Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: a series of 6 cases.

Granulosa cell tumor (GCT) is a rare ovarian malignancy that represents only 2-3% of all cases. There are two subtypes of GCT: juvenile/JGCT (5% of cases) and adult/AGCT (95% of cases). This study aimed to describe a series of 6 GCT cases. The 6 study patients were managed from June 2011 to November 2022 in a private oncology clinic located in Teresina (PI), Brazil. At diagnosis, the mean patient age was 47 years, and symptoms in 5 patients (83%) were pelvic pain and/or increased abdominal volume. The majority of the patients (N=4/67%) had no comorbidities or findings related to GCT on physical examination. The mean tumor size was 11 cm. Five (83%) tumors were stage Ia and one tumor (17%) was stage III. Regarding tumor subtype, 5 (83%) were AGCT and 1 (17%) was JGCT. Surgical treatment consisted of unilateral salpingo-ophorectomy in 2 patients (33%), total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy in 3 patients (50%), and cytoreduction (suboptimal) in 1 patient (17%). After a mean follow-up period of 62.7 months, 5 patients (83%) are still alive and free of disease. One (17%) died from disease progression after 126 months. In the current study, disease-free overall survival was 83%, in a mean follow-up period of 62.7 months.

An anatomical three-dimensional study of the posteromedial corner of the knee.

PURPOSE: For many years, the anatomy of the medial knee corner has been reported. However, it is not exactly clear how all these structures function together. The purpose of this study is to identify and try to understand the relationship between the posteromedial corners of the knee using three-dimensional visualization techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprises of 10 knees from adult corpses. Images were acquired from the dissection of different layers of the posteromedial compartment of the knee using a camera Nikon D40 and AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm (Nikon Corp., Japan) placed on a slide bar. The pair of images was processed using Callipyan 3D or Anabuilder software (Ana builder, France) that transforms the two different images of the same structure with the intrapupillary distance proportion into one anaglyphic image. RESULTS: During knee dissection, pictures were taken and transformed into three-dimensional images that become more realistic with the use of special glasses. The images were made during the dissection of the three layers of the posteromedial compartment of the knees. CONCLUSIONS: Posteromedial corner ligament structures are quite complex and are not always clearly described in the literature. Three-dimensional images of these structures can help better understanding its anatomy.

Autologous bone-marrow mononuclear cell transplantation after acute myocardial infarction: comparison of two delivery techniques.

The objective of this study was to investigate safety and feasibility of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) transplantation in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), comparing anterograde intracoronary artery (ICA) delivery with retrograde intracoronary vein (ICV) approach. An open labeled, randomized controlled trial of 30 patients admitted with STEMI was used. Patients were enrolled if they 1) were successfully reperfused within 24 h from symptoms onset and 2) had infarct size larger than 10% of the left ventricle (LV). One hundred million BMMNC were injected in the infarct-related artery (intra-arterial group) or vein (intravenous group), 1% of which was labeled with Tc(99m)-hexamethylpropylenamineoxime. Cell distribution was evaluated 4 and 24 h after injection. Baseline MRI was performed in order to evaluate microbstruction pattern. Baseline radionuclide ventriculography was performed before cell transfer and after 3 and 6 months. All the treated patients were submitted to repeat coronary angiography after 3 months. Thirty patients (57 +/- 11 years, 70% males) were randomly assigned to ICA (n = 14), ICV (n = 10), or control (n = 6) groups. No serious adverse events related to the procedure were observed. Early and late retention of radiolabeled cells was higher in the ICA than in the ICV group, independently of microcirculation obstruction. An increase of EF was observed in the ICA group (p = 0.02) compared to baseline. Injection procedures through anterograde and retrograde approaches seem to be feasible and safe. BMMNC retention by damaged heart tissue was apparently higher when the anterograde approach was used. Further studies are required to confirm these initial data.

Comparative healing response after sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation in a pig model of restenosis.

