Metabolic syndrome is associated with coronary artery calcium in asymptomatic white Brazilian men considered low-risk by Framingham risk score.

The authors investigated whether the metabolic syndrome is associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) independently of 10-year coronary heart disease risk assessment by Framingham risk scores (FRS) in asymptomatic white Brazilian men. In a group of 458 men (mean age 46+/-7 years), the 10-year coronary heart disease risk was 9%+/-8%, and the metabolic syndrome and CAC were present in 24% and 41% of the participants, respectively. Compared with those classified as low risk (<10% FRS; n=256), men with FRS of 10% or more had an odds ratio of 4.57 (95% confidence interval, 3.08-6.82; P<.0001) for the presence of any CAC. The prevalence of CAC increased monotonically with the increasing number of metabolic syndrome components (none=29%, 1 or 2=44%, and >or=3=51%, P=.002 for trend). The presence of the metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of CAC: odds ratio, 1.94 (95% CI, 1.05-3.61); however, this finding was significant only in those individuals classified as low risk (FRS <10%). In conclusion, metabolic syndrome is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in Brazilian participants considered at low risk according to FRS.

Comparison between Bruce and ramp protocols for exercise testing in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia

BACKGROUND: Exercise tests are an important tool in the investigation of myocardial ischemia. The ramp protocol has gained increasing importance in clinical practice because of the possibility of individualizing its exercise intensity. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Bruce and ramp protocols for exercise testing in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia considering myocardial perfusion scintigraphy as the reference standard. Secondary objectives included the assessment of hemodynamic profiles, functional capacity, and the incidence of arrhythmias in each of the protocols. METHODS: Participants underwent exercise testing using the ramp and Bruce protocols, and the tests' diagnostic power was assessed. For testing the difference between data provided by both protocols, we used a paired Student's t-test or Wilcoxon test, depending on the assumption of data normality. The level of significance adopted for all tests was 5%. RESULTS: The ramp protocol showed sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values of 55.6%, 82.4%, and 76.7%, respectively, whereas the Bruce protocol had results of 77.8%, 64.7%, and 67.4%, respectively. The maximum heart rate and double product at peak exercise were significantly higher in the Bruce protocol (p = 0.043 and p = 0.040, respectively). No differences were observed between the incidence of arrhythmias in both protocols. CONCLUSION: The Bruce protocol presented higher sensitivity for detecting ischemia on the exercise test, while the ramp protocol presented higher specificity and accuracy.

Reduction in Post-Marathon Peak Oxygen Consumption: Sign of Cardiac Fatigue in Amateur Runners?

BACKGROUND: Prolonged aerobic exercise, such as running a marathon, produces supraphysiological stress that can affect the athlete's homeostasis. Some degree of transient myocardial dysfunction ("cardiac fatigue") can be observed for several days after the race. OBJECTIVE: To verify if there are changes in the cardiopulmonary capacity, and cardiac inotropy and lusitropy in amateur marathoners after running a marathon. METHODS: The sample comprised 6 male amateur runners. All of them underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) one week before the São Paulo Marathon, and 3 to 4 days after that race. They underwent echocardiography 24 hours prior to and immediately after the marathon. All subjects were instructed not to exercise, to maintain their regular diet, ingest the same usual amount of liquids, and rest at least 8 hours a day in the period preceding the CPET. RESULTS: The athletes completed the marathon in 221.5 (207; 250) minutes. In the post-marathon CPET, there was a significant reduction in peak oxygen consumption and peak oxygen pulse compared to the results obtained before the race (50.75 and 46.35 mL.kg-1 .min-1; 19.4 and 18.1 mL.btm, respectively). The echocardiography showed a significant reduction in the s' wave (inotropic marker), but no significant change in the E/e' ratio (lusitropic marker). CONCLUSIONS: In amateur runners, the marathon seems to promote changes in the cardiopulmonary capacity identified within 4 days after the race, with a reduction in the cardiac contractility. Such changes suggest that some degree of "cardiac fatigue" can occur.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test: Background, Applicability and Interpretation.

Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) has been gaining importance as a method of functional assessment in Brazil and worldwide. In its most frequent applications, CPET consists in applying a gradually increasing intensity exercise until exhaustion or until the appearance of limiting symptoms and/or signs. The following parameters are measured: ventilation; oxygen consumption (VO2); carbon dioxide production (VCO2); and the other variables of conventional exercise testing. In addition, in specific situations, pulse oximetry and flow-volume loops during and after exertion are measured. The CPET provides joint data analysis that allows complete assessment of the cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and metabolic systems during exertion, being considered gold standard for cardiorespiratory functional assessment.1-6 The CPET allows defining mechanisms related to low functional capacity that can cause symptoms, such as dyspnea, and correlate them with changes in the cardiovascular, pulmonary and skeletal muscle systems. Furthermore, it can be used to provide the prognostic assessment of patients with heart or lung diseases, and in the preoperative period, in addition to aiding in a more careful exercise prescription to healthy subjects, athletes and patients with heart or lung diseases. Similarly to CPET clinical use, its research also increases, with the publication of several scientific contributions from Brazilian researchers in high-impact journals. Therefore, this study aimed at providing a comprehensive review on the applicability of CPET to different clinical situations, in addition to serving as a practical guide for the interpretation of that test. Resumo O teste cardiopulmonar de exercício (TCPE) vem ganhando importância crescente como método de avaliação funcional tanto no Brasil quanto no Mundo. Nas suas aplicações mais frequentes, o teste consiste em submeter o indivíduo a um exercício de intensidade gradativamente crescente até a exaustão ou o surgimento de sintomas e/ou sinais limitantes. Neste exame se mensura a ventilação (VE), o consumo de oxigênio (VO2), a produção de gás carbônico (VCO2) e as demais variáveis de um teste de exercício convencional. Adicionalmente, podem ser verificadas, em situações específicas, a oximetria de pulso e as alças fluxo-volume antes, durante e após o esforço. A análise integrada dos dados permite a completa avaliação dos sistemas cardiovascular, respiratório, muscular e metabólico no esforço, sendo considerado padrão-ouro na avaliação funcional cardiorrespiratória.1-6 O TCPE permite definir mecanismos relacionados à baixa capacidade funcional, os quais podem ser causadores de sintomas como a dispneia, correlacionando-os com alterações dos sistemas cardiovascular, pulmonar e musculoesquelético. Também pode ser de grande aplicabilidade na avaliação prognóstica em cardiopatas, pneumopatas e em pré-operatório, além de auxiliar na prescrição mais criteriosa do exercício em sujeitos normais, em atletas, em cardiopatas e em pneumopatas. Assim como ocorre com o uso clínico, a pesquisa nesse campo também cresce e várias contribuições científicas de pesquisadores nacionais são publicadas em periódicos de alto fator de impacto. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste documento é fornecer uma revisão ampla da aplicabilidade do TCPE nas diferentes situações clínicas, bem como servir como guia prático na interpretação desse teste propedêutico.

Diretriz Brasileira de Reabilitação Cardiovascular ­ 2020 / Brazilian Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Guideline - 2020

