Association of left ventricular abnormalities with incident cerebrovascular events and sources of thromboembolism in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Although Chagas cardiomyopathy is related to thromboembolic stroke, data on risk factors for cerebrovascular events in Chagas disease is limited. Thus, we assessed the relationship between left ventricular (LV) impairment and cerebrovascular events and sources of thromboembolism in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy. METHODS: This retrospective cohort included patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). CMR was performed with a 1.5 T scanner to provide LV volumes, mass, ejection fraction (LVEF), and myocardial fibrosis. The primary outcome was a composite of incident ischemic cerebrovascular events (stroke or transient ischemic attack-TIA) and potential thromboembolic sources (atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter, or intracavitary thrombus) during the follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were included. Median age was 56 years (IQR: 45-67), and 58 (51%) were women. The median LVEF was 53% (IQR: 41-62). LV aneurysms and LV fibrosis were present in 38 (34%) and 76 (67%) individuals, respectively. The median follow-up time was 6.9 years, with 29 events: 11 cerebrovascular events, 16 had AF or atrial flutter, and two had LV apical thrombosis. In the multivariable model, only lower LVEF remained significantly associated with the outcomes (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99). Patients with reduced LVEF lower than 40% had a much higher risk of cerebrovascular events and thromboembolic sources (HR: 3.16 95% CI: 1.38-7.25) than those with normal LVEF. The combined incidence rate of the combined events in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy patients with reduced LVEF was 13.9 new cases per 100 persons-year. CONCLUSIONS: LV systolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of adverse cerebrovascular events and potential sources of thromboembolism in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Instrument to evaluate the knowledge of patient with cirrhosis on his disease: construction and validity.

BACKGROUND: The application of measurement instruments is a strategy to evaluate the patient's knowledge about the disease. This study aims to build an instrument that evaluates the patient's knowledge about liver cirrhosis. METHOD: This study includes three phases. The first one was the construction of the instrument based on a literature review. In the second phase, five experts were participated in the evaluation of the instrument, to check the validity of the content. Quantitative and qualitative analyzes were made. The tool used was the CVI (Content Validity Index) and it was used the semantic study of the questions. The third phase was the process of the restructuring the instrument. RESULTS: The final version of the instrument consisted of 36 questions. The instrument was evaluated in 91.7 by the average CVI and 94.4% by the universal CVI. CONCLUSIONS: The questions are properly structured and clear, therefore, understandable. Thus, the final instrument presented satisfactory content validity, so that, it reached the aim of this study.

Intussusception reveals MUTYH-associated polyposis syndrome and colorectal cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We are reporting a rare case of MUTYH-associated polyposis, a colorectal cancer hereditary syndrome, diagnosticated after an intussusception. Colorectal cancer is an important cause of cancer related mortality that can be manifested by an intussusception, a rare occurrence in adults and almost always related to tumors. Approximately 5% of colorectal cancers can be attributed to syndromes known to cause hereditary colorectal cancer, such as MUTYH-associated polyposis, autosomal genetic syndrome associated with this disease. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 44 years old male, that sought medical consultation with a complaint of abdominal discomfort, that after five days changed its characteristics. The patient was sent to the emergency department were a CT-scan revealed intestinal sub-occlusion by ileocolic invagination. Right colectomy was carried out. The anatomic-pathological examination revealed a moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma and multiples sessile polyps, which led to the suspicion of a genetic syndrome. In the genetics analysis two mutations were observed in the MUTYH gene, and MUTYH-associated polyposis was diagnosticated. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the importance of meticulous analysis of the patient examinations results to identify possible discrete alterations that can lead to improved understanding of disease.

Laparoscopically excised retroperitoneal presacral Schwannoma: atypical pre and postoperative manifestations - case report.

BACKGROUND: We are a reporting a rare case of retroperitoneal schwanomma with atypical pre and postoperative manifestations. Retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare tumors that are difficult to preoperatively diagnose. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a case report of a male patient, 41 years old, with symptoms of hipogastric and lower right member pain, as well as a history of a papilliferous thyroid tumor. Computerized tomography exams were inconclusive, showing a mass in the presacral region with dimensions of 4.4 × 3.9 × 3.4 cm. Removal was carried out by laparoscopic surgery, with self-limited postoperative complications. Diagnosis was carried out by anatomopathological examination, and syndromic hypotheses were discarded. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative complications of schwanomma are little reported in the literature. In the simultaneous occurrence of schwanomma and other endocrine tumors, further studies are warranted to better differentiate the cases that need investigation of syndromic causes.

