Text Messages to Promote Secondary Prevention after Acute Coronary Syndrome (IMPACS trial)

Abstract Background Short message service (SMS) to promote healthcare improves the control of cardiovascular risk factors, but there is a lack of evidence in low and middle-income countries, particularly after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Objective This study aims to evaluate whether the use of SMS increases risk factor control after hospital discharge for ACS. Methods IMPACS is a 2-arm randomized trial with 180 patients hospitalized due to ACS at a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Eligible patients were randomized (1:1) to an SMS intervention (G1) or standard care (G2) upon hospital discharge. The primary endpoint was set to achieve 4 or 5 points in a risk factor control score, consisting of a cluster of 5 modifiable risk factors: LDL-C <70mg/dL, blood pressure (BP) <140/90mmHg, regular exercise (≥5 days/week, 30 minutes/session), nonsmoker status, and body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2] at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were components of the primary outcome plus rehospitalization, cardiovascular death, and death from any cause. Results are designated as significant if p<0.05. Results From randomized patients, 147 were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 58 (51-64) years, 74% males. The primary outcome was achieved by 12 (16.2%) patients in G1 and 15 (20.8%) in G2 (OR=0.73, 95%CI 0.32-1.70, p=0.47). Secondary outcomes were also similar: LDL-C<70 mg/dl (p=0.33), BP<140/90 mmHg (p=0.32), non-smoker (p=0.74), regular exercise (p=0.97), BMI (p=0.71), and rehospitalization (p=0.06). Death from any cause occurred in three participants (2%), including one cardiovascular death in each group. Conclusion SMS intervention did not significantly improve cardiovascular risk factor control when compared to standard care in patients discharged after ACS in Brazil.

Influence of Factors Affecting Quality of Life on in-Hospital Cardiovascular Events of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction with and without ST-segment Elevation

Abstract Background Acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with and without ST-segment elevation (STEMI and NSTEMI, respectively), is the principal cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Brazil and around the world. Modifiable risk factors (RF) and quality of life (QOL) may correlate with the type of AMI. Objective To evaluate the influence of QOL and RF on the type of AMI and in-hospital cardiovascular events in STEMI and NSTEMI patients. Methods This was an observational, cross-sectional study. Patients with AMI attending four referral hospitals (three private and one public) for cardiovascular disease treatment were assessed for QOL using the Brazilian version of the 36-item short form survey. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We evaluated 480 volunteers; 51% were treated in one of the private hospitals. In total, 55.6% presented with STEMI, and 44.4% with NSTEMI. Patients from the public hospital were 8.56 times more likely to have STEMI compared to those from the private hospitals. There was a higher prevalence of smokers in STEMI (p < 0.028) patients. QOL was not associated with the type of AMI. A negative patient perception of the physical health and pain domains was observed. Although a significant difference between the physical and the mental health domains was not observed, individual domains were correlated with some in-hospital outcomes. Conclusion There was a higher prevalence of smokers among individuals with STEMI. Domains of QOL showed a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of in-hospital cardiovascular events, with no difference between the types of AMI.

Level of Physical Activity and In-Hospital Course of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome / Nível de Atividade Física e Evolução Intra-Hospitalar de Pacientes com Síndrome Coronariana Aguda

Abstract Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the modern world. A sedentary lifestyle, present in 85% of the Brazilian population, is considered a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease. However, the correlation of a sedentary lifestyle with cardiovascular events (CVE) during hospitalization for ACS is not well established. Objective: To evaluate the association between physical activity level, assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with in-hospital prognosis in patients with ACS. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study with 215 subjects with a diagnosis of ACS consecutively admitted to a referral hospital for cardiac patients between July 2009 and February 2011. All volunteers answered the short version of the IPAQ and were observed for the occurrence of CVE during hospitalization with a standardized assessment conducted by the researcher and corroborated by data from medical records. Results: The patients were admitted with diagnoses of unstable angina (34.4%), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without ST elevation (41.4%), and AMI with ST elevation (24.2%). According to the level of physical activity, the patients were classified as non-active (56.3%) and active (43.7%). A CVE occurred in 35.3% of the cohort. The occurrence of in-hospital complications was associated with the length of hospital stay (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15) and physical inactivity (OR = 2.54), and was independent of age, systolic blood pressure, and prior congestive heart failure. Conclusion: A physically active lifestyle reduces the risk of CVE during hospitalization in patients with ACS.

