IMPACT OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY STAGING ON PROGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and severe complication of cirrhosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of AKI staging on 30-day mortality of patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was diagnosed according to the International Club of Ascites recommendations and staged according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines. Comparisons between groups were made by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test. Chi-square was calculated for dichotomous variables. Comparisons of renal impairment status among patients were performed using Kaplan-Meier statistics and differences between groups were analyzed using the log-rank test. A P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-two patients were included in the study. The diagnosis of AKI was performed in 98 (42.2%) of them. The overall 30-day mortality was 19.8% (46/232). Mortality increased as the degree of AKI progressed. Among patients who did not have AKI, mortality was 5.2% (7/134). When compared to patients without AKI, patients diagnosed with AKI stage 1a had mortality of 12.1% (4/33, P=0.152); patients with AKI stage 1b had mortality of 45% (18/40, P<0.001); and patients with AKI stages 2 or 3 had mortality of 68% (17/25, P<0.001). Moreover, it is noteworthy that full response to treatment was associated to a decreased mortality when compared to patients who did not show complete recovery of renal function (14.3% vs 57.9%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: AKI stages 1b or greater, but not AKI stage 1a, are associated to higher 30-day mortality of patients with cirrhosis.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with NOTES visualization--a step toward NOTES procedures.

BACKGROUND: To demonstrate that bariatric procedures can be done with natural orifice visualization (NOTES) at 2 institutions (Nucleo Universitario de Estudos de Notes Centro de Cirurgia Experimental Vila do Conde-Junqueira, Vila do Conde, Portugal and Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil). NOTES is a new surgical approach that is being developed. It consists of the use of a minimally invasive technique in which the surgical procedure is performed through natural orifices, thereby circumventing incisions through the skin. METHODS: We performed vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in a porcine model using vaginal route visualization. RESULTS: A laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy with NOTES visualization in a porcine model was performed with safety. CONCLUSION: Bariatric procedures can be done with NOTES with results as good as those using laparoscopic techniques.

[I Brazilian consensus of endoscopic ultrasonography]. / I Consenso Brasileiro de Ecoendoscopia.

BACKGROUND: In the last 20 years, several papers have focused on demonstrating the impact of endoscopic ultrasonography findings on the management of different clinical scenarios in digestive disease. This fact is an indirect evidence of the difficulty of popularization of the method. On other hand, the limited availability of endoscopic ultrasonography in Brazil is a direct evidence of this limitation. This was the rationale for the organization of a consensus meeting on endoscopic ultrasonography. It was aimed to identify the best evidence that support the use of endoscopic ultrasonography in gastroenterology. METHODS: A panel of experts on endoscopic ultrasonography was selected based on the files of the Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Societies and on the registries of endoscope manufacturers. Two members of the meeting selected the relevant topics that were transformed into questions. The topics and the questions were debated among the experts five months before the consensus meeting. The experts were asked to perform systematic reviews in order to answer the questions so it could be possible to grade the answers based on the strength of the evidence. During the two days of the meeting the answers were presented, debated and voted. Consensus was reached when a minimum of 70% of the voters were in agreement. The final consensus report was submitted to the experts' evaluation and approval. RESULTS: Seventy nine questions were debated by the experts at the pre-Consensus meeting. As the result of this debate 85 questions came out and were assigned to the members of the panel. During the Consensus meeting 22 experts debated and voted 85 answers. Consensus was reached for several clinical scenarios for which the impact of endoscopic ultrasonography findings were supported by level 1 evidences: differential diagnosis of subepithelial lesions and thickening of gastric folds, staging and diagnosis of unresectable esophageal cancer, indirect signs of peritoneal involvement of gastric cancer, MALT gastric lymphoma and rectal cancer staging, diagnosis of common bile duct and gallbladder stones, diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and differential diagnosis of a solid mass in chronic pancreatitis, differential diagnosis of the pancreatic cyst, prediction of the results of the endoscopic treatment of esophageal varices and diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: There are the highest levels of evidences that support the indication of endoscopic ultrasonography for several digestive diseases and even for non-small cell lung cancer.

