Anibal Pires Borges

The impact of blood transfusion on morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVESnTo analyze the impact of blood transfusion on the incidence of clinical outcomes postoperatively (PO) from cardiac surgery.nnnMETHODSnRetrospective cohort study. We analyzed 4028 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve (TV), or both, in Brazilian tertiary university hospital between 1996 and 2009. We compared the postoperative complications between patients with blood transfusion (n = 916) and non-blood transfusion (n = 3112). Univariate analysis was performed using the Student t test, and multivariate logistic regression bivariate (stepwise forward). Were considered significant variables with P <0.05.nnnRESULTSnPatients who received blood transfusions had more infectious episodes as mediastinitis (4.9% vs. 2.2%, P <0.001), respiratory infection (27.8% vs 17.1%, P <0.001) and sepsis (6.2% vs. 2.5%, P <0.001). There were more episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF) (27% vs. 20.4%, P <0.001), acute renal failure (ARF) (14.5% vs 7.3%, P <0.001) and stroke (4.8% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.001). The length of PO hospital stay was higher in transfused (13 ± 12.07 days vs. 9.72 ± 7.66 days, P <0.001). However, mortality didnt differ between groups (10.9% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.112). The transfusion was shown to be a risk factor for: respiratory infection (OR: 1.91, 95% CI 1.59-2.29, P <0.001), AF (OR: 1.35, 95% CI 1.13-1.61, P = 0.01), sepsis (OR: 2.08, 95% CI 1.4-3.07, P <0.001), mediastinitis (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.43-3.21, P <0.001), stroke (OR: 1.63, 95% CI 1.1-2.41, P = 0.014) and ARF (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.39-2.33, P <0.001).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe blood transfusion is associated with increased risk of infectious events, episodes of AF, ARF and stroke, as well as the increased length of hospital stay but not mortality.

The use of inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme and its relation to events in the postoperative period of CABG

BACKGROUNDnAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce the chance of death, myocardial infarction (MI) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in patients with coronary disease. However there is no consensus as to its indication in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).nnnOBJECTIVEnTo assess the relationship between preoperative use of ACE inhibitors and clinical outcomes after CABG.nnnMETHODSnRetrospective cohort study. We included data from 3,139 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG in Brazilian tertiary care hospital between January 1996 and December 2009. Follow-up was until discharge or death. Clinical outcomes after surgery were analyzed between users and nonusers of ACE inhibitors preoperatively.nnnRESULTSnFifty-two percent (n=1,635) of patients received ACE inhibitors preoperatively. The use of ACE inhibitors was an independent predictor of need for inotropic support (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.47, P = 0.01), acute renal failure (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.73, P = 0.04) and progression to atrial fibrillation (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.7, P = 0.03) postoperatively. The mortality rate among patients receiving or not preoperative ACE inhibitors was similar (10.3% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.436), as well as the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke (15.6% vs. 15.0%, P = 0.694 and 3.4% vs. 3.5%, P = 0.963, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe use of preoperative ACE inhibitors was associated with increased need for inotropic support and higher incidence of acute renal failure and postoperative atrial fibrillation, not associated with increased rates of myocardial infarction, stroke or death.

Prevalence of oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia and is associated with poor outcomes, including stroke. The ability of anticoagulation therapy to reduce the risk of stroke has been well established; however, the prevalence of anticoagulation therapy use in the Public Health System is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate both the prevalence of anticoagulation therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation and the indications for the treatment. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included consecutive patients who had atrial fibrillation documented by an electrocardiogram performed between September 2011 and March 2012 at a university hospital of the Public Health System. The variables analyzed included the risk of a thromboembolic event and/or bleeding, the use of antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy, the location where the electrocardiogram report was initially reviewed and the specialty of the physician who initially reviewed it. RESULTS: We included 162 patients (mean age 68.9 years, 56% men). Hypertension (90.1%), heart failure (53.4%) and stroke (38.9%) were the most prevalent diseases found. Only 50.6% of the patients knew that they had atrial fibrillation. Regarding the use of therapy, only 37.6% of patients classified as high risk according to the CHADS2 scores and 35.5% according to the CHA2DS2VASc used oral anticoagulation. A presumptive diagnosis of heart failure and the fact that the electrocardiogram was evaluated by a cardiologist were the only independent predictors of the use of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found a low prevalence of oral anticoagulation therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation and an indication for stroke prophylaxis for the use of this therapy, including among those with high CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc scores.

