Abstract Thyroid hormone has effects on the skin. Patients with hypothyroidism have changes such as dry, scaly and rough skin. Increase carotene in the dermis becomes a yellowish tone to the skin of the patient with hypothyroidism. There is an increase in capillary cycle (anagen phase) and nail growth and a reduction in eccrine gland secretion. It is a case of primary hypothyroidism with nail manifestations associated with dermatologic disorders and successful treatment with levothyroxine. Receptors for thyroid hormone have already been found in keratinocytes, fibroblasts, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Genes responsive to thyroid hormones and elements of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis were identified on the skin. This report highlights the importance of cutaneous manifestations as markers of thyroid disease.

Resumo Fundamento: A síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA) constitui uma das principais causas de morbimortalidade no mundo moderno. O sedentarismo, presente em 85% da população brasileira, é considerado fator de risco para o surgimento de doença arterial coronariana. Porém, não está bem estabelecida a correlação do sedentarismo com a ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares (ECV) durante o internamento de portadores da SCA. Objetivo: Determinar o grau de atividade física de portadores de SCA, mediante a utilização do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ), associando com o prognóstico intra-hospitalar. Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal e analítico com 215 sujeitos admitidos consecutivamente com diagnóstico de SCA em um hospital de referência cardiológica no período de julho de 2009 a fevereiro de 2011. Todos os voluntários responderam à versão curta do IPAQ e foram seguidos quanto ao aparecimento de ECV durante o internamento, a partir de avaliação padronizada administrada pelo pesquisador, corroborada com dados do prontuário médico. Resultados: Os pacientes foram internados com diagnósticos de angina instável (34,4%), infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) sem supradesnivelamento de ST (41,4%) e IAM com supradesnivelamento de ST (24,2%). De acordo com o nível de atividade física, foram classificados em não ativos (56,3%) e ativos (43,7%). Constatou-se a presença de ECV em 35,3% da amostra. A ocorrência de complicação intra-hospitalar esteve associada ao tempo de internamento (odds ratio [OR] = 1,15) e inatividade física (OR = 2,54) e foi independente da idade, pressão arterial sistólica e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva prévia. Conclusão: Estilo de vida fisicamente ativo reduz o risco de ECV durante o internamento em pacientes com SCA.

