Preoperative nonlinear behavior in heart rate variability predicts morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to demonstrate that a reduction in the nonlinear behavior of heart rate variability (HRV) in the preoperative period in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) triggers higher morbidity and mortality rates in the postoperative stay. MATERIAL/METHOD: Seventy patients (59+/-10.3 years) were included. HRV was captured by a Polar Advanced S810 heart rate monitor and analyzed using the nonlinear variables detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), autocorrelation (tau), Lyapunov exponent (LE), and the Poincaré plot (PP). Based on two scenarios, death vs. non-death (scenario 1) and events vs. their absence (scenario 2), the occurrence of neurological complications, infections, kidney failure, arrhythmia, and death were evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and odds ratio (95% CI) were recorded. RESULTS: In scenario 1, significant differences were found for DFA, alpha-2, LE, PP[SD1], and PP[SD2], with p-values of 0.0172, 0.0343, 0.0159, 0.0069, and 0.0287, respectively. In scenario 2, differences were found for alpha-1, alfa-2, tau, LE, PP[SD1], and PP[SD2], with p-values of 0.0066, 0.0426, 0.0188, 0.0108, 0.0005, and 0.0158, respectively. The best areas under ROC curve were seen in scenario 1, with values of 0.72 (tau), 0.77 (LE), and 0.78 (PP[SD1]). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of HRV in the nonlinear domain in the preoperative period in patients undergoing elective CABG surgery may detect subgroups with a high risk for postoperative complications, at least with the assistance of some of the variables, and it can become a new prognostic tool for assessing patients scheduled to undergo other major surgeries.

Recurrence Plots: a New Tool for Quantification of Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System Recovery after Transplant.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a possible evolutionary post-heart transplant return of autonomic function using quantitative and qualitative information from recurrence plots. METHODS: Using electrocardiography, 102 RR tachograms of 45 patients (64.4% male) who underwent heart transplantation and that were available in the database were analyzed at different follow-up periods. The RR tachograms were collected from patients in the supine position for about 20 minutes. A time series with 1000 RR intervals was analyzed, a recurrence plot was created, and the following quantitative variables were evaluated: percentage of determinism, percentage of recurrence, average diagonal length, Shannon entropy, and sample entropy, as well as the visual qualitative aspect. RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative signs of heart rate variability recovery were observed after transplantation. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that autonomic innervation of the heart begins to happen gradually after transplantation. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of recurrence can be useful tools for monitoring cardiac transplant patients and detecting the gradual return of heart rate variability.

Recurrence plots: a new tool for quantification of cardiac autonomic nervous system recovery after transplant

Abstract Objective: To evaluate a possible evolutionary post-heart transplant return of autonomic function using quantitative and qualitative information from recurrence plots. Methods: Using electrocardiography, 102 RR tachograms of 45 patients (64.4% male) who underwent heart transplantation and that were available in the database were analyzed at different follow-up periods. The RR tachograms were collected from patients in the supine position for about 20 minutes. A time series with 1000 RR intervals was analyzed, a recurrence plot was created, and the following quantitative variables were evaluated: percentage of determinism, percentage of recurrence, average diagonal length, Shannon entropy, and sample entropy, as well as the visual qualitative aspect. Results: Quantitative and qualitative signs of heart rate variability recovery were observed after transplantation. Conclusion: There is evidence that autonomic innervation of the heart begins to happen gradually after transplantation. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of recurrence can be useful tools for monitoring cardiac transplant patients and detecting the gradual return of heart rate variability.

Acute kidney injury after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: The acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex disease for which there is no accepted standard definition nowadays. The Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) represents an attempt to standardize the criteria for diagnosis and staging of acute renal dysfunction based on recently published RIFLE criteria, that means, (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage kidney disease). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and associated mortality of AKI in patients submitted to on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (on-pump CABG). METHODS: A total of 817 patients were divided into two groups: negative AKI (-), with 421 patients (51.5%), and positive AKI (+), with 396 patients (48.5%). Increase of 0.3 mg/dL in creatinine or of 50% in creatinine's basal value was considered as AKI. RESULTS: The rate of patient's mortality with or without AKI within 30 days after cardiac surgery was 12.6% and 1.4%, respectively (p<0.0001). In a multivariate logistic regression model, AKI after on-pump CABG was an independent predictor of death within 30 days (OR=6.7; p=0.0002). This group of patients presented a longer period of permanency in intensive care unit (ICU) [median 2 days (2 to 3) versus 3 days (2 to 5); p=0.0001] and a bigger proportion of patients with prolonged permanence in intensive care (>14 days) (14 versus 2%; p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: In the studied population, even a discrete alteration in renal function, based on AKIN criteria, was an independent predictor of death in 30 days after on-pump CABG.

Prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in different forms of coronary disease.

BACKGROUND: Several infectious agents have been investigated since the association between atherosclerosis and infection was demonstrated; however, the results of these studies are contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To test the association between serum titers of anti-Chlamydia and anti-Mycoplasma antibodies in different forms of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six patients were divided in 4 groups: ACS with ST-segment elevation (32 patients), ACS without ST-segment elevation (30 patients), chronic coronary artery disease (30 patients) and blood donors without known coronary disease (34 patients--control group). In the two first groups, serum samples were collected at hospital admission (first 24 hours of hospitalization) and after a 6-month follow-up. In the other two groups, only a basal sample was collected. Anti-Chlamydia and anti-Mycoplasma antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence in all samples. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the basal sample and the one measured after a 6-month follow-up in patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation for Chlamydia (650+/-115.7 versus 307+/-47.5, p=0.0001) as well as Mycoplasma (36.5+/-5.0 versus 21.5+/-3.5, p=0.0004). The groups with ACS had higher anti-Chlamydia and anti-Mycoplasma serum antibody levels in the basal measurement, when compared to the patients with chronic coronary disease and the control group, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study showed an association between the serum titers of anti-Chlamydia and anti-Mycoplasma antibodies in the acute phase of patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction.

Central venous pressure in femoral catheter: correlation with superior approach after heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: It is common to obtain femoral venous approach in patients undergoing combined heart surgery or as an alternative to superior approach (internal jugular vein or subclavian vein). The aim of this study was to compare the measures of central venous pressure (CVP) at two different sites (superior versus femoral). METHODS: We prospectively and openly allocated 60 patients who underwent heart surgery between July from November 2006. Three measures were obtained from each patient at each site (admission, 6 and 12 hours after surgery) in two different inclinations of the headboard (zero and 30 degrees) totaling 720 measures. RESULTS: Fifty five percent of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, 38% heart valve surgery and 7% other surgeries. The mean of CVP +/- standard deviation (SD) measured in superior approach was 13.0 +/- 5.5 mmHg (zero degree) and 13.3 +/- 6.1 mmHg (30 degrees) while the measures in inferior approach were 11.1 +/- 4.9 mmHg (zero degree) and 13.7 +/- 4.6 mmHg (30 degrees). The linear correlation (r) between the measures in both sites was 0.66 (zero degree) and 0.53 (30 degrees), both with p value<0.0001. CONCLUSION: The CVP can be measured with accuracy in the femoral venous approach in the immediate postoperative period of heart surgery with better linear correlation obtained with the measures made with the headboard positioned at zero degree.

Serum ferritin and obstructive coronary artery disease: angiographic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the possible association between the levels of serum ferritin and the degree of obstructive coronary artery disease. METHODS: 115 patients with coronary arteriography and concomitant evaluation of serum ferritin were studied. The adopted cut-off values were 80 ng/ml for women and 120 ng/ml for men. RESULTS: The mean ferritin levels for males and females were 133.9 +/- 133.8 ng/ml and 214.6 +/- 217.2 ng/ml, respectively (p=0.047). It was observed that 44.1% of the women had normal serum ferritin levels in comparison to 30.9% of the men (p=0.254). In the patients without obstructive coronary artery disease or with less severe obstructions (group A) the serum ferritin level was 222.3 +/- 325 ng/ml. On the other hand, for those with moderate (group B) and severe obstructions (group C) the levels were 145.6+-83.7 ng/ml and 188.9 +/- 150.6 ng/ml, respectively. There was no correlation between the degree of coronary artery disease and the mean level of serum ferritin. Regarding the cut-off value, the number of women with serum ferritin level > 80 ng/ml in groups B+C or only C was significantly higher than the number of women in group A (ODDS RATIO 9.71 with 95%CI from 1.63 to 57.72). For males there was no significant difference between the number of cases above or below the cut-off values (ODDS RATIO 0.92 with 95%CI from 0.28 to 2.95). CONCLUSION: It was verified that women with serum ferritin levels > 80 ng/mL presented more severe obstructive coronary artery disease than women with lower levels. In men, the serum ferritin level was not a predictor element of the degree of obstruction.

