Reacciones adversas por salbutamol en pacientes asmáticos: reflexiones acerca del uso en las exacerbaciones / Adverse reactions from salbutamol in asthmatic patients: reflections on its use and exacerbations / Reações adversas ao salbutamol em pacientes asmáticos: reflexões sobre o seu uso e exacerbações

Las afecciones respiratorias agudas son la primera causa de consulta e ingreso hospitalario en los meses de invierno, y entre ellas el asma ocupa un lugar preponderante. El salbutamol es un broncodilatador con eficacia demostrada en las exacerbaciones y se utiliza de primera línea en el tratamiento. El objetivo de la presente comunicación es analizar dos casos clínicos de niños asmáticos que presentaron efectos adversos al salbutamol y requirieron el ingreso en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva. Se propone revisar los efectos adversos del salbutamol empleado en crisis asmáticas y analizar las alternativas terapéuticas en esta enfermedad. Los síntomas de los efectos secundarios pueden confundirse con los causados por la propia enfermedad, por lo que puede usarse el fármaco de modo excesivo y es importante conocer el perfil posológico y caracterizar los posibles efectos secundarios en los pacientes para usar de manera racional y segura este medicamento.

Acute respiratory conditions are the first cause of consultation and hospital admission in the Winter months, being asthma the most important. Salbutamol is a bronchodilator with proven efficacy in exacerbations used first-line in treatment. The objective of this paper is to analyze two clinical cases of asthmatic children who presented adverse effects to salbutamol and required admission to the Intensive Care Unit. It is proposed to review the adverse effects of salbutamol used in asthmatic crises and to analyze therapeutic alternatives in this disease. Symptoms of side effects can be confused with those caused by the disease itself, determining the excessive use of this drug, thus, it is important to know the dosage profile and characterize the possible side effects to make rational and safe use of this drug.

As doenças respiratórias agudas são a primeira causa de consultas e internações nos meses de inverno e a asma ocupa é a mais importante. O salbutamol é um broncodilatador com eficácia comprovada nas exacerbações e é usado como tratamento de primeira linha. O objetivo desta comunicação é analisar dois casos clínicos de crianças asmáticas que apresentaram efeitos adversos ao salbutamol e necessitaram de internação em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Propõe-se revisar os efeitos adversos do salbutamol utilizado na crise asmática e analisar as alternativas terapêuticas nessa doença. Os sintomas de efeitos colaterais podem ser confundidos com os causados pela própria doença, determinando o uso excessivo desse medicamento, sendo importante conhecer o perfil posológico e caracterizar os possíveis efeitos colaterais nos pacientes para fazer um uso racional e seguro desse medicamento.

Intervenções não farmacológicas de manejo na agitação de idosos com demência em ambiente doméstico / Intervenciones no farmacológicas de manejo de la agitación en ancianos con demencia en ambiente doméstico / Nonpharmacological Interventions for Managing Agitation in Elderlies with Dementia in the Home Setting

Introdução: A agitação é um sintoma neuropsiquiátrico recorrente em idosos com demência. No ambiente doméstico, essa condição impõe aos familiares cuidadores o desafio de intervir adequada e precocemente a fim de minimizar visitas às emergências, internações ou até mesmo institucionalizações de longa permanência. Objetivo: Identificar as intervenções não farmacológicas utilizadas por familiares cuidadores no manejo da agitação em idosos com demência. Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativa realizada com 11 familiares cuidadores de idosos em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram realizadas entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado e, para a análise, foi empregada a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: As intervenções mais utilizadas foram: a conversa, a escuta, a distração, o uso de brinquedos, a música/canto e a leitura da Bíblia para acessar a espiritualidade/religiosidade. Verificou-se que, diante dos desafios impostos pela demência ao cuidado e dos desgastes físico e emocional experimentados, os familiares esforçaram-se para acolher e oferecer suporte humano ao idoso, além de sentirem-se satisfeitos por terem a oportunidade de retribuir o cuidado que receberam. Conclusão: Não há uma intervenção capaz de responder a todos os comportamentos agitados. A experiência e o vínculo desenvolvido entre familiares cuidadores e idosos ajudaram a guiar a escolha individual de intervenções não farmacológicas mais eficazes, provavelmente, por facultar certa antecipação das respostas dos idosos(AU)

