Technical performance of a lateral flow immunoassay for detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the outpatient follow-up of non-severe cases and at different times after vaccination: comparison with enzyme and chemiluminescent immunoassays.

This study assessed the technical performance of a rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and compared LFIA results with chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) results and an in-house enzyme immunoassay (EIA). To this end, a total of 216 whole blood or serum samples from three groups were analyzed: the first group was composed of 68 true negative cases corresponding to blood bank donors, healthy young volunteers, and eight pediatric patients diagnosed with other coronavirus infections. The serum samples from these participants were obtained and stored in a pre-COVID-19 period, thus they were not expected to have COVID-19.

Distinct Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients with Positive or Negative RT-PCR Test.

Identification of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by RT-PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab sample is a common test for diagnosing COVID-19. However, some patients present clinical, laboratorial, and radiological evidence of COVID-19 infection with negative RT-PCR result(s). Thus, we assessed whether positive results were associated with intubation and mortality.

Timing to Intubation COVID-19 Patients: Can We Put It Off until Tomorrow?

Background: The decision to intubate COVID-19 patients receiving non-invasive respiratory support is challenging, requiring a fine balance between early intubation and risks of invasive mechanical ventilation versus the adverse effects of delaying intubation. This present study analyzes the association between intubation day and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We performed a unicentric retrospective cohort study considering all COVID-19 patients consecutively admitted between March 2020 and August 2020 requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC): a protocol for a multidisciplinary prospective observational evaluation of a cohort of patients surviving hospitalisation in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Introduction: COVID-19 may lead to persistent and potentially incapacitating clinical manifestations (post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)). Using easy-to-apply questionnaires and scales (often by telephone interviewing), several studies evaluated samples of COVID-19 inpatients from 4 weeks to several months after discharge. However, studies conducting systematic multidisciplinary assessments of PASC manifestations are scarce, with thorough in-person objective evaluations restricted to modestly sized subsamples presenting greatest disease severity.

Effectiveness and Safety of Transvenous Removal of Cardiac Pacing and Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator Leads in the Real Clinical Scenario.

Background: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) is an uncommon procedure and requires specialized personnel and adequate facilities.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the removal of CIED leads and to determine risk factors for surgical complications and mortality in 30 days.

Methods: Prospective study with data derived from clinical practice.

Efficacy, Safety, and Performance of Isolated Left vs. Right Ventricular Pacing in Patients with Bradyarrhythmias: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Considering the potential deleterious effects of right ventricular (RV) pacing, the hypothesis of this study is that isolated left ventricular (LV) pacing through the coronary sinus is safe and may provide better clinical and echocardiographic benefits to patients with bradyarrhythmias and normal ventricular function requiring heart rate correction alone.

Objective: To assess the safety, efficacy, and effects of LV pacing using an active-fixation coronary sinus lead in comparison with RV pacing, in patients eligible for conventional pacemaker (PM) implantation.

Methods: Randomized, controlled, and single-blinded clinical trial in adult patients submitted to PM implantation due to bradyarrhythmias and systolic ventricular function ≥ 0.

Usefulness of preoperative venography in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices submitted to lead replacement or device upgrade procedures.

Background: Venous obstructions are common in patients with transvenous cardiac implantable electronic devices, but they rarely cause immediate clinical problems. The main consequence of these lesions is the difficulty in obtaining venous access for additional leads implantation.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictor factors of venous lesions in patients referred to lead reoperations, and to define the role of preoperative venography in the planning of these procedures.

Quality of life in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy significantly improves the survival of patients who are at high risk for sudden cardiac death. However, it is unclear whether this survival is accompanied by impairment on quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: This systematic review sought to describe whether ICD therapy, as compared with standard treatment, can have an impact on QoL outcomes.

Minimally Invasive Epicardial Pacemaker Implantation in Neonates with Congenital Heart Block.

Background: Few studies have characterized the surgical outcomes following epicardial pacemaker implantation in neonates with congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB).

Objective: This study sought to assess the long-term outcomes of a minimally invasive epicardial approach using a subxiphoid access for pacemaker implantation in neonates.

Methods: Between July 2002 and February 2015, 16 consecutive neonates underwent epicardial pacemaker implantation due to CCAVB.

Complications after Surgical Procedures in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Results of a Prospective Registry.

Background:: Complications after surgical procedures in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are an emerging problem due to an increasing number of such procedures and aging of the population, which consequently increases the frequency of comorbidities.

Objective:: To identify the rates of postoperative complications, mortality, and hospital readmissions, and evaluate the risk factors for the occurrence of these events.

Methods:: Prospective and unicentric study that included all individuals undergoing CIED surgical procedures from February to August 2011.