Prevalência de Chlamydia Pneumoniae e Mycoplasma Pneumoniae em diferentes formas da doença coronariana / Prevalencia de Chlamydia Pneumoniae y Mycoplasma Pneumoniae en diferentes formas de la enfermedad coronaria / Prevalence of Chlamydia Pneumoniae and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae in different forms of coronary disease

FUNDAMENTO: Vários agentes infecciosos foram investigados desde que se demonstrou a associação entre infecção e aterosclerose, porém os resultados desses estudos são conflitantes. OBJETIVO: Testar a associação entre títulos séricos de anticorpos anti-Chlamydia e anti-Mycoplasma em diferentes formas de síndromes coronarianas agudas (SCA). MÉTODOS: Cento e vinte e seis pacientes foram divididos em quatro grupos: SCA com elevação do segmento ST (32 pacientes), SCA sem elevação do segmento ST (30 pacientes), doença arterial coronariana crônica (30 pacientes) e doadores de sangue sem doença coronariana conhecida (34 pacientes - grupo-controle). Nos primeiros dois grupos, amostras de soro foram coletadas na admissão (primeiras 24 horas de hospitalização) e após 6 meses de seguimento. Nos outros dois grupos, colheu-se apenas uma amostra basal. Em todas as amostras, anticorpos IgG anti-Chlamydia e anti-Mycoplasma foram dosados por imunofluorescência indireta. RESULTADOS: Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre a medida basal e após 6 meses de seguimento nos pacientes com infarto do miocárdio com elevação do segmento ST, tanto para Chlamydia (650±115,7 vs. 307±47,5, p = 0,0001) quanto para Mycoplasma (36,5±5,0 vs. 21,5±3,5, p = 0,0004). Os grupos com SCA tiveram níveis séricos de anticorpos anti-Chlamydia e anti-Mycoplasma mais altos na dosagem basal, em relação aos pacientes com doença arterial coronariana crônica e grupo-controle, mas as diferenças obtidas não tiveram significância estatística. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo mostrou associação entre os títulos de anticorpos anti-Chlamydia e anti-Mycoplasma na fase aguda dos pacientes com angina instável ou infarto do miocárdio.

BACKGROUND: Several infectious agents have been investigated since the association between atherosclerosis and infection was demonstrated; however, the results of these studies are contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To test the association between serum titers of anti-Chlamydia and anti-Mycoplasma antibodies in different forms of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six patients were divided in 4 groups: ACS with ST- segment elevation (32 patients), ACS without ST-segment elevation (30 patients), chronic coronary artery disease (30 patients) and blood donors without known coronary disease (34 patients - control group). In the two first groups, serum samples were collected at hospital admission (first 24 hours of hospitalization) and after a 6-month follow-up. In the other two groups, only a basal sample was collected. Anti-Chlamydia and anti-Mycoplasma antibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence in all samples. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the basal sample and the one measured after a 6-month follow-up in patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation for Chlamydia (650±115.7 versus 307±47.5, p=0.0001) as well as Mycoplasma (36.5±5.0 versus 21.5±3.5, p=0.0004). The groups with ACS had higher anti-Chlamydia and anti-Mycoplasma serum antibody levels in the basal measurement, when compared to the patients with chronic coronary disease and the control group, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study showed an association between the serum titers of anti-Chlamydia and anti-Mycoplasma antibodies in the acute phase of patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction.

