Atypical, severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a newborn presenting Noonan syndrome harboring a recurrent heterozygous MRAS variant.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a Mendelian phenotype, member of a group of disorders sharing neurocardiofaciocutaneous involvement, known as RASopathies, caused by germline variants in genes coding for components of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. Recently, a novel gene of the RAS family (MRAS) was reported to be associated with NS in five children, all of them presenting, among the cardinal features of NS, the same cardiac finding, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We report on a 2-month-old infant boy also presenting this cardiac anomaly that evolved to a fatal outcome after a surgical myectomy. In addition, a thick walled left ventricle apical aneurysm, rarely described in NS, was also disclosed. Next-generation sequencing revealed a missense, previously reported variant in MRAS (p.Thr68Ile). This report reinforces the high frequency of HCM among individuals harboring MRAS variants, contrasting to the 20% overall prevalence of this cardiac anomaly in NS. Thus, these preliminary data suggest that variants in MRAS per se are high risk factors for the development of an early, severe HCM, mostly of them with left ventricle outflow tract obstruction, with poor prognosis. Because of the severity of the cardiac involvement, other clinical findings could not be addressed in detail. Therefore, long-term follow-up of these individuals and further descriptions are required to fully understand the complete phenotypic spectrum of NS associated with MRAS germline variants, including if these individuals present an increased risk for cancer.

Heart Transplantation in Children and Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: 3 Decades of Evolution.

Heart transplantation is the treatment of choice for children and adults with congenital heart disease. We report the heart transplant single-center experience. The number of transplantations has increased over the last 3 decades. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves in the first, second, and third decades at 5 and 10 years were 69% and 59%, 62% and 52%, and 66% and 60%, respectively.

Impact of Preoperative Functional Capacity on Postoperative Outcomes in Congenital Heart Surgery: An Observational and Prospective Study. / Impacto da Capacidade Funcional Pré-operatória nos Resultados Pós-Operatórios de Cirurgia de Cardiopatia Congênita: Estudo Observacional e Prospectivo.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in surgical technique and postoperative care in congenital heart disease, cardiovascular morbidity is still high. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between preoperative cardiovascular fitness of children and adolescents, measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and the occurrence of cardiogenic, septic shock and death in the postoperative period. METHODS: Prospective, observational clinic study including 81 patients aged from 8 to 18 years. In the preoperative period, the 6MWT (distance walked and SpO2) and HRV were performed. The adjusted risk score for surgeries for congenital heart disease (RACHS-1) was applied to predict the surgical risk factor for mortality. The occurrence of at least one of the listed complications was considered as a combined event. P values < 0.05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Of the patients, 59% were male, with mean age of 12 years; 33% were cyanotic; and 72% had undergone previous cardiac surgery. Cardiogenic shock was the most common complication, and 31% had a combined event. Prior to surgery, type of current heart disease, RACHS-1, SpO2at rest, during the 6MWT and recovery were selected for the multivariate analysis. The SpO2at recovery by the 6MWT remained as an independent risk factor (OR 0.93, 95%CI [0.88 - 0.99], p=0.02) for the increasing occurrence of combined events. CONCLUSION: SpO2after the application of the 6MWT in the preoperative period was an independent predictor of prognosis in children and adolescents undergoing surgical correction; the walked distance and the HRV did not present this association.

