Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ­ 2024 / Diretriz sobre Diagnóstico e Tratamento da Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica ­ 2024

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a form of genetically caused heart muscle disease, characterized by the thickening of the ventricular walls. Diagnosis requires detection through imaging methods (Echocardiogram or Cardiac Magnetic Resonance) showing any segment of the left ventricular wall with a thickness > 15 mm, without any other probable cause. Genetic analysis allows the identification of mutations in genes encoding different structures of the sarcomere responsible for the development of HCM in about 60% of cases, enabling screening of family members and genetic counseling, as an important part of patient and family management. Several concepts about HCM have recently been reviewed, including its prevalence of 1 in 250 individuals, hence not a rare but rather underdiagnosed disease. The vast majority of patients are asymptomatic. In symptomatic cases, obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) is the primary disorder responsible for symptoms, and its presence should be investigated in all cases. In those where resting echocardiogram or Valsalva maneuver does not detect significant intraventricular gradient (> 30 mmHg), they should undergo stress echocardiography to detect LVOT obstruction. Patients with limiting symptoms and severe LVOT obstruction, refractory to beta-blockers and verapamil, should receive septal reduction therapies or use new drugs inhibiting cardiac myosin. Finally, appropriately identified patients at increased risk of sudden death may receive prophylactic measure with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation.

La miocardiopatía hipertrófica (MCH) es una forma de enfermedad cardíaca de origen genético, caracterizada por el engrosamiento de las paredes ventriculares. El diagnóstico requiere la detección mediante métodos de imagen (Ecocardiograma o Resonancia Magnética Cardíaca) que muestren algún segmento de la pared ventricular izquierda con un grosor > 15 mm, sin otra causa probable. El análisis genético permite identificar mutaciones en genes que codifican diferentes estructuras del sarcómero responsables del desarrollo de la MCH en aproximadamente el 60% de los casos, lo que permite el tamizaje de familiares y el asesoramiento genético, como parte importante del manejo de pacientes y familiares. Varios conceptos sobre la MCH han sido revisados recientemente, incluida su prevalencia de 1 entre 250 individuos, por lo tanto, no es una enfermedad rara, sino subdiagnosticada. La gran mayoría de los pacientes son asintomáticos. En los casos sintomáticos, la obstrucción del tracto de salida ventricular izquierdo (TSVI) es el trastorno principal responsable de los síntomas, y su presencia debe investigarse en todos los casos. En aquellos en los que el ecocardiograma en reposo o la maniobra de Valsalva no detecta un gradiente intraventricular significativo (> 30 mmHg), deben someterse a ecocardiografía de esfuerzo para detectar la obstrucción del TSVI. Los pacientes con síntomas limitantes y obstrucción grave del TSVI, refractarios al uso de betabloqueantes y verapamilo, deben recibir terapias de reducción septal o usar nuevos medicamentos inhibidores de la miosina cardíaca. Finalmente, los pacientes adecuadamente identificados con un riesgo aumentado de muerte súbita pueden recibir medidas profilácticas con el implante de un cardioversor-desfibrilador implantable (CDI).

A cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) é uma forma de doença do músculo cardíaco de causa genética, caracterizada pela hipertrofia das paredes ventriculares. O diagnóstico requer detecção por métodos de imagem (Ecocardiograma ou Ressonância Magnética Cardíaca) de qualquer segmento da parede do ventrículo esquerdo com espessura > 15 mm, sem outra causa provável. A análise genética permite identificar mutações de genes codificantes de diferentes estruturas do sarcômero responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento da CMH em cerca de 60% dos casos, permitindo o rastreio de familiares e aconselhamento genético, como parte importante do manejo dos pacientes e familiares. Vários conceitos sobre a CMH foram recentemente revistos, incluindo sua prevalência de 1 em 250 indivíduos, não sendo, portanto, uma doença rara, mas subdiagnosticada. A vasta maioria dos pacientes é assintomática. Naqueles sintomáticos, a obstrução do trato de saída do ventrículo esquerdo (OTSVE) é o principal distúrbio responsável pelos sintomas, devendo-se investigar a sua presença em todos os casos. Naqueles em que o ecocardiograma em repouso ou com Manobra de Valsalva não detecta gradiente intraventricular significativo (> 30 mmHg), devem ser submetidos à ecocardiografia com esforço físico para detecção da OTSVE.   Pacientes com sintomas limitantes e grave OTSVE, refratários ao uso de betabloqueadores e verapamil, devem receber terapias de redução septal ou uso de novas drogas inibidoras da miosina cardíaca. Por fim, os pacientes adequadamente identificados com risco aumentado de morta súbita podem receber medida profilática com implante de cardiodesfibrilador implantável (CDI).