INTRODUÇÃO: Está cientificamente comprovado, sendo algo incorporado ao senso comum, que ser fisicamente ativo contribui para preservar e recuperar a boa saúde do corpo e da mente. Os efeitos favoráveis da reabilitação cardiovascular (RCV) com ênfase nos exercícios físicos têm sido consistentemente documentados, inclusive em meta-análises de estudos clínicos randomizados, que demonstram significativas reduções da morbimortalidade cardiovascular e global,1 bem como da taxa de hospitalização,1,2 com expressivo ganho de qualidade de vida,1,2 justificando a sua consensual e enfática recomendação pelas principais sociedades médicas mundiais.3-6 O sedentarismo, que apresenta elevada prevalência no Brasil e no mundo, está fortemente relacionado às doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) e à mortalidade precoce.7,8 Em contrapartida, maiores volumes de atividade física são positivamente associados à melhor qualidade e à maior expectativa de vida,9-13 existindo uma forte e inversa associação dos diferentes componentes da aptidão física com a mortalidade por todas as causas e com a ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares desfavoráveis. Ou seja, quanto menor o nível de aptidão física, maior tende ser a taxa de mortalidade.14-21 Portanto, o principal objetivo da RCV com ênfase nos exercícios físicos é propiciar uma melhora dos componentes da aptidão física, tanto aeróbico quanto não aeróbicos (força/ potência muscular, flexibilidade, equilíbrio), algo que exige a combinação de diferentes modalidades de treinamento. Assim, a RCV deve proporcionar os mais elevados níveis de aptidão física passíveis de obtenção, de modo a reduzir o risco de eventos cardiovasculares e promover todos os outros benefícios a serem auferidos pela prática regular de exercícios físicos, culminando com a redução da mortalidade geral.

Significado do bloqueio atrioventricular induzido no teste de esforço / Significance of exercise-induced atrioventricular block

Os bloqueios atrioventriculares (AV) são raramente observados durante o teste de esforço (TE), em especial na fase de exercício. Poucas são as informações que podemos obter desses bloqueios em diretrizes ou livros específicos sobre exercício físico ou TE, o que motivou a realização desse trabalho. Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa da literatura, cujos objetivos são descrever as bases fisiológicas da condução AV no exercício e os possíveis mecanismos envolvidos na gênese dos bloqueios AV no TE, bem como suas implicações prognósticas. E ainda, os autores ressaltam a importância da indicação do TE na elucidação diagnóstica dessas alterações eletrocardiográficas, uma vez que seus sintomas podem simular diversas condições clínicas, inclusive a isquemia miocárdica. (AU)

Time of exercise as indicator of quality control in ergometry services.

BACKGROUND: The search for quality requires assessment tools in the various subdivisions of a health complex. In diagnostic medicine, they are scarce and in ergometry suggestions of indicators were not found. OBJECTIVE: To establish indicator for quality control on ergometry based on III Guidelines of the Brazilian Cardiology Society About Ergometric Test; to verify the percentage of tests that have presented the indicator within the compliance in two services of the same institution before and after the publication of the document. METHODS: A critical analysis of the guidelines in the search for indicator that would present: accuracy, reliability, simplicity, validity, sensitivity and ability to quantitatively measure the variations in the behavior of quality criteria and that would be applicable to all tests. The indicator was applied in tests of 2010 and 2011 prior to the publication, and after it was adopted by two services of the same institution. RESULTS: The indicator that has met the criteria was the percentage of ergometric tests with exercise duration between 8 and 12 minutes. In the years 2010 and 2011, respectively, the percentage of ergometric tests within compliance were 85.5% and 86.1% (p=0.068) at the General Hospital, and 81.5% and 85.7% (p<0.001) the Service of Periodic Health Assessment. CONCLUSION: The exercise time between 8 and 12 minutes can be used as a quality criterion in ergometric and services where it was applied, at least 80% of the ergometric tests were compliant.

A ressonância magnética na avaliação atrial do coração de atleta / Magnetic resonance imaging in atrial assessment of athlete's heart

FUNDAMENTO: A avaliação dos átrios de atletas e esportistas através da ressonância magnética foi pouco realizada até o presente momento, o que implica na necessidade do reconhecimento de padrões de normalidade dessas câmaras cardíacas para essa população. OBJETIVOS: realizar a avaliação morfofuncional biatrial em atletas e esportistas de endurance e compará-las com indivíduos sedentários e hígidos da mesma faixa etária e gênero; MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional e retrospectivo realizado no Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia. Foram analisadas ressonâncias magnéticas de 25 atletas e esportistas, do gênero masculino, com idade entre 30 e 60 anos e comparadas com as de 10 sedentários, de mesmo gênero e faixa etária. Para ambos os átrios foram avaliados volumes diastólicos final (VDF) e sistólico final (VSF) e fração de ejeção, além da espessura de septo interatrial (SIA) e diâmetro anteroposterior do átrio esquerdo (AE). RESULTADOS: Apresentaram diferença estatística: VDF de átrio direito (AD) de 105,56 mL ±24,86 para atletas e 69,90 mL ±8,9 para sedentários... (AU)

Mechanical dyssynchrony is similar in different patterns of left bundle-branch block.

