Cerebral blood flow changes during intermittent acute hypoxia in patients with heart failure.

Objective Heart failure (HF) is associated with intermittent hypoxia, and the effects of this hypoxia on the cardiovascular system are not well understood. This study was performed to compare the effects of acute hypoxia (10% oxygen) between patients with and without HF. Methods Fourteen patients with chronic HF and 17 matched control subjects were enrolled. Carotid artery changes were examined during the first period of hypoxia, and brachial artery changes were examined during the second period of hypoxia. Data were collected at baseline and after 2 and 4 minutes of hypoxia. Norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and renin were measured at baseline and after 4 minutes hypoxia. Results The carotid blood flow, carotid systolic diameter, and carotid diastolic diameter increased and the carotid resistance decreased in patients with HF. Hypoxia did not change the carotid compliance, distensibility, brachial artery blood flow and diameter, or concentrations of sympathomimetic amines in patients with HF, but hypoxia increased the norepinephrine level in the control group. Hypoxia increased minute ventilation and decreased the oxygen saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration in both groups. Conclusion Hypoxia-induced changes in the carotid artery suggest an intensification of compensatory mechanisms for preservation of cerebral blood flow in patients with HF.

Goal-directed therapy for decompensated heart failure and renal dysfunction. A pilot randomized clinical trial / Terapia alvo-dirigida para insuficiência cardíaca descompensada e disfunção renal: um estudo-piloto clínico randomizado

OBJECTIVES: Acute heart failure is associated with low cardiac output syndrome and renal dysfunction. However, it is not known whether a goal-directed protocol guided by tightly controlled hemodynamic variables, including pulmonary artery catheter, will safely improve clinical renal dysfunction markers in these patients when compared to a less invasive approach. METHODS: Pilot, randomized clinical trial aimed at patients with known heart failure, low cardiac output syndrome and renal dysfunction with less than 48 hours from onset. We randomized two groups: (a) goal-directed therapy monitored with pulmonary artery catheter and (b) conventional therapy with central venous catheter. Hemodynamic parameters, venous oxygen saturation, serum lactate, fluid repositions and vasoactive drugs were compared considering renal function improvement after 72 hours as the primary study endpoint. We included 15 goal-directed therapy and 16 conventional therapy patients. The study has assessed patients on baseline looking for significant improvement at 72 hours of the following parameters in the goal-directed therapy and conventional therapy groups: urine output, serum creatinine, venous oxygen saturation and serum lactate. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. In the first 24 hours there was a lower volume of fluid reposition in the goal-directed therapy group, although 72 hours later such reposition was equivalent. The use of inotropic agents was similar between groups. There was an improvement to the renal function and the hemodynamic parameter in both study groups. CONCLUSIONS: The option for the protocol with pulmonary artery catheter setting is justified only if there is clinical evidence of serious pulmonary congestion associated to low peripheral perfusion.

OBJETIVOS: A Insuficiência cardíaca aguda está associada à síndrome de baixo débito cardíaco e disfunção renal. No entanto, não se sabe se o protocolo meta-dirigido guiado por variáveis hemodinâmicas rigorosamente controladas, incluindo cateter de artéria pulmonar, irá melhorar de forma segura os marcadores de disfunção renal clínica nestes pacientes, quando comparados a uma abordagem menos invasiva. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico piloto randomizado incluindo pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca conhecida, síndrome de baixo débito cardíaco e disfunção renal com menos de 48 horas de evolução. Foram randomizados dois grupos: terapia alvo-dirigida monitorada com cateter de artéria pulmonar e terapia convencional com cateter venoso central. Os parâmetros hemodinâmicos, a saturação venosa, o lactato sérico, o volume de reposição de fluidos e as doses de drogas vasoativas foram comparados, considerando a melhora da função renal após 72 horas como o desfecho primário do estudo. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 15 pacientes no grupo de terapia alvo-dirigida e 16 pacientes em terapia convencional. As características basais foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos. O estudo avaliou os seguintes parâmetros dos pacientes na linha de base e após 72 horas para os dois grupos: excreção urinária, creatinina sérica, saturação venosa de oxigênio e lactato. Nas primeiras 24 horas houve menor reposição de fluido no grupo de terapia dirigida mas, ao fim de 72 horas, a reposição tornou-se equivalente. O uso de agentes inotrópicos foi semelhante entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Houve uma melhora da função renal e dos parâmetros hemodinâmicos em ambos os grupos de estudo. A opção para o protocolo com cateter de artéria pulmonar só se justifica se houver evidência clínica de congestão pulmonar grave associada à baixa perfusão periférica.

