Association of Income Level and Ischemic Heart Disease: Potential Role of Walkability. / Associação de Nível de Renda e Doença Isquêmica do Coração: Papel Potencial da Caminhabilidade.

BACKGROUND: Association of Income Level and Ischemic Heart Disease: Potential Role of Walkability Association of ischemic heart disease (adjusted for traditional risk factors and socioeconomics variables) and income level (A), and walkability z-score (B), and association of walkability z-score and income level (C). BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status has been linked to ischemic heart disease (IHD). High-income neighborhoods may expose individuals to a walking-promoting built environment for daily activities (walkability). Data from the association between income and IHD is lacking in middle-income countries. It is also uncertain whether walkability mediates this association. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether income is associated with IHD in a middle-income country and whether neighborhood walkability mediates the income-IHD association. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 44,589 patients referred for myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI). Income and walkability were derived from participants' residential census tract. Walkability quantitative score combined 4 variables: street connectivity, residential density, commercial density, and mixed land use. IHD was defined by abnormal myocardial perfusion during a SPECT-MPI study. We used adjusted mixed effects models to evaluate the association between income level and IHD, and we performed a mediation analysis to measure the percentage of the income-IHD association mediated by walkability. We considered p values below 0.01 as statistically significant. RESULTS: From 26,415 participants, those living in the lowest-income tertile census tract were more physically inactive (79.1% versus 75.8% versus 72.7%) when compared to higher-income tertile census tracts (p < 0.001). Income was associated with IHD (odds ratio: 0.91 [95% confidence interval: 0.87 to 0.96] for each 1,000.00 international dollars increase in income) for both men and women equally (p for interaction = 0.47). Census tracts with a higher income were associated with better walkability (p < 0.001); however, walkability did not mediate the income-IHD association (percent mediated = -0.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Income was independently associated with higher prevalence of IHD in a middle-income country irrespective of gender. Although walkability was associated with census tract income, it did not mediate the income-IHD association.

Risco de exacerbação de asma em adolescentes usuários de dispositivos eletrônicos de liberação de nicotina: uma revisão sistemática e metanálise / Risk of asthma exacerbation in adolescent users of electronic nicotine delivery systems: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar a associação entreo o uso dos cigarros eletrônicos e doenças pulmonares em adolescentes. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática na base de dados PubMed. Os termos Mesh incluídos na busca foram "Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems" e "Lung Diseases" e sinônimos no título e abstract, com o filtro de idade "child: birth - 18 years", para buscar artigos relacionados ao uso de cigarros eletrônicos e doenças pulmonares em adolescentes. Os critérios de elegibilidade consistiram em: usuários adolescentes, exposição ao cigarro eletrônico e doença pulmonar como desfecho. Os artigos foram selecionados por uma revisão pareada de maneira independente, primeiramente com a leitura dos títulos e resumos, seguida da leitura integral dos artigos selecionados, os quais foram analisados pela ferramenta New Castle-Ottawa quanto sua qualidade, e receberam entre 5 e 7 estrelas. Os dados encontrados foram extraídos para a realização da metanálise. Inicialmente foram encontrados 61 artigos, sendo seis considerados elegíveis, todos transversais e com aplicação de questionários. Na metanálise foi encontrada uma associação significativa entre o uso de cigarro eletrônico e exacerbação de asma (OR ajustado 1,44; IC 95% 1,17­1,76). Não foram encontrados estudos que avaliassem a associação do cigarro eletrônico e outras doenças pulmonares, incluindo EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury), em adolescentes. Na metanálise foi encontrada uma associação significativa entre exacerbações de asma e uso de cigarros eletrônicos em adolescentes com asma crônica e nos previamente hígidos.

This study aims to investigate the association between electronic cigarette use and lung disease in adolescents. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed. We used the MeSH terms "Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems" and "Lung Diseases" as well as synonyms in the title and abstract, with the age filter "child: birth - 18 years" to search for articles related to electronic cigarette use and lung disease in adolescents. The eligibility criteria consisted of adolescent users and exposure to e-cigarettes that resulted in lung disease. The articles were selected by independent assessment, reading first the titles and abstracts, then the full text of the selected articles. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality, and the included studies received between 5 and 7 stars. Finally, the data were extracted for meta-analysis. Initially, 61 articles were found and 6 were considered eligible, all of which were cross-sectional and applied questionnaires. The meta-analysis found a significant association between electronic cigarette use and asthma exacerbation (adjusted OR 1.44 95% CI 1.17 - 1.76). However, no studies evaluated the association with other lung diseases, including electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury in adolescents. The metaanalysis revealed a significant association between e-cigarette use and asthma exacerbation among adolescents with chronic asthma, as well as among their previously healthy peers.

