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Carlos Cotrim

Publications and source records attributed to Carlos Cotrim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Exercise stress echocardiography for detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension in a patient with systemic sclerosis.

The authors report the case of a 57-year-old patient, diagnosed with systemic sclerosis 16 years ago. She had been followed in the rheumatology outpatient clinic since 2003 and complained of marked fatigue and dyspnea on exertion. In addition to full medical evaluation, she also underwent standard Doppler echocardiography at rest, which was unremarkable, and exercise stress echocardiography. In the latter examination, she was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, later confirmed during right heart catheterization. The authors discuss the potential value of this methodology for the study of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Echocardiography, Stress↗
PubMed2006

Left pulmonary artery evaluation through transesophageal echocardiography.

INTRODUCTION: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become increasingly useful in the study of patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of TEE in the study of the distal part of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) as well as the influence of this procedure on total echocardiographic exam duration. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study in two groups of consecutive patients referred for TEE with a one- year interval between evaluation of Group A: 33 patients, 17 male, mean age 54 +/- 24 years, and Group B: 42 patients, 20 male, mean age 48 +/- 27 years (p = NS). The procedure was considered long when it took more than 3 min to evaluate the distal part of the LPA. RESULTS: In group A we were able to visualize the distal part of the LPA in 24 patients (73%) without significant prolongation of total exam duration in 16 patients (48% of group A). In one of the patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism thrombi were only observed in the distal part of the LPA. In group B we were able to visualize the distal part of the LPA in 36 patients (86%) without significant prolongation of total exam duration in 26 patients (61% of group B). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Visualization of the distal part of the LPA was possible in more patients, and with TEE time prolongation in less patients, in group B. These differences can be accounted for by the training of the operator in this technique. 2. The importance of visualization of this part of the LPA in guiding treatment in the subset of patients with pulmonary thromboembolism confirms the usefulness of this specific procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Acute resynchronization with inhaled iloprost in a pregnant woman with idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension.

We describe the case of a pregnant woman with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, a responder in right heart catheterization, followed since the first trimester in outpatient consultations, admitted to hospital at 23 weeks gestation. She was treated with inhaled iloprost until delivery (at 34 weeks gestation) and continuous infusion of iloprost throughout the perioperative period and following days. This line of therapy has proved efficacious in previous cases. The authors present echocardiographic images that document acute changes in ventricular synchrony during inhalation of iloprost.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2006

Suspected dysfunction of a Starr-Edwards aortic prosthesis implanted 33 years ago: the role of exercise stress echocardiography. Case report.

The authors present a case report of suspected dysfunction of a Starr-Edwards mechanical aortic prosthesis implanted in 1972. Its characteristic longevity, but also its disadvantageous hemodynamic profile, are discussed. Treadmill exercise echocardiography, whose role has yet to be clarified in the study of valve prosthesis, was used in the evaluation of the patient.

Aortic Valve↗
PubMed2005

Adolescent and adult congenital heart disease assessed by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography: an initial experience.

Real-time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography has enormous diagnostic potential, enabling acquisition of full-volume three-dimensional images in real time, which can be sliced in several planes and rotated in order to achieve a more accurate study of the target cardiac structures. It is particularly useful because it enables the heart to be visualized from multiple perspectives in the same way a surgeon would see it during an operation. We describe our echocardiographic laboratory's experience with real-time 3D ultrasound study of adolescent and adult congenital heart disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy by exercise stress echocardiography. New methodology.

Exercise echocardiography with image acquisition during treadmill exercise is the most common form of stress testing used in our department. The usual evaluation of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy consists of serial echocardiographic studies at rest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraventricular gradients during exercise echocardiography in patients with a diagnosis of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. We studied 13 patients, 8 male, mean age 56 +/- 9 years Intraventricular gradients were measured using continuous wave Doppler; two evaluations were performed at rest: one in left lateral decubitus and the other in orthostatic position after one minute in this position. The patients then underwent a treadmill exercise test using the modified Bruce protocol, during which intraventricular gradients were measured at peak exercise. Finally, a further measurement was taken in the first 90 seconds of the recovery period in left lateral decubitus. The intraventricular gradient in left lateral decubitus was 54 +/- 29 mmHg; in orthostatic position 69 +/- 30 mmHg (p < 0.001 versus gradient in left lateral decubitus); at peak exercise 109 +/- 47 mmHg (p < 0.001 versus gradient in orthostatic position); and during recovery in left lateral decubitus 78 +/- 33 mmHg (p < 0.001 versus gradient at peak exercise in orthostatic position). We conclude that intraventricular gradients increase significantly in orthostatic position and increase considerably during treadmill exercise testing. The gradients measured in the recovery period do not reflect what happens during effort or therefore during these patients' daily activities. This type of evaluation can help us to better understand the pathophysiology of patients with a diagnosis of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and to optimize treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Intraventricular gradient during effort in a professional soccer player. Clinical significance.

