Impact of bedside ultrasound to reduce the incidence of acute renal injury in high-risk surgical patients: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether performing bedside ultrasound impacts the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the immediate postoperative period (POP) of high-risk surgery patients. METHODS: POP patients were randomly assigned to two groups: (i) ultrasound (US) group, in which hemodynamic management was guided with clinical parameters supplemented with the bedside US findings; (ii) control group, hemodynamic management based solely on clinical parameters. Two exams were performed in the first 24 h of admission. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were randomized to the US group and 60 to the control group. There was no significant difference for incidence of AKI in both groups assessed 12 h (31.4% vs 35.0%, P = 0.84), 24 h (27.5% vs 23.3%, P = 0.66), or 7 days (17.6 vs 8.3%, P = 0.16) after surgery. No difference was found in the amounts of volume administered over the first 12 h (1000 [500-2000] vs. 1000 [500-1500], P = 0.72) and 24 h (1000 [0-1500] vs. 1000 [0-1500], P = 0.95) between the groups. Patients without AKI in the control group received higher amounts of volume during the ICU stay. CONCLUSION: The use of bedside US in the immediate postoperative period of high-risk surgery did not show benefits in reducing AKI incidence.

Synchronous Teleconsultation and Monitoring Service Targeting COVID-19: Leveraging Insights for Postpandemic Health Care.

BACKGROUND: Although a great number of teleconsultation services have been developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies assessing usability and health care provider satisfaction are still incipient. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the development, implementation, and expansion of a synchronous teleconsultation service targeting patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in Brazil, as well as to assess its usability and health care professionals' satisfaction. METHODS: This mixed methods study was developed in 5 phases: (1) the identification of components, technical and functional requirements, and system architecture; (2) system and user interface development and validation; (3) pilot-testing in the city of Divinópolis; (4) expansion in the cities of Divinópolis, Teófilo Otoni, and Belo Horizonte for Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais faculty and students; and (5) usability and satisfaction assessment, using Likert-scale and open-ended questions. RESULTS: During pilot development, problems contacting users were solved by introducing standardized SMS text messages, which were sent to users to obtain their feedback and keep track of them. Until April 2022, the expanded system served 31,966 patients in 146,158 teleconsultations. Teleconsultations were initiated through chatbot in 27.7% (40,486/146,158) of cases. Teleconsultation efficiency per city was 93.7% (13,317/14,212) in Teófilo Otoni, 92.4% (11,747/12,713) in Divinópolis, and 98.8% (4981/5041) in Belo Horizonte (university campus), thus avoiding in-person assistance for a great majority of patients. In total, 50 (83%) out of 60 health care professionals assessed the system's usability as satisfactory, despite a few system instability problems. CONCLUSIONS: The system provided updated information about COVID-19 and enabled remote care for thousands of patients, which evidenced the critical role of telemedicine in expanding emergency services capacity during the pandemic. The dynamic nature of the current pandemic required fast planning, implementation, development, and updates in the system. Usability and satisfaction assessment was key to identifying areas for improvement. The experience reported here is expected to inform telemedicine strategies to be implemented in a postpandemic scenario.

Lung Ultrasound Can Predict the Clinical Course and Severity of COVID-19 Disease.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compromises the lung in large numbers of people. The development of minimally invasive methods to determine the severity of pulmonary extension is desired. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of sequential lung ultrasound and to test the prognostic usefulness of this exam in a group of patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. We prospectively evaluated patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection admitted to our hospital between April and August 2020. Bedside lung ultrasound exams were performed at three time points: at inclusion in the study, after 48 h and on the seventh day of follow-up. Lung ultrasound scores were quantified according to the aeration loss in each of eight zones scanned. Sixty-six participants were included: 42 (63.6%) in the intensive care unit and 24 (36.3%) in the ward. Lung ultrasound scores were higher in participants admitted to the intensive care unit than in those admitted to the ward at the time of inclusion (16 [13-17] vs. 10 [4-14], p < 0.001), after 48 h (15.5 [13-17] vs. 12.5 [8.2-14.7], p = 0.001) and on the seventh day (16 [14-17] vs. 7 [4.5-13.7], p < 0.001) respectively. Lung ultrasound score measured at the time of inclusion in the study was independently associated with the need for admission to the intensive care unit (odds ratio = 1.480; 95% confidence interval, 1.093-2.004; p = 0.011) adjusted by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score.