Valores de referência de parâmetros ecocardiográficos estruturais e funcionais para a população brasileira: avaliação de câmaras direitas - estudo de normais - DIC / Reference values ​​of structural and functional echocardiographic parameters for the Brazilian population: evaluation of right chambers - study of normals - DIC

INTRODUÇÃO: A avaliação e quantificação das dimensões e função das câmaras cardíacas direitas pelo ecocardiograma auxilia no diagnóstico e prognóstico de várias situações clinicas; seus valores de referência, no entanto, refletem as características antropométricas da população estudada. OBJETIVO: analisar prospectivamente exames ecocardiográficos bidimensionais de indivíduos normais das diversas regiões brasileiras para a determinação de valores de referência de câmaras direitas. MÉTODO: Ecocardiogramas de indivíduos de ambos sexos, > 18 anos, sem doença cardíaca, sistêmica ou fatores de risco cardiovascular foram obtidos em centros das 5 regiões do Brasil e analisados offline (Ultrasound Workspace- Tomtec- Phillips) para avaliação de medidas das câmaras cardíacas direitas e função ventricular direita (VD): variação fracional da área (FAC) do VD, TAPSE, s­ do VD e strain longitudinal (SL) do VD (global e parede livre) por speckle tracking. Foram analisadas as diferenças entre os sexos pelo teste t não pareado de Student. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 445 indivíduos, com idade de 42+ 15 anos, 56% do sexo feminino, sendo excluídos 40 por imagem/dados inadequados; As medidas ecocardiográficas foram realizadas em 147 indivíduos e mostraram maiores dimensões de câmaras direitas para o sexo masculino (p<0.001); para parâmetros funcionais, apenas o FAC mostrou diferença significativa entre os grupos, sendo maior para o sexo feminino (p = 0.04); os demais parâmetros funcionais ( TAPSE, S­ VD, e SGL e de parede livre do VD) foram similares para ambos os sexos . CONCLUSÃO: Resultados preliminares da população brasileira sugerem parâmetros estruturais com maiores dimensões de câmaras direitas para o sexo masculino, o que infere que esses dados devam ser indexados para a superfície corpórea. Parâmetros funcionais, por outro lado, parecem sofrer pouca influência do sexo.

Pentoxifylline reduces inflammation and prevents myocardial perfusion derangements in experimental chronic Chagas' cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial perfusion defect (MPD) is common in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) and is associated with inflammation and development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that pentoxifylline (PTX) could reduce inflammation and prevent the development of MPD in a model of CCC in hamsters. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated with echocardiogram and rest myocardial perfusion scintigraphy at baseline (6-months after T. cruzi infection/saline) and post-treatment (after additional 2-months of PTX/saline administration), female Syrian hamsters assigned to 3 groups: T. cruzi-infected animals treated with PTX (CH + PTX) or saline (CH + SLN); and uninfected control animals (CO). At the baseline, all groups showed similar left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and MPD areas. At post-treatment evaluation, there was a significant increase of MPD in CH + SLN group (0.8 ± 1.6 to 9.4 ± 9.7%), but not in CH + PTX (1.9 ± 3.0% to 2.7 ± 2.7%) that exhibited MPD area similar to CO (0.0 ± 0.0% to 0.0 ± 0.0%). The LVEF decreased in both infected groups. Histological analysis showed a reduced inflammatory infiltrate in CH + PTX group (395.7 ± 88.3 cell/mm2), as compared to CH + SLN (515.1 ± 133.0 cell/mm2), but larger than CO (193.0 ± 25.7 cell/mm2). The fibrosis and TNF-α expression was higher in both infected groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prolonged use of PTX is associated with positive effects, including prevention of MPD development and reduction of inflammation in the chronic hamster model of CCC.

