Constrictive pericarditis with extensive calcification.

A patient with signs and symptoms of right heart failure of unknown etiology was referred to a referral hospital in the eastern area of the city of São Paulo with a diagnosis of calcified constrictive pericarditis and was treated by surgery. This pathology is characterized by an irreversible process of pericardium calcification, and surgery is the only alternative to control the symptoms and improve patients' quality of life. This case drew special attention due to the extensive calcification involving the interventricular septum. The unusual aspect of the images has made the diagnosis difficult and raised doubts about the existence of an associated disease.

Pericardite constritiva com calcificação extensa / Constrictive pericarditis with extensive calcification / Pericarditis constrictiva con calcificación extensa

Paciente com sinais e sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca direita de etiologia desconhecida, transferida para tratamento em hospital de referência da zona leste de São Paulo, com diagnóstico de pericardite constritiva calcificada, tratada cirurgicamente. Essa patologia caracteriza-se por processo de calcificação irreversível do pericárdio, e o tratamento cirúrgico é a alternativa para o controle dos sintomas e a melhora da qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Esse caso chamou a atenção pela extensão da calcificação e por seu local de distribuição, atingindo o septo interventricular, fato que dificultou o diagnóstico pelo aspecto inusitado das imagens, deixando dúvida se haveria outra doença associada.

A patient with signs and symptoms of right heart failure of unknown etiology was referred to a referral hospital in the eastern area of the city of São Paulo with a diagnosis of calcified constrictive pericarditis and was treated by surgery. This pathology is characterized by an irreversible process of pericardium calcification, and surgery is the only alternative to control the symptoms and improve patients' quality of life. This case drew special attention due to the extensive calcification involving the interventricular septum. The unusual aspect of the images has made the diagnosis difficult and raised doubts about the existence of an associated disease.

Pacientes con signos y síntomas de insuficiencia cardíaca derecha, de etiología desconocida, trasladados para recibir tratamiento en un hospital de referencia en la región este de São Paulo, con diagnóstico de pericarditis constrictiva calcificada, tratada quirúrgicamente. Esta patología se caracteriza por un proceso de calcificación irreversible del pericardio, y el tratamiento quirúrgico es la alternativa para el control de los síntomas y la mejora de la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Este caso llamó la atención por la extensión de la calcificación y por su local de distribución, alcanzando el tabique interventricular, lo que dificultó el diagnóstico por el aspecto inusual de las imágenes, dejando dudas sobre si no habría otra enfermedad asociada.

Treinamento muscular respiratório na revascularização do miocárdio / Respiratory muscle training in patients submitted to coronary arterial bypass graft

