Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a cross-sectional study of cases and factors associated with deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, 2020.

Objective: To characterize the clinical-epidemiological profile of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children temporally associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C), and to identify factors associated with MIS-C deaths in Brazil, 2020.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, using national MIS-C monitoring data. Logistical regression was performed to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR).

Pediatric multisystem SARS COV2 with versus without cardiac involvement: a multicenter study from Latin America.

Latin America (LATAM) children offer special insight into Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS COV2) due to high-risk race/ethnicity, variability in medical resources, diverse socioeconomic background, and numerous involved organ systems. This multinational study of LATAM youth examined the distinguishing features of acute or late multisystem SARS COV2 with versus without cardiac involvement. A consecutive sample of youth 0-18 years old (N = 98;50% male) presenting with multisystem SARS COV2 to 32 centers in 10 Latin American countries participating in a pediatric cardiac multi-imaging society were grouped as with versus without cardiac involvement, defined as abnormal echocardiographic findings or arrhythmia.

Clinical value of myocardial performance index in patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction.

Aims: The Doppler-derived myocardial performance index (MPI) has been considered as a diagnostic and prognostic Doppler marker for many different clinical conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of traditional Pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD-MPI) and Pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI-MPI) and the degree of agreement between these methods in patients with grade-I diastolic dysfunction (DDI) and a normal ejection fraction.

Methods: Forty-seven consecutive ambulatory patients with DDI were compared to 51 healthy subjects with normal echocardiograms.

Left ventricular mass and cardiothoracic index in patients with chronic renal disease on hemodialysis.

Introduction: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) on hemodialysis (HD).

Objective: To show the usefulness of chest radiography in the diagnosis of LVH in CRD patients on HD.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including 100 patients (58 men and 42 women), mean age 46.

Teaching basic life support to students of public and private high schools.

Background: Despite being recommended as a compulsory part of the school curriculum, the teaching of basic life support (BLS) has yet to be implemented in high schools in most countries.

Objectives: To compare prior knowledge and degree of immediate and delayed learning between students of one public and one private high school after these students received BLS training.

Methods: Thirty students from each school initially answered a questionnaire on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of the automated external defibrillator (AED).

Frequency of cardiovascular risk factors before and 6 and 12 months after bariatric surgery.

Objective: To compare the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in obese patients of the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) with indication of bariatric surgery during the preoperative period and after the sixth month and the first year of the procedure.

Methods: An observational, longitudinal, prospective, and analytical study was performed, with consecutive selection of obese patients with indication for surgery referred to preoperative cardiac evaluation. The protocol consisted of: medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and biochemical analysis.

Pulmonary venous flow index as a predictor of pulmonary vascular resistance variability in congenital heart disease with increased pulmonary flow: a comparative study before and after oxygen inhalation.

Aims: There is no definitive and reliable echocardiographic method for estimating the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) to differentiate persistent vascular disease from dynamic pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the pulmonary venous blood flow velocity-time integral (VTIpv) and PVR.

Methods And Results: Eighteen patients (10 females; 4 months to 22 years of age) with congenital heart disease and left to right shunt were studied.

Physical inactivity, TV-watching hours and body composition in children and adolescents.

Background: Physical inactivity is a predisposing factor to the onset/worsening of other cardiovascular risk factors, particularly obesity.

Objective: To determine physical activity level (PAL) and daily number of hours of TV (HTV) and the association and/or correlation of these variables with age, gender, economic class, public/private school, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents.

Methods: Cross sectional study, school-based population, public and private education, primary and secondary education.

[Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from the city of Maceió (AL)].

Objective: To establish prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from the city of Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, and investigate the association of risk of overweight and obesity with gender, age and type of school.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Students between 7 and 17 years of age were selected from 396 public and private schools of Maceió.

Relationship of obesity with high blood pressure in children and adolescents.

Background: Excess weight and body fat are currently recognized as the major determinants of high blood pressure in children and adolescents.

Objective: To identify the relationship between obesity - identified by waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) and body mass index (BMI) - high blood pressure (HBP) in children and adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study based on school population in children and adolescents of both sexes, aged between 7 and 17 years, randomly selected.

Electrocardiography in the diagnosis of ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic renal disease.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk, and its characterization and prevalence in chronic renal disease (CRD) should be further studied.

Objective: To establish the diagnosis of LVH in patients with stage-5 CRD using six different electrocardiographic criteria, and to correlate them with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) as obtained by echocardiography.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including 100 patients (58 men and 42 women, mean age 46.

Doppler-derived myocardial performance index in patients with impaired left ventricular relaxation and preserved systolic function.

Background: The Doppler-derived myocardial performance index (MPI) has been used in the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) function in several diseases. In patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction, the diagnostic utility of this index remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic utility of MPI in patients with systemic hypertension, impaired LV relaxation, and normal ejection fraction.

Right heart emboli-in-transit. Case report and literature review.

Emboli in transit in right atrium are rare. When they occur, they are associated to high rate of pulmonary embolism and mortality. This is a case report on an embolus in transit in right chambers, with clinical suspicion of pulmonary thromboembolism.

Congenital heart diseases in the newborn: from the pediatrician's request to the cardiologist's evaluation.

Objective: To analyze the importance of symptoms as a reason for referral to pediatric cardiologists in the diagnosis of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in the newborn (NB).

Methods: Prospective study on live NB referred for cardiac evaluation, with performance of electrocardiogram, chest radiography and echocardiography. Cardiology consultation was requested by means of a multiple-choice form including signs and symptoms suggestive of CHD.

Blood pressure measurement in children and adolescents: guidelines of high blood pressure recommendations and current clinical practice.

Objective: To determine, in a school-based sample of children and adolescents, aged from 7 to 17 years, of both gender, in public and private schools, the frequency of students already submitted to blood pressure measure.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, sampling from a population pool of elementary and middle schools, randomly selected. The sample was calculated based on the expected prevalence of hypertension for the age group.

Echocardiograph pulmonary venous flow patterns in congenital heart defects with increased pulmonary flow.

Objectives: To describe pulmonary venous flow patterns using transthoracic echocardiograms on children suffering from different congenital heart defects with increased pulmonary flow.

Methods: Prospective study and consecutive selection of children suffering from congenital heart defects with increased pulmonary flow. The transthoracic, apical view, Doppler echocardiogram was used, positioning the sample-volume at the lower pulmonary vein, 4mm from its junction with the left atrium.

The prevalence of and variables associated with smoking in children and adolescents.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of smoking and the presence of variables associated with the habit in children and adolescents of both sexes, aged 7 to 17 years, resident in the city of Maceió.

Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study of the student population of the both private and public education systems at elementary and high school level. Sample size was calculated based on the minimum predicted prevalence of a large number of variables, including smoking itself.