"Subclinical atherosclerosis in acromegaly: Possible association with cardiovascular risk factors rather than disease activity".

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular (CV) disease is still a major cause of excessive morbidity and mortality in patients with active acromegaly, which may be attributed to a high prevalence of associated pro-atherosclerotic risk factors. However, a direct effect of GH/IGF-1 excess on the vasculature has been previously suggested, warranting further investigation. The present study was designed to investigate whether chronic GH/IGF-1 excess is associated with an increased prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with acromegaly. DESIGN: We measured carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and assessed carotid plaques by ultrasonography along with classical CV risk factors in 54 acromegaly patients (34 females, 50 ± 12 years and compared those with 62 (42 females, 53 ± 13 years) age-, sex- and CV risk factors- matched controls. In order to compare cIMT measurements between patients and controls we analyzed common carotid artery far wall data as well as a combined measurement result, which consisted of the mean value of the six different measurements, three at each side. RESULTS: mean ± SD serum GH and IGF-1 levels were 2.76 ± 4.65 ng/mL and 1.7 ± 1.25 x ULN, respectively, in all acromegaly patients. Age, body mass index, blood pressure, lipid levels, fasting glucose and Framingham's global cardiovascular risk score classification were similar comparing patients and controls. Combined median [IQR] cIMT measurements were similar in acromegaly patients and matched controls (0.59 [0.52-0.66] mm vs. 0.59 [0.52-0.69] mm; P = 0.872) as well as in acromegaly patients with active and controlled disease (0.59 [0.51-0.68] mm vs. 0.60 [0.54-0.68] mm; P = 0.385). No significant correlations were observed between cIMT measurements and GH (Spearman r = 0.1, P = 0.49) or IGF-1 (Spearman r = 0.13, P = 0.37) levels in patients with acromegaly. Carotid atherosclerotic plaques prevalence was similar in patients and controls (26% vs. 32%; P = 0.54) as well as in patients with active and controlled acromegaly (22% vs. 30%; P = 0.537). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that GH/IGF-1 excess itself is not one of the main drivers of subclinical morphological atherosclerosis changes in patients with acromegaly and that optimal control of acromegaly-associated CV risk factors may preserve vasculature structure even when strict biochemical control is not achieved.

Distócia de ombro / Shoulder dystocia

A Distócia de Ombro é definida, de acordo com os Colégios Americano e Britânico de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, como parto que necessita de manobras obstétricas adicionais, após falência da tração da cabeça fetal para liberar os ombros. Apesar de sua baixa incidência, é uma complicação com importante morbidade para o recém nascido e que pode levar a intercorrências maternas, sendo entretanto passível de ser evitada. Esse artigo de revisão se propõe a sumarizar a epidemiologia, fisiopatologia, conduta e complicações, enfocando os fatores de risco e as manobras mais utilizadas, dada a importância de ambos na prevenção dessa complicação. (AU)

The Shoulder Dystocia is defined, according to British and American Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as delivery which requires additional obstetric maneuvers after failure of traction of the fetal head to release the shoulders. Despite its low incidence, it is a complication with significant morbidity for the newborn and wich can lead to maternal complications. Despite of this, is able to be avoided. This review aims to summarize the epidemiology, pathophysiology, management and complications, focusing on risk factors and the most commonly used maneuvers, due to the importance of both in preventing this complication. (AU)