Thermal vasodilation using a portable infrared thermal blanket in decompensated heart failure.

Adjunctive and non-pharmacological therapies, such as heat, for the treatment of heart failure patients have been proposed. Positive results have been obtained in clinically stable patients, but no studies of the use of thermal therapy in patients with decompensated heart failure (DHF) have been reported. An open randomized clinical trial was designed in patients with DHF and controls.

Relationship between depression, BNP levels and ventricular impairment in heart failure.

Background: Depression is a common comorbidity in heart failure (HF); however, the mechanisms related to a poorer outcome of depressed patients with HF remain unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the role of severe depression in the outcome of patients with decompensated HF.

Methods: A total of 43 patients with advanced HF, EF < 40.

[Is it necessary to suspend betablockers in decompensated heart failure with low output?].

Background: there is evidence that the suspension of betablockers (BB) in decompensated heart failure may increase mortality. Dobutamine (dobuta) is the most commonly used inotrope in decompensation, however, BB and dobuta act with the same receptor with antagonist actions, and concurrent use of both drugs could hinder compensation.

Objective: to evaluate whether the maintenance of BB associated with dobuta difficults cardiac compensation.

Angiotensin II receptor blocker add-on therapy for low cardiac output in decompensated heart failure.

Background: During heart failure (HF) decompensation, an intense activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system occurs; however, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) cannot block it completely. Otherwise, the addition of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) can be useful when the inotropic dependence occurs. We evaluated the efficacy of the ARB-ACEI association on dobutamine withdrawal in advanced decompensated HF.

Microneurography and venous occlusion plethysmography in heart failure: correlation with prognosis.

Background: Microneurography and venous occlusion plethysmography can be considered methods of assessment of the sympathetic activity.

Objective: To evaluate the intensity of the sympathetic activity through microneurography and venous occlusion plethysmography in patients with heart failure (HF) and correlate this intensity with prognosis.

Methods: 52 patients with HF (ejection fraction < 45% at the echocardiogram): 12 with FCII and 40 with FCIV.

Hospital readmissions and death from Heart Failure--rates still alarming.

Background: Patients who require hospitalization because of decompensated HF represent a group of the most seriously ill individuals who evolve with high mortality and hospital readmission rates.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the current natural course of HF by analyzing mortality and readmission rates in this new era of neurohormonal blockage.

Methods: We followed the progress of 263 patients with a mean EF of 27.

Hyperkalemia during spironolactone use in patients with decompensated heart failure.

Background: The incidence of hyperkalemia related to spironolactone use is low in stable heart failure; however, it has not been studied during decompensation.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of spironolactone on serum potassium in decompensated heart failure (HF).

Methods: In a cohort study, patients that had been hospitalized due to decompensated HF, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 0.

[Score for nutritional status evaluation: the role played in the prognostic stratification of dilated cardiomyopathy and advanced heart failure patients].

Objective: Develop a method for the evaluation of patients nutritional status through a score that expresses universal nutritional status, as well as investigate if that score would be efficient for the prognostic stratification of advanced heart failure (HF) pts.

Methods: The score was reached by the selection of evaluation methods that would quantify nutritional status: ideal body weight percentage, thickness of tricipital skinfold, percentiles for arm muscular mass circumference, albumin serum level, lymphocyte total count. In order to be validated, the score was applied to a group of 95 pts.

[Nutritional repercussion in advanced heart failure and its value in prognostic assessment].

Objective: To analyze the nutritional repercussion in heart failure and its relations with left ventricular dysfunction and mortality.

Methods: A series of nutritional parameters in a group of 95 patients with advanced chronic heart failure, arising out of dilated cardiomyopathy and age < 65 years old, without concomitant diseases was studied. The duration of symptons, final diastolic diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction were verified.

Uric acid renal excretion and renal insufficiency in decompensated severe heart failure.

Objective: To evaluate uric acid renal excretion, hyperuricemia, renal dysfunction, and prognosis in patients with decompensated severe heart failure, as there are few data available.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-two patients, hospitalized for heart failure decompensation, in NYHA class IV, were classified into 3 groups as follows. Pilot group [ejection fraction (EF) View Article and Find Full Text PDF