Use of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing to Assess Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease: A Comparative Study With Echocardiography.

Rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) is still a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common consequence of RMS and may be used as a surrogate of disease severity. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides a comprehensive assessment of the cardiorespiratory systems and can identify indirect signs of PH. To evaluate the relationship between CPET parameters and PH quantified by echocardiography in patients with RMS. This cross-sectional study retrospectively included thirty patients with RMS referred for CPET from 2012 to 2020. Two groups of patients were defined according to echocardiographic-derived pulmonary systolic arterial pressure (PASP): significant PH group (PSAP ≥ 50 mmHg); and non-significant PH group (PSAP < 50 mmHg). A decrease in peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and oxygen pulse predicted (O2PP) was observed in the PH group compared to the non-significant PH group (11.1±2.8 mL/kg/min vs 14.1±2.9 mL/kg/min; P = 0.02; 54±9% vs 67.8±15%; P = 0.02). The PH group exhibited a greater VE/VCO2 nadir rather than non-significant PH group (38±5 vs 32±3; P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with O2PP <54% showed sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 90%, respectively. VE/VCO2 nadir ≥ 40 and VO2 peak < 10.8 mL/kg/min showed 44% and 56% of sensitivity and 100% and 90% of specificity respectively. CPET can improve the assessment of disease severity in patients with RMS with high specificity. The presence of higher O2PP, higher VO2 peak, and lower VE/VCO2 nadir highly suggests the absence of significant PH.

Perfil clínico e hemodinâmico de pacientes consecutivos com estenose aórtica valvar estudados na era pré-implante transcateter valvar aórtico em instituição acadêmica. Análise comparativa da avaliação invasiva com a ecocardiográfica / Clinical and hemodynamic profile of consecutive patients with aortic valve stenosis studied in the pre-transcatheter aortic valve implantation era at an academic institution. Comparative analysis of invasive evaluation with echocardiography

Introdução: Face à melhor compreensão da fisiopatologia da estenose valvar aórtica, cresceu paralelamente a complexidade da avaliação de sua gravidade, persistindo relevante incerteza quanto à aplicabilidade dos métodos invasivos pelo cateterismo cardíaco e os não invasivos, com base em ecocardiografia. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os padrões hemodinâmicos da avaliação com ecocardiografia comparativamente à estimativa da gravidade da estenose aórtica com o cateterismo em pacientes consecutivos referidos para avaliação diagnóstica por laboratório de hospital acadêmico terciário no triênio 2016-2018. Métodos: Estudo observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo das características clínicas e dos resultados das avaliações da gravidade da estenose valvar aórtica obtidas em 96 pacientes consecutivos, por meio de cateterismo e ecocardiografia. Resultados: Amostra populacional de 49 homens e 47 mulheres, com mediana de idade de 66,5 (56,5 a 72,8) anos, estenose valvar aórtica degenerativa em 49% e reumática em 40%, além de diversas comorbidades, inclusive doença coronária (37%). Pelo cateterismo, com base no gradiente pico de 48 (20 a 68), a estenose valvar aórtica foi avaliada como grave em 56%, sendo a pressão telediastólica ventricular de 20mmHg (16 a 30mmHg). Pela ecocardiografia, a área valvar foi 0,9cm2 (0,7 a 1,2cm2), sendo indexado 0,5cm2/m2 (0,43 a 0,5cm2/m2), com gradiente pico de 62±26 mmHg. A estenose valvar aórtica foi considerada severa em 69,2%. Houve discordância entre os métodos sobre a severidade da estenose valvar aórtica em 30% dos exames, com coeficiente de Spearman entre área valvar pelo ecocardiograma e gradiente pico pelo cateterismo de -0,7 (p<0,001). Conclusão: Em amostra representativa dos vários padrões hemodinâmicos, a avaliação da gravidade da estenose valvar aórtica, como praticada rotineiramente em laboratório acadêmico, limitou-se à medida de pico de gradiente transvalvar. A estimativa da área valvar pelo método ecocardiográfico, sendo indireta e também passível de crítica, contribui para as discrepâncias encontradas, tornando-se justificável buscar o aperfeiçoamento de ambos os métodos, em vista da complexidade clínica e hemodinâmica detectada.

