First Evaluation of the Brazilian Advanced Life Support Training (TECA A)

Abstract Background Cardiac arrest (CA) is a common condition associated with high mortality. The Brazilian advanced life support training TECA A (Treinamento em Emergências Cardiovasculares Avançado — Advanced Cardiovascular Emergency Training) was created to train healthcare professionals in the management of CA. However, there are no studies evaluating the effectiveness of TECA A. Objective To assess the impact of TECA A on the management of CA using a simulated CA situation. Methods Fifty-six students underwent a simulated case of CA in a manikin. The students' performance in the management of CA was assessed for the time to first chest compression and defibrillation and for a global assessment score using a structured tool. These items were assessed and compared before and after the TECA A. Exclusion criteria were previous participation in CA trainings and absence from class. Categorical variables were compared using the McNemar test and quantitative variables using the Wilcoxon test. All tests were two-tailed, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Compared with before TECA A, median global assessment scores were higher after TECA A (pre-training: 4.0 points [2.0-5.0] vs. 10 points [9.0-10.0]; p<0.001), the time to start chest compressions was shorter (pre-training: 25 seconds [15-34] vs. 19 seconds [16.2-23.0]; p=0.002) and so was the time to defibrillation (pre-training: 82.5 seconds [65.0-108.0] vs. 48 seconds [39.0-53.0]; p<0.001). Conclusions The TECA A promoted a higher adherence to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines and a reduction in the time elapsed from CA to first chest compression and defibrillation.

Subpopulações de linfócitos B e parâmetros imunes na evolução do infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST / B lymphocyte subpopulations and immune parameters in the evolution of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

INTRODUÇÃO: A reperfusão precoce é recomendada universalmente para tratamento de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdico com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCST). Entretanto, apesar de rápida reperfusão com angioplastia primária ou química, alguns pacientes ainda apresentam grandes massas de fibrose miocárdica e, portanto, queda significativa da função ventricular. OBJETIVO: avaliar o papel da resposta inflamatória mediada pelos linfócitos B na massa de infarto e na função ventricular após IAMCST. Métodos: amostras de sangue venoso foram coletadas no primeiro (D1) e trigésimo dia (D30) de pacientes com IAMCST(n=120), submetidos a estratégia fármacoinvasiva.A quantificação dos linfócitos B e T foi determinada por citometria de fluxo. A secreção espontânea de imunoglobulina M (IgM) pelos linfócitos B1, foi quantificada por ELISPOT. IgM total e níveis de interleucinas (IL) plasmáticas foram determinadas por ELISA. A massa de infarto e a fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) foram estimadas por ressonância nuclear magnética cardíaca em D30. RESULTADOS: houve queda no número absoluto (cels/mL) das subpopulações de linfócitos B1 e B2 em D30...(AU)

Fragilidade é um preditor independente de morte precoce em idosos ambulatoriais com doenças cardiovasculares no Estudo SARCOS / Frailty is an independen t predictor of early death in elderly outpatients with cardiovascular disease in the SARCOS Study

