A review of the literature revealed that 1) all prosthetic heart valves to date are plagued by certain problems, 2) all prosthetic valves in current clinical use are central-occlusion valves which do not effectively simulate natural valve action, and 3) the development of a true central-flow valve with the potential benefits of reduced pressure drop, turbulence, hemolysis, and thromboembolism could be a significant contribution. A central-flow, double-leaflet valve was developed. The wear, pressure drop, turbulence, and regurgitation associated with the new valve were evaluated. The wear test results indicated the need for additional testing using more wear resistant pin-bearing combinations. The flow tests revealed that the new valve with a 65 degree opening angle produced less pressure drop than other prostheses, but the new valve did not reduce turbulence as compared to other prostheses. In addition, the backflow and mean leak associated with the new valve were too high. Details of the testing procedures are presented and recommendations for future valve modifications and testing are included. / M.S.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have been rapidly developing over the last decade since the first valve replacement using the TAVI technique. TAVI is a minimally invasive valve replacement procedure offering lifesaving treatment to patients who are denied open heart surgery. The biomedical engineering research group at Stellenbosch University designed a 19 mm balloon expandable BHV for TAVI in 2007/8 for testing in animal trials. In the current study the valve was enlarged to 23 mm and 26 mm diameters. A finite element analysis was performed to aid in the design of the stents. New stencils were designed and manufactured for the leaflets using Thubrikar‟s equations as a guide. The 23 mm valve was manufactured and successfully implanted into two sheep. Fluid structure interaction (FSI) simulations constitute a large portion of this thesis and are being recognized as an important tool in the design of BHVs. Furthermore, they provide insight into the interaction of the blood with the valve, the leaflet dynamics and valve hemodynamic performance. The complex material properties, pulsating flow, large deformations and coupling of the fluid and the physical structure make this one of the most complicated and difficult research areas within the body. The FSI simulations, of the current valve design, were performed using a commercial programme called MSC.Dytran. A validation study was performed using data collected from a cardiac pulse duplicator. The FSI model was validated using leaflet dynamics visualisation and transvalvular pressure gradient comparison. Further comparison studies were performed to determine the material model to be used and the effect of leaflet free edge length and valve diameter on valve performance. The results from the validation study correlated well, considering the limitations that were experienced. However, further research is required to achieve a thorough validation. The comparative studies indicated that the linear isotropic material model was the most stable material model which could be used to simulate the leaflet behaviour. The free edge length of the leaflet affects the leaflet dynamics but does not greatly hinder its performance. The hemodynamic performance of the valve improves with an increase in diameter and the leaflet dynamics perform well considering the increased surface area and length. Many limitations in the software prevented more accurate material models and flow initiation to be implemented. These limitations significantly restricted the research and confidence in the results. Further investigation regarding the implementation of FSI simulations of a heart valve using the commercial software is recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bio-prostetiese hartkleppe (Bioprosthetic Heart Valves - BHVs) wat gebruik word vir transkateter aortaklep-inplantings (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation - TAVI) het geweldig vinnige ontwikkeling getoon in die afgelope tien jaar sedert die eerste klepvervanging wat van die TAVI prosedure gebruik gemaak het. TAVI is ʼn minimaal indringende klepvervangingsprosedure wat lewensreddende behandeling bied aan pasiënte wat ope-hart sjirurgie geweier word. Die Biomediese Ingenieurswese Navorsingsgroep (BERG) by Stellenbosch Universiteit het in 2007/8 ʼn 19 mm ballon-uitsetbare BHV vir TAVI ontwerp vir eksperimente met diere, en hierdie tesis volg op die vorige projekte. In die huidige studie is die klep vergroot na 23 mm en 26 mm in deursnee. ʼn Eindige element analise is gedoen om by te dra tot die ontwerp van die rekspalke vir die klep. Nuwe stensils is ontwerp en vervaardig vir die klepsuile, deur gebruik te maak van Thubrikar se vergelykings. Die 23 mm klep is vervaardig en suksesvol in twee skape ingeplant. Vloeistruktuur interaksie (Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI)) simulasies vorm ‟n groot deel van die tesis en word gesien as ʼn noodsaaklike hulpmiddel in die ontwerp van BHVs. Die