CS in patients with SA and UA. .

Fundamento: A proteína C-reativa de alta sensibilidade (PCR-as) é comumente utilizada na prática clínica para avaliar o risco cardiovascular. Entretanto, a correlação entre os níveis séricos de PCR-as (valores absolutos) periférico versus central ainda não foi feita. Objetivo: Avaliar a correlação entre os níveis séricos de PCR-as (mg/L) em veia periférica do antebraço esquerdo (VPAE) versus seio coronário (SC), em pacientes portadores de doença arterial coronária (DAC) com diagnóstico de angina estável (AE) ou angina instável (AI). Métodos: Estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal, realizado no Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo e no Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo, onde foram avaliados os pacientes encaminhados ao hospital com DAC para angiografia coronária. Resultados: Quarenta pacientes com DAC (20 AE e 20 AI) foram incluídos no estudo. Amostras de sangue na VPAE e SC foram coletadas simultaneamente antes da angiografia coronária. A análise de correlação entre os níveis séricos de PCR-as em VPAE versus SC mostrou forte correlação linear tanto para AE (r = 0,993, p < 0,001) como para AI (r = 0,976, p < 0,001) e em toda a amostra (r = 0,985, p < 0,001). Conclusão: Nossos dados sugeriram forte correlação linear entre os níveis de PCR-as em VPAE versus SC na AE e AI. .

Correlation between C-reactive protein in peripheral vein and coronary sinus in stable and unstable angina.

BACKGROUND: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is commonly used in clinical practice to assess cardiovascular risk. However, a correlation has not yet been established between the absolute levels of peripheral and central hs-CRP. OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between serum hs-CRP levels (mg/L) in a peripheral vein in the left forearm (LFPV) with those in the coronary sinus (CS) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and a diagnosis of stable angina (SA) or unstable angina (UA). METHODS: This observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted at the Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, and at the Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa de Sao Paulo, where CAD patients referred to the hospital for coronary angiography were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty patients with CAD (20 with SA and 20 with UA) were included in the study. Blood samples from LFPV and CS were collected before coronary angiography. Furthermore, analysis of the correlation between serum levels of hs-CRP in LFPV versus CS showed a strong linear correlation for both SA (r = 0.993, p < 0.001) and UA (r = 0.976, p < 0.001) and for the entire sample (r = 0.985, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a strong linear correlation between hs-CRP levels in LFPV versus CS in patients with SA and UA.

Análise comparativa entre a proteína C-reativa de alta sensibilidade em veia periférica e seio coronário na angina estável e instável / Comparative analysis between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in peripheral vein and coronary sinus in stable and unstable angina

INTRODUÇÃO: A proteína C-reativa de alta sensibilidade (PCR-as) é comumente utilizada na prática clínica para avaliar o risco cardiovascular. O seio coronário (SC) é considerado o local ideal para estudos de marcadores inflamatórios e circulação coronária, até o momento. A correlação entre os níveis séricos de PCR-as (valores absolutos) periférico versus (vs.) central ainda não foi feita. Avaliou-se a correlação entre os níveis séricos de PCR-as (mg/L) em veia periférica do antebraço esquerdo (VPAE) vs. SC, em pacientes portadores de doença arterial coronária (DAC) aterosclerótica com diagnóstico de angina estável (AE) ou angina instável (AI). Avaliou-se, também, se os níveis de PCR-as na VPAE e no SC diferem na AE e AI. MÉTODOS e RESULTADOS: 40 pacientes com DAC e estenose >= 70 % do diâmetro da luz vascular em uma das principais artérias coronárias foram incluídos no estudo e classificados em AE (n = 20) e, AI (n = 20). Coletaram-se amostras de sangue simultaneamente na VPAE e no SC, antes da angiografia coronária. A média dos níveis séricos absolutos de PCR-as na VPAE nos pacientes com AE foi de 2,97 ± 2,66, log 0,53 ± 1,24 e, com AI foi de 3,04 ± 3,29, log 0,67 ± 0,94, p = 0,689; e no SC, na AE foi de 2,71 ± 2,46, log 0,46 ± 1,18 e na AI, foi de 2,65 ± 3,08, log 0,41 ± 0,97, p = 0,898 e, portanto, não foram observadas diferenças significativas. A análise de correlação entre os níveis séricos de PCR-as em VPAE vs. SC mostrou uma forte correlação linear tanto para AE (r = 0,993, p < 0,001), para AI (r = 0,976, p < 0,001) e em toda amostra (r = 0,985, p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Os nossos dados sugeriram uma forte correlação linear entre os níveis séricos de PCR-as na VPAE vs. SC na AE e AI; e esses níveis na VPAE e no SC na AE e AI foram semelhantes e não revelaram diferentes influências biológicas.

