Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) and Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: not so Different after all?

Abstract Background: Stroke related to atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high recurrence and mortality rates. Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS) is associated with fewer vascular risk factors, less disability, and a high recurrence rate. Objective: To compare risk factors, functional outcomes and the occurrence of primary endpoint (a composite of recurrent stroke, cardiovascular death, and myocardial infarction) between AF stroke and ESUS patients. Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted including all consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke admitted to the Hospital de Clinicas (Clinical Hospital) of the Federal University of Paraná from October 2012 to January 2017 (n=554). There were 61 patients with stroke due to AF and 43 due to ESUS. Both groups were compared for demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors. Logistic regression models were performed to assess the impact of each variable on the primary endpoint in a 12-month follow-up. Statistical significance was considered for p-values < 0.05. Results: ESUS patients, as compared to AF patients, were younger and more likely to be smokers. ESUS patients presented a mean CHADS2VASc score of 4, while the AF group presented a score of 5 (p <0.001). The primary endpoint was observed in 9 (20.9%) ESUS and 11 (18.0%) AF patients over a 12-month period (p=0.802). Higher glucose levels upon hospital admission (p=0.020) and a higher modified Rankin Scale upon hospital discharge (p=0.020) were predictors of the primary endpoint occurrence. Conclusion: AF and ESUS stroke patients presented very similar independence rates upon hospital discharge and outcomes after 12 months, despite some baseline differences, including stroke recurrence, vascular death, and myocardial infarction.

Historia natural del cierre percutáneo de foramen oval permeable / Natural history of patent foramen ovales closure

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cierre percutáneo del foramen oval permeable (FOP) se ha posicionado como el tratamiento de elección para la prevención secundaria de pacientes con infartos encefálicos (IE) criptogénicos asociados a FOP. OBJETIVO: Revisar los cierres de FOP realizados en nuestra institución, evaluando las características clínicas y del procedimiento, los resultados a mediano plazo luego del procedimiento y la tendencia en el número de intervenciones durante el período estudiado. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron 101 pacientes consecutivos en que se realizó cierre de FOP, con una mediana de seguimiento de 4,6 años. Se analizaron las características basales de los pacientes, la indicación del cierre de FOP, el éxito del procedimiento y la presencia de shunt residual en ecocardiografía al año. Se realizó una encuesta telefónica estructurada a todos los pacientes, en la cual se preguntó por nuevo IE o crisis isquémica transitoria (CIT), otros eventos cardiovasculares y la presencia de sangrados. El seguimiento fue completado en el 95%. Se calculó el puntaje RoPE ("Risk of Paradoxical Embolism") el cual provee una estimación de la posibilidad de que ese IE se haya debido al FOP y del riesgo de repetir un nuevo IE en caso de no cerrar el FOP para cada paciente. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio fue de 49,1±13,7 años, con 53% mujeres. Sólo en 3 pacientes se diagnosticó una trombofilia. En 96 pacientes la indicación fue para prevención de embolía paradojal e IE (74% IE, 17% CIT y 4% embolía periférica), mientras que en 5% por síndrome de ortodeoxia/platipnea. El cierre de FOP fue exitoso en todos los pacientes. Shunt residual en ecocardiograma al año se observó en 5% - ninguno de estos pacientes presentó un nuevo evento encefálico durante el seguimiento. Se registraron 2 nuevos IE (4 IE por 1000 pacientes/año) y 1 nueva CIT (2 CIT por 1000 pacientes/año) en el seguimiento, con un promedio de presentación de 3,6 años post procedimiento. Esta tasa de eventos fue significativamente menor a lo predicho por el puntaje RoPE en nuestra cohorte. Se observó un marcado aumento en el número de procedimientos desde el año 2017 en adelante. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra cohorte, el cierre de FOP fue un procedimiento exitoso y seguro. Se asoció a una baja tasa de nuevos eventos cerebrales, marcadamente menor a lo estimado por el puntaje de riesgo actualmente disponible (RoPE).