FUNDAMENTO: Apesar de avanços em técnicas cirúrgicas e cuidados pós-operatórios em cardiopatia congênita, a morbidade cardiovascular permanece elevada. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação do condicionamento pré-operatório de crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatias, mensurado por teste de caminhada de 6-minutos (TC6M) e variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC), com a ocorrência de choque cardiogênico, séptico e morte no período pós-operatório. MÉTODOS: Estudo clínico prospectivo e observacional de 81 pacientes de 8 a 18 anos. No período pré-operatório foram realizados o TC6M (distância caminhada e SpO2) e a VFC. O escore de risco ajustado para cirurgia de cardiopatia congênita ( RACHS-1 ) foi aplicado para predizer o fator de risco cirúrgico para mortalidade. A ocorrência de pelo menos uma das complicações citadas foi considerada como evento combinado. Valores de p<0,05 foram considerados significantes. RESULTADOS: Dos 81 pacientes, 59% eram do sexo masculino, com idade média de 12 anos; 33% eram cianóticos; e 72% já tinham realizado cirurgias prévias. O choque cardiogênico foi a complicação mais comum, e 31% apresentaram evento combinado. Cirurgia prévia, tipo de cardiopatia atual, RACHS-1 , SpO2 em repouso, durante e após recuperação do TC6M foram selecionados para o estudo multivariado. A SpO2 após o TC6M permaneceu como fator de risco independente para aumentar a ocorrência de evento combinado no pós-operatório (OR: 0,93, IC95% [0,88 ­ 0,99], p=0,02). CONCLUSÃO: O SpO2 após o TC6M no período pré-operatório foi o fator independente preditor de prognóstico no pós-operatório em crianças e adolescentes submetidos à correção cirúrgica; a distância caminhada e as variáveis da VFC não tiveram a mesma associação.

Association of polymorphisms within the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha with clinical outcomes of rheumatic fever.

Rheumatic fever (RF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an inflammatory disease with a complex etiology in which Group A streptococci within a genetically susceptible host untreated for strep-throat may deviate the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system towards recognition of autoantigens. The TNFA gene has been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases, including RF. We investigated whether the G-308A and G-238A polymorphisms of the TNFA gene are associated with clinical outcomes of RF in a cohort of 318 patients and 281 healthy controls (HC). Both polymorphisms showed borderline associations with RF (TNFA -308G/A, OR=1.4 [1-2.2], P=0.026; TNFA -238G/A, OR=1.9 [1-3.3], P=0.015). The presence of either one of the minor alleles (-308A and -238A) was more common among patients with RF/RHD than controls (P=0.0006). Stratification of patients according to clinical phenotype also showed significant associations between presence of either one of the minor alleles and RHD (Pc=0.0006) when compared with controls. This association was stronger with the development of aortic valve lesions. In contrast, there was no association between genotype and Sydenham's chorea or RF patients with mild carditis. In conclusion, we show that the TNFA is a susceptibility locus for RF. The ability to predict which RF patients will develop valve lesion may have therapeutic, economic and social implications.

[Forfeiting the denunciation of the aggressor: reports of female victims of domestic violence]. / Desistindo da denúncia ao agressor: relato de mulheres vítimas de violência doméstica.

The goal of this study is to describe the experience of female victims of domestic violence, who forfeited the lawsuits against their aggressors. The interviews were oriented by the question: What was your experience of forfeiting the denunciation of your aggressor? Three themes emerged from the convergence of the testimonies: time passed from the aggression to the denunciation and then to the forfeiting; the partner, the family, the women's precinct; reflecting about the experience, which described the studied phenomenon. The women expressed ambiguous feelings for their aggressor: affection, anger, humiliation and fear. They recognize that they are dominated and humiliated, but notions of justice and equality between spouses do not appear in the testimonies. Forfeiting can be understood in the context of the reproduction of the traditional family structure, conditioned to economic and social factors. Results highlight implications about the role of the Women's Precinct and the healthcare institutions in the care for women who were victims of domestic violence.

[Risk factors associated with very low birth weight in a low-income population]. / Fatores de risco associados ao nascimento de recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso em uma população de baixa renda.

This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with very low birth weight in a general hospital in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. This was a case-control study of 200 newborns with birth weight from 500 to 1,499 g (cases) and 400 with birth weight from 3,000 to 3,999 g (controls). Infants were from singleton pregnancies, and their mother had received prenatal care at public health services. The dependent variable was birth weight, and independent variables included socioeconomic status, schooling, and gestational and birth status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with a 5% level of significance. Mortality in very low birth weight newborns was 32.5%. The limits of viability were 600 g for birth weight and 26 weeks for gestational age. Variables related to very low birth weight were: maternal age > 35 years (p = 0.01), lack of prenatal care (p < 0.0001), illness during the index pregnancy (p = 0.03), maternal hypertension (p = 0.007), hospitalization during pregnancy (p < 0.0001), and prior history of low birth weight (p < 0.0001). Many premature births were due to avertable factors.

[Health assistance to homeless people in a health unit in São Paulo city]. / Atendimento a população de rua em um Centro de Saúde Escola na cidade de São Paulo.