BACKGROUND: The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is commonly used in clinical practice to assess cardiovascular risk. The coronary sinus (CS) is considered the ideal location for studies of inflammatory markers and coronary circulation, until the moment. The correlation between peripheral versus (vs.) central serum levels of hs-CRP (absolute values) has not been done. We evaluated the correlation between serum levels of hs-CRP (mg/L) in the left forearm peripheral vein (LFPV) vs. CS in patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) and diagnosis of stable angina (SA) or unstable angina (UA). We also evaluated whether the hs-CRP levels in LFPV and CS differ in SA and UA. METHODS and RESULTS: 40 patients with CAD and >= 70 % stenosis of the diameter of the vascular lumen in one of the main coronary arteries were included in the study and, classified into SA (n = 20) and, UA (n = 20). Blood samples from in the LFPV and CS were simultaneously collected before coronary angiography. The mean serum levels of hs-CRP in LFPV in the patients with SA was 2.97 ± 2.66, log 0.53 ± 1.24 and, in the UA was 3.04 ± 3.29, log 0.67 ± 0.94, p = 0.689. In CS in SA, it was 2.71 ± 2.46, log 0.46 ± 1.18 and in UA it was 2.65 ± 3.08, log 0.41 ± 0.97, p = 0.898; therefore, no significant differences were observed. The correlation analysis between the serum levels of hs-CRP in LFPV vs. CS showed a strong linear correlation in both for SA (r = 0.993, p < 0.001), for UA (r = 0.976, p < 0.001) and in the whole sample (r = 0.985, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that in SA as well as in UA there was a strong linear correlation between the serum levels of hs-CRP in LFPV vs. CS and, these levels in VPAE and SC in AE and AI were similar and did not reveal different biological influences.

[Experience with heterotopic heart transplantation in patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance: late follow-up].

BACKGROUND: Along the past few years the number of papers on heterotopic cardiac transplant has been very scarce in the medical literature, including at the international level; this is particularly true in reference to the long term follow-up of these patients and the reason which led to the presentation of our report. OBJECTIVE: To report the initial clinical experience and late evolution of 4 patients undergoing heterotopic heart transplantation, indications for this procedure and its major complications. METHODS: The surgeries were performed between 1992 and 2001, and all had as indication for heterotopic transplantation the PVR, which ranged from 4.8 WU to 6.5 WU, with a transpulmonary gradient above 15 mmHg. In the 3rd patient, a direct anastomosis between the pulmonary arteries was performed without the use of a prostetic tube, and a mitral valvuloplasty and a LV aneurysmectomy were performed in the native heart. The immediate immunosuppressive regimens were double, with cyclosporine and azathioprine in the first 3 patients, and cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil in the 4th patient. RESULTS: One immediate death occurred from graft failure, one death occurred after 2 (1/2) years, from endocarditis in an intraventricular thrombus in the native heart, and a third death occurred 6 years after transplantation, from post-operative complications of the aortic valve surgery in the native heart. The remaining patient is well, 15 years after the transplantation. This patient is in functional class II (NYHA), 6 years after a surgical occlusion of the native heart aortic valve. CONCLUSION: Heterotopic heart transplantation results are inferior to those of orthotopic heart transplantation because they present higher RVP. The intraventricular thrombi, in the native heart, which require prolonged anticoagulation, and aortic valve complications, also in the native heart, may require surgical treatment. However, a patient's 15-year survival has demonstrated a long-term effectiveness of this option for selected patients.

