Search

Background: This study assessed cardiac rehabilitation (CR) barriers in heart failure (HF) patients for the first time, use of formal exercise supervision, and readmissions. Methods: This was a prospective study of HF in-patients at a private hospital. The CR Barriers Scale (CRBS), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered. Participants were called 30 and 90-days to ascertain formal exercise supervision and readmissions. Results: Of 95 participants, 85 (89.5%) were retained at the 30-day call, and 86 (90.5%) at 90; 2 died. The mean total CRBS score was 2.3±.6.5, with highest item scores for lack of energy, already exercising, lack of awareness, distance and exercise pain/fatigue. Only 1 participant enrolled in CR, but close to half had engaged an exercise professional (n=48, 56.5% and n=45, 52.3%) at both follow-ups. 25.8% of patients were readmitted at 30 days and 25.5% at 90 days. Participants who had professional exercise supervision within 30 days had significantly fewer readmissions (n​​=7, 14.6%) compared with patients who did not (n=13, 35.1%; p=0.03). Conclusions: CR barriers are high in HF patients. Despite some accessing professional exercise training, most were insufficiently active. Systematic CR referral and coverage advocacy could mitigate this poor self-management, and ultimately the high readmissions.

Background Cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression are present in patients with heart failure (HF), but their mutual correlation in hospitalized patients is not well established. Objectives The aims of this study were to identify the presence of cognitive impairment and the most affected domain, to investigate possible associations of cognitive impairment with depression and/or anxiety, and to observe whether they correlated with occurrence of readmission within 30 days following hospital discharge. Methods This is a prospective observational study including patients with HF from a private hospital. Psychological distress and cognition were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and by the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), respectively. Clinical data were obtained from the medical record at the time of inclusion, and outpatient follow-up was performed 30 days after discharge via telephone calls. Results This study included 71 patients (83% men, 75 ± 11 years). Cognitive impairment was present in 53.5% of the patients, and recall memory was the most altered cognitive domain. The proportion of possible/probable anxiety and depression was 21.1% and 34.2% in patients with cognitive impairment, respectively. However, only depression demonstrated association with cognitive impairment (p = 0.018). Cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression showed no relationship with the occurrence of readmission within 30 days. Conclusions Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms are prevalent and associated, and recall memory was the most altered cognitive domain in patients hospitalized with HF. However, there was no relationship between these factors and readmission within 30 days.

Resumo Fundamento Não está claro se o exercício é seguro em pacientes com formas mais avançadas de doença arterial coronariana, como aqueles com angina refratária (AR). Objetivo Visamos determinar o efeito de uma sessão de exercício aeróbico agudo (SEAA) nos níveis de troponina T cardíaca de alta sensibilidade (TnT-as) em pacientes com AR. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo clínico longitudinal, não randomizado e não controlado. Os participantes foram recrutados de abril de 2015 a janeiro de 2019. Em uma escala visual de dor de 0 a 10, a dor classificada até 3 foi considerada como o nível máximo permitido para continuar o exercício. Avaliamos TnT-as na linha de base e 3 horas após a SEAA. O protocolo consistiu em 5 minutos de aquecimento, 30 minutos de exercício aeróbico contínuo na frequência cardíaca correspondente ao limiar anaeróbio ou limiar de angina obtido no teste de esforço cardiopulmonar e 5 minutos de resfriamento. Foram considerados estatisticamente significativos valores de p menores que 0,05. Resultados Foram incluídos 32 pacientes com AR (61 ± 9 anos, 59,4% do sexo masculino). A concentração basal de TnT-as foi de 10,9 ng/L (intervalo de confiança de 95%: 9,1 a 13,0 ng/L). A TnT-as coletada 3 horas após a SEAA foi de 11,1 ng/L (intervalo de confiança de 95%: 9,1 a 13,5 ng/L). Nenhuma diferença ocorreu na TnT-as antes e após a SEAA (p = 0,657). Conclusões Uma única SEAA realizada no limiar de angina com correspondente escala visual de dor não alterou a TnT-as em pacientes com AR, sugerindo que nenhuma lesão miocárdica significativa foi provocada pelo exercício e que este protocolo de exercício pode ser considerado seguro. Abstract Background It is unclear whether exercise is safe in patients with more advanced forms of coronary artery disease, such as those with refractory angina (RA). Objective We aimed to determine the effect of an acute aerobic exercise session (AAES) on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) levels in patients with RA. Methods This was a longitudinal, non-randomized, and non-controlled clinical study. Participants were recruited from April 2015 to January 2019. On a visual pain scale from 0 to 10, pain rated up to 3 was considered as the top level allowed to continue exercising. We assessed hs-cTnT at baseline and 3 hours after the AAES. The protocol consisted of 5 minutes of warm-up, 30 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise at heart rate corresponding to the anaerobic threshold or angina threshold obtained in the cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and 5 minutes of cooling down. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Thirty-two patients with RA were included (61 ± 9 years, 59.4% male). The baseline hs-cTnT concentration was 10.9 ng/L (95% confidence interval: 9.1 to 13.0 ng/L). The hs-cTnT collected 3 hours after the AAES was 11.1 ng/L (95% confidence interval: 9.1 to 13.5 ng/L). No difference occurred in hs-cTnT before and after AAES (p = 0.657). Conclusions A single AAES performed at the angina threshold with corresponding visual pain scale did not alter hs-cTnT in patients with RA, suggesting that no significant myocardial injury was elicited by exercising and that this exercise protocol can be considered safe.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients have intermediary and late cardiac autonomic dysfunction, which is an independent mortality predictor. However, it is unknown when this HSCT-related autonomic dysfunction begins during hospitalization for HSCT and whether cardiac autonomic control (CAC) is related to cardiotoxicity in these patients.CAC was assessed in 36 autologous-HSCT inpatients (HSCT group) and 23 cancer-free outpatients (CON group) using heart rate variability analysis. The HSCT group was assessed at five time-points from admission to hospital discharge during hospitalization period. The CON group was assessed once. The severity of cardiotoxicity (CTCAE 5.0) and cardiac troponin I were recorded.The CAC was significantly reduced after high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) (reduction of MNN, SDNN, RMSSD, LFmsCAC worsened during hospitalization for autologous-HSCT, mainly after HDC. In addition, it seems associated to early signs of cardiotoxicity in these patients.

To investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in addition to conventional physical rehabilitation on muscle strength, functional capacity, mobility, hemodynamics, fatigue, and quality of life in hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).We conducted a randomized controlled trial in 57 inpatients with hematological diseases undergoing HSCT. Conventional inpatient physical rehabilitation was delivered to the IMT (n = 27) and control (CON; n = 30) groups according to usual care, and the first group additionally performed IMT. The IMT was prescribed according to clinical and laboratory parameters at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), 5 days/week throughout the hospitalization, in sessions of 10-20 min. The primary outcome was MIP and the secondary outcomes were maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), peripheral muscle strength (handgrip and sit-to-stand tests), functional capacity (6-min step test), mobility (timed up and go test), blood pressure, quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and fatigue (FACT-F) at admission and hospital discharge.The population was predominately autologous HSCT. The IMT group significantly increased the MIP (P 0.01) and decreased both fatigue (P = 0.01) and blood pressure (P 0.01) compared with control. No differences were found between admission and hospital discharge in peripheral and expiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, mobility, and quality of life in both groups (P 0.05).Our results support the effectiveness of IMT as part of rehabilitation for HSCT inpatients, improving inspiratory muscle strength, and reducing fatigue and blood pressure.NCT03373526 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Purpose: Low-intensity resistance exercise with moderate blood-flow restriction (LIRE-BFR) is a new trending form of exercises worldwide. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of a single bout of traditional resistance exercise (TRE) and LIRE-BFR on arterial stiffness in older people with slow gait speeds. Methods: This was a randomized, controlled clinical study. Seventeen older adults (3 men; 14 women; 82 ± 5 years old) completed a session of TRE (n = 7) or LIRE-BFR (n = 10). At baseline and after 60 min post-exercise, participants were subject to blood pressure measurement, heart rate measurements and a determination of arterial stiffness parameters. Results: There was no significant difference between the TRE and LIRE-BFR group at baseline. Pulse-wave velocity increased in both groups (p < 0.05) post-exercise with no between-group differences. Both exercise modalities did not produce any adverse events. The increase in systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, augmentation pressure and pulse wave velocity (all p > 0.05) were similar after both TRE and LIRE-BFR. Conclusion: TRE and LIRE-BFR had similar responses regarding hemodynamic parameters and pulse-wave velocity in older people with slow gait speed. Long-term studies should assess the cardiovascular risk and safety of LIRE-BFR training in this population.

It is unclear whether exercise is safe in patients with more advanced forms of coronary artery disease, such as those with refractory angina (RA).We aimed to determine the effect of an acute aerobic exercise session (AAES) on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) levels in patients with RA.This was a longitudinal, non-randomized, and non-controlled clinical study. Participants were recruited from April 2015 to January 2019. On a visual pain scale from 0 to 10, pain rated up to 3 was considered as the top level allowed to continue exercising. We assessed hs-cTnT at baseline and 3 hours after the AAES. The protocol consisted of 5 minutes of warm-up, 30 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise at heart rate corresponding to the anaerobic threshold or angina threshold obtained in the cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and 5 minutes of cooling down. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Thirty-two patients with RA were included (61 ± 9 years, 59.4% male). The baseline hs-cTnT concentration was 10.9 ng/L (95% confidence interval: 9.1 to 13.0 ng/L). The hs-cTnT collected 3 hours after the AAES was 11.1 ng/L (95% confidence interval: 9.1 to 13.5 ng/L). No difference occurred in hs-cTnT before and after AAES (p = 0.657).A single AAES performed at the angina threshold with corresponding visual pain scale did not alter hs-cTnT in patients with RA, suggesting that no significant myocardial injury was elicited by exercising and that this exercise protocol can be considered safe.Não está claro se o exercício é seguro em pacientes com formas mais avançadas de doença arterial coronariana, como aqueles com angina refratária (AR).Visamos determinar o efeito de uma sessão de exercício aeróbico agudo (SEAA) nos níveis de troponina T cardíaca de alta sensibilidade (TnT-as) em pacientes com AR.Trata-se de um estudo clínico longitudinal, não randomizado e não controlado. Os participantes foram recrutados de abril de 2015 a janeiro de 2019. Em uma escala visual de dor de 0 a 10, a dor classificada até 3 foi considerada como o nível máximo permitido para continuar o exercício. Avaliamos TnT-as na linha de base e 3 horas após a SEAA. O protocolo consistiu em 5 minutos de aquecimento, 30 minutos de exercício aeróbico contínuo na frequência cardíaca correspondente ao limiar anaeróbio ou limiar de angina obtido no teste de esforço cardiopulmonar e 5 minutos de resfriamento. Foram considerados estatisticamente significativos valores de p menores que 0,05.Foram incluídos 32 pacientes com AR (61 ± 9 anos, 59,4% do sexo masculino). A concentração basal de TnT-as foi de 10,9 ng/L (intervalo de confiança de 95%: 9,1 a 13,0 ng/L). A TnT-as coletada 3 horas após a SEAA foi de 11,1 ng/L (intervalo de confiança de 95%: 9,1 a 13,5 ng/L). Nenhuma diferença ocorreu na TnT-as antes e após a SEAA (p = 0,657).Uma única SEAA realizada no limiar de angina com correspondente escala visual de dor não alterou a TnT-as em pacientes com AR, sugerindo que nenhuma lesão miocárdica significativa foi provocada pelo exercício e que este protocolo de exercício pode ser considerado seguro.

