Analyzing the COVID-19 Transmission Dynamics in Acre, Brazil: An Ecological Study.

The north region of Brazil is characterized by significant vulnerabilities, notably surpassing national poverty indicators. These disparities exacerbated the impact of respiratory illnesses on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in areas with limited healthcare resources, inadequate infrastructure, and barriers to healthcare access. The crisis was further influenced by multiple lineages that emerged as significant virus variants associated with increased transmissibility. Within this context, our ecological study focused on analyzing the epidemiological evolution of COVID-19 in the state of Acre. We constructed time-series trends in incidence, lethality, and mortality from March 2020 to December 2022 using the Prais-Winsten regression model. Our findings revealed that in 2020, there was an increasing trend in incidence, while mortality and lethality continued to decrease (p < 0.05). In the following year, both incidence and mortality decreased, while lethality increased at a rate of 1.02% per day. By the end of 2022, trends remained stationary across all rates. These results underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance and adaptive public health measures to bolster the resilience of healthcare systems in remote and vulnerable regions. Indeed, continuous monitoring of the most predominant SARS-CoV-2 lineages and their dynamics is imperative. Such proactive actions are essential for addressing emerging challenges and ensuring effective responses to adverse situations.

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods in the Brazilian Amazon during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: A COVID-19 pandemic erupted, causing a global viral pneumonia outbreak, marking the most significant public health crisis of the 21st century. These changes profoundly impacted population health and well-being, leading to shifts in dietary habits. This study aimed to evaluate the consumption of ultra-processed foods in the Brazilian Amazon before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis study derived from the Surveillance System of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel, 2019-2021) of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. All statistical analyses were performed using the Stata 17 statistical program in the survey module (svy). RESULTS: We found an increased frequency in the subgroups of consumption of ultra-processed foods in the capital of the Brazilian Amazon region between the years 2019 and 2021. In the cities of Boa Vista and Macapá, there was a significant increase in the consumption of snacks, salty snacks, cookies, and meat products. Boa Vista and Macapá showed an increase in the percentage difference in the consumption ≥5 of ultra-processed subgroups, being 30.4% (p = 0.014) and 53.7% (p = 0.014), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods in the Brazilian Amazon region during and after social distancing.

Brugada phenocopy in a patient with pectus excavatum: systematic review of the ECG manifestations associated with pectus excavatum.

Brugada phenocopies (BrP) have emerged as new clinical entities that are etiologically distinct from true Brugada syndrome (BrS). BrP are characterized by an ECG pattern that is phenotypically identical to true BrS (type 1 or type 2); however, BrP are caused by various other factors such as mechanical mediastinal compression, myocardial ischemia, pericarditis, myocarditis, pulmonary embolism, and metabolic disturbances. We report a case of an electrocardiographic BrP in a patient with pectus excavatum deformity in the absence of true BrS using currently defined BrP diagnostic criteria. A systematic review of ECG manifestations associated with pectus excavatum is also discussed.

Clinical value of lead aVR.

Lead aVR is the only lead in the surface ECG that does not face the "typically" relevant walls of the left ventricle. Historically, its value has been neglected most likely due to its unusual configuration and direction, which appeared to have little correlation with other more congruous and easily diagnostic frontal leads. The isolation of the unipolar leads in the Standard surface ECG presentation may also have played an important role. Even with this "unfair" neglect, we know nowadays that it is very sensitive to locate obstructed epicardial coronary arteries. Besides helping distinguishing the culprit lesion of an infarct, lead aVR also helps recognizing other conditions that could be of clinical significance such as pericarditis, Brugada syndrome, fascicular blocks of the right branch, ectopic left atrial rhythms, etc. The purpose of this review is to revise the clinical value of lead aVR in the recognition of frequent and not so frequent clinical conditions.

Accelerated idioventricular rhythm: history and chronology of the main discoveries.

Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm (AIVR) is a ventricular rhythm consisting of three or more consecutive monomorphic beats, with gradual onset and gradual termination. It can rarely manifest in patients with completely normal hearts or with structural heart disease. It is usually seen during acute myocardial infarction reperfusion. This manuscript aims to review the history of the main discoveries that lead to the identification and comprehension of this fascinating arrhythmia.

