Early versus late cardiac magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is responsible for about 10% of all acute myocardial infarctions (AMI). Therapeutic strategies and prognosis depend on the underlying etiology, and a multimodal approach is essential. The objectives of this study were to characterize the group of patients diagnosed with MINOCA and to valuate the diagnostic yield of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, and analytical study, including 516 patients admitted for a non-ST-elevation MI and with no significant coronary disease on coronary angiography between January 2016 and September 2021. RESULTS: After the inclusion criteria, 163 patients remained of the 516 admitted to the study. They were divided into four groups based on the CMR results: MINOCA (n=51), Takotsubo syndrome (n=37), myocarditis (n=33), and without diagnosis (n=42). Most patients diagnosed with MINOCA were female with a mean age of 61.06±13.83 years. CMR identified the diagnosis in 74.2% of patients admitted for suspected acute MI, in which coronary angiography showed the absence of significant obstructions. The median time between hospital admission and CMR was significantly shorter in the groups that had a diagnosis compared with the group with no diagnosis (p=0.038), with a significant increase in diagnostic profitability if CMR was performed up to 14 days after admission (p=0.022). There were no deaths of cardiovascular etiology during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: CMR was fundamental as it identified the diagnosis in three out of four patients; it should be performed in the first 14 days.

A simple and easy technique to overcome anatomic challenges of transradial access in STEMI patients.

BACKGROUND: Transradial access (TRA) is associated with fewer access-related complications, earlier discharge and lower mortality than transfemoral access (TFA), being the preferred route to perform primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PPCIs) in STEMI patients. However, the radial artery is smaller, more superficial and thinner than the femoral artery, which may make PPCIs difficult. PURPOSE: This study describes a practical solution to overcome several of the anatomical difficulties during the TRA, demonstrating its outcomes during clinical practice. METHODS: The authors reviewed the clinical records of 1510 STEMI patients who underwent PPCIs over seven years. Of these, 95 (6.3%) patients experienced problems in advancing a 6F guiding catheter and underwent to STR technique. This technique consists in the use of a longer 5Fr STR flush catheter, which can be used as a "child" type rapid exchange catheter inside the 6Fr guiding catheter, adopting a 5-in-6 Fr technique and creating a smooth distal tip transition of the 6Fr guiding catheter. RESULTS: In 89/95 patients (93.7%), this new technique was successful. The majority of these patients were female (51; 53.7%) and the mean age was 67 ± 14.3 years. The mean reperfusion time since arrival at the catheterization laboratory with STR technique was 24.5 ± 9.9 min, being statistically shorter than when a crossover to TFA was used (29.3 ± 9.5 min; p < 0.017). PPCIs were successfully completed in all different coronary arteries, without complications related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The STR technique is a simple and useful approach that allowed more successful passage of guiding catheters through difficult TRA, allowing a reduction of crossover to TFA in this study to 2.4 %, which translates into a shorter reperfusion time.

OPTImized coronary interventions eXplaIn the bEst cliNical outcomEs (OPTI-XIENCE) study. Rationale and study design.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical events may occur after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly in complex lesions and complex patients. The optimization of PCI result, using pressure guidewire and intracoronary imaging techniques, may reduce the risk of these events. The hypothesis of the present study is that the clinical outcome of patients with indication of PCI and coronary stent implantation that are at high risk of events can be improved with an unrestricted use of intracoronary tools that allow PCI optimization. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Observational prospective multicenter international study, with a follow-up of 12 months, including 1064 patients treated with a cobalt­chromium everolimus-eluting stent. Inclusion criteria include any of the following: Lesion length > 28 mm; Reference vessel diameter < 2.5 mm or > 4.25 mm; Chronic total occlusion; Bifurcation with side branch ≥2.0 mm;Ostial lesion; Left main lesion; In-stent restenosis; >2 lesions stented in the same vessel; Treatment of >2 vessels; Acute myocardial infarction; Renal insufficiency; Left ventricular ejection fraction <30 %; Staged procedure. The control group will be comprised by a similar number of matched patients included in the "extended risk" cohort of the XIENCE V USA study. The primary endpoint will be the 1-year rate of target lesion failure (TLF) (composite of ischemia-driven TLR, myocardial infarction (MI) related to the target vessel, or cardiac death related to the target vessel). Secondary endpoints will include overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality, acute myocardial infarction, TVR, TLR, target vessel failure, and definitive or probable stent thrombosis at 1 year. IMPLICATIONS: The ongoing OPTI-XIENCE study will contribute to the growing evidence supporting the use of intra-coronary imaging techniques for stent optimization in patients with complex coronary lesions.

ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Differences between Genders - A Single Center Retrospective Analysis. / Diferenças entre os Sexos no Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio com Supradesnivelamento do Segmento ST ­ Análise Retrospectiva de um Único Centro.

BACKGROUND: Although outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have improved, women show higher mortality. OBJECTIVES: To assess gender differences in presentation, management and in-hospital mortality, at 30-days, 6-months and 1-year after STEMI. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 809 consecutive patients treated with primary PCI and compared the females versus males at the local intervention cardiology database. The level of significance used was p<0.05. RESULTS: Women were older than man (69,1±14,6 vs. 58,5±12,7 years; p<.001) with higher prevalence of age over 75 years (36.7% vs. 11.7%; p<.001), diabetes (30,6% vs. 18,5%; p=.001), hypertension (60.5% vs. 45.9%; p=.001), chronic kidney disease (3.4% vs. 0.6%; p=.010) and acute ischemic stroke (6.8% vs. 3.0%; p=.021). At presentation, women had more atypical symptoms, less chest pain (p=.014) and were more frequently in cardiogenic shock (p=.011)). Women had longer time until reperfusion (p=.001) and were less likely to receive optimal medical therapy (p<0.05). In-hospital mortality (p=.001), at 30-days (p<.001), 6-months (p<.001) and 1-year (16.4% vs. p<.001) was higher in women. The multivariate analysis identified age over 75 years (HR=4.25; 95% CI[1.67-10.77];p=.002), Killip class II (HR=8.80; 95% CI[2.72-28.41];p<.001), III (HR=5.88; 95% CI [0.99-34.80]; p=.051) and IV (HR=9.60; 95% CI[1.86-48.59];p=.007), Acute Kidney Injury (HR=2.47; 95% CI[1.00-6.13];p=.051) and days of hospitalization (HR=1.04; 95% CI[1.01-1.08];p=.030) but not female gender (HR=0.83; 95% CI[0.33-2.10];p=.690) as independent prognostic factors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to men, women with STEMI undergoing primary PCI have higher mortality rates. Women admitted for STEMI have a worse risk profile, are treated with a higher reperfusion time related with system delays and are less likely to receive the recommended therapy. Female gender was not an independent prognostic factor for mortality in the studied population.

FUNDAMENTO: Embora os resultados em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST) submetidos a intervenções coronárias percutâneas (ICP) primárias tenham melhorado, as mulheres apresentam maior mortalidade. Objetivos: Avaliar as diferenças de gênero na apresentação, manejo e mortalidade hospitalar, em 30 dias, 6 meses e 1 ano após IAMCSST. MÉTODOS: Coletamos retrospectivamente dados de 809 pacientes consecutivos tratados com ICP primária e comparamos mulheres versus homens no banco de dados de cardiologia de intervenção local. O nível de significância utilizado foi p<0,05. RESULTADOS: As mulheres eram mais velhas que os homens (69,1±14,6 vs. 58,5±12,7 anos; p<0,001) com maior prevalência de idade acima de 75 anos (36,7% vs. 11,7%; p<0,001), diabetes (30,6% vs. 18,5%; p=0,001), hipertensão (60,5% vs. 45,9%; p=0,001), doença renal crônica (3,4% vs. 0,6%; p= 0,010) e acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo (6,8% vs. 3,0%; p=0,021). Na apresentação, as mulheres apresentavam mais sintomas atípicos, menos dor torácica (p=0,014) e estavam mais frequentemente em choque cardiogênico (p=0,011)). As mulheres tinham mais tempo até a reperfusão (p=0,001) e eram menos propensas a receber terapia médica ideal (p<0,05). A mortalidade intra-hospitalar (p=0,001), em 30 dias (p<0,001), 6 meses (p<0,001) e 1 ano (16,4% vs. p<0,001) foi maior nas mulheres. A análise multivariada identificou idade acima de 75 anos (HR=4,25; IC 95%[1,67-10,77];p=0,002), classe Killip II (HR=8,80; IC 95%[2,72-28,41];p<0,001), III (HR=5,88; IC95% [0,99-34,80]; p=0,051) e IV (HR=9,60; IC 95%[1,86-48,59];p=0,007), Lesão Renal Aguda (HR=2,47; IC 95% [1,00-6,13];p=0,051) e dias de hospitalização (HR=1,04; IC 95%[1,01-1,08];p=0,030), mas não o sexo feminino (HR=0,83; IC95% [0,33-2,10];p=0,690) como fatores prognósticos independentes de mortalidade. CONCLUSÕES: Comparadas aos homens, as mulheres com IAMCSST submetidas à ICP primária apresentam maiores taxas de mortalidade. Mulheres hospitalizadas por IAMCSST têm pior perfil de risco, são tratadas com maior tempo de reperfusão relacionado a atrasos do sistema e têm menor probabilidade de receber a terapia recomendada. O sexo feminino não foi fator prognóstico independente para mortalidade na população estudada.

