Vena Cava Filter Misplacement: A Killer Traveler

ABSTRACT Inferior vena cava filter embolization is not uncommon and can reach 11.8%. However, device migration to the heart is not frequent and occurs in cases after inferior vena cava filter fracture. We present the case of a young woman who was submitted to a routine inferior vena cava filter placement three days before and presented with hemodynamic instability. Since the device was not retrievable, the surgical team opted for an open cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass to remove the inferior vena cava filter and avoid other further complications.

Vena Cava Filter Misplacement: A Killer Traveler.

Inferior vena cava filter embolization is not uncommon and can reach 11.8%. However, device migration to the heart is not frequent and occurs in cases after inferior vena cava filter fracture. We present the case of a young woman who was submitted to a routine inferior vena cava filter placement three days before and presented with hemodynamic instability. Since the device was not retrievable, the surgical team opted for an open cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass to remove the inferior vena cava filter and avoid other further complications.

Heyde Syndrome Treated by Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement.

Heyde syndrome manifests as aortic stenosis associated with gastrointestinal bleeding. We describe the case of a 64-year-old man who came to the emergency room due to acute heart failure and intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding. Treatment involves initial correction of anemia and heart failure followed by aortic valve replacement. The prosthesis used depends on the characteristics of each patient and valve replacement allows the resolution of bleeding in most cases. Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with aortic stenosis is associated with severity of the valve obstruction. A mechanical prosthesis was used with no recurrent bleeding even with the need for lifelong anticoagulation therapy.

Heyde syndrome treated by conventional aortic valve replacement

Abstract Heyde syndrome manifests as aortic stenosis associated with gastrointestinal bleeding. We describe the case of a 64-year-old man who came to the emergency room due to acute heart failure and intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding. Treatment involves initial correction of anemia and heart failure followed by aortic valve replacement. The prosthesis used depends on the characteristics of each patient and valve replacement allows the resolution of bleeding in most cases. Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with aortic stenosis is associated with severity of the valve obstruction. A mechanical prosthesis was used with no recurrent bleeding even with the need for lifelong anticoagulation therapy.

Comparative Study of Electrical Stimulation of the Heart with VDD and DDD Pacemakers as to the Evolution to Atrial Fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: The pacemaker implantation VDD is considered simpler, faster, less expensive and causes fewer complications compared to DDD. However, the VDD pacemaker has not been widely used in many centers, perhaps for fear of dysfunction of the sinus node and the reduction of atrial sensitivity by the pacemaker during follow-up after implantation. OBJECTIVE: To compare patients with DDD and VDD pacemakers regarding the evolution of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) and length of stay outside this postoperative arrhythmia. METHODS: It was included 158 patients with dual chamber pacemakers, 48 DDD and 110 VDD. Follow-up period: between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2015. The mean follow-up of patients with DDD was 5.35 years and the VDD, 4.74 years. The percentage of each group (DDD and VDD) which evolved to AF during follow-up was assessed. Also, it was made an actuarial study with the respective curves indicating the time free from AF for each group. Patients were classified according to the diagnosis that led to pacemaker implantation and the degree of heart failure. RESULTS: The percentage of patients who developed AF was higher in DDD group (10.42%) than in VDD group (6.36%), but without statistical significance. Patients with DDD and VDD remained free of AF for similar period. CONCLUSION: Considering the results, the VDD pacemaker continues to be a good option to the DDD for routine use in cases properly indicated.

Comparative study of electrical stimulation of the heart with vdd and ddd pacemakers as to the evolution to atrial fibrillation

Abstract Introduction: The pacemaker implantation VDD is considered simpler, faster, less expensive and causes fewer complications compared to DDD. However, the VDD pacemaker has not been widely used in many centers, perhaps for fear of dysfunction of the sinus node and the reduction of atrial sensitivity by the pacemaker during follow-up after implantation. Objective: To compare patients with DDD and VDD pacemakers regarding the evolution of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) and length of stay outside this postoperative arrhythmia. Methods: It was included 158 patients with dual chamber pacemakers, 48 DDD and 110 VDD. Follow-up period: between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2015. The mean follow-up of patients with DDD was 5.35 years and the VDD, 4.74 years. The percentage of each group (DDD and VDD) which evolved to AF during follow-up was assessed. Also, it was made an actuarial study with the respective curves indicating the time free from AF for each group. Patients were classified according to the diagnosis that led to pacemaker implantation and the degree of heart failure. Results: The percentage of patients who developed AF was higher in DDD group (10.42%) than in VDD group (6.36%), but without statistical significance. Patients with DDD and VDD remained free of AF for similar period. Conclusion: Considering the results, the VDD pacemaker continues to be a good option to the DDD for routine use in cases properly indicated.

