Identification of cardiovascular risk factors in parents/caregivers of children with heart diseases

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Brazil, they are the major cause of death.

OBJECTIVE

To identify cardiovascular risk factors in parents/caregivers of children with heart diseases by assessing their nutritional status, health conditions, and life style.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 150 parents or caregivers of children with heart diseases who attended a cardiology outpatient clinic. Data on identification, lifestyle and health conditions were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. For the assessment of the eating habits, a questionnaire on eating frequency was used; for the assessment of the nutritional status, weight, height, and waist circumference were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated and classified.

RESULTS

A total of 155 parents of children with heart diseases, predominantly of the female gender (91.6%), were evaluated; their mean age was 35.0 ± 10.6 years. The most prevalent risk factors were sedentary lifestyle (85.2%), obesity (28%) and hypertension (22.6%). As regards the eating habits, a high frequency of intake of red meat, margarine, vegetable oil, and sugar and low intake of fish were observed. Comparison between genders showed a significant difference in relation to obesity, as detected by BMI, and hypertension, both more frequent among women. Waist circumference measurement also showed a higher cardiovascular risk in women.

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular risk factors such as excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, and hypertension as well as inadequate eating habits such as a high frequency of intake of saturated fat and cholesterol and low intake of unsaturated fat were identified in the parents/caregivers assessed.

Prognostic value of fasting glucose levels in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test is a predictor of complications after Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). However, its prognostic value is not yet fully established in different age groups.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of admission fasting plasma glucose (FPG) as a predictor of 30 days after ACS, and the association of hyperglycemia with major cardiovascular events (MACE): death, reinfarction and coronary artery bypass grafting, in two different age groups (<65 year and ≥65 year-old patients).

METHODS

Contemporary cohort of patients hospitalized for ACS in the Institute of Cardiology of Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Brazil). In the first 24 hours of admission, patients answered a questionnaire with clinical information and had peripheral blood collected for measurement of FPG. Patients were followed up during hospitalization and for 30 days for the presence of MACE. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 15.0 with the chi-square or Fisher Exact test (categorical variables) and the Student t test (numerical variables). Multivariate analysis was performed.

RESULTS

580 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 61.2 (±12.3) years, with 38.6% of the patients (224) ≥65 years old, and 67.7% (393) were male. Multivariable analysis showed that, after 30 days of follow-up, only FPG (OR= 1.01, 95% CI:1.00-1.01, P= 0.001) was associated with MACE in both age groups.

CONCLUSION

Admission FPG was an independent predictor for MACE in the early phase of ACS.

Clinical features and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary artery bypass graft in a reference center in southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To describe clinical/laboratory features of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in a cardiology reference center.

METHODS

Cohort study; data from patients undergoing CABG (January 2004 to February 2006, n = 717) were evaluated for clinical/laboratory features before, during and after surgery (infections, duration of hospital stay, deaths).

RESULTS

Patients were 61.9 ± 11 years old, 67.1% males, 29.6% diabetics. Intraoperatively, diabetics had a central venous catheter placed for a longer period (p < 0.001), but extracorporeal circulation, aortic clamping and total surgery times were similar to those for non-diabetics. Infection occurred in 19.1% of patients (40.1% diabetics vs. 10.3% non-diabetics, p < 0.001). The duration of hospital stay was longer for patients with diabetes vs. non-diabetic patients, but there was no difference in deaths between the two groups (p = 0.797).

CONCLUSION

Patients with diabetes undergoing CABG develop more infectious diseases and stay longer in hospital than non-diabetics.

Congenital heart diseases in a reference service: clinical evolution and associated illnesses

BACKGROUND

Several factors, which include prenatal diagnosis and availability of new therapeutic procedures, have contributed to change the profile of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Knowing these changes is important to a better health care.

OBJECTIVES

Description of profile of patients with CHD in a reference service in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

METHODS

It is a cross-sectional study including 684 patients with CHD in a service of pediatric cardiology from January 2007 to May 2008. We interviewed the patients (and/or their parents) and examined these patients (congenital malformations, anthropometric measures). Moreover, their charts were reviewed in order to detail heart diseases, procedures and echocardiography.

RESULTS

Patients were from 16 days to 66 years old, 51.8% were female, and 93.7% were Caucasian. The mean age at diagnosis was 15.8 +/- 46.8 months. Ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus and Tetralogy of Fallot were the most prevalent CHD. 59.1% of examined patients, whose average age was 44.3 +/- 71.2 months, have been undergoing therapeutic procedures; 30.4% had congenital extracardiac malformations; and 12 patients had genetic syndrome. Regarding development, 46.6% had low weight and height gain, and 13.7% had neuropsychomotor delay. Furthermore, 18.4% had family history of congenital heart disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuropsychomotor delay and low weight and height gain may be related to CHD. Establishing a profile of patients with CHD, who were treated at an institution of reference, may function as a basis in which health care of this population can be planed appropriately.

