Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Venipuncture Decreases the Procedure's Pain and Positively Impacts Patient's Experience: The PRECISE Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study aimed to compare patients' experience of pain during ultrasound (US)-guided peripheral venipuncture versus conventional peripheral venipuncture. This randomized clinical trial was conducted at a public university hospital in 2021. Adult patients with indication for intravenous therapy compatible with peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) were included: intervention group (IG), US peripheral venipuncture executed by specialist nurses; control group (CG), conventional peripheral venipuncture executed by clinical practice nurses.

Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Biomarkers Responses after Aerobic Training in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Physical exercise (PE) may improve plasma concentration of interleukin- 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and adiponectin (adpN) in heart transplant (HT) patients. However, no consistent data is available on this population.

Aim: Thus, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of PE over these pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in HT patients.

Prognosis of programmed ventricular stimulation in adult patients with syncope of unexplained origin: A historical cohort.

Background: Programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) during electrophysiological study (EPS), is a globally accepted tool for risk stratification of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in some specific clinical situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of ventricular arrhythmia induction in a cohort of patients with syncope of undetermined origin (SUO).

Methods: This is a historical cohort study in a population of patients with SUO referred for EPS between the years 2008-2021.

Catheter ablation of typical right atrial flutter in a 20-day-old neonate with tachycardiomyopathy.

Background: Fetal echocardiography can diagnose neonatal atrial flutter, which can cause heart failure in newborns. Little is known about catheter ablation in this population.

Methods: Case report that aimed to review a successful ablation in a 20-day-old patient with refractory atrial flutter.

Non-Invasive Assessment of Cardiodynamics by Impedance Cardiography during the Six-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Heart Failure.

Background: Central Illustration: Non-Invasive Assessment of Cardiodynamics by Impedance Cardiography during the Six-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Heart Failure. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is commonly used to evaluate heart failure (HF) patients. However, several clinical factors can influence the distance walked in the test.

Functional training improves peak oxygen consumption and quality of life of individuals with heart failure: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Functional training may be an effective non-pharmacological therapy for heart failure (HF). This study aimed to compare the effects of functional training with strength training on peak VO and quality of life in individuals with HF.

Methods: A randomized, parallel-design and examiner-blinded controlled clinical trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses.

Biomarkers Associated with Thrombosis in Patients with Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The measurement and identification of plasma biomarkers can support the estimation of risk and diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with the use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the association between the levels of potential biomarkers that reflect the activation of the blood system, long-term vascular complications, inflammatory system, and the occurrence of PICC-related DVT.

Methods: Seven electronic databases (Embase, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, Cinahl, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ERIC) were searched to identify literature published until December 2022.

Risk Factors Associated with Ischemic Stroke in the Immediate Postoperative Period of Cardiac Surgery.

Introduction: Stroke remains a major complication of cardiac surgery. Despite all efforts, the incidence of postoperative stroke remains as high as 6%. We aimed to investigate risk factors for ischemic stroke in a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio as predictor of cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer: a pilot cohort study.

Background: Elevated pre-treatment baseline inflammation has been associated with cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) in patients with breast cancer. Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and systemic immune-inflammation index (NLR × platelets) have emerged in clinical context as markers of disease-related inflammation.

Objectives: To evaluate development of CTRCD according to pre-treatment blood inflammatory biomarkers in patients with breast cancer.

Anthropometric measurements and their association with endothelial function and arterial stiffness of eutrophic individuals and with overweight.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the association of anthropometric measurements with endothelial function and arterial stiffness of eutrophic individuals and with overweight.

Subjects And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with individuals with body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 kg/m and < 30 kg/m, low to intermediate global cardiovascular risk scores, and aged ≥ 18 and < 60 years.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Impact of Intracardiac Echocardiography in Reducing Procedure Time and Hospitalization.

Background: Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) allows visualization of cardiac structures and recognition of complications during atrial fibrillation ablation (AFA). Compared to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), ICE is less sensitive to detecting thrombus in the atrial appendage but requires minimal sedation and fewer operators, making it attractive in a resource-constrained setting.

Objective: To compare 13 cases of AFA using ICE (AFA-ICE group) with 36 cases of AFA using TEE (AFA-TEE group).

Electrophysiological study as a predictor of mortality in unexplained syncope.

Background: Electrophysiological study can help in the diagnosis of arrhythmic syncope. According to the electrophysiological study finding, the prognosis of patients with syncope is still a matter of study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the survival of patients undergoing electrophysiological study according to their findings and to identify clinical and electrophysiological independent predictors of all-cause mortality.

