Abstract Background Hypertensive patients present, in addition to worse cardiovascular health, lower health-related quality of life compared to normotensive subjects. Factors such as functional capacity, functional status, pain, participation in social activities, mental and emotional health, fatigue and energy level, along with perception of general health, seem to be relevant for evaluation in this population. However, evidence is unclear in hypertensive patients. Objective To analyze the factors associated with quality of life in hypertensive patients. Methods Forty-five patients were recruited. […]

Abstract Background Changes in arterial compliance are among the first changes detectable in hypertensive syndrome. Methods with good reproducibility as compared with the gold standard for identifying such changes are desirable in clinical practice. Objectives To compare central pressure measurements and arterial stiffness obtained by two non-invasive methods (tonometry and oscillometry). Methods This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of patients with borderline hypertension or stage 1 hypertension. Peripheral and central blood pressure measurements were obtained by […]

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is worldwide known as a public health issue with high morbimortality. One of the issues related to the evolution of HF is the high rate of hospital readmission caused by decompensation of the clinical condition, with high costs and worsening of ventricular function. Objective To quantify the readmission rate and identify the predictors of rehospitalization in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Methods Hospital-based historic cohort of patients admitted with acute decompensated HF in a […]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the QoL of patients undergoing heart valve replacement using the SF-36 questionnaire, compare it between patients with mechanical prosthesis and patients with bioprosthesis, and correlate the results with sociodemographic variables. Objective: To assess the QoL of patients undergoing heart valve replacement and compare it between patients with bioprosthetic valves and patients with mechanical prosthetic valves. Methods: We included 36 consecutive patients (16 men) with a mean age of 51 years and […]

Background: Recently, a new HF entity, with LVEF between 40-49%, was presented to comprehend and seek better therapy for HF with preserved LVEF (HFpEF) and borderline, in the means that HF with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) already has well-defined therapy in the literature. Objective: To compare the clinical-therapeutic profile of patients with HF with mid-range LVEF (HFmrEF) with HFpEF and HFrEF and to verify predictors of hospital mortality. Method: Historical cohort of patients admitted with decompensated HF at a supplementary hospital […]

Background: Although associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, it is unclear whether obesity alone is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Objective: To investigate the role of obesity as a risk factor for CAD, defined by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Methods: This study retrospectively included 1,814 patients referred for CCTA in a hospital in São Paulo, from August 2010 to July 2012. CAD was identified by coronary calcium score and presence of coronary stenosis > 50%. Images were analyzed […]

Background: Treatment of postoperative (PO) pain is essential after surgery, as it contributes to a faster rehabilitation. Assessment of PO pain after minimally invasive (MI) surgery has not been regularly addressed, especially when compared with median sternotomy (MS). Objective: This study aims to evaluate the intensity of thoracic pain in the PO period in patients subjected to MI surgery and MS. Methods: This study compared the intensity of thoracic pain in 34 patients subjected to minimally invasive (MI; n = […]

Background: Despite the efficacy of vitamin K antagonists against stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the underuse of this therapy is well documented. Objectives: To evaluate trends and predictors of oral anticoagulants utilization in patients with AF. Methods: Observational, retrospective, serial cross-sectional study between 2011-2016. Comparisons between groups were performed using the Student t, Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of anticoagulation. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total […]

Background: Lung diseases and different forms of breathing may interfere with cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM). Objective: To compare CAM in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with healthy individuals during spontaneous breathing (SB) and controlled breathing (CB). Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 30 individuals selected by convenience, divided into COPD group (n = 19) and control group (CG; n = 12). All participants were submitted to heart beat recordings during five minutes at rest (SB) and another five minutes during […]

Background: Hemodilution, transoperative bleeding and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are some of the factors associated with high transfusion rates in cardiac surgery. Objective: To analyze the incidence of blood transfusion and early postoperative outcomes in cardiac surgery patients. Methods: Cohort study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery in a university hospital, consecutively enrolled from May 2015 to February 2017. Data were prospectively collected and comparisons were made between two patients’ groups: transfused and not transfused. Student’s t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression […]