Associations Between Coronary Artery Calcification and Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain and Diastolic Parameters: the ELSA-Brasil Study.

Atherosclerosis burden can be evaluated in asymptomatic patients by measuring coronary artery calcification (CAC), whereas the global longitudinal strain (GLS) and diastolic function parameters (mitral E/e' ratio, septal e', and lateral e') are used to evaluate subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. We investigated whether subjects with CAC (CAC >0 Agatston units) would present with an impairment in LV functional parameters. Among the participants of the ELSA-Brasil cohort free of clinically prevalent cardiovascular disease who performed cardiac computed tomography and echocardiography within the study protocol, we tested whether those with CAC >0 presented with worse GLS and diastolic function parameters. CAC >0 was present in 203 of the 612 included participants (33.17%; age 51.4 ± 8.6 years, 52.1% women). Absolute CAC values did not correlate with GLS (ro = 0.07, p = 0.105) but did so with E/e' (ro = 0.19, p <0.001), septal e' (ro = 0.28, p <0.001), and lateral e' (ro = 0.30, p <0.001), with stronger correlations in men. Those with CAC >0 had worse mitral E/e' ratios (7.75 ± 0.13 vs 7.01 ± 0.09; p ≤0.001), septal e' (8.25 ± 0.15 vs 9.59 ± 0.11 cm/s; p <0.001), and lateral e' (10.13 ± 0.20 vs 11.99 ± 0.14 cm/s; p ≤0.001), respectively. However, these associations were not independent of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, smoking, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, persisting only as significant associations of CAC >0 with mitral E/e' ratio and septal e' in men. There is an association between subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and impaired LV functional parameters. These associations are more likely attributed to the presence of common cardiovascular risk factors in the general population. However, in men, it seems to exist as an independent association.

Screening for Chagas disease from the electrocardiogram using a deep neural network.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, it is estimated that over 6 million people are infected with Chagas disease (ChD). It is a neglected disease that can lead to severe heart conditions in its chronic phase. While early treatment can avoid complications, the early-stage detection rate is low. We explore the use of deep neural networks to detect ChD from electrocardiograms (ECGs) to aid in the early detection of the disease. METHODS: We employ a convolutional neural network model that uses 12-lead ECG data to compute the probability of a ChD diagnosis. Our model is developed using two datasets which jointly comprise over two million entries from Brazilian patients: The SaMi-Trop study focusing on ChD patients, enriched with data from the CODE study from the general population. The model's performance is evaluated on two external datasets: the REDS-II, a study focused on ChD with 631 patients, and the ELSA-Brasil study, with 13,739 civil servant patients. FINDINGS: Evaluating our model, we obtain an AUC-ROC of 0.80 (CI 95% 0.79-0.82) for the validation set (samples from CODE and SaMi-Trop), and in external validation datasets: 0.68 (CI 95% 0.63-0.71) for REDS-II and 0.59 (CI 95% 0.56-0.63) for ELSA-Brasil. In the latter, we report a sensitivity of 0.52 (CI 95% 0.47-0.57) and 0.36 (CI 95% 0.30-0.42) and a specificity of 0.77 (CI 95% 0.72-0.81) and 0.76 (CI 95% 0.75-0.77), respectively. Additionally, when considering only patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy as positive, the model achieved an AUC-ROC of 0.82 (CI 95% 0.77-0.86) for REDS-II and 0.77 (CI 95% 0.68-0.85) for ELSA-Brasil. INTERPRETATION: The neural network detects chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) from ECG-with weaker performance for early-stage cases. Future work should focus on curating large higher-quality datasets. The CODE dataset, our largest development dataset includes self-reported and therefore less reliable labels, limiting performance for non-CCC patients. Our findings can improve ChD detection and treatment, particularly in high-prevalence areas.

Association Between Electrocardiographic Age and Cardiovascular Events in Community Settings: The Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Deep neural networks have been used to estimate age from ECGs, the electrocardiographic age (ECG-age), which predicts adverse outcomes. However, this prediction ability has been restricted to clinical settings or relatively short periods. We hypothesized that ECG-age is associated with death and cardiovascular outcomes in the long-standing community-based FHS (Framingham Heart Study). METHODS: We tested the association of ECG-age with chronological age in the FHS cohorts in ECGs from 1986 to 2021. We calculated the gap between chronological and ECG-age (Δage) and classified individuals as having normal, accelerated, or decelerated aging, if Δage was within, higher, or lower than the mean absolute error of the model, respectively. We assessed the associations of Δage, accelerated and decelerated aging with death or cardiovascular outcomes (atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and heart failure) using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, and clinical factors. RESULTS: The study population included 9877 FHS participants (mean age, 55±13 years; 54.9% women) with 34 948 ECGs. ECG-age was correlated to chronological age (r=0.81; mean absolute error, 9±7 years). After 17±8 years of follow-up, every 10-year increase of Δage was associated with 18% increase in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18 [95% CI, 1.12-1.23]), 23% increase in atrial fibrillation risk (HR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.17-1.29]), 14% increase in myocardial infarction risk (HR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.05-1.23]), and 40% increase in heart failure risk (HR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.30-1.52]), in multivariable models. In addition, accelerated aging was associated with a 28% increase in all-cause mortality (HR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.14-1.45]), whereas decelerated aging was associated with a 16% decrease (HR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.74-0.95]). CONCLUSIONS: ECG-age was highly correlated with chronological age in FHS. The difference between ECG-age and chronological age was associated with death, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. Given the wide availability and low cost of ECG, ECG-age could be a scalable biomarker of cardiovascular risk.