Critical analysis of diagnostic criteria (ICHD-3 beta) about migraine in childhood and adolescence / Análise crítica dos critérios diagnósticos (CIC-3 beta) de enxaqueca em crianças e adolescentes

Objective The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the International Classification of Headache Disorders I (ICHD-I) diagnostic criteria for migraine in children and adolescents. Methods 150 pain diaries were analyzed during an initial consultation. The duration of migraine headache attacks were divided into 2 groups: Group I, for attacks lasting > 2 hours, and Group II, for attacks lasting < 2 hours.The two groups were statistically compared using Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05). Results In this study, 51(34%) subjects were male and 99 (66%) were female, aged 7–15 years. Fisher’s exact test demonstrated that the ICHD-3 beta had a 58% sensitivity for Group I diagnoses and a 94% sensitivity for Group II diagnoses (p < 0.001). Conclusion The current ICHD-3 beta classification improves and advances migraine diagnosis in children and adolescents; however, more research is needed to identify additional characteristics of headache in this age group.

Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar prospectivamente os critérios diagnósticos da Classificação Internacional das Cefaleias 3 beta (CIC-3) de enxaqueca em crianças e adolescentes. Métodos 150 diários de dor foram analisados durante a consulta inicial. A duração dos episódios de enxaqueca foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo I, para episódios com duração > 2 horas, e Grupo II, para os episódios < 2 horas. Os dois grupos foram comparados estatisticamente pelo teste exato de Fisher (p < 0,05). Resultados Neste estudo, 51 (34%) pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 99 (66%) eram do sexo feminino, com idade entre 7-15 anos. O teste exato de Fisher demonstrou que a CIC-3 beta teve sensibilidade de 58% para o diagnóstico do Grupo I e 94% para o diagnóstico do Grupo II (p < 0,001). Conclusão A atual classificação CIC-3 beta melhora e avança diagnóstico de enxaqueca em crianças e adolescentes; no entanto, mais pesquisas são necessárias para identificar as características adicionais de cefaléia nessa faixa etária.

Critical analysis of diagnostic criteria (ICHD-3 beta) about migraine in childhood and adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the International Classification of Headache Disorders I (ICHD-I) diagnostic criteria for migraine in children and adolescents. METHODS: 150 pain diaries were analyzed during an initial consultation. The duration of migraine headache attacks were divided into 2 groups: Group I, for attacks lasting > 2 hours, and Group II, for attacks lasting < 2 hours.The two groups were statistically compared using Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In this study, 51(34%) subjects were male and 99 (66%) were female, aged 7-15 years. Fisher's exact test demonstrated that the ICHD-3 beta had a 58% sensitivity for Group I diagnoses and a 94% sensitivity for Group II diagnoses (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The current ICHD-3 beta classification improves and advances migraine diagnosis in children and adolescents; however, more research is needed to identify additional characteristics of headache in this age group.

Influência do nível socioeconômico sobre os fatores de risco cardiovascular / Influence of socioeconomic status on cardiovascular risk factors

São diversificadas e abundantes na literatura mundial, bem como na brasileira, as evidências de que as doenças cardiovasculares e a mortalidade decorrente dessas doenças sejam mais frequentes entre as pessoas de menor nível socioeconômico. Hipertensão arterial, diabetes, hábito de fumar, dislipidemia, obesidade, alcoolismo e estresse psicossocial são mais frequentes em indivíduos de menor nível socioeconômico. Dentre os marcadores de nível socioeconômico, a escolaridade é a que melhor se correlaciona com a frequência e a intensidade dos fatores de risco cardiovascular. O presente trabalho faz uma revisão dos estudos que avaliaram as proposições listadas anteriormente.

There are a general believe that cardiovascular disease affect more rich people: it is not what epidemiological evidences shown. Brazilian and international studies shown that cardiovascular diseases and mortality are more frequent in low socioeconomic status. Hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia, obesity, alcoholism and psychosocial stress are more intense in these people. Among socioeconomic parameters, the years of scholarity have the better correlation with cardiovascular risk. The present paper reviews the studies that evaluate the above propositions.