Simple technique of subxiphoid hernia correction carries a low rate of early recurrence: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Subxiphoid incisional hernia occurs as a complication following median sternotomy and are difficult to repair. We present recent data of a standardized technique for correction of subxiphoid incisional hernias, and discuss possible anatomical and surgical factors related to recurrence of the hernia. METHODS: A retrospective study with medical records analysis of patients submitted to surgical correction of subxiphoid incisional hernias through standardized treatment between July 2014 and September 2016. All procedures were carried out using the same standardized technique, surgical materials (threads and meshes) and pre- and post-operative care. RESULTS: All of the surgical procedures carried out were elective. The hernia defect varied between 5 cm and 16 cm (mean of 7.4 cm); the procedure lasted between 32 and 75 min; the mean time of hospital stay was 2.2 days (range from 1 to 5 days). In five patients the correction of subxiphoid incisional hernia was carried out concurrently with another procedure. No death occurred as a result of the operations. Five patients had minor postoperative complications. Follow up time was between 7 and 33 months, with a recurrence rate of 0% at the time of writing. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of a short follow up period, the surgical technique described presented low rates of early recurrence by closing the hernia defect, using relaxing incisions in the musculature and aponeurosis and surgical mesh.

The impact of stressors and overload on informal caregivers of patients with cirrhosis: The first use of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Cirrhosis affects liver functions and compromises much of the body's organs. The significant increase in chronic diseases, including cirrhosis, has led to changes in medical practice and health systems, leading the informal caregiver to play a major role because of family ties or some level of proximity to the patient, assuming daily care function. However, the burden generated by informal caregivers for uninterrupted care is present at different levels (physical, mental, social, professional, and financial) and even in the prognosis of the patient. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the impact of stressors and overload on informal caregivers of cirrhosis patients. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, conducted with 54 informal caregivers of cirrhosis patients, followed up at the Liver Transplant Service Outpatient Clinic of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas, where they had access to a sociodemographic questionnaire, history of the patient's disease and the scale Burden Scale for Family Caregivers. RESULTS: It was observed that higher levels of education and income of the caregiver correlates with a lower degree of stress. In addition, there is a significant difference found in the caregiver's age variable, which indicates that the youngest are those who have the highest degree of stress. The variable Na mEg/l of the patient also presents a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Our study was a precursor using the BSFC scale of worldwide coverage and that had not yet been applied in any study in Brazil, thus allowing a look at the various aspects that affect the quality of life of caregivers of patients with cirrhosis. Our results and the literature corroborate the importance not only of the patient, but also the informal caregiver's health.

Muscle excitation, force response, and efficiency during explosive force production after diacutaneous fibrolysis on lateral gastrocnemius of recreational athletes.

OBJECTIVE: Fibrous adhesions impair normal muscle mechanics. The present study aimed to assess lateral gastrocnemius muscle excitation, isometric force response, and neuromuscular efficiency during explosive force in plantarflexion before and after diacutaneous fibrolysis. METHODS: Thirty-five recreational athletes were allocated in the intervention group (n = 20) treated with diacutaneous fibrolysis, while the sham group (n = 15) was treated with placebo diacutaneous fibrolysis. Force response synchronized with surface electromyography during a plantarflexion task was collected. RESULTS: Differences between Pre- and Post-diacutaneous fibrolysis were observed for all variables, except for the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Diacutaneous fibrolysis was effective to increase force, muscle excitation, and neuromuscular efficiency on lateral gastrocnemius.

Treating incarcerated inguinal hernias with TEP is a viable option for experienced surgeons.

Despite inguinal hernias being a common problem in public health, there is still scarce information about the epidemiology of the complications, especially incarceration, and their influence on the laparoscopic surgical methods considering the role of the learning process of the surgeon. Compare laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach in the repair of incarcerated and non-incarcerated inguinal hernias from the perspective of technical difficulty for trained surgeons. We obtained data about sex, age, location and type of hernia, surgery duration, ASA score, postoperative complications, previous surgeries and BMI. Groups were descriptively analyzed and statistically compared to verify how similar the samples were. 265 (90.1%) patients had non-incarcerated hernias and 29 (9.9%) incarcerated. We observed that there was no significant difference in the pattern of location (right, left or bilateral), sex, ASA, previous or complications between the two groups. Unilateral incarcerated hernias had longer operative times compared to non-incarcerated. No difference was found between bilateral hernias. We didn´t find significant epidemiological differences between incarcerated and non-incarcerated hernias. In our experience, with the limitation of a single-surgeon series, laparoscopic hernia repair achieved satisfactory results in terms of feasibility (especially for bilateral hernias) and safety.

