Exploring the expression of Adenosine Pathway-Related Markers CD73 and CD39 in Colorectal and Pancreatic Carcinomas Characterized by Multiplex Immunofluorescence: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Generating high levels of immunosuppressive adenosine in the tumor microenvironment contributes to cancer immune evasion. CD39 and CD73 hydrolyze adenosine triphosphate into adenosine; thus, efforts have been made to target this pathway for cancer immunotherapy. Our objective was optimizing a multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) panel to explore the role of CD39 and CD73 within the tumor microenvironment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In three-time points, a small cohort (n=8 ) of colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinomas were automated staining using an mIF panel against CK, CD3, CD8, CD20, CD39, CD73 and CD68 to compare them with individual markers immunohistochemistry (IHC) for internal panel validation. Densities of immune cells and distances from different tumor-associated immune cells to tumor cells were exploratory assessment and compared with clinicopathologic variables and outcomes. RESULTS: Comparing the three-time points and individual IHC staining results, we demonstrated high reproducibility of the mIF panel. CD39 and CD73 expression was low in malignant cells; the exploratory analysis showed higher densities of CD39 expression by various cells, predominantly stromal cells, followed by T cells, macrophages, and B cells. No expression of CD73 by B cells or macrophages was detected. Distance analysis revealed proximity of cytotoxic T cells, macrophages, and T cells expressing CD39 to malignant cells, suggesting a close regulatory signal driven by this adenosine marker. CONCLUSIONS: We optimized an mIF panel for detection of markers in the adenosine pathway, an emerging clinically relevant pathway. The densities and spatial distribution demonstrated that this pathway may modulate aspects of the tumor immune microenvironment.

Blockade of IL1ß and PD1 with Combination Chemotherapy Reduces Systemic Myeloid Suppression in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer with Heterogeneous Effects in the Tumor.

Innate inflammation promotes tumor development, although the role of innate inflammatory cytokines in established human tumors is unclear. Herein, we report clinical and translational results from a phase Ib trial testing whether IL1ß blockade in human pancreatic cancer would alleviate myeloid immunosuppression and reveal antitumor T-cell responses to PD1 blockade. Patients with treatment-naïve advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n = 10) were treated with canakinumab, a high-affinity monoclonal human antiinterleukin-1ß (IL1ß), the PD1 blocking antibody spartalizumab, and gemcitabine/n(ab)paclitaxel. Analysis of paired peripheral blood from patients in the trial versus patients receiving multiagent chemotherapy showed a modest increase in HLA-DR+CD38+ activated CD8+ T cells and a decrease in circulating monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) by flow cytometry for patients in the trial but not in controls. Similarly, we used patient serum to differentiate monocytic MDSCs in vitro and showed that functional inhibition of T-cell proliferation was reduced when using on-treatment serum samples from patients in the trial but not when using serum from patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Within the tumor, we observed few changes in suppressive myeloid-cell populations or activated T cells as assessed by single-cell transcriptional profiling or multiplex immunofluorescence, although increases in CD8+ T cells suggest that improvements in the tumor immune microenvironment might be revealed by a larger study. Overall, the data indicate that exposure to PD1 and IL1ß blockade induced a modest reactivation of peripheral CD8+ T cells and decreased circulating monocytic MDSCs; however, these changes did not lead to similarly uniform alterations in the tumor microenvironment.

Influence of Mechanical Ventilation Modes on the Efficacy of Nebulized Bronchodilators in the Treatment of Intubated Adult Patients with Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Little has been reported in terms of clinical outcomes to confirm the benefits of nebulized bronchodilators during mechanical ventilation (MV). Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) could be a valuable method to elucidate this gap. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of nebulized bronchodilators during invasive MV with EIT by comparing three ventilation modes on the overall and regional lung ventilation and aeration in critically ill patients with obstructive pulmonary disease. METHOD: A blind clinical trial in which eligible patients underwent nebulization with salbutamol sulfate (5 mg/1 mL) and ipratropium bromide (0.5 mg/2 mL) in the ventilation mode they were receiving. EIT evaluation was performed before and after the intervention. A joint and stratified analysis into ventilation mode groups was performed, with p < 0.05. RESULTS: Five of nineteen procedures occurred in controlled MV mode, seven in assisted mode and seven in spontaneous mode. In the intra-group analysis, the nebulization increased total ventilation in controlled (p = 0.04 and ⅆ = 2) and spontaneous (p = 0.01 and ⅆ = 1.5) MV modes. There was an increase in the dependent pulmonary region in assisted mode (p = 0.01 and ⅆ = 0.3) and in spontaneous mode (p = 0.02 and ⅆ = 1.6). There was no difference in the intergroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Nebulized bronchodilators reduce the aeration of non-dependent pulmonary regions and increase overall lung ventilation but there was no difference between the ventilation modes. As a limitation, it is important to note that the muscular effort in PSV and A/C PCV modes influences the impedance variation, and consequently the aeration and ventilation values. Thus, future studies are needed to evaluate this effort as well as the time on ventilator, time in UCI and other variables.