Experiência com transplante cardíaco heterotópico em pacientes com resistência pulmonar elevada: seguimento tardio / Experiencia con trasplante cardíaco heterotópico en pacientes con resistencia pulmonar elevada: seguimiento tardío / Experience with heterotopic heart transplantation in patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance: late follow-up

FUNDAMENTO: Nos últimos anos o numero de artigos sobre transplante cardíaco heterotópico tem sido escasso na literatura, inclusive internacional, e em particular do seguimento de longo prazo destes pacientes, o que levou ao presente relato. OBJETIVO: Relatar a experiência clínica inicial e evolução tardia de quatro pacientes submetidos a transplante cardíaco heterotópico, sua indicação e principais complicações. MÉTODOS: As cirurgias ocorreram entre 1992 e 2001, sendo que a indicação de transplante heterotópico, em todas, foi pela RVP, variável de 4,8UW a 6.5UW, com gradiente transpulmonar acima de 15mmHg. No 3º paciente, foi realizada uma anastomose direta entre as artérias pulmonares sem emprego de tubo protético e, no coração nativo, foi realizada uma valvoplastia mitral e aneurismectomia de ventrículo esquerdo (VE). O esquema imunossupressor imediato foi duplo com ciclosporina e azatioprina nos três primeiros pacientes e ciclosporina e micofenolato mofetil no 4º paciente. RESULTADOS: Um óbito imediato por falência do enxerto, um óbito após dois anos e meio por endocardite em trombo intraventricular no coração nativo, e um terceiro óbito seis anos após o transplante, por complicações pós-operatórias de cirurgia na valva aórtica do coração nativo. O remanescente, 15 anos após o transplante, encontra-se bem, em classe funcional II (NYHA), seis anos após a oclusão cirúrgica da valva aórtica do coração nativo. CONCLUSÃO: O transplante cardíaco heterotópico é um procedimento com resultado inferior ao transplante cardíaco ortotópico, por apresentarem maior RVP. Os trombos intraventriculares no coração nativo, que exigem anticoagulação prolongada, bem como as complicações de válvula aórtica, também no coração nativo, podem exigir tratamento cirúrgico. Entretanto, em um paciente, a sobrevida de 15 anos mostrou a eficácia de longo prazo desse tipo de alternativa, para pacientes selecionados.

BACKGROUND: Along the past few years the number of papers on heterotopic cardiac transplant has been very scarce in the medical literature, including at the international level; this is particularly true in reference to the long term follow-up of these patients and the reason which led to the presentation of our report. OBJECTIVE: To report the initial clinical experience and late evolution of 4 patients undergoing heterotopic heart transplantation, indications for this procedure and its major complications. METHODS: The surgeries were performed between 1992 and 2001, and all had as indication for heterotopic transplantation the PVR, which ranged from 4.8 WU to 6.5WU, with a transpulmonary gradient above 15mmHg. In the 3rd patient, a direct anastomosis between the pulmonary arteries was performed without the use of a prostetic tube, and a mitral valvuloplasty and a LV aneurysmectomy were performed in the native heart. The immediate immunosuppressive regimens were double, with cyclosporine and azathioprine in the first 3 patients, and cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil in the 4th patient. RESULTS: One immediate death occurred from graft failure, one death occurred after 2 ½ years, from endocarditis in an intraventricular thrombus in the native heart, and a third death occurred 6 years after transplantation, from post-operative complications of the aortic valve surgery in the native heart. The remaining patient is well, 15 years after the transplantation. This patient is in functional class II (NYHA), 6 years after a surgical occlusion of the native heart aortic valve. CONCLUSION: Heterotopic heart transplantation results are inferior to those of orthotopic heart transplantation because they present higher RVP. The intraventricular thrombi, in the native heart, which require prolonged anticoagulation, and aortic valve complications, also in the native heart, may require surgical treatment. However, a patient's 15-year survival has demonstrated ...