Survival curve identifies critical period for postoperative mortality in cardiac patients undergoing emergency general surgery.

The number of non-cardiac major surgeries carried out has significantly increased in recent years to around 200 million procedures carried out annually. Approximately 30% of patients submitted to non-cardiac surgery present some form of cardiovascular comorbidity. In emergency situations, with less surgery planning time and greater clinical severity, the risks become even more significant. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease submitted to non-cardiac surgical procedures in a single cardiovascular referral center. This is a prospective cohort study of patients with cardiovascular disease submitted to non-cardiovascular surgery. All procedures were carried out by the same surgeon, between January 2006 and January 2018. 240 patients included were elderly, 154 were male (64%), 8 patients presented two diagnoses. Of the resulting 248 procedures carried out, 230 were emergency (92.8%). From the data obtained it was possible to estimate the day from which the occurrence of mortality is less probable in the postoperative phase. Our research evaluated the epidemiological profile of the surgeries and we were able to estimate the survival and delimit the period of greatest risk of mortality in these patients. The high rate of acute mesenteric ischemia was notable, a serious and frequently fatal condition.

Steatosis and steatohepatitis found in adults after death due to non-burn trauma.

OBJECTIVE: With the increasing prevalence of steatosis, the number of steatotic liver grafts from deceased donors is also increasing. Thus, determining the prevalence and the population risk factors of steatosis may assist in risk stratification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of steatosis and steatohepatitis among livers from adults who died due to non-burn trauma. METHODS: Specimens were collected from 224 adults undergoing autopsy at a regional autopsy referral center from September 2011 to April 2013. Histopathological examination was performed on six samples obtained from different lobes of each liver. The outcomes of interest were the presence of steatosis, steatohepatitis, NASH inflammation and NASH fibrosis. The main predictors were body mass index, abdominal circumference, liver weight and volume, presence of cholelithiasis, and siderosis. Our modeling strategy made use of a series of generalized linear models with a binomial family. RESULTS: Our sample had a mean age of 40 years; steatosis was diagnosed in 48.2% of cases, and steatohepatitis was diagnosed in 2.7%. The presence of a high proportion of fatty changes was more prevalent among males and older individuals, with the most affected age group being 41-60 years. When evaluating the crude odds ratio for steatosis, the factors significantly associated with an increased risk of steatosis were greater abdominal circumference, BMI, and liver weight and the presence of siderosis. CONCLUSION: Our study reinforces the role of older age, obesity and hepatomegaly as predictors of fatty liver disease. These variables should be considered in the assessment of fatty changes in the livers of potential liver donors.

Large primary hepatic gastrinoma in young patient treated with trisegmentectomy: A case report and review of the literature.

Primary hepatic gastrinoma is a rare disease, with fewer than 40 cases reported in the medical literature. Because it is located in an organ in which metastases are common, its diagnosis is difficult. We report a case of a 19 years old male patient with a history of gastric ulcers since the age of nine. Following gastric surgery, an antrectomy and a vagotomy, there was some alleviation of symptoms. Subsequently, the patient reported various intermittent episodes of diarrhea, diffuse abdominal pain, and vomiting. The patient underwent tomography, which revealed the presence of a hepatic mass measuring 19.5 cm × 12.5 cm × 17 cm. Primary hepatic gastrinoma was diagnosed based on laboratory examinations that indicated hypergastrinemia and a positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance study with somatostatin analogue that confirmed the liver as the primary site. After hepatic trisegmentectomy (II, III, IV, V, VIII), the patient's symptoms improved. The case is notable for the presence of a rare tumor with uncommon dimensions.

Gastric fundus submucosa as a site for islets transplantation: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Islets of Langerhans transplantation is a promising alternative for glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. The graft site is a factor that has large impact on the functioning of this transplant, and the stomach appears to be a promising location. Our objective is to describe a new experimental model for the grafting of Islets of Langerhans in rat stomachs. METHODOLOGY: Islets of Langerhans were extracted from 45 isogenic male rats of the Lewis lineage and transplanted into 9 isogenic rats of the Wistar lineage; 5 in the gastric body submucosa, and 4 in the gastric fundus submucosa. Normoglycemia was defined as two successive measurements of <250 mg/dL. No immunosuppression was used. The two groups glycemia control improvement were compared with t-student test. RESULTS: The results obtained following the transplantation of the islets in 9 rats showed between 995 and 2310 islets transplanted (mean of 1367). The rats from the gastric submucosa group had a better glycemic level improvement, with a confidence equal to 83.94%. CONCLUSION: Islets graft into the gastric fundus submucosa is a viable model with potential for adequate glycemic control. This model gives potential for new perspectives and future studies in this area.