Impact of fast-track management on adult cardiac surgery: clinical and hospital outcomes. / Impacto do fast track em cirurgia cardíaca de adultos: desfechos clínicos e hospitalares.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of two fast-track strategies regarding the extubation time and removal of invasive mechanical ventilation in adults after cardiac surgery on clinical and hospital outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study with patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients were classified according to the extubation time as the Control Group (extubated 6 hours after admission to the intensive care unit, with a maximum mechanical ventilation time of 18 hours), Group 1 (extubated in the operating room after surgery) and Group 2 (extubated within 6 hours after admission to the intensive care unit). The primary outcomes analyzed were vital capacity on the first postoperative day, length of hospital stay, and length of stay in the intensive care unit. The secondary outcomes were reintubation, hospital-acquired pneumonia, sepsis, and death. RESULTS: For the 223 patients evaluated, the vital capacity was lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Control (p = 0.000 and p = 0.046, respectively). The length of stay in the intensive care unit was significantly lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Control (p = 0.009 and p = 0.000, respectively), whereas the length of hospital stay was lower in Group 1 compared to the Control (p = 0.014). There was an association between extubation in the operating room (Group 1) with reintubation (p = 0.025) and postoperative complications (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing fast-track management with extubation within 6 hours had shorter stays in the intensive care unit without increasing postoperative complications and death. Patients extubated in the operating room had a shorter hospital stay and a shorter stay in the intensive care unit but showed an increase in the frequency of reintubation and postoperative complications.

OBJETIVO: Comparar o impacto de duas estratégias de fast track quanto ao momento de extubação e retirada da ventilação mecânica invasiva de adultos no pós-operatório cardíaco em desfechos clínicos e hospitalares. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Os pacientes foram classificados de acordo com o tempo de extubação em Grupo Controle (extubados após 6 horas de admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva, com tempo máximo de ventilação mecânica de 18 horas), Grupo 1 (extubados em sala de operação após término da cirurgia) e Grupo 2 (extubados em até 6 horas pós-admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva). Os desfechos primários analisados foram: capacidade vital no primeiro dia de pós-operatório, tempo de internamento hospitalar e na unidade de terapia intensiva. Os desfechos secundários foram reintubação, pneumonia adquirida no hospital, sepse e óbito. RESULTADOS: Para os 223 pacientes avaliados, a capacidade vital foi menor nos Grupos 1 e 2 comparados ao Controle (p = 0,000 e p = 0,046, respectivamente). Os dias de internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva foram significativamente menores nos Grupos 1 e 2 quando comparados ao Controle (p = 0,009 e p = 0,000, respectivamente), já os dias de internamento hospitalar foram menores no Grupo 1 quando comparado ao Controle (p = 0,014). Houve associação entre a extubação na sala de operação (Grupo 1) com reintubação (p = 0,025) e complicações pós-cirúrgicas (p=0,038). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes submetidos ao fast track com extubação em até 6 horas apresentaram menor tempo de internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva sem aumentar complicações pós-cirúrgicas e óbito. Pacientes extubados em sala de operação tiveram menor tempo de internamento hospitalar e em unidade de terapia intensiva, mas apresentaram aumento na frequência de reintubação e complicações pós-cirúrgicas.

Breath-stacking and incentive spirometry in Parkinson's disease: Randomized crossover clinical trial.

Patients with Parkinson's disease often exhibit respiratory disorders and there are no Respiratory Therapy protocols which are suggested as interventions in Parkinson's patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Breathing-Stacking (BS) and incentive spirometer (IS) techniques in volume variations of the chest wall in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). 14 patients with mild-moderate PD were included in this randomized cross-over study. Volume variations of the chest wall were assessed before, immediately after, then 15 and 30 min after BS and IS performance by optoelectronic plethysmography. Tidal volume (VT) and minute ventilation (MV) significantly increased after BS and IS techniques (p < 0.05). There was greater involvement of pulmonary and abdominal compartments after IS. The results suggest that these re-expansion techniques can be performed to immediately improve volume.