Association of lifestyle with deep learning predicted electrocardiographic age.

Background: People age at different rates. Biological age is a risk factor for many chronic diseases independent of chronological age. A good lifestyle is known to improve overall health, but its association with biological age is unclear. Methods: This study included participants from the UK Biobank who had undergone 12-lead resting electrocardiography (ECG). Biological age was estimated by a deep learning model (defined as ECG-age), and the difference between ECG-age and chronological age was defined as Δage. Participants were further categorized into an ideal (score 4), intermediate (scores 2 and 3) or unfavorable lifestyle (score 0 or 1). Four lifestyle factors were investigated, including diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and smoking. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between lifestyle factors and Δage, and the models were adjusted for sex and chronological age. Results: This study included 44,094 individuals (mean age 64 ± 8, 51.4% females). A significant correlation was observed between predicted biological age and chronological age (correlation coefficient = 0.54, P < 0.001) and the mean Δage (absolute error of biological age and chronological age) was 9.8 ± 7.4 years. Δage was significantly associated with all of the four lifestyle factors, with the effect size ranging from 0.41 ± 0.11 for the healthy diet to 2.37 ± 0.30 for non-smoking. Compared with an ideal lifestyle, an unfavorable lifestyle was associated with an average of 2.50 ± 0.29 years of older predicted ECG-age. Conclusion: In this large contemporary population, a strong association was observed between all four studied healthy lifestyle factors and deaccelerated aging. Our study underscores the importance of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the burden of aging-related diseases.

Parasite DNA and Markers of Decreased Immune Activation Associate Prospectively with Cardiac Functional Decline over 10 Years among Trypanosoma cruzi Seropositive Individuals in Brazil.

Parasitemia and inflammatory markers are cross-sectionally associated with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) among patients with Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the prospective association of the parasite load and host immune response-related characteristics with CCC (that is, progressors) among T. cruzi seropositive individuals has only been partially defined. In a cohort of T. cruzi seropositive patients in Montes Claros and São Paulo, Brazil who were followed over 10 years, we identified the association of a baseline T. cruzi parasite load and systemic markers of inflammation with a decline in cardiac function and/or the presence of cardiac congestion 10 years later. The progressors (n = 21) were individuals with a significant decline in the left ventricular ejection fraction and/or elevated markers of cardiac congestion after 10 years. The controls (n = 31) had normal markers of cardiac function and congestion at the baseline and at the follow-up. They were matched with the progressors on age, sex, and genetic ancestry. The progressors had higher mean parasite loads at the baseline than the controls (18.3 vs. 0.605 DNA parasite equivalents/20 mL, p < 0.05). Of the 384 inflammation-related proteins analyzed, 47 differed significantly at a false discovery rate- (FDR-) corrected p < 0.05 between the groups. There were 44 of these 47 proteins that were significantly higher in the controls compared to in the progressors, including the immune activation markers CCL21, CXCL12, and HCLS1 and several of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily of proteins. Among the individuals who were seropositive for T. cruzi at the baseline and who were followed over 10 years, those with incident CCC at the 10-year marker had a comparatively higher baseline of T. cruzi parasitemia and lower baseline markers of immune activation and chemotaxis. These findings generate the hypothesis that the early impairment of pathogen-killing immune responses predisposes individuals to CCC, which merits further study.

Saúde Cardiovascular e Fibrilação ou Flutter Atrial: Um Estudo Transversal do ELSA-Brasil / Cardiovascular Health and Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter: A Cross-Sectional Study from ELSA-Brasil

Resumo Fundamento A associação entre o status de saúde cardiovascular ideal ( ideal cardiovascular health ( ICVH) e diagnóstico de fibrilação ou flutter atrial (FFA) foi menos estudado em comparação a outras doenças cardiovasculares. Objetivos Analisar a associação entre o diagnóstico de FFA e métricas e escores de ICVH no Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). Métodos Este estudo analisou dados de 13141 participantes com dados completos. Os traçados eletrocardiográficos foram codificados de acordo com o Sistema de Minnesota, em um centro de leitura centralizado. As métricas do ICVH (dieta, atividade física, índice de massa corporal, tabagismo, glicemia de jeju, e colesterol total) e escores do ICVH foram calculados conforme proposto pela American Heart Association . Modelos de regressão logística bruta e ajustada foram construídos para analisar associações de métricas e escores do ICVH com diagnóstico de FFA. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em 0,05. Resultados A idade mediana da amostra foi de 55 anos, e 54,4% eram mulheres. Nos modelos ajustados, os escores de ICVH não apresentaram associação significativa com diagnóstico de FFA prevalente [odds ratio (OR):0,96; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%):0,80-1,16; p=0,70). Perfis de pressão arterial ideal (OR:0,33; IC95%:0,1-0,74; p=0,007) e colesterol total ideal (OR:1,88; IC95%:1,19-2,98; p=0,007) foram significativamente associados com o diagnóstico de FFA. Conclusões Não foram identificadas associações significativas entre escores de ICVH global e diagnóstico de FFA após ajuste multivariado em nossas análises, devido, ao menos em parte, às associações antagônicas da FFA com métricas de pressão arterial e de colesterol total do ICVH. Nossos resultados sugerem que estimar a prevenção da FFA por meio de escore de ICVH global pode não ser adequado, e as métricas do ICVH devem ser consideradas separadamente.

