Risk Stratification in Chest Pain: Impact on the Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract Background The implementation of institutional protocols in the emergency department (ED) for risk stratification in patients with chest pain has been recommended. Objective To assess the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of an institutional risk stratification protocol for chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Method Cross-sectional study conducted based on the computerized records of patients treated with the use of a chest pain protocol adapted from the Manchester protocol. The level of risk was stratified by applying five colors representing the respective levels. Each color represents a level of severity and a maximum waiting time for receiving medical care. Red and orange were considered to be high priority, while patients with yellow, green or blue indications were considered to represent a low priority. To compare the type of diagnosis and the classification of priority for receiving care, the Pearson's chi-square test was used, considering a significance level of p< 0.05 for all tests. Results The records of 1,074 patients admitted to the cardiology ED were analyzed. Men (54%), with a mean age of 60 ± 15 years, with complaints of chest pain (44%) of moderate intensity (80%) were predominant the study. Of these patients, 19% were classified as high priority, while 81% were considered to represent a low priority. ACS was confirmed in 23% of the patients, with 34% of them being classified as high priority and 66% as low priority. The sensitivity of the risk stratification protocol for chest pain was 33.7% and the specificity was 86.0%, with a positive and negative predictive value of 41.7% and 81.3%, respectively. Conclusion The Institutional risk stratification protocol for chest pain suggestive of ACS presented satisfactory specificity and a low degree of sensitivity. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

Cenário ambulatorial de pacientes com sítio cirúrgico infectado após intervenção cardíaca / Escenario ambulatorial de pacientes con sitio cirugía infectado después intervención cardíaca / Ambulatory setting of patients with surgical site infections after a cardiac intervention

Resumo OBJETIVO Verificar o perfil clínico-cirúrgico e os resultados de pacientes acompanhados em um ambulatório de ferida operatória após cirurgia cardíaca. MÉTODOS Coorte histórica com pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca e acompanhados por um ano em um ambulatório de feridas de um hospital especializado em cardiologia. Foram analisados os micro-organismos predominantes nas infecções, os produtos utilizados nos curativos, tempo de acompanhamento e o tipo de terapêutica instituída nos curativos. RESULTADOS Entre os 150 pacientes, predominaram sexagenários (61,7 ± 11,4 anos), hipertensos (75%), diabéticos (44,7%). Evidenciou-se 12 pacientes com mediastinite (8%) e 44 com infecção de sítio cirúrgico (29,3%). Utilizou-se para realização dos curativos os ácidos graxos (80%) e alginato de cálcio (19%). O tempo de acompanhamento foi de 35 ±71 dias. CONCLUSÃO Pacientes sexagenários, hipertensos, diabéticos e revascularizados constituíram a população acompanhada no ambulatório de feridas. As taxas de ISC e mediastinite encontradas foram aceitáveis e semelhantes às da literatura.

Resumen OBJETIVO Verificar el perfil clínico-quirúrgico y los resultados de pacientes acompañados en un ambulatorio de heridas operatorias después de cirugía cardiaca. MÉTODO Cohorte histórica con pacientes sometidos a la cirugía cardiaca y acompañados por un año en el ambulatorio de heridas de un hospital especializado en cardiología. Fueron analizados los microorganismos predominantes en las infecciones, los productos utilizados en las curaciones, el tiempo de seguimiento, o el tipo de tratamiento utilizado en las curaciones. RESULTADOS Entre los 150 pacientes predominaron el sexo masculino (58%), sexagenarios (61,7 ± 11,4 años), hipertensos (75%), diabéticos (44.7%). Se evidenciaron 12 pacientes con mediastinitis (8%) y 44 con infección en el sitio quirúrgico (29.3%). Se utilizó en las curaciones fueron los ácidos grasos (80%) y el alginato de calcio (19%). El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 35 ± 71 días. CONCLUSIÓN Los pacientes sexagenarios, hipertensos, diabéticos y revascularizados constituyeron la población acompañada en el ambulatorio de heridas. Las tasas de ISC y mediastinitis encontradas fueron aceptables y similares a las de la literatura.

Abstract OBJECTIVE Verifying the clinical-surgical profile and the results of patients monitored in an surgical wound ambulatory after a cardiac surgeries. METHODS This is a historical cohort research with patients submitted to cardiac surgery and monitored for a year in an outpatient surgical wound clinic from a hospital specialized in cardiology. The study analyzed the prevalent microorganisms in infections, the products used in the dressings, the time of follow-up, and the type of therapy established in the dressings. RESULTS Among the 150 patients, most were sexagenarians (61.7 ± 11.4 years), hypertensive patients (75%), and diabetic (44.7%). There were 12 patients with mediastinitis (8%) and 44 with surgical site infection (29.3%). Fatty acids (80%) and calcium alginate (19%) were used for wound healing. The mean follow-up time was 35 ± 71 days. CONCLUSION Sexagenary, hypertensive, diabetic and revascularized patients constituted the population monitored in the wounds outpatient clinic. The SSI and mediastinitis rates found were acceptable and similar to those in literature.

