Mortality was predicted by depression and functional dependence in a cohort of elderly adults of Italian descent from southern Brazil.

The older population has an increasing burden of non-communicable disease, which can potentially be associated with physical and mental disabilities and shorten life spam. To investigate whether depression, loss of functionality for activities of daily living, and lower social support are associated with all-cause mortality in the older population of Italian descent. This population-based cohort study was conducted in Veranópolis, a country city from southern Brazil, among individuals aged 60 years or older. Interviews were performed in a systematic random sampling regarding demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial variables, in addition to depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), activities of daily living (Barthel Index), and social support (Medical Outcomes Study scale). In the follow-up, participants were reinterviewed or, in case of death, the next of kin, and hospital records were revised. Hierarchical analysis was used to determine characteristics independently associated with all-cause mortality, using Poisson regression with robust variance, expressed as relative risk with 95% confidence intervals (RR; 95%CI). A total of 997 participants were enrolled and 882 participants completed the study, after 7.24 ± 2.41 years; with 581 remaining alive. The mean age was 73.12 ± 8.03 years, 4% were nonagenarians or centennials, and 62% were women. Symptoms of depression (RR: 1.04; 1.01-1.06) and functional dependence for ADL (RR: 1.00; 0.99-1.00) were associated with all-cause mortality, even after controlling for confounding factors. Lower social support was not associated with mortality (RR: 1.00; 0.99-1.01). Depression and functional dependence are independent predictors of all-cause mortality in the older population from Italian descent.

Secondary Pharmacological Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease among Patients Submitted to Clinical Management, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. / Prevenção Farmacológica Secundária da Doença Arterial Coronariana em Pacientes Submetidos ao Manejo Clínico, Intervenção Coronária Percutânea ou Cirurgia de Revascularização Miocárdica.

BACKGROUND: Secondary prevention is recommended for patients with evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) regardless of the indication for treatment by coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether clinical treatment, PCI or CABG had an influence on adherence to the pharmacological secondary prevention in patients with stable CAD. METHODS: This cohort included patients aged ≥40 years with stable CAD confirmed by coronary angiography. The decision for medical treatment alone, or additionally with PCI or CABG, was made by the attending physicians. Adherence to the prescribed drugs recommended by the guidelines for secondary prevention (optimal pharmacological treatment), including antiplatelet agents, lipid-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers, was assessed at follow-up. Differences were considered significant for p values <0.05. RESULTS: From 928 patients enrolled at baseline, 415 had mild CAD and 66 moderate to severe CAD. The average follow-up was 5.2 ± 1.5 years. Patients submitted to CABG were more likely to receive the optimal pharmacological treatment than those submitted to PCI or treated clinically (63.5% versus 39.1% versus 45.7% respectively, p=0.003). Baseline factors independently associated with greater probability of having a prescription of optimal treatment at follow-up were CABG [39% higher (6% - 83%, p=0.017) and diabetes [25% higher (1% - 56%), p=0.042] than their counterparts treated by other methods and participants without diabetes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CAD submitted to CABG are more commonly treated with optimal pharmacological secondary prevention than patients treated by PCI or exclusively with medical therapy.

FUNDAMENTO: A prevenção secundária é recomendada a pacientes com evidência de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) independentemente da indicação de tratamento por cirurgia de bypass da artéria coronária (CABG) ou intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP). OBJETIVOS: Este estudo avaliou se o tratamento clínico, a ICP ou o CABG teve influência na adesão à prevenção secundária farmacológica em pacientes com DAC estável. MÉTODOS: Esta coorte incluiu pacientes com idade ≥40 anos com DAC estável confirmada por angiografia coronária estável. A decisão por tratamento clínico isolado, ou combinado com ICP ou CABG foi feita por médicos assistentes. A adesão às drogas prescritas recomendadas pelas diretrizes de prevenção secundária (tratamento farmacológico ótimo), incluindo agentes antiplaquetários, drogas hipolipemianetes, betabloqueadores, e bloqueadores do sistema angiotensina aldosterona, foi avaliada no acompanhamento. Diferenças com valores de p < 0,05 foram consideradas estatisticamente significativas. RESULTADOS: Dos 928 pacientes incluídos inicialmente, 415 apresentaram DAC leve e 66 apresentaram DAC leve a moderada. O período médio de seguimento foi 5,2 ± 1,5 anos. Os pacientes submetidos ao CABG apresentaram maior probabilidade de receberem tratamento farmacológico ótimo que aqueles submetidos à ICP ou tratamento clínico (63,5% versus 39,1% versus 45,7% respectivamente, p=0,003). Fatores basais independentemente associados com maior probabilidade de prescrição de tratamento ótimo foram CABG [39% maior (6% - 83%, p=0,017)] em comparação a outros tratamentos e diabetes [25% maior (1% - 56%), p=0,042] em comparação à ausência de diabetes. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com DAC submetidos ao CABG são mais frequentemente tratados com prevenção secundária farmacológica ótima que pacientes tratados com ICP ou exclusivamente com tratamento clínico.

