Use of Octopus™ Tissue Stabilizer for Minimal Manipulation Approach of Bronchial Anastomosis in Lung Transplant

ABSTRACT Bronchial anastomotic complications are a cause of grave concern for surgeons that perform lung transplantations. There are several risk factors that may lead to this complication, being inadequate surgical technique one of them, specifically regarding adequate exposure and manipulation of the bronchial stump and anastomosis. Here we report the use of Octopus™ Tissue Stabilizer as a mean to allow for a better exposure of the stump and facilitate a "no-touch" approach towards anastomosis. Systematic application of devices that facilitate the employment of the correct surgical techniques can have an effect in reducing the incidence of bronchial anastomotic complications.

Brazilian initial experience with lung transplantation due to irreversible lung fibrosis post-COVID-19 in a national reference center: a cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation (LTx) has been discussed as an option for treating irreversible lung fibrosis post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in selected cases. OBJECTIVES: To report on the initial experience and management of end-stage lung disease due to COVID-19 at a national center reference in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cohort study conducted at a national reference center for lung transplantation. METHODS: Medical charts were reviewed regarding patients' demographics and pre-COVID-19 characteristics, post-LTx due to COVID-19. RESULTS: Between March 2020 and September 2021, there were 33 cases of LTx. During this period, we evaluated 11 cases of severe COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that were potentially candidates for LTx. Among these, LTx was only indicated for three patients (9.1%). All of these patients were on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and the procedure that they underwent was central venoarterial ECMO. All three patients were still alive after the first 30 postoperative days. However, patient #1 and patient #2 subsequently died due to fungal sepsis on the 47th and 52nd postoperative days, respectively. Patient #3 was discharged on the 30th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: LTx is feasible among these complex patients. Survival over the first 30 days was 100%, and this favors surgical feasibility. Nonetheless, these were critically ill patients.

Pneumotórax secundário por lesão cística formada na síndrome respiratória aguda pela COVID-19 ­ um relato de caso / Secondary pneumothorax by cystic lesion formed in the syndrome respiratory distress by COVID-19 - a case report

Contexto: Revisões de exames de imagem de tórax durante a pandemia pela COVID-19 relatam que pneumotórax é evento raro, quando não associado à ventilação mecânica. Relatamos um caso de paciente com COVID-19 que apresentou pneumotórax e discutimos sua fisiopatologia, com descrição inédita de alteração anatômica promovida pela COVID-19. Descrição do caso: Paciente de 46 anos, em fase de recuperação de síndrome respiratória aguda pela COVID-19, com exame RT-PCR (transcrição reversa - reação em cadeia da polimerase) para COVID-19 positivo que desenvolveu quadro agudo de dor, falta de ar, hemoptoico e dispneia de início abrupto devido a hidropneumotórax moderado, sem ter sido submetido a ventilação com pressão positiva. O pneumotórax foi prontamente drenado, evoluindo com alta hospitalar após seis dias, com reexpansão pulmonar, mas ainda apresentando lesões em vidro fosco pulmonares típicas da COVID-19 e pequena lesão cística, visível desde a primeira tomografia, feita na fase aguda e com remissão completa na fase de convalescência. Discussão: Apresentamos uma manifestação rara da síndrome respiratória aguda pela COVID-19, ainda não relatada no Brasil, e que associamos com a formação de cistos pulmonares e piora da complacência pulmonar. Conclusão: Pneumotórax deve ser lembrado como hipótese diagnóstica em pacientes que apresentam quadro súbito de dor torácica, dispneia e hipoxemia e sugerimos rever seus exames de imagens em busca de lesões que justifiquem a ruptura pleural.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and lung transplantation: initial experience at a single brazilian center

OBJECTIVE: To report initial experience from the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients who received lung transplantation. METHODS: Retrospective study of a single tertiary center in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, a national reference in lung transplantation, based on the prospective collection of data from electronic medical records. The period analyzed extended from January 2009 (beginning of the program) until December 2018. RESULTS: A total of 75 lung transplants were performed, with ECMO used in 8 (10.7%) cases. Of the patients, 4 (50%) were female. The mean age was 46.4±14.3 years. The causes of the end-stage lung disease that led to transplantation were pulmonary arterial hypertension in 3 (37.5%) patients, bronchiectasis in 2 (25%) patients, pulmonary fibrosis in 2 (25%) patients, and pulmonary emphysema in 1 (12.5%) patient. In our series, 7 (87.5%) cases were sequential bilateral transplantations. Prioritization was necessary in 4 (50%) patients, and in 1 patient, ECMO was used as a bridge to transplantation. The ECMO route was central in 4 (50%), peripheral venovenous in 2 (25%) and peripheral venoarterial in 2 (25%) patients. The mean length of the intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 14±7.5 days and of the hospital stay was 34.1±34.2 days. The mean ECMO duration was 9.3±6.6 days with a 50% decannulation rate. Three patients were discharged (37.5%). CONCLUSION: Lung transplantation requires complex treatment, and ECMO has allowed extending the indications for transplantation and provided adjuvant support in the clinical management of these patients.

