Incidence and Predictors of Progression to Chagas Cardiomyopathy: Long-Term Follow-Up of Trypanosoma cruzi-Seropositive Individuals.

BACKGROUND: There are few contemporary cohorts of Trypanosoma cruzi-seropositive individuals, and the basic clinical epidemiology of Chagas disease is poorly understood. Herein, we report the incidence of cardiomyopathy and death associated with T. cruzi seropositivity. METHODS: Participants were selected in blood banks at 2 Brazilian centers. Cases were defined as T. cruzi-seropositive blood donors. T. cruzi-seronegative controls were matched for age, sex, and period of donation. Patients with established Chagas cardiomyopathy were recruited from a tertiary outpatient service. Participants underwent medical examination, blood collection, ECG, and echocardiogram at enrollment (2008-2010) and at follow-up (2018-2019). The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and development of cardiomyopathy, defined as the presence of a left ventricular ejection fraction <50% or QRS complex duration ≥120 ms, or both. To handle loss to follow-up, a sensitivity analysis was performed using inverse probability weights for selection. RESULTS: We enrolled 499 T. cruzi-seropositive donors (age 48±10 years, 52% male), 488 T. cruzi-seronegative donors (age 49±10 years, 49% male), and 101 patients with established Chagas cardiomyopathy (age 48±8 years, 59% male). The mortality in patients with established cardiomyopathy was 80.9 deaths/1000 person-years (py) (54/101, 53%) and 15.1 deaths/1000 py (17/114, 15%) in T. cruzi-seropositive donors with cardiomyopathy at baseline. Among T. cruzi-seropositive donors without cardiomyopathy at baseline, mortality was 3.7 events/1000 py (15/385, 4%), which was no different from T. cruzi-seronegative donors with 3.6 deaths/1000 py (17/488, 3%). The incidence of cardiomyopathy in T. cruzi-seropositive donors was 13.8 (95% CI, 9.5-19.6) events/1000 py (32/262, 12%) compared with 4.6 (95% CI, 2.3-8.3) events/1000 py (11/277, 4%) in seronegative controls, with an absolute incidence difference associated with T. cruzi seropositivity of 9.2 (95% CI, 3.6-15.0) events/1000 py. T. cruzi antibody level at baseline was associated with development of cardiomyopathy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.1-1.8]). CONCLUSIONS: We present a comprehensive description of the natural history of T. cruzi seropositivity in a contemporary patient population. The results highlight the central importance of anti-T. cruzi antibody titer as a marker of Chagas disease activity and risk of progression.

Dysregulation of insulin levels in Chagas heart disease is associated with altered adipocytokine levels.

Metabolic, inflammatory, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction are present in patients with heart failure. However, whether these changes are due to left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure etiology is unknown. We evaluated metabolism and inflammatory activity in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) and Chagas cardiomyopathy (CHG) and their correlation with the ANS. Forty-six patients were divided into 3 groups: IDC, CHG, and control. We evaluated adiponectin, leptin, insulin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. ANS were analyzed by heart rate variability in time and frequency domains on a 24-hour Holter monitor. Levels of glucose, cholesterol, leptin, and adiponectin did not show differences between groups. Insulin levels were lower in CHG group (5.4 ± 3.3 µU/mL) when compared with control (8.0 ± 4.9 µU/mL) and IDC (9.9 ± 5.0 µU/mL) groups (p = 0.007). Insulin was positively associated with LFr/HFr ratio (r = 0.562; p = 0.029) and with the LFr component (r = 0.562; p = 0.029) and negatively associated with adiponectin (r = -0.603; p = 0.017) in CHG group. The addition of an adiponectin unit reduced average insulin by 0.332 µg/mL. Insulin levels were decreased in the CHG group when compared with the IDC group and were associated with ANS indexes and adiponectin levels.

Complication of hybrid treatment in type B aortic dissection diagnosed by echocardiography.

