Foetal dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular thrombosis.

Serial foetal echocardiography showed the development of severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and thrombosis in a previously healthy foetus. Normal cardiac findings in a mid-trimester foetus do not exclude subsequent dilated cardiomyopathy.

Oclusão percutânea do apêndice atrial esquerdo: exequibilidade, segurança e efeito nos parâmetros ecocardiográficos de anatomia e função cardíaca / Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion: feasibility, safety and effect on echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function and anatomy / Oclusión Percutánea de la Orejuela Auricular Izquierda: Ejecutabilidad, Seguridad y Efecto sobre los Parámetros Ecocardiográficos de Anatomía y Función Cardíaca

Fundamento: A oclusão percutânea do Apêndice Atrial Esquerdo (AAE) representa estratégia alternativa para a prevenção de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico na Fibrilação Atrial (FA) de alto risco.Objetivo: Avaliar exequibilidade, segurança e efeito sobre parâmetros ecocardiográficos da oclusão do AAE com o dispositivo Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP).Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo portadores de FA paroxística ou permanente, não valvar, com escore de risco CHADS2 ≥ 2 e contraindicação ao anticoagulante oral. Sob monitorização do Ecocardiograma Transesofágico (ETE), o ACP foi implantado no AAE de acordo com as medidas ecocardiográficas apropriadas. Controle clínico e ecocardiográfico foi realizado no segundo e no oitavo meses.Resultados: O grupo foi constituído por 11 pacientes (7 homens), com idade 73 ± 8 anos e escore CHADS2 médio 3 ± 1. O procedimento foi realizado com sucesso em todos os pacientes, com alta hospitalar após 7 ± 3 dias. O ETE não mostrou interferência com estruturas adjacentes ou embolização do dispositivo. Houve dois tamponamentos cardíacos, tratados com boa evolução clínica. Após o acompanhamento, não houve nenhum evento clínico, embora dois pacientes tenham apresentado mínimo fluxo residual pelo ACP e um paciente mostrado trombo recobrindo o dispositivo. Não houve diferenças no tamanho e na fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, nem na dimensão e no volume do átrio esquerdo.Conclusão: A oclusão percutânea do AAE com o ACP é tecnicamente viável e não interfere nos parâmetros usuais de anatomia e função cardíacas. Entretanto, complicações sérias podem advir e a segurança e a eficácia clínica devem ser testadas em estudos prospectivos randomizados.

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is an alternative strategy for the prevention of stroke in patients with high-risk atrial fibrillation (AF).Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of LAA occlusion with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) as well as the effect on echocardiographic parameters.Methods: Patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal or permanent AF, with CHADS2 risk score ≥ 2 and contraindication to oral anticoagulation were included in the study. Under monitoring of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), the ACP device was implanted in the AAE, according to appropriate echocardiographic measurements. Clinical and echocardiographic controls in the second and eighth months were performed. Results: The group consisted of 11 patients (7 men), aged 73 ± 8 years and CHADS2 score 3 ± 1. The procedure was successfully performed in all patients with hospital discharge after 7 ± 3 days. TEE showed no interference with adjacent structures or device embolization. There were two cardiac tamponade, treated with good clinical outcome. After follow-up, there was no clinical event, although two patients have shown minimal residual flow through the ACP, and one patient shown thrombus covering the device. There were no differences in the left ventricular dimension and ejection fraction, or the left atrial size and volume.Conclusion: The percutaneous LAA closure with ACP is technically feasible and does not interfere with usual parameters of cardiac anatomy and function. However, serious complications can arise and their clinical safety and efficacy must be tested in randomized prospective studies.