Resumo Fundamento: A síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA) constitui uma das principais causas de morbimortalidade no mundo moderno. O sedentarismo, presente em 85% da população brasileira, é considerado fator de risco para o surgimento de doença arterial coronariana. Porém, não está bem estabelecida a correlação do sedentarismo com a ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares (ECV) durante o internamento de portadores da SCA. Objetivo: Determinar o grau de atividade física de portadores de SCA, mediante a utilização do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ), associando com o prognóstico intra-hospitalar. Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal e analítico com 215 sujeitos admitidos consecutivamente com diagnóstico de SCA em um hospital de referência cardiológica no período de julho de 2009 a fevereiro de 2011. Todos os voluntários responderam à versão curta do IPAQ e foram seguidos quanto ao aparecimento de ECV durante o internamento, a partir de avaliação padronizada administrada pelo pesquisador, corroborada com dados do prontuário médico. Resultados: Os pacientes foram internados com diagnósticos de angina instável (34,4%), infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) sem supradesnivelamento de ST (41,4%) e IAM com supradesnivelamento de ST (24,2%). De acordo com o nível de atividade física, foram classificados em não ativos (56,3%) e ativos (43,7%). Constatou-se a presença de ECV em 35,3% da amostra. A ocorrência de complicação intra-hospitalar esteve associada ao tempo de internamento (odds ratio [OR] = 1,15) e inatividade física (OR = 2,54) e foi independente da idade, pressão arterial sistólica e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva prévia. Conclusão: Estilo de vida fisicamente ativo reduz o risco de ECV durante o internamento em pacientes com SCA.

Impact of previous insulin therapy on the prognosis of diabetic patients with acute coronary syndromes / Impacto da insulinoterapia prévia no prognóstico dos pacientes diabéticos com síndromes coronárias agudas

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether previous insulin treatment independently influences subsequent outcomes in diabetic patients with ACS (acute coronary syndromes). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 375 diabetic patients with ACS, divided in 2 groups: Group A (n = 69) - previous insulin and Group B (n = 306) - without previous insulin. Predictors of 1-year mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were analyzed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Group A had more previous stroke (17.4 percent vs. 9.2 percent, p = 0.047) and peripheral artery disease (13.0 percent vs. 3.6 percent, p = 0.005). They had significantly higher admission glycemia and lower LDL cholesterol. There were no significant differences in the type of ACS, in 1-year mortality (18.2 percent vs. 10.4 percent, p = 0.103) or MACE (32.1 percent vs. 23.0 percent, p = 0.146) between groups. In multivariate analysis, insulin treatment was neither an independent predictor of 1-year mortality nor of MACE. CONCLUSION: Despite the more advanced atherosclerotic disease, diabetics under insulin had similar outcomes to those without insulin. Insulin may protect diabetics from the expected poor adverse outcome of an advanced atherosclerotic disease.

OBJECTIVO: Avaliar se a insulinoterapia prévia influencia de forma independente o prognóstico de diabéticos após uma síndrome coronária aguda (SCA). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: 375 doentes diabéticos com SCA, divididos em 2 grupos: Grupo A (n = 69) - sob insulinoterapia prévia e Grupo B (n = 306) - sem insulinoterapia prévia. Os preditores de mortalidade a um ano e de eventos cardíacos adversos maiores (MACE) foram determinados pela regressão de Cox. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se maior proporção de acidente vascular cerebral prévio (17,4 por cento vs. 9,2 por cento, p = 0,047) e doença arterial periférica (13,0 por cento vs. 3,6 por cento, p = 0,005) no Grupo A. Esses doentes apresentaram glicemia na admissão significativamente mais elevada e LDL inferior. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas no tipo de SCA, na mortalidade (18,2 por cento vs. 10,4 por cento, p = 0,103) e MACE (32,1 por cento vs. 23,0 por cento, p = 0,146) em um ano entre os 2 grupos. Na análise multivariada, a insulinoterapia prévia não foi preditor independente nem de mortalidade, nem de MACE em 1 ano. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da doença aterosclerótica mais avançada, os diabéticos previamente insulino-tratados têm um prognóstico semelhante aos não insulino-tratados. A insulinoterapia crônica poderá proteger os diabéticos da evolução desfavorável própria da doença aterosclerótica avançada.