Introducción: La agitación es un síntoma neuropsiquiátrico recurrente en ancianos con demencia. En el cotidiano del ambiente doméstico, esta condición impone a los familiares cuidadores el desafío de encontrar estrategias adecuadas de manejo a fin de evitar las visitas a emergencias, hospitalizaciones o incluso la institucionalización a largo plazo. Objetivo: Identificar las estrategias no farmacológicas utilizadas por los familiares cuidadores en el manejo de la agitación en ancianos con demencia. Métodos: Investigación cualitativa realizada con 11 familiares cuidadores de ancianos en Minas Gerais, Brasil. La recolección de datos fue realizada a través de entrevistas con guión semiestructurado. Para la interpretación de los datos se utilizó la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: Se identificaron como estrategias más utilizadas para el manejo de la agitación: la conversación, la escucha, la distracción, el uso de juguetes, la música/canto y la lectura de la Biblia para acceder a la espiritualidad/religiosidad. Se verificó que, frente a los desafíos impuestos por la demencia al cuidado y el desgaste físico y emocional experimentado, los familiares cuidadores se esforzaron para acoger y brindar apoyo humano al familiar anciano, además de sentirse satisfechos por tener la oportunidad de retribuir el cuidado que recibieron. Conclusiones: No hay una intervención capaz de responder efectivamente a todos los comportamientos agitados. Sin embargo, la experiencia y el vínculo desarrollado entre familiares cuidadores y ancianos guiaron la elección individual de las intervenciones no farmacológicas más efectivas, probablemente al proporcionar cierta anticipación de las respuestas de los ancianos(AU)

Introduction: Agitation is a neuropsychiatric symptom recurrent in elderly people with dementia. In the daily life of the home setting, this condition imposes on the family caregivers the challenge of finding appropriate management strategies for avoiding visits to the emergency room, hospitalizations, or even long-term institutionalization. Objective: To identify the nonpharmacological strategies used by family caregivers in the management of agitation in elderly people with dementia. Methods: Qualitative research carried out with 11 family caregivers of elderly people in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The data collection was carried out through interviews with semi-structured repertory of quotations. The content analysis technique was used to interpret the data. Results: The most commonly used strategies for agitation management were identified. These were conversation, listening, distraction, use of toys, music/singing, and reading the Bible for accessing spirituality or religiosity. It was verified that, in the face of the challenges imposed by dementia onto the care and the physical and emotional outwearing experienced, family caregivers strived to welcome and provide human support to the elderly relative, in addition to feeling satisfied to have the opportunity to give back the care received Conclusions: There is no intervention capable of responding effectively to all agitation-related behaviors. However, the experience and the relationship developed between family caregivers and the elderly guided the individual choice for the most effective nonpharmacological interventions, probably by providing some anticipation to the elderly's responses(AU)

A propósito de un caso complejo: agitación psicomotora: ¿TEC y clozapina, sala de aislamiento? / About a complex case: psychomotor agitation: TEC and clozapine, isolation room?

