Frequency of Deep Vein Thrombosis and/or Pulmonary Embolism After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Investigation Regardless of Clinical Suspicion.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). Many surgeons and clinicians believe that VTE after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has little clinical significance because it is seldom diagnosed. This study aimed to identify VTE after CABG, independent of clinical suspicion.

A prospective study of patients with refractory angina: outcomes and the role of high-sensitivity troponin T.

Background: The predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic refractory angina are limited. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assays are biomarkers that may be used to determine the prognosis of patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Hypothesis: Hs-cTnT is a predictor of death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with refractory angina.

Bioavailability of catechins from guaraná (Paullinia cupana) and its effect on antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative stress markers in healthy human subjects.

We assessed the effects of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) consumption on plasma catechins, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and biomarkers of oxidative stress (ex vivo LDL oxidation, plasma total antioxidant status and ORAC, and lymphocyte single cell gel electrophoresis) in healthy overweight subjects. Twelve participants completed a 15-day run-in period followed by a 15-day intervention with a daily intake of 3 g guaraná seed powder containing 90 mg (+)-catechin and 60 mg (-)-epicatechin. Blood samples were taken on the first and last day of the intervention period, fasting and 1 h post-dose.

Investigation route of the coronary patient in the public health system in Curitiba, São Paulo and in InCor--IMPACT study.

Background: The investigation of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and its treatment depend on risk stratification for decision-making on the need for cardiac catheterization and revascularization.

Objective: To analyze the procedures used in the diagnosis and invasive treatment of patients with CAD, at the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in the cities of Curitiba, São Paulo and at InCor-FMUSP.

Methods: Retrospective, descriptive, observational study of the diagnostic and therapeutic itineraries of the Brazilian public health care system patient, between groups submitted or not to prior noninvasive tests to invasive cardiac catheterization.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: from evidence to clinical practice - position statement 2014 of Brazilian Diabetes Society.

There is a very well known correlation between diabetes and cardiovascular disease but many health care professionals are just concerned with glycemic control, ignoring the paramount importance of controlling other risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of serious cardiovascular diseases. This Position Statement from the Brazilian Diabetes Society was developed to promote increased awareness in relation to six crucial topics dealing with diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Glicemic Control, Cardiovascular Risk Stratification and Screening Coronary Artery Disease, Treatment of Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Antiplatelet Therapy and Myocardial Revascularization. The issue of what would be the best algorithm for the use of statins in diabetic patients received a special attention and a new Brazilian algorithm was developed by our editorial committee.

Ex-vivo Assessment of Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Correlation with Histopathology.

Introduction: In recent years, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a very promising technique for studying atherosclerotic disease in humans.

Aim: In the present study we sought to determine whether MRI allowed for the morphological characterization of the coronary vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaques using histopathological assessment as the reference standard.

Methods: The study population consisted of 13 patients who died of acute myocardial infarction and underwent autopsy.

Simultaneous use of amiodarone influences warfarin maintenance dose but is not associated with adverse events.

Background: Drug interaction studies selecting patients in a real-life setting are scarce, and most studies to date are characterized by a small sample size.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of amiodarone on warfarin maintenance dose and adverse events in an anticoagulation cohort from a tertiary cardiovascular service.

Methods: This study recruited 866 patients, and oral anticoagulant therapy was monitored by the prothrombin time expressed as the international normalized ratio (INR).

A new risk score model to predict the presence of significant coronary artery disease in renal transplant candidates.

Background: Renal transplant candidates are at high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to develop a new risk score model to determine the pre-test probability of the occurrence of significant CAD in renal transplant candidates.

Methods: A total of 1,060 renal transplant candidates underwent a comprehensive cardiovascular risk evaluation.

Paper-filtered coffee increases cholesterol and inflammation biomarkers independent of roasting degree: a clinical trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of medium light roast (MLR) and medium roast (MR) paper-filtered coffee on cardiovascular risk factors in healthy volunteers.