Sumario 1. Apresentacao e Introducao……………………………………………………330 2. Avalicao Pre-Participacao………………………………………………………330 […] Atualizacao da Diretriz em Cardiologia do Esporte e do Exercicio da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia e da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina do Exercicio e Esporte – 2019

Objective To assess clinicians’ knowledge about pulmonary rehabilitation, and identify the barriers faced when referring patients with health insurance to pulmonary rehabilitation. Methods This was a survey-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2019, at a private reference hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Eligible participants were physicians registered with the following specialties: internal medicine, geriatrics, cardiology, pulmonology or thoracic surgery. Results We collected 72 responses, and 99% of participants recognized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a potential indication for pulmonary rehabilitation; less often (75%), they listed interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis and pulmonary hypertension. Most participants (67%) incorrectly associated pulmonary rehabilitation with lung function improvement, while 28% of cardiologists and 35% of internists/geriatricians failed to recognize benefits on mood disorders. Notably, 18% of participants recommended pulmonary rehabilitation only to patients on supplemental oxygen and 14% prescribed only home physical therapy, patterns more commonly seen among non-respiratory physicians. The three most perceived barriers to referral and adherence were health insurance coverage (79%), transportation to pulmonary rehabilitation center (63%) and lack of social support (29%). Conclusion Financial, logistic and social constraints pose challenges to pulmonary rehabilitation enrollment, even for patients with premium healthcare insurance. Moreover, physician knowledge gaps may be an additional barrier to pulmonary rehabilitation referral and adherence. Providing continued medical education, incorporating automatic reminders in electronic medical records, and using telerehabilitation tools may improve pulmonary rehabilitation referral, adherence, and ultimately, patient care. RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o conhecimento dos médicos sobre reabilitação pulmonar e identificar as barreiras que eles encontram ao encaminhar pacientes com seguro saúde para reabilitação pulmonar. Métodos Trata-se de estudo transversal com uso de questionário, realizado em 2019, em um hospital privado de referência em São Paulo. Os participantes elegíveis eram médicos registrados nas seguintes especialidades: clínica médica, geriatria, cardiologia, pneumologia ou cirurgia torácica. Resultados Foram coletadas 72 respostas, e 99% dos participantes reconheceram doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica como possível indicação para reabilitação pulmonar; com menor frequência (75%), listaram doença pulmonar intersticial, bronquiectasia e hipertensão pulmonar. A maioria dos participantes (67%) associou incorretamente a reabilitação pulmonar à melhora da função pulmonar, ao passo que 28% dos cardiologistas e 35% dos clínicos/geriatras deixaram de reconhecer os benefícios nos transtornos de humor. Notavelmente, 18% dos participantes somente recomendaram reabilitação pulmonar para pacientes em uso de oxigênio suplementar, e 14% prescreveram apenas fisioterapia domiciliar, padrão mais comumente visto entre médicos que não são especialistas em transtornos respiratórios. As três barreiras mais percebidas para encaminhamento e adesão foram cobertura de seguro saúde (79%), transporte para centro de reabilitação pulmonar (63%) e falta de apoio social (29%). Conclusão Restrições financeiras, logísticas e sociais representam desafios para a inclusão na reabilitação pulmonar, mesmo para pacientes com planos de seguro de saúde da categoria premium. Além disso, as lacunas de conhecimento dos médicos podem ser uma barreira adicional para o encaminhamento e a aceitação da reabilitação pulmonar. Educação médica continuada, lembretes automáticos nos prontuários eletrônicos e ferramentas de telerreabilitação podem melhorar o encaminhamento para reabilitação pulmonar, a adesão e, por fim, o atendimento ao paciente.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the factors associated with low health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older people living in Brazil. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of the Jewish community residing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, we extensively evaluated the characteristics - including clinical, functional and sociodemographic - of 496 older people. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), while the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to measure depressive symptoms. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that GDS score (β = -0.07; P = 0.04) and cancer (β = -0.47; P = 0.05) were associated with a low WHOQOL-BREF score. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms and cancer were independently associated with low HRQoL among older people living in Brazil.