Abstract Background The association between ideal cardiovascular health (ICVH) status and atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) diagnosis has been less studied compared to other cardiovascular diseases. Objective To analyze the association between AFF diagnosis and ICVH metrics and scores in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods This study analyzed data from 13,141 participants with complete data. Electrocardiographic tracings were coded according to the Minnesota Coding System, in a centralized reading center. ICVH metrics (diet, physical activity, body mass index, smoking, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and total cholesterol) and scores were calculated as proposed by the American Heart Association. Crude and adjusted binary logistic regression models were built to analyze the association of ICVH metrics and scores with AFF diagnosis. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results The sample had a median age of 55 years and 54.4% were women. In adjusted models, ICVH scores were not significantly associated with prevalent AFF diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]:0.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:0.80-1.16; p=0.70). Ideal blood pressure (OR:0.33; 95% CI:0.15-0.74; p=0.007) and total cholesterol (OR:1.88; 95% CI:1.19-2.98; p=0.007) profiles were significantly associated with AFF diagnosis. Conclusions No significant associations were identified between global ICVH scores and AFF diagnosis after multivariable adjustment in our analyses, at least partially due to the antagonistic associations of AFF with blood pressure and total cholesterol ICVH metrics. Our results suggest that estimating the prevention of AFF burden using global ICVH scores may not be adequate, and ICVH metrics should be considered in separate.

Associação entre Bloqueio Atrioventricular e Mortalidade em Pacientes de Atenção Primária: O Estudo CODE / Association between Atrioventricular Block and Mortality in Primary Care Patients: The CODE Study

Resumo Fundamento O bloqueio atrioventricular (BAV) descreve um comprometimento na condução dos átrios para os ventrículos. Embora o curso clínico do BAV tenha sido avaliado, os achados são de países de alta renda e, portanto, não podem ser extrapolados para a população latina. Objetivo Avaliar a associação entre BAV e mortalidade. Métodos Foram incluídos pacientes do estudo CODE (Clinical Outcomes in Digital Electrocardiology), maiores de 16 anos que realizaram eletrocardiograma (ECG) digital de 2010 a 2017. Os ECGs foram relatados por cardiologistas e por software automatizado. Para avaliar a relação entre BAV e mortalidade, foram utilizados o modelo log-normal e as curvas de Kaplan-Meier com valores de p bicaudais < 0,05 considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados O estudo incluiu 1.557.901 pacientes; 40,23% eram homens e a média de idade foi de 51,7 (DP ± 17,6) anos. Durante um seguimento médio de 3,7 anos, a mortalidade foi de 3,35%. A prevalência de BAV foi de 1,38% (21.538). Os pacientes com BAV de primeiro, segundo e terceiro graus foram associados a uma taxa de sobrevida 24% (taxa de sobrevida relativa [RS] = 0,76; intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%: 0,71 a 0,81; p < 0,001), 55% (RS = 0,45; IC de 95%: 0,27 a 0,77; p = 0,01) e 64% (RS = 0,36; IC de 95%: 0,26 a 0,49; p < 0,001) menor quando comparados ao grupo controle, respectivamente. Os pacientes com BAV 2:1 tiveram 79% (RS = 0,21; IC de 95%: 0,08 a 0,52; p = 0,005) menor taxa de sobrevida do que o grupo controle. Apenas Mobitz tipo I não foi associado a maior mortalidade (p = 0,27). Conclusão BAV foi um fator de risco independente para mortalidade geral, com exceção do BAV Mobitz tipo I.

Abstract Background Atrioventricular block (AVB) describes an impairment of conduction from the atria to the ventricles. Although the clinical course of AVB has been evaluated, the findings are from high-income countries and, therefore, cannot be extrapolated to the Latinx population. Objective Evaluate the association between AVB and mortality. Methods Patients from the CODE (Clinical Outcomes in Digital Electrocardiology) study, older than 16 years who underwent digital electrocardiogram (ECG) from 2010 to 2017 were included. ECGs were reported by cardiologists and by automated software. To assess the relationship between AVB and mortality, the log-normal model and the Kaplan-Meier curves were used with two-tailed p-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The study included 1,557,901 patients; 40.2% were men, and mean age was 51.7 (standard deviation ± 17.6) years. In a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, the mortality rate was 3.35%. The AVB prevalence was 1.38% (21,538). Patients with first-, second-, and third-degree AVB were associated with 24% (relative survival rate [RS] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-0.81; p < 0.001), 55% (RS = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.27-0.77; p = 0.01), and 64% (RS = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.26-0.49; p < 0.001) lower survival rate when compared to the control group, respectively. Patients with 2:1 AVB had 79% (RS = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.08-0.52; p = 0.005) lower survival rate than the control group. Only Mobitz type I was not associated with higher mortality (p = 0.27). Conclusion AVB was an independent risk factor for overall mortality, with the exception of Mobitz type I.

Cardiovascular Health and Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter: A Cross-Sectional Study from ELSA-Brasil. / Saúde Cardiovascular e Fibrilação ou Flutter Atrial: Um Estudo Transversal do ELSA-Brasil.

BACKGROUND: The association between ideal cardiovascular health (ICVH) status and atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) diagnosis has been less studied compared to other cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between AFF diagnosis and ICVH metrics and scores in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). METHODS: This study analyzed data from 13,141 participants with complete data. Electrocardiographic tracings were coded according to the Minnesota Coding System, in a centralized reading center. ICVH metrics (diet, physical activity, body mass index, smoking, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and total cholesterol) and scores were calculated as proposed by the American Heart Association. Crude and adjusted binary logistic regression models were built to analyze the association of ICVH metrics and scores with AFF diagnosis. Significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The sample had a median age of 55 years and 54.4% were women. In adjusted models, ICVH scores were not significantly associated with prevalent AFF diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]:0.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:0.80-1.16; p=0.70). Ideal blood pressure (OR:0.33; 95% CI:0.15-0.74; p=0.007) and total cholesterol (OR:1.88; 95% CI:1.19-2.98; p=0.007) profiles were significantly associated with AFF diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: No significant associations were identified between global ICVH scores and AFF diagnosis after multivariable adjustment in our analyses, at least partially due to the antagonistic associations of AFF with blood pressure and total cholesterol ICVH metrics. Our results suggest that estimating the prevention of AFF burden using global ICVH scores may not be adequate, and ICVH metrics should be considered in separate.