Introdução: A fragilidade caracteriza-se pela perda da capacidade biológica e física de responder adequadamente ao estresse orgânico devido aos danos a diversos sistemas associados ao processo de envelhecimento. Entre os indivíduos com doenças cardiovasculares, a frequência da fragilidade é três vezes maior. Métodos: SARCOS é um estudo epidemiológico de coorte para avaliar a síndrome de vulnerabilidade com hospitalização e mortalidade em idosos ambulatoriais com doença cardiovascular (DCV). A fragilidade foi diagnosticada na presença de três ou mais dos seguintes critérios: perda de peso > 5%, velocidade de marcha reduzida, fraqueza muscular pela força de preensão, exaustão e perda de energia (levantar e sentar da cadeira cinco vezes). Resultados: Dos 169 pacientes avaliados, a fragilidade ocorreu em 19,5% (n=33). A média de idade foi de 78,3 ± 7,1 anos. A taxa mortalidade aos seis meses foi de 3% (n=5), sendo que 80% (n=4) eram frágeis e 20% (n=1) pré-frágeis (p=0,007). Na análise de regressão logística, a fragilidade mostrou ser um forte preditor de morte aos seis meses, com aumento de risco de 18 vezes quando comparado aos fortes (p=0,010), enquanto que entre as DCVs, a insuficiência cardíaca apresentou aumento de risco de quatro vezes (p=0,061). No modelo de interação entre a fragilidade e as DCVs, não houve diferença significativa da fragilidade em relação ao risco de morte. Conclusão: A fragilidade é um importante fator de risco de morte precoce em idosos ambulatoriais, independente e superior às doenças cardiovasculares crônicas mais frequentes que acometem essa população. A síndrome da fragilidade não apresenta sinergia com doenças cardiovasculares crônicas em relação ao risco de morte

Introduction: Frailty is characterized by the loss of the biological and physical capacity to respond adequately to organic stress as a result of damage to various systems associated with aging. The frequency of frailty is three times higher among individuals with cardiovascular disease. Methods: SARCOS is an epidemiological cohort study to evaluate vulnerability syndrome with hospitalization and mortality in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Frailty was diagnosed when three or more of the following criteria were present: Weight loss > 5%, slow walking speed, muscle weakness by the hand-grip test, exhaustion, and loss of energy (by the five times sit-to-stand test). Results: Of the 169 patients evaluated, frailty was present in 19.5%(n = 33). The mean age was 78.3 ± 7.1 years. The mortality rate at six months was 3% (n = 5), with 80% (n = 4) being frail and 20% (n = 1) pre-frail (p = 0.007). In the logistic regression analysis, frailty was shown to be a strong predictor of death at six months, with an 18-fold increase in risk when compared to strong individuals (p = 0.010), whereas among those with CVD, the heart failure presented a 4-fold increase in risk (p = 0.061). In the interaction model between frailty and CVD, there were no significant differences in frailty in relation to the risk of death. Conclusion: Frailty is an important risk factor for early death among outpatients, independent of, and higher than the most frequent chronic cardiovascular diseases that affect this population. Frailty syndrome was not correlated with chronic cardiovascular diseases, in relation to the risk of death

Effects of oral propranolol for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the effects of oral propranolol for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. METHODS: In this prospective, longitudinal interventional study, we administered oral propranolol at a dosage of 1.5 mg/kg/day to five patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. We then evaluated visual acuity, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and ocular ultrasonography at regular intervals and compared changes from the baseline assessments. RESULTS: No clinical or diagnostic changes were observed in the sizes of the circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas during treatment. Complications due to the hemangioma were reduced in the first four months of treatment, followed by maintenance, before worsening in the subsequent three months. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that oral propranolol at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day did not offer effective monotherapy in the treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

Effects of oral propranolol for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma / Efeitos do propranolol oral para de hemangioma circunscrito de coroide

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effects of oral propranolol for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal interventional study, we administered oral propranolol at a dosage of 1.5 mg/kg/day to five patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. We then evaluated visual acuity, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and ocular ultrasonography at regular intervals and compared changes from the baseline assessments. Results: No clinical or diagnostic changes were observed in the sizes of the circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas during treatment. Complications due to the hemangioma were reduced in the first four months of treatment, followed by maintenance, before worsening in the subsequent three months. Conclusions: The study showed that oral propranolol at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day did not offer effective monotherapy in the treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do propranolol oral para hemangioma circunscrito da coroide. Métodos: O estudo é do tipo prospectivo, quantitativo e descritivo. Propranolol oral na dose de 1.5 mg/kg/dia foi administrada em cinco pacientes com hemangioma circunscrito da coroide. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados com acuidade visual, oftalmoscopia binocular indireta, tomografia de coerência óptica, angiografia com tomografia de coerência óptica, angiografia com fluoresceína e indocianina verde e ultrassonografia ocular. Resultados: Nenhuma mudança clínica ou no tamanho do hemangioma circunscrito da coroide foi vista através de métodos diagnósticos em qualquer momento do tratamento. Uma atenuação das complicações foi observada nos primeiros quatro meses de tratamento, com manutenção da condição e piora nos meses seguintes. Conclusão: O estudo mostrou que o propranolol oral na dose de 1.5 mg/kg/dia não se mostrou efetivo como monoterapia no tratamento do hemangioma circunscrito da coroide.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing pharmacoinvasive treatment