Justificación: La Oclusión Percutánea de la Orejuela de la Aurícula Izquierda (AAE) representa estrategia alternativa para la prevención de accidente cerebrovascular isquémico en la Fibrilación Auricular (FA) de alto riesgo. Objetivo: Evaluar la ejecutabilidad, seguridad y efecto sobre los parámetros ecocardiográficos de la oclusión de la AAE con el dispositivo Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP). Métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio, los portadores de FA paroxística o permanente, no valvular, con score de riesgo CHADS2 ≥ 2 y contraindicación para la anticoagulación oral. Bajo monitorización de la Ecocardiografía Transesofágica (ETE), el ACP fue implantado en la AAE de acuerdo con las medidas ecocardiográficas apropiadas. El Control clínico y ecocardiográfico se realizó en el segundo y octavo mes. Resultados: El grupo está formado por 11 pacientes (7 varones), con edad de 73 ± 8 años y score CHADS2 medio 3 ± 1. Se ha realizado el procedimiento con éxito en todos los pacientes, con alta hospitalaria después de 7 ± 3 días. El ETE no mostró interferencia con estructuras adyacentes o embolización del dispositivo. Hubo dos taponamientos cardíaco, tratados con buena evolución clínica. Después del seguimiento, no hubo ningún evento clínico, aunque dos pacientes hayan presentado un flujo mínimo residual por el ACP, además de ello un paciente mostró trombo que recubre el dispositivo. No hubo diferencias en el tamaño y en la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo, ni en la dimensión y en el volumen de la aurícula izquierda.Conclusión: La oclusión percutánea de la AAE con el ACP es técnicamente factible y no interfiere en los parámetros habituales de anatomía y función cardíacas. Sin embargo, complicaciones severas pueden surgir y la seguridad y la eficacia clínica deben probarse en estudios prospectivos aleatorizados

The functional effect of soybean extract and isolated isoflavone on myocardial infarction and ventricular dysfunction: the soybean extract on myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction is a public health problem. Functional food is an alternative treatment for cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the functional and anatomopathological post-myocardial-infarction effects of soybean extract (SE) and isoflavone (IF). METHODS: Myocardial infarction was induced in adult Wistar rats. After 5 days, an echocardiogram was performed to determine heart rate (HR), ejection fraction (EF), systolic volume (LVESV) and diastolic volume (LVEDV). Animals with ventricular dysfunction (EF<45%) were selected for study. The animals were divided into three groups: control (n=14), SE (n=15) and IF (n=12). The IF group received 120 mg/kg/day isolated IF, and the SE group received 12.52 g/day. After 30 days, a new echocardiogram was performed. A histological exam was carried out to determine the collagen. Activity of biochemical markers [arginase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase] was measured. RESULTS: The animals of the control, IF and SE groups showed a reduction in EF after the infarction (P=.432, P=.017 and P=.320, respectively). An increase of LVESV and LVEDV was observed in all groups (P=.009, P=.001 and P=.140; and P=.003, P=.008 and P=.205, respectively). A reduction of HR was found in the SE group (P=.020). There was a greater activity of LDH in the SE group. A smaller quantity of mature collagen was found in the region proximal to the myocardial infarction in the SE group. CONCLUSION: A protective effect in the SE group was observed 30 days after the myocardial infarction.

Diastolic heart failure in dialysis patients: mechanisms, diagnostic approach, and treatment.

Heart failure (HF) is very common in the general population, and risk factors for HF, such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, are frequently present in patients with CKD. Therefore, HF is also an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Diastolic heart failure (DHF), also called HF with preserved ejection fraction, refers to a clinical syndrome in which patients have symptoms and signs of HF, normal or near normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function, and evidence of diastolic dysfunction (e.g., abnormal LV filling and elevated filling pressure). Recent data suggest that HF with normal ejection fraction is even more common in patients than HF with low ejection fraction, including those on hemodialysis. Not surprisingly, DHF is a strong predictor of death in CKD patients. In this article, we review the information available on the mechanisms, clinical presentation, impact, and potential interventions in DHF based on evidence from CKD patients, as well as evidence from the general population potentially applicable to the CKD population.