Paciente de 25 años. Ingreso a Servicio de Urgencia. Paciente viene solo, desaseado, relata múltiples ideas bizarras, no sistematizadas. Pensamiento laxo, musita, interferido, a ratos discordante. Diagnóstico: Síndrome esquizomorfo. Antecedentes judiciales: Informe cumplimiento condena en Puerto Montt: Lesiones menos graves y Robo con violencia. Persiste amenazante, exaltado. Paranoide. Durante la tarde amenaza con colgase, cortarse o quemar colchón, cuelga sabana de ventana e intenta ahorcarse. Primera sesión de TEC, Cisordinol accutard. Contención física, Sujeciones. Modecate. Cortes en antebrazo, Amenaza con matar otros pacientes, al apagar las luces se sienta en cama de otro paciente en actitud intimidante, lo agrede con lápiz en ojo derecho. Reinicia TEC, Inicia clozapina 25mg/día. Hostil y desafiante ante funcionarios por el encuadre, Baja en recuento de blancos, inicia litio. Algo hostil y querellante con personal, probablemente relacionado con suspensión de TEC (20 sesiones). Clozapina 450mg/día, Litio 600 mg/día. Traslado de paciente para sala de aislamiento, Se retira chapa de aislamiento ­ Sala de observación, Cuidador especial constante, hombre, Mitones, solicitud a UGC apoyo

Patient of 25 years old. Entrance to Emergency Service. Patient comes alone, untidy, reports multiple bizarre ideas, not systematized. Lax thought, mumble, interfered, discordant at times. Diagnosis: Schizomorphic syndrome. Legal background: Condemning Report in Puerto Montt: Less serious injuries and robbery with violence. He persists threatening, exalted. Paranoid. During the afternoon threatens to hang, cut or burn mattress, hangs a blanket in window and tries to hang himself. First session of TEC, Cisordinol accutard. Physical restraint, Supports. Modecate. Cuts in forearm. Threat to kill other patients, when turning off lights sits in bed of another patient in intimidating attitude, strikes him with pencil in right eye. Restart TEC, Starts clozapine 25mg / day. Hostile and challenging with officials because of setting, White cells: Low counting, initiating lithium. Somehow hostile and prosecuting with staff, probably related to ECT suspension (20 sessions). Clozapine 450mg / day, Lithium 600mg / day. Transfer of patient to isolation room, Removal of insulation sheet - Observation room, Special caregiver constant, male, Mittens, request to UGC support.

Manejo de la excitación psicomotriz en niños y adolescentes / Management of psychomotor excitement in children and adolescents

La agitación o excitación psicomotriz (EPM) es un síndrome que no constituye en sí mismo una enfermedad, sino que se trata de una manifestación de una gran variedad de trastornos psiquiátricos y orgánicos. Se caracteriza por aumento desorganizado de la motricidad acompañado de una activación vegetativa (sudoración, taquicardia, midriasis) y ansiedad severa. Constituye uno de los cuadros de presentación más frecuente en salas de urgencia psiquiátricas y generales. El objetivo del presente artículo es revisar los aspectos clínicos del síndrome, describir las diferentes causas y plantear su manejo en los diferentes ámbitos de la práctica clínica y medidas de seguridad. Se consideran las medidas terapéuticas no farmacológicas (intervenciones verbales, sujeción física) y medicamentosas, mencionando las vías de administración, las opciones de drogas y sus dosis según la presunción diagnóstica. Es una urgencia donde se debe actuar con rapidez para garantizar la seguridad del paciente y del entorno (AU)

Psychomotor agitation or excitation (PMA) is not a disorder in itself but a manifestation of a broad variety of psychiatric and organic disorders. It is characterized by increased disorganization of motor activity associated with vegetative activation (sweating, increased heart rate, mydriasis) and severe anxiety. It is one of the most common disorders presenting in general and psychiatric emergency departments. The aim of this study was to review the clinical aspects of the entity, to describe possible causes, and to evaluate management in different settings of clinical practice as well as safety measures. Non-pharmacological interventions (verbal interventions, physical restraint) and medications are considered, describing routes of administration, options of drugs and drug doses according to the presumed diagnosis. PMA is an urgency in which fast intervention is warranted for the safety of the patient and their environment (AU)

Effect of dexmedetomidine in children undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane: a meta-analysis / Efeito da dexmedetomidina em crianças submetidas à anestesia geral com sevoflurano

