[Implicit memory and its contribution to the rehabilitation of an amnesic patient: case report]. / Memória implícita e sua contribuição à reabilitação de um paciente amnéstico: relato de caso.

Even severe amnesic patients usually are able to learn new information using implicit memory strategies. In the present study we describe our experience in the rehabilitation of an amnesic patient who had suffered cerebral anoxia. He was taught to use a computer text editor, enabling him to sheltered work. The training program lasted 14 weeks and was based on errorless learning and drilling practice techniques. The patient succeeded in all tasks, even though he could not remember accurately the training sessions. These results meet previous studies which point out that interaction between implicit and residual explicit memory can provide a basis new learning in amnesic patients. The domain-specific knowledge acquisition is demonstrating effectiveness in neuropsychological rehabilitation of brain injured patients.

[Procedures to improve daily activities performance in individuals with cerebral anoxia: case report]. / O uso de procedimentos de estruturação de rotina em indivíduos com anóxia cerebral: relato de caso.

OBJECTIVE: To present a rehabilitation case study; procedures to improve the performance on daily activities were used by the caregiver. PATIENT: Cerebral anoxia due to cardiac arrest. He presented memory deficits for both visual and verbal material, temporal disorientation, abulia, psychomotor slowing and bradypsychism. METHODS: daily activities were developed in fixed hours; calendar was presented 3 times a day; daily walks were performed; self-care activities were performed by the patient with short verbal commands and cues from the caregiver. RESULTS: We observed improvement on initiative and autonomy for daily activities, attention, temporal orientation and bradypsychism. There was also reduction on response time. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral control strategies result on improvement for patients and their family although limit their routine. Behavioral control strategy promotes learning through the preserved implicit memory mechanism and results on enhancement at patient's autonomy at home.

Reparacao de ferimento cardiaco:ocorrencia de dois episodios no mesmo paciente. / Repair of cardiac injury: ocurrence of two episodes in the same patient

Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente que por duas vezes foi vitima de ferimentos cardiacos com perfuracao de ventriculo esquerdo, tendo em ambas as ocasioes sido submetido a cirurgia de urgencia em um hospital de interior, sem equipamentos especializados ou medicos treinados em cirurgia cardiaca. Houve pleno sucesso em ambas as cirurgias e o paciente manteve-se vivendo normalmente apesar das sequelas remanescentes que, mais tarde, foram reveladas pela cineangiocoronariografia (obstrucao da coronaria descendente anterior esquerdo a aneurisma de ventriculo esquerdo)