Background: In view of the better understanding of the pathophysiology of aortic valve stenosis, the complexity of assessing its severity has simultaneously grown, with relevant uncertainty persisting as to the applicability of invasive methods by cardiac catheterization and non-invasive methods based on echocardiography. The objective of this study was to analyze the hemodynamic patterns of evaluation with echocardiography compared to the estimation of severity of aortic stenosis with catheterization in consecutive patients referred for diagnostic evaluation by the laboratory of a tertiary academic hospital in the 2016 to 2018 triennium. Methods: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study of clinical characteristics and results of assessments of severity of aortic valve stenosis obtained in 96 consecutive patients, through catheterization and echocardiography. Results: A population sample of 49 men and 47 women, with a median age of 66.5 (56.5 to 72.8) years, degenerative aortic valve stenosis in 49%, and rheumatic aortic stenosis in 40%, in addition to several comorbidities, including coronary disease (37%). Using catheterization, based on the peak gradient of 48 (20 to 68), aortic valve stenosis was assessed as severe in 56%, with ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 20mmHg (16 to 30mmHg). Using echocardiography, the valve area was 0.9cm2 (0.7 to 1.2cm2), indexed valve area was 0.5cm2/m2 (0.43 to 0.5cm2/m2), with peak gradient of 62±26mmHg. Aortic valve stenosis was considered severe in 69.2%. There was disagreement between the methods regarding severity of aortic valve stenosis in 30% of exams, with a Spearman coefficient between the valve area on the echocardiogram and the peak gradient on catheterization of -0.7 (p<0.001). Conclusion: In a representative sample of various hemodynamic patterns, the assessment of severity of aortic valve stenosis, as routinely practiced in an academic laboratory, was limited to measuring the peak transvalvular gradient. The estimation of the valve area using the echocardiographic method was indirect and also subject to criticism, and contributed to the discrepancies found, rendering it justifiable to seek the improvement of both methods, in view of the clinical and hemodynamic complexity detected.

Prospective analysis of myocardial strain through the evolution of Chagas disease in the hamster animal model.

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) enables early diagnosis of myocardial damage by evaluating myocardial strain. We aimed to study sequential changes in structural and ventricular functional parameters during Chagas disease (CD) natural history in an animal model. 37 Syrian hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) and 20 with saline (Control). Echocardiography was performed before the infection (baseline), at 1 month (acute phase), 4, 6, and 8 months (chronic phase) using Vevo 2100 (Fujifilm Inc.) ultrasound system. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), Global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial (GRS) strain were evaluated. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was used to assess right ventricular function. At 8 months, animals were euthanized and LV myocardial samples were analyzed for quantitation of inflammation and fibrosis. LVEF decreased over time in Chagas group and a difference from Control was detected at 6 months (p-value of groups#time interaction = 0.005). There was a pronounced decrease in GLS, GCS and TAPSE in Chagas group (p-value of groups#time interaction = 0.003 for GLS, < 0.001 for GCS and < 0.009 for TAPSE vs Control) since the first month. LVESD, LVEF and GLS were significantly correlated to the number of inflammatory cells (r = 0.41, p = 0.046; r = - 0.42, p = 0.042; r = 0.41, p = 0.047) but not to fibrosis. In the Syrian hamster model of CD STE parameters (GLS and GCS) showed an early decrease. Changes in LVEF, LVESD, and GLS were correlated to myocardial inflammation but not to fibrosis.

