How much do the Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Know about Chest Pain, Thrombolytic Therapy, and Other Factors Affecting the Treatment Time in the Emergency Room?

Abstract Background: Treatment time in the emergency room for acute myocardial infarction is very important and can be life-saving if one understands the importance of a patient's chest pain. Objetice: The aim of this study is to evaluate how much patients entering the emergency room due to acute myocardial infection (AMI) know about chest pain and thrombolytic therapy. Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty patients (126 males,14 females) from three different institutes with complaints of chest pain were randomly chosen to participate in this study. The mean age of the patients was 55.4 ± 11.2 years (71+33). Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire consisting of 70 questions within the first seven days. All differences in categorical variables were computed using the χ2-test and Fisher Exact test. A two-tailed hypothesis was used in all statistical evaluations, and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: It was observed that 17% of the patients came to the hospital within the first 30 minutes; 18.3% of them came to the hospital between 30 minutes and 1 hour; 27.5% of them came to the hospital between 1 hour and 3 hours; and 21.4% of them came to the hospital more than 6 hours after symptoms began. It was also observed that 68% of the patients were not aware of the AMI, and 96% of them had no prior knowledge of antithrombolytic therapy. Conclusion: Because the majority of the patients did not have enough information about AMI, a training program should be implemented to ensure that people to come to the hospital earlier. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Enfermedad de Kawasaki: ¿una entidad exclusiva de niños? / Kawasaki disease, is it exclusive of children?

Resumen La enfermedad de Kawasaki es un síndrome febril agudo y autolimitado, de presunta etiología autoinmune, que característicamente afecta a niños menores de 5 años. Esta enfermedad consiste en una vasculitis aguda de pequeños y medianos vasos que favorece la formación de aneurismas en las arterias coronarias. El diagnóstico en la fase aguda es esencialmente clínico, mientras que en la fase crónica suele hacerse al documentar las secuelas vasculares. La importancia de la identificación apropiada de esta enfermedad radica en que muchos de los infartos fatales y no fatales en personas menores de 40 años tienen hallazgos compatibles con este diagnóstico. Se presenta el caso de un adulto joven con dolor torácico y angiotomografía coronaria con hallazgos compatibles con secuelas de enfermedad de Kawasaki del adulto.

Abstract Kawasaki disease is an acute and self-limited febrile syndrome with a presumed autoimmune etiology that characteristically affects children under 5 years of age. Kawasaki disease is an acute vasculitis of small and medium vessels that facilitates the formation of coronary aneurysms. The diagnosis of the disease during the acute phase is essentially clinical, while the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease during the chronic phase is performed when the vascular complications are detected. The importance of proper identification of Kawasaki disease lies in the fact that many of the fatal and non-fatal infarcts in young adults (<40 years) have findings compatible with this diagnosis. This article describes the case of a young patient with chest pain and coronary angiotomography showing sequelae of Kawasaki disease in the adult.

Risk Stratification in Chest Pain: Impact on the Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract Background The implementation of institutional protocols in the emergency department (ED) for risk stratification in patients with chest pain has been recommended. Objective To assess the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of an institutional risk stratification protocol for chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Method Cross-sectional study conducted based on the computerized records of patients treated with the use of a chest pain protocol adapted from the Manchester protocol. The level of risk was stratified by applying five colors representing the respective levels. Each color represents a level of severity and a maximum waiting time for receiving medical care. Red and orange were considered to be high priority, while patients with yellow, green or blue indications were considered to represent a low priority. To compare the type of diagnosis and the classification of priority for receiving care, the Pearson's chi-square test was used, considering a significance level of p< 0.05 for all tests. Results The records of 1,074 patients admitted to the cardiology ED were analyzed. Men (54%), with a mean age of 60 ± 15 years, with complaints of chest pain (44%) of moderate intensity (80%) were predominant the study. Of these patients, 19% were classified as high priority, while 81% were considered to represent a low priority. ACS was confirmed in 23% of the patients, with 34% of them being classified as high priority and 66% as low priority. The sensitivity of the risk stratification protocol for chest pain was 33.7% and the specificity was 86.0%, with a positive and negative predictive value of 41.7% and 81.3%, respectively. Conclusion The Institutional risk stratification protocol for chest pain suggestive of ACS presented satisfactory specificity and a low degree of sensitivity. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

Prevalence of Angina Pectoris and Associated Factors in the Adult Population of Brazil: National Survey of Health, 2019 / Prevalência e fatores associados da angina do peito na população adulta do Brasil: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2019

