Risk Factors Associated with Ischemic Stroke in the Immediate Postoperative Period of Cardiac Surgery

ABSTRACT Introduction: Stroke remains a major complication of cardiac surgery. Despite all efforts, the incidence of postoperative stroke remains as high as 6%. We aimed to investigate risk factors for ischemic stroke in a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 678 consecutive adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass in a tertiary hospital in Brazil between July 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018. The primary outcome was the rate of early (perioperative and seven-day postoperative) stroke, defined as the occurrence of the outcome during the index admission. We developed a predictive model of stroke using the Poisson regression analysis with robust variance. Results: Postoperative stroke occurred in 24 patients (3.5%), 23 (3.3%) were ischemic, and 21 (3.0%) were diagnosed in the first 72 hours after surgical procedure. After multivariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with stroke: previous stroke/transient ischemic attack (relative risk [RR]=2.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-6.82), carotid artery disease (RR=4.0; 95% CI, 1.43-11.0), previous atrial fibrillation (RR=3.26, 95% CI, 1.31-8.1), and postoperative platelets > 200,000/mm3 (RR=2.26; 95% CI, 1.01-5.1). Conclusion: We developed a contemporary model to determine risk predictors for stroke after cardiac surgery. This model may help clinicians to identify patients at risk and could be useful in clinical practice.

Anthropometric measurements and their association with endothelial function and arterial stiffness of eutrophic individuals and with overweight

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the association of anthropometric measurements with endothelial function and arterial stiffness of eutrophic individuals and with overweight. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with individuals with body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 kg/m² and < 30 kg/m², low to intermediate global cardiovascular risk scores, and aged ≥ 18 and < 60 years. We assessed the sociodemographic data, anthropometric variables (body weight, height, circumferences of the waist [WC], neck [NC], hip [HC], sagittal abdominal diameter [SAD], [BMI], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR], and waist-to-height ratio [WHtR]), biochemical parameters (lipid profile and nitric oxide), endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation [FMD], by ultrasound), and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV] and the amplification index [AIx@75] by oscillometry). Thirty-six individuals were included, 18 eutrophic and 18 with overweight, with a mean age of 37.5 ± 10.2 years, mostly at low cardiovascular risk (86.1%), female (80.6%), single (52.8%), employed with formal contracts (44.4%), and with over twelve years of education (88.9%). Results: The PWV presented positive and moderate correlation with the WC (r = 0.584; P = 0.001), WHR (r = 0.513; P = 0.001), and WHtR (r = 0.590; P = 0.001), and positive and low correlation with the NC (r = 0.372; P = 0.013) and SAD (r = 0.356; P = 0.033). Moreover, no anthropometric parameter presented a correlation with the AIx@75 or the FMD percentage in the total sample. Conclusion: Our findings show that in eutrophic individuals and with overweight the WC, WHR, WHtR, SAD, and NC were positively correlated with the PWV but not to the endothelial function in the overall sample. These are hypothesis-generating findings and they should be replicated in other studies.

Case series of sporotrichosis at a teaching hospital in Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection with a worldwide distribution and higher incidence in tropical and subtropical areas, such as the Brazilian territory, where it has been standing out due to its frequent epidemics. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sporotrichosis and profile the affected patients at a university teaching hospital in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: This study was a case series of patients diagnosed with Sporothrix spp. from January 2006 to December 2015 by microscopic examination or fungal isolates. Medical records were reviewed for epidemiological data. RESULTS: Forty-three cases of sporotrichosis were diagnosed through the period. The sample comprised predominantly young male adults and rural workers. The most common disease type was lymphocutaneous (51%), followed by fixed cutaneous form (32.5%). The predominant location was the upper limbs (70%), followed by the lower limbs (16%). A significant association was observed between the lymphocutaneous form and upper limb location and between the fixed cutaneous form and lower limb location (p = 0.019). Potassium iodine and itraconazole were the most common treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study will help update the epidemiological situation of sporotrichosis in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, over the last decade.

