Abnormal exercise adaptation after varying severities of COVID-19: A controlled cross-sectional analysis of 392 survivors.

The multisystem impairment promoted by COVID-19 may be associated with a reduction in exercise capacity. Cardiopulmonary abnormalities can change across the acute disease severity spectrum. We aimed to verify exercise physiology differences between COVID-19 survivors and SARS-CoV-2-naïve controls and how illness severity influences exercise limitation. A single-centre cross-sectional analysis of prospectively collected data from COVID-19 survivors who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in their recovery phase (x = 50[36;72] days). Patients with COVID-19 were stratified according to severity as mild [M-Cov (outpatient)] vs severe/critical [SC-Cov(inpatients)] and were compared with SARS-CoV-2-naïve controls (N-Cov). Collected information included demographics, anthropometrics, previous physical exercise, comorbidities, lung function test and CPET parameters. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify low aerobic capacity (LAC) predictors post COVID-19. Of the 702 included patients, 310 (44.2%), 305 (43.4%) and 87 (12.4%) were N-Cov, M-Cov and SC-Cov, respectively. LAC was identified in 115 (37.1%), 102 (33.4%), and 66 (75.9%) of N-CoV, M-CoV and SC-CoV, respectively (p < 0.001). SC-Cov were older, heavier with higher body fat, more sedentary lifestyle, more hypertension and diabetes, lower forced vital capacity, higher prevalence of early anaerobiosis, ventilatory inefficiency and exercise-induced hypoxia than N-Cov. M-Cov had lower weight, fat mass, and coronary disease prevalence and did not demonstrate more CEPT abnormalities than N-Cov. After adjustment for covariates, SC-Cov was an independent predictor of LAC (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6). Almost two months after disease onset, SC-CoV presented several exercise abnormalities of oxygen uptake, ventilatory adaptation and gas exchange, including a high prevalence of LAC.Highlights Weeks after the acute disease phase, one-third of mild and three-quarters of severe and critical patients with COVID-19 presented a reduced aerobic capacity. Previous studies including SARS-CoV-1 survivors observed much lower values.A severe or critical COVID-19 case was an independent predictor for low aerobic capacity.In our sample, pre-COVID-19 exercise significantly reduced the odds of post-COVID-19 low aerobic capacity. Even severe or critical patients who exercised regularly had a prevalence of low aerobic capacity 2.5 times lower than those who did not have this routine before sickening.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DAS ENDOSCOPIAS DIGESTIVAS ALTAS REALIZADAS NO MUNICÍPIO DE MOSSORÓ-RN / CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPIES PERFORMED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MOSSORÓ-RN

Objetivou-se caracterizar as EDA realizadas na Comunidade de Saúde de Mossoró, RN, no período de 2008 a 2013, definindo a taxa de exames normais e a prevalência dos principais achados sugestivos de patologias digestivas. Trata-se de um estudo transversal e retrospectivo, no qual se analisou 10311 laudos de EDA. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelo SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versão 20.0), com nível de confiança95% e um p < 0,05, utilizando-se testes Qui-quadrado. Pelos dados levantados, constatamos que a EDA é um exame prático e seguro, com raríssimas complicações, sendo a agitação e a presença de alimento no estômago as limitações mais comuns. Na análise descritiva geral observou-se que a maioria dos exames foi realizada no gênero feminino, formando mais de 70% da amostra total. A faixa etária predominante, independente do gênero, foi 41 a 60 anos. As patologias frequentes no segmento esofágico foram as Esofagites. No segmento gástrico, a maior frequência de achados foram as Gastrites, que são mais frequentes com o avançar da idade. Na Transição Gastroduodenal, as úlceras de Canal Pilórico são os achados mais descritos, mas observamos também modestos achados de duodenites. No duodeno, os principais achados foram úlceras duodenais, seguidas pelas duodenites e sinais de atrofia. Portanto, as EDA são mais realizadas no gênero feminino, mas apresentam maior percentual de exames normais, sendo a maior frequência de achados encontrada no gênero masculino. Assim, após analisar as 10.311 EDA, é possível prever os achados mais comuns encontrados a EDA.