OBJECTIVE: We compared local vessel healing and inflammatory responses associated with nonoverlapping sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES). BACKGROUND: Sirolimus and paclitaxel may have different effects on vascular healing. In the present study, we analyzed the local histologic effects of drug-eluting stents (DES). METHODS: We placed 43 stents (22 PES and 21 SES) in 16 Yucatan minipigs. Stents were randomly assigned and placed in the left anterior descending, circumflex, or right coronary arteries (one stent per artery), covering a region previously injured by balloon angioplasty. RESULTS: Histopathologic analysis showed that the distribution of injury scores was similar between the two stent groups, reflecting the homogeneity of coronary injury secondary to balloon overstretch. Electron microscopy showed complete endothelialization in most cases. Incomplete endothelialization was present in 12.5% of PES and almost 20% of SES at 30 days. In the PES group, moderate to severe inflammation was found in eight arteries, whereas only one vessel had moderate inflammation in the SES group. Severe inflammation was observed significantly more often in the PES than in the sirolimus group (P = 0.006). With the PES group, stent struts overlying side branches had a significantly higher frequency of poor endothelialization scores than did stent struts that did not overlay side branches (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: In this preclinical study in a pig model of in-stent restenosis, implantation of nonoverlapping DES was associated with local inflammatory reactions and decreased endothelial repair. Impaired endothelialization was visualized in the struts overlying side branches.

Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into an endothelial phenotype, enhance vascular density, and improve heart function in a canine chronic ischemia model.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow-derived stem cells are under investigation as a treatment for ischemic heart disease. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used preferentially in the acute ischemia model; data in the chronic ischemia model are lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve dogs underwent ameroid constrictor placement. Thirty days later, they received intramyocardial injections of either MSCs (100x10(6) MSCs/10 mL saline) (n=6) or saline only (10 mL) (controls) (n=6). All were euthanized at 60 days. Resting and stress 2D echocardiography was performed at 30 and 60 days after ameroid placement. White blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), and troponin I levels were measured. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was similar in both groups at baseline but significantly higher in treated dogs at 60 days. WBC and CRP levels were similar over time in both groups. CK-MB and troponin I increased from baseline to 48 hours, eventually returning to baseline. There was a trend toward reduced fibrosis and greater vascular density in the treated group. MSCs colocalized with endothelial and smooth muscle cells but not with myocytes. CONCLUSIONS: In a canine chronic ischemia model, MSCs differentiated into smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, resulting in increased vascularity and improved cardiac function.

Transendocardial autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell injection in ischemic heart failure: postmortem anatomicopathologic and immunohistochemical findings.

BACKGROUND: Cell-based therapies for treatment of ischemic heart disease are currently under investigation. We previously reported the results of a phase I trial of transendocardial injection of autologous bone marrow mononuclear (ABMM) cells in patients with end-stage ischemic heart disease. The current report focuses on postmortem cardiac findings from one of the treated patients, who died 11 months after cell therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Anatomicopathologic, morphometric, and immunocytochemical findings from the anterolateral ventricular wall (with cell therapy) were compared with findings from the interventricular septum (normal perfusion and no cell therapy) and from the inferoposterior ventricular wall (extensive scar tissue and no cell therapy). No signs of adverse events were found in the cell-injected areas. Capillary density was significantly higher (P<0.001) in the anterolateral wall than in the previously infarcted tissue in the posterior wall. The prominent vasculature of the anterolateral wall was associated with hyperplasia of pericytes, mural cells, and adventitia. Some of these cells had acquired cytoskeletal elements and contractile proteins (troponin, sarcomeric alpha-actinin, actinin), as well as the morphology of cardiomyocytes, and appeared to have migrated toward adjacent bundles of cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Eleven months after treatment, morphological and immunocytochemical analysis of the sites of ABMM cell injection showed no abnormal cell growth or tissue lesions and suggested that an active process of angiogenesis was present in both the fibrotic cicatricial tissue and the adjacent cardiac muscle. Some of the pericytes had acquired the morphology of cardiomyocytes, suggesting long-term sequential regeneration of the cardiac vascular tree and muscle.