simulasies verskaf ook insig in die interaksie van die bloed met die klep, die klepsuil-dinamika en die klep se hemodinamiese werkverrigting. Die komplekse materiaal eienskappe, polsende vloei, grootskaalse vervorming, die verbinding van die vloeistof en die fisiese struktuur maak van hierdie een van die mees gekompliseerde voorwerpe om te simuleer. Die FSI simulasies van die huidige ontwerp, is uitgevoer deur van kommersiële sagteware, MSC.Dytran, gebruik te maak. ʼn Geldigheidstudie wat data gebruik het vanaf die hartklop-nabootser, is uitgevoer. Die FSI model word geverifieer deur klepsuil dinamika visualisering en ʼn vergelyking van die drukgradiënt gebruik te maak. Verdere vergelykende studies is uitgevoer om te bepaal watter materiaal model om te gebruik, asook die uitwerking van die klepsuil-vrye rand en klepdeursnee op die klep se werkverrigting. Die resultate van die studie korreleer goed, in ag genome die beperkings wat ervaar is. Verdere navorsing is egter nodig vir ʼn volledige geldigheidstudie. Vergelykende studies het getoon dat die liniêre isotropiese materiaalmodel die meer stabiele materiaalmodel is wat kan gebruik word om klepsuilgedrag te simuleer. Die vrye-rand lengte van die klepsuil affekteer die dinamika van die klepsuil, maar belemmer nie die werkverrigting grootliks nie. Die hemodinamiese werkverrigting van die klep verbeter met die toename in deursnee en die klepsuil-dinamika vertoon goed in ag genome die verhoogde oppervlak area en lengte. Die vele beperkings in die sagteware het die implementering van meer akkurate materiaalmodelle verhoed. Hierdie beperkings het ʼn verminderde vertroue in die resultate tot gevolg gehad. Verdere ondersoek rakende die implementering van die FSI simulasies van ʼn hartklep deur kommersieel beskikbare sagteware te gebruik, word aanbevel.

Habilitacijos procedūrai teikiamoje mokslo darbų apžvalgoje apibendrinama Vilniaus universiteto Širdies ir kraujagyslių ligų klinikos Širdies chirurgijos centro patirtis, pakartotinai operuojant ligonius po širdies vožtuvų protezavimo. Įvertintas mažai trombogeniškų protezų efektyvumas. Nustatyta, kad labai sunkių ligonių su infekuotais protezais mirštamumas nemažėja, nors pastaraisiais metais daugiau operuojame III funkcinės klasės ligonių ir jų operacijų rezultatai puikūs. Dėl pasiūlyto radikalesnio triburio vožtuvo nesandarumo gydymo pirminių operacijų metu, efektyviai mažėja pakartotinių šio vožtuvo operacijų. Įteisinta planinė seno rutulinio protezo pakeitimo operacija. Įdiegti nauji širdies pjūviai, įdiegtos krūtinės ląstos pjūvių atlikimo metodikos, farmakologiniai ir nefarmakologiniai perioperacinio kraujavimo stabdymo būdai efektyviai sumažina kraujavimo pavojų. Pasiūlytas originalus kairio skilvelio drenavimo būdas per atskira torakotominį pjūvį padeda sumažinti pooperacinį širdies nepakankamumą. Šiame darbe remiuosi kartu su bendradarbiais atliktų operacijų rezultatais. Šiuo metu kaip skyriaus, kuriame gydomi ligoniai su vožtuvų patologija, vadovas atlieku daugiau kaip pusę pakartotinių operacijų. Moksliniai pranešimai apie pakartotinių operacijų rezultatus buvo daryti Lietuvos, Pasaulio ir Europos kongresuose ir suvažiavimuose. / The review of scientific work presented for habilitation procedure summarizes the experience of redo operations of patients after replacement of heart valves accumulated at the Heart Surgery Centre of Vilnius University Clinic of Angiology and Cardiology. The efficacy of low thrombogenicity valve prostheses was evaluated. It was found out that the mortality rate of very severely ill patients with infected did not decrease; however the larger number of patients in functional class III were being operated during the period of recent years and the results of these operations were excellent. The rate of redo tricuspid valve operations had decreased effectively because of more radical surgery treatment of this valve during the primary operation. The operation of replacement of old ball prosthesis has been validated. The new incisions of the heart were introduced as well as new methods of performance of chest box incisions and pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods of perioperative hemostasis; the methods mentioned above effectively reduced the risk of bleeding. The original method of the left ventricle venting via separate thoracotomy incision enabled to reduce postoperative heart failure. This work is based on the results of operations performed in cooperation with co-workers. As a chief of the department where the patients with pathology of heart valves are treated, I am performing more than a half of redo operations. The scientific presentations concerning the results of... [to full text]