Influence of fresh frozen plasma as a trigger factor for kidney dysfunction in cardiovascular surgery / Plasma fresco congelado como fator de risco para a disfunção renal no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiovascular

OBJECTIVE: Kidney dysfunction is a major complication in the postoperative cardiac surgery setting. Operative risk factors for its development are cardiopulmonary bypass, anemia, antifibrinolytic drugs and blood transfusion. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for developing kidney dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients were studied and 84 were analyzed. The sample was stratified into two groups. A serum creatinine higher than 30% compared to the preoperative period was considered for the kidney dysfunction group (n=9; 10.71%). There also was a control group when the increase in serum creatinine remained lower than 30% (n=75; 89.28%). RESULTS: It was observed that intraoperative transfusion of fresh frozen plasma in the control group was 2.05 ± 0.78 units and 3.80 ± 2.16 units in the kidney dysfunction group with P= 0.032. CONCLUSION: It was possible to associate that fresh frozen plasma transfusion is a risk factor for postoperative kidney dysfunction after cardiovascular surgery.

OBJETIVO: A disfunção renal é uma complicação importante no cenário de pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiovascular. Como fatores de risco conhecidos no intraoperatório para o seu desenvolvimento destacam-se a circulação extracorpórea, a hemodiluição, drogas antifibrinolíticos e a transfusão sanguínea. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar os fatores de risco na transfusão de sangue e derivados para o desenvolvimento de disfunção renal em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular. MÉTODOS: Noventa e sete pacientes foram estudados e 84 foram analisados. A amostra foi estratificada em dois grupos, sendo que o incremento de 30% na creatinina sérica no pós-operatório foi considerado para o grupo com disfunção renal (n = 9; 10,71%). O grupo não disfunção renal foi caracterizado pela creatinina sérica, que permaneceu inferior a aumento de 30% no pós-operatório (n = 75; 89,28%). RESULTADOS: Foi observado que a transfusão de plasma fresco congelado no grupo não disfunção renal foi de 2,05 ± 0,78 unidades e 3,80 ± 2,16 unidades no grupo disfunção renal com P= 0,032. CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível associar, nesta série de pacientes, que a transfusão de plasma fresco congelado foi um fator de risco para disfunção renal pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiovascular.

Ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients with low educational level.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a strong predictor of mortality in chronic kidney patients. A previous study of our group has shown that chronic kidney patients with low educational level has more severe ventricular hypertrophy. OBJECTIVE: To extend a previous study and to assess whether left ventricular hypertrophy can explain the association between schooling and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This study assessed 113 patients from January 2005 to March 2008 and followed them up until October 2010. Survival curves were built to compare all-cause and cardiovascular mortality of patients with up to three years of schooling (median schooling) and those with schooling of four years and over. Cox multiple models were built and adjusted to confounding variables. RESULTS: Association between educational level and ventricular hypertrophy was observed. Statistical difference in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality between the different educational levels was observed at 5.5 years of follow-up. In the Cox model, ventricular hypertrophy and C-reactive protein associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The etiology of kidney failure associated with all-cause mortality, and creatinine associated with cardiovascular mortality. The association between educational level and mortality lost statistical significance in the adjusted model. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm those of a previous study. In addition, they show that the higher cardiovascular mortality observed in patients with low educational level can be explained by risk factors of biochemical and cardiac morphological origin.

Hipertrofia ventricular e mortalidade cardiovascular em pacientes de hemodiálise de baixo nível educacional / Ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients with low educational level / Hipertrofia ventricular y mortalidad cardiovascular en pacientes de hemodiálisis de bajo nivel educativo

