Comparing cardiac function and structure and their relationship with exercise capacity between patients with stable COPD and recent acute exacerbation: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with COPD are prone to cardiac remodeling; however, little is known about cardiac function in patients recovering from an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and its association with exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac function and structure and to compare their relationship with exercise capacity in patients with a recent AECOPD and patients with clinically stable COPD. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including 40 COPD patients equally divided into two groups: recent AECOPD group (AEG) and clinically stable COPD group (STG). Echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac function and chamber structure. The six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and the Duke Activity Status Index (estimated Vo2) were used in order to assess exercise capacity. RESULTS: No significant differences in cardiac function and structure were found between the groups. The 6MWD was associated with early/late diastolic mitral filling velocity ratio (r = 0.50; p < 0.01), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (r = -0.33; p = 0.03), and right atrium volume index (r = -0.34; p = 0.04), whereas Vo2 was associated with right atrium volume index (r = -0.40; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the clinical condition (recent AECOPD vs. stable COPD), the cardiac function and structure were similar between the groups, and exercise capacity (determined by the 6MWD and Vo2) was associated with cardiac features.

Determinants of endothelial dysfunction in noncritically ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify determinants of endothelial dysfunction in patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 109 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in noncritical status were cross-sectionally studied. Clinical data (age, sex, comorbidities, and medications) and BMI were assessed. Laboratory tests included serum hemoglobin, leukocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein, ferritin, D-dimer, and creatinine. Physical status was evaluated using a handgrip dynamometer. Endothelial function was assessed noninvasively using the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) method. RESULTS: The sample average age was 51 years, 51% of patients were male, and the most frequent comorbidity was obesity (62%). Univariate analysis showed association of lower FMD with higher BMI, hypertension, use of oral antihypertensive, higher blood levels of creatinine, and larger baseline artery diameter. After adjusting for confounders, the multivariate analysis showed BMI (95% CI: -0.26 to -0.11; p < 0.001) as the major factor associated with FMD. Other factors associated with FMD were baseline artery diameter (95% CI: -1.77 to -0.29; p = 0.007) and blood levels of creatinine (95% CI: -1.99 to -0.16; p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Increased BMI was the major factor associated with endothelial dysfunction in noncritically hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This may explain one of the pathways in which obesity may increase the risk for severe COVID-19.

Comparing cardiac function and structure and their relationship with exercise capacity between patients with stable COPD and recent acute exacerbation: a cross-sectional study / Comparação da função e estrutura cardíaca e sua relação com a capacidade de exercício entre pacientes com DPOC estável e exacerbação aguda recente: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: Patients with COPD are prone to cardiac remodeling; however, little is known about cardiac function in patients recovering from an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and its association with exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac function and structure and to compare their relationship with exercise capacity in patients with a recent AECOPD and patients with clinically stable COPD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 40 COPD patients equally divided into two groups: recent AECOPD group (AEG) and clinically stable COPD group (STG). Echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac function and chamber structure. The six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and the Duke Activity Status Index (estimated Vo2) were used in order to assess exercise capacity. Results: No significant differences in cardiac function and structure were found between the groups. The 6MWD was associated with early/late diastolic mitral filling velocity ratio (r = 0.50; p < 0.01), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (r = −0.33; p = 0.03), and right atrium volume index (r = −0.34; p = 0.04), whereas Vo2 was associated with right atrium volume index (r = −0.40; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Regardless of the clinical condition (recent AECOPD vs. stable COPD), the cardiac function and structure were similar between the groups, and exercise capacity (determined by the 6MWD and Vo2) was associated with cardiac features.

RESUMO Objetivo: Pacientes com DPOC são propensos a remodelamento cardíaco; no entanto, pouco se sabe sobre a função cardíaca em pacientes em recuperação de exacerbação aguda da DPOC (EADPOC) e sua associação com a capacidade de exercício. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a função e estrutura cardíaca e comparar sua relação com a capacidade de exercício em pacientes com EADPOC recente e pacientes com DPOC clinicamente estável. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 40 pacientes com DPOC divididos igualmente em dois grupos: grupo EADPOC recente (GEA) e grupo DPOC clinicamente estável (GCE). Realizou-se ecocardiografia para avaliar a função cardíaca e a estrutura das câmaras. A distância percorrida no teste de caminhada de seis minutos (DTC6) e o Duke Activity Status Index (Vo2 estimado) foram utilizados para avaliar a capacidade de exercício. Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na função e estrutura cardíaca entre os grupos. A DTC6 apresentou associação com a razão entre as velocidades de enchimento diastólico mitral precoce e tardia (r = 0,50; p < 0,01), a espessura da parede posterior do ventrículo esquerdo (r = −0,33; p = 0,03) e o índice de volume do átrio direito (r = −0,34; p = 0,04), enquanto o Vo2 apresentou associação com o índice de volume do átrio direito (r = −0,40; p = 0,02). Conclusões: Independentemente da condição clínica (EADPOC recente vs. DPOC estável), a função e estrutura cardíaca eram semelhantes entre os grupos, e a capacidade de exercício (determinada pela DTC6 e pelo Vo2) apresentou associação com as características cardíacas.