Abstract Background and objectives: Sevoflurane is often used in pediatric anesthesia and is associated with high incidence of psychomotor agitation. In such cases, dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been used, but its benefit and implications remain uncertain. We assessed the effects of DEX on agitation in children undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane. Method: Meta-analysis of randomized clinical and double-blind studies, with children undergoing elective procedures under general anesthesia with sevoflurane, using DEX or placebo. We sought articles in English in PubMed database using the following terms: Dexmedetomidine, sevoflurane (Methyl Ethers/sevoflurante), and agitation (Psychomotor Agitation). Duplicate articles with children who received premedication and used active control were excluded. It was adopted random effects model with DerSimonian-Laird testing and odds ratio (OR) calculation for dichotomous variables, and standardized mean difference for continuous variables, with their respective 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of 146 studies identified, 10 were selected totaling 558 patients (282 in DEX group and 276 controls). The use of DEX was considered a protective factor for psychomotor agitation (OR = 0.17; 95% CI 0.13-0.23; p < 0.0001) and nausea and vomiting in PACU (OR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.35-0.68; p < 0.0001). Wake-up time and PACU discharge time were higher in the dexmedetomidine group. There was no difference between groups for extubation time and duration of anesthesia. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine reduces psychomotor agitation during wake-up time of children undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: Sevoflurano é frequentemente usado em anestesia pediátrica e está associado à alta incidência de agitação psicomotora ao despertar. Nesses casos a dexmedetomidina (dex) tem sido usada, porém permanecem incertos seus benefícios e suas implicações. Foram avaliados os efeitos da dex sobre a agitação no despertar de crianças submetidas à anestesia geral com sevoflurano. Método: Metanálise de ensaios clínicos randomizados e duplamente encobertos, com crianças submetidas a procedimentos eletivos sob anestesia geral com sevoflurano, que usaram dex ou placebo. Buscaram-se artigos em língua inglesa na base de dados Pubmed com termos como Dexmedetomidine, sevoflurane (Methyl Ethers/sevoflurane) e agitation (Psychomotor Agitation). Artigos duplicados, com crianças que receberam medicação pré-anestésica e que usaram controle ativo foram excluídos. Adotou-se modelo de efeitos aleatórios com testes de DerSimonian-Laird e cálculo de odds ratio (OR) para variáveis dicotômicas e diferença de média padronizada para variáveis contínuas, com seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC). Resultados: Dos 146 estudos identificados, 10 foram selecionados, com 558 pacientes (282 no grupo dex e 276 controles). O uso da dex foi considerado fator de proteção para agitação psicomotora (OR = 0,17; 95% IC 0,13-0,23; p < 0,0001) e para náuseas e vômitos na SRPA (OR = 0,49; 95% IC 0,35-0,68; p < 0,0001). Tempo para despertar e para alta da SRPA foram maiores no grupo dexmedetomidina. Não houve diferença entre os grupos para tempo de extubação e duração da anestesia. Conclusão: A dexmedetomidina reduz a agitação psicomotora no despertar de crianças submetidas à anestesia geral com sevoflurano.

Myxedema madness complicating postoperative follow-up of thyroid cancer

Although hypothyroidism is associated with an increased prevalence of psychiatric manifestations, myxedema madness is rarely observed. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with no prior history of psychiatric disorders, who presented to the emergency department with psychomotor agitation 6 weeks after total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) on admission was 62.9 mIU/L and free T4 was < 0.35 ng/dL, indicating severe hypothyroidism. After ruling out other possible causes, the diagnosis of myxedema madness was considered; hence, antipsychotic drug treatment and intravenous levothyroxine were prescribed. Behavioral symptoms returned to normal within 4 days of presentation, while levels of thyroid hormones attained normal values 1 week after admission. Recombinant TSH (Thyrogen®) was used successfully to prevent new episodes of mania due to thyroid hormone withdrawal in further controls for her thyroid cancer. This case illustrates that myxedema madness can occur in the setting of acute hypothyroidism, completely reverting with levothyroxine and antipsychotic treatment. Recombinant TSH may be a useful tool to prevent myxedema madness or any severe manifestation of levothyroxine withdrawal for the follow-up of thyroid cancer.