Methods: This randomized crossover trial compared the effects of consuming three or four cups (150 mL) of MLR or MR coffee per day for 4 wk in 20 healthy volunteers. Plasma lipids, lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]), total homocysteine, and endothelial dysfunction-related inflammation biomarkers, serum glycemic biomarkers, and blood pressure were measured at baseline and after each intervention.

Medium light and medium roast paper-filtered coffee increased antioxidant capacity in healthy volunteers: results of a randomized trial.

We compared the effects of medium light roast (MLR) and medium roast (MR) paper-filtered coffee on antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in healthy volunteers. In a randomized crossover study, 20 volunteers consumed 482 ± 61 ml/day of MLR or MR for four weeks. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), oxidized LDL and 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity were measured at baseline and after the interventions.

Motivation and frustration in cardiology trial participation: the patient perspective.

Objective: The participation of humans in clinical cardiology trials remains essential, but little is known regarding participant perceptions of such studies. We examined the factors that motivated participation in such studies, as well as those that led to participant frustration.

Methods: Patients who had participated in hypertension and coronary arterial disease (phases II, III, and IV) clinical trials were invited to answer a questionnaire.

Qualitative and quantitative real time myocardial contrast echocardiography for detecting hibernating myocardium.

Background: Real time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) is an emerging imaging modality for assessing myocardial perfusion that allows for noninvasive quantification of regional myocardial blood flow (MBF).

Aim: We sought to assess the value of qualitative analysis of myocardial perfusion and quantitative assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF) by RTMCE for predicting regional function recovery in patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Twenty-four patients with coronary disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <45%) underwent RTMCE before and 3 months after CABG.

Efficacy of aneurysmectomy in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction: favorable short-and long-term results in ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to (1) identify the functional results after aneurysm surgery in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and (2) identify predictors of favorable outcomes.

Methods And Material: Patients (n = 169) with angiographic left ventricular ejection fraction of 22 ± 5% underwent aneurysm surgery and were prospectively followed for three years. Prior to surgery, 40% and 60% of the patients were in congestive heart failure NYHA class I/II and III/IV, respectively.

Early increase in myocardial perfusion after stem cell therapy in patients undergoing incomplete coronary artery bypass surgery.

Incomplete revascularization is associated with worse long-term outcomes. Autologous bone marrow cells (BMC) have recently been tested in patients with severe coronary artery disease. We tested the hypothesis that intramyocardial injection of autologous BMC increases myocardial perfusion in patients undergoing incomplete coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Unexplained sudden death in patients on the waiting list for renal transplantation.

Background: The incidence of unexplained sudden death (SD) and the factors involved in its occurrence in patients with chronic kidney disease are not well known.

Methods: We investigated the incidence and the role of co-morbidities in unexplained SD in 1139 haemodialysis patients on the renal transplant waiting list.

Results: Forty-four patients died from SD of undetermined causes (20% of all deaths; 3.

Five-year follow-up of a randomized comparison between off-pump and on-pump stable multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting. The MASS III Trial.

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is a safe, routine procedure. Nevertheless, significant morbidity remains, mostly because of the body's response to the nonphysiological nature of cardiopulmonary bypass. Few data are available on the effects of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB) on cardiac events and long-term clinical outcomes.

[Electrocardiographic score: application in exercise test for the assessment of ischemic preconditioning].

Background: the time for 1.0 mm ST-segment depression (T-1.0mm) adopted to characterize ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in sequential exercise tests is consistent and reproducible; however, it has several limitations.

Clinical profile of patients enroled in a cell therapy trial for severe coronary artery disease.

Aims And Objectives: To compare the clinical profile of patients included in a clinical trial of autologous bone marrow cells as an adjunctive therapy to coronary artery bypass grafting with that of patients undergoing routine coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: The therapeutic potential of autologous bone marrow cells has been explored in the treatment of severe coronary artery disease. There are few data regarding the clinical and socio-economic profile of patients included in clinical trials using bone marrow cell.