The authors report the case of a 20-year-old professional soccer player who underwent medical evaluation because of atypical chest discomfort and dizziness precipitated by strenuous effort. The ECG and echocardiogram findings were normal. The young athlete did a treadmill stress test which was negative for myocardial ischemia. His myocardial perfusion imaging and coronary angiography were also normal. Later during the investigation, he underwent treadmill stress echocardiography, during which he developed an intraventricular gradient of over 100 mmHg with end-systolic peak and systolic anterior movement (SAM) of the mitral valve. These echocardiographic findings were not present at rest and disappeared shortly after termination of exercise. The authors discuss the significance of these findings and their potential link to sudden death.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Stress echocardiography in the evaluation of exercise physiology in patients with severe arterial pulmonary hypertension. New methodology.

INTRODUCTION: Doppler echocardiography is usually performed when assessing a patient with severe pulmonary hypertension (PHT), since it enables accurate determination of the severity of the hypertension through evaluation of several morphologic and hemodynamic variables. Echocardiograms are usually performed in left lateral decubitus (LLD). However, symptoms often arise only in a standing position and particularly during exercise. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a group of patients with severe PHT using Doppler echocardiography during treadmill exercise testing. METHODS: We studied 8 patients (group A), mean age 43.88 +/- 14 years, 7 women; three had idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, 2 pulmonary thromboembolic disease, 2 Eisenmenger syndrome, and one pulmonary hypertension associated with celiac disease. We also studied an 8-patient control group (group B) with similar demographic characteristics, who had tricuspid regurgitation but no known cardiac disease, including pulmonary hypertension (excluded by echocardiogram). In addition to the ergometric variables of stress test duration using the modified Bruce protocol, resting heart rate, peak heart rate (PHR), resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP) and peak systolic blood pressure (PSBP), we evaluated the following echocardiographic variables: pressure gradient between right ventricle and right atrium (RV/RAg) and systolic volume (SV) in left lateral decubitus, in a standing position (SP) and at peak workload (PW). Stress testing was stopped in cases of fatigue and/or dyspnea. RESULTS: In group A, the RV/RAg in LLD was 100 +/- 20 mmHg, 98 +/- 20 mmHg in SP (p = NS) and 129 +/- 27 mmHg at PW (p = 0.003 vs. SP). In group B, the RV/RAg in LLD was 19.8 +/- 3.5 mmHg, 14.6 +/- 2.1 mmHg in SP (p = 0.0005) and 29.5 +/- 3.3 mmHg at PW (p < 0.0001 vs. SP). In group A, SV was 38 +/- 11 ml in LLD, 35 +/- 10 ml in SP and 32 +/- 9 ml at PW (p = NS); in group B, it was 63 +/- 5 ml in LLD, 55 +/- 5 ml in SP and 64 +/- 7 ml at PW (p < 0.0001). PHR was 114 +/- 10 bpm in group A and 145 +/- 8 (p < 0.0001) in group B. RSBP was 113 +/- 13 mmHg and PSBP 112 +/- 21 mmHg (p = NS) in group A, and 116 +/- 18 mmHg and 161 +/- 25 mmHg respectively (p < 0.0001) in group B. In four patients from group A, symptomatic falls in systolic blood pressure and SV occurred at PW. During a mean follow-up of 27 months (between 6 and 44 months), two of these four patients died and one is awaiting lung transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: 1. RV/RAg did not diminish in the standing position and rose significantly with orthostatic isotonic exercise during exercise testing in patients with severe PHT, with pulmonary artery systolic pressure reaching suprasystemic values. 2. Systolic volume and systolic blood pressure did not rise during exercise in patients with severe PHT, and patients with a decrease in systolic volume had worse clinical evolution. 3. Patients with severe PHT appeared to have chronotropic incompetence during exercise compared to the control group.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Native valve endocarditis due to Pichia ohmeri.

