Electroretinography reveals retinal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease despite normal high-resolution optical coherence tomography findings.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD)-associated inner retinal abnormalities, particularly the retinal ganglion cells (RGC) layer, on optical coherence tomography (OCT) have recently gained importance as a biomarker of non-motor involvement of the disease but functional RGC evaluation using photopic negative response (PhNR) has not yet been determined. This study aims to compare structural and functional findings of the retina and optic nerve in PD with healthy controls (CT) including PhNR and OCT. METHODS: Forty-one eyes of 21 PD patients and 38 eyes of 19 CT underwent ophthalmic examination including visual contrast sensitivity test (CS), OCT, light-adapted full-field electroretinography (ffERG), and PhNR. OCT was used to measure the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, the segmented macular layers, and the choroid. For functional parameters, CS, ffERG (oscillatory potentials, photopic response, 30 Hz-flicker), and PhNR waves were used. Measurements were compared using generalized estimating equation and significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The PD group presented a significantly lower mono- and binocular CS, oscillatory potentials amplitude, b-wave amplitude on ffERG (152.3[45.4] vs 187.1[32.7]µV; P = 0.002), and PhNR amplitude (135.0[35.0] vs 156.3[34.1]µV; P = 0.025). There was no statistically significant difference in OCT measurements between groups. No correlation was found between statistically significant measurements and clinical data. CONCLUSIONS: Functional abnormalities on CS, ffERG, and PhNR can be detected in PD even when structural damages are not observed on OCT. PhNR represents a new potential biomarker in PD. Our findings indicate dysfunction of bipolar, amacrine, and retinal ganglion cells in PD, probably with a cellular dysfunction overcoming morphological damage.

Bruch Membrane Opening Minimum Rim Width and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Helps Differentiate Compressive Optic Neuropathy From Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare optical coherence tomography-measured Bruch membrane opening minimum rim width (MRW), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) measurements, and MRW:pRNFL ratios in eyes with compressive optic neuropathy (CON) and glaucoma and controls, and evaluate the ability of these parameters to differentiate CON from glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: Setting: Single-center tertiary hospital and outpatient clinic. PATIENT POPULATION: One hundred fifteen eyes of 77 participants, 34 with CON from chiasmal lesions, 21 with glaucoma, and 22 healthy controls. OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: Optical coherence tomography-measured MRW, pRNFL, and MRW:pRNFL ratios for each optic disc sector and global average. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: MRW, pRNFL, and MRW:pRNFL ratios compared using generalized estimated equations. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated. RESULTS: MRW and pRNFL measurements were significantly reduced in CON and glaucoma compared with controls. In glaucoma, MRW was thinner than in CON in the global, inferotemporal, superonasal, inferonasal, and vertical average measurements, but a significant overlap was observed in many parameters. MRW:pRNFL ratios increased the ability to discriminate between CON and glaucoma, as shown by the high area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, high positive likelihood ratios, and low negative likelihood ratios, especially in the nasal disc sector and the nasal and temporal average. CONCLUSIONS: MRW measurements alone cannot reliably distinguish CON from glaucoma, but the combination of MRW, pRNFL, and MRW:pRNFL ratios significantly improves accuracy. When comparing the 2 conditions, MRW:pRNFL ratios yielded higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and positive and negative likelihood ratios, suggesting this parameter may be helpful in clinical practice.

Cesariana perimortem / Perimortem caesarean

O termo cesariana perimortem refere-se à realização de parto via cesariana em situação de gestante in extremis ou sob ressuscitação cardiopulmonar. O objetivo deste estudo é encontrar na literatura evidências que permitam uma prática mais consistente e otimizada da cesariana perimortem. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática a partir de um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados eletrônicas Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), onde foram selecionados 24 artigos para leitura completa. As questões consideradas foram: principais indicações da cesareana perimortem; implicações da presença do feto intrautero na ressuscitação cardiopulmonar; momento adequado para realização do procedimento e sua interferência na sobrevida materna e fetal. A abordagem de uma gestante com parada cardíaca deve ser multidisciplinar e precoce, com extração do feto idealmente com cinco minutos pós parada cardíaca, o que reduz significativamente as taxas de mortalidade perinatal e materna.(AU)