Introdução: A estratificação de risco pré-operatória é elemento essencial para a decisão cirúrgica, assim foram desenvolvidos alguns sistemas de pontuações para predizer mortalidade após cirurgia cardíaca em adultos. O EuroSCORE (ES) é um dos mais difundidos mundialmente sendo considerado um bom preditor de mortalidade em pacientes que foram submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca e foi considerado um sistema de pontuação de fácil uso e boa aplicabilidade. Racional: O ES já é usado assistencialmente em nossa instituição, entretanto, não foi realizada uma validação local em uma coorte específica de portadores de valvopatias. Sabemos das importantes diferenças epidemiológicas entre nossa população e pacientes citados na literatura mundial. Objetivos: O objetivo desse estudo é validar o ES como ferramenta preditora de mortalidade após cirurgia valvar. Métodos: Foram incluídos no trabalho 540 pacientes portadores de Valvopatia, com indicação de substituição da função valvar. O período de inclusão foi de fevereiro a dezembro de 2009. Todos os pacientes tiveram o cálculo da mortalidade estimada, baseada no EuroSCORE no pré-operatório, foram seguidos até alta hospitalar ou 30 dias após cirurgia. A capacidade discriminativa do modelo foi calculada utilizando a área sobre a curva receiver operating Characteristic (ROC) e a para o cálculo calibração utilizou-se o teste de Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L). Resultados: A média etária da população foi de 56 ± 12 anos, 50% do sexo feminino, com etiologia predominante de Doença reumática. As variáveis: endocardite infecciosa, hipertensão pulmonar e o histórico de cirurgia prévia foram mais prevalentes em nossa coorte quando comparada com o banco de dados original do ES. A mortalidade observada global foi de 16% (6% em cirurgias eletivas e 34% em cirurgia de emergência), já a mortalidade predita foi de 6.1%, 8.7% e 4.31% para ES aditivo, ES logístico e ESII, respectivamente. Na avaliação da capacidade discriminativa a área sobre a curva ROC (ASCR) foi considerada boa com valores de 0,81 ; 0,76 ; 0,76 respectivamente para ES II; ES aditivo e logístico. A calibração do modelo foi considerada ideal com P > 0,05 para os modelos de ES. Conclusão: Os modelos do ES foram validados como ferramentas preditoras de risco de mortalidade após cirurgia cardíaca valvar / Introduction: Preoperative risk stratification is essential for surgical decision, and some scoring systems have been developed to predict mortality after cardiac surgery in adults. The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), developed in European states, aims to predict 30-day mortality of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Although already used in our institution we not been performed a local validation. We know the epidemiological difference between Brazilian and European population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the validation of the EuroSCORE models in our institution. Methods: Between February 1st 2009 and December 30th 2009, a total of 540 consecutive patients with valvular heart disease and indication for surgical treatment were evaluated before and after this treatment. Patient demographics, risk factors, surgery details, length of hospital stay and 30-day mortality were collected. The EuroSCORE algorithms were calculated according to the published guidelines (http://www.euroscore.org) on the entire patient sample prior to the time of surgery. Performance of the models was assessed by comparing the observed and predicted mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCR) evaluated the predictive performance. The calibration was analyzed by Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic. Results: The mean age was 56±12 years and 50% of patients were female. The most common etiology of valvular heart disease was Rheumatic disease. Main differences between the present cohort and the original EuroSCORE cohort were: Age, gender, previous cardiac surgery, pulmonary hypertension and active endocarditis. The mean of Aditive and logistic EuroSCORE were 6 ± 3 and 8.66 ± 10.35 respectively. For EuroSCORE II the mean logistic value was 4.2 ± 5.95. Mortality rate of 16% (6% in elective surgery and 34 % in emergency/urgency surgery), with estimated mortalities according to additive, logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II of 6.1%, 8.7% and 4.31%, respectively. The AUC for additive EuroSCORE was 0.76, for logistic EuroSCORE 0.76, was lower than that for EuroSCORE II 0.81. Conclusion: EuroSCORE models demonstrated good discriminative capacity and calibration in these valvular heart disease patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Com o aumento da expectativa de vida nas últimas décadas, tem ocorrido aumento concomitante da prevalência da estenose aórtica degenerativa e da doença aterosclerótica arterial coronária. O presente estudo visa avaliar a influência da doença ateroslerótica arterial coronária crítica na mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes portadores de estenose aórtica submetidos à substituição valvar isolada ou combinada à revascularização do miocárdio. No período de janeiro de 2001 a março de 2006, no Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, foram analisados 448 pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica isolada (grupo GI) e 167 pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica combinada à revascularização do miocárdio (grupo GII). Os