Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12.

The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 (KCCQ-12) is a simple, feasible, and sensitive questionnaire developed in English for assessing the health status (symptoms, function, and quality of life) of patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to assess the internal consistency and construct validity of the Portuguese version of KCCQ-12. We administered the KCCQ-12, the Minnesota Living Heart Failure (MLHFQ), and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification by telephone.

CPR Quality Assessment in Schoolchildren Training.

Whilst CPR training is widely recommended, quality of performance is infrequently explored. We evaluated whether a checklist can be an adequate tool for chest compression quality assessment in schoolchildren, compared with a real-time software. This observational study (March 2019-2020) included 104 schoolchildren with no previous CPR training (11-17 years old, 66 girls, 84 primary schoolchildren, 20 high schoolchildren).

Demographic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Associated with Drug Use in Truck Drivers in the State of São Paulo, Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of the study is to analyze the association between risk factors for the health of truck drivers and previous use of illicit drugs. A cross-sectional study examined the data from 2071 truck drivers between 2010 and 2016. Demographic variables, risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the use of illicit drugs were analyzed.

Prospective, case-controlled study evaluating serum concentration of sirtuin-1 and mannose-binding lectin in patients with and without periodontal and coronary artery disease.

Background: Atherosclerosis and periodontal disease (PD) are inflammatory diseases that have been shown in studies to have a direct association. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an immune system protein that binds to periodontal pathogens favoring phagocytosis. Conversely, increased serum sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) concentration reduces the inflammatory process.

Risk Factors for Inspiratory Muscle Weakness in Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: Chronic heart failure is commonly associated with inspiratory muscle weakness. However, few studies have investigated the risk factors for inspiratory muscle weakness in individuals with chronic heart failure and systolic dysfunction (left-ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <40%).

Methods: Seventy subjects were recruited in a cardiac center.

Influence of the treatment of periodontal disease in serum concentration of sirtuin 1 and mannose-binding lectin.

Background: Increased levels of periodontal pathogens disrupt the homeostasis between the host and its microbiota and increase susceptibility to periodontal diseases. Periodontitis increases the serum concentration of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which exacerbates local inflammatory processes. In animal studies, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) was associated with protection against inflammation.

Biochemical markers of muscle damage and high serum concentration of creatine kinase in patients on statin therapy.

Some patients experience statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) and elevated serum concentrations of CK. The relationship between SAMS and biomarkers of muscle damage was examined. We analyzed 359 consecutive patients taking statins with high CK values.

Gene Expression of Sirtuin-1 and Endogenous Secretory Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products in Healthy and Slightly Overweight Subjects after Caloric Restriction and Resveratrol Administration.

Sirtuin-1 (Sirt-1) and an endogenous secretory receptor for an advanced glycation end product (esRAGE) are associated with vascular protection. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resveratrol (RSV) and caloric restriction (CR) on gene expression of Sirt-1 and esRAGE on serum levels of Sirt1 and esRAGE in healthy and slightly overweight subjects. The study included 48 healthy subjects randomized to 30 days of RSV (500 mg/day) or CR (1000 cal/day).

Quality of Life Score as a Predictor of Death in Dogs with Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease.

Background: The knowledge of the variables predicting mortality is important in clinical practice and for therapeutic monitoring in mitral valve disease.

Objectives: To determine whether a quality of life score evaluated with the Functional Evaluation of Cardiac Health questionnaire would predict mortality in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD).

Methods: Thirty-six client-owned dogs with mitral valve disease underwent clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic evaluations at baseline and were monitored for 6 months.

Gene mutations of platelet glycoproteins and response to tirofiban in acute coronary syndrome.

Context And Objectives: Glycoprotein inhibitors (abciximab, eptifibatide and tirofiban) are used in patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction before percutaneous coronary intervention. Of these, tirofiban is the least effective. We hypothesized that the response to tirofiban might be associated with glycoprotein gene mutations.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic Syndrome and Sleepiness in Truck Drivers.

Background: Truck driver sleepiness is a primary cause of vehicle accidents. Several causes are associated with sleepiness in truck drivers. Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with sleep disorders and with primary risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Long-term follow-up of a randomized, controlled clinical trial of three therapeutic strategies for multivessel stable coronary artery disease in women.

Objectives: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in women. The proposed treatments for women are similar to those for men. However, in women with multivessel stable coronary artery disease and normal left ventricular function, the best treatment is unknown.

The involvement of multiple thrombogenic and atherogenic markers in premature coronary artery disease.

Objective: To examine the association of atherogenic and thrombogenic markers and lymphotoxin-alfa gene mutations with the risk of premature coronary disease.

Methods: This cross-sectional, case-control, age-adjusted study was conducted in 336 patients with premature coronary disease (<50 years old) and 189 healthy controls. The control subjects had normal clinical, resting, and exercise stress electrocardiographic assessments.

Warfarin doses for anticoagulation therapy in elderly patients with chronic atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Anticoagulation is a challenge for the prophylaxis of thromboembolic events in elderly patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Stable anticoagulation is defined as the time within >70% of the therapeutic range. However, the dosage required to achieve stable anticoagulation remains unknown.

Long-term prospective study of the influence of estrone levels on events in postmenopausal women with or at high risk for coronary artery disease.

Background: The link between endogenous estrogen, coronary artery disease (CAD), and death in postmenopausal women is uncertain. We analyzed the association between death and blood levels of estrone in postmenopausal women with known coronary artery disease (CAD) or with a high-risk factor score for CAD.

Methods: 251 postmenopausal women age 50-90 years not on estrogen therapy.

In-hospital death in acute coronary syndrome was related to admission glucose in men but not in women.

Background: Admission hyperglycaemia is associated with mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but controversy exists whether hyperglycaemia uniformly affects both genders. We evaluated coronary risk factors, gender, hyperglycaemia and their effect on hospital mortality.

Methods: 959 ACS patients (363 women and 596 men) were grouped based on glycaemia ≥ or < 200 mg/dL and gender: men with glucose < 200 mg/dL (menG-); women with glucose < 200 mg/dL (womenG-); men with glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (menG+); and women with glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (womenG+).

BNP and admission glucose as in-hospital mortality predictors in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Admission hyperglycemia and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are associated with mortality in acute coronary syndromes, but no study compares their prediction in-hospital death.

Methods: Patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), in-hospital mortality and two-year mortality or readmission were compared for area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy (ACC) of glycemia and BNP.

Results: Respectively, AUC, SEN, SPE, PPV, NPV, and ACC for prediction of in-hospital mortality were 0.

Emergency service admission time and in-hospital mortality in acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The relationship between admission time to an emergency service and in-hospital outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is controversial. Admission during off-hours would be associated with worse prognosis.

Objective: To assess the influence of admission time on prolonged hospitalization and mortality for ACS patients, regarding regular hours (7AM-7PM) and off-hours (7PM-7AM).

[Impact of media coverage on cardiac emergency care: the Bussunda case].

Introduction: Social turmoil associated with catastrophes such as flooding, earthquakes or air raids bring about an increased incidence of acute myocardial infarction. Premature death of media personalities with a strong public appeal may cause similar phenomena.

Objective: To analyze the impact of this media coverage on the emergency service at a Heart Hospital in Brazil (InCor).

Electrocardiographic and blood pressure alterations during electroconvulsive therapy in young adults.

Objective: To study cardiovascular alterations in young patients with no apparent organic disease who underwent electroconvulsive therapy.

Methods: The study comprised 47 healthy patients (22 males and 25 females) with a mean age of 30.3 years, who underwent electroconvulsive therapy.