Publications by authors named "Cristina S Bittar"
Cardiotoxicity is the most worrying cardiovascular alteration in patients treated with chemotherapy. To improve the understanding regarding the cardiotoxicity, we studied whether ) patients with cardiac dysfunction related to anthracycline-based chemotherapy have augmented sympathetic nerve activity and decreased exercise capacity and ) these responses are similar to those observed in patients with heart failure caused by other etiologies. Sixteen patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction related to anthracycline-based chemotherapy with or without chest radiation (HFrEFCA), 10 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection not related to cancer therapy (HFrEF), and 16 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy control subjects were studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is responsible for the largest pandemic facing humanity since the Spanish flu pandemic in the early twentieth century. Since there is no specific antiviral treatment, optimized support is the most relevant factor in the patient's prognosis. In the hospital setting, the identification of high-risk patients for clinical deterioration is essential to ensure access to intensive treatment of severe conditions in a timely manner.
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- Thymomas are generally tumors with a good outlook but can invade surrounding tissues; this case involved a 56-year-old woman with an invasive thymoma.
- * She presented symptoms similar to acute coronary syndrome and a coronary CT showed that the tumor was affecting her heart muscle and blood supply.
- * Due to the poor prognosis and the tumor's location, no further treatment was pursued, underscoring the complexity of managing unresectable thymomas.
Article Synopsis
- - The COVID-19 pandemic prompted significant changes in healthcare routines and services to help control the virus and protect public health.
- - There is a heightened focus on managing patients in high-risk groups, specifically the elderly, those with cardiovascular diseases, and cancer patients.
- - Cardio-oncology has evolved to better meet the needs of these patients during the pandemic, prioritizing quality and safety in their care.
In face of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the management of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and/or disease is challenging. The cardiovascular complications evidenced in patients with COVID-19 derive from several mechanisms, ranging from direct viral injury to complications secondary to the inflammatory and thrombotic responses to the infection. The proper care of patients with COVID-19 requires special attention to the cardiovascular system aimed at better outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In recent years, the field of cardio-oncology has grown worldwide, bringing benefits to cancer patients in terms of survival and quality of life. This study reports the experience of a pioneer cardio-oncology programme at University Cancer Hospital in Brazil over a period of 10 years, describing the clinical profile of patients and the clinical outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of patients treated at the cardio-oncology programme from April 2009 to February 2019.
Article Synopsis
- Takotsubo syndrome is an important but often underdiagnosed condition that leads to temporary heart failure, usually triggered by stress.
- It is frequently linked with cancer, which can worsen patient outcomes, making early detection and treatment crucial.
- This manuscript aims to highlight the relationship between cancer and Takotsubo syndrome, summarizing evidence to help doctors manage affected patients more effectively.
Article Synopsis
- - Erdheim-Chester Disease is a rare inflammatory myeloid neoplasm primarily affecting men over 50 years old, though its exact incidence is unknown.
- - It often presents as a multisystemic condition, impacting the skeletal system in 90% of patients, with genitourinary issues in 60% and central nervous system involvement in 25%.
- - More than half of the patients experience cardiovascular symptoms, with aortic infiltration and atrial pseudotumors being the most frequent manifestations.
When dealing with surgical patients, a perioperative evaluation is essential to anticipate complications and institute measures to reduce the risks. Several algorithms and exams have been used to identify postoperative cardiovascular events, which account for more than 50% of perioperative mortality. However, they are far from ideal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF[I Brazilian Guideline for Cardio-Oncology from Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia].
Arq Bras Cardiol
December 2011
Background And Objectives: An accurate predictor of effective intravascular volume is of paramount importance for patients submitted to major surgical procedures. A new method to evaluate intravascular volume based on systolic blood pressure variations (SPV), (difference between the maximum and minimum systolic values during controlled respiratory cycle) and its variable delta down (dDown) has shown to be a sensitive indicator of ventricular preload. As SPV is not routinely used in clinical practice our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of this parameter in evaluating volume status of patients submitted to cardiac surgery.
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