FUNDAMENTO: Se han investigado diversos agentes infecciosos desde que se evidenció la asociación entre infección y aterosclerosis, sin embargo esos estudios ofrecen resultados conflictivos. OBJETIVO: Probar la asociación entre títulos séricos de anticuerpos anti-Chlamydia y anti-Mycoplasma en diferentes formas de síndromes coronarios agudos (SCA). MÉTODOS: Se dividieron a 126 pacientes en 4 grupos: SCA con elevación del segmento ST (32 pacientes), SCA sin elevación del segmento ST (30 pacientes), enfermedad arterial coronaria crónica (30 pacientes) y donadores de sangre sin enfermedad coronaria conocida (34 pacientes - grupo-control). En los primeros dos grupos, muestras de suero se colectaron al ingreso (primeras 24 horas de hospitalización) y tras 6 meses de seguimiento. En los otros dos grupos, se colectó solamente una muestra basal. En todas las muestras, se dosificaron anticuerpos IgG anti-Chlamydia y anti-Mycoplasma por inmunofluorescencia indirecta. RESULTADOS: Se observaron diferencias significativas entre la medida basal y tras 6 meses de seguimiento en los pacientes con infarto de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST, tanto para Chlamydia (650±115,7 vs 307±47,5, p = 0,0001) como para Mycoplasma (36,5±5,0 vs 21,5±3,5, p = 0,0004). Los grupos con SCA tuvieron niveles séricos de anticuerpos anti-Chlamydia y anti-Mycoplasma más altos en la dosificación basal, con relación a los pacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria crónica y grupo-control, sin embargo las diferencias obtenidas no tuvieron significancia estadística. CONCLUSIÓN: El presente estudio reveló asociación entre los títulos de anticuerpos anti-Chlamydia y anti-Mycoplasma en la fase aguda de los pacientes con angina inestable o infarto de miocardio.

Lesão renal aguda após revascularização do miocárdio com circulação extracorpórea / Lesión renal aguda post-revascularización del miocardio con circulación extracorpórea / Acute kidney injury after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery

FUNDAMENTO: A lesão renal aguda (LRA) é uma doença complexa para a qual, atualmente, não há uma definição padrão aceita. A AKIN (Acute Kidney Injury Network) representa uma tentativa de padronização dos critérios para diagnóstico e estadiamento da LRA, baseando-se nos critérios RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, e end-stage kidney disease), publicados recentemente. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a incidência e mortalidade associada à LRA em pacientes submetidos à revascularização do miocárdio (RM) com circulação extracorpórea (CEC). MÉTODOS: O total de 817 pacientes foi dividido em dois grupos: LRA negativa (-), com 421 pacientes (51,5 por cento), e LRA positiva (+), com 396 pacientes (48,5 por cento). Foi considerado LRA a elevação da creatinina em 0,3 mg/dl ou aumento em 50 por cento da creatinina em relação a seu valor basal. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade em 30 dias dos pacientes com e sem LRA foi de 12,6 por cento e 1,4 por cento, respectivamente (p < 0,0001). Em um modelo de regressão logística multivariada, LRA após RM com CEC foi preditora independente de óbito em 30 dias (OR 6,7 - p = 0,0002). Esse grupo de pacientes teve maior tempo de permanência em UTI [mediana 2 dias (2 a 3) vs. 3 dias (2 a 5) - p < 0,0001)] e uma maior proporção de pacientes com permanência prolongada na terapia intensiva (> 14 dias) - 14 por cento vs. 2 por cento; p < 0,0001. CONCLUSÃO: Na população estudada, mesmo uma discreta alteração da função renal baseada nos critérios do "Acute Kidney Injury Network - AKIN" foi preditora independente de óbito em 30 dias após RM com CEC.

BACKGROUND: The acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex disease for which there is no accepted standard definition nowadays. The Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) represents an attempt to standardize the criteria for diagnosis and staging of acute renal dysfunction based on recently published RIFLE criteria, that means, (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage kidney disease). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and associated mortality of AKI in patients submitted to on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (on-pump CABG). METHODS: A total of 817 patients were divided into two groups: negative AKI (-), with 421 patients (51.5 percent), and positive AKI (+), with 396 patients (48.5 percent). Increase of 0.3 mg/dL in creatinine or of 50 percent in creatinine's basal value was considered as AKI. RESULTS: The rate of patient's mortality with or without AKI within 30 days after cardiac surgery was 12.6 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively (p<0.0001). In a multivariate logistic regression model, AKI after on-pump CABG was an independent predictor of death within 30 days (OR=6.7; p=0.0002). This group of patients presented a longer period of permanency in intensive care unit (ICU) [median 2 days (2 to 3) versus 3 days (2 to 5); p=0.0001] and a bigger proportion of patients with prolonged permanence in intensive care (>14 days) (14 versus 2 percent; p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: In the studied population, even a discrete alteration in renal function, based on AKIN criteria, was an independent predictor of death in 30 days after on-pump CABG.