Geraldo Honório de Paula Souza health unit is located close to the Public Health College at University de São Paulo and has largely contributed to improve education in the health field. As it registers just population who live in a specific location nearly, it has also provided help to the homeless people in the area of Pinheiros couting on the support of the Program Gente de Rua, a partnership between Social Center Nossa Senhora do Bom Parto and Health Secretary of São Paulo municipality. This program consists of three communitarian agents and a nurse who take care of this population in the health center. The agents first contact homeless people who can be later assisted by a heath team in the unit. Assistance also includes visits by the agents and the nurse from the program, taking into consideration the principle of equity of Brazilian Unified Health System.

Near-miss materno e violência obstétrica: uma relação possível? / Maternal near-miss and obstetric violence: a possible relation? / Near-miss materno y violencia obstétrica: øuna posible relación?

Resumo: Este estudo objetiva analisar a compreensão das mulheres que vivenciaram a morbidade materna aguda grave (near-miss materno) sobre a assistência obstétrica recebida. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, com referencial metodológico da história oral temática, realizada por meio de entrevistas presenciais. Participaram do estudo doze mulheres de diferentes regiões brasileiras e que vivenciaram o near-miss materno, principalmente, por complicações de síndromes hipertensivas, hemorragias e infecções. Das memórias coletivas emergidas, identificou-se a violência obstétrica na forma de: I. abuso físico; II. intervenções não consentidas ou aceitas com base em informações parciais ou distorcidas; III. cuidado não confidencial ou privativo; IV. tratamento não digno e abuso verbal; e V. abandono, negligência ou recusa de atendimento. Em conclusão, a violência obstétrica pode somar-se aos eventos que culminarão no near-miss materno e, nesse sentido, é potencialmente ameaçadora da vida.

Abstract: This study aims to analyze the understanding of women who experienced the maternal near-miss about obstetric care received. It was a research of a qualitative approach, with a methodological reference of the thematic oral history, carried out through interviews with women who lived maternal near-miss. Twelve women from different Brazilian regions were interviewed and who experienced maternal near-miss, mainly due to complications of hypertensive syndromes, hemorrhages and infections. From the emerged collective memories, obstetric violence was identified in the form of: I. physical abuse; II. interventions not consented or accepted based on partial or distorted information; III. non-confidential or private care; IV. non-dignified care and verbal abuse; and V. abandonment, negligence or refusal of care. In conclusion, that obstetric violence can added to the events that will culminate in maternal near-miss and, in this sense, it is potentially life threatening.

Resumen: Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la comprensión de las mujeres que experimentaron morbilidad materna aguda severa (near-miss materno) sobre la atención obstétrica recibida. Se trata de una investigación con enfoque cualitativo, con un marco metodológico de historia oral temática, realizada a través de entrevistas presenciales. Participaron en el estudio 12 mujeres de diferentes regiones brasileñas que experimentaron near-miss materno, principalmente debido a complicaciones de síndromes hipertensivos, hemorragias e infecciones. A partir de las memorias colectivas surgidas, se identificó la violencia obstétrica en forma de: I. maltrato físico; II. intervenciones no consentidas o aceptadas con base en información parcial o distorsionada; III. atención no confidencial o privada; IV. trato indigno y abuso verbal; y V. abandono, negligencia o negativa a asistir. En conclusión, la violencia obstétrica puede se sumar a los eventos que culminarán en un casi accidente materno y, en este sentido, es potencialmente mortal.

Impacto da Capacidade Funcional Pré-operatória nos Resultados Pós-Operatórios de Cirurgia de Cardiopatia Congênita: Estudo Observacional e Prospectivo / Impact of Preoperative Functional Capacity on Postoperative Outcomes in Congenital Heart Surgery: An Observational and Prospective Study

