Submitted by Mariana Dornelles Vargas (marianadv) on 2015-05-08T17:59:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 insuficiencia_cardiaca.pdf: 13511668 bytes, checksum: d0a75c3603c6ddc1e31e6c41dbdae4ee (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T17:59:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 insuficiencia_cardiaca.pdf: 13511668 bytes, checksum: d0a75c3603c6ddc1e31e6c41dbdae4ee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-16 / Nenhuma / Atualmente, a insuficiência cardíaca é um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública no mundo devido ao envelhecimento e as mudanças no estilo de vida da população. Estudos demonstraram que a insuficiência cardíaca pode ser considerada uma complicação comum após IAM e, até agora, são modestos os estudos que visam impedir o desenvolvimento de insuficiência cardíaca em indivíduos de alto risco em comparação aos que objetivam novos tratamentos para pacientes após o desenvolvimento de insuficiência cardíaca. Estudos que objetivem a prevenção primária da insuficiência cardíaca, com a identificação dos fatores de risco associados, são de suma importância, pois atingem um número maior de pessoas e, também, contribuem para o manejo dos pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca manifesta. Este estudo investigou a ocorrência de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e fatores de risco associados em uma coorte prospectiva de pacientes com diagnóstico de síndrome coronariana aguda, com 30 anos ou mais, de ambos os sexos, internados pelo instituto de medicina vascular do Hospital Mãe de Deus de Porto Alegre, RS. O tamanho amostral foi dado pelo ingresso de pacientes entre maio de 2009 e julho de 2010. Foram determinadas, prevalência de IC prévia; incidência aos trinta dias e seis meses após a internação e prevalência no período. As associações entre os fatores de risco e prevalência de IC no período foram analisadas por meio de regressão de Poisson robusta. Dos 125 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 62 (49,6%; IC95% 40,8 a 58,4) apresentaram diagnóstico prévio de IC. Em trinta dias foram observados dois casos novos (0,02%; IC95% 0,006 a 0,04) e em seis meses três novos casos (0,02%; IC95% 0,003 a 0,05). A prevalência de IC no período foi de 53,6% (IC95% 44,8% a 62,3). Na análise ajustada, mantiveram-se associadas ao desfecho as variáveis: baixa escolaridade (p=0,01), IAM prévio (p=0,02) e angioplastia (p=0,02). / Currently, heart failure is a major public health problems in the world due to aging and changes in lifestyle of the population. Studies have shown that heart failure can be considered a common complication after AMI and thus far are modest studies that aim to prevent the development of heart failure in high-risk individuals compared to that aim new treatments for patients after the development of severe heart. Studies that aim at primary prevention of heart failure, with the identification of risk factors are of paramount importance, since it is a larger number of people and also contribute to the management of patients with overt cardiac failure. This study investigated the occurrence of heart failure (HF) and associated risk factors in a prospective cohort of patients with acute coronary syndrome, with 30 years or more, of both sexes admitted by the Institute of vascular medicine at the Hospital Mãe de Deus of Porto Alegre, RS. The sample size was given by the inflow of patients between May 2009 and July 2010. We determined the prevalence of previous HF; effect thirty days and six months after admission and prevalence in the period. The associations between risk factors and prevalence of IC in the period were analyzed using robust Poisson regression. Of the 125 patients enrolled, 62 (49.6%, 95% CI 40.8 to 58.4) had a previous diagnosis of HF. In thirty days we observed two new cases (0.02%, 95% CI 0.006 to 0.04) and in six months three new cases (0.02%, 95% CI 0.003 to 0.05). The prevalence of IC in the period was 53.6% (95% CI 44.8% to 62.3). In the adjusted analysis, remained associated with the outcome variables: low education (p = 0.01), previous AMI (p = 0.02) and angioplasty (p = 0.02).

