Exploring the Chagas disease-Stroke 'Connection': Findings from a Large Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: Strokes are traditionally attributed to risk factors like aging, hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Chagas disease has emerged as an important risk factor for stroke in Latin American. Our study aims at describing the largest cohort of patients with Chagas disease and ischemic stroke and determining variables associated with stroke recurrence and cardioembolic cause. METHODS: This study is the result of a national multicenter cohort study conducted in Brazil. The study spanned from January 2009 to December 2016 and involved a comprehensive retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with both Chagas disease and stroke. This cohort comprised 499 individuals from diverse Brazilian regions, focusing on vascular risk factors and the epidemiological variables associated with Chagas disease and stroke. RESULTS: Our findings underscore the significant prevalence of traditional vascular risk factors among Chagas disease patients who had stroke. 81% of patients had hypertension, 56% dyslipidemia and 25% diabetes. We observed a 29.7% recurrence rate, especially within the cardioembolic subgroup. 56% of the patients had embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Specific EKG abnormalities were associated with an increased risk of cardioembolic etiology (with three altered results increasing 81fold the chance of the stroke being of cardioembolic nature). Age emerged as a protective factor (OR:0.98, CI 0.970 - 0.997) against cardioembolic etiology. Anticoagulation therapy was associated with reduced risk (OR:0.221 |CI 0.104 - 0.472), highlighting the importance of accurate etiological classification. Conversely, female gender(OR:1.83 CI 1.039 - 3.249) emerged as a significant risk factor for stroke recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study significantly advances our epidemiological understanding of the intersection between Chagas disease and stroke. It emphasizes the critical need for extensive epidemiological investigations, a deeper comprehension of stroke recurrence determinants, and accurate etiological classification to reduce the ESUS population. Our findings have substantial clinical implications, suggesting the need of control of vascular risk factors and comorbidities and hold promise for improving patient care and reducing the burden of Chagas disease and stroke worldwide.

Chagas disease stroke and associated risk factors: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: The intricate relationship between Chagas disease and ischemic stroke remains unclear. Limited evidence exists concerning secondary prophylaxis, etiological diagnosis, and stroke-related determinants. This study aims to discern factors linked to stroke in Chagas disease by contrasting patients with and without a history of ischemic stroke. METHODS: Retrospective data from all outpatient Chagas disease patients from two Brazilian hospitals - one Chagas center and one stroke clinic - were examined. Descriptive analyses were conducted to identify stroke-associated factors. Variables were compared between patients with and without ischemic stroke history. RESULTS: Among 678 subjects, 72 had experienced stroke. Univariate associations with stroke included male gender, heart failure, prior or ongoing alcoholism, electrocardiographic features (non-sinus rhythm, left bundle branch, right bundle branch block, left anterosuperior fascicular block, atrial fibrillation), as well as echocardiographic findings indicative of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and segmental abnormalities. After logistic regression (multivariate analysis), congestive heart failure, right bundle branch block, left anterosuperior divisional block, and atrial fibrillation retained independent associations. CONCLUSION: In this study, cardiac involvement emerged as the predominant factor correlated with stroke in Chagas disease. While atherosclerosis-related risk factors were prevalent, their influence on ischemic stroke in Chagas disease appeared limited.

Effectiveness of thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics in advanced chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Thiazide diuretics are first-line drugs for the treatment of hypertension, but hypertension treatment guidelines have systematically discouraged their use in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). For the first time, a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis were performed to assess the effectiveness of thiazides and thiazide-like diuretics to treat hypertension in patients with stages 3b, 4, and 5 CKD. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis that included a literature search using the following databases were performed: MEDLINE through PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) through the Cochrane Library, Embase, and ISI - Web of Science (all databases). Prospective studies that evaluated the effectiveness of thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics in individuals with a GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 were included. RESULTS: Five clinical trials, totaling 214 participants, were included, and the mean GFR ranged from 13.0 ± 5.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 26.8 ± 8.8 mL/min/1.73 m2. There was evidence of a reduction in mean blood pressure and in GFR, as well as in fractional sodium excretion and fractional chloride excretion. CONCLUSION: Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics seem to maintain their effectiveness in lowering blood pressure in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. These findings should spur new prospective randomized trials and spark discussions, particularly about upcoming hypertension guidelines.