Aortic Counterpulsation Therapy in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: Analysis of the TBRIDGE Registry / Terapia de Contrapulsação Aórtica em Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca Avançada: Análise do Registro TBRIDGE

Abstract Background: The use of aortic counterpulsation therapy in advanced heart failure is controversial. Objectives: To evaluate the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and its impact on 30-day mortality in patients with heart failure. Methods: Historical prospective, unicentric study to evaluate all patients treated with IABP betwen August/2008 and July/2013, included in an institutional registry named TBRIDGE (The Brazilian Registry of Intra-aortic balloon pump in Decompensated heart failure - Global Evaluation). We analyzed changes in oxygen central venous saturation (ScvO2), arterial lactate, and use of vasoactive drugs at 48 hours after IABP insertion. The 30-day mortality was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and diferences in subgroups were evaluated by the Log-rank test. Results: A total of 223 patients (mean age 49 ± 14 years) were included. Mean left ventricle ejection fraction was 24 ± 10%, and 30% of patients had Chagas disease. Compared with pre-IABP insertion, we observed an increase in ScvO2 (50.5% vs. 65.5%, p < 0.001) and use of nitroprusside (33.6% vs. 47.5%, p < 0.001), and a decrease in lactate levels (31.4 vs. 16.7 mg/dL, p < 0.001) and use of vasopressors (36.3% vs. 25.6%, p = 0.003) after IABP insertion. Thirty-day survival was 69%, with lower mortality in Chagas disease patients compared without the disease (p = 0.008). Conclusion: After 48 hours of use, IABP promoted changes in the use of vasoactive drugs, improved tissue perfusion. Chagas etiology was associated with lower 30-day mortality. Aortic counterpulsation therapy is an effective method of circulatory support for patients waiting for heart transplantation.

Resumo Fundamento: A utilização da terapia de contrapulsação aórtica na insuficiência cardíaca avançada é controversa. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito hemodinâmico e metabólico do balão intra-aórtico (BIA) e seu impacto sobre a mortalidade em 30 dias em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo histórico, unicêntrico, avaliando todos os pacientes tratados com BIA entre agosto/2008 e julho/2013, incluídos em registro institucional denominado TBRIDGE (The Brazilian Registry of Intra-aortic balloon pump in Decompensated heart failure - Global Evaluation). Analisaram-se variações na saturação venosa central de oxigênio (SVO2), lactato arterial e uso de fármacos vasoativos 48 horas após instalação do dispositivo. A mortalidade em 30 dias foi estimada pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e diferenças entre subgrupos foram avaliadas pelo teste de Log-rank. Resultados: Foram incluídos 223 pacientes com idade média de 49 ± 14 anos, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo média de 24 ± 10%, sendo 30% acometidos por Doença de Chagas. Em comparação à pré-instalação do BIA, após a instalação, houve aumento da SVO2 (51% vs. 66%, p < 0,001) e no uso de nitroprussiato (34% vs. 48%, p < 0,001), além de redução do lactato (31 vs. 17 mg/dL, p < 0,001) e no uso de vasopressores (36% vs. 26%, p = 0,003). A sobrevida em 30 dias foi de 69%, com menor mortalidade nos pacientes chagásicos comparativamente aos não chagásicos (p = 0,008). Conclusão: Nas primeiras 48 horas de utilização, o BIA promoveu mudança no uso de fármacos vasoativos e melhora da perfusão tecidual. A etiologia chagásica associou-se a menor mortalidade em 30 dias. A terapia de contrapulsação aórtica mostrou-se opção eficaz de suporte circulatório em pacientes candidatos a transplante cardíaco.

Terapia do controle da temperatura pós-parada cardiorrespiratório / Temperature control therapy after cardiorespiratory

O processo fisiopatológico secundário à parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR) com retorno da circulação espontânea (RCE), determina a síndrome pós-PCR, com lesão cerebral, disfunção miocárdica e reperfusão, em resposta à isquemia orgânica. A terapia do controle da temperatura (TCT) oferece mecanismos neuroprotetores, limitação da lesão miocárdica e redução da resposta inflamatória sistêmica. Dúvidas existem em relação aos benefícios, início e duração da TCT, porém, há evidências que apoiam a melhora da sobrevida e do prognóstico neurológico em populações selecionadas. Recomenda-se a TCT por 24 horas, com controle da temperatura na faixa de 32 °C a 36 °C para adultos que sobrevivem à PCR extra-hospitalar e permanecem em coma com ritmos iniciais de fibrilação/taquicardia ventricular, o que também é sugerido para os sobreviventes de PCR extra-hospitalar com ritmo inicial não chocável e de PCR intra-hospitalar em qualquer ritmo inicial. O início do resfriamento deve ser feito o mais precocemente possível, depreferência, até 12 horas após o RCE. O controle da temperatura corpórea deve ser incorporado aos cuidados dos pacientes críticos pós-PCR, a fim de reduzir as taxas de mortalidade e de sequelas neurológicas...