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing pharmacoinvasive treatment. METHODS: This was an observational, prospective study that included 398 patients admitted to a tertiary center for percutaneous coronary intervention within 3 to 24 hours after thrombolysis with tenecteplase. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01791764 RESULTS: The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. Compared with patients who survived, patients who died were more likely to be older, have higher rates of diabetes and chronic renal failure, have a lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and demonstrate more evidence of heart failure (Killip class III or IV). Patients who died had significantly lower rates of successful thrombolysis (39% vs. 68%; p = 0.005) and final myocardial blush grade 3 (13.0% vs. 61.9%; p<0.0001). Based on the multivariate analysis, the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.09; p = 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (odds ratio 0.9, 95% CI 0.89-0.97; p = 0.001), and final myocardial blush grade of 0-2 (odds ratio 8.85, 95% CI 1.34-58.57; p = 0.02) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study that evaluated patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by a pharmacoinvasive strategy, the in-hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and myocardial blush were independent predictors of mortality in this high-risk group of acute coronary syndrome patients. .

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing pharmacoinvasive treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing pharmacoinvasive treatment. METHODS: This was an observational, prospective study that included 398 patients admitted to a tertiary center for percutaneous coronary intervention within 3 to 24 hours after thrombolysis with tenecteplase. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01791764 RESULTS: The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. Compared with patients who survived, patients who died were more likely to be older, have higher rates of diabetes and chronic renal failure, have a lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and demonstrate more evidence of heart failure (Killip class III or IV). Patients who died had significantly lower rates of successful thrombolysis (39% vs. 68%; p = 0.005) and final myocardial blush grade 3 (13.0% vs. 61.9%; p<0.0001). Based on the multivariate analysis, the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.09; p = 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (odds ratio 0.9, 95% CI 0.89-0.97; p = 0.001), and final myocardial blush grade of 0-2 (odds ratio 8.85, 95% CI 1.34-58.57; p = 0.02) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study that evaluated patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by a pharmacoinvasive strategy, the in-hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and myocardial blush were independent predictors of mortality in this high-risk group of acute coronary syndrome patients.

Sangramento com o uso de antitrombóticos nas síndromes isquêmicas miocárdicas instáveis com e sem supradesnível do segmento ST: análise crítica / Bleeding with the use of antithrombotics in acute coronary syndromes: critical analysis

A terapêutica antiplaquetária e antitrombótica agressiva, com agentes combinados, mostrou-se altamente eficaz no tratamento de síndromes coronárias agudas e propiciou redução significante dos principais eventos isquêmicos (óbito, reinfarto ou novos episódios isquêmicos, acidente vascular cerebral) ao longo dos últimos anos. Entretanto, o outro lado da moeda foi o desenvolvimento de um número significativamente maior de episódios hemorrágicos, acidente vascular cerebral hemorrágico, sendo o mais grave o que levou à necessidade de identificar melhor o risco de sangramento no início do processo. A utilização de diversos escores e fatores de risco e de diversas combinações terapêuticas complica a análise dos resultados obtidos e e isso tende a ficar mais complicado com novas substâncias disponíveis a cada dia. A boa notícia é que alguns produtos recentes parecem mudar o paradigma antes existente de maior sangramento sempre que se aumentava o efeito antitrombótico, o que permitiria manter eficácia e diminuir sangramentos, especialmente os graves, Hoje, de todo modo, deve-se tomar uma série de cuidados para minimizar o risco de sangramentos, especialmente nos que realizam intervenções.