Morte encefalica e transplante de orgaos e tecidos: o entendimento dos alunos do curso de medicina / Brain death and tissue and organ transplantation: the understanding of medical students

Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de conhecimento dos acadêmicos de Medicina sobre transplante e morte encefálica. Métodos: Questionário autoaplicado não identificado respondido pelos alunos do curso de Medicina do primeiro ao sexto ano, com base em informações da Associação Brasileira de Transplante de Órgãos e Tecidos, Registro Brasileiro de Transplantes e pela resolução que define os critérios para morte encefálica. Resultados: Dos 677 alunos do curso de Medicina, 310 (45,8%) concordaram em responder. Foram excluídos 22 (7,0%) pacientes. Dos que participaram, 41,3% informaram que já assistiram à aula sobre transplante de órgãos e 33% sobre morte encefálica; 9,7% se sentiram aptos a diagnosticar morte encefálica (p<0,01); apenas 66,8% responderam o rim como o órgão sólido mais transplantado no Brasil. Conclusão: O nível de conhecimento sobre morte encefálica e transplantes dos alunos de Medicina da instituição é limitado, o que pode ser resultado de uma abordagem inadequada durante o curso de Medicina. .

Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge of medical students about transplantation and brain death. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire answered by medical students from the first through the sixth year that was based on information from the Associação Brasileira de Transplante de Órgãos e Tecidos, the Registro Brasileiro de Transplantes and the resolution that defines the criteria for brain death. Results: Of the 677 medical students asked, 310 (45.8%) agreed to answer the questionnaire. In total, 22 (7.0%) subjects were excluded. Of the students who participated, 41.3% reported having already attended a class on organ transplantation and 33% on brain death; 9.7% felt able to diagnose brain death (p<0.01); only 66.8% indicated the kidney as the most transplanted solid organ in Brazil. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of medical students at this institution regarding brain death and transplantation is limited, which may be the result of an inadequate approach during medical school. .

Comparação entre perímetro abdominal e índice de massa corpórea como preditores de hipertensão arterial / Comparison between waist circumference and body mass index as predictors of hypertension

A obesidade é um relevante fator de risco para desenvolvimento de hipertensão arterial. Dentre as variáveis antropométricas disponíveispara avaliação do excesso de peso, o índice de massa corpórea e a circunferência abdominal são as mais utilizadas.

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of hypertension. Among the anthropometric variables available to measure body weight excess, the body mass index and waist circumference are the mostfrequently used.

Experimental diabetes exacerbates skin transplant rejection in rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of chronic experimental diabetes on skin allografts in rats as a simple model that could clarify some basic aspects and mechanisms involved in transplant rejection in diabetes compared to normal animals. METHODS: Skin grafting was performed with fragments of tail skin from sex matched non diabetic Wistar rats engrafted onto the thoracic area of diabetic and non diabetic recipients. Grafts were scored for rejection every other day and were removed on day 14. Skin grafts were graded according to the following itens: no rejection; or rejection including: acute, chronic and humoral and/or cellular rejection. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP 5.1 software with ANOVA test. Diabetes was induced with IV injection of alloxan 40 mg/kg. RESULTS: Inflammatory vascular infiltrate compromising the endothelium with areas of fibrinoid necrosis and thrombosis characteristics of acute humoral rejection and subendothelial lymphocyte infiltrate typical of acute cellular rejection were significantly (p<0.003) higher in diabetic than in non diabetic recipients as the inflammatory infiltrate in the epidermis (p<0.002). CONCLUSION: Skin transplant acute rejection from chronic alloxan diabetic rats to normal tissue was significantly more intense than the acute rejection between normal rats.