BACKGROUND: Left bundle-branch block (LBBB) and the presence of systolic dysfunction are the major indications for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Mechanical ventricular dyssynchrony on echocardiography can help identify patients responsive to CRT. Left bundle-branch block can have different morphologic patterns. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of mechanical dyssynchrony in different patterns of LBBB in patients with left systolic dysfunction. METHODS: This study assessed 48 patients with ejection fraction (EF) < 40% and LBBB consecutively referred for dyssynchrony analysis. Conventional echocardiography and mechanical dyssynchrony analysis were performed, interventricular and intraventricular, with ten known methods, using M mode, Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging, isolated or combined. The LBBB morphology was categorized according to left electrical axis deviation in the frontal plane and QRS duration > 150 ms. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 60 ± 11 years, 24 were males, and mean EF was 29% ± 7%. Thirty-two had QRS > 150 ms, and22, an electrical axis between -30º and +90º. Interventricular dyssynchrony was identified in 73% of the patients, while intraventricular dyssynchrony, in 37%-98%. Patients with QRS > 150 ms had larger left atrium and ventricle, and lower EF (p < 0.05). Left electrical axis deviation associated with worse diastolic function and greater atrial diameter. Interventricular and intraventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (ten methods) was similar in the different LBBB patterns (p = ns). CONCLUSION: In the two different electrocardiographic patterns of LBBB analyzed, no difference regarding the presence of mechanical dyssynchrony was observed.

Effect of mitral valve repair on cardiopulmonary exercise testing variables in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is the surgical procedure of choice for patients with chronic Mitral Regurgitation (MR). The good early and late results allow surgical indication before symptom onset. The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) can objectively assess functional capacity, but little is known about the effect of surgery on their variables. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of mitral repair on CPET variables in patients with chronic MR. METHODS: A total of 47 patients with severe MR were selected; these patients underwent mitral valve repair and were submitted to CPET ± 30 days before surgery, as well as six to 12 months after the surgery. RESULTS: There was predominance of functional class I or II NYHA in 30 (63.8%) and 34 patients (72.3%), respectively. A significant decrease in oxygen consumption (VO2) was observed after surgery, from 1,719 ± 571 to 1609 ± 428 mL min-1, p = 0.036. There was a decrease in Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope (OUES) from 1,857 ± 594 to 1763 ± 514, p = 0.073 and oxygen pulse (O2) increased after surgery, from 11.1 ± 3.2 to 11.9 ± 3, 2 mL.beat-1 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The mitral valve repair did not increase peak VO2 and OUES despite positive cardiac remodeling observed seven months after surgery. However, O2 pulse increased postoperatively, suggesting improved LV systolic performance. The CPET is a useful tool to assist in the medical management of patients with MR.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with left bundle branch block and preserved ejection fraction / Teste de Esforço cardiopulmonar em portadores de bloqueio do ramo esquerdo e fração de ejeção preservada

BACKGROUND: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) has prognostic significance in patients with congestive heart failure. However, its influence is not well established in patients with preserved systolic ventricular function. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implications of LBBB presence in the cardiovascular performance of patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function (LVEF). METHODS: 26 LBBB patients (61.3 ± 8.2 years of age) and 23 healthy individuals (58 ± 6.8 years of age) with LVEF > 0.5 underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). RESULTS: CPET analysis revealed: peak oxygen consumption (VO2 ) predicted in the LBBB group was 87.2 ± 15.0% versus 105.0 ± 15.6% (p < 0.0001); peak oxygen pulse predicted in LBBB group was 98.6 ± 18.6% vs 109.9 ± 13.5% (p = 0.02); VO2 predicted anaerobic threshold in LBBB group was 67.9 ± 13.6% vs 70.2 ± 12.8% (p = 0.55); ΔVO2 /Δload in the LBBB group was 15.5 ± 5.51 versus 20.7 ± 7.3 ml.min-1.watts-1 (p = 0.006); ventilation / carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 slope) in LBBB group was 29.8 ± 2.9 versus 26.2 ± 2.9 (p = 0.0001) and VO2 recovery time in the LBBB group was 85.2 ± 11.8 vs. 71.5 ± 11.0 seconds (p = 0.0001). LBBB was an independent marker for VE/VCO2 slope increase. CONCLUSION: LBBB presence in individuals with preserved LVEF did not affect cardiovascular performance, but there was an increase of the VE/VCO2 slope in comparison to the control group.