Six-minute walk test as a determinant of the functional capacity of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disorder. The involvement of the respiratory system is frequent and culminates in dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Functional capacity is an important diagnostic tool, because it reflects the cardiorespiratory status, quality of life and prognosis. This systematic review aims to assess the reproducibility and validity of the six minute walk test (6MWT) to reflect the functional capacity of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis, and also the correlation between 6MWT and lung function. Searches for articles were performed in eight databases using MeSH/DeCS keywords. A total of 695 articles were found and, after verifying all eligibility criteria, six articles were included for analysis and scoring regarding the methodological quality according to the QUADAS scale (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies). All articles had good methodology (QUADAS between 9 and 11 points). The 6MWT is not correlated with lung function. There is a strong indication that the 6MWT is a reproducible test to assess the functional capacity of children and adolescents with CF. The validity assessment could not be reached because the studies included in this systematic review did not use adequate statistical tools to carry out such an evaluation.

Prevenção do tabagismo nas escolas: Uma revisão integrativa / Prevención del tabaquismo en las escuelas: Una revisión integradora / Prevention of smoking in schools: An integrative review

Objetivo: Identificar como a prevenção do tabagismo tem sido conduzida em crianças e adolescentes em fase escolar. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada nas bases de dados Lilacs, Scielo, Pubmed, BVS, Web of Science, CINAHL e SCOPUS. A busca dos estudos foi realizada entre junho e outubro de 2020, considerando estudos de 01/01/2008 até o ano de 2019. Resultado: Foram selecionados 20 artigos para a análise, dos quais emergiram duas categorias: Eficácia das intervenções de prevenção ao tabagismo nas escolas do Brasil e Eficácia das intervenções de prevenção ao tabagismo nas escolas internacionais. Conclusão: Os programas de educação em saúde no combate ao tabagismo desenvolvidos nas escolas obtiveram impacto positivo, ressaltando a importância da temática, a necessidade de pesquisas adicionais que investiguem e trabalhem a prevenção da iniciação tabágica em escolares, além de reforçar a relevância do desenvolvimento de políticas públicas direcionadas a esse público.(AU)

Objective: To identify how smoking prevention has been conducted in school-aged children and adolescents. Method: This is an integrative literature review, carried out in Lilacs, Scielo, Pubmed, BVS, Web of Science, CINAHL and SCOPUS databases. The search for studies was carried out between June and October 2020, considering studies from 01/01/2008 to the year 2019. Result: 20 articles were selected for analysis, from which two categories emerged: Effectiveness of smoking prevention interventions in Brazilian schools and Effectiveness of tobacco prevention interventions in international schools. Conclusion: The health education programs to combat smoking developed in schools had a positive impact, highlighting the importance of the theme, the need for additional research to investigate and work on the prevention of smoking initiation in schoolchildren, in addition to reinforcing the relevance of the development of public policies aimed at this audience.(AU)

Objetivo: Identificar cómo se ha realizado la prevención del tabaquismo en niños y adolescentes en edad escolar. Método: Se trata de una revisión integrativa de la literatura, realizada en las bases de datos Lilacs, Scielo, Pubmed, BVS, Web of Science, CINAHL y SCOPUS. La búsqueda de estudios se realizó entre junio y octubre de 2020, considerando estudios del 01/01/2008 al año 2019. Resultado: 20 artículos fueron seleccionados para análisis, de los cuales surgieron dos categorías: Eficacia de las intervenciones de prevención del tabaquismo en escuelas brasileñas y Eficacia de las intervenciones de prevención del tabaquismo en escuelas internacionales. Conclusión: Los programas de educación en salud para combatir el tabaquismo desarrollados en las escuelas tuvieron un impacto positivo, destacando la importancia del tema, la necesidad de investigaciones adicionales para investigar y trabajar en la prevención de la iniciación al tabaquismo en escolares, además de reforzar la pertinencia de la desarrollo de políticas públicas dirigidas a este público.(AU)

Impacto do fast track em cirurgia cardíaca de adultos: desfechos clínicos e hospitalares / Impact of fast-track management on adult cardiac surgery: clinical and hospital outcomes