SUMMARY Objective To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQL) indicators between institutionalized and community-dwelling elderly men and women. Method This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 496 elderly men and women, surveyed by researchers at a private hospital that attends institutionalized and community-dwelling elderly. HRQL (World Health Organization Quality of Life), daily living activities (Katz questionnaire), and instrumental daily living activities (Lawton questionnaire), mini-mental state examination, handgrip strength test, and function capacity (timed up and go test) were obtained. Results Institutionalized men presented higher scores in physical and psychological domains of HRQL compared to elderly men living alone (p

BACKGROUND During aging, a significant loss of muscle mass, strength, and power is associated with a decline in daily functional capacities. Traditionally, resistance training is prescribed to prevent or reverse the skeletal muscle weakness, but the required training intensity may be too demanding for older people with poor physical performance. Resistance exercise with blood flow moderation (KAATSU training), originally developed in Japan, combines resistance exercise with blood flow restriction. It has been reported that KAATSU training enhances muscle hypertrophy in many populations. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of resistance exercises with blood flow restriction in elderly people and how this affects vascular structure and function. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) the acute and chronic effects of resistance exercise with blood flow restriction on vascular health in elderly people with low gait speed and (2) whether low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction elicits similar strength and gait speed gains to those elicited by conventional resistance training without blood flow restriction. METHODS This is an ongoing randomized controlled trial in elderly people with low gait speed. Overall, two study arms of 13 participants each perform resistance exercise with and without blood flow restriction. The 2 groups are as follows: the control group will perform conventional resistance exercise (60% of 1 repetition maximum) and the KAATSU group will perform the low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (20% of 1 repetition maximum) for 12 weeks. Pulse wave velocity, venous occlusion plethysmography, and flow-mediated dilation are used to assess arterial stiffness, muscle blood flow, and endothelial function, respectively. The secondary outcomes are gait speed, strength, and quality of life. All measures will be performed before and after the training program. RESULTS This research study is in progress. Recruitment has started, and data collection is expected to finish in August 2020. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study will have important implications for the rehabilitation of elderly people. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03272737; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03272737

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between respiratory capacity, quality of life and cognitive function in elderly individuals.\ud \ud METHODS: The sample included 386 elderly individuals (232 women). Respiratory capacity assessment was based on maximal expiratory pressure measured at peak expiratory flow. Subjects were classified according to peak expiratory flow values adjusted for sex, age and height of individuals with normal (peak expiratory flow curve 60%) or reduced (peak expiratory flow curve < 60%) respiratory capacity. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Mini-Mental State Examination were used to assess quality of life and cognitive function, respectively.\ud \ud RESULTS: Elderly women with reduced respiratory capacity scored lower on the Mini-Mental State Examination (p=0.048) and quality of life questionnaire (p=0.040) compared to those with normal respiratory capacity. These differences were not observed in men (p>0.05).\ud \ud CONCLUSION: Reduced respiratory capacity was associated with poorer quality of life and cognitive function in elderly women. These associations were not observed in elderly men.

AB Purpose: The neurovascular mechanisms underlying hypertension are minimized by exercise training. However, it is not known whether previously trained individuals with hypertension would have deleterious repercussion of this disease. Our aim was to investigate the neurovascular control and the cardiac structure of athletes with hypertension. Methods: Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) (microneurography), baroreflex sensitivity (intravenous infusion of phenylephrine and nitroprusside), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity and echotracking), and cardiac structure (echocardiography) were evaluated in 17 runners with hypertension (42 +/- 1 yr) and 20 normotensive (43 +/- 1 yr) amateur runners. Results: Runners with hypertension had higher MSNA (+24% burst frequency, P = 0.02; +24%, burst incidence, P < 0.01), left ventricular mass (+22%, P < 0.01), septum wall thickness (+9%, P = 0.04), posterior wall thickness (+11%, P = 0.04), and left atrium (+11%, P < 0.001) compared with normotensive runners. Baroreflex control of heart rate was lower in runners with hypertension during increase (P = 0.05) but not during decrease (P = 0.11) of systolic blood pressure when compared with normotensive runners. There was no difference between groups in baroreflex control of MSNA during increase (P = 0.38) and decrease (P = 0.36) of diastolic blood pressure. Pulse wave velocity (P = 0.71) and carotid variables: intima media thickness (P = 0.18), diameter (P = 0.09), and distension (P = 0.79) were similar between groups. Conclusions: Sympathetic overactivity seems to be involved in the underlying mechanisms of hypertension in amateur runners. Alterations in cardiac structure and decreased baroreflex control of heart rate suggest limited protection from exercise training. However, baroreflex control of MSNA and elastic properties of artery are preserved in this population