This study aimed to characterize the EDA held in Mossoro Health Community, RN, from 2008 to 2013, setting the rate of normal examinations and the prevalence of the main findings suggestive of digestive pathologies. It is a cross-sectional retrospective study, which analyzed 10,311 reports of EDA. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 20.0), with a confidence level 95% and p <0.05, using chi-square tests. Raised by the data, we found that EDA is a practical and safe exam, with very few complications, agitation and presence of food in the stomach the most common limitations. In general descriptive analysis it was observed that most of the exams was held in females, forming more than 70% of the total sample. The predominant age group, regardless of gender, was 41-60 years. The frequent pathologies in esophageal segment were Esophagitis. Gastric segment, the highest frequency of findings were Gastritis, which are more common with advancing age. Gastroduodenal in Transition, the Channel Pyloric ulcers are the most described findings, but also observed modest findings of duodenitis. In the duodenum, the main findings were duodenal ulcers, followed by duodenitis and signs of atrophy. Therefore, the EDA are more performed in females, but have a higher percentage of normal results, with the highest frequency of findings found in males. So after analyzing 10,311 EDA, it is possible to predict the most common findings EDA.

The additional prognostic value of myocardial perfusion SPECT in patients with known coronary artery disease with high exercise capacity.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) and high exercise capacity is still unknown. We sought to determine the MPI additional prognostic value over electrocardiography (ECG) stress testing alone in patients with known CAD who achieved ≥ 10 metabolic equivalents (METs). METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 926 patients with known CAD referred for MPI with exercise stress. Patients were followed for a mean of 32.4 ± 9.7 months for the occurrence of all-cause death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI). Those achieving ≥ 10 METs were younger, predominantly male, and had lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Patients reaching ≥ 10 METs had a lower annualized rate of hard events compared to their counterparts achieving < 10 METs (1.13%/year vs 3.95%/year, P < .001). Patients who achieved ≥ 10 METs with abnormal scans had a higher rate of hard events compared to those with normal scans (3.37%/year vs 0.57%/year, P = .023). Cardiac workload < 10 METs and an abnormal MPI scan were independent predictors of hard events. CONCLUSIONS: MPI is able to stratify patients with known CAD achieving ≥ 10 METs for the occurrence of all-cause death and nonfatal MI, with incremental prognostic value over ECG stress test alone.

Quantification of myocardial flow reserve using a gamma camera with solid-state cadmium-zinc-telluride detectors: Relation to angiographic coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested using gamma cameras with cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) detectors to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) and flow reserve (MFR). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of MFR quantification using a CZT camera compared to coronary angiography. METHODS: Forty-one participants referred for coronary angiography underwent a rest/stress one-day myocardial perfusion imaging protocol using a CZT gamma camera. Rest and stress dynamic phases were followed by acquisition of traditional perfusion images and time-activity curves were generated. Angiographic and perfusion results were compared to MFR. RESULTS: Patients with abnormal perfusion presented reduced MFR (2.01 [1.48-2.77] vs. 2.94 [2.38-3.64], P = 0.002), and reduced stress MBF. Patients with high-risk CAD had lower global MFR compared to patients without obstructive disease (1.99 [1.22-2.84] vs. 2.89 [2.22-3.58], P = 0.026). Obstructed vessels showed lower regional MFR when compared to non-obstructed (1.81 [1.19-2.67] vs. 2.75 [2.13-3.42], P < 0.001). A regional MFR of 2.2 provided a sensitivity of 63.2% and specificity of 74.1% to identify an obstructive lesion in the corresponding artery. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography for the evaluation of CAD, quantifying MBF and MFR in a CZT gamma camera is feasible and reflects underlying disease. In these patients, reduced regional MFR suggests the presence of obstructive lesion(s).