Wellens syndrome associated with prominent anterior QRS forces: an expression of left septal fascicular block?

Wellens syndrome is a clinical-electrocardiographic entity also referred to as left anterior descending (LAD) coronary T-wave syndrome or acute coronary T-wave syndrome. It is a complex of symptoms and signals indicating the existence of an undesirable condition secondary to critical high-grade proximal stenosis of the LAD coronary artery characterized by the association of prior history of acute coronary syndrome with little or no elevation of markers of myocardial damage (unstable angina) and characteristic electrocardiographic changes consistent with subepicardial anterior ischemic pattern (persistently symmetrical, deep negative and broad-based T waves) or plus-minus T waves with inversion of the terminal portion in the LAD coronary artery territory (V1 through V5 or V6). We present a case of a variant of Wellens syndrome that reveals association and, transitorily, the criteria described in literature for left septal fascicular block.

Kearns-Sayre syndrome: electro-vectorcardiographic evolution for left septal fascicular block of the his bundle.

The Kearns-Sayre syndrome is a neuromyopathic disorder associated with mitochondrial abnormalities and characterized by the triad of chronic external ophthalmoplegia, atypical pigmentary retinopathy, and progressive conduction system disorders. Ragged red muscle fibers that seem to contain an excess of altered mitochondria are observed. The disease affects both sexes alike, during the first or the second decade of life. The following manifestations are observed: central bilateral sensorineural deafness, pyramidal signs, ataxia, asymmetrical ptosis, external ophthalmoplegia, and progressive muscular weakness secondary to myopathy associated with a significant increase of proteins of cephalorachidian liquid. A variety of endocrinopathies may occur.

Correlation of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy criteria with left ventricular mass by echocardiogram in obese hypertensive patients.

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and obesity are important cardiovascular risk factors. This study evaluates the influence of obesity on the diagnostic performance of the most used electrocardiographic criteria for LVH in hypertensive patients. METHODS: One thousand two hundred four outpatients from the Hypertensive Unit of the Hospital São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, were studied. All underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. The most known electrocardiographic criteria for LVH were assessed and compared with the left ventricular mass index obtained by echocardiogram in obese and nonobese groups of hypertensive patients. RESULTS: The population's mean age was 57.4 +/- 4.7 years; 351 were men (29.1%) and 853 women (70.8%). Cornell voltage, Cornell duration, Sokolow-Lyon voltage, Romhilt-Estes criteria, and R wave in aVL 11 mm or higher showed a positive correlation with left ventricular mass index (P < .05). Notwithstanding, there were no changes regarding specificity for obese or nonobese characteristics. However, sensitivity had a statistically significant decrease in obese patients in regard to Sokolow-Lyon voltage and Romhilt-Estes criteria and strain pattern (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Cornell voltage and Cornell duration criteria, Perugia score, R wave in aVL, and QTc variable had no significant changes in diagnostic sensitivity in the obese patients.

The history of left septal fascicular block: chronological considerations of a reality yet to be universally accepted.

There are several papers in literature that prove in a conclusive and incontestable way, that the left branch of the His bundle, in most instances (85% of the cases) splits into three fascicles of variable morphological pattern, and not into two: left anterior fascicle (LAF), left posterior fascicle (LPF), and left septal fascicle (LSF). The abovementioned papers have anatomical, histological, anatomo-pathological, electrocardiographic, and vectocardiographic, body surface potential mapping or ECG potential mapping and electrophysiological foundation.Additionally, the mentioned papers have been performed both in animal models (dogs) and in the human heart.Several clinical papers have shown that the left septal fascicular block (LSFB) may occur intermittently or transitorily as a consequence of a temporary dromotropic alteration, constituting an aberrant ventricular conduction, rate-dependent or by the application of atrial extra-stimuli, or naturally during the acute phase of infarction when this involves the anterior descending artery, before the septal perforating artery that supplies the central portion of the septum, where the mentioned LSF runs.The ECG/VCG manifestation of LSFB consists in anterior shift of electromotive forces, known as Prominent Anterior Forces (PAF), which can hardly be diagnosed in the clinical absence of other causes capable of causing PAF, such as the normal variant by counterclockwise rotation of the heart on its longitudinal axis, in right ventricular enlargement, in the dorsal or lateral infarction of the new nomenclature, in type-A WPW, in CRBBB, and others. In this historical manuscript, we review in a sequential fashion, the main findings that confirmed the unequivocal existence of this unjustifiably "forgotten" dromotropic disorder.In the developed countries, its most important cause is coronary insufficiency, particularly the proximal involvement of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and in Latin America, Chagas disease.