Prevenção Farmacológica Secundária da Doença Arterial Coronariana em Pacientes Submetidos ao Manejo Clínico, Intervenção Coronária Percutânea ou Cirurgia de Revascularização Miocárdica / Secondary Pharmacological Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease among Patients Submitted to Clinical Management, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Resumo Fundamento A prevenção secundária é recomendada a pacientes com evidência de doença arterial coronariana (DAC) independentemente da indicação de tratamento por cirurgia de bypass da artéria coronária (CABG) ou intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP). Objetivos Este estudo avaliou se o tratamento clínico, a ICP ou o CABG teve influência na adesão à prevenção secundária farmacológica em pacientes com DAC estável. Métodos Esta coorte incluiu pacientes com idade ≥40 anos com DAC estável confirmada por angiografia coronária estável. A decisão por tratamento clínico isolado, ou combinado com ICP ou CABG foi feita por médicos assistentes. A adesão às drogas prescritas recomendadas pelas diretrizes de prevenção secundária (tratamento farmacológico ótimo), incluindo agentes antiplaquetários, drogas hipolipemianetes, betabloqueadores, e bloqueadores do sistema angiotensina aldosterona, foi avaliada no acompanhamento. Diferenças com valores de p < 0,05 foram consideradas estatisticamente significativas. Resultados Dos 928 pacientes incluídos inicialmente, 415 apresentaram DAC leve e 66 apresentaram DAC leve a moderada. O período médio de seguimento foi 5,2 ± 1,5 anos. Os pacientes submetidos ao CABG apresentaram maior probabilidade de receberem tratamento farmacológico ótimo que aqueles submetidos à ICP ou tratamento clínico (63,5% versus 39,1% versus 45,7% respectivamente, p=0,003). Fatores basais independentemente associados com maior probabilidade de prescrição de tratamento ótimo foram CABG [39% maior (6% - 83%, p=0,017)] em comparação a outros tratamentos e diabetes [25% maior (1% - 56%), p=0,042] em comparação à ausência de diabetes. Conclusões Pacientes com DAC submetidos ao CABG são mais frequentemente tratados com prevenção secundária farmacológica ótima que pacientes tratados com ICP ou exclusivamente com tratamento clínico.

Abstract Background Secondary prevention is recommended for patients with evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) regardless of the indication for treatment by coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Objectives This study evaluated whether clinical treatment, PCI or CABG had an influence on adherence to the pharmacological secondary prevention in patients with stable CAD. Methods This cohort included patients aged ≥40 years with stable CAD confirmed by coronary angiography. The decision for medical treatment alone, or additionally with PCI or CABG, was made by the attending physicians. Adherence to the prescribed drugs recommended by the guidelines for secondary prevention (optimal pharmacological treatment), including antiplatelet agents, lipid-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers, was assessed at follow-up. Differences were considered significant for p values <0.05. Results From 928 patients enrolled at baseline, 415 had mild CAD and 66 moderate to severe CAD. The average follow-up was 5.2 ± 1.5 years. Patients submitted to CABG were more likely to receive the optimal pharmacological treatment than those submitted to PCI or treated clinically (63.5% versus 39.1% versus 45.7% respectively, p=0.003). Baseline factors independently associated with greater probability of having a prescription of optimal treatment at follow-up were CABG [39% higher (6% - 83%, p=0.017) and diabetes [25% higher (1% - 56%), p=0.042] than their counterparts treated by other methods and participants without diabetes, respectively. Conclusions Patients with CAD submitted to CABG are more commonly treated with optimal pharmacological secondary prevention than patients treated by PCI or exclusively with medical therapy.