Associação de Nível de Renda e Doença Isquêmica do Coração: Papel Potencial da Caminhabilidade / Association of Income Level and Ischemic Heart Disease: Potential Role of Walkability

Resumo Fundamento O nível socioeconômico tem sido associado à doença isquêmica do coração (DIC). Bairros de alta renda podem expor os indivíduos a um ambiente construído que promova caminhadas para atividades diárias (caminhabilidade). Faltam dados sobre a associação entre renda e DIC em países de renda média. Também é incerto se a caminhabilidade medeia essa associação. Objetivos Investigar se a renda está associada à DIC em um país de renda média e se a caminhabilidade dos bairros medeia a associação entre renda e DIC. Métodos O presente estudo transversal avaliou 44.589 pacientes encaminhados para imagem de perfusão miocárdica (SPECT-MPI). A renda e a caminhabilidade foram derivadas do setor censitário residencial dos participantes. A pontuação quantitativa da caminhabilidade combinou as seguintes 4 variáveis: conectividade viária, densidade residencial, densidade comercial e uso misto do solo. A DIC foi definida pela presença de perfusão miocárdica anormal durante um estudo SPECT-MPI. Utilizamos modelos ajustados com efeitos mistos para avaliar a associação entre nível de renda e DIC e realizamos uma análise de mediação para medir o percentual da associação entre renda e DIC mediada pela caminhabilidade. Consideramos valores de p abaixo de 0,01 como estatisticamente significativos. Resultados Dos 26.415 participantes, aqueles que residiam no setor censitário do tercil de menor renda eram mais fisicamente inativos (79,1% versus 75,8% versus 72,7%) quando comparados aos setores censitários do tercil de maior renda (p < 0,001). A renda foi associada à DIC (odds ratio: 0,91 [intervalo de confiança de 95%: 0,87 a 0,96] para cada aumento de 1000,00 dólares internacionais na renda), para homens e mulheres igualmente (p para interação = 0,47). Os setores censitários com maior renda estiveram associados a uma melhor caminhabilidade (p < 0,001); no entanto, a caminhabilidade não mediou a associação entre renda e DIC (porcentagem mediada = −0,3%). Conclusões A renda foi independentemente associada a maior prevalência de DIC em um país de renda média, independentemente de gênero. Embora a caminhabilidade tenha sido associada à renda do setor censitário, ela não mediou a associação entre renda e DIC.

Abstract Background Socioeconomic status has been linked to ischemic heart disease (IHD). High-income neighborhoods may expose individuals to a walking-promoting built environment for daily activities (walkability). Data from the association between income and IHD is lacking in middle-income countries. It is also uncertain whether walkability mediates this association. Objectives To investigate whether income is associated with IHD in a middle-income country and whether neighborhood walkability mediates the income-IHD association. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated 44,589 patients referred for myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI). Income and walkability were derived from participants' residential census tract. Walkability quantitative score combined 4 variables: street connectivity, residential density, commercial density, and mixed land use. IHD was defined by abnormal myocardial perfusion during a SPECT-MPI study. We used adjusted mixed effects models to evaluate the association between income level and IHD, and we performed a mediation analysis to measure the percentage of the income-IHD association mediated by walkability. We considered p values below 0.01 as statistically significant. Results From 26,415 participants, those living in the lowest-income tertile census tract were more physically inactive (79.1% versus 75.8% versus 72.7%) when compared to higher-income tertile census tracts (p < 0.001). Income was associated with IHD (odds ratio: 0.91 [95% confidence interval: 0.87 to 0.96] for each 1,000.00 international dollars increase in income) for both men and women equally (p for interaction = 0.47). Census tracts with a higher income were associated with better walkability (p < 0.001); however, walkability did not mediate the income-IHD association (percent mediated = −0.3%). Conclusions Income was independently associated with higher prevalence of IHD in a middle-income country irrespective of gender. Although walkability was associated with census tract income, it did not mediate the income-IHD association.

