Circadian rhythm of hospital deaths: comparison between intensive care unit and non-intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: The demonstration that cardiovascular mortality follows a circadian rhythm led us to verify whether patients dying at the intensive unit care (ICU) and at the non-intensive unit care (non-ICU) follow that rhythm. METHODS: All hospital's deaths occurring between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2010 were analyzed. The circadian pattern of the time of death was analyzed in twelve 2 hour intervals. The Chi-square test was used to compare proportions, and Student's t test or ANOVA single factor to compare continuous variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: During the study period 700 deaths occurred in the hospital, 211 (30.1%) at the ICU and 88 (12.6%) at the non-ICU. There were more deaths in the first hours of the day, between 6 am and 12 am, at the non-ICU in comparison to the ICU (38% vs. 21%; p = 0.004). In the ICU, we observed that 21% of the deaths occurred between 6 am and 12 pm, 30% between 12 pm and 6 pm, 26% between 6 pm and 12 am and 24% between 12 am and 6 am (p = 0.13), whereas, at the non-ICU, 38% of the deaths occurred between 6 am and 12 pm, 18% between 12 pm and 6 pm, 19% between 6 pm and 12 am and 25% between 12 am and 6 am (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: At the non-ICU, deaths occur more often in the morning period and follow a circadian rhythm, which does not occur at the ICU.

Ritmo circadiano em óbitos hospitalares: comparação entre unidade de tratamento intensivo e unidade de tratamento não intensivo / Circadian rhythm of hospital deaths: comparison between intensive care unit and non-intensive care unit

OBJETIVO: A demonstração de que a mortalidade cardiovascular segue um ritmo circadiano fez com que fosse verificado se pacientes que falecem em unidade de tratamento intensivo (UTI) e unidade clínica (UC) obedecem a este ritmo. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados todos os óbitos hospitalares ocorridos entre 1º de janeiro de 2006 e 31 de julho de 2010. O padrão circadiano dos óbitos foi analisado dividindo-se as 24 horas do dia em períodos de 2 horas. Utilizou-se o teste do qui-quadrado para comparação de variáveis categóricas e o teste t de Student ou a análise da variância fator único para comparação de variáveis contínuas. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significante. RESULTADOS: No período estudado, foram registrados 700 óbitos, 211 (30,1 por cento) na UTI e 88 (12,6 por cento) na UC. Houve mais óbitos nas primeiras horas do dia, entre 6 e 12 h, na UC, em comparação à UTI (38 por cento vs. 21 por cento; p = 0,004). Na UTI, 21 por cento dos óbitos ocorreram entre 6 e 12 h, 30 por cento entre 12 e 18 h, 26 por cento entre 18 e 24 h e 24 por cento entre 24 e 6 h (p = 0,13). Enquanto, na UC, 38 por cento ocorreram entre 6 e 12 h, 18 por cento entre 12 e 18h, 19 por cento entre 18 e 24 h e 25 por cento entre 24 e 6 h (p = 0,005). CONCLUSÃO: Na UC, os óbitos ocorrem com maior frequência no período da manhã e seguem um padrão circadiano, enquanto na UTI esse fenômeno não ocorre.

OBJECTIVE: The demonstration that cardiovascular mortality follows a circadian rhythm led us to verify whether patients dying at the intensive unit care (ICU) and at the non-intensive unit care (non-ICU) follow that rhythm. METHODS: All hospital's deaths occurring between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2010 were analyzed. The circadian pattern of the time of death was analyzed in twelve 2 hour intervals. The Chi-square test was used to compare proportions, and Student's t test or ANOVA single factor to compare continuous variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: During the study period 700 deaths occurred in the hospital, 211 (30.1 percent) at the ICU and 88 (12.6 percent) at the non-ICU. There were more deaths in the first hours of the day, between 6 am and 12 am, at the non-ICU in comparison to the ICU (38 percent vs. 21 percent; p = 0.004). In the ICU, we observed that 21 percent of the deaths occurred between 6 am and 12 pm, 30 percent between 12 pm and 6 pm, 26 percent between 6 pm and 12 am and 24 percent between 12 am and 6 am (p = 0.13), whereas, at the non-ICU, 38 percent of the deaths occurred between 6 am and 12 pm, 18 percent between 12 pm and 6 pm, 19 percent between 6 pm and 12 am and 25 percent between 12 am and 6 am (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: At the non-ICU, deaths occur more often in the morning period and follow a circadian rhythm, which does not occur at the ICU.

C-reactive protein diagnostic and prognostic value in patients presenting at the emergency room with chest pain.