The performance of SYNTAX score versus the coronary angiogram standard evaluation in the prediction of cardiovascular events in a cohort of patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Background: Scores for prediction of cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or medical-therapy (MT), such as the SYNTAX score (SXscore), have been proposed, but there is no comparative assessment of their performance with the coronary angiogram standard evaluation (CASE). This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the SXscore versus the CASE in the prediction of major cardiovascular outcomes (MACCE) in patients with chronic CAD who were treated with MT or additionally submitted to CABG or PCI. Methods: Prospective cohort study of 454 patients with CAD referred for elective diagnostic coronary angiography in Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, with 40 years of age or over, which were followed on average for 6±2.0 years. Patients with acute coronary syndromes, valvular heart disease, aortic diseases, previous coronary revascularization, heart failure, chronic renal disease, history of cancer, or severe psychiatric illness were excluded. Agreement between the scores was evaluated by Kappa statistics. The performance of the scores to predict MACCE was evaluated by Cox proportional hazard models. Areas under the ROC curves were compared by the DeLong test. Results: Patients with moderate to high SXscores or with left main or multivessel CAD (LMMCAD) in the CASE evaluation had higher rates of all-cause death and MACCE than those with low SXscore or without LMMCAD. After adjusting for confounding, only LMMCAD remained associated with the incidence of all-cause death in the total sample (HR =2.81;95% CI: 1.17-6.74) and for MACCE in patients undergoing MT (HR =8.72; 95% CI: 1.73-44.10). The ROC curves for all treatments were similar. Kappa statistics was not significant in patients submitted to MT, poor for patients treated by PCI and fair for the whole sample and patients treated with CABG. Conclusions: The severity of CAD defined by CASE or the SXscore provides similar prediction of the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients submitted to clinical, PCI or CABG therapies. CASE is easier to do and may be the preferential method in the stratification of risk of patients with stable CAD.

Quality of life in patients with stable coronary artery disease submitted to percutaneous, surgical, and medical therapies: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical, surgical, and percutaneous strategies similarly prevent major cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The possibility that these strategies have differential effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been debated, particularly in patients treated outside clinical trials. METHODS: We assigned 454 patients diagnosed with CAD during an elective diagnostic coronary angiography to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or optimal medical treatment (OMT), and followed them for an average of 5.2 ± 1.5 years. HRQoL was assessed using a validated Brazilian version of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire. The association between therapeutic strategies and quality of life scores was tested using variance analysis and adjusted for confounders in a general linear model. RESULTS: There were no differences in the mental component summary scores in the follow-up evaluation by therapeutic strategies: 51.4, 53.7, and 52.3 for OMT, PCI, and CABG, respectively. Physical component summary scores were higher in the PCI group than the CABG and OMT groups (46.4 vs. 42.9 and 43.8, respectively); however, these differences were no longer different after adjustment for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: In a long-term follow-up of patients with stable CAD, HRQoL did not differ in patients treated by medical, percutaneous, or surgical treatments.

Impact of admission hours on each stage of care and total reperfusion delays in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is preferably treated by prompt primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Delays in initial stages of care of STEMI patients admitted off versus routine hours are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate time periods in each stage of care of STEMI patients submitted to pPCI in a private tertiary hospital during on- vs. off-hours, and the adherence to current guidelines recommended times. METHODS: consecutive STEMI patients admitted 2013-2019 who underwent pPCI were enrolled in this cohort study. Time periods were prospectively registered and other variables retrieved from electronic medical records. Primary outcomes were the time periods of each stage of care, since patient arrival in the emergency room (ER) until reperfusion of the culprit artery, performed during on-hours (weekdays, from 08:00 AM to 07:59 PM) or off-hours (all other days and time periods, or holidays). RESULTS: 218 patients were included, 131 (60%) presented off-hours, with longer time periods between calling the catheterization laboratory staff until reperfusion, [55 min × 72 min; P < 0.001] and ER door-to-reperfusion [73 min × 98 min; P < 0.001]. Exploratory analysis by year suggested a decreasing reperfusion delay during on-hours admissions. In most years, total time for reperfusion exceeded the sixty minutes frame recommended in current North American guidelines, for both on- and off-hours admissions. Considering the ninety minutes recommendation of the European guideline, only on-hour admissions were in accordance during most years. CONCLUSIONS: STEMI patients, particularly when admitted off-hours, have lags in some stages of care, culminating in delayed myocardial reperfusion greater than recommended in current guidelines.