The secondary pathophysiological process to cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), determines the post-cardiorespiratory arrest syndrome with brain injury, myocardial reperfusion and dysfunction in response to systemic ischemia. The temperature control therapy (TCT) provides neuroprotective mechanisms, limitation of myocardial injury and reduction of systemic inflammatory response. There are still some questions regarding the benefits, timing and duration of TCT, however, there is evidence supporting improved survival and neurological outcome in selected populations. TCT is recommended for 24 hours, with temperature control in the range of 32 to 36 °C for comatose adults who survive after out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest with initial rates of fibrillation/ ventricular tachycardia, which is also suggested for extra-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest survivors with early pace not shockable and intra-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest in any initial rate. The beginning of the cooling should be done as early as possible, ideally up to12 hours after ROSC. The control of body temperature should be incorporated into the careof the post-CRA critically ill patients in order to reduce mortality and neurological sequelae...

Atualização no manejo clínico do choque cardiogênico / Update on clinical management of cardiogenic shock

O choque cardiogênico é uma síndrome clínica caracterizada por hipoperfusão tecidual secundária à disfunção cardíaca, na ausência de hipovolemia. A etiologia principal é o infarto agudo do miocárdio com falência de ventrículo esquerdo, embora existam outras causas relevantes, como complicações mecânicas do infarto, miocardites, evolução de cardiomiopatias, valvopatias agudas não isquêmicas e cardiomiopatia induzida pelo estresse, por exemplo. Apesar dos avanços terapêuticos, persiste como uma afecção de elevada mortalidade e sua incidência não se modificou significativamente nas últimas décadas. A instalação do choque em pacientes com síndromes coronarianasagudas ocorre mais frequentemente após a internação hospitalar, ressaltandoa importância da identificação de preditores e da monitorização de sinais precoces de hipoperfusão tecidual para pronta intervenção. O diagnóstico é essencialmente clínico e alguns exames subsidiários, como eletrocardiograma, marcadores de necrose miocárdica,ecocardiograma e cineangiocoronariografia, que são importantes para a definição da etiologia, estratificação da gravidade e do prognóstico. O manejo adequado dos pacientes requer avaliação dos parâmetros de macro e micro-hemodinâmica. Os principais objetivos terapêuticos incluem a restauração precoce da perfusão tecidual sistêmica ea recuperação da função ventricular. O tratamento inclui medidas gerais para pacientes com choque como ajuste de volemia e adequação da perfusão tecidual com uso de inotrópicos, vasopressores e dispositivos de assistência ventricular, além de medidasespecíficas, direcionadas para a etiologia do choque, como a revascularização precoce nas síndromes coronarianas agudas...

Cardiogenic shock is a clinical syndrome characterized by tissue hypoperfusionsecondary to cardiac dysfunction, in the absence of hypovolemia. Left ventricular failure complicating acute myocardial infarction is the main cause, although other relevant causes include mechanical complications of infarction, myocarditis, progression of cardiomyopathies, acute non-ischemic valvular heart disease, and stress-induced cardiomyopathies, for example. Despite therapeutic advances, it persists as a condition of high mortality, and its incidence has not changed significantly in the last decades.The onset of cardiogenic shock in patients with acute coronary syndromes frequently occurs after hospital admission, reinforcing the importance of identifying predictors and monitoring early signs of tissue hypoperfusion for prompt intervention. The diagnosisis essentially clinical plus some additional tests such as electrocardiogram, myocardial necrosis markers, echocardiogram, and coronary angiography, which are important fordefining the etiology, stratification of severity and prognosis. Proper management of patients requires assessment of macro- and micro-hemodynamic parameters. The maintherapeutic goals include early restoration of tissue perfusion and recovery of ventricular function. Treatment includes general medical care for patients with shock as optimizingvolemia and adjusting of tissue perfusion with inotropic agents, vasopressors and ventricular assist devices, as well as specific interventions focused on the shock etiology, like early revascularization in acute coronary syndromes...

Aortic Counterpulsation Therapy in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: Analysis of the TBRIDGE Registry.