FUNDAMENTO: Lesión renal aguda (LRA) es una compleja enfermedad, la que, actualmente, no tiene definición patrón acepta. AKIN (Acute Kidney Injury Network) representa una tentativa de estandardización de criterios para el diagnostico y estadiamiento de LRA basado en los criterios RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, y end-stage kidney disease) publicados recientemente. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la incidencia y mortalidad asociada a LRA en pacientes sometidos a revascularización del miocardio (RM) con circulación extracorpórea (CEC). MÉTODOS: El total de 817 pacientes fueron divididos en dos grupos: LRA negativa (-), con 421 pacientes (51,5 por ciento), y LRA positiva (+), con 396 pacientes (48,5 por ciento). LRA fue considerada la elevación de creatinina en 0,3 mg/dl el aumento en 50 por ciento de creatinina en relación a su valor basal. RESULTADOS: La mortalidad dentro de 30 días de los pacientes con y sin LRA ha sido de 12,3 y 1,4 por ciento, respectivamente (p<0,0001). En un modelo de regresión logística multivariado, LRA tras RM con CEC fue predictora independiente de óbito en 30 días (OR=6,7; p=0,0002). Ese grupo de pacientes tuvo el mayor tiempo de permanencia en unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) (6,0±9,5 días versus 3,4±4,0 días; p<0,0001) y una proporción de pacientes con permanencia prolongada en la terapia intensiva (>14 días), 14 versus 2 por ciento; p<0,0001. CONCLUSIÓN: En la población estudiada, mismo una discreta alteración de la función renal basada en los criterios AKIN ha sido predictora independiente de óbito, en 30 días tras RM con CEC.

Pressão venosa central em cateter femoral: correlação com acesso superior após cirurgia cardíaca / Central venous pressure in femoral catheter: correlation with superior approach after heart surgery

OBJETIVO: É comum a obtenção de acesso venoso femoral em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca em associação ou como alternativa ao acesso superior (veia jugular interna ou veia subclávia). O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as medidas de pressão venosa central (PVC) em dois sítios diferentes (superior vs. femoral). MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo e aberto com 60 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca no período de julho a novembro de 2006. Foram obtidas três medidas de cada paciente em cada sítio (admissão, 6 e 12 horas após a cirurgia) em duas inclinações diferentes da cabeceira do leito (zero e 30 graus), totalizando 720 medidas. RESULTADOS: Cinqüenta e cinco por cento dos pacientes foram submetidos a revascularização do miocárdio, 38 por cento a cirurgia valvar e 7 por cento a outras cirurgias. A média de PVC ± desvio padrão (DP) medida no acesso superior foi de 13,0 ± 5,5 mmHg (zero grau) e 13,3 ± 6,1 mmHg (30 graus), enquanto que as medidas no acesso inferior foram 11,1 ± 4,9 mmHg (zero grau) e 13,7 ± 4,6 mmHg (30 graus). A correlação linear (r) entre as medidas nos dois sítios foi de 0,66 (zero grau) e 0,53 (30 graus), ambas com p < 0,0001. CONCLUSÃO: A PVC pode ser medida com acurácia no acesso venoso femoral no pós-operatório imediato de cirurgia cardíaca, com melhor correlação linear obtida com as medidas feitas com a cabeceira do leito posicionada em zero grau.

OBJECTIVE: It is common to obtain femoral venous approach in patients undergoing combined heart surgery or as an alternative to superior approach (internal jugular vein or subclavian vein). The aim of this study was to compare the measures of central venous pressure (CVP) at two different sites (superior versus femoral). METHODS: We prospectively and openly allocated 60 patients who underwent heart surgery between July from November 2006. Three measures were obtained from each patient at each site (admission, 6 and 12 hours after surgery) in two different inclinations of the headboard (zero and 30 degrees) totaling 720 measures. RESULTS: Fifty five percent of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, 38 percent heart valve surgery and 7 percent other surgeries. The mean of CVP ± standard deviation (SD) measured in superior approach was 13.0 ± 5.5 mmHg (zero degree) and 13.3 ± 6.1 mmHg (30 degrees) while the measures in inferior approach were 11.1 ± 4.9 mmHg (zero degree) and 13.7 ± 4.6 mmHg (30 degrees). The linear correlation (r) between the measures in both sites was 0.66 (zero degree) and 0.53 (30 degrees), both with p value<0.0001. CONCLUSION: The CVP can be measured with accuracy in the femoral venous approach in the immediate postoperative period of heart surgery with better linear correlation obtained with the measures made with the headboard positioned at zero degree.