Dexmedetomidina: papel atual em anestesia e cuidados intensivos / Dexmedetomidine: current role in anesthesia and intensive care

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Atualizar e rever a aplicação da dexmedetomidina em anestesia e cuidados intensivos. Este trabalho é uma revisão abrangente dos usos clínicos, farmacologia, farmacocinética, mecanismo de ação e efeitos adversos da dexmedetomidina. CONTEÚDO: O uso efetivo de agentes sedativo-hipnóticos e analgésicos é parte integral do conforto e segurança dos pacientes. A dexmedetomidina é um potente e altamente seletivo agonista dos adrenoceptores α-2 com propriedades simpaticolíticas, sedativas, amnésicas e analgésicas, que tem sido descrito como um adjuvante útil e seguro em várias aplicações clínicas. Proporciona uma "sedação consciente" única, analgésica, sem depressão respiratória. Os usos correntes revistos incluem sedação na unidade de tratamento intensivo - UTI (adulta e pediátrica), departamento de emergência, anestesia regional e geral, neurocirurgia, sedação para procedimentos pediátricos, intubação por fibra ótica em doentes acordados, cirurgia cardíaca e cirurgia bariátrica. CONCLUSÕES: A dexmedetomidina oferece a capacidade única de fornecer sedação e analgesia sem depressão respiratória. É um agente novo com uma grande margem de segurança, excelente capacidade sedativa e moderadas propriedades analgésicas. Embora o seu amplo uso seja, atualmente, em pacientes de unidades de cuidados intensivos cirúrgicos e não cirúrgicos, a dexmedetomidina parece ter futuras aplicações promissoras nas áreas de neuroproteção, cardioproteção e renoproteção. São necessários mais estudos detalhados para definir o seu papel como sedativo em doentes críticos, neurocirúrgicos e pediátricos, como adjuvante da anestesia e como sedativo durante procedimentos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To update and review the application of dexmedetomidine in anesthesia and intensive care. This study is a comprehensive review of clinical uses, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine. CONTENT: The effective use of sedative-hypnotic agents and analgesics is an integral part of comfort and safety of patients. Dexmedetomidine is a potent and highly selective α-2 adrenoceptor agonist with sympatholytic, sedative, amnestic, and analgesic properties, which has been described as a useful and safe adjunct in many clinical applications. It provides a unique "conscious sedation", analgesia, without respiratory depression. The current reviewed uses include sedation at Intensive Care Unit - ICU (both adult and pediatric), emergency department, regional and general anesthesia, neurosurgery, sedation for pediatric procedures, awake fiber-optic intubation, cardiac surgery and bariatric surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine offers a unique ability of providing both sedation and analgesia without respiratory depression. It is a new agent with a wide safety margin, excellent sedative capacity and moderate analgesic properties. Although its wide use is currently in patients of surgical and non-surgical intensive care units, dexmedetomidine seems to have promising future applications in neuroprotection, cardioprotection and renoprotection. More detailed studies are required to define its role as sedative in critical, neurosurgical and pediatric patients, as anesthesia adjunct and sedative during procedures.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Actualizar y analizar nuevamente la aplicación de la dexmedetomidina en la anestesia y en los cuidados intensivos. Este trabajo es una revisión bastante exhaustiva de los usos clínicos, farmacología, farmacocinética, mecanismo de acción, y de los efectos adversos de la dexmedetomidina. CONTENIDO: El uso efectivo de los agentes sedativo-hipnóticos y analgésicos, forma parte integral de la comodidad y de la seguridad de los pacientes. La dexmedetomidina es un potente y altamente selectivo agonista de los adrenoceptores α-2 con propiedades simpaticolíticas, sedativas, amnésicas y analgésicas, que se ha venido describiendo como un adyuvante útil y seguro en varias aplicaciones clínicas. Proporciona una "sedación conciente" única, analgésica, y sin depresión respiratoria. Sus usos más comunes ya analizados, incluyen la sedación en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) (adulta y pediátrica), en Urgencias, anestesia regional y general, neurocirugía, sedación para procedimientos pediátricos, intubación por fibra óptica en enfermos despiertos, cirugía cardíaca y cirugía bariátrica. CONCLUSIONES: La dexmedetomidina ofrece la capacidad única de suministrar sedación y analgesia sin depresión respiratoria. Es un agente nuevo con un gran margen de seguridad, excelente capacidad sedativa y moderadas propiedades analgésicas. Aunque su amplio uso sea hoy por hoy, para pacientes de unidades de cuidados intensivos quirúrgicos y no quirúrgicos, la dexmedetomidina parece tener aplicaciones futuras promisorias en las áreas de neuroprotección, cardioprotección y renoprotección. Aunque de todas formas, son necesarios más estudios detallados para definir su rol como sedativo en los enfermos criticos, neuroquirúrgicos y pediátricos, como adyuvante en la anestesia y como sedativo durante los procedimientos.