Assessment of glomerular filtration rate by formulas in obese patients: What is the best choice?

BACKGROUND: The equations routinely used to calculate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) have not been validated in obese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 7 formulas used to estimate GFR, analyzing the effect of using ideal body weight (IBW) through the formula IBW = desirable BMI × (height)2, using the calculated body surface area (BSAcalc) of each patient through the Dubois and Dubois formula. Bias, accuracy, and receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated. The criterion standard was the direct measurement of GFR by 24-hour urine creatinine clearance. RESULTS: Forty-five obese patients were evaluated (grade I obesity 48.89%). The formula that showed greater accuracy in grade I obesity was SalazarIBW (% error = 2.30 ± 33.92), followed by Cockcroft-GaultIBW (% error = -2.84 ± 32.76). In patients with grade II and III obesity, the most accurate formula was Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) (% error = 3.84 ± 41.79), followed by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula (% error = 4 ± 38.43). When using IBW in the Cockcroft-Gault, Sobh, and Salazar formulas, the mean GFR was closer to the criterion standard and showed an increase in the Pearson correlation. Of these 3, the one with the best performance in grade II and III obesity was Cockcroft-GaultIBW (% error = 8.90 ± 42.96). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that in this sample, the use of IBW improved Cockcroft-Gault performance. Cockcroft-Gault BSAcalc showed lower performance when compared to Cockcroft-GaultIBW. In grade II and III obesity, CKD-EPI and MDRD showed the best accuracy.

Critical Ebstein's anomaly with circular shunt: from successful fetal therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to biventricular repair using Da Silva cone technique.

We report an innovative treatment strategy for fetal Ebstein's anomaly with a circular shunt. We used transplacental non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, at the 29th gestational week, to constrict the ductus arteriosus avoiding fetal demise. We addressed the critical neonate with an urgent Starnes procedure. Finally, instead of following the usual single-ventricle palliation pathway after the Starnes procedure, we achieved successful two-ventricle repair with the cone technique at 5 month old.

Outcomes of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury in COVID-19 infection: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Early reports indicate that AKI is common during COVID-19 infection. Different mortality rates of AKI due to SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, based on the degree of organic dysfunction and varying from public to private hospitals. However, there is a lack of data about AKI among critically ill patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cohort study of 424 critically ill adults with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and AKI, both associated with SARS-CoV-2, admitted to six public ICUs in Brazil. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for AKI severity and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The average age was 66.42 ± 13.79 years, 90.3% were on mechanical ventilation (MV), 76.6% were at KDIGO stage 3, and 79% underwent hemodialysis. The overall mortality was 90.1%. We found a higher frequency of dialysis (82.7% versus 45.2%), MV (95% versus 47.6%), vasopressors (81.2% versus 35.7%) (p < 0.001) and severe AKI (79.3% versus 52.4%; p = 0.002) in nonsurvivors. MV, vasopressors, dialysis, sepsis-associated AKI, and death (p < 0.001) were more frequent in KDIGO 3. Logistic regression for death demonstrated an association with MV (OR = 8.44; CI 3.43-20.74) and vasopressors (OR = 2.93; CI 1.28-6.71; p < 0.001). Severe AKI and dialysis need were not independent risk factors for death. MV (OR = 2.60; CI 1.23-5.45) and vasopressors (OR = 1.95; CI 1.12-3.99) were also independent risk factors for KDIGO 3 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Critically ill patients with SARS and AKI due to COVID-19 had high mortality in this cohort. Mortality was largely determined by the need for mechanical ventilation and vasopressors rather than AKI severity.