Impact of door in-door out time on total ischemia time and clinical outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requiring inter-hospital transfer for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often have delays in reperfusion. The door in-door out (DIDO) time is recommended to be less than 30 min. OBJECTIVES: To assess the DIDO time of hospitals that transfer patients with STEMI to a PCI center and to assess its impact on total ischemia time and clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 523 patients with STEMI transferred to a PCI center for primary PCI between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2017. RESULTS: Median DIDO time was 82 min (interquartile range, 61-132 min). Only seven patients (1.3%) were transferred in ≤30 min. Patients with DIDO times over 60 min had significantly longer system delays (207.3 min vs. 112.7 min; p<0.001) and total ischemia time (344.2 min vs. 222 min; p<0.001) than patients transferred in ≤60 min. Observed in-hospital mortality was significantly higher among patients with DIDO times >60 min vs. ≤60 min (5.1% vs. 0%; p=0.006; adjusted odds ratio for in-hospital mortality, 1.27 [95% CI 1.062-1.432]). By the end of follow-up, patients belonging to the >60 min group had a higher mortality (p=0.016), and survival time was significantly shorter (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: A DIDO time ≤30 min was observed in only a small proportion of patients transferred for primary PCI. DIDO times of ≤60 min were associated with shorter delays in reperfusion, lower in-hospital mortality and longer survival times.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on percutaneous coronary interventions in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed an unprecedented burden on healthcare systems worldwide, changing the profile of interventional cardiology activity. OBJECTIVES: To quantify and compare the number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed for acute and chronic coronary syndromes during the first COVID-19 outbreak with the corresponding period in previous years. METHODS: Data on PCI from the prospective multicenter Portuguese Registry on Interventional Cardiology (RNCI) were used to analyze changes in PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) and chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). The number of PCIs performed during the initial period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Portugal, from March 1 to May 2, 2020, was compared with the mean frequency of PCIs performed during the corresponding period in the previous three years (2017-2019). RESULTS: The total number of PCIs procedures was significantly decreased during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Portugal (-36%, p<0.001). The reduction in PCI procedures for STEMI, NSTE-ACS and CCS was, respectively, -25% (p<0.019), -20% (p<0.068) and -59% (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the corresponding period in the previous three years, the number of PCI procedures performed for STEMI and CCS decreased markedly during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal.

Syncope in the athlete - Minor changes, major diagnosis!

We report the case of a 17-year-old athlete who resorted to the emergency department for palpitations and dizziness while exercising. He mentioned two exercise-associated episodes of syncope in the last six months. He was tachycardic and hypotensive. The electrocardiogram showed regular wide complex tachycardia, left bundle branch block morphology with superior axis restored to sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion. In sinus rhythm, it showed T-wave inversion in V1-V5. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed mild dilation and dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV) with global hypocontractility. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) revealed a RV end diastolic volume indexed to body surface area of 180 ml/m2, global hypokinesia and RV dyssynchrony, subepicardial late enhancement in the distal septum and in the middle segment of the inferoseptal wall. The patient underwent a genetic study which showed a mutation in the gene that encodes the desmocolin-2 protein (DSC-2), which is involved in the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). According to the modified Task Force Criteria for this diagnosis, the patient presented four major criteria for ARVC. Thus, a subcutaneous cardioverter was implanted, and the patient was followed up at the cardiology department. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy diagnosis is based on structural, functional, electrophysiological and genetic criteria reflecting underlying histological changes. This case depicts the essential characteristics for disease recognition.

Ultrassonografia intravascular para guiar a intervenção coronária percutânea: resultados do registro nacional português / Intravascular ultrasound in percutaneous coronary intervention guidance: results from Portuguese registry