Contrasting haemodynamic effects of exercise and saline infusion in older adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

In this study, among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, exercise was more potent in eliciting pulmonary vascular abnormalities and demonstrated paradoxical increase in RC-time https://bit.ly/35Mb0dv.

Effectiveness of chlorthalidone/amiloride versus losartan in patients with stage I hypertension and diabetes mellitus: results from the PREVER-treatment randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: To compare the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of a chlorthalidone/amiloride combination pill with losartan, during initial management of JNC 7 Stage I hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In an a priori subgroup analysis of a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, volunteers aged 30-70 years, with stage I hypertension and diabetes mellitus, were randomized to 12.5/2.5 mg of chlorthalidone/amiloride (N = 47) or 50 mg of losartan (N = 50), and followed for 18 months in 21 clinical centers. If BP remained uncontrolled after three months, study medication dose was doubled, and if uncontrolled after six months, amlodipine (5 and 10 mg) and propranolol (40 and 80 mg BID) were added as open label drugs in a progressive fashion. RESULTS: Systolic BP decreased to a greater extent in participants allocated to diuretics compared to losartan (P < 0.001). After 18 months of follow-up, systolic BP was 128.4 ± 10.3 mmHg in the diuretic group versus 133.5 ± 8.0 in the losartan group (P < 0.01). In the diuretic group, 36 out of 43 participants (83.7%) had a JNC 7 normal BP, compared to 31/47 (66%) in the losartan group (P = 0.089). Serum cholesterol was higher in the diuretic arm at the end of the trial. Other biochemical parameters and reports of adverse events did not differ by treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of hypertension based on a combination of chlorthalidone and amiloride is more effective for BP lowering compared to losartan in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials registration number: NCT00971165.

Safety and feasibility of upper limb vascular access for cardiac catheterization in anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated patients.

BACKGROUND: The upper limb approach utilizing transradial access for combined left and right heart catheterization (CLRHC) and ultrasound-guided antecubital venous access for isolated right heart catheterization (IRHC) are strategies that may reduce risks, especially in anticoagulated patients. combined left and right heart catheterization. OBJECTIVES: To assess safety and feasibility of upper limb approach for IRHC or CLRHC in anticoagulated versus non-anticoagulated patients. METHODS: Ninety-three patients who underwent IRHC or CLRHC with ultrasound-guided antecubital venous access and transradial arterial access were prospectively enrolled. The primary outcome was a composite of procedure failure and incidence of immediate vascular complications. RESULTS: Of the 93 patients, 44 (47%) were on anticoagulation and 49 (53%) were not. Mean age was 54 ± 17 and 53 ± 15 years, respectively. Atrial fibrillation (39% vs 15%) and chronic kidney disease (21% vs 6%) were more common in anticoagulated patients. The main indication for anticoagulation was deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary thromboembolism in 22 patients (50%). The primary outcome occurred in 4 (8%) patients in the non-anticoagulated group as compared with 0 in the anticoagulated group (p = 0.12). Procedure failure occurred in two patients (4%) and immediate vascular complications in two patients (4%) in the non-anticoagulated group (p = 0.3 for all). There was no difference between groups regarding duration of the procedure, radiation dose, fluoroscopy time, post-procedure recovery room time and median time to venous or arterial hemostasis. CONCLUSIONS: The upper limb approach for heart catheterization had similar rates of procedure failure and immediate vascular complications in anticoagulated patients when compared to non-anticoagulated patients.

Effectiveness of Clinical, Surgical and Percutaneous Treatment to Prevent Cardiovascular Events in Patients Referred for Elective Coronary Angiography: An Observational Study.

