Avaliação ultrassonográfica de variações anatômicas entre vasos femorais realizada por estudantes de medicina / Ultrasonographic evaluation of anatomical variations in femoral vessels done by medical students

Introdução: A punção venosa central é um procedimento médico tradicionalmente realizado seguindo os marcadores anatômicos como referência para atingir o vaso, às cegas. No entanto, nem sempre o sucesso nessa técnica é alcançado, fato que se deve principalmente às variações anatômicas. A ultrassonografia point of care (US-POC) é utilizada para auxiliar a cateterização central por visualização direta do vaso, aumentando a segurança do procedimento. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência das variações anatômicas de vasos femorais através da utilização da US-POC por estudantes de medicina submetidos a curto período de treinamento. Material e Métodos: Cinco estudantes de medicina, sem experiência prévia em US-POC, foram submetidos a oito horas de treinamento teórico-prático. Foram avaliados os vasos femorais de cem voluntários. Resultados: A veia femoral direita foi encontrada mais frequentemente na posição medial (43%) em relação à artéria femoral direita. À esquerda, a posição posteromedial foi a mais observada (45%).Conclusão: A técnica tradicional de punção de acesso central se baseia em marcadores anatômicos e não leva em consideração as variações anatômicas existentes. Um treinamento de curto período para uso da US-POC é capaz de capacitar o profissional para reconhecer o posicionamento real dos vasos e evitar punções inadvertidas.

Introduction: Central vein puncture is a medical procedure traditionally done following anatomical landmarks as a reference to successfully achieving the vessel. However, this traditional technique is commonly unsuccessful due to anatomical variations that may be found. Point of care ultrasonography (POC-US) is used to assist central catheterization by directly visualizing the vessel, increasing procedure security and minimizing risks. Objective: Evaluate anatomical variations prevalence in femoral vessels, utilizing POC-US, done by medical students submitted to a short period of time training in ultrasonography. Material and Methods: Five medical students, without previous experience on the use of ultrasonography, were submitted to an eight-hour theorical practical training in POC-US. The students evaluated one hundred femoral vessels of volunteers. Results: The right limb femoral vein was found more frequently in the medial position (43%) in comparison to the right limb femoral artery. On the left limb, the posteromedial position was the most found (45%). Conclusion: The insertion of a central catheter following the traditional technique is based on anatomical landmarks, and does not take into account existing anatomical variations. With a short period of training, POC-US is capable of qualifying professionals to acknowledge the real location of the vessel and avoid inadvertent punctures and complications.

Drug use and driving behaviors among drivers with and without alcohol-related infractions.

INTRODUCTION: Brazil is one of the countries with the highest rates of alcohol-related traffic infractions, but little is known about the profile of the drivers who commit them. Identifying the characteristics of impaired drivers is essential for planning preventive actions. OBJECTIVE: To compare drug use and driving behavior profiles of drivers with and without alcohol-related infractions. METHODS: 178 drivers stopped at routine roadblocks were assessed by traffic agents who conducted standard roadblock procedures (document verification; request of a breathalyzer test [BT]). Drug use and driving behavior data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Subjects were divided into three groups: drivers who refused the BT (RDs, n = 72), drivers who tested positive on the BT (PDs, n = 34), and drivers who had committed other infractions (ODs, n = 72). RESULTS: The proportion of alcohol use in the last year was higher among RDs (100%) than in the PD and OD groups (97.1% and 72.2% respectively, p < 0.001). Lifetime prevalence of cannabis and cocaine use for the overall sample was 44.3% and 18.2%, respectively. Fewer individuals in the OD group (31.5%) reported having been stopped at roadblocks in the previous year compared to the PDs (55.9%) and RDs (48.6%, p = 0.03). However, a higher proportion of RDs reported drunk driving in the same period (87.5%; PD 69.7%; OD 26.9%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Essential differences among groups were observed. RDs had a higher proportion of alcohol use and drunk driving in the previous year; drivers who fit into this particular group may be unresponsive or less responsive to social deterrence and enforcement actions.

Increased cortisol levels are associated with low treatment retention in crack cocaine users.

BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis has been associated with craving and early relapse among individuals with substance use disorders. However, no association has been postulated regarding treatment retention and prognosis in crack cocaine users. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the association between morning salivary cortisol levels and treatment retention in crack cocaine users. METHODS: 44 male crack cocaine users were recruited from a detoxification unit. Saliva collection was performed in the morning of the second treatment day. Substance use profile was assessed using the Addiction Severity Index. RESULTS: The median length of stay in inpatient treatment was 7 days (IQR 3-16). Treatment retention was associated with cortisol levels (r = -0.324; p = 0.032), especially in the group with positive family history. Moreover, treatment retention was correlated with age (r = 0.333, p = 0.027), and number of days of tobacco use (r = 0.332, p = 0.028) and crack use (r = 0.327, p = 0.031). A Cox regression model was performed and showed that inpatients with above normal cortisol levels (≥0.69 µg/dL) presented a worse prognostic related to treatment retention (HR = 2.39, CI95% 1.1-5.1, p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Several factors could contribute to increased cortisol levels in these patients, e.g. craving, dysregulation of the HPA axis, chronic drug use, stress due to confinement, and substance abstinence. Nevertheless, our findings could guide further studies about new biomarkers in crack cocaine use disorder, since HPA axis dysregulation at the time of treatment admittance may be a prognostic marker for treatment retention.