Does the anthropometric profile influence infection morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting?

BACKGROUND: Infection after cardiovascular surgery is multifactorial. We sought to determine whether the anthropometric profile influences the occurrence of infection after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Between January 2011 and June 2016, 1777 consecutive adult patients were submitted to isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Mean age was 61.7 ± 9.8 years and 1193 (67.1%) were males. Patients were divided into four groups according to the body mass index (BMI) classification: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 ; N = 17, 0.9%), normal range (BMI: 18.5-24.99 kg/m2 ; N = 522, 29.4%), overweight (BMI: 25-29.99 kg/m2 ; N = 796, 44.8%), and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2 ; N = 430, 24.2%). In-hospital outcomes were compared and independent predictors of infection were obtained through multiple Poisson regression with a robust variation. RESULTS: Independent predictors of any infection morbidity were female sex (relative ratio [RR], 1.47; p = .002), age > 60 years (RR, 1.85; p < .0001), cardiopulmonary bypass > 120 min (RR, 1.89; p = .0007), preoperative myocardial infarction < 30 days (RR, 1.37; p = .01), diabetes mellitus (RR, 1.59; p = .0003), ejection fraction < 48% (RR, 2.12; p < .0001), and blood transfusion (RR, 1.55; p = .0008). Among other variables, obesity, as well as diabetes mellitus, were independent predictors of superficial and deep sternal wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: Other factors rather than the anthropometric profile are more important in determining the occurrence of any infection after CABG. However, surgical site infection has occurred more frequently in obese patients. Appropriate patient selection, control of modifiable factors, and application of surgical bundles would minimize this important complication.

Penetrated inferior vena cava filter retrieved by open surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Complications of inferior vena cava filters are relatively common, and they vary according to different filter types and designs. We aim to present a case of penetrated inferior vena cava filter into the liver. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 42-year old man with thrombophilia (prothrombin gene mutation) required the insertion of an inferior vena cava filter because of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding associated with oral anticoagulation. However, it penetrated through the retro-hepatic vena cava into the liver, being manifested by constant, blunt abdominal pain. Endovascular retrieval was considered of extreme risk, though a surgical approach was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The patient has recovered uneventfully with complete symptom relief. CONCLUSIONS: In symptomatic penetrated vena cava filters in which endovascular retrieval is not feasible, a surgical approach with appropriate planning is a safe and effective treatment.

Sympathetic activity is negatively associated to uremic state and hemodynamic instability during hemodialysis sessions / La actividad simpática está negativamente asociada al estado urémico y a la inestabilidad hemodinámica durante las sesiones de hemodiálisis

INTRODUCTION: Hemodynamic instabilities, characterized by oscillations of blood pressure, are common during hemodialysis sessions (HD), culminating in intradialytic hypotension owing to volume withdrawal from the cardiovascular system. The ability to carry out immediate adjusts in cardiovascular system, mainly mediated by the autonomic nervous system, is essential to the maintenance of hemodynamic stability during HD. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the sympathetic activity, and the hemodynamic stability from chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients during the HD, as well as the relationship between sympathetic activity and the uremic state. METHODS: Fourteen CKD patients (08 women and 06 men) with no history of recurrent ID episodes had the successive RR intervals recorded during HD. Blood pressure measurements were recorded at regular intervals of 30 minutes along 4 hours of each session. Hemodynamic stability was established by the standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV) and the Delta (difference between the highest and the lowest measure) of systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean (MBP) blood pressures, as well as the pulse pressure (PP) from the 8 recordings obtained during each session. As a measure of autonomic heart control, the log-transformed low frequency (lnLFnu) spectral band was used. The uremic state was established by the mean of uremia from the last 12 months. Pearson's correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the studied variables. RESULTS: The lnLFnu values were negatively associated SD (SBP [r = -0.480; p = 0.010], PP [r = -0.504; p = 0.006] and MBP [r = -0.449; p = 0.017]), CV (SBP [r = -0.390; p = 0.040]) and delta (SBP [r = -0.438; p = 0.020], PP [r = -0.490; p = 0.008] and MBP [r = -0.382; p = 0.045]). lnLFnu was also negatively associated to the uremic state (r = -0.601; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that higher values of the lnLFnu are associated with better hemodynamic stability (i.e., smaller blood pressure oscillations) during HD sessions, in turn, the mean of blood urea concentration in the last 12 months, defined here as the uremic state, was associated with lower values of the lnLFnu during HD sessions

