Comparative Analysis of Conventional and Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic Variables between Patients with Unrejected Heart Transplants and Healthy Individuals.

Background: Echocardiography is essential for the assessment of patients with heart transplants. However, normal values in such individuals are not clearly defined.

Objectives: To compare conventional echocardiographic and speckle tracking variables between patients with unrejected heart transplants and healthy individuals.

Left Ventricular Remodeling Shortly after Open Mitral Valve Replacement for Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis.

Introduction: Left ventricular dysfunction after surgical treatment of mitral stenosis is uncommon. We intend to determine the pattern of left ventricular remodeling, shortly after open mitral valve replacement for rheumatic mitral stenosis, with in-hospital postoperative outcomes and the determinants of postoperative worsening of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Methods: From January 2008 to January 2015, 107 adult patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis were submitted to open mitral valve replacement.

Determinants of Aortic Prosthesis Mismatch in a Brazilian Public Health System Hospital: Big Patients or Small Prosthesis?

Background: Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is associated with worse outcomes.

Objective: Determine the frequency and evaluate preoperatory variables independently associated with severe PPM in a tertiary hospital focused on Public Health Care.

Methods: A total of 316 patients submitted to aortic valve replacement, who had echocardiography performed within the first 30 days after surgery, were retrospectively analyzed.