Artificial Inteligence-Based Decision for the Prediction of Cardioembolism in Patients with Chagas Disease and Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (CD) and ischemic stroke (IS) have a close, but poorly understood, association. There is paucity of evidence on the ideal secondary prophylaxis and etiological determination, with few cardioembolic patients being identified. AIMS: This study aimed to describe a multicenter cohort of patients with concomitant CD and IS admitted in tertiary centers and to create a predictive model for cardioembolic embolism in CD and IS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied data obtained from electronic medical and regular medical records of patients with CD and IS in several academic, hospital-based, and university hospitals across Brazil. Descriptive analyses of cardioembolic and non-cardioembolic patients were performed. A prediction model for cardioembolism was proposed with 70% of the sample as the derivation sample, and the model was validated in 30% of the sample. RESULTS: A total of 499 patients were analyzed. The median age was similar in both groups; however, patients with cardioembolic embolism were younger and tended to have higher alcoholism, smoking, and death rates. The predictive model for the etiological classification showed close relation with the number of abnormalities detected on echocardiography and electrocardiography as well as with vascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results replicate in part those previously published, with a higher prevalence of vascular risk factors and lower median age in patients with cardioembolic etiology. Our new model for predicting cardioembolic etiology can help identify patients with higher recurrence rate and therefore allow an optimized strategy for secondary prophylaxis.

Etiological Classification of Stroke in Patients with Chagas Disease Using TOAST, Causative Classification System TOAST, and ASCOD Phenotyping.

BACKGROUND: Cardioembolism is considered a major pathophysiological mechanism in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and Chagas disease (CD). However, a previous study reported that other stroke subtypes are present in more than 40% of CD patients according to the TOAST classification. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the etiologic classification of stroke in patients with CD using the Causative Classification System (CCS), the ASCOD, and the TOAST classifications in a prospective cohort of patients. METHODS: Patients evaluated in our outpatient clinic from 2012 to 2015 with IS and CD were included and underwent full investigation for stroke etiology. TOAST, CCS TOAST, and the ASCOD classifications were compared. FINDINGS: We Included 32 patients (18 men; mean age 62.7 +/-10.1 years). A total of 93.8% had at least 1 vascular risk factor; the most frequent was hypertension (87.5%). According to TOAST, we defined 87.5% as having cardioembolic stroke, being 9.4% as large-artery atherosclerotic (LAA) and 3.1% as undetermined cause. Using the CCS TOAST, 62.5% were classified as cardioaortic embolism evident and 15.6% as possible, 6.3% as small artery occlusion evident and 3.1% as probable, and 12.5% as LAA evident. When ASCOD phenotyping was applied, atherosclerosis was present in 50.1% of patients (A1 = 6.3%, A3 = 43.8%), cardiac pathology in 84.4% (C1 = 62.5%, C2 = 15.6%, C3 = 6.3%), and small-vessel disease in 66% (S1 = 9.4%, S2 = 3.1%, S3 = 3.1%). FINDINGS: In conclusion, the use of the CCS and the ASCOD phenotyping in patients with CD confirmed a high frequency of cardioembolic IS but also showed that other etiologies are prevalent, such as large-artery atherosclerosis and small-vessel occlusion.

Root translocation in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis, and other lesions.

The pulmonary root translocation (PRT) procedure has been used to correct ventriculoarterial discordance or malposition of great arteries since 1994. It was part of the surgical repair of 62 consecutive patients presenting with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonary stenosis (PS), or other complex congenital heart disease with malposition of the great arteries, VSD, and PS. PRT was performed as follows: removal of the pulmonary artery (PA) with the pulmonary valve from its abnormal position, closure of the consequent hole with an autologous pericardial patch, resection of some conal septum, creation of an intraventricular tunnel connecting the left ventricle to the aorta, and construction of a new right ventricular outflow tract using the translocated PA. In patients presenting with important pulmonary valve stenosis, the pulmonary artery was enlarged with a monocusp valve pericardial patch. The Senning procedure was used with some modification to complete the anatomical repair in CCTGA patients. Overall in-hospital and long-term mortality were 4.8% and 3.4%, respectively. PRT appears to be a good surgical alternative for patients presenting with CCTGA with VSD and PS, and other lesions involving malposition of the great arteries, VSD, and PS.