OBJECTIVE: To test immediate diagnostic and prognostic values of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients admitted to the emergency room (ER) with chest pain (CP) without ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram (ECG). METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2003, 980 patients were consecutively seen in the ER with CP suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (age = 64.9 +/- 14.3, men = 55%, diabetic = 18%, normal ECG = 84%). Serial CRP, creatine kinase MB mass (CKMB-mass) and troponin I determinations were performed on admission, in addition to serial ECG. CRP measurements were standardized (s-CRP) by the upper limit of normal (ULN) of the test used (3.0 mg/L for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] and 0.1 mg/dL for titrated CRP [t-CRP]). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients were diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and their s-CRP values were 1.31 +/- 2.90 (median = 0.47) compared to 0.79 +/- 1.39 (0.30) in no-AMI patients (p = 0.031). The s-CRP > 1.0 showed 30% sensitivity and 80% specificity, plus negative and positive predictive values of 6.1% and 96.7%, respectively, for AMI diagnosis. There were forty in-hospital cardiac events (16 deaths, 22 urgent revascularizations, and 2 acute myocardial infarction). In the first quartile of the s-CRP (< 0.10), three events were recorded, while in the fourth quartile (> 0.93) 15 events (p = 0.003) occurred. In the logistic regression model, masculine gender and s-CRP > 0.32 (odds ratio 7.6, 2.8 and 2.2, respectively) were independent predictors of cardiac events and left ventricular failure. CONCLUSION: In patients with chest pain presenting at the emergency room, s-CRP was not a good marker of AMI, although this diagnosis is virtually excluded by a normal value; in addition, values one-third above the upper limit of normal (>1 mg/L for hs-CRP or >0.33 mg/dL for t-CRP) were predictive of in-hospital adverse cardiac events.

Importância da proteína C-reativa no diagnóstico e no prognóstico intra-hospitalar em pacientes com dor torácica na sala de emergência / C-reactive protein diagnostic and prognostic value in patients presenting at the emergency room with chest pain / C-reactive protein diagnostic and prognostic value in patients presenting at the emergency room with chest pain

OBJETIVO: Testar os valores diagnóstico e prognóstico imediatos da proteína C-reativa (PCR) nos pacientes admitidos na sala de emergência (SE) com dor torácica (DT) e sem elevação do segmento ST no eletrocardiograma (ECG). MÉTODOS: De janeiro de 2002 a dezembro de 2003, 980 pacientes consecutivos foram atendidos com DT suspeita de síndrome coronariana aguda na SE (idade = 64,9 ± 14,3 anos, homens = 55 por cento, diabéticos = 18 por cento, ECG normal = 84 por cento). Dosou-se a PCR na admissão, a creatinofosfoquinase MB fração massa (CKMB) e a troponina I seriadas, além de se registrar ECG seriados. As medidas da PCR foram padronizadas (PCR-p) pelo valor do limite superior da normalidade (LSN) do teste utilizado (3,0 mg/L para a PCR de alta sensibilidade-PCR-AS e 0,1 mg/dl para PCR titulada-PCR-t). RESULTADOS: Foi diagnosticado infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) em 125 pacientes, e seus valores para a PCR-p foram 1,31 ± 2,90 (mediana = 0,47) versus 0,79 ± 1,39 (0,30) nos sem IAM (p = 0,031). A PCR-p > 1,0 apresentou sensibilidade de 30 por cento, especificidade de 80,4 por cento, valores preditivos positivo e negativo de 6,1 por cento e de 96,7 por cento, para o diagnóstico de IAM. Houve quarenta eventos cardíacos intra-hospitalares (óbitos = dezesseis, revascularizações de urgência = 22, IAM = dois). No 1° quartil da PCR-p (< 0,10) registraram-se três eventos, enquanto no 4° quartil (> 0,93) ocorreram quinze eventos (p = 0,003). Na regressão logística foram preditores independentes para eventos cardíacos a insuficiência ventricular esquerda, o sexo masculino e a PCR-p > 0,32, com razão de chances de 7,6, 2,8 e 2,2, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Nos pacientes atendidos com DT na SE, a PCR-p: 1) Não foi um bom marcador de IAM, apesar de um valor normal praticamente afastar esse diagnóstico; 2) Um valor superior a um terço do seu limite superior da normalidade (LSN) (>1 mg/L da PCR-AS ou >0,33 mg/dl da PCR-t) foi preditor de eventos cardíacos adversos intra-hospitalares.