Mapping COVID-19 functional sequelae: the perspective of nuclear medicine.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is capable of affecting several organs. Direct viral toxicity, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic induction, endothelial damage, immune imbalance, and dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are the mechanisms underlying the viral potential of multiple organ damage. The impairment of four organs stands out among severe patients: lung, heart, kidney, and endothelium. The nuclear medicine field holds accurate and safe exam techniques, such as positron emission tomography-computed tomography and scintigraphy, that allow the anatomophysiological study of the majority of human organ systems. By choosing the most appropriate method and radiopharmaceutical, analyzing the presence of inflammation, fibrosis, changes in perfusion, and function of desired organs is possible. Therefore, its use in the monitoring of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 becomes relevant, especially for monitoring sequelae. In this review, we discuss the use of Nuclear Medicine in the detection, monitoring, and therapeutic evaluation of pulmonary and extrapulmonary sequelae by coronavirus disease 2019.

Etapas do processamento e caracterização físico-química do queijo de manteiga produzido em Parintins - AM / Processing steps and physico-chemical characterization of “manteiga” cheese from Parintins, State of Amazonas

Dentre os produtos regionais derivados do leite produzidos na cidade de Parintins, Estado do Amazonas, destaca-se o queijo de manteiga, amplamente consumido pela população local. A produção rural de queijos participa consideravelmente na economia, exclusivamente de forma informal, do município, sendo extremamente significativa na formação de renda dos produtores de leite. Porém, esses produtores não contam com tecnologias apropriadas. O levantamento de informações relativas às técnicas de processamento auxiliará na otimização do processo de fabricação e na melhoria da qualidade sem promover a descaracterização do produto que, obtido tradicionalmente, é possuir de grande popularidade. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar as condições de processamento do queijo de manteiga produzido por produtores familiares do município de Parintins. Análises físico-químicas também foram realizadas. As análises demonstraram que os produtos não possuem padronização. Os resultados desse estudo indicam a necessidade de prover orientação técnica aos produtores, para a adequação dos produtos, processos e instalações, e estabelecer procedimentos adequados de higiene e sanificação, para obtenção de produtos com maior competitividade, qualidade e segurança alimentar.

Determination of volatile fatty acids clearance in intact ruminal digesta / Determinação do clearance de ácidos graxos voláteis na digesta ruminal intacta / Determinación del aclaramiento de ácidos grasos volátiles en digesta ruminal intacta

Abstract Cannulated cows were allocated to a cross-over design to evaluate the technique for determination of volatile fatty acid (VFA) clearance by infusion of marker solution into intact ruminal digesta, and verify the technique sensibility to the variation in the diet. Animals received diet of forage or forage plus concentrate and infusion of valeric acid and Cr-EDTA solution into intact or evacuated ruminal digesta. The total fractional rate of VFA clearance (FRVFAC) was estimated by the exponential decay of valerate over time. The passage FRVFAC to the omasum was assumed as the decay in ruminal Cr concentration and the absorption FRVFAC was estimated by the difference. The total FRVFAC and absorption did not differ between techniques. The passage FRVFAC, however, was lower when the marker solution was added into the evacuated digesta, probably reflecting the destabilization of the rumen environment during the evacuation and the largest volume of fluid observed in animals with evacuated digesta. In conclusion, the infusion of marker solution into intact digesta with homogenization performed by ruminal motility could be usable for the VFA ruminal clearance determination since it seems to cause lesser disturbance in the ruminal environment.

