Atualização no Tratamento da Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar / Update on the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Resumo Muitos avanços ocorreram nas últimas décadas na terapêutica da hipertensão arterial pulmonar (HAP), uma doença grave, progressiva, incurável e potencialmente fatal. Para seu tratamento adequado, são fundamentais o diagnóstico hemodinâmico e a classificação de sua etiologia, em que várias delas (colagenoses, hipertensão portal, cardiopatia congênitas, esquistossomose) requerem medidas específicas, além do tratamento farmacológico característico para HAP. O tratamento com fármacos-alvo para HAP baseia-se em produtos farmacêuticos que interferem em três vias fisiopatológicas moleculares: da prostaciclina, da endotelina e do óxido nítrico. Tais fármacos apresentam múltiplas apresentações (oral, endovenosa, subcutânea e inalatória) e mudaram a história da HAP. Essas medicações e suas estratégias de uso, assim como particularidades das diferentes formas de HAP, são o foco desta revisão.

Abstract In the last decades, important advances have been made in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe, progressive, incurable, and potentially fatal disease. For an adequate therapy, correct hemodynamic diagnosis and etiology classification are fundamental. Many etiologies - rheumatic disease, portal hypertension, congenital heart diseases, schistosomiasis - require specific measures, in addition to drug therapy for PAH. The specific therapy for PAH is based on medications that act on three pathophysiological pathways - prostacyclin, endothelin, and nitric oxide pathways. These drugs have multiple presentations (oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, and inhaled) and have changed the history of PAH. This review presents an overview of drug therapy strategies and different forms and peculiarities of PAH.

Update on the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. / Atualização no Tratamento da Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar.

In the last decades, important advances have been made in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe, progressive, incurable, and potentially fatal disease. For an adequate therapy, correct hemodynamic diagnosis and etiology classification are fundamental. Many etiologies - rheumatic disease, portal hypertension, congenital heart diseases, schistosomiasis - require specific measures, in addition to drug therapy for PAH. The specific therapy for PAH is based on medications that act on three pathophysiological pathways - prostacyclin, endothelin, and nitric oxide pathways. These drugs have multiple presentations (oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, and inhaled) and have changed the history of PAH. This review presents an overview of drug therapy strategies and different forms and peculiarities of PAH.

Muitos avanços ocorreram nas últimas décadas na terapêutica da hipertensão arterial pulmonar (HAP), uma doença grave, progressiva, incurável e potencialmente fatal. Para seu tratamento adequado, são fundamentais o diagnóstico hemodinâmico e a classificação de sua etiologia, em que várias delas (colagenoses, hipertensão portal, cardiopatia congênitas, esquistossomose) requerem medidas específicas, além do tratamento farmacológico característico para HAP. O tratamento com fármacos-alvo para HAP baseia-se em produtos farmacêuticos que interferem em três vias fisiopatológicas moleculares: da prostaciclina, da endotelina e do óxido nítrico. Tais fármacos apresentam múltiplas apresentações (oral, endovenosa, subcutânea e inalatória) e mudaram a história da HAP. Essas medicações e suas estratégias de uso, assim como particularidades das diferentes formas de HAP, são o foco desta revisão.

Medical students with performance difficulties need wide support: Initial results of an academic tutoring program.

BACKGROUND: Even students with previous academic success may face challenges that affect their academic performance. Many medical schools offer programs to students at the risk of academic failure, to ensure that they succeed in the course. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In this report we describe a pioneering academic tutoring program developed at a Brazilian medical school and discuss the initial results of the program based on the feedback from tutors and data regarding the progression of students in the medical course. RESULTS: In 2018, 33 students enrolled into the program. Students' performance difficulties were mainly associated with mental health problems and socioeconomic vulnerability. Of the 33 students, 27 (81.8%) were assisted by the Mental Health Support Service and 16 (48.5%) were assisted by the Social Assistance Service. In addition to the planning academic activity class load, tutors were able to assist students in solving socioeconomic issues, carrying out personal support interventions with the promotion of self-esteem, and presenting suggestions for behavioral changes in their routine. For most students (72%), the action plan proposed by the tutors was successful. Eight of the 14 (57%) students in the fourth year progressed to the final two years of in-hospital practical training (internship). CONCLUSIONS: The Academic Tutoring Program showed positive results for most of the students. Close monitoring and tutor intervention allowed students with poor academic performance to overcome the low performance cycle. These important tasks demand time and energy from tutors, and institutional recognition of these professionals is essential for the successful maintenance of the program.

