Association between the degree of iliac venous outflow obstruction by intravascular ultrasound and lower limbs venous reflux

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the association between the degree of iliac venous outflow obstruction (IVOO) identified by Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and venous reflux presentation in lower limbs on Duplex Ultrasound (DU). METHODS: Patients with bilateral chronic venous insufficiency, CEAP C3-6 (Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology classification), and with Visual Analogic Scale score for pain > 5, underwent DU for reflux evaluation: deep venous system (reflux ≥ 1 s); superficial system, great saphenous vein (GSV) and small saphenous vein (SSV) (reflux ≥ 0.5 s); perforator system (reflux ≥ 0.35s). All patients underwent IVUS in the iliac venous territory. The area of the impaired venous segments was categorized as obstructions< 50% (Cat. 1); 50-79% (Cat. 2), and ≥ 80% (Cat. 3). Venous clinical severity scale (VCSS) and reflux multisegment score (RMS) were assessed. RESULTS: 51 patients (n=102 limbs; 50.53 ± 14.5 years, 6 men) were included. The predominant clinical severity CEAP class was C3 in 54/102 (52.9%) limbs. VCSS mean was 14.3 ± 6.7. Severe RMS (≥ 3) was registered in 63,4% of the limbs. In 51/102 limbs (50%) presented cat. 1, 27/102 (26.5%) cat. 2, and 24/102 (23.5%) cat. 3. Previous DVT was associated with critical obstruction (OR 3.65; 95% CI: 1.29-10.38; p=0.015). Superficial and perforator venous systems had no association with the degree of iliac obstruction. Deep venous reflux (DVR) had a significant association with significative IVOO (obstruction ≥ 50%) (OR 6.44; 95% CI: 2.19-18.93; p=0.001) and critical IVOO (obstruction ≥ 80%) (OR 4.57; 95% CI: 1.70-12.27; p=0.003), and significant linear association with IVOO degree and reflux in femoral veins (p<0.001) and popliteal vein (p=0.008). Significant lesions had 5.76 (95% CI: 2.46-13.50; p<0.001) more odds of happening in the left limb. After a multivariate analysis, DVR remained as predictor for significant and critical obstruction (p<0.003, p< 0.012; respectively). Left limb and previous DVT remained as predictors for IVOO ≥50% and IVOO≥ 80% (p<0.001, p=0.043; respectively) CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant linear association between the degree of iliac venous outflow obstruction and reflux in the deep venous system on DU. Limbs with DVR, severe RMS, loss of respiratory variation on DU, and previous DVT, were more likely to be affected by IVOO ≥ 50%, especially with the left leg involvement.

Management of traumatic superficial palmar arch pseudoaneurysm: a therapeutic challenge / Manejo de pseudoaneurisma do arco palmar superficial traumático: desafio terapêutico

Abstract Pseudoaneurysm of the palmar arch is a rare entity. Diagnosis is dependent on high clinical suspicion. We present a case referred to the emergency department, with a history of glass penetrating trauma to the palmar surface with a pulsatile mass and jet bleeding. Doppler ultrasound evidenced a partially thrombosed pseudoaneurysm. A CT angiography examination showed a saccular formation arising from the superficial palmar arch. A conventional surgical approach was indicated. A clinical suspicion must be ventured to arrive at the correct diagnosis. Imaging modalities are needed to identify the pseudoaneurysm and plan the treatment course. Nonetheless, the sequence of diagnosis is individual, because further evaluation with different imaging methods may not change the rationale for the intervention. In our experience, conventional surgical removal is preferable, due to its safety and well-established outcomes.

Resumo O pseudoaneurisma do arco palmar é uma entidade rara, cujo diagnóstico depende de alta suspeição clínica. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente encaminhado ao pronto-socorro com história de traumatismo penetrante por vidro na face palmar, com massa pulsátil e sangramento em jato. A ultrassonografia com Doppler evidenciou pseudoaneurisma parcialmente trombosado, e a angiotomografia demonstrou formação sacular originada do arco palmar superficial. Uma abordagem cirúrgica convencional foi indicada. Para prosseguir com o diagnóstico correto, essa suspeita clínica deve ser aventada. Modalidades de imagem são necessárias para identificar o pseudoaneurisma e planejar o curso do tratamento. No entanto, a sequência diagnóstica é individual, pois uma avaliação mais aprofundada, com diferentes métodos de imagem, pode não alterar o racional da intervenção. Em nossa experiência, a remoção cirúrgica convencional é preferível, visto sua segurança e seus resultados bem estabelecidos.

