Sleep bruxism and associated physiological events in children with obstructive sleep apnea: a polysomnographic study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological events associated with sleep bruxism (Sleep Bruxism [SB]; presence of mandibular movement activity) and the control window (4 minutes prior to SB event, where no mandibular movement activity was detected) in a polysomnography study in children with mild sleep apnea. METHODS: Polysomnography data from children aged 4 to 9 years old diagnosed with mild sleep apnea were analyzed by 2 trained examiners. The mandibular movement activity (bruxism event; SB) was classified into phasic and tonic. The control window was selected 4 minutes prior to the SB event. All physiological events were recorded in both bruxism and control windows, including sleep phase (N1, N2, N3, and rapid eye movement), arousal, leg movements, tachycardia, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation, and number of obstructive and central sleep apnea events. The moment in which those phenomena occurred when associated with SB was also analyzed (before/after). Data were analyzed using 95% confidence intervals (α = 5%). RESULTS: A total of 661 mandibular movements were analyzed and classified as tonic (n = 372) or phasic (n = 289). The mean apnea-hypopnea index was 1.99 (SD = 1.27) events/h. The frequency of leg movements, microarousal, and tachycardia was increased in SB events when compared with the control window (P < .05). There was an increase in bradycardia frequency in the control window when compared with SB (in both tonic and phasic events). The frequency of obstructive and central apnea during SB was lower when compared with the other physiological phenomena. CONCLUSIONS: There is a difference in the physiological parameters evaluated in children with mild sleep apnea when comparing the 2 windows (SB and control). Sleep bruxism is associated with other physiological phenomena, such as leg movements, tachycardia, and microarousal. The use of a control window (where no mandibular activity was detected) was representative since it did not show activation of the sympathetic nervous system. CITATION: Bonacina CF, Soster LMSFA, Bueno C, et al. Sleep bruxism and associated physiological events in children with obstructive sleep apnea: a polysomnographic study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(4):565-573.

Atropine does not prevent hypoxemia and bradycardia in tracheal intubation in the pediatric emergency department: observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The benefit of atropine in pediatric tracheal intubation is not well established. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of atropine on the incidence of hypoxemia and bradycardia during tracheal intubations in the pediatric emergency department. METHODS: This is a single-center observational study in a tertiary pediatric emergency department. Data were collected on all tracheal intubations in patients from 31 days to incomplete 20 years old, performed between January 2016 and September 2020. Procedures were divided into two groups according to the use or not of atropine as a premedication during intubation. Records with missing data, patients with cardiorespiratory arrest, cyanotic congenital heart diseases, and those with chronic lung diseases with baseline hypoxemia were excluded. The primary outcome was hypoxemia (peripheral oxygen saturation ≤88%), while the secondary outcomes were bradycardia (decrease in heart rate >20% between the maximum and minimum values) and critical bradycardia (heart rate <60 bpm) during intubation procedure. RESULTS: A total of 151 tracheal intubations were identified during the study period, of which 126 were eligible. Of those, 77% had complex, chronic underlying diseases. Atropine was administered to 43 (34.1%) patients and was associated with greater odds of hypoxemia in univariable analysis (OR: 2.62; 95%CI 1.15-6.16; p=0.027) but not in multivariable analysis (OR: 2.07; 95%CI 0.42-10.32; p=0.37). Critical bradycardia occurred in only three patients, being two in the atropine group (p=0.26). Bradycardia was analyzed in only 42 procedures. Atropine use was associated with higher odds of bradycardia in multivariable analysis (OR: 11.00; 95%CI 1.3-92.8; p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Atropine as a premedication in tracheal intubation did not prevent the occurrence of hypoxemia or bradycardia during intubation procedures in pediatric emergency.

Treatment results of carotid artery stenting in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the details of minor complications of carotid artery stenting in a developing country. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center study conducted on the target group consisting of 65 symptomatic patients who underwent carotid artery stenting. We assessed technical success rate, periprocedural complication within 30 days (hypotension, bradycardia, acute kidney injury, vasospasm, a transient ischemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, and death), and the differences between groups with and without complications. RESULTS: Minor periprocedural complications occurred in 15 patients. In all, 8 (12.3%) had transient hypotension, 6 (9.2%) had bradycardia, 7 (10.7%) had acute kidney injury, 2 (3.1%) had vasospasm, and 1 (1.5%) had transient ischemic attack. A greater rate of minor complications was observed in women (p=0.051). CONCLUSION: The results of the carotid artery stenting procedures performed in a developing country were acceptable.