Value of speckle-tracking echocardiography changes in monitoring myocardial dysfunction during treatment of sepsis: potential prognostic implications.

Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has been increasingly used for detection of sepsis-related myocardial dysfunction. However, the impact of strain changes during sepsis treatment has not been defined. This study assessed STE at admission and during the treatment of patients with sepsis to evaluate its changes as a potential factor for predicting in-hospital outcome. This study included 26 patients with sepsis who underwent STE echocardiography on day 1 and 7 during treatment. Myocardial deformation of both ventricles was assessed using global longitudinal strain. The endpoint was in-hospital mortality. The mean age was 51.4 ± 18.3 years, and 54% were female. The average SOFA score at T0 was 8.6 ± 3.8 points and at day 7 was 4.9 ± 4.7 points. The left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction at baseline was 65.6 ± 9.1%, without changes in echocardiographic parameters during treatment. LV and RV longitudinal strain increased significantly in the patients who survived (- 18.8 ± 3.6 at D1 vs - 20.8 ± 2.5 at D7; p = 0.003; and - 21.3 ± 4.9 at D1 vs - 24.3 ± 5.8 at D7; p = 0.035, respectively), whereas strain values remained unchanged in those who died. After adjustment for the SOFA score, RV longitudinal strain at admission was associated with in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.760; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.591-0.977; p - 0.033]. STE improved significantly after the first week of treatment in patients with sepsis who survived compared with those patients who died during hospitalization. RV strain at admission predicted in-hospital mortality. An improvement in STE during sepsis treatment appears to be a useful tool for predicting in-hospital outcome.

Avaliação da interleucina 3 como marcador prognóstico na sepse / Role of interleukin-3 as a prognostic marker in septic patients

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a acurácia dos níveis de interleucina 3 para predizer prognóstico em pacientes sépticos. Métodos: Conduzimos uma coorte prospectiva que incluiu pacientes adultos internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, que apresentassem sepse ou choque séptico iniciados há até 48 horas. Mediram-se os níveis séricos de interleucina 3 quando da inclusão (dia 1) e nos dias 3 e 7. O desfecho primário analisado foi a mortalidade hospitalar por qualquer causa. Resultados: Foram incluídos 120 pacientes. Os níveis séricos de interleucina 3 dosados à inclusão foram significativamente mais elevados em pacientes que faleceram em comparação aos que sobreviveram à internação hospitalar (91,2pg/mL versus 36pg/mL; p = 0,024). Em modelo de sobrevivência de Cox com inclusão de idade e valores sequenciais de SOFA, os níveis de interleucina 3 mensurados na inclusão mantiveram-se independentemente associados à mortalidade hospitalar (HR 1,032; IC95% 1,010 - 1,055; p = 0,005). Em curva Característica de Operação do Receptor construída para investigação adicional da acurácia da interleucina 3 na predição do prognóstico, encontrou-se área sob a curva de 0,62 (IC95% 0,51 - 0,73; p = 0,024) para mortalidade hospitalar. Valores iniciais de interleucina 3 acima de 127,5pg/mL mostraram-se significativamente associados à mortalidade hospitalar (p = 0,019; OR = 2,97; IC95% 1,27 - 6,97; p = 0,019), entretanto com baixo desempenho (especificidade de 82%, sensibilidade de 39%, valor preditivo positivo de 53%, valor preditivo negativo de 72%, razão de verossimilhança negativa de 0,73 e razão de verossimilhança positiva de 2,16). Conclusão: Níveis elevados de interleucina 3 mostraram-se independentemente associados à mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes sépticos, entretanto com baixo desempenho clínico.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of IL-3 to predict the outcome of septic patients. Methods: Prospective cohort study with adult patients in an intensive care unit with sepsis or septic shock diagnosed within the previous 48 hours. Circulating IL-3 levels were measured upon inclusion (day 1) and on days 3 and 7. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were included. Serum levels of IL-3 on day 1 were significantly higher among patients who died than among patients who survived the hospital stay (91.2pg/mL versus 36pg/mL, p = 0.024). In a Cox survival model considering the IL-3 levels at inclusion, age and sequential SOFA, IL-3 values remained independently associated with mortality (HR 1.032; 95%CI 1.010 - 1.055; p = 0.005). An receiver operating characteristic curve was built to further investigate the accuracy of IL-3, with an area under the curve of 0.62 (95%CI 0.51 - 0.73; p = 0.024) for hospital mortality. A cutoff initial IL-3 value above 127.5pg/mL was associated with hospital mortality (OR 2.97; 95%CI: 1.27 - 6.97; p = 0.0019) but with a low performance (82% for specificity, 39% for sensibility, 53% for the positive predictive value, 72% for the negative predictive value, 0.73 for the negative likelihood and 2.16 for the positive likelihood ratio). Conclusion: Higher levels of IL-3 are shown to be independently associated with hospital mortality in septic patients but with poor clinical performance.