Inflamação sistêmica e dilatação do átrio esquerdo na hemodiálise crônica sem doença cardiovascular conhecida / Systemic inflammation and left atrium dilation in chronic hemodialysis without overt cardiovascular disease

Objetivo: Verificar a presença de associações entre inflamação sistêmica e dilatação do átrio esquerdo (AE), em pacientes sob hemodiálise (HD) de manutenção, sem doença cardiovascular (DCV) clinicamente manifesta. Métodos: Estudo observacional transversal em população sob HD (> 3 meses), excluindo-se pacientes com doença inflamatória crônica, infecções, neoplasias, instabilidade hemodinâmica, uso de drogas anti-inflamatórias, hiperparatireodismo, arritmias, valvopatia mitral e DCV prévia. Foram obtidas dosagens de proteína C reativa (PCR) e interleucina 6 (IL-6) e ecodopplercardiograma. Coeficientes de correlação foram determinados para avaliar as associações entre as variáveis. Resultados: Incluídos 58 pacientes (28 homens, idade 55 ± 15 anos), sob HD há 24 ± 16 meses, 45% hipertensos, 26% diabéticos, com medianas de PCR 5,1mg/ml e IL-6 6,1pg/ml. A PCR correlacionou-se, significativamente, com dimensão do AE (p= 0,040), volume indexado do AE (VIAE, p= 0,02) e onda E do fluxo mitral (p= 0,014). A IL-6, apesar da forte associação com a PCR (r= 0,75, p < 0,001), não se correlacionou com índices ecocardiográficos. Indivíduos no quartil superior da PCR tiveram VIAE, significativamente, maior do que os demais (42 ± 17 versus 32 ± 11, p= 0,015). Conclusão: Em indivíduos sob HD sem DCV prévia, houve associação entre elevação da PCR e aumento do AE. Os achados sugerem uma ligação entre processos fisiopatológicos relacionados à dilatação atrial esquerda e o estado inflamatório sistêmico de pacientes sob HD.

Objective: To verify associations between systemic infl ammation and left atrium (LA) dilatation in patients under maintenance hemodialysis (HD) without clinically overt cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Observational cross-sectional study in population under HD (> 3 months), excluding patients with chronic infl ammatory disease, infections, neoplasia, hemodynamic instability, use of anti-infl ammatory drugs, hyperparathyroidism, arrhythmias, mitral valve disease and prior CVD. Measurements of C-reative protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and echocardiograms were obtained. Correlation coeffi cients were determined to assess associations between variables. Results: The study comprised 58 patients (28 men, age 55 ± 15 years) under HD for 24 ± 16 months, 45% hypertensive, 26% diabetic, with median CRP 5.1 mg/ml and median IL-6 6.1 pg/ml. CRP was signifi cantly correlated with LA dimension (p= 0.040), indexed LA volume (p= 0.02), and mitral infl ow E-wave (p = 0.014). IL-6, despite the strong association with CRP (r= 0.75, p < 0.001), did not correlate with echocardiographic indexes. Individuals in the upper quartile of CRP had indexed LA volume significantly greater than the rest (42 ± 17 versus 32 ± 11, p= 0.015). Conclusion: In patients under HD without prior CVD, there was an association between elevated CRP and increased LA. The findings suggest a link between pathophysiological processes related to left atrial enlargement and systemic infl ammatory state of patients under HD.

Hypovitaminosis D is associated with systemic inflammation and concentric myocardial geometric pattern in hemodialysis patients with low iPTH levels.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency is a cardiovascular risk factor in the hemodialysis (HD) population. The aim of this study was to identify hypovitaminosis D in HD patients without signs of hyperparathyroidism and to analyze its association to inflammation and echocardiographic alterations. METHODS: Patients on HD with iPTH <300 pg/ml not receiving vitamin D therapy were recruited. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as 25(OH)D <30 ng/ml. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and serum albumin were used as inflammation markers. Echocardiograms were performed in an interdialytic mid-week day. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (mean age of 56 ± 15 years, 52% males, 93% Caucasians, 31% diabetic) were included, and 75% presented hypovitaminosis D. Inflammation was more prevalent among those with hypovitaminosis D, and these patients presented higher relative wall thickness (0.48 ± 0.11 vs. 0.42 ± 0.10 mm; p = 0.05) and lower left ventricular diastolic (49.8 ± 6.2 vs. 54.7 ± 5.8 mm; p = 0.013) and systolic (31.9 ± 5.7 vs. 36.8 ± 7.2 mm; p = 0.012) diameters. CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D is associated with inflammation and concentric geometric pattern of the left ventricle, even in the absence of high iPTH levels. Vitamin D repletion (aiming to reduce cardiovascular complications) should also be considered in HD patients with normal or low iPTH levels.