INTRODUCTION: The percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been established as the preferred treatment for those with an ischemic stroke (IS) and associated PFO. AIMS: To review the PFO closure experience at our institution, characterizing the patients and procedures, mid-term results and the trend in the number of interventions during the study period. METHODS: One hundred and one consecutive patients undergoing PFO closure were included, with a median follow-up of 4.6 years. Baseline demographics, PFO closure indications, procedural success rates and residual shunt at 1-year were recorded. A telephonic survey was performed to complete follow-up, asking for new IS or transient ischemic attacks (TIA), other cardiovascular events and bleeding. Follow-up was completed by 95%. The RoPE score was calculated for each patient, providing an estimate of the chance a given IS being due to a PFO and the risk of a new event when the defect is not closed. RESULTS: Mean age was 49.1±13.7 years and 53% were females. Whereas the indication for PFO closure was paradoxical embolism in 96 patients (74% IS, 17% TIA and 4% peripheral embolism), in 5 it was for platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. All patients had a successful PFO closure procedure. Residual shunt at 1 year was found in 5% - yet, none of these patients experienced a new stroke during the study period. During follow-up there were 2 new IS (4 IS per 1,000 patients/year) and 1 new TIA (2 TIA per 1,000 patients/year), with a mean incidence time of 3.6 years after the procedure. This rate of new events was significantly lower than the one predicted by the RoPE score. From 2017 onwards, there was a marked increase in the number of procedures performed at our institution. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, PFO closure was a successful and safe procedure. It was associated to a low rate of new cerebral events during mid-term follow-up, markedly lower than the RoPE predicted rate.

miR-22 and cerebral microbleeds in brainstem and deep area are associated with depression one month after ischemic stroke

In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship among miR-22, deep cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and post-stroke depression (PSD) 1 month after ischemic stroke. We consecutively recruited 257 patients with first-ever and recurrent acute cerebral infarction and performed PSD diagnosis in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV criteria for depression. Clinical information, assessments of stroke severity, and imaging data were recorded on admission. We further detected plasma miR-22 using quantitative PCR and analyzed the relationship among miR-22, clinical data, and PSD using SPSS 23.0 software. Logistic regression showed that deep (OR=1.845, 95%CI: 1.006-3.386, P=0.047) and brain stem CMBs (OR=2.652, 95%CI: 1.110-6.921, P=0.040), as well as plasma miR-22 levels (OR=2.094, 95%CI: 1.066-4.115, P=0.032) were independent risk factors for PSD. In addition, there were significant differences in baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (OR=1.881, 95%CI: 1.180-3.011, P=0.007) and Widowhood scores (OR=1.903, 95%CI: 1.182-3.063, P=0.012). Analysis of the receiver operating curve (AUC=0.723, 95%CI: 0.562-0.883, P=0.016) revealed that miR-22 could predict PSD one month after ischemic stroke. Furthermore, plasma miR-22 levels in brainstem and deep CMBs patients showed an upward trend (P=0.028) relative to the others. Patients with acute ischemic stroke, having brainstem and deep cerebral microbleeds, or a higher plasma miR-22 were more likely to develop PSD. These findings indicate that miR-22 might be involved in cerebral microvascular impairment and post-stroke depression.

Cerebellar infarct following orchidopexy under spinal anesthesia / Infarto cerebelar após orquidopexia sob raquianestesia

Abstract The report describes a case of peri-operative stroke that presented as diplopia and gait difficulty on 2nd post-operative day after routine orchidopexy under spinal anesthesia in an otherwise healthy young boy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed acute infarct in bilateral cerebellar hemispheres, left half of medulla and left thalamus. A diagnosis of acute stroke (infarct) was made and patient was started on oral aspirin 75 mg.day-1, following which his vision started improving after 2 weeks. Possible mechanisms of development of stroke in the peri-operative period are discussed, but, even after extensive investigations, the etiology of infarct may be difficult to determine. Acute infarct after elective non-cardiac, non-neurological surgery is rare; it may not be possible to identify the etiology in all cases. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion to diagnose such unexpected complications even after routine surgical procedures in order to decrease the morbidity and long term sequelae.

