Ruptured Aneurysm of the Sinus of Valsalva Causing Pulmonary Embolism: A Rare Association.

Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare. Unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is usually asymptomatic and rarely presents as right ventricular outflow obstruction, myocardial infarction as a result of coronary artery compression, conduction disturbances, or endocarditis. They have only been reported as the presumed source of embolism in six cases.

Evaluation of clinical and laboratory parameters used in the identification of index cases for genetic screening of familial hypercholesterolemia in Brazil.

Background And Aims: There is controversy on the accuracy of different diagnostic criteria for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The aim of this study is to assess the performance of different clinical criteria used to identify individuals for FH genetic cascade screening in Brazil.

Methods: All index cases (IC) registered in the Hipercol Brasil program between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed.

Clinical Course After Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation: Chagasic Versus Ischemic Patients.

Background: The outcome of Chagas disease patients after receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is still controversial.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes after ICD implantation in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) and ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Methods: Prospective study of a population of 153 patients receiving ICD (65 with CCC and 88 with IHD).

Upstream clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor for patients treated with primary angioplasty: Results of an angiographic randomized pilot study.

Objetives: The main objective of the present randomized pilot study was to explore the effects of upstream prasugrel or ticagrelor or clopidogrel for patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: Administration of clopidogrel "as soon as possible" has been advocated for STEMI. Pretreatment with prasugrel and ticagrelor may improve reperfusion.

Development and Validation of Predictive Models of Cardiac Mortality and Transplantation in Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: 30-40% of cardiac resynchronization therapy cases do not achieve favorable outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to develop predictive models for the combined endpoint of cardiac death and transplantation (Tx) at different stages of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods: Prospective observational study of 116 patients aged 64.

Echocardiographic Predictors of Worse Outcome After Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is the recommended treatment by leading global guidelines. However, 30%-40% of selected patients are non-responders.

Objective: To develop an echocardiographic model to predict cardiac death or transplantation (Tx) 1 year after CRT.

Blood pressure measurement in different outpatient clinics.

The objective of this study is to investigate how blood pressure is measured in different outpatient clinics. This is a retrospective study performed with 1,000 patients, randomly selected among patients followed in different outpatient clinics in Fortaleza, Brazil. Among the 1,000 patients, 962 had available records.

Determination of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients and in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: The normal 24-hour albumin excretion rate is of 20 mg. A persistent rate of 30 to 300 mg/day is called microalbuminuria and is related to a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease.

Objective: 1) To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in a group of hypertensive patients and in a group of patients with coronary artery disease; 2) To determine the relationship between the presence of microalbuminuria and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking and obesity.