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BACKGROUND Tumor disease has improved survival due to therapeutic advances and early diagnosis. However, anti-neoplastic treatment involves generating harmful side effects in the body, both in the short-term and in the long-term. One of the most important side effects is cardiovascular disease after radiotherapy, which in addition to being influenced by classic cardiovascular risk factors, can be also be influenced by anti-neoplastic therapy, and represents the main cause of death after a second cancer. We present a case that synthesizes the most relevant and determining aspects of radiotherapy-induced heart disease. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 48-year-old male with a personal history of mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma who was treated with local radiotherapy 20 years ago, and who was admitted to hospital due to dyspnea and oppressive chest pain with efforts. He was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, and a coronary angiography confirmed the existence of coronary disease. Two years before, he had been admitted to hospital due to syncope and a pacemaker had been implanted. This patient experienced several cardiovascular complications that could be attributed to the radiotherapy treatment received in his past. CONCLUSIONS Radiotherapy shows multiple cardiological complications, especially when applied at the thoracic level. This fact is very relevant, and this report can help determine the aspects of radiotherapy-induced heart disease affecting the mortality and morbidity of these patients.

Background: Levosimendan is a new calcium sensitizer with positive inotropic properties. Cardiac power output (CPO) has been shown to be instrumental in the diagnosis of cardiogenic shock (CS) and is an important determinant of outcomes., Aims: To evaluate the haemodynamic effects of levosimendan compared to dobutamine in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients revascularised by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), who developed CS., Methods and Results: Twenty two consecutive AMI patients revascularised by PCI, who developed CS, were randomly assigned to levosimendan (24 microg kg(-1) bolus plus 24-h continuous infusion 0,1 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) or dobutamine (initial dose 5 microg kg(-1) min(-1), with a maximum dose adjustment in order to reach the desired haemodynamic effect). Evaluations were performed from baseline to 30 h. The primary end-point was an increase > or =30% in CPO, after 24 h of therapy. The baseline clinical and haemodynamic characteristics were similar in both groups. Levosimendan had a consistently better effect on CPO than dobutamine, while the decrease in PCWP was similar., Conclusion: The primary objective of our study was achieved better by the end of the 24 h infusion of levosimendan than by dobutamine.

The presence of diabetes mellitus worsens prognosis in acute coronary syndromes. The aim of our study was to analyze retrospectively the influence of diabetes mellitus on the management and prognosis of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. We compared the baseline clinical characteristics of 273 patients (93 diabetic and 180 non-diabetic) admitted consecutively to our department with the diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. In both groups, we assessed the medical treatment given during hospitalization and the use of coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass grafting. Finally, we determined the incidence of heart failure during hospitalization and mortality at 28 days and 6 months in both groups. Multifactorial analysis revealed that diabetes was an independent risk factor for mortality during the study period. Data from our registry indicate that these findings were not associated with more extensive use of interventions in diabetic patients.