Abstract Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the modern world. A sedentary lifestyle, present in 85% of the Brazilian population, is considered a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease. However, the correlation of a sedentary lifestyle with cardiovascular events (CVE) during hospitalization for ACS is not well established. Objective: To evaluate the association between physical activity level, assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with in-hospital prognosis in patients with ACS. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study with 215 subjects with a diagnosis of ACS consecutively admitted to a referral hospital for cardiac patients between July 2009 and February 2011. All volunteers answered the short version of the IPAQ and were observed for the occurrence of CVE during hospitalization with a standardized assessment conducted by the researcher and corroborated by data from medical records. Results: The patients were admitted with diagnoses of unstable angina (34.4%), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without ST elevation (41.4%), and AMI with ST elevation (24.2%). According to the level of physical activity, the patients were classified as non-active (56.3%) and active (43.7%). A CVE occurred in 35.3% of the cohort. The occurrence of in-hospital complications was associated with the length of hospital stay (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15) and physical inactivity (OR = 2.54), and was independent of age, systolic blood pressure, and prior congestive heart failure. Conclusion: A physically active lifestyle reduces the risk of CVE during hospitalization in patients with ACS.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to estimate the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy and to identify variables associated with this condition in under 25-year-old patients with sickle cell anemia.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed of children, adolescents and young adults with sickle cell anemia submitted to a transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. The mass of the left ventricle was determined by the formula of Devereux et al. with correction for height, and the percentile curves of gender and age were applied. Individuals with rheumatic and congenital heart disease were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of left ventricular hypertrophy and compared according to clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory variables.RESULTS: A total of 37.6% of the patients had left ventricular hypertrophy in this sample. There was no difference between the groups of patients with and without hypertrophy according to pathological history or clinical characteristics, except possibly for the use of hydroxyurea, more often used in the group without left ventricular hypertrophy. Patients with left ventricular hypertrophy presented larger left atria and lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, reticulocyte index and a higher albumin:creatinine ratio in urine.CONCLUSION: Left ventricular hypertrophy was observed in more than one-third of the young patients with sickle cell anemia with this finding being inversely correlated to the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and reticulocyte index and directly associated to a higher albumin/creatinine ratio. It is possible that hydroxyurea had had a protective effect on the development of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Fundamento: Portadores de síndrome coronária aguda (SCA) com aumento do índice de volume atrial esquerdo (IVAE) apresentam pior prognóstico em longo prazo segundo alguns estudos internacionais. Todavia, há carência de estudos nacionais ratificando esta predição. Objetivo: Avaliar o IVAE como preditor de evento cardiovascular maior (ECM) em seguimento tardio de pacientes com SCA. Métodos: Coorte prospectiva de 171 pacientes com diagnóstico de SCA e com IVAE calculado dentro de 48 horas após evento índice. Portadores de IVAE normal (≤ 32 ml/m2) e de IVAE aumentado (> 32 ml/m2) foram comparados quanto às características clínicas e ecocardiográficas, evolução intra e extra-hospitalar e ocorrência, em até 365 dias, de ECM. Resultados: Um total de 78 pacientes (45%) apresentaram IVAE > 32 ml/m2. Ocorreu associação entre IVAE aumentado e maior idade, índice de massa corpórea, hipertensão arterial, história de infarto agudo do miocárdio e angioplastia prévia, assim como menor clearance de creatinina e fração de ejeção. Na evolução hospitalar, o edema agudo de pulmão foi mais frequente em pacientes com IVAE aumentado (14,1% vs. 4,3%, p = 0,024). Após a alta hospitalar, a ocorrência do desfecho composto para ECM foi significativamente superior (p = 0,001) no grupo com IVAE aumentado (26%) quando comparado ao grupo de IVAE normal (7%) [RR (IC 95%) = 3,46 (1,54-7,73) vs. 0,80 (0,69-0,92)]. Na regressão de Cox, IVAE aumentado elevou a probabilidade de ECM (HR = 3,08; IC 95% = 1,28-7,40; p = 0,012). Conclusão: O aumento do IVAE é importante preditor de ECM em um ano de seguimento.

Background: According to some international studies, patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and increased left atrial volume index (LAVI) have worse long-term prognosis. However, national Brazilian studies confirming this prediction are still lacking. Objective: To evaluate LAVI as a predictor of major cardiovascular events (MCE) in patients with ACS during a 365-day follow-up. Methods: Prospective cohort of 171 patients diagnosed with ACS whose LAVI was calculated within 48 hours after hospital admission. According to LAVI, two groups were categorized: normal LAVI (≤ 32 mL/m2) and increased LAVI (> 32 mL/m2). Both groups were compared regarding clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, in- and out-of-hospital outcomes, and occurrence of ECM in up to 365 days. Results: Increased LAVI was observed in 78 patients (45%), and was associated with older age, higher body mass index, hypertension, history of myocardial infarction and previous angioplasty, and lower creatinine clearance and ejection fraction. During hospitalization, acute pulmonary edema was more frequent in patients with increased LAVI (14.1% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.024). After discharge, the occurrence of combined outcome for MCE was higher (p = 0.001) in the group with increased LAVI (26%) as compared to the normal LAVI group (7%) [RR (95% CI) = 3.46 (1.54-7.73) vs. 0.80 (0.69-0.92)]. After Cox regression, increased LAVI increased the probability of MCE (HR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.28-7.40, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Increased LAVI is an important predictor of MCE in a one-year follow-up.