BACKGROUND: The use of aortic counterpulsation therapy in advanced heart failure is controversial. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and its impact on 30-day mortality in patients with heart failure. METHODS: Historical prospective, unicentric study to evaluate all patients treated with IABP between August/2008 and July/2013, included in an institutional registry named TBRIDGE (The Brazilian Registry of Intra-aortic balloon pump in Decompensated heart failure - Global Evaluation). We analyzed changes in oxygen central venous saturation (ScvO2), arterial lactate, and use of vasoactive drugs at 48 hours after IABP insertion. The 30-day mortality was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in subgroups were evaluated by the Log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 223 patients (mean age 49 ± 14 years) were included. Mean left ventricle ejection fraction was 24 ± 10%, and 30% of patients had Chagas disease. Compared with pre-IABP insertion, we observed an increase in ScvO2 (50.5% vs. 65.5%, p < 0.001) and use of nitroprusside (33.6% vs. 47.5%, p < 0.001), and a decrease in lactate levels (31.4 vs. 16.7 mg/dL, p < 0.001) and use of vasopressors (36.3% vs. 25.6%, p = 0.003) after IABP insertion. Thirty-day survival was 69%, with lower mortality in Chagas disease patients compared without the disease (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: After 48 hours of use, IABP promoted changes in the use of vasoactive drugs, improved tissue perfusion. Chagas etiology was associated with lower 30-day mortality. Aortic counterpulsation therapy is an effective method of circulatory support for patients waiting for heart transplantation.

Choque cardiogênico: avaliação clínico-laboratorial e estratégia medicamentosa / Cardiogenic shock: clinical-laboratorial and therapeutic evaluation

O choque cardiogênico é uma síndrome clínica caracterizada por hiperfluxo tecidual secundária à disfunção cardíaca, na ausência de hipovolemia. A etiologia principal é o infarto agudo do miocárdio com falência de ventrículo esquerdo, embora existam outras causas relevantes, como complicações mecânicas do infarto, miocardites, evolução de cardiomiopatias, valvopatias agudas não isquêmicas e cardiomiopatia induzida pelo estresse, por exemplo. Apesar dos avanços terapêuticos, persiste como uma condição de elevada mortalidade e sua incidência não se modificou significativamente nas últimas décadas. A instalação do choque em pacientes com síndromes coronárias agudas ocorre mais frequentemente após a admissão hospitalar, ressaltando a importância da identificação de preditores e da monitorização de sinais precoces de hipoperfusão incidual para pronta intervenção. O diagnóstico é essencialmente clínico e alguns exames subsidiários, como eletrocardiograma, marcadores de necrose miocárdica, ecocardiograma e cineangiocoronariografia, são importantes para a definição da etiologia, estratificação da gravidade e do prognóstico. O manejo adequado dos pacientes requer avaliação dos parâmetros de macro e micro-hemodinâmica. Os principais objetivos terapêuticos incluem a restauração precoce da perfusão tecidual sistêmica e a recuperação da função ventricular. O tratamento inclui medidas gerais para pacientes com choque como ajuste de volemia e adequação da perfusão tecidual com uso de inotrópicos, vasodilatadores e dispositivos de assistência ventricular, além de medidas específicas, direcionadas para etiologia do choque, como a resvascularização precoce nas síndromes coronárias agudas.

Cardiogenic shock is a clinical syndrome characterized by systemic hypoperfusion secondary to cardiac dysfunction, in the absence of hypovolemia. Left ventricular failure complicating massive acute myocardial infarction persists as the most common etiology, although other relevant causes include mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis, non-ischemic valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies progression and stress induced cardiomyopathies. Despite therapeutic advances the incidence of cardiogenic shock persists almost the same as in the last decades and mortality rate remains very high. the onset of cardiogenic shock, in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes, frequently accurs after hospital admission, reinforcing the importance of identifying predictors and monitoring early stages of systemic hypoperfusion for early intervention. The diagnosis is established by findings. Diagnostic tests like electrocardiogram, cardiac biomakers, echocardiogram, and coronary angiography, in specific scenarios, can be helpful to confirm the diagnosis, define the etiology, stratify the risk, and provide prognostic information.

Unusual cardiac outcomes of bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus infection: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Patients on hemodialysis, particularly those with temporary non-tunneled dialysis access, constitute a high-risk population for bloodstream infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. This population also has a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases with poor prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 62-year-old Caucasian man with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis, who presented with an eventually lethal case of staphylococcal septicemia with an unusual involvement of the heart, including bacterial coronary arteritis, myocardial abscesses and papillary muscle infarction and rupture, along with complications involving other organs. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to try to minimize invasive procedures in patients who are hemodialysis dependent. The strict control of heart function is indicated considering the large spectrum of unusual cardiac complications.