Component separation of abdominal wall with intraoperative botulinum A presents satisfactory outcomes in large incisional hernias: a case report.

PURPOSE: Transplantation patients have a series of associated risk factors that make appearance of incisional hernia (IH) more likely. A number of aspects of the closure of large defects remain controversial. In this manuscript, we present the repair of a large IH following liver transplantation through the technique of posterior components separation combined with the anterior, together with the intraoperative use of botulinum toxin A and the placement of mesh. As a secondary objective, we analyze the incidence of IH following liver transplantation in our service. METHODS: Between the years 2013 and 2016, 247 patients underwent liver transplantation in the Liver Transplantation Service at the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. We analyzed the incidence of IH in these patients. One of these cases operated in March 2017 presented a defect in the abdominal wall of 22×16.6×6.4cm in the median and paramedian regions. We present the details of this innovative surgical technique. RESULTS: The total operating time was 470min. During the postoperative phase the patient presented ileus paralysis, without systemic repercussions. Resumption of an oral diet on the fifth postoperative day, without incident. Hospital discharge occurred on the 12th postoperative day, with outpatient follow up. CONCLUSION: In our service, the incidence of incisional hernias following liver transplantation is 14.5%. We described a successful approach for selected patient group for whom there is no established standard treatment. Given the complexity of such cases, however, more studies are necessary.

Steatosis and steatohepatitis found in adults after death due to non-burn trauma

OBJECTIVE: With the increasing prevalence of steatosis, the number of steatotic liver grafts from deceased donors is also increasing. Thus, determining the prevalence and the population risk factors of steatosis may assist in risk stratification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of steatosis and steatohepatitis among livers from adults who died due to non-burn trauma. METHODS: Specimens were collected from 224 adults undergoing autopsy at a regional autopsy referral center from September 2011 to April 2013. Histopathological examination was performed on six samples obtained from different lobes of each liver. The outcomes of interest were the presence of steatosis, steatohepatitis, NASH inflammation and NASH fibrosis. The main predictors were body mass index, abdominal circumference, liver weight and volume, presence of cholelithiasis, and siderosis. Our modeling strategy made use of a series of generalized linear models with a binomial family. RESULTS: Our sample had a mean age of 40 years; steatosis was diagnosed in 48.2% of cases, and steatohepatitis was diagnosed in 2.7%. The presence of a high proportion of fatty changes was more prevalent among males and older individuals, with the most affected age group being 41-60 years. When evaluating the crude odds ratio for steatosis, the factors significantly associated with an increased risk of steatosis were greater abdominal circumference, BMI, and liver weight and the presence of siderosis. CONCLUSION: Our study reinforces the role of older age, obesity and hepatomegaly as predictors of fatty liver disease. These variables should be considered in the assessment of fatty changes in the livers of potential liver donors.

A avaliação pré-anestésica para cirurgia oftalmológica em idosos é realmente necessária? A realidade de um hospital público / The pre-anesthetic evaluation for ophthalmic surgery in the elderly is really necessary? The reality of a public hospital