Introdução: As diretrizes atuais recomendam o uso da ultrassonografia intravascular de coronárias como ferramenta adjuvante em situações difíceis. Objetivo: Caracterizar a utilização da ultrassonografia intravascular em Portugal e comparar os desfechos após intervenção coronária percutânea no tronco da coronária esquerda, guiada ou não por ultrassonografia intravascular. Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospectivo multicêntrico, que analisou pacientes submetidos à intervenção coronária percutânea entre janeiro de 2012 e dezembro de 2018, incluídos no Portuguese Registry on Interventional Cardiology da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Valor de p bicaudal <0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Este estudo demonstrou variação significativa na utilização da ultrassonografia intravascular em Portugal (valor de p qui-quadrado para tendência <0,001). O ano com maior utilização foi 2016 (2,4%). Houve aumento progressivo, nos últimos 7 anos, na utilização da ultrassonografia intravascular na intervenção coronária percutânea do tronco da coronária esquerda (valor de p qui-quadrado para tendência <0,001), com importantes diferenças regionais. A população submetida à intervenção coronária percutânea do tronco da coronária esquerda guiada por ultrassonografia intravascular era mais jovem, mas tinha maior prevalência de fatores de risco cardiovascular, disfunção sistólica ventricular e lesões coronárias complexas. Além disso, esse grupo de pacientes teve menor prevalência do desfecho primário intra-hospitalar (1,4% versus 3,9%; p=0,024). Porém, após análise multivariada ajustada para fatores de confusão, este estudo não demonstrou impacto significativo da utilização da ultrassonografia intravascular no desfecho intra-hospitalar. Conclusão: A utilização da ultrassonografia intravascular na intervenção coronária percutânea do tronco da coronária esquerda vem aumentando lentamente nos últimos 7 anos em Portugal. Neste estudo, a utilização desse método não teve impacto estatístico nos desfechos intra-hospitalares.

Background: Current guidelines recommend the use of coronary intravascular ultrasound as an adjunctive tool in challenging situations. Objective: To characterize the use of intravascular ultrasound in Portugal and compare outcomes after left main percutaneous coronary intervention, with or without intravascular ultrasound. Methods: A retrospective multicentric observational study analyzed patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2012 and December 2018 and were included in the Portuguese Registry on Interventional Cardiology of the Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. A two-sided p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: This study revealed significant variation of intravascular ultrasound usage in Portugal over time (p-value Chi-squared for trend <0.001). The year with maximum use was 2016 (2.4%). Regarding left main percutaneous coronary intervention, there was a progressive increase in use of intravascular ultrasound (p-value Chi-squared for trend<0.001) in the last 7 years, with important regional differences. The population submitted to left main percutaneous coronary intervention with intravascular ultrasound was younger, but had a higher prevalence of some cardiovascular risk factors, ventricular systolic dysfunction, and complex coronary lesions. Moreover, this group of patients had lower prevalence of intrahospital primary endpoint (1.4% versus 3.9%; p=0.024). However, after multivariate analysis adjusted to confounding factors, this study did not demonstrate a significant impact of intravascular ultrasound on intrahospital endpoint. Conclusion: The overall use of intravascular ultrasound in left main percutaneous coronary intervention has been slowly increasing in the last seven years, in Portugal. In this study, the use of this method had no statistical impact in intrahospital endpoints.

Dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária, uma doença multifatorial: perspectivas da experiência de um centro / Spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a multifactorial disease: insights from a center experience

Introdução: Embora seja uma doença pouco conhecida, a dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária é uma causa importante e frequentemente subdiagnosticada da síndrome coronariana aguda não aterosclerótica, principalmente em mulheres. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar uma amostra consecutiva de pacientes diagnosticados com dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária quanto a fatores predisponentes e desencadeadores; quadro clínico e angiográfico; abordagem terapêutica; ocorrência de eventos cardíacos adversos; recorrência e dissecção espontânea de artéria coronária de novo. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo observacional longitudinal, unicêntrico, que incluiu pacientes diagnosticados com dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária (n=60) admitidos entre janeiro de 2010 e dezembro de 2020. Resultados: A mediana da idade foi de 55 anos, e 83% eram mulheres. A maioria dos pacientes (60%) não apresentava nenhum ou tinha apenas um fator de risco cardiovascular. O infarto agudo do miocárdio sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST foi o quadro clínico em 67% dos casos. A artéria coronária mais frequentemente envolvida foi a descendente anterior (47%). A maioria das lesões (77%) aparecia na angiografia como dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária tipo 2. O tratamento conservador foi selecionado como abordagem inicial na maioria dos pacientes (72%). A incidência geral de dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária de novo não foi significativamente diferente entre os pacientes tratados primeiramente com revascularização, em comparação com os que receberam tratamento conservador (p=0,953). No entanto, a recidiva da dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária ocorreu no vaso originalmente envolvido em 3 dos 15 pacientes tratados com revascularização, em comparação com apenas um entre os 43 pacientes que foram tratados de forma conservadora (p<0,05). Conclusão: A dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária é mais frequente em mulheres jovens. O infarto agudo do miocárdio sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST foi o quadro clínico mais observado, envolvendo principalmente a artéria descendente anterior. A revascularização não protegeu da recorrência.