Resumo Fundamento Apesar de avanços em técnicas cirúrgicas e cuidados pós-operatórios em cardiopatia congênita, a morbidade cardiovascular permanece elevada. Objetivo Avaliar a associação do condicionamento pré-operatório de crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatias, mensurado por teste de caminhada de 6-minutos (TC6M) e variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC), com a ocorrência de choque cardiogênico, séptico e morte no período pós-operatório. Métodos Estudo clínico prospectivo e observacional de 81 pacientes de 8 a 18 anos. No período pré-operatório foram realizados o TC6M (distância caminhada e SpO2) e a VFC. O escore de risco ajustado para cirurgia de cardiopatia congênita ( RACHS-1 ) foi aplicado para predizer o fator de risco cirúrgico para mortalidade. A ocorrência de pelo menos uma das complicações citadas foi considerada como evento combinado. Valores de p<0,05 foram considerados significantes. Resultados Dos 81 pacientes, 59% eram do sexo masculino, com idade média de 12 anos; 33% eram cianóticos; e 72% já tinham realizado cirurgias prévias. O choque cardiogênico foi a complicação mais comum, e 31% apresentaram evento combinado. Cirurgia prévia, tipo de cardiopatia atual, RACHS-1 , SpO2 em repouso, durante e após recuperação do TC6M foram selecionados para o estudo multivariado. A SpO2 após o TC6M permaneceu como fator de risco independente para aumentar a ocorrência de evento combinado no pós-operatório (OR: 0,93, IC95% [0,88 - 0,99], p=0,02). Conclusão O SpO2 após o TC6M no período pré-operatório foi o fator independente preditor de prognóstico no pós-operatório em crianças e adolescentes submetidos à correção cirúrgica; a distância caminhada e as variáveis da VFC não tiveram a mesma associação.

Abstract Background Despite advances in surgical technique and postoperative care in congenital heart disease, cardiovascular morbidity is still high. Objective To evaluate the association between preoperative cardiovascular fitness of children and adolescents, measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and the occurrence of cardiogenic, septic shock and death in the postoperative period. Methods Prospective, observational clinic study including 81 patients aged from 8 to 18 years. In the preoperative period, the 6MWT (distance walked and SpO2) and HRV were performed. The adjusted risk score for surgeries for congenital heart disease (RACHS-1) was applied to predict the surgical risk factor for mortality. The occurrence of at least one of the listed complications was considered as a combined event. P values < 0.05 were considered as significant. Results Of the patients, 59% were male, with mean age of 12 years; 33% were cyanotic; and 72% had undergone previous cardiac surgery. Cardiogenic shock was the most common complication, and 31% had a combined event. Prior to surgery, type of current heart disease, RACHS-1, SpO2at rest, during the 6MWT and recovery were selected for the multivariate analysis. The SpO2at recovery by the 6MWT remained as an independent risk factor (OR 0.93, 95%CI [0.88 - 0.99], p=0.02) for the increasing occurrence of combined events. Conclusion SpO2after the application of the 6MWT in the preoperative period was an independent predictor of prognosis in children and adolescents undergoing surgical correction; the walked distance and the HRV did not present this association.

[Collective memories of women who have experienced maternal near miss: health needs and human rights]. / Memórias coletivas de mulheres que vivenciaram o near miss materno: necessidades de saúde e direitos humanos.

The collective memories of women that have experienced maternal near miss can help elucidate serious obstetric events, like maternal death. Their experience is authentic and representative, with the construction of a common identity. This identity lends quality to a group's memory, and such memory is thus a social phenomenon. The study analyzed the experience of twelve women who nearly died during the gestational and postpartum cycle. The thematic oral history method was used, from the perspective of health needs and human rights. Six collective memories comprised the discourses: unmet health needs; healthcare deficiencies; denial of contact with the newborn child; violation of rights; absence of demand for rights; and compensation for unmet rights and needs. To understand these women's health needs is to acknowledge the women as bearers of rights and to individualize care, respecting their autonomy, guaranteeing access to technologies, and establishing an effective bond with health professionals.