ABSTRACT: Objective: to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with angina pectoris in the Brazilian adult population and per federated units. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study that analyzed data from the National Survey of Health 2019 and assessed the prevalence of angina in the Brazilian population. Angina was defined as chest pain or discomfort when climbing hills or stairs, or when walking fast on flat terrain (angina I) or when walking at normal speed on flat terrain (angina II). Prevalence, crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated, with a 95% confidence interval, according to sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age group, self-reported race/skin color and region of residence) and federative units. Results: The prevalence of mild angina (grade I) was 8.1% and of moderate/severe angina (grade II) was 4.5%, being both more prevalent in women (9.8 and 5.5%, respectively). The prevalence increased progressively with age and was inversely proportional to years of formal study. Grade I angina was higher in individuals self-reportedly black and residents of Sergipe (10,4%). Angina II was more prevalent in people self-reportedly brown and living in Amazonas (6.3%). Conclusion: Angina affects more than 10% of the Brazilian population aged 18 years old and more, with higher prevalence in states in the North and Northeast. This is a problem that affects the most vulnerable populations unequally, which places coronary heart disease as a public health problem and points to the need to think about public policies aimed at these strata of the population.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência e fatores associados à angina do peito na população adulta brasileira e por unidades federadas. Métodos: Estudo transversal descritivo, que analisou os dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019 e avaliou a angina na população brasileira. A angina foi definida como dor ou desconforto no peito ao subir ladeiras ou um lance de escadas, ou ao caminhar rapidamente no plano (angina I) ou em velocidade normal no plano (angina II). Foram calculadas as prevalências, razão de prevalência bruta e ajustada, com intervalo de confiança de 95%, segundo características sociodemográficas (sexo, faixa etária, raça/cor da pele autodeclarada e região de moradia) e unidades federativas. Resultados: A prevalência de angina leve (grau I) foi de 8,1% e da angina moderada/grave (grau II), 4,5%, ambas mais prevalentes em mulheres (9,8 e 5,5%, respectivamente). As prevalências aumentaram progressivamente com o avanço da idade e foram inversas aos anos de estudo formal. Angina grau I foi mais elevada em indivíduos da raça/cor da pele autodeclarada preta e residentes em Sergipe (10,4%). A angina II foi mais prevalente em pessoas de raça/cor da pele autodeclarada parda, que vivem no Amazonas (6,3%). Conclusão: A angina afeta mais de 10% da população brasileira acima de 18 anos, com maior prevalência em estados do Norte e do Nordeste. É um agravo que atinge de forma desigual as populações mais vulneráveis, revelando a importância da doença coronariana como problema de saúde pública e a necessidade de pensar em políticas públicas voltadas para esses estratos da população.

Chest pain score: a novel and practical approach to angina pectoris. A diagnostic accuracy study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The chest pain classifications that are currently in use are based on studies that are several decades old. Various studies have indicated that these classifications are not sufficient for determining the origin of chest pain without additional diagnostic tests or tools. We describe a new chest pain scoring system that examines the relationship between chest pain and ischemic heart disease (IHD). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary-level university hospital and two public hospitals. METHODS: Chest pain scores were assigned to 484 patients. These patients then underwent a treadmill stress test, followed by myocardial perfusion scintigraphy if necessary. Coronary angiography was then carried out on the patients whose tests had been interpreted as positive for ischemia. Afterwards, the relationship between myocardial ischemia and the test score results was investigated. RESULTS: The median chest pain score was 2 (range: 0-7) among the patients without IHD and 6 (1-8) among those with IHD. The median score of patients with IHD was significantly higher than that of patients without IHD (P = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the score had sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 87.5% for detecting IHD. CONCLUSION: We developed a pre-test chest pain score that uses a digital scoring system to assess whether or not the pain was caused by IHD. This scoring system can be applied easily and swiftly by healthcare professionals and can prevent the confusion that is caused by other classification and scoring systems.