dados pré-operatórios eleitos para análise foram: sexo, idade, índice de massa corpórea, antecedentes de: acidente vascular cerebral, diabete melito, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, febre reumática, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, endocardite, infarto agudo do miocárdio, tabagismo, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, doença aterosclerótica arterial coronária crítica, fibrilação atrial crônica; operação valvar aórtica prévia (conservadora), classe funcional de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, valor sérico de creatinina e de colesterol total, tamanho da prótese utilizada, extensão (completa ou incompleta) e número de anastomoses distais da revascularização do miocárdio, tempo de circulação extracorpórea e tempo de pinçamento aórtico. No estudo estatístico empregou-se análise univariada (teste Qui-Quadrado e teste t de Student) e multivariada (regressão logística) para avaliação da influência da doença aerosclerótica arterial coronária crítica na mortalidade hospitalar dos dois grupos estudados. No grupo GI (substituição valvar aórtica isolada), a mortalidade hospitalar foi 14,3% (64 óbitos), sendo 14,5% (58 óbitos) nos pacientes sem doença aterosclerótica arterial coronária crítica associada (grupo GIB) e 12,8% (6 óbitos) nos que apresentavam essa associação (grupo GIA). No grupo GII (substituição valvar aórtica combinada à revascularização do miocárdio), a mortalidade hospitalar foi 17,6% (29 óbitos), sendo 16,1% (20 óbitos) nos pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica combinada à revascularização completa do miocárdio (grupo GIIA) e 20,9% (9 óbitos) nos com revascularização incompleta do miocárdio (grupo GIIB). Nos pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica isolada, a presença de doença aterosclerótica arterial coronária crítica associada, em pelo menos duas artérias, influenciou a mortalidade hospitalar (p= 0,016). Nos pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica combinada à revascularização do miocárdio, o número de artérias coronárias com doença aterosclerótica crítica e a extensão da revascularização do miocárdio realizada não influenciaram a mortalidade hospitalar (p>0,05), mas a realização de mais de três anastomoses distais influenciou (p= 0,03). / With the increase in life expectancy in recent decades has occurred concomitant increase in the prevalence of degenerative aortic stenosis and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. This study aim to evaluate the influence of critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in hospital mortality of patients with aortic stenosis underwent isolated valve replacement or combined coronary artery bypass grafting. In the period of january 2001 to March 2006, at the Heart Institute University of Sao Paulo Medical Center were examined 448 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (GI group) and 167 patients underwent combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting (GII group). Preoperative data analised were: sex, age, body mass index, history of stroke, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatic fever, hypertension, endocarditis, myocardial infarction, smoking, chronic atrial fibrillation. Left ventricular ejection fraction, concomitant critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, previous surgical aortic valvuloplasty, congestive heart failure functional class, serum creatinine and cholesterol level, aortic valve prosthesis size, concomitant complete or incomplete coronary artery bypass grafting and number of bypass grafts, cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamping time. Univariate statistical analysis (Chi-square and Student\'s t test) and multivariate (logistic regression) were used to evaluate the influence of critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in hospital mortality of two groups. GI group (isolated aortic valve replacement) hospital mortality was 14.3% (64 deaths), and 14.5% (58 deaths) in patients without associated critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (GIB group) and 12.8% (6 deaths) in patients with that association (GIA group). GII group (combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting) hospital mortality was 17.6% (29 deaths), and 16.1% (20 deaths) in patients underwent combined aortic valve replacement and complete coronary artery bypass grafting (GIIA group) and 20.9% (9 deaths) in patients with combined incomplete coronary artery bypass grafting (GIIB group). In patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement, associated critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, of at least two arteries, influenced hospital mortality (p = 0016). In patients underwent combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting, the number of coronary arteries with critical atherosclerotic disease and coronary artery bypass grafting extension didnt influenced hospital mortality (p> 0.05), but more than three coronary distal anastomoses influenced the hospital mortality (p = 0.03).

