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Background: The effects of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy in hospitalised patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain uncertain. This study investigates the effect of CP on clinical improvement in these patients. Methods: This is an investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel arm, open-label, superiority clinical trial. Patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to two infusions of CP plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with clinical improvement 28 days after enrolment. Results: A total of 160 (80 in each arm) patients (66.3% critically ill, 33.7% severely ill) completed the trial. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age was 60.5 (48–68) years; 58.1% were male and the median (IQR) time from symptom onset to randomisation was 10 (8–12) days. Neutralising antibody titres >1:80 were present in 133 (83.1%) patients at baseline. The proportion of patients with clinical improvement on day 28 was 61.3% in the CP+SOC group and 65.0% in the SOC group (difference −3.7%, 95% CI −18.8–11.3%). The results were similar in the severe and critically ill subgroups. There was no significant difference between CP+SOC and SOC groups in pre-specified secondary outcomes, including 28-day mortality, days alive and free of respiratory support and duration of invasive ventilatory support. Inflammatory and other laboratory marker values on days 3, 7 and 14 were similar between groups. Conclusions: CP+SOC did not result in a higher proportion of clinical improvement on day 28 in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 compared to SOC alone.

Background In the investigation of cardiac rhythm disorders, a normal electrophysiological (EPS) study is associated with a favorable prognosis. One of the normality criteria is established by conduction intervals within expected range. Objective To establish reference values in EPS for the intracavitary conduction intervals (PA, AH and HV) in a Brazilian population. Methods A retrospective cohort study of the first 1,500 patients submitted to EPS ablation was performed at Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The EPS was considered normal if the test was performed for diagnostic purpose; absence of induced arrhythmias; and conduction intervals within the expected range. The REDCap software was used for data collection and management, and the SPSS Statistics 22.0 used for data analysis. Continuous variables were compared with Student's t-test for independent samples and categorical variables with the chi-square test (X 2 ). Values of p ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Results A total of 124 (8.3%) with EPS considered normal were included; mean age was 52 ± 21 years, and 63 were male. The mean values in milliseconds of PA, AH and HV were 23 ± 9, 88 ± 25 and 44 ± 7, respectively. The PA, AH, and HV percentile ranges were 13 - 25, 81-107 and 40 - 52, respectively. When the patients were divided into three age groups (1 to 18 years, 19 to 64 years and 65 or more), we observed that the group of older patients had significantly higher values of PA, AH and HV compared with younger patients. Conclusion This study showed that intracavitary conduction intervals in a sample of the Brazilian population were similar to previously published studies. Elderly patients tend to have higher values of intracavitary conduction intervals in EPS. Future studies including broader age ranges could enable the acquisition of more reliable and reproducible reference values. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery has great clinical and economic implications. Many attempts have been made to identify risk factors aiming at a better evaluation of prophylactic treatment strategies. Objective: To perform an internal validation of a risk score for POAF. Methods: A prospective cohort of 1,054 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization and/or valve surgery was included. The risk score model was developed in 448 patients, and its performance was tested in the remaining 606 patients. Variables with a significance level of 5% in the cohort were included and subjected to a multiple logistic regression model with backward selection. Performance statistics was performed using the c-statistic, the chi-square and the Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) goodness-of-fit, Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Four variables were considered predictors of outcome: age (≥ 70 years), mitral valve disease, the non-use or discontinuation of beta-blockers and a positive water balance (> 1,500 mL). The ROC curve was 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-0.79). The risk model showed a good ability according to the performance statistics - HL test x(2) = 0.93; p = 0.983 and r = 0.99 (Pearson's coefficient). There was an increase in the frequency of POAF with the increase of the score: very low risk = 0.0%; low risk = 3.9%; intermediate risk = 10.9%; and high risk = 60.0%; p < 0.0001. Conclusion: The predictive variables of POAF allowed us to construct a simplified risk score. This scoring system showed good accuracy and can be used in routine clinical practice.