Perimortem caesarean section refers to caesarean section performed in cases where the pregnant is in extremis or is undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Our objective was finding evidences in the literature to endorse a more consistent and optimized practice of this procedure. We designed a systematic review based on Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline) from where we selected 24 articles to complete reading. We considered these issues: main indications of perimortem caesarean; implications of the presence of intrauterine infant on the maternal resuscitation; adequate moment to proceed to the perimortem cesarean and its impacts on maternal and infant?s outcomes. The management of maternal collapse must be multidisciplinary and precocial, with the baby being extracted within five minutes after cardiac arrest, what is fundamental to improve outcomes of both, mother and child.(AU)

Descolamento prematuro de placenta / Placental abruption

O descolamento prematura de placenta (DPP) e uma emergencia obstetrica que exige intervencao medica imediata e e responsavel por alto indice de mortalidade perinatal e materna. Incide em aproximadamente 0,5 a 3,0% do total de gestacoes, relacionando-se com mortalidade perinatal em 15% dos casos. A causa primaria da DPP e desconhecida, entretanto associa- se frequentemente com hipertensao arterial sistemica. O diagnostico e essencialmente clinico e o quadra se caracteriza principalmente por sangramento vaginal, dor abdominal e hipertonia uterina. A conduta adotada varia na dependencia das condicoes maternas e fetais. O presente relato expoe um caso envolvendo gestante sem fatores de risco, apresentando manifestacoes clinicas classicas. 0 reconhecimento rapido do descolamento prematura de placenta e a intervencao apropriada garantiram a sobrevivencia materna e neonatal. (AU)

Placental abruption (also known as Abrutio Placentae) is an obstetric emergency that demands prompt medical intervention and is responsible for a high perinatal and maternal mortality rate. It occurs in approximately 0,5 - 3,0% of all pregnancies, resulting in perinatal mortality in about 15% of the occurrences. The main cause that leads to Abrutio Placentae is still unknown, but it is often related to maternal high blood pressure. The diagnostic is made primarily by the clinical evaluation of the patient and the expected symptoms include vaginal bleeding, abdominal ache and hypertonia of the uterus. The medical approach varies depending of both maternal and fetal overall condition. The following report displays a case that happened to a pregnant woman which had apparently no risk whatsoever and ended up presenting the classical clinical manifestations. The rapid diagnostic and appropriate handling of the placental abruption assured the survival of both mother and newborn. (AU)

Sobrecarga de trabalho aos cuidados de idosos: Equipe de Saúde da Família Centro, Unidade básica de saúde Alvim Álvares da Silva, em Morada Novas de Minas - Minas Gerais

Este trabalho tem como objetivo elaborar um projeto de intervenção para promover a saúde integral dos cuidadores de idosos da área de abrangência da Estratégia Saúde da família, com foco na sobrecarga que esses profissionais enfrentam no seu processo de trabalho. Foi utilizado o método de Planejamento Estratégico Situacional para priorização e seleção do problema a ser trabalhado. Foi feita uma revisão narrativa da literatura sobre o tema para elaboração do plano de ação e estruturação de operações para subsidiar as intervenções que visem à melhoria da qualidade de vida do cuidador. O projeto de intervenção propondo a criação de grupo operativo de cuidadores de idosos, realização de palestras e oficina de habilidades, apresentação de material de apoio ao conhecimento sobre a Saúde do Idoso e cuidados, estruturação da Linha de Cuidado com o cuidador são as ações definidas para buscar a adesão dos cuidadores e assim intervir na qualidade do trabalho e de vida dos mesmos. A intervenção envolveu toda a equipe e contou com suporte dos profissionais do Núcleo de Apoio a Saúde da Família e da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde. Intervir na saúde do cuidador é tarefa desafiadora, que sofre interferência de múltiplas causas e problemas secundários e pode ser otimizada pela abordagem interdisciplinar. Esta ação deve integrar as atividades do projeto da Saúde dos cuidadores.