Abstract Natriuretic peptides have emerged as important candidates for the development of diagnostic tools in cardiovascular disease. Their increased concentrations have been found to be useful for ruling out disease of cardiac origin, as prognostic indicators, and in the follow-up of patients with heart failure. In order for natriuretic peptides to be efficient biomarkers, analytical problems in assay specificity and calibration need to be resolved. The aim of the present study was to elucidate circulating molecular components of N-terminal fragments of A- and B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-proANP and NT-proBNP) in human blood, and to develop reliable and novel assays for their measurement with clinical application. Reliable immunoassays for NT-proANP and NT-proBNP were set up based on recombinant calibrators and antisera against different epitopes. A novel immunoassay for detecting the activation of A- and/or B-type natriuretic peptide systems, referred to as NT-proXNP, was also developed. The chromatographic results of human plasma and serum samples indicated that NT-proANP and especially NT-proBNP are heterogeneous in human circulation. They are truncated at both termini, causing a serious risk of preanalytical errors. Further studies with recombinant peptides confirmed that the central parts of NT-proANP and NT-proBNP are stable in plasma and serum even at harsh storage conditions. Thus the most reliable assays are directed at the central portions of the molecule only. All developed assays were applicable to clinical samples of cardiac patients. NT-proXNP showed a diagnostic efficiency equal to or slightly better compared to individual NT-proANP and NT-proBNP assays. Furthermore, the prognostic value of NT-proANP and NT-proBNP was investigated in a population-based sample of men. Both peptides were strong predictors of mortality and its co-morbidities, adding to the prognostic value of conventional risk factors.

PET imaging, using the bone tracer Na18F, allows the non-invasive location of atherosclerotic plaques that are at risk of rupture. However, the spatial resolution of PET is only 4-5 mm, limiting the mechanistic information this technique can provide. In this thesis, the use of fluorescence and Raman imaging to elucidate the mechanism of micro-calcification within atherosclerotic plaques has been investigated. A number of fluorescent probes to detect fluoride and calcium have been synthesised. One of the fluoride probes has been shown to be selective for fluoride however, the concentration of fluoride required to activate the probe is order of magnitudes higher than the amount of Na18F used for PET imaging making it problematic to use for future studies. On the other hand, a calcium probe has been shown to: selectively bind to hydroxyapatite (HAP); permit visualisation and quantification of HAP in both vascular and bone cell models; and effectively stain cultured aortic sections and whole mouse aorta for OPT imaging. Building on these preliminary data, fluorescence imaging and immunohistochemistry (IHC) imaging of both healthy and atherosclerotic tissue that were previously subjected to PET imaging, were successfully carried out showing the ability of the probe to detect HAP in human vascular tissue. IHC staining for Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Osteopontin (OPN), two bone proteins recently detected in vascular tissue, showed the co-localization of OPG with the probe. Conversely, the OPN was shown to localize in areas surrounding high OPG and probe signal. To determine the exact composition of vascular calcification, Raman spectroscopy was also used. It is believed that the biosynthetic pathway to HAP passes through a series of transitional states; each of these has different structural characteristics which can be studied using Raman spectroscopy. In particular, HAP has a strong characteristic Raman peak at 960 cm-1. An increase in HAP concentration has been detected by Raman in both calcified cell models and aortic sections. When human vascular tissue was analysed, an additional peak at 973 cm-1 was present suggesting the presence of whitlockite (WTK) in this tissue as well as HAP.