FUNDAMENTO: Na síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA), a hiperglicemia, à admissão hospitalar, está associada à presença de eventos adversos cardiovasculares em pacientes com ou sem diabetes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o valor prognóstico da hiperglicemia de estresse na evolução intra-hospitalar de pacientes admitidos por SCA. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 152 pacientes admitidos, entre setembro de 2005 e fevereiro de 2010, em unidade de dor torácica de hospital terciário com diagnóstico de SCA, que apresentavam valor da glicemia laboratorial na admissão. O grupo I foi formado pelos pacientes com hiperglicemia de estresse, definida por glicemia na admissão > 126 mg/dL em não diabéticos e > 200 mg/dL nos diabéticos, e o grupo II pelos pacientes com níveis glicêmicos inferiores aos níveis estabelecidos. Analisou-se a associação da hiperglicemia e evolução intra-hospitalar. RESULTADOS: A hiperglicemia de estresse associou-se a complicações intra-hospitalares, aumento da idade e gênero feminino. Na análise multivariada, apenas gênero feminino (OR = 2,04; IC95% 1,03 - 4,06, p = 0,007) e complicações intra-hospitalares (OR = 3,65; IC95% 1,62 - 8,19, p = 0,002) se associaram de forma independente à hiperglicemia na admissão. CONCLUSÃO: A hiperglicemia de estresse é fator preditivo independente para complicações intra-hospitalares após SCA em pacientes diabéticos ou não. Os resultados alertam para a necessidade de avaliarmos a glicemia na admissão em todos os pacientes admitidos por SCA, incluindo os não diabéticos, com o intuito de identificarmos os indivíduos com maior risco de complicações.

BACKGROUND: In acute coronary syndrome (ACS), admission hyperglycemia is associated with adverse cardiovascular events in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of stress hyperglycemia for the in-hospital outcome of patients admitted due to ACS. METHODS: This study included 152 patients admitted to the chest pain unit of a tertiary hospital diagnosed with ACS, who had admission blood glucose data, from September 2005 to February 2010. Group I comprised patients with stress hyperglycemia, defined as admission blood glucose concentration > 126 mg/dL for nondiabetic individuals and admission blood glucose concentration > 200 mg/dL for diabetic individuals. Group II was formed by patients with admission blood glucose concentration lower than those established. The association of hyperglycemia and in-hospital outcome was assessed. RESULTS: Stress hyperglycemia associated with in-hospital complications, age increase and female sex. On multivariate analysis, only female sex (OR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.03 - 4.06; p = 0.007) and in-hospital complications (OR = 3.65; 95% CI: 1.62 - 8.19; p = 0.002) associated independently with admission hyperglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Stress hyperglycemia is an independent predictive factor for in-hospital complications after ACS in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. The results highlight the need to assess admission blood glucose concentration in all patients admitted due to ACS, including nondiabetic ones, aiming at identifying those at higher risk for complications.

OBJETIVOS: Descrever e classificar alterações retinianas encontradas em portadores de anemia falciforme com genótipo SS, bem com comparar métodos diagnósticos (mapeamento de retina e angiofluoresceinografia). MÉTODOS: Neste estudo transversal foram avaliados pacientes portadores de anemia falciforme com idade igual ou superior a sete anos. Esses pacientes foram submetidos a mapeamento de retina e angiofluoresceinografia. Os achados do mapeamento de retina foram agrupados em três classes: sem alterações; alterações não proliferativas e alterações proliferativas. Os resultados à angiofluoresceinografia foram classificados de acordo com os estágios de Goldberg, variando de I a V e expressando gradiente crescente de gravidade. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 61olhos de 31pacientes. A retinopatia falciforme foi encontrada em 38/61 (62,3%) dos olhos examinados. A média de idade do grupo de portadores de retinopatia foi menor que dos pacientes sem retinopatia (14,4 versus 17,4 anos, p=0,04). Observou-se elevada freqüência de retinopatia não proliferativa, especialmente as tortuosidades vasculares (27,9%), seguidas por anastomoses arteriovenosas na periferia da retina (24,6%) e oclusões arteriolares (8,2%). Em um olho foi observado neovascularização. Em 16,4% dos olhos obteve-se resultado normal no mapeamento de retina e alterado à angiofluoresceinografia. CONCLUSÕES: As alterações retinianas do tipo não proliferativa são frequentes e precoces nos portadores de anemia falciforme do tipo SS, sendo a angiofluoresceinografia mais sensível no diagnóstico quando comparada ao mapeamento de retina.