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar o impacto de duas estratégias de fast track quanto ao momento de extubação e retirada da ventilação mecânica invasiva de adultos no pós-operatório cardíaco em desfechos clínicos e hospitalares. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Os pacientes foram classificados de acordo com o tempo de extubação em Grupo Controle (extubados após 6 horas de admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva, com tempo máximo de ventilação mecânica de 18 horas), Grupo 1 (extubados em sala de operação após término da cirurgia) e Grupo 2 (extubados em até 6 horas pós-admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva). Os desfechos primários analisados foram: capacidade vital no primeiro dia de pós-operatório, tempo de internamento hospitalar e na unidade de terapia intensiva. Os desfechos secundários foram reintubação, pneumonia adquirida no hospital, sepse e óbito. Resultados: Para os 223 pacientes avaliados, a capacidade vital foi menor nos Grupos 1 e 2 comparados ao Controle (p = 0,000 e p = 0,046, respectivamente). Os dias de internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva foram significativamente menores nos Grupos 1 e 2 quando comparados ao Controle (p = 0,009 e p = 0,000, respectivamente), já os dias de internamento hospitalar foram menores no Grupo 1 quando comparado ao Controle (p = 0,014). Houve associação entre a extubação na sala de operação (Grupo 1) com reintubação (p = 0,025) e complicações pós-cirúrgicas (p=0,038). Conclusão: Pacientes submetidos ao fast track com extubação em até 6 horas apresentaram menor tempo de internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva sem aumentar complicações pós-cirúrgicas e óbito. Pacientes extubados em sala de operação tiveram menor tempo de internamento hospitalar e em unidade de terapia intensiva, mas apresentaram aumento na frequência de reintubação e complicações pós-cirúrgicas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the impact of two fast-track strategies regarding the extubation time and removal of invasive mechanical ventilation in adults after cardiac surgery on clinical and hospital outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study with patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients were classified according to the extubation time as the Control Group (extubated 6 hours after admission to the intensive care unit, with a maximum mechanical ventilation time of 18 hours), Group 1 (extubated in the operating room after surgery) and Group 2 (extubated within 6 hours after admission to the intensive care unit). The primary outcomes analyzed were vital capacity on the first postoperative day, length of hospital stay, and length of stay in the intensive care unit. The secondary outcomes were reintubation, hospital-acquired pneumonia, sepsis, and death. Results: For the 223 patients evaluated, the vital capacity was lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Control (p = 0.000 and p = 0.046, respectively). The length of stay in the intensive care unit was significantly lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Control (p = 0.009 and p = 0.000, respectively), whereas the length of hospital stay was lower in Group 1 compared to the Control (p = 0.014). There was an association between extubation in the operating room (Group 1) with reintubation (p = 0.025) and postoperative complications (p = 0.038). Conclusion: Patients undergoing fast-track management with extubation within 6 hours had shorter stays in the intensive care unit without increasing postoperative complications and death. Patients extubated in the operating room had a shorter hospital stay and a shorter stay in the intensive care unit but showed an increase in the frequency of reintubation and postoperative complications.

Effects of noninvasive ventilation on treadmill 6-min walk distance and regional chest wall volumes in cystic fibrosis: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea and exercise intolerance are the symptoms that most affect the quality of life of children and adolescents with respiratory disorders resulting from cystic fibrosis (CF). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) on treadmill 6-min walk distance and regional chest wall volumes in cystic fibrosis patients. METHOD: Crossover clinical trial, randomized, controlled and open with 13 children and adolescents with CF, aged 7-16 years, with pulmonary impairment (NTC01987271). The patients performed a treadmill walking test (TWT) during 6 min, with and without NIV on a BiLEVEL mode, an interval of 24-48 h between tests. Before and after each test, patients were assessed by spirometry and optoelectronic plethysmography. RESULTS: Walking distance in TWT with NIV was significantly higher that without ventilatory support (mean ± sd: 0.41 ± 0.08 vs. 0.39 ± 0.85 km, p = 0.039). TWT with NIV increase forced expiratory volume on 1 s (FEV1; p = 0.036), tidal volume (Vt; p = 0.005), minute ventilation (MV; p = 0.013), pulmonary rib cage volume (Vrcp; p = 0.011), and decrease the abdominal volume (Vab; p = 0.013) after test. There was a significant reduction in oxygen saturation (p = 0.018) and permanent increase in respiratory rate after 5 min (p = 0.021) after the end test without NIV. CONCLUSION: During the walking test on the treadmill, the NIV change thoracoabdominal kinematics and lung function in order to optimized ventilation and tissue oxygenation, with improvement of walk distance. Consequently, NIV is an effective tool to increase functional capacity in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

Preventing misdiagnosis in amniotic band sequence: a case report.