Medical students with performance difficulties need wide support: Initial results of an academic tutoring program

BACKGROUND: Even students with previous academic success may face challenges that affect their academic performance. Many medical schools offer programs to students at the risk of academic failure, to ensure that they succeed in the course. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: In this report we describe a pioneering academic tutoring program developed at a Brazilian medical school and discuss the initial results of the program based on the feedback from tutors and data regarding the progression of students in the medical course. RESULTS: In 2018, 33 students enrolled into the program. Students' performance difficulties were mainly associated with mental health problems and socioeconomic vulnerability. Of the 33 students, 27 (81.8%) were assisted by the Mental Health Support Service and 16 (48.5%) were assisted by the Social Assistance Service. In addition to the planning academic activity class load, tutors were able to assist students in solving socioeconomic issues, carrying out personal support interventions with the promotion of self-esteem, and presenting suggestions for behavioral changes in their routine. For most students (72%), the action plan proposed by the tutors was successful. Eight of the 14 (57%) students in the fourth year progressed to the final two years of in-hospital practical training (internship). CONCLUSIONS: The Academic Tutoring Program showed positive results for most of the students. Close monitoring and tutor intervention allowed students with poor academic performance to overcome the low performance cycle. These important tasks demand time and energy from tutors, and institutional recognition of these professionals is essential for the successful maintenance of the program.

Reperfusion in acute pulmonary thromboembolism.

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE) is a highly prevalent condition (104-183 cases per 100,000 person-years) and is potentially fatal. Approximately 20% of patients with APTE are hypotensive, being considered at high risk of death. In such patients, immediate lung reperfusion is necessary in order to reduce right ventricular afterload and to restore hemodynamic stability. To reduce pulmonary vascular resistance in APTE and, consequently, to improve right ventricular function, lung reperfusion strategies have been developed over time and widely studied in recent years. In this review, we focus on advances in the indication and use of systemic thrombolytic agents, as well as lung reperfusion via endovascular and classical surgical approaches, in APTE.

Reperfusion in acute pulmonary thromboembolism / Reperfusão no tromboembolismo pulmonar agudo

ABSTRACT Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE) is a highly prevalent condition (104-183 cases per 100,000 person-years) and is potentially fatal. Approximately 20% of patients with APTE are hypotensive, being considered at high risk of death. In such patients, immediate lung reperfusion is necessary in order to reduce right ventricular afterload and to restore hemodynamic stability. To reduce pulmonary vascular resistance in APTE and, consequently, to improve right ventricular function, lung reperfusion strategies have been developed over time and widely studied in recent years. In this review, we focus on advances in the indication and use of systemic thrombolytic agents, as well as lung reperfusion via endovascular and classical surgical approaches, in APTE.

RESUMO O tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP) agudo é uma condição altamente prevalente (104-183 por 100.000 pessoas-ano) e potencialmente fatal. Aproximadamente 20% dos pacientes com TEP agudo apresentam-se hipotensos, sendo considerados pacientes com alto risco de morte. Nesses casos, a necessidade de reperfusão pulmonar imediata é mandatória para reduzir a pós-carga do ventrículo direito e restaurar a condição hemodinâmica do paciente. Visando a redução da resistência vascular pulmonar no TEP agudo e, por consequência, a melhora na função ventricular direita, estratégias de reperfusão pulmonar foram desenvolvidas com passar do tempo e vêm sendo muito estudadas nos últimos anos. Avanços na indicação e no uso de trombolíticos sistêmicos, reperfusão pulmonar via abordagem endovascular ou abordagem cirúrgica clássica no TEP agudo são os focos desta revisão.