[Reported morbidity and use of health services by working women, Brazil]. / Morbidade referida e uso dos serviços de saúde por mulheres trabalhadoras, Município de São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: Inclusion in the work force has become part of women's daily lives, and they have to cope with multiple tasks and manage double working shifts. A study was carried out to assess working women's morbidity and their use of health services. METHODS: By means of a household survey, chronic and acute morbidity (i.e. within 30 days of data collection) was reported by 1,157 women aged 10 to 49 years living in the southern area of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected from January 1992 to January 1993. The relationship between employment and marital status, educational level and socioeconomic status was evaluated. RESULTS: Women who had a paid job were more likely to complain of acute or chronic morbidity. Also, these women tended to be less likely to seek medical services for their health problem. The most prevalent acute illnesses were: respiratory illnesses, especially influenza or colds (72/1,000), abdominal and pelvic pain (13.2/1,000), headaches (11.4/1,000), and hypertension (9.5/1,000). Regarding chronic complaints, hypertension (39.7/1,000), back pain (26.5/1,000), gastritis or inflammation of duodenum (24.6/1,000), and bronchitis (24.6/1,000) were the most prevalent conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Although employed women reported more health complaints than women who were not employed, their use of health services was equal to or less than that of women who were not employed for most health conditions studied.

Clinical recommendations for postoperative care after heart transplantation in children: 21 years of a single-center experience.

Heart transplantation is an option for children with complex congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathies. A patient's quality of life and long-term survival depend on successful management of the surgical complications and adverse side effects of immunosuppression. The purpose of this review was to summarize the practical management of postoperative care in this patient population and to make recommendations for the future.

Factors associated with menopausal symptom severity in middle-aged Brazilian women from the Brazilian Western Amazon.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms and associated factors in middle-aged Brazilian women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 1415 women aged 35-65 years attended at the Outpatient unit of the Clinicas Hospital of Rio Branco, Acre state, Brazil. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess the severity of menopause symptoms. The Stata 10 statistical package was used for all data analysis whereas Pearson's x(2) nonparametric association test was used for bivariate analysis, adopting a level of statistical significance of 5%. On the multivariate analysis, independent variables positively associated with the dependent model were retained in the final model (p<0.005). RESULTS: Overall, 54.1% of participants were premenopausal, 10.1% perimenopausal, and 35.8% postmenopausal. Irritability was the most frequent symptom (78.3%), followed by joint and muscular discomfort (74.8%), and anxiety (72.7%). Mean total MRS score was 15.6+8.8 (median 15). After adjusting for confounding factors, the logistic regression analysis found low educational level (OR:1.53; [95% CI:1.21-1.95]; p<0.001); self-perceived poor/very poor health (OR:4.48; [95% CI: 3.53-5.69]; p<0.001), and menopausal transition phase (OR:1.73; [95% CI:1.18-2.53]; p=0.005) to be statistically significantly associated with more severe menopausal symptoms. CONCLUSION: Among Brazilian women, atypical symptoms of the menopause were the most frequently reported. Severe menopausal symptoms were more likely in women with low educational level, self-perceived poor health and at the menopausal transition phase.

Memórias coletivas de mulheres que vivenciaram o near miss materno: necessidades de saúde e direitos humanos / Collective memories of women who have experienced maternal near miss: health needs and human rights / Memorias colectivas de mujeres que experimentaron el near miss materno: necesidades de salud y derechos humanos

Resumo: Mulheres que vivenciaram o near miss materno podem, por meio de suas memórias coletivas, ajudar na compreensão dos eventos obstétricos graves, como a morte materna. A experiência das pessoas é autêntica e representativa do todo com a construção de uma identidade comum. É a identidade que dá qualidade à memória de um grupo. Assim, cada memória é um fenômeno social. Analisou-se a experiência de 12 mulheres que quase morreram em função do estado gravídico-puerperal. O método da história oral temática foi utilizado, na perspectiva das necessidades de saúde e direitos humanos. Seis memórias coletivas compuseram os discursos: necessidades de saúde não atendidas; deficiências assistenciais; privação do contato com o filho; violação de direitos; ausência de reivindicação dos direitos; e compensações dos direitos e necessidades não atendidos. Compreender as necessidades de saúde dessas mulheres é reconhecê-las como sujeitos de direitos; é individualizar a assistência, respeitando sua autonomia, garantindo o acesso às tecnologias e estabelecendo vínculo (a)efetivo com o profissional de saúde.