FUNDAMENTO: O bloqueio do ramo esquerdo (BRE) tem importância prognóstica em portadores de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva. Todavia, a sua influência não está bem estabelecida em pacientes com função ventricular sistólica preservada. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as implicações da presença do BRE no desempenho cardiovascular em pacientes com função sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) preservada. MÉTODOS: Foram submetidos ao teste de esforço cardiopulmonar (TECP), 26 portadores de BRE (61,3 ± 8,2 anos) e 23 indivíduos saudáveis (58 ± 6,8 anos), com FEVE > 0,5. RESULTADOS: A análise do TECP revelou: consumo de oxigênio (VO2 ) pico predito no grupo BRE foi de 87,2 ± 15,0% versus 105,0 ± 15,6% (p < 0,0001); pulso de oxigênio pico predito no grupo BRE foi de 98,6 ± 18,6% versus 109,9 ± 13,5%, (p = 0,02); VO2 predito limiar anaeróbico no grupo BRE foi de 67,9 ± 13,6 % versus 70,2 ± 12,8% (p = 0,55); ∆VO2 /∆carga no grupo BRE foi de 15,5 ± 5,51 versus 20,7 ± 7,3 ml.min-1.watts-1 (p = 0,006); relação ventilação/produção de dióxido de carbono (VE/VCO2 slope) no grupo BRE foi de 29,8 ± 2,9 versus 26,2 ± 2,9 (p = 0,0001) e tempo de recuperação do VO2 no grupo BRE foi de 85,2 ± 11,8 versus 71,5 ± 11,0 segundos (p = 0,0001). O BRE foi marcador independente para o aumento do VE/VCO2 slope. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de BRE em indivíduos com FEVE preservada não comprometeu o desempenho cardiovascular, mas houve aumento do VE/VCO2 slope em relação ao grupo controle.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test: Background, Applicability and Interpretation / Teste Cardiopulmonar de Exercício: Fundamentos, Aplicabilidade e Interpretação

ABSTRACT Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) has been gaining importance as a method of functional assessment in Brazil and worldwide. In its most frequent applications, CPET consists in applying a gradually increasing intensity exercise until exhaustion or until the appearance of limiting symptoms and/or signs. The following parameters are measured: ventilation; oxygen consumption (VO2); carbon dioxide production (VCO2); and the other variables of conventional exercise testing. In addition, in specific situations, pulse oximetry and flow-volume loops during and after exertion are measured. The CPET provides joint data analysis that allows complete assessment of the cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and metabolic systems during exertion, being considered gold standard for cardiorespiratory functional assessment.1-6 The CPET allows defining mechanisms related to low functional capacity that can cause symptoms, such as dyspnea, and correlate them with changes in the cardiovascular, pulmonary and skeletal muscle systems. Furthermore, it can be used to provide the prognostic assessment of patients with heart or lung diseases, and in the preoperative period, in addition to aiding in a more careful exercise prescription to healthy subjects, athletes and patients with heart or lung diseases. Similarly to CPET clinical use, its research also increases, with the publication of several scientific contributions from Brazilian researchers in high-impact journals. Therefore, this study aimed at providing a comprehensive review on the applicability of CPET to different clinical situations, in addition to serving as a practical guide for the interpretation of that test.