Introdução: A disfunção atrial esquerda está associada a pior prognóstico em diversas situações clínicas. O método de strain bidimensional do átrio esquerdo permite avaliar de forma direta todas as fases da função atrial. Pouco se conhece sobre o comportamento das fases da função atrial esquerda em pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda. O objetivo desse estudo foi correlacionar as funções de reservatório, conduto e contração do átrio esquerdo com desfechos adversos cardiovasculares em pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. Método: Esse estudo recrutou prospectivamente 109 pacientes com diagnóstico de infarto agudo do miocárdio sem elevação do segmento ST e de angina instável de risco moderado ou alto pelo escore GRACE para realização de ecocardiograma nas primeiras 72 horas. A função atrial foi avaliada por parâmetros ecocardiográficos convencionais e pelo strain bidimensional obtido pela média das janelas apicais 2 e 4 câmaras. O desfecho primário foi avaliado em até um ano de seguimento e foi composto pelos seguintes eventos adversos: óbito, insuficiência cardíaca nova, nova internação por síndrome coronariana aguda ou por insuficiência cardíaca, angina estável com necessidade de nova intervenção coronariana, arritmia (fibrilação atrial ou taquicardia ventricular) e acidente vascular cerebral. Os desfechos secundários foram os combinados desses eventos. Resultados: As médias do strain de reservatório, conduto e contração foram de 25% ± 8, 12% ± 5 e 12% ± 4, respectivamente. O desfecho primário teve uma incidência de 31,8% em até um ano e apresentou uma correlação significativa com o strain de reservatório (HR= 0,92; IC95% 0,88-0,96; p<0,001), de conduto (HR= 0,87; IC95% 0,81-0,94; p<0,001) e de contração (HR= 0,90; IC95% 0,84-0,98; p=0,011). Análise multivariada envolvendo variáveis clínicas e as de função atrial esquerda demonstraram que o strain de reservatório (p=0,03) e de conduto (p=0,046) se mantiveram significativos como preditores do desfecho primário. O strain de conduto se manteve significativo no desfecho combinado de óbito e insuficiência cardíaca (HR= 0,82; IC95% 0,74-0,91; p<0,001) mesmo após análise multivariada com parâmetros clínicos (p<0,001) e ecocardiográficos (p=0,049). Conclusão: A avaliação da função atrial esquerda por meio do strain bidimensional se correlacionou significativamente com desfechos adversos em pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda sem elevação do segmento ST. O strain de reservatório e de conduto foram marcadores prognósticos independentes para o desfecho primário quando comparados às variáveis clínicas. Já para o desfecho combinado de óbito e insuficiência cardíaca, o strain de conduto foi um preditor independente mesmo após ajustado para variáveis clínicas e ecocardiográficas. / Background: Left atrial dysfunction is associated with worse prognosis in several clinical situations. The left atrial two-dimensional strain method allows direct evaluation of all phases of atrial function. There are few studies on the behavior of the various stages of left atrial function in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study was to correlate the functions of reservoir, conduit and contraction of the left atrium with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. Method: This study prospectively recruited 109 patients with a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina with moderate or high risk by GRACE score and echocardiography parameters were collected within the first 72 hours of admission. The atrial function was evaluated by conventional echocardiographic parameters and the two-dimensional strain obtained by the mean of the apical two- and four-chamber views. The primary endpoint was assessed during the 1 year follow-up period and was composed of theses adverse events: death, heart failure, rehospitalization for acute coronary syndrome or heart failure, stable angina requiring new coronary intervention, arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) and stroke. Secondary outcomes were those combined for these events. Results: The means of reservoir, conduit and contraction strain were 25% ± 8, 12% ± 5 and 12% ± 4, respectively. The primary endpoint occurred in 31.8% patients during the 1 year follow-up period and had a statistically significant correlation with the reservoir strain (HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88-0.96, p <0.001), conduit strain (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.81-0.94, p <0.001) and contraction strain (HR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.98, p = 0.011). Multivariate analysis involving clinical variables and left atrial function showed that the reservoir strain (p = 0.03) and conduit (p = 0.046) were independent predictors of endpoint primary. The conduit strain were statistically significant in the combined outcome of death and heart failure (HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74-0.91, p <0.001) even after multivariate analysis with clinical (p <0.001) and echocardiography parametrs (p = 0.049). Conclusion: Evaluation of left atrial function by two-dimensional strain correlated significantly with adverse outcomes in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. The reservoir and conduit strain were independent prognostic markers for the primary endpoint when compared to clinical parametrs. For the combined outcome of death and heart failure, the conduit strain was an independent predictor even after adjusting for clinical and echocardiographic variables.