Sex- and Age-Related Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Department Visits for Chest Pain in Curitiba, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Women have higher mortality from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with men. Women may hesitate to search for emergency care when experiencing chest pain, which delays treatment. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the changes in emergency visits for chest pain according to sex and age during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared with previous years. METHODS: We collected data on chest pain visits (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes I20 [unstable angina], I21 [myocardial infarction], and R07.1-4 [chest pain]) from all public emergency departments (EDs) in Curitiba, Brazil. We compared the weekly rates of visits per 100,000 habitants on the epidemiologic weeks 11-52 of 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic period) with the average rates of the same weeks of 2018 and 2019 using Poisson regression. RESULTS: From 2018 to 2020, 37,448 individuals presented to the ED for chest pain, of whom 8493 presented during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Compared with previous years, we observed a 23% reduction in chest pain visits (10.1 vs. 13.0 visits per 100,000 habitants/week; p < 0.001), but this reduction was greater in women than in men (30% vs. 15%; p < 0.001). This reduction was associated with age among women (27%, 31%, and 36% for < 50 years, between 50 and 69 years and > 70 years, respectively, p for age-related trend = 0.041), but not among men. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-level study of Curitiba, Brazil, the reduction in ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic was greater in women than in men, particularly among those > 70 years of age, suggesting that the sex- and age-related disparities in health care delivery for ACS may have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-term results of the Ross operation in rheumatic valve disease.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) on the long-term outcomes of the Ross operation when compared to patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV). METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed patients with rheumatic disease and BAV who underwent a Ross operation between 1995 and 2020. The primary outcomes were late survival and reoperations on the pulmonary autograft and the right ventricular allograft. We also performed a propensity score analysis to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics. The cumulative incidence of the events in the matched cohorts was compared using the Fine-Gray model. There were 147 patients with rheumatic disease and 314 with bicuspid valves. In the unmatched population, patients with rheumatic disease were younger, more symptomatic, had worse left ventricular function and were more likely to present a preoperative diagnosis of aortic insufficiency. Propensity matching resulted in 86 pairs with similar baseline characteristics. Compared with those with bicuspid valves, rheumatic patients had similar 20-year survival both in the unmatched (RHD = 67.8% vs BAV = 79.7%, P = 0.27] and matched cohorts (RHD = 72.5% vs BAV = 82.9%, P = 0.46). Cumulative incidence of reoperations on the pulmonary autograft after 20 years was also comparable between them in the unmatched (RHD 13.4% vs BAV 14.4%, P = 0.67) and matched patients (RHD 11.6% vs BAV 21.1%, P = 0.47). Pulmonary autograft dysfunction due to rheumatic involvement was detected in only three occasions. Cumulative incidence of reoperations on the right-sided allograft was higher in the unmatched cohort (RHD = 5.5% vs BAV = 16.7%, P = 0.035) but became nonsignificant after propensity score matching (RHD = 9.9% vs BAV = 32.3%, P = 0.051). The cumulative incidence of all Ross-related reoperations was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing Ross operation, patients with RHD had similar long-term survival and rates of reoperations, when compared to patients with BAV.

Plasma biomarkers reflecting high oxidative stress in the prediction of myocardial injury due to anthracycline chemotherapy and the effect of carvedilol: insights from the CECCY Trial.