Background: Brugada syndrome (SBr) is an arrhythmic condition characterized by ST-T segment abnormalities in the right precordial leads associated with a high risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Local data regarding the clinical characteristics of patients with a typical electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern undergoing electrophysiological study are scarce. Objective: To evaluate patients with an ECG pattern suggestive of SBr referred for electrophysiological evaluation in a specialized center. Methods: Cohort study of patients referred for electrophysiological study because of an ECG pattern compatible with SBr between January 1998 and March 2017. Results: Of the 5506 procedures, 35 (0.64%) were for SBr investigation, 25 of which (71.42%) were performed in men. The mean age was 43.89 ± 13.1 years. The ECG patterns were as follows: type I, 22 (62.85%); type II, 12 (34.30%); and type III, 1 (2.85%). Twenty-three patients (65.7%) were asymptomatic, 6 (17.14%) had palpitations, 5 (14.3%) had syncope, and 3 (8.6%) had a family history of sudden death. Electrophysiological study induced ventricular tachyarrhythmias in 16 cases (45.7%), the mean ventricular refractory period being 228 ± 36 ms. Ajmaline / procainamide was used in 11 cases (31.4%), changing the ECG pattern to type I in 7 (63.6%). Sixteen cases (45.7%) received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). In a mean 5-year follow-up, 1 of the 16 patients (6.25%) with ICD had appropriate therapy for ventricular fibrillation. There was no death. Other arrhythmias occurred in 4 (11.4%) cases. Conclusions: Most patients are men, and a type I ECG pattern is the main indication for electrophysiological study. Class IA drugs have a high ECG conversion rate. The ICD event rate was 6%. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0) Resumo Fundamento: Síndrome de Brugada (SBr) é uma condição arrítmica definida por anormalidades do segmento ST-T em derivações V1-V3 associada a risco elevado de arritmias ventriculares e morte súbita. Dados locais quanto às características clínicas dos pacientes com padrão eletrocardiográfico (ECG) típico avaliados por estudo eletrofisiológico (EEF) são escassos. Objetivo: Avaliar pacientes com padrão ECG sugestivo de SBr encaminhados para EEF em um centro especializado. Métodos: Estudo de coorte de casos encaminhados para EEF por padrão ECG compatível com SBr, entre janeiro de 1998 e março de 2017. Resultados: Dos 5506 procedimentos, 35 (0,64%) foram para investigação de SBr. Vinte e cinco (71,42%) eram homens. Idade média 43,89 ± 13,1 anos. Apresentação ECG foi tipo I em 22 casos (62,85%), tipo II em 12 (34,30%) e tipo III em 1 (2,85%). Vinte e três (65,7%) eram assintomáticos, 6 (17,14%) apresentavam palpitações, 5 (14,3%) síncope, 3 (8,6%) história familiar de morte súbita. Estudo eletrofisiológico induziu taquiarritmias ventriculares em 16 casos (45,7%), sendo o período refratário ventricular médio de 228 ± 36 ms. Utilizou-se ajmalina/procainamida em 11 casos (31,4%), sendo o padrão ECG transformado em tipo I em 7 (63,6%). Dezesseis casos (45,7%) receberam cardiodes fibrilador (CDI). Em seguimento médio de 5 anos, 1 dos 16 pacientes (6,25%) com CDI teve terapia apropriada para fibrilação ventricular. Nenhuma morte foi registrada. Outras arritmias ocorreram em 4 (11,4%) casos. Conclusões: Homens são maioria, sendo o padrão ECG tipo I a principal indicação de EEF. Droga classe IA possui alta taxa de conversão do padrão ECG. A taxa de eventos no CDI foi de 6%. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Background:Radiofrequency ablation is the standard non-pharmacological treatment for arrhythmias in pediatric patients. However, arrhythmias and their associated causes have particular features in this population.Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and findings of electrophysiological diagnostic studies and radiofrequency ablations in pediatric patients referred to the Electrophysiology Unit at Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, in order to characterize the particularities of this population.Methods:Cross-sectional study with 330 electrophysiological procedures performed in patients aged less than 20 years between June 1997 and August 2013.Results:In total, 330 procedures (9.6% of the overall procedures) were performed in patients aged less than 20 years (14.33 ± 3.25 years, age range 3 months to 19 years), 201 of which were males (60.9%). A total of 108 (32.7%) electrophysiological diagnostic studies were performed and of these, 48.1% showed abnormal findings. Overall, 219 radiofrequency ablations were performed (66.3%) with a success rate of 84.8%. The presence of an accessory pathway was the most prevalent finding, occurring in 158 cases (72.1%), followed by atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (16.8%), typical atrial flutter (3.1%) and extrasystoles originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (2.7%). Three patients developed complications during ablation (1.4%). Among congenital heart diseases, which occurred in 51 (15.4%) patients, atrial sept defect was the most frequent (27.4%), followed by ventricular sept defect (25.4%) and Ebstein's anomaly (17.6%).Conclusion:Electrophysiological study and radiofrequency ablation are effective tools for diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias in the pediatric population. Fundamento:A ablação com radiofrequência é o tratamento não farmacológico de eleição para arritmias na população pediátrica. Porém, as arritmias e suas causas apresentam características particulares nesta população.Objetivos:Analisar as características epidemiológicas e os achados de estudo eletrofisiológico diagnóstico e ablação com radiofrequência na população pediátrica encaminhada à Eletrofisiologia do Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, a fim de caracterizar as suas particularidades.Resultados:Foram realizados 330 procedimentos (9,6% do total de procedimentos) em pacientes com idade inferior a 20 anos (14,33 ± 3,25 anos, variação entre 3 meses e 19 anos), dos quais 201 eram do sexo masculino (60,9%). Foram realizados 108 (32,7%) exames eletrofisiológicos diagnósticos e destes, 48,1% apresentaram anormalidades em seus achados. Ao todo, 219 ablações com radiofrequência foram realizadas (66,3%), obtendo-se sucesso em 84,8%. A presença de feixe acessório foi o achado mais prevalente, responsável por 158 casos (72,1%), seguida de taquicardia por reentrada nodal atrioventricular (16,8%), flutter atrial típico (3,1%) e extrassístole de via de saída de ventrículo direito (2,7%). Três pacientes apresentaram complicações durante a ablação (1,4%). Cardiopatia congênita esteve presente em 51 (15,4%) casos, sendo a comunicação interatrial a mais encontrada (27,4%), seguida de comunicação interventricular (25,4%) e anomalia de Ebstein (17,6%).Conclusão:Estudo eletrofisiológico e ablação com radiofrequência constituem ferramentas eficazes no diagnóstico e tratamento das arritmias na população pediátrica.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the main risk factors for stroke. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) reduce this risk, and the effectiveness of this treatment is directly related to time in therapeutic range (TTR). This study aimed to report the TTR in patients with non-valvular AF at an anticoagulation outpatient clinic; and to describe the profile of this population of patients in terms of risk of stroke, as well as the occurrence of adverse events during the follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study involving patients of the anticoagulation outpatient clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. We evaluated outpatient visits, hospital admissions, and emergency visits from January to December 2011. TTR was calculated using the Rosendaal method. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were investigated. Their mean age was 74.3±10.9 years. The CHADS2 score was ≥ 4 in 44.5% of the patients; 63.5% of them had a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 5. The TTR was 64.8%. During follow-up, the incidence of overall bleeding was 31.7%, with major and minor bleeding rates of 4.8% and 34.9%, respectively. There were no other complications related to AF or anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: The patients achieved a TTR of 64.8% during follow-up, which is deemed appropriate and in agreement with the literature. Patients had high risk for stroke, and the incidence of minor bleeding was higher than the rate found in the literature, whereas the incidence of major bleeding was similar to the one found in previous studies.

FUNDAMENTO: A Comissão Internacional de Radiologia indica rastreamento com teste de gravidez a todas pacientes do gênero feminino em período fértil que serão submetidas a exame radiológico. Sabe-se que a radiação é teratogênica e que seu efeito é cumulativo. O potencial teratogênico inicia-se com doses próximas às das utilizadas durante esses procedimentos. Não se sabe a prevalência de teste de gravidez positivo em pacientes submetidos a estudo eletrofisiológico e/ou à ablação por cateter em nosso meio. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de teste de gravidez positivo em pacientes do gênero feminino encaminhadas para estudo eletrofisiológico e/ou ablação por radiofrequência. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com análise de 2.966 pacientes submetidos a estudo eletrofisiológico e/ou ablação por cateter, de junho 1997 a fevereiro 2013, no Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram realizados 1.490 exames em mulheres sendo que, destas, 769 encontravam-se em idade fértil. Todas as pacientes foram rastreadas com teste de gravidez no dia anterior ao procedimento. RESULTADOS: Detectou-se positividade do teste em três pacientes, impossibilitando a realização do exame. Observou-se prevalência de 3,9 casos por 1.000 mulheres em idade fértil. CONCLUSÃO: Devido ao baixo custo e à segurança, indica-se a realização de teste de rastreamento para gravidez a todas pacientes em idade fértil, uma vez que o grau de radiação ionizante necessária nesse procedimento é muito próximo ao limiar de teratogenicidade, principalmente no primeiro trimestre, quando os sinais de gestação não