Prevalência e impacto prognóstico da disfunção diastólica na doença renal crônica em hemodiálise / Prevalence and prognostic impact of diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis

FUNDAMENTO: Disfunção diastólica é frequente em pacientes de hemodiálise, mas seu impacto na evolução clínica é incerto. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência e o impacto prognóstico da disfunção diastólica (DD) avançada (DDA) do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) em pacientes de hemodiálise. MÉTODOS: Ecocardiogramas foram realizados em pacientes no primeiro ano de hemodiálise, em ritmo sinusal, sem doença cardiovascular manifestada, excluindo-se aqueles com valvopatia significativa ou derrame pericárdico. Pela avaliação integrada dos dados ecodopplercardiográficos, a função diastólica foi classificada como: 1) normal, 2) DD discreta (alteração do relaxamento) e 3) DDA (pseudonormalização e fluxo restritivo). Os desfechos pesquisados foram mortalidade geral e eventos cardiovasculares. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 129 pacientes (78 homens), com idade 52 ± 16 anos e prevalência de DD de 73 por cento (50 por cento com DD discreta e 23 por cento com DDA). No grupo com DDA, demonstrou-se maior idade (p < 0,01), pressão arterial sistólica (p < 0,01) e diastólica (p = 0,043), massa do VE (p < 0,01), índice do volume do átrio esquerdo (p < 0,01) e proporção de diabéticos (p = 0,019), além de menor fração de ejeção (p < 0,01). Após 17 ± 7 meses, a mortalidade geral foi significativamente maior naqueles com DDA, em comparação aos normais e com DD discreta (p = 0,012, log rank test). Na análise multivariada de Cox, a DDA foi preditiva de eventos cardiovasculares (hazard ratio 2,2, intervalo de confiança 1,1-4,3, p = 0,021) após ajuste para idade, gênero, diabete, massa do VE e fração de ejeção. CONCLUSÃO: A DDA subclínica foi encontrada em aproximadamente um quarto dos pacientes de hemodiálise e acarretou impacto prognóstico, independente de outros dados clínicos e ecocardiográficos.

BACKGROUND: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is frequent in patients on hemodialysis (HD), but its impact on the clinical evolution is yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and prognostic impact of left ventricular (LV) advanced diastolic dysfunction (ADD) in patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: The echocardiograms were performed during the first year of HD therapy, in patients with sinus rhythm, with no evidence of cardiovascular disease, excluding those with significant valvopathy or pericardial effusion. The combined assessment of the Doppler echocardiographic data classified the diastolic dysfunction as: 1) normal diastolic function; 2) mild DD (relaxation alteration) and 3) ADD (pseudonormalization and restrictive flow pattern). The assessed outcomes were general mortality and cardiovascular events. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients (78 males), aged 52 ± 16 years, with a DD prevalence of 73 percent (50 percent with mild DD and 23 percent with ADD) were included in the study. The group with ADD was older (p < 0.01) and presented higher systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic BP (p = 0.043), LV mass (p < 0.01), left atrial volume index (p < 0.01) and number of diabetic patients (p = 0.019), as well as lower ejection fraction (EF) (p < 0.01). After 17 ± 7 months, the general mortality was significantly higher in individuals with ADD, when compared to those with normal function and mild DD (p = 0.012, log rank test). At Cox multivariate analysis, ADD was predictive of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 2.2; confidence interval: 1.1-4.3; p = 0.021) after adjusted for age, gender, diabetes, LV mass and EF. CONCLUSION: The subclinical ADD was identified in approximately 25 percent of the patients undergoing hemodialysis and had a prognostic impact, regardless of other clinical and echocardiographic data.

Echocardiography in chronic kidney disease: diagnostic and prognostic implications.

Most of the recent advances in the understanding of chronic kidney disease (CKD)-related cardiovascular disease have focused on atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, and much less effort has been dedicated to unveil and evaluate the mechanisms and impact of interventions related to myocardial dysfunction. Hence, echocardiographic evaluation plays a pivotal role in establishing the diagnosis of myocardiopathy as well as in stratifying risk and defining the impact of interventions. The aim of this review is to examine the profile of myocardiopathy in CKD, and to identify how the echocardiogram can be useful in diagnostic and prognostic clinical approaches.

Continuing medical education program in echocardiography.

Article Title: Association between Left Atrium Enlargement and Intradialytic Hypotension: Role of Diastolic Dysfunction in the Hemodynamic Complications during Hemodialysis.

Left ventricular mass in chronic kidney disease and ESRD.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ESRD, treated with conventional hemo- or peritoneal dialysis are both associated with a high prevalence of an increase in left ventricular mass (left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH]), intermyocardial cell fibrosis, and capillary loss. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is the best way to detect and quantify these abnormalities, but M-Mode and 2-D echocardiography can also be used if one recognizes their pitfalls. The mechanisms underlying these abnormalities in CKD and ESRD are diverse but involve afterload (arterial pressure and compliance), preload (intravascular volume and anemia), and a wide variety of afterload/preload independent factors. The hemodynamic, metabolic, cellular, and molecular mediators of myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis, apoptosis, and capillary degeneration are increasingly well understood. These abnormalities predispose to sudden cardiac death, most likely by promotion of electrical instability and re-entry arrhythmias and congestive heart failure. Current treatment modalities for CKD and ESRD, including thrice weekly conventional hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis and metabolic and anemia management regimens, do not adequately prevent or correct these abnormalities. A new paradigm of therapy for CKD and ESRD that places prevention and reversal of LVH and cardiac fibrosis as a high priority is needed. This will require novel approaches to management and controlled interventional trials to provide evidence to fuel the transition from old to new treatment strategies. In the meantime, key management principles designed to ameliorate LVH and its complications should become a routine part of the care of the patients with CKD and ESRD.

Prenatal diagnosis of left ventricular aneurysm and diverticulum.

We report two cases of localized left ventricular (LV) protrusion, an entity that has been described in the literature as aneurysm or diverticulum. Both cases had different outcomes from those previously reported. Little is known on the incidence and natural history of these rare anomalies, whose progression may be asymptomatic or lead to severe complications and death in the prenatal period. The therapeutic approach should be customized.

Diagnóstico pré-natal de aneurisma e divertículo do ventrículo esquerdo / Diagnóstico prenatal de aneurisma y divertículo del ventrículo izquierdo / Prenatal diagnosis of left ventricular aneurysm and diverticulum

Descrevemos dois casos de protrusão localizada do ventrículo esquerdo (VE), entidade que tem sido descrita na literatura como aneurisma ou divertículo. Em ambos os casos, observou-se uma evolução distinta da anteriormente relatada. A incidência e história natural dessas raras anomalias são pouco conhecidas, podendo evoluir de forma assintomática ou gerar graves complicações e até o óbito no período pré-natal. A abordagem terapêutica deve ser individualizada.

We report two cases of localized left ventricular (LV) protrusion, an entity that has been described in the literature as aneurysm or diverticulum. Both cases had different outcomes from those previously reported. Little is known on the incidence and natural history of these rare anomalies, whose progression may be asymptomatic or lead to severe complications and death in the prenatal period. The therapeutic approach should be customized.

