Pulmonary Ultrasound in Patients with Heart Failure - Systematic Review.

Pulmonary congestion is an important clinical finding in patients with heart failure (HF). Physical examination and chest X-ray have limited accuracy in detecting congestion. Pulmonary ultrasound (PU) has been incorporated into clinical practice in the evaluation of pulmonary congestion. This paper aimed to perform a systematic review of the use of PU in patients with HF, in different scenarios. A search was performed in the MEDLINE and LILACS databases in February 2017 involving articles published between 2006 and 2016. We found 26 articles in the present review, 11 of which in the emergency setting and 7 in the outpatient setting, with diagnostic and prognosis defined value and poorly studied therapeutic value. PU increased accuracy by 90% as compared to physical examination and chest X-ray for the diagnosis of congestion, being more sensitive and precocious. The skill of the PU performer did not interfere with diagnostic accuracy. The presence of B-lines ≥ 15 correlated with high BNP values (≥ 500) and E/e' ratio ≥ 15, with prognostic impact in IC patients at hospital discharge and those followed up on an outpatient basis. In conclusion, when assessing pulmonary congestion in HF, PU has an incremental value in the diagnostic and prognostic approach in all scenarios studied.

Pulmonary Ultrasound in Patients with Heart Failure - Systematic Review / Ultrassom Pulmonar em Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca - Revisão Sistemática

Abstract Pulmonary congestion is an important clinical finding in patients with heart failure (HF). Physical examination and chest X-ray have limited accuracy in detecting congestion. Pulmonary ultrasound (PU) has been incorporated into clinical practice in the evaluation of pulmonary congestion. This paper aimed to perform a systematic review of the use of PU in patients with HF, in different scenarios. A search was performed in the MEDLINE and LILACS databases in February 2017 involving articles published between 2006 and 2016. We found 26 articles in the present review, 11 of which in the emergency setting and 7 in the outpatient setting, with diagnostic and prognosis defined value and poorly studied therapeutic value. PU increased accuracy by 90% as compared to physical examination and chest X-ray for the diagnosis of congestion, being more sensitive and precocious. The skill of the PU performer did not interfere with diagnostic accuracy. The presence of B-lines ≥ 15 correlated with high BNP values (≥ 500) and E/e' ratio ≥ 15, with prognostic impact in IC patients at hospital discharge and those followed up on an outpatient basis. In conclusion, when assessing pulmonary congestion in HF, PU has an incremental value in the diagnostic and prognostic approach in all scenarios studied.

Resumo A congestão pulmonar é um achado clínico importante em paciente com insuficiência cardíaca (IC). Exame físico e radiografia do tórax têm acurácia limitada na detecção da congestão. A ultrassonografia pulmonar (UP) vem sendo incorporada à prática clínica na avaliação da congestão pulmonar. Este artigo teve como objetivo realizar revisão sistemática sobre a utilização da UP em pacientes com IC, nos diferentes cenários. Foi realizada uma pesquisa nas bases de dados MEDLINE e LILACS no mês de fevereiro de 2017 envolvendo artigos publicados entre 2006 e 2016. Foram encontrados 26 artigos na presente revisão, 11 deles no cenário da emergência e 7 em cenário ambulatorial, com valor diagnóstico e prognóstico definido e valor terapêutico pouco estudado. A UP aumentou a acurácia em 90% em relação ao exame físico e à radiografia do tórax para o diagnóstico da congestão, sendo mais sensível e precoce. A qualificação do executor da UP não interferiu na acurácia diagnóstica. O achado de linhas B ≥ 15 teve correlação com BNP elevado (≥ 500) e relação E/e' ≥ 15, com impacto prognóstico em pacientes com IC ambulatoriais e na alta hospitalar. Conclui-se que, na avaliação da congestão pulmonar na IC, a UP tem valor incremental na abordagem diagnóstica e prognóstica em todos os cenários encontrados.

Ventricular late potential duration correlates to the time of onset of electrical transients during ventricular activation in subjects post-acute myocardial infarction.

Ventricular late potentials (VLP) are electrical signals detected at the terminal region of the ventricular activation on surface ECG and often correlated to regions of fragmented electrical conduction in subjacent damaged myocardium. Intraventricular electrical transients (IVET) arisen from myocardial infarction scars may influence VLP identification depending on transient time of onset and duration. Seventy-six subjects after first ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI) VLP were stratified according to initial myocardial wall insulted, whether anterior or inferior wall and electrical transient tracked throughout ventricular activation using spectral turbulence analysis technique. VLP were more prevalent in inferior than anterior STEAMI. No differences regarding IVET duration was observed between anterior and inferior STEAMI. Time of onset but not duration of IVET correlated to VLP duration. Scar location after STEAMI influences detection ventricular late potentials in SAECG.

Large pericardial effusion due to peritoneopericardial fistula.

A 50 years old male with previous history of dilated cardiomyopathy was admitted to cardio-intensive unit with dyspnea, cough, ascites and lower limb edema ascending to the inguinal region. 2D-Ecocardiogram revealed large pericardial effusion, without signs of diastolic restriction. The patient underwent pericardial drainage, which rapidly recollected in the following day. Abdominal ultrasound showed fibrotic and reduced size liver and subsequent radionuclide scan demonstrated direct communication between peritoneal and pericardial spaces. With the resolution of ascites, pericardial effusion did not recur. Embryologic explanation of this rare condition is still elusive, but incomplete closure of diaphragmatic muscle and thoracic-abdominal communication may represent the model of this anatomic functional anomaly.