A Miocardiopatia hipertrófica foi descrita há mais de 50 anos e é a cardiopatia de causa genética mais comum no mundo. Pacientes portadores de miocardiopatia hipertrófica podem apresentar maior risco de eventos arrítmicos graves e morte súbita. Assim torna-se importante o desenvolvimento de técnicas de rastreio desse subgrupo de pacientes para, quando necessário, indicar tratamento específico como o implante de CDI. O realce tardio é a manifestação de fibrose nos exames de imagem como tomografia computadorizada do coração e/ou ressonância cardíaca em pacientes com cardiopatias e quando presente em grandes quantidades, pode estar relacionado a maior incidência de eventos fatais. O eletrocardiograma é ferramenta de baixo custo, não invasiva e difundida nos serviços de saúde brasileiros. O objetivo desse estudo é avaliar a correlação entre a presença e localização de realce tardio na tomografia computadorizada do coração e o achado de fibrose pelo escore de Selvester no eletrocardiograma de repouso de portadores de MCPH, determinar a prevalência de fibrose miocárdica entre os pacientes, comparando a sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo do escore de Selvester. Foram analisados 112 pacientes do ambulatório de miocardiopatia do Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia portadores de miocardiopatia hipertrófica sendo incluídos 75 desses. Foram divididos em dois grupos: Portadores de CDI com 60 pacientes e sem CDI com 15 pacientes. Foram coletados dados clínicos, ecocardiográficos, eletrocardiografia digital e tomografia computadorizada do coração. Foram realizados os cálculos do escore de Selvester e a mensuração e localização de realce tardio nos cortes tomográficos dos pacientes. A correlação dos resultados foi analisada pelo método de regressão linear. As características e frequências mais marcantes do grupo foram sexo masculino 49,4%, idade 41,63 ± 15,16, classe funcional I/II - NYHA 90,6%, fibrilação atrial 21,3%, baixa prevalência de comorbidades como hipertensão arterial 37,3%, diabetes 4%, dislipidemia 17,3%, clearence de creatinina > 60mL/min em 100% e ausência de doença coronariana estabelecida, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo preservada de 69,9 ± 5,46, medida do septo interventricular de 21,04 ± 6,23 e prevalência de gradiente > 30mmHg na via de saída do ventrículo esquerdo de 37,3%. Dos fatores de risco clássicos, morte súbita familiar e história de síncope eram as mais prevalentes com 57,3% cada, o uso do beta-bloqueador ocorreu em 89,3%. A massa de fibrose pela tomografia computadorizada foi de 9,87 ± 10,79 equivalendo a porcentagem de 5,66 ± 6,16, tendo prevalência em 88% da amostra. Já pelo escore de Selvester, encontramos 8,44 ± 7,39 de porcentagem de fibrose com prevalência de 76%. Na análise de kappa para a variável categórica fibrose entre o escore de Selvester e a tomografia computadorizada do coração, foi encontrada fraca correlação com r = 0,38 (p < 0,01). Enquanto variável contínua aplicando o método de regressão linear, foi encontrada correlação forte com r = 0,7 (p < 0,01). A sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo do escore de Selvester para o diagnóstico de fibrose foram de, respectivamente, 84,8%, 88,8%, 98,2% e 44,4%. A localização da fibrose apresentou correlação fraca entre os métodos com r = 0,16 (p < 0,01). Os dados desse estudo indicam que há moderada correlação entre o escore de Selvester e o realce tardio pela tomografia computadorizada na quantificação de fibrose em pacientes portadores de miocardiopatia hipertrófica. / Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is considered the most common genetic cardiovascular disease and has been recognized for 50 years. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may present risk of arrhythmic events and sudden cardiac death. Thus, it is important to develop screening techniques for this subgroup of patients to indicate, when necessary, specific treatment as implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Late enhancement is fibrosis manifestation in images exam as multidetector computed tomography and/or magnetic cardiac resonance and if present in large quantities may be related to a higher incidence of fatal events. The electrocardiogram is a low-cost, non-invasive tool that is present in most Brazilian health services. The purpose of this study was to test the presence and location correlation between the Selvester and the late enhancement in the multidetector computed tomography, to determine the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis among patients, comparing the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the