Describimos dos casos de protrusión localizada del ventrículo izquierdo (VI), entidad que se describe en la bibliografía como aneurisma o divertículo. En ambos casos se observó una evolución distinta a la anteriormente relatada. La incidencia e historia natural de estas raras anomalías son poco conocidas, pudiendo evolucionar de forma asintomática o generar graves complicaciones e incluso el óbito en el período prenatal. El abordaje terapéutico debe ser individualizado.

Association between left atrium enlargement and intradialytic hypotension: role of diastolic dysfunction in the hemodynamic complications during hemodialysis.

Symptomatic intradialytic hypotension (IH) continues to be an important complication of hemodialysis treatment. It has been suggested that patients with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction may be more sensitive to the effects of reduced cardiac filling. Left atrial volume index (LAVi) reflects the chronicity of exposure to elevated LV filling pressures. The aim of this study was to identify the association between echocardiographic disease, in particular left atrium enlargement, and IH. Echocardiograms obtained in 172 patients undergoing hemodialysis in sinus rhythm and with no significant valvular or pericardial disease were analyzed. The independent association between LAVi and IH was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. IH was identified in 27 patients (16%). The patients who experienced the hypotensive episodes had a greater prevalence of previous heart failure (59% vs 22%, P < 0.001), systolic dysfunction (33% vs 14%, P = 0.003), and LAVi > 35 mL/m(2) (59% vs 32%, P = 0.008). No differences were noted for age, gender, body mass index, duration of dialysis, blood pressure, use of drugs, and proportions of arterial hypertension, diabetes, LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction by Doppler. After multivariate analysis, only heart failure and LAVi > 35 mL/m(2) were seen to be independent predictors of IH. The finding of left atrium enlargement in patients undergoing hemodialysis may be useful in the clinical prediction of IH.

Prognostic value of left atrial volume index in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of left atrial volume index (LAVi) in the clinical course of hemodialysis (HD) patients, compared with previously established echocardiographic and clinical parameters. METHODS: Echocardiograms were obtained from 118 hemodialysis patients, who were then followed for 19 +/- 8 months. Study endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and nonfatal cardiovascular events. Cox multivariate analysis was used do assess the independent prognostic value of LAVi. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, LAVi and other clinical and echocardiographic parameters were predictive of prognosis. Multivariate analyses showed that LAVi was an independent predictor of prognosis (hazard ratio 1.03 per ml/m(2), 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.05, p=0.014), and added incremental information to the model containing traditional predictors of cardiovascular risk, such as left ventricular mass, ejection fraction, and clinical variables (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: LAVi is an independent predictor of prognosis in HD patients, providing incremental information to traditional clinical and Doppler echocardiographic data.

Valor prognóstico do índice do volume do átrio esquerdo em pacientes em hemodiálise / Prognostic value of left atrial volume index in hemodialysis patients

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o valor prognóstico do índice do volume do átrio esquerdo (IVAE) no curso clínico dos pacientes de hemodiálise (HD), comparando com parâmetros clínicos e ecocardiográficos previamente estabelecidos. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas ecocardiografias em 118 pacientes de HD, que foram acompanhados por 19 ± 8 meses. O desfecho pesquisado foi composto de mortalidade geral e eventos cardiovasculares não-fatais. O valor prognóstico independente do IVAE foi testado pela análise multivariada de Cox. RESULTADOS: O IVAE e outros parâmetros clínicos e ecocardiográficos foram preditores do prognóstico na análise univariada. Na análise multivariada, o IVAE foi preditor independente do prognóstico (hazard ratio, 1,03 por ml/ m²; intervalo de confiança de 95 por cento, 1,01 a 1,05; p=0,014) e adicionou informação incremental ao modelo contendo preditores tradicionais de risco cardiovascular, como massa ventricular esquerda, fração de ejeção e variáveis clínicas (p=0,02). CONCLUSÃO: O IVAE é preditor independente do prognóstico em pacientes de HD, provendo informação incremental aos dados clínicos e Doppler ecocardiográficos tradicionais.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of left atrial volume index (LAVi) in the clinical course of hemodialysis (HD) patients, compared with previously established echocardiographic and clinical parameters. METHODS: Echocardiograms were obtained from 118 hemodialysis patients, who were then followed for 19 ± 8 months. Study endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and nonfatal cardiovascular events. Cox multivariate analysis was used do assess the independent prognostic value of LAVi. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, LAVi and other clinical and echocardiographic parameters were predictive of prognosis. Multivariate analyses showed that LAVi was an independent predictor of prognosis (hazard ratio 1.03 per ml/m², 95 percent confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.05, p=0.014), and added incremental information to the model containing traditional predictors of cardiovascular risk, such as left ventricular mass, ejection fraction, and clinical variables (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: LAVi is an independent predictor of prognosis in HD patients, providing incremental information to traditional clinical and Doppler echocardiographic data.