Prevalence of Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony in Patients with Congenital Atrioventricular Block and Long-Term Pacing: A Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is the major reason for poor outcomes in patients with congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB) and pacemaker. Long-term pacing has been associated with LV mechanical dyssynchrony. However, the relationship of dyssynchrony and LV dysfunction is not clear.

Functional capacity of patients with pacemaker due to isolated congenital atrioventricular block.

Background: Isolated congenital atrioventricular block (CAVB) is a rare condition with multiple clinical outcomes. Ventricular remodeling can occur in approximately 10% of the patients after pacemaker (PM) implantation.

Objectives: To assess the functional capacity of children and young adults with isolated CAVB and chronic pacing of the right ventricle (RV) and evaluate its correlation with predictors of ventricular remodeling.

New karyotypes of Atlantic tree rats, genus Phyllomys (Rodentia: Echimyidae).

Phyllomys (Echimyidae, Rodentia) is a genus of Neotropical rodents with available cytogenetic data restricted to six out of 13 species, mainly based on simple staining methods, without detailed analyses. In this work, we present new karyotypes for Phyllomys lamarum (diploid number 2n = 56, fundamental number or number of autosomal arms FN = 102) and Phyllomys sp. (2n = 74, FN = 140) from the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil.

Quality of life and functional capacity after long-term right ventricular pacing in pediatrics and young adults with congenital atrioventricular block.

Background: Although several studies have demonstrated deleterious consequences of chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing on ventricular function and synchronicity, its effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional exercise capacity remain uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the effect of RV pacing on HRQoL and functional capacity of children and young adults with congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB).

Methods: We included 66 consecutive subjects with RV cardiac pacemaker due to CCAVB and under clinical follow-up for more than 1 year.

Glocal clinical registries: pacemaker registry design and implementation for global and local integration--methodology and case study.

Background: The ability to apply standard and interoperable solutions for implementing and managing medical registries as well as aggregate, reproduce, and access data sets from legacy formats and platforms to advanced standard formats and operating systems are crucial for both clinical healthcare and biomedical research settings.

Purpose: Our study describes a reproducible, highly scalable, standard framework for a device registry implementation addressing both local data quality components and global linking problems.

Methods And Results: We developed a device registry framework involving the following steps: (1) Data standards definition and representation of the research workflow, (2) Development of electronic case report forms using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), (3) Data collection according to the clinical research workflow and, (4) Data augmentation by enriching the registry database with local electronic health records, governmental database and linked open data collections, (5) Data quality control and (6) Data dissemination through the registry Web site.

Novel approach to epicardial pacemaker implantation in patients with limited venous access.

Background: Limited venous access in certain patients increases the procedural risk and complexity of conventional transvenous pacemaker implantation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine a minimally invasive epicardial approach using pericardial reflections for dual-chamber pacemaker implantation in patients with limited venous access.

Methods: Between June 2006 and November 2011, 15 patients underwent epicardial pacemaker implantation.

Effectiveness of epicardial atrial pacing using a bipolar steroid-eluting endocardial lead with active fixation in an experimental model.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of bipolar epicardial atrial pacing using an active fixation bipolar endocardial lead implanted on the atrial surface in an experimental model.

Methods: A total of ten Large White adult pigs underwent pacemaker implantation under general anesthesia. Atrial pacing and sensing parameters were obtained at the procedure, immediate postoperative period and on the 7th and the 30th postoperative in unipolar and bipolar configurations.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in pregnant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

We describe the successful implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in two pregnant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at high risk. The indication of ICD and the necessary care for ICD implantation during pregnancy are discussed and were the main objectives of this case report.

Prevention of venous thrombosis by warfarin after permanent transvenous leads implantation in high-risk patients.

Background: The incidence of venous lesions following transvenous cardiac device implantation is high. Previous implantation of temporary leads ipsilateral to the permanent devices, and a depressed left ventricular ejection fraction have been associated with an increased risk of venous lesions, though the effects of preventive strategies remain controversial. This randomized trial examined the effects of warfarin in the prevention of these complications in high-risk patients.

Warfarin prevents venous obstruction after cardiac devices implantation in high-risk patients: partial analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic use of warfarin in patients with high risk of lead-associated thrombosis.

Methods: Clinical, prospective, randomized and blinded study, in patients submitted to first transvenous leads implantation with LVEF <0.40 and/or previous ipsilateral temporary pacing.

Incidence of shock and quality of life in young patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Objectives: To analyze the incidence and causes of ICD therapies in children and young adults and verify their impact on the quality of life (QoL).

Methods: From March/1977 to February/2006, 29 patients (15.7+/-5.