Severe bradycardia in a teenager as the initial manifestation for Guillain Barré syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome is the most common cause of flaccid paralysis, with multiple known clinical variants. Autonomic dysfunction, although frequently reported in the clinical course, is often overlooked in the pediatric population and is usually not the initial presenting symptom in this age group CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a previously healthy 17-year-old who arrived at the Emergency Department complaining of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with lipothymia. An initial electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sustained sinus bradycardia subsequently associated with arterial hypertension. Structural and inflammatory cardiac pathology were ruled out, as well as auriculoventricular conduction block and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. On the ninth day after initial symptoms, the patient presented sensory and motor nerve disturbances with the cerebrospinal fluid analysis showing a clear albumin-cytologic dissociation, consistent with an atypical presentation of GBS with autonomic dysfunction. Immunoglobulin therapy was administered, developing subsequent aseptic meningitis, that required discontinuation of previous therapy and treatment with plasmapheresis. Clinical improvement was achieved with full motor function recovery. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates a Guillain-Barré syndrome variant in which autonomic dysfunction preceded neurologic deficit, a finding uncommon in children, emphasizing this as an important differential diagnosis for severe bradycardia in pediatric patients.

Inflammatory signs and epileptic crisis in patients admitted in an emergency unit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate inflammatory signs presented in medical records of patients with a main diagnosis of epileptic seizures, admitted in an emergency unit. METHOD: Cross-sectional and retrospective study. The sample was composed of 191 medical records, from children, adolescents, adults, and elders, with a clinical diagnosis of epileptic seizures, admitted between June 2016 and June 2017 at the emergency unit of a hospital in Porto Alegre/RS. RESULTS: The prevalent inflammatory signs were tachypnea (33.5%) and/or fever (27.2%) associated with leukocytosis (P=0.030). Children/adolescents had seizures less frequently (P=0.010) and these were due to fever (P=0.000). Adults presented seizures more frequently (P=0.006), which were related to medication/intoxication (P=0.000). In elders, seizures occurred due to metabolic or circulatory abnormalities (P=0.000), less often due to fever (P=0.005). CONCLUSION: Seizures are related to fever and tachypnea, being caused by different etiologies according to age, being more frequent in adults. Fever is related to leukocytosis, regardless of age.

Inflammatory signs and epileptic crisis in patients admitted in an emergency unit / Signos inflamatorios y crisis epiléptica en pacientes admitidos en una unidad de emergencia / Sinais inflamatórios e crise epiléptica em pacientes admitidos em unidade de emergência