BACKGROUND: Anthracycline (ANT) is often used for breast cancer treatment but its clinical use is limited by cardiotoxicity (CTX). CECCY trial demonstrated that the ß-blocker carvedilol (CVD) could attenuate myocardial injury secondary to ANT. Mieloperoxydase (MPO) is a biomarker of oxidative stress and galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker of fibrosis and cardiac remodeling. We evaluated the correlation between MPO and Gal-3 behavior with CTX. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A post hoc analysis was performed in the patients who were included in the CECCY trial. A total of 192 women had her blood samples stored during the study at -80°C until the time of assay in a single batch. Stored blood samples were obtained at baseline, 3 and 6 months after randomization. We excluded samples from 18 patients because of hemolysis. MPO and Gal-3 were measured using Luminex xMAP technology through MILLIPLEX MAP KIT (Merck Laboratories). RESULTS: 26 patients (14.9%) had a decrease of at least 10% in LVEF at 6 months after the initiation of chemotherapy. Among these, there was no significant difference in the MPO and Gal-3 when compared to the group without drop in LVEF (p = 0.85 for both MPO and Gal-3). Blood levels of MPO [baseline: 13.2 (7.9, 24.8), 3 months: 17.7 (11.1, 31.1), 6 months: 19.2 (11.1, 37.8) ng/mL] and Gal-3 [baseline: 6.3 (5.2, 9.6), 3 months: 12.3 (9.8, 16.0), 6 months: 10.3 (8.2, 13.1) ng/mL] increased after ANT chemotherapy, and the longitudinal changes were similar between the placebo and CVD groups (p for interaction: 0.28 and 0.32, respectively). In an exploratory analysis, as there is no normal cutoff value established for Gal-3 and MPO in the literature, the MPO and Gal-3 results were splited in two groups: above and below median. In the placebo group, women with high (above median) baseline MPO blood levels demonstrated a greater increase in TnI blood levels than those with low baseline MPO blood levels (p = 0.041). Compared with placebo, CVD significantly reduced TnI blood levels in women with high MPO blood levels (p < 0.001), but did not reduce the TnI levels in women with low baseline MPO blood levels (p = 0.97; p for interaction = 0.009). There was no significant interaction between CVD treatment and baseline Gal-3 blood levels (p for interaction = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: In this subanalysis of the CECCY trial, MPO and Gal-3 biomarkers did not predict the development of CTX. However, MPO blood levels above median was associated with more severe myocardial injury and identified women who were most likely to benefit from carvedilol for primary prevention (NCT01724450).

C-Reactive protein level and left ventricular mass are associated with acute cellular rejection after heart transplant.

OBJECTIVES: Acute cellular rejection (ACR) remains a major complication of heart transplant (HT). The gold standard for its diagnosis is endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), whereas the role of non-invasive biomarkers for detecting ACR is unclear. This study aimed to identify non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of ACR in patients undergoing HT and presenting with normal left ventricular function. METHODS: We evaluated patients who underwent HT at a single center between January 2010 and June 2019. Patients were enrolled after HT, and those with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction before EMB were excluded. We included only the results of the first EMB performed at least 30 days after HT (median, 90 days). Troponin, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured and echocardiography was performed up to 7 days before EMB. ACR was defined as International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 2R or 3R on EMB. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify the non-invasive predictors of ACR (2R or 3R) and evaluated the accuracy of each using area under the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 72 patients after HT (51.31±13.63 years; 25 [34.7%] women); of them, 9 (12.5%) developed ACR. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, we performed forward stepwise selection (entry criteria, p<0.05). The only independent predictors that remained in the model were CRP level and LV mass index. The optimal cut-off point for CRP level was ≥15.9 mg/L (odds ratio [OR], 11.7; p=0.007) and that for LV mass index was ≥111 g/m2 (OR, 13.6; p=0.003). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve derived from this model was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-0.99), with sensitivity of 85.7% (95% CI, 42.1%-99.6%), specificity of 78.4% (95% CI, 64.7%-88.7%), positive predictive value of 35.3% (95% CI, 14.3%-61.7%), and negative predictive value of 97.6% (95% CI, 87.1%-99.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing HT, CRP level and LV mass were directly associated with ACR, but troponin and BNP levels were not.

Radiation exposure after myocardial perfusion imaging with Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride camera versus conventional camera.

BACKGROUND: Patient exposure to radiation during the management of coronary heart disease (CHD) can be reduced with more efficient technologies in nuclear medicine, such as the Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) gamma-camera for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) studies. However, it has been suggested that CZT has lower specificity, which might lead to more downstream radiological procedures, particularly among obese individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 244 patients with suspected CHD who underwent CZT-SPECT and matched 1:1 according to sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) with those undergoing MPI study with the Anger gamma-camera (Anger-SPECT). The outcome was the total radiation exposure from the MPI study added to the radiation exposure from all subsequent cardiac examinations during a 90-day follow-up. The total radiation dose after 90 days was significantly lower in the CZT-SPECT group (6.4 ± 4.8 vs 9.5±4.9 mSv, P < .001). After adjusting for potential confounders, CZT-SPECT remained associated with lower total radiation dose, but it significantly attenuated among obese individuals (Beta coefficient - 3.73 ± 0.86 for BMI < 30 vs - 2.30 ± 0.92 for BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2, P for interaction < 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: CZT-SPECT was associated with lower total radiation doses compared to Anger-SPECT, albeit this benefit may be attenuated in obese individuals.