FUNDAMENTO: A associação entre o status de saúde cardiovascular ideal ( ideal cardiovascular health ( ICVH) e diagnóstico de fibrilação ou flutter atrial (FFA) foi menos estudado em comparação a outras doenças cardiovasculares. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a associação entre o diagnóstico de FFA e métricas e escores de ICVH no Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). MÉTODOS: Este estudo analisou dados de 13141 participantes com dados completos. Os traçados eletrocardiográficos foram codificados de acordo com o Sistema de Minnesota, em um centro de leitura centralizado. As métricas do ICVH (dieta, atividade física, índice de massa corporal, tabagismo, glicemia de jeju, e colesterol total) e escores do ICVH foram calculados conforme proposto pela American Heart Association . Modelos de regressão logística bruta e ajustada foram construídos para analisar associações de métricas e escores do ICVH com diagnóstico de FFA. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em 0,05. RESULTADOS: A idade mediana da amostra foi de 55 anos, e 54,4% eram mulheres. Nos modelos ajustados, os escores de ICVH não apresentaram associação significativa com diagnóstico de FFA prevalente [odds ratio (OR):0,96; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%):0,80-1,16; p=0,70). Perfis de pressão arterial ideal (OR:0,33; IC95%:0,1-0,74; p=0,007) e colesterol total ideal (OR:1,88; IC95%:1,19-2,98; p=0,007) foram significativamente associados com o diagnóstico de FFA. CONCLUSÕES: Não foram identificadas associações significativas entre escores de ICVH global e diagnóstico de FFA após ajuste multivariado em nossas análises, devido, ao menos em parte, às associações antagônicas da FFA com métricas de pressão arterial e de colesterol total do ICVH. Nossos resultados sugerem que estimar a prevenção da FFA por meio de escore de ICVH global pode não ser adequado, e as métricas do ICVH devem ser consideradas separadamente.

Association between Atrioventricular Block and Mortality in Primary Care Patients: The CODE Study. / Associação entre Bloqueio Atrioventricular e Mortalidade em Pacientes de Atenção Primária: O Estudo CODE.

BACKGROUND: Atrioventricular block (AVB) describes an impairment of conduction from the atria to the ventricles. Although the clinical course of AVB has been evaluated, the findings are from high-income countries and, therefore, cannot be extrapolated to the Latinx population. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the association between AVB and mortality. METHODS: Patients from the CODE (Clinical Outcomes in Digital Electrocardiology) study, older than 16 years who underwent digital electrocardiogram (ECG) from 2010 to 2017 were included. ECGs were reported by cardiologists and by automated software. To assess the relationship between AVB and mortality, the log-normal model and the Kaplan-Meier curves were used with two-tailed p-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study included 1,557,901 patients; 40.2% were men, and mean age was 51.7 (standard deviation ± 17.6) years. In a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, the mortality rate was 3.35%. The AVB prevalence was 1.38% (21,538). Patients with first-, second-, and third-degree AVB were associated with 24% (relative survival rate [RS] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-0.81; p < 0.001), 55% (RS = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.27-0.77; p = 0.01), and 64% (RS = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.26-0.49; p < 0.001) lower survival rate when compared to the control group, respectively. Patients with 2:1 AVB had 79% (RS = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.08-0.52; p = 0.005) lower survival rate than the control group. Only Mobitz type I was not associated with higher mortality (p = 0.27). CONCLUSION: AVB was an independent risk factor for overall mortality, with the exception of Mobitz type I.

FUNDAMENTO: O bloqueio atrioventricular (BAV) descreve um comprometimento na condução dos átrios para os ventrículos. Embora o curso clínico do BAV tenha sido avaliado, os achados são de países de alta renda e, portanto, não podem ser extrapolados para a população latina. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre BAV e mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes do estudo CODE (Clinical Outcomes in Digital Electrocardiology), maiores de 16 anos que realizaram eletrocardiograma (ECG) digital de 2010 a 2017. Os ECGs foram relatados por cardiologistas e por software automatizado. Para avaliar a relação entre BAV e mortalidade, foram utilizados o modelo log-normal e as curvas de Kaplan-Meier com valores de p bicaudais < 0,05 considerados estatisticamente significativos. RESULTADOS: O estudo incluiu 1.557.901 pacientes; 40,23% eram homens e a média de idade foi de 51,7 (DP ± 17,6) anos. Durante um seguimento médio de 3,7 anos, a mortalidade foi de 3,35%. A prevalência de BAV foi de 1,38% (21.538). Os pacientes com BAV de primeiro, segundo e terceiro graus foram associados a uma taxa de sobrevida 24% (taxa de sobrevida relativa [RS] = 0,76; intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%: 0,71 a 0,81; p < 0,001), 55% (RS = 0,45; IC de 95%: 0,27 a 0,77; p = 0,01) e 64% (RS = 0,36; IC de 95%: 0,26 a 0,49; p < 0,001) menor quando comparados ao grupo controle, respectivamente. Os pacientes com BAV 2:1 tiveram 79% (RS = 0,21; IC de 95%: 0,08 a 0,52; p = 0,005) menor taxa de sobrevida do que o grupo controle. Apenas Mobitz tipo I não foi associado a maior mortalidade (p = 0,27). CONCLUSÃO: BAV foi um fator de risco independente para mortalidade geral, com exceção do BAV Mobitz tipo I.