INTRODUCCIÓN: La inestabilidad hemodinámica, que se caracteriza por las oscilaciones de la presión arterial, es frecuente durante las sesiones de hemodiáilisis (HD) y tiene como resultado la hipotensión intradialítica, causada por una disminución en el volumen sanguíneo del sistema cardiovascular. Es esencial poder realizar ajustes inmediatos en el sistema cardiovascular, mediados principalmente por el sistema nervioso autónomo, a fin de mantener la estabilidad hemodinámica durante la hemodiálisis. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue investigar la relación entre la actividad del sistema nervioso simpático y la estabilidad hemodinámica en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) durante las sesiones de hemoterapia; asimismo, se indagó sobre la relación entre la actividad del sistema nervioso simpático y el estado urémico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se registraron, durante las sesiones de hemodiálisis, los intervalos RR sucesivos de 14 pacientes con enfermad renal crónica (8 mujeres y 6 hombres) sin antecedentes de episodios recurrentes de hipotensión intradialítica (HI). Se realizaron registros de la tensión arterial en intervalos regulares de 30 minutos durante 4 horas en cada sesión. La estabilidad hemodinámica se estableció mediante la desviación estándar, el coeficiente de variación (CV) y delta (diferencia entre la medida más alta y la más baja) de la tensión arterial sistólica (TAS), la diastólica (TAD) y la media (TAM), así como la tensión diferencial (TD) a partir de los ocho registros obtenidos durante cada sesión. Se utilizó el análisis espectral de transformaciones logarítmicas de baja frecuencia (LnLFnu, por su sigla en inglés) expresados en unidades normalizadas mediante transformación logarítmica. El estado urémico se determinó a través del promedio de los valores de uremia obtenidos durante los últimos doce meses. Se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson para analizar las variables estudiadas. RESULTADOS: Mediante los distintos cálculos, se hallaron las siguientes correlaciones negativas con los valores de lnLFnu : SD (TAS [r = -0,480; p = 0,010]; TD [r = -0,504; p = 0,006] , y TAM [r = -0,449; p = 0,017]); CV (TAS [r = -0,390; p = 0,040]); y delta (TAS [r = -0,438; p = 0,020]; TD [r = -0,490; p = 0,008], y TAM [r = -0,382; p = 0,045]). También se observó una correlación negativa entre lnLFnu y el estado urémico (r = -0,601; p = 0,01). CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros resultados indican que los valores más elevados de LnLFnu se asocian con una mejor estabilidad hemodinámica, es decir, menor oscilación de la tensión arterial, durante las sesiones de hemodiálisis. A su vez, el promedio de concentración de urea en sangre registrado durante los últimos doce meses, al cual definimos como el estado urémico, se relacionó con valores más bajos de LnLFnu durante las sesiones de hemodiálisis

Experience of treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis: a retrospective single-center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the experience of treatment of early prosthetic valve endocarditis at a heart center. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective single-center study on data collected from electronic medical records covering the period from January 2009 to December 2015. METHODS: Over the study period, 1,557 consecutive valve operations were performed on adult patients. The study population comprised 32 patients (2%) who were diagnosed with prosthetic valve endocarditis within 12 months after the index surgery. Medical records were retrieved from electronic hospital records, retrospectively. Descriptive clinical, echocardiographic, microbiological and treatment-type data were used. Risk factors for early mortality were studied through univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The main clinical manifestation of infective endocarditis was fever, and this was present in all patients. Most of the prostheses were affected in the aortic position (40.6% of cases). The most commonly cultured microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Twenty-six patients (81.3%) underwent surgical treatment and six (18.7%) underwent exclusive clinical treatment. The prevalence of postoperative complications was 31.3% and hospital mortality occurred in seven cases (21.9%). The mortality rate was 50% among the patients who underwent medical treatment and 15.4% among those who underwent surgery. There were no independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: Prosthetic valve endocarditis is an infrequent complication of valve replacement. Surgical treatment has mortality rates compatible with the severity of patients' conditions. Surgical indication should not be delayed when clinical treatment has been ineffective.