<p>BACKGROUND: Tissue factor (TF) is a 47 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein known as the main initiator of blood coagulation. CD40 ligand is another membrane molecule, which ligates to cell types associated with atherosclerotic plaques thereby mediating intraplaque inflammation and weakening of the fibrous cap. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a multi-factorial disease in which TF and CD40 ligand have prominent roles. Single nucleotide poly-morphisms (SNPs) in the TF and CD40 ligand genes may influence the development, pro-gression and outcome in ACS. AIM: The aim of this thesis was to investigate the genetic and molecular control of TF expression in healthy individuals and in patients with ACS. More-over, the aim was to investigate whether SNPs in the TF and CD40L genes respectively were associated with risk and outcome in ACS and / or with plasma concentrations of these pro-teins. RESULTS: A real-time PCR method that allowed sensitive and dynamic quantification of TF mRNA was established and used for the identification of a high and low response phe-nomenon of TF mRNA. The TF high and low response correlated with the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) thus linking TF to innate immunity in a novel fashion. Investigation of several SNPs in the TF and CD40L genes led to the identification of the 5466 A>G in the TF gene and the -3459 A>G SNP in the CD40L gene. The 5466 G allele was associated with cardiovascular death in patients with ACS and increased TF procoagulant activity in human monocytes, which explained the clinical association. The -3459 G allele regulated the produc-tion of soluble CD40L but was not related with patient outcome. Soluble CD40L levels above median were associated with the risk of MI in patients with ACS. A prolonged treatment with dalteparin was more efficient in patients presenting with high levels of sCD40L, which further supports sCD40L as a marker of a prothrombotic state. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this thesis adds to our current knowledge of factors influencing TF expression and activity by demonstrating the effects of TF gene variants, cell signalling molecules, CD40 ligand protein and gene variation. All of these effects have the potential to modify the risk of development, progression and outcome in the acute coronary syndrome and exemplify the interplay between coagulation and inflammation, in which both TF and CD40 ligand are active.</p>

Background In the event of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the risk of death and complications such as stroke and re-infarction is high during the first month. Diabetes, impaired kidney function, elevated markers of systemic inflammation and high level of platelet reactivity have all been associated with worsened prognosis in ACS patients. Impaired kidney function is a condition with high cardiovascular morbidity and there is an established association between level of kidney function and outcome in the event of an ACS. Aims We sought to investigate the level of platelet reactivity during the first days of an ACS and specifically the level of platelet reactivity in patients with different conditions associated with worsened prognosis in the event of an ACS. We also wanted to investigate the prognostic impact of baseline levels of cystatin C as well as the importance of decreasing kidney function during the first days of an ACS. Methods We included 1028 unselected patients with ACS or suspected ACS during the years 2002 and 2003, of which 534 were diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Blood samples for measuring platelet aggregation, cystatin C levels and other clinically important biomarkers were collected day 1, 2, 3 and 5 following admission. Platelet reactivity was measured using 2 different methods. Platelet aggregation was measured using Pa-200, a particle count method, based on scattering of laser light. PFA 100 is a method of measuring primary hemostasis in whole blood. Results Platelet aggregation and comorbidities. We found an increase in platelet aggregation when an ACS was complicated by an infection and there was an increased frequency of aspirin non-responsiveness in patients suffering from pneumonia during the first days of an ACS. Furthermore, we found an independent association between levels of C-reactive protein and platelet aggregation. During the first 3 days following an acute myocardial infarction, platelet aggregation increased despite treatment with anti-platelet agents. Platelet aggregation was found to be more pronounced in patients with diabetes. Patients with impaired kidney function, showed increased platelet aggregation compared to patients with normal renal function, however, this difference was explained by older age, higher prevalence of DM and levels of inflammatory biomarkers. We found no independent association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and levels of platelet aggregation. Kidney function and outcome Serum levels of cystatin C on admission had an independent association with outcome following an acute myocardial infarction. With a mean follow-up time of 2.9 years, the adjusted HR for death was 1.62 (95% CI 1.28-2.03; p&lt;0.001) for each unit of increase in cystatin C on admission. The level of dynamic changes in cystatin C during admission for an acute myocardial infarction was independently associated with prognosis in patients with normal or mild impairment of renal function. The adjusted HR for death was 10.1 (95% CI 3.4-29.9; p&lt;0.001). Conclusion In patients suffering from an AMI platelet aggregation increases during the first days, despite anti-platelet treatment. Diabetes, age and biomarkers of inflammation are independently associated with platelet aggregation. Admission levels of cystatin C as well as changes in cystatin C levels during hospitalisation are independently associated with outcome.