Cardiovascular Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemics in a Large Brazilian City: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Introduction: The impact of COVID-19 pandemics on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may be caused by health system reorganization and/or collapse, or from changes in the behaviour of individuals. In Brazil, municipalities were empowered to define regulatory measures, potentially resulting in diverse effects on CVD morbimortality. Objective: To analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on CVD outcomes in Belo Horizonte (BH), the sixth greater capital city in Brazil, including: mortality, mortality at home, hospitalizations, intensive care unit utilization, and in-hospital mortality; and the differential effect according to sex, age range, social vulnerability, and pandemic's phase. Methods: Ecological study analysing data from the Mortality and Hospital Information System of BH residents aged ≥30 years. CVD was defined as in Chapter IX from ICD-10. Social vulnerability was classified by a composite socioeconomic index as high, medium and low. The observed age-standardized rates for epidemiological weeks 10-48, 2020, were compared to the expected rates (mean of 2015-2019). Risk ratios (RiR) were analysed and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all estimates. Population projected to 2020 for BH and its census tracts were used to calculate rates. Results: We found no changes in CVD mortality rates (RiR 1.01, 95%CI 0.96-1.06). However, CVD deaths occurred more at homes (RiR 1.32, 95%CI 1.20-1.46) than in hospitals (RiR 0.89, 95%CI 0.79-0.99), as a result of a substantial decline in hospitalization rates, even though proportional in-hospital deaths increased. The rise in home deaths was greater in older adults and in had an increasing gradient in those more socially vulnerable (RiR 1.45); for high (RiR 1.45), medium (RiR 1.32) and low vulnerability (RiR 1.21). Conclusion: The greater occurrence of CVD deaths at home, in parallel with lower hospitalization rates, suggests that CVD care was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemics, which more adversely affected older and more socially vulnerable individuals, exacerbating health inequities in BH.

Investigation of the Familial Risk of Rheumatic Heart Disease with Systematic Echocardiographic Screening: Data from the PROVAR+ Family Study.

We aimed to use echocardiographic (echo) screening to evaluate the risk of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) among the relatives of patients with advanced RHD, who were enrolled in the University Hospital's outpatient clinics from February 2020 to September 2021. Consenting first-degree relatives were invited for echo screening using handheld devices (GE VSCAN) by non-physicians, with remote interpretation. Matched controls (spouses, neighbors) living in the same household were enrolled in a 1:5 fashion. A standard echo (GE Vivid-IQ) was scheduled if abnormalities were observed. In 16 months, 226 relatives and 47 controls of 121 patients were screened, including 129 children, 77 siblings and 20 parents. The mean age was 40 ± 17 years, 67% of the patients were women, and 239 (88%) lived with the index case for >10 years. Echo findings suggestive of RHD were confirmed in zero controls and 14 (7.5%) relatives (p = 0.05): 11 patients had mild/moderate mitral regurgitation, and four were associated with mitral stenosis and abnormal morphology. Two patients had mild aortic regurgitation and abnormal morphology, which were associated with mild aortic and mitral stenosis, and two patients with advanced RHD had bioprostheses in the mitral (2) and aortic (1) positions. In conclusion, first-degree relatives of individuals with clinical RHD are at greater risk of having RHD, on top of socioeconomic conditions.

Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis using ECG Records and Self-Report in the Community: Cross-Sectional Analysis from ELSA-Brasil. / Diagnóstico de Fibrilação Atrial na Comunidade Utilizando Eletrocardiograma e Autorrelato: Análise Transversal do ELSA-Brasil.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Limited data can be found on AFF epidemiology in South America. OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to describe the clinical epidemiology of AFF and the use of stroke prevention medication in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline assessment. METHODS: This study analyzed data from 13,260 ELSA-Brasil participants. AFF was defined according to ECG recording or by self-report. Logistic regression models were built to analyze factors associated with AFF. This study also analyzed if age and sex were associated with anticoagulant use for stroke prevention. Significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: Median age was 51 years and 7,213 (54.4%) participants were women. AFF was present in 333 (2.5%) participants. Increasing age (odds ratio [OR]:1.05; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.04-1.07), hypertension (OR:1.44; 95%CI: 1.14-1.81), coronary heart disease (OR: 5.11; 95%CI: 3.85-6.79), heart failure (OR:7.37; 95%CI: 5.00-10.87), and rheumatic fever (OR:3.38; 95%CI: 2.28-5.02) were associated with AFF. From 185 participants with AFF and a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2, only 20 (10.8%) used anticoagulants (50.0% among those with AFF in the baseline ECG). Stroke prevention in this group was associated with a higher age (1.8% vs 17.7% in those aged ≤ 54 and ≥ 65 years, respectively; p=0.013). A trend towards a reduced anticoagulant use was observed in women (7.1% vs. 16.4% in women and men, respectively; p=0.055). CONCLUSIONS: At the ELSA-Brasil baseline, 2.5% of the participants had AFF. The lack of stroke prevention was common, which is an especially challenging point for healthcare in this setting.