This case illustrates an unusual and fatal complication after endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection and highlights the role of echocardiography in the early diagnosis of complications. In this case, a patient with previous diagnosis of chronic type B aortic dissection and moderate aortic regurgitation underwent endovascular repair of the proximal descending aorta and conservative surgical correction of the aortic valve. On early postoperative, a transesophageal echocardiogram and aortic angiotomography demonstrated proximal endoleak by contrast extravasation around the proximal graft attachment site, causing compression of the stent in its middle portion, resulting in narrowing with reduced cross-sectional area.

Limitations of apical sparing pattern in cardiac amyloidosis: a multicentre echocardiographic study.

AIMS: Although impaired left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) with apical sparing is a feature of cardiac amyloidosis (CA), its diagnostic accuracy has varied across studies. We aimed to determine the ability of apical sparing ratio (ASR) and most common echocardiographic parameters to differentiate patients with confirmed CA from those with clinical and/or echocardiographic suspicion of CA but with this diagnosis ruled out. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified 544 patients with confirmed CA and 200 controls (CTRLs) as defined above (CTRL patients). Measurements from transthoracic echocardiograms were performed using artificial intelligence software (Us2.AI, Singapore) and audited by an experienced echocardiographer. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance and optimal cut-offs for the differentiation of CA patients from CTRL patients. Additionally, a group of 174 healthy subjects (healthy CTRL) was included to provide insight on how patients and healthy CTRLs differed echocardiographically. LV GLS was more impaired (-13.9 ± 4.6% vs. -15.9 ± 2.7%, P < 0.0005), and ASR was higher (2.4 ± 1.2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.9, P < 0.0005) in the CA group vs. CTRL patients. Relative wall thickness and ASR were the most accurate parameters for differentiating CA from CTRL patients [area under the curve (AUC): 0.77 and 0.74, respectively]. However, even with the optimal cut-off of 1.67, ASR was only 72% sensitive and 66% specific for CA, indicating the presence of apical sparing in 32% of CTRL patients and even in 6% healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Apical sparing did not prove to be a CA-specific biomarker for accurate identification of CA, when compared with clinically similar CTRLs with no CA.

Position Statement on the Use of Myocardial Strain in Cardiology Routines by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology's Department Of Cardiovascular Imaging - 2023. / Posicionamento do Departamento de Imagem Cardiovascular da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre o Uso do Strain Miocárdico na Rotina do Cardiologista ­ 2023.

Central Illustration : Position Statement on the Use of Myocardial Strain in Cardiology Routines by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology's Department Of Cardiovascular Imaging - 2023 Proposal for including strain in the integrated diastolic function assessment algorithm, adapted from Nagueh et al.67 Am: mitral A-wave duration; Ap: reverse pulmonary A-wave duration; DD: diastolic dysfunction; LA: left atrium; LASr: LA strain reserve; LVGLS: left ventricular global longitudinal strain; TI: tricuspid insufficiency. Confirm concentric remodeling with LVGLS. In LVEF, mitral E wave deceleration time < 160 ms and pulmonary S-wave < D-wave are also parameters of increased filling pressure. This algorithm does not apply to patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), mitral annulus calcification, > mild mitral valve disease, left bundle branch block, paced rhythm, prosthetic valves, or severe primary pulmonary hypertension.

Figura Central : Posicionamento do Departamento de Imagem Cardiovascular da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia sobre o Uso do Strain Miocárdico na Rotina do Cardiologista ­ 2023 Proposta de inclusão do strain no algoritmo integrado de avaliação da função diastólica, adaptado e traduzido de Nagueh et al. 67 AE: átrio esquerdo; Ap: duração da onda A reversa pulmonar; Am: duração da onda A mitral; DD: disfunção diastólica; FEVEr: fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo reduzida; IT: insuficiência tricúspide; SAEr: strain do AE de reservatório; SLGVE: strain longitudinal global do ventrículo esquerdo. Se remodelamento concêntrico, confirmar com SLGVE. Na presença de FEVEr, tempo de desaceleração da onda E mitral (TDE) < 160 ms e onda S < D pulmonar também são parâmetros de pressão de enchimento aumentada. Esse algoritmo não se aplica a pacientes com fibrilação atrial (FA), calcificação do anel mitral ou valvopatia mitral maior que discreta, bloqueio de ramo esquerdo (BRE), ritmo de marca-passo, próteses valvares ou hipertensão pulmonar (HP) primária grave.

