Water quality assessment based on multivariate statistics and water quality index of a strategic river in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Fifty-four water samples were collected between July and December 2019 at nine monitoring stations and fifteen parameters were analysed to provide an updated diagnosis of the Piabanha River water quality. Further, forty years of monitoring were analysed, including government data and previous research projects. A georeferenced database was also built containing water management data.

Is myocardial performance index an independent echocardiographic marker of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Background: Myocardial performance index (MPI) was reported as a parameter of ventricular systolic and diastolic function, as well as a useful tool to predict the outcome in patients with ventricular dysfunction.

Hypothesis: To compare MPI with classical echocardiographic parameters as an independent marker of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM).

Methods: Fifty-five children (13 deaths) underwent 104 echocardiograms from January 1996 to May 2005.

Outcome factors of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in children - a long-term follow-up review.

Background: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in children has a high rate of mortality. Cardiac transplantation is the treatment of choice in those who fail to respond to therapeutics. Several studies have been carried out to determine unfavourable prognoses, and to provide an early indication for cardiac transplantation.

[Critical left ventricular volume in aortic stenosis in first year of life: its importance in patients selection candidates to univentricular surgical correction pos-valvotomy].

Objective: Analysis of critical end diastolic left ventricular volume (EDLVV), defined as the lowest acceptable volume to keep cardiac output, in the selection of patients with post-valvotomy aortic stenosis, candidates to univentricular correction.

Methods: A retrospective study in 21 patients with aortic stenosis, during the first year of life, and 232 patients compiled from literature. Values of end diastolic volume (EDLVV), from 20 to 60 ml/m2 were determined as normal.

[Angiographic study of pulmonary circulation in tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia].

Objective: To identify the types of pulmonary vascular blood supply in tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia by use of hemodynamic study.

Methods: Fifty-six patients with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia, and ages ranging from 20 days to 4 years, underwent cineangiocardiographic study with contrast medium injections in the following vascular structures: 1) wedged pulmonary vein; 2) aortopulmonary collaterals; 3) thoracic aorta; and 4) ductus arteriosus or systemic-pulmonary shunt.

Results: In the 56 patients studied, pulmonary blood was supplied as follows: in 15, by aortopulmonary collaterals; in 36, only by the ductus arteriosus; and in 5, by the ductus arteriosus and aortopulmonary collaterals.

Anomalous origin of a pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta: surgical repair resolving pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective: To emphasize the diagnostic possibility of the anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta in infants with clinically refractory heart failure and no intracardiac structural defect.

Methods: Retrospective study of 4 infants with refractory heart failure undergoing 2-dimensional echocardiographic study with subcostal, suprasternal, and parasternal views, and hemodynamic and angiocardiographic study in the anteroposterior projection.

Results: Three of the 4 infants had their right pulmonary artery originating from the ascending aorta as their major diagnosis.

Angiographic morphologic characteristics in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.

Objective: To determine the morphological and functional changes in the right ventricle in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS) for assessing the candidates for the different therapeutic procedures currently available.

Methods: Thirty-one patients underwent cineangiocardiographic study with axial projections. Their ages ranged from 1 to 50 days (x = 9.

How can the echocardiogram be useful for predicting death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?

Objective: To determine the echocardiographic predicting factors of death in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: A retrospective study of 148 children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed between September 1979 and March 2003 was carried out. The inclusion criteria were as follows: heart failure and a reduction in contractility on the echocardiogram in the absence of congenital or secondary heart disease.

Neonate aortic stenosis: importance of myocardial perfusion in prognosis.

Objective: To analyze our experience with percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty in newborn infants with aortic stenosis, emphasizing the extraordinary importance of myocardial perfusion.

Methods: Over a 10-year-period, 21 neonates underwent percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty. Age ranged from 2 to 27 days, weight ranged from 2.