O estado da arte da fibrilação atrial / The art state of atrial fibrillation

Justificativa e objetivos: A alta prevalência e incidência da fibrilação atrial (FA), bem como sua grande associação com a morbidade dos pacientes, trás a necessidade de melhor conhecimento para um diagnóstico correto e um tratamento eficaz. O objetivo deste estudo foi rever e fornecer um protocolo de atendimento para pacientes acometidos por esta arritmia. Conteúdo: Este estudo versa sobre o estado da arte da fibrilação atrial, sua origem, epidemiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento, através de uma revisão atual da literatura médica e seus conceitos mais relevantes. Conclusão: Feito o diagnóstico e tendo por base a classificação da fibrilação atrial, gravidade dos sintomas, presença de comorbidades, idade e opções farmacológicas disponíveis, o tratamento se faz necessário. E tem como alvos: controle da frequência cardíaca ou reversão do ritmo, prevenção de eventos tromboembólicos e de recorrências da arritmia.

Background and objectives: The high prevalence and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as to being largely associated with an increase in patient's morbidity, bring a need to perform further studies aimed at an increased knowledge about that entity in order to obtain a correct diagnosis and an efficient treatment. Thus, this work brings a wide review on the subject and provides an attending protocol for patients who have that kind of arrhythmia. Contents: This work reviews atrial fibrillation's state of art, your cause, epidemiology, diagnostic and treatment, through medicine literature review and your essential concept. Conclusion: Based on the diagnosis and on the atrial fibrillation classifications, severity of symptoms, presence of co-morbidities, patient's age, and the medications available, treatment is essential, aiming at: controlling the heart rate or rhythm reversion, prevention of thromboembolic episodes, as well as arrhythmia recurrence.

Intravenous azithromycin plus ceftriaxone followed by oral azithromycin for the treatment of inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia: an open-label, non-comparative multicenter trial.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is a major public health problem. In Brazil it has been estimated that 2,000,000 people are affected by CAP every year. Of those, 780,000 are admitted to hospital, and 30,000 have death as the outcome. This is an open-label, non-comparative study with the purpose of evaluating efficacy, safety, and tolerability levels of IV azithromycin (IVA) and IV ceftriaxone (IVC), followed by oral azithromycin (OA) for the treatment of inpatients with mild to severe CAP. Eighty-six patients (mean age 56.6 +/- 19.8) were administered IVA (500 mg/day) and IVC (1g/day) for 2 to 5 days, followed by AO (500 mg/day) to complete a total of 10 days. At the end of treatment (EOT) and after 30 days (End of Study--EOS) the medication was evaluated clinically, microbiologically and for tolerability levels. Out of the total 86-patient population, 62 (72.1%) completed the study. At the end of treatment, 95.2% (CI95: 88.9% - 100%) reported cure or clinical improvement; at the end of the study, that figure was 88.9% (CI95: 74.1% - 91.7%). Out of the 86 patients enrolled in the study, 15 were microbiologically evaluable for bacteriological response. Of those, 6 reported pathogen eradication at the end of therapy (40%), and 8 reported presumed eradication (53.3%). At end of study evaluation, 9 patients showed pathogen eradication (50%), and 7 showed presumed eradication (38.89%). Therefore, negative cultures were obtained from 93.3% of the patients at EOT, and from 88.9% at the end of the study. One patient (6.67% of patient population) reported presumed microbiological resistance. At study end, 2 patients (11.11%) still reported undetermined culture. Uncontrollable vomiting and worsening pneumonia condition were reported by 2.3% of patients. Discussion and Conclusion Treatment based on the administration of IV azithromycin associated to ceftriaxone and followed by oral azithromycin proved to be efficacious and well-tolerated in the treatment of Brazilian inpatients with CAP.