New equation for prediction of reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To integrate data from two-dimensional echocardiography (2D ECHO), three-dimensional echocardiography (3D ECHO), and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for prediction of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). It was also compared the evaluation of cardiac dyssynchrony by TDI and 3D ECHO. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients with heart failure, sinus rhythm, QRS ≥ 120 msec, functional class III or IV and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 0.35 underwent CRT. 2D ECHO, 3D ECHO with systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) analysis, and TDI were performed before, 3 and 6 months after CRT. Cardiac dyssynchrony analyses by TDI and SDI were compared with the Pearson's correlation test. Before CRT, a univariate analysis of baseline characteristics was performed for the construction of a logistic regression model to identify the best predictors of LVRR. RESULTS: After 3 months of CRT, there was a moderate correlation between TDI and SDI (r = 0.52). At other time points, there was no strong correlation. Nine of twenty-four (38%) patients presented with LVRR 6 months after CRT. After logistic regression analysis, SDI (SDI > 11%) was the only independent factor in the prediction of LVRR 6 months of CRT (sensitivity = 0.89 and specificity = 0.73). After construction of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, an equation was established to predict LVRR: LVRR =-0.4LVDD (mm) + 0.5LVEF (%) + 1.1SDI (%), with responders presenting values >0 (sensitivity = 0.67 and specificity = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was no strong correlation between TDI and SDI. An equation is proposed for the prediction of LVRR after CRT. Although larger trials are needed to validate these findings, this equation may be useful to candidates for CRT.

Three and two-dimensional cardiac mechanics by speckle tracking are predictors of outcomes in chagas heart disease.

Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected infectious disease associated with early mortality and substantial disability. Three-dimensional speckle tracking (3D STE) may play a role in the evaluation of CD. We aim to characterize new echocardiographic variables in patients with CD and to assess the hypothesis that 3D STE may predict outcomes. Seventy-two patients with CD were included. Clinical and conventional 2D and 3D STE analysis were performed. Patients were followed up for 60 months. Clinical events were defined as hospitalization for heart failure, complex ventricular arrhythmias, heart transplant and all-cause death. Seventy-two patients were recruited and enrolled in three groups: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 0.40 (N = 22; reduced LVEF or rLVEF); 0.40 ≤ LVEF ≤ 0.50 (N = 10; mildly reduced LVEF or mrLVEF) and LVEF > 0.50 (N = 30; preserved LVEF or pLVEF). After a Cox model analysis, the top predictors of composite endpoints were 2D LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) ≤ - 11.3% (AUC = 0.87), 2D LV global circumferential strain (GCS) ≤ - 10.1% (AUC = 0.79), 3D LV GLS ≤ - 13% (AUC = 0.82), 3D LV area strain ≤ - 16% (AUC = 0.81) and right ventricle (RV) GLS ≤ - 17.2% (AUC = 0.78). Patients with CD and mrLVEF were morphologically similar to the rLVEF patients despite the benign evolution as the pLVEF group. RV GLS, 2D LV GLS, 2D LV GCS, 3D LV GLS, and 3D LV area strain are strong predictors of 60 months outcomes in patients with CD.

Endomyocardial fibrosis of the right ventricle in a patient with schistosomiasis: a case report.