ANTISECRETORY TREATMENT FOR PEDIATRIC GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors and histamine H2 receptor antagonists are two of the most commonly prescribed drug classes for pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease, but their efficacy is controversial. Many patients are treated with these drugs for atypical manifestations attributed to gastroesophageal reflux, even that causal relation is not proven. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of proton pump inhibitors and histamine H2 receptor antagonists in pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease through a systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review was performed, using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. The search was limited to studies published in English, Portuguese or Spanish. There was no limitation regarding date of publication. Studies were considered eligible if they were randomized-controlled trials, evaluating proton pump inhibitors and/or histamine H2 receptor antagonists for the treatment of pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease. Studies published only as abstracts, studies evaluating only non-clinical outcomes and studies exclusively comparing different doses of the same drug were excluded. Data extraction was performed by independent investigators. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO platform (CRD42016040156). RESULTS: After analyzing 735 retrieved references, 23 studies (1598 randomized patients) were included in the systematic review. Eight studies demonstrated that both proton pump inhibitors and histamine H2 receptor antagonists were effective against typical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and that there was no evidence of benefit in combining the latter to the former or in routinely prescribing long-term maintenance treatments. Three studies evaluated the effect of treatments on children with asthma, and neither proton pump inhibitors nor histamine H2 receptor antagonists proved to be significantly better than placebo. One study compared different combinations of omeprazole, bethanechol and placebo for the treatment of children with cough, and there is no clear definition on the best strategy. Another study demonstrated that omeprazole performed better than ranitidine for the treatment of extraesophageal reflux manifestations. Ten studies failed to demonstrate significant benefits of proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor antagonists for the treatment of unspecific manifestations attributed to gastroesophageal reflux in infants. CONCLUSION: Proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor antagonists may be used to treat children with gastroesophageal reflux disease, but not to treat asthma or unspecific symptoms.

A comparison of wedge and needle hepatic biopsy in open bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Morbidly obese patients, despite normal laboratory tests and no clinical evidence of liver disease, present a high prevalence of hepatic histological changes. Liver biopsy is able to provide the diagnosis, staging and assessment of follow-up of hepatic disease, thus helping to define clinical management. There is no agreement on which biopsy technique provides better material for analysis. Considering that subcapsular fibrosis is a common finding, sampling from deeper sites is necessary to achieve an adequate histological assessment. METHODS: A study was done in 264 consecutive morbidly obese patients who underwent open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between July 2001 and Sept 2004, in whom an intraoperative liver biopsy was taken. The first 107 were wedge biopsies, and the last 157 were needle biopsies. The histological degree of steatosis, presence of fibrosis and adequacy of material from the 2 biopsy techniques were compared. RESULTS: Degree of steatosis in both sampling techniques showed no statistical difference (P=0.132). The presence of fibrosis in wedge biopsies (46.1% fibrosis, n 41) was significantly higher than in needle biopsies (13.7% fibrosis, n 20), P<0.001. As expected, sample size of needle biopsies was smaller than that obtained by the wedge technique (P<0.001), but there was no difference in the quality of material obtained (P=0.95). CONCLUSION: Needle biopsies were as effective as wedge biopsies in assessing the degree of steatosis in morbidly obese patients. More important, the presence of subcapsular fibrosis in needle biopsies was less than in wedge biopsies, suggesting an adequate tissue sample by the less invasive technique.

Histological behavior of hepatic steatosis in morbidly obese patients after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic steatosis has a high prevalence among morbidly obese patients. Its relation to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis has been extensively studied among these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of hepatic steatosis with weight loss 1 year after bariatric surgery. METHODS: This study is a historical cohort that compared liver biopsies obtained from morbidly obese patients during the bariatric operation, with percutaneous biopsies taken from the same patient 1 year after surgery. The results were compared with weight loss, patients' profile (gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio), and with the presence of co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. RESULTS: 90 patients who had liver biopsies taken at the operation and postoperative period for bariatric surgery were included. The prevalence of hepatic steatosis was 87.6%. The average percent of excess weight loss was 81.4%. On the second biopsy, 16 patients (17.8%) of the total had the same degree of steatosis, 25 (27.8%) improved their steatosis pattern and 49 (54.4%) had normal hepatic tissue. There was no statistical difference regarding age, BMI, waist/hip ratio, and co-morbidities (P>0.05), but there was a difference in gender (P=0.044). CONCLUSION: Significant improvement in the hepatic histology of steatosis was observed after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery in most patients. There was no patient with a worsening in the histology.