Comparison of two experimental models of pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two models of pulmonary hypertension (monocrotaline and monocrotaline+pneumonectomy) regarding hemodynamic severity, structure of pulmonary arteries, inflammatory markers (IL-1 and PDGF), and 45-day survival. METHODS: We used 80 Sprague-Dawley rats in two study protocols: structural analysis; and survival analysis. The rats were divided into four groups: control; monocrotaline (M), pneumonectomy (P), and monocrotaline+pneumonectomy (M+P). In the structural analysis protocol, 40 rats (10/group) were catheterized for the determination of hemodynamic variables, followed by euthanasia for the removal of heart and lung tissue. The right ventricle (RV) was dissected from the interventricular septum (IS), and the ratio between RV weight and the weight of the left ventricle (LV) plus IS (RV/LV+IS) was taken as the index of RV hypertrophy. In lung tissues, we performed histological analyses, as well as using ELISA to determine IL-1 and PDGF levels. In the survival protocol, 40 animals (10/group) were followed for 45 days. RESULTS: The M and M+P rats developed pulmonary hypertension, whereas the control and P rats did not. The RV/LV+IS ratio was significantly higher in M+P rats than in M rats, as well as being significantly higher in M and M+P rats than in control and P rats. There were no significant differences between the M and M+P rats regarding the area of the medial layer of the pulmonary arteries; IL-1 and PDGF levels; or survival. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our results, we cannot conclude that the monocrotaline+pneumonectomy model is superior to the monocrotaline model.

Comparação de dois modelos experimentais de hipertensão pulmonar / Comparison of two experimental models of pulmonary hypertension

OBJETIVO: Comparar dois modelos de hipertensão pulmonar (monocrotalina e monocrotalina+pneumonectomia) em relação à gravidade hemodinâmica, estrutura de artérias pulmonares, marcadores inflamatórios (IL-1 e PDGF) e sobrevida em 45 dias. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 80 ratos Sprague-Dawley em dois protocolos de estudo: análise estrutural e de sobrevida. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle, monocrotalina (M), pneumonectomia (P) e monocrotalina+pneumonectomia (M+P). Para a análise estrutural, 40 animais (10/grupo) foram cateterizados após 28 dias para a medição dos valores hemodinâmicos e sacrificados, obtendo-se tecidos cardíaco e pulmonar. O ventrículo direito (VD) foi dissecado do septo interventricular (SI), e a relação do peso do VD e do peso do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) com o SI foi obtida como índice de hipertrofia de VD. No tecido pulmonar, foram realizadas análises histológicas e dosados IL-1 e PDGF por ELISA. Para o estudo de sobrevida, 40 animais (10/grupo) foram observados por 45 dias. RESULTADOS: Os grupos M e M+P apresentaram hipertensão pulmonar em relação aos demais. Houve um aumento significativo da relação VD/VE+S no grupo M+P em relação aos demais. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos M e M+P quanto à área da camada média das artérias pulmonares, dosagens de IL-1 e PDGF ou sobrevida. CONCLUSÕES: Baseados nos resultados, não podemos afirmar que o modelo de monocrotalina+pneumonectomia é superior ao modelo de monocrotalina.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two models of pulmonary hypertension (monocrotaline and monocrotaline+pneumonectomy) regarding hemodynamic severity, structure of pulmonary arteries, inflammatory markers (IL-1 and PDGF), and 45-day survival. METHODS: We used 80 Sprague-Dawley rats in two study protocols: structural analysis; and survival analysis. The rats were divided into four groups: control; monocrotaline (M), pneumonectomy (P), and monocrotaline+pneumonectomy (M+P). In the structural analysis protocol, 40 rats (10/group) were catheterized for the determination of hemodynamic variables, followed by euthanasia for the removal of heart and lung tissue. The right ventricle (RV) was dissected from the interventricular septum (IS), and the ratio between RV weight and the weight of the left ventricle (LV) plus IS (RV/LV+IS) was taken as the index of RV hypertrophy. In lung tissues, we performed histological analyses, as well as using ELISA to determine IL-1 and PDGF levels. In the survival protocol, 40 animals (10/group) were followed for 45 days. RESULTS: The M and M+P rats developed pulmonary hypertension, whereas the control and P rats did not. The RV/LV+IS ratio was significantly higher in M+P rats than in M rats, as well as being significantly higher in M and M+P rats than in control and P rats. There were no significant differences between the M and M+P rats regarding the area of the medial layer of the pulmonary arteries; IL-1 and PDGF levels; or survival. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our results, we cannot conclude that the monocrotaline+pneumonectomy model is superior to the monocrotaline model.