Candida species can cause clinical manifestations in various organs of the cardiovascular system, i.e., the pericardium, myocardium, and endocardium, with endocarditis being the best-known clinical entity. Endocarditis is seen primarily in intravenous drug users and in individuals with damaged native valves, especially in congenital heart disease or rheumatic valvular diseases, and in prosthetic heart valves. The authors present a case of Pichia ohmeri endocarditis in an intravenous drug user, with an unusual presentation form. This is a case of a 42-year-old man, an intravenous heroin user, who was admitted to our Vascular Surgery Department because of fever and acute serious ischemia of the left inferior limb. He presented with fever (39 degrees C), a pale and cold left limb, absence of the left popliteal pulse, and a pansystolic murmur at the cardiac apex. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed a large vegetation on the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and severe mitral regurgitation with good left ventricular systolic function. Empirical antibiotic therapy was started. Six days after admission, embolectomy was performed with partial clinical recovery. Three blood cultures and the embolus showed a teleomorphic form of Candida guilliermondii - Pichia ohmeri. Therapy with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B, fluocitosin, imipenem, and aztreonam was started. Two weeks later, his clinical condition deteriorated with acute heart failure refractory to medical therapy, mandating mechanical ventilation and high-dose vasopressor and inotropic amine support. He underwent urgent mitral valve replacement with a biologic prosthetic valve. Rapid stabilization of the cardiac status occurred, but ischemic limb lesions required further vascular interventions.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Exercise induced ventricular gradient in a young patient with a positive treadmill test and normal coronary arteries.

Exercise induced intraventricular gradients have been reported during exercise stress echocardiogram in a few cases. We describe a clinical case of a 23-year old-male with a positive treadmill exercise test and normal coronary angiogram given an exercise stress echocardiogram who developed a significant intraventricular gradient. We discuss the possible physiopathologic explanation for this event.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Valve orifice area in aortic stenosis evaluated by planimetry, Gorlin and continuity equations: a prospective study.

UNLABELLED: In evaluation of the severity of aortic valve stenosis, multiple parameters can be determined. All of them, except valve orifice area, are influenced by other factors such as cardiac output, heart rate or aortic insufficiency. OBJECTIVES: This is a prospective study which proposes, in the determination of the valve orifice area in aortic stenosis, to evaluate the accuracy of and correlation between three methods--planimetry by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography, the continuity equation by transthoracic echocardiography, and invasive measurement using the Gorlin formula. METHODS: Forty-five patients with known calcified valvular aortic stenosis 27 men, mean age 70 +/- 10 years, (range 27-82), were studied. In all patients the area was determined by planimetry and by the continuity equation. In 25 (56%) patients invasive measurements were obtained using the Gorlin formula. RESULTS: Evaluation of the valve orifice area by planimetry was easily performed and did not prolong the duration of the exam, except in five patients (11%). The area determined by the continuity equation had a mean value of 0.74 +/- 0.25 cm2, by planimetry 0.74 +/- 0.24 cm2 and by the Gorlin formula 0.65 +/- 0.17 cm2. Correlations between areas obtained by the three methods used were: continuity equation and planimetry 0.82; continuity equation and Gorlin formula 0.51; and planimetry and Gorlin formula 0.80. Concordance analysis (Bland and Altman's method) gave mean (Mn) values for the differences in the areas determined by the Gorlin formula and the continuity equation of 0.01 +/- 0.15 cm2 (Mn - 2SD = -0.29, Mn + 2SD = 0.30). The estimated value by the Gorlin formula and planimetry was 0.02 +/- 0.10 (Mn - 2SD = -0.19, Mn + 2SD = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Planimetry of the valve orifice area by transesophageal echocardiography is feasible and does not prolong the duration of the exam in the majority of patients. 2) The strong correlation and the results of concordance analysis, in the determination of valve orifice area, between traditional invasive methods and planimetry, support the use of this noninvasive method in clinical practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Pseudo-aneurysm of the aortic root in a patient with mechanical aortic prosthesis.

The authors describe a case of an ex-intravenous drug user, who received mechanical valve prostheses in the aortic and mitral position for Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis and developed a pseudo-aneurysm of the aortic root with major peri-valvular regurgitation one year after surgery. The images of the transesophageal echocardiogram are presented.

Adult↗