Dialysis parameters associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and prognosis in end-stage kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic has affected patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Whether dialysis parameters have a prognostic value in ESKD patients with Covid-19 remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated clinical characteristics, blood pressure (BP) and dialysis parameters in ESKD patients undergoing maintenance outpatient hemodialysis, with (Covid-ESKD) and without (No-Covid-ESKD) Covid-19, at four Brazilian hemodialysis facilities. The Covid-ESKD (n = 107; 54% females; 60.8 ± 17.7 years) and No-Covid-ESKD (n = 107; 62% females; 58.4 ± 14.6 years) groups were matched by calendar time. The average BP and dialysis parameters were calculated during the pre-infection, acute infection, and post-infection periods. The main outcomes were Covid-19 hospitalization and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Covid-ESKD patients had greater intradialytic and postdialysis systolic BP and lower predialysis weight, postdialysis weight, ultrafiltration rate, and interdialytic weight gain during acute-illness compared to 1-week-before-illness, while these changes were not observed in No-Covid-ESKD patients. After 286 days of follow-up (range, 276-591), there were 18 Covid-19-related hospitalizations and 28 deaths among Covid-ESKD patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that increases in predialysis systolic BP from 1-week-before-illness to acute-illness (OR, 95%CI = 1.06, 1.02-1.10; p = .004) and Covid-19 vaccination (OR, 95%CI = 0.16, 0.04-0.69; p = .014) were associated with hospitalization in Covid-ESKD patients. Multivariable Cox-regression analysis showed that Covid-19-related hospitalization (HR, 95%CI = 5.17, 2.07-12.96; p < .001) and age (HR, 95%CI = 1.05, 1.01-1.08; p = .008) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality in Covid-ESKD patients. CONCLUSION: Acute Covid-19 illness is associated with variations in dialysis parameters of volume status in patients with ESKD. Furthermore, increases in predialysis BP during acute Covid-19 illness are associated with an adverse prognosis in Covid-ESKD patients.

Dialysis parameters were influenced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and may have prognostic value in patients with Covid-19.Increases in blood pressure during acute Covid-19 illness and the lack of vaccination for Covid-19 were predictors of hospitalization for Covid-19.Hospitalization for Covid-19 and age were independent risk factors for all-cause death.

Cutoffs for white-coat and masked blood pressure effects: an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring study.

The values used to define white-coat and masked blood pressure (BP) effects are usually arbitrary. This study aimed at investigating the accuracy of various cutoffs based on the differences (ΔBP) between office BP (OBP) and 24h-ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) to identify white-coat (WCH) and masked (MH) hypertension, which are phenotypes coupled with adverse prognosis. This cross-sectional study included 11,350 [Derivation cohort; 45% men, mean age = 55.1 ± 14.1 years, OBP = 132.1 ± 17.6/83.9 ± 12.5 mmHg, 24 h-ABPM = 121.6 ± 11.4/76.1 ± 9.6 mmHg, 25% using antihypertensive medications (AH)] and 7220 (Validation cohort; 46% men, mean age = 58.6 ± 15.1 years, OBP = 136.8 ± 18.7/87.6 ± 13.0 mmHg, 24 h-ABPM = 125.5 ± 12.6/77.7 ± 10.3 mmHg; 32% using AH) unique individuals who underwent 24 h-ABPM. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and area under the curve (AUC) of diverse ΔBP cutoffs to detect WCH (ΔsystolicBP/ΔdiastolicBP = 28/17, 20/15, 20/10, 16/11, 15/9, 14/9 mmHg and ΔsystolicBP = 13 and 10 mmHg) and MH (ΔsystolicBP/ΔdiastolicBP = -14/-9, -5/-2, -3/-1, -1/-1, 0/0, 2/2 mmHg and ΔsystolicBP = -5 and -3mmHg). The 20/15 mmHg cutoff showed the best AUC (0.804, 95%CI = 0.794-0.814) to detect WCH, while the 2/2 mmHg cutoff showed the highest AUC (0.741, 95%CI = 0.728-0.754) to detect MH in the Derivation cohort. Both cutoffs also had the best accuracy to detect WCH (0.767, 95%CI = 0.754-0.780) and MH (0.767, 95%CI = 0.750-0.784) in the Validation cohort. In secondary analyses, these cutoffs had the best accuracy to detect individuals with higher and lower office-than-ABPM grades in both cohorts. In conclusion, the 20/15 and 2/2 mmHg ΔBP cutoffs had the best accuracy to detect hypertensive patients with WCH and MH, respectively, and can serve as indicators of marked white-coat and masked BP effects derived from 24 h-ABPM.