Avaliação prognóstica de lesão renal aguda em pacientes cirróticos / Impact of acute kidney injury staging on prognosis of patients with cirrhosis

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and severe complication of cirrhosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of AKI staging on 30-day mortality of patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was diagnosed according to the International Club of Ascites recommendations and staged according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines. Comparisons between groups were made by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test. Chi-square was calculated for dichotomous variables. Comparisons of renal impairment status among patients were performed using Kaplan-Meier statistics and differences between groups were analyzed using the log-rank test. A P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-two patients were included in the study. The diagnosis of AKI was performed in 98 (42.2%) of them. The overall 30-day mortality was 19.8% (46/232). Mortality increased as the degree of AKI progressed. Among patients who did not have AKI, mortality was 5.2% (7/134). When compared to patients without AKI, patients diagnosed with AKI stage 1a had mortality of 12.1% (4/33, P=0.152); patients with AKI stage 1b had mortality of 45% (18/40, P<0.001); and patients with AKI stages 2 or 3 had mortality of 68% (17/25, P<0.001). Moreover, it is noteworthy that full response to treatment was associated to a decreased mortality when compared to patients who did not show complete recovery of renal function (14.3% vs 57.9%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: AKI stages 1b or greater, but not AKI stage 1a, are associated to higher 30-day mortality of patients with cirrhosis.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A lesão renal aguda (LRA) é uma complicação comum e grave na cirrose. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto dos estágios da LRA na mortalidade em 30 dias de pacientes com cirrose. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo de coorte retrospectivo com pacientes com cirrose hospitalizados. LRA foi diagnosticada de acordo com as recomendações do International Club of Ascites e o estadiamento foi feito de acordo com as recomendações da European Association for the Study of the Liver. Comparações entre os grupos foram feitas por análise de variância unidirecional e teste de Tukey. O teste do qui-quadrado foi calculado para variáveis categóricas. Comparações quanto à lesão renal entre os pacientes foram realizadas com estatísticas de Kaplan-Meier, e diferenças entre os grupos foram analisadas pelo teste de log-rank. Um P-valor <0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: Duzentos e trinta e dois pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. O diagnóstico de LRA foi realizado em 98 (42,2%) deles. A mortalidade geral em 30 dias foi de 19,8% (46/232). A mortalidade aumentou de acordo com a progressão dos estágios de LRA. Entre pacientes sem LRA, a mortalidade foi de 5,2% (7/134). Quando comparados aos pacientes sem LRA, pacientes diagnosticados com LRA estágio 1a tiveram mortalidade de 12,1% (4/33, P=0,152); pacientes com LRA estágio 1b tiveram mortalidade de 45% (18/40, P<0,001); e pacientes com LRA estágios 2 ou 3 tiveram mortalidade de 68% (17/25, P<0,001). Além disso, é importante ressaltar que a resposta completa ao tratamento associou-se à menor mortalidade quando comparada à ausência de recuperação completa da função renal (14,3% vs 57,9%, P<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: LRA estágios 1b ou superior, mas não estágio 1a, estão associadas à maior mortalidade em 30 dias de pacientes com cirrose.

Hepatic steatosis in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and its relationship to body mass index and co-morbidities.

BACKGROUND: Although non-alcoholic hepatitis usually is asymptomatic and benign, this condition may progress to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Some findings are similar to alcoholic hepatitis, but there is no history of excessive alcohol consumption. Among the factors associated with non-alcoholic hepatitis, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia are the most important. METHODS: 77 consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery had their liver biopsy compared to the presence of co-morbidities and BMI. RESULTS: 67 patients (87.1%) had an abnormal liver biopsy, mostly due to steatosis (83.1%), but also steatohepatitis (2.6%) and cirrhosis (1.3%). The degree of liver damage was related to higher BMI scores. Co-morbidities were present in 46.9% of the patients with hepatic steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggest that a liver biopsy should be performed in all patients at bariatric surgery, in order to evaluate possible liver damage and to assist postoperative care.

Hepcidin serum levels in HCV chronically mono-infected naïve patients, compared to healthy individuals

Introduction: Metabolism of iron is altered in patients infected with chronically Hepatitis C. The aim of this study is to compare compare the hepcidin levels in between individuais chronically infected with HCV and uninfected individuals. The aim of this study is to compare the hepcidin serum levels between individuals chronically infected with HCV and uninfected individuals. Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluating hepcidin serum levels of mono-infected HCV (n=29), naive, non-diabetic, non-cirrhotic and non-obese patients by means of ELISA, compared to uninfected patients (n=9) with the same characteristics. The degree of liver fibrosis, according to the METAVIR scale on liver biopsies, the lipid profile, the resistance insulin level, as calculated on HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance), the interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the ferritin serum levels were also measured. Results: The levels of hepcidin were significantly lower in HCV patients compared to controls (8.4 pg/mL (±4.94) vs. 19.51 pg/mL (±5.51)) with p<0.001. The levels of ferritin and hepcidin did not show any relation. There was no difference between hepcidin levels in relation to viral genotype, viral load, IL-6 and degrees of fibrosis within HCV infected individuals. Conclusion: It is possible that hepatic iron overload in this population is explained by suppressed levels of hepcidin in patients with HCV. (AU)

Transaminases elevadas em um paciente assintomático: o que fazer? / Elevated transaminases in an asymptomatic patient: what to do?