Left ventricular noncompaction and pre-excitation: an unusual finding in adults

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare form of cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent left ventricular (LV) trabeculae, deep intertrabecular recesses, and the thin compacted layer. The disease is potentially associated with sudden cardiac death due to LV dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmias. The presence of accessory pathway and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is particularly rare in adults. Here we describe the rare association of LVNC and ventricular pre-excitation in an 18-year-old female with neonatal hypoxic brain injury (AU)

Taquicardia ventricular associada com linfoma não-Hodgkin / Ventricular tachycardia associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma / Taquicardia ventricular asociada con linfoma no Hodgkin

Linfoma não-Hodgkin sistêmico pode afetar o miocárdio, particularmente em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Quando presentes, sinais e sintomas são geralmente inespecíficos, tornando o diagnóstico de envolvimento cardíaco muito difícil antes da autópsia. Arritmias ventriculares também são pouco usuais nesse cenário. Descrevemos um caso de linfoma não-Hodgkin miocárdico secundário, que se apresentou com taquicardia ventricular monomórfica sustentada e espessamento do septo interventricular basal. Completa remissão das lesões miocárdicas foi observada após o término da quimioterapia de segunda linha, sem recorrências posteriores de arritmias em oito meses.

Systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can affect the myocardium, particularly in immunocompromised patients. When present, symptoms and signs are usually nonspecific, making the diagnosis of cardiac involvement very difficult before an autopsy. Ventricular arrhythmias are also unusual in this setting. We describe a case of secondary myocardial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and thickening of the basal interventricular septum. Complete remission of myocardial lesions was observed after completion of second-line chemotherapy treatment, without further recurrences of arrhythmias in eight months.

Linfoma no Hodgkin sistémico puede afectar el miocardio, particularmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Cuando están presentes, señales y síntomas son generalmente inespecíficos, volviendo el diagnóstico de compromiso cardíaco muy difícil antes de la autopsia. Arritmias ventriculares también son poco usuales en ese escenario. Describimos un caso de linfoma no Hodgkin miocárdico secundario, que se presentó con taquicardia ventricular monomórfica sustentada y engrosamiento del septo interventricular basal. Completa remisión de las lesiones miocárdicas fue observada después del término de la quimioterapia de segunda línea, sin recurrencias posteriores de arritmias en ocho meses.

Efeitos do álcool na função ventricular da população geral e em pacientes assintomáticos com disfunção ventricular: revisão sistemática / Alcohol effects on ventricular function of general population and patients with asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction: a systematic review

A relação entre consumo excessivo de álcool e risco aumentado para desenvolvimento de miocardiopatia alcoólica é universalmente conhecida. No entanto, permanece não esclarecida qual é a dose de exposição ao álcool e o tempo de consumo necessários para o desenvolvimento dessa doença. Adicionalmente, não existem dados definitivos sobre o consumo leve a moderado de álcool e incidência de insuficiência cardíaca, tanto na população hígida como em pacientes assintomáticos com disfunção sistólica. Identificar as evidências disponíveis na literatura sobre a associação entre o consumo moderado de álcool e a insuficiência cardíaca na população em geral e em pacientes assintomáticos com disfunção ventricular sistólica. A busca de evidências foi realizada mediante pesquisa nos bancos de dados PubMed, LILACS e Cochrane e foi restrita a estudos de coorte prospectivo. Foram encontrados sete estudos (cinco estudos realizados na população em geral e dois estudos realizados em pacientes assintomáticos com disfunção ventricular sistólica) sugerindo existir uma correlação inversa entre consumo moderado de álcool e risco de insuficiência cardíaca na população geral. Esses achados são mais consistentes para pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca de etiologia isquêmica. Entre pacientes assintomáticos com disfunção sistólica, o consumo moderado parece não interferir na evolução para insuficiência cardíaca clínica. As evidências disponíveis na literatura sugerem que o consumo de álcool em doses moderadas está associado com redução de risco de insuficiência cardíaca clínica, tanto na população geral como em pacientes assintomáticos com disfunção ventricular estabelecida.