Resumo Bovinos canulados foram alocados em um delineamento cruzado para avaliar a técnica de determinação do clearance de ácidos graxos voláteis (VFA) por infusão de solução marcadora na digesta ruminal intacta, e verificado a sensibilidade da técnica à variação na dieta. Os animais receberam dieta de forragem ou forragem juntamente com concentrado e infusão de ácido valérico e solução de Cr-EDTA na digesta ruminal intacta ou evacuada. A taxa fracional total de depuração de AGV (FRVFAC) foi estimada pelo decaimento exponencial do valerato ao longo do tempo. A passagem FRVFAC para o omaso foi assumida como o decaimento na concentração ruminal de Cr e a absorção FRVFAC foi estimada pela diferença. A FRVFAC total e a absorção não diferiram entre as técnicas. A passagem FRVFAC, entretanto, foi menor quando a solução marcadora foi adicionada na digesta evacuada, provavelmente refletindo a desestabilização do ambiente ruminal durante a evacuação e o maior volume de líquido observado em animais com digesta evacuada. Em conclusão, a infusão da solução marcadora na digesta intacta com homogeneização realizada pela motilidade ruminal poderia ser utilizada para a determinação da depuração ruminal de VFA, uma vez que parece causar menor distúrbio no ambiente ruminal.

Resumen Los bovinos canulados fueron asignados en un delineamiento cruzado para evaluar la técnica de determinación del clearance de ácidos grasos volátiles (VFA) por infusión de solución marcadora en la digesta ruminal intacta, y verificado la sensibilidad de la técnica a la variación en la dieta. Los animales recibieron dieta de forraje o forraje junto con concentrado e infusión de ácido valérico y solución de Cr-EDTA en la digesta ruminal intacta o evacuada. La tasa fraccional total de depuración de AGV (FRVFAC) fue estimada por el decaimiento exponencial del valerato a lo largo del tiempo. El pasaje FRVFAC para el omaso fue asumido como el decaimiento en la concentración ruminal de Cr y la absorción FRVFAC fue estimada por la diferencia. La FRVFAC total y la absorción no difirieron entre las técnicas. El paso FRVFAC, sin embargo, fue menor cuando la solución marcadora fue agregada en la digestión evacuada, probablemente reflejando la desestabilización del ambiente ruminal durante la evacuación y el mayor volumen de líquido observado en animales con digestión evacuada. En conclusión, la infusión de la solución marcadora en la digesta intacta con homogeneización realizada por la motilidad ruminal podría ser utilizada para la determinación de la depuración ruminal de la VFA, ya que parece causar menor disturbio en el ambiente ruminal.

The Prognostic Value and Clinical Use of Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy in Asymptomatic Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The role of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not established. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic value and clinical use of MPS in asymptomatic patients after PCI. METHODS: Patients who underwent MPS consecutively between 2008 and 2012 after PCI were selected. The MPS were classified as normal and abnormal, the perfusion scores, summed stress score (SSS), and summed difference score (SDS) were calculated and converted into percentage of total perfusion defect and ischemic defect. The follow-up was undertaken through telephone interviews and consultation with the Mortality Information System. Primary endpoints were death, cardiovascular death, and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and secondary endpoint was revascularization. Logistic regression and COX method were used to identify the predictors of events, and the value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 647 patients were followed for 5.2 ± 1.6 years. 47% of MPS were normal, 30% were abnormal with ischemia, and 23% were abnormal without ischemia. There were 61 deaths, 27 being cardiovascular, 19 non-fatal AMI, and 139 revascularizations. The annual death rate was higher in those with abnormal perfusion without ischemia compared to the groups with ischemia and normal perfusion (3.3% × 2% × 1.2%, p = 0.021). The annual revascularization rate was 10.3% in the ischemia group, 3.7% in those with normal MPS, and 3% in those with abnormal MPS without ischemia. The independent predictors of mortality and revascularization were, respectively, total perfusion defect greater than 6%, and ischemic defect greater than 3%. Forty-two percent of the patients underwent MPS less than 2 years after PCI, and no significant differences were observed in relation to those who underwent it after that period. CONCLUSION: Although this information is not contemplated in guidelines, in this study MPS was able to predict events in asymptomatic after PCI patients, regardless of when they were performed.