Traffic accident mortality of motorcyclists, pedestrians and hospital costs in the city of São Paulo

Introduction: the United Nations recognizes traffic accidents as a serious public health problem all over the world, because they are accompanied by a high morbidity and mortality rate. Traffic causes the death of approximately 1.3 million people and the disability of millions more.Objective: to evaluate mortality from traffic accidents among motorcyclists, pedestrians and hospital costs that occurred in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, from 1999 to 2019.Methods: this is a retrospective time series study with official micro data, collected by place of occurrence among motorcycle drivers, pedestrians and hospital costs from 1999 to 2019, in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Results: in the city of São Paulo, from 1999 to 2019, there were 144,186 thousand deaths resulting from land transport accidents, projecting 5,293 thousand deaths specifically with motorcyclists. Proportional mortality from was higher in the mean age group of 29 years, predominantly in males, with emphasis on white race/skin color. The costs per death stand out for motorcyclists with an average of R$: 49,078.18, with regard to deaths by sex, male predominated in relation to female.Conclusion: there was a high death rate, both in motorcyclists and pedestrians, with the latter having a higher average. Thus, these findings provide relevant information on the magnitude of the public health problem to guide us on control strategies for these causes.

Electrocardiographic changes by accidental hypothermia in an urban and a tropical region.

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia is defined as a condition in which core temperature (rectal, esophageal, or tympanic) reaches values below 35 degrees C. This may be accidental, metabolic, or therapeutic. The accidental form is frequent in cold-climate countries and rare in those with tropical or subtropical climate. The aim of this study was to evaluate electrocardiographic changes of patients with accidental hypothermia. METHODS: In 59 patients with hypothermia, the following electrocardiogram parameters were analyzed: rhythm and heart rate (HR), P-wave characteristics, PR-interval duration, QRS-complex duration, presence of J wave and its location characteristics, polarity, voltage, aspect and its correlation with the degree of hypothermia, changes in T wave regarding its polarity and characteristics, duration of the QT interval corrected for HR using both Bazett and Friderica formulas, and possible presence of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias were independently and blindly analyzed in the tracings by experienced cardiologists. RESULTS: In 6 patients, electrocardiogram was normal. Sinus bradycardia was observed in 52.5% of the patients. J wave was present in 51 patients, and its voltage correlated inversely and was statistically significantly with the core temperature. Changes in T wave were observed in 47.4% of the cases. QT interval, adjusted for HR, was prolonged in 72.8% of the cases. Idioventricular rhythm was found in 6 cases, total atrioventricular block in 3 cases, and junctional rhythm and atrial fibrillation in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Electrocardiogram changes in accidental hypothermia are frequent and characteristic for this entity improving diagnosis in usually unconscious patients, and in many cases, it may be the diagnostic clue in patients with conscience deficit in emergency units, even in patients from a tropical climate where the population at risk may be exposed to temperatures below 20 degrees C.