Background: Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a rare and underdiagnosed cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Its aetiology is not yet defined and could be caused by the influence of different clinical factors that seem to combine with genetic aspects of individuals susceptible to an inflammatory process that leads to formation of fibrosis. Case summary: We describe a case of a 50-year-old man from the northeastern region of Brazil, where there is high prevalence of schistosomiasis. He presented to our centre with symptoms of right heart failure. The echocardiogram showed normal left ventricular ejection fraction. Right ventricular had normal systolic function but in the apical region was filled with a homogeneous and hypoechoic image causing obliteration and restriction of the apex. The late gadolinium enhancement with cardiac magnetic resonance showed diffuse and heterogeneous subendocardial fibrosis in the right ventricle apex consistent with EMF, but declined endocardiectomy. Discussion: This report presents an interesting case of EMF and schistosomiasis simultaneously. The hypothesis of parasitosis as a probable cause of EMF was raised by helminth-induced hypereosinophilia. Complementary imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography, in addition to clinical and epidemiological suspicion, are essential for its diagnosis. Early surgical resolution becomes crucial for long-term survival.

Air Pollution's Impact on Cardiac Remodeling in an Experimental Model of Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Chagas disease is characterized by intense myocardial fibrosis stimulated by the exacerbated production of inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Air pollution is a serious public health problem and also follows this same path. Therefore, air pollution might amplify the inflammatory response of Chagas disease and increase myocardial fibrosis. Methods: We studied groups of Trypanosoma cruzi infected Sirius hamsters (Chagas=CH and Chagas exposed to pollution=CH+P) and 2 control groups (control healthy animals=CT and control exposed to pollution=CT+P). We evaluated acute phase (60 days post infection) and chronic phase (10 months). Echocardiograms were performed to assess left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameter, in addition to ejection fraction. Interstitial collagen was measured by morphometry in picrosirius red staining tissue. The evaluation of inflammation was performed by gene and protein expression of cytokines IL10, IFN-γ, and TNF; oxidative stress was quantified by gene expression of NOX1, MnSOD, and iNOS and by analysis of reactive oxygen species; and apoptosis was performed by gene expression of BCL2 and Capsase3, in addition to TUNEL analysis. Results: Chagas groups had increased collagen deposition mainly in the acute phase, but air pollution did not increase this deposition. Also, Chagas groups had lower ejection fraction in the acute phase (p = 0.002) and again air pollution did not worsen ventricular function or dilation. The analysis of the inflammation and oxidative stress pathways were also not amplified by air pollution. Apoptosis analysis showed increased expression of BCL2 and Caspase3 genes in chagasic groups in the acute phase, with a marginal p of 0.054 in BCL2 expression among infected groups, and TUNEL technique showed amplified of apoptotic cells by pollution among infected groups. Conclusions: A possible modulation of the apoptotic pathway was observed, inferring interference from air pollution in this pathway. However, it was not enough to promote a greater collagen deposition, or worsening ventricular function or dilation caused by air pollution in this model of Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Critical Analysis and Limitations of the Diagnosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). / Análise Crítica e Limitações do Diagnóstico de Insuficiência Cardíaca com Fração de Ejeção Preservada (ICFEp).

With the increase in the population's life expectancy and the higher frequency of risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, an increase in the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is expected. However, to date, the diagnosis and treatment of patients with HFpEF remain challenging. The syndromic diagnosis of HFpEF includes several etiologies and diseases with specific treatments but has points in common regarding the clinical presentation, laboratory evaluation related to biomarkers, such as BNP and NT-ProBNP, and echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic filling pressures. Extensive randomized clinical trials involving the treatment of this condition have failed to demonstrate benefits to the patient, making it necessary to reflect on the diagnosis, mechanisms of morbidity, mortality and reversibility in this syndrome. In this review, the current concepts, controversies and challenges, especially regarding diagnosis, will be addressed, critically analyzing the European Heart Failure Association score for the diagnosis of HFpEF.

