Mensagem do Editor

Abstract

Keeping in pace with the fast development of technology and the media, the Brazilian Archives of Cardiology have definitely entered the digital age from this issue onward. Available in pdf format since 2011, the Archives now have a format compatible with all major "tablets" and "smartphones", enabling access to the journal in full through the main systems of electronic media access. The new format also allows the incorporation of video, as well as the expansion of the information provided by published articles. Moreover, the creation of the Archives virtual library will allow readers to have quick access to published studies and disclosed information.With a new design, following the trend of major international journals, the new version of the Brazilian Archives of Cardiology emphasizes quick access to published articles. This new achievement represents the continuity of a process started in the current journal management, which included the improvement of editorial review procedures and publication quality.The improvement in editorial review procedures included the redesign and standardization of recommendations made during the review process, with emphasis on originality and relevance of the themes addressed in the papers, the validity and reliability of demonstrated results, and the information level of relevance for the advancement of science. The reformulation of the final review and editing processes after approval of the texts allowed the decrease in the time required for publication of articles. Currently, with an average of only ten months between the initial article submission and its final publication, and less than nine months for its availability in PubMed in English, the Brazilian Archives of Cardiology can guarantee researchers the rapid inclusion of their work in the international literature.Aiming to consolidate our position internationally, we still have much work to do, always relying on the close collaboration of our Associate Editors, Editorial Board and all Reviewers who bring us their dedication and scientific knowledge. Furthermore, we believe that the results in fact represent the effort of all members of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology. In this sense, we hope to continue counting with the cooperation of all of you, for the improvement of our journal.

Orientação de alta e acompanhamento telefônico na adesão terapêutica da insuficiência cardíaca: ensaio clínico randomizado

“…The IG was given discharge guidance by the researcher, on the bed of the hospitalized patients and in the presence of whoever was accompanying them at that moment. As a first step, the researcher evaluated the patient’s previous knowledge regarding the disease and treatment, with a structured questionnaire based on the literature 1,8,13 .…”

“…Then, individualized discharge guidance was performed according to the needs of each patient, with the reading of explanatory brochures. The brochures were devised according to the chronic heart failure guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) 1,9,13 , and contained information about the definition of the disease, nutritional aspects, water restrictions and drug treatment.…”

“…3) Do you control your water intake as instructed by the health care professional? The patient was classified as having “high adherence” when the answers to the three questions were positive; when one or two answers were positive, the patient was classified as having “moderate adherence”, and with three negative answers, he/she was classified as having “low adherence” 1 .…”

“…Heart Failure (HF) represents a problem with great magnitude, as it is the second most common cause of death due to cardiovascular diseases in Brazil. The demand for emergency services on the part of this population is frequent, and the rates of hospitalization due to clinical complications are high, this having been a recurring public health problem for almost 20 years 1-3 .…”

How long before hospital admission do the symptoms of heart failure decompensation arise?

“…A health plan, intensive care unit admission (ICU) and in-hospital mortality were found to characterize hospital admission. In the clinical profile, the time of illness and hospitalization in the last year for decompensated HF according to the patient’s own report, presence of comorbidities, etiology and functional class of HF according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) criteria were identified 13 . Also, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was recorded according to the last echocardiogram, presence, and duration of signs and symptoms of HF experienced before hospital admission according to the patient’s report.…”