Diagnóstico e tratamento da hipertensão pulmonar: uma atualização / Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension: an update

Ao longo dos últimos cinco anos, o conhecimento na área de hipertensão pulmonar evoluiu de forma consistente e significativa. Novos algoritmos diagnósticos e de tratamento foram desenvolvidos com base no resultado de diversos estudos clínicos que evidenciaram a utilidade de novas ferramentas, assim como a eficácia de novos medicamentos e de combinações. Da mesma forma, a classificação da hipertensão pulmonar evoluiu, na tentativa de agrupar as diferentes formas de hipertensão pulmonar que apresentam abordagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas semelhantes a fim de facilitar a condução clínica dos pacientes. Esta revisão visa discutir cada uma dessas modificações, tendo por base as diretrizes brasileiras para manejo da hipertensão pulmonar de 2005, ressaltando aquilo que foi acrescentado às diretrizes internacionais.

Over the last five years, knowledge in the field of pulmonary hypertension has grown consistently and significantly. On the basis of various clinical studies showing the usefulness of new diagnostic tools, as well as the efficacy of new medications and drug combinations, new diagnostic and treatment algorithms have been developed. Likewise, in order to simplify the clinical management of patients, the classification of pulmonary hypertension has been changed in an attempt to group the various forms of pulmonary hypertension in which the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are similar. The objective of this review was to discuss these modifications, based on the 2005 Brazilian guidelines for the management of pulmonary hypertension, emphasizing what has been added to the international guidelines.

Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension: an update.

Over the last five years, knowledge in the field of pulmonary hypertension has grown consistently and significantly. On the basis of various clinical studies showing the usefulness of new diagnostic tools, as well as the efficacy of new medications and drug combinations, new diagnostic and treatment algorithms have been developed. Likewise, in order to simplify the clinical management of patients, the classification of pulmonary hypertension has been changed in an attempt to group the various forms of pulmonary hypertension in which the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are similar. The objective of this review was to discuss these modifications, based on the 2005 Brazilian guidelines for the management of pulmonary hypertension, emphasizing what has been added to the international guidelines.

Impacto de biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto na insuficiência respiratória aguda refratária / Impact of open lung biopsy on refractory acute respiratory failure