RESUMO Objetivos: A avaliação pré-anestésica (APA) e a realização de exames laboratoriais são questionadas para cirurgias oftalmológicas ambulatoriais por acrescentarem custos e retardarem a cirurgia. Estas são de baixo risco, mas os pacientes são idosos e com várias comorbidades. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se a APA é realmente necessária nestes pacientes em um hospital público. Métodos: Foi conduzido um estudo retrospectivo em 297 prontuários contendo a APA de pacientes para cirurgias oftalmológicas em um hospital público. Foram avaliados através da história, exame clínico e exames complementares, a proporção de pacientes que apresentaram na APA doenças desconhecidas ou não controladas e alterações dos exames complementares. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 71,5 anos, com 95,28% tendo pelo menos uma doença crônica. A doença mais prevalente foi hipertensão arterial sistêmica (62,96%), que em 7,7% dos pacientes estavam sem controle adequado; 2.3% não tinham diagnóstico de HAS. O diabetes mellitus tipo 2 apareceu em segundo (22,22%), com 5,3% sem controle adequado. Glicemia acima de 100 mg.dl-1 foi encontrada em 25,92%, sem diagnóstico conhecido. Do total, 84,8% tomavam pelo menos um medicamento. Somente 73,4% dos pacientes foram liberados para a cirurgia na primeira consulta. Conclusão: A APA em oftalmologia é capaz de detectar doenças não diagnosticadas, ou condições clínicas instáveis, e exerce um papel não só de otimização do paciente para a cirurgia como de atendimento primário, desempenhando papel importante na saúde global da população e, portanto, considerada necessária nos pacientes idosos do sistema público de saúde.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Pre-anesthetic assessment (PAA) and laboratory tests are questioned for ophthalmic procedures due to their additional costs and surgery delays. These are lower risks, nonetheless, patients are elderly and suffer from multiple comorbidities. The aim of this study was to determinate if it is really necessary in a public hospital. Method: a retrospective study on 297 medical records containing the pre-anesthetic questionary from ophthalmic surgery patients in a public hospital was leaded. By the anamnesis, clinical examination and laboratory tests, the rate of patients who came up with unknown or uncontrolled diseases for the pre-anesthetic evaluation among with unsettled lab tests were analyzed. Results: The patients's mean age was 71.5 years old. 95.28% of them suffer from at least one chronic disease. The most prevailer illness was systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) (62.96%), which in 7.7% of were uncontroled. Also 2.3% had no diagnosis of SAH. The DM2 appeared in second (22.22%), with 5.3% without proper management. Glycaemia above 100 mg.dl1 was found in 25.92%, undiagnosed; 84.8% of the total were taking at least one medication. Only 73.4% of patients were released for surgery in the first moment. Discussion: To sum up, PAA in ophthalmology surgery is able to bring up undiagnosed diseases, or unstable medical conditions, and it plays a role not only in optimize the patient for surgery, but also as primary care. It can be an important deal to improve population's health, therefore, considered necessary in elderly patients in the public health system.

Gilberto Freyre e o Estado Novo: a trajetória de uma relação ambígua

Em 1937, Gilberto Freyre participou da campanha de José Américo de Almeida para presidente da República como intelectual responsável por traduzir as ideias do regionalismo para os eleitores mediante a imprensa. A atitude indicava publicamente sua preferência emum momento de profundos confrontos ideológicos: ele aderiu à campanha eleitoral do candidato que defendia os interesses da classe agroexportadora perante o Estado. Acontece que, com o fim do pleito decorrente do golpe de Getúlio Vargas e a instauração do EstadoNovo, o sociólogo passou a preparar, com muita habilidade política, sua transição para o apoio ao regime autoritário, isto é, aproximou-se da elite do regime recém-instaurado para negociar o discurso da brasilidadeconstruído paulatinamente em sua obra históricosociológica. Desse modo, ele pôde negociar interesses diretamente com a elite do governo Vargas. Com os acordos resultantes desse negócio, regionalismo e nacionalismo se tornaram o denominador comum de um mesmo conceito de “cultura brasileira”, caracterizado, sobretudo, pela diversidade como elemento positivo do “povo”. Os nexos entre região e nação foram repensados do ponto de vista do mesmo conceito. Entretanto, em 1945, o pacto celebrado entre as partes,embora parecesse consolidado institucionalmente, sofreu interrupções com a luta nacional pela deposiçãodo ditador. Neste texto procuro, com base em livros, cartas e artigos de jornal escritos pelo sociólogo, reconstruir os acontecimentos que marcaram a trajetória de Gilberto Freyre em relação ao Estado Novo.(AU)

In 1937, Gilberto Freyre took part in the campaign to elect José Américo de Almeida as President of the Republic, assuming the role of intellectual responsible for translating the ideas of regionalism to voters through the press. His approach was a clear public demonstration of his preference at a time of profound ideological turmoil: he adhered to the election campaign of a candidate who sought to defend theinterests of agricultural exporters before the State. However, with the election being cut short as a result of the coup by Getúlio Vargas and the setting up of the New State, the sociologist soon began preparing, with considerable political skill, his transition to supporting the new authoritarian regime. In other words, he sought a closer relationship with the elite of the newly-installed regime, with the idea of negotiatingits adoption of the discourse on Brazilianness that had gradually taken shape within his historical-sociologicalwork. He was thus able to negotiate these interests directly with the senior members of the Vargas government. Thanks to the resulting agreements of this negotiation, regionalism and nationalism became the common denominator of a single concept of “Brazilian culture” that was characterized, above all, by diversity as a positive element of the “people”.The bonds between region and nation were revised from the point of view of a single concept. Nevertheless, in 1945,the pact signed between the various parties involved, while seemingly consolidated institutionally, was repeatedly broken as a result of the national struggle that ensued to deposethe dictator. This work has sought, by means of a review of the books, and newspaper letters and articles written by the sociologist, to reconstruct the events that marked Gilberto Freyres experiences in relation to the New State.(AU)