Improved exercise capacity and ischemia 6 and 12 months after transendocardial injection of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported the safety and feasibility of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (ABMMNC) injection into areas of ischemic myocardium in patients with end-stage ischemic cardiomyopathy. The present study evaluated the safety and efficacy of this therapy at 6- and 12-month follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty patients with 6- and 12-month follow-up (11 treated subjects; 9 controls) were enrolled in this prospective, nonrandomized, open-label study. Complete clinical and laboratory evaluations as well as exercise stress (ramp treadmill), 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion scanning, and 24-hour Holter monitoring were performed at baseline and follow-up. Transendocardial delivery of ABMMNCs was performed with the aid of electromechanical mapping to identify viable myocardium. Each patient received 15 ABMMNC injections of 0.2 mL each. At 6 and 12 months, total reversible defect, as measured by SPECT perfusion scanning, was significantly reduced in the treatment group as compared with the control group. At 12 months, exercise capacity was significantly improved in the treatment group. This improvement correlated well with monocyte, B-cell, hematopoietic progenitor cell, and early hemapoietic progenitor cell phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The 6- and 12-month follow-up data in this study suggest that transendocardial injection of ABMMNCs in patients with end-stage ischemic heart disease may produce a durable therapeutic effect and improve myocardial perfusion and exercise capacity.

Catheter-based transendocardial delivery of autologous bone-marrow-derived mononuclear cells in patients listed for heart transplantation.

Growing evidence suggests that transplantation of autologous bone-marrow mononuclear cells (ABMMNCs) can improve the perfusion and contractile function of ischemic myocardium. This procedure could potentially benefit transplant candidates awaiting a donor heart. To study the safety and feasibility of ABMMNC injection, we performed a prospective, nonrandomized, open-label study in 5 heart transplant candidates with severe ischemic heart failure. Each patient underwent baseline single-photon emission computed tomography, a ramp treadmill protocol, 2-dimensional echocardiography, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and signal-averaged electrocardiography, which were repeated at 2 and 6 months. Transendocardial delivery of ABMMNCs was done with the aid of electromechanical mapping to identify viable myocardium. Each patient received 15 ABMMNC injections of 0.2 cc each. There were no deaths, significant arrhythmias, or other major complications. The ABMMNC injection reduced the amount of ischemic myocardium (not statistically significant). More important, exercise test results improved significantly. Myocardial volume oxygen consumption increased from 10.6 +/- 3 mL/kg/min (baseline) to 16.3 +/- 7 mL/kg/min (2 months) and 23 +/- 7 mL/kg/min (6 months) (P = 0.0091). In 4 of the 5 cases, this was such an improvement that the patients were no longer eligible for cardiac transplantation. In addition, metabolic equivalents improved from 3.03 +/- 0.66 (baseline) to 4.65 +/- 1.99 (2 months) and 6.5 +/- 2.0 (6 months) (P = 0.0092). In conclusion, ABMMNC injections were performed safely and resulted in improved exercise capacity. This technique may hold promise as an alternative to medical management in patients with severe ischemic heart failure who are ineligible for conventional revascularization.

COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE PUBIS OF ASYMPTOMATIC ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES WITH MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the magnetic resonance imaging findings from the pubis of professional soccer players without any history or clinical findings of groin pain, and from sedentary individuals, also without symptoms, and to determine the prevalence of changes compatible with pubic overload. METHODS: Nineteen professional soccer players without complaints of groin pain and seventeen sedentary individuals, also asymptomatic, underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the pubis. The results from the examinations were analyzed regarding the presence of degenerative changes, boned medullary edema and tendinopathy, and the two study groups were compared. RESULTS: High prevalence of bone edema, tendinopathy and degenerative findings in the pubic symphysis was seen in the athletes, with statistically significant higher odds ratios and relative risk in the population studied. CONCLUSION: Professional soccer players are at a higher risk of developing changes in the pubic region, shown in magnetic resonance images, compared with sedentary individuals. These findings are not necessarily caused by groin pain, and are probably related to intense exertion.