C-Reactive protein level and left ventricular mass are associated with acute cellular rejection after heart transplant

OBJECTIVES: Acute cellular rejection (ACR) remains a major complication of heart transplant (HT). The gold standard for its diagnosis is endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), whereas the role of non-invasive biomarkers for detecting ACR is unclear. This study aimed to identify non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of ACR in patients undergoing HT and presenting with normal left ventricular function. METHODS: We evaluated patients who underwent HT at a single center between January 2010 and June 2019. Patients were enrolled after HT, and those with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction before EMB were excluded. We included only the results of the first EMB performed at least 30 days after HT (median, 90 days). Troponin, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured and echocardiography was performed up to 7 days before EMB. ACR was defined as International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 2R or 3R on EMB. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify the non-invasive predictors of ACR (2R or 3R) and evaluated the accuracy of each using area under the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 72 patients after HT (51.31±13.63 years; 25 [34.7%] women); of them, 9 (12.5%) developed ACR. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, we performed forward stepwise selection (entry criteria, p<0.05). The only independent predictors that remained in the model were CRP level and LV mass index. The optimal cut-off point for CRP level was ≥15.9 mg/L (odds ratio [OR], 11.7; p=0.007) and that for LV mass index was ≥111 g/m2 (OR, 13.6; p=0.003). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve derived from this model was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-0.99), with sensitivity of 85.7% (95% CI, 42.1%-99.6%), specificity of 78.4% (95% CI, 64.7%-88.7%), positive predictive value of 35.3% (95% CI, 14.3%-61.7%), and negative predictive value of 97.6% (95% CI, 87.1%-99.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing HT, CRP level and LV mass were directly associated with ACR, but troponin and BNP levels were not.

Atrial fibrillation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a case report of exercise training.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are often concomitant and act in a vicious cycle. Atrial fibrillation is associated with greater functional limitations and increased morbidity and mortality in patients with HF. Moreover, AF associated with HF increases patients' physical inactivity, worsening their clinical condition, and prognosis. Exercise training is safe and has clear benefits in HF. However, these benefits have not been demonstrated when AF is associated with HF. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 57-year-old man with permanent AF and HF with reduced ejection fraction, who underwent 12 weeks of exercise training that included cardiopulmonary exercise testing, neuromuscular sympathetic activity (NMSA), and muscle blood flow (MBF) before and after training. DISCUSSION: Exercise training was shown to have a potential benefit in reducing the activity of the sympathetic nerve and increasing muscle blood flow, as well as increasing VO2peak and decreasing the VE/VCO2 slope in a patient with AF associated with HF with reduced ejection fraction. These results may indicate favourable clinical implications in this group of patients.

Short- and Midterm Adherence to Platelet P2Y12 Receptor Inhibitors After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Drug-Eluting Stents.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: In patients who have undergone recent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), poor adhesion to antiplatelet agents may increase the risk of stent thrombosis and death. We aimed to investigate the adherence to different P2Y12 receptor inhibitors after PCI with drug-eluting stent in stable and unstable patients and to evaluate the factors associated with low adherence. METHOD: In a prospective study conducted between 2014 and 2018, the 8-item Morisky scale was applied at 30 days and 6 months post-PCI to measure P2Y12 receptor inhibitors adherence. Also, we describe the characteristics of patients using different platelet receptor P2Y12 inhibitors. Regression models were used to identify predictors of poor adherence. RESULTS: A total of 214 patients were included (65 ± 12 years, 81% man, 61% acute coronary syndromes). Patients in the clopidogrel group were older than those in the prasugrel (68 ± 12 vs 59 ± 11 years, P < .01, respectively) or ticagrelor group (68 ± 12 vs 62 ± 12 years, P < .01). Patients with low/moderate adherence at 30 days and 6 months represented, respectively, 19.8% and 27.5% of our sample. Current smokers and preexisting cardiovascular disease at presentation were associated with lower adherence at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: We found substantial rates of moderate and low adherence to P2Y12 receptor inhibitors early after PCI. Current smokers and preexisting cardiovascular disease at presentation were associated with a lower likelihood of adherence. These results highlight the need of monitoring adherence to medical treatment after PCI.