Resumo O presente relato descreve um caso de acidente vascular cerebral perioperatório que resultou em diplopia e dificuldade de marcha no segundo dia após orquidopexia de rotina sob raquianestesia em um jovem, em outros aspectos, saudável. Ressonância magnética cerebral revelou infarto agudo em hemisférios cerebelares bilaterais, metade esquerda do bulbo e tálamo esquerdo. Um diagnóstico de acidente vascular cerebral agudo (infarto) foi feito e o paciente começou a receber tratamento com aspirina oral (75 mg.dia-1), após o qual sua visão começou a melhorar após duas semanas. Possíveis mecanismos de desenvolvimento de acidente vascular cerebral no período perioperatório são discutidos, mas, mesmo após extensas investigações, a etiologia do infarto pode ser difícil de determinar. O infarto agudo após cirurgia eletiva não cardíaca e não neurológica é raro; talvez não seja possível identificar a etiologia em todos os casos. Os médicos devem ter um elevado grau de suspeita para diagnosticar essas complicações inesperadas, mesmo após procedimentos cirúrgicos de rotina, para diminuir a morbidade e as sequelas em longo prazo.

High frequency of silent brain infarcts associated with cognitive deficits in an economically disadvantaged population

OBJECTIVE: Using magnetic resonance imaging, we aimed to assess the presence of silent brain vascular lesions in a sample of apparently healthy elderly individuals who were recruited from an economically disadvantaged urban region (São Paulo, Brazil). We also wished to investigate whether the findings were associated with worse cognitive performance. METHODS: A sample of 250 elderly subjects (66-75 years) without dementia or neuropsychiatric disorders were recruited from predefined census sectors of an economically disadvantaged area of Sao Paulo and received structural magnetic resonance imaging scans and cognitive testing. A high proportion of individuals had very low levels of education (4 years or less, n=185; 21 with no formal education). RESULTS: The prevalence of at least one silent vascular-related cortical or subcortical lesion was 22.8% (95% confidence interval, 17.7-28.5), and the basal ganglia was the most frequently affected site (63.14% of cases). The subgroup with brain infarcts presented significantly lower levels of education than the subgroup with no brain lesions as well as significantly worse current performance in cognitive test domains, including memory and attention (p<0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Silent brain infarcts were present at a substantially high frequency in our elderly sample from an economically disadvantaged urban region and were significantly more prevalent in subjects with lower levels of education. Covert cerebrovascular disease significantly contributes to cognitive deficits, and in the absence of magnetic resonance imaging data, this cognitive impairment may be considered simply related to ageing. Emphatic attention should be paid to potentially deleterious effects of vascular brain lesions in poorly educated elderly individuals from economically disadvantaged environments.

Catatonia, beyond a psychiatric syndrome / Catatonia, além de uma síndrome psiquiátrica

ABSTRACT Although catatonia is a well-known psychiatric syndrome, there are many possible systemic and neurological etiologies. The aim of this case report was to present a case of a patient with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and infarction in which catatonia was the clinical manifestation of a possible nonconvulsive status epilepticus. To our knowledge, only one such case has been reported in the literature, which had a simplified diagnostic investigation. It is important to correctly recognize the organic cause underlying catatonia in order to treat the patient as soon as possible thereby improving outcome. Therefore, physicians need to update their knowledge on catatonia, recognizing that it can be part of a psychiatric or neurologic condition.

RESUMO Embora a catatonia seja uma síndrome psiquiátrica bem conhecida, existem várias etiologias possíveis, tanto sistêmicas quanto neurológicas. O objetivo deste relato de caso é apresentar um quadro de trombose venosa central com infarto venoso em que a catatonia foi a manifestação clínica de um possível status não convulsivo. Na concepção dos autores, apenas um caso é encontrado na literatura, porém com uma propedêutica simplificada. É importante o correto reconhecimento das causas orgânicas que podem estar causando a catatonia para que sejam corrigidas assim que possível, melhorando o prognóstico do paciente. Além disso, os médicos precisam atualizar seus conhecimentos sobre a catatonia, uma vez que ela pode ser parte tanto de uma condição psiquiátrica quanto neurológica.

