Proposed Risk Score in Patients with Aortic Stenosis Submitted to Valve Replacement Surgery.

Introduction: Due to Brazilian population aging, prevalence of aortic stenosis, and limited number of scores in literature, it is essential to develop risk scores adapted to our reality and created in the specific context of this disease.

Methods: This is an observational historical cohort study with analysis of 802 aortic stenosis patients who underwent valve replacement at Hospital São Lucas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, from 1996 to 2018. With the aid of logistic regression, a weighted risk score was constructed based on the magnitude of the coeficients β of the logistic equation.

Risk Score Elaboration for Stroke in Cardiac Surgery.

Introduction: Stroke is a complication that causes considerable morbidity and mortality during the heart surgery postoperative period (incidence: 1.3 to 5%; mortality: 13 to 41%). Models for assessing the risk of stroke after heart surgery have been proposed, but most of them do not evaluate postoperative morbidity.

Prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of the reduced ankle-brachial index (ABI) in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) attended at a HF clinic in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, and to compar the patients to those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods: A descriptive observational study, included patients referred to the heart failure clinic in HU-Ulbra with HFpEF or HFrEF and diastolic dysfunction, and measurements of ABIs using vascular Doppler equipment were performed in both groups.

Results: The sample consisted of 106 patients with HF, 53.

Atrioventricular block in coronary artery bypass surgery: perioperative predictors and impact on mortality.

Introduction: Disturbances of the cardiac conduction system are frequent in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery. They are mostly reversible and associated with some injury of the conduction tissue, caused by the ischemic heart disease itself or by perioperative factors.

Objective: Primary: investigate the association between perioperative factors and the emergence of atrioventricular block in the postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery.

Cardiomyopathy induced by artificial cardiac pacing: myth or reality sustained by evidence?

Implantable cardiac pacing systems are a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic irreversible bradycardia. Under the proper indications, cardiac pacing might bring significant clinical benefit. Evidences from literature state that the action of the artificial pacing system, mainly when the ventricular lead is located at the apex of the right ventricle, produces negative effects to cardiac structure (remodeling, dilatation) and function (dissinchrony).

Predictors of stroke in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Objective: To determine the risk factors related to the development of stroke in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: A historical cohort study. We included 4626 patients aged > 18 years who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve replacement surgery alone or heart valve surgery combined with coronary artery bypass grafting between January 1996 and December 2011.

Serum levels and polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in carotid artery atherosclerosis: higher MMP-9 levels are associated with plaque vulnerability.

Context: Matrix metalloproteinases are involved in atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability.

Objective: To investigate serum levels and genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -1, -3 and -9 in patients submitted to carotid endarterectomy.

Methods: Genetic polymorphisms were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP); serum levels were measured using ELISA; histological sections were stained with Picrosirius Red to analyze the fibrous cap thickness, lipid core and collagen content and with hematoxylin--eosin to detect the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage.

Unstable angina does not increase mortality in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Introduction: Coronary artery bypass graft is often the treatment of choice for patients who suffer from unstable angina. We do not know whether this condition adds morbidity in this scenario.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft with unstable angina framework with patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft showed no unstable angina.

Heart valve papillary fibroelastoma associated with cardioembolic cerebral events.

Papillary fibroelastomas of the heart valves are benign, slow-growing, rare tumors of the heart. This tumor represents a potential cause of systemic embolism, stroke, myocardial infarction and sudden death. Early diagnosis is very important, as surgical excision of these tumors can prevent cerebrovascular and cardiovascular complications.

The use of inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme and its relation to events in the postoperative period of CABG.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce the chance of death, myocardial infarction (MI) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in patients with coronary disease. However there is no consensus as to its indication in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Objective: To assess the relationship between preoperative use of ACE inhibitors and clinical outcomes after CABG.

Atrioventricular block in the postoperative period of heart valve surgery: incidence, risk factors and hospital evolution.

Introduction: Disturbances of the cardiac conduction system are potential complications after cardiac valve surgery.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the association between perioperative factors and atrio-ventricular block, the need for temporary cardiac artificial pacing and, if necessary, permanent pacemaker implantation after cardiac valve surgery.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of the Cardiac Surgery Database - Hospital São Lucas/PUCRS.

A score proposal to evaluate surgical risk in patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery.

Introduction: Scores to predict surgical risk in patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery are broadly used.

Objective: To develop a score capable to predict mortality in patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery.

Methods: From January 1996 to December 2007, data were collected from 2809 patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery at PUC-RS São Lucas Hospital.

Risk score elaboration for mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Introduction: The mediastinitis is a serious postoperative complication of cardiac surgery, with an incidence of 0.4 to 5% and mortality between 14 and 47%. Several models were proposed to assess risk of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.

Intraplaque hemorrhage assessed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and C-reactive protein in carotid atherosclerosis.

Background: Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage is a marker of atheroma instability. Noninvasive assessment of bleeding can be performed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but its association with inflammatory markers has not been clearly demonstrated.

Methods: We evaluated consecutive carotid endarterectomy patients that underwent high-resolution MRI, independent evaluation of neurologic symptoms, C-reactive protein measurement, and histologic analysis.