FUNDAMENTO: A fibrilação ou flutter atrial (FFA) é a arritmia cardíaca sustentada mais comum. Existem poucos dados sobre a epidemiologia da FFA na América do Sul. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo procurou descrever a epidemiologia clínica da FFA e o uso de anticoagulantes na avaliação da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). MÉTODOS: Foram analisados dados de 13.260 participantes do ELSA-Brasil. A FFA foi definida pelo eletrocardiograma ou por autorrelato. Modelos de regressão logística foram construídos para analisar fatores associados à FFA. Este estudo também analisou se idade e sexo estavam associados ao uso de anticoagulantes para evitar acidente vascular cerebral. O nível de significância foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: A idade mediana foi de 51 anos, e 7.213 (54,4%) participantes eram mulheres. A FFA foi detectada em 333 (2,5%) participantes. O aumento da idade (razão de chances [RC]:1,05; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 1,04-1,07), hipertensão (RC:1,44; IC95%:1,14-1,81) coronariopatia (RC: 5,11; IC95%:3,85­6,79), insuficiência cardíaca (RC:7,37; IC95%:5,00­10,87) e febre reumática (RC:3,38; IC95%:2,28­5,02) foram associadas à FFA. Dos 185 participantes com FFA e pontuação no CHA2DS2-VASc≥2, apenas 20 (10,8%) usavam anticoagulantes (50,0% entre aqueles com FFA no eletrocardiograma de linha de base). O uso de anticoagulantes nesse grupo foi associado a maior idade (1,8% vs 17,7% naqueles com idade ≤ 54 e ≥ 65 anos, respectivamente; p=0,013). Observou-se uma tendência ao menor uso de anticoagulantes em mulheres (7,1% vs. 16,4% em mulheres e homens, respectivamente; p=0,055). CONCLUSÕES: No recrutamento do ELSA-Brasil, 2,5% dos participantes tinham FFA. O baixo uso de anticoagulantes era comum, o que representa um desafio para os cuidados de saúde nesse cenário.

Diagnóstico de Fibrilação Atrial na Comunidade Utilizando Eletrocardiograma e Autorrelato: Análise Transversal do ELSA-Brasil / Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis using ECG Records and Self-Report in the Community: Cross-Sectional Analysis from ELSA-Brasil

Resumo Fundamento: A fibrilação ou flutter atrial (FFA) é a arritmia cardíaca sustentada mais comum. Existem poucos dados sobre a epidemiologia da FFA na América do Sul. Objetivo: O presente estudo procurou descrever a epidemiologia clínica da FFA e o uso de anticoagulantes na avaliação da linha de base do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). Métodos: Foram analisados dados de 13.260 participantes do ELSA-Brasil. A FFA foi definida pelo eletrocardiograma ou por autorrelato. Modelos de regressão logística foram construídos para analisar fatores associados à FFA. Este estudo também analisou se idade e sexo estavam associados ao uso de anticoagulantes para evitar acidente vascular cerebral. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados: A idade mediana foi de 51 anos, e 7.213 (54,4%) participantes eram mulheres. A FFA foi detectada em 333 (2,5%) participantes. O aumento da idade (razão de chances [RC]:1,05; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 1,04-1,07), hipertensão (RC:1,44; IC95%:1,14-1,81) coronariopatia (RC: 5,11; IC95%:3,85-6,79), insuficiência cardíaca (RC:7,37; IC95%:5,00-10,87) e febre reumática (RC:3,38; IC95%:2,28-5,02) foram associadas à FFA. Dos 185 participantes com FFA e pontuação no CHA2DS2-VASc≥2, apenas 20 (10,8%) usavam anticoagulantes (50,0% entre aqueles com FFA no eletrocardiograma de linha de base). O uso de anticoagulantes nesse grupo foi associado a maior idade (1,8% vs 17,7% naqueles com idade ≤ 54 e ≥ 65 anos, respectivamente; p=0,013). Observou-se uma tendência ao menor uso de anticoagulantes em mulheres (7,1% vs. 16,4% em mulheres e homens, respectivamente; p=0,055). Conclusões: No recrutamento do ELSA-Brasil, 2,5% dos participantes tinham FFA. O baixo uso de anticoagulantes era comum, o que representa um desafio para os cuidados de saúde nesse cenário.

Abstract Background: Atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. Limited data can be found on AFF epidemiology in South America. Objective: The present study sought to describe the clinical epidemiology of AFF and the use of stroke prevention medication in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline assessment. Methods: This study analyzed data from 13,260 ELSA-Brasil participants. AFF was defined according to ECG recording or by self-report. Logistic regression models were built to analyze factors associated with AFF. This study also analyzed if age and sex were associated with anticoagulant use for stroke prevention. Significance level was set at 5%. Results: Median age was 51 years and 7,213 (54.4%) participants were women. AFF was present in 333 (2.5%) participants. Increasing age (odds ratio [OR]:1.05; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.04-1.07), hypertension (OR:1.44; 95%CI: 1.14-1.81), coronary heart disease (OR: 5.11; 95%CI: 3.85-6.79), heart failure (OR:7.37; 95%CI: 5.00-10.87), and rheumatic fever (OR:3.38; 95%CI: 2.28-5.02) were associated with AFF. From 185 participants with AFF and a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2, only 20 (10.8%) used anticoagulants (50.0% among those with AFF in the baseline ECG). Stroke prevention in this group was associated with a higher age (1.8% vs 17.7% in those aged ≤ 54 and ≥ 65 years, respectively; p=0.013). A trend towards a reduced anticoagulant use was observed in women (7.1% vs. 16.4% in women and men, respectively; p=0.055). Conclusions: At the ELSA-Brasil baseline, 2.5% of the participants had AFF. The lack of stroke prevention was common, which is an especially challenging point for healthcare in this setting.