Aggressive antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy, with combined agents, has been extremely effective in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes with a significant reduction of main ischemic primary events (death, reinfarction or new ischemic episodes and stroke episodes) in the last years. However, on the other hand there has been a significantly higher number of serious bleeding events, hemorrhagic stroke, which requires better identification of the risk of bleeding early on. The use of several different risk scores, risk factors and different therapeutic combinations makes the analysis of results more difficult, which tends to get more complicated as new compounds are available in the market. The good news is that some recent products seem to be changing the paradigm of more bleeding events whenever the antithrombotic effect is increased, which would enable to maintain efficacy while decreasing bleeding events, especially serious bleeding events. Today, one must be careful to minimize the risk of bleeding, especially in those requiring intervention.

Alunos de um programa de pós-graduação em cardiologia: são os resultados de quase 30 anos adequados? / Graduates from a postgraduate program in cardiology: are the results of almost 30 years adequate?

FUNDAMENTO: A pós-graduação stricto sensu no Brasil foi implementada em 1965 para aumentar a qualidade de ensino nas Universidades e preparar pesquisadores completos e independentes. A participação brasileira nas publicações ISI tem aumentado desde então de forma significante, mas pouca informação está disponível sobre a qualidade dos pós-graduados. OBJETIVO: Revisar 29 anos de programa de pós-graduação em cardiologia na Universidade Federal de São Paulo e analisar as características dos alunos de mestrado e doutorado em relação à origem, publicações e carreira subsequente. MÉTODOS: Desenvolvemos um questionário para avaliar 168 alunos de pós-graduação que produziram 196 teses (116 de mestrado e 80 de doutorado), no período de 1975-2004 e entramos em contato com 95,9 por cento deles. As informações sobre as publicações foram obtidas através dos bancos de dados científicos usuais. RESULTADOS: 30 por cento dos alunos de pós-graduação eram das regiões Norte-Nordeste-Centro-Oeste e apenas 50 por cento deles retornou à sua região de origem. A idade média quando da admissão na pós-graduação foi de 32,5 anos e 34,9 anos para mestrandos e doutorandos, respectivamente; a duração média dos programas de pós-graduação foi respectivamente de 39,0 e 43,2 meses e aproximadamente 50 por cento dos alunos fez o curso de pós-graduação sem qualquer bolsa de estudo. A publicação das teses durante esses 29 anos apresentou uma média de 36,5 por cento para mestrado e 61,9 por cento para doutorado, mas quaisquer publicações posteriores foram da ordem de 70,2 por cento e 90,6 por cento, respectivamente. O fator de impacto médio da tese publicada foi de 1,3 para mestrado e 3,1 para doutorado, com 65,5 por cento e 87,5 por cento de Qualis A, respectivamente. Atualmente, há ex-alunos de pós-graduação originários de nossa instituição em 17 estados da federação e 12 deles tornaram-se professores titulares. CONCLUSÃO: Embora o programa stricto sensu, especialmente no ...