Retracción palpebral de causa neurológica: presentación de tres pacientes, interpretación patogénica / Eyelid retraction of neurologic origin: report of three cases

Eyelid retraction, has received limited attention and it has passively been interpreted as the result of an overactive levator palpebrae superioris muscle secondary to midbrain injury. However, eyelid retractions can occur in other neurological diseases, not directly related with the midbrain. We report three patients who developed eyelid retraction. One patient had a bilateral eyelid retraction, related with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Another patient had a unilateral right eyelid retraction associated with a thalamic-mesencephalic infarct. The third patient had a bilateral pontine infarction on magnetic resonance imaging. In the patient with CJD, eyelid retraction did not subside. Among patients with infarctions, the retraction persisted after focal symptoms had subsided, showing an evolution that was apparently independent of the basic process. The analysis of these patients allows us to conclude that the pathogenesis of eyelid retraction includes supranuclear mechanisms in both the development and maintenance of the phenomenon. Unilateral or bilateral eyelid retraction does not alter the normal function of eyelid, which ever had normal close eye blink. In these reported cases, a hyperactivity of levator palpebrae superioris muscle was clinically ruled out.

Compromiso cerebrovascular agudo en síndrome hemolítico urémico: descripción de dos casos pediátricos / Acute cerebrovascular events associated to hemolytic uremic syndrome: description of two pediatric cases

El Síndrome Hemolítico Urémico asociado a diarrea (SHU+D) es un desorden multisistémico en el cual el compromiso neurológico se asocia a empeoramiento del pronóstico. Una causa importante de daño neurológico permanente es el compromiso cerebrovascular. OBJETIVO: Reportar dos casos pediátricos de SHU+D con compromiso neurológico severo debido a patología cerebrovascular y revisar la literatura disponible. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Dos niños de 15 y 21 meses, previamente sanos, debutaron con convulsiones y compromiso de conciencia dentro de la primera semana de un SHU+D. Ambos presentaron hipertensión, falla renal aguda severa y déficit motor focal. Un niño mejoró significativamente su estado neurológico después de cinco sesiones de plasmaféresis. La resonancia magnética encefálica, mostró en el primer niño infartos bilaterales múltiples de vasos pequeños y lesiones de sustancia blanca. En el segundo paciente se identificaron extensos infartos bilaterales en territorios de ambas arterias cerebrales medias. Al año del evento agudo, ambos niños con déficit funcional marcado; el primer paciente evolucionó con retraso del desarrollo del lenguaje y hemiparesia espástica; el segundo persistió con cuadriparesia espástica, epilepsia con mal control de crisis y marcado deterioro funcional. CONCLUSIÓN: Aunque la mayoría de los niños con SHU+D y compromiso cerebral no presentan secuelas a largo plazo, la patología cerebrovascular en el período agudo puede causar daño permanente, por lo que, además del manejo de las alteraciones hidroelectrolíticas, hipertensión y falla renal, las terapias dirigidas a mecanismos fisiopatológicos específicos desencadenantes del compromiso vascular podrían mejorar el pronóstico.

Diarrhea-associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (D+HUS) is a multisystem disorder in which neurological involvement (35 to 50%) is associated to adverse outcome. An important cause of a permanent neurological impairment is the cerebrovascular pathology. OBJECTIVE: To report two pediatric cases of D+HUS with severe neurological involvement due to cerebrovascular disease, and review available literature. CLINICAL CASES: Two previously healthy 15- and 21-month-old children debuted with seizures and impairment of consciousness within the first week of a D+HUS. Both presented hypertension, severe acute renal failure, and focal motor deficit. One child showed significant improvement in neurologic status after five sessions of plasmapheresis. Brain magnetic resonance showed in the first child multiple bilateral infarcts of small vessels and lesions of white matter. In the second patient, large bilateral infarcts on both middle cerebral arteries territories were identified. One year after the acute event, both children showed functional impairment; The first patient evolved with language delay and spastic hemiparesis; the second patient with spastic quadriparesis, epilepsy with poor seizure control and marked functional impairment. CONCLUSION: Although most of the children with D+HUS and brain involvement do not have long-term sequelae, cerebrovascular disease in the acute period causes permanent damage, and in addition to the management of electrolyte disturbances, hypertension, and renal failure, therapies directed at specific pathophysiological mechanisms that trigger vascular compromise may improve prognosis.