OBJETIVOS: 1) Evidenciar a perda de capacidade ventilatória no período de pós-operatório, em pacientes submetidos à revascularização do miocárdio. 2) Testar a hipótese de que o treinamento muscular respiratório (TMR), realizado após a cirurgia, pode melhorar a capacidade ventilatória nessa população. MÉTODOS: Estudo randomizado, onde 38 pacientes (idade: 65 ± 7 anos, 29 masculinos), submetidos à revascularização miocárdica com circulação extracorpórea, foram divididos em dois grupos: 23 pacientes no grupo TMR e 15 no grupo controle (CO). O grupo TMR realizou fisioterapia convencional + TMR, o grupo CO realizou apenas fisioterapia convencional. Avaliaram-se, em três momentos (pré-operatório, primeiro dia de pós-operatório e alta hospitalar), as variáveis: pressões inspiratória e expiratória máximas (Pimáx e Pemáx), dor, dispneia (Borg), pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE), volume corrente e dias de internação. RESULTADOS: A Pimáx do grupo TMR foi maior no momento da alta (90 ± 26 vs. 55 ± 38 cmH2O, P=0,01), assim como a Pemáx (99 ± 30 vs. 53 ± 26 cmH2O, P=0,02). O PFE do grupo TMR foi maior após a internação (237 ± 93 vs. 157 ± 102 lpm, P=0,02). O volume corrente dos grupos foi também diferente no momento da alta (TMR: 0,71 ± 0,21 vs. CO: 0,44 ± 0,12 litros, P=0,00). Não houve diferenças entre os grupos com relação aos dias de internação, dispneia ou dor. CONCLUSÕES: Ocorre perda de força muscular respiratória em pacientes submetidos à revascularização miocárdica. O TMR, realizado no período pós-operatório, foi eficaz em restaurar os seguintes parâmetros: Pimáx, Pemáx, PFE e volume corrente, nessa população.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To demonstrate the impaired ventilatory capacity during the post operatory period, in patients submitted to coronary arterial bypass graft surgery (CABG). 2) To test the hypothesis that the respiratory muscle training (RMT), performed after the surgery, may increase the ventilatory capacity in this population. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (age: 65±7 years, 29 male), whose underwent CABG with extra-corporeal circulation. Patients were randomized in two groups: 23 patients in the RMT group and 15 in the control group (CO). RMT group received conventional physiotherapy plus RMT. The CO group received the conventional physiotherapy. Evaluated parameters: maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP) (MEP), dyspnea (Borg), peak expiratory flow (PEF), pain, tidal volume and hospitalization days. Measures were performed at pre, first post operatory day and also at the patients discharge from the hospital). RESULTS: MIP and MEP in the RMT group were higher when compared with CO at the patients discharge (MIP: 90±26 vs. 55±38 cmH2O, P=0.01) (MEP: 99±30 vs. 53±26 cmH2O, P=0.02). The PEF was higher after hospitalization in the RMT group (237±93 vs. 157±102 lpm, P=0.02). Tidal volume was also higher in the RMT group at discharge (0.71±0.21 vs. 0.44±0.12 liters, P=0,00). No differences were observed among the groups in the aspects: admission days, dyspnea and pain. CONCLUSIONS: Patients submitted to CABG presents an impaired respiratory muscle strength in their post operatory. RMT performed in this phase was effective to restore the ventilatory capacity in the following parameters: MIP, MEP, PEF and tidal volume, in this group of patients.

Hybrid procedures for complex thoracic aortic diseases.

BACKGROUND: Hybrid procedures for the treatment of complex thoracic aortic diseases (CTAD) require the revascularization of one or more supra-aortic arteries, followed by the deployment of one or more aortic endoprosthesis, with lower morbidity and mortality compared to conventional surgery. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the technique and results of hybrid procedures for CTAD. METHODS: During two years, 12 patients with CTAD underwent hybrid procedures, including aortic arch aneurysms and acute Stanford A and B aortic dissections. All patients had formal indications to invasive treatment, and inadequate proximal landing zone (less than 20 mm). Half were male and the mean age was 55.5 years (42 to 78). At least three cardiovascular risk factors were present in 75% of patients. The average follow-up was 10.9 months (2 to 25), with periodic consultations and CT scans. RESULTS: The initial technical success was achieved in 10 patients. Bypasses of supra-aortic vessels were performed in a surgical environment and endovascular procedures in an interventional radiology facility. "Through-and-through" technique was used in six patients. Two deaths occurred in the first 30 days after the procedure. No endoprosthesis migration was observed. No patient had paraplegia, stroke, renal failure, bleeding or coagulopathy, elective or emergency surgical conversion. CONCLUSION: Hybrid treatment of CTAD is feasible, especially in high risk patients. Proper integration of surgical and endovascular techniques, in addition to clinical and radiological surveillance, makes this technique a great alternative to conventional surgery.

Tratamento híbrido das doenças complexas da aorta torácica / Hybrid procedures for complex thoracic aortic diseases