The Prognostic Value and Clinical Use of Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy in Asymptomatic Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / O Valor Prognóstico e o uso Clínico da Cintilografia de Perfusão Miocárdica em Pacientes Assintomáticos após Intervenção Coronariana Percutânea

Abstract Background: The role of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not established. Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value and clinical use of MPS in asymptomatic patients after PCI. Methods: Patients who underwent MPS consecutively between 2008 and 2012 after PCI were selected. The MPS were classified as normal and abnormal, the perfusion scores, summed stress score (SSS), and summed difference score (SDS) were calculated and converted into percentage of total perfusion defect and ischemic defect. The follow-up was undertaken through telephone interviews and consultation with the Mortality Information System. Primary endpoints were death, cardiovascular death, and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and secondary endpoint was revascularization. Logistic regression and COX method were used to identify the predictors of events, and the value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 647 patients were followed for 5.2 ± 1.6 years. 47% of MPS were normal, 30% were abnormal with ischemia, and 23% were abnormal without ischemia. There were 61 deaths, 27 being cardiovascular, 19 non-fatal AMI, and 139 revascularizations. The annual death rate was higher in those with abnormal perfusion without ischemia compared to the groups with ischemia and normal perfusion (3.3% × 2% × 1.2%, p = 0.021). The annual revascularization rate was 10.3% in the ischemia group, 3.7% in those with normal MPS, and 3% in those with abnormal MPS without ischemia. The independent predictors of mortality and revascularization were, respectively, total perfusion defect greater than 6%, and ischemic defect greater than 3%. Forty-two percent of the patients underwent MPS less than 2 years after PCI, and no significant differences were observed in relation to those who underwent it after that period. Conclusion: Although this information is not contemplated in guidelines, in this study MPS was able to predict events in asymptomatic after PCI patients, regardless of when they were performed.

Resumo Fundamentos: O papel da cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica (CPM) no seguimento de pacientes assintomáticos após intervenção coronariana percutânea (ICP) não está estabelecido. Objetivos. Avaliar o valor prognóstico e o uso clínico da CPM em pacientes assintomáticos após ICP. Métodos: Foram selecionados pacientes que realizaram CPM consecutivamente entre 2008 e 2012 após ICP. As CPM foram classificadas em normais e anormais, os escores de perfusão, escore somado do estresse (SSS) e escore somado da diferença (SDS) foram calculados e convertidos em porcentagem de defeito perfusional total e de defeito isquêmico. O seguimento foi por meio de entrevistas telefônicas e consulta ao Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade. Desfechos primários foram morte, morte cardiovascular e infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) não fatal e desfecho secundário foi revascularização. Regressão logística e método de COX foram utilizados para identificar os preditores de eventos e o valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: 647 pacientes foram acompanhados por 5,2 ± 1,6 anos. 47% das CPM foram normais, 30% anormais com isquemia e 23% anormais sem isquemia. Ocorreram 61 mortes, 27 cardiovasculares, 19 IAM não fatais e 139 revascularizações. A taxa anual de óbitos foi superior naqueles com perfusão anormal sem isquemia comparada aos grupos com isquemia e perfusão normal (3,3% × 2% × 1,2%, p = 0,021). A taxa anual de revascularização foi 10,3% no grupo com isquemia, 3,7% naqueles com CPM normal e 3% naqueles com CPM anormal sem isquemia. Foram preditores independentes de mortalidade e revascularização, respectivamente, defeito perfusional total maior que 6% e defeito isquêmico maior que 3%. Quarenta e dois por cento dos pacientes realizaram CPM menos de 2 anos após ICP e não foram observadas diferenças relevantes em relação aos que realizaram após esse período. Conclusão: Embora esta informação não esteja contemplada em diretrizes, neste estudo a CPM foi capaz de predizer eventos em pacientes assintomáticos após ICP, independente do momento de realização.