Heart failure surgery in Brazil

Noedir A G Stolf1, Luiz Felipe P Moreira, Milton A Meier

  • 1Heart Institute University of São Paulo.

Insights

This review of 835 heart transplant patients in Brazil found idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy most common. Unexpectedly, Chagas disease showed better outcomes, while palliative surgeries offered limited long-term benefits for heart failure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Transplantation Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Heart failure presents a significant morbidity and mortality challenge in Brazil.
  • Understanding heart transplantation and palliative surgical outcomes is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review heart transplantation experience in Brazil.
  • To analyze palliative surgical procedures for heart failure in Brazil and South America.

Main Methods:

  • Review of 835 heart transplantation cases in Brazil.
  • Literature analysis of cardiomyoplasty, ventriculectomy, and mitral valve correction for cardiomyopathy.

Main Results:

  • Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy was the most frequent indication for heart transplantation.
  • Early mortality was higher than in other series; age and gender did not influence survival.
  • Chagas disease cardiomyopathy unexpectedly demonstrated better outcomes.
  • Palliative procedures showed potential for clinical improvement but were limited by recurrence of heart failure or sudden death.

Conclusions:

  • Heart transplantation in Brazil faces challenges with early mortality but shows promise.
  • Palliative surgical interventions offer temporary benefits but do not fully resolve heart failure progression or sudden death risks.

Related Concept Videos

Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management01:26

Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management

Mitral stenosis, a condition marked by the narrowing of the mitral valve, necessitates an integrated approach for effective management. This approach includes preventative measures, medical therapy, and surgical interventions to reduce symptoms and prevent complications.PreventionPrevention of mitral stenosis primarily focuses on reducing the incidence of bacterial infections, particularly streptococcal infections, which can lead to rheumatic fever and subsequent valvular damage. Timely...
Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

Heart Failure I: Introduction

Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management01:28

Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...