PURPOSE: To ascertain the most appropriate treatment for chronic, stable, coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients submitted to elective coronary angiography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 814 patients included in the prospective cohort study were referred for elective coronary angiography and were followed up on average for 6±1.9 years. Main outcomes were all-cause death, cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke and late revascularization and their combinations as major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE): MACCE-1 included cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, and stroke; MACCE-2 was MACCE-1 plus late revascularization. Survival curves and adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore the association between the type of treatment and outcomes. RESULTS: All-cause death was lower in participants submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (0.41, 0.16-1.03, P=0.057) compared to medical treatment (MT). Coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) had an overall trend for poorer outcomes: cardiovascular death 2.53 (0.42-15.10), combined cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, and stroke 2.15 (0.73-6.31) and these events plus late revascularization (2.17, 0.86-5.49). The corresponding numbers for PCI were 0.27 (0.05-1.43) for cardiovascular death, 0.77 (0.32-1.84) for combined cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, and stroke and 2.35 (1.16-4.77) with the addition of late revascularization. These trends were not influenced by baseline blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction and previous MI. Patients with diabetes mellitus had a significantly higher risk of recurrent revascularization when submitted to PCI than CABG. CONCLUSION: Patients with confirmed CAD in elective coronary angiography do not have a better prognosis when submitted to CABG comparatively to medical treatment. Patients treated with PCI had a trend for the lower incidence of combined cardiovascular events, at the expense of additional revascularization procedures. Patients without significant CAD had a similar prognosis than CAD patients treated with medical therapy.

Admission Bedside Lung Ultrasound Reclassifies Mortality Prediction in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Early risk stratification is essential for in-hospital management of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Acute heart failure confers a worse prognosis, and although lung ultrasound (LUS) is recommended as a first-line test to assess pulmonary congestion, it has never been tested in this setting. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic ability of admission LUS in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. METHODS: LUS protocol consisted of 8 scanning zones and was performed before primary percutaneous coronary intervention by an operator blinded to Killip classification. A LUS combined with Killip (LUCK) classification was developed. Receiver operating characteristic and net reclassification improvement analyses were performed to compare LUCK and Killip classifications. RESULTS: We prospectively investigated 215 patients admitted with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction between April 2018 and June 2019. Absence of pulmonary congestion detected by LUS implied a negative predictive value for in-hospital mortality of 98.1% (93.1-99.5%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the LUCK classification for in-hospital mortality was 0.89 (P=0.001), and of the Killip classification was 0.86 (P<0.001; P=0.05 for the difference between curves). LUCK classification improved Killip ability to predict in-hospital mortality with a net reclassification improvement of 0.18. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, admission LUS added to Killip classification was more sensitive than physical examination to identify patients at risk for in-hospital mortality. LUCK classification had a greater area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and reclassified Killip classification in 18% of cases. Moreover, absence of pulmonary congestion on LUS provided an excellent negative predictive value for in-hospital mortality.

Chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention in Latin America.

OBJECTIVES: To report clinical, angiographic characteristics, outcomes, and predictors of unsuccessful procedures in patients who underwent chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in Latin America. BACKGROUND: CTO PCI has been increasingly performed worldwide, but there is a lack of information in this region. METHODS: An international multicenter registry was developed to collect data on CTO PCI performed in centers in Latin America. Patient, angiographic, procedural and outcome data were evaluated. Predictors of unsuccessful procedures were assessed by multivariable analysis. RESULTS: We have included data related to 1,040 CTO PCIs performed in seven countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Puerto Rico). The mean age was 64 ± 10 years, and CTO PCI was performed mainly for angina control (81%) or treatment of a large ischemic area (30%). Overall technical success rate was 82.5%, and it was achieved with antegrade wire escalation in 81%, antegrade dissection/re-entry in 8% and with retrograde techniques in 11% of the successful procedures. Multivariable analysis identified moderate/severe calcification, a blunt proximal cap and a previous attempt as independent predictors of unsuccessful procedures. In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occurred in 3.1% of the cases, death in 1% and cardiac tamponade in 0.9% CONCLUSIONS: CTO PCI in Latin America has been performed mainly for ischemia relief. Procedures were associated with a success rate above 80% and low incidence of MACE. Predictors of unsuccessful procedures were similar to those previously reported in the literature.

Pulmonary hemodynamic and right ventricular responses to brief and prolonged exercise in middle-aged endurance athletes.