Objetivos: Enzimas hepáticas elevadas são um cenário comum encontrado pelos médicos na prática clínica. O objetivo desse estudo é auxiliar os profissionais de saúde na condução desses casos, revisando possíveis causas tanto hepáticas, quanto extra-hepáticas para este achado e como prosseguir com a avaliação diagnóstica frente ao mesmo. Métodos: As buscas foram realizadas nas bases de dados MEDLINE e LILACS. A estratégia de busca foi desenvolvida utilizando-se os seguintes termos de pesquisa: "transaminases" OR "alanina transaminase" OR "aspartato transaminase". Os critérios de elegibilidade foram: estudos realizados em humanos, adultos, maiores de 19 anos, estudos com texto disponível, publicados em português, espanhol ou inglês a partir de 2012. Resultados: De um total de 1219 artigos que foram encontrados nas bases de dados, 20 foram incluídos nessa revisão. Foram selecionados 11 artigos com base na relevância clínica e fator de impacto das revistas. Conclusões: A alteração dos níveis das enzimas hepáticas em um paciente assintomático é um problema comum encontrado no cenário médico. A anamnese, exame físico e avaliação laboratorial são fundamentais para o diagnóstico. Dessa forma, uma abordagem sistemática pode auxiliar na condução ao correto diagnóstico, sendo necessário, por vezes, o auxílio de um especialista.

Aims: Elevated liver enzymes are a common scenario found by doctors in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to assist health care professionals in the conduct of these cases, reviewing possible causes so much liver as liver extra for this found and how to proceed with the diagnostic evaluation it. Methods: The searches were performed in the MEDLINE and LILACS databases. The search strategy was developed using the following search terms: "transaminases" OR "alanine transaminase" OR "aspartate transaminase". The eligibility criteria were: studies in humans, adults over 19 years, studies with available text, published in Portuguese, Spanish or English from 2012 up. Results: Of a total of 1219 articles that were found in the databases, 20 were included in this review. Based on 11 articles based on the clinical relevance and impact factor of the journals. Conclusions: Changing liver enzyme levels in an asymptomatic patient is a common problem found in the medical setting. Anamnesis, physical examination and laboratory evaluation are fundamental for diagnosis. In this way, a systematic approach can help in conducting the correct diagnosis, sometimes requiring the assistance of a specialist.

Effect of bariatric surgery on liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Although bariatric surgery has been shown to improve hepatic steatosis in morbidly obese patients, the effect of weight loss on hepatic fibrosis has not been determined. Since the prognosis of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is closely related to the development of hepatic fibrosis, it is important to determine the hepatic histology of these patients after weight loss. We therefore evaluated the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and assessed the correlation of histologic changes with weight loss. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 78 morbidly obese patients who underwent gastric bypass. Liver biopsies were taken during surgery and after weight loss, and the correlations between histologic findings and hepatic fibrosis were determined. RESULTS: Of the 78 patients, 35 (44.8%) had fibrosis at first biopsy, and 24 (30.8%) had hepatic fibrosis after weight loss, including 19 of the 35 patients (54.3%) with fibrosis at first biopsy and 5 of the 43 (11.6%) without hepatic fibrosis at first biopsy (P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss in morbidly obese patients was associated with a reduction in the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis.

Tratamento antissecretor da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico pediátrica - uma revisão sistemática / Antisecretory treatment for pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease - a systematic review