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate inflammatory signs presented in medical records of patients with a main diagnosis of epileptic seizures, admitted in an emergency unit. Method: Cross-sectional and retrospective study. The sample was composed of 191 medical records, from children, adolescents, adults, and elders, with a clinical diagnosis of epileptic seizures, admitted between June 2016 and June 2017 at the emergency unit of a hospital in Porto Alegre/RS. Results: The prevalent inflammatory signs were tachypnea (33.5%) and/or fever (27.2%) associated with leukocytosis (P=0.030). Children/adolescents had seizures less frequently (P=0.010) and these were due to fever (P=0.000). Adults presented seizures more frequently (P=0.006), which were related to medication/intoxication (P=0.000). In elders, seizures occurred due to metabolic or circulatory abnormalities (P=0.000), less often due to fever (P=0.005). Conclusion: Seizures are related to fever and tachypnea, being caused by different etiologies according to age, being more frequent in adults. Fever is related to leukocytosis, regardless of age.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar signos inflamatorios registrados en prontuarios de pacientes con diagnóstico principal de crisis epilépticas, admitidos en unidad de emergencia. Método: Estudio transversal, retrospectivo. Muestra compuesta por 191 prontuarios de pacientes pediátricos, adolescentes, adultos y ancianos, diagnosticados con crisis epilépticas, admitidos entre junio de 2016 a junio de 2017 en unidad de emergencia de un hospital de Porto Alegre/RS. Resultados: Prevalencia del taquipnea (33,5%) y/o fiebre (27,2%) como signos inflamatorios, fiebre relacionada a leucocitosis (P=0,030). Niños/adolescentes tienen crisis menos frecuentes (P=0,010) de origen febril (P=0,000). Los adultos presentaron mayor número de eventos (P=0,006), provocados por medicamentos/intoxicaciones (P=0,000). En ancianos, crisis ocurrieron debido a disturbios metabólicos/circulatorios (P=0,000),menor ocurrencia de fiebre (P=0,005). Conclusión: Crisis epilépticas están relacionadas a fiebre y taquipnea, presentando diferentes etiologías según grupo de edad, con mayor ocurrencia entre adultos. Fiebre relacionada con el leucocitosis, independientemente de la edad.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os sinais inflamatórios registrados em prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico principal de crise epiléptica, admitidos em unidade de emergência. Método: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo. Amostra composta por 191 prontuários de pacientes pediátricos, adolescentes, adultos e idosos, com diagnóstico clínico de crise epiléptica, admitidos entre junho de 2016 a junho de 2017, na unidade de emergência de um hospital de Porto Alegre/RS. Resultados: Prevalência do relato de taquipneia (33,5%) e/ou febre (27,2%) como sinais inflamatórios, estando febre relacionada à leucocitose (P=0,030). Crianças/adolescentes tiverem crises menos frequentes (P=0,010) ede origem febril (P=0,000). Adultos apresentaram maior número de eventos (P=0,006), provocados por medicações/intoxicações (P=0,000). Nos idosos, crises ocorreram por distúrbios metabólicos/circulatórios (P=0,000), com menor ocorrência de febre (P=0,005). Conclusão: Crises epilépticas estão relacionadas à presença de febre e taquipneia, apresentando diferentes etiologias conforme faixa etária, com maior frequência de ocorrência entre adultos. Febre está relacionada à leucocitose, independentemente da idade.

Hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia / Hipotensão e bradicardia antes da raquianestesia

Abstract I report a case of hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia in a pregnant woman with mild to moderate hypertension treated with nifedipine and methyldopa, scheduled for an elective cesarean delivery. She had the history of neurally-mediated syncopes. Two main factors (increased vagal tone and adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs) could explain the hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia. Monitoring allowed recognizing the problem and corrected it. Thus, it was avoided a disaster in anesthesia, as hemodynamic changes after spinal anesthesia, they would have joined to previous hypotension and bradycardia, which would have caused even a cardiac arrest.

Resumo Relato de um caso de hipotensão e bradicardia antes da raquianestesia em uma mulher grávida com hipertensão leve a moderada tratada com nifedipina e metildopa, programada para parto cesáreo eletivo. A paciente apresentava história de síncopes neuralmente mediadas. Dois fatores principais (aumento do tônus vagal e efeitos adversos de medicamentos anti-hipertensivos) poderiam explicar a hipotensão e bradicardia antes da raquianestesia. O monitoramento permitiu reconhecer o problema e corrigi-lo. Dessa forma, foi evitado um desastre em anestesia; assim como as alterações hemodinâmicas após a raquianestesia, esses fatores teriam se juntado à hipotensão e bradicardia anterior, o que poderia até ter causado uma parada cardíaca.

Onda de Osborn asociada a hipotermia sin bradicardia presente. A propósito de un caso / Osborn´s wave associated to hypothermia without the presence of bradycardia. A propos of a case

La onda J de Osborn es una deflexión que se inscribe en el electrocardiograma (ECG) entre el complejo QRS y el inicio del segmento ST. La onda J tiene una alta sensibilidad y especificidad en la hipotermia, aunque no es patognomónica. Se han descrito casos en la hemorragia subaracnoidea, la hipercalcemia, la isquemia cardíaca aguda y la hipotermia severa. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino, alcohólico, encontrado en situación de bajo nivel de conciencia por sobredosificación de alcohol, que desarrolló un cuadro de hipotermia con la presencia de una onda de Osborn en el electrocardiograma sin bradicardia asociada (AU).

The Osborn´s J wave is a deflection inscribed in the electrocardiogram (ECG) between the QRS complex and the beginning of the ST segment. The J wave shows a high sensibility and specificity in the hypothermia, although it is not patognomonic. Cases have been described in subarachnoid hemorrhage, hypercalcemia, acute cardiac ischemia and severe hypothermia. The case of an alcoholic, male patient is presented. He was found in a situation of a low awareness level due to alcohol overdoses, and developed hypothermia with the presence of an Osborn´s wave in the electrocardiogram without associated bradycardia (AU).