Ocupação apical por endomiocardiofibrose associada a trombo diagnosticada com ecocardiografia de contraste e resolvida com tratamento clínico / Apical occupation by endomyocardiofibrosis associated with thrombus diagnosed with contrast echocardiography and resolved with clinical treatment

A endomiocardiofibrose é uma doença negligenciada e predominante em países subdesenvolvidos. Apesar de sua frequência, ainda é considerada rara. Assim, a doença é marcada pelos seguintes achados: distorção arquitetural, alterações no enchimento ventricular e alterações da mobilidade segmentar. Ela afetando não só a dinâmica diastólica e sistólica, como também as funções das válvulas cardíacas. Em uma condição mais avançada da doença, pode haver formação de trombos apicais. Neste relato de caso, revisitamos a endomiocardiofibrose, apresentando um caso desafiador de paciente do sexo feminino de 52 anos, com clínica de insuficiência cardíaca classe funcional IV da New York Heart Association. A eletrocardiografia de repouso revelou ritmo sinusal com sobrecarga do ventrículo esquerdo com vetores de alta voltagem, infradesnivelamento retificado do segmento ST e onda T negativa em região anterolateral, podendo ser compatível com padrão de strain. Já na avaliação de imagens ecocardiográficas, revelou dilatação acentuada do átrio esquerdo, com ventrículos sem dilatações e imagem de ocupação apical hiperrefringente no interior do ventrículo esquerdo, sugerindo grande trombo séssil sobreposto à capa fibrosa endocárdica. Embora a conduta cirúrgica seja a mais apoiada em literatura em tais situações, a paciente aqui apresentada recebeu tratamento com anticoagulação oral por 1 mês e 24 dias. Ela evoluiu clinicamente bem, com melhora da classe funcional da New York Heart Association e, em ecocardiografia realizada 2 meses após o início da anticoagulação oral, houve demonstração da regressão da imagem de trombo apical, apoiada com a técnica de contraste endocavitário.(AU)

Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a neglected but prevalent disease in underdeveloped countries. Despite its frequency, it is still considered a rare disease. It is marked by the following findings: architectural distortion, ventricular filling changes, and segmental mobility changes affecting not only diastolic and systolic dynamics but also heart valve function. Apical thrombi can be formed in more advanced disease. In this case report, we revisit EMF and present the challenging case of a 52-year-old woman with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification (FC) IV heart failure. Resting electrocardiography revealed sinus rhythm with left ventricular (LV) overload, high voltage vectors, rectified ST-segment depression, and a negative T-wave in the anterolateral region compatible with the strain pattern. The evaluation of echocardiographic images showed marked left atrial dilation, no ventricular dilatation, and hyper-refringent apical occupation within the LV suggestive of a large sessile thrombus superimposed on the endocardial fibrous layer. Although surgery is the most supported approach in the literature in such situations, this patient was treated with oral anticoagulants (OAC) for 1 month and 24 days. The patient progressed well with an improved NYHA FC. Endocavitary contrast echocardiography performed 2 months after OAC initiation showed regression of the apical thrombus image. (AU)

Prospective study of ventricular function and myocardial deformation related to survival in acute Chagas disease: an experimental animal model.

Chagas disease (CD) has been changing from an endemic Latino-American disease to a condition found outside endemic regions, due to migratory movements. Although often subclinical, its acute phase can be lethal. This study aimed to assess survival during the acute phase of CD and its relationship with ventricular function in an experimental model. To this end, 30 Syrian hamsters were inoculated with Trypanosoma cruzi (IG) and other 15 animals received saline solution (CG). Groups were monitored daily and submitted to echocardiography in two moments: before the challenge and 15 days post-infection. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal myocardial strain (GLS) of the LV were measured. The IG was divided into groups of animals with and without clinical signs of disease. ANOVA for mixed models was used to compare ventricular function parameters. Survival analysis was studied using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. The follow-up lasted 60 days. LVEF in IG was reduced through time (53.80 to 43.55%) compared to CG (57.86 to 59.73%) (p=0.002). There was also a reduction of GLS (-18.97% to -12.44%) in the IG compared to CG (p=0.012). Twelve animals from IG died compared to one animal from CG. Eleven out of the 12 animals from the IG group died before presenting with clinical signs of infection. Survival was reduced in the IG compared to CG over time (p=0.02). The reduced survival during the acute phase of this experimental model of Chagas disease was related to the significant reduction of LV function. The mortality rate in the IG was higher in the group presenting with clinical signs of infection.

Statins Prescriptions and Lipid Levels in a Tertiary Public Hospital. / Perfil de Prescrição de Estatinas e de Níveis Lipêmicos em Ambulatórios de Hospital Terciário Público.