Background: Although it is a poorly known disease, spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an important and frequently underdiagnosed cause of non-atherosclerotic acute coronary syndrome, particularly in women. The objective of this study was to characterize a consecutive sample of patients diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection with respect to predisposing and precipitating factors; clinical and angiographic presentation; management; occurrence of adverse cardiac events; recurrence; and de novo spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Methods: Longitudinal, observational, retrospective, single-centre study, including patients diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (n=60) admitted between January 2010 and December 2020. Results: Median age was 55 years, and 83% were women. Most patients (60%) presented without any or just one cardiovascular risk factor. Non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction accounted for 67% of clinical presentations. The most frequently affected coronary artery was the left anterior descending (47%). Most lesions (77%) appeared on angiography as type 2 spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Conservative management was chosen as the initial approach in most patients (72%). The overall incidence of de novo spontaneous coronary artery dissection was not significantly different among patients initially managed with revascularization as compared to conservative treatment (p=0.953). However, spontaneous coronary artery dissection recurrence occurred in the originally involved vessel in 3 of 15 patients initially managed with revascularization, as compared to only one among 43 patients treated conservatively (p<0.05). Conclusion: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection occurs more often in young women. Non- ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction was the most frequent clinical presentation involving mainly the left anterior descending artery. Revascularization did not protect from recurrence.

Diferenças entre os Sexos no Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio com Supradesnivelamento do Segmento ST - Análise Retrospectiva de um Único Centro / ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Differences between Genders - A Single Center Retrospective Analysis

Resumo Fundamento Embora os resultados em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST) submetidos a intervenções coronárias percutâneas (ICP) primárias tenham melhorado, as mulheres apresentam maior mortalidade. Objetivos: Avaliar as diferenças de gênero na apresentação, manejo e mortalidade hospitalar, em 30 dias, 6 meses e 1 ano após IAMCSST. Métodos Coletamos retrospectivamente dados de 809 pacientes consecutivos tratados com ICP primária e comparamos mulheres versus homens no banco de dados de cardiologia de intervenção local. O nível de significância utilizado foi p<0,05. Resultados As mulheres eram mais velhas que os homens (69,1±14,6 vs. 58,5±12,7 anos; p<0,001) com maior prevalência de idade acima de 75 anos (36,7% vs. 11,7%; p<0,001), diabetes (30,6% vs. 18,5%; p=0,001), hipertensão (60,5% vs. 45,9%; p=0,001), doença renal crônica (3,4% vs. 0,6%; p= 0,010) e acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo (6,8% vs. 3,0%; p=0,021). Na apresentação, as mulheres apresentavam mais sintomas atípicos, menos dor torácica (p=0,014) e estavam mais frequentemente em choque cardiogênico (p=0,011)). As mulheres tinham mais tempo até a reperfusão (p=0,001) e eram menos propensas a receber terapia médica ideal (p<0,05). A mortalidade intra-hospitalar (p=0,001), em 30 dias (p<0,001), 6 meses (p<0,001) e 1 ano (16,4% vs. p<0,001) foi maior nas mulheres. A análise multivariada identificou idade acima de 75 anos (HR=4,25; IC 95%[1,67-10,77];p=0,002), classe Killip II (HR=8,80; IC 95%[2,72-28,41];p<0,001), III (HR=5,88; IC95% [0,99-34,80]; p=0,051) e IV (HR=9,60; IC 95%[1,86-48,59];p=0,007), Lesão Renal Aguda (HR=2,47; IC 95% [1,00-6,13];p=0,051) e dias de hospitalização (HR=1,04; IC 95%[1,01-1,08];p=0,030), mas não o sexo feminino (HR=0,83; IC95% [0,33-2,10];p=0,690) como fatores prognósticos independentes de mortalidade. Conclusões Comparadas aos homens, as mulheres com IAMCSST submetidas à ICP primária apresentam maiores taxas de mortalidade. Mulheres hospitalizadas por IAMCSST têm pior perfil de risco, são tratadas com maior tempo de reperfusão relacionado a atrasos do sistema e têm menor probabilidade de receber a terapia recomendada. O sexo feminino não foi fator prognóstico independente para mortalidade na população estudada.