Comparison of Intramuscular Olanzapine and Intramuscular Haloperidol in Treatment of Acute Agitation in Patients of Schizophrenia.

Objectives: To determine the antipsychotic efficacy and extra pyramidal safety of intramuscular olanzapine and intramuscular haloperidol during the first 24 hours of treatment of acute agitation in schizophrenia. Methods: Patients (n = 29) with schizophrenia were randomly allocated to receive one to three injections of intramuscular olanzapine (10 mg, n =14), intramuscular haloperidol (10 mg, n = 14) over a 24-hour period. Agitation was measured with the excited component of the positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) and agitation behavior scale (ABS). Results: After the first injection, IM olanzapine was comparable to IM haloperidol for reducing mean changes in scores from baseline on excited component of PANSS at 2 hours to ( -13.08 olanzapine, -8.07 haloperidol ) and at 24 hours (-9.86 olanzapine, -8.07 haloperidol ). Mean changes in the scores of ABS scale from baseline was at 2 hours (-9.78 olanzapine, -8.54 haloperidol) and at 24 hours (-6.14 olanzapine, -6.6 haloperidol). Patients treated with IM olanzapine had significantly fewer incidence of treatment emergent Parkinsonism (0% olanzapine versus 6.66% haloperidol, p = 4.55), no patient had akathisia with olanzapine as compared to 13.33% of patients with haloperidol, p = 2.03. No patient developed acute dystonia compared to 6.66% of patients with haloperidol, p = 2.59. Conclusion: IM olanzapine was comparable to IM haloperidol in reduction of symptoms of acute agitation in schizophrenia during first 24 hours of treatment, the efficacy of both being evident within 2 hours after first injection. More Extra pyramidal symptoms were observed during treatment with IM haloperidol than with IM olanzapine.

Leucoencefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica retardada: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Hypoxic-ischemic delayed leukoencephalopathy: case report and review of the literature

Delayed Hypoxic-isquemic Leucoencephalopathy described in 1976 by Ginsberg is a brain white matter demyelinization phenomenon that occurred days or weeks after a hypoxic-isquemic injury followed by a complete recovery of the episode. The pathogenesis process remains unknown. We describe a 48 year old woman with cervico-uterine cancer in palliative treatment with opoids. She enters the emergency room with a respiratory depression, a prolonged hypotension and confusion, that it was recovered. At admission exhibits a recurrent pneumonia. Two weeks later, in conditions of discharge, initiates with agitation in context with rapidly progressive decline cognition, with concordant lesions of Leucoencephalopathy defined in the Magnetic Resonance (MR) study The metabolic profile, the cerebrospinal fluid and the electroencephalogram allowed dismissing other etiologic hypothesis. In front to the suspicious of Ginsberg syndrome, she had normal levels of Arylsulfatase. This acute post-hypoxic demyelinization process has been pathogenic interpreted as an arylsulfatase deficiency. Although numerous cases develop with normal arylsulfatase and the experimental studies of hypoxia, has support the hypothesis of a central hypoxic axonopathy due to failing in axonal transport as the base of the demyelinization phenomenal.

La leucoencefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica retardada (EHIR), descrita por Ginsberg en el año 1976, es un fenómeno desmielinizante de la sustancia blanca cerebral, que se origina días o semanas después de un daño hipóxico-isquémico que había sido seguido de una recuperación completa del episodio. La patogenia del proceso no está completamente establecida. Se presenta una mujer de 48 años portadora de cáncer cérvicouterino, en tratamiento paliativo con opiáceos. Ingresa al Servicio de Urgencia por una depresión respiratoria, hipotensión prolongada y compromiso de conciencia, donde es recuperada. Se hospitaliza por una neumopatía intercúrrente. Dos semanas más tarde, estando en condiciones de alta, se inicia agitación psicomotora en el contexto de un deterioro cognitivo rápidamente progresivo, que el estudio de Resonancia Magnética (RM) definió como lesiones concordantes con una leucoencefalopatía. El perfil metabólico, el líquido cefalorraquídeo y el electroencefalograma, permitieron descartar otras hipótesis etiológicas. Frente a la sospecha de un síndrome de Ginsberg, los niveles de arilsulfatasa fueron normales. Este proceso desmielinizante agudo post-hipóxico, ha sido interpretado patogénicamente como un déficit de arilsulfatasa. Sin embargo, la existencia de numerosos casos que cursan con arilsulfatasa normal y los estudios experimentales de hipoxia, ha avalado la hipótesis de una axonopatía central hipóxica, atribuible a fallas del transporte axoplásmico, como base para el fenómeno desmielinizante.

Combination effect of low dose fentanyl and propofol on emergence agitation in children following sevoflurane anesthesia

To investigate the combination effect of low dose fentanyl and subhypnotic dose of propofol on emergence agitation in children receiving sevoflurane for adenotonsillectomy procedure. After ethical approval, a prospective, randomized, clinical study was performed in Saad Specialist Hospital, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2007-2008. One hundred and twenty children in physical status of I according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, aged 2-6 years, scheduled for adentonsillectomy under general anesthesia were allocated into 3 groups randomly. Anesthesia was induced and maintained by sevoflurane in all groups. Children received 0.1 ml.kg-1 normal saline at the end of surgery in group C [n=40], 1.5 mcg.kg-1 fentanyl during induction, and 0.1 ml.kg-1 normal saline at the end of surgery in group F [n=40], and 1.5 mcg.kg-1 fentanyl during induction and 1 mg.kg-1 propofol at the end of surgery in group FP [n=40]. Postoperative agitation was recorded, if any, for the first postoperative hour. Three groups were comparable with regard to demographic data. Twenty-one patients [53%] in the control group, 14 patients [35%] in group F and 7 [18%] patients in group FP experienced postoperative agitation. The combination of low dose fentanyl before surgery and propofol at the end of surgery decreases the incidence and level of emergence agitation in children after adenotonsillectomy procedure under sevoflurane anesthesia

Control of psychomotor agitation and aggressive behavior in patients with autistic disorder: a retrospective chart review / Controle da agitação psicomotora e agressividade em pacientes com autismo: estudo retrospectivo de revisão de prontuário

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of pharmacotherapy on the symptoms of psychomotor agitation and aggressive behavior in a sample of patients with autistic spectrum disorder. METHOD: The charts of all patients with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder, receiving care for psychomotor agitation and/or aggressive behavior in two psychiatric outpatient departments between 2001 and 2006, were reviewed. The Clinical Global Impression-Severity and -Improvement scales (CGI-S and CGI-I) were applied to the data retrieved from the charts. RESULTS: The majority of the 26 patients included were treated with second-generation antipsychotics. A positive, statistically significant correlation was found between the implementation of pharmacotherapy and a reduction in CGI-S scores (p<0.05). Treatment response in patients with no mental retardation was better than in those mentally retarded (p<0.05). The majority of patients in whom clinical improvement was found following implementation of treatment had participated in at least one form of intervention therapy in addition to the principal treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Second-generation antipsychotics seem to reduce psychomotor agitation and aggressive behavior in patients with autistic spectrum disorder; however, further studies are required to evaluate the side effects of these drugs in relation to their beneficial effects.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia do tratamento farmacológico dos sintomas de agitação psicomotora e agressividade em amostra de pacientes com transtorno do espectro autista. MÉTODO: Foram revisados os prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de transtorno do espectro autista que procuraram atendimento por apresentarem agitação psicomotora e/ou heteroagressividade, atendidos entre 2001 e 2006, em dois ambulatórios de psiquiatria. Para avaliação da evolução dos pacientes aplicou-se às informações do prontuário a escala de Impressão Clínica Global Sintomas (ICG-S) e a Impressão Clínica Global Melhora (ICG-M). RESULTADOS: A maioria dos 26 pacientes estava em tratamento com antipsicóticos de segunda geração. Houve correlação positiva e estatisticamente significativa entre a introdução do tratamento farmacológico e a redução nos escores da ICG-S (p<0,05). A evolução do tratamento farmacológico foi melhor para os pacientes sem retardo mental do que para aqueles com retardo mental (p<0,05). A maioria dos pacientes que obteve melhora clínica com o tratamento participava de ao menos uma intervenção auxiliar ao tratamento principal (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Os antipsicóticos de segunda geração parecem reduzir a agitação psicomotora e agressividade em pacientes com transtorno do espectro autista no Brasil. É necessário que se avaliem os efeitos colaterais em relação aos efeitos benéficos dessas drogas.