Adesão às recomendações do uso de antibioticoprofilaxia e a ocorrência de infecção do sítio cirúrgico em pacientes pediátricos / Compliance with guidelines for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis: associated factors and occurrence of surgical-site infections in a pediatric population of a tertiary hospital

INTRODUÇÃO: As infecções de sitio cirúrgico (ISC) são eventos adversos freqüentes em todo o mundo. A antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica resulta em comprovada redução das taxas de infecção pós-operatória. Contudo, este uso de antibióticos ainda é inapropriado e excessivo, a despeito de recomendações bem definidas e aceitas mundialmente. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a adesão às recomendações para antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica e verificar variáveis associadas a não adesão e a ocorrência de ISC numa coorte de pacientes cirúrgicos de um hospital universitário de Belo Horizonte, Brasil, 1999 a 2001. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal da linha de base da coorte de pacientes cirúrgicos pediátricos. A adesão ao Guia de Antibioticoprofilaxia Cirúrgica (GAC) foi avaliada quanto a indicação, tipo de antibiótico, dose, intervalo posológico, momento da administração, dose intraoperatória e duração da profilaxia. Variáveis relacionadas ao paciente, cirurgia e à equipe foram investigadas como possíveis preditoras de não adesão e da ocorrência de ISC e analisadas pela regressão logística, com nível de significância p <0,05. RESULTADO: Foram avaliados 720 pacientes, 44% tiveram indicação de antibioticoprofilaxia e em 54% destes não houve adesão ao GAC. Foram preditores da não adesão: procedimento de urgência (OR: 5,56;IC: 2,94-10,51), índice de risco de infecção cirúrgica (OR:6,84;IC: 4,06-11,62), presença de infecção comunitária (OR:2,77; IC:1,24-6,17 ) e tempo pré-operatorio (OR: 3,79; IC:2,43-5,91). A não adesão foi fator preditor significante da ocorrência de ISC (OR: 2,79; IC:1,51-5,17). CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo identificou inadequação na antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica em Pediatria. Pacientes para os quais não houve adesão ao GAC tiveram uma maior chance de desenvolver ISC.

Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSI) are frequent adverse events worldwide. Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) results in marked reduction in postoperative infection rates. However, this antibioticss use is still inappropriate and excessive, despite well-defined widely accepted recommendations. Objectives: To evaluate non compliance with guidelines for SAP and associated factors, and the influence of non compliance in SSI occurrence. Methods: It was done a cross-sectional assessment of a cohort study conducted from 1999 to 2001 on surgical pediatric patients, in a university hospital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. To measure compliance, following criteria were assessed from protocol SAPG (Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis Guidelines): recommendation of SAP: type of antibiotics; dose; posologic interval; infusion timing; surgical dosing and prophylaxis duration. In the first data analysiss step, variables concerning patient, surgery and surgical team were included in logistic model to examine the relationship with noncompliance. For logistic multivariate regression, variables which p = 0.20 in univariate analysis were included and those with p<0.05 remained in final model. Logistic regression was used in final step to adjust potential confoundingand occurrence of SSI, with p <0.05 as the significance level. Results: From 720 patients, 44% had recommended antibiotic prophylaxis and non compliance to SAPG was found in 54% these patients. Non compliance predictors were: urgency procedures(OR=5.56,95%CI2.94-10.51), SSI risk index(OR=6.84,95%CI4.06-11.62); community-onset infection(OR=2.77,95%CI1.24-6.17), and length of hospital stay preoperative period(OR=3.79,95%CI 2.43-5.91). Non compliance was SSI occurre nce(OR=2.79,95%CI1.51-5.17). independent predictor. Conclusions: We identified inadequate use of SAP in Pediatrics. Patients whose treatment procedures were non-compliant with SAPG had higher chances to develop SSI than those whose treatment procedures complied with the guidelines.(AU)