Amniotic band sequence (ABS) is an uncommon and heterogeneous congenital disorder caused by entrapment of fetal parts by fibrous amniotic bands, causing distinctive structural abnormalities involving limbs, trunk, and craniofacial regions. The incidence ranges between 1/1200 and 1/15,000 live births, but is higher in stillbirths and previable fetuses. The intrinsic theory attributes the constriction band syndrome as an inherent development defect of embryogenesis while the extrinsic theory proposes that an early amnion rupture is responsible for the adherent bands. It is also suggested that amputations and constriction rings might be due to vascular disturbances. Anomalies resulting from amniotic bands are quite variable and sometimes may simulate chromosomal abnormalities. The authors report a case of a 36-week-gestation male neonate who lived for 29 hours after a vaginal delivery with an Apgar score of 8/9/9. The mother was primipara, and the prenatal was uneventful except for two episodes of urinary tract infections. The newborn examination depicted multiple anomalies characterized by exencephaly, bilateral labial cleft with distorted nostrils and palate cleft. There was also facial skin tag band, exophthalmos with hypoplasia of the eyelids. The limbs showed distal amputation of the fingers in both hands and feet, oligodactyly associated with syndactyly in the left foot, ring constriction in the right leg, the presence of right hyperextension, and clubfoot. The upper limbs showed length discrepancies. Karyotype analysis was normal at 46 XY. The authors conclude that the recognition of the malformations secondary to ABS is important in genetic counseling to prevent misdiagnosis between chromosomal and secondary disruption disorders.

Influence of peripheral muscle strength on the decannulation success rate. / Influência da força da musculatura periférica no sucesso da decanulação.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is probably the most common surgical procedure in critically ill patients and is generally performed to facilitate mechanical ventilation weaning. Evidence-based guidelines have confirmed the benefits of tracheostomy weaning protocols and of the physiotherapists engagement in this process; however, no consensus decannulation criteria are currently available. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of peripheral muscle strength and other indicators on decannulation success. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective study that analyzed the medical records of patients admitted to the medical and surgical intensive care unit of Hospital Agamenon Magalhães between March 2007 and August 2009. Respiratory and peripheral muscle strengths were evaluated in decannulated patients. RESULTS: Overall, 1,541 patients were evaluated, 143 of which had been tracheostomized, and only 57 of which had been decannulated. Forty-six patients had a satisfactory decannulation outcome, while 11 had decannulation failure, requiring the return to an artificial airway within 2 weeks. The calculated Medical Research Council peripheral muscle strength score was significantly lower for the failure group than for the successful decannulation group (28.33 ± 15.31 vs. 41.11 ± 11.52; P = 0.04). Scores above or equal 26 had 94.4% sensitivity and 50.0% specificity for the decannulation outcome, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.7593. In addition, white blood cell counts were higher in decannulation failure group patients (14,070 ± 3,073 vs. 10,520 ± 3,402 cells/µL; P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that peripheral muscle strength and blood leucocyte counts evaluated on the day of decannulation may influence the tracheostomy decannulation success rate.

Influência da força da musculatura periférica no sucesso da decanulação / Influence of peripheral muscle strength on the decannulation success rate