BACKGROUND: Stricto sensu post-graduation in Brazil was implemented in 1965 to increase university professors' teaching quality and to prepare full, independent researchers. The brazilian share in ISI publications has increased significantly since then, but little information is available on postgraduate quality. OBJECTIVE: To review 29 years of the postgraduate programs in cardiology at the Federal University of São Paulo and to analyze master and doctorate graduates' characteristics regarding their origin, publications and subsequent career. METHODS: We developed a questionnaire to evaluate 168 postgraduates who produced 196 theses (116 master's and 80 doctorate) over the period 1975-2004 and contacted 95.9 percent of them. Information on publications were obtained through the usual science databases. RESULTS: 30 percent of graduates came from the North-Northeast-Central West regions and only 50 percent returned to their original area. Mean age at admission was 32.5 and 34.9 years old for master and doctorate students, respectively; average program duration was, respectively, 39.0 and 43.2 months and approximately 50 percent went through it without any grants. Thesis publications throughout these 29 years averaged 36.5 percent for master's and 61.9 percent for doctorate, but any publishing afterwards occurred in 70.2 and 90.6 percent of the cases. The average impact factor of the published theses was 1.3 for master's degree and 3.1 for doctorate programs with 65.5 percent and 87.5 percent of Qualis A, respectively. Currently, there are graduates in 17 states of the country and 12 have became full professors. CONCLUSION: Although the stricto sensu program, especially the master's degree program, has many areas that need improvement, they seem to be contributing to improve professional quality and the number of brazilian indexed publications.

Terapêutica farmacológica do infarto do miocárdio em idosos. Análise de oito anos / Pharmacological therapy for myocardial infarction in the elderly. An 8-year analysis

OBJECTIVE :To assess the changes in the medicamentous treatment of elderly patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction occurring over an 8-year period. METHODS :We retrospectively analyzed 379 patients above the age of 65 years with acute myocardial infarction who were admitted to the coronary unit of a university-affiliated hospital from 1990 to 1997. The patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the period of time of hospital admission as follows: group 1 - from 1990 to 1993; and group 2 - from 1994 to 1997. RESULTS :The use of beta-blockers (40.8 percentchi 75.2 percent, p<0.0001) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (42 percent chi59.5 percent, p=0.001) was significantly greater in group 2, while the use of calcium antagonists (42 percent chi 18.5 percent, p<0.0001) and general antiarrhythmic drugs (19.1 percent chi 10.8 percent, p=0.03) was significantly lower. No significant difference was observed in regard to the use of acetylsalicylic acid, thrombolytic agents, nitrate, and digitalis in the period studied. The length of hospitalization was shorter in group 2 (13.4±8.9 days chi 10.5±7.5 days, p<0.001). The in-hospital mortality was 35.7 percent in group 1 and 26.6 percent in group 2 (p=0.07). CONCLUSION : Significant changes were observed in the treatment of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction, with a greater use of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and a lower use of calcium antagonists and antiarrhythmic drugs in group 2. The length of hospitalization and the mortality rate were also lower in group 2, even though the reduction in mortality was not statistically significant

Diagnóstico da rotura do músculo papilar no infarto agudo do miocárdio através do ecodopplercardiograma transesofágico / Papillary Muscle Rupture Assessment Due To Acute Myocardial Infarction by Transesophagecel Echocardiography

Three patients, two females, ages ranging from 62 to 78 years were studied, evolving with hypotension, acute pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock. One had anterior myocardial infarction, and in two, infero-posterior. Due to severe hemodynamic instability and necessity of vasoactive drug therapy to maintain adequate arterial pressure, coronary angiography was performed in two, showing total occlusion of the circumflex artery and severe mitral regurgitation. In one case, angioplasty on the circumflex artery was successfully achieved. No hemodynamic improvement was observed, however. Doppler echocardiography depicted mild to moderate mitral regurgitation in the three cases. Transesophageal echo confirmed the clinical suspicion of papillary muscle rupture: total rupture of antero-lateral papillary muscle in one patient, as well as total and partial rupture of the postero-medial papillary muscle in the other two patients. Two patients were submitted to mitral valve replacement, and the surgical findings confirmed the transesophageal echo conclusions. One of them died in the immediate pos-operative period, whereas the other was discharged from the hospital and is doing well. The third patient died before operation. Differential diagnosis of acute mitral regurgitation due to papillary muscle dysfunction or rupture was not possible by left ventriculography or by transthoracic echo. Transesophageal echo was the only exam to clearly confirm papillary muscle rupture, as should be done promptly after clinical suspicion of this severe condition arises