RESUMO O teste cardiopulmonar de exercício (TCPE) vem ganhando importância crescente como método de avaliação funcional tanto no Brasil quanto no Mundo. Nas suas aplicações mais frequentes, o teste consiste em submeter o indivíduo a um exercício de intensidade gradativamente crescente até a exaustão ou o surgimento de sintomas e/ou sinais limitantes. Neste exame se mensura a ventilação (VE), o consumo de oxigênio (VO2), a produção de gás carbônico (VCO2) e as demais variáveis de um teste de exercício convencional. Adicionalmente, podem ser verificadas, em situações específicas, a oximetria de pulso e as alças fluxo-volume antes, durante e após o esforço. A análise integrada dos dados permite a completa avaliação dos sistemas cardiovascular, respiratório, muscular e metabólico no esforço, sendo considerado padrão-ouro na avaliação funcional cardiorrespiratória.1-6 O TCPE permite definir mecanismos relacionados à baixa capacidade funcional, os quais podem ser causadores de sintomas como a dispneia, correlacionando-os com alterações dos sistemas cardiovascular, pulmonar e musculoesquelético. Também pode ser de grande aplicabilidade na avaliação prognóstica em cardiopatas, pneumopatas e em pré-operatório, além de auxiliar na prescrição mais criteriosa do exercício em sujeitos normais, em atletas, em cardiopatas e em pneumopatas. Assim como ocorre com o uso clínico, a pesquisa nesse campo também cresce e várias contribuições científicas de pesquisadores nacionais são publicadas em periódicos de alto fator de impacto. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste documento é fornecer uma revisão ampla da aplicabilidade do TCPE nas diferentes situações clínicas, bem como servir como guia prático na interpretação desse teste propedêutico.

Reduction in Post-Marathon Peak Oxygen Consumption: Sign of Cardiac Fatigue in Amateur Runners? / Redução no Consumo de Oxigênio Pico Pós Maratona: Sinal de Fadiga Cardíaca em Corredores Amadores?

Abstract Background: Prolonged aerobic exercise, such as running a marathon, produces supraphysiological stress that can affect the athlete's homeostasis. Some degree of transient myocardial dysfunction ("cardiac fatigue") can be observed for several days after the race. Objective: To verify if there are changes in the cardiopulmonary capacity, and cardiac inotropy and lusitropy in amateur marathoners after running a marathon. Methods: The sample comprised 6 male amateur runners. All of them underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) one week before the São Paulo Marathon, and 3 to 4 days after that race. They underwent echocardiography 24 hours prior to and immediately after the marathon. All subjects were instructed not to exercise, to maintain their regular diet, ingest the same usual amount of liquids, and rest at least 8 hours a day in the period preceding the CPET. Results: The athletes completed the marathon in 221.5 (207; 250) minutes. In the post-marathon CPET, there was a significant reduction in peak oxygen consumption and peak oxygen pulse compared to the results obtained before the race (50.75 and 46.35 mL.kg-1 .min-1; 19.4 and 18.1 mL.btm, respectively). The echocardiography showed a significant reduction in the s' wave (inotropic marker), but no significant change in the E/e' ratio (lusitropic marker). Conclusions: In amateur runners, the marathon seems to promote changes in the cardiopulmonary capacity identified within 4 days after the race, with a reduction in the cardiac contractility. Such changes suggest that some degree of "cardiac fatigue" can occur.