BACKGROUND: Tissue factor (TF) is a 47 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein known as the main initiator of blood coagulation. CD40 ligand is another membrane molecule, which ligates to cell types associated with atherosclerotic plaques thereby mediating intraplaque inflammation and weakening of the fibrous cap. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a multi-factorial disease in which TF and CD40 ligand have prominent roles. Single nucleotide poly-morphisms (SNPs) in the TF and CD40 ligand genes may influence the development, pro-gression and outcome in ACS. AIM: The aim of this thesis was to investigate the genetic and molecular control of TF expression in healthy individuals and in patients with ACS. More-over, the aim was to investigate whether SNPs in the TF and CD40L genes respectively were associated with risk and outcome in ACS and / or with plasma concentrations of these pro-teins. RESULTS: A real-time PCR method that allowed sensitive and dynamic quantification of TF mRNA was established and used for the identification of a high and low response phe-nomenon of TF mRNA. The TF high and low response correlated with the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) thus linking TF to innate immunity in a novel fashion. Investigation of several SNPs in the TF and CD40L genes led to the identification of the 5466 A&gt;G in the TF gene and the -3459 A&gt;G SNP in the CD40L gene. The 5466 G allele was associated with cardiovascular death in patients with ACS and increased TF procoagulant activity in human monocytes, which explained the clinical association. The -3459 G allele regulated the produc-tion of soluble CD40L but was not related with patient outcome. Soluble CD40L levels above median were associated with the risk of MI in patients with ACS. A prolonged treatment with dalteparin was more efficient in patients presenting with high levels of sCD40L, which further supports sCD40L as a marker of a prothrombotic state. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this thesis adds to our current knowledge of factors influencing TF expression and activity by demonstrating the effects of TF gene variants, cell signalling molecules, CD40 ligand protein and gene variation. All of these effects have the potential to modify the risk of development, progression and outcome in the acute coronary syndrome and exemplify the interplay between coagulation and inflammation, in which both TF and CD40 ligand are active.

The thesis aimed to investigate cystatin C and creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), both at admission and during follow-up, on the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We also evaluated two cystatin C assays and assessed genetic determinants of cystatin C concentrations. We used the PLATelet inhibition and Patient Outcomes study, where all types of ACS patients (n=18624) were randomized to ticagrelor or clopidogrel treatment. Multivariable Cox regression models, including clinical variables and biomarkers (troponin and NT-proBNP), and c-statistics were calculated. Cystatin C and the creatinine-based CKD-EPI equation exhibited similar significant prognostic impact on the combined endpoint, with Area Under Curves (AUC) 0.6923 and 0.6941, respectively. Follow-up samples of renal biomarkers did not improve risk prediction. Patients randomized to ticagrelor treatment were associated with a non-sustained larger increase in renal markers at discharge, but neither the change nor the difference between the randomized groups affected cardiovascular risk. Two different cystatin C assays exhibited good correlation 0.86 (95% confidence interval 0.85-0.86), however moderate level of agreement. Risk prediction with a combination of creatinine and cystatin C did not outperform the creatinine-based CKD-EPI equation, AUC: 0.6913 and 0.6924, respectively (n=13050). The genetic polymorphism rs6048952 independently affected the cystatin C concentration with mean levels of 0.85mg/L, 0.80mg/L and 0.73mg/L for the A/A, A/G, and G/G genotypes, respectively. The genetic polymorphism did not affect outcome overall, however in the non-ST-elevation ACS subgroup a signal that genetic polymorphism may be associated with cardiovascular death was observed (p=0.002). In conclusion: cystatin C or eGFR, irrespective of equation or assay, are important cardiovascular risk factors in ACS patients. Nonetheless, the incremental value of adding any renal variable, to a multivariable risk model, is small. Further research on the impact of cystatin C genetic polymorphism is warranted. / <p>PhD, i medicin.</p>