FUNDAMENTO: A hipertrofia ventricular esquerda é potente preditor de mortalidade em renais crônicos. Estudo prévio de nosso grupo mostrou que renais crônicos com menor escolaridade têm hipertrofia ventricular mais intensa. OBJETIVO: Ampliar estudo prévio e verificar se a hipertrofia ventricular esquerda pode justificar a associação entre escolaridade e mortalidade cardiovascular de pacientes em hemodiálise. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 113 pacientes entre janeiro de 2005 e março de 2008 e seguidos até outubro de 2010. Foram traçadas curvas de sobrevida comparando a mortalidade cardiovascular, e por todas as causas dos pacientes com escolaridade de até três anos (mediana da escolaridade) e pacientes com escolaridade igual ou superior a quatro anos. Foram construídos modelos múltiplos de Cox ajustados para as variáveis de confusão. RESULTADOS: Observou-se associação entre nível de escolaridade e hipertrofia ventricular. A diferença estatística de mortalidade de origem cardiovascular e por todas as causas entre os diferentes níveis de escolaridade ocorreu aos cinco anos e meio de seguimento. No modelo de Cox, a hipertrofia ventricular e a proteína-C reativa associaram-se à mortalidade por todas as causas e de origem cardiovascular. A etiologia da insuficiência renal associou-se à mortalidade por todas as causas e a creatinina associou-se à mortalidade de origem cardiovascular. A associação entre escolaridade e mortalidade perdeu significância estatística no modelo ajustado. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do presente trabalho confirmam estudo prévio e demonstram, ademais, que a maior mortalidade cardiovascular observada nos pacientes com menor escolaridade pôde ser explicada por fatores de risco de ordem bioquímica e de morfologia cardíaca.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a strong predictor of mortality in chronic kidney patients. A previous study of our group has shown that chronic kidney patients with low educational level has more severe ventricular hypertrophy. OBJECTIVE: To extend a previous study and to assess whether left ventricular hypertrophy can explain the association between schooling and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This study assessed 113 patients from January 2005 to March 2008 and followed them up until October 2010. Survival curves were built to compare all-cause and cardiovascular mortality of patients with up to three years of schooling (median schooling) and those with schooling of four years and over. Cox multiple models were built and adjusted to confounding variables. RESULTS: Association between educational level and ventricular hypertrophy was observed. Statistical difference in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality between the different educational levels was observed at 5.5 years of follow-up. In the Cox model, ventricular hypertrophy and C-reactive protein associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The etiology of kidney failure associated with all-cause mortality, and creatinine associated with cardiovascular mortality. The association between educational level and mortality lost statistical significance in the adjusted model. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm those of a previous study. In addition, they show that the higher cardiovascular mortality observed in patients with low educational level can be explained by risk factors of biochemical and cardiac morphological origin.

FUNDAMENTO: La hipertrofia ventricular izquierda es potente predictor de mortalidad en renales crónicos. Estudio previo de nuestro grupo mostró que renales crónicos con menor escolaridad tienen hipertrofia ventricular más intensa. OBJETIVO: Ampliar estudio previo y verificar si la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda puede justificar la asociación entre escolaridad y mortalidad cardiovascular de pacientes en hemodiálisis. MÉTODOS: Fueron evaluados 113 pacientes entre enero de 2005 y marzo de 2008 y seguidos hasta octubre de 2010. Fueron trazadas curvas de sobrevida comparando la mortalidad cardiovascular, y por todas las causas de los pacientes con escolaridad de hasta tres años (mediana de la escolaridad) y pacientes con escolaridad igual o superior a cuatro años. Fueron construidos modelos múltiples de Cox ajustados para las variables de confusión. RESULTADOS: Se observó asociación entre nivel de escolaridad e hipertrofia ventricular. La diferencia estadística de mortalidad de origen cardiovascular y por todas las causas entre los diferentes niveles de escolaridad ocurrió a los cinco años y medio de seguimiento. En el modelo de Cox, la hipertrofia ventricular y la proteína-C reactiva se asociaron a la mortalidad por todas las causas y de origen cardiovascular. La etiología de la insuficiencia renal se asoció a la mortalidad por todas las causas y la creatinina se asoció a la mortalidad de origen cardiovascular. La asociación entre escolaridad y mortalidad perdió significación estadística en el modelo ajustado. CONCLUSÓN: Los resultados del presente trabajo confirman estudio previo y demuestran, además, que la mayor mortalidad cardiovascular observada en los pacientes con menor escolaridad puede ser explicada por factores de riesgo de orden bioquímico y de morfología cardíaca.

Influence of fresh frozen plasma as a trigger factor for kidney dysfunction in cardiovascular surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney dysfunction is a major complication in the postoperative cardiac surgery setting. Operative risk factors for its development are cardiopulmonary bypass, anemia, antifibrinolytic drugs and blood transfusion. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for developing kidney dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients were studied and 84 were analyzed. The sample was stratified into two groups. A serum creatinine higher than 30% compared to the preoperative period was considered for the kidney dysfunction group (n=9; 10.71%). There also was a control group when the increase in serum creatinine remained lower than 30% (n=75; 89.28%). RESULTS: It was observed that intraoperative transfusion of fresh frozen plasma in the control group was 2.05 ± 0.78 units and 3.80 ± 2.16 units in the kidney dysfunction group with P= 0.032. CONCLUSION: It was possible to associate that fresh frozen plasma transfusion is a risk factor for postoperative kidney dysfunction after cardiovascular surgery.