UltraSound guided PEripheral Catheterization increases first-atTempt success RAte in hospitalized patients when compared with conventional technique: SPECTRA - Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is the most common invasive procedure in the hospital setting. Ultrasound guided PIVC insertion in specific populations and settings has shown patient care benefits.

Objective: To compare the success rate of first attempts of ultrasound guided PIVC insertion performed by nurse specialists with conventional PIVC insertion performed by nurse assistants.

Acute effect of coffee on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in overweight and obese individuals: A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Coffee is one of the most consumed foodstuffs worldwide. Studies of coffee intake in healthy subjects have shown controversial effects on vascular function. However, little is known of coffee intake effects on the endothelium of overweight and obese individuals.

Impact of the left common ostium following pulmonary vein isolation in AF: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) through catheter ablation is the basis for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The left common ostium (LCO) is a high prevalence anatomical variation and has conflicting results in the effects on the prognosis following ablation. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that compared the arrhythmia recurrence rate after radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation balloon between patients with normal pattern pulmonary vein and patients with LCO.

Patterns, appropriateness and outcomes of peripherally inserted central catheter use in Brazil: a multicentre study of 12 725 catheters.

Background: Little is known about peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) use, appropriateness and device outcomes in Brazil.

Methods: We conducted an observational, prospective, cohort study spanning 16 Brazilian hospitals from October 2018 to August 2020. Patients ≥18 years receiving a PICC were included.

A New Vision at the Interface of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke.

Current evidence questions the linear sequence traditionally described in atrial fibrillation, blood stasis, intracavitary thrombus, and embolization to the central nervous system. Currently, new perspectives have been described based on questions from the linearly traditional chronology of events; it is within this scope that the article has its objective. The association of the two entities is biologically plausible and supported by different cohorts with a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, especially in the cardioembolic form.

Massive thrombosis and phlegmasia cerulea dolens while taking rivaroxaban: case report and review.

Our study describes a fatal case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens and massive venous thrombosis in a patient taking rivaroxaban regularly to treat cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Blood tests samples were positive for lupus anticoagulant. The unique evolution of the case, as well as the positivity for lupus anticoagulant, raises the possibility of an acquired hypercoagulation syndrome.

Association of the left common ostium with clinical outcome after pulmonary vein isolation in atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Electrical pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is used for the invasive treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, despite the procedure's technical evolution, the rate of AF recurrence due to electrical reconnection of the PVs is high. The aims of this study was to assess the influence of left common pulmonary venous ostium (LCO) on clinical outcomes following PVI.

Cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and quality of life of patients with heart failure undergoing a functional training program: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Exercise intolerance is a common finding in heart failure that generates a vicious cycle in which the individual starts to limit his activities even more due to progressive fatigue. Regular physical exercise can increase the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity of these individuals. A new approach to physical exercise, known as functional training, could improve the oxygen consumption and quality of life of patients with heart failure; however, there is no information about the effect of this modality of exercise in this patient population.

Polymorphism of the Beta-1 Gly389Arg receptor in patients with dual atrioventricular nodal physiology.

Introduction: Gly389Arg β1 adrenergic receptor polymorphisms seem to exert an influence on the modulation of the adrenergic effect in several types of patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Gly389Arg polymorphisms among patients with evidence of double nodal pathway and to correlate the electrophysiological properties with the different genotypes of the respective polymorphisms.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was designed to assess 49 patients, with evidence of double nodal pathway, submitted to electrophysiological study.

Prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation and flutter temporal pattern on anticoagulation and return visits to the emergency department: A historic cohort of 1112 patients.

Background: Emergency department (ED) visits due to atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) are common, and provide an opportunity to define stroke risk. The prognostic impact of AFF duration on return ED visits is unknown. We aimed to investigate both the prognostic impact of AFF classification on ED visits and the adherence to guideline recommendations on anticoagulation.

Coronary sinus cannulation predicts atrioventricular nodal reentry as mechanism of supraventricular tachycardia.

Introduction: Common clinical teaching, for invasive electrophysiology, is that if the first year fellow cannulates the coronary sinus (CS) in his first attempt, the arrhythmia is more likely to be atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT). This general perception has not yet been clinically tested. We evaluated this theory in prospective patients undergoing an electrophysiological study (EPS) for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).

Comparative Analysis between Transferred and Self-Referred STEMI Patients Undergoing Primary Angioplasty.

Background: Studies have shown the benefits of rapid reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction. However, there are still delays during transport of patients to primary angioplasty.

Objective: To evaluate whether there is a difference in total ischemic time between patients transferred from other hospitals compared to self-referred patients in our institution.