INTRODUÇÃO: O tratamento híbrido das lesões complexas da aorta torácica (LCAT) requer a revascularização de uma ou mais artérias supra-aórticas, seguida do implante de endoprótese, com morbidade e mortalidade presumidamente mais baixas que a cirurgia convencional. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a técnica e resultados do tratamento híbrido das LCAT. MÉTODOS: Durante dois anos, 12 pacientes com LCAT foram submetidos a procedimentos híbridos, incluindo aneurismas do arco aórtico e dissecções aórticas agudas Stanford A e B. Todos possuíam indicação de tratamento invasivo, além de zona de ancoragem proximal inadequada (menor que 20 mm). Metade era do sexo masculino e a média de idade de 55,5 anos (42 a 78). Pelo menos três fatores de risco cardiovascular estavam presentes em 75 por cento dos pacientes. A média de seguimento foi de 10,9 meses (2 a 25), com acompanhamento clínico e tomográfico. RESULTADOS: O sucesso técnico inicial foi alcançado em 10 pacientes. Todas as derivações dos vasos supra-aórticos foram realizadas em ambiente cirúrgico e os procedimentos endovasculares em sala de radiologia vascular. A "técnica do varal" foi empregada em seis casos. Dois óbitos ocorreram nos primeiros 30 dias do procedimento. Nenhuma migração da endoprótese foi observada. Nenhum paciente apresentou paraplegia, acidente vascular cerebral, insuficiência renal, hemorragia ou coagulopatia, conversão cirúrgica eletiva ou de emergência. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento híbrido das LCAT é viável, especialmente em pacientes de alto risco. Uma adequada integração das técnicas cirúrgica e endovascular, além do acompanhamento clínico e radiológico adequado, tornam esta técnica uma ótima opção à cirurgia convencional.

BACKGROUND: Hybrid procedures for the treatment of complex thoracic aortic diseases (CTAD) require the revascularization of one or more supra-aortic arteries, followed by the deployment of one or more aortic endoprosthesis, with lower morbidity and mortality compared to conventional surgery. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the technique and results of hybrid procedures for CTAD. METHODS: During two years, 12 patients with CTAD underwent hybrid procedures, including aortic arch aneurysms and acute Stanford A and B aortic dissections. All patients had formal indications to invasive treatment, and inadequate proximal landing zone (less than 20 mm). Half were male and the mean age was 55.5 years (42 to 78). At least three cardiovascular risk factors were present in 75 percent of patients. The average follow-up was 10.9 months (2 to 25), with periodic consultations and CT scans. RESULTS: The initial technical success was achieved in 10 patients. Bypasses of supra-aortic vessels were performed in a surgical environment and endovascular procedures in an interventional radiology facility. "Through-and-through" technique was used in six patients. Two deaths occurred in the first 30 days after the procedure. No endoprosthesis migration was observed. No patient had paraplegia, stroke, renal failure, bleeding or coagulopathy, elective or emergency surgical conversion. CONCLUSION: Hybrid treatment of CTAD is feasible, especially in high risk patients. Proper integration of surgical and endovascular techniques, in addition to clinical and radiological surveillance, makes this technique a great alternative to conventional surgery.

Respiratory muscle training in patients submitted to coronary arterial bypass graft.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To demonstrate the impaired ventilatory capacity during the post operatory period, in patients submitted to coronary arterial bypass graft surgery (CABG). 2) To test the hypothesis that the respiratory muscle training (RMT), performed after the surgery, may increase the ventilatory capacity in this population. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (age: 65 ± 7 years, 29 male), whose underwent CABG with extra-corporeal circulation. Patients were randomized in two groups: 23 patients in the RMT group and 15 in the control group (CO). RMT group received conventional physiotherapy plus RMT. The CO group received the conventional physiotherapy. Evaluated parameters: maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP) (MEP), dyspnea (Borg), peak expiratory flow (PEF), pain, tidal volume and hospitalization days. Measures were performed at pre, first post operatory day and also at the patients discharge from the hospital). RESULTS: MIP and MEP in the RMT group were higher when compared with CO at the patients discharge (MIP: 90 ± 26 vs. 55 ± 38 cmH2O, P = 0.01) (MEP: 99 ± 30 vs. 53 ± 26 cmH2O, P = 0.02). The PEF was higher after hospitalization in the RMT group (237 ± 93 vs. 157 ± 102 lpm, P=0.02). Tidal volume was also higher in the RMT group at discharge (0.71 ± 0.21 vs. 0.44 ± 0.12 liters, P = 0,00). No differences were observed among the groups in the aspects: admission days, dyspnea and pain. CONCLUSIONS: Patients submitted to CABG presents an impaired respiratory muscle strength in their post operatory. RMT performed in this phase was effective to restore the ventilatory capacity in the following parameters: MIP, MEP, PEF and tidal volume, in this group of patients.