são exuberantes. BACKGROUND: The International Commission of Radiology recommends a pregnancy screening test to all female patients of childbearing age who will undergo a radiological study. Radiation is known to be teratogenic and its effect is cumulative. The teratogenic potential starts at doses close to those used during these procedures. The prevalence of positive pregnancy tests in patients undergoing electrophysiological studies and/or catheter ablation in our midst is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of positive pregnancy tests in female patients referred for electrophysiological study and/or radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: Cross-sectional study analyzing 2966 patients undergoing electrophysiological study and/or catheter ablation, from June 1997 to February 2013, in the Institute of Cardiology of Rio Grande do Sul. A total of 1490 procedures were performed in women, of whom 769 were of childbearing age. All patients were screened with a pregnancy test on the day before the procedure. RESULTS: Three patients tested positive, and were therefore unable to undergo the procedure. The prevalence observed was 3.9 cases per 1000 women of childbearing age. CONCLUSION: Because of their safety and low cost, pregnancy screening tests are indicated for all women of childbearing age undergoing radiological studies, since the degree of ionizing radiation needed for these procedures is very close to the threshold for teratogenicity, especially in the first trimester, when the signs of pregnancy are not evident.

FUNDAMENTO: A ablação por cateter possibilita tratamento curativo para diversas arritmias cardíacas. A fluoroscopia é utilizada para localizar e direcionar os cateteres aos pontos causadores de arritmias. Contudo, a fluoroscopia apresenta diversos riscos. O mapeamento eletroanatômico (MEA) apresenta imagem tridimensional sem utilizar raios X, reduzindo os riscos da fluoroscopia. OBJETIVO: Descrevemos uma série de pacientes nos quais foi realizada ablação de arritmias cardíacas com o uso exclusivo de MEA. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados prospectivamente, de março de 2011 a março de 2012, pacientes com arritmias cardíacas refratárias ao tratamento farmacológico para realização de ablação de arritmias com o uso exclusivo de MEA. Não participaram aqueles com indicação de estudo eletrofisiológico diagnóstico e ablação de fibrilação atrial, taquiarritmias de átrio esquerdo e arritmia ventricular hemodinamicamente instável. Observamos tempo total de procedimento, taxa de sucesso, complicações e se ocorreu necessidade de uso de fluoroscopia durante o procedimento. RESULTADOS: Participaram 11 pacientes, sendo sete do sexo feminino (63%), com idade média de 50 anos (DP ± 16,5). As indicações dos procedimentos foram quatro casos (35%) de flutter atrial, três casos (27%) de síndrome de pré-excitação, dois casos (19%) de taquicardia supraventricular paroxística e dois casos (19%) de extrassístoles ventriculares. A média de duração do procedimento foi de 86,6 min (DP ± 26 min). O sucesso imediato (na alta hospitalar) do procedimento ocorreu em nove pacientes (81%). Não houve complicações durante os procedimentos. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo, foi demonstrado que é viável a realização de ablação de arritmias apenas com o uso do MEA, com resultados satisfatórios. BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation is a treatment that can cure various cardiac arrhythmias. Fluoroscopy is used to locate and direct catheters to areas that cause arrhythmias. However, fluoroscopy has several risks. Electroanatomic mapping (EAM) facilitates three-dimensional imaging without X-rays, which reduces risks associated with fluoroscopy. OBJECTIVE: We describe a series of patient cases wherein cardiac arrhythmia ablation was exclusively performed using EAM. METHODS: Patients who presented with cardiac arrhythmias that were unresponsive to pharmacological therapy were prospectively selected between March 2011 and March 2012 for arrhythmia ablation exclusively through EAM. Patients with indications for a diagnostic electrophysiology study and ablation of atrial fibrillation, left atrial tachyarrhythmias as well as hemodynamically unstable ventricular arrhythmia were excluded. We documented the procedure time, success rate and complications as well as whether fluoroscopy was necessary during the procedure. RESULTS: In total, 11 patients were enrolled in the study, including seven female patients (63%). The mean age of the patients was 50years (SD ±16.5). Indications for the investigated procedures included four cases (35%) of atrial flutter, three cases (27%) of pre-excitation syndrome, two cases (19%) of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and two cases (19%) of ventricular extrasystoles. The mean procedure duration was 86.6 min (SD ± 26 min). Immediate success (at discharge) of the procedure was evident for nine patients (81%). There were no complications during the procedures. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing an arrhythmia ablation exclusively using EAM with satisfactory results.

