Look-Locker T1 relaxometry and high-resolution T2 in the evaluation of lung lesions: a single-center prospective study / Relaxometria T1 baseada em Look-Locker e T2 de alta resolução na avaliação de lesões pulmonares: um estudo prospectivo unicêntrico

Abstract Objective: To explore the feasibility of two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences—high-resolution T2-weighted (HR T2) and Look-Locker T1 (LL T1) relaxometry—for the investigation focal lung lesions (FLLs). As a secondary objective, we analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of these sequences. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving 39 subjects with FLLs scanned in a 1.5-T MRI system with LL T1 relaxometry and HR T2 sequences focused on the FLL region, in addition to a conventional protocol. All images were evaluated by two radiologists, working independently, who were blinded to other findings. Results: Most of the examinations (31 of the LL T1 relaxometry sequences and 36 of the HR T2 sequences) were of adequate diagnostic quality. Nondiagnostic examinations were considered so mainly because of limited coverage of the sequences. Of the FLLs studied, 19 were malignant, 17 were benign, and three were excluded from the accuracy analysis because there was no definitive diagnosis. Although LL T1 relaxometry could not distinguish between benign and malignant lesions, the signal intensity at its first inversion time (160 ms) differed between the two groups. The HR T2 sequence was considered the best sequence for assessing specific morphological characteristics, especially pseudocavities and pleural tags. We found that MRI showed better accuracy than did computed tomography (86% vs. 74%). Conclusion: Both MRI sequences are feasible for the evaluation of FLLs. Images at 160 ms of the LL T1 relaxometry sequence helped distinguish between benign and malignant lesions, and the HR T2 sequence was considered the best sequence for evaluating specific morphological characteristics.

Resumo Objetivo: Explorar a viabilidade de imagens de alta resolução T2 (T2 AR) e relaxometria T1 Look-Locker (T1 LL) para lesões pulmonares focais (LPFs). Como objetivo secundário, analisamos a precisão diagnóstica dessas sequências. Materiais e Métodos: Este é um estudo observacional prospectivo com 39 sujeitos com LPFs examinados em um sistema de ressonância magnética 1.5T com imagens T1 LL e T2 AR focadas na região das LPFs, além de um protocolo convencional. As imagens foram avaliadas por dois radiologistas independentes e cegos para o estudo. Imagens de tomografia computadorizada estavam disponíveis, mas foram avaliadas sem conhecimento dos outros resultados. Resultados: A maioria dos exames apresentou qualidade diagnóstica adequada em ambas as sequências (T1 LL em 31 exames e T2 AR em 36). Exames considerados não diagnósticos estavam principalmente relacionados à cobertura limitada das sequências. Das LPFs estudadas, 19 eram malignas, 17 eram benignas e três casos foram excluídos da análise de precisão de malignidade por falta de um diagnóstico definitivo. A relaxometria T1 LL não conseguiu distinguir entre lesões benignas e malignas, mas a análise da intensidade do sinal do primeiro tempo de inversão (160 ms) diferiu entre os grupos. A T2 AR foi considerada a melhor sequência para avaliar características morfológicas específicas, especialmente pseudocavidades e apêndices pleurais. A ressonância magnética teve melhor precisão em comparação com a tomografia computadorizada (86% e 74%, respectivamente). Conclusão: Ambas as sequências são viáveis na avaliação de LPFs. Imagens a 160 ms da sequência T1 LL ajudaram a distinguir lesões benignas de malignas, e a T2 AR foi considerada a melhor sequência na avaliação de algumas características morfológicas específicas.