The overall aim of this thesis was to describe patients’ and spouses’ experiences of suspected acute myocardial infarction in the pre-hospital phase. A descriptive survey study was conducted to identify various factors influencing patient delay in 381 patients with suspected myocardial infarction hospitalised at a Coronary Care Unit (I) and ambulance utilisation among 110 myocardial infarction patients (II). In order to obtain a deeper understanding of the myocardial infarction patients’ own conceptions about the event, an interview study with a phenomenographic approach was conducted with 15 strategically selected myocardial infarction patients (III), within 72 hours after admission to hospital. Finally, the pre-hospital experiences of 15 spouses of myocardial infarction patients were also studied through interviews with a phenomenographic approach, within 48 hours after the affected partner’s admittance to hospital (IV). The results showed that 59% of the patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction delayed &gt; 1 hour after onset of symptoms. The most common reasons given for delay in seeking hospital admittance were: (1) Did not consider the symptoms as to be severe enough that they warranted hospital care, (2) thought the symptoms to be temporary and that they would disappear, (3) the chest pain was more of a dull pain, (4) or, as one third of the patients chose to do, contacted the general practitioner instead of going directly to the hospital (I). Furthermore, as a first action, 59% consulted their spouse for advice about what to do henceforth. The most common reason for additional delay when the decision to go to hospital had already been taken was that the myocardial infarction patients stated that they were unaware of the advantages of a rapid decision-making process. Sixty percent went by ambulance, but it was the spouse (40%) or the personnel at the general practitioner’s office (32%) who called the emergency service number, rather than the patient him/her self (5%). The most frequently given reasons for not choosing ambulance, were that the patients did not perceive their symptoms as being serious enough to require ambulance transportation (43%), followed by that they had not thought about ambulance as an alternative at all (38%). As a third reason for not going by ambulance, the patients stated that it was unnecessary to call an ambulance when being affected by symptoms related to a myocardial infarction (26%). The patients who called an ambulance differed in some respects from those who went by private alternatives; patients with large infarctions (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) went by ambulance more frequently, as did patients suffering from nausea and severe chest pain (II). The patients expressed in the interviews how the interaction with others, described as the need for supportive environment, worries for the family and the utilisation of the health-care resources, was of great importance in the pre-hospital phase. Likewise, symptom awareness, with earlier experiences of a similar situation to compare with, denying the seriousness of the situation and the use of different self-care strategies, were important in order to manage the situation. Vulnerability, expressed as anxiety and a lack of control, also influenced the decision-making process in the pre-hospital phase (III). Spouses seemed to have a strong influence on the course of events when their partner suffered an acute myocardial infarction and it emerged from the interviews how the spouses in many cases were influenced into sharing the denial of the affected partner by respecting his/her independence. The spouses accepted the partner’s need for control; took earlier marital roles and experiences into account; restraining own emotions and seeking agreement with their partners, contributing to delay. However, being resourceful by sharing the experience; having knowledge; understanding the severity; being rational and consulting others when needed, seemed to have a positive influence on the decision time in the pre-hospital phase (IV). Conclusion: The reasons for delaying or not in the pre-hospital phase, as well as the reasons for utilising the ambulance services or not, varied considerably between individuals. Earlier experiences of MI did not influence what actions to take; instead patients’ feelings, emotional attitudes to MI symptoms, inadequate coping strategies, and spouses’ influences were important components in the pre-hospital phase.