Lack of difference between continuous versus intermittent heparin infusion on maintenance of intra-arterial catheter in postoperative pediatric surgery: a randomized controlled study / Similitud entre infusion continua versus intermitente de solucion de heparina en el mantenimiento de cateter intra-arterial en post-operatorio de cirugia pediatrica: estudio randomizado controlado / Similaridade entre infusao continua versus intermitente de solucao de heparina na manutencao de cateter intra-arterial em pos-operatorio de cirurgia pediatrica: estudo randomizado controlado

OBJECTIVE: To compare two systems of arterial catheters maintenance in postoperative pediatric surgery using intermittent or continuous infusion of heparin solution and to analyze adverse events related to the site of catheter insertion and the volume of infused heparin solution. METHODS: Randomized control trial with 140 patients selected for continuous infusion group (CIG) and intermittent infusion group (IIG). The variables analyzed were: type of heart disease, permanence time and size of the catheter, insertion site, technique used, volume of heparin solution and adverse events. The descriptive variables were analyzed by Student's t-test and the categorical variables, by chi-square test, being significant p<0.05. RESULTS: The median age was 11 (0-22) months, and 77 (55%) were females. No significant differences between studied variables were found, except for the volume used in CIG (12.0±1.2mL/24 hours) when compared to IIG (5.3±3.5mL/24 hours) with p<0.0003. CONCLUSIONS: The continuous infusion system and the intermittent infusion of heparin solution can be used for intra-arterial catheters maintenance in postoperative pediatric surgery, regardless of patient's clinical and demographic characteristics. Adverse events up to the third postoperative day occurred similarly in both groups. However, the intermittent infusion system usage in underweight children should be considered, due to the lower volume of infused heparin solution [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01097031]. .

OBJETIVOS: Comparar dos sistemas de mantenimiento de catéteres arteriales en post-operatorio de cirugía cardíaca pediátrica, utilizando infusión continua o intermitente de solución de heparina, y analizar los eventos adversos relacionados al local de inserción del catéter y el volumen de solución de heparina infundido. MÉTODOS: Ensayo clínico randomizado controlado, con 140 pacientes seleccionados para el Grupo Infusión Continua (GIC) y el Grupo Infusión Intermitente (GII). Las variables analizadas fueron: tipo de cardiopatía, tiempo de permanencia y tamaño del catéter, local de inserción, técnica empleada, volumen de solución de heparina y eventos adversos. Se utilizó la prueba t de Student para variables descriptivas y la prueba del chi-cuadrado para variables categóricas, siendo significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: La mediana de edad fue de 11 (0-22,1) meses, siendo 77 (55%) del sexo femenino. No hubo diferencia significativa en las variables analizadas, excepto por el volumen infundido en el GIC (12,0±1,2mL/24 horas), cuando comparado al del GII (5,3±3,5mL/24 horas), con p<0,0003. CONCLUSIONES: Tanto el sistema de infusión continua cuanto el sistema intermitente de solución de heparina pueden ser utilizados en el mantenimiento de catéter intra-arterial en post-operatorio de cirugía pediátrica, independiente de las características clínicas y demográficas de los pacientes, así como de la ocurrencia de eventos adversos hasta el tercer día del post-quirúrgico. Sin embargo, se debe considerar la utilización del sistema de infusión intermitente en niños de bajo peso, debido al menor volumen de solución de heparina infundido (registro en el Clinical Trials bajo el nº NCT01097031). .

OBJETIVOS: Comparar dois sistemas de manutenção de cateteres arteriais em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca pediátrica, utilizando infusão contínua ou intermitente de solução de heparina, e analisar os eventos adversos relacionados ao local de inserção do cateter e o volume de solução de heparina infundido. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico randomizado controlado, com 140 pacientes selecionados para o Grupo Infusão Contínua (GIC) e o Grupo Infusão Intermitente (GII). As variáveis analisadas foram: tipo de cardiopatia, tempo de permanência e tamanho do cateter, local de inserção, técnica empregada, volume de solução de heparina e eventos adversos. Utilizou-se o teste t de Student para variáveis descritivas e o teste do qui-quadrado para variáveis categóricas, sendo significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: A mediana de idade foi de 11 (0-22) meses, sendo 77 (55%) do sexo feminino. Não houve diferença significativa nas variáveis analisadas, com exceção do volume infundido no GIC (12,0±1,2mL/24 horas), quando comparado ao do GII (5,3±3,5mL/24 horas), com p<0,0003. CONCLUSÕES: Tanto o sistema de infusão contínua quanto o sistema intermitente de solução de heparina podem ser utilizados na manutenção de cateter intra-arterial em pós-operatório de cirurgia pediátrica, independentemente das características clínicas e demográficas dos pacientes, bem como da ocorrência de eventos adversos até o terceiro dia pós-cirúrgico. Entretanto, deve-se considerar a utilização do sistema de infusão intermitente em crianças de baixo peso, devido ao menor volume de solução de heparina infundido [registro no Clinical Trials sob o nº NCT01097031]. .

Management of diabetes by a healthcare team in a cardiology unit: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of healthcare team guidance in the implementation of a glycemic control protocol in the non-intensive care unit of a cardiology hospital. METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial comparing 9 months of intensive guidance by a healthcare team on a protocol for diabetes care (Intervention Group, n = 95) with 9 months of standard care (Control Group, n = 87). Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01154413. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 61.7±10 years, and the mean glycated hemoglobin level was 71±23 mmol/mol (8.7±2.1%). The mean capillary glycemia during hospitalization was similar between the groups (9.8±2.9 and 9.1±2.4 mmol/l for the Intervention Group and Control Group, respectively, p = 0.078). The number of hypoglycemic episodes (p = 0.77), hyperglycemic episodes (47 vs. 50 in the Intervention Group and Control Group, p = 0.35, respectively), and the length of stay in the hospital were similar between the groups (p = 0.64). The amount of regular insulin administered was 0 (0-10) IU in the Intervention Group and 28 (7-56) IU in the Control Group (p<0.001), and the amount of NPH insulin administered was similar between the groups (p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: While guidance on a glycemic control protocol given by a healthcare team resulted in a modification of the therapeutic strategy, no changes in glycemic control, frequency of episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, or hospitalization duration were observed. .