Análise dos custos diretos e indiretos da COVID-19 em um hospital brasileiro / Analysis of the direct and indirect costs of COVID-19 in a Brazilian hospital

Objetivo: Avaliar os custos diretos na perspectiva hospitalar e do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), bem como os custos indiretos de pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19. Métodos: Estudo observacional com coleta de dados por micro e macrocusteio, realizado com pacientes admitidos por COVID-19 em um hospital paulista (março a setembro de 2020). Custos indiretos foram obtidos pelos métodos de capital humano e de anos de vida ajustados pela incapacidade (DALY). Análises de Mann-Whitney e regressão linear foram realizadas. Resultados: Foram incluídos 158 indivíduos com mediana de idade de 57 anos (IIQ 42-68 anos). A mediana de custo da internação na perspectiva do SUS e hospitalar foi de, respectivamente, R$ 2.009,46 (IIQ: R$ 1.649,11; R$ 4.847,36), principalmente devido à unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), e R$ 19.055,91 (IIQ: R$ 8.399,47; R$ 38.438,00), principalmente devido a recursos humanos. Tempo total de internação (p < 0,001), óbito (p < 0,001) e ventilação invasiva (p < 0,001) foram preditores de aumento de custo. Foi identificada perda de 381,5 DALY e perda de produtividade de 128 anos, equivalente a US$ 855.307. Conclusão: Os principais direcionadores de custo foram recursos humanos e UTI. Entretanto, na perspectiva da sociedade, foi identificado o maior impacto devido à perda de produtividade e DALY. Tempo de hospitalização foi um dos grandes contribuidores do custo, e esse fator pode estar atrelado a gravidade da doença e protocolos de cuidado ao paciente.

Objective: To evaluate the direct costs from the hospital and Unified Health System (SUS) perspective, as well as the indirect costs of patients hospitalized by COVID-19. Methods: Observational study with data collection by micro- and macro-costing, carried out with patients hospitalized in a hospital in São Paulo (March-September 2020). Indirect costs were obtained using human capital and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) methods. Mann-Whitney and linear regression analyzes were performed. Results: 158 individuals were included, with a median age of 57 years (IQR 42-68 years). The median cost of admission in the SUS and hospital perspective was, respectively, R$ 2,009.46 (IQR: R$ 1,649.11; R$ 4,847.36), mainly due to the intensive care unit (ICU) and R$ 19,055.91 (IQR: R$ 8,399.47; R$ 38,438.00), mainly due to human resources. The total length of stay in hospital (p < 0.001), death (p < 0.001) and invasive ventilation (p < 0.001) were predictors of cost increase.

Assessment of the adherence to and costs of the prophylaxis protocol for venous thromboembolism

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate adherence to the therapeutic prophylaxis protocol for venous thromboembolism (VTE) as well as the costs of this practice. METHODS: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at a State General Hospital in Brazil through reports of drug dispensions, prescriptions and risk stratification of patients. Adherence to the VTE prophylaxis protocol was monitored. The tests for VTE diagnosis measured the adherence to therapeutic prophylaxis treatment, and the purchase prices of the drugs went into the calculation of drug therapy costs. The level of adherence to prescriptions for VTE prophylaxis in the hospital was classified as "adherence", "non-adherence" and "justified non-adherence" when compared with the protocol. RESULTS: Protocol adherence was observed for 50 (30.9%) patients, and non-adherence was observed for 63 (38.9%) patients, generating an additional cost of $180.40/month. Justified non-adherence in 49 (30.2%) patients generated $514.71/month in savings due to a reduction in the number of daily administrations of unfractionated heparin while still providing an effective method for preventing VTE. Twenty-six patients stratified as having medium to high risk of VTE who did not receive prophylaxis were identified, generating $154.41 in savings. However, these data should be evaluated with caution since the risks and outcomes associated with not preventing VTE outweigh the economy achieved from not prescribing a drug when a patient needs it. The only case of VTE identified during the study period was related to justified non-adherence to the protocol. CONCLUSION: The protocol is based on scientific evidence that describes an effective therapy to prevent VTE. However, the protocol should be updated because the justifications for non-adherence are based on scientific evidence, and this justified non-adherence generates savings and yields effective disease prevention.