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors and histamine H2 receptor antagonists are two of the most commonly prescribed drug classes for pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease, but their efficacy is controversial. Many patients are treated with these drugs for atypical manifestations attributed to gastroesophageal reflux, even that causal relation is not proven. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of proton pump inhibitors and histamine H2 receptor antagonists in pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease through a systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review was performed, using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. The search was limited to studies published in English, Portuguese or Spanish. There was no limitation regarding date of publication. Studies were considered eligible if they were randomized-controlled trials, evaluating proton pump inhibitors and/or histamine H2 receptor antagonists for the treatment of pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease. Studies published only as abstracts, studies evaluating only non-clinical outcomes and studies exclusively comparing different doses of the same drug were excluded. Data extraction was performed by independent investigators. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO platform (CRD42016040156). RESULTS: After analyzing 735 retrieved references, 23 studies (1598 randomized patients) were included in the systematic review. Eight studies demonstrated that both proton pump inhibitors and histamine H2 receptor antagonists were effective against typical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and that there was no evidence of benefit in combining the latter to the former or in routinely prescribing long-term maintenance treatments. Three studies evaluated the effect of treatments on children with asthma, and neither proton pump inhibitors nor histamine H2 receptor antagonists proved to be significantly better than placebo. One study compared different combinations of omeprazole, bethanechol and placebo for the treatment of children with cough, and there is no clear definition on the best strategy. Another study demonstrated that omeprazole performed better than ranitidine for the treatment of extraesophageal reflux manifestations. Ten studies failed to demonstrate significant benefits of proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor antagonists for the treatment of unspecific manifestations attributed to gastroesophageal reflux in infants. CONCLUSION: Proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor antagonists may be used to treat children with gastroesophageal reflux disease, but not to treat asthma or unspecific symptoms.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: Inibidores de bomba de prótons e antagonistas dos receptores H2 da histamina são duas das mais comumente prescritas classes de medicações para a doença do refluxo gastroesofágico pediátrica, mas sua eficácia é controversa. Muitos pacientes são tratados com essas drogas por manifestações atípicas atribuídas ao refluxo gastroesofágico, mesmo que uma relação causal não esteja comprovada. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os inibidores da bomba de prótons e os antagonistas dos receptores H2 da histamina na doença do refluxo gastroesofágico pediátrica através de uma revisão sistemática. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática, utilizando as bases de dados MEDLINE, EMBASE e Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A pesquisa foi limitada a estudos publicados em inglês, português e espanhol. Não houve limitação quanto à data de publicação. Os estudos foram considerados elegíveis se fossem ensaios controlados randomizados que avaliassem inibidores da bomba de prótons e/ou antagonistas dos receptores H2 da histamina para o tratamento da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico pediátrica. Estudos publicados apenas como resumos, estudos que não avaliassem desfechos clinicamente relevantes e estudos que comparassem exclusivamente diferentes doses do mesmo fármaco foram excluídos. A extração de dados foi realizada por pesquisadores independentes. O protocolo do estudo foi registrado na plataforma PROSPERO (CRD42016040156). RESULTADOS: Após a análise das 735 referências identificadas, 23 estudos (1598 pacientes randomizados) foram incluídos na revisão sistemática. Oito estudos demonstraram que tanto os inibidores da bomba de prótons como os antagonistas dos receptores H2 da histamina eram eficazes contra as manifestações típicas da doença de refluxo gastroesofágico e que não havia evidências de benefício na combinação dessas classes de drogas ou na prescrição rotineira de tratamentos de manutenção de longo prazo. Três estudos avaliaram o efeito dos tratamentos em crianças com asma e, nem os inibidores da bomba de prótons, nem os antagonistas dos receptores H2 da histamina se mostraram significativamente melhores do que o placebo. Um estudo comparou diferentes combinações de omeprazol, betanecol e placebo para o tratamento de crianças com tosse, e não há uma definição clara sobre a melhor estratégia terapêutica. Outro estudo demonstrou que o omeprazol apresentou melhor desempenho do que a ranitidina para o tratamento de manifestações extraesofágicas da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico. Dez estudos não tiveram sucesso em demonstrar benefícios significativos dos inibidores da bomba de prótons ou dos antagonistas dos receptores H2 da histamina para o tratamento de manifestações inespecíficas atribuídas ao refluxo gastroesofágico em crianças menores de 1 ano de idade. CONCLUSÃO: Inibidores da bomba de prótons ou antagonistas dos receptores H2 da histamina podem ser utilizados para tratar crianças com doença de refluxo gastroesofágico, mas não para tratar asma ou sintomas inespecíficos.

Pancreatite aguda / Acute pancreatitis

Os autores fazem uma revisão atualizada da abordagem clínica da pancreatite aguda, com ênfase nas medidas a serem aplicadas na emergência.

The authors disclose an updated review of clinical management of acute pancreatitis, focusing on measures to be applied in emergency.

Abordagem inicial à insuficiência hepática aguda / Initial approach to acute hepatic insufficiency

A insuficiência hepática aguda é uma entidade clínica rara cujo reconhecimento precoce é crucial para a instituição de medidas e transferência do paciente para centro de transplante hepático emergencial. O objetivo deste artigo é revisar tópicos diagnósticos e o tratamento inicial da insuficiência hepática aguda.