INTRODUÇÃO: A traqueostomia é provavelmente o procedimento cirúrgico mais comum realizado em pacientes críticos objetivando facilitar o desmame do suporte ventilatório. Diretrizes baseadas em evidências têm confirmado o benefício de protocolos de desmame da traqueostomia e a participação dos fisioterapeutas neste processo, porém não existe consenso quanto aos critérios para decanulação. Portanto, o objetivo do estudo é avaliar a influência da força muscular periférica e outros índices sobre o sucesso na decanulação. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva por meio de levantamento de prontuário de pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva do Hospital Agamenon Magalhães no período de março de 2007 a agosto de 2009. Método: Este é um estudo observacional, retrospectivo, dos prontuários dos pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva clínico-cirúrgica do Hospital Agamenon Magalhães no período de março de 2007 a agosto de 2009. Foi avaliada a força muscular respiratória e periférica dos pacientes decanulados nesse período. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 1.541 pacientes, dos quais, 143 realizaram a traqueostomia, mas apenas 57 pacientes preencheram os critérios de inclusão para serem decanulados, sendo que destes 46 evoluíram com sucesso e 11 com insucesso, considerado a necessidade de retorno a via aérea artificial no período de duas semanas. A força muscular periférica obtida através do escore do Medical Research Council (MRC) foi significativamente menor no grupo insucesso comparada ao sucesso (28,33 ± 15,31 vs 41,11 ± 11,52; p = 0,04). Valores de MRC > 26 apresentaram uma sensibilidade de 94,4 por cento e uma especificidade de 50,0 por cento em relação ao desfecho da decanulação, com uma área sob a curva ROC de 0,7593. Já os leucócitos foram maiores no grupo insucesso (14070 ± 3073 vs 10520 ± 3402 células/μL ; p = 0,00). CONCLUSÃO: O estudo mostrou que a força muscular periférica e a contagem dos leucócitos no dia da decanulação influenciaram no sucesso de remoção do traqueóstomo.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is probably the most common surgical procedure in critically ill patients and is generally performed to facilitate mechanical ventilation weaning. Evidence-based guidelines have confirmed the benefits of tracheostomy weaning protocols and of the physiotherapists engagement in this process; however, no consensus decannulation criteria are currently available. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of peripheral muscle strength and other indicators on decannulation success. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective study that analyzed the medical records of patients admitted to the medical and surgical intensive care unit of Hospital Agamenon Magalhães between March 2007 and August 2009. Respiratory and peripheral muscle strengths were evaluated in decannulated patients. RESULTS: Overall, 1,541 patients were evaluated, 143 of which had been tracheostomized, and only 57 of which had been decannulated. Forty-six patients had a satisfactory decannulation outcome, while 11 had decannulation failure, requiring the return to an artificial airway within 2 weeks. The calculated Medical Research Council peripheral muscle strength score was significantly lower for the failure group than for the successful decannulation group (28.33 ± 15.31 vs. 41.11 ± 11.52; P = 0.04). Scores above or equal 26 had 94.4 percent sensitivity and 50.0 percent specificity for the decannulation outcome, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.7593. In addition, white blood cell counts were higher in decannulation failure group patients (14,070 ± 3,073 vs. 10,520 ± 3,402 cells/μL; P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that peripheral muscle strength and blood leucocyte counts evaluated on the day of decannulation may influence the tracheostomy decannulation success rate.

Avaliação da força muscular respiratória e do peak flow em pacientes com distrofia muscular do tipo Duchenne submetidos à ventilação não invasiva e à hidroterapia / Evaluation of the respiratory muscle force and the peak flow in patients with Duchenne

Introdução: A distrofia muscular descreve um grupo de miopatias geneticamente determinadas com curso progressivo. A distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD) é a mais comum na infância, sendo uma desordem recessiva ligada ao cromossomo X. O presente estudo buscou avaliar a força muscular respiratória e o peak flow em pacientes com DMD submetidos à ventilação não invasiva (VNI) e hidroterapia. Metodologia: Participaram 6 voluntários do sexo masculino, entre 13 e 19 anos, divididos em dois grupos; controle (tratados com hidroterapia) e experimental (tratados com hidroterapia associada à VNI), os quaisforam avaliados antes e após a 10ª e a 20ª sessão. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram uma diferença significativa (p<0,05) quando comparamos a PEmáx entre os grupos controle e experimental após a 10ª (p=0,025) e a 20ª sessão (p=0,005). Conclusão: O estudo demonstrou que a VNI foi capaz de influenciar um aumento de sua expectativa de vida, segundo relato dospróprios pacientes, e que a hidroterapia foi uma terapêutica favorável na melhora da musculatura expiratória em pacientes com DMD e que não são portadores de escoliose.

Introduction: Muscular dystrophy describes a group of genetically determined myopathy with a progressive course. Duchennemuscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent type in childhood and is a recessive disorder related to the X chromosome. The present study is an effort to evaluate the respiratory muscle force and the peak flow in patients with DMD exposed to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and hydrotherapy. Methodology: Six male volunteers between the ages of 13 and 19 weredivided into two groups: control group (treated with hydrotherapy) and experimental group (PImáx < 60cmH2O, treated with hydrotherapy combined with NIV). The volunteers were analyzed after the 10th and 20th session. Results: Results show asignificant difference (p < 0.05) when comparing PEmáx in control and in experimental group after the 10th (p = 0.025) and 20th (p = 0.005) session. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the NIV was able to promote an increase in the patients’ life expectancy, according to their own reports. It also showed that hydrotherapy was a suitable therapeutics for the improvement of the expiratory musculature in patients with DMD and not carriers of scoliosis.