Abstract Background Although outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have improved, women show higher mortality. Objectives To assess gender differences in presentation, management and in-hospital mortality, at 30-days, 6-months and 1-year after STEMI. Methods We retrospectively collected data from 809 consecutive patients treated with primary PCI and compared the females versus males at the local intervention cardiology database. The level of significance used was p<0.05. Results Women were older than man (69,1±14,6 vs. 58,5±12,7 years; p<.001) with higher prevalence of age over 75 years (36.7% vs. 11.7%; p<.001), diabetes (30,6% vs. 18,5%; p=.001), hypertension (60.5% vs. 45.9%; p=.001), chronic kidney disease (3.4% vs. 0.6%; p=.010) and acute ischemic stroke (6.8% vs. 3.0%; p=.021). At presentation, women had more atypical symptoms, less chest pain (p=.014) and were more frequently in cardiogenic shock (p=.011)). Women had longer time until reperfusion (p=.001) and were less likely to receive optimal medical therapy (p<0.05). In-hospital mortality (p=.001), at 30-days (p<.001), 6-months (p<.001) and 1-year (16.4% vs. p<.001) was higher in women. The multivariate analysis identified age over 75 years (HR=4.25; 95% CI[1.67-10.77];p=.002), Killip class II (HR=8.80; 95% CI[2.72-28.41];p<.001), III (HR=5.88; 95% CI [0.99-34.80]; p=.051) and IV (HR=9.60; 95% CI[1.86-48.59];p=.007), Acute Kidney Injury (HR=2.47; 95% CI[1.00-6.13];p=.051) and days of hospitalization (HR=1.04; 95% CI[1.01-1.08];p=.030) but not female gender (HR=0.83; 95% CI[0.33-2.10];p=.690) as independent prognostic factors of mortality. Conclusions Compared to men, women with STEMI undergoing primary PCI have higher mortality rates. Women admitted for STEMI have a worse risk profile, are treated with a higher reperfusion time related with system delays and are less likely to receive the recommended therapy. Female gender was not an independent prognostic factor for mortality in the studied population.

The impact of COVID-19 on air passenger demand and CO2 emissions in Brazil.

This paper estimates the impact of the COVID-19 on air travel demand and emissions in Brazil, the largest aviation market in Latin America. Combining detailed flight data and data on combustion emission factors, we estimate the CO2 emissions of domestic flights. A Bayesian structural time-series model was used to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on daily trends of air travel demand and emissions. The COVID-19 caused a reduction of 68% in national passengers and 63% in total CO2 emissions compared to what would have occurred if the pandemic had not happened. Despite such a sharp drop, fuel efficiency decreased after the COVID-19 outbreak, and passenger demand recovered to 64.2% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2020. The fast recovery in domestic flights by December 2020 indicates that the emissions could soon return to pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the challenges of reducing emissions in the aviation sector in the short term.

Causa rara de parada cardíaca: um caso de extensa dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária esquerda / A rare cause of cardiac arrest: a case of an extensive left coronary artery spontaneous dissection

Um homem de 28 anos com história pregressa de abuso de drogas foi encaminhado para coronariografia de emergência após parada cardíaca. O eletrocardiograma pós-ressuscitação mostrou elevação do segmento ST em V1-V4. A angiografia mostrou dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária, multiarterial e em diversos segmentos. Devido à instabilidade clínica, o paciente foi submetido à intervenção coronária percutânea da artéria descendente anterior. A prevalência da dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária como causa de síndrome coronariana aguda em homens é infrequente. No entanto, nos casos suspeitos, ela deve ser excluída. A parada cardiorrespiratória é um quadro incomum na dissecção espontânea da artéria coronária, e a intervenção coronária percutânea como modalidade terapêutica ainda é uma questão em debate.

A 28-year-old male with a previous history of drug abuse was sent to an emergent coronary angiography, after a cardiac arrest, with a post-resuscitation eletrocardiogram showing ST- segment elevation from V1-V4. Angiography showed multivessel and multisegment spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Due to clinical instability, patient underwent left anterior descending artery percutaneous coronary intervention. Prevalence of spontaneous coronary artery dissection as the cause of acute coronary syndrome is anecdotal in men. Yet, in the right scenarios as in this case, it must be ruled out. Cardiorespiratory arrest is an uncommon presentation of spontaneous coronary artery dissection and percutaneous coronary intervention in spontaneous coronary artery dissection is still a matter of debate.