Hypertension evaluated in the public and private Brazilian health system hypertension in public and private service.

Introduction: Hypertension (HT) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. In Brazil it is estimated that 35% of the adult population has HT and that about 20% of these have blood pressure values within the targets recommended for the reduction of cardiovascular risk. There are some data that point to different control rates in patients treated by cardiologists in public and private referral center and this is an important point to be investigated and discussed. Objective: To compare sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), antihypertensive (AH) drugs, blood pressure (BP) and control rate in public (PURC) and private (PRRC) referral centers. Methodology: A cross-sectional multicenter study that analyzed data from hypertensive patients assisted by the PURC (one in Midwest Region and other in Northeast region) and PRRC (same distribution). Variables analyzed: sex, age, BMI, classes, number of AH used and mean values of systolic and diastolic BP by office measurement and home blood pressure measurement (HBPM). Uncontrolled hypertension (HT) phenotypes and BP control rates were assessed. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests or unpaired t-tests were performed. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered. Results: A predominantly female (58.9%) sample of 2.956 patients and a higher prevalence of obesity in PURC (p < 0.001) and overweight in PRRC (p < 0.001). The mean AH used was 2.9 ± 1.5 for PURC and 1.4 ± 0.7 for PRRC (p < 0.001). Mean systolic and diastolic BP values were higher in PURC as were rates of uncontrolled HT of 67.8% and 47.6% (p < 0.001) by office measurement and 60.4% and 35.3% (p < 0.001) by HBPM in PURC and PRRC, respectively. Conclusion: Patients with HT had a higher prevalence of obesity in the PURC and used almost twice as many AH drugs. BP control rates are worse in the PURC, on average 15.3 mmHg and 12.1 mmHg higher than in the PRRC by office measurement.

Comparison of methods for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of naturally exposed pigs.

This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of five diagnostic methods commonly used for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of naturally infected pigs. We purchased 20 heads of pigs in butcher shops in the city of Ilhéus, Bahia. Brain and tongue fragments were taken from each animal for the performance of PCR against T. gondii. The rest of these two tissues were processed and inoculated into three mice. These rodents were observed for 42 days and euthanized. We prepared slides with brain and lungs of each mouse for the visualization of T. gondii. From the tissues of mice, we carried out polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histopathology, and immunohistochemistry in an attempt to identify the parasite. The PCR direct from the tissue of pigs showed 10% (2/20) of positive samples, all from the brain. PCR in tissue from mice found that 55% (11/20) of pigs were positive: 55% (11/20) and 45% (9/20) for brains and tongues, respectively. Mice were inoculated with material obtained from the samples and examined by various methods for resulting Toxoplasma infection (bioassay). Cyst detection in bioassay mice identified 25% (5/20) and immunohistochemistry 30% (6/20) of the samples pigs as positive for T. gondii. Histopathology of mice tissue could not detect parasite; only suggestive pathological changes such as inflammation with foci of necrosis were seen. The results indicated PCR of mice tissue as the most sensitive among those tested.

Early Outcomes of the Norwood Procedure in a Reference Center in Brazil. / Resultados Precoces do Procedimento de Norwood em um Centro de Referência no Brasil.