Brugada syndrome unmasked by fever and paradoxical lower degree of dromotropic disturbance in the right ventricular outflow tract

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited clinical-electrocardiographic arrhythmic entity with an autosomal dominant genetic pattern of inheritance or de novo variant. The syndrome has low worldwide prevalence, but is endemic in Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Philippines and Japan). The BrS is a subtle structural heart disease (SHD), and the diagnosis is only possible when the so-called type 1 Brugada ECG pattern is spontaneously present or induced for example with fever. Repolarization-depolarization disturbances in BrS patients can be caused by genetic mutations, abnormal neural crest cell migration, low expression of connexin-43 gap junction protein, or connexome disturbances. A recent autopsy study revealed increase in biventricular collagen with myocardial fibrosis when compared with control subjects although the main affected cardiac territory is the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). In this location, there is abnormally low expression of significant connexin-43 gap junction responsible for the electro-vectorcardiographic manifestations of terminal QRS conduction delay in the right standard precordial leads (V1-V2), high right precordial leads (V1H-V2H), as well as in the unipolar aVR lead ("the forgotten lead"). Based on their location, these leads reflect the electrical activity of the RVOT.

A síndrome de Brugada (SBr) é uma entidade arrítmica clínico-eletrocardiográfica hereditária com padrão genético autossômico dominante de herança ou variante de novo. A síndrome tem baixa prevalência mundial, porém sendo endêmica no Sudeste Asiático (Tailândia, Filipinas e Japão). A SBr é uma doença cardíaca minimamente estrutural, sendo o diagnóstico só possível na presença do chamado padrão ECG de Brugada tipo 1 espontâneo ou induzido, por exemplo, a febre. Os distúrbios de repolarização-despolarização em pacientes com SBr podem ser causados por mutações genéticas responsáveis pela migração anormal de células da crista neural, baixa expressão "gap junctions" conexina-43 ou distúrbios do conexoma. Um estudo recente de autópsia revelou aumento do colágeno biventricular com fibrose miocárdica quando comparado aos controles, embora o principal território cardíaco afetado seja a via de saída do ventrículo direito (VSVD). Nessa área, há menor expressão da conexina-43, o que se traduz no ECG-VCG por atraso final de condução do QRS nas derivações precordiais direitas (V1-V2), precordiais direitas altas (V1H-V2H), bem como na derivação unipolar aVR ("a derivação esquecida"). Com base em sua localização, esses eletrodos refletem a atividade elétrica da VSVD

Vectocardiographic analysis of right ventricular electrical conduction delay

Introdução: A interpretação eletrocardiográfica do atraso final da condução no ramo do ventrículo direito do coração já gerou algumas hipóteses de que esse ramo direito não é único como demonstrado anatomicamente e que pode ser divido em ramos terminais distintos quando analisamos o traçado através do vetocardiograma.Método: Separados 227 eletrocardiogramas com características típicas definidas como atraso final de condução dos pacientes do serviço de eletrocardiografia do Centro Universitário FMABC, de ambos os sexos na faixa de idade de 18 a 87 anos, etnias, peso e estatura variadas com fatores de risco cardiovascular ou sem fator de risco, realizamos vetocardiograma nesses pacientes para observar o comportamento da porção final da condução elétrica. Resultado: Analisando os traçados vetocardiográficos dos pacientes que apresentavam o atraso final de condução no eletrocardiograma, confirmamos no registro pelo plano frontal, a presença do atraso final de condução, porém registravam em três regiões distintas; 103 pacientes no quadrante superior direito entre -120º e -150º, 45 pacientes no quadrante inferior direito entre +170º e -170º e medial e 79 pacientes no quadrante inferior direito entre +110º e + 140º.Conclusão: A despolarização elétrica do coração no ventrículo direito no traçado eletrocardiográfico aparentemente registra alterações típicas que podemos diagnosticar como uma despolarização de um feixe único, porém ao realizarmos vetocardiograma, registramos três zonas distintas de despolarização ventricular direita com atraso, ou seja, três setores distintos da parede livre do ventrículo direito como atraso Tipo I (superior), Tipo II (inferior), e Tipo III (medial).