BACKGROUND: The development of a new class of medications that are highly capable of reducing LDL-cholesterol renewed the interest in the characterization of familial hypercholesterolemia patients. Nevertheless, little is known about the lipid profile of patients in tertiary healthcare centers in Brazil in order to better estimate the real occurrence of familial hypercholesterolemia, with initial suspect of LDL-cholesterol levels above 190 mg/d/L. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the lipid profile (total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) in ambulatory patients from a general tertiary public hospital. METHODS: Retrospective study comparing prescriptions of statins and lipid profile results. The significance level was established in 5%. RESULTS: In one year, 9,594 individuals received statin prescriptions, of whom 51.5% were females and the mean age was 63.7±12.9 years-old (18 to 100 years-old). Thirty-two medical specialties prescribed statins. Cardiology was responsible for 43% of the total. Nearly 15% of those patients with a prescription did not have a recent total cholesterol result and 1,746 (18%) did not have a recent LDL-cholesterol measurement. The occurrence of the latter between 130 and 190 mg/dL was present in 1,643 (17.1%) individuals, and 228 (2.4%) patients had an LDL-cholesterol ≥190mg/dL among those using statins at distinct doses. Only two statins were used: simvastatin and atorvastatin. The first was prescribed in 77.6% of the prescriptions. CONCLUSION: In this cross-sectional cohort at a tertiary general hospital, statins have been widely prescribed but with little success in achieving recognized levels of control. There is probably a significant number of FH individuals in this cohort that need to be properly diagnosed in order to receive adequate treatment due to its prognostic implications.

FUNDAMENTO: O surgimento de nova classe de medicamentos com elevada capacidade de reduzir o LDL-colesterol (LDL-c) renovou o interesse na caracterização da hipercolesterolemia familiar (HF). Pouco se conhece do perfil lipídico de pacientes em atendimento terciário em nosso meio para caracterizar a real ocorrência de HF, que começa a ser suspeitada com níveis de LDL-c acima de 190mg/dL. OBJETIVOS: O estudo avaliou o perfil lipídico (colesterol total [CT] e LDL-c) de pacientes de hospital público terciário. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de avaliação de prescrições de estatinas e resultados dos lipídios. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em 5%. RESULTADOS: Em 1 ano, 9.594 indivíduos receberam prescrição ambulatorial de estatinas, 51,5% do gênero feminino, idade média de 63,7±12,9 anos (18 a 100 anos). Trinta e duas especialidades prescreveram estatinas, sendo a cardiologia responsável por 43%. Cerca de 15% das prescrições não tinham dosagem recente de CT, e 1.746 (18,0%) não apresentavam resultado recente de LDL-c. A ocorrência de LDL-c > 130mg/dL e < 190mg/dL ocorreu em 1.643 (17,1%) casos, e 228 (2,4%) apresentaram LDL-c ≥ 190mg/dL dentre os que utilizavam estatinas nas diversas doses. Apenas duas estatinas foram utilizadas: sinvastatina e atorvastatina, e a primeira foi prescrita em 77,6% das receitas. CONCLUSÃO: Nesta coorte transversal de hospital terciário, foi possível verificar que a prescrição de estatinas é disseminada, mas que a obtenção de metas adequadas de CT e LDL-c não é atingida em grande percentual, e que há, possivelmente, significativo contingente de portadores de HF que necessitariam ser investigados por suas implicações prognósticas.

Perfil de Prescrição de Estatinas e de Níveis Lipêmicos em Ambulatórios de Hospital Terciário Público / Statins Prescriptions and Lipid Levels in a Tertiary Public Hospital