Role of interleukin-3 as a prognostic marker in septic patients. / Avaliação da interleucina 3 como marcador prognóstico na sepse.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of IL-3 to predict the outcome of septic patients. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with adult patients in an intensive care unit with sepsis or septic shock diagnosed within the previous 48 hours. Circulating IL-3 levels were measured upon inclusion (day 1) and on days 3 and 7. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were included. Serum levels of IL-3 on day 1 were significantly higher among patients who died than among patients who survived the hospital stay (91.2pg/mL versus 36pg/mL, p = 0.024). In a Cox survival model considering the IL-3 levels at inclusion, age and sequential SOFA, IL-3 values remained independently associated with mortality (HR 1.032; 95%CI 1.010 - 1.055; p = 0.005). An receiver operating characteristic curve was built to further investigate the accuracy of IL-3, with an area under the curve of 0.62 (95%CI 0.51 - 0.73; p = 0.024) for hospital mortality. A cutoff initial IL-3 value above 127.5pg/mL was associated with hospital mortality (OR 2.97; 95%CI: 1.27 - 6.97; p = 0.0019) but with a low performance (82% for specificity, 39% for sensibility, 53% for the positive predictive value, 72% for the negative predictive value, 0.73 for the negative likelihood and 2.16 for the positive likelihood ratio). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of IL-3 are shown to be independently associated with hospital mortality in septic patients but with poor clinical performance.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a acurácia dos níveis de interleucina 3 para predizer prognóstico em pacientes sépticos. MÉTODOS: Conduzimos uma coorte prospectiva que incluiu pacientes adultos internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, que apresentassem sepse ou choque séptico iniciados há até 48 horas. Mediram-se os níveis séricos de interleucina 3 quando da inclusão (dia 1) e nos dias 3 e 7. O desfecho primário analisado foi a mortalidade hospitalar por qualquer causa. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 120 pacientes. Os níveis séricos de interleucina 3 dosados à inclusão foram significativamente mais elevados em pacientes que faleceram em comparação aos que sobreviveram à internação hospitalar (91,2pg/mL versus 36pg/mL; p = 0,024). Em modelo de sobrevivência de Cox com inclusão de idade e valores sequenciais de SOFA, os níveis de interleucina 3 mensurados na inclusão mantiveram-se independentemente associados à mortalidade hospitalar (HR 1,032; IC95% 1,010 - 1,055; p = 0,005). Em curva Característica de Operação do Receptor construída para investigação adicional da acurácia da interleucina 3 na predição do prognóstico, encontrou-se área sob a curva de 0,62 (IC95% 0,51 - 0,73; p = 0,024) para mortalidade hospitalar. Valores iniciais de interleucina 3 acima de 127,5pg/mL mostraram-se significativamente associados à mortalidade hospitalar (p = 0,019; OR = 2,97; IC95% 1,27 - 6,97; p = 0,019), entretanto com baixo desempenho (especificidade de 82%, sensibilidade de 39%, valor preditivo positivo de 53%, valor preditivo negativo de 72%, razão de verossimilhança negativa de 0,73 e razão de verossimilhança positiva de 2,16). CONCLUSÃO: Níveis elevados de interleucina 3 mostraram-se independentemente associados à mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes sépticos, entretanto com baixo desempenho clínico.

Miocardite fulminante / Fulminant myocarditis

A miocardite constitui-se em um dos diagnósticos mais desafiadores em Cardiologia, pois raramente é reconhecida clinicamente. Além disso, não existe um exame que seja padrão-ouro para o diagnóstico e o tratamento atual permanece controverso. O objetivo deste relato de caso é descrever a importância do diagnóstico precoce de miocardite aguda fulminante, na avaliação de paciente com dor torácica e história clínica sugestiva que, após tratamento adequado, apresentou evolução favorável.

The myocarditis constitutes one of the most challenging diagnoses in cardiology because it is rarely recognized clinically. In addition, there is no gold standard exam for the diagnosis and current treatment remains controversial. The objective of this case report is to describe the importance of early diagnosis of acute fulminant myocarditis in the evaluation of patients with chest pain and clinical history that is suggestive that after appropriate treatment, presented favorable evolution.

