Prognostic value of right ventricular strain and peak oxygen consumption in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Our purpose is to evaluate the combined predictive value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) strain in predicting mortality and heart transplant (HTx) in a series of outpatients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). A retrospective cohort study of 66 patients with HFrEF (median age, 57 years; 51% women) who underwent CPET and echocardiography (up to 90 days apart) to assess prognosis. The primary outcome was a composite of death and need for HTx. At a median follow-up of 27 [20-39] months, 19 patients (29%) experienced the primary outcome. In unadjusted analysis, most echocardiographic and CPET parameters were associated with the primary outcome, including percentage of predicted peak oxygen consumption (ppVO2), VE/VCO2 slope, LV ejection fraction, and LV and RV longitudinal strain. After adjusting for other clinical, echocardiographic and CPET variables, RV free wall longitudinal strain and ppVO2 remained significantly associated with the primary outcome. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for death and HTx, based on the best cutoff values, showed lower survival rates in patients with impairment in both ppVO2 and RV FW-LS than in those with one or neither parameter impaired (p < 0.001). RV dysfunction and low cardiorespiratory fitness were independent markers of death and need for HTx. Impairment of both ppVO2 and RV FW-LS had a strong additive impact on prognostic assessment in this cohort of patients with HFrEF.

Fluid overload and changes in serum creatinine after cardiac surgery: predictors of mortality and longer intensive care stay. A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Fluid overload is a clinical problem frequently related to cardiac and renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate fluid overload and changes in serum creatinine as predictors of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Patients submitted to heart surgery were prospectively enrolled in this study from September 2010 through August 2011. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from each patient at preoperative and trans-operative moments and fluid overload and creatinine levels were recorded daily after cardiac surgery during their ICU stay. Fluid overload was calculated according to the following formula: (Sum of daily fluid received (L)--total amount of fluid eliminated (L)/preoperative weight (kg) × 100). Preoperative demographic and risk indicators, intra-operative parameters and postoperative information were obtained from medical records. Patients were monitored from surgery until death or discharge from the ICU. We also evaluated the survival status at discharge from the ICU and the length of ICU stay (days) of each patient. RESULTS: A total of 502 patients were enrolled in this study. Both fluid overload and changes in serum creatinine correlated with mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.59; confidence interval (CI): 95% 1.18 to 2.14, P = 0.002 and OR 2.91; CI: 95% 1.92 to 4.40, P <0.001, respectively). Fluid overload played a more important role in the length of intensive care stay than changes in serum creatinine. Fluid overload (%): b coefficient = 0.17; beta coefficient = 0.55, P <0.001); change in creatinine (mg/dL): b coefficient = 0.01; beta coefficient = 0.11, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Although both fluid overload and changes in serum creatinine are prognostic markers after cardiac surgery, it seems that progressive fluid overload may be an earlier and more sensitive marker of renal dysfunction affecting heart function and, as such, it would allow earlier intervention and more effective control in post cardiac surgery patients.

Interest in research among medical students: Challenges for the undergraduate education.

INTRODUCTION:: In recent decades, there has been a reduction in the number of graduates from medical schools who choose to pursue a career in scientific research. That has an impact on the profile of graduates, since medical education depends on understanding the formation of scientific evidence. The construction of new knowledge is also hampered by the reduction of medical scientists, whose clinical experience with patients provides an essential step towards medical Science evolution. OBJECTIVE:: The present cross-sectional study sought to identify the interest in research among medical students from a federal university in southern Brazil. METHOD:: Medical students from a federal university were asked to respond to a self-administered questionnaire that sought to identify the level of knowledge about the importance of scientific research in medical training, and the interest of this population in this element of their training. RESULTS:: 278 medical students from the first to the sixth year responded to the questionnaire, and 81.7% stated their interest in medical research. However, only 4.7% of respondents considered research as first in degree of importance to their medical training. The variable "interest in research" showed no statistically significant association with age, gender, presence of physicians in the family, or other prior college courses. CONCLUSION:: Although interest in research is clearly present among the students, this is still an underexplored element among the population studied. The incorporation of research in the learning process depends on stimulus and guidance until it becomes culturally consolidated as an essential element of the medical training.

Interest in research among medical students: Challenges for the undergraduate education / Interesse em pesquisa entre estudantes de medicina: desafios para a graduação

Summary Introduction: In recent decades, there has been a reduction in the number of graduates from medical schools who choose to pursue a career in scientific research. That has an impact on the profile of graduates, since medical education depends on understanding the formation of scientific evidence. The construction of new knowledge is also hampered by the reduction of medical scientists, whose clinical experience with patients provides an essential step towards medical Science evolution. Objective: The present cross-sectional study sought to identify the interest in research among medical students from a federal university in southern Brazil. Method: Medical students from a federal university were asked to respond to a self-administered questionnaire that sought to identify the level of knowledge about the importance of scientific research in medical training, and the interest of this population in this element of their training. Results: 278 medical students from the first to the sixth year responded to the questionnaire, and 81.7% stated their interest in medical research. However, only 4.7% of respondents considered research as first in degree of importance to their medical training. The variable "interest in research" showed no statistically significant association with age, gender, presence of physicians in the family, or other prior college courses. Conclusion: Although interest in research is clearly present among the students, this is still an underexplored element among the population studied. The incorporation of research in the learning process depends on stimulus and guidance until it becomes culturally consolidated as an essential element of the medical training.

Resumo Introdução: nas últimas décadas, diminuiu o número de egressos de escolas médicas que optam por se dedicar à pesquisa científica. Isso tem impacto sobre o perfil dos profissionais formados, já que o aprendizado médico é indissociável da compreensão da formação da evidência científica. A formação de novo conhecimento é prejudicada com a redução de pesquisadores médicos, cujo contato clínico com os pacientes fornece etapa essencial na evolução da ciência médica. Objetivo: o presente estudo transversal buscou identificar o interesse em pesquisa entre estudantes de medicina de uma universidade federal do Sul do Brasil. Método: estudantes de medicina de uma universidade federal foram convidados a responder um questionário autoaplicável que buscou identificar o nível de conhecimento sobre a importância da pesquisa científica na formação do médico, bem como o interesse dessa população por esse elemento da formação. Resultados: 278 estudantes de todas as séries do curso de medicina responderam ao questionário, e 81,7% declararam interesse pela pesquisa científica. Contudo, apenas 4,7% dos entrevistados consideraram a pesquisa em primeiro lugar em grau de importância para a sua formação. A variável "interesse em pesquisa" não apresentou associação estatisticamente significativa com idade, gênero, presença de médicos na família ou outro curso superior prévio. Conclusão: embora o interesse em pesquisa esteja claramente presente entre os estudantes, este é um elemento da formação ainda pouco explorado pela população estudada. A incorporação da pesquisa na rotina do aprendizado depende de estímulo e orientação até que esteja culturalmente consolidada como matriz essencial da formação.