Onda de Osborn asociada a hipotermia sin bradicardia presente. A propósito de un caso / Osborn´s wave associated to hypothermia without the presence of bradycardia. A propos of a case

La onda J de Osborn es una deflexión que se inscribe en el electrocardiograma (ECG) entre el complejo QRS y el inicio del segmento ST. La onda J tiene una alta sensibilidad y especificidad en la hipotermia, aunque no es patognomónica. Se han descrito casos en la hemorragia subaracnoidea, la hipercalcemia, la isquemia cardíaca aguda y la hipotermia severa. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino, alcohólico, encontrado en situación de bajo nivel de conciencia por sobredosificación de alcohol, que desarrolló un cuadro de hipotermia con la presencia de una onda de Osborn en el electrocardiograma sin bradicardia asociada (AU).

The Osborn´s J wave is a deflection inscribed in the electrocardiogram (ECG) between the QRS complex and the beginning of the ST segment. The J wave shows a high sensibility and specificity in the hypothermia, although it is not patognomonic. Cases have been described in subarachnoid hemorrhage, hypercalcemia, acute cardiac ischemia and severe hypothermia. The case of an alcoholic, male patient is presented. He was found in a situation of a low awareness level due to alcohol overdoses, and developed hypothermia with the presence of an Osborn´s wave in the electrocardiogram without associated bradycardia (AU).

Múltiplas causas de síncope em pacientes com distrofia miotônica tipo I / Multiple causes of syncope in patients with myotonic dystrophy type I

A distrofia miotônica é a doença neuromuscular mais frequente na população adulta. Embora tenha caráter multissistêmico, apresenta especial predileção pelo sistema de condução cardíaco, manifestando-se tanto com bloqueios atrioventriculares como com taquiarritmias ventriculares e supraventriculares. O foco deste trabalho é apresentar, através do relato de um caso, a importância de uma investigação mais detalhada dos casos de síncope em pacientes portadores de distrofia miotônica, pois alterações inaparentes e potencialmente graves podem passar despercebidas

Myotonic dystrophy is the most frequent neuromuscular disease in the adult population. Although it is a multisystem disease, it usually has a special preference for the cardiac conduction system manifesting itself as atrioventricular conduction block and as ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. The focus of this work is to use a case report to demonstrate the importance of a more detailed investigation of syncope in patients with myotonic dystrophy, since unapparent and potentially serious changes may go by unnoticed

[Hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia]. / Hipotensão e bradicardia antes da raquianestesia.

I report a case of hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia in a pregnant woman with mild to moderate hypertension treated with nifedipine and methyldopa, scheduled for an elective cesarean delivery. She had the history of neurally-mediated syncopes. Two main factors (increased vagal tone and adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs) could explain the hypotension and bradycardia before spinal anesthesia. Monitoring allowed recognizing the problem and corrected it. Thus, it was avoided a disaster in anesthesia, as hemodynamic changes after spinal anesthesia, they would have joined to previous hypotension and bradycardia, which would have caused even a cardiac arrest.

Papel do sistema nervoso autônomonas arritmias cardíacas / Role of the autonomic nervous system in cardiac arrhythmias

As arritmias cardíacas apresentam comportamento eletrofisiológico, manifestação clínica, prognóstico e resposta terapêutica diferentes na população. Sendo assim, a compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos na gênese da anormalidade do ritmo cardíaco é fundamental para nortear a terapêutica. O sistema nervoso autônomo participa ativamente da eletrofisiologia da célula cardíaca e dos mecanismos relacionados ao desencadeamento das arritmias cardíacas. Dentre as arritmias supraventriculares, a fibrilação atrial merece destaque. Estudos avaliando a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca demonstram importante modificação autonômica antecedendo um quadro defibrilação atrial. Tanto a ativação simpática quanto a estimulação parassimpática podem participar da manutenção dessa arritmia. Além disso, métodos que reduzem a inervação autonômica também reduzem a incidência de arritmias atriais, sugerindo que a neuromodulação possa ser uma ferramenta promissora no controle dessa arritmia. As arritmias ventriculares também se relacionam ao comportamento autonômico. O infarto agudo do miocárdio ocasiona denervação das fibras simpáticas na cicatriz e as áreas de intensa fibrose perdem a capacidade de responderem a estimulação simpática; entretanto asregiões próximas a cicatriz apresentam um encurtamento do período refratário para a estimulação simpática de forma heterogênica predispondo a ocorrência da ectopias ventriculares. Dessa forma, a investigação do sistema nervoso autônomo no desencadeamento e manutenção das arritmias cardíacas é uma linha de pesquisa promissora e a maior compreensão dos mecanismos autonômicos irá propiciar novas ferramentas de controle das anormalidades do ritmo cardíaco...