Dilated cardiomyopathy in a case of Shwachman-Diamond syndrome.

The Shwachman-Diamond syndrome is an autosomal recessive bone marrow failure syndrome with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Additional organ systems, such as the liver, heart and bone, may also be affected. We report a patient with a long history of cardiac failure and diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy with intermittent neutropenia. Periodic follow-up revealed progressive cardiac failure and pulmonary hypertension. A diagnosis of Shwachman-Diamond syndrome was made at the autopsy.

Avaliação nutricional do cardiopata crítico em terapia de substituição renal: dificuldade diagnóstica / Nutritional assessment of the critically ill patients with cardiac disease under renal replacement therapy: diagnostic difficulty

OBJETIVO: Realizar avaliação nutricional em pacientes cardiopatas críticos que necessitem de terapia de substituição renal. MÉTODOS: Pacientes cardiopatas críticos, internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, que apresentavam insuficiência renal com indicação de terapia de substituição renal foram submetidos à avaliação nutricional com a utilização de medidas antropométricas e análise laboratorial. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 43 pacientes, com idade de 64±15 anos, 26 do sexo masculino. A média da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo foi de 0,36±0,16. Avaliação do estado nutricional com base no índice de massa corpórea revelou 18 pacientes eutróficos, 6 pacientes com baixo peso, 19 pacientes com sobrepeso ou obesidade. Baseado na medida da prega cutânea tricipital, 16 pacientes eram eutróficos, 27 pacientes apresentaram algum grau de depleção e, com base na circunferência do braço e na circunferência muscular do braço, 41 pacientes apresentaram algum grau de depleção. Dados laboratoriais evidenciaram depleção grave baseado na albumina em 28 pacientes e 27 pacientes tinham depleção grave de acordo com a contagem de linfócitos. CONCLUSÃO: A desnutrição é comum em pacientes cardiopatas críticos em terapia de substituição renal. Avaliação nutricional baseada no índice de massa corpórea não revelou ser bom método para diagnóstico de distúrbios nutricionais nesta população. Há necessidade de complementar a avaliação nutricional para identificação de desnutrição e possibilitar introdução precoce de suporte nutricional adequado.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the nutritional status of patients with cardiac disease and concomitant renal dysfunction requiring renal replacement therapy. METHODS: Patients with cardiac disease and renal failure receiving renal replacement therapy, admitted to an intensive care unit, were submitted to nutritional evaluation, by use of anthropometric measurements and laboratory data. RESULTS: We studied 43 patients, mean age 64±15 years, 26 were men. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.36±0.16. Analysis of anthropometric measurements, based on body mass index disclosed that, 18 patients were normal, 6 were underweight and 19 were overweight or obese. Based on measurement of triceps skinfold thickness, 16 patients were considered normal and 27 had some degree of depletion. Measurements of midarm circumference and midarm muscular circumference showed 41 patients with some degree of depletion. Laboratory data revealed 28 patients with depletion based on albumin levels and 27 with depletion based on lymphocyte count. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is common in critically ill patients with cardiac disease and renal failure receiving renal replacement therapy. Nutritional assessment based on body mass index did not prove to be a good index for diagnosis of nutritional disorders. The nutritional evaluation must be complemented in order to identify malnutrition and introduce early nutritional support.

Nutritional assessment of the critically ill patients with cardiac disease under renal replacement therapy: diagnostic difficulty. / Avaliação nutricional do cardiopata crítico em terapia de substituição renal: dificuldade diagnóstica.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the nutritional status of patients with cardiac disease and concomitant renal dysfunction requiring renal replacement therapy. METHODS: Patients with cardiac disease and renal failure receiving renal replacement therapy, admitted to an intensive care unit, were submitted to nutritional evaluation, by use of anthropometric measurements and laboratory data. RESULTS: We studied 43 patients, mean age 64±15 years, 26 were men. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.36±0.16. Analysis of anthropometric measurements, based on body mass index disclosed that, 18 patients were normal, 6 were underweight and 19 were overweight or obese. Based on measurement of triceps skinfold thickness, 16 patients were considered normal and 27 had some degree of depletion. Measurements of midarm circumference and midarm muscular circumference showed 41 patients with some degree of depletion. Laboratory data revealed 28 patients with depletion based on albumin levels and 27 with depletion based on lymphocyte count. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is common in critically ill patients with cardiac disease and renal failure receiving renal replacement therapy. Nutritional assessment based on body mass index did not prove to be a good index for diagnosis of nutritional disorders. The nutritional evaluation must be complemented in order to identify malnutrition and introduce early nutritional support.