Right ventricular (RV) function is closely coupled to pulmonary arterial (PA) hemodynamics and is believed to decline with prolonged exercise. A linear pressure-flow relationship is thought to exist between PA pressures and increasing exercise intensity in athletes, yet a paucity of directly measured pulmonary hemodynamic data exists supporting this contention. We sought to describe the PA pressure, PA wedge pressure (PAWP), and RV functional responses to brief and prolonged exercise in endurance-trained athletes. Twenty-one healthy athletes (54 ± 5 yr) underwent right heart catheterization to assess pulmonary hemodynamics during graded, submaximal exercise. Measurements were made at rest and during three stages of steady-state, semiupright cycle ergometry at heart rates of 100 beats/min (EX1), 130 beats/min (EX2), and 150 beats/min (EX3). Five athletes completed an additional 34 min at 130 beats/min for a total exercise time of 60 min [prolonged exercise (PLG)]. PA pressures and PAWP increased significantly at EX1 without a further rise at EX2, EX3, or PLG. PAWP adjusted for absolute work rate demonstrated a significant decline as exercise intensity increased from EX1 to EX2. The resistance compliance time constant decreased at EX1 without further changes at EX2, EX3, and prolonged exercise. RV function did not decline during PLG. After an initial rise in PA pressure and PAWP during early, nonsteady-state exercise, values remained constant despite increases in exercise intensity and duration. These data indicate that in healthy, middle-aged endurance-trained athletes, the PA and pulmonary venous/left atrial compartments rapidly accommodate high conduit flows produced during intensive and prolonged exercise while maintaining RV function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The right ventricular (RV)-pulmonary arterial (PA) circulatory unit has not been well studied during prolonged exercise, and this study provides an ecological approach that reflects a typical bout of endurance training integrating a transition from rest to exercise with successive increases in intensity, progressing to steady-state, sustained exercise. We demonstrated a remarkably constant response of the PA and PA wedge pressure during incremental, steady-state exercise and that no changes occur in pulmonary pressures throughout prolonged exercise, concomitant to a preservation of RV performance.

Effectiveness of Chlorthalidone Plus Amiloride for the Prevention of Hypertension: The PREVER-Prevention Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Prehypertension is associated with higher cardiovascular risk, target organ damage, and incidence of hypertension. The Prevention of Hypertension in Patients with PreHypertension (PREVER-Prevention) trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a low-dose diuretic for the prevention of hypertension and end-organ damage. METHODS AND RESULTS: This randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 21 Brazilian academic medical centers. Participants with prehypertension who were aged 30 to 70 years and who did not reach optimal blood pressure after 3 months of lifestyle intervention were randomized to a chlorthalidone/amiloride combination pill or placebo and were evaluated every 3 months during 18 months of treatment. The primary outcome was incidence of hypertension. Development or worsening of microalbuminuria, new-onset diabetes mellitus, and reduction of left ventricular mass were secondary outcomes. Participant characteristics were evenly distributed by trial arms. The incidence of hypertension was significantly lower in 372 study participants allocated to diuretics compared with 358 allocated to placebo (hazard ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.82), resulting in a cumulative incidence of 11.7% in the diuretic arm versus 19.5% in the placebo arm (P=0.004). Adverse events; levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine, and microalbuminuria; and incidence of diabetes mellitus were no different between the 2 arms. Left ventricular mass assessed through Sokolow-Lyon voltage and voltage-duration product decreased to a greater extent in participants allocated to diuretic therapy compared with placebo (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of low-dose chlorthalidone and amiloride effectively reduces the risk of incident hypertension and beneficially affects left ventricular mass in patients with prehypertension. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, www.ensaiosclinicos.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT00970931, RBR-74rr6s.

Syntax Score and Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease: Results from a Cohort Study in a University-Affiliated Hospital in Southern Brazil / Syntax Escore e Eventos Cardíacos Adversos Maiores em Pacientes com Suspeita de Doença Arterial Coronariana: Resultados de um Estudo de Coorte em Hospital Universitário no Sul do Brasil