Myocardial ischemia is a major cause of postoperative heart failure and adverse outcome in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Conventional treatment of postoperative heart failure with inotropic drugs may aggravate underlying ischemic injury. Glutamate has been claimed to increase myocardial tolerance to ischemia and promote metabolic and hemodynamic recovery after ischemia. The aim of this work was to investigate if intravenous glutamate infusion given in association with CABG for acute coronary syndrome can reduce mortality and prevent or mitigate myocardial injury and postoperative heart failure. We also wanted to assess neurological safety issues, as a concern with the use of glutamate is that it may act as an excitotoxin under certain conditions.A metabolic strategy for perioperative care was assessed in an observational study on 104 consecutive patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing CABG. Based on encouraging clinical results, unsurpassed in the literature, the GLUTAMICS-trial was initiated. 861 patients undergoing CABG for acute coronary syndrome were randomly allocated to blinded intravenous infusion of L-glutamicacid solution or saline. The primary endpoint was a composite of postoperative mortality (≤30 days), perioperative myocardial infarction and left ventric ular heart failure in association with weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Secondary endpoints included neurological safety issues, degree of myocardial injury,postoperative hemodynamic state, use of circulatory support and cardiac mortality.The event rate was lower than anticipated and the primary endpoint did not differ significantly between the groups. Regarding secondary endpoints there were significant differences compatible with a beneficial effect of glutamate on post-ischemic myocardial recovery. The putative effect of glutamate infusion was seen in more ischemic patients (CCS class IV) and in patients with evident or anticipated LV-failure on weaning from CPB. No evidence for increased incidence of clinical or subclinical neurological injury was found. In conclusion, intravenous glutamate infusion is safe in the dosages employed and could provide a novel and important way of promoting myocardial recovery after ischemic injury.

Objectives: Contemporary data are lacking with respect to the incidence rates of, factors associated with, and impact of cardiac arrest from ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia (VF-CA) on hospital survival in patients admitted with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objectives of this multinational study were to characterize trends in the magnitude of in-hospital VF-CA complicating an ACS and describe its impact over time on hospital prognosis. Methods: The study population consisted of 59,161 patients enrolled in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events Study between 2000 and 2007. Overall, 3,618 patients (6.2%) developed VF-CA during their hospitalization for an ACS. Incidence rates of VF-CA declined over time, albeit in an inconsistent manner. Patients who experienced VF-CA were on average older and had a greater burden of cardiovascular disease, yet were less likely to receive evidence-based cardiac therapies than patients in whom VF-CA did not occur. Hospital death rates were 55.3% and 1.5% in patients with and without VF-CA, respectively. There was a greater than 50% decline in the hospital death rates associated with VF-CA during the years under study. Patients with a VF-CA occurring after 48 hours were at especially high risk for dying during hospitalization (82.8%). Conclusions: Despite reductions in the magnitude of, and short-term mortality from, VF-CA between 2000 and 2007, VF-CA continues to exert a significant adverse effect on survival among patients hospitalized with an ACS. Opportunities exist to improve the identification and treatment of ACS patients at risk for VF-CA to reduce the incidence of, and mortality from, this serious arrhythmic disturbance.