Introduction: The electrocardiographic interpretation of end conduction delay (ECD) in the right ventricular branch of the heart has already generated some hypotheses that this right branch is not single, as anatomically demonstrated, and can be divided into distinct terminal branches when we analyze tracings through the vectorcardiogram.Methods: There were 227 electrocardiograms selected, with typical characteristics defined as ECD of patients from the electrocardiography service of the Centro Universitário Saúde ABC, of both sexes, in the age range of 18 to 87 years, with varied ethnicities, weight and height, with cardiovascular risk factors or without them. We performed vectorcardiograms in these patients to observe the behavior of the final portion of electrical conduction.Results: Analyzing the vectorcardiographic tracings of patients who presented ECD in electrocardiogram, we confirmed in the recording by the frontal plane, the presence of ECD but recorded in three distinct regions; 103 patients in the right upper quadrant between -120° and -150°, 45 patients in the right lower quadrant between +170° and -170°, and medial, and 79 patients in the right lower quadrant between +110° and + 140°.Conclusion: Electrical depolarization of the heart in the right ventricle in electrocardiographic tracings apparently records typical alterations that we can diagnose as depolarization of a single bundle; but when we performed vectorcardiograms, we recorded three distinct zones of right ventricular depolarization with delay; i.e., three distinct sectors of right ventricle free wall delay, such as type I (upper), type II (lower) and type III (medial).

Factors associated with incidence and mortality by road accidents involving motorcyclists and pedestrians: a rapid systematic review / Fatores associados à incidência e mortalidade por acidentes de estrada envolvendo motociclistas e pedestres: uma revisão sistemática rápida

Introduction: traffic accidents are the third leading cause of death in the world. Vulnerable road users do not benefit from a high level of protection. As such, they face devastating consequences when involved in accidents. Objective: to analyze the incidence and mortality, and associated factors in traffic accidents among motorcyclists and pedestrians. Methods: rapid Systematic review of articles from the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Virtual Health Library (VHL), and Web of Science databases using the descriptors Mortality, Accidents, traffic, Motorcyclists and Pedestrians. Inclusion criteria were: (1) studies involving pedestrians and motorcyclists; (2) the object of study is traffic accidents; (3) articles that studied mortality; and (4) articles published in the last ten years (2010-2019). Results: of the 206 articles found, 19 met the inclusion criteria. Factors such as increased sales of motorcycles, darkness on the roads, older pedestrians, lack of safety equipment for motorcyclists, and drug and alcohol intake contribute to the increase of the mortality rate of these individuals. Conclusion: mortality due to traffic accidents involving pedestrians and motorcyclists has increased during the analyzed period, especially among men.

Introdução: os acidentes de trânsito são a terceira causa de morte no mundo. Os usuários vulneráveis da estrada não têm um alto nível de proteção como outros tipos de vítimas. Portanto, esses indivíduos enfrentam consequências devastadoras quando envolvidos em acidentes. Objetivo: identificar a tendência da mortalidade, incidência e fatores associados aos acidentes de trânsito entre motociclistas e pedestres por meio de revisão sistemática da literatura. Método: trata-se de uma revisão sistemática das bases de indexação da National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Virtual Health Library (VHL) e Web of Science utilizando os descritores Mortality AND Accidents, Traffic AND Motorcycles AND Pedestrians. Para a seleção dos artigos, foram incluídos aqueles que obedeciam aos seguintes critérios: população que (1) inclui motociclistas e pedestres e (2) se envolveu em acidentes de trânsito; e artigos que (3) estudaram mortalidade, incidência e / ou fatores associados a acidentes de trânsito e (4) foram publicados nos últimos 10 anos.Resultados: dos 206 artigos encontrados, 19 preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Fatores como aumento da venda de motocicletas, escuridão das vias, pedestres mais velhos, falta de equipamentos de segurança para os motociclistas e ingestão de drogas e / ou álcool contribuem para o aumento da taxa de mortalidade e incidência desses indivíduos. Conclusão: a mortalidade por acidentes de trânsito com pedestres e motociclistas tem aumentado nos últimos anos, com alta prevalência de mortalidade entre os homens. A maioria dos acidentes foi devido a falhas humanas e / ou deficiências nas vias públicas.

Vector electrocardiographic alterations after percutaneous septal ablation in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Possible anatomic causes.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the dromotropic disturbances (vector-electrocardiographic), and the possible anatomic causes, provoked by selective alcohol injection in the septal branch, for percutaneous treatment, of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Ten patients with a mean age of 52.7 years underwent percutaneous septal ablation (PTSA) from october 1998; all in functional class III/IV). Twelve-lead electrocardiogram was performed prior to and during PTSA, and later electrocardiogram and vectorcardiogram according to Frank's method. The patients were followed up for 32 months. RESULTS: On electrocardiogram (ECG) prior to PTSA all patients had sinus rhythm and left atrial enlargement, 8 left ventricular hypertrophy of systolic pattern. On ECG immediately after PTSA, 8 had complete right bundle-branch block; 1 transient total atrioventricular block; 1 alternating transient bundle-branch block either right or hemiblock. On late ECG 8 had complete right bundle-branch block confirmed by vectorcardiogram, type 1 or Grishman. CONCLUSION: Septal fibrosis following alcohol injection caused a predominance of complete right bundle-branch block, different from surgery of myotomy/myectomy.

Brugada disease: chronology of discovery and paternity. Preliminary observations and historical aspects.

The Brugada disease, the last clinico-cardiologic entity described in the 20th century, initially called right bundle branch block syndrome with ST segment elevation from V1 to V2 or V3 and sudden cardiac death, is genetically determined in a dominant autosomal mode, and it affects the alpha subunit of the Na+ channel by alteration of chromosome 3 and mutation in the SCN5A gene. In clinical diagnosis the mentioned electrocardiographic pattern in a patient without structural heart disease and positivity in pharmacological tests are considered major criteria. As minor criteria, the following are considered: positive family history, presence of syncope with unknown origin, documented episode of VT/VF, inducibility in electrophysiologic study and positivity of genetic study. The long-standing technology of ECG, with more than a century of existence, remains as the supplementary method with highest value in diagnosis, and currently new electrocardiographic criteria are suggested, which indicate high risk of VF. Natural history indicates a somber diagnosis in symptomatic patients with a high index of arrhythmic SCD secondary to very fast polymorphic ventricular tachycardia bursts, which degenerate into VF. Asymptomatic individuals with only a Brugada-type electrocardiographic pattern have a low risk. The prognosis seems to depend more on clinical facts, since a positive electrophysiologic study has an accuracy of just around 50%. We propose that this entity should be promoted to the category of disease, since it has a characteristic set of signs and symptoms, and an identified genetic defect.

Preterm newborns undergoing selective correction surgery of the patent ductus arteriosus: is there still space for these procedures? / Recém-nascidos pré-termos submetidos à cirurgia seletiva da persistência do canal arterial: ainda há espaço para esses procedimentos?

INTRODUCTION: The ductus arteriosus is a small fetal structure that connects two large arteries (aorta and pulmonary) but becomes pathological when it is maintained after birth. Morbidities associated with persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) may lead to the conclusion that the best approach is early surgical treatment. However, there is evidence that expectant (more selective) surgical management may reduce the chances of unnecessary surgeries and their risks. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and surgical profile of preterm newborns submitted to selective correction surgery of the patent ductus arteriosus. METHODS: This paper contemplates a series of cases, in which all patients submitted to the surgical treatment of PDA in preterm infants were described retrospectively (2009-2016), through the analysis of medical records of the Santa Marcelina Hospital, SP-Brazil. RESULTS: During this period, there were 13 cases of premature infants who underwent selective surgical correction of PDA. Gestational age was 26.92 weeks, maternal age ranged from 15 to 44, birth weight varied between 650 and 1500g, mostly women (61.54%). The diameter of the ductus arteriosus ranged from 1.7 to 4.1 mm, four patients had complex congenital heart disease (30.77%). The median courses of indomethacin were 1.77, congestive heart failure was shown in 11 patients (84.62%), the median age at surgery was 27.69 days and the median duration of orotracheal intubation was 22.62 days. The weight of the newborns at the time of the surgical act varied between 900 and 1820g. The postoperative complications were mostly infectious, with nine patients with bronchopneumonia (69.23%), one patient had pneumothorax. Sepsis occurred in two cases (15.35%) that died due to the same complication (15.35%). CONCLUSION: All preterm newborns who underwent surgery had birth weight less than 1500g. The median arterial canal was 3.05 mm in diameter. The median gestational age was 26.92 weeks and 62% of the cases were female. The most frequent surgical technique was the triple clipping, there was no bleeding or reoperation in this series of cases.