Multidetector computed tomography angiography in clinically suspected hyperacute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation: an etiological workup in a cohort of Brazilian patients / Angiotomografia computadorizada multidetectores na avaliação da suspeita clínica de acidente vascular encefálico isquêmico hiperagudo da circulação anterior: determinação etiológica precoce em um grupo de pacientes brasileiros

Objective The potential of computed tomography angiography (CTA) was assessed for early determination of stroke subtypes in a Brazilian cohort of patients with stroke. Method From July 2011 to July 2013, we selected patients with suspected hyperacute stroke (< 6 hours). Intracranial and cervical arteries were scrutinized on CTA and their imaging features were correlated with concurrent subtype of stroke. Results Stroke was documented in 50/106 selected patients (47.2%) based on both clinical grounds and imaging follow-up (stroke group), with statistically significant arterial stenosis and vulnerable plaques on CTA. Intracranial large artery disease was demonstrated in 34% of patients in the stroke group. Partial territorial infarct prevailed (86%) while artery-to-artery embolization was the most common stroke mechanism (52%). Conclusion Multidetector CTA was useful for the etiologic work-up of hyperacute ischemic stroke and facilitated the knowledge about the topographic pattern of brain infarct in accordance with its causative mechanism. .

Objetivo Avaliar o potencial da angiotomografia computadorizada multidetectores (ATCM) na determinação etiológica precoce do acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) e correlacionar o mecanismo causal com o padrão de infarto. Método De Julho de 2011 a Julho de 2013, foram selecionados os pacientes com suspeita clínica de AVE hiperagudo. Os achados da ATCM dos vasos intracranianos e cervicais foram correlacionados com a etiologia final do evento. Resultados AVE foi confirmado em 50/106 pacientes (47,2%). Estes apresentaram alterações angiográficas estatisticamente mais relevantes. Aterosclerose dos grandes vasos intracranianos esteve presente em 34% destes pacientes. O padrão radiológico topográfico de infarto mais comum foi o infarto territorial parcial (86%). A embolização arterio-arterial foi o mecanismo mais prevalente (52%). Conclusão A utilização da ATCM traz benefícios na detecção etiológica precoce dos pacientes com suspeita de AVE hiperagudo, além de possibilitar o entendimento do padrão radiológico topográfico de acordo com o mecanismo causal do evento isquêmico. .

The 'silence' of silent brain infarctions may be related to chronic ischemic preconditioning and nonstrategic locations rather than to a small infarction size

OBJECTIVE: Silent brain infarctions are the silent cerebrovascular events that are distinguished from symptomatic lacunar infarctions by their 'silence'; the origin of these infarctions is still unclear. This study analyzed the characteristics of silent and symptomatic lacunar infarctions and sought to explore the mechanism of this 'silence'. METHODS: In total, 156 patients with only silent brain infarctions, 90 with only symptomatic lacunar infarctions, 160 with both silent and symptomatic lacunar infarctions, and 115 without any infarctions were recruited. Vascular risk factors, leukoaraiosis, and vascular assessment results were compared. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores were compared between patients with only symptomatic lacunar infarctions and patients with two types of infarctions. The locations of all of the infarctions were evaluated. The evolution of the two types of infarctions was retrospectively studied by comparing the infarcts on the magnetic resonance images of 63 patients obtained at different times. RESULTS: The main risk factors for silent brain infarctions were hypertension, age, and advanced leukoaraiosis; the main factors for symptomatic lacunar infarctions were hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and atherosclerosis of relevant arteries. The neurological deficits of patients with only symptomatic lacunar infarctions were more severe than those of patients with both types of infarctions. More silent brain infarctions were located in the corona radiata and basal ganglia; these locations were different from those of the symptomatic lacunar infarctions. The initial sizes of the symptomatic lacunar infarctions were larger than the silent brain infarctions, whereas the final sizes were almost equal between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic ischemic preconditioning and nonstrategic locations may be the main reasons for the 'silence' of silent brain infarctions.