Emergência de infecção por Trichosporon Asahii em pacientes portadores de insuficiência cardíaca em unidade de terapia intensiva cardiológica: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Trichosporon asahii an emerging etiologic agent of fungal infection and colonization in heart failure patients in intensive care unit: case report and literature review

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As infecções fúngicas por Trichosporon Asahii têm sido cada vez mais freqüentes nas últimas duas décadas. Quadros graves com alta mortalidade são tradicionalmente descritos em pacientes neutropênicos com câncer. Recentemente, a infecção tem ocorrido também em outros grupos de pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a crescente prevalência de Trichosporon asahii em unidade de terapia intensiva cardiológica (UTIC), com perfil de pacientes habitualmente não susceptíveis a tal infecção fúngica, relatar um caso clínico e revisão da literatura. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 85 anos, com antecedentes de hipertensão arterial sistêmica, insuficiência cardíaca (fração de ejeção = 30 por cento) e embolia pulmonar, admitida na UTI depois de parada cardiorrespiratória em fibrilação ventricular durante consulta de rotina. Evoluiu sem seqüela neurológica. O ecocardiograma não revelou alterações em relação ao exame anterior. Não houve alteração dos indicadores de necrose miocárdica. A paciente apresentou falha na extubação traqueal e desmame difícil, necessitando ventilação mecânica prolongada mesmo após traqueostomia. Houve complicações por insuficiência renal aguda e infecções recorrentes (respiratória, urinária e sistêmica), com boa resposta ao tratamento com antibióticos de amplo espectro. Após sete meses de internação na UTI, evoluiu com choque séptico, associado à infecção urinária por Trichosporon asahii, com hemoculturas identificadas pelo mesmo fungo. Iniciado tratamento com anfotericina B lipossomal (5 mg/kg/dia). Apesar do uso associado de vancomicina e imipenem, houve piora clínica progressiva. Hemoculturas colhidas no sétimo dia de uso de antifúngico revelaram-se negativas, porém a urocultura ainda revelou o crescimento de T. asahii. Evoluiu com óbito após 18 dias de tratamento, por falência de múltiplos órgãos. CONCLUSÕES: O aumento da gravidade dos pacientes internados nas UTI e o uso disseminado...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Infection with the non-Candida yeast species Trichosporon have been recognized with increasing frequency over the last two decades. Invasive disease due to trichosporonosis has been reported from neutropenic patients with cancer and the mortality is high. Recently, others groups of patients have become susceptible to this rare fungi. We report the emerging of infection with pathogenic Trichosporon asahii in severely ill heart failure patients in a tertiary cardiological intensive care unit (CICU). We describe our data, and report a fatal case of disseminated trichosporonosis in a patient with heart failure. We also review literature pertaining to T. asahii infections. CASE REPORT: An 85 year-old woman with a history of hypertension, heart failure (ejection fraction (EJ): 30 percent) and pulmonary embolism was admitted to a medical cardiological ICU after cardiac arrest (ventricular fibrillation) resuscitated during a routine consultation. There were no neurological sequelae and the echocardiogram revels no changes, neither the cardiac biomarkers. Ventricular fibrillation was considered secondary to heart failure. The patient had extubation failure and difficult weaning needing long term mechanical ventilation even after tracheostomy. Her hospital course was complicated by acute renal failure and recurrent respiratory, urinary and systemic bacterial infections, which responded to broad-spectrum antibiotics. After a temporary improvement she developed urinary infection and subsequent septic shock. Cultures of urine and blood specimens grew T. asahii. Treatment with liposome amphotericin B (5 mg/kg/day) was started. Despite receiving vancomycin and imipenem, the clinical condition of the patient deteriorates. Blood taken for culture on the seventh day of amphotericin B therapy were negative but urine specimen still grew T. asahii. On the eighteenth day of antifungal therapy, the patient died with multiorgan...