Intravenous azithromycin plus ceftriaxone followed by oral azithromycin for the treatment of inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia: an open-label, non-comparative multicenter trial

Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is a major public health problem. In Brazil it has been estimated that 2,000,000 people are affected by CAP every year. Of those, 780,000 are admitted to hospital, and 30,000 have death as the outcome. This is an open-label, non-comparative study with the purpose of evaluating efficacy, safety, and tolerability levels of IV azithromycin (IVA) and IV ceftriaxone (IVC), followed by oral azithromycin (OA) for the treatment of inpatients with mild to severe CAP. Eighty-six patients (mean age 56.6 ± 19.8) were administered IVA (500mg/day) and IVC (1g/day) for 2 to 5 days, followed by AO (500mg/day) to complete a total of 10 days. At the end of treatment (EOT) and after 30 days (End of Study - EOS) the medication was evaluated clinically, microbiologically and for tolerability levels. Out of the total 86-patient population, 62 (72.1 percent) completed the study. At the end of treatment, 95.2 percent (CI95: 88.9 percent - 100 percent) reported cure or clinical improvement; at the end of the study, that figure was 88.9 percent (CI95: 74.1 percent - 91.7 percent). Out of the 86 patients enrolled in the study, 15 were microbiologically evaluable for bacteriological response. Of those, 6 reported pathogen eradication at the end of therapy (40 percent), and 8 reported presumed eradication (53.3 percent). At end of study evaluation, 9 patients showed pathogen eradication (50 percent), and 7 showed presumed eradication (38.89 percent). Therefore, negative cultures were obtained from 93.3 percent of the patients at EOT, and from 88.9 percent at the end of the study. One patient (6.67 percent of patient population) reported presumed microbiological resistance. At study end, 2 patients (11.11 percent) still reported undetermined culture. Uncontrollable vomiting and worsening pneumonia condition were reported by 2.3 percent of patients. Discussion and Conclusion Treatment based on the administration of IV azithromycin...

A comparison of percutaneous coronary intervention and surgical revascularization after fibrinolysis for acute myocardial infarction. Insights from the InTIME-2 trial.

BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of patients treated with fibrinolytics for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is subsequently submitted to surgical or percutaneous revascularization procedures during the same hospitalization. However, data comparing these procedures are scarce in the literature. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes of a population with AMI who, during the in-hospital phase, received fibrinolytic therapy followed by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: The study population included 3532 patients submitted to CABG (N=574) or PCI (N=2958), out of 15,114 patients studied in the InTIME-2 trial. Among patients treated with PCI there were no differences between those who received stents or isolated balloon angioplasty, so that their data were pooled for analysis. RESULTS: CABG and PCI groups were compared regarding all-cause mortality (at 30 days and one year post-AMI) and non-fatal events (reinfarction, need of additional post-discharge revascularization and re-hospitalization for an ischemic event) within 30 days after MI. There was no significant difference in mortality rates between the groups--both unadjusted and adjusted--at 30 days and one year post-MI. The unadjusted 30-day rates of combined fatal and non-fatal events were 10.3% for the CABG group, and 15.3% for the PCI group (odds-ratio 0.64, P=0.0017), but the adjusted odds-ratio for the combined endpoint only achieved borderline significance (P=0.048). CONCLUSION: Mortality rates for CABG and PCI were similar up to one year after AMI, but CABG tends to carry a better event-free survival in the first 30 days.

Impact on hospital mortality and morbidity of right ventricular involvement among patients with acute left ventricular infarction.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: There is uncertainty regarding the risk of major complications in patients with left ventricular (LV) infarction complicated by right ventricular (RV) involvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on hospital mortality and morbidity of right ventricular involvement among patients with acute left ventricular myocardial infarction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study, at Emergency Care Unit of Hospital Central da Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. METHODS: 183 patients with acute myocardial infarction participated in this study: 145 with LV infarction alone and 38 with both LV and RV infarction. The presence of complications and hospital death were compared between groups. RESULTS: 21% of the patients studied had LV + RV infarction. In this group, involvement of the dorsal and/or inferior wall was predominant on electrocardiogram (p < 0.0001). The frequencies of Killip class IV upon admission and 24 hours later were greater in the LV + RV group, along with electrical and hemodynamic complications, among others, and death. The probability of complications among the LV + RV patients was 9.7 times greater (odds ratio, OR = 9.7468; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.8673 to 33.1325; p < 0.0001) and probability of death was 5.1 times greater (OR = 5.13; 95% CI: 2.2795 to 11.5510; p = 0.0001), in relation to patients with LV infarction alone. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LV infarction with RV involvement present increased risk of early morbidity and mortality.

