B-type natriuretic peptide in the evaluation of cardiac function

B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its precursor, the inactive form of NT-pro-BNP, are currently the most studied laboratory parameters in the heart disease spectrum. The assessment of their blood concentrations provides invaluable information on the likelihood, severity and prognosis of the disease. The present review aims to describe the biological determinants, the factors that influence these peptide concentrations, the suggested cutoff values for the diagnosis of heart failure and the use of this biomarker in the assessment of cardiac function.

Infarct Size as Predictor of Systolic Functional Recovery after Myocardial Infarction

Background: The effects of modern therapy on functional recovery after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are unknown.Objectives: To evaluate the predictors of systolic functional recovery after anterior AMI in patients undergoing modern therapy (reperfusion, aggressive platelet antiaggregant therapy, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers).Methods: A total of 94 consecutive patients with AMI with ST-segment elevation were enrolled. Echocardiograms were performed during the in-hospital phase and after 6 months. Systolic dysfunction was defined as ejection fraction value < 50%.Results: In the initial echocardiogram, 64% of patients had systolic dysfunction. Patients with ventricular dysfunction had greater infarct size, assessed by the measurement of total and isoenzyme MB creatine kinase enzymes, than patients without dysfunction. Additionally, 24.5% of patients that initially had systolic dysfunction showed recovery within 6 months after AMI. Patients who recovered ventricular function had smaller infarct sizes, but larger values of ejection fraction and E-wave deceleration time than patients without recovery. At the multivariate analysis, it can be observed that infarct size was the only independent predictor of functional recovery after 6 months of AMI when adjusted for age, gender, ejection fraction and E-wave deceleration time.Conclusion: In spite of aggressive treatment, systolic ventricular dysfunction remains a frequent event after the anterior myocardial infarction. Additionally, 25% of patients show functional recovery. Finally, infarct size was the only significant predictor of functional recovery after six months of acute myocardial infarction.

Assesment of the TEI index of myocardial performance in dogs with doxorubicin-induced cardiomiopathy

The development of a dose-dependent cardiomyopathy is the main limitation for the use of doxorubicin in chemotherapy protocols in both humans and animals. In this setting, the global myocardial function may be compromised resulting in signs of congestive heart failure. In this study, we investigated the ability of the Tei index of myocardial performance to identify myocardial dysfunction in healthy dogs receiving doxorubicin to a cumulative dose of 210 mg/m(2) over 147 days, comparing it with other standard echocardiographic indicators of systolic and diastolic function. Our results indicated that the Tei index, the isovolumic relaxation time, pre-ejection period and the pre-ejection period-to-left ventricular ejection time ratio were able to identify the cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin on cardiac function when only 60 mg/m(2) had been administered, while the standard systolic and diastolic parameters, including left ventricular diameter at systole, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening needed at least 120 mg/mg(2) to deteriorate. We concluded that prolonged anthracycline therapy compromises both systolic and diastolic functions, which may be documented earlier by including the Tel index evaluation to the standard echocardiographic assessment of animals receiving doxorubicin.

Aldosterone Blockade Reduces Mortality without Changing Cardiac Remodeling in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Left ventricular sphericity index predicts systolic dysfunction in rats with experimental aortic regurgitation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efeitos do treinamento físico aeróbico sobre a expressão da miostatina e o trofismo de músculos esqueléticos e cardíaco de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos com insuficiência cardíaca

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influência da dieta hiperlipídica ricas em ácidos graxos saturados sobre o metabolismo, estrutura e função cardíaca de ratos com estenose aórtica supravalvar

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Echocardiographic aspects of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a Persian cat: case report

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary myocardial abnormality characterized by diastolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure of unknown etiology. It is a cardiac disorder most common in cats (Felis catus), and is reported as a rare condition in dogs. There are racial, sex and age predisposition in cats. Clinical signs commonly found are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, acute dyspnea, paresis or paralysis of hind limbs. Radiographic and electrocardiographic exams are critical to understanding the disease, but Doppler echocardiographic imaging is the definitive method for diagnosis. Our objective is to report the appearance and Doppler ultrasonography in a case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a 3-year-old Persian cat.

Portal hypertension in dogs

Portal hypertension (PH) is the pathological increase in portal vein pressure above normal limits. Two variables control the pressure in the portal system: the resistance to blood flow and blood flow volume in the portal system. If one these variables changes, PH may develop. Classification: Pre-hepatic (e. g. compression of the portal vein), intrahepatic (e. g. chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis) or post-hepatic (e. g. right heart failure). The invasive methods (intravenous catheter) were replaced by an indirect method of diagnosis: Doppler Ultrasound. This technique does not measure portal pressure, but indirectly allows the diagnosis of PH. Average speed of portal flow decrease (<10 cm/s) and hepatofugal flow have been reported in cirrhotic dogs with PH. Currently, the focus of the ultrasound is the detection of acquired collateral portal circulation (ACPC), closely correlated with hepatic encephalopathy. The characterization of these vessels is essential to differentiate them from congenital shunts. They are usually multiple vessels, small and tortuous, with turbulent flow, near to the kidneys, and/or a single and larger vessel, draining into the left renal vein (dilated gonadal vein). Gastric, esophageal and mesenteric varices may occur. After identifying the PH, it is important to determine its origin in order to treat the underlying disease. B-Mode Ultrasound and Doppler are the best choices in cases of suspected PH, because they may recognize not just the hypertension, but also its complications and origin.

Endocardite infecciosa em pequenos animais

Infective endocarditis is a process in which an infection attacks the heart endothelial surface, and is commonly caused by bacterial colonization, which is called bacterial endocarditis. It is a condition rarely found in dogs and cats, and is more prevalent in male dogs of large size. It mainly affects the left side of the heart, affecting the mitral and aortic valves with greater frequency. The circulation of the bacterium in the bloodstream is what gives rise endocarditis, and is caused by any non-aseptic process that serves as a gateway for bacterium in the body, as from a skin lesion, even as an invasive procedure, such as, catheterization and surgery. The ante-mortem diagnosis is difficult because the clinical signs of endocarditis are varied and common to other diseases, summing up the signs of infection (fever, lethargy, weight loss), and presence of heart murmur and may show signs of congestive heart failure. Thus, the diagnosis is most often through autopsy. To arrive at a diagnosis should be used, besides the history and physical examination, some laboratory tests, especially blood cultures and echocardiography. Treatment is accomplished through the use of antibiotics for long period of time, it is very important to follow the results of susceptibility after its outcome is revealed. The prognosis for bacterial endocarditis ranges from guarded to poor, and can be assessed mainly by the echocardiography. There are few studies in veterinary about the bacterial endocarditis, and the majority is case reports

Mensuração do volume atrial esquerdo pelo método biplanar de Simpson em cães portadores da doença mixomatosa da válvula mitral

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Lactato sanguíneo em cães com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva decorrente de degeneração valvular mitral

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Influência do exercício físico no remodelamento cardíaco de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos do hormônio do crescimento sobre vias de sinalização intracelular na miopatia associada à insuficiência cardíaca de ratos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação comparativa do uso da furosemida em bolus ou infusão contínua no tratamento de cães com doença degenerativa valvar

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV