Influence of spironolactone therapy on thiamine blood levels in patients with heart failure.

Background: The nonpharmacological management of heart failure (HF) has been understudied. The importance of micronutrients such as thiamine has long been known since its deficiency is associated with the development of high-output HF.

Objective: We studied the relationship between adding to ACE inhibition further aldosterone suppression with spironolactone and thiamine blood levels (pmol/ml).

[Myocardial viability in a single-vessel disease: the role of a dobutamine stress echocardiography].

Objective: To investigate a group of patients that have a significant lesion in a single-vessel and to demonstrate whether or not the sensitivity and specificity of a dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was valuable in the evaluation of myocardial viability for these patients.

Methods: Twenty patients who had undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were studied. This group was evaluated 2 to 7 days (3.

[Assessing autonomic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Objective: Assess the autonomic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) through heart rate variability (HRV) and to correlate it to echocardiographic data.

Methods: Two groups were studied, and compared for gender, age and HR: A) Ten (10) patients reporting septal HCM (70% non-obstructive); B) Ten (10) healthy volunteers. HRV was analyzed along four successive stages: at rest, under controlled breathing, while bending, and controlled breathing associated to bending.

[Therapy of advanced heart failure adapted to hemodynamic objectives acquired by invasive hemodynamic monitoring].

Objective: To assess advanced heart failure (HF) treatment in relation to reduction of ventricular filling pressures, with the use of greater doses of vasodilators, through invasive hemodynamic monitoring.

Methods: Nineteen advanced HF patients were studied, in whom Swan-Ganz catheter was inserted to direct administration of diuretic intravenously (IV) and sodium nitroprusside, with the aim of significantly reduce ventricular filling pressures. After achieving such objective or 48 hours, oral drugs were introduced until venous medicines were removed, keeping hemodynamic benefit.

How can the echocardiogram be useful for predicting death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Objective: To determine the echocardiographic predicting factors of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: A retrospective study of 148 children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed between September 1979 and March 2003 was carried out. The inclusion criteria were as follows: heart failure and a reduction in contractility on the echocardiogram in the absence of congenital or secondary heart disease.

Noninvasive cardiac assessment in children of women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Noninvasive cardiac assessment of newborns and infants of women with systemic lupus erythematosus. The children had no congenital total atrioventricular block and were compared with the children of healthy women.

Methods: We prospectively assessed 13 newborns and infants aged 1 to 60 days, children of women with systemic lupus erythematosus and without congenital total atrioventricular block.

Effects of carvedilol therapy on QT-interval dispersion in congestive heart failure: is there a difference in the elderly?

In cases of chronic congestive heart failure, QT-interval dispersion is a strong predictor of death. Carvedilol therapy appears to decrease QT-interval dispersion. We investigated whether carvedilol reduces QT-interval dispersion in congestive heart failure and whether this pharmaceutical agent has additional effects on elderly patients.

Serum sample levels of selenium and copper in healthy volunteers living in Rio de Janeiro city.

The objective of this study was to analyze the serum sample levels of selenium and copper in healthy volunteers living in the city Rio de Janeiro. Thirty individuals were submitted for nutritional assessment, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and serum selenium and copper analysis through hydride generation and flame atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. The accuracy and precision of these methods were evaluated using certified reference materials.

Thiamin, selenium, and copper levels in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy taking diuretics.

Objective: To analyze the association of thiamin, selenium, and copper serum levels with cardiac function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy using diuretics, and also to compare them with levels in control patients with no evidence of disease.

Methods: The study comprised 30 patients with heart disease and 30 healthy control individuals. Thiamin was analyzed by measuring the activity of erythrocytic transketolase and the effect of thiamin pyrophosphate.