Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in sexagenary patient

A displasia arritmogênica de ventrículo direito (DAVD) é uma das principais causas de morte súbita em indivíduos jovens. Suas manifestações e consequente diagnóstico costumam ser precoces ainda na adolescência ou no adulto jovem. Nesse contexto, o diagnóstico em doente sexagenário sem história familiar sugestiva ou sintomas prévios e com possibilidade de tratamento torna esse caso único na literatura.Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is one of the major causes of death in younger patients and its manifestations and diagnosis used to be early. In this context, diagnosis in a sexagenary patient without famylial history or previous symptoms and with possibility of correct treatment make this case unique

Mortality reduction with use of oral beta-blockers in patients with acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have revealed a relationship between beta-blocker use and worse prognosis in acute coronary syndrome, mainly due to a higher incidence of cardiogenic shock. However, the relevance of this relationship in the reperfusion era is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome that started oral beta-blockers within the first 24 hours of hospital admission (group I) compared to patients who did not use oral beta-blockers in this timeframe (group II). METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective and multicentric study with 2,553 patients (2,212 in group I and 341 in group II). Data regarding demographic characteristics, coronary treatment and medication use in the hospital were obtained. The primary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause mortality. The groups were compared by ANOVA and the chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was conducted by logistic regression and results were considered significant when

Intermediate levels of BNP were related with cardiology events in acute coronary syndromes?

Introdução: Diversos estudos na literatura têm relacionado valores elevados de peptídeo natriurético cerebral (BNP) com pior prognóstico em pacientes com síndrome coronária aguda (SCA). No entanto, valores entre 100 pg/mL e 400 pg/mL são considerados limítrofes e ainda questionados em relação à diagnóstico e ocorrência de eventos. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo observacional com objetivo de avaliar se o valor intermediário de BNP na admissão hospitalar é capaz de predizer prognóstico intrahospitalar. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo I: BNP < 100 pg/mL; grupo II: 100 < BNP < 400 pg/mL. Foram incluídos 405 pacientes (235 no grupo I e 170 no grupo II) com SCA. Obtiveram-se dados referentes à comorbidades e medicações utilizadas. Análise estatística: O desfecho primário foi mortalidade por todas as causas. O desfecho secundário foi eventos combinados (choque cardiogênico, reinfarto, morte, acidente vascular cerebral e sangramento). A comparação entre grupos foi realizada através de Q-quadrado e ANOVA. A análise multivariada foi realizada por regressão logística, sendo considerado significativo p < 0,05. Resultados: Na comparação entre os grupos I e II, observaram-se diferenças em relação à prevalência de diabetes mellitus e angioplastia coronária prévia. Na análise multivariada, observaram-se diferenças significativas entre os grupos I e II em relação à ocorrência de choque cardiogênico (2,55% x 10,59%, OR = 4,09, p = 0,01), respectivamente. Conclusão: Valores intermediários de BNP não foram capazes de predizer mortalidade em pacientes com SCA. No entanto, observou-se uma maior incidência de choque cardiogênico.Introduction: Several studies in the literaturehave linked high levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) withpoor prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).However, values between 100 pg/ml and 400 pg/ml are consideredborderline and also questioned about the occurrence of events anddiagnosis. Methods: This is an observational retrospective studyto evaluate the BNP intermediate value at hospital admissioncan predict in-hospital prognosis. The patients were divided intotwo groups: Group I: BNP < 100 pg/ml; Group II: 100 < BNP <400 pg/mL. It included 405 patients (235 in group I and 170 ingroup II) with ACS. Data were obtained regarding comorbiditiesand medications used. Statistical analysis: The primary outcomewas mortality from all causes. The secondary endpoint wascombined events (cardiogenic shock, reinfarction, death, strokeand bleeding). The comparison between groups was performedusing Q-square test and ANOVA. Multivariate analysis wasperformed by logistic regression, considering significant p < 0.05.Results: Comparing the groups I and II, there were differences inthe prevalence of diabetes and previous coronary angioplasty. Inmultivariate analysis, there were significant differences betweengroups I and II in the occurrence of cardiogenic shock (2.55%vs. 10.59%, OR = 4.09, p = 0.01), respectively. Conclusion:Intermediate BNP values were not able to predict mortality inpatients with ACS. However, there was a higher incidence ofcardiogenic shock

A social and ecological assessment of tropical land uses at multiple scales: the Sustainable Amazon Network

Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network (Rede Amazonia Sustentavel, RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far.Keywords: Social–ecological systems, Tropical forests, Land use, Interdisciplinary research, Sustainability, Trade-off

Rare manifestation of acute pulmonary edema associated with acute lupus myocarditis

O lupus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é a mais comum das doenças auto-imunes sistêmicas, ocorrendo com maior freqüência no sexo feminino, usualmente na faixa etária entre 16 e 55 anos1,2. Embora os rins classicamente sejam os órgãos mais acometidos no LES, o coração e a circulação cardiopulmonar também podem ser afetados de forma significativa3. Nesse contexto, a ocorrência de edema agudo de pulmão associado à miocardite lúpica é rara e de tratamento imunossupressor específico ainda incerto

Asociación entre enfermedades inmunológicas y sus manifestaciones clínicas semejantes

Trata-se de um caso de uma paciente de 30 anos do sexo feminino, com prótese biológica valvar mitral em razão de estenose mitral sintomática e antecedentes de infarto agudo do miocárdio, episódios de convulsões tônico-clônicas generalizadas, alucinações visuais, eventos tromboembólicos cerebrais, apresentando no momento coreia e cardite aguda. Foram diagnosticados na paciente febre reumática em atividade, lúpus eritematoso sistêmico e síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolipídeo. A combinação de três diagnósticos incomuns em um mesmo paciente torna esse caso único, modificando o tratamento e seu prognóstico

Seizure as first manifestation of endocarditis in a patient with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a case report

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is a potentially overlooked condition that involves the formation of sterile fibrin vegetations on heart valve leaflets in cancer patients. This condition can lead to valvular dysfunction, heart failure and systemic embolization. The pathogenesis depends on hypercoagulable states which are common in malignancy scenarios. Diagnosis requires the presence of valvular vegetations and the absence of infection