Ensino da pesquisa científica na graduação médica: há interesse e envolvimento dos estudantes? / Teaching scientific research in medical graduation: is there interest and involvement of the students?

Resumo: Introdução: O conhecimento sobre pesquisa científica e a compreensão dela são habilidades que devem ser desenvolvidas por todos os profissionais de saúde. Especificamente na Medicina, essas habilidades compõem uma parcela importante da graduação e da educação médica continuada. Considerando que a formação médica possui estreita relação com a compreensão sobre evidências científicas, torna-se relevante analisar o envolvimento dos estudantes de Medicina com as atividades científicas durante o curso. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivos verificar o interesse e o envolvimento em pesquisas científicas entre os estudantes de Medicina por meio da análise do perfil acadêmico e das atividades extracurriculares realizadas, avaliar a produção científica e identificar as motivações e dificuldades enfrentadas. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com estudantes de Medicina de Salvador, na Bahia, maiores de 18 anos. Aplicou-se, por meio do Microsoft Forms, um questionário virtual, estruturado e anônimo contendo 21 perguntas acerca do perfil acadêmico e das atividades extracurriculares realizadas, além de dados sobre a produção científica e as motivações e dificuldades enfrentadas pelos estudantes. Resultado: Dos 460 estudantes participantes, houve predominância de mulheres (63,3%), com idade de 24,1+6,1 anos, cursando os ciclos básico (45,4%) e clínico (46,7%), que não possuem desejo prévio de trabalhar com pesquisa (54,8%). Dentre os participantes, 54,6% integraram ligas acadêmicas, 31,1% possuem envolvimento com grupos de pesquisa e 29,1% participaram de monitoria. Verificou-se que apenas 33,9% dos estudantes possuem resumos publicados em congressos, 12,2% são coautores de artigos científicos e 7,4% são autores principais. O interesse em trabalhar com pesquisa aumenta durante a graduação (p = 0,010), estando os estudantes motivados para produzir cientificamente (66,1%). A experiência em pesquisa (27,4%) e o interesse genuíno na descoberta científica (20,9%) foram os principais fatores motivadores. Entretanto, 81,1% dos discentes identificaram dificuldades para produzir conteúdo científico e apontaram como empecilhos a orientação inadequada (16,0%) e a falta de tempo (15,5%). Não foi observada relação entre a motivação e a dificuldade para produzir cientificamente e o ciclo acadêmico em curso. Conclusão: Os estudantes de Medicina demonstram interesse e participação em pesquisa científica, entretanto aqueles que, de fato, estão envolvidos com atividades científicas representam a minoria.

Abstract: Introduction: Knowledge and understanding of scientific research are skills that must be developed by all health professionals. Specifically in Medicine, these skills make up an important part of undergraduate and continuing medical education. Considering that medical training is closely related to the understanding of scientific evidence, it becomes relevant to analyze the involvement of medical students with scientific activities during the course. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the interest and involvement in scientific research among medical students, analyzing the academic profile and the extracurricular activities carried out, in addition to evaluating the scientific production and identifying the motivations and difficulties faced. Method: A cross-sectional study carried out with medical students from Salvador/Bahia, over 18 years of age. A virtual, structured, anonymous questionnaire was applied through Microsoft Forms, containing 21 questions about the academic profile and extracurricular activities carried out, in addition to data on scientific production and the motivations and difficulties faced by students. Result: Of the 460 participating students, there was a predominance of women (63.3%), aged 24.1+6.1 years, attending the basic (45.4%) and clinical (46.7%) cycles, who have no previous desire to work with research (54.8%). Among the participants, 54.6% were part of academic leagues, 31.1% were involved in research groups and 29.1% participated in monitoring. It was found that only 33.9% of students have abstracts published in congresses, 12.2% are co-authors of scientific articles and 7.4% are main authors. Interest in working with research increases during graduation (p = 0.010), with students motivated to produce scientifically (66.1%). Research experience (27.4%) and genuine interest in scientific discovery (20.9%) were the main motivating factors. However, 81.1% of students identify difficulties in producing scientific content, with inadequate guidance (16.0%) and lack of time (15.5%) being the main obstacles. No relationship was observed between motivation and difficulty to produce scientifically and the current academic cycle. Conclusion: Medical students show interest and participation in scientific research, however those who are actually involved in scientific activities represent the minority.