Correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and IOP variation in glaucoma suspects and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) variation in glaucoma suspects (GS) and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: Thirty-one GS and 34 POAG patients underwent ophthalmologic examination and 24-h IOP measurements. GS had IOPs ranging from 19 to 24 mmHg and/or suspicious appearance of the optic nerve. POAG patients had reproducible abnormal visual fields. We only included patients who presented with short-term IOP fluctuation >6 mm Hg (∆IOP). Only one eye per patient was included through a randomized process. Peripapillary RNFLT was assessed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. We correlated RNFLT with IOP parameters. RESULTS: Mean IOP was similar between GS and POAG groups (15.6 ± 3.47 vs 15.6 ± 2.83 mmHg, p = 0.90) as was IOP peak at 6 AM (21.7 ± 3.85 vs 21.3 ± 3.80 mmHg, p = 0.68). Statistically significant negative correlations were found in POAG group between IOP at 6 AM and RNFLT in global (rs = -0.543; p < 0.001), inferior (rs = -0.540; p < 0.001), superior (rs = -0.405; p = 0.009), and nasal quadrants (rs = -0.561; p < 0.001). Negative correlations were also found between ∆IOP and RNFLT in global (rs = -0.591; p < 0.001), and all other sectors (p < 0.05). In GS IOP at 6 AM correlated only with inferior quadrant (rs = -0.307; p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: IOP at 6 AM and ∆IOP had negative correlations with RNFLT quadrants in POAG. In GS this correlation occurred between IOP at 6 AM and inferior quadrant. These findings may indicate potential risk factors for glaucoma progression.

Infarto agudo do miocárdio relacionado ao uso de cocaína / Acute myocardial infarction related to cocaine use

Esta revisão discute o estado atual da fisiopatologia e do tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio relacionado ao uso de cocaína. O abuso de drogas ilícitas, em especial, da cocaína é cada vez mais frequente, com o aumento consequente da quantidade de consultas de emergências relacionadas a suas complicações, incluindo o infarto do miocárdio. Os principais mecanismos fisiopatológicos que contribuem de forma aguda ou crônica para causar o infarto relacionado ao uso de cocaína são: vasoespasmo, aterosclerose, trombogenese mediada por aumento dos níveis de fatores pró-trombóticos associada com a elevação da agregação plaquetária, aumento da demanda de oxigênio pelo miocárdio. O tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio relacionado ao uso de cocaína é semelhante ao do infarto na população em geral, com ácido acetilsalicílico, nitratos e oxigênio. As diferenças estão no uso de benzodiazepínicos e na contraindicação do uso de beta-bloqueadores. Existe controvérsia quanto ao uso do labetalol e da terapia trombolítica. Está sob investigação o uso de novos medicamentos como a fentolamina para reverter os efeitos de vasoconstrição e dos inibidores plaquetários para evitar a progressão do trombo.

This article aims to review current pillars of the pathophysiology and treatment of acute myocardial infarction related to cocaine use. Cocaine use has become increasingly frequent, and consequently the number of medical emergencies has increased related to its complications, including myocardial infarction. Four seems to be the pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute acutely or chronically, to cause infarction related to cocaine use: vasospasm, atherosclerosis, thrombus formation mediated by increased levels of prothrombotic factors and increased platelet aggregation, and increased demand for myocardial oxygen. The cocaine related infarction treatment is similar to infarction in general population with aspirine, nitrates and oxigen therapy. The differences are based on the use of benzodiazepines and the non indication of beta blockers, in the first case. Labetalol and trombolitic therapy use are controversial. The patophisiology knowledgement plays an important role in the introduction of new medications specific to cocaine related infarction, like phentolamine and platelets inhibitors.

Tétano: quando a imunoprevenção falha / Tetanus: when vaccine prevention fails

O tétano é doença adquirida do sistema nervoso central pela contaminação de feridaspelo bacilo Gram positivo Clostridium tetani, presente em fezes de animais, solo, poeirae objetos enferrujados. O tétano, apesar de passível de imunoprevenção, ainda persistenos países em desenvolvimento, devido à cobertura vacinal incompleta e ao tratamentoinadequado de lesões traumáticas. Este trabalho descreve a evolução de pacienteatendido no Hospital Risoleta Tolentino Neves, com manifestações clínicas de tétano,caso em que a adequada abordagem terapêutica garantiu a cura. Alerta para a persistênciado tétano como doença grave e para a importância da observação do esquemavacinal e da correta abordagem de feridas.

Tetanus is a central nervous system disease, acquired by contamination of wounds by Clostridium tetani, a Gram positive bacillus present in animal feces, soil, dust and rusty objects. Although vaccine-preventable, the disease persists in developing countries, due to incomplete vaccine-coverage and inadequate treatment of traumatic injuries. This paper describes a case of a patient treated at Hospital Risoleta Tolentino Neves, with typi-cal clinical manifestations of tetanus, in whom the institution of an appropriate treatment contributed effectively to his healing. This case report highlights the persistence of tetanus in Brazilian context and aims to draw attention to the importance of observation of the immunization schedule and the correct approach to wound treatment.