Strength training improves functional capacity of individuals with chronic heart failure: Randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by dyspnea, exercise intolerance and impaired quality of life. Physical exercise is a key point in the treatment of these outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of 24 weeks of two different training strategies on functional capacity, muscle strength and quality of life in individuals with CHF.

Effect of an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program on quality of life of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: results from the PEACH randomized clinical trial.

To investigate the effect of an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). PEACH study was a single-center, superiority randomized clinical trial of exercise training versus no exercise (control). The sample comprised Chagas disease patients with CCC, left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%, without or with HF symptoms (CCC stages B2 or C, respectively).

Corrigendum: Home-based exercise program in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease (PEDI-CHAGAS study): a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.

Zero-contrast imaging for the assessment of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in candidates with renal dysfunction.

Background: Candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are currently evaluated using computed tomography angiography and invasive cardiac catheterization as an essential part of case selection and pre-procedure interventional planning. However, both imaging methods utilize iodinated agents, which may cause contrast-induced nephropathy, particularly in patients with baseline renal dysfunction. This study aimed to describe a zero-contrast imaging protocol for pre-TAVI evaluation in patients with advanced renal impairment.

Home-based exercise program in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease (PEDI-CHAGAS study): A study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected endemic disease with worldwide impact due to migration. Approximately 50-70% of individuals in the chronic phase of CD present the indeterminate form, characterized by parasitological and/or serological evidence of infection, but without clinical signs and symptoms. Subclinical abnormalities have been reported in indeterminate form of CD, including pro-inflammatory states and alterations in cardiac function, biomarkers and autonomic modulation.

The association between variables of cardiopulmonary exercise test and quality of life in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (Insights from the PEACH STUDY).

Studies investigating the association between functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) usually do not include a gold-standard evaluation of functional capacity, limiting the validity and the interpretation of the results. The present study is a cross-section analysis aiming to evaluate the association between functional capacity (quantified by cardiopulmonary exercise test [CPET]) and QoL in individuals with CCC. QoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire.

The association of exercise test variables with long-term mortality in patients with chronic Chagas disease.

Background: The identification of variables obtained in the exercise test (ET) associated with increased risk of death is clinically relevant and would provide additional information for the management of Chagas disease (CD). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association of ET variables with mortality in patients with chronic CD.

Methods: This retrospective longitudinal observational study included 232 patients (median age 46.

Cost-effectiveness of an exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation program in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in Brazil: An analysis from the PEACH study.

Objectives: The present study aimed to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of an exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) program in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC).

Methods: Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a randomised clinical trial evaluating the effects of a 6-month exercise-based CR program. The intervention group underwent 3 weekly exercise sessions.

Comparative effects of a cardiovascular rehabilitation program on functional capacity in patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy with or without heart failure.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) on functional capacity of patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) and to compare the responses between CCC patients without and with heart failure (HF).

Materials And Methods: A longitudinal observational retrospective study was carried out including 36 patients with CCC without HF (stage B2 [ = 7]) and with HF (stage C [ = 29]), who participated in a CR program. Functional capacity was assessed by a maximal progressive cardiopulmonary exercise test performed on a treadmill.

Association Between Upper Limb Strength Through 1-Repetition Maximum Test and V'O in Heart Failure.

This study aimed to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the maximum strength of upper limb when performing a multijoint exercise and peak oxygen uptake (V'O) in Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) subjects. This cross-sectional study involved CHF subjects with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50%, who underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill and 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) test for upper limb strength using a bench press exercise. The sample consisted of 16 individuals aged 54 ± 12 years with a LVEF of 37 ± 7%.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated factors among patients with chronic Chagas disease.

The increase in life expectancy and the migration of individuals with Chagas disease (ChD) from rural to urban centers exposes them to the development of chronic-degenerative abnormalities that may increase the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The present study aimed to identify the prevalence of MetS and its components in individuals with chronic ChD. This is a cross-sectional study with 361 patients of both sexes, aging >18 years, followed at a national reference center (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

Functional capacity and rehabilitation strategies in Covid-19 patients: current knowledge and challenges.

Covid-19 is a novel infectious disease whose spectrum of presentation ranges from absence of symptoms to widespread interstitial pneumonia associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), leading to significant mortality. Given the systemic pattern of Covid-19, there are many factors that can influence patient's functional capacity after acute infection and the identification of such factors can contribute to the development of specific rehabilitation strategies. Pulmonary impairment is the primary cause of hospitalization due to Covid-19, and can progress to SARS as well as increase length of hospitalization.