Brain-heart autonomic axis across different clinical status and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: Impairment of cardiac autonomic integrity is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The influence of the interaction between clinical and severity status on brain-heart autonomic axis (BHAA) is not well known. We aimed to investigate the BHAA function across different clinical status and severity of COPD. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 77 COPD patients allocated into four groups according to clinical status [acute exacerbation (GAE) or stable (GST)] and severity [less (-) or more (+)]: 1) GAE-, n = 13; 2) GAE+, n = 20; 3) GST-, n = 23; and 4) GST+, n = 21. Heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and heart rate recovery (HRR) after 6-min walk test were markers of BHAA. Mean R-R, STDRR, RMSSD, RRtri, HF, LF, SD1, SD2, ApEn and SampEn were the HRV indexes and, HRR was obtained as: HR at 1st min of recovery minus peak HR. RESULTS: A main effect of clinical status (p < 0.001) was found to vagal modulation in GAE-vs. GST- (RMSSD: 25.0 ± 14.8 vs. 12.6 ± 5.5 ms; SD1: 18.0 ± 10.6 vs. 8.9 ± 3.9 ms) and to GAE + vs. GST+ (RMSSD: 26.4 ± 15.2 vs. 15.4 ± 6.3 ms; SD1: 18.3 ± 11.2 vs. 10.9 ± 4.5 ms). An effect of clinical status (p = 0.032) and severity (p = 0.030) were found to HF (vagal) in GAE + compared to GAE- and GST+ (264.7 ± 239.0 vs. 134.7 ± 169.7 and 135.8 ± 139.7 ms2). Lower HRR was found in GAE-compared to GST- (8.0 ± 2.4 vs. 19.6 ± 2.4 bpm), p = 0.002. CONCLUSION: In COPD patients, clinical status (AECOPD or stable) was more dominant than the severity on BHAA function. A more pronounced parasympathetic modulation was found in AECOPD patients with a lower HRR to exercise.

Noninvasive ventilation acutely improves endothelial function in exacerbated COPD patients.

PURPOSE: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular events, which can be linked to endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether noninvasive ventilation (NIV) acutely changes endothelial function in hospitalized AECOPD patients. METHODS: Twenty-one AECOPD patients were assessed in a hospital ward setting from 24 to 48 h after admission. NIV was applied using a ventilator with bilevel pressure support. Before and after NIV protocol, patients were evaluated regarding (1) endothelium-dependent function, assessed non-invasively using the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) method; (2) arterial blood gas analysis. Other baseline evaluations included clinical and anthropometric data, and laboratory tests. RESULTS: The total group showed a significant improvement in FMD as a result of NIV effect (P = 0.010). While arterial carbon dioxide and oxygen were not altered, oxygen saturation increased after NIV (P = 0.045). The subgroup comparison of responders (FMD ≥ 1%) and non-responders (FMD < 1%) showed significant baseline differences in body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.019) and predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (P = 0.007). In univariate and multivariate analyses, both BMI and FEV1 were determinant for endothelial response to NIV. CONCLUSION: NIV acutely improves endothelial function in hospitalized AECOPD patients. Overweight and COPD severity may represent important characteristics for the magnitude of peripheral vascular response.

Implementação da Rede Cegonha em uma Regional de Saúde do estado de Goiás: o que os indicadores de saúde mostram sobre atenção materno-infantil? / Implementation of the Rede Cegonha (Stork Network) in a Regional Health Department in the state of Goiás, Brazil: what do health indicators show about maternal and child care? / Implementación de la Rede Cegonha (Red Cigüeña) en una Dirección Regional de Salud del estado de Goiás, Brasil: ¿Qué muestran los indicadores de la salud sobre la atención materno-infantil?

Os indicadores de morbidade e de mortalidade materno-infantis são essenciais no contexto da organização da Rede Cegonha, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Esta rede organiza-se para assegurar o acesso, o acolhimento e a resolutividade, por meio de um modelo de atenção voltado para o pré-natal, parto e nascimento, puerpério e sistema logístico. Este artigo apresenta um estudo ecológico desta rede em uma Regional de Saúde, realizado com uso de dados dos Sistemas de Informação de Saúde do Departamento de Informática do SUS. Verificou-se um percentual crescente de gestantes que realizaram sete ou mais consultas pré-natais. No entanto, poucas concluíram a assistência pré-natal, porque não realizaram a consulta de puerpério. Observou-se uma taxa de mortalidade infantil próxima à da meta estipulada pela ONU. Identificou-se um aumento das cesáreas e uma redução de partos normais, além de uma alta mortalidade materna. Esses indicadores apontam para a necessidade de melhoria da qualidade da atenção pré-natal e da assistência ao parto.