PURPOSES: To describe and categorize retinal vascular changes in patients with sickle cell anemia, as well as to compare diagnostic methods (indirect ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography). METHODS: Patients with sickle cell anemia over the age of seven were examined. Complete ophthalmologic examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy and angiography was performed in each patient. The fundoscopy results were grouped in 3 classes: normal; non-proliferative retinopathy, which includes vascular tortuosity, black sunburst, salmon-patch and peripheral closure/anastomoses; and proliferative retinopathy, related to neovascular proliferation. Angiography results were classified according to Goldberg classifications from stage I to V. RESULTS: Retinopathy related to sickle cell anemia was seen in 62.3% (38/61) of the eyes checked. Neovascularization was observed in one eye. The frequency of bilateral changes in angiography was high. Non-proliferative retinopathy was more common, especially vascular tortuosities (17/61), followed by arteriovenous anastomoses in the retinal periphery (15/61) and arterial occlusions (5/61). The mean age of retinopathy group was 14.4 years old, significantly lower than the mean age of non-retinopathy group, which was 17.4. The result was normal in16.4% (10/61) of the eyes in the fundoscopy exam, while angiography showed alterations. CONCLUSIONS: All the results pointed to the conclusion that the non-proliferative retinal vascular changes are frequent and precocious in patients with sickle cell anemia (SS genotype). Fluorescein angiography is more sensitive in the diagnosis of retinopathy when compared to indirect ophthalmoscopy.

FUNDAMENTO: Apesar das inúmeras evidências de aumento da morbimortalidade, a incompetência cronotrópica (IC) ainda não é um diagnóstico rotineiro e bem definido nos protocolos de avaliação cardiológica e sua importância clínica ainda é subestimada. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os parâmetros clínicos e ecocardiográficos associados à IC em pacientes não idosos submetidos à ecocardiografia sob estresse físico (EEF). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 1.798 pacientes com idade média de 48,4 ± 7,5 anos submetidos à EEF entre Janeiro/2000 e Agosto/2009. Pacientes com índice cronotrópico menor que 0,8 foram considerados incompetentes cronotrópicos e comparados aos competentes quanto às características clínicas e ecocardiográficas. RESULTADOS: A duração do esforço físico foi em média de 9,3 ± 2,4 minutos. Duzentos e setenta (15%) pacientes eram incompetentes cronotrópicos. O índice cronotrópico de tal grupo foi de 0,7 ± 0,1 vs. 1,0 ± 0,1 para os competentes. A análise de regressão logística multivariada identificou os seguintes parâmetros como independentemente associados à IC: dispneia no exame [odds ratio (OR) = 4,27; p < 0,0001], dor torácica prévia na história clínica (OR = 1,51; p = 0,0111), maiores valores de índice de massa do ventrículo esquerdo nos incompetentes (IMVE) (OR = 1,16; p = 0,0001), equivalentes metabólicos (METs) (OR = 0,70; p = 0,0001), infradesnivelamento do segmento ST (OR = 0,58; p = 0,0003) e elevação da pressão arterial sistólica (ΔPAS) (OR = 0,87; p = 0,0011). Isquemia miocárdica não se associou à IC. CONCLUSÃO: A IC está associada a parâmetros funcionais, tais como: dispneia ao esforço, história de dor torácica e menores valores de METS. Está também associada ao parâmetro estrutural índice de massa do ventrículo esquerdo. Além disso, incompetência cronotrópica não parece aumentar a chance de isquemia miocárdica em pacientes não idosos. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2012; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