BACKGROUND: Only two papers have addressed the early outcomes of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) undergoing the Norwood operation, in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated patients with HLHS undergoing the first-stage Norwood operation in order to identify the predictive factors for early (within the first 30 days after surgery) and intermediate (from early survival up to the Glenn procedure) mortality. METHODS: Patients with HLHS undergoing the stage I Norwood procedure from January 2016 through April 2019, in our service, were enrolled. Demographic, anatomical, and surgical data were analyzed. Endpoints were early mortality (within the first 30 days after surgery), intermediate mortality (from early survival up to the Glenn procedure) and the need for postoperative ECMO support. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, and odds ratios, with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients with HLHS underwent the stage I Norwood procedure. The 30-day survival rate was 91.3% and the intermediate survival rate 81.3%. Fourteen patients (17.5%) required ECMO support. Lower weight (p=0.033), aortic stenosis (vs aortic atresia; p=0.036), and the need for postoperative ECMO support (p=0.009) were independent predictive factors for 30-day mortality. Mitral valve stenosis (vs mitral valve atresia; p=0.041) was an independent predictive factor for intermediate mortality. CONCLUSION: The present study includes the largest Brazilian cohort of patients with HLHS undergoing the stage I Norwood procedure in the recent era. Our survival rates were comparable to the highest survival rates reported globally. Low body weight, aortic valve stenosis, and the need for postoperative ECMO support were independent predictors for 30-day mortality. Mitral valve stenosis was the only independent predictive factor for intermediate mortality.

FUNDAMENTO: Apenas dois artigos abordam os resultados precoces de pacientes com síndrome do coração esquerdo hipoplásico (SHCE) submetidos à operação de Norwood, no Brasil. OBJETIVOS: Avaliamos pacientes com SHCE submetidos ao primeiro estágio da operação de Norwood para identificar os fatores preditivos de mortalidade precoce (nos primeiros 30 dias após a cirurgia) e intermediária (desde a sobrevida precoce até o procedimento de Glenn). MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes com SHCE submetidos em nosso serviço ao primeiro estágio da operação de Norwood de janeiro de 2016 a abril de 2019. Dados demográficos, anatômicos e cirúrgicos foram analisados. Os desfechos foram mortalidade precoce (nos primeiros 30 dias após a cirurgia), mortalidade intermediária (desde a sobrevida precoce até o procedimento de Glenn) e a necessidade de suporte pós-operatório com ECMO. Foram realizadas análises univariadas e multivariadas e calculados odds ratios, com intervalos de confiança de 95%. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: Um total de 80 pacientes com SHCE foram submetidos ao primeiro estágio da operação de Norwood. A taxa de sobrevida em 30 dias foi de 91,3% e a taxa de sobrevida intermediária foi de 81,3%. Quatorze pacientes (17,5%) necessitaram de suporte com ECMO. Menor peso (p=0,033), estenose aórtica (vs atresia aórtica; p=0,036) e necessidade de suporte pós-operatório com ECMO (p=0,009) foram fatores preditivos independentes para mortalidade em 30 dias. A estenose da valva mitral ( vs atresia da valva mitral; p=0,041) foi um fator preditivo independente para mortalidade intermediária. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo inclui a maior coorte brasileira de pacientes com SHCE submetidos ao primeiro estágio da operação de Norwood na era recente. Nossas taxas de sobrevida foram comparáveis às mais altas taxas de sobrevida relatadas globalmente. Baixo peso corporal, estenose valvar aórtica e necessidade de suporte pós-operatório com ECMO foram preditores independentes para mortalidade em 30 dias. A estenose da valva mitral foi o único fator preditivo independente para mortalidade intermediária.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation After Norwood Surgery in Patients With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort Study From Brazil.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly being used to support patients after the repair of congenital heart disease. Objective: We report our experience with patients with a single functional ventricle who were supported by ECMO after the Norwood procedure, reviewing the outcomes and identifying risk factors for mortality in these patients. Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we enrolled 33 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who received ECMO support after the Norwood procedure between January 2015 and December 2019. The independent variables evaluated in this study were demographic, anatomical, and those directly related to ECMO support (ECMO indication, local of initiation, time under support, and urinary output while on ECMO). The dependent variable was survival. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The ECMO support was applied in 33 patients in a group of 120 patients submitted to Norwood procedure (28%). Aortic atresia was present in 72.7% of patients and mitral atresia in 51.5%. For 15% of patients, ECMO was initiated in the operating room; for all other patients, ECMO was initiated in the intensive care unit. The indications for ECMO in the cardiac intensive care unit were cardiac arrest in 22 (79%) of patients, low cardiac output state in 10 (18%), and arrhythmia in 1 patient (3%). The median time under support was 5 (2-25) days. The median follow-up time was 59 (4-150) days. Global survival to Norwood procedure was 90.9% during the 30-day follow-up, being 33.3% for those submitted to ECMO. Longer ECMO support (p = 0.004) was associated with a higher risk of death in the group submitted to ECMO. Conclusions: The mortality of patients with HLHS who received ECMO support after stage 1 palliation was high. Patients with low urine output were related to worse survival rates, and longer periods under ECMO support (more than 9 days of ECMO) were associated with 100% mortality. Earlier ECMO initiation before multiorgan damage may improve results.