Impacto da intervenção coronária percutânea versus cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio na doença do tronco da coronária esquerda ­ experiência de um único centro / The impact of percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in left main coronary artery disease ­ a single center experience

Introdução: Embora a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio seja o tratamento padrão-ouro para a doença estável do tronco da coronária esquerda, a intervenção coronária percutânea mostrou bons resultados, tornando-se alternativa à técnica cirúrgica. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar e comparar uma população do mundo real com doença estável de tronco de coronária esquerda submetida à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio ou à intervenção coronária percutânea, quanto às suas características e aos seus desfechos. Métodos: Duas amostras de pacientes com doença estável do tronco da coronária esquerda, submetidas à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio ou à intervenção coronária percutânea entre janeiro de 2015 e novembro de 2018, foram avaliadas, e seus resultados clínicos foram comparados. As taxas de eventos cumulativos foram baseadas na curva de Kaplan-Meier e comparadas com estatísticas de teste de log-rank. Os valores de p, razão de risco e IC95% foram obtidos por meio de regressões de Cox univariadas. Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos submetidos à intervenção coronária percutânea e à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio na composição total de riscos de eventos cardíacos e cerebrovasculares adversos maiores (razão de risco do grupo submetido à intervenção coronária percutânea de 2,066; IC95% 0,876-4,869; p=0,097) ou no risco de morte por causa cardiovascular (razão de risco de 1,117 no grupo submetido à intervenção coronária percutânea; IC95% 0,204-6,109; p=0,898). Entretanto, o grupo classificado como tendo doença coronariana de alta complexidade anatômica apresentou piores resultados quanto às taxas de eventos cardíacos e cerebrovasculares adversos maiores quando submetidos à intervenção coronária percutânea (razão de risco de 2,699; IC95% 1,002-7,266; p=0,049). Conclusão: Ambos os tratamentos são opções válidas para a doença estável do tronco da coronária esquerda, exceto em pacientes com alta complexidade anatômica coronariana, nos quais a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio deve permanecer como tratamento de escolha.

Background: Although coronary artery bypass grafting has been considered the gold-standard treatment for stable ischemic left main coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention has shown good results, and is an alternative to surgery. This study aimed to evaluate and compare a real-world population with stable left main coronary artery disease submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention, regarding their characteristics and outcomes. Methods: Two samples of patients with stable ischemic left main coronary artery disease, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2015 and November 2018, were evaluated and their clinical outcomes compared. The cumulative event rates were based on the Kaplan-Meier curve and compared with log-rank statistics. Hazard ratio and 95%CI and p-values, were obtained through univariate Cox regressions. Results: No significant differences were found between the percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting groups in the total composition of risks for major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (hazard ratio of the percutaneous coronary intervention group of 2.066; 95%CI 0.876-4.869; p=0.097) or in the risk of death from cardiovascular cause (hazard ratio for the percutaneous coronary intervention group of 1,117; 95%CI 0.204- 6,109; p=0.898). However, the group classified as high coronary artery disease anatomical complexity had worse results regarding major cardiac and cerebrovascular events rates when submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention (hazard ratio of 2.699; 95%CI 1.002-7.266; p=0.049). Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that both treatments are valid options for the treatment of stable ischemic left main coronary artery disease, except in patients with high coronary anatomic complexity, in whom coronary artery bypass grafting should remain the treatment of choice.

Prognostic impact of iron deficiency in acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (IDef) is a prevalent condition in patients with heart disease and in those with heart failure (HF). Evidence has shown that this deficit is associated with worse prognosis. Data in literature are scarce on the prognostic impact of IDef in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), which is the main objective of this study. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study which included 817 patients admitted for ACS. Two groups were defined according to the presence (n=298) or absence of IDef (n=519) on admission. The clinical event under study was the occurrence of death or severe HF in the long term. Independent predictors of prognosis were determined with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of patients had IDef. There was higher mortality (p=0.004), higher incidence of HF (p=0.011) during follow-up and a higher rate of hospital readmissions (p=0.048) in this group. IDef was an independent predictor of death or severe HF in follow-up, along with anemia, left ventricular dysfunction, renal dysfunction and the absence of revascularization. IDef also enabled us to further stratify the prognosis of patients without anemia based on the occurrence of death or severe HF and those with lower Killip classes (≤2) based on the occurrence of death. CONCLUSION: IDef was an independent predictor of death or severe HF in patients admitted with ACS and enabled additional stratification for those without anemia on admission and in those with Killip classes ≤2.