Cardiac arrhythmias present varying electrophysiological behavior, clinical manifestation, prognosis, and therapeutic response in the population. An understanding of the mechanisms involved in the genesis of heart rhythm disorders is there fore essential for guiding the therapy. The autonomic nervous system plays an active role in the electrophysiology of the cardiac cells and the mechanisms that trigger cardiac arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation, one of the supraventricular arrhythmias, deserves special attention. Studies to evaluate heart rate variability have demonstrated important modifications preceding an episode of atrial fibrillation. Both sympathetic activation and parasympathetic stimulation can play a role in the persistence of this arrhythmia. More over, methods that reduce autonomic innervation also reduce the incidence of atrial arrhythmias, suggesting that neuromodulation can be a promising tool in the control of this arrhythmia. Ventricular arrhythmias are also related to autonomic behavior. Acute myocardial infarction leads to denervation of the sympathetic fibers in the scar tissue, and the areas of intense fibrosis lose their capacity to respond to sympathetic stimulation, while the regions close to thescar tissue present heterogeneous refractory period shortening for sympathetic stimulation, predisposing to the occurrence of ventricular ectopic beats. Thus, the investigation of the autonomic nervous system in the triggering and persistence of heart arrhythmias is a promising line of research, and a better understanding of the autonomic mechanisms involved will provide new tools for the control of heart rhythm disorders...

Avaliação do desempenho elétrico de um cabo-eletrodo bipolar endocárdico de fixação ativa estimulação atrial direita / Evaluation of the electrical performance of a bipolar active fixation endocardial lead in right atrial pacing

Introdução:A evolução da tecnologia envolvida no desenvolvimento e na construção dos cabos-eletrodosvisa a melhorar seu desempenho elétrico na prática clínica da estimulação cardíaca artificial, otimizando o usodos sistemas e tornando-os mais duradouros, sem perder a eficácia. Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar a efetividadee a segurança de um cabo-eletrodo bipolar endocárdico de fixação ativa St. Jude, modelo Tendril 2088TC®.Método:Foi realizada uma análise prospectiva de 43 pacientes submetidos a implante atrial direito do modelo emquestão, dos quais 26 (60%) eram do sexo feminino. Os valores de limiar de estimulação, sensibilidade da ondaP e impedância foram compilados em quatro momentos da evolução clínica de cada paciente: no implante, naalta hospitalar, 30 dias após o implante e com três meses de evolução. Ao final do período de estudo, 41 pacientescompletaram o seguimento.Resultados:Após análise estatística, os resultados demonstraram desempenhoelétrico favorável, com valores crônicos estáveis.Conclusão:Conclui-se que o referido cabo-eletrodo é eficiente eseguro na rotina do serviço de marcapasso.

Background:The evolution of the technology used for the development and construction of leads,is aimed at improving their electrical performance in the clinical practice of artificial cardiac pacing, optimizingsystems for a longer duration without losing their efficacy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacyand safety of the St. Jude’s bipolar active fixation endocardial lead, model Tendril 2088TC®.Method:Prospectivestudy of 43 patients undergoing right atrial implantation using the model above, of which 26 (60%) were female.The threshold values for stimulation, P-wave sensitivity and impedance were collected at 4 timepoints duringthe clinical follow-up of each patient: at the time of implantation, at hospital discharge, 30 days and 3 monthsafter implantation. At the end of the study period 41 patients concluded the follow-up.Results:After statisticalanalysis, the results demonstrated a favorable electrical performance, with stable chronic values.Conclusion:Thelead above is safe and effective for use in routine pacemaking practice.