Background During aging, a significant loss of muscle mass, strength, and power is associated with a decline in daily functional capacities. Traditionally, resistance training is prescribed to prevent or reverse the skeletal muscle weakness, but the required training intensity may be too demanding for older people with poor physical performance. Resistance exercise with blood flow moderation (KAATSU training), originally developed in Japan, combines resistance exercise with blood flow restriction. It has been reported that KAATSU training enhances muscle hypertrophy in many populations. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of resistance exercises with blood flow restriction in elderly people and how this affects vascular structure and function. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) the acute and chronic effects of resistance exercise with blood flow restriction on vascular health in elderly people with low gait speed and (2) whether low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction elicits similar strength and gait speed gains to those elicited by conventional resistance training without blood flow restriction. Methods This is an ongoing randomized controlled trial in elderly people with low gait speed. Overall, two study arms of 13 participants each perform resistance exercise with and without blood flow restriction. The 2 groups are as follows: the control group will perform conventional resistance exercise (60% of 1 repetition maximum) and the KAATSU group will perform the low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (20% of 1 repetition maximum) for 12 weeks. Pulse wave velocity, venous occlusion plethysmography, and flow-mediated dilation are used to assess arterial stiffness, muscle blood flow, and endothelial function, respectively. The secondary outcomes are gait speed, strength, and quality of life. All measures will be performed before and after the training program. Results This research study is in progress. Recruitment has started, and data collection is expected to finish in August 2020. Conclusions The findings of this study will have important implications for the rehabilitation of elderly people. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03272737; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03272737 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/14691

OBJETIVO: Identificar os principais fatores que influenciaram o participante do nosso programa de reabilitação cardiovascular a faltar em suas terapias e correlacioná-los a idade, risco cardiovascular e motivação de nossa população. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo transversal com 42 pacientes (69,15±13,93 anos) participantes do programa de reabilitação cardíaca de um hospital geral particular de São Paulo, por meio da análise de duas escalas: a Escala de Barreiras para Reabilitação Cardíaca e a Escala de Disposição. Utilizou-se a correlação de Spearman para relacioná-las com absenteísmo, risco cardiovascular, idade e tempo de reabilitação cardíaca. RESULTADOS: A pontuação total da escala de barreiras foi 31±6 e o escore médio foi de 1,47±0,31. As principais barreiras foram relacionadas às subescalas "viagem/conflito de trabalho" e "problemas pessoais/familiares". A porcentagem de absenteísmo foi 8,4% do número de sessões possíveis de serem realizadas no mês. As faltas e os cancelamentos apresentaram correlação positiva com o risco cardiovascular (p=0,01; r=0,4) e correlações negativas com Escala de Disposição inicial (p=0,03; r=-0,35) e idade (p=0,02; r=-0,35). CONCLUSÃO: "Viagem/conflito de trabalho", "problemas pessoais/familiares" e baixa disposição inicial foram os principais fatores de absenteísmo em um programa de reabilitação cardíaca de um hospital geral particular de São Paulo. OBJECTIVE: Identify the primary factors that influenced the participant in our cardiovascular rehabilitation program towards missing their therapy sessions, and to correlate those factors with age, cardiovascular risk, and motivation of our population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study with 42 patients (69.15±13.93 years) participating in the cardiac rehabilitation program at a general hospital in São Paulo, through the analysis of two scales applied during the initial evaluation: Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale and scale of the original provision. We used Spearman correlation to relate them to absenteeism, cardiovascular risk age and duration of cardiac rehabilitation. RESULTS: The total score of barriers was 31±6 and the mean score of 1.47±0.31. The main barriers subscales were related to "travel/labor dispute" and "personal problems/family." The percentage of absenteeism was 8.4% in the number of sessions that could be made in the month. The faults and cancellations were positively correlated with cardiovascular risk (p=0.01; r=0.4) and negatively with scale provision of baseline (p=0.03; r=-0.35) and age (p=0.02; r=-0.35). CONCLUSION: "Travel/labor dispute", "personal/ family problems", and low initial provision are the main factors absenteism in a cardiac rehabilitation program in a general hospital in São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to verify if there is sex difference in the associations among handgrip strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and timed up and go (TUG) test results.\ud \ud METHODS: The sample included 288 consecutive elderly men (n=93) and women (n=195). Functional capacity was measured using the TUG test, and muscle strength was measured based on handgrip. Moreover, as a measure of current health status, PEF was evaluated. Linear regression procedures were performed to analyze the relationships between handgrip and both PEF and TUG test results, with adjustment for confounders, and to identify the possible mediating role of PEF in the association between handgrip strength and TUG test results.\ud \ud RESULTS: In men, handgrip strength was associated with both PEF and TUG performance (p

Different season trainings may influence autonomic and non-autonomic cardiac control of heart rate and provokes specific adaptations on heart's structure in athletes. We investigated the influence of transition training (TT) and competitive training (CT) on resting heart rate, its mechanisms of control, spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and relationships between heart rate mechanisms and cardiac structure in professional cyclists (N = 10). Heart rate (ECG) and arterial blood pressure (Pulse Tonometry) were recorded continuously. Autonomic blockade was performed (atropine-0.04 mg.kg-1; esmolol-500 μg.kg-1 = 0.5 mg). Vagal effect, intrinsic heart rate, parasympathetic (n) and sympathetic (m) modulations, autonomic influence, autonomic balance and BRS were calculated. Plasma norepinephrine (high-pressure liquid chromatography) and cardiac structure (echocardiography) were evaluated. Resting heart rate was similar in TT and CT. However, vagal effect, intrinsic heart rate, autonomic influence and parasympathetic modulation (higher n value) decreased in CT (P≤0.05). Sympathetic modulation was similar in both trainings. The autonomic balance increased in CT but still showed parasympathetic predominance. Cardiac diameter, septum and posterior wall thickness and left ventricular mass also increased in CT (P