Abordagem geral do choque anafilático / General approach to anaphylactic shock

Anafilaxia é uma reação de hipersensibilidade potencialmente grave, mediada por imunoglobulinas E e G, após exposição a antígeno em pessoas previamente sensibilizadas. As manifestações clínicas que provoca são multissitêmicas e inespecíficas, o que dificulta o seu diagnostico, podendo evoluir para colapso cardiovascular e insuficiência respiratória. O choque anafilático é distributivo, com importante componente hipovolêmico. A suspeição clínica imediata é fundamental, pois tem impacto no sucesso do tratamento. Este artigo objetiva rever o tema, ressaltando não apenas os sinais e sintomas clínicos e medicamentos usados, como também correlacionar a fisiopatologia com o tratamento e enfatizar a importância da prevenção adequada de novos episódios, para redução da sua incidência e morbidade.

Anaphylaxis is a potentially serious hypersensitivity reaction mediated by E and G-types immunoglobulin after exposition to antigen in previously sensitized people. It is hard to diagnose, as its clinical manifestations are unspecific and multisystemic. It can, however, progress to cardiovascular collapse and respiratory insufficiency. The anaphylactic shock is distributive, with an important hypovolemic component. Immediate clinical suspicion is crucial for treatment success. This paper aims to provide a review of the topic and highlight not only the drugs and clinical signals and symptoms, but also correlate physiopathology and treatment. It also aims to emphasize the importance of appropriate prevention of new events in order to reduce incidence and morbidity.

Pheochromocytoma-induced shock: a case report.

Because of its rarity, together with the variability and nonspecificity of its signs and symptoms, pheochromocytoma, a tumor arising from chromaffin cells, creates an unlucky paradox: it is often missed but only rarely found. Besides the association with arterial hypertension, often in the form of paroxysmal attacks, pheochromocytoma may also be associated, in up to 40% of cases, with orthostatic hypotension which, when present, provides a clue to the diagnosis of the tumor. Far more rare (about 2% of cases) is the clinical presentation in the form of shock, a possibility that, among other attributes, justifies the epithet "the great mimic" applied to the neoplasia. The authors report the case of a 51-year-old hypertensive woman whose death was erroneously attributed to septic shock. Autopsy disclosed an unsuspected left adrenal bulky pheochromocytoma with areas of hemorrhage and extensive central necrosis, pronounced pulmonary edema, left ventricular mural thrombus, and histological evidence of acute myocardial injury.

Diagnóstico diferencial da dor torácica: ênfase em causas não coronarianas / Diferential diagnosis of chest pain: enphasis on non coronary causes

Revisa-se a abordagem do paciente com dor torácica e discutem-se seus principais diagnósticos diferencias. Serão abordadas, especialmente, as dores de origem musculoesquelética, gastrointestinal, psicogênica e pulmonar, além das de origem cardíaca e isquêmica.

Reviews the current approach to the patient with chest pain complain, discussing the main diferential diagnosis. Although the studies show that most these pains are of noncardiac orgin, anciliary exams made have as their objectivies discard coronary diseases and other fatal patologies. Since the non ischemic causes are more prevalent in the medical practice we will discuss in this article the musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal orgin, psicogenic, pulmonary orgin pains, other than ischemic pain.

Abordagem conservadora de lesão renal em vítima de trauma toracoabdominal contuso / Conservative manegement of renal injury in blunt abdominal trauma

No trauma contuso de abdômen, a prioridade do cirurgião é investigar a presença ou a ausência de lesão visceral valendo-se do exame clínico e de métodos de imagem apropriados. O objetivo deste relato de caso é descrever vítima de trauma abdominal contuso, admitida no setor de politraumatizados do HPSJXXIII, em que houve necessidade de tratamento conservador de lesão renal grau IV-V.

Lunt abdominal trauma the priority of the surgeon must be search either trhe presence or the absence of visceral injuries essentialy after clinical exam and appropriate diagnostic imaging. The objective of this case report is to describe a patient victim of blunt abdominal, trauma admitted to HJPSXXIIIÆs trauma section, which had the need of conservative management after a level IV kidney injury.