The value of pre-transplant coronary angiography findings in kidney transplant candidates at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of mortality after kidney transplantation. Whether pre-transplant screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic kidney transplant candidates (KTCs) is beneficial is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating post-transplant cardiovascular events in 192 high-risk KTCs who underwent pre-transplant CAD evaluation.

Coronary Artery Disease Assessment and Cardiovascular Events in Middle-Aged Patients on Hemodialysis.

Objective: To explore whether, in younger patients on dialysis with longer life expectancy, assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) could identify individuals at higher risk of events and revascularization might improve outcomes in selected patients contrary to what had been observed in elderly patients.

Methods: From August 1997 to January 2019, 2265 patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease were prospectively referred for cardiovascular assessment. For this study, we selected 1374 asymptomatic patients aged between 18 and 64 years.

Long-term results of the Ross operation in rheumatic valve disease.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) on the long-term outcomes of the Ross operation when compared to patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV).

Methods And Results: We analysed patients with rheumatic disease and BAV who underwent a Ross operation between 1995 and 2020. The primary outcomes were late survival and reoperations on the pulmonary autograft and the right ventricular allograft.

Anomalous Coronary Arteries: When to Follow-up, Risk Stratify, and Plan Intervention.

Purpose Of Review: Coronary artery anomalies are a diverse group of entities, ranging from benign variations of normal anatomy to life-threatening conditions. There is, however, no universal consensus in their classification, risk stratification, and management. The aim of this review is to develop a straightforward clinical approach for the assessment and care of patients with anomalous coronary arteries.

Coronary artery disease and body mass index: What is the relationship?

Introduction: Nowadays, obesity is considered an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which has been presented as an important cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality, especially coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective of the study was to verify the association between body mass index (BMI) and severity of CAD, its risk factors and surgical and percutaneous treatment in patients hospitalized in cardiological units.

Methods: An ambispective, cross-sectional study was performed with patients older than 18 years attended by nutrition in the cardiology units, who underwent coronary angiography.

Aortic Counterpulsation Therapy in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: Analysis of the TBRIDGE Registry.

Background: The use of aortic counterpulsation therapy in advanced heart failure is controversial.

Objectives: To evaluate the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and its impact on 30-day mortality in patients with heart failure.

Methods: Historical prospective, unicentric study to evaluate all patients treated with IABP between August/2008 and July/2013, included in an institutional registry named TBRIDGE (The Brazilian Registry of Intra-aortic balloon pump in Decompensated heart failure - Global Evaluation).

Case series of infective endocarditis caused by Granulicatella species.

Background: Nutritionally variant streptococci (NVS) are Gram-positive cocci characterized by their dependence on pyridoxal or cysteine supplementation for growth in standard blood culture media. They are responsible for severe infections in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed hosts, including infective endocarditis (IE). NVS have been divided into two different genera, Granulicatella and Abiotrophia.

Anomalous right coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery and constrictive pericarditis: an unusual association.

The association of anomalous right coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery and constrictive pericarditis has never been showed in the literature. We present the first case of this unusual association in a patient with right heart failure. After diagnosis, the patient was referred to surgery and underwent phrenic-to-phrenic pericardiectomy; graft implant of right internal thoracic artery to right coronary artery; and ligation of the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.

Aortic dissection-induced acute flaccid paraplegia treated with cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening event in which prompt and correct diagnosis is associated with better outcomes. In most cases, there is chest or back pain. However, in rare cases, patients have little or no pain and other symptoms are more conspicuous at presentation.