OBJECTIVE: To test immediate diagnostic and prognostic values of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients admitted to the emergency room (ER) with chest pain (CP) without ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram (ECG). METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2003, 980 patients were consecutively seen in the ER with CP suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (age = 64.9 ± 14.3, men = 55 percent, diabetic = 18 percent, normal ECG = 84 percent). Serial CRP, creatine kinase MB mass (CKMB-mass) and troponin I determinations were performed on admission, in addition to serial ECG. CRP measurements were standardized (s-CRP) by the upper limit of normal (ULN) of the test used (3.0 mg/L for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] and 0.1 mg/dL for titrated CRP [t-CRP]). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients were diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and their s-CRP values were 1.31 ± 2.90 (median = 0.47) compared to 0.79 ± 1.39 (0.30) in no-AMI patients (p = 0.031). The s-CRP > 1.0 showed 30 percent sensitivity and 80 percent specificity, plus negative and positive predictive values of 6.1 percent and 96.7 percent, respectively, for AMI diagnosis. There were forty in-hospital cardiac events (16 deaths, 22 urgent revascularizations, and 2 acute myocardial infarction). In the first quartile of the s-CRP (< 0.10), three events were recorded, while in the fourth quartile (> 0.93) 15 events (p = 0.003) occurred. In the logistic regression model, masculine gender and s-CRP > 0.32 (odds ratio 7.6, 2.8 and 2.2, respectively) were independent predictors of cardiac events and left ventricular failure. CONCLUSION: In patients with chest pain presenting at the emergency room, s-CRP was not a good marker of AMI, although this diagnosis is virtually excluded by a normal value; in addition, values one-third above the upper limit of normal (>1 mg/L for hs-CRP or >0.33 mg/dL for t-CRP) were predictive of in-hospital adverse cardiac events.

B-type natriuretic peptide: a novel early blood marker of acute myocardial infarction in patients with chest pain and no ST-segment elevation.

AIMS: This study was undertaken to determine the diagnostic value of admission B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with acute chest pain and no ST-segment elevation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective study with 631 consecutive patients was conducted in the emergency department. Non-ST elevation AMI was present in 72 patients and their median admission BNP level was significantly higher than in unstable angina and non-acute coronary syndrome patients. Sensitivity of admission BNP for AMI (cut-off value of 100 pg/mL) was significantly higher than creatine kinase-MB (CKMB) and troponin-I on admission (70.8 vs. 45.8 vs. 50.7%, respectively, P<0.0001) and specificity was 68.9%. Simultaneous use of these markers significantly improved sensitivity to 87.3% and the negative predictive value to 97.3%. In multiple logistic regression analysis, admission BNP was a significant independent predictor of AMI, even when CKMB and troponin-I were present in the model. CONCLUSION: BNP is a useful adjunct to standard cardiac markers in patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain and no ST-segment elevation, particularly if initial CKMB and/or troponin-I are non-diagnostic.

Safety, feasibility, and results of exercise testing for stratifying patients with chest pain in the emergency room.

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety, feasibility, and the results of early exercise testing in patients with chest pain admitted to the emergency room of the chest pain unit, in whom acute myocardial infarction and high-risk unstable angina had been ruled out. METHODS: A study including 1060 consecutive patients with chest pain admitted to the emergency room of the chest pain unit was carried out. Of them, 677 (64%) patients were eligible for exercise testing, but only 268 (40%) underwent the test. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients studied was 51.7 12.1 years, and 188 (70%) were males. Twenty-eight (10%) patients had a previous history of coronary artery disease, 244 (91%) had a normal or unspecific electrocardiogram, and 150 (56%) underwent exercise testing within a 12-hour interval. The results of the exercise test in the latter group were as follows: 34 (13%) were positive, 191 (71%) were negative, and 43 (16%) were inconclusive. In the group of patients with a positive exercise test, 21 (62%) underwent coronary angiography, 11 underwent angioplasty, and 2 underwent myocardial revascularization. In a univariate analysis, type A/B chest pain (definitely/probably anginal) (p<0.0001), previous coronary artery disease (p<0.0001), and route 2 (patients at higher risk) correlated with a positive or inconclusive test (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: In patients with chest pain and in whom acute myocardial infarction and high-risk unstable angina had been ruled out, the exercise test proved to be feasible, safe, and well tolerated.

Segurança, factibilidade e resultados do teste ergométrico na estratificação de pacientes com dor torácica na sala de emergência / Safety, feasibility, and results of exercise testing for stratifying patients with chest pain in the emergency room

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety, feasibility, and the results of early exercise testing in patients with chest pain admitted to the emergency room of the chest pain unit, in whom acute myocardial infarction and high-risk unstable angina had been ruled out. METHODS: A study including 1060 consecutive patients with chest pain admitted to the emergency room of the chest pain unit was carried out. Of them, 677 (64 percent) patients were eligible for exercise testing, but only 268 (40 percent) underwent the test. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients studied was 51.7±12.1 years, and 188 (70 percent) were males. Twenty-eight (10 percent) patients had a previous history of coronary artery disease, 244 (91 percent) had a normal or unspecific electrocardiogram, and 150 (56 percent) underwent exercise testing within a 12-hour interval. The results of the exercise test in the latter group were as follows: 34 (13 percent) were positive, 191 (71 percent) were negative, and 43 (16 percent) were inconclusive. In the group of patients with a positive exercise test, 21 (62 percent) underwent coronary angiography, 11 underwent angioplasty, and 2 underwent myocardial revascularization. In a univariate analysis, type A/B chest pain (definitely/probably anginal) (p<0.0001), previous coronary artery disease (p<0.0001), and route 2 (patients at higher risk) correlated with a positive or inconclusive test (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: In patients with chest pain and in whom acute myocardial infarction and high-risk unstable angina had been ruled out, the exercise test proved to be feasible, safe, and well tolerated