Impact on hospital mortality and morbidity of right ventricular involvement among patients with acute left ventricular infarction / Impacto do envolvimento do ventrículo direito na morbidade e mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes com infarto agudo do ventrículo esquerdo

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: There is uncertainty regarding the risk of major complications in patients with left ventricular (LV) infarction complicated by right ventricular (RV) involvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on hospital mortality and morbidity of right ventricular involvement among patients with acute left ventricular myocardial infarction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study, at Emergency Care Unit of Hospital Central da Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. METHODS: 183 patients with acute myocardial infarction participated in this study: 145 with LV infarction alone and 38 with both LV and RV infarction. The presence of complications and hospital death were compared between groups. RESULTS: 21 percent of the patients studied had LV + RV infarction. In this group, involvement of the dorsal and/or inferior wall was predominant on electrocardiogram (p < 0.0001). The frequencies of Killip class IV upon admission and 24 hours later were greater in the LV + RV group, along with electrical and hemodynamic complications, among others, and death. The probability of complications among the LV + RV patients was 9.7 times greater (odds ratio, OR = 9.7468; 95 percent confidence interval, CI: 2.8673 to 33.1325; p < 0.0001) and probability of death was 5.1 times greater (OR = 5.13; 95 percent CI: 2.2795 to 11.5510; p = 0.0001), in relation to patients with LV infarction alone. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LV infarction with RV involvement present increased risk of early morbidity and mortality.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O risco das principais complicações em pacientes com infarto do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) associado ao comprometimento do ventrículo direito (VD) ainda é incerto. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do envolvimento do ventrículo direito na morbidade e na mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes com infarto agudo do ventrículo esquerdo. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo prospectivo de coorte, realizado no Serviço de Emergência do Hospital Central da Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 183 pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio: 145 com infarto do VE e 38 com infarto do VE associado ao VD (VE + VD). Foram comparados entre os grupos a presença das complicações e óbitos no período hospitalar. RESULTADOS: 21 por cento dos pacientes estudados apresentavam infarto VE + VD. Predominou o comprometimento da parede dorsal e/ou inferior (ECG) no grupo com VE + VD (p < 0.0001). A freqüência da classe IV de Killip no momento da admissão e 24 h após foi maior no grupo VE + VD, assim como as complicações elétricas, hemodinâmicas, entre outras, e óbitos. A probabilidade de complicações em pacientes com infarto VE + VD foi 9.7 vezes maior (odds ratio, OR = 9.7468; 95 por cento intervalo de confiança, IC 95 por cento 2.8673 a 33.1325; p < 0.0001) e de óbito 5.1 vezes superior (OR = 5.1313; 95 por cento IC 2.2795 a 11.5510; p = 0.0001) em relação aos pacientes com infarto isolado do VE. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com infarto VE com envolvimento do VD apresentam risco aumentado de morbidade e mortalidade precoces.

Contraste radiológico induzindo a insuficiência renal aguda / Radiology contrast can induce a acute renal failure

A insuficiência renal aguda (IRA) devido à toxicidade por contrastes tem incidência em torno de 10 a 15. O contraste pode induzir a dois tipos de lesão renal, a necrose tubular aguda (NTA) e a nefrite túbulo-intersticial (NTIA).A necrose tubular aguda provoca lesão nas células epiteliais dos túbulos renais, diminui o fluxo urinário acentuadamente. Observa-se na urina tipo I cilindros granulosos, eritrócitos e células inflamatórias. A nefrite túbulo-intersticial fármaco-induzida é uma reação de hipersensibilidade não relacionada à dose, podendo ocorrer na ausência de qualquer manifestação sistêmica de hipersensibilidade.Nesse trabalho relataremos um caso clínico, no qual se observa um dos tipos de lesão renal induzida por contraste e salientamos que somente a prevenção através da hidratação prévia e após o uso do contraste tem se mostrado efetiva no tratamento da nefropatia induzida por este.(au)

[Accidental hypothermia cases in a tropical country]. / Hipotermia acidental em um país tropical.

OBJECTIVE: This paper has by objective to study the hypothermia's presence, presentation form and consequences in our environment. METHODS: A prospective study in hypothermic patients assisted in the Medical Clinic Emergency Service of Santa Casa of S o Paulo, with 212 patients with mild, moderate and serious hypothermia from 1987 to 2001, the most part of them constituted by chronic alcoholics and homeless. The results were analyzed in reference to sex, age group, central temperature, electrocardiogram, co-morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The hypothermia prevailed in the male sex with 75.9%. As age group prevailed the age between 30 and 59 years. In 70.3% of the patients the central temperature went lower than 32 C, and in 26.4% of these, the temperature was lower than 28 C. The association with infectious processes happened in 76.8% of the cases. The patients with mild hypothermia answered better at therapeutics (96.8%) when compared with the moderate hypothermic (72.1%) and serious (87.5%) patients. The Osborn's wave was present in 42.6% of the patients. The general mortality was 38.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The accidental hypothermia in Emergency Services from Tropical Country is an undeniable fact. The paramedic and medics should be alert and trained to recognize this disease of high morbidity and mortality. The mortality increases with the presence of associated diseases, particularly infectious processes, malnutrition and chronic alcoholism.