Incidence and risk factors of emergence agitation in pediatric patients after general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and evaluate factors associated with emergence agitation (EA) in pediatrics after general anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective observational study was conducted in 250 pediatric patients aged 2-9 years, who received general anesthesia for various operative procedures in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital between October 2006 and September 2007. The incidence of EA was assessed Difficult parental-separation behavior, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, and adverse events were also recorded Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the factors associated with EA. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: One hundred and eight children (43.2%) had EA, with an average duration of 9.6 +/- 6.8 minutes. EA associated with adverse events occurred in 32 agitated children (29.6%). From univariate analysis, factors associated with EA were difficult parental-separation behavior, preschool age (2-5 years), and general anesthesia with sevoflurane. However; difficult parental-separation behavior; and preschool age were the only factors significantly associated with EA in the multiple logistic regression analysis with OR = 3.021 (95% CI = 1.680, 5.431, p < 0.001) and OR = 1.857 (95% CI = 1.075, 3.206, p = 0.026), respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that the incidence of EA was high in PACU. Preschool children and difficult parental-separation behavior were the predictive factors of agitation on emergence. Therefore, anesthesia personnel responsible for pediatric anesthesia should have essential skills and knowledge to effectively care for children before, during, and after an operation, including implementing the methods that minimize incidence of EA.

Agitação no despertar da anestesia em crianças: aspectos atuais: [revisão] / Emergence agitation in pediatric anesthesia: current features: [review]

OBJETIVO: A agitação pós-operatória é um fenômeno clínico bem documentado em crianças, com incidência variando de 10 a 67 por cento. Não existe explicação definitiva para a agitação no despertar. Várias causas têm sido discutidas na literatura, como rápido retorno à consciência em ambiente não familiar, presença de dor (ferida, dor de garganta, distensão vesical, etc.), estresse na indução, hipoxemia, obstrução da via aérea, ambiente barulhento, duração da anestesia, temperamento da criança, uso de medicação pré-anestésica e técnica anestésica empregada. O objetivo deste estudo é discutir as possíveis causas da agitação pós-operatória em crianças, subsidiando ações referentes à identificação e prevenção mais adequada. FONTES DOS DADOS: Artigos originais e revisões, publicados no período de 1991 a 2007 e indexados no MEDLINE e PubMed, utilizando as seguintes palavras-chave: agitação no despertar, incidência, etiologia, diagnóstico, tratamento, criança, anestesia pediátrica. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: É apresentada neste artigo uma revisão de possíveis desencadeadores de agitação, assim como uma proposta de escala para uniformização adequada do diagnóstico e medidas que implementam a prevenção e o tratamento. CONCLUSÕES: Nenhum fator pode, de maneira isolada, ser implicado como causador de agitação pós-operatória, devendo ser considerada como uma síndrome com componentes biológicos, farmacológicos, psicológicos e sociais, os quais o anestesiologista e o pediatra intensivista devem estar preparados para identificar, prevenir e intervir adequadamente quando necessário.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative agitation in children is a well-documented clinical phenomenon with incidence ranging from 10 percent to 67 percent. There is no definitive explanation for this agitation. Possible causes include rapid awakening in unfamiliar settings, pain (wounds, sore throat, bladder distension, etc.), stress during induction, hypoxemia, airway obstruction, noisy environment, anesthesia duration, child's personality, premedication and type of anesthesia. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possible causes of postoperative agitation in children, providing a foundation for better methods of identifying and preventing this problem. SOURCES: MEDLINE and PubMed were searched using the following words: emergence, agitation, incidence, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, children, pediatric, anesthesia. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: This study includes a review of potential agitation trigger factors and a proposal for a standardized diagnostic score system, in addition to measures to improve prevention and treatment. CONCLUSION: No single factor can identified as the cause of postoperative agitation, which should therefore be considered a syndrome made up of biological, pharmacological, psychological and social components, and which anesthesiologists and pediatric intensive care specialists should be prepared to identify, prevent and intervene appropriately as necessary.