Resumo Fundamento: O surgimento de nova classe de medicamentos com elevada capacidade de reduzir o LDL-colesterol (LDL-c) renovou o interesse na caracterização da hipercolesterolemia familiar (HF). Pouco se conhece do perfil lipídico de pacientes em atendimento terciário em nosso meio para caracterizar a real ocorrência de HF, que começa a ser suspeitada com níveis de LDL-c acima de 190mg/dL. Objetivos: O estudo avaliou o perfil lipídico (colesterol total [CT] e LDL-c) de pacientes de hospital público terciário. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de avaliação de prescrições de estatinas e resultados dos lipídios. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em 5%. Resultados: Em 1 ano, 9.594 indivíduos receberam prescrição ambulatorial de estatinas, 51,5% do gênero feminino, idade média de 63,7±12,9 anos (18 a 100 anos). Trinta e duas especialidades prescreveram estatinas, sendo a cardiologia responsável por 43%. Cerca de 15% das prescrições não tinham dosagem recente de CT, e 1.746 (18,0%) não apresentavam resultado recente de LDL-c. A ocorrência de LDL-c > 130mg/dL e < 190mg/dL ocorreu em 1.643 (17,1%) casos, e 228 (2,4%) apresentaram LDL-c ≥ 190mg/dL dentre os que utilizavam estatinas nas diversas doses. Apenas duas estatinas foram utilizadas: sinvastatina e atorvastatina, e a primeira foi prescrita em 77,6% das receitas. Conclusão: Nesta coorte transversal de hospital terciário, foi possível verificar que a prescrição de estatinas é disseminada, mas que a obtenção de metas adequadas de CT e LDL-c não é atingida em grande percentual, e que há, possivelmente, significativo contingente de portadores de HF que necessitariam ser investigados por suas implicações prognósticas.

Abstract Background: The development of a new class of medications that are highly capable of reducing LDL-cholesterol renewed the interest in the characterization of familial hypercholesterolemia patients. Nevertheless, little is known about the lipid profile of patients in tertiary healthcare centers in Brazil in order to better estimate the real occurrence of familial hypercholesterolemia, with initial suspect of LDL-cholesterol levels above 190 mg/d/L. Objectives: This study evaluated the lipid profile (total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) in ambulatory patients from a general tertiary public hospital. Methods: Retrospective study comparing prescriptions of statins and lipid profile results. The significance level was established in 5%. Results: In one year, 9,594 individuals received statin prescriptions, of whom 51.5% were females and the mean age was 63.7±12.9 years-old (18 to 100 years-old). Thirty-two medical specialties prescribed statins. Cardiology was responsible for 43% of the total. Nearly 15% of those patients with a prescription did not have a recent total cholesterol result and 1,746 (18%) did not have a recent LDL-cholesterol measurement. The occurrence of the latter between 130 and 190 mg/dL was present in 1,643 (17.1%) individuals, and 228 (2.4%) patients had an LDL-cholesterol ≥190mg/dL among those using statins at distinct doses. Only two statins were used: simvastatin and atorvastatin. The first was prescribed in 77.6% of the prescriptions. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional cohort at a tertiary general hospital, statins have been widely prescribed but with little success in achieving recognized levels of control. There is probably a significant number of FH individuals in this cohort that need to be properly diagnosed in order to receive adequate treatment due to its prognostic implications.

Análise do processo de manutenção e de vida útil dos equipamentos médicos ecocardiógrafos: a experiência de um hospital de ensino / Analysis of the maintenance process and useful life of echocardiography equipment: An experience in a teaching hospital

Introdução: A ecocardiografia é uma ferramenta diagnóstica de crescente utilização na prática clínica, aplicada a diversos cenários médicos. Os cuidados e os processos de manutenção preventiva ou corretiva dos equipamentos são ainda pouco padronizados. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever o processo de manutenção atualmente aplicado a equipamentos ecocardiográficos em um laboratório. Descrever o processo inclui a caracterização de danos e aplicações de manutenção preventiva ou corretiva. Métodos: Estudo observacional descritivo e exploratório realizado em centro único. As informações de dados do processo de manutenção de equipamentos ecocardiográficos foram obtidas de arquivos eletrônicos do sistema de gestão de equipamentos de um laboratório de médio porte de um hospital público de nível terciário com características de ensino, no período de 2003 a 2018. Resultados: Foram identificados dez tipos de avarias mais comuns, como dano a programas (23,8%), peças (23,1%) e relacionadas à queda de energia e de acessórios (13,8%). Após a implementação do processo de manutenção preventiva, houve significativa redução dos custos de manutenções (US$ 44.472,10 versus US$ 25.807,59; p= 0,029). Mesmo após a manutenção preventiva, os custos de manutenção corretiva em equipamentos aplicados à ecocardiografia transesofágica (US$ 7.789,17) foram maiores que aqueles a equipamentos aplicados a outras modalidades (US$ 3.184,37 em ecocardiografia transtorácica e US$1.813,00 em estresse). Conclusão: O processo de manutenção de equipamentos ecocardiográficos foi descrito. Danos a equipamentos ecocardiográficos estão relacionados a altos custos, principalmente naqueles aplicados a modalidades especiais, como ecocardiografia transesofágica. As manutenções preventivas reduziram significativamente os custos de manutenção. (AU)