The impact of living donor kidney transplantation on markers of cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant (Tx) patients present a reduced cardiovascular (CV) mortality in comparison to the dialysis population, but in comparison to the general population, it is still several-fold higher. METHODS: We studied risk factors for CV disease in a group of 38 patients (50% males, median age 36 years) who underwent a living donor Tx at the baseline and after 3 +/- 1 and 9 +/- 2 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight increased from 26 to 54% after Tx (p < 0.001). The mean systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after the Tx (148 +/- 27.6 vs. 126 +/- 12.7 mm Hg). There was a significant increase in LDL (97 +/- 30 vs. 114 +/- 35) and hematocrit (33.8 +/- 4.4 to 42 +/- 5.7%) levels and a significant reduction in fibrinogen levels (394 +/- 91 vs. 366 +/- 100 mg/dl) after 9 months as compared to the baseline. Obesity and dislipidemia were significantly correlated with inflammation. Significant changes in left ventricle mass index (293 +/- 116 vs. 241 +/- 96) were observed after the Tx. Patients with a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the follow-up evaluation presented higher LDL (128 +/- 7 vs. 99 +/- 7 mg/dl; p < 0.05) and higher fibrinogen levels (399 +/- 21 vs. 332 +/- 22 mg/dl; p < 0.05) compared to patients with a high GFR. CONCLUSION: Most of the risk factors analyzed (particularly the uremia-related) improved after the renal Tx, which could justify the positive impact of Tx on the development of CV disease. Inflammation and dyslipidemia were related to renal dysfunction after the Tx, suggesting that complete restoration of renal function may have an impact on reducing CV mortality in CKD patients treated with renal Tx.

Associations between renal function, volume status and endotoxaemia in chronic kidney disease patients.

Inflammation is an important predictor of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the mechanisms behind the chronic activation of the immune system are not clearly understood. CKD patients develop fluid overload, which has been proposed to be a stimulus for inflammatory activation due to the translocation of macromolecules from the gut. We hypothesize that fluid overload is associated with signs of systemic inflammation and endotoxaemia in stages 1-5 CKD patients. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the associations between renal function, fluid status [evaluated by the inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) and the collapsibility index (CI)], systemic inflammation [plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and albumin] and endotoxaemia (through the Limulus amebocyte lysate enzymatic assay) in a group of CKD patients in our out-patient clinic. The population consisted of 74 (mean of 57; range 23-83 years of age; 47% males) CKD patients with glomerular filtration rate (based on the mean of urea and creatinine clearances) of 34 ml/min. Both albumin (Rho = 0.25; P = 0.05) and fibrinogen (Rho= - 0.48; P < 0.0001) were significantly correlated to glomerular filtration rate (GFR). According to the IVCD, 84% of the patients were fluid overloaded, while 83% were considered overloaded by the CI. Signs of endotoxaemia were detected in all patients. Endotoxin levels were higher in patients with signs of fluid overload (0.85 +/- 0.11ng/l) when compared with patients with normal values of IVCD (0.61 +/- 0.05 ng/l; P < 0.05). Endotoxin levels correlated to both IVCD (Rho=0.33, P < 0.005) and CI (Rho = -0.25, P < 0.05). There was no correlation between endotoxin levels and GFR, CRP or fibrinogen. In summary, although most CKD patients presented signs of fluid overload that was associated with endotoxaemia, there was no association between endotoxaemia and systemic inflammation, suggesting the endotoxaemia may not be the main determinant of the inflammatory status in this group of patients.