The relationship between excessive alcohol consumption and increased risk of alcoholic cardiomyopathy is largely known. However, there are still questions regarding the alcohol dose and the time of consumption necessary for the development of heart failure. Additionally, there are no conclusive data about mild to moderate alcohol consumption and the incidence of heart failure, not only in the healthy population but also in patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. To identify the available data in the medical literature regarding moderate alcohol consumption and its association with heart failure in the general population and in patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. A survey was performed on the Pub-Med, LILACS and Cochrane databases. Only prospective cohort studies were selected. A total of seven studies were selected (five studies were conducted among the general population and two studies were performed among asymptomatic patients with left ventricular dysfunction). The evidence suggests an inverse correlation between moderate alcohol consumption and heart failure risk in the general population. This evidence is even more consistent for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Among patients with left ventricular dysfunction, moderate alcohol consumption does not seem to determine progression to heart failure. The analysis of the studies published suggests that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower risk of heart failure. In the asymptomatic population with established left ventricular dysfunction, moderate alcohol consumption does not seem to determine heart failure.

Cyclic pseudo-fusion in a dual chamber pacemaker / Repetidos batimentos de pseudo-fusão em marcapasso de dupla câmara

Studies have shown that avoidance of right ventricular pacing results in a decrease in the incidence of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. Newer algorithms which promote intrinsic conduction and decrease the frequency of ventricular pacing have been developed. However some of these new pacing algorithms are complex and can create potential pitfalls for the clinician. Additionally, these features may not be applicable to a reasonable amount of patients. We describe an example of a pacemaker pseudo-malfunction caused by one of these new algorithms.

Estudos mostram que reduzir o uso de estimulaГЦo ventricular direita em pacientes com marcapasso estА relacionado com menor incidЙncia de fibrilaГЦo atrial e insuficiЙncia cardМaca congestiva. Diante desse novo paradigma, as empresas fabricantes vЙm desenvolvendo novas estratИgias de programaГЦo com objetivo de minimizar a taxa de estimulaГЦo ventricular direita. Entretanto, esses novos modos de programaГЦo sЦo muitas vezes complexos, acarretando dЗvidas sobre o correto funcionamento desses dispositivos. AlИm disso, muitos dos novos modos de programaГЦo podem nЦo ser aplicАveis a uma parcela significativa dos pacientes. Apresentamos um exemplo de programaГЦo de marcapasso visando minimizar a estimulaГЦo ventricular direita, cujo resultado prАtico simula mau funcionamento do dispositivo.

O papel do preceptor no ensino médico e o modelo preceptoria em um minuto / The preceptor's role in medical teaching and the one-minute preceptor model

O ensino médico é extremamente importante na determinação da qualidade técnica dos futuros profissionais. Embora o Brasil apresente legislação específica sobre o tema, observamos discrepâncias no processo de aprendizado, o que, muitas vezes, compromete a formação dos futuros médicos. Além disso, métodos de ensino tradicionais, baseados fundamentalmente no diagnóstico de problemas, são ainda praticados em várias faculdades. Estes métodos relegam preceitos educacionais e, muitas vezes, colocam os estudantes em papel secundário. Nessa perspectiva, apresentamos um promissor método de ensino médico chamado Preceptoria em um Minuto (One-Minute Preceptor), salientando seu papel voltado ao profissional em formação. Destacamos também a importância deste método por permitir o ensino em tempo relativamente limitado, frente à crescente demanda por atendimentos.

Medical teaching is extremely important for determining the quality of future professionals. Although Brazil has specific legislation on the subject, discrepancies have been observed in the learning process, often jeopardizing the training of future physicians. Furthermore, traditional teaching methods, based mainly on the diagnosis of problems, are still practiced in various medical schools. These methods ignore fundamental rules of education and relegate students to a secondary role. From this perspective, we present a promising method for medical education called the One-Minute Preceptor, emphasizing its role for in-training medical professionals. We also emphasize its importance for teaching in a time-limited scenario, due to the growing demand for care.