Anticoagulantes orais são amplamente indicados para prevenção de eventos tromboembólicos. No entanto, nem sempre os pacientes atingem a faixa terapêutica recomendada. Os objetivos desse estudo foram avaliar a associação entre periodontite e níveis de anticoagulação (fase 1) e o efeito do tratamento periodontal nos níveis de anticoagulação (fase 2) em pacientes que faziam uso do anticoagulante oral varfarina. O exame clínico incluiu índice CPO-D, índice de placa, sangramento à sondagem, profundidade de bolsa e nível de inserção clínica. Coeficiente normalizado internacional (INR), níveis de albumina, proteína C-reativa (PCR) e fibrinogênio foram avaliados no dia zero e até 180 dias após tratamento periodontal. Na fase 1 do estudo foram examinados 62 pacientes (42 mulheres e 20 homens, com idade média de 50,8 9,2 anos). Observamos uma correlação negativa entre extensão e severidade da doença periodontal e índice de placa com valores de INR. Não houve associação entre diagnóstico periodontal e níveis de anticoagulação. Dentre os pacientes fora do alvo terapêutico, 87% apresentavam diagnóstico de periodontite, enquanto no grupo na faixa terapêutica apenas 56%. Participaram da fase 2 do estudo 26 pacientes com periodontite severa (15 mulheres e 11 homens, com idade média de 51,3 9,2 anos). O tratamento periodontal resultou em melhora significativa de todos os parâmetros periodontais e dos níveis de anticoagulação 30, 60 90 e 180 dias após conclusão da terapia periodontal. Não houve alteração significativa na dose semanal da varfarina. Foi observada redução significativa entre níveis séricos de albumina dos dia 90 e 180 após a terapia periodontal, quando comparado aos valores do dia 0 (p < 0,05). De acordo com o alvo terapêutico estabelecido, observamos que no dia 0 doze pacientes (46,15%) estavam fora dessa faixa. Esse percentual foi reduzido significativamente após tratamento periodontal, sendo 26,1% e 29,2% nos dias 60 e 90, respectivamente. Embora tenha ocorrido melhora nos níveis de anticoagulação, não houve alteração significativa nos níveis de PCR e fibrinogênio. Sendo assim, pacientes com periodontite severa podem apresentar dificuldade para atingir a faixa terapêutica e o tratamento periodontal pode resultar em benefícios na busca da anticoagulação plena. Novos estudos são necessários para avaliar se formas menos severas de doença periodontal também podem interferir com a varfarina. / Oral anticoagulants are widely indicated to prevent thromboembolic events. However, sometimes patients are not in optimal therapeutic range. The aims of this study were to evaluate the association between periodontitis and anticoagulant therapy (phase 1) and the effect of periodontal treatment on anticoagulant levels (phase 2) in patients using oral anticoagulant warfarin. Clinical examination included DMFT index, visible dental plaque, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. International Normalizer Ratio (INR), levels of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were analyzed at baseline and up to 180 days after periodontal therapy. At phase 1, 62 patients were examined (42 women and 20 men, mean age 50,8 9,2 years). A negative correlation was observed between extension and severity of periodontal disease and visible dental plaque and INR values. There was no association between periodontal diagnosis and anticoagulant levels. Among patients out of the therapeutic range, 87% have periodontitis while in the group on optimal anticoagulant level only 56% have periodontitis. 26 patients with severe periodontitis were enrolled on phase 2 (15 women and 11 men, age mean 51,3 9,2 years). Periodontal treatment resulted in improvement of all periodontal parameters and of the anticoagulant levels 30, 60 90 and 180 days after periodontal therapy. There was no significant change in varfarin weekely dose. On days 90 and 180, there was a significant reduction on sera albumin as compared to day 0 values (p < 0,05). Twelve patients (46,15%) were under therapeutic range at baseline. There was a significant reduction of this frequency after treatment, 26,1% and 29,2% on days 60 and 90, respectively. Although there was no improvent on anticoagulant levels, no significant change on CRP and fibrinogen levels was observed. Severe periodontitis patients may present some difficulty to achieve therapeutic anticoagulant level and periodontal therapy may result in benefits in anticoagulation. Other studies are necessary to evaluate if less severe forms of periodontal disease can also interfere with warfarin.