Experience of treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis: a retrospective single-center cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the experience of treatment of early prosthetic valve endocarditis at a heart center. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective single-center study on data collected from electronic medical records covering the period from January 2009 to December 2015. METHODS: Over the study period, 1,557 consecutive valve operations were performed on adult patients. The study population comprised 32 patients (2%) who were diagnosed with prosthetic valve endocarditis within 12 months after the index surgery. Medical records were retrieved from electronic hospital records, retrospectively. Descriptive clinical, echocardiographic, microbiological and treatment-type data were used. Risk factors for early mortality were studied through univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The main clinical manifestation of infective endocarditis was fever, and this was present in all patients. Most of the prostheses were affected in the aortic position (40.6% of cases). The most commonly cultured microorganisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Twenty-six patients (81.3%) underwent surgical treatment and six (18.7%) underwent exclusive clinical treatment. The prevalence of postoperative complications was 31.3% and hospital mortality occurred in seven cases (21.9%). The mortality rate was 50% among the patients who underwent medical treatment and 15.4% among those who underwent surgery. There were no independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: Prosthetic valve endocarditis is an infrequent complication of valve replacement. Surgical treatment has mortality rates compatible with the severity of patients' conditions. Surgical indication should not be delayed when clinical treatment has been ineffective

Reliability analysis of the heart autonomic control parameters during hemodialysis sessions.

The study of heart autonomic control (HAC) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing dialysis treatment has been carried out, however, there are no studies reporting the reliability of measurements of HAC parameters involving the mentioned samples and conditions. The reliability of many HAC parameters was evaluated from patients with CKD during two sessions of hemodialysis. The successive R-R intervals were recorded during two sessions of hemodialysis from 14 CKD patients that were undergoing dialysis for at least 6 months and with no history of recurrent hypotensive events. HAC parameters were obtained with time and frequency domain analysis, as well as with nonlinear methods. The reliability was measured with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The results showed excellent reliability (ICC=0.90-0.98) for most heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, especially the parameters obtained in the time domain [square root of the mean squared differences between successive R-R intervals (RMSSD), percentage of adjacent R-R intervals that differ by more than 50 ms (pNN50), mean of the 5-min standard deviations of R-R intervals (SDNNi), and triangular index] and with non-linear methods [standard deviation of the instantaneous variability beat-to-beat (SD1), standard deviation in long-term continuous R-R intervals (SD2), detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) α1 and α2, approximate and sample entropies, and correlation dimension (D2): ICC=0.86-0.96]. Among the parameters obtained in the frequency domain (normalized magnitude from the spectrum of low-frequency components (LFnu), normalized magnitude from the spectrum of high-frequency components (HFnu), and LF/HF ratio), the LF/HF ratio showed better reliability (ICC=0.96 vs. ICC=0.70). Measurements of HAC parameters have excellent test-retest reliability for the studied samples and conditions.

New Braile Inovare transcatheter aortic prosthesis: clinical results and follow-up.

AIMS: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has emerged as an alternative to conventional aortic valve replacement in high-risk patients. Diverse prostheses are currently under investigation. The aim of this study was the clinical, safety and efficacy assessment of Braile Inovare Transcatheter Aortic Prosthesis usage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety high-risk or inoperable patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 39.3%. All patients presented calcified aortic stenosis. The procedures were performed under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance. Prostheses were implanted through the transapical approach under rapid ventricular pacing. Echocardiographic and angiographic controls were included. Implantation was feasible in 87 cases. There was only one case of operative mortality, and 30-day mortality was 13.3%. The median transvalvular aortic gradient was reduced from 44.8±15.3 to 14.1±8.0 mmHg. Left ventricular function improved in the first seven postoperative days. Paravalvular aortic regurgitation was present in 29.7% of cases, mostly trace. One case presented a major vascular complication, and there were two cases of permanent pacemaker implantation. Two cases of major stroke occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement using the Braile Inovare prosthesis is able to provide encouraging results with significant functional and structural cardiac improvement. It is mandatory to continue follow-up to measure the benefits of this device as well as to improve selection criteria of patients.

Ventricular assist device implantation with CentriMag VAS® for biventricular mechanical support.

Despite recent advances in acute heart failure treatment, actual results remain limited in refractory cardiogenic shock. Temporary ventricular assist devices have emerged as an alternative in this serious and challenging medical. The purpose of this communication is to present a case of refractory cardiogenic shock, underwent temporary left ventricular assistance device implantation, progressing to right ventricular failure and conversion to biventricular support.

Implante valve-in-valve transcateter em posição aórtica: uma mudança de seleção? / Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation: a selection change?