Use of nefidipine and acute kidney injury incidence in postoperative of myocardial revascularization surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the use of nifedipine on the outcome of renal function in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization with extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: The casuistics and variables related to extracorporeal circulation were studied. Serum creatinine levels were measured preoperatively, 24, 48 hours and on 7th day postoperatively. Renal failure was defined as an increase in 30% of serum creatinine levels at 24 or 48 hours postoperatively compared to those at baseline. Patients were assigned to four groups: G1 (patients who received nifedipine preoperatively); G2 (patients who received nifedipine postoperatively); G3 (patients who received nifedipine pre and postoperatively) and G4 (patients who did not receive nifedipine). RESULTS: The mean serum creatinine levels postoperatively presented greater rise in G4 (G4>G1=G2=G3), and G4 also presented a higher percentage of patients with acute renal failure (G4>G1 and G4>G3, P<0.05; G1=G3 and G2=G4, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The evaluation of serum creatinine values and incidence of acute kidney injury postoperatively suggest a possible nefro-potective effect of nifedipine in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization with extracorporeal circulation.

Influência da escolaridade na hipertrofia miocárdica de pacientes em hemodiálise / Influence of educational level on myocardial hypertrophy of hemodialysis patients

Introdução: A doença renal crônica apresenta elevado risco cardiovascular. dados da população geral associam as doenças cardiovasculares a baixo nível de escolaridade, porém nehum trabalho avaliou essa associação entre pacientes em hemodiálise. objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre Botucatu (UNESP). dados clínicos, laboratoriais e ecocardiográficos foram extraídos dos prontuários. os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a mediana da escolaridade: o grupo I foi constituído por pacientes com escolaridade <- três anos, e grupo II por pacientes com escolaridade superior a três anos. resultados: pressão arterial, ganho de peso interdialítico e variáveis com diferença estatística entre os dois grupos ao nível de p< 0,2 foram selecionadas para análise múltipla. Na análise múltipla, associações independentes foram consideradas ao nível de p< 0,05. A média de idade dos pacientes foi 57+- 12.8 anos, 46 pacientes eram homens (57%) e 53 eram brancos (67%). As variáveis selecionadas para análise múltipla foram: idade (p= 0,004), anos de escolaridade (p, 0,0001), índice de massa corpórea (p= 0,124), diâmetro do ventrículo esquerdo (p= 0,048) e índice de massa ventricular (p= 0,006). As drogas anti-hipertensivas empregadas foram similares em ambos os grupos. A pressão sistólica (p=0,006) e a escolaridade (p=0,047) apresentaram correlação significativa e independente com índice de massa ventricular. Conclusão: Em pacientes em hemodiálise, houve correlação da massa do ventrículo esquerdo não apenas com a pressão arterial, mas também com o nível educacional.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease has a high cardiovascular risk. data from the general population associated cardiovascular disease to low levels of schooling, but match any study evaluated the association between hemodialysis patients. Objective: To evaluate the association between Botucatu (UNESP). clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic findings were extracted from medical records. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median education level: group I comprised patients with educational <- three years, and group II patients with higher education for three years. results: blood pressure, interdialytic weight gain and variable with a statistical difference between the two groups at p <0.2 were selected for multivariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, independent associations were considered at p <0.05. The average patient age was 57 + - 12.8 years, 46 patients were men (57%) and 53 were white (67%). Variables selected for multivariate analysis were age (p = 0.004), years of schooling (p, 0.0001), body mass index (p = 0.124), left ventricular diameter (p = 0.048) and left ventricular mass indeThe antihypertensive drugs used were similar in both groups. Systolic pressure (p = 0.006) and education (p = 0.047) correlated significantly and independently with left ventricular mass index. Conclusion: In hemodialysis patients, there was a correlation between left ventricular mass with not only blood pressure but also to the educational level.x (p = 0.006).