Anticoagulantes orais são amplamente indicados para prevenção de eventos tromboembólicos. No entanto, nem sempre os pacientes atingem a faixa terapêutica recomendada. Os objetivos desse estudo foram avaliar a associação entre periodontite e níveis de anticoagulação (fase 1) e o efeito do tratamento periodontal nos níveis de anticoagulação (fase 2) em pacientes que faziam uso do anticoagulante oral varfarina. O exame clínico incluiu índice CPO-D, índice de placa, sangramento à sondagem, profundidade de bolsa e nível de inserção clínica. Coeficiente normalizado internacional (INR), níveis de albumina, proteína C-reativa (PCR) e fibrinogênio foram avaliados no dia zero e até 180 dias após tratamento periodontal. Na fase 1 do estudo foram examinados 62 pacientes (42 mulheres e 20 homens, com idade média de 50,8 9,2 anos). Observamos uma correlação negativa entre extensão e severidade da doença periodontal e índice de placa com valores de INR. Não houve associação entre diagnóstico periodontal e níveis de anticoagulação. Dentre os pacientes fora do alvo terapêutico, 87% apresentavam diagnóstico de periodontite, enquanto no grupo na faixa terapêutica apenas 56%. Participaram da fase 2 do estudo 26 pacientes com periodontite severa (15 mulheres e 11 homens, com idade média de 51,3 9,2 anos). O tratamento periodontal resultou em melhora significativa de todos os parâmetros periodontais e dos níveis de anticoagulação 30, 60 90 e 180 dias após conclusão da terapia periodontal. Não houve alteração significativa na dose semanal da varfarina. Foi observada redução significativa entre níveis séricos de albumina dos dia 90 e 180 após a terapia periodontal, quando comparado aos valores do dia 0 (p < 0,05). De acordo com o alvo terapêutico estabelecido, observamos que no dia 0 doze pacientes (46,15%) estavam fora dessa faixa. Esse percentual foi reduzido significativamente após tratamento periodontal, sendo 26,1% e 29,2% nos dias 60 e 90, respectivamente. Embora tenha ocorrido melhora nos níveis de anticoagulação, não houve alteração significativa nos níveis de PCR e fibrinogênio. Sendo assim, pacientes com periodontite severa podem apresentar dificuldade para atingir a faixa terapêutica e o tratamento periodontal pode resultar em benefícios na busca da anticoagulação plena. Novos estudos são necessários para avaliar se formas menos severas de doença periodontal também podem interferir com a varfarina. / Oral anticoagulants are widely indicated to prevent thromboembolic events. However, sometimes patients are not in optimal therapeutic range. The aims of this study were to evaluate the association between periodontitis and anticoagulant therapy (phase 1) and the effect of periodontal treatment on anticoagulant levels (phase 2) in patients using oral anticoagulant warfarin. Clinical examination included DMFT index, visible dental plaque, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. International Normalizer Ratio (INR), levels of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were analyzed at baseline and up to 180 days after periodontal therapy. At phase 1, 62 patients were examined (42 women and 20 men, mean age 50,8 9,2 years). A negative correlation was observed between extension and severity of periodontal disease and visible dental plaque and INR values. There was no association between periodontal diagnosis and anticoagulant levels. Among patients out of the therapeutic range, 87% have periodontitis while in the group on optimal anticoagulant level only 56% have periodontitis. 26 patients with severe periodontitis were enrolled on phase 2 (15 women and 11 men, age mean 51,3 9,2 years). Periodontal treatment resulted in improvement of all periodontal parameters and of the anticoagulant levels 30, 60 90 and 180 days after periodontal therapy. There was no significant change in varfarin weekely dose. On days 90 and 180, there was a significant reduction on sera albumin as compared to day 0 values (p < 0,05). Twelve patients (46,15%) were under therapeutic range at baseline. There was a significant reduction of this frequency after treatment, 26,1% and 29,2% on days 60 and 90, respectively. Although there was no improvent on anticoagulant levels, no significant change on CRP and fibrinogen levels was observed. Severe periodontitis patients may present some difficulty to achieve therapeutic anticoagulant level and periodontal therapy may result in benefits in anticoagulation. Other studies are necessary to evaluate if less severe forms of periodontal disease can also interfere with warfarin.

Heart valve disease (HVD) or a damaged valve can severely compromise the heart's ability to pump efficiently. Balloon valvuloplasty is preferred on neonates with aortic valve stenosis. Even though this procedure decreases the gradient pressure across the aortic valve, restenosis is observed soon after balloon intervention. Tissue engineering heart valves (TEHV), using bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) and biodegradable scaffolds, have been investigated as an alternative to current non-viable prosthesis. By observing the changes in hemodynamics following balloon aortic valvuloplasty, we could uncover a potential cause for rapid restenosis after balloon intervention. Subsequently, a tissue engineering treatment strategy based on BMSC mechanobiology could be defined. Understanding and identifying the mechanisms by which cytoskeletal changes may lead to cellular differentiation of a valvular phenotype is a first critical step in enhancing the promotion of a robust valvular phenotype from BMSCs.