OBJETIVO: Verificar o impacto dos resultados da biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto nas decisões que determinem mudanças nas estratégias de tratamento de pacientes críticos, com infiltrados pulmonares difusos e insuficiência respiratória aguda refratária, bem como na melhora de seu quadro clínico. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 12 pacientes com insuficiência respiratória aguda e sob ventilação mecânica, que foram submetidos à biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto (por toracotomia) após a ausência de resposta clínica ao tratamento padrão. RESULTADOS: A maior causa isolada de insuficiência respiratória aguda foi a infecção viral, identificada em 5 pacientes (40 por cento). A avaliação pré-operatória da causa da insuficiência respiratória foi modificada em 11 pacientes (91,6 por cento), e um diagnóstico específico foi feito em 100 por cento dos casos. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 50 por cento, a despeito das mudanças no regime terapêutico. Seis pacientes (50 por cento) sobreviveram e obtiveram alta hospitalar. Todos os pacientes que obtiveram alta sobreviveram por pelo menos um ano após a biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto, totalizando uma taxa de sobrevida em um ano de 50 por cento dentre os 12 pacientes estudados. Quanto aos pacientes que faleceram no hospital, o tempo de sobrevida após a biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto foi de 14 + 10,8 dias. CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que a biópsia pulmonar a céu aberto é uma ferramenta útil no controle da insuficiência respiratória aguda quando não se observa melhora clínica após o tratamento padrão, já que pode resultar em um diagnóstico específico que requeira tratamento distinto, provavelmente diminuindo a taxa de mortalidade desses pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact that open lung biopsy findings have on decisions regarding changes in the treatment strategies employed for critically ill patients presenting diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and suffering from refractory acute respiratory failure, as well as on their clinical improvement. METHODS: This study involved 12 mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure who were subjected to open lung biopsy (by thoracotomy) after not presenting a clinical response to standard treatment. RESULTS: The single most common cause of the acute respiratory failure was viral infection, which was identified in 5 patients (40 percent). The pre-operative evaluation of the cause of respiratory failure was modified in 11 patients (91.6 percent), and a specific diagnosis was made in 100 percent of the cases. Regardless of changes in treatment regimen, the mortality rate was 50 percent. Six patients (50 percent) survived to be discharged from the hospital. All of the discharged patients survived for at least one year after the open lung biopsy, for an overall one-year survival rate of 50 percent among the 12 patients studied. For the patients who died in the hospital, the time of survival after open lung biopsy was 14 + 10.8 days. CONCLUSION: We conclude that open lung biopsy is a useful tool in the management of acute respiratory failure when there is no clinical improvement after standard treatment, since it can lead to a specific diagnosis that requires distinct treatment, which probably lowers the mortality rate among such patients.

Portal de RH na saúde: soluções em serviços, comunicação e gestão - uma injeção eletrônica no RH

Não é difícil encontrar na literatura atual que o mundo passou e passa pormuitas transformações, e de maneira cada vez mais rápida. Todas estas mudançasafetam a forma como a sociedade as digere e reage, alterando o posicionamento, areorganização dos sistemas e das instituições sociais. A chamada globalizaçãoredescobriu que a Terra era redonda, os mercados tornaram-se amplos, sem fronteiras,impactando na forma como as empresas têm de se organizar para competir com,literalmente, um universo de concorrentes. A busca por melhores resultados tornou-senecessidade. As mudanças nas empresas implicaram na reorganização do trabalho eprovocaram uma alteração no perfil dos trabalhadores e suas relações, demandandonovos comportamentos, habilidades e competências, fator que coloca o RH comoparceiro estratégico da organização, o que proporciona a ampliação do seu horizontepara além das tarefas operacionais, sem, contudo, descartá-las. Essa dualidade de funções, em certa medida antagônicas, suscitou um conflito dado pela quantidade detempo que o trabalho operacional demanda do RH. Neste ambiente, as soluçõeseletrônicas encontraram terreno fértil, uma vez que possibilitaram o redirecionamentodo tempo à atividade estratégica, tempo antes destinado às atividades operacionais. Aproposta deste projeto baseia-se nesta alternativa, qual seja, desenhar e implementarum Portal de RH que ofereça aos trabalhadores um espaço na Internet onde possamacessar soluções eletrônicas da área, como informações e serviços, melhorando aeficiência e a qualidade do serviço, a comunicação, a satisfação e a relação com ostrabalhadores e a ressignificação do trabalho em RH.

Tromboendarterectomia pulmonar em paciente com 80 anos de idade / Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in an 80-year-old patient

A hipertensão pulmonar secundária a tromboembolismo é uma doença grave e debilitante. Ocorre em aproximadamente 0,5-1,0 por cento dos pacientes que sobrevivem a um episódio de tromboembolismo agudo. Descreve-se pela primeira vez no Brasil, um paciente de 80 anos de idade com hipertensão pulmonar grave secundária a tromboembolismo, que foi submetido a tromboendarterectomia e que apresentou boa evolução.Os autores acreditam que este procedimento cirúrgico é uma boa opção terapêutica para este tipo de hipertensão pulmonar mesmo em pacientes com idade avançada sem co-morbidades.