Prevalência de parasitoses intestinais em crianças e pré-adolescentes no município de Breves, Pará, Brasil / Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in children and pre-adolescents in the municipality of Breves, Brazil

O estudo objetivou diagnosticar parasitas intestinais em crianças e pré-adolescentes (0 a 14 anos) e verificar o estado de saúde deles. Foi desenvolvido no Igarapé Santa Cruz, município de Breves-PA, e consistiu na aplicação de questionário e coleta de amostras fecais de 250 pessoas. Detectou-se prevalência de 91,20% de casos positivos para ao menos uma espécie de parasita, e destes, 62,72% apresentaram poliparasitismo. Quanto aos grupos de parasitas, a infecção foi de 70,8% para helmintos, e 65,6% para protozoários. As espécies predominantes foram Trichuris trichiura (68,8%), Endolimax nana (48,4%), Ascaris lumbricoides (37,2%) e Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar (33,6%). Quanto ao estado de saúde, 62,9% apresentam um histórico de doença gastrointestinal, e 18,0%, de hospitalização. As manifestações clínicas de maior destaque foram dores abdominais, eliminação de vermes e diarreia. Diante do estado de saúde e da alta prevalência de enteroparasitoses, são necessárias intervenções para combate, controle e tratamento.

Current paper diagnosed intestinal parasites in children and pre-adolescents (0 to 14 years old) and verified their health conditions. The study was carried out in the Igarapé Santa Cruz, municipality of Breves, in the state of Pará, Brazil. A questionnaire was handed out and fecal samples from 250 children were collected. Further, 91.20% of positive cases was detected for at least one parasite species, although 62.72% had polyparasitism. In the case of parasite groups, 70.8% were infected by helminths and 65.6% by protozoa. The most prevalent species were Trichuris trichiura (68.8%), Endolimax nana (48.4%), Ascaris lumbricoides (37.2%) and Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar (33.6%). Health status revealed that 62.9% had a history of gastrointestinal disease and 18.0% of hospitalization. The most prominent clinical manifestations were abdominal pain, elimination of worms and diarrhea. In view of the state of health and high prevalence of entero-parasitosis, interventions involving control and treatment are mandatory.

Higher risk of death from COVID-19 in low-income and non-White populations of São Paulo, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Little evidence exists on the differential health effects of COVID-19 on disadvantaged population groups. Here we characterise the differential risk of hospitalisation and death in São Paulo state, Brazil, and show how vulnerability to COVID-19 is shaped by socioeconomic inequalities. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using hospitalised severe acute respiratory infections notified from March to August 2020 in the Sistema de Monitoramento Inteligente de São Paulo database. We examined the risk of hospitalisation and death by race and socioeconomic status using multiple data sets for individual-level and spatiotemporal analyses. We explained these inequalities according to differences in daily mobility from mobile phone data, teleworking behaviour and comorbidities. RESULTS: Throughout the study period, patients living in the 40% poorest areas were more likely to die when compared with patients living in the 5% wealthiest areas (OR: 1.60, 95% CI 1.48 to 1.74) and were more likely to be hospitalised between April and July 2020 (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.12). Black and Pardo individuals were more likely to be hospitalised when compared with White individuals (OR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.46; OR: 1.26, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.28, respectively), and were more likely to die (OR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.19; 1.07, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.10, respectively) between April and July 2020. Once hospitalised, patients treated in public hospitals were more likely to die than patients in private hospitals (OR: 1.40%, 95% CI 1.34% to 1.46%). Black individuals and those with low education attainment were more likely to have one or more comorbidities, respectively (OR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.39; 1.36, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.45). CONCLUSIONS: Low-income and Black and Pardo communities are more likely to die with COVID-19. This is associated with differential access to quality healthcare, ability to self-isolate and the higher prevalence of comorbidities.

Geographic access to COVID-19 healthcare in Brazil using a balanced float catchment area approach.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world has raised concerns about the responsiveness of cities and healthcare systems during pandemics. Recent studies try to model how the number of COVID-19 infections will likely grow and impact the demand for hospitalization services at national and regional levels. However, less attention has been paid to the geographic access to COVID-19 healthcare services and to hospitals' response capacity at the local level, particularly in urban areas in the Global South. This paper shows how transport accessibility analysis can provide actionable information to help improve healthcare coverage and responsiveness. It analyzes accessibility to COVID-19 healthcare at high spatial resolution in the 20 largest cities of Brazil. Using network-distance metrics, we estimate the vulnerable population living in areas with poor access to healthcare facilities that could either screen or hospitalize COVID-19 patients. We then use a new balanced floating catchment area (BFCA) indicator to estimate spatial, income, and racial inequalities in access to hospitals with intensive care unit (ICU) beds and mechanical ventilators while taking into account congestion effects. Based on this analysis, we identify substantial social and spatial inequalities in access to health services during the pandemic. The availability of ICU equipment varies considerably between cities, and it is substantially lower among black and poor communities. The study maps territorial inequalities in healthcare access and reflects on different policy lessons that can be learned for other countries based on the Brazilian case.