Influência da idade gestacional no índice de desempenho miocárdico (índice de Tei) do ventrículo esquerdo em fetos com coração normal / Influênce of gestacional age on the left ventricular doppler index of myocardial performance (Tei Index) in fetuses normal heart

Avaliar a influência da idade gestacional (IG) no índice de Tei do ventrículo esquerdo em fetos com coração normal. Métodos: 49 fetos divididos em 3 grupos de IG (média mais ou menos desvio padrão)foram avaliados por Doppler ecocardiografia, obtendo-se as velocidades do fluxo transvalvar mitral e os intervalos: tempo de relaxamento isovolumetrico (TRIV) tempo de contração isovolumétrico(TCIV), e tempo de ejeção aórtico(TEJ). O índice de Tei foi calculado pela formula: (TCIV mais TRIV)/TE. Análise de variância foi usada para comparar os valores do índice e seus componentes entre os grupos. Regressão linear simples avaliou a relação entre IG e o índice Tei. Resultados: Houve aumento gradativo do índice de Tei com a IG (0,39 mais ou menos 0,02 versus 0,44 mais ou menos 0,02 versus 0,48 mais ou menos 0,02, p menos 0,01), devido a uma progressiva diminuição do Tej (189 mais ou menos 3 ms versus 185 mais ou menos 2 versus 172 mais ou menos 4 ms, p menos 0,05).Não houve diferenças entre os grupos quanto ao TRIV, TCIV, E, A, E/A e frequência cardíaca. O índice de Tei e o Tej tiveram uma correlação linear com a IG (r igual 0,38, p menos 0,01 e r igual 0,24, p 0,05, respectivamente), o que não aconteceu com a TRIV e TCIV (p igual ns). Conclusão: A IG parece ter uma pequena, porém significante, influência na determinação do índice de Tei, que aumenta conforme a gestação se aproxima do termo.

Effect of preload reduction by hemodialysis on left atrial volume and echocardiographic Doppler parameters in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Left atrial (LA) volume has been proposed as a less preload-dependent parameter of diastolic function than Doppler mitral inflow. We hypothesize that in the absence of mitral regurgitation and atrial fibrilation, LA enlargement could be a more practical (and relatively preload-independent) method for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of preload reduction by hemodialysis on LA volume.

Impact of residual renal function on volume status in chronic renal failure.

During the past few years, it has become increasingly evident that residual renal function (RRF) is an important and independent predictor of poor outcome in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the causes of this observation are not fully understood, it appears that the loss of RRF impairs both fluid removal and clearance of solutes, which in turn leads to uremic toxicity and increased morbidity and mortality. There is increasing evidence that patients with CKD develop signs of fluid overload already in the early phases of the disease, and this may be a stimulus for inflammatory activation. Recently, an inflammatory component was identified in uremic atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), which have been consistently associated with poor clinical outcome in patients with CKD. Signs of systemic inflammation occur in parallel to the impairment in renal function, and the pathophysiology is most likely multifactorial, including a decrease in cytokine clearance, advanced glycation end-product accumulation, oxidative stress, and principal fluid overload. Additionally, inflammation seems to be a predictor of accelerated loss of renal function. In this article, we discuss the evidence showing that patients with CKD generally have fluid overload, the mechanisms by which impaired renal function may lead to a chronic inflammatory state, and the available information linking fluid overload to accelerated loss of renal function and CVD through inflammation. Inflammation may lead to the development of complications of CKD, in particular CVD, but on the other hand may also lead to a faster progression of renal disease. Strategies aiming to reduce fluid overload may be useful to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but also preserve RRF.