Admar Moraes de Souza

Estudo ecocardiográfico evolutivo das alterações anátomo-funcionais do coração em obesos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica

OBJECTIVE To evaluate with Doppler echocardiography the reversibility of structural and hemodynamic changes in obeses after bariatric surgery. METHODS Twenty-three patients (19 women = 82.6%) were studied. Mean age was 37.9 years. All subjects had Class III or Class II obesity with comorbidity and were submitted to bariatric surgery. Clinical and echocardiographic evaluation were performed preoperatively, in 6 months and 3 years after surgery. RESULTS Preoperatively, the mean weight and blood pressure (BP) were respectively 128.7 +/- 25.8 kg and 142.2 +/- 16.2 / 92.2 +/- 10.4 mmHg. Postoperatively, they showed important body weight reduction in 6 months (97.6 +/- 18.3 kg) and 3 years (83.6 +/- 13.5 kg), and BP reduction in 6 months (128.5 +/- 16.1/80.7 +/- 9.9 mmHg) that remain stable in 3rd year. On echocardiogram, preoperatively, there was hypertrophy of the septum and posterior wall associated with normal diastolic dimension; the predominant LV geometric pattern was concentric remodeling (74%). At six months, thinning of the ventricular septum and LV posterior wall, and increase in LV diastolic dimension were demonstrated. At 3rd year, the predominant LV pattern was normal (69%), with reduction of LV mass and LV mass/height2 index. We noticed improved diastolic function, with an increased E/A ratio and a decreased LV isovolumic relaxation time. The Myocardial Performance Index was obtained retrospectively in 13 patients and improved in 6 months. There was an increase of the ejection time in 6 months and an elevation of the ejection fraction in 3rd year, suggesting improvement of the LV systolic function. CONCLUSION The weight loss obtained with bariatric surgery promotes both structural and functional myocardial changes that improve cardiac performance.

Transcranial Doppler for patent foramen ovale screening: is there a good correlation with transesophageal echocardiography?

UNLABELLED Right-to-left shunt (RLS) can be identified by contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (cTCD) in patent foramen ovale (PFO) patients. AIM To evaluate cTCD for PFO screening comparing it to cTEE. METHOD 45 previous cTCD performed for PFO diagnosis and correlated its findings with cTEE. Patients were submitted to a cTCD standardized technique and were divided in two groups according to RLS: Group 1, patients with a positive RLS and Group 2 when RLS was negative. RESULTS 29 (65%) patients were included in group 1 and 16 (35%) in group 2. PFO confirmation by cTEE was performed in 28 (62%) patients. cTCD had a 92.85% sensitivity, 82.35% specificity, 89.65% positive predictive value and 87.5% negative predictive value when compared to cTEE for PFO diagnosis. CONCLUSION Standardized technique cTCD allows for RLS visualization in PFO patients with a good correlation with cTEE and can be used as a screening test before cTEE.

An Analysis of Electrocardiographic Criteria for Determining Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE To determine the most sensitive criterion for the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy according to echocardiographically defined left ventricular mass. METHODS The Sokolow-Lyon voltage, Sokolow-Lyon-Rappaport, Cornell voltage duration product, White-Bock, and Romhilt-Estes point scoring criteria were compared with left ventricular mass index, corrected for body surface, obtained from the echocardiograms of 306 outpatients (176 females, 130 males), of all age groups. RESULTS The Cornell voltage duration product criteria index had the greatest sensitivity in women (54.90%), and the Sokolow-Lyon-Rappaport index was most sensitive in men (73.53%). When applied to men at the same voltage amplitude (20mm) as that in women, the Cornell index showed increased sensitivity relative to the conventional index (28mm) of 67.65% (P</=0.01) and a sensitivity similar to that of the Sokolow-Lyon-Rappaport index, with higher specificity (P</=0.01). The White-Bock and Romhilt-Estes criteria were the least sensitive in men and women, despite their high specificity. The electrocardiographic criteria were more efficient when dilatation predominated over left ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSION The Cornell index had greater sensitivity in women, and the Sokolow-Lyon-Rappaport index was more sensitive in men. When applied to men at the same voltage amplitude as that of women, the Cornell index had an increase in sensitivity similar to that of the Sokolow-Lyon-Rappaport index.

Prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in liver transplant candidates

Background - Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an important clinical problem associated with chronic liver disease. Liver transplantation can result in complete resolution of the arterial hypoxemia associated with this syndrome, even in its most severe presentation. Aim - To determine the prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates. Patients and Methods - Fifty-four consecutives adult patients (³18 years) with severe liver disease waiting for liver transplant were screenned for arterial hypoxemia (PaO2 <70 mm Hg) while they were seated, at rest, and breathing room air. Patients with arterial hypoxemia underwent contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography and pulmonary function testing. Hypoxemia (PaO2 <70 mm Hg) was present in 7 of 54 patients (12,9%), although only 1 of them complained of dyspnea. The Childs classification of the patients were: A = 1, B = 4, and C = 1. All seven hypoxemic patients had positive contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography, consistent with hepatopulmonary syndrome. Conclusion - The prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates is elevated. The screenning for hepatopulmonay syndrome should be part of the routine evaluation of liver transplant candidates even in the absence of pulmonary symptoms.BACKGROUND Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an important clinical problem associated with chronic liver disease. Liver transplantation can result in complete resolution of the arterial hypoxemia associated with this syndrome, even in its most severe presentation. AIM To determine the prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty-four consecutives adult patients (> or = 18 years) with severe liver disease waiting for liver transplant were screened for arterial hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mm Hg) while they were seated, at rest, and breathing room air. Patients with arterial hypoxemia underwent contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography and pulmonary function testing. Hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mm Hg) was present in 7 of 54 patients (12.9%), although only 1 of them complained of dyspnea. The Childs classification of the patients were: A = 1, B = 4, and C = 1. All seven hypoxemic patients had positive contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography, consistent with hepatopulmonary syndrome. CONCLUSION The prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates is elevated. The screening for hepatopulmonary syndrome should be part of the routine evaluation of liver transplant candidates even in the absence of pulmonary symptoms.

Associação entre marcadores de inflamação e aumento do átrio esquerdo em pacientes de hemodiálise

BACKGROUND In individuals with concurrent chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the association between left atrial volume (LAV) and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) is shown. OBJECTIVE Verify the presence of associations between systemic inflammation and LA dilation in patients on hemodialysis (HD) without clinically evident CVD. METHODS This was an observational cross-sectional study of a population on HD (> 3 months), which excluded patients with acute or chronic inflammatory diseases (infections, malignancies, autoimmune diseases) hemodynamic instability, use of anti-inflammatory drugs, hyperparathyroidism, arrhythmias, mitral valve disease and prior cardiovascular (CV) events. CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) measurements as well as Doppler echocardiography were obtained. Correlation coefficients were determined to evaluate the associations between variables. RESULTS A total of 58 patients were included (28 men, aged 55 ± 15 years), on HD for 24 ± 16 months, 45% were hypertensive, 26% diabetic, with median CRP of 5.1 mg/dL and IL-6 of 6.1 pg/dL. CRP significantly correlated with LAV (p = 0.040), LAV index (LAVi, p = 0.02) and mitral inflow E wave (p = 0.014). IL-6, despite the strong association with CRP levels (r = 0.75, p < 0.001), did not correlate with echocardiographic indices. Individuals in the top quartile of CRP had significantly higher LAVi than the others (42 ± 17 versus 32 ± 11 mL/m², p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS In subjects on HD with no prior CV event, there was an association between elevated CRP levels and LA enlargement. The findings suggest an association between physiopathological processes related to left atrial dilation and systemic inflammatory state of patients on HD.