INTRODUÇÃO: O canal arterial é uma pequena estrutura fetal que comunica duas grandes artérias (aorta e pulmonar), mas que se torna patológica quando se mantem após o nascimento. As morbidades associadas à persistência do canal arterial (PCA) podem levar à conclusão de que a melhor conduta seja o tratamento cirúrgico precoce. No entanto, há evidências de que a conduta cirúrgica expectante (seletiva), poderia diminuir os riscos de cirurgias desnecessárias e suas complicações OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil clínico-cirúrgico dos recém-nascidos pré-termos (RNPT) submetidos à cirurgia seletiva de correção da Persistência do Canal Arterial MÉTODO: Este trabalho contempla uma série de casos, onde foram descritos retrospectivamente (2009-2016) todos os recém-nascidos submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico de PCA em RNPT através da análise de prontuários do Hospital Santa Marcelina, SP-Brasil RESULTADOS: Neste período, observou-se 13 casos de prematuros que foram submetidos à correção cirúrgica seletiva da PCA. A idade gestacional média foi de 26,92 semanas, a idade materna variou entre 15 e 44 anos. O peso ao nascimento variou entre 650 e 1500g e houve prevalência do sexo feminino (61,54%). O diâmetro do canal arterial variou entre 1,7 e 5 mm, quatro recém-nascidos apresentaram cardiopatia congênita complexa (30,77%). A média de ciclos de indometacina foi de 1,77. A insuficiência cardíaca congestiva se evidenciou em 11 recém-nascidos (84,62%); a idade média no ato cirúrgico foi de 27,69 dias e a média do tempo de intubação orotraqueal foi de 22,62 dias. O peso no momento do ato cirúrgico variou entre 900 e 1820g. As complicações pós-operatórias foram em sua maioria infecciosas, observando-se nove recém-nascidos com broncopneumonia (69,23%); um paciente apresentou pneumotórax. Ocorreram sepse em dois casos (15,35%) que evoluíram para óbito por esta mesma complicação (15,35% CONCLUSÃO: Todos os RNPT que foram submetidos a cirurgia tiveram peso ao nascimento menor de 1500g. A média de canal arterial foi de 3,05 mm de diâmetro. A idade gestacional média foi de 26,92 semanas e 62% dos casos eram do sexo feminino. A técnica cirúrgica mais frequente foi a da tripla clipagem, não houve sangramento ou reoperação nesta série de casos. A cirurgia seletiva de PCA ainda se faz necessária nos dias atuais

Fractality and chaotic behavior of heart rate variability as hypotension predictors after spinal anesthesia: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial / Fractalidade e comportamento caótico da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca como preditores de hipotensão após raquianestesia: protocolo de ensaio clínico randomizado

INTRODUCTION: All drugs and techniques that induce the anesthetic state act in some way in the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The administration of local anesthetics in the subarachnoid space produces motor, sensitive and sympathetic block, with latencies and variable and independent block levels. The motor block is the first to install, followed by the sympathetic and the sensitive. Sympathetic blockage affects 2 to 6 dermatomes above the sensory block. The recovery of spinal anesthesia is assessed through a scale defined in 1979 by Bromage and is based exclusively on the return of motor function and does not take into account the recovery of ANS activity. The persistence of sympathetic block may imply a higher incidence of urinary retention, bradycardia and hypotension OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiac autonomic modulation during perioperative hypotension caused by subarachnoid anesthesia. METHODS: A randomised, double-blind clinical trial will be performed in a large hospital located in the southern region of Ceará, Brazil and at the HUJB in Cajazeiras, Paraíba. Sixty patients from the anaesthesia outpatient clinic were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: one group received Bupivacaine with clonidine, and the other group received only bupivacaine at a dose of 15 mg. The sample consisted of 60 ASA patients I to III, submitted to orthopedic surgery of lower limbs and lower abdomen under spinal anesthesia. The Heart Rate Variability will be evaluated in three moments: rest, before anesthesia; 20 min after the blockade was installed, and at the time of motor function recovery according to the Bromage criteria and prognostic indices will be evaluated in the development of perioperative hypotension in two groups. Linear methods will be used in the frequency domain and non-linear in chaos domain, Poincaré plot, approximate entropy, Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and Correlation Dimension. The data will be collected through a Polar V800® heart rate meter and properly submitted for analysis and filtering by Kubios 3.0® software. DISCUSSION: In the literature we find data evaluating the installation of sympathetic block through HRV using linear methods however, there is a lack of studies using methods based on the domain of chaos. Some studies address the value of HRV as a predictor of hypotension following subarachnoid anesthesia, mainly using linear methods in the frequency domain. It is understood to be important to analyze these factors using methods already validated in the domain of chaos, complexity and fractality, more compatible with the complexity of the behavior of biological systems, in the characterization of the autonomic function during the subarachnoid anesthesia. : The clinical trial was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) under the number RBR-4Q53D6.

