Association of potassium disorders with the mode of death and etiology in patients with chronic heart failure: the INCOR-HF study.

Observational studies suggest a U-shaped association between serum potassium (K⁺) levels and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the mode of death in patients with HF and K⁺ disorders remains speculative. To investigate the association between potassium disorders and the mode of death in patients with CHF.

A Novel Percutaneous Technique for Left Ventricular Assist Device Deactivation Using a Left Atrial Appendage Occluder in the Outflow Cannula.

Reverse cardiac remodeling may occur in some left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients. Although considered the standard therapy, surgical device explantation with repeat sternotomy might be undesirable or very high risk. On the other hand, there are few data reporting minimally invasive percutaneous LVAD deactivation.

Early reduction of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients using a long-term mechanical ventricular assistance device: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a contraindication for heart transplantation (HT). It has been correlated with increased early and late mortality, mainly associated with right ventricular failure. Ventricular assistance devices (VADs) can promote reduction of intracardiac pressures and consequent reduction of PAH over the medium and long terms, thus enabling future candidature for HT.

COVID-19 complicating perioperative management of LVAD implantation: A case report and systematic review.

The coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) affected 125 million people worldwide and caused 2.7 million deaths. Some comorbidities are associated with worse prognosis and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients are probably part of this high-risk population.

Worsening of heart failure by coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with high mortality.

Aims: Patients with advanced heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) and concurrent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might have a higher risk of severe events.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively studied 16 patients with advanced HFrEF who developed COVID-19 between 1 March and 29 May 2020. Follow-up lasted until 30 September.

Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

Recent decades have seen an increase in survival rates for cancer patients, partially explained by earlier diagnoses and new chemotherapeutic agents. However, chemotherapy may be associated with adverse cardiovascular events, including hypertension and pulmonary hypertension, supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. For patients, the benefits of chemotherapy may be partially obfuscated by deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, resulting in a significant increase in morbidity and mortality.

Infectious agents and inflammation in donated hearts and dilated cardiomyopathies related to cardiovascular diseases, Chagas' heart disease, primary and secondary dilated cardiomyopathies.

Background: Clinical and experimental conflicting data have questioned the relationship between infectious agents, inflammation and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of infectious agents and inflammation in endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) specimens from patients with idiopathic DCM, explanted hearts from different etiologies, including Chagas' disease, compared to donated hearts.

Methods: From 2008 to 2011, myocardial samples from 29 heart donors and 55 patients with DCMs from different etiologies were studied (32 idiopathic, 9 chagasic, 6 ischemic and 8 other specific etiologies).

The first cardiac transplant experience in a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis.

Hunter syndrome (MPSII) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder that can affect multiple systems but primarily affects the heart. We report the case of a previously asymptomatic 23-year-old patient who had an attenuated form of MPSII and presented with refractory heart failure that required a heart transplant. The diagnosis was confirmed by detection of an increase in urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans, a deficiency in enzymatic activity, and molecular analysis.

Beta-blocker therapy and mortality of patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy: a subanalysis of the REMADHE prospective trial.

Background: Peculiar aspects of Chagas cardiomyopathy raise concerns about efficacy and safety of sympathetic blockade. We studied the influence of beta-blockers in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Methods And Results: We examined REMADHE trial and grouped patients according to etiology (Chagas versus non-Chagas) and beta-blocker therapy.

Transfer of cholesterol and other lipids from a lipid nanoemulsion to high-density lipoprotein in heart transplant patients.

Background: Beyond the first year after a heart transplant (HT) procedure, patients often develop dyslipidemias, which may be implicated in the genesis of transplant coronary heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has a several anti-atherogenic properties, but the status of HDL in HT patients is still controversial. Nonetheless, determination of HDL cholesterol concentration is not sufficient for evaluation of the overall HDL protective role.

Anemia and renal failure as predictors of risk in a mainly non-ischemic heart failure population.

Anemia and renal failure (RF) are related to poor prognosis in chronic heart failure (HF). Anemia appear early in the course of RF and its value as predictor of risk in HF may be overlap by the value of RF. We aimed to establish the prognostic value of anemia and RF in a Brazilian HF population.

Peak VO2 and VE/VCO2 slope in betablockers era in patients with heart failure: a Brazilian experience.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) and the VE/VCO2 slope are predictors of survival in patients with heart failure (HF). However, with the advent of betablockers in the treatment of HF, the prognostic values of peak VO2 and VE/VCO2 slope have not been fully established.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of betablocker use on the prognostic value of peak VO2 and VE/VCO2 slope in patients with HF.

Decompensated heart failure in the emergency department of a cardiology hospital.

Background: National studies on decompensated heart failure (DHF) are key to the understanding of this condition in our midst.

Objective: To determine the characteristics of DHF patients in an emergency department.

Methods: A total of 212 patients diagnosed with decompensated heart failure who had been admitted to an emergency department (EU) of a cardiology hospital were prospectively evaluated.

Hypertonic saline solution for renal failure prevention in patients with decompensated heart failure.

Background: Hyponatremia and congestive phenomena indicate a bad prognosis in decompensated heart failure. The occurrence of renal failure is associated to an increased death risk.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the hypertonic saline solution in patients with decompensated heart failure for renal failure prevention.

Effects of bisoprolol on cardiac function and exercise in patients with heart failure.

Objective: To assess the effects of bisoprolol on exercise capacity and ventricular function in patients with heart failure.

Methods: Clinical and hemodynamic variables, ventricular function and remodeling, and ergospirometry of patients with heart failure of different etiologies were evaluated before and after the administration of bisoprolol.

Results: Twenty-two patients were analyzed; one patient did not tolerate medication and 14 patients reached the study goal.