Predictors of infection in post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BACKGROUND

Although coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a good alternative therapy in severe arterial disease, it may evolve with complications, especially infections.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of infection in post-CABG and its clinical predictors in a cardiology reference center in Brazil.

METHODS

Cohort study. Data were collected from all patients undergoing CABG between January/2004 and February/2006, excluding emergency surgery, absent record of glucose blood levels preoperatively and infection prior to surgery.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Student's t test, chi square, logistic regression.

RESULTS

We evaluated 717 patients, 61.9 ± 11 years old, 67.1% were men, 29.6% with diabetes, of whom 137 (19.1%) developed infection (62% respiratory, 25% superficial wound, 9.5% urinary, 3.6% deep wound). Diabetes was more prevalent in those who developed infection, as well as prolonged time of indwelling central venous catheter (79.3 ± 40.5 vs. 61.0 ± 19.3 hours, P<0.001). After multivariate analysis (model adjusted for dyslipidemia, hypertension, smoking and leukocytes), both diabetes (OR 4.18 [2.60-6.74]), prolonged central venous line (OR 1.019 [1.00-1.02] and cardiac catheterism (OR 2.03 [1.14-3.60] remained predictors of infection. While diabetes is associated with a higher percentage of infections (P <0.001), preoperative serum glucose was not associated with increased risk of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes and permanence of central venous catheters were associated with development of infection in post-CABG. The preoperative blood glucose was not a predictor of risk of infection. It is probably necessary to study with greater detail glycemic control trans- and post-operatively.

C-Reactive protein predicts acute myocardial infarction during high-risk noncardiac and vascular surgery

BACKGROUND

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein predicts cardiovascular events in a wide range of clinical contexts. However, the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a predictive marker for perioperative acute myocardial infarction during noncardiac surgery is not yet clear. The present study investigated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels as predictors of acute myocardial infarction risk in patients undergoing high-risk noncardiac surgery.

METHODS

This concurrent cohort study included patients aged ≥ 50 years referred for high-risk noncardiac surgery according to American Heart Association/ACC 2002 criteria. Patients with infections were excluded. Electrocardiograms were performed, and biomarkers (Troponin I or T) and/or total creatine phosphokinase and the MB fraction (CPK-T/MB) were evaluated on the first and fourth days after surgery. Patients were followed until discharge. Baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were compared between patients with and without acute myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, including 33 vascular procedures (17 aortic and 16 peripheral artery revascularizations), were studied. Sixty of the patients were men, and their mean age was 66 years. Baseline levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were higher in the group with perioperative acute myocardial infarction than in the group with non-acute myocardial infarction patients (mean 48.02 vs. 4.50, p = 0.005). All five acute myocardial infarction cases occurred in vascular surgery patients with high CRP levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing high-risk noncardiac surgery, especially vascular surgery, and presenting elevated baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels are at increased risk for perioperative acute myocardial infarction.

C-reactive protein in acute coronary syndrome: association with 3-year outcomes

Inflammatory markers have been associated with clinical outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The present study evaluated the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements as a predictor of late cardiovascular outcomes after ACS. One hundred and ninety-nine ACS patients in a Coronary Care Unit from March to November 2002 were included and were reassessed clinically after approximately 3 years. Clinical variables and CRP levels were evaluated as predictors of major cardiovascular events (MACE, defined as the occurrence of cardiac death, ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction) and mortality. Statistical analyses included Cox multivariable analysis and survival curves (Kaplan-Meier). Of the 199 patients, 11 died within 1 month (5.5%). Of the 188 remaining patients, 22 died after a mean follow-up of 2.9 +/- 0.5 years. Baseline CRP levels for patients with MACE (N = 57) were significantly higher than those of patients with no events (median = 0.67 mg/L; 25th-75th percentiles = 0.32 and 1.99 mg/L vs median = 0.45 mg/L; 25th-75th percentiles = 0.24 and 0.83 mg/L; P < 0.001). Patients with CRP levels >3 mg/L had a significantly lower survival than the other two groups (1-3 and <1 mg/L; P = 0.001, log-rank test). The odds ratio for MACE was 7.41 (2.03-27.09) for patients with CRP >3 mg/L compared with those with CRP <1 mg/L. For death by any cause, the hazard ratio was 4.58 (1.93-10.86). High CRP levels predicted worse long-term outcomes (MACE and death by any cause) in patients with ACS.

Inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease in the elderly

Most information on the role of inflammatory markers as cardiovascular disease predictors concerns only middle-aged individuals. This review aims at evaluating the role of inflammatory markers as cardiovascular disease predictors in the elderly. The Medline (Pubmed) and Cochrane databases were used in the search, using the key words. After adding the following filters:

LIMITS

Aged 65+ years, Humans, Randomized Controlled Trial, Meta-Analysis, Review, Clinical Trials, 554 studies were identified. Of these, 120 were selected and evaluated regarding their power of evidence (classification of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine). In studies with patients older than 65 years, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) showed to be good predictors of cardiovascular events. Regarding C-reactive protein (CRP), the data are inconsistent, as it appears to have lower power of prediction in the elderly when compared to middle-aged individuals. Fibrinogen levels seem to be predictors of mortality, although they are non-specific predictors, i.e., not solely of cardiovascular mortality. Additionally, the inflammatory markers are also indicative of functional decline and mortality, regardless of the presence of cardiovascular disease. The current evidence is not sufficient to allow the routine use of inflammatory markers in the elderly, as there are few studies in this age range and most of them are short-term ones with a small number of inflammatory markers. The routine request for these markers must be decided on an individual basis.

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. They were reassessed clinically after approximately 3 years. Clinical variables, glycemia, CRP and fibrinogen were evaluated as event and mortality predictors. Statistical analyses included Cox multivariate analysis and survival curves (Kaplan-Meier).

RESULTS

At admission, 16.7% had normal glycemia. After 3 years, this proportion increased to 55.2%; the 40.6% who belonged to the borderline category decreased to 27.1%; the 42.7% with elevated glycemia decreased to 17.7%. Glycemia was not associated with the development of major cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality at follow-up ( approximately 3 years). Considering MACE, CRP (p<0.001), but not fibrinogen, was predictive in bivariate analysis. Regarding mortality, both fibrinogen (p=0.020) and CRP (p=0.008) were predictive in bivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Glycemia was not associated with late mortality after ACS, but inflammatory markers were, suggesting that these are more sensitive markers to predict events in long-term. Moreover, glucose intolerance prevalence is lower in the follow-up after the ACS episode.

Survival and prognostic factors of patients treated for Stage I to Stage III endometrial carcinoma in a reference cancer center in Southern Brazil

PURPOSE

To describe two- and five-year survival of patients with Stage I to III endometrial carcinoma and to identify prognostic factors.

STUDY DESIGN

Concurrent cohort study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-two patients were operated on by the same surgeon and followed up for at least two years. All the histopathological examinations were performed by the same pathologist. Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Age, body mass index, tumor grade, myometrial invasion, histological type and stage were correlated with death.

RESULTS

Overall survival at two and five years was 90.2% and 81.4%, respectively. By bivariate analysis, FIGO stage, myometrial invasion, tumor grade, histology, adnexal and/or lymph node metastasis and age were significant predictors of death (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations with death: FIGO Stage III (p = 0.001), histological type other than endometrioid (p = 0.027) and age 70 or more (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Endometrial carcinoma Stage III patients, histological types other than endometrioid and age 70 years or more are at significant risk for death.

Perfil inflamatório, metabólico e lipídico na síndrome isquêmica aguda: relação com eventos intra e pós-hospitalares

OBJECTIVE

To associate the markers lipid profile, inflammatory profile (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein HSCRP and fibrinogen), and metabolic profile (glucose determination) with hospital and posthospital events in patients with acute ischemic syndrome (AIS) and to describe the predictors of mortality in this population.

METHODS

A cohort study with 199 patients with AIS (unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with or without ST segment elevation) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university cardiology Hospital, from March to November 2002. The previous diseases, the medication in use, and the coronary risk factors were recorded. The clinical events considered in the hospital were reinfarction, angina, heart failure (HF), ventricular fibrillation, and death; the posthospital events considered (30 days after hospital discharge) were reinfarction, angina, HF, death, and admittance for percutaneous procedures (PTCA) or for revascularization (MRS).

RESULTS

HSCRP and altered glycemia were significantly associated with hospital events (P = 0.03 and P < 0.01, respectively); however, they were not associated with posthospital events (P = 0.19 and P = 0.61, respectively). Lipid profile and fibrinogen did not have a statistically significant association in any of the times assessed. Using multiple logistic regression, age (P = 0.04), previous AMI (P = 0.04), myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation (P = 0.008) or without ST segment elevation (P = 0.048), and altered glycemia (P = 0.002) were predictors of hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

Increased HSCRP and altered glycemia were associated with a greater number of hospital events, whereas age, previous AMI, AMI with or without ST segment elevation, and altered glycemia were predictors of hospital mortality.

[Ischemic heart disease: prevention should begin in childhood]

OBJECTIVE

To review the main risk factors for ischemic heart disease and preventive strategies during childhood.

SOURCES

Medline review between 1985 and 2001, and key references from the studies evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

Preventive interventions that may start in childhood are described for risk factors such as hyperlipidemias, obesity, smoking and systemic hypertension. Results of early diagnosis and efficiency of interventions are discussed. Recent studies have shown that life styles potentially associated with atherosclerosis begin during childhood. Thus, early intervention regarding these life styles could have impact on adult behavior, reducing the prevalence of this pathologic condition.