OPEN DRAINAGE VERSUS PERCUTANEOUS DRAINAGE IN THE TREATMENT OF TROPICAL PYOMYOSITIS. PROSPECTIVE AND RANDOMIZED STUDY.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results from treating tropical pyomyositis through percutaneous drainage of abscesses versus open surgical drainage of abscesses, by means of a randomized prospective study. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with tropical pyomyositis (Chiedozi grade II) were included in this study. They were randomized into two groups: group A (n = 13), treated with antibiotics and open drainage of the abscesses; and group B (n = 12), treated with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of the abscesses. RESULTS: The mean age was 35.3 years (± 19.2) in group A and 30.1 years (± 9) in group B (p = 0.41). There were eight female patients (61.5%) and five male patients (38.5%) in group A; in group B, three were female (25%) and nine were male (75%) (p = 0.11). Staphylococcus aureus was the microorganism most frequently found (72%). The mean hospital stay in group A was 12.7 days (± 2.3), and in group B, 10.6 days (± 1.6) (p = 0.01). The mean duration of antibiotic use in group A was 12.2 days (± 2.3), and in group B, 10.1 days (± 1.5) (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage of the abscesses, in association with antibiotic therapy, is an efficient treatment method for tropical pyomyositis grade II, with shorter antibiotic use and hospital stay for patients.

Multicenter double blind trial of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation through intracoronary injection post acute myocardium infarction - MiHeart/AMI study.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction remains as a major cause of mortality worldwide and a high rate of survivors develop heart failure as a sequel, resulting in a high morbidity and elevated expenditures for health system resources. We have designed a multicenter trial to test for the efficacy of autologous bone marrow (ABM) mononuclear cell (MC) transplantation in this subgroup of patients. The main hypothesis to be tested is that treated patients will have a significantly higher ejection fraction (EF) improvement after 6 months than controls. METHODS: A sample of 300 patients admitted with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) and left ventricle (LV) systolic dysfunction, and submitted to successful mechanical or chemical recanalization of the infarct-related coronary artery will be selected for inclusion and randomized to either treated or control group in a double blind manner. The former group will receive 100 x 106 MC suspended in saline with 5% autologous serum in the culprit vessel, while the latter will receive placebo (saline with 5% autologous serum). IMPLICATIONS: Many phase I/II clinical trials using cell therapy for STEMI have been reported, demonstrating that cell transplantation is safe and may lead to better preserved LV function. Patients with high risk to develop systolic dysfunction have the potential to benefit more. Larger randomized, double blind and controlled trials to test for the efficacy of cell therapies in patients with high risk for developing heart failure are required. TRIAL REGISTER: This trial is registered at the NIH registry under the number NCT00350766.

Incidência e preditores de eventos cardiovasculares adversos maiores no tratamento percutâneo contemporâneo de enxertos de veia safena / Incidence and predictors of major adverse cardiac events in contemporary percutaneous treatment of saphenous vein grafts

Introdução: Pacientes submetidos a intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) em enxertos de veia safena caracteristicamente exibem maior risco de eventos cardiovasculares adversos maiores (ECAM). Foram avaliados a incidência e os preditores de ECAM no cenário atual, em que dispositivos de proteção distal e de aspiração de trombos e o uso de stents farmacológicos fazem parte da prática diária. Métodos: Neste estudo foram avaliados 69 casos consecutivos de pacientes com enxertos de veia safena, tratados com stents, entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2008. Foram avaliadas as características clínicas, angiográficas e relacionadas ao procedimento, bem como a incidência e preditores de ECAM na evolução tardia. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 72 + 10,2 anos, 79,7% eram do sexo masculino, 31,9% eram diabéticos, e 56,5% foram tratados na vigência de síndrome coronária aguda. Foram abordados 71 enxertos de veia safena, com lesões predominantemente localizadas no corpo (35,3%), tratadas mais frequentemente com stents farmacológicos (82,8%). Dispositivos de proteção distal foram utilizados em 31,9% e de aspiração de trombo em 1,4% dos pacientes, e em 30,4% foram utilizados inibidores da glicoproteína IIb/IIIa. No-reflow ocorreu em 8,7% e o sucesso do procedimento foi constatado em 89,9% dos casos. Na evolução tardia, ECAM, óbito, infarto agudo do miocárdio e revascularização do vaso-alvo ocorreram em 15,9%, 7,2%, 4,3% e 14,5%, respectivamente, e trombose de stent foi observada em 2,9% dos pacientes. Na regressão de Cox apenas o uso de stents não-farmacológicos foi associado a ECAM [hazard ratio (HR) 4,1, intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC 95%) 1,2-13,3; P = 0,02]. Conclusões: Pacientes com lesões em enxertos de veia safena, tratados percutaneamente, exibiram elevada taxa de eventos adversos a médio prazo e o uso de stents não-farmacológicos esteve associado a pior evolução.