Gerenciamento do protocolo de dor torácica no setor de emergência / Management of the toracic pain protocol in the emergency department

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a adesão dos plantonistas da emergência na aplicação de um protocolo de dor torácica e o impacto no índice de mortalidade por infarto agudo do miocárdio. MÉ- TODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, realizado de maio de 2016 até maio de 2017. Os dados foram obtidos por relatórios do sistema TASY e mostram todas as admissões por queixa de dor torácica, segundo a CID10. Estas admissões foram tabuladas em planilha Excel. RESULTADOS: Dos 1.657 pacientes com entrada na emergência clínica por queixa de dor torácica, 471 apresentavam síndrome coronariana. Na amostra, 67,39% dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 59,72 anos. Destes, 92 (19,96%) foram diagnosticados com infarto agudo do miocárdio, 30 (28,26%) apresentavam supradesnivelamento do segmento ST e 62 (71,74%) foram diagnosticados como infarto agudo do miocárdio sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. Todos os casos que necessitaram de angioplastia tiveram o procedimento executado dentro do prazo estabelecido pelas diretrizes internacionais. Receberam aspirina profilática 469 (99,57%) pacientes. A mortalidade dos pacientes internados com infarto agudo do miocárdio foi de 2,17%. CONCLUSÃO: O gerenciamento deste protocolo permite mapear o processo, bem como verificar eficácia, pontos fortes e fracos, e os riscos.(AU)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adherence of emergency doctors to the application of the chest pain protocol, and the impact on mortality rate from acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: This is a retrospective study performed from May 2016 to May 2017. Data were obtained from TASY reports and show all admissions for chest pain complaints (ICD-10). These admissions were tabulated in Excel spreadsheet. RESULTS: Of the 1.657 patients admitted to the clinical emergency due to a complaint of chest pain, 471 had a coronary syndrome. In the sample, 67.39% of patients were male, with a mean age of 59.72 years. Of these, 92 (19.96%) were diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, 30 (28.26%) presented ST segment elevation, and 62 (71.74%) were diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction without ST segment elevation. All cases requiring angioplasty had the procedure performed within the period established by the international guidelines. Of the patients, 469 (99.57%) received prophylactic aspirin. The mortality of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction was 2.17%. CONCLUSION: The management of this protocol allows mapping the process, checking efficacy, strengths, weaknesses, and risks.(AU)

Fracturas costales simétricas asociadas a tos / Symmetrical rib fractures associated with chronic cough: report of one case

Cough may be associated with complications such as syncope, urinary incontinence, pneumothorax, and less frequently, pulmonary hernia and costal fractures. Chronic cough is a cause of rib fractures and when they occur it is likely to affect more than one rib. We report a 53 year-old obese male in treatment with enalapril 10 mg for hypertension with a dry cough lasting five months. He consulted for bilateral chest pain and a Chest X ray examination showed symmetrical fractures in the seventh left and right ribs. Enalapril was discontinued, cough and pain subsided in two weeks.

Sensitive Troponin I Assay in Patients with Chest Pain - Association with Significant Coronary Lesions with or Without Renal Failure / Troponinas I Sensíveis em Pacientes com Dor Torácica - Associação com Lesões Coronarianas Significativas e Variação em Insuficiência Renal Crônica

Abstract Introduction: Despite having higher sensitivity as compared to conventional troponins, sensitive troponins have lower specificity, mainly in patients with renal failure. Objective: Study aimed at assessing the sensitive troponin I levels in patients with chest pain, and relating them to the existence of significant coronary lesions. Methods: Retrospective, single-center, observational. This study included 991 patients divided into two groups: with (N = 681) and without (N = 310) significant coronary lesion. For posterior analysis, the patients were divided into two other groups: with (N = 184) and without (N = 807) chronic renal failure. The commercial ADVIA Centaur® TnI-Ultra assay (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) was used. The ROC curve analysis was performed to identify the sensitivity and specificity of the best cutoff point of troponin as a discriminator of the probability of significant coronary lesion. The associations were considered significant when p < 0.05. Results: The median age was 63 years, and 52% of the patients were of the male sex. The area under the ROC curve between the troponin levels and significant coronary lesions was 0.685 (95% CI: 0.65 - 0.72). In patients with or without renal failure, the areas under the ROC curve were 0.703 (95% CI: 0.66 - 0.74) and 0.608 (95% CI: 0.52 - 0.70), respectively. The best cutoff points to discriminate the presence of significant coronary lesion were: in the general population, 0.605 ng/dL (sensitivity, 63.4%; specificity, 67%); in patients without renal failure, 0.605 ng/dL (sensitivity, 62.7%; specificity, 71%); and in patients with chronic renal failure, 0.515 ng/dL (sensitivity, 80.6%; specificity, 42%). Conclusion: In patients with chest pain, sensitive troponin I showed a good correlation with significant coronary lesions when its level was greater than 0.605 ng/dL. In patients with chronic renal failure, a significant decrease in specificity was observed in the correlation of troponin levels and severe coronary lesions.