Com o aumento da expectativa de vida nas últimas décadas, tem ocorrido aumento concomitante da prevalência da estenose aórtica degenerativa e da doença aterosclerótica arterial coronária. O presente estudo visa avaliar a influência da doença ateroslerótica arterial coronária crítica na mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes portadores de estenose aórtica submetidos à substituição valvar isolada ou combinada à revascularização do miocárdio. No período de janeiro de 2001 a março de 2006, no Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, foram analisados 448 pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica isolada (grupo GI) e 167 pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica combinada à revascularização do miocárdio (grupo GII). Os dados pré-operatórios eleitos para análise foram: sexo, idade, índice de massa corpórea, antecedentes de: acidente vascular cerebral, diabete melito, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, febre reumática, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, endocardite, infarto agudo do miocárdio, tabagismo, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, doença aterosclerótica arterial coronária crítica, fibrilação atrial crônica; operação valvar aórtica prévia (conservadora), classe funcional de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, valor sérico de creatinina e de colesterol total, tamanho da prótese utilizada, extensão (completa ou incompleta) e número de anastomoses distais da revascularização do miocárdio, tempo de circulação extracorpórea e tempo de pinçamento aórtico. No estudo estatístico empregou-se análise univariada (teste Qui-Quadrado e teste t de Student) e multivariada (regressão logística) para avaliação da influência da doença aerosclerótica arterial coronária crítica na mortalidade hospitalar dos dois grupos estudados. No grupo GI (substituição valvar aórtica isolada), a mortalidade hospitalar foi 14,3% (64 óbitos), sendo 14,5% (58 óbitos) nos pacientes sem doença aterosclerótica arterial coronária crítica associada (grupo GIB) e 12,8% (6 óbitos) nos que apresentavam essa associação (grupo GIA). No grupo GII (substituição valvar aórtica combinada à revascularização do miocárdio), a mortalidade hospitalar foi 17,6% (29 óbitos), sendo 16,1% (20 óbitos) nos pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica combinada à revascularização completa do miocárdio (grupo GIIA) e 20,9% (9 óbitos) nos com revascularização incompleta do miocárdio (grupo GIIB). Nos pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica isolada, a presença de doença aterosclerótica arterial coronária crítica associada, em pelo menos duas artérias, influenciou a mortalidade hospitalar (p= 0,016). Nos pacientes submetidos à substituição valvar aórtica combinada à revascularização do miocárdio, o número de artérias coronárias com doença aterosclerótica crítica e a extensão da revascularização do miocárdio realizada não influenciaram a mortalidade hospitalar (p>0,05), mas a realização de mais de três anastomoses distais influenciou (p= 0,03). / With the increase in life expectancy in recent decades has occurred concomitant increase in the prevalence of degenerative aortic stenosis and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. This study aim to evaluate the influence of critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in hospital mortality of patients with aortic stenosis underwent isolated valve replacement or combined coronary artery bypass grafting. In the period of january 2001 to March 2006, at the Heart Institute University of Sao Paulo Medical Center were examined 448 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (GI group) and 167 patients underwent combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting (GII group). Preoperative data analised were: sex, age, body mass index, history of stroke, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatic fever, hypertension, endocarditis, myocardial infarction, smoking, chronic atrial fibrillation. Left ventricular ejection fraction, concomitant critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, previous surgical aortic valvuloplasty, congestive heart failure functional class, serum creatinine and cholesterol level, aortic valve prosthesis size, concomitant complete or incomplete coronary artery bypass grafting and number of bypass grafts, cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamping time. Univariate statistical analysis (Chi-square and Student\'s t test) and multivariate (logistic regression) were used to evaluate the influence of critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in hospital mortality of two groups. GI group (isolated aortic valve replacement) hospital mortality was 14.3% (64 deaths), and 14.5% (58 deaths) in patients without associated critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (GIB group) and 12.8% (6 deaths) in patients with that association (GIA group). GII group (combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting) hospital mortality was 17.6% (29 deaths), and 16.1% (20 deaths) in patients underwent combined aortic valve replacement and complete coronary artery bypass grafting (GIIA group) and 20.9% (9 deaths) in patients with combined incomplete coronary artery bypass grafting (GIIB group). In patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement, associated critical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, of at least two arteries, influenced hospital mortality (p = 0016). In patients underwent combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting, the number of coronary arteries with critical atherosclerotic disease and coronary artery bypass grafting extension didnt influenced hospital mortality (p> 0.05), but more than three coronary distal anastomoses influenced the hospital mortality (p = 0.03).