Intermittent annular reduction with Alfieri's repair in the treatment of mitral insufficiency in children: initial results.

OBJECTIVE: Mitral valve insufficiency must be treated by repair whenever as possible as it provides better results - especially within the pediatric population in order to avoid valve replacement inconvenients. The aim of this study is to describe mitral valve repair technique based on an anatomical and functional approach. METHODS: During a 13 months period, eight children (age ranged from 2 and 12 years old 6.37 +/- 3.66) with mitral valve insufficiency underwent intermittent anterior and posterior annuloplasty associated with Alfieri's repair - performed by placing a stitch between the anterior and posterior leaflets in the point of maximal regurgitation thus creating a double orificial mitral valve. RESULTS: There were no surgical deaths. All patients underwent postoperative echocardiography. Three patients showed mild mitral valve insufficiency and five patients showed no insufficiency. The time in intensive care unit ranged from 2 to 4 days (2.5 +/- 0.75), and the time of stay in hospital ranged from 5 to 8 days (6.37 +/- 1.06). CONCLUSION: In spite of the little sample size, the proposed technique proved itself to be simple and effective in the treatment of single mitral valve insufficiency within the pediatric population. In addition, it also yielded satisfactory immediate results. Long-term follow-up is nevertheless necessary in order to evaluate long-term results.

Redução anular intermitente com plastia de Alfieri no tratamento da insuficiência mitral em crianças: resultados iniciais / Intermittent annular reduction with Alfieri's repair in the treatment of mitral insufficiency in children: initial results

OBJETIVO: A insuficiência mitral com indicação cirúrgica na faixa etária pediátrica deve ser tratada por meio de plastia sempre que possível, evitando-se os inconvenientes da substituição valvar. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor técnica de plastia mitral baseada em abordagem funcional e anatômica. MÉTODOS: Durante período de 13 meses, foram operadas oito crianças (idade de 2 a 12 anos, média de 6,37 ± 3,66 anos) portadoras de insuficiência mitral com realização de anuloplastia anterior e posterior de forma intermitente, associadas à plastia de Alfieri (passagem de ponto entre as cúspides no ponto de maior regurgitação, formando valva mitral biorificial). RESULTADOS: Não houve óbito nesta série. Ecocardiografia de controle pós-operatório foi realizada em todos os pacientes, com insuficiência mitral discreta em três pacientes, e sem evidência de insuficiência em cinco pacientes. O tempo de permanência em unidade de terapia intensiva variou de 2 a 4 dias (2,5 ± 0,75), e o tempo de internação hospitalar variou de 5 a 8 dias (6,37 ± 1,06). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar do tamanho limitado da amostra, a opção proposta revelou-se eficaz na avaliação imediata do tratamento da insuficiência mitral isolada em crianças. O acompanhamento dos pacientes faz-se necessário para avaliação dos resultados em longo prazo

OBJECTIVE: Mitral valve insufficiency must be treated by repair whenever as possible as it provides better results - especially within the pediatric population in order to avoid valve replacement inconvenients. The aim of this study is to describe mitral valve repair technique based on an anatomical and functional approach. METHODS: During a 13 months period, eight children (age ranged from 2 and 12 years old 6.37 ± 3.66) with mitral valve insufficiency underwent intermittent anterior and posterior annuloplasty associated with Alfieri's repair - performed by placing a stitch between the anterior and posterior leaflets in the point of maximal regurgitation thus creating a double orificial mitral valve. RESULTS: There were no surgical deaths. All patients underwent postoperative echocardiography. Three patients showed mild mitral valve insufficiency and five patients showed no insufficiency. The time in intensive care unit ranged from 2 to 4 days (2.5 ± 0.75), and the time of stay in hospital ranged from 5 to 8 days (6.37 ± 1.06). CONCLUSION: In spite of the little sample size, the proposed technique proved itself to be simple and effective in the treatment of single mitral valve insufficiency within the pediatric population. In addition, it also yielded satisfactory immediate results. Long-term follow-up is nevertheless necessary in order to evaluate long-term results