Resumo Fundamento: Apesar de apresentar maior sensibilidade em comparação às troponinas convencionais, as troponinas sensíveis apresentam menor especificidade, principalmente em pacientes com insuficiência renal. Objetivo: Avaliar os valores de troponina I sensível em pacientes com dor torácica, relacionando-os à presença de lesões coronarianas significativas. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, unicêntrico e observacional. Foram incluídos 991 pacientes, divididos em dois grupos: com (N = 681) ou sem lesão coronariana (N = 310). Para análise posterior, os pacientes foram separados em outros dois grupos: com (N = 184) ou sem insuficiência renal (N = 807). A troponina utilizada pertence ao kit comercial ADVIA Centaur® TnI-Ultra (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics). A análise foi feita por curva ROC para identificar a sensibilidade e a especificidade do melhor ponto de corte da troponina como discriminador de probabilidade de lesão coronariana. As associações foram consideradas significativas quando p < 0,05. Resultados: Cerca de 52% dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino e a idade mediana da amostra foi de 63 anos. A área sob a curva ROC entre os valores de troponina e lesões coronarianas significativas foi de 0,685 (IC 95%: 0,65 - 0,72). Em pacientes sem e com insuficiência renal, as áreas sob a curva foram 0,703 (IC 95%: 0,66 - 0,74) e 0,608 (IC 95%: 0,52 - 0,70), respectivamente. Os melhores pontos de corte para discriminar a presença de lesão coronária significativa foram: 0,605 ng/dL (sensibilidade de 63,4%, especificidade de 67%) no grupo geral, 0,605 ng/dL (sensibilidade de 62,7% e especificidade de 71%) em pacientes sem insuficiência renal e 0,515 ng/dL (sensibilidade de 80,6% e especificidade de 42%) no grupo com insuficiência renal crônica. Conclusão: Na população avaliada de pacientes com dor torácica, a troponina I sensível apresentou boa correlação com lesões coronarianas significativas quando acima de 0,605 ng/dL. Em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica, observamos uma queda importante de especificidade na correlação dos valores com lesões coronarianas graves.

Prevalência de angina do peito pelo questionário de Rose na população brasileira: análise da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013 / Prevalence of angina pectoris in the Brazilian population from the Rose questionnaire: analysis of the National Health Survey, 2013

RESUMO: Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de angina do peito na população adulta brasileira com a aplicação do questionário de Rose para angina na Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS-2013). Métodos: Inquérito populacional representativo da população brasileira acima de 18 anos de idade, com amostragem probabilística conglomerada em três estágios. Foram obtidos registros de entrevistas de 60.202 indivíduos no território nacional. Apresentou-se ao entrevistado o questionário de Rose curto com três questões, adaptado por Lawlor em 2003 e validado no Brasil, para identificar angina do peito grau I (leve) e II (moderada/grave). Calcularam-se os valores de prevalência com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) segundo sexo, faixa etária, escolaridade e raça/cor. Resultados: A prevalência de angina leve (grau I) foi de 7,6% (IC95% 7,2 - 8,0) para toda população, com frequência maior em mulheres - 9,1% (IC95% 8,5 - 9,7) - do que em homens - 5,9% (5,3 - 6,4). A frequência de angina moderada/grave (grau II) foi 4,2 (IC95% 3,9 - 4,5), também mais frequente em mulheres - 5,2% (IC95% 4,7 - 5,6) - do que em homens - 3,0% (IC95% 2,7 - 3,4). A prevalência de angina por faixa etária aumentou progressivamente com a idade. A prevalência de angina, de qualquer tipo, foi inversa aos anos de estudo formal. Apesar do valor maior da presença de angina em negros, não houve diferença significativa por raça/cor da pele. Conclusão: Os valores de prevalência elevada de angina do peito na população brasileira acima de 18 anos foram compatíveis com estudos em outros países, revelando a importância da doença coronariana como problema de saúde pública.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To estimate the prevalence of angina pectoris in the Brazilian adult population with the use of the Rose questionnaire for angina in the National Health Survey (PNS 2013). Methods: Population survey representing the Brazilian population aged 18 years and older, with probability carried out sampling in three stages. The interview records of 60,202 individuals were obtained in the country. The respondent was presented with the short Rose questionnaire with three questions, adapted by Lawlor in 2003 and validated in Brazil, to identify angina pectoris grade I (mild) and II (moderate/severe). The prevalence rate was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) according to sex, age, education, and race/color. Results: The prevalence of mild angina (grade I) was of 7.6% (95%CI 7.2 - 8.0) for the entire population, more frequently in women - 9.1% (95%CI 8.5 - 9.7) - than in men - 5.9% (95%CI 5.3 - 6.4). The frequency of moderate/severe angina (grade II) was of 4.2 (95%CI 3.9 - 4.5), also more common in women - 5.2% (95%CI 4.7 - 5.6) - than in men - 3.0% (95%CI 2.7 - 3.4). The prevalence of angina by age group increased progressively with age. The prevalence of angina of any sort was inverse to years of formal study. Despite the higher value of the presence of angina in black people, there was no significant difference by race/skin color. Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of angina pectoris in the population aged 18 years and above was consistent with studies in other countries, revealing the importance of coronary heart disease as a public health problem.