Autonomic dysfunction, including baroreceptor attenuation and sympathetic activation, has been reported in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and has been associated with increased mortality. We tested the hypotheses that exercise training (ET) in post-MI patients would normalize arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), and long-term ET would maintain the benefits in BRS and MSNA. Twenty-eight patients after 1 month of uncomplicated MI were randomly assigned to 2 groups, ET (MI-ET) and untrained. A normal control group was also studied. ET consisted of three 60-minute exercise sessions per week for 6 months. We evaluated MSNA (microneurography), blood pressure (automatic oscillometric method), heart rate (ECG), and spectral analysis of RR interval, systolic arterial pressure (SAP), and MSNA. Baroreflex gain of SAP-RR interval and SAP-MSNA were calculated using the α-index. At 3 to 5 days and 1 month after MI, MSNA and low-frequency SAP were significantly higher and BRS significantly lower in MI patients when compared with the normal control group. ET significantly decreased MSNA (bursts per 100 heartbeats) and the low-frequency component of SAP and significantly increased the low-frequency component of MSNA and BRS of the RR interval and MSNA. These changes were so marked that the differences between patients with MI and the normal control group were no longer observed after ET. MSNA and BRS in the MI-untrained group did not change from baseline over the same time period. ET normalizes BRS, low-frequency SAP, and MSNA in patients with MI. These improvements in autonomic control are maintained by long-term ET. These findings highlight the clinical importance of this nonpharmacological therapy based on ET in the long-term treatment of patients with MI.

FUNDAMENTO: Ate o momento, nenhum registro brasileiro foi desenhado para documentar a pratica clinica em relacao ao atendimento de pacientes de alto risco cardiovascular em uma representativa e ampla amostra de centros investigadores, incluindo hospitais publicos e privados em âmbito nacional. Sendo assim, este estudo permitira identificar os hiatos na incorporacao de intervencoes com beneficio comprovado em nosso meio. OBJETIVO: Elaborar um registro dedicado a afericao da pratica clinica brasileira no que se refere ao atendimento do paciente cardiovascular classificado como de alto risco. METODOS: Estudo observacional do tipo registro, prospectivo, visando documentar a pratica clinica atual aplicada a nivel ambulatorial para pacientes de alto risco cardiovascular, classificados quando da presenca de uma das variaveis: evidencia de doenca arterial coronariana, doenca cerebrovascular, vascular periferica, em diabeticos ou nao diabeticos; ou na presenca de pelo menos tres dos seguintes fatores de risco cardiovascular: hipertensao arterial sistemica, tabagismo ativo, dislipidemia, idade superior a 70 anos, nefropatia cronica, historia familiar de doenca arterial coronariana e ou doenca carotidea assintomatica. Os pacientes serao coletados em 43 centros de todas as regioes brasileiras, incluindo hospitais publicos e privados, assim como em unidades basicas de atendimento a saude, e revisados clinicamente ate um ano apos a inclusao. RESULTADOS: Os resultados serao apresentados um ano apos o inicio da coleta (setembro de 2011), e consolidados, apos a reuniao da populacao e dos objetivos almejados posteriormente. CONCLUSAO: A analise deste registro multicentrico permitira projetar uma perspectiva horizontal do tratamento dos pacientes acometidos da doenca cardiovascular no Brasil.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that in obese children: 1) hypocaloric diet (D) improves both heart rate recovery at 1 min (Δ HRR1) cfter an exercise test, and cardiac autonomic nervous system activity (CANSA) in obese children; 2) Diet and exercise training (DET) combined leads to greater improvement in both Δ HRR1 after an exercise test and in CANSA, than D alone. Moreover, we examined the relationships among Δ HRR1, CANSA, cardiorespiratory fitness and anthropometric variables (AV) in obese children submitted to D and to DET. 33 obese children (10 ± 0.2 years; body mass index (BMI) >95 (th) percentile) were divided into 2 groups: D (n=15; BMI=31 ± 1 kg/m²)) and DET (n=18; 29 ± 1 kg/m²). All children performed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on a treadmill. The Δ HRR1 or LF/HF ratio (P>0.05). In contrast, the DET group showed increased peak VO₂ ( P=0.01) and improved Δ HRR1 (Δ HRR1=37.3 ± 2.6; P=0.01) and LF/HF ratio ( P=0.001). The DET group demonstrated significant relationships among Δ HRR1, peak VO₂ and CANSA (P

This study examined forearm vasodilatation during mental challenge and exercise in 72 obese children (OC; age = 10 ± 0.1 years) homozygous with polymorphism in the allele 27 of the β2-adrenoceptors: Gln27 (n = 61) and Glu27 (n = 11). Forearm blood flow was recorded during 3 min of each using the Stroop color-word test (MS) and handgrip isometric exercise. Baseline hemodynamic and vascular measurements were similar. During the MS, peak forearm vascular conductance was significantly greater in group Glu27 (Δ = 0.35 ± 0.4 vs. 0.12 ± 0.1 units, respectively, p = .042). Similar results were found during exercise (Δ = 0.64 ± 0.1 vs. 0.13 ± 0.1 units, respectively, p = .035). Glu27 OC increased muscle vasodilatory responsiveness upon the MS and exercise.