INTRODUÇÃO: A reoperação para substituição de biopróteses aórticas com disfunção é procedimento que envolve considerável risco. Em alguns casos, a mortalidade é elevada e pode contraindicar o procedimento. O implante minimamente invasivo "valve-in-valve" transcateter de valva aórtica parece ser uma alternativa, reduzindo morbimortalidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar esses implantes utilizando a prótese Braile Inovare. MÉTODOS: A prótese Braile Inovare, transcateter, balão expansível foi utilizada em 14 casos. Euroscore médio foi de 42,9%. Todos os pacientes eram portadores de dupla disfunção de bioprótese aórtica. Os procedimentos foram realizados em ambiente cirúrgico híbrido, sob controle ecocardiográfico e fluoroscópico. Por meio de minitoracotomia esquerda, as próteses foram implantadas através do ápice ventricular, sob estimulação ventricular de alta frequência. Foram realizados controles clínicos e ecocardiográficos seriados. O seguimento variou de 1 a 30 meses. RESULTADOS: A correta liberação protética foi possível em todos os casos. Não ocorreu conversão. Não houve mortalidade operatória. A mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 14,3% (dois casos). A fração de ejeção apresentou aumento significativo após o 7º pós-operatório e o gradiente aórtico apresentou redução significativa. A insuficiência aórtica residual não esteve presente. Não ocorreu complicação vascular periférica ou bloqueio atrioventricular total. CONCLUSÕES: O implante "valve-in-valve" de valva aórtica transcateter em biopróteses com disfunção é um procedimento seguro e com morbimortalidade baixa. Essa possibilidade poderá alterar a indicação de seleção de prótese no procedimento inicial, favorecendo próteses biológicas.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve replacement for bioprosthesis dysfunction is a procedure involving considerable risk. In some cases, mortality is high and may contraindicate the procedure. Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic "valve-in-valve" implant appears to be an alternative, reducing morbidity and mortality. The objective is to evaluate aortic valve-in-valve procedure using Braile Inovare prosthesis. METHODS: The Braile Inovare prosthesis, transcatheter, expandable balloon, was used in 14 cases. Average EuroSCORE was 42.9%. All patients had double aortic bioprosthesis dysfunction. Procedures were performed in a surgical hybrid environment under echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Using left minithoracotomy prostheses were implanted through the ventricular apex under high-frequency ventricular pacing. Serial clinical and echocardiographic controls were performed. Follow-up ranged 1-30 months. RESULTS: Correct prosthetic deployment was obtained in all cases. There was no conversion. There was no operative mortality. The 30-day mortality was 14.3% (two cases). Ejection fraction increased significantly after the 7th postoperative day. Aortic gradient significantly reduced. The residual aortic regurgitation was not present. There were no vascular complications or complete atrioventricular block. CONCLUSION: The transcatheter "valve-in-valve" procedure for bioprosthesis dysfunction is safe with low morbidity. This possibility may change prosthesis choice during the first aortic valve replacement, favoring bioprostheses.

Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation: a selection change?

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve replacement for bioprosthesis dysfunction is a procedure involving considerable risk. In some cases, mortality is high and may contraindicate the procedure. Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic "valve-in-valve" implant appears to be an alternative, reducing morbidity and mortality. The objective is to evaluate aortic valve-in-valve procedure using Braile Inovare prosthesis. METHODS: The Braile Inovare prosthesis, transcatheter, expandable balloon, was used in 14 cases. Average EuroSCORE was 42.9%. All patients had double aortic bioprosthesis dysfunction. Procedures were performed in a surgical hybrid environment under echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Using left minithoracotomy prostheses were implanted through the ventricular apex under high-frequency ventricular pacing. Serial clinical and echocardiographic controls were performed. Follow-up ranged 1-30 months. RESULTS: Correct prosthetic deployment was obtained in all cases. There was no conversion. There was no operative mortality. The 30-day mortality was 14.3% (two cases). Ejection fraction increased significantly after the 7th postoperative day. Aortic gradient significantly reduced. The residual aortic regurgitation was not present. There were no vascular complications or complete atrioventricular block. CONCLUSION: The transcatheter "valve-in-valve" procedure for bioprosthesis dysfunction is safe with low morbidity. This possibility may change prosthesis choice during the first aortic valve replacement, favoring bioprostheses.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: results of the current development and implantation of a new Brazilian prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve replacement is a routine procedure with acceptable risk, but in some cases, such risk can justify contraindication. Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve implantation has emerged as an alternative, with lower morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was clinical, safety and efficacy assessment. METHODS: Thirty-three high risk patients underwent transcatheter balloon expandable aortic valve implantation. Mean Logistic EuroScore risk was 39.30% and STS score 30.28%. Eight patients presented with dysfunctional bioprosthesis, remaining ones presented calcified aortic stenosis. Procedures were performed in a hybrid OR under fluoroscopic and echocardiography guidance. Using a left minithoracotomy the prosthesis were implanted trough the ventricular apex under rapid ventricular pacing or hemorrhagic shock. Echocardiographic and angiographic controls were performed. RESULTS: Implant was feasible in 30 cases. Three conversions occured. There was only one case of operative death. Median transvalvular aortic gradient reduced from 43.58 mmHg to 10.54 mmHg. Left ventricular function improved in the first 7 postoperative days. Paravalvular aortic regurgitation was mild and present in 30.30%. One case presented major vascular complication and another one permanent pacemaker implant. One major stroke case occurred. Overall 30-day mortality was 18.18%. CONCLUSION: The transapical implantation of catheter mounted bioprosthesis is a safe procedure with acceptable midterm results. Long term follow-up with increased sample power is mandatory in order to access hemodynamic, life quality and survival.

