Internal medicine consultation for high-risk surgical patients: reflection on hospital mortality and readmission rates in a low-income country.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of internal medicine consultation on mortality, 30-day readmission, and length of stay in surgical patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study developed in a public Brazilian teaching hospital with 850 beds. RESULTS: A total of 70,245 patients were admitted from 2010 to 2018 to the surgery departments. The main outcomes measured were patients' mortality, 30-day readmission, and length of stay. Mortality of high-risk patients was lower when followed by internal medicine consultation: patients with ASA≥3 (RR 0.89 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.80-0.99], p=0.02), patients with ASA≥3 plus≥65 years (RR 0.88 [95%CI 0.78-0.99], p=0.04), patients with ASA≥3 plus high-risk surgery (RR 0.86 [95%CI 0.77-0.97], p=0.01), and patients with ASA≥4 plus age ≥65 years (RR 0.83 [95%CI 0.72-0.96], p=0.01). The 30-day readmission of high-risk patients was lower when followed by internal medicine consultation: patients with ≥65 years (RR 0.57 [95%CI 0.37-0.89], p=0.01) and patients with high-risk surgery (RR 0.63 [95%CI 0.46-0.57], p=0.005). The Poisson multivariate regression with adjustment in variances showed that all the variables (namely, age, ASA, morbidity index, surgery risk, and internal medicine consultation) were associated with higher mortality of patients; however, internal medicine consultation was associated with a reduction of mortality in high-risk patients (RR 0.72 [95%CI 0.65-0.84], p=0.02) and an increase of mortality in low-risk patients (RR 1.55 [95%CI 1.31-1.67], p=0.01). CONCLUSION: High-risk surgical patients may benefit from perioperative internal medicine consultations, which probably decrease hospital mortality and 30-day hospital readmission.

Cardiac Hydatid Cyst: An Uncommon Cause of Complete Atrioventricular Block. / Cisto Hidático Cardíaco: Uma Causa Incomum de Bloqueio Atrioventricular Total.

Hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, leading to the formation of cysts on involved organs. Cardiac involvement is rare and can cause a wide range of complications secondary to rupture, embolization, or compression. Its diagnosis is challenging, and is generally confirmed through data related to clinical manifestations, environmental exposure, and laboratory and imaging exams. Surgical removal is necessary in most cases, in which an association with antiparasite therapy is recommended. The present article describes a case of a cardiac hydatid cyst associated with a complete atrioventricular block (AVB) in a young adult patient, with the need for a pacemaker implant, an atypical presentation, and scarce reports in the literature.

A hidatidose é uma zoonose causada pelo Echinococcus granulosus, levando à formação de cistos nos órgãos acometidos. O envolvimento cardíaco é raro e pode causar diversas complicações secundárias à ruptura, embolização ou compressão. Seu diagnóstico é desafiador, sendo confirmado por meio de dados relacionados a manifestações clínicas, exposição ambiental, exames laboratoriais e de imagem. A ressecção cirúrgica é necessária na maioria dos casos, sendo indicada a associação com terapia antiparasitária. No presente artigo, descreve-se um caso de cisto hidático cardíaco associado a bloqueio atrioventricular total em paciente jovem, com necessidade de implante de marcapasso, uma apresentação atípica e pouco relatada na literatura.

Cisto Hidático Cardíaco: Uma Causa Incomum de Bloqueio Atrioventricular Total / Cardiac Hydatid Cyst: An Uncommon Cause of Complete Atrioventricular Block

Resumo A hidatidose é uma zoonose causada pelo Echinococcus granulosus, levando à formação de cistos nos órgãos acometidos. O envolvimento cardíaco é raro e pode causar diversas complicações secundárias à ruptura, embolização ou compressão. Seu diagnóstico é desafiador, sendo confirmado por meio de dados relacionados a manifestações clínicas, exposição ambiental, exames laboratoriais e de imagem. A ressecção cirúrgica é necessária na maioria dos casos, sendo indicada a associação com terapia antiparasitária. No presente artigo, descreve-se um caso de cisto hidático cardíaco associado a bloqueio atrioventricular total em paciente jovem, com necessidade de implante de marcapasso, uma apresentação atípica e pouco relatada na literatura.

Abstract Hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, leading to the formation of cysts on involved organs. Cardiac involvement is rare and can cause a wide range of complications secondary to rupture, embolization, or compression. Its diagnosis is challenging, and is generally confirmed through data related to clinical manifestations, environmental exposure, and laboratory and imaging exams. Surgical removal is necessary in most cases, in which an association with antiparasite therapy is recommended. The present article describes a case of a cardiac hydatid cyst associated with a complete atrioventricular block (AVB) in a young adult patient, with the need for a pacemaker implant, an atypical presentation, and scarce reports in the literature.

Enterite mesentérica como complicação rara do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico / Mesenteric enteritis as a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus

A dor abdominal no paciente com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico tem amplo espectro clínico, variando desde condições inespecí- ficas, como diarreia e vômitos, até eventos de importante morbi- mortalidade, como o abdome agudo inflamatório e/ou perfura- tivo. A seguir, descreve-se um caso de paciente do sexo feminino, de 23 anos, internada por dor abdominal associada a vômitos e à diarreia crônica e progressiva. Foi diagnosticada com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico há 2 anos. Durante a internação, evoluiu com quadro de abdome agudo, e foi realizada tomografia compu- tadorizada de abdome, revelando importante edema de parede intestinal difuso. Isso, somado a alterações clínico-laboratoriais, permitiu o diagnóstico de enterite lúpica. Foi realizado tratamen- to conservador, com corticoterapia e terapia de suporte com correção de distúrbios eletrolíticos severos, sendo iniciado ciclo- fosfamida, com resolução dos sintomas gastrintestinais.

Abdominal pain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus has a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from nonspecific symp- toms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, to events of significant morbidity and mortality, such as acute inflammatory and/or per- forating abdomen. This article describes a case of a 23-year-old female patient hospitalized for abdominal pain, associated with vomiting and progressive chronic diarrhea. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus 2 years ago. During hospita- lization, the patient progressed with acute abdomen, and an ab- dominal computed tomography scan was performed, revealing major diffuse intestinal wall edema. This, added to clinical and laboratories alterations, allowed the diagnosis of lupus enteritis. A conservative treatment with corticotherapy and supportive therapy with correction of severe electrolyte disturbances were initiated, as well as the prescription of cyclophosphamide, with resolution of gastrointestinal symptoms.