Introduction: Echocardiography is a diagnostic tool that is increasingly used in clinical practice in different medical scenarios; however, the preventive (PM) or corrective maintenance (CM) care and processes for this equipment are still poorly standardized. To describe the maintenance process currently implemented for echocardiographic equipment (ECHO) in a medium-sized laboratory in a tertiary-level public teaching hospital. The description of the process includes damage characterization and MP and MC implementation. Methods: This was a descriptive and exploratory single-center observational study. Data on the maintenance process of echocardiographic equipment were obtained from electronic files from the hospital's equipment management system between 2003 and 2018. Results: Together with the description of the equipment maintenance process, the ten most common types of malfunctions were identified, including software (23.8%), parts (23.1%), and power outage and accessory damage (13.8%). The implementation of the PM process significantly decreased the maintenance costs (USD 44,472.10 vs USD 25,807.59, p = 0.029). Even after the MP, the CM costs related to transesophageal echocardiography equipment (TEE) (USD 7,789.17) were higher than those with other equipment modalities (USD 3,184.37 for transthoracic echocardiography equipment (TTE) and USD 1,813.00 for stress testing). Conclusion: The maintenance process for ECHO equipment was described. ECHO equipment damage has high costs, especially in special modalities such as TEE. PM significantly reduced maintenance costs. (AU)

Early impairment of myocardial deformation assessed by regional speckle-tracking echocardiography in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease without fibrosis detected by cardiac magnetic resonance.

Chagas disease (CD) will account for 200,000 cardiovascular deaths worldwide over the next 5 years. Early detection of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a challenge. We aimed to test if speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) can detect incipient myocardial damage in CD. METHODS: Among 325 individuals with positive serological tests, 25 (age 55±12yrs) were selected to compose the group with indeterminate form of Chagas disease (IFCD), based on stringent criteria of being asymptomatic and with normal EKG/X-ray studies. This group was compared with a group of 20 patients with CCC (55±11yrs) and a group of 20 non-infected matched control (NC) subjects (48±10yrs). CD patients and NC were submitted to STE and CD patients were submitted to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium administration to detect cardiac fibrosis by the late enhancement technique. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial strain (GRS) were defined as the average of segments measured from three apical view (GLS) and short axis views (GRS and GCS). Regional left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (Reg LS) was measured from each of the 17 segments. Twist was measured as systolic peak difference between basal and apical rotation and indexed to LV length to express torsion. RESULTS: STE global indices (GLS, GCS, twist and torsion) were reduced in CCC vs NC (GLS: -14±6.3% vs -19.3±1.6%, p = 0.001; GCS: -13.6±5.2% vs -17.3 ±2.8%; p = 0.008; twist: 8±7° vs 14±7°, p = 0.01 and torsion: 0.96±1°/cm vs 1.9±1°/cm, p = 0.005), but showed no differences in IFCD vs NC. RegLS was reduced in IFCD vs NC in four LV segments: basal-inferior (-16.3±3.3% vs -18.6±2.2%, p = 0.013), basal inferoseptal (-13.1±3.4 vs -15.2±2.7, p = 0.019), mid-inferoseptal (-17.7±3.2 vs -19.4±2, p = 0.032) and mid-inferolateral (-15.2±3.5 vs -17.8±2.8, p = 0.014). These abnormalities in RegLS occurred in the absence of myocardial fibrosis detectable with CMR in nearly 92% of subjects with IFCD, while myocardial fibrosis was present in 65% with CCC. CONCLUSION: RegLS detects early regional impairment of myocardial strain that is independent from fibrosis in IFCD subjects.