INTRODUÇÃO: Todas as drogas e técnicas que induzem o estado anestésico atuam de alguma forma no SNA. A administração de anestésicos locais no espaço subaracnóideo produz bloqueio motor, sensitivo e simpático, com latências e níveis de bloqueio variáveis e independentes. O bloqueio motor é o primeiro a ser instalado, seguido pelo simpático e sensitivo. O bloqueio simpático afeta de 2 a 6 dermátomos acima do bloqueio sensitivo. A recuperação da raquianestesia é avaliada através de uma escala definida em 1979 por Bromage e baseia-se exclusivamente no retorno da função motora e não leva em conta a recuperação da atividade da SNA. A persistência do bloqueio simpático pode implicar em maior incidência de retenção urinária, bradicardia e hipotensão OBJETIVO: Caracterizar a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca durante anestesia subaracnóidea por meio de métodos lineares no domínio da frequência e métodos não lineares no domínio caos e definir a duração do bloqueio autonômico em raquianestesia através desses parâmetros, bem como identificar índices de variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) que podem ser usados como preditores de hipotensão perioperatória MÉTODO: Um ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo-cego será realizado em um hospital de grande porte localizado na região sul do Ceará, no Brasil, e no HUJB em Cajazeiras, na Paraíba. Sessenta pacientes do ambulatório de anestesia serão incluídos. Os pacientes serão divididos em dois grupos: um grupo receberá Bupivacaína com clonidina e o outro grupo receberá apenas bupivacaína na dose de 15 mg. A amostra será composta por 60 pacientes ASA I a III, a serem submetidos a cirurgia ortopédica de membros inferiores e abdome inferior sob raquianestesia. A Variabilidade da Frequência Cardíaca será avaliada em três momentos: repouso, antes da anestesia; 20 min após a instalação do bloqueio, e no momento da recuperação da função motora, de acordo com os critérios de Bromage. Será avaliada a incidência de hipotensão perioperatória nos dois grupos. Métodos lineares serão utilizados no domínio da freqüência e não-lineares no domínio do caos: plot de Poincaré, entropia aproximada, Análise de Flutuação Destendenciada (DFA) e Dimensão de Correlação. Os dados serão recolhidos através de um cardiofrequencímetro Polar V800® e devidamente submetidos para análise e filtragem pelo software Kubios 3.0® DISCUSSÃO: Na literatura encontramos dados avaliando a instalação do bloqueio simpático através da VFC utilizando métodos lineares, no entanto, faltam estudos utilizando métodos baseados no domínio do caos. Alguns estudos abordam o valor da VFC como um preditor de hipotensão após a anestesia subaracnóidea, principalmente usando métodos lineares no domínio da frequência. Entende-se ser importante analisar esses fatores utilizando métodos já validados no domínio do caos, complexidade e fractalidade, mais compatíveis com a complexidade do comportamento dos sistemas biológicos, na caracterização da função autonômica durante a anestesia subaracnóidea. : O ensaio clínico foi registrado no Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) sob o número RBR-4Q53D6