Introdução: A estratificação de risco pré-operatória é elemento essencial para a decisão cirúrgica, assim foram desenvolvidos alguns sistemas de pontuações para predizer mortalidade após cirurgia cardíaca em adultos. O EuroSCORE (ES) é um dos mais difundidos mundialmente sendo considerado um bom preditor de mortalidade em pacientes que foram submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca e foi considerado um sistema de pontuação de fácil uso e boa aplicabilidade. Racional: O ES já é usado assistencialmente em nossa instituição, entretanto, não foi realizada uma validação local em uma coorte específica de portadores de valvopatias. Sabemos das importantes diferenças epidemiológicas entre nossa população e pacientes citados na literatura mundial. Objetivos: O objetivo desse estudo é validar o ES como ferramenta preditora de mortalidade após cirurgia valvar. Métodos: Foram incluídos no trabalho 540 pacientes portadores de Valvopatia, com indicação de substituição da função valvar. O período de inclusão foi de fevereiro a dezembro de 2009. Todos os pacientes tiveram o cálculo da mortalidade estimada, baseada no EuroSCORE no pré-operatório, foram seguidos até alta hospitalar ou 30 dias após cirurgia. A capacidade discriminativa do modelo foi calculada utilizando a área sobre a curva receiver operating Characteristic (ROC) e a para o cálculo calibração utilizou-se o teste de Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L). Resultados: A média etária da população foi de 56 ± 12 anos, 50% do sexo feminino, com etiologia predominante de Doença reumática. As variáveis: endocardite infecciosa, hipertensão pulmonar e o histórico de cirurgia prévia foram mais prevalentes em nossa coorte quando comparada com o banco de dados original do ES. A mortalidade observada global foi de 16% (6% em cirurgias eletivas e 34% em cirurgia de emergência), já a mortalidade predita foi de 6.1%, 8.7% e 4.31% para ES aditivo, ES logístico e ESII, respectivamente. Na avaliação da capacidade discriminativa a área sobre a curva ROC (ASCR) foi considerada boa com valores de 0,81 ; 0,76 ; 0,76 respectivamente para ES II; ES aditivo e logístico. A calibração do modelo foi considerada ideal com P > 0,05 para os modelos de ES. Conclusão: Os modelos do ES foram validados como ferramentas preditoras de risco de mortalidade após cirurgia cardíaca valvar / Introduction: Preoperative risk stratification is essential for surgical decision, and some scoring systems have been developed to predict mortality after cardiac surgery in adults. The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), developed in European states, aims to predict 30-day mortality of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Although already used in our institution we not been performed a local validation. We know the epidemiological difference between Brazilian and European population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the validation of the EuroSCORE models in our institution. Methods: Between February 1st 2009 and December 30th 2009, a total of 540 consecutive patients with valvular heart disease and indication for surgical treatment were evaluated before and after this treatment. Patient demographics, risk factors, surgery details, length of hospital stay and 30-day mortality were collected. The EuroSCORE algorithms were calculated according to the published guidelines (http://www.euroscore.org) on the entire patient sample prior to the time of surgery. Performance of the models was assessed by comparing the observed and predicted mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCR) evaluated the predictive performance. The calibration was analyzed by Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic. Results: The mean age was 56±12 years and 50% of patients were female. The most common etiology of valvular heart disease was Rheumatic disease. Main differences between the present cohort and the original EuroSCORE cohort were: Age, gender, previous cardiac surgery, pulmonary hypertension and active endocarditis. The mean of Aditive and logistic EuroSCORE were 6 ± 3 and 8.66 ± 10.35 respectively. For EuroSCORE II the mean logistic value was 4.2 ± 5.95. Mortality rate of 16% (6% in elective surgery and 34 % in emergency/urgency surgery), with estimated mortalities according to additive, logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II of 6.1%, 8.7% and 4.31%, respectively. The AUC for additive EuroSCORE was 0.76, for logistic EuroSCORE 0.76, was lower than that for EuroSCORE II 0.81. Conclusion: EuroSCORE models demonstrated good discriminative capacity and calibration in these valvular heart disease patients undergoing cardiac surgery