Towards automatic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease on echocardiographic exams through video-based deep learning.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects an estimated 39 million people worldwide and is the most common acquired heart disease in children and young adults. Echocardiograms are the gold standard for diagnosis of RHD, but there is a shortage of skilled experts to allow widespread screenings for early detection and prevention of the disease progress. We propose an automated RHD diagnosis system that can help bridge this gap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were conducted on a dataset with 11 646 echocardiography videos from 912 exams, obtained during screenings in underdeveloped areas of Brazil and Uganda. We address the challenges of RHD identification with a 3D convolutional neural network (C3D), comparing its performance with a 2D convolutional neural network (VGG16) that is commonly used in the echocardiogram literature. We also propose a supervised aggregation technique to combine video predictions into a single exam diagnosis. RESULTS: The proposed approach obtained an accuracy of 72.77% for exam diagnosis. The results for the C3D were significantly better than the ones obtained by the VGG16 network for videos, showing the importance of considering the temporal information during the diagnostic. The proposed aggregation model showed significantly better accuracy than the majority voting strategy and also appears to be capable of capturing underlying biases in the neural network output distribution, balancing them for a more correct diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Automatic diagnosis of echo-detected RHD is feasible and, with further research, has the potential to reduce the workload of experts, enabling the implementation of more widespread screening programs worldwide.

Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Is Increased in Chagasic Cardiomyopathy.

Chagas disease (CD) mainly conveys stroke risk through structural cardiac disease. However, stroke and cognitive impairment are seen in CD independently of cardiac disease severity. Chronic inflammation may be an explanation for this association, because inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke and dementia. In the present study, we selected five candidate biomarkers for Chagas disease: interleukin-6, membrane metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), orosomucoid, and neprilysin. We sought to determine if mean levels of proinflammatory biomarkers are higher in patients with heart failure (HF) associated with Chagas disease when compared with other etiologies of HF. Patients were consecutively enrolled from subspecialty HF outpatient clinics at two university-based hospitals. Serum biomarker levels from blood samples were analyzed by ELISA. Severity of HF on echocardiography was worse in non-CD when compared with CD patients. No significant difference was observed in the levels of candidate biomarkers between the CD and non-CD groups. We found a significantly 2.2 ng/mL higher level of TIMP1 in CD when compared with non-CD patients with HF after adjustment for age and gender (95% confidence interval = 0.1 to 4.5, P = 0.037). In patients with heart failure, serum TIMP1 is increased in Chagas patients despite a lower myocardial disease severity on echocardiography when compared with non-Chagas patients. TIMP1 is probably one of multiple mediators of inflammatory injury.

Higher mortality during COVID-19 pandemic in socially vulnerable areas in Belo Horizonte: implications for vaccination prioriti / Maior mortalidade durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em áreas socialmente vulneráveis em Belo Horizonte: implicações para priorização da vacinação

Objective: To assess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic according to social vulnerability by areas of Belo Horizonte (BH), aiming at strategies for vaccination. Methods: Ecological study with mortality analysis, according to census tracts classified by the Health Vulnerability Index, a composite indicator that includes socioeconomic and sanitation variables. Deaths due to natural causes and COVID-19 were obtained from the "Mortality Information System", between the 10th and 43rd epidemiological weeks (EW) of 2020. Excess mortality was calculated by a time series model, considering observed deaths by EW, between 2015 and 2019, for census tracts. Mortality rates (MR) were calculated and age-standardized =using population estimates from 2010 census. Results: Excess mortality in BH was 16.1% (n =1524): 11.0%, 18.8% and 17.3% in the low, intermediate and high vulnerability areas, respectively. The differences between observed and expected age-standardized MR by natural causes were equal to 59/100,000 inhabitants in BH, increasing from 31 to 77 and 95/100,000 inhabitants, in the areas of low, intermediate and high vulnerability, respectively. There was an aging gradient in COVID-19 MR, ranging from 4 to 611/100,000 inhabitants among individuals of 20-39 years and 75+ years. The COVID-19 MR per 100,000 elderly (60+ years) was 292 in BH, increasing from 179 to 354 and 476, in the low, intermediate and high vulnerability areas, respectively. Conclusion: Inequalities in mortality, particularly among the elderly, combined with the limited supply of doses, demonstrate the importance of prioritizing socially vulnerable areas during vaccination against COVID-19.

Objetivo: Avaliar a mortalidade por áreas de Belo Horizonte (BH) durante a pandemia de COVID-19 conforme vulnerabilidade social, visando estratégia de vacinação. Métodos: Estudo ecológico com análise de mortalidade, segundo setores censitários classificados pelo Índice de Vulnerabilidade da Saúde, composto por indicadores de saneamento e socioeconômicos. Óbitos por causas naturais e COVID-19 foram obtidos do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade, entre a 10ª e 43ª semana epidemiológica (SE) de 2020. Calculou-se o excesso de mortalidade por modelo de série temporal, considerando as mortes observadas por SE, entre 2015 e 2019, por setor censitário. Taxas de mortalidade (TM) foram calculadas e padronizadas por idade a partir de estimativas populacionais do IBGE. Resultados: Houve 16,1% (n=1524) de excesso de mortalidade em BH: 11,0%, 18,8% e 17,3% nas áreas de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. As diferenças entre TM observadas e esperadas por causas naturais, padronizadas por idade, foi igual a 59/100.000 habitantes em BH, aumentando de 31 para 77 e 95/100.000, nas áreas de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. Houve gradiente de aumento com a idade nas TM por COVID-19, variando de 4 a 611/100.000 habitantes entre as idades de 20-39 anos e 75+ anos. A TM por COVID-19 por 100.000 idosos (60+ anos) foi igual a 292, aumentando de 179 para 354 e 476, nos setores de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. Conclusão: Desigualdades na mortalidade, mesmo entre idosos, aliadas à baixa oferta de doses, demonstram importância de priorizar áreas socialmente vulneráveis durante a vacinação contra COVID-19.