The cardiopulmonary bypass and cancer dissemination puzzle

Abstract Early cancer diagnosis, new therapies that increased survival of patients, besides the increasingly elderly population are some factors would be associated with possible cancer dissemination in patients under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) cardiac surgery. Also, the benefits, and risks, regarding long-term survival, have not yet been established. Therefore, cardiac surgery morbimortality may be superior in patients with cancer disease. Also, immunologic and inflammatory changes secondary to CPB can also increase tumor recurrence. After a brief introduction and CPB immunologic the two main topic subjects included: 1) Combined heart surgery and lung resection and; 2) Possible influence of neoplasia type. After observing the relative literature scarcity, we keep the opinion that "CPB has a modest association with cancer progression" and that "CPB and cancer dissemination should be a logical but unlikely association."

Incidents reporting: barriers and strategies to promote safety culture / Notificação de incidentes: barreiras e estratégias para promover a cultura de segurança / Notificación de incidentes: barreras y estrategias para promover la cultura de seguridad

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose was to identify the barriers of underreporting, the factors that promote motivation of health professionals to report, and strategies to enhance incidents reporting. Method Group conversations were carried out within a hospital multidisciplinary team. A mediator stimulated reflection among the subjects about the theme. Sixty-five health professionals were enrolled. Results Complacency and ambition were barriers exceeded. Lack of responsibility about culture of reporting was the new barrier observed. There is a belief only nurses should report incidents. The strategies related to motivation reported were: feedback; educational intervention with hospital staff; and simplified tools for reporting (electronic or manual), which allow filling critical information and traceability of management risk team to improve the quality of report. Conclusion Ordinary and practical strategies should be developed to optimize incidents reporting, to make people aware about their responsibilities about the culture of reporting and to improve the risk communication and the quality of healthcare and patient safety.

RESUMO Objetivo Identificar as barreiras da subnotificação, os fatores que motivam o relato e as estratégias para promover os registros de incidentes. Método Por meio de rodas de conversas e a presença de um mediador, a equipe multidisciplinar do hospital, composta por 65 profissionais, foi estimulada a falar sobre tema. Resultado Complacência e ambição são barreiras superadas. Falta de responsabilidade sobre notificação foi a nova barreira observada. Há uma crença de que apenas a enfermagem é responsável pela notificação. Conclusão As estratégias para motivar os registros foram retornos das notificações relatadas (feedback), intervenções educativas na equipe de saúde, ferramentas simplificadas para notificação (manual ou eletrônica), com informações mínimas necessárias para a equipe de saúde otimizar o processo e o tempo de notificação. Para a garantia da qualidade do relato, a equipe de gerenciamento da segurança poderia melhorar ou complementar o relato.

RESUMEN Objetivo Identificar las barreras de la subnotificación, los factores que motivan el relato y las estrategias para promover los registros de incidentes. Método Mediante ruedas de conversación y la presencia de un mediador, el equipo multidisciplinario del hospital, compuesto de 65 profesionales, fue estimulado a hablar acerca del tema. Resultado Complacencia y ambición son barreras superadas. Falta de responsabilidad acerca de la notificación fue la nueva barrera observada. Existe una creencia de que solo la enfermería es responsable de la notificación. Conclusión Las estrategias para motivar los registros fueron retornos de las notificaciones relatadas (feedback), intervenciones educativas en el equipo sanitario, herramientas simplificadas para notificación (manual o electrónica), con informaciones mínimas necesarias para que el equipo sanitario optimice el proceso y el tiempo de notificación. Para la garantía de la calidad del relato, el equipo de gestión de la seguridad podría mejorar o complementar el relato.

Presentation of an experimental method to induce in vitro ("organ chambers") respiratory acidosis and its effect on vascular reactivity

