Acute Coronary Syndrome in Brazil: Registration of Predisposing Factors and Population Profile in a National Public Reference Cardiological Institute.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Knowing the predisposing factors is essential for preventing it.

Objectives: To describe the etiological and epidemiological characteristics of the population with ACS admitted to an emergency room in the State of São Paulo.

Endothelial Microparticles: Markers of Inflammatory Response After Sutureless Valve Implantation.

Introduction: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is related to increased circulating endothelial microparticles (EMP).

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the plasma concentration of EMP between patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with conventional bioprosthesis implantation and Perceval™ S (LivaNova) and to evaluate its impact on the inflammatory response in the short-term follow-up.

Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial with 24 patients submitted to isolated aortic valve replacement divided into two groups: Perceval™ S (Group P) and conventional bioprostheses (Group C).

Use of a Portable Mechanical Ventilator during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is Feasible, Improves Respiratory Parameters, and Prevents the Decrease of Dynamic Lung Compliance.

Background: For practical and protective ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a 150-grams mechanical ventilator (VLP2000E) that limits peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) during simultaneous ventilation with chest compressions was developed.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of VLP2000E ventilation during CPR and to compare monitored parameters versus bag-valve ventilation.

Methods: A randomized experimental study with 10 intubated pigs per group.

Association between Clinical Risk Score (Heart, Grace and TIMI) and Angiographic Complexity in Acute Coronary Syndrome without ST Segment Elevation.

Background: GRACE, TIMI and HEART scores have been previously validated to predict serious untoward events among patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (Non-ST ACS). However, the ability of these scores to discriminate the angiographic complexity of coronary artery disease has not been clearly established.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the correlation between clinical scores (TIMI, GRACE and HEART) and the anatomical complexity assessed by SYNTAX score, among non-ST ACS patients undergoing cinecoronariography.

Ivabradine plus conventional treatment vs conventional treatment alone in reducing the mean heart rate in heart transplant recipients: A randomized clinical trial.

The absence of afferent nerves for heart rate (HR) regulation leaves the transplanted heart under the influence of its internal and hormonal control. The HR of heart transplantation (HTx) recipients varies from to 90-110 bpm, indicating a lack of vagal parasympathetic tone. We hypothesized that the reduction in mean HR using an If-channel antagonist (ivabradine) could be effective and safe in HTx recipients.

Association between left atrial strain and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Left ventricular diastolic function is an important prognostic marker in acute coronary syndrome. However, classification of the dysfunction grade using isolated echocardiographic parameters remains difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to combine multiple data in diagnostic algorithms.

Independent predictors of effective blood pressure control in patients with hypertension on drug treatment in Brazil.

Population assessment of effective blood pressure (BP) control is fundamental for reducing the global burden of hypertension, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of BP control and determined independent predictors associated with effective control among patients with hypertension on drug treatment in a large cross-sectional study performed in two metropolitan areas in Brazil's southeast region. A total of 43 647 patients taking antihypertensive treatment were identified.

Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Women and Microcephaly.

From the discovery of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in 1947 in Uganda (Africa), until its arrival in South America, it was not known that it would affect human reproductive life so severely. Today, damage to the central nervous system is known to be multiple, and microcephaly is considered the tip of the iceberg. Microcephaly actually represents the epilogue of this infection's devastating process on the central nervous system of embryos and fetuses.

Management of infection by the Zika virus.

A panel of national experts was convened by the Brazilian Infectious Diseases Society in order to organize the national recommendations for the management of zika virus infection. The focus of this document is the diagnosis, both clinical and laboratorial, and appropriate treatment of the diverse manifestations of this infection, ranging from acute mild disease to Guillain-Barré syndrome and also microcephaly and congenital malformations.

DISSEMINATED FUNGAL INFECTION WITH ADRENAL INVOLVEMENT: REPORT OF TWO HIV NEGATIVE BRAZILIAN PATIENTS.

Paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis are systemic fungal infections endemic in Brazil. Disseminated clinical forms are uncommon in immunocompetent individuals. We describe two HIV-negative patients with disseminated fungal infections, paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis, who were diagnosed by biopsies of suprarenal lesions.

Daptomycin in the Clinical Setting: 8-Year Experience with Gram-positive Bacterial Infections from the EU-CORE(SM) Registry.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of daptomycin therapy in patients with serious Gram-positive infections.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in the European Cubicin(®) Outcomes Registry and Experience (EU-CORE(SM)), a non-interventional, multicenter, observational registry. The real-world data were collected across 18 countries (Europe, Latin America, and Asia) for patients who had received at least one dose of daptomycin between January 2006 and April 2012.

Echocardiography for prognostication during the resuscitation of intensive care unit patients with non-shockable rhythm cardiac arrest.

Aim: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) during cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) has been studied in victims of cardiac arrests. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of TTE in victims of cardiac arrest with non-shockable rhythms hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: This prospective and observational cohort study evaluated ICU patients with CPA in asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA).

Association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and troponin in acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the western world and its treatment should be optimized to decrease severe adverse events.

Objective: To determine the effect of previous use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on cardiac troponin I measurement in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation and evaluate clinical outcomes at 180 days.

Methods: Prospective, observational study, carried out in a tertiary center, in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation.

Experimental cardiac arrest treatment with adrenaline, vasopressin, or placebo.

Background: The effect of vasoconstrictors in prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has not been fully clarified.

Objectives: To evaluate adrenaline and vasopressin pressure effect, and observe the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

Methods: A prospective, randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled study.

Prospective validation of the Dante Pazzanese risk score in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: In non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the likelihood of adverse events should be estimated. Guidelines recommend risk stratification models for that purpose. The Dante Pazzanese risk score (DANTE score) is a simple risk stratification model composed with the following variables: age increase (0 to 9 points); history of diabetes mellitus (2 points) or stroke (4 points); no use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (1 point); creatinine elevation (0 to 10 points); combination of troponin elevation and ST-segment depression (0 to 4 points).

Brazilian experience in EU-CORE: daptomycin registry and treatment of serious Gram-positive infections.

Objectives: To collect data about non-controlled prescribing use of daptomycin and its impact among Brazilian patients with serious Gram positive bacterial infection, as well as the efficacy and safety outcomes.

Materials And Methods: This is a multi-center, retrospective, non-interventional registry (August 01, 2009 to June 30, 2011) to collect data on 120 patients (44 patients in the first year and 76 patients in the second year) who had received at least one dose of commercial daptomycin in Brazil for the treatment of serious Gram-positive bacterial infection.

Results: Right-sided endocarditis (15.

Correlation of risk scores with coronary anatomy in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The literature lacks studies regarding the correlation between risk scores and coronary anatomy in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) OBJECTIVE: Correlate risk scores with the severity of the coronary lesion in ACS with non-ST elevation.

Methods: A total of 582 patients were analyzed between July 2004 and October 2006. The correlation between TIMI risk scores and GRACE (hospital and six months) scores was performed for patients with coronary lesion ≥ 50%, using Spearman's non-parametric method.

Comparison between cardiac troponin I and CK-MB mass in acute coronary syndrome without st elevation.

Background: There is uncertainty as to the comparative prognostic value between cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and CK-MB in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Objective: To compare the prognostic value between cTnI and CK-MB mass in patients with ACS without ST-segment elevation.

Methods: 1,027 patients were analyzed in a prospective way in a tertiary cardiology center.