Agenesia da veia cava inferior é uma malformação rara. Sua causa mais comum é a disgenesia durante a embriogênese, mas também pode estar relacionada a trombose intrauterina ou perinatal. Normalmente é assintomática, em associação, ou não, com outras malformações congênitas, e pode cursar com maior risco de insuficiência venosa crônica e trombose venosa profunda, especialmente em jovens. Seu diagnóstico frequentemente é acidental, durante cirurgias abdominais ou procedimentos radiológicos. Relatamos cinco casos de agenesia da veia cava inferior detectada durante procedimentos eletrofisiológicos. Agenesis of the inferior vena cava is a rare malformation. Its most common cause is dysgenesis during embryogenesis, but it may also be related to intrauterine or perinatal thrombosis. It is usually asymptomatic, associated or not with other congenital malformations and may be related to increased risk of chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis, especially in young individuals. Diagnosis is often incidental, during abdominal surgery or radiological procedures. We reported five cases of agenesis of the inferior vena cava detected during electrophysiological procedures.

Agenesia da veia cava inferior é uma malformação rara. Sua causa mais comum é a disgenesia durante a embriogênese, mas também pode estar relacionada a trombose intrauterina ou perinatal. Normalmente é assintomática, em associação, ou não, com outras malformações congênitas, e pode cursar com maior risco de insuficiência venosa crônica e trombose venosa profunda, especialmente em jovens. Seu diagnóstico frequentemente é acidental, durante cirurgias abdominais ou procedimentos radiológicos. Relatamos cinco casos de agenesia da veia cava inferior detectada durante procedimentos eletrofisiológicos.

OBJETIVO: Relatar os achados microbiológicos, histopatológicos, radiológicos e endoscópicos associados às observações clínicas de pacientes portadores de sinusite fúngica. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma análise prospectiva de 829 casos compatíveis com sinusopatia crônica. De acordo com os achados obtidos nos exames de tomografia computadorizada e endoscopia nasal, juntamente com as análises clínicas, laboratoriais, microbiológicas e histopatológicas, atentou-se para o diagnóstico de sinusite fúngica em 33 pacientes da série, os quais foram enquadrados dentro de uma das seguintes classificações: bola fúngica, sinusite fúngica alérgica , sinusite invasiva aguda (fulminante) ou sinusite indolente ou lentamente invasiva. RESULTADOS: 18 pacientes apresentaram-se com bola fúngica, 13 com critérios para sinusite fúngica alérgica. Sinusite lentamente invasiva foi identificada em dois casos e não houve nenhuma ocorrência de sinusite fúngica fulminante. Cura clínica foi obtida em 24 pacientes. Houve recidiva da sinusite fúngica alérgica em quatro casos. CONCLUSÕES: As várias formas de apresentação e de abordagem terapêutica da sinusite fúngica exigem, além do diagnóstico etiológico fúngico, a identificação do tipo de sinusite fúngica através da associação de endoscopia nasal, tomografia computadorizada, exame macroscópico da secreção, exame direto e cultura em meio adequado. OBJECTIVE: To report the microbiological, histopathological, radiological, and endoscopic findings associated with clinical observations in patients with fungal sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of 829 cases compatible with chronic sinusitis was carried out. Diagnosis of fungal sinusitis was cofirmed in 33 patients through computed tomography and nasal endoscopy associated with clinical, laboratorial, microbiological and histopathological findings. These patients were classified as having one of the following: fungus ball sinusitis, alergic fungal sinusitis , acute invasive sinusitus or indolent or slowly invasive sinusitus. RESULTS: 18 patients presented with fungus ball sinusitis, 13 matched the criteria for AFS and two for slowly invasive fungus sinusitis. There were no occurences of fulminant fungal sinusitis. Clinical cure was obtained in 24 patients. Recidivation took place in four alergic fungal sinusitis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fungal sinusitis presents itself in many different ways and can be treated with a large variety of therapeutical techniques. Therefore it demands not only a diagnosis of the etiology of the fungus, but also the identification of the sort of sinusitis, through an association of nasal endoscopy, computed tomography, macroscopic examination of the secretion, direct exam, and culture in appropriate medium.