Os avanços na área da saúde têm resultado na redução da morbidade e permitido maior sobrevida aos pacientes coronariopatas. Entr etanto, a Síndrome Coronariana Aguda (SCA) ainda representa uma das questões de saúde públ ica mais relevante da atualidade. O objetivo geral do estudo foi avaliar a evolução clínica dos pacientes dur ante a primeira internação decorrente da SCA e nos primeiros dois anos a pós a hospitalização. As principais variáveis de interesse investigadas foram: mortalidade, rein ternações e tratamentos de revascularização do miocárdio (Intervenção Coronária Percutânea - ICP e Cirurgia de Revascularização do Miocárdio - CRVM). O delineamento utilizado foi observacional, tipo coorte. A amostra foi composta por pacientes que foram internados em decorrência do prim eiro episódio de uma SCA, entre maio de 2006 e julho de 2009, em um hospital geral público de ensino. Os dados foram coletados em 2011 mediante consultas ao s prontuários dos participantes e ao sistema eletrônico de agendamento do hospital, utilizando-se de um instrumento elaborado pela pesquisadora. Os dados foram analisados utiliz ando testes de associação Qui-quadrado, Exato de Fisher e t de Student para amostras independentes. O nível de significância adotado foi de 0,05. A taxa de mortalidade foi calculada divi dindo o número de óbitos ocorridos em até dois anos de seguimento pela somatória do tempo total de observação do estudo. Participaram da investigação 234 pacientes, sendo 140 (59,8%) diagnosticados com Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio (IAM) e 94 (40,2%) com Angina Instável (AI). A idade média foi de 58 anos (D.P.=12,2 anos), com predomínio de indiví duos do sexo masculino (69,2%). Durante a internação inicial não houve associação entre a presença de complicações e a manifestação clínica da SCA; os pacientes com AI tiveram média de tempo de permanência hospitalar maior que IAM (12,5 e 10 dias, respectivamente), mas essa diferença não foi estatisticamente significante. As ICPs foram mais realizadas nos pacien tes com IAM, enquanto as CRVMs foram mais realizadas nos pacientes com AI , sendo a associação entre essas variáveis estatisticamente significantes. Ao longo do se guimento de até dois anos após a alta da internação inicial, 71,4% dos pacientes foram subm etidos a, pelo menos, um procedimento de revascularização do miocárdio; 27,4% necessita ram de outras hospitalizações, e desses, 71% tiveram uma nova internação e 6,5% reinternaram cinco vezes. Na primeira reinternação, a causa mais prevalente foi a ICP programada e na s internações posteriores foi a angina. A taxa de mortalidade hospitalar foi de 3%, tendo ocorrido 13 óbitos durante todo o seguimento do estudo, sem diferença estatística entre as manifestações da SCA. A taxa de mortalidade geral do estudo foi de 35,75/1000 pessoas por ano. Os resultados do estudo ampliaram nossos conhecimentos sobre como é o perfil deste grupo de pacientes atendidos em decorrência do primeiro episódio de SCA em um hospital geral, de nível terciário, e como se dá a evolução clínica durante a internação e a longo prazo. / The advances in health have led to reduced mo rbidity and improved survival of patients living with coronary diseases. However, Acute Cor onary Syndrome (ACS) represents one of the most relevant public health issues nowadays. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical evolution of patients who suffered from ACS, fr om their first admission to the hospital until two years after that episode. The main interest variables investigated were: mortality, hospital readmissions and myocardial reva scularization therapies (percuta neous coronary intervention - PCI and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting surg ery - CABG). This research was designed as an observational cohort study. The study sample was patients admitted into a general school hospital due to the first episode of ACS, from May 2006 through July 2009. Data were collected in 2011 from patients\' medical records and the hospital\'s appointment schedule database, using a form designed by the researcher. Data were analyzed by chi-square, Fisher\'s exact test and t-Student association tests for independent samples. The significance level was 0.05. Mortality rate was calculated by dividing the number of deaths occurred up to two years after the first ACS episode by the total period of observation taken within the study. As such, 234 patients took part in the study, 140 (59.8%) were diagnosed with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and 94 with Unstable Angi na (UA). The mean age was 58 years old (s.d.=12.2), most were male (69.2%). During hosp ital stay there was no association between medical complications and clinical manifest ation of ACS. Patients with UA had mean hospital stay higher than AMI patients (12.5 and 10 days, respectively), alt hough this was not statistically relevant. PCI were more prevalen t in AMI patients, whereas CABG were to UA patients, displaying statistically relevant association between these variables. During the two-year follow up period after hospital discharge, 71.4% of patients were submitted to, at least, a myocardial revascularization pr ocedure. 27.4% of patients were hospitalized again, 71% of this group had to be readmitted and 6.5% had been readmitted five times. At their first readmission, the most prevalent cause was a sc heduled PCI and the following hospitalizations were due to angina. The hospital mortality rate was 3%, as 13 deaths occurred during the period of study, with no statistically significance between the ACS manifestations. The general mortality rate of this study was 35.75/1000 people per year. The results of this study improved our knowledge over the profile of this population admitted into a general tertiary hospital due to their first ACS episode. It also shone some light over the clinical evolution of this disease during hospitalizat ion and at long term period.