Do Diabetic Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes Have a Higher Threshold for Ischemic Pain? / Pacientes Diabéticos com Síndromes Coronárias Agudas têm um Limiar Maior para a Dor Isquêmica?

Background: Data from over 4 decades have reported a higher incidence of silent infarction among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), but recent publications have shown conflicting results regarding the correlation between DM and presence of pain in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Objective: Our primary objective was to analyze the association between DM and precordial pain at hospital arrival. Secondary analyses evaluated the association between hyperglycemia and precordial pain at presentation, and the subgroup of patients presenting within 6 hours of symptom onset. Methods: We analyzed a prospectively designed registry of 3,544 patients with ACS admitted to a Coronary Care Unit of a tertiary hospital. We developed multivariable models to adjust for potential confounders. Results: Patients with precordial pain were less likely to have DM (30.3%) than those without pain (34.0%; unadjusted p = 0.029), but this difference was not significant after multivariable adjustment, for the global population (p = 0.84), and for subset of patients that presented within 6 hours from symptom onset (p = 0.51). In contrast, precordial pain was more likely among patients with hyperglycemia (41.2% vs 37.0% without hyperglycemia, p = 0.035) in the overall population and also among those who presented within 6 hours (41.6% vs. 32.3%, p = 0.001). Adjusted models showed an independent association between hyperglycemia and pain at presentation, especially among patients who presented within 6 hours (OR = 1.41, p = 0.008). Conclusion: In this non-selected ACS population, there was no correlation between DM and hospital presentation without precordial pain. Moreover, hyperglycemia correlated significantly with pain at presentation, especially in the population that arrived within 6 hours from symptom onset. .

Fundamento: Dados de mais de 4 décadas relataram maior incidência de infarto silencioso entre os pacientes com diabetes mellitus (DM), mas publicações recentes mostraram resultados conflitantes quanto à correlação entre DM e presença de dor em pacientes com síndromes coronárias agudas (SCA). Objetivo: Nosso objetivo principal foi analisar a associação entre dor precordial e DM na chegada ao hospital. Análises secundárias avaliaram a associação entre hiperglicemia e dor precordial na apresentação, e o subgrupo de pacientes que se apresentaram em até 6 horas após o início dos sintomas. Métodos: Analisamos um registro prospectivo de 3.544 pacientes com SCA internados em unidade coronária de um hospital terciário. Desenvolvemos modelos multivariados para ajustar potenciais fatores de confusão. Resultados: Os pacientes com dor precordial eram menos propensos a ter DM (30,3%) do que aqueles sem dor (34,0 %, p não ajustado = 0,029), mas essa diferença não foi significativa após ajuste multivariado, para a população global (p = 0,84), e para o subgrupo de pacientes que se apresentaram dentro do período de 6 horas após o início dos sintomas (p = 0,51). Em contraste, a dor precordial era mais provável entre os pacientes com hiperglicemia (41,2% vs. 37,0% sem hiperglicemia, p = 0,035) na população total, e também entre aqueles que se apresentaram no período de 6 horas (41,6% vs. 32,3%, p = 0,001). Modelos ajustados mostraram uma associação independente entre hiperglicemia e dor na apresentação, especialmente entre os pacientes que se apresentaram no período de até 6 horas (OR = 1,41, p = 0,008). Conclusão: Nesta população não-selecionada com SCA, não houve correlação entre DM e a ...