Echocardiographic Alterations of Cardiac Geometry and Function in Patients with Familial Partial Lipodystrophy.

Background: Cardiomyopathy associated with partial lipodystrophy (PL) has not been well described yet.

Objective: To characterize cardiac morphology and function in PL.

Methods: Patients with familial PL and controls were prospectively assessed by transthoracic echocardiography and with speckle-tracking echocardiography (global longitudinal strain, GLS).

Pentoxifylline reduces inflammation and prevents myocardial perfusion derangements in experimental chronic Chagas' cardiomyopathy.

Background: Myocardial perfusion defect (MPD) is common in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) and is associated with inflammation and development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that pentoxifylline (PTX) could reduce inflammation and prevent the development of MPD in a model of CCC in hamsters.

Methods And Results: We investigated with echocardiogram and rest myocardial perfusion scintigraphy at baseline (6-months after T.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance as an Etiological Diagnosis Tool in Recovered Sudden Cardiac Death or Unstable Ventricular Arrhythmia Patients.

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has an increasing diagnostic relevance in survivors of sudden cardiac death (SCD) or unstable ventricular arrhythmia (UVA) in developed countries.

Objective: To evaluate retrospectively the additional role of CMR in a developing country where few resources are available, and should be used more effectively.

Methods: The study included SCD or UVA survivors admitted between 2009 and 2019 at a tertiary academic institution referred to CMR.

Association of left ventricular abnormalities with incident cerebrovascular events and sources of thromboembolism in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Background: Although Chagas cardiomyopathy is related to thromboembolic stroke, data on risk factors for cerebrovascular events in Chagas disease is limited. Thus, we assessed the relationship between left ventricular (LV) impairment and cerebrovascular events and sources of thromboembolism in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Methods: This retrospective cohort included patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Heart rate variability as a biomarker in patients with Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy with or without concomitant digestive involvement and its relationship with the Rassi score.

Background: Dysautonomia plays an ancillary role in the pathogenesis of Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC), but is the key factor causing digestive organic involvement. We investigated the ability of heart rate variability (HRV) for death risk stratification in CCC and compared alterations of HRV in patients with isolated CCC and in those with the mixed form (CCC + digestive involvement). Thirty-one patients with CCC were classified into three risk groups (low, intermediate and high) according to their Rassi score.

Use of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing to Assess Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease: A Comparative Study With Echocardiography.

Rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) is still a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common consequence of RMS and may be used as a surrogate of disease severity. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides a comprehensive assessment of the cardiorespiratory systems and can identify indirect signs of PH.

Aspirin plus verapamil relieves angina and perfusion abnormalities in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction and Chagas disease: a pilot non-randomized study.

Introduction: Most patients with chronic cardiomyopathy of Chagas disease (CCCD) harbor a secondary cause of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), for which there is no evidence-based therapy. We evaluated the impact of verapamil plus aspirin on symptoms and perfusion abnormalities in patients with CCCD and CMD.

Methods: Consecutive patients with angina pectoris, who had neither coronary artery obstructions nor moderate-severe left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction > 40%) despite showing wall motion abnormalities on ventriculography, were referred for invasive angiography and tested for Chagas disease.

Prospective analysis of myocardial strain through the evolution of Chagas disease in the hamster animal model.

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) enables early diagnosis of myocardial damage by evaluating myocardial strain. We aimed to study sequential changes in structural and ventricular functional parameters during Chagas disease (CD) natural history in an animal model. 37 Syrian hamsters were inoculated intraperitoneally with Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas) and 20 with saline (Control).

Prospective study of ventricular function and myocardial deformation related to survival in acute Chagas disease: an experimental animal model.

Chagas disease (CD) has been changing from an endemic Latino-American disease to a condition found outside endemic regions, due to migratory movements. Although often subclinical, its acute phase can be lethal. This study aimed to assess survival during the acute phase of CD and its relationship with ventricular function in an experimental model.

Statins Prescriptions and Lipid Levels in a Tertiary Public Hospital.

Background: The development of a new class of medications that are highly capable of reducing LDL-cholesterol renewed the interest in the characterization of familial hypercholesterolemia patients. Nevertheless, little is known about the lipid profile of patients in tertiary healthcare centers in Brazil in order to better estimate the real occurrence of familial hypercholesterolemia, with initial suspect of LDL-cholesterol levels above 190 mg/d/L.

Objectives: This study evaluated the lipid profile (total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) in ambulatory patients from a general tertiary public hospital.

Correlation between Cardiomegaly on Chest X-Ray and Left Ventricular Diameter on Echocardiography in Patients with Chagas Disease.

Background: Cardiomegaly on chest X-ray is an independent predictor of death in individuals with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). However, the correlation between increased cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) on chest X-ray and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) on echocardiography is not well established in this population.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between chest X-ray and LVEDD on echocardiography in patients with Chagas disease and its applicability to the Rassi score.

Chagas Cardiomyopathy as the Etiology of Suspected Coronary Microvascular Disease. A Comparison Study with Suspected Coronary Microvascular Disease of Other Etiologies.

Background: Chagas disease (CD) as neglected secondary form of suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD).

Objectives: Comparison of patients with CMD related to CD (CMD-CE) versus patients with CMD caused by other etiologies (CMD-OE).

Methods: Of 1292 stable patients referred for invasive coronary angiography to elucidate the hemodynamic pattern and the cause of angina as a cardinal symptom in their medical history, 247 presented normal epicardial coronary arteries and 101 were included after strict exclusion criteria.

Influence of Aerobic Training on The Mechanics of Ventricular Contraction After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Study.

The study of myocardial contractility, based on the new anatomical concepts that govern cardiac mechanics, represents a promising strategy of analysis of myocardial adaptations related to physical training in the context of post-infarction. We investigated the influence of aerobic training on physical capacity and on the evaluation parameters of left ventricular contraction mechanics in patients with myocardial infarction. Thirty-one patients (55.

Prolonged dipyridamole administration reduces myocardial perfusion defects in experimental chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Background: Myocardial perfusion defects (MPD) due to coronary microvascular dysfunction is frequent in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) and may be involved with development of myocardial damage. We investigated whether MPD precedes left ventricular systolic dysfunction and tested the hypothesis that prolonged use of dipyridamole (DIPY) could reduce MPD in an experimental model of CCC in hamsters.

Methods And Results: We investigated female hamsters 6-months after T.

Appropriate use of echocardiography and relation to clinical decision making in both inpatients and outpatients in a developing country.

Background: Use of echocardiography (echo) has exponentially increased in recent decades. Concerned about this scientific society developed appropriate use criteria (AUC). Clinical management still suffers geographical variations, and no objective data are available about echo AUC in developing countries.

Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia and Cardiogenic Shock due to Scorpion Envenomation.

We describe a case of severe scorpion envenomation in an adult patient, with the presence of very rapid sustained ventricular tachycardia followed by cardiogenic shock, which was reversed by scorpion antivenom administration. Scorpion venom causes cardiac changes that can lead to an environment favoring arrhythmogenesis.