[Trichosporon asahii an emerging etiologic agent of fungal infection and colonization in heart failure patients in intensive care unit: case report and literature review]. / Emergência de infecção por Trichosporon Asahii em pacientes portadores de insuficiência cardíaca em unidade de terapia intensiva cardiológica: relato de caso e revisão da literatura.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Infection with the non-Candida yeast species Trichosporon have been recognized with increasing frequency over the last two decades. Invasive disease due to trichosporonosis has been reported from neutropenic patients with cancer and the mortality is high. Recently, others groups of patients have become susceptible to this rare fungi. We report the emerging of infection with pathogenic Trichosporon asahii in severely ill heart failure patients in a tertiary cardiological intensive care unit (CICU). We describe our data, and report a fatal case of disseminated trichosporonosis in a patient with heart failure. We also review literature pertaining to T. asahii infections. CASE REPORT: An 85 year-old woman with a history of hypertension, heart failure (ejection fraction (EJ): 30%) and pulmonary embolism was admitted to a medical cardiological ICU after cardiac arrest (ventricular fibrillation) resuscitated during a routine consultation. There were no neurological sequelae and the echocardiogram revels no changes, neither the cardiac biomarkers. Ventricular fibrillation was considered secondary to heart failure. The patient had extubation failure and difficult weaning needing long term mechanical ventilation even after tracheostomy. Her hospital course was complicated by acute renal failure and recurrent respiratory, urinary and systemic bacterial infections, which responded to broad-spectrum antibiotics. After a temporary improvement she developed urinary infection and subsequent septic shock. Cultures of urine and blood specimens grew T. asahii. Treatment with liposome amphotericin B (5 mg/kg/day) was started. Despite receiving vancomycin and imipenem, the clinical condition of the patient deteriorates. Blood taken for culture on the seventh day of amphotericin B therapy were negative but urine specimen still grew T. asahii. On the eighteenth day of antifungal therapy, the patient died with multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing of severely ill patients, and the use of broad spectrum antibiotics, has predisposed the emerging of invasive infections by rare and new opportunistic fungal pathogens. Severe infection related to T. asahii, until recently restricted to neutropenic patients with cancer, has been frequently identified in heart failure patients with advanced age. The mortality is high. These data highlights the importance of considering this group of patients as a risk group for T. asahii infection.

Estudo de segurança e eficácia da enoxaparina sódica na profilaxia e terapêutica antitrombótica / Safety and efficacy of sodium enoxaparin in anti-thrombotic prophylaxis and treatment

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O uso de heparina de baixo peso molecular (HBPM) na profilaxia ou terapêutica de diversas doenças ou síndromes é de grande importância na prática clínica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a segurança e a eficácia da enoxaparina sódica, teste (ENOX-T) comparada ao medicamento de referência (ENOX-R). MÉTODO: Foi realizado estudo prospectivo, aleatório, comparativo, unicêntrico e aberto envolvendo pacientes com indicação de profilaxia ou tratamento antitrombótico. Foram incluídos 100 pacientes divididos em 2 braços: profilático (n = 50) e terapêutico (n = 50) divididos em 2 grupos para cada braço (grupo 1: ENOX-R e grupo 2: ENOX-T). Analisou-se em cada segmento os dados clínicos e laboratoriais. A atividade do anti-fator Xa foi aferida em três momentos: basal (1ª avaliação); 1º ou 2º dia (2ª avaliação) e 5º a 7º dia (3ª avaliação). O ultra-som Doppler dos membros inferiores foi realizado na 2ª ou 3ª avaliação do braço profilático. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram homogeneidade dos grupos nos 2 braços (profilático e terapêutico) quanto a sexo, idade, índice de massa corpórea, creatinina sérica e Apache II. Os valores do anti-fator Xa nos braços profilático e terapêutico demonstraram eficácia adequada dos medicamentos, sem diferença clínica ou estatística entre ambos. A ocorrência de eventos adversos não mostrou diferença clínica ou estatística entre os medicamentos. No braço profilático o ultra-som de membros inferiores acrescentou informações úteis sobre a eficácia dos fármacos estudados. CONCLUSÕES: A enoxaparina sódica teste (ENOX-T) foi segura e eficaz nos pacientes analisados e equivalente ao medicamento de referência (ENOX-R).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Use of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), either prophylactic or therapeutic, is of most importance in several syndromes and diseases in daily clinical practice. Our objective in this clinical trial was to evaluate safety and efficacy of test sodium enoxaparin (ENOX-T) compared to the reference drug (ENOX-R). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, comparative, unicentric and open-labeled trial including patients with either prophylactic or therapeutic anti-thrombotic indications. A total of 100 patients were enrolled in two branches: prophylactic (n=50) and therapeutic (n=50) and two groups for each branch (group 1: ENOX-R and group 2: ENOX-T). We analyzed clinical and laboratory data in each segment. Anti-factor Xa was measured in three different moments: baseline (1st evaluation); 1st or 2nd day (2nd evaluation) and 5th to 7th day (3rd evaluation). Doppler-sonography of inferior limbs was performed on all patients in prophylactic group on 2nd or 3rd evaluation. RESULTS: The data showed that both branches (prophylactic and therapeutic) were homogenous in regard of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), serum creatinine and APACHE II severity score at admission. Anti-factor Xa results, in both prophylactic and therapeutic branches, showed expected efficacy to both drugs, without any clinical or statistical difference between them. Adverse events incurred in both groups in a similar way, without any clinical or statistical difference between them. In prophylactic branch, Doppler-sonography of inferior limbs added useful information on drugs efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that test sodium enoxaparin (ENOX-T) was effective and safe in our patient's cohort and equivalent to reference drug (ENOX-R).