Resumo Fundamento: O exercício aeróbico prolongado, como correr uma maratona, produz um estresse suprafisiológico que pode ter impacto na homeostase do atleta. Algum grau de disfunção miocárdica transitória ("fadiga cardíaca") pode ser observado ao longo de vários dias após a prova. Objetivos: Verificar se ocorrem alterações na capacidade cardiopulmonar, no inotropismo e no lusitropismo cardíaco de maratonistas amadores após a realização de uma maratona. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 6 corredores amadores masculinos. Todos realizaram teste cardiopulmonar de exercício (TCPE) uma semana antes da Maratona de São Paulo e 3 a 4 dias após a mesma. Realizaram ecocardiograma 24 horas antes e imediatamente após a prova. Todos foram orientados a não se exercitar, manter dieta regular, ingerir a mesma quantidade habitual de líquidos e descansar pelo menos 8 horas ao dia no período anterior ao TCPE. Resultados: Os atletas completaram a maratona em 221,5 (207; 250) minutos. No TCPE pós-maratona, ocorreu redução significativa no consumo de oxigênio e no pulso de oxigênio de pico em relação àqueles obtidos antes da prova (50,75 e 46,35 ml.kg-1.min-1; 19,4 e 18,1 ml.btm, respectivamente). Ao ecocardiograma, encontramos redução significativa na onda s' (marcador do inotropismo). A relação E/e' não apresentou alteração significativa após a maratona (marcador do lusitropismo). Conclusões: Em atletas amadores, a maratona parece promover alterações na capacidade cardiopulmonar identificadas pelo menos em até 4 dias após a prova, com redução na contratilidade e, portanto, no inotropismo cardíaco. Tais modificações sugerem que algum grau de "fadiga cardíaca" possa ocorrer.

Teste de caminhada de seis minutos após infarto agudo do miocárdio: comparação com teste ergométrico / Six-minute walk test after acute myocardial infarction: comparison with the treadmill stress test

Objetivos: Verificar a distância do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) em pacientes após infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) não complicado, comparar variáveis do teste ergométrico (TE) com do TC6 e verificar quais influenciaram no TC6. Métodos: Incluímos 61 pacientes com IAM não complicado, 47 homens (78,7%), 56,38 ± 9,98 anos. O TE foi realizado após quatro a cinco dias de IAM e, um a dois dias após O TE foi realizado após quatro a cinco dias de IAM e, um a dois dias após o TE, os pacientes foram submetidos ao TC6. Utilizamos teste t de Student ou ilcoxon, correlação de Pearson ou Spearman e análise de covariância. P<0,05. Resultados: Todos os pacientes realizaram o TC6 sem complicações. A distância no TC6 foi 451,54 ± 88,30 m, consumo de oxigênio estimado pelo TE = 25,66 ± 8,78 ml/Kg/min e uma correlação fraca entre eles (r=0,353; p=0,006). Verificou-se redução da metragem com o aumento da idade (p=0,009), aumento do índice de massa corpórea (p=0,045) e sexo feminino (p < 0,001) na distância média do TC6. A frequência cardíaca e pressão arterial sistólica pico médias foram maiores no TE do que no TC6. Na recuperação, estes valores retornaram mais próximos aos valores basais no TC6 do que no TE, exceto para a pressão diastólica. Conclusão: O sexo, a idade e índice de massa corpórea influenciaram na distância média do TC6. As respostas cardiovasculares do TC6 foram menos intensas do que TE nos pacientes estudados.

Noninvasive assessment of patients undergoing percutaneous intervention in myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Restenosis after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) remains an important clinical problem, even with stent implantation. The ability of noninvasive testing to diagnose restenosis has had only inconsistent demonstration. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the ability of exercise treadmill testing (ETT) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to diagnose restenosis in patients treated by PPCI within 12 hours of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: From August 2003 to January 2006, 64 patients (mean age of 56.2±10.2 years, 53 males) were enrolled after PPCI. Only patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 40%, as assessed by resting transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), were included. ETT with 12-lead ECG monitoring and right precordial leads, as also MPI were performed at 6 weeks, 6 months, and one year after intervention. Coronary angiography was performed at six months. RESULTS: Single-vessel disease was observed in 46.9% of the patients. The left anterior descending coronary artery was treated in 48.4% of the patients. Angiographic restenosis occurred in 28.8%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of ETT in detecting restenosis were not significant. Right precordial leads did not add information. MPI sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy correlated with restenosis only in the 6-month follow-up, both when considering summed difference score >2 (p=0.006) and >4 (p=0.014). CONCLUSION: ETT did not discriminate restenosis in this population. MPI performed at 6 months correlated with restenosis and proved useful during follow-up.