Selvester QRS score. A total of 112 patients from the Institute of Cardiology Dante Pazzanese outpatient clinic with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were analyzed, and 75 of them were included. They were divided into two groups: ICD patients with 60 patients and no ICD with 15 patients. Clinical, echocardiographic, digital electrocardiography and computed tomography of the heart were collected. The Selvester score was calculated and the measurement and location of late enhancement in the tomographic sections of the patients were performed. The correlation of the results was analyzed by the linear regression. The most remarkable features and frequencies of the group were male gender 49.4%, age 41.63 ± 15.16 years, functional class I / II - NYHA 90.6%, atrial fibrillation 21.3%, low prevalence of comorbidities as hypertension 37.3%, diabetes 4%, dyslipidemia 17.3%, creatinine clearance > 60mL/min in 100% and absence of known coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction preserved 69.9 ± 5.46, measured of the interventricular septum 21.04 ± 6.23 and prevalence of gradient > 30mmHg in the left ventricular outflow tract 37.3%. Classic risk factors as sudden family death and history of syncope were the most prevalent 57.3% each, the use of beta-blocker occurred in 89.3%. The mass of fibrosis by multidetector computed tomography was 9.87 ± 10.79g, representing a percentage of 5.66 ± 6.16, with a prevalence of 88% of the sample. Selvester QRS score, was found 8.44 ± 7.39 percent of fibrosis with a prevalence of 76%. In the kappa analysis for the categorical variable between the Selvester score and the computed tomography of the heart, we found a weak correlation r = 0.38 (p <0.01), as a continuous variable applying the linear regression, a strong correlation was found r = 0.7 (p <0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Selvester QRS score for the diagnosis of fibrosis were 84.8%, 88.8%, 98.2% and 44.4%, respectively. The location of the fibrosis showed weak correlation between the methods r = 0.16 (p <0.01). The results of this study indicate there is a moderate correlation between the Selvester QRS score and the late enhancement by multidetector computed tomography in the quantification of fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A Miocardiopatia hipertrófica foi descrita há mais de 50 anos e é a cardiopatia de causa genética mais comum no mundo. Pacientes portadores de miocardiopatia hipertrófica podem apresentar maior risco de eventos arrítmicos graves e morte súbita. Assim torna-se importante o desenvolvimento de técnicas de rastreio desse subgrupo de pacientes para, quando necessário, indicar tratamento específico como o implante de CDI. O realce tardio é a manifestação de fibrose nos exames de imagem como tomografia computadorizada do coração e/ou ressonância cardíaca em pacientes com cardiopatias e quando presente em grandes quantidades, pode estar relacionado a maior incidência de eventos fatais. O eletrocardiograma é ferramenta de baixo custo, não invasiva e difundida nos serviços de saúde brasileiros. O objetivo desse estudo é avaliar a correlação entre a presença e localização de realce tardio na tomografia computadorizada do coração e o achado de fibrose pelo escore de Selvester no eletrocardiograma de repouso de portadores de MCPH, determinar a prevalência de fibrose miocárdica entre os pacientes, comparando a sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo do escore de Selvester. Foram analisados 112 pacientes do ambulatório de miocardiopatia do Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia portadores de miocardiopatia hipertrófica sendo incluídos 75 desses. Foram divididos em dois grupos: Portadores de CDI com 60 pacientes e sem CDI com 15 pacientes. Foram coletados dados clínicos, ecocardiográficos, eletrocardiografia digital e tomografia computadorizada do coração. Foram realizados os cálculos do escore de Selvester e a mensuração e localização de realce tardio nos cortes tomográficos dos pacientes. A correlação dos resultados foi analisada pelo método de regressão linear. As características e frequências mais marcantes do grupo foram sexo masculino 49,4%, idade 41,63 ± 15,16, classe funcional I/II - NYHA 90,6%, fibrilação atrial 21,3%, baixa prevalência de comorbidades como hipertensão arterial 37,3%, diabetes 4%, dislipidemia 17,3%, clearence de creatinina > 60mL/min em 100% e ausência de doença coronariana estabelecida, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo preservada de 69,9 ± 5,46, medida do septo interventricular de 21,04 ± 6,23 e prevalência de gradiente > 30mmHg na via de saída do