Abstract: The collective memories of women that have experienced maternal near miss can help elucidate serious obstetric events, like maternal death. Their experience is authentic and representative, with the construction of a common identity. This identity lends quality to a group's memory, and such memory is thus a social phenomenon. The study analyzed the experience of twelve women who nearly died during the gestational and postpartum cycle. The thematic oral history method was used, from the perspective of health needs and human rights. Six collective memories comprised the discourses: unmet health needs; healthcare deficiencies; denial of contact with the newborn child; violation of rights; absence of demand for rights; and compensation for unmet rights and needs. To understand these women's health needs is to acknowledge the women as bearers of rights and to individualize care, respecting their autonomy, guaranteeing access to technologies, and establishing an effective bond with health professionals.

Resumen: Las mujeres que experimentaron un near miss materno pueden, mediante sus memorias colectivas, ayudar a la comprensión de eventos obstétricos graves como la muerte materna. La experiencia de las personas es auténtica y representativa del todo con la construcción de una identidad común. Es la identidad la que da calidad a la memoria de un grupo. Así, cada memoria es un fenómeno social. Se analizó la experiencia de 12 mujeres que casi murieron en función del estado de embarazo-puerperio. Se utilizó el método de la historia oral temática, desde la perspectiva de las necesidades de salud y derechos humanos. Seis memorias colectivas compusieron los discursos: necesidades de salud no atendidas; deficiencias asistenciales; privación del contacto con el hijo; violación de derechos; ausencia de reivindicación de los derechos; y compensaciones de los derechos y necesidades no atendidas. Comprender las necesidades de salud de esas mujeres es reconocerlas como sujetos de derechos; es individualizar la asistencia, respetando su autonomía, garantizando el acceso a las tecnologías y estableciendo vínculo (a)efectivo con el profesional de salud.

O fio cirúrgico da laqueadura é tão pesado!: laqueadura e novas tecnologias reprodutivas / The surgical thread used in tubal sterilization is so heavy!: tubal sterilization and new reproductive technologies

A laqueadura é um método de esterilização cirúrgica feminina, que consiste em cortar cirurgicamente as trompas, que unem os ovários ao útero. É um método considerado seguro, irreversível, cujas taxas dobraram desde 2003, no contexto brasileiro. O presente estudo é pesquisa qualitativa com o objetivo de descrever e analisar os pensamentos e as avaliações acerca da laqueadura entre as mulheres que buscavam auxílio das novas tecnologias reprodutivas para conceber novamente. As entrevistas foram realizadas em um hospital da rede pública de saúde, na região Sudeste do Brasil, São Paulo, com 16 mulheres esterilizadas. Como resultados, as seguintes temáticas emergiram do estudo: o não cuidado com a vida reprodutiva; laqueadura e habitus; e o arrependimento traduzido pela frase proferida por Rosa: “O fio cirúrgico da laqueadura é tão pesado!”. O estudo desvelou a necessidade de que as mulheres sejam mais bem informadas sobre os procedimentos cirúrgicos que desejam aceder: seja à laqueadura, seja a tratamentos na área das novas tecnologias reprodutivas. O acesso às informações pode promover melhor familiaridade com os termos e mais segurança ante as escolhas.

Tubal sterilization is a method of female sterilization, consisting of the surgical severance of the fallopian tubes which connect the ovaries to the uterus. This method, the rates for which have doubled in Brazil since 2003, is considered safe and irreversible. This study is a qualitative research project which seeks to describe and analyze the thought process and assessment of sterilization by women who have subsequently sought the help of new reproductive technologies to enable them to conceive. Sixteen sterilized women were interviewed at a hospital within the public health system in São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. As a result, the following themes emerged from the study: women’s lack of care regarding their reproductive life; sterilization and (constitution) habitus, and the remorse expressed in the phrase proffered by Rosa: “The surgical thread used in tubal sterilization is so heavy!” The study highlighted the need for women to be better informed about the surgical procedures available to them: whether about tubal ligation or about treatments in the field of new reproductive technology. Access to this information can promote greater understanding of the terms and greater confidence in dealing with the choices involved.

Clinical recommendations for postoperative care after heart transplantation in children: 21 years of a single-center experience

Heart transplantation is an option for children with complex congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathies. A patient's quality of life and long-term survival depend on successful management of the surgical complications and adverse side effects of immunosuppression. The purpose of this review was to summarize the practical management of postoperative care in this patient population and to make recommendations for the future.