Estudo comparativo entre pacientes infartados fumantes, ex-fumantes e näo-fumantes / Comparative study of smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers who have experienced myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of smoking on in-hospital morbidity and mortality in patients who have experienced acute myocardial infarction and to assess the association between smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors and clinical data. METHODS: A prospective cohort study analyzed 121 patients, including 54 smokers, 35 ex-smokers, and 32 nonsmokers. RESULTS: Using the chi-square test (P<0.05), an association between smoking and the risk factors sex, age, and diabetes was documented. Among the morbidity and mortality variables, only acute pulmonary edema showed a statistically significant difference (OR=9.5; 95 percent CI), which was greater in the ex-smoker group than in the nonsmoker group. CONCLUSION: An association between smoking and some cardiovascular risk factors was observed, but no statistical difference in morbidity and mortality was observed in the groups studied, except for the variable acute pulmonary edema

Hipotermia acidental em um país tropical / Accidental hypothermia cases in a tropical country

OBJETIVOS: Estudar a presença, forma de apresentaçäo e as conseqüências da hipotermia em nosso meio. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo em hipotérmicos atendidos no Serviço de Emergência de Clínica Médica da Santa Casa de São Paulo, com 212 pacientes com hipotermia leve, moderada e grave, entre 1987 a 2001, a maioria constituída por alcoólatras crônicos e moradores de rua. Foram analisados os resultados quanto ao sexo, faixa etária, temperatura central, eletrocardiograma, comorbidades e mortalidade. RESULTADOS: A hipotermia predominou no sexo masculino em 75,9 por cento. Quanto à faixa etária prevaleceu a idade entre 30 e 59 anos. Em 70,3 por cento dos pacientes a temperatura central foi inferior a 32ºC, sendo que em 26,4 por cento destes, a temperatura foi menor que 28ºC. A associaçäo com quadros infecciosos ocorreu em 76,8 por cento dos casos. Os pacientes com hipotermia leve responderam melhor à terapêutica (96,8 por cento) quando comparados com os hipotérmicos moderados (72,1 por cento) e graves (87,5 por cento). A onda de Osborn esteve presente em 42,6 por cento dos pacientes. A mortalidade geral foi de 38,2 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: A hipotermia acidental em serviços de emergência de país tropical é fato inegável. O socorrista deve estar atento e treinado para o reconhecimento desta doença de alta morbidade e mortalidade. A mortalidade aumenta com a presença de doenças associadas, particularmente processos infecciosos, desnutriçäo e alcoolismo crônico

Comparative study of smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers who have experienced myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of smoking on in-hospital morbidity and mortality in patients who have experienced acute myocardial infarction and to assess the association between smoking and other cardiovascular risk factors and clinical data. METHODS: A prospective cohort study analyzed 121 patients, including 54 smokers, 35 ex-smokers, and 32 nonsmokers. RESULTS: Using the chi-square test (P<0.05), an association between smoking and the risk factors sex, age, and diabetes was documented. Among the morbidity and mortality variables, only acute pulmonary edema showed a statistically significant difference (OR=9.5; 95% CI), which was greater in the ex-smoker group than in the nonsmoker group. CONCLUSION: An association between smoking and some cardiovascular risk factors was observed, but no statistical difference in morbidity and mortality was observed in the groups studied, except for the variable acute pulmonary edema.

Pulmonary thromboembolism: retrospective study of necropsies performed over 24 years in a university hospital in Brazil.