Abstract Background: The importance of coronary anatomy in predicting cardiovascular events is well known. The use of traditional anatomical scores in routine angiography, however, has not been incorporated to clinical practice. SYNTAX score (SXscore) is a scoring system that estimates the anatomical extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). Its ability to predict outcomes based on a baseline diagnostic angiography has not been tested to date. Objective: To evaluate the performance of the SXscore in predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients referred for diagnostic angiography. Methods: Prospective cohort of 895 patients with suspected CAD referred for elective diagnostic coronary angiography from 2008 to 2011, at a university-affiliated hospital in Brazil. They had their SXscores calculated and were stratified in three categories: no significant CAD (n = 495), SXscoreLOW-INTERMEDIATE: < 23 (n = 346), and SXscoreHIGH: ≥ 23 (n = 54). Primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and late revascularization. Secondary endpoints were the components of MACE and death from any cause. Results: On average, patients were followed up for 1.8 ± 1.4 years. The primary outcome occurred in 2.2%, 15.3%, and 20.4% in groups with no significant CAD, SXscoreLOW-INTERMEDIATE, and SXscoreHIGH, respectively (p < 0.001). All-cause death was significantly higher in the SXscoreHIGH compared with the 'no significant CAD' group, 16.7% and 3.8% (p < 0.001), respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, all outcomes remained associated with the SXscore. Conclusions: SXscore independently predicts MACE in patients submitted to diagnostic coronary angiography. Its routine use in this setting could identify patients with worse prognosis.

Resumo Fundamento: A importância da anatomia coronariana na predição de eventos cardiovasculares é bem conhecida. O uso de escores anatômicos tradicionais na cineangiocoronariografia de rotina, entretanto, não foi incorporado à prática clínica. O SYNTAX escore (SXescore) é um sistema de escore que estima a extensão anatômica da doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Sua capacidade para predizer desfechos com base na cineangiocoronariografia diagnóstica de base ainda não foi testada. Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho do SXescore para predizer eventos cardíacos adversos maiores (MACE) em pacientes encaminhados para cineangiocoronariografia diagnóstica. Métodos: Coorte prospectiva de 895 pacientes com suspeita de DAC encaminhados para cineangiocoronariografia diagnóstica eletiva de 2008 a 2011, em hospital universitário no Brasil. Os pacientes tiveram seus SXescores calculados e foram estratificados em três categorias: 'sem DAC significativa' (n = 495); SXescoreBAIXO-INTERMEDIÁRIO: < 23 (n = 346); e SXescoreALTO: ≥ 23 (n = 54). O desfecho primário foi composto de morte cardíaca, infarto do miocárdio e revascularização tardia. Os desfechos secundários foram MACE e morte por todas as causas. Resultados: Em média, os pacientes foram acompanhados por 1,8 ± 1,4 anos. Desfecho primário ocorreu em 2,2%, 15,3% e 20,4% nos grupos 'sem DAC significativa', SXescoreBAIXO-INTERMEDIÁRIO e SXescoreALTO, respectivamente (p < 0,001). Morte por todas as causas foi significativamente mais frequente no grupo de SXescoreALTO comparado ao grupo 'sem DAC significativa', 16,7% e 3,8% (p < 0,001), respectivamente. Após ajuste para fatores de confusão, todos os desfechos permaneceram associados com o SXescore. Conclusão: O SXescore prediz independentemente MACE em pacientes submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia diagnóstica. Seu uso rotineiro nesse contexto poderia identificar pacientes de pior prognóstico.

