Abstract Introduction: Left ventricular dysfunction as an independent predictor of mortality in Chagas disease. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is an emerging echocardiographic modality with possible incremental value in early detection of cardiac involvement. Objective: Compare left ventricular function with multiple echocardiographic parameters between patients with the indeterminate and chronic forms of Chagas, and perform a literature review. Methods: In this observational study, 11 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Chagas disease were evaluated. Individuals were distributed as follows: five with […]

Abstract Introduction: Predictors of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have been identified. However, they have not been validated after alcohol septal ablation (ASA). Data to predict the occurrence of arrhythmia after the procedure are not certain. Objectives: To retrospectively analyze patients who underwent ASA and to determine the predictors of post-op ventricular arrhythmia. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 53 consecutive patients with HCM who underwent ASA procedure due to symptomatic left ventricular outflow […]

Abstract Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has a wide range of applications, including medicine and medical education. It presents itself as an alternative to traditional teaching-learning methods of human morphophysiology. Objectives: To report the initial experience in prototyping a 3D-printed anatomical model of the human heart with valvular heart disease, as well as its potential use in the active teaching-learning process in human morphophysiology. Methods: This is an experimental, descriptive study developed in three distinct stages: 1) Selection of the morphofunctional […]

Abstract Background: Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) manifests as heart failure, thromboembolic events, and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although SCD may be the presenting event, there is still no recommendation for early cardioverter/defibrillator implantation in current guidelines. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between autonomic denervation, myocardial hypoperfusion, fibrosis, and ventricular arrhythmias in patients in the early stages of CCC. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 29 patients with CCC and preserved left ventricular function who underwent SPECT with iodine-123-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG), myocardial perfusion SPECT […]

Abstract Background: Considering that the effect of right ventricular (RV) failure on the right atrium (RA) is an essential part of the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension (PH), the assessment of RA function seems to have prognostic value in the course of the disease, but there are still few studies on this subject. Objective: To evaluate myocardial strain of the RA in patients with precapillary PH. Methods: This is an observational, longitudinal, prospective study involving 36 patients with precapillary PH, in […]

Abstract Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic disease with high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of PAH is mainly made based on echocardiographic parameters and natriuretic peptide levels. However, given the low incidence of PAH worldwide, the diagnosis of PAH can be challenging. Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between systemic immune-inflammation (SII) index and PAH. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 110 patients (43 PAH patients and 67 controls). The SII index was compared between the […]

Abstract Introduction: Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) is considered to occur if a prosthetic heart valve has a high transvalvular pressure gradient and a reduced indexed valve area, despite normally functioning discs. PPM may have clinical and hemodynamic repercussions for patients. Objective: To analyze the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of PPM in patients with prosthetic aortic valves. Methods: Patients aged 18 years or over with a biological or mechanical aortic valve undergoing follow-up since February 2010 were included. PPM was considered mild […]

Abstract Background: Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is an important non-invasive method for diagnosing coronary artery disease, but it is not free from artifacts. Performing the combined supine-prone protocol can bring benefits to images with artifacts from the standard protocol in the supine position. The lack of unanimity in the implementation of the combined protocol may be related to the lack of objective data for the prior selection of patients. Objective: To evaluate which anthropometric profiles may be associated with a greater […]

Abstract Background: The calcium score is an imaging test used to evaluate cardiovascular risk by detecting coronary artery calcification (CAC). However, exposure to ionizing radiation during computed tomography (CT) has been a concern. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate radiation dose and the diagnostic quality of the calcium score using reduced tube voltage and iterative image reconstruction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study with patients over 18 years of age. Patients with previous coronary artery disease […]

Abstract Introduction Right ventricle (RV) elasticity tends to decrease with aging and may alter its diastolic function. Objective To evaluate the correlation between echocardiographic changes in RV diastolic function and advancing age in individuals with normal biventricular systolic function. Methods This retrospective observational cohort study included 110 patients: 66 (60%) women (62 [SD, 13.7] years) and 44 (40%) men (60.6 [SD, 10.8] years). The transthoracic echocardiography data included: spectral Doppler of tricuspid inflow E wave, A wave, E/A ratio, and […]