Ferritina sérica e coronariopatia obstrutiva: correlação angiográfica / Serum ferritin and obstructive coronary artery disease: angiographic correlation

OBJETIVO: Verificar a possível associação entre os valores séricos de ferritina e o grau de coronariopatia obstrutiva. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 115 pacientes com cinecoronariografia e concomitante dosagem sérica de ferritina. Os valores de corte adotados foram 80 ng/ml para mulheres, e 120 ng/ml para homens. RESULTADOS: As ferritinemias médias nos sexos masculino e feminino foram, respectivamente, 133,9±133,8 ng/ml 214,6±217,2 ng/ml (p=0,047). Observou-se que 44,1 por cento das mulheres se apresentavam com ferritinemia normal, contra 30,9 por cento dos homens (p=0,254). Nos pacientes sem coronariopatia obstrutivas ou com obstruções discretas (grupo A), a ferritinemia foi de 222,3±325 ng/ml. Já para as obstruções moderadas (grupo B) e graves (grupo C), os níveis foram, respectivamente, 145,6±83,7 ng/ml e 188,9±150,6 ng/ml. Não houve correlação entre o grau de coronariopatia e o nível de ferritina sérica quanto à ferritinemia média. Em relação ao valor de corte, a quantidade de mulheres com ferritina acima de 80 ng/ml que se encontravam nos grupos B+C ou somente C foi significativamente maior que a quantidade de mulheres no grupo A (Odds Ratio 9,71 com IC95 por cento de 1,63 a 57,72). Já no sexo masculino, constataram-se graus similares de coronariopatia tanto acima como abaixo de valor de corte (Odds Ratio 0,92 com IC95 por cento de 0,28 a 2,95). CONCLUSÃO: Constatou-se que mulheres com níveis de ferritinemia acima de 80 ng/ml apresentaram significativamente mais coronariopatia obstrutiva de grau importante que mulheres com taxas abaixo daquele valor. Em homens, a ferritinemia não foi elemento preditor do grau de obstrução.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the possible association between the levels of serum ferritin and the degree of obstructive coronary artery disease. METHODS: 115 patients with coronary arteriography and concomitant evaluation of serum ferritin were studied. The adopted cut-off values were 80 ng/ml for women and 120 ng/ml for men. RESULTS: The mean ferritin levels for males and females were 133.9±133.8 ng/ml and 214.6±217.2 ng/ml, respectively (p=0.047). It was observed that 44.1 percent of the women had normal serum ferritin levels in comparison to 30.9 percent of the men (p=0.254). In the patients without obstructive coronary artery disease or with less severe obstructions (group A) the serum ferritin level was 222.3±325 ng/ml. On the other hand, for those with moderate (group B) and severe obstructions (group C) the levels were 145.6+-83.7 ng/ml and 188.9±150.6 ng/ml, respectively. There was no correlation between the degree of coronary artery disease and the mean level of serum ferritin. Regarding the cut-off value, the number of women with serum ferritin level > 80 ng/ml in groups B+C or only C was significantly higher than the number of women in group A (ODDS RATIO 9.71 with 95 percentCI from 1.63 to 57.72). For males there was no significant difference between the number of cases above or below the cut-off values (ODDS RATIO 0.92 with 95 percentCI from 0.28 to 2.95). CONCLUSION: It was verified that women with serum ferritin levels > 80 ng/mL presented more severe obstructive coronary artery disease than women with lower levels. In men, the serum ferritin level was not a predictor element of the degree of obstruction.

Mixoma atrial esquerdo com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico em criança / Left atrial myxoma and isquemic stroke in a child

É apresentado um caso de mixoma atrial esquerdo associado a acidente vascular cerebral embólico em paciente do sexo feminino, com oito anos de idade. Feita a exérese do tumor, a criança apresentava, dois meses após cirurgia, presença de massa septoatrial esquerda, sugerindo recidiva, mantendo-se, porém, assintomática. A revisão da literatura enfatiza a raridade e a agressividade com que este tumor acomete esta faixa etária, além de salientar baixas taxas de recidiva após sua retirada.

Principais referências anatômicas para a abordagem cirúrgica profunda do plexo braquial no desfiladeiro cérvico torácico / Main anatomic references for deep surgical management of brachial plexus in cervical thoracic defile

Este trabalho visa expor de maneira clara e sucinta, através de dissecações anatômicas, as principais relações topográficas das áreas cervicais, posterior e lateral, estabelecendo-se um roteiro prático para exploração cirúrgica local.