Com o aumento da expectativa de vida da população e a maior frequência de fatores de risco como obesidade, hipertensão arterial e diabetes, espera-se um aumento na prevalência de insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEp). Entretanto, no momento, o diagnóstico e o tratamento de pacientes com ICFEp permanecem desafiadores. O diagnóstico sindrômico de ICFEp inclui diversas etiologias e doenças com tratamentos específicos, mas que apresentam pontos em comum em relação à apresentação clínica e à avaliação laboratorial no que diz respeito aos biomarcadores como BNP e NT-ProBNP, à avaliação ecocardiográfica do remodelamento cardíaco e às pressões de enchimento diastólico ventricular esquerdo. Extensos ensaios clínicos randomizados envolvendo a terapia nesta síndrome falharam na demonstração de benefícios para o paciente, fazendo-se necessária uma reflexão acerca do diagnóstico, dos mecanismos de morbidade, da taxa de mortalidade e da reversibilidade. Na revisão, serão abordados os conceitos atuais, as controvérsias e, especialmente, os desafios no diagnóstico da ICFEp através de uma análise crítica do escore da European Heart Failure Association.

Clinical, Laboratory, and Imaging Profile in Patients with Systemic Amyloidosis in a Brazilian Cardiology Referral Center. / Perfil Clínico, Laboratorial e de Métodos de Imagem na Amiloidose Sistêmica em um Centro de Referência Cardiológico Brasileiro.

BACKGROUND: Systemic amyloidosis is a disease with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Diagnosis depends on clinical suspicion combined with specific complementary methods. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, and imaging profile in patients with systemic amyloidosis with cardiac involvement. METHODS: This study was conducted with a convenience sample, analyzing clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were evaluated (median age of 66 years), 62 of whom were male. Of all patients, 83 had transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, and 22 had light chain (AL) amyloidosis. With respect to ATTR cases, 68.7% were the hereditary form (ATTRh), and 31.3% were wild type (ATTRw). The most prevalent mutations were Val142Ile (45.6%) and Val50Met (40.3%). Time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 0.54 and 2.15 years, in the AL and ATTR forms, respectively (p < 0.001). Cardiac involvement was observed in 77.9% of patients with ATTR and in 90.9% of those with AL. Alterations were observed in atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction in 20% and 27.6% of patients, respectively, with 33.7% in ATTR and 4.5% in AL (p = 0.006). In the ATTRw form, there were more atrial arrhythmias than in ATTRh (61.5% versus 22.8%; p = 0.001). On echocardiogram, median septum thickness in ATTRw, ATTRh, and AL was 15 mm, 12 mm, and 11 mm, respectively (p = 0.193). Elevated BNP was observed in 89.5% of patients (median 249, ICR 597.7), and elevated troponin was observed in 43.2%. CONCLUSION: In this setting, it was possible to characterize cardiac involvement in systemic amyloidosis in its different subtypes by means of clinical history and the diagnostic methods described.

FUNDAMENTO: Amiloidose sistêmica é uma doença com manifestações clínicas diversas. O diagnóstico envolve suspeita clínica, aliada a métodos complementares. OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil clínico, laboratorial, eletrocardiográfico e de imagem no acometimento cardíaco da amiloidose sistêmica. MÉTODOS: Estudo de uma amostra de conveniência, analisando dados clínicos, laboratoriais, eletrocardiográficos, ecocardiográficos, medicina nuclear e ressonância magnética. Considerou-se significância estatística quando p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Avaliaram-se 105 pacientes (com mediana de idade de 66 anos), sendo 62 homens, dos quais 83 indivíduos apresentavam amiloidose por transtirretina (ATTR) e 22 amiloidose por cadeia leve (AL). Na ATTR, 68,7% eram de caráter hereditário (ATTRh) e 31,3% do tipo selvagem (ATTRw). As mutações mais prevalentes foram Val142Ile (45,6%) e Val50Met (40,3%). O tempo de início dos sintomas ao diagnóstico foi 0,54 e 2,15 anos nas formas AL e ATTR (p < 0,001), respectivamente. O acometimento cardíaco foi observado em 77,9% dos ATTR e 90,9% dos AL. Observaram-se alterações de condução atrioventricular em 20% e intraventricular em 27,6% dos pacientes, sendo 33,7 % na ATTR e 4,5% das AL (p = 0,006). A forma ATTRw apresentou mais arritmias atriais que os ATTRh (61,5% x 22,8%; p = 0,001). Ao ecocardiograma a mediana da espessura do septo na ATTRw x ATTRh x AL foi de 15 mm x 12 mm x 11 mm (p = 0,193). Observou-se BNP elevado em 89,5% dos indivíduos (mediana 249 ng/mL, IQR 597,7) e elevação da troponina em 43,2%. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível caracterizar, em nosso meio, o acometimento cardíaco na amiloidose sistêmica, em seus diferentes subtipos, através da história clínica e dos métodos diagnósticos descritos.