Background: Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions(PCI) in saphenous vein grafts tipically have a higher risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). MACE incidence and predictors were evaluated in the current scenario, where distal protection and thrombus aspirationdevices and the use of drug-eluting stents are part of the daily practice. Methods: Sixty-nine consecutive patients undergoing coronary stenting in saphenous vein grafts from January 2005 to December 2008 were evaluated. Clinical, angiographic and procedure-related variables were evaluated as well as the incidence and predictors of MACE in the late follow-up. Results: Mean age was 72 + 10.2 years, 79.7% were male, 31.9% were diabetic, and 56.5% presented withacute coronary syndromes. Seventy-one saphenous vein grafts were treated, with lesions located mainly in the body of the graft (35.3%) and more frequently treated with drug-elutingstents (82.8%). Distal protection devices were used in 31.9% and thrombus aspiration in 1.4% of the patients, and 30.4% received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. No-reflow was observed in 8.7% and procedure success was observed in 89.9% of the cases. In the late follow-up, MACE, death, acutemyocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization were observed in 15.9%, 7.2%, 4.3%, and 14.5%, respectively and stent thrombosis was observed in 2.9% of the patients.In the Cox regression analysis only the use of bare metal stents was associated with MACE [hazard ratio (HR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.2-13.3; P = 0.02]. Conclusions: Patients with lesions in saphenous vein grafts treated by percutaneous interventions had a high rate of mid-term adverse events and the use of bare metal stents was associated to a worse clinical outcome.

Estudo comparativo por ressonância magnética de púbis entre atletas e sedentários assintomáticos / Comparative study between the pubis of asymptomatic athletes and non-athletes with MRI

OBJETIVO: Comparar os achados na ressonância magnética do púbis de atletas profissionais de futebol, sem histórico ou clínica de pubalgia, com sedentários também assintomáticos, determinando a prevalência de alterações compatíveis com sobrecarga púbica. MÉTODOS: Dezenove atletas profissionais de futebol, sem queixas álgicas na região púbica, e 17 sedentários, também assintomáticos, foram submetidos à ressonância magnética do púbis. Os resultados dos exames foram analisados quanto à presença de alterações degenerativas, edema medular ósseo e tendinopatia, comparando ambos os grupos estudados. RESULTADOS: Foi encontrada alta prevalência de edema ósseo e tendinopatia, bem como alterações degenerativas da sínfise púbica no grupo de atletas, encontrando-se valores maiores de odds ratio e risco relativo, com significância estatística na população estudada. CONCLUSÃO: Atletas profissionais de futebol apresentam maior risco de desenvolver alterações na região púbica, evidenciadas na ressonância magnética, se comparados a indivíduos sedentários. Estes achados não são obrigatoriamente causa de pubalgia, estando provavelmente relacionados a esforço intenso.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the magnetic resonance imaging findings of the pubis of professional soccer players, without history of or clinical groin pain, and non-athletes, also without symptoms, determining the prevalence of changes compatible with pubic overload. METHODS: Nineteen professional soccer players without complaints of groin pain and seventeen non-athletes, also asymptomatic, underwent pubic magnetic resonance images. Exam findings were analyzed for the presence of degenerative changes, medullar edema and tendinopathy, comparing both groups. RESULTS: High prevalence of bone edema, tendinopathy and degenerative findings in the pubic symphysis was seen in athletes, with statistically significant higher odds ratios and relative risk for the population studied. CONCLUSION: Professional soccer players are at a higher risk for developing changes in the pubic region, evidenced in magnetic resonance images, when compared to non-athletes. Those findings are not necessarily related to groin pain, and are probably related to intense stress.

Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after liver transplantation.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent cause of infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Colonization with MRSA is associated with a higher risk of infection. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of MRSA colonization among OLT candidates. However, the risk of colonization with MRSA after OLT is still unclear. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence and the factors associated with colonization with MRSA after OLT. This was a prospective cohort study including patients submitted to OLT between the years 2000 and 2002. Surveillance cultures of nasal swab specimens were performed within the 1st 72 hours of hospital admission and, subsequently, on weeks 2, 6, 13, and 26. Patients whose baseline cultures revealed nasal carriage of MRSA were excluded. A total of 60 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up was 72 days. A total of 9 patients (15%) became colonized. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the use of a urinary catheter for > or =5 days (P = .006), postoperative bleeding at the surgical site (P = .009), and preoperative use of fluoroquinolones (P = .08) were associated with a higher risk of colonization. Patients without any of these risk factors did not become colonized. In conclusion, nasal carriage of MRSA is frequently acquired after OLT. Periodic postoperative screening for MRSA carriage should be an integral component in programs designed to reduce nosocomial MRSA transmission in these patients. Further studies are needed to set up and validate a predictive model that could allow targeting postoperative screening to high-risk OLT recipients.

Drenagem aberta versus drenagem percutânea no tratamento da piomiosite tropical: estudo prospectivo e randomizado / Open drainage versus percutaneous drainage in the treatment of tropical pyomyositis: prospective and randomized study

OBJETIVO: Comparar, através de estudo prospectivo e randomizado, os resultados do tratamento da piomiosite tropical (PT) através da drenagem percutânea dos abscessos aos da drenagem cirúrgica aberta dos mesmos. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos neste estudo 25 pacientes com PT, grau II de Chiedozi. Os pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos: grupo A (n = 13), tratados com antibioticoterapia e drenagem aberta dos abscessos e grupo B (n = 12), tratados com antibioticoterapia e drenagem percutânea dos mesmos. RESULTADOS: A idade média no grupo A foi de 35,3 ± 19,2 anos e, no grupo B, de 30,1 ± 9 anos (p = 0,41). No grupo A, oito pacientes (61,5 por cento) eram do sexo feminino e cinco do masculino (38,5 por cento); no grupo B, três eram do sexo feminino (25 por cento) e nove do masculino (75 por cento) (p = 0,11). O Staphylococcus aureus foi o microorganismo mais frequentemente encontrado (72 por cento). O tempo médio de internação no grupo A foi de 12,7 ± 2,1 dias e, no grupo B, de 10,6 ± 1,6 dias (p = 0,01). O tempo médio de antibiótico no grupo A foi de 12,2 ± 2,3 dias e, no grupo B, de 10,1 ± 1,5 dias (p = 0,02). CONCLUSÃO: A drenagem percutânea dos abscessos associada à antibioticoterapia constituiu-se em método eficaz para o tratamento da piomiosite tropical grau II, diminuindo o tempo de antibioticoterapia e de internação hospitalar dos pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare, by means of a prospective and randomized study, the treatment outcomes of Tropical Pyomyositis (TP) through open drainage of abscesses versus percutaneous surgical drainage. METHODS: 25 patients with TP (Chiedozi stage II) were randomized into two groups: Group A (n=13), treated with antibiotics and open drainage of the abscesses, and Group B (n=12), treated with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. RESULTS: The mean age was 35.3 years (±19.2) in Group A and 30.1 years in Group B (±9) (p=0.41).There were eight female (61.5 percent) and five male (38.5 percent) patients in Group A; in Group B three were female (25 percent) and nine (75 percent) male (p=0.11). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent agent found (72 percent). The mean hospitalization period in Group A was 12.7 days (±2.3), and in Group B, 10.6 days (±1.6) (p=0.01). The mean antibiotics treatment period in Group A was 12.2 days (±2.3), and 10.1 days (±1.5) in Group B (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The percutaneous drainage of the abscesses is an efficient treatment method for the Tropical Pyomyositis, with a shorter period of hospitalization and antibiotics usage.