ventrículo esquerdo de 37,3%. Dos fatores de risco clássicos, morte súbita familiar e história de síncope eram as mais prevalentes com 57,3% cada, o uso do beta-bloqueador ocorreu em 89,3%. A massa de fibrose pela tomografia computadorizada foi de 9,87 ± 10,79 equivalendo a porcentagem de 5,66 ± 6,16, tendo prevalência em 88% da amostra. Já pelo escore de Selvester, encontramos 8,44 ± 7,39 de porcentagem de fibrose com prevalência de 76%. Na análise de kappa para a variável categórica fibrose entre o escore de Selvester e a tomografia computadorizada do coração, foi encontrada fraca correlação com r = 0,38 (p < 0,01). Enquanto variável contínua aplicando o método de regressão linear, foi encontrada correlação forte com r = 0,7 (p < 0,01). A sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e valor preditivo negativo do escore de Selvester para o diagnóstico de fibrose foram de, respectivamente, 84,8%, 88,8%, 98,2% e 44,4%. A localização da fibrose apresentou correlação fraca entre os métodos com r = 0,16 (p < 0,01). Os dados desse estudo indicam que há moderada correlação entre o escore de Selvester e o realce tardio pela tomografia computadorizada na quantificação de fibrose em pacientes portadores de miocardiopatia hipertrófica. / Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is considered the most common genetic cardiovascular disease and has been recognized for 50 years. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may present risk of arrhythmic events and sudden cardiac death. Thus, it is important to develop screening techniques for this subgroup of patients to indicate, when necessary, specific treatment as implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Late enhancement is fibrosis manifestation in images exam as multidetector computed tomography and/or magnetic cardiac resonance and if present in large quantities may be related to a higher incidence of fatal events. The electrocardiogram is a low-cost, non-invasive tool that is present in most Brazilian health services. The purpose of this study was to test the presence and location correlation between the Selvester and the late enhancement in the multidetector computed tomography, to determine the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis among patients, comparing the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the Selvester QRS score. A total of 112 patients from the Institute of Cardiology Dante Pazzanese outpatient clinic with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were analyzed, and 75 of them were included. They were divided into two groups: ICD patients with 60 patients and no ICD with 15 patients. Clinical, echocardiographic, digital electrocardiography and computed tomography of the heart were collected. The Selvester score was calculated and the measurement and location of late enhancement in the tomographic sections of the patients were performed. The correlation of the results was analyzed by the linear regression. The most remarkable features and frequencies of the group were male gender 49.4%, age 41.63 ± 15.16 years, functional class I / II - NYHA 90.6%, atrial fibrillation 21.3%, low prevalence of comorbidities as hypertension 37.3%, diabetes 4%, dyslipidemia 17.3%, creatinine clearance > 60mL/min in 100% and absence of known coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction preserved 69.9 ± 5.46, measured of the interventricular septum 21.04 ± 6.23 and prevalence of gradient > 30mmHg in the left ventricular outflow tract 37.3%. Classic risk factors as sudden family death and history of syncope were the most prevalent 57.3% each, the use of beta-blocker occurred in 89.3%. The mass of fibrosis by multidetector computed tomography was 9.87 ± 10.79g, representing a percentage of 5.66 ± 6.16, with a prevalence of 88% of the sample. Selvester QRS score, was found 8.44 ± 7.39 percent of fibrosis with a prevalence of 76%. In the kappa analysis for the categorical variable between the Selvester score and the computed tomography of the heart, we found a weak correlation r = 0.38 (p <0.01), as a continuous variable applying the linear regression, a strong correlation was found r = 0.7 (p <0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Selvester QRS score for the diagnosis of fibrosis were 84.8%, 88.8%, 98.2% and 44.4%, respectively. The location of the fibrosis showed weak correlation between the methods r = 0.16 (p <0.01). The results of this study indicate there is a moderate correlation between the Selvester QRS score and the late enhancement by multidetector computed tomography in the quantification of fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.