Galectin-3 Associated with Severe Forms and Long-term Mortality in Patients with Chagas Disease. / Galectina-3 Associada a Formas Graves e Mortalidade em Longo Prazo em Pacientes com Doença de Chagas.

BACKGROUND: The histopathological characteristics of Chagas disease (ChD) are: presence of myocarditis, destruction of heart fibers, and myocardial fibrosis. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker involved in the mechanism of fibrosis and inflammation that may be useful for risk stratification of individuals with ChD. OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate whether high Gal-3 levels are associated with severe forms of Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) and whether they are predictive of mortality. METHODS: We studied anti-T. cruzi positive blood donors (BD): Non-CC-BD (187 BD without CC with normal electrocardiogram [ECG] and left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]); CC-Non-Dys-BD (46 BD with CC with abnormal ECG but normal LVEF); and 153 matched serum-negative controls. This cohort was composed of 97 patients with severe CC (CC-Dys). We used Kruskall-Wallis and Spearman's correlation to test hypothesis of associations, assuming a two-tailed p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: The Gal-3 level was 12.3 ng/mL for Non-CC-BD, 12.0 ng/mL for CC-Non-Dys-BD, 13.8 ng/mL for controls, and 15.4 ng/mL for CC-Dys. LVEF<50 was associated with higher Gal-3 levels (p=0.0001). In our linear regression adjusted model, we found association between Gal-3 levels and echocardiogram parameters in T. cruzi-seropositive subjects. In CC-Dys patients, we found a significant association of higher Gal-3 levels (≥15.3 ng/mL) and subsequent death or heart transplantation in a 5-year follow-up (Hazard ratio - HR 3.11; 95%CI 1.21-8.04; p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: In ChD patients, higher Gal-3 levels were significantly associated with severe forms of the disease and more long-term mortality, which means it may be a useful means to identify high-risk patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(2):248-256).

FUNDAMENTO: As características histopatológicas da doença de Chagas (DCC) são: presença de miocardite, destruição das fibras cardíacas e fibrose miocárdica. A Galectina-3 (Gal-3) é um biomarcador envolvido no mecanismo de fibrose e inflamação que pode ser útil para a estratificação de indivíduos com DCC por risco. OBJETIVOS: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar se níveis elevados de Gal-3 estão associados a formas graves de cardiomiopatia chagásica (CC) e são preditivos de mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Estudamos doadores de sangue (DS) positivos para anti-T. cruzi: não-CC-DS (187 DS sem CC com eletrocardiograma [ECG] e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo [FEVE] normais); CC-Não-Dis-DS (46 DS com CC e apresentando ECG anormal, mas FEVE normal); e 153 controles negativos correspondentes. Esta amostra foi composta por 97 pacientes com CC grave (CC-Dis). Usamos as correlações de Kruskall-Wallis e Spearman para testar a hipótese de associações, assumindo um p bicaudal <0,05 como significativo. RESULTADOS: O nível de Gal-3 foi de 12,3 ng/mL para não-CC-DS, 12,0 ng/mL para CC-Não-Dis-DS, 13,8 ng/mL para controles e 15,4 ng/mL para CC-Dis. FEVE <50 foi associada a níveis mais elevados de Gal-3 (p=0,0001). Em nosso modelo de regressão linear ajustado, encontramos associação entre os níveis de Gal-3 e os parâmetros do ecocardiograma em indivíduos positivos para T. cruzi. Nos pacientes CC-Dis, encontramos uma associação significativa de níveis mais elevados de Gal-3 (≥15,3 ng/mL) e morte ou transplante cardíaco em acompanhamento de cinco anos (Hazard ratio ­ HR 3,11; IC95% 1,21­ 8,04; p=0,019). CONCLUSÕES: Em pacientes com CC, níveis mais elevados de Gal-3 estiveram significativamente associados a formas graves da doença e maior taxa de mortalidade em longo prazo, o que significa que pode ser um meio efetivo para identificar pacientes de alto risco. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(2):248-256).

Ventricular pre-excitation in primary care patients: Evaluation of the risk of mortality.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular pre-excitation is characterized by the presence of atrioventricular accessory pathways, predisposing to arrhythmias. Although it is well established that risk stratification in symptomatic patients should be invasive, there is a lack of evidence of the benefit in asymptomatic. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate ventricular pre-excitation in the electrocardiogram (ECG) as a risk factor for overall mortality in patients of Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais (TNMG), Brazil. METHODS: This observational study was developed with the database of digital ECGs (2010-2017) from TNMG. The electronic cohort was obtained by linking data from ECG exams and those from the national mortality information system. Only the first ECG was considered. Clinical data were self-reported, and ECGs were interpreted manually by cardiologists and automatically by the Glasgow University Interpreter software. Hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was estimated using weighted Cox regression. RESULTS: Nearly 1 665 667 patients were included (median age: 50 [Q1: 34; Q3: 63] years; 41.4% were male). In a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, the overall mortality rate was 3.1%. The prevalence of ventricular pre-excitation was 0.07%. In multivariate analysis, adjusting for sex and age, ventricular pre-excitation was not associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR: 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56-3.57; p = .47) when compared to the whole sample or to patients with normal ECG (HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 0.53-4.36; p = .43). In a subanalysis on accessory pathway location, there was no evidence of a higher risk of death related to any location. CONCLUSION: Ventricular pre-excitation was not associated with an increased risk of mortality in a primary care cohort.