Syntax Score and Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease: Results from a Cohort Study in a University-Affiliated Hospital in Southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND:: The importance of coronary anatomy in predicting cardiovascular events is well known. The use of traditional anatomical scores in routine angiography, however, has not been incorporated to clinical practice. SYNTAX score (SXscore) is a scoring system that estimates the anatomical extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). Its ability to predict outcomes based on a baseline diagnostic angiography has not been tested to date. OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the performance of the SXscore in predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients referred for diagnostic angiography. METHODS:: Prospective cohort of 895 patients with suspected CAD referred for elective diagnostic coronary angiography from 2008 to 2011, at a university-affiliated hospital in Brazil. They had their SXscores calculated and were stratified in three categories: no significant CAD (n = 495), SXscoreLOW-INTERMEDIATE: < 23 (n = 346), and SXscoreHIGH: ≥ 23 (n = 54). Primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and late revascularization. Secondary endpoints were the components of MACE and death from any cause. RESULTS:: On average, patients were followed up for 1.8 ± 1.4 years. The primary outcome occurred in 2.2%, 15.3%, and 20.4% in groups with no significant CAD, SXscoreLOW-INTERMEDIATE, and SXscoreHIGH, respectively (p < 0.001). All-cause death was significantly higher in the SXscoreHIGH compared with the 'no significant CAD' group, 16.7% and 3.8% (p < 0.001), respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, all outcomes remained associated with the SXscore. CONCLUSIONS:: SXscore independently predicts MACE in patients submitted to diagnostic coronary angiography. Its routine use in this setting could identify patients with worse prognosis. FUNDAMENTO:: A importância da anatomia coronariana na predição de eventos cardiovasculares é bem conhecida. O uso de escores anatômicos tradicionais na cineangiocoronariografia de rotina, entretanto, não foi incorporado à prática clínica. O SYNTAX escore (SXescore) é um sistema de escore que estima a extensão anatômica da doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Sua capacidade para predizer desfechos com base na cineangiocoronariografia diagnóstica de base ainda não foi testada. OBJETIVO:: Avaliar o desempenho do SXescore para predizer eventos cardíacos adversos maiores (MACE) em pacientes encaminhados para cineangiocoronariografia diagnóstica. MÉTODOS:: Coorte prospectiva de 895 pacientes com suspeita de DAC encaminhados para cineangiocoronariografia diagnóstica eletiva de 2008 a 2011, em hospital universitário no Brasil. Os pacientes tiveram seus SXescores calculados e foram estratificados em três categorias: 'sem DAC significativa' (n = 495); SXescoreBAIXO-INTERMEDIÁRIO: < 23 (n = 346); e SXescoreALTO: ≥ 23 (n = 54). O desfecho primário foi composto de morte cardíaca, infarto do miocárdio e revascularização tardia. Os desfechos secundários foram MACE e morte por todas as causas. RESULTADOS:: Em média, os pacientes foram acompanhados por 1,8 ± 1,4 anos. Desfecho primário ocorreu em 2,2%, 15,3% e 20,4% nos grupos 'sem DAC significativa', SXescoreBAIXO-INTERMEDIÁRIO e SXescoreALTO, respectivamente (p < 0,001). Morte por todas as causas foi significativamente mais frequente no grupo de SXescoreALTO comparado ao grupo 'sem DAC significativa', 16,7% e 3,8% (p < 0,001), respectivamente. Após ajuste para fatores de confusão, todos os desfechos permaneceram associados com o SXescore. CONCLUSÃO:: O SXescore prediz independentemente MACE em pacientes submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia diagnóstica. Seu uso rotineiro nesse contexto poderia identificar pacientes de pior prognóstico.

The pulmonary artery wedge pressure response to sustained exercise is time-variant in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical and prognostic significance of 'exaggerated' elevations in pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) during symptom-limited exercise testing is increasingly recognised. However, the paucity of normative data makes the identification of abnormal responses challenging. Our objectives was to describe haemodynamic responses that reflect normal adaptation to submaximal exercise in a group of community-dwelling, older, non-dyspnoeic adults. METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (16 men/12 women; 55±6 years) were studied during rest and two consecutive stages of cycle ergometry, at targeted heart rates of 100 bpm (light exercise) and 120 bpm (moderate exercise). Right-heart catheterisation was performed to measure pulmonary artery pressures, both early (2 min) and after sustained (7 min) exercise at each intensity. RESULTS: End-expiratory PAWP at baseline was 11±3 mm Hg and increased to 22±5 mm Hg at early-light exercise (p<0.01). At sustained-light exercise, PAWP declined to 17±5 mm Hg, remaining elevated versus baseline (p<0.01). PAWP increased again at early-moderate exercise to 20±6 mm Hg but did not exceed the values observed at early-light exercise, and declined further to 15±5 mm Hg at sustained-moderate exercise (p<0.01 vs baseline). When analysed at 30 s intervals, mean and diastolic pulmonary artery pressures peaked at 180 (IQR=30) s and 130 (IQR=90) s, respectively, and both declined significantly by 420 (IQR=30) s (both p<0.01) of light exercise. Similar temporal patterns were observed at moderate exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The range of PAWP responses to submaximal exercise is broad in health, but also time-variant. PAWP may routinely exceed 20 mm Hg early in exercise. Initial increases in PAWP and mean pulmonary artery pressures do not necessarily reflect abnormal cardiopulmonary physiology, as pressures may normalise within a period of minutes.