The effects of exercise training on baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity in human hypertension are unknown. We hypothesized that exercise training would improve baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and heart rate (HR) in patients with hypertension and that exercise training would reduce MSNA and blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients. Twenty never-treated hypertensive patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: exercise-trained (n=11; age: 46±2 years) and untrained (n=9; age: 42±2 years) patients. An age-matched normotensive exercise-trained group (n=12; age: 42±2 years) was also studied. Baroreflex control of MSNA (microneurography) and HR (ECG) was assessed by stepwise intravenous infusions of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside and analyzed by linear regression. BP was monitored on a beat-to-beat basis. Exercise training consisted of three 60-minute exercise sessions per week for 4 months. Under baseline conditions (before training), BP and MSNA were similar between hypertensive groups but significantly increased when compared with the normotensive group. Baroreflex control of MSNA and HR was similar between hypertensive groups but significantly decreased when compared with the normotensive group. In hypertensive patients, exercise training significantly reduced BP ( P P P P P P

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar parâmetros cardíacos, eletrocardiográficos e funcionais, e respostas cardiopulmonares ao exercício em corredores de longa distância brasileiros, acompanhados no Ambulatório de Cardiologia do Esporte e Exercício de um hospital terciário. MÉTODOS: De uma população inicial de 443 atletas, de ambos os sexos, de diferentes modalidades esportivas, foram avaliados 162 (37%) corredores de longa distância, do sexo masculino, com idade variando entre quatorze e 67 anos. Registros eletrocardiográficos (doze derivações) e ecocardiográficos (modos mono e bidimensional) foram realizados em repouso. Respostas cardiopulmonares foram avaliadas durante teste em esteira rolante, com protocolo em rampa. RESULTADOS: Alterações metabólicas e doenças cardiovasculares foram diagnosticadas em 17% e 9% dos corredores, respectivamente. Bradicardia sinusal e hipertrofia ventricular esquerda foram verificadas em 62% e 33% dos corredores, respectivamente. Alterações estruturais, como cavidade ventricular > 55mm, espessura relativa de parede > 0,44 e índice de massa ventricular > 134g/m2 foram encontradas em 15%, 11% e 7% dos corredores, respectivamente. Fração de ejeção < 55% foi observada em 4% dos corredores. O consumo de oxigênio pico (VO2pico) diminuiu a partir de 41 anos, embora o limiar anaeróbio relativo ao VO2pico tenha se mantido inalterado com a idade. CONCLUSÃO: Bradicardia de repouso e hipertrofia ventricular esquerda são as adaptações cardiovasculares mais freqüentes em corredores de longa distância brasileiros acompanhados no Ambulatório de Cardiologia do Esporte e Exercício. Apesar da diminuição do VO2pico a partir de 41 anos, há manutenção do consumo de oxigênio relativo no limiar anaeróbio nesses corredores. OBJECTIVE: To characterize electrocardiographic and functional cardiac parameters and cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in long-distance Brazilian runners monitored at the Sport and Exercise Cardiology Outpatient Facility of a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Of an initial population of 443 male and female athletes of different sport modalities, we assessed 162 (37%) long-distance male runners, aged from 14 to 67. Electrocardiographic (12 leads) and echocardiographic (M-mode and two-dimensional) parameters were recorded at rest. Cardiopulmonary responses were evaluated on a treadmill with a ramp protocol. RESULTS: Metabolic alterations and cardiovascular diseases were diagnosed in 17% and 9% of the runners, respectively. Sinus bradycardia and left ventricular hypertrophy were observed in 62% and 33% of the runners, respectively. Structural alterations such as ventricular cavity > 55mm, relative wall thickness > 0.44, and ventricular mass index > 134g/m2 were found in 15%, 11% and 7% of the runners, respectively. Ejection fraction < 55% was observed in 4% of the runners. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) decreased as of the age of 41, although the anaerobic threshold relative to the VO2peak remained unchanged with age. CONCLUSION: Resting bradycardia and left ventricular hypertrophy are the most frequent cardiovascular adaptations in Brazilian long distance runners monitored by the Sport and Exercise Cardiology Outpatient Facility. Although VO2peak decreases after the age of 41, the relative oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold of these runners remained unchanged.

Background— The effects of diet and diet plus exercise training on muscle vasodilatation during physiological maneuvers in obese children are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that (1) blood pressure (BP) and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) responses during handgrip exercise and mental stress would be altered in obese children and (2) diet plus exercise training would restore BP and FVC responses during exercise and mental stress in obese children. Methods and Results— Thirty-nine obese children (aged 10±0.2 years) were randomly divided into 2 groups: diet plus exercise training (n=21; body mass index [BMI]=28±0.5 kg/m 2 ) and diet (n=18; BMI=30±0.4 kg/m 2 ). Ten age-matched lean control children (BMI=17±0.5 kg/m 2 ) were also studied. Forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. BP was monitored noninvasively. Handgrip exercise was performed at 30% maximal voluntary contraction for 3 minutes. Stroop color word test was performed for 4 minutes. Baseline BP was significantly higher and FVC was significantly lower in obese children. During exercise and mental stress, BP responses were significantly higher and FVC responses were significantly lower in obese children. Diet and diet plus exercise training significantly reduced body weight. Diet and diet plus exercise training significantly decreased BP levels during exercise and mental stress. Diet plus exercise training, in contrast to diet alone, significantly increased FVC responses during exercise (3.7±0.3 versus 5.6±0.4 U; P =0.01) and mental stress (3.5±0.5 versus 4.5±0.4 U; P =0.02). After diet plus exercise training, BP and FVC responses during exercise and mental stress were similar between obese children and the control group. Conclusions— Obesity exacerbates BP responses and impairs FVC responses during exercise and mental stress in children. Diet and exercise training restore BP and FVC responses in obese children.

