Six and twelve-month respiratory outcomes in a cohort of severe and critical COVID-19 survivors: A prospective monocentric study in Latin America.

Introduction: Severe COVID-19 can result in long-term sequelae known as "chronic COVID," characterized by a wide range of persistent physical and mental symptoms. Chest imaging and pulmonary function test alterations have been observed in recovered patients. Most studies focus on up to a 3-month follow-up after symptom onset or hospital discharge, with few reports on long-term follow-up and limited evidence regarding disease progression in Latin America.

Optimal Global Longitudinal Strain Thresholds for Pediatric Heart Surgery: Insights from a University Hospital.

Congenital heart diseases impact millions annually, with pediatric care lacking suitable risk assessment tools. This research seeks to illuminate the association between the global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the subsequent impact on postoperative outcomes, contributing to a deeper understanding of its predictive value in the pediatric population affected by congenital heart diseases. An observational, analytic, longitudinal, and prospective study was conducted from May 2022 to May 2023, including all patients under 18 undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP).

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in a Latin American Center: A Single Center Observational Study.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex disorder that includes various phenotypes, leading to different manifestations. It also shares different disadvantages typical of rare diseases, including limited recognition, lack of prospective studies assessing treatment, and little or delayed access to advanced treatment options. Reliable data about the prevalence and natural history of cardiomyopathies in South America are lacking.

Longitudinal Speckle Tracking Strain Abnormalities in Chagas Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) is ranked among heart failure etiologies with the highest mortality rates. CCM is characterized by alterations in left ventricular function with a typical and unique pattern of myocardial involvement. Left ventricle longitudinal speckle tracking strain is emerging as an important additive method for evaluating left ventricular function and risk of future cardiovascular events.