Implante de válvula aórtica percutânea: experiência inicial no estado do Rio de Janeiro / Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: initial experience in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Fundamentos: O implante de válvula aórtica percutânea (IVAP) é uma recente alternativa para o tratamento de pacientes com estenose aórtica sintomática com alto risco operatório. Os bons resultados obtidos, principalmente na Europa, precisam ser reprodutíveis com a disseminação da técnica pelo mundo. Objetivo: Relatar a experiência inicial com o implante de válvula aórtica percutânea no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Série de cinco casos de implante percutâneo da bioprótese CoreValve na posição aórtica. Descreve-se a técnica do procedimento e os resultados imediatos relativos à segurança e eficácia na redução do gradiente transvalvar aórtico e dos sintomas. A mortalidade, os eventos adversos e os sintomas foram avaliados em 30 dias. Resultados: Cinco pacientes (4 mulheres), com 83,4 + ou - 6,4 anos apresentavam estenose aórtica grave com sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca, classe funcional NYHA III ou IV. O EuroSCORE logístico...

Differential local effect of sirolimus eluting stent and paclitaxel eluting stent in a porcine restenosis model

Introdução: Os stents farmacológicos liberadores de sirolimus (SES) e de paclitaxel (PES) reduzem de maneira significativa os índices de reestenose se comparados aos stents de metal. Há muita controvérsia com relação aos possíveis efeitos indesejáveis do SES e do PES, como, por exemplo, a trombosesubaguda intra-stent. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar o efeito arterial local do SES e do PES. Métodos: A dilatação coronariana foi induzida em 16 suínos pela insuflação de um balão superdimensionado na proporção 1.2:1.0 em 43 artérias. Foram olocados aleatoriamente 21 SES e 22 PES na descendente anterior esquerda e na circunflexa esquerda no local da lesão anterior por balão. Os animais foramenviados para necropsia 30 dias após o procedimento. Vinte artérias foram enviadas para análise pelo métodoWestern Blot (16 segmentos com stent + 4 controles normais). Vinte e sete segmentos com stent foram submetidos à análise histológica e à microscopia eletrônica (ME) a baixo vácuo. Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças com referência às características morfométricas entre os dois grupos. A espessura neointimal se mostrou semelhante nos segmentos com stent SES e PES (0,23±0,05mm vs 0,21±0,08mm, respectivamente – p=0,08). A cicatrização arterial localavaliada pelo método WB demonstrou níveis significantemente mais altos do fator Von Willebrand e CD 31 em SESvs PES (p=0,005 e 0,03, respectivamente). PES demonstrou,ainda, inflamação local mais intensa, expressa pelos níveis mais altos de PDGF (p=0,0007). Este resultado foi corroborado pelos achados de reação inflamatória local mais intensa pela ME, expressa por dados inflamatórios mais elevados no grupo PES. Conclusão: PES demonstrou maior grau de inflamação e menor expressão de CD31 e do fator VonWillebrand, sugerindo, portanto, cicatrização endotelial comprometidaapós a colocação do stent se comparado ao SES.

Background: Sirolimus eluting stents (SES) and Paclitaxel eluting stents (PES) significantly reduce restenosis rates as compared with bare metal stents. There is much controversyregarding possible untoward effects of SES and PES such as subacute stent thrombosis. The present study aimed tocompare the local arterial effect of SES versus PES. Methods: In 16 pigs coronary overstretch was induced by inflating an oversized angioplasty balloon at 1.2:1.0 ratio in 43 arteries. Twenty one SES and 22 PES were randomly deployed in LAD and LCx in the site of previous balloon injury. Animals were sent to necropsy 30 days after the procedure. Twenty arteries were sent to Western Blot (WB) analysis (16 stented segments plus 4 normal controls). Twenty seven stented segments were submitted to histologyanalysis and low vacuum electron microscopy (EM). Results: There were no differences regarding arterial morphometric characteristics between the two groups. Neo intimal thicknesswere similar in SES and PES stented segments (0.23±0.05mm vs 0.21±0.08mm, respectively – p=0.08). Local arterial healing assessed by WB showed significantly higher local levels of Von Willebrand factor and CD 31 in SES vs PES (p values of 0.005 and 0.03, respectively). Also, PES showed higher local inflammation as expressed byhigher PDGF levels (p= 0.0007). This result was corroborated by the EM findings of higher local inflammatory reaction, expressed by higher inflammation scores in the PES group.Conclusion: PES showed higher inflammation and lower expression of CD31 and Von Willebrand factor, suggesting an impaired endothelial healing after stenting when comparedwith SES.