Uso de nifedipina e incidência de lesão renal aguda em pós-operatório de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio com CEC / Use of nefidipine and acute kidney injury incidence in postoperative of myocardial revascularization surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJETIVO: Avaliar durante o período perioperatório o uso da nifedipina na incidência de lesão renal aguda dos pacientes submetidos à revascularização do miocárdio com circulação extracorpórea. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados, de modo prospectivo e sequencial, 94 pacientes submetidos à revascularização do miocárdio com circulação extracorpórea. As dosagens da creatinina sérica foram realizadas durante pré-operatório e pós-operatório de 24, 48 horas e no 7º dia. Estabeleceu-se como definição para presença de lesão renal a elevação da creatinina sérica 30 por cento em relação ao seu valor basal nas primeiras 24 ou 48 horas de pós-operatório. Os pacientes foram divididos em quatro grupos: G1, que recebeu nifedipina no pré-operatório; G2, que recebeu nifedipina no pós-operatório; G3, que recebeu nifedipina no pré e pós-operatórios e, G4, que não recebeu nifedipina. RESULTADOS: O grupo G4 mostrou maior elevação do percentual de creatinina sérica e maior percentual de pacientes que apresentaram insuficiência renal aguda em relação aos demais grupos no pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: Os valores da creatinina sérica e a incidência de lesão renal aguda no pós-operatório sugerem possível efeito nefroprotetor da nifedipina em pacientes submetidos à revascularização do miocárdio com circulação extracorpórea.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the use of nifedipine on the outcome of renal function in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization with extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: The casuistics and variables related to extracorporeal circulation were studied. Serum creatinine levels were measured preoperatively, 24, 48 hours and on 7th day postoperatively. Renal failure was defined as an increase in 30 percent of serum creatinine levels at 24 or 48 hours postoperatively compared to those at baseline. Patients were assigned to four groups: G1 (patients who received nifedipine preoperatively); G2 (patients who received nifedipine postoperatively); G3 (patients who received nifedipine pre and postoperatively) and G4 (patients who did not receive nifedipine). RESULTS: The mean serum creatinine levels postoperatively presented greater rise in G4 (G4>G1=G2=G3), and G4 also presented a higher percentage of patients with acute renal failure (G4>G1 and G4>G3, P<0.05; G1=G3 and G2=G4, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The evaluation of serum creatinine values and incidence of acute kidney injury postoperatively suggest a possible nefro-potective effect of nifedipine in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization with extracorporeal circulation.

[Influence of educational level on myocardial hypertrophy of hemodialysis patients].

INTRODUCTION: Chronic renal disease is associated with a high cardiovascular risk. Data from the general population associate cardiovascular diseases with low educational level, but no study has evaluated this association in patients on hemodialysis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at evaluating the association between educational level, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients on chronic hemodialysis. METHODS: A standard socioeconomic questionnaire was applied to 79 hemodialysis patients at the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, state of São Paulo. Clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic data were obtained from medical records. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median educational level, as follows: G1, patients with three or less years of schooling; G2, patients with more than three years of schooling. RESULTS: Blood pressure, interdialytic weight gain, and variables statistically different in the two groups (p < 0.2) underwent multiple analysis. Independent associations were stated with p < 0.05 in multiple analysis. The mean age of patients was 57 ± 12.8 years, 46 were males (57%), and 53 white (67%). The variables selected for multiple analysis were: age (p = 0.004); educational level (p < 0.0001); body mass index (p = 0.124); left ventricular diameter (p = 0.048); and left ventricular mass index (p = 0.006). Antihypertensive drugs were similar in both groups. Systolic blood pressure (p = 0.006) and years of schooling (p = 0.047) had a significant and independent correlation with left ventricular mass index. CONCLUSION: In hemodialysis patients, left ventricular mass associated not only with blood pressure but also with educational level.

Cystatin C and glomerular filtration rate in the cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare cystatin C versus creatinine as a marker for acute kidney injury in patients submitted to cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting were studied. Renal function was evaluated by serum cystatin C and creatinine. Blood samples were obtained from each patient at three time points: before operation, and on the first and fifth postoperative days. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by Cockcroft-Gault (CG), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), and Larsson (Cys-GFR) formulas. RESULTS: Creatinine and GFR by CG and MDRD formulas did not show statistical difference between study times. After renal injury from surgery, there was an increase in cystatin C on the 1st and 5th day after surgery, being significantly different on the 5th postoperative (P<0.01). The GFR by Larson formula was higher in the preoperative time (105.2 +/- 41.0 ml/min) than in the 5th postoperative day (89.5+/- 31.5 ml/min; P<0.012). CONCLUSION: The cystatin C and the Cys-GFR showed significant changes after cardiac surgery when compared with the creatinine and respective GFR calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault and MDRD formulas.