Implante transcateter de valva aórtica: resultados atuais do desenvolvimento e implante de um nova prótese brasileira / Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: results of the current development and implantation of a new Brazilian prosthesis

OBJETIVO: A troca valvar aórtica é procedimento rotineiro com risco aceitável. Em alguns casos, a mortalidade é elevada, contraindicando o procedimento. O implante minimamente invasivo transcateter de valva aórtica parece ser alternativa, reduzindo a morbimortalidade. A avaliação dos resultados clínicos, segurança e eficácia do procedimento são o objetivo desse estudo. MÉTODOS: Uma prótese transcateter, balão expansível foi utilizada em 33 casos de alto risco. EuroScore médio foi de 39,30% e STS score de 30,28%. Oito pacientes apresentavam disfunção de bioprótese e o restante, estenose aórtica calcificada. Os procedimentos foram realizados em ambiente cirúrgico híbrido, sob controle ecocardiográfico e fluoroscópico. Através de minitoracotomia esquerda, as próteses foram implantadas pelo ápice ventricular, sob estimulação de alta frequência ou choque hemorrágico. Foram realizados controles clínicos e ecocardiográficos. RESULTADOS: A correta liberação da prótese foi possível em 30 casos. Três conversões ocorreram. A mortalidade operatória foi de um caso e a mortalidade em 30 dias, 18,18%. O gradiente médio reduziu de 43,58 para 10,54 mmHg. A fração de ejeção apresentou aumento significativo após o 7º pós-operatório. Insuficiência aórtica residual esteve presente em 30,30% dos pacientes. Ocorreu uma complicação vascular periférica e um caso de bloqueio atrioventricular total. Um paciente apresentou acidente vascular cerebral. A mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 18,18%. CONCLUSÃO: O implante transapical de valva aórtica transcateter é procedimento seguro e com resultados de médio prazo satisfatórios. São necessários estudos de longo prazo com maior poder amostral no intuito de determinar resultado hemodinâmico, qualidade de vida e sobrevida em longo prazo.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve replacement is a routine procedure with acceptable risk, but in some cases, such risk can justify contraindication. Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve implantation has emerged as an alternative, with lower morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was clinical, safety and efficacy assessment. METHODS: Thirty-three high risk patients underwent transcatheter balloon expandable aortic valve implantation. Mean Logistic EuroScore risk was 39.30% and STS score 30.28%. Eight patients presented with dysfunctional bioprosthesis, remaining ones presented calcified aortic stenosis. Procedures were performed in a hybrid OR under fluoroscopic and echocardiography guidance. Using a left minithoracotomy the prosthesis were implanted trough the ventricular apex under rapid ventricular pacing or hemorrhagic shock. Echocardiographic and angiographic controls were performed. RESULTS: Implant was feasible in 30 cases. Three conversions occured. There was only one case of operative death. Median transvalvular aortic gradient reduced from 43.58 mmHg to 10.54 mmHg. Left ventricular function improved in the first 7 postoperative days. Paravalvular aortic regurgitation was mild and present in 30.30%. One case presented major vascular complication and another one permanent pacemaker implant. One major stroke case occurred. Overall 30-day mortality was 18.18%. CONCLUSION: The transapical implantation of catheter mounted bioprosthesis is a safe procedure with acceptable midterm results. Long term follow-up with increased sample power is mandatory in order to access hemodynamic, life quality and survival.

Novas fronteiras da educaçäo: educaçäo à distância / New frontiers in education: distance learning

A educaçäo é compreendida como um dos principais fatores de promoçäo humana e social, no entanto, no Brasil o panorama educacional é desanimador. Urge a mudança deste quadro. Dentre as inovaçöes pedagógicas/andragógicas, destaca-se a Educaçäo à Distância (EaD), que é um instrumento de grandes potencialidades para se fazer justiça social eliminando disparidades pedagógicas/andragógicas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi de pesquisar a EaD, informando ao leitor o que é; como funciona;,as universidades que trabalham com este sistema, tanto no mundo quanto no Brasil; e como se enquadra a Odontologia nesta nova modalidade de ensino