BACKGROUND: Despite abundant evidence of increased morbidity and mortality, chronotropic incompetence (CI) is not a routine diagnosis well defined in protocols of cardiac evaluation and its clinical importance is still underestimated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic parameters associated with HF in non-elderly patients submitted to stress echocardiography (SE). METHODS: One thousand seven hundred ninety-eight patients with a mean age of 48.4 ± 7.5 years, who underwent SE between January/2000 and August/2009 were evaluated. Patients with chronotropic index smaller than 0.8 were considered chronotropic incompetent as compared to competent patients as to clinical and echocardiographic characteristics. RESULTS: The duration of the exercise was 9.3 ± 2.4 minutes on average. Two hundred and seventy (15%) patients were chronotropic incompetent. The chronotropic index of this group was 0.7 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1 for competent patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following parameters as independently associated with HF: dyspnea on examination [odds ratio (OR) = 4.27, p <0.0001], previous chest pain on medical history (OR = 1.51; p = 0.0111), higher left ventricular mass rate in incompetent patients (LVMI) (OR = 1.16, p = 0.0001), metabolic equivalents (METs) (OR = 0.70, p = 0 , 0001), ST segment depression (OR = 0.58, p = 0.0003) and high systolic blood pressure (ΔSBP) (OR = 0.87, p = 0.0011). Myocardial ischemia was not associated with HF. CONCLUSION: HF is associated with functional parameters, such as dyspnea on exertion, history of chest pain and lower METS. It is also associated with structural benchmark index of left ventricular mass. In addition, chronotropic incompetence does not appear to increase the chance of myocardial ischemia in non-elderly patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2012; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate viral vaccine antibody levels in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after chemotherapy and after vaccine booster doses. METHODS: Antibody levels against hepatitis B, rubella, measles and mumps vaccine antigens were evaluated in 33 children after completing chemotherapy (before and after vaccine booster doses) and the results were compared to the data of 33 healthy children matched for gender, age and social class. RESULTS: After chemotherapy, 75.9%, 67.9%, 59.3% and 51.7% of the patients showed low antibody titers that would be unlikely to protect against exposure to measles, rubella, hepatitis B and mumps, respectively. After receiving a vaccine booster dose for these antigens the patients had high antibody levels consistent with potential protection against measles, mumps and hepatitis B, but not against rubella. CONCLUSION: Extra doses of measles-mumps-rubella plus hepatitis B vaccines are recommended in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients submitted to treatment after hematologic recovery. After this, viral vaccine antibody levels should be verified to define the individual's protective status.

FUNDAMENTO: A literatura carece de estudos a respeito do valor prognóstico da ecocardiografia sob estresse pelo esforço físico (EF) em pacientes portadores de bloqueio completo do ramo esquerdo do feixe de His (BRE). OBJETIVO: Avaliar o valor prognóstico da EF em portadores de BRE. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de coorte retrospectiva, em que foram avaliados 135 pacientes portadores de BRE, no período entre janeiro de 2001 e outubro de 2009, dos quais 37,8% eram homens, com média de idade de 63,6 ± 11,5 anos, submetidos à EF segundo o protocolo de Bruce em esteira ergométrica. Foi utilizada a regressão de Cox, considerando-se estes desfechos: óbito por todas as causas e por eventos cardíacos, definidos como infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM), angioplastia percutânea (AP), revascularização miocárdica (RM) e óbito por causas cardíacas. RESULTADOS: A EF positiva foi encontrada em 42 pacientes (31%). O tempo de seguimento médio foi de 45,8 ± 4,7 meses. Nesse período, houve nove óbitos por todas as causas e nove eventos cardíacos (três óbitos por causa cardíaca, três IAM, duas AP e uma RM). A taxa de mortalidade por todas as causas em cinco anos foi de 16,1% no grupo com exame positivo e de 2,5% no grupo com exame negativo (p = 0,171), enquanto a taxa de eventos cardíacos no mesmo período foi de 15,1% no grupo com exame positivo e de 1,6% no grupo com exame negativo (p = 0,009). CONCLUSÃO: A EF mostrou-se preditora de eventos cardíacos em pacientes portadores de BRE.

BACKGROUND: The literature lacks studies about the prognostic value of exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in patients with complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) of the bundle of His. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of ESE in patients with LBBB. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort that evaluated 135 patients with LBBB, from January 2001 to October 2009, of which 37.8% were men, mean age 63.6 ± 11.5 years submitted to ESE according to Bruce protocol on a treadmill. Cox regression was used, considering these outcomes: death from all causes and from cardiac events, defined as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), percutaneous angioplasty (PA), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and death from cardiac causes. RESULTS: Positive ESE was observed in 42 patients (31%). The mean follow-up was 45.8 ± 4.7 months. During this period, there were 9 deaths from all causes and 9 cardiac events (3 deaths from cardiac causes, 3 myocardial infarctions, 2 PA and one CABG). The mortality rate from all causes during five years was 16.1% in the group with positive ESE and 2.5% in the group with negative test (p = 0.171), whereas the rate of cardiac events in the same period was 15.1% for the positive ESE and 1.6% in the group with negative test (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: ESE showed to be a predictor of cardiac events in patients with LBBB.