Cardiac amyloidosis: non-invasive diagnosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis is an infiltrative disease which requires a high degree of clinical suspicion for appropriate diagnosis. Early diagnosis and the definition of the type of amyloidosis play a key role in the early treatment and prognosis of this disease. In this context, the use of cardiac biomarkers such as troponins and NT-proBNT associated with analysis by multimodality imaging methods like echocardiographic techniques such as strain, nuclear medicine, and cardiovascular resonance imaging have an increasing role in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. This article details the role of non-invasive diagnostic methods in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis. / Galectina-3 em Pacientes com Pericardite Constritiva Crônica.

Background Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a proinflammatory, profibrotic molecule implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure. The role of Gal-3 in patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) is not clear. Objective The aim of this study was to assess plasma Gal-3 in patients with CCP and correlate it with clinical, functional and histologic parameters. Methods We prospectively evaluated 25 symptomatic patients with CCP referred for pericardiectomy and 21 healthy controls. Patients underwent clinical assessment, Gal-3 and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) at baseline. Six months after pericardiectomy CPET was repeated. An alpha error < 5% was considered statistically significant, with a confidence interval of 95%. Results Twenty-five patients with a median age of 45 years were included. Etiology was mainly idiopathic (n = 19, 76%); and 14 (56%) patients had NYHA functional class III/IV. Median BNP and Gal-3 were 143 (89-209) pg/dL and 14.8 (9.7-17.2) ng/mL, respectively. Gal-3 levels were not significantly higher in CCP patients than in control (p = 0.22). There were no significant correlations of Gal-3 with BNP, echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance measures and histological findings. After pericardiectomy, it was found a statistically significant correlation between Gal-3 and the CPTE measures test duration (r = -0.79; p < 0.001) and exercise time (r = -0.79; p < 0.001). Conclusions Patients with CCP had normal levels of Gal-3 as compared to the controls. Gal-3 did not correlate with morphological and functional measures before pericardiectomy. However, the associations between Gal-3 and exercise intolerance after pericardiectomy may suggest a role of Gal-3 in prognosis prediction after pericardiectomy. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(4):683-689).

Impact of pericardiectomy on exercise capacity and sleep of patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is associated with exercise intolerance and sleep- disordered breathing; however, studies in patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis are scarce. The purpose of our study was to assess exercise capacity and sleep in patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) undergoing a pericardiectomy. METHODS: We studied consecutive patients scheduled for pericardiectomy due to symptomatic CCP. Were performed quality of life (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire-MLHFQ) and sleep questionnaires (Epworth, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQI), serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), serum C-reactive protein, transthoracic echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test and overnight polysomnography immediately before and six months after pericardiectomy. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (76% males, age: 45.5±13.8 years, body mass index: 24.9±3.7 kg/m2, left ventricular ejection fraction: 60±6%) with CCP (76% idiopathic, 12% tuberculosis) were studied. As compared to the preoperative period, pericardiectomy resulted in reduction in BNP (143 (83.5-209.5) vs 76 (40-117.5) pg/mL, p = 0.011), improvement in VO2 peak (18.7±5.6 vs. 25.2±6.3 mL/kg/min, p<0.001), quality of life (MLHFQ score 62 (43,5-77,5) vs. 18 (8,5-22), p<0,001) and sleep (PSQI score 7.8±4.1 vs. 4.7±3.7, p<0.001) and no significant change in sleep disordered breathing (apnea hypopnea index-AHI 15.6 (8.3-31.7) vs. 14.6 (5.75-29.9) events/h, p = 0.253). CONCLUSION: Patients with symptomatic CCP showed reduced exercise capacity and sleep-disordered breathing. After pericardiectomy, there was improvement in exercise capacity and neutral effect on sleep-disordered breathing.