Excitación psicomotriz / Psychomotor agitation

El autor describe la situación del paciente con excitación psicomotriz; las causas que la provocan, las alternativas para controlar esta situación (contención mecánica y tratamiento farmacológico) con sus respectivas consecuencias y la intervención de familiares en el cuidado. Se detallan los efectos de las drogas más comunes utilizadas para la sedación de los pacientes

Agitação psicomotora / Psychomotor agitation

Pacientes agitados são presença constante na prática médica. Portanto, é fundamental que pessoas relacionadas a essa área tenham conhecimento acerca do tema. Nesse trabalho serão discutidos conceitos, etiologia, manejo e outras particularidades a respeito do tema. Os autores realizam uma revisão bibliográfica em livros textos e artigos recentes

Management of agitation and convulsions in hepatic encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy represents a reversible decrease in neurological function caused by liver disease. Overall incidence of seizures in hepatic encephalopathy varies between 2% and 33%. Non-convulsive status epilepticus may be particularly common in these patients. Psychiatric disturbances manifest as agitation, personality change, delusions, etc. Aims of seizure management include treatment of basic disease, correction of precipitant factors, imaging of head, and choice of a pharmacologically safe agent. It is important to consider non-convulsive status epilepticus and rule it out by an EEG. Absolute data for safety profile of drugs in liver disease is still not clear, as changes of pharmacokinetics make choice of drugs difficult. Free drug concentrations may be higher, making plasma concentration monitoring essential in such circumstances. A single seizure may not require therapy. However when started, antiepileptic drugs are usually discontinued early. Drugs with sedative effects are best avoided because of a risk of precipitating coma. Phenytoin and gabapentin are relatively preferred drugs; however, monitoring of drug levels is desirable. Management of agitation includes physical restraint and medication. Benzodiazepines are best avoided. Haloperidol is a safer choice in the presence of liver disease. Overall management of neuropsychiatric state aims at management of underlying pathology, the resolution of which leads to improvement in the clinical symptomatology.

Síndrome de hiperexcitabilidade no período neonatal: estudo de fatores etiológicos / Hyperexcitability syndrome in the neonatal period: study of etiological factors

Quarenta e cinco RN que apresentaram a síndrome da hiperexcitabilidade, após 72 horas de vida, constituiram o grupo de estudo. Distúrbios metabólicos foram identificados em 53// dos casos, sendo a hipocalcemia o mais freqüente. A anoxia neonatal ocorreu em 21 casos (46//), apesar de todos terem apresentado notas na escala de Apgar acima de 6, no 5§ minuto. Apenas 6 casos apresentaram associaçäo de anoxia neonatal e distúrbios metabólicos. A correçäo dos distúrbios metabólicos levou ao desaparecimento dos sintomas em apenas 1/3 das crianças