Linfoma intravascular de células B grandes: hallazgos clínicos y morfológicos en un caso con desenlace fatal / Intravascular large B cell lymphoma: Report of one case

Intravascular large B cell lymphoma is a rare subtype of large cell lymphoma that is characterized by the proliferation of lymphoid cells within the lumina of small blood vessels. We report a 61-year-old male presenting paresis of both lower limbs, confusion and a history of weight loss. Magnetic resonance and CAT imaging studies showed multiple images of brain and cerebellar infarctions. Twenty days after admission, the patient died and the postmortem study demonstrated a multisystem intravascular large B cell lymphoma.

Infarto agudo talámico bilateral en paciente joven con foramen oval permeable / Acute bilateral thalamic infarcts in a young man with patent foramen ovale

Antecedentes: La presencia de foramen oval permeable se asocia a infartos cerebrales criptogénicos en pacientes jóvenes. Caso clínico: Hombre de 27 años en quien se inició de forma súbita síndrome confusional agudo, bradipsiquia y somnolencia. La imagen de resonancia magnética cerebral mostró infarto talámico bilateral simétrico por probable oclusión de arteria de Percheron tipo 2b. El ecocardiograma identificó foramen oval permeable. Conclusiones: El evento cerebrovascular es causa frecuente de discapacidad e incluso muerte en población joven. Debe hacerse énfasis en el estudio integral de esta patología.

BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with cryptogenic stroke in young patients. CLINICAL CASE: A 27-year-old man presented with acute confusional syndrome, altered language, bradypsychia and somnolence. Brain MRI showed symmetrical bilateral thalamic infarctions probably due to occlusion of Percheron's artery type 2b. Echocardiography showed patent foramen ovale. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrovascular disease is a frequent cause of disability and even death in young patients, and thus its medical approach should be emphasized.

Propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira da escala de qualidade de vida específica para acidente vascular encefálico: aplicação do modelo Rasch / Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale: application of the Rasch model

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: O acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) produz déficits importantes na qualidade de vida (QV) dos indivíduos. Medidas específicas de QV são necessárias para compreender e quantificar o impacto dessa patologia. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo foi adaptar transculturalmente o Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL) para o Português (Brasil) e avaliar suas propriedades psicométricas. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O SSQOL foi traduzido e adaptado seguindo instruções padronizadas e submetido a exame de confiabilidade teste-reteste (10 hemiplégicos). As propriedades psicométricas foram investigadas pela análise Rasch em 50 hemiplégicos. RESULTADOS: Foram detectados coeficientes de confiabilidade de 0,92 para itens e indivíduos. O índice de separação dos hemiplégicos foi 3,34 e dos itens, 3,36, ou seja, os itens separaram as pessoas em pelo menos três níveis de QV e em três níveis de QV - baixa, média e alta. Dos 49 itens, quatro não se enquadram no modelo, o que compromete a validade de constructo do instrumento, embora o padrão errático dos itens se justifique na amostra examinada. CONCLUSÕES: O instrumento mostrou-se clinicamente útil na população avaliada. Novos estudos em populações com outras características já estão em andamento.

BACKGROUND: Stroke results in important deficits, which reduce individuals' quality of life (QOL). Specific QOL measurements are necessary to understand and quantify the impact of this pathological condition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to make a transcultural adaptation of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL) into Brazilian Portuguese and to assess its psychometric properties. METHODS: The SSQOL was translated and adapted in accordance with standardized procedures and was subjected to test-retest reliability analysis with 10 hemiplegic subjects. The psychometric properties were investigated using Rasch analysis on 50 hemiplegics. RESULTS: Reliability coefficients of 0.92 were found for items and subjects. The separation index for the hemiplegics was 3.34, while, for the items, it was 3.36. These results indicated that the items separated the subjects into at least three levels of QOL: Low, medium, and high. Of the 49 items, four did not fit into the model, which partially invalidated the construct validity of the instrument, although the erratic patterns of these items could also be explained in the present sample. CONCLUSIONS: The instrument was shown to be clinically useful for the assessed population and other studies in populations with other characteristics are now underway.