Factors related to the discontinuation and mortality rates of a cardiac rehabilitation programme in patients with Chagas disease: a 6-year experience in a Brazilian tertiary centre.

Objectives: To describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of participants as well as discontinuation and mortality rates in a cardiac rehabilitation programme (CRP) tailored to Chagas disease (CD).

Methods: Participants underwent functional capacity, anthropometry and cardiac function evaluations before beginning a CRP. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were performed to investigate the associations between clinical and sociodemographic characteristics at baseline with discontinuation rates and deaths.

Acute and subacute hemodynamic responses and perception of effort in subjects with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy submitted to different protocols of inspiratory muscle training: a cross-over trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate acute and subacute hemodynamic responses and perception of effort in individuals with CCC submitted to different IMT protocols.

Materials And Methods: This was a randomized cross-over trial conducted on CCC subjects with systolic left ventricular dysfunction (<45% left ventricular ejection fraction) without or with heart failure (stages B2 and C, respectively). Twenty-one participants performed two IMT protocols, one targeting 60% maximal inspiratory pressure with 3 × 10 repetitions (MIP60) and the other targeting 30% maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP30) with 3 × 20 repetitions with a 2 min recovery between sets for both.

Quality of life and associated factors in patients with chronic Chagas disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with Chagas disease (CD) and the association between QoL domains and several clinical, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics of this population.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study conducted from March 2014 to March 2017 including a total of 361 outpatients followed at Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Disease, Brazil. QoL was assessed using the Portuguese shorter version of the original WHO Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF).

Robotic cardiac surgery in Brazil.

Background: Brazil, the largest country and economy in South America, is a major driving force behind the development of new medical technologies in the region. Robotic cardiac surgery (RCS) has been evolving rapidly since 2010, when the first surgery using the DaVinci robotic system was performed in Latin America. The aim of this article is to evaluate short and mid-term results in patients undergoing robotic cardiac surgery in Brazil.

Physical activity overcomes the effects of cumulative work time on hypertension prevalence among Brazilian taxi drivers.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the physical activity profile of taxi drivers and its relationship with hypertension prevalence in this group of workers.

Methods: Cross sectional exploratory study. Between November 2008 and April 2009, 491 taxi drivers from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, answered a questionnaire focusing on previous hypertension diagnosis, occupational characteristics and physical activity habits.

Does being an Olympic city help improve recreational resources? Examining the quality of physical activity resources in a low-income neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.

Objectives: To assess the quality of public physical activity resources (PARs) in a low socio-economic community in the Olympic city of Rio de Janeiro.

Methods: The Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) instrument was used to assess all 29 public PARs located in this community. A quality indicator (QI) was developed based on PARA results.

Adherence to physical activity in an unsupervised setting: Explanatory variables for high attrition rates among fitness center members.

Objectives: To evaluate the attrition rate of members of a fitness center in the city of Rio de Janeiro and the potential explanatory variables for the phenomenon.

Design: An exploratory, observational study using a retrospective longitudinal frame.

Methods: The records of 5240 individuals, members of the fitness center between January-2005 and June-2014, were monitored for 12 months or until cancellation of membership, whichever occurred first.

Physical activity levels of economically disadvantaged women living in the Olympic city of Rio de Janeiro.

The objective of this study was to analyze the physical activity patterns of women living in a low-income community located in close proximity to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Park. Data (N = 140) were collected in June and July 2012 using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Findings indicated that the majority (54.

An analysis of the suitability of public spaces to physical activity practice in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Objectives: To assess the physical characteristics of public spaces designed for sport/physical activity/leisure in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and their relationship to the socioeconomic indicators.

Methods: Public spaces (n = 38) spread across the city were evaluated between December 2011 and January 2012 using the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) instrument. Based on PARA results, a Quality Indicator (QI) was prepared and the sample was grouped into "High QI" and "Low QI" using a k-means clustering algorithm.

Reproducibility of pixel values for two photostimulable phosphor plates in consecutive standardized scannings.

The objective of the present study was to determine the reproducibility of the pixel values obtained with the Digora system (Soredex, Finland). Exposures were standardized, with variation in exposure and scanning time of two photostimulable phosphor plates containing a stepwedge image. The smallest variation in pixel values ranged from 50 to 75%, with the widest variations being observed in less dense steps.