Predictors of Total Mortality and Echocardiographic Response for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Cohort Study

Background Clinical studies demonstrate that up to 40% of patients do not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), thus, appropriate patient selection is critical to the success of CRT in heart failure. Objective Evaluation of mortality predictors and response to CRT in the Brazilian scenario. Methods Retrospective cohort study including patients submitted to CRT in a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil from 2008 to 2014. Survival was assessed through a database of the State Department of Health (RS). Predictors of echocardiographic response were evaluated using Poisson regression. Survival analysis was performed by Cox regression and Kaplan Meyer curves. A two-tailed p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 170 patients with an average follow-up of 1011 ± 632 days were included. The total mortality was 30%. The independent predictors of mortality were age (hazard ratio [HR] of 1.05, p = 0.027), previous acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (HR of 2.17, p = 0.049) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (HR of 3.13, p = 0.015). The percentage of biventricular stimulation at 6 months was identified as protective factor of mortality ([HR] 0.97, p = 0.048). The independent predictors associated with the echocardiographic response were absence of mitral insufficiency, presence of left bundle branch block and percentage of biventricular stimulation. Conclusion Mortality in patients submitted to CRT in a tertiary hospital was independently associated with age, presence of COPD and previous AMI. The percentage of biventricular pacing evaluated 6 months after resynchronizer implantation was independently associated with improved survival and echocardiographic response.

Cardiac Pacing Induced Cardiomyopathy: Mith or Reality Sustained by Evidence?

Implantable cardiac pacing systems are a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic irreversible bradycardia. Under the proper indications, cardiac pacing might bring significant clinical benefit. Evidences from literature state that the action of the artificial pacing system, mainly when the ventricular lead is located at the apex of the right ventricle, produces negative effects to cardiac structure (remodeling, dilatation) and function (dissinchrony). Patients with previously compromised left ventricular function would benefit the least with conventional right ventricle apical pacing, and are exposed to the risk of developing higher incidence of morbidity and mortality for heart failure. However, after almost 6 decades of cardiac pacing, just a reduced portion of patients in general would develop these alterations. In this context, there are not completely clear some issues related to cardiac pacing and the development of this cardiomyopathy. Causality relationships among QRS widening with a left bundle branch block morphology, contractility alterations within the left ventricle, and certain substrates or clinical (previous systolic dysfunction, structural heart disease, time from implant) or electrical conditions (QRS duration, percentage of ventricular stimulation) are still subjecte of debate. This review analyses contemporary data regarding this new entity, and discusses alternatives of how to use cardiac pacing in this context, emphasizing cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Atrial fibrillation ablation by use of electroanatomical mapping: efficacy and recurrence factors.

Background Radiofrequency catheter ablation guided by electroanatomical mapping is currently an important therapeutic option for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The complexity of the procedure, the several techniques used and the diversity of the patients hinder the reproduction of the results and the indication for the procedure. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and factors associated with recurrence of atrial fibrillation. Methods Prospective cohort study with consecutive patients submitted to atrial fibrillation ablation treatment guided by electroanatomical mapping. The inclusion criteria were as follows: minimum age of 18 years; presence of paroxysmal, persistent or long-standing persistent AF; AF recording on an electrocardiogram, exercise testing or Holter monitoring (duration longer than 15 minutes); presence of symptoms associated with AF episodes; AF refractoriness to, at least, two antiarrhythmic drugs, one of which being amiodarone, or impossibility to use antiarrhythmic drugs. Results The study included 95 patients (age 55 ± 12 years, 84% men, mean CHADS2 = 0.8) who underwent 102 procedures with a median follow-up of 13.4 months. The recurrence-free rate after the procedure was 75.5% after 12 months. Atrial fibrillation recurred as follows: 26.9% of patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation; 45.8% of patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (p = 0.04). Of the analyzed variables, the increased size of the left atrium has proven to be an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence after the procedure (HR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.26-4.89). Complications occurred in 4.9% of the procedures. Conclusion Atrial fibrillation ablation guided by electroanatomical mapping has shown good efficacy. The increase in left atrium size was associated with atrial fibrillation recurrence.