FUNDAMENTO: En los últimos años el número de artículos sobre trasplante cardíaco heterotópico y, en particular, del seguimiento a largo plazo de estos pacientes, ha sido escaso en la literatura, inclusive internacional, lo que llevó al presente relato. OBJETIVO: Relatar la experiencia clínica inicial y la evolución tardía de cuatro pacientes sometidos a trasplante cardíaco heterotópico, su indicación y principales complicaciones. MÉTODOS: Las cirugías se realizaron entre 1992 y 2001, y la indicación de trasplante heterotópico, en todas, fue mediante RVP, variable de 4,8 UW; a 6.5 UW, con gradiente transpulmonar superior a 15 mmHg. En el tercer paciente, se realizó una anastomosis directa entre las arterias pulmonares sin empleo de tubo prostético, y, en el corazón nativo, se realizó una valvuloplastia mitral y aneurismectomía de VI. El esquema inmunosupresor inmediato fue doble, con ciclosporina y azatioprina en los tres primeros pacientes y ciclosporina y micofenolato mofetil en el cuarto paciente. RESULTADOS: Un óbito inmediato por falla del injerto, un óbito luego de dos años y medio por endocarditis en trombo intraventricular en el corazón nativo, y un tercer óbito seis años después del trasplante, por complicaciones postoperatorias de una cirugía en la válvula aórtica del corazón nativo. El restante, 15 años después del trasplante, se encuentra bien, en clase funcional II (NYHA), seis años después de una oclusión quirúrgica de la válvula aórtica del corazón nativo. CONCLUSIÓN: El trasplante cardíaco heterotópico es un procedimiento con resultado inferior al trasplante cardíaco ortotópico, por presentar mayor RVP. Los trombos intraventriculares en el corazón nativo, que exige anticoagulación prolongada, así como las complicaciones de válvula aórtica, también en el corazón nativo, pueden exigir tratamiento quirúrgico. Sin embargo, en un paciente, la sobrevida de 15 años mostró la eficacia a largo plazo de este tipo de alternativa, ...

Heart transplantation in primary amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a disease with a gloom life expectancy after the beginning of the symptomatic phase, usually with sudden death as the final event. The aggression to other organs, although, can make heart transplantation a disputable form of treatment taking into consideration the shortage of donor organs. The aim is to report the evolution with a survival of seven years after heart transplantation and in very fair condition of a patient with amyloidosis. One year after the heart transplantation, there was indication of renal transplantation also from the aggression from the disease. This patient compares' favorable with three other patients also from our service, who died early after de diagnosis. Even considering the multi systemic nature of amyloidosis, we can accept that in peculiar patients justified the heart transplantation, taking in the consideration the very bad prognosis of the disease.

Transplante cardíaco em amiloidose primária / Heart transplantation in primary amyloidosis

A amiloidose cardíaca é doença altamente limitante da sobrevida, por morte súbita na maioria dos pacientes. Pela agressão contra outros órgãos, particularmente rins e sistema nervoso central, o transplante cardíaco tem sido opção questionável, face à escassez de órgãos. O objetivo é relatar a evolução, com sobrevivência de 7 anos, da paciente após transplante cardíaco por amiloidose, em boas condições. Um ano após o transplante cardíaco, houve indicação de transplante renal, também pela agressão da doença. Esta paciente contrasta com outros três pacientes de nosso serviço que foram a óbito, ainda na fase de avaliação. Apesar de sua natureza multisistêmica, a amiloidose cardíaca pode, em pacientes selecionados, justificar o transplante cardíaco, pela gravidade do seu potencial evolutivo após o início dos sintomas

Cardiac amyloidosis is a disease with a gloom life expectance after the beginning of the symptomatic phase, usually with sudden death as the final event. The aggression to other organs, although, can make heart transplantation a disputable form of treatment taking into consideration the shortage of donor organs. The aim is to report the evolution with a survival of seven years after heart transplantation and in very fair condition of a patient with amyloidosis. One year after the heart transplantation, there was indication of renal transplantation also from the aggression from the disease. This patient compares' favorable with three other patients also from our service, who died early after de diagnosis. Even considering the multi systemic nature of amyloidosis, we can accept that in peculiar patients justified the heart transplantation, taking in the consideration the very bad prognosis of the disease

Transplante cardiopulmonar: experiência clínica inicial / Heart-lung transplantation: initial clinical experience

Purpose To assess this initial clinical experience with heart-lung transplantation in Brazil. Methods Four patients underwent heartlung transplantation from December 1988 to March 1990, one patient with cardiomyopathy and high pulmonary resistance, two patiens with primary pulmonary hypertension and another with pulmonry silicosis. The heart lung blocks were harvestedfrom the donor using cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypotermia. They were transplanted to the recipient by anastomosing the tracheae, right atrium or venae cavae, and the ascending aorta. Results The second patient died on the 5th postoperative day due to respiratory insuffciency with consequent brain lesions. The first and third patients had survived nine manths and 42 days respectively. The 4th patients is assymptomatic eight months after the operation. The main complications were bleeding in two patients, acute pulmonary rejection in three of them and obliterans bronchiolitis in one patients. Conclusion The heart lung transplantation is a challenging procedure which results are progressively improving with the development of better surgical technique and clinical concepts.