Myocardial tissue Doppler assessment of diastolic function in the growth-restricted fetus.

Objectives: Myocardial tissue Doppler (MTD) is a technique for the measurement of myocardial velocities in systole and diastole. This study evaluates the use of MTD in the assessment of cardiac diastolic function in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with placental insufficiency and in appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) fetuses with hypertensive mothers.

Methods: This study included 14 IUGR fetuses with placental insufficiency (Group 1), 13 AGA fetuses with hypertensive mothers (Group 2), and 29 AGA fetuses with healthy mothers (Group 3).

Reversal of postprandial endothelial dysfunction by cyclooxygenase inhibition in healthy volunteers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cyclooxygenase (COX) in venous vascular reactivity changes after an oral lipid overload (OLO). Venous endothelial function (dorsal hand vein technique) was evaluated in fasting, 30 minutes after COX inhibition (aspirin-fasting), 2 to 4 hours after an OLO (1000 kcal, 58% fat), and again after COX inhibition (aspirin-OLO, 600 mg/200 mL water) in 10 healthy adults (age, 28.1 +/- 1.

Dynamics of the septum primum in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that the linear displacement of the septum primum (SP) is lower in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) than in fetuses with appropriate growth for gestational age (AGA).

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the ratio between the SP displacement and left atrial diameter (excursion index [EI]) was compared in 27 fetuses with IUGR (group 1), 24 fetuses with AGA of hypertensive mothers (group 2), and 35 controls (group 3). Flow through the atrioventricular (AV) valves and the umbilical artery resistance index (RI) were also compared.

Chronotropic response to exercise after pulmonary veins isolation or Cox-maze operation.

Objective: To evaluate the chronotropic response to exercise during immediate and late postoperative period after atrial fibrillation and mitral valve surgical treatment by different techniques.

Methods: Prospective controlled clinical study of 42 patients presenting chronic AF associated mitral valve disease, who underwent surgery by the techniques of pulmonary veins isolation (n=16), Modified Cox-maze procedure, without cryoablation (n=13), both with isolated mitral valve repair (n=13). The preoperative clinical characteristics, surgical indications, kind and aetiology of valve lesion were similar between groups.

Left atrial shortening fraction in fetuses with and without myocardial hypertrophy in diabetic pregnancies.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that, in diabetic pregnancies, left atrial shortening fraction (LASF) is decreased in fetuses with myocardial hypertrophy, compared to those without hypertrophy and to fetuses of non-diabetic mothers.

Methods: Fetal echocardiography was performed in women with pre-existing or gestational diabetes and in non-diabetic controls between 25 weeks' gestation and term. LASF was calculated using the formula: (end-systolic diameter-end-diastolic diameter)/end-systolic diameter, and data were compared between diabetic women with and without fetal myocardial hypertrophy and controls.

Safety and feasibility of transulnar cardiac catheterization.

Recently, ulnar artery cannulation has been described as an alternative to the transfemoral and radial approaches to vascular access for cardiac catheterization. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the ulnar approach.From September 2004 through September 2006, 28 patients in a cohort study underwent cardiac catheterization by the transulnar approach.

Transdisciplinary approach to the follow-up of patients after myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To compare conventional and transdisciplinary care in a tertiary outpatient clinic for patients after their first acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: One hundred fifty-three patients with acute myocardial infarction were randomized at hospital discharge and followed-up to compare conventional (n=75) and transdisciplinary care (n=78). They were submitted to a clinical evaluation, received a dietary plan, and were re-evaluated twice in 60-180 days by a nurse, dietitian and physician, when new clinical and laboratory data were collected.

Determination of the minimum inflation time necessary for total stent expansion and apposition: an in vitro study.

Objective: Determine minimum inflation time necessary for total stent expansion and apposition.

Background: Complete stent expansion is needed to adequately support the increase in artery lumen and to accommodate neointimal growth.

Methods: Experimental in vitro study.

Overweight, obesity and other risk factors for IHD in Brazilian schoolchildren.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity and nutritional habits in schoolchildren aged 10-18 years.

Methods: Contemporary, cross-sectional, population-based study, with a stratified probabilistic sample of secondary schools in Porto Alegre comprising a total of 511 schoolchildren. Data on family risk factors, anthropometrics and eating habits were collected.

Low birth weight and markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in adulthood: the ARIC study.

Background: To investigate the hypothesis that intrauterine growth restriction might produce a longstanding pro-inflammatory tendency, we investigated the association of low birth weight with blood levels of markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in middle-aged adults.

Methods: The ARIC Study enrolled subjects aged 45-64 years sampled from four U.S.

Assessment of diastolic ventricular function in fetuses of diabetic mothers using tissue Doppler.

Objective: To identify the presence of ventricular diastolic dysfunction by tissue Doppler in fetuses of diabetic mothers, with or without septal hypertrophy, in comparison to fetuses of nondiabetic mothers.

Methods: A contemporary transverse study in fetuses with a gestational age between 25 weeks to term, studying diastolic function by assessment using tissue Doppler and pulsed wave Doppler of the atrioventricular diastolic flow. The mothers of the fetuses all had previous or gestational diabetes, and were referred to the Fetal Cardiology Unit of the Institute of Cardiology in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Reduced venous endothelial responsiveness after oral lipid overload in healthy volunteers.

