Comparison Between Treatment Strategies of Carotid Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

ABSTRACT Introduction: In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), stroke is a major complication that increases morbidity and mortality. The presence of carotid stenosis (CS) increases risk of stroke, and the optimal treatment remains uncertain due to the lack of randomized clinical trials. The aim of this study is to compare three management approaches to CS in patients submitted to CABG. Methods: From 2005 to 2015, 79 consecutive patients with significant CS submitted to CABG were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided in three groups, according to CS treatment: 17 underwent staged carotid endarterectomy (CEA)-CABG, 26 underwent synchronous CEA-CABG, and 36 underwent isolated CABG without carotid intervention. The primary outcomes were composed by 30-day postoperative acute myocardial infarction (MI), 30-day postoperative stroke, and death due to all causes during the follow-up. Results: Patients were evaluated during an average 2.05 years (95% confidence interval = 1.51-2.60) of follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events, including death, postoperative MI, and postoperative stroke, occurred in 76.5% of the staged group, 34.6% of the synchronous group, and 33.3% of the isolated CABG group (P=0.007). As for MI, the rates were 29.4%, 3.85%, and 11.1% (P=0.045), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in total mortality rates (35.3%, 30.8%, and 25.0%, respectively; P=0,72) and stroke (29.4%, 7.7%, and 8.3%, respectively; P=0,064) between groups. Conclusion: Staged CEA-CABG is associated with higher major adverse cardiac events and MI rate when compared to the strategy of synchronous and isolated CABG, but without statistically difference in total mortality during the entire follow-up.

Comparison Between Treatment Strategies of Carotid Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

INTRODUCTION: In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), stroke is a major complication that increases morbidity and mortality. The presence of carotid stenosis (CS) increases risk of stroke, and the optimal treatment remains uncertain due to the lack of randomized clinical trials. The aim of this study is to compare three management approaches to CS in patients submitted to CABG. METHODS: From 2005 to 2015, 79 consecutive patients with significant CS submitted to CABG were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided in three groups, according to CS treatment: 17 underwent staged carotid endarterectomy (CEA)-CABG, 26 underwent synchronous CEA-CABG, and 36 underwent isolated CABG without carotid intervention. The primary outcomes were composed by 30-day postoperative acute myocardial infarction (MI), 30-day postoperative stroke, and death due to all causes during the follow-up. RESULTS: Patients were evaluated during an average 2.05 years (95% confidence interval = 1.51-2.60) of follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events, including death, postoperative MI, and postoperative stroke, occurred in 76.5% of the staged group, 34.6% of the synchronous group, and 33.3% of the isolated CABG group (P=0.007). As for MI, the rates were 29.4%, 3.85%, and 11.1% (P=0.045), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in total mortality rates (35.3%, 30.8%, and 25.0%, respectively; P=0,72) and stroke (29.4%, 7.7%, and 8.3%, respectively; P=0,064) between groups. CONCLUSION: Staged CEA-CABG is associated with higher major adverse cardiac events and MI rate when compared to the strategy of synchronous and isolated CABG, but without statistically difference in total mortality during the entire follow-up.

Cutaneous infection by Mycobacterium lentiflavum after subcutaneous injection of lipolytic formula.

The incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections is increasing worldwide; by 2017, more than 190 species and subspecies have been documented. Although classically associated with immunosuppression, the recognition of these etiological agents in diseases affecting immunocompetent individuals and in healthcare-associated infections, such as after surgical and cosmetic procedures, makes the study of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of these microorganisms relevant in medical practice. Mycobacterium lentiflavum is slow-growing and rarely affects the skin. A case of cutaneous mycobacteriosis caused by M. lentiflavum is reported in an immunocompetent patient after subcutaneous injection of a lipolytic compound, treated with clarithromycin and levofloxacin.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma associated with smoldering multiple myeloma: satisfactory response to cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, and thalidomide.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a rare chronic condition, belonging to the group C non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses, which is relevant due to the possibility of extracutaneous involvement and association with systemic diseases, particularly hematologic malignancies. The case reported here was only diagnosed after nine years of evolution and was associated with plasma cell dyscrasia. After treatment with cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, and thalidomide, there was a reduction of cutaneous lesions and serum levels of monoclonal protein.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma associated with smoldering multiple myeloma: satisfactory response to cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, and thalidomide

Abstract: Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a rare chronic condition, belonging to the group C non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses, which is relevant due to the possibility of extracutaneous involvement and association with systemic diseases, particularly hematologic malignancies. The case reported here was only diagnosed after nine years of evolution and was associated with plasma cell dyscrasia. After treatment with cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, and thalidomide, there was a reduction of cutaneous lesions and serum levels of monoclonal protein.

Scrofuloderma: a diagnostic challenge.

Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, comprising 1-2% of cases. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or related strains, it presents a wide range of clinical manifestations, mimicking other chronic dermatoses and leading to delayed diagnosis. A case of scrofuloderma is reported, whose diagnosis and treatment were only made six years after onset of the disease.

Scrofuloderma: a diagnostic challenge

Abstract: Cutaneous tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, comprising 1-2% of cases. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or related strains, it presents a wide range of clinical manifestations, mimicking other chronic dermatoses and leading to delayed diagnosis. A case of scrofuloderma is reported, whose diagnosis and treatment were only made six years after onset of the disease.