Eficácia, segurança e aderência ao tratamento de longo prazo com hormônio de crescimento (GH) em adultos com deficiência de GH

AIM To study efficacy, safety and compliance of GH therapy for 4 years in 18 GH deficient (GHD) adults [12 women; mean age 50.5 yrs (25-66 yrs)]. METHODS Clinical, biochemical and body composition (DXA) measurements were performed before and every year after GH therapy. Ecocardiography was performed at baseline and after 4 years. Dose of GH was 0.2 mg/day during the first year with subsequent titration to attain normal IGF-1 levels. RESULTS There was a significant reduction of total body fat (mean 2.8 kg), truncal fat (mean 1.9 kg) and an increase of lean body mass (mean 0.8 kg) and bone mineral density (BMD) on lumbar spine and femur, particularly in sites with T-score<-1,0 at baseline. Insulin levels and HOMA index worsened in the first year, but at the end no changes were noted on glucose, insulin, HOMA index and glycosylated hemoglobin. Two patients with altered glucose tolerance at baseline developed type 2 diabetes during follow-up. Total and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower after therapy, with changes directly associated with baseline values. Cardiac parameters did not change. Side effects were mild and disappeared spontaneously. Tumor recurrence was not observed. Low compliance (estimated by low IGF-1 levels) was observed in 4 (22%), 2 (11%) and 6 (33%) patients at the end of second, third and fourth year, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Four years of GH therapy in GHD adults had a positive impact on body composition, BMD and lipid profile, with no effects on insulin sensitivity and heart. Glucose tolerance should be monitored carefully during long-term GH therapy.

Comparative Study between Perfusion Changes and Positive Findings on Coronary Flow Reserve

Background Functional assessment of coronary artery obstruction is used in cardiology practice to correlate anatomic obstructions with flow decrease. Among such assessments, the study of the coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) has become the most widely used. Objective To evaluate the correlation between FFR and findings of ischemia obtained by noninvasive methods including stress echocardiography and nuclear medicine and the presence of critical coronary artery obstruction. Methods Retrospective study of cases treated with systematized and standardized procedures for coronary disease between March 2011 and August 2014. We included 96 patients with 107 critical coronary obstructions (> 50% in the coronary trunk and/or ≥ 70% in other segments) estimated by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS). All cases presented ischemia in one of the noninvasive studies. Results All 96 patients presented ischemia (100%) in one of the functional tests. On FFR study with adenosine 140 g/kg/min, 52% of the cases had values ≤ 0.80. On correlation analysis for FFR ≤ 0.80, the evaluation of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and ROC curve in relation to the stenosis degree and length, and presence of ischemia, no significant values or strong correlation were observed. Conclusion Coronary FFR using a cut-off value of 0.80 showed no correlation with noninvasive ischemia tests in patients with severe coronary artery obstructions on QCA and ICUS.

[Assessment of diastolic function in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus - are there early signs of diabetic cardiomyopathy?].

OBJECTIVES To evaluate diastolic function (DF) of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Cross-sectional study of 67 otherwise healthy diabetic patients, and a control group (n = 84) in regard to age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Dopplere-chocardiography, and ECG for both groups; and disease duration, HbA1C, microalbuminuria, and serum lipids for DM 1 patients. RESULTS Diastolic alterations [(A and E mitral waves, E/A ratio, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and E wave deceleration time (EWDT)] were found in diabetic patients, with higher prevalence among pubertal girls (13-17 years old). IVRT and EWDT correlated positively with BMI (p = 0.028). Chronological age and disease duration were predictive factors for mitral A wave (p = 0.004 and 0.033, respectively). CONCLUSIONS DF alterations were detected in the group of diabetic patients, with greater prevalence among pubertal girls; disease duration and age influenced parameters of DF.

Cirurgia conservadora da endocardite bacteriana aguda da valva tricúspide

One case of acute bacterial endocarditis of the tricuspid valve caused by S. aureus and following a septic abortion is presented. Surgical treatment was indicated after failure of antibiotics. Operation consisted of excision of a large vegetation adherent to the anterior and posterior cusps at the commisure and of the affected valvar tissue. Annular plicature at the segment corresponding to the posterior cuspid was employed to maintain competence. Clinical result was very satisfactory with resolution of sepsis. Dopplerecocardiography revealed the presence of the vegetation before the operation and showed a small regurgitation after valvoplasty. Conservative operation upon the atrioventricular valves must be kept in mind as an alternative in the treatment of acute bacterial endocarditis.