[Safety and efficacy of sodium enoxaparin in anti-thrombotic prophylaxis and treatment]. / Estudo de segurança e eficácia da enoxaparina sódica na profilaxia e terapêutica antitrombótica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Use of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), either prophylactic or therapeutic, is of most importance in several syndromes and diseases in daily clinical practice. Our objective in this clinical trial was to evaluate safety and efficacy of test sodium enoxaparin (ENOX-T) compared to the reference drug (ENOX-R). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, comparative, unicentric and open-labeled trial including patients with either prophylactic or therapeutic anti-thrombotic indications. A total of 100 patients were enrolled in two branches: prophylactic (n=50) and therapeutic (n=50) and two groups for each branch (group 1: ENOX-R and group 2: ENOX-T). We analyzed clinical and laboratory data in each segment. Anti-factor Xa was measured in three different moments: baseline (1st evaluation); 1st or 2nd day (2nd evaluation) and 5th to 7th day (3rd evaluation). Doppler-sonography of inferior limbs was performed on all patients in prophylactic group on 2nd or 3rd evaluation. RESULTS: The data showed that both branches (prophylactic and therapeutic) were homogenous in regard of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), serum creatinine and APACHE II severity score at admission. Anti-factor Xa results, in both prophylactic and therapeutic branches, showed expected efficacy to both drugs, without any clinical or statistical difference between them. Adverse events incurred in both groups in a similar way, without any clinical or statistical difference between them. In prophylactic branch, Doppler-sonography of inferior limbs added useful information on drugs efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that test sodium enoxaparin (ENOX-T) was effective and safe in our patient's cohort and equivalent to reference drug (ENOX-R).

[Resistive exercise in the evaluation of endothelial dysfunction in heart failure]. / Exercício resistido na avaliação da disfunção endotelial na insuficiência cardíaca.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of resistive exercise in the study of endothelial dysfunction in heart failure (HF) comparatively to reactive hyperemia (RH). METHODS: Eighteen patients with heart failure and 15 normal volunteers were submitted to intermittent handgrip exercise in a pneumatic bag, at an intensity that corresponds to 75% of the previously assessed maximum load. Patients underwent high-resolution vascular ultrasonography for brachial artery diameter and flow evaluation as well as cardiac output determination at rest, RH and after exercise. The systolic flow index in the brachial artery and cardiac index were calculated. RESULTS: Systolic flow index increase in the brachial artery was observed after RH and physical exercise, with the latter presenting the highest increase. There was an increase in the cardiac index after the study conditions in comparison to resting conditions. CONCLUSION: Resistive exercise, performed at the assessed load, increases blood flow more intensively than RH, constituting a physiological option for the evaluation of endothelial function in HF.

Exercício resistido na avaliação da disfunção endotelial na insuficiência cardíaca / Resistive exercise in the evaluation of endothelial dysfunction in heart failure

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o uso de exercício físico resistido no estudo da disfunção endotelial na insuficiência cardíaca comparativamente à hiperemia reativa (HR). MÉTODOS: Dezoito portadores de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e 15 voluntários realizaram esforço físico manual de preensão intermitente em bolsa pneumática com intensidade correspondente a 75 por cento da carga máxima previamente avaliada. Foram avaliados por ultra-sonografia vascular de alta resolução para análise dos diâmetros da artéria braquial e fluxos bem como determinação do débito cardíaco em repouso, após HR e após exercício. Foram calculados o índice de fluxo sistólico na artéria braquial e o índice cardíaco. RESULTADOS: Houve aumento do índice de fluxo sistólico na artéria braquial nas condições HR e exercício físico sendo maior nessa última. Houve aumento do índice cardíaco nas condições de estudo comparativamente ao repouso. CONCLUSÃO: O exercício físico resistido, na carga avaliada, aumenta o fluxo sanguíneo local de forma mais intensa que a HR, constituindo-se numa opção fisiológica à avaliação da disfunção endotelial na IC .