CONTEXT: Pulmonary thromboembolism is the third most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality among acute cardiovascular diseases. The incidence of pulmonary embolism in necropsies has remained unchanged over the last few decades. Cardiac diseases, neoplasia, trauma, recent surgery and systemic diseases are important predisposing clinical conditions. The relationship between male and female sexes is estimated at 1.24. Various studies have shown an increase in morbidity in spring and autumn. There is great difficulty in precise anatomopathological diagnosis in relation to the localization of the emboli in the pulmonary vessels, although they are preferentially located in the right lung and lower lobes. OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of lethal and non-lethal pulmonary thromboembolism in relation to epidemiological and anatomical variables. DESIGN: Retrospective study performed via reports on the necropsy findings. SETTING: University hospital providing tertiary-level attendance. SAMPLE: 16,466 consecutive necropsies performed from January 1972 to December 1995. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Frequency of lethal and non-lethal pulmonary thromboembolism, predisposing diseases, occurrence in relation to the seasons of the year, and location where the embolus is lodged. RESULTS: Pulmonary thromboembolism was found in 4.7% of all the necropsies performed. There was a predominance of lethal cases (68.2%). There was no difference in relation to sex or seasons of the year for the occurrence of this disease. Cardiovascular diseases were more frequently associated with thromboembolic phenomena. With regard to the location where the embolus was lodged, various lung segments showed greater incidence of being bilaterally compromised. CONCLUSION: Over the period of this study, it was observed that there was a reduction in the incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism, which was probably due to the increase in prophylactic measures over the last few decades. Nonetheless, lethal thromboembolism predominated in frequency, probably because of the abrupt onset of a condition of attack across a large area of the lung, lack of clinical suspicions and consequently a lack of early diagnosis, and delay in instituting fibrinolytic therapy in the cases with hemodynamic repercussions or a large number of lung segments affected.

Pulmonary thromboembolism: retrospective study of necropsies performed over 24 years in a university hospital in Brazil

CONTEXT: Pulmonary thromboembolism is the third most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality among acute cardiovascular diseases. The incidence of pulmonary embolism in necropsies has remained unchanged over the last few decades. Cardiac diseases, neoplasia, trauma, recent surgery and systemic diseases are important predisposing clinical conditions. The relationship between male and female sexes is estimated at 1.24. Various studies have shown an increase in morbidity in spring and autumn. There is great difficulty in precise anatomopathological diagnosis in relation to the localization of the emboli in the pulmonary vessels, although they are preferentially located in the right lung and lower lobes. OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of lethal and non-lethal pulmonary thromboembolism in relation to epidemiological and anatomical variables. DESIGN: Retrospective study performed via reports on the necropsy findings. SETTING: University hospital providing tertiary-level attendance. SAMPLE: 16,466 consecutive necropsies performed from January 1972 to December 1995. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Frequency of lethal and non-lethal pulmonary thromboembolism, predisposing diseases, occurrence in relation to the seasons of the year, and location where the embolus is lodged. RESULTS: Pulmonary thromboembolism was found in 4.7 percent of all the necropsies performed. There was a predominance of lethal cases (68.2 percent). There was no difference in relation to sex or seasons of the year for the occurrence of this disease. Cardiovascular diseases were more frequently associated with thromboembolic phenomena. With regard to the location where the embolus was lodged, various lung segments showed greater incidence of being bilaterally compromised. CONCLUSION: Over the period of this study, it was observed that there was a reduction in the incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism, which was probably due to the increase in prophylactic measures over the last few decades. Nonetheless, lethal thromboembolism predominated in frequency, probably because of the abrupt onset of a condition of attack across a large area of the lung, lack of clinical suspicions and consequently a lack of early diagnosis, and delay in instituting fibrinolytic therapy in the cases with hemodynamic repercussions or a large number of lung segments affected

As defesas do pulmäo contra as infecçöes / Lung defense mechanisms against infections

Ao verificarmos o número excessivo de bactérias, virus e fungos que colonizam o trato respiratório superior, poderíamos esperar um número de infecçöes muito maior. Este fato se deve à integridade dos mecanismos de defesas sistêmicos e do trato respiratório do hospedeiro. Fatores anatômicos ou barreiaras mecânicas, células mucociliares do trato respiratório, tosse e produçäo de imunoglobulinas Iga) pela imunidade humonal determinam a grande barreira contra essas infecçöes. A imunidade celular, incluindo as respostas dos macrófagos intersticiais e alveolares para fagocitose, assim como os linfócitos que produzem anticorpos, estimulam a atividade citotóxica e liberaçäo de mediadores inflamatórios como as citocinas, protegendo o pulmäo contra as doenças infecciosas. Defeitos nos mecanismos de defesa mecânicos ou inflamatórios do hospedeiro, ou mesmo a exposiçäo aos microrganismos virulentos, podem levar ao desenvolvimento de infecçäo do trato respiratório, prejudicando assim a integridade do órgäo.(au)