Presence of atypical genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from cats in the state of Bahia, Northeast of Brazil.

In this study, 20 blood, heart, and brain samples were collected from euthanized cats at the Zoonosis Control Centers and Veterinary Clinics in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The sera were examined for anti-T. gondii antibodies using the indirect hemagglutination test. The brains and hearts of seven seropositive cats were ground, and peptide digestion was performed for bioassay in mice. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated in 5/7 (71.42%) of seropositive cats. In these isolates, the parasite was genotyped using the Polymerase chain reaction, associated with the DNA fragment polymorphism obtained by restriction enzyme PCR-RFLP technique with 11 markers (SAG1, 5'-SAG2, 3'-SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3) and 15 microsatellite markers (TUB-2, W35, TgM-A, B18, B17, M33, IV.1, XI.1, M48, M102, N60, N82, AA, N61, N83). The analysis of the isolates by PCR-RFLP revealed five distinct genotypes. Three of these genotypes have never been reported before; one corresponded to the TgDgCo13 genotype, and one incomplete genotype. In genotyping analysis using microsatellite markers, it was observed that the isolates showed atypical alleles in the typing and fingerprint markers. This revealed five atypical genotypes. The typing marker B17 showed the highest degree of atypia. This study is the first to report the genotyping of T. gondii obtained from naturally infected cats in Bahia, Northeast Brazil. The genotypes found in this study were different from those found in other studies conducted in Bahia, which included different species of animals. None of the clonal lineages I, II, or III were found. This study demonstrates the diversity of T. gondii in the study region, with the presence of unusual genotypes, reaffirming the genetic variability of the parasite in Brazil.

Resultados Precoces do Procedimento de Norwood em um Centro de Referência no Brasil / Early Outcomes of the Norwood Procedure in a Reference Center in Brazil