Acute liver failure is a rare critical illness whose early recognition is crucial for the establishment of management measures and to proceed the patient transference to a center with active emergency liver transplantation program. The purpose of this article is to review basic topics of diagnosis and initial treatment of acute liver failure.

Hemorragia digestiva alta / High digestive bleeding

A hemorragia digestiva é uma das emergências médicas mais comuns e uma complicação séria em pacientes internados gravemente enfermos. A úlcera péptica é uma das suas principais causas. A maioria dos pacientes para espontaneamente de sangrar, mas em cerca de 20% dos casos é necessária uma endoscopia digestiva alta (EDA) de urgência terapêutica após estabilização hemodinâmica.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the most common medical emergencies and serious complication in hospitalized critically ill patients. A peptic ulcer is one of its main causes. Most patients stop spontaneous bleeding, but about 20% of the cases an upper endoscopy (UE) after the therapeutic urgency hemodynamic stabilization is required.

Serologic and molecular profile of anti-HBc-positive blood bank donors in an area of low endemicity for HBV.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leaves serological markers that indicate prior contact with the virus or an occult infection. The aim of this study was to determine the profile of HBV markers of individuals from a region of low HBV endemicity excluded from blood donation due to the presence of total anti-HBc antibodies but who tested negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). The profile of 244 subjects exclusively anti-total hepatitis B core (anti-total HBc) reactive was determined. Markers such as anti-HBsAg, HBeAg (HBV core antigen) and anti-HBe (antibody to hepatitis Be antigen) were determined, and HB viral DNA (HBV-DNA) was identified by PCR analysis. Overall, 85.7% of the subjects had an anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antigen antibody) titer higher than 10 IU/L; 154 samples were negative for HBeAg and 66.5% were reactive for anti-HBe. All samples were negative for HBV-DNA (n = 241). We found a significant association between the anti-HBe and anti-HBs titers (P = 0.026). Most individuals from a low endemic area for HBV have shown anti-HBs titers that confer immunity against HBV, even though they were negative for HBV-DNA. In the light of a shortage of donated blood worldwide, we suggest that special measures should be considered that would facilitate the possible use of these rejected blood units in areas of low endemicity for HBV.

Ascite: diagnóstico diferencial e manejo / Ascites: differential diagnosis and management

Os autores realizaram uma prática e objetiva revisão sobre ascite, destacando aspectos como definição, etiologia, diagnóstico, paracentese, análise do líquido ascítico e manejo. O objetivo é auxiliar o profissional da saúde na rápida identificação da patologia relacionada à ascite e definir o tratamento mais adequado dos pacientes, principalmente cirróticos.

The authors conducted a quickly and practice review about ascites, targeting aspects such as definition, etiology, diagnosis, paracentesis, ascitic fluid analysis and management. The goal is to assist healthcare professionals in the early identification of disease and appropriate treatment of patients with ascites, especially cirrhosis.

Hemorragia digestiva alta: diagnóstico diferencial e abordagem / High digestive hemorrhage: differential diagnosis and approach

O objetivo desta publicação é realizar uma breve revisão sobre hemorragia digestiva alta. Além de citar as principais causas desta síndrome, será enfatizada a abordagem na emergência de um paciente nesse contexto: avaliação da estabilidade hemodinâmica e as primeiras medidas a serem realizadas com o intuito de diminuir a morbi-mortalidade. Por fim, serão citadas algumas formas de tratamento "curativo" das principais patologias que podem causar o sangramento digestivo alto.

The purpose of this publication is to conduct a brief review of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition to citing the major causes of this syndrome is the approach emphasized in the emergence of a patient in this context: assessment of hemodynamic stability and the first approaches to be undertaken in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality. Finally, some will be mentioned treatment modalities "healing" of the main diseases that can cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Investigação de icterícia / Investigation of jaudice

Este trabalho é uma revisão da literatura sobre como investigar a icterícia no paciente adulto. Para isso, é imprescindível entender o metabolismo da bilirrubina, a fisiopatologia da hiperbilirrubinema e reconhecer os principais diagnósticos diferenciais de icterícia no adulto.

This article is a literature review on jaundice investigation in adult patients. Therefore, it is necessary for the understanding, knowing about the metabolism of bilirubin and the pathophysiology of hyperbilirrubinemia as well as recognizing the main differential diagnoses of jaundice in adults.