[1] Mitka M. Researchers seek MRI-safe pacemakers. JAMA Feb 4 2009;301(5):476. [2] Forleo GB, Santini L, Della Rocca DG, et al. Safety and efficacy of a new magnetic resonance imaging-compatible pacing system: early results of a prospective comparison with conventional dual-chamber implant outcomes. Heart Rhythm 2010;7(6):750–4. [3] Wilkoff BL, Bello D, Taborsky M, et al. EnRhythm MRI SureScan Pacing System Study Investigators. Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with a pacemaker system designed for themagnetic resonance environment. Heart Rhythm Jan 2011;8(1):65–73.

[1] Charra B, Calemard E, Ruffet M, et al. Survival as an index of adequacy of dialysis. Kidney Int 1992;41:1286–91. [2] Wizemann V, Wabel P, Chamney P, et al. The mortality risk of overhydration in haemodialysis patients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2009;24:1574–9. [3] Solomon SD, Dobson J, Pocock S, et al. For the Candesartan in Heart failure— Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) investigators. Influence of nonfatal hospitalization for heart failure on subsequent mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. Circulation 2007;116:1482–7. [4] Kataoka H. A new monitoring method for the estimation of body fluid status by digital weight scale incorporating bioelectrical impedance analyzer in definite heart failure patients. J Card Fail 2009;15:410–8. [5] Kataoka H. Novel monitoring method for management of heart failure: combined measurement of body weight and bioimpedance index of body fat percentage. Future Cardiol 2009;5:541–6. [6] Kataoka H. Detection of preclinical body fluid retention in established heart failure patients during follow-up by a digital weight scale incorporating a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Congest Heart Fail 2012;18:37–42. [7] Stall SH, Ginsberg NS, DeVita MV, et al. Comparison of five body-composition methods in peritoneal dialysis patients. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;64:125–30. [8] Deurenberg P, Andreoli A, Borg P, et al. The validity of predicted body fat percentage from bodymass index and from impedance in samples of five European populations. Eur J Clin Nutr 2001;55:973–9. [9] Schroeder KL, Sallustio JE, Ross EA. Continuous haematocrit monitoring during intradialytic hypotention: precipitous decline in plasma refill rates. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2004;19:652–6. [10] Booth J, Pinney J,DavenportA.Dochanges in relativebloodvolumemonitoringcorrelate to hemodialysis-associated hypotension? Nephron Clin Pract 2011;117:c179–83. [11] Boyle A, Sobotka PA. Redefining the therapeutic objective in decompensated heart failure: hemoconcentration as a surrogate for plasma refill rate. J Card Fail 2006;12:247–9. [12] Kataoka H. Short-term dynamic changes in hematologic and biochemical tests during follow-up of definite heart failure patients. Int J Cardiol 2010;144:441–4. [13] Packer M, Abraham WT, Mehra MR, et al. For the Prospective Evaluation and Identification of Cardiac Decompensation by ICG Test (PREDICT) Study Investigators and Coordinators. Utility of impedance cardiography for the identification of shortterm risk of clinical decompensation in stable patients with chronic heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;47:2245–52. [14] Tang WHW, Tong W. Measuring impedance in congestive heart failure: current options and clinical applications. Am Heart J 2009;157:402–11. [15] Kraemer M, Rode C, Wizemann V. Detection limit of methods to assess fluid status changes in dialysis patients. Kidney Int 2006;69:1609–20.

Exercise intensity is a key parameter for exercise prescription but the optimal range for individuals with high cardiorespiratory fitness is unknown. The aims of this study were (1) to determine optimal heart rate ranges for men with high cardiorespiratory fitness based on percentages of maximal oxygen consumption (%VO(2max)) and reserve oxygen consumption (%VO(2reserve)) corresponding to the ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation point, and (2) to verify the effect of advancing age on the exercise intensities. Maximal cardiorespiratory testing was performed on 210 trained men. Linear regression equations were calculated using paired data points between percentage of maximal heart rate (%HR(max)) and %VO(2max) and between percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR) and %VO(2reserve) attained at each minute during the test. Values of %VO(2max) and %VO(2reserve) at the ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation point were used to calculate the corresponding values of %HR(max) and %HRR, respectively. The ranges of exercise intensity in relation to the ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation point were achieved at 78-93% of HR(max) and 70-93% of HRR, respectively. Although absolute heart rate decreased with advancing age, there were no age-related differences in %HR(max) and %HRR at the ventilatory thresholds. Thus, in men with high cardiorespiratory fitness, the ranges of exercise intensity based on %HR(max) and %HRR regarding ventilatory threshold were 78-93% and 70-93% respectively, and were not influenced by advancing age.