Resumo Fundamento Apenas dois artigos abordam os resultados precoces de pacientes com síndrome do coração esquerdo hipoplásico (SHCE) submetidos à operação de Norwood, no Brasil. Objetivos Avaliamos pacientes com SHCE submetidos ao primeiro estágio da operação de Norwood para identificar os fatores preditivos de mortalidade precoce (nos primeiros 30 dias após a cirurgia) e intermediária (desde a sobrevida precoce até o procedimento de Glenn). Métodos Foram incluídos pacientes com SHCE submetidos em nosso serviço ao primeiro estágio da operação de Norwood de janeiro de 2016 a abril de 2019. Dados demográficos, anatômicos e cirúrgicos foram analisados. Os desfechos foram mortalidade precoce (nos primeiros 30 dias após a cirurgia), mortalidade intermediária (desde a sobrevida precoce até o procedimento de Glenn) e a necessidade de suporte pós-operatório com ECMO. Foram realizadas análises univariadas e multivariadas e calculados odds ratios, com intervalos de confiança de 95%. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Um total de 80 pacientes com SHCE foram submetidos ao primeiro estágio da operação de Norwood. A taxa de sobrevida em 30 dias foi de 91,3% e a taxa de sobrevida intermediária foi de 81,3%. Quatorze pacientes (17,5%) necessitaram de suporte com ECMO. Menor peso (p=0,033), estenose aórtica (vs atresia aórtica; p=0,036) e necessidade de suporte pós-operatório com ECMO (p=0,009) foram fatores preditivos independentes para mortalidade em 30 dias. A estenose da valva mitral ( vs atresia da valva mitral; p=0,041) foi um fator preditivo independente para mortalidade intermediária. Conclusão O presente estudo inclui a maior coorte brasileira de pacientes com SHCE submetidos ao primeiro estágio da operação de Norwood na era recente. Nossas taxas de sobrevida foram comparáveis às mais altas taxas de sobrevida relatadas globalmente. Baixo peso corporal, estenose valvar aórtica e necessidade de suporte pós-operatório com ECMO foram preditores independentes para mortalidade em 30 dias. A estenose da valva mitral foi o único fator preditivo independente para mortalidade intermediária.

Abstract Background Only two papers have addressed the early outcomes of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) undergoing the Norwood operation, in Brazil. Objectives We evaluated patients with HLHS undergoing the first-stage Norwood operation in order to identify the predictive factors for early (within the first 30 days after surgery) and intermediate (from early survival up to the Glenn procedure) mortality. Methods Patients with HLHS undergoing the stage I Norwood procedure from January 2016 through April 2019, in our service, were enrolled. Demographic, anatomical, and surgical data were analyzed. Endpoints were early mortality (within the first 30 days after surgery), intermediate mortality (from early survival up to the Glenn procedure) and the need for postoperative ECMO support. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, and odds ratios, with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 80 patients with HLHS underwent the stage I Norwood procedure. The 30-day survival rate was 91.3% and the intermediate survival rate 81.3%. Fourteen patients (17.5%) required ECMO support. Lower weight (p=0.033), aortic stenosis (vs aortic atresia; p=0.036), and the need for postoperative ECMO support (p=0.009) were independent predictive factors for 30-day mortality. Mitral valve stenosis (vs mitral valve atresia; p=0.041) was an independent predictive factor for intermediate mortality. Conclusion The present study includes the largest Brazilian cohort of patients with HLHS undergoing the stage I Norwood procedure in the recent era. Our survival rates were comparable to the highest survival rates reported globally. Low body weight, aortic valve stenosis, and the need for postoperative ECMO support were independent predictors for 30-day mortality. Mitral valve stenosis was the only independent predictive factor for intermediate mortality.

Clinical and Surgical Strategies for Avoiding or Reducing Allogeneic Blood Transfusions.

Blood transfusions have still been used as a standard therapy to treat severe anemia. Current evidences point to both excessive allogeneic blood consumption and decreased donations, which result in reduced stocks in blood banks. Several studies have increasingly suggested a more restrictive transfusion practice for blood products. Currently, a number of autologous blood conservation protocols in surgeries have been noted. We report a case of severe anemia with 2.9 g/dL hemoglobin, which was successfully handled without using the standard therapy to treat anemia with hemotransfusions. Such a case of severe anemia condition resulted after the patient was submitted to ascending aortic aneurism repair, valvar aortic replacement, reimplantation of right coronary ostium, followed by a coronary artery bypass grafting and several postoperative complications. The main clinical and surgical strategies used in this case to avoid blood transfusions were acute normovolemic hemodilution, intraoperative blood cell salvage, and meticulous hemostasis, beyond epsilon-aminocaproic acid, desmopressin, prothrombin complex concentrate, human fibrinogen concentrate, factor VIIa recombinant, erythropoietin and hyperoxic ventilation.