The aim of this study was to investigate endothelial venous function, inflammatory markers, and systemic oxidative stress after an oral lipid overload (OLO). We studied 18 healthy adults (9 men; age, 29.2 +/- 0.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect with Amplatzer device in children aged less than 10 years old: immediate and late follow-up.

Aims: To analyze the efficacy and follow-up results of percutaneous closure of Atrial septal defect (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder in children aged <10 years old.

Methods: Between November 1998 and September 2005, 27 patients diagnosed with ASD were treated percutaneously with an Amplatzer septal occluder. The procedure was carried out in the cathlab, under general anesthesia and with both fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography guidance.

'Correction:' Serum transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta-1) levels in diabetic patients are not associated with pre-existent coronary artery disease.

Background: The association between TGF-beta1 levels and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is controversial. No study specifically addressed patients with CAD and diabetes mellitus (DM). The association between TGF-beta1 levels and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is controversial.

Circuit weight training and cardiac morphology: a trial with magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Aerobic training (AT) and circuit weight training (CWT) improve peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)peak). During CWT the circulatory system is exposed to higher pressure, which could induce left ventricle morphological adaptations, possibly distinct from those derived from aerobic training.

Objective: To compare the effects of aerobic training and CWT upon morphological and functional cardiac adaptations detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

Glycemia and inflammatory markers in acute coronary syndrome: association with late post-hospital outcomes.

Background: Glycemia and inflammatory markers were associated with clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Objectives: To evaluate the role of glycemia and inflammatory markers as predictors of late cardiovascular outcomes after ACS.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-nine ACS patients of a Coronary Care Unit were included, from March to November 2002.

Randomized study of propofol effect on electrophysiological properties of the atrioventricular node in patients with nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Background: Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is probably the most common form of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Percutaneous catheter ablation is a technique to interrupt cardiac conduction pathways selectively. The anesthetist is challenged to provide a safe anesthetic which takes into account the electrophysiologist's requirements for minimal cardiac conduction interference.

Cardiac surgery unmasks latent hypoparathyroidism in a child with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a developmental field defect of the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches characterized by a spectrum of thymic and parathyroid gland abnormalities and conotruncal cardiac defects. Latent hypoparathyroidism, defined as normocalcaemia at rest but reduced ability to secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) in response to pharmacologically evoked hypocalcaemia, is found in 30-50% of people with this syndrome.

Angiographic coronary artery disease is associated with progressively higher levels of fasting plasma glucose.

This study evaluated the association between progressively higher levels of fasting glycemia (G) and insulin resistance parameters with coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients referred for coronary angiography. All 145 patients (age 58.4+/-0.

Predictive score for target vessel revascularization after bare metal coronary stenting.

Background: The ability to estimate the rate of a new target vessel revascularization (TVR) after bare metal coronary stenting is an important issue, as the systematic use of drug-eluting stents is still limited by its high costs.

Objective: We sought to create a predictive score for the possibility of a new TVR after bare metal stenting.

Methods: Clinical and angiographic characteristics of a prospective cohort of 848 patients were included in a dedicated database.

Repeatability of the sonographic assessment of fetal sucking and swallowing movements.

Objective: To test the repeatability of sonography in the assessment of fetal sucking and swallowing movements.

Methods: Eighty normal fetuses of pregnant women with no systemic abnormalities were examined sonographically at 30-38 weeks of gestation. Sucking and swallowing movements were observed for 15 min and the face was visualized in frontal and lateral views.

Coronary risk factors in adult children of parents with coronary heart disease: a comparison survey of southeastern Brazil and southeastern United States.

A survey was performed in southeastern Brazil and in the southeastern United States to: 1) compare coronary risk factors in adult children (>18 years old) of parents with coronary heart disease enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation programs in countries with different geographic, social, and economic factors; and 2) to assess the influence of coronary heart disease of parents on alteration of lifestyle in these adult children. There were 286 biological children available for the survey (135 Brazil, 151 United States). Of those, 142 completed the survey (78 Brazil, 64 United States) for an overall compliance rate of 50% (58% Brazil, 42% United States).

Increased urinary TGF-beta1 and cortical renal GLUT1 and GLUT2 levels: additive effects of hypertension and diabetes.

Background/aim: Diabetes and mesangial stretch caused by hypertension increase mesangial matrix deposition which is induced by local production of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1). Both conditions are associated with cortical GLUT1 overexpression. We evaluated the effect of genetically determined hypertension and its association with diabetes on urinary TGF-beta1 and cortical GLUT1 and GLUT2 expression.

Effectiveness of acetylcysteine in prevention of contrast nephropathy.

Background: Acetylcysteine may provide prophylaxis against contrast nephropathy (CN) in some patients. Its benefit may vary according to the characteristics of patients and contrast used. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of oral acetylcysteine in preventing CN after coronary procedures in our practice.

Dynamics of the pulmonary venous flow in the fetus and its association with vascular diameter.

Background: The usual positioning of the Doppler sample volume to assess fetal pulmonary vein flow is in the distal portion of the vein, where the vessel diameter is maximal. This study was performed to test the association of the pulmonary vein pulsatility index (PVPI) with the vessel diameter.

Methods And Results: Twenty-three normal fetuses (mean gestational age, 28.