Indicators of maternal-child morbidity and mortality are essential in the context of the organization of the Rede Cegonha (Stork Network), within the scope of the Unified Health System (SUS ­ Sistema Único de Saúde). This network is organized to ensure access, protection and successful resolution, through a model of attention focused on prenatal, delivery and childbirth, puerperium (or postpartum period) and logistic system. This article presents an ecological study of this network in a Regional de Saúde (Regional Health Department) that was carried out using data from the SUS Department of Informatics of the Health Information Systems. An increasing percentage of pregnant women who had seven or more prenatal visitscould be observed. However, few pregnant women completed prenatal care because they have not sought for the puerperium consultation. A child mortality rate close to the target set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals was observed. An increase in caesarean sections and a reduction in normal deliveries and at the same time a high maternal mortality were identified. These indicators point to the need to improve the quality of prenatal and delivery care.

Los indicadores de morbilidad y de mortalidad materno-infantil son esenciales en el contexto de la organización de la Rede Cegonha (Red Cigüeña), en el ámbito del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS ­ Sistema Único de Saúde). Esa red se organiza para asegurar el acceso, el acogimiento y la capacidad resolutiva, por medio de un modelo de atención dirigido al prenatal, parto, nacimiento, puerperio y sistema logístico. Este artículo presenta un estudio ecológico de la red en una Regional de Saúde (Dirección Regional de Salud) realizado utilizando datos de los Sistemas de Información de Salud del Departamento de Informática del SUS. Se ha verificado un porcentaje creciente de gestantes que realizaron siete o más consultas de prenatal. Sin embargo, pocas gestantes concluyeron la asistencia prenatal, porque no realizaron la consulta de puerperio. Se observó una tasa de mortalidad infantil próxima a la meta estipulada por la ONU. Se identificó un aumento de las cesáreas y una reducción de partos normales, además de una alta mortalidad materna. Esos indicadores apuntan la necesidad de mejorar la calidad de la atención prenatal y de la asistencia al parto.

Short-term respiratory exercise effects, different environments, pulmonary functional and physical capacity in elderly / Efeitos em curto prazo de exercícios respiratórios, diferentes ambientes, capacidade funcional pulmonar e física em idosas

Abstract Introduction: Aging is often associated with reduced functional capacity (FC) and respiratory muscle strength (RMS). Objective: To verify the short-term aquatic and land-based respiratory exercise effects on RMS, pulmonary function, FC and palmar grip strength (PGS) in healthy elderly women. Methods: A blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted. The sample was composed by 32 elderly women, randomized in two groups: Land-Based Group (LG), and Hydrotherapy Group (HG). Exercise program was performed in two weekly sessions (40 minutes each), during four weeks. Evaluations (anthropometry, manovacuometry and spirometry) were performed; FC by the 6-minute Walk Test (6MWT), and PGS test. All evaluations were performed before and after four-week intervention. Results: About RMS evaluation, there was an improvement in the Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP) values from 63.8 ± 19 to 74 ± 20 (p = 0.007) of HG. LG had an increase in forced expiratory flow (FEF) between 25-75% of forced vital capacity (FEF 25-75%) from 82 ± 29 to 101 ± 26 (p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant PGS improvement and walking 6MWT distance in both groups. HG presented lower values of Initial Heart Rate and Diastolic Blood Pressure, both pre (p = 0.006) and post 6MWT (p = 0.041). Conclusion: It may be suggested that, in the short-term, the respiratory exercise aquatic protocol has positive effects on the MEP and cardiovascular parameters in elderly.

Resumo Introdução: O envelhecimento frequentemente está associado à redução da capacidade funcional (CF) e força muscular respiratória (FMR). Objetivo: Verificar os efeitos em curto prazo de exercícios respiratórios realizados em ambiente aquático e no solo sobre a FMR, função pulmonar, CF e força de preensão palmar (FPP) em idosas saudáveis. Métodos: Foi realizado um ensaio clínico, cego, randomizado controlado. A amostra contou com 32 idosas, randomizadas em dois grupos: Grupo Solo (GS), e Grupo Hidroterapia (GH). O programa de exercício foi realizado em duas sessões semanais de 40 minutos cada, durante quatro semanas. Foram realizadas avaliações (antropometria, manovacuometria e espirometria); CF pelo Teste de Caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6), e teste de FPP. Todas as avaliações foram realizadas antes e após quatro semanas de intervenção. Resultados: A avaliação da FMR demonstrou que houve uma melhora nos valores da Pressão Expiratória Máxima (PEmáx) de 63,8 ± 19 para 74 ± 20 (p = 0,007) do GH. O GS apresentou aumento no fluxo expiratório forçado entre 25-75% da capacidade vital forçada (FEF 25-75%) de 82 ± 29 para 101 ± 26 (p = 0,04). Não foi observado melhora estatisticamente significativa na FPP e na distância caminhada no TC6 em ambos os grupos. O GH apresentou menores valores de Frequência Cardíaca inicial e de Pressão Arterial Diastólica tanto pré (p = 0,006) como pós TC6 (p=0,041). Conclusão: Pode-se sugerir que, em curto prazo, o protocolo de exercícios respiratórios em ambiente aquático tem efeitos positivos sobre a PEmáx e parâmetros cardiovasculares de idosas.