Curso de Atualização em Emergências Médicas: aula 7: Acidente vascular encefálico / Updating Medical Emergencies Course: class 7: Encephalic vascular accident

O acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é uma doença grave e constitui a terceira causa de morte e a primeira de seqüelas incapacitantes, em todo o mundo. Pode ser de tois tipos: isquêmico ou hemorrágico. A AVE isquêmico é mais comum (responsável por cerca de 80 por cento dos casos) e pode decorrer de trombose ou embolia das artérias cerebrais. O presente artigo destaca o quadro clínico, a conduta para diagnóstico e as medidas terapêuticas a serem adotadas, de acordo com a forma de apresentação do AVE. O autor enfatiza a importância da prevenção, a partir do reconhecimento e correção dos fatores de risco, a exemplo da hipertensão arterial

Infarto cerebelar: análise de 151 pacientes / Cerebellar infarction: analysis of 151 patients

Este estudo apresenta o tratamento de 151 pacientes com infarto cerebelar, sendo 98 homeNs (65 por cento) e 53 mulheres (35 por cento), com média de idade de 62,4 anos. Hidrocefalia obstrutiva foi diagnosticada em 7,9 por cento dos pacientes associada com um infarto cerebelar extenso e em todos os 11 pacientes operados (7,2 por cento). Quatro pacientes foram submetidos a derivação ventricular externa com 3 óbitos (75 por cento) e 7 foram submetidos a craniectomia descompressiva suboccipital com 2 óbitos (28,5 por cento). A mortalidade no grupo clínico foi de 15 pacientes (10,7 por cento). Vertigem, vômito, sinal de Romberg e dismetria foram os sinais e sintomas de envolvimento cerebelar mais frequentemente observados. Infarto cerebelar devido a embolismo provocado por cirurgia cardiovascular ocorreu em 57 pacientes (37,7 por cento).Infarto cerebelar como fato isolado ocorreu em 59 pacientes (39 por cento) e infartos cerebelares associados a infartos de outras regiões ocorreram em 92 pacientes (61 por cento). A ressonância magnética foi o melhor método para o diagnóstico das lesões, embora a tomografia pôde mostrar infarto cerebelar em 68 pacientes (78 por cento).

Aspectos neurológicos del púrpura trombótico trombocitopénico: Presentación de un caso / Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with neurological involvement: Report of one case

Neurological manifestations, secondary to perfusion problems, vasogenic edema or small infarcts, are common in thrombotic purpura. Moreover, they are the first symptoms of the disease in 50% of patients. We report a 50 year-old woman who presented with focal intermittent neurological signs with aphasia and right hemiparesis, who then developed progressive impairment of consciousness with stupor and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Despite the severe neurological impairment, first neuroimaging studies were normal. A second magnetic resonance imaging showed small cortical infarcts, that were visible only with the technique of diffusion weighted imaging. The standard electroencephalograms showed focal left temporal slowing and low voltage first and then diffuse slowing accordind to the clinical condition of the patients. She was treated with plasmapheresis and had a partial neurological recovery at the fifth day, but died at the twelfth day of therapy .

Embolia pulmonar no paciente idoso internado / Pulmonary embolism in ederly patients admited into a hospital

Introdução: A prevalência da embolia pulmonar(EP)aumenta com a idade, porém pouco se conhece a respeito dos fatores associados ao óbito no idoso.Objetivo: Identificar as características clínicas e os fatores que se associam com a mortalidade por EP confirmada, internados, entre Março de 2000 a Maio de 2004. A associação com a mortalidade foi analisada pelo teste exato de Fisher e pelo teste t, considerando-se 5 por cento como nível de significância estatística.Resultados: A média de idade foi de 80 anos(máximo 98 anos, mínimo 65 anos) e do Escore APACHE 13, seno 72 por cento do sexo feminino. O seguimento foi de 6 meses. A mortalidade diretamente relacionada à EP foi de 21 por cento. Os demais óbitos foram por choque séptico ou diátese hemorrágica. Houve associação significtiva com mortalidade por EP com: neoplasia (p igual 0,024), acidente vascular encefálico(p igual 0,024), pressão sistólica inferior a 100mmhg(p igual 0,005), e com o intervalo entre o início dos sintomas e a internação(p igual 0,0001).Conclusão: Conclui-se que na EP, fatores associados como a neoplasia, acidente vascular encefálico, hipotensão e intervalo entre o início dos sintomas e a internação correlacionaram-se com a mortalidade