Teste Ergométrico em Idosos: Parâmetros clínicos, metabólicos, hemodinâmicos e eletrocardiográficos

Apresenta uma análise de testes ergométricos aplicados em indivíduos maiores de 65 anos com vistas a identificar as adaptações clínicas, hemodinâmicas, metabólicas e eletrocardiográficas decorrentes do trabalho físico efetuado. Apresenta os métodos utilizados, os resultados do estudo e a bibliografia consultada. Documento em formato pdf; requer o Acrobat Reader.

Teste ergométrico em idosos. Parâmetros clínicos, metabólicos, hemodinâmicos e eletrocardiográficos / Stress test in the elderly. Clinical, hemodynamic, metabolic and electrocardiographic variables

PURPOSE: To identify in the elderly adaptations imposed by exercise in both sexes. METHODS: 1528 stress tests were performed on subjects divided in: group I (GI) (90) between 65 to 75 years old, and group II (GII) more than 75 years old. Protocols applied were Bruce (72), and modified Naughton (28). Clinical, hemodynamic and electrocardiographic variables were estimated as recommended by the World Health Organization, and the metabolic variables in the adapted Naughton protocols by the American College of Sports Medicine standards. RESULTS: Analysis of GI and GII, respectively disclosed: 1) stress electrocardiogram (ECG): normal, 36 and 35; ST depression, 20 and 22; ST elevation, 6 and 1; ventricular ectopic beats, 11 and 14; supra ventricular ectopic beats, 5 and 6; 2) metabolic and hemodynamic variables: the double-product: 26636 (+/-1539) and 23133 (+/-3218) mmHg X bpm (p < 0.0001). Maximum oxygen uptake measured in METS: GI, men, 7.7 (+/-1.9), women 5.4 (+/-0.8) (p < 0.0001); GII, NS, curve of systolic blood pressure: GI, men, 8.4 +/- (0.5), women, 10.6 (+/-1.8) mmHg/Met (p = 0.03); GII- NS. Difference of diastolic blood pressure and heart rate during exercise were similar between the two groups; 3) chest pain was the main clinical variable. CONCLUSION: The more frequent indication for stress testing to evaluate chest pain in GI, did not correspond to a predominance of this symptom in this group, during exercise; in GI, in contrast to what is seen in the young, the curve of systolic blood pressure was greater in women; despite the greater prevalence of coronary artery disease in aged subjects, it was not observed significative differences between the two groups, to ischaemic ST depression.

Disautonomia cardíaca em adolescentes e adultos jovens diabéticos tipo I / Cardiac dysautonomia in adolescents and young adults with diabetes type I

Foram avaliados através de testes autonômicos fisiológicos cardiovasculares 35 diabéticos tipo I e 30 indivíduos não diabéticos, clinicamente sem alterações na mesma faixa etária de 13 a 31 anos de idade, e com a mesma porporção entre os sexos, 60% de homens e 40% de mulheres. Também foi pesquisada a presença de retinopatia e nefropatia diabéticas com a realização respectivamente de fundoscopia direta e dosagem de microalbuminúria nas 24 horas...Concluímos que todos os diabéticos, independente do tempo de duração da doença, devem ser avaliados quanto à sua função autonômica cardiovascular, buscando alterações precoces, que somente serão percebidas através de análises repetidas

Duraçäo da atividade reumática em pacientes tratados com corticóide oral versus pulsoterapia / Duration of the rheumatic activity in patients treated with oral corticosteroid versus pulsetherapy

Säo apresentados 26 pacientes portadores de febre reumática em atividade, com comprometimento cardíaco. Todos preenchiam os critérios de Jones para febre reumática. Destes, 13 pacientes foram tratados com corticóide oral e 13 com pulsoterapia. O esquema terapêutico do segundo grupo constitui-se no emprego de metilprednisolona endovenosa. O trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a duraçäo do tempo de atividade da febre reumática nesses dois grupos de pacientes, baseado em critérios clínicos e, principalmente, laboratoriais. O tempo de atividade nos pacientes tratados com corticóide oral foi de 60 ñ 30 dias, e no grupo com pulsoterapia foi 45 ñ 10 dias (P > 0,05). O trabalho mostrou que, apesar da melhora clínica ser muito rápida no grupo com pulsoterapia, a melhora laboratorial näo difere significativamente nos 2 grupos, uma vez que a FR é uma doença autolimitada, ao menos sob o ponto de vista laboratorial