Papel do Ecocardiograma na Avaliação do Septo Interatrial e Pesquisa de Forame Oval Patente como Fonte Emboligênica / The Role of Echocardiography in the Assessment of the Interatrial Septum and Patent Foramen Ovale as an Emboligenic Source

Resumo A comunicação do septo atrial (CIA) representa, aproximadamente, de 6%-10% dos defeitos cardíacos congênitos, com incidência de 1 em 1.500 nascidos vivos.1 Forame oval patente (FOP) é mais comum e está presente em mais de 20%-25% dos adultos.2 Síndromes clínicas associadas a CIA e FOP são variáveis, com implicações abrangendo a medicina pediátrica e adulta, neurologia e cirurgia. O interesse adicional na anatomia do septo interatrial (SIA) aumentou substancialmente nas últimas duas décadas, com evolução simultânea dos procedimentos percutâneos envolvendo cardiopatia estrutural do lado esquerdo e procedimentos eletrofisiológicos. Idealmente, essas intervenções baseadas em cateter requerem rota direta para o átrio esquerdo (AE) através do SIA, necessitando completo entendimento de sua anatomia. Atualmente, tecnologias de imagem sofisticadas e não invasivas como ecocardiografia transesofágica bidimensional (ETE 2D) e tridimensional (ETE 3D), ressonância cardíaca (RMC) e tomografia computadorizada (TC) passaram por um extraordinário desenvolvimento tecnológico, fornecendo detalhes anatômicos das estruturas cardíacas visualizadas em formato 2D e 3D e são essenciais para diagnóstico e tratamento de pacientes com doenças cardíacas. A avaliação da anatomia e anormalidades do SIA, portanto, requer abordagem padronizada e sistemática, integrando modalidades diagnósticas e fornecendo avaliação adequada e uniforme para terapias cirúrgicas e transcateter.

Abstract Atrial septal defects (ASD) account for approximately 6%-10% of congenital heart defects, with an incidence of 1 in 1,500 live births.1 Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is more common and is present in more than 20%-25% of adults.2 Clinical syndromes associated with ASD and PFO are variable, and their implications are targeted by pediatric and adult medicine, neurology, and surgery. Additional interest in the anatomy of the interatrial septum (IAS) has increased substantially over the last two decades. Additionally, percutaneous procedures involving left-sided structural heart disease and electrophysiological procedures have evolved considerably. Ideally, these catheter-based interventions require a direct route to the left atrium (LA) through the IAS, with a full understanding of its anatomy. Also, sophisticated and noninvasive imaging technologies such as two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and computed tomography (CT) have evolved considerably, providing anatomical details of cardiac structures visualized in 2D and 3D format and being key for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart diseases. Therefore, assessing the anatomy of the IAS and any abnormalities requires a standardized and systematic approach, integrating diagnostic modalities and enabling adequate and consistent evaluation for both surgical and transcatheter therapies.

Three and two dimensional cardiac mechanics by speckle tracking are predictors of outcomes in chagas heart disease