PURPOSE: To create in vitro a model to generate acidosis by CO2 bubbling "organ chambers", which would be useful for researchers that aim to study the effects of acid-base disturbs on the endothelium-dependent vascular reactivity. METHODS: Eighteen male Wistar rats (230-280g) were housed, before the experiments, under standard laboratory conditions (12h light/dark cycle at 21°C), with free access to food and water. The protocol for promoting in vitro respiratory acidosis was carried out by bubbling increased concentrations of CO2. The target was to achieve an ideal way to decrease the pH gradually to a value of approximately 6.6.It was used, initially, a gas blender varying concentrations of the carbogenic mixture (95% O2 + 5% CO2) and pure CO2. RESULTS: 1) 100% CO2, pH variation very fast, pH minimum 6.0; 2) 90%CO2 pH variation bit slower, pH minimum6.31; 3) 70%CO2, pH variation slower, pH minimum 6.32; 4) 50% CO2, pH variation slower, pH minimum 6:42; 5) 40 %CO2, Adequate record, pH minimum 6.61, and; 6) 30 %CO2 could not reach values below pH minimum 7.03. Based on these data the gas mixture (O2 60% + CO2 40%) was adopted, CONCLUSION: This gas mixture (O2 60% + CO2 40%) was effective in inducing respiratory acidosis at a speed that made, possible the recording of isometric force. .

Does rosmarinic acid underestimate as an experimental cardiovascular drug? / Seria o ácido rosmarínico subestimado como droga cardiovascular experimental?

PURPOSE: The rationale of the present review is to analize the activity of Rosmarinus officinalis in the the cardiovascular system METHODS: A MEDLINE database search (from January 1970 to December 2011) using only rosmarinic acid as searched term. RESULTS: The references search revealed 509 references about rosmarinic acid in 40 years (the first reference is from 1970). There is a powerful prevalence of antioxidant and cancer studies. Other diseases are few cited, as inflammation, brain (Alzheimer and Parkinson disease) and, memory; allergy; diabetes; atherosclerosis, and; hypertension. It is necessary to consider the complete absence of studies on coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia, heart failure or ischemia/reperfusion injury. CONCLUSION: Rosmarinic acid is underestimated as an experimental cardiovascular drug and deserves more attention.

OBJETIVO: A justificativa da revisão é analisar a atividade de Rosmarinus officinalis no sistema cardiovascular MÉTODOS: Uma busca de banco de dados MEDLINE (de janeiro de 1970 a dezembro de 2011), utilizando apenas o ácido rosmarínico como termo pesquisado. RESULTADOS: A busca referências revelou 509 referências sobre o ácido rosmarínico em 40 anos (a primeira referência é de 1970). Há uma prevalência poderoso antioxidante e estudos do câncer. Outras doenças são citados alguns, como o cérebro, inflamação (de Alzheimer e doença de Parkinson) e, a memória, hipertensão, alergia, diabetes, aterosclerose, e. É necessário ter em conta a ausência completa de estudos sobre a doença de artéria coronária, isquemia do miocárdio, insuficiência cardíaca ou isquemia / lesão de reperfusão. CONCLUSÃO: O ácido rosmarínico é subestimado como uma droga experimental cardiovascular e merece mais atenção.

Laringoscopia de suspensão para o cirurgião torácico: quando e como utilizá-la / Suspension laryngoscopy for the thoracic surgeon: when and how to use it

A laringoscopia de suspensão é um dos procedimentos mais comumente utilizados em otorrinolaringologia para a abordagem diagnóstica e cirúrgica da laringe mas é pouco conhecida e utilizada pelo cirurgião torácico. As indicações para sua utilização são similares às da broncoscopia rígida (dilatações, aplicação de próteses endotraqueais e ressecções tumorais), podendo ser realizada em crianças e adultos. Constitui-se em uma alternativa eficaz, mormente na indisponibilidade de equipamento de traqueobroncoscopia rígida, sendo, portanto, uma alternativa viável em centros menores. Nesta comunicação, descrevemos a técnica e suas aplicações na cirurgia torácica.

Suspension laryngoscopy is one of the most common otolaryngological procedures for the diagnosis and surgical approach to the larynx. However, most thoracic surgeons are not familiar with the procedure and seldom use it. The indications for its use are similar to those for that of rigid bronchoscopy (dilatation, endoprosthesis insertion, and tumor resection). It can be performed in children and adults. Suspension laryngoscopy is an alternative when rigid bronchoscopy is unavailable and is therefore a viable option for use at smaller facilities. In this communication, we describe the technique and the applications of suspension laryngoscopy in thoracic surgery.