ABSTRACT: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected infectious disease associated with early mortality and substantial disability. Three-dimensional speckle tracking (3D STE) may play a role in the evaluation of CD. We aim to characterize new echocardiographic variables in patients with CD and to assess the hypothesis that 3D STE may predict outcomes. Seventy-two patients with CD were included. Clinical and conventional 2D and 3D STE analysis were performed. Patients were followed up for 60 months. Clinical events were defned as hospitalization for heart failure, complex ventricular arrhythmias, heart transplant and all-cause death. Seventy-two patients were recruited and enrolled in three groups: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)< 0.40 (N= 22; reduced LVEF or rLVEF); 0.40 ≤LVEF ≤ 0.50 (N= 10; mildly reduced LVEF or mrLVEF) and LVEF> 0.50 (N= 30; preserved LVEF or pLVEF). After a Cox model analysis, the top predictors of composite endpoints were 2D LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) ≤ − 11.3% (AUC= 0.87), 2D LV global circumferential strain (GCS) ≤ − 10.1% (AUC= 0.79), 3D LV GLS≤ − 13% (AUC= 0.82), 3D LV area strain≤ − 16% (AUC= 0.81) and right ventricle (RV) GLS≤ − 17.2% (AUC= 0.78). Patients with CD and mrLVEF were morphologically similar to the rLVEF patients despite the benign evolution as the pLVEF group. RV GLS, 2D LV GLS, 2D LV GCS, 3D LV GLS, and 3D LV area strain are strong predictors of 60 months outcomes in patients with CD.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography Safety in Chagas Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND:: A few decades ago, patients with Chagas disease were predominantly rural workers, with a low risk profile for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). As urbanization has increased, they became exposed to the same risk factors for CAD of uninfected individuals. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) has proven to be an important tool in CAD diagnosis. Despite being a potentially arrhythmogenic method, it is safe for coronary patients without Chagas disease. For Chagas disease patients, however, the indication of DSE in clinical practice is uncertain, because of the arrhythmogenic potential of that heart disease. OBJECTIVES:: To assess DSE safety in Chagas disease patients with clinical suspicion of CAD, as well as the incidence of arrhythmias and adverse events during the exam. METHODS:: Retrospective analysis of a database of patients referred for DSE from May/2012 to February/2015. This study assessed 205 consecutive patients with Chagas disease suspected of having CAD. All of them had their serology for Chagas disease confirmed. RESULTS:: Their mean age was 64±10 years and most patients were females (65.4%). No patient had significant adverse events, such as acute myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, asystole, stroke, cardiac rupture and death. Regarding arrhythmias, ventricular extrasystoles occurred in 48% of patients, and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in 7.3%. CONCLUSION:: DSE proved to be safe in this population of Chagas disease patients, in which no potentially life-threatening outcome was found. FUNDAMENTO:: Até poucas décadas atrás, os pacientes chagásicos eram predominantemente trabalhadores rurais, com baixo perfil de risco para doença obstrutiva coronária. Com a crescente urbanização, passaram a ter os mesmos fatores de risco para doença aterosclerótica que indivíduos não infectados. O ecocardiograma sob estresse com dobutamina (EED) é uma importante ferramenta no diagnóstico de coronariopatia. É referido, porém, como um método potencialmente arritmogênico, mas seguro, em pacientes coronarianos não chagásicos. Entretanto, há insegurança na prática clínica de indicá-lo no paciente chagásico, devido ao potencial arritmogênico já intrínseco nesta cardiopatia. OBJETIVOS:: Analisar a segurança do EED em uma população de chagásicos com suspeita clínica de coronariopatia. MÉTODOS:: Análise retrospectiva de um banco de dados de pacientes encaminhados para a realização do EED entre maio/2012 e fevereiro/2015. Avaliou-se pacientes consecutivos portadores de doença de Chagas e com suspeita de coronariopatia. Confirmou-se a sorologia para doença de Chagas em todos os pacientes. RESULTADOS:: A média etária dos 205 pacientes analisados foi de 64 ± 10 anos, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (65,4%). Nenhum paciente apresentou eventos adversos significativos, como infarto agudo do miocárdio, fibrilação ventricular, assistolia, acidente vascular encefálico, ruptura cardíaca ou morte. Quanto às arritmias, extrassístoles ventriculares frequentes ocorreram em 48% dos pacientes, taquicardia ventricular não sustentada em 7,3%, bigeminismo em 4,4%, taquicardia supraventricular e taquicardia ventricular sustentada em 1% e fibrilação atrial em 0,5%. CONCLUSÃO:: O EED mostrou ser um exame seguro nessa população de pacientes chagásicos, onde nenhum desfecho grave foi encontrado.