Inflammatory signs and epileptic crisis in patients admitted in an emergency unit / Signos inflamatorios y crisis epiléptica en pacientes admitidos en una unidad de emergencia / Sinais inflamatórios e crise epiléptica em pacientes admitidos em unidade de emergência

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate inflammatory signs presented in medical records of patients with a main diagnosis of epileptic seizures, admitted in an emergency unit. Method: Cross-sectional and retrospective study. The sample was composed of 191 medical records, from children, adolescents, adults, and elders, with a clinical diagnosis of epileptic seizures, admitted between June 2016 and June 2017 at the emergency unit of a hospital in Porto Alegre/RS. Results: The prevalent inflammatory signs were tachypnea (33.5%) and/or fever (27.2%) associated with leukocytosis (P=0.030). Children/adolescents had seizures less frequently (P=0.010) and these were due to fever (P=0.000). Adults presented seizures more frequently (P=0.006), which were related to medication/intoxication (P=0.000). In elders, seizures occurred due to metabolic or circulatory abnormalities (P=0.000), less often due to fever (P=0.005). Conclusion: Seizures are related to fever and tachypnea, being caused by different etiologies according to age, being more frequent in adults. Fever is related to leukocytosis, regardless of age.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar signos inflamatorios registrados en prontuarios de pacientes con diagnóstico principal de crisis epilépticas, admitidos en unidad de emergencia. Método: Estudio transversal, retrospectivo. Muestra compuesta por 191 prontuarios de pacientes pediátricos, adolescentes, adultos y ancianos, diagnosticados con crisis epilépticas, admitidos entre junio de 2016 a junio de 2017 en unidad de emergencia de un hospital de Porto Alegre/RS. Resultados: Prevalencia del taquipnea (33,5%) y/o fiebre (27,2%) como signos inflamatorios, fiebre relacionada a leucocitosis (P=0,030). Niños/adolescentes tienen crisis menos frecuentes (P=0,010) de origen febril (P=0,000). Los adultos presentaron mayor número de eventos (P=0,006), provocados por medicamentos/intoxicaciones (P=0,000). En ancianos, crisis ocurrieron debido a disturbios metabólicos/circulatorios (P=0,000),menor ocurrencia de fiebre (P=0,005). Conclusión: Crisis epilépticas están relacionadas a fiebre y taquipnea, presentando diferentes etiologías según grupo de edad, con mayor ocurrencia entre adultos. Fiebre relacionada con el leucocitosis, independientemente de la edad.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os sinais inflamatórios registrados em prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico principal de crise epiléptica, admitidos em unidade de emergência. Método: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo. Amostra composta por 191 prontuários de pacientes pediátricos, adolescentes, adultos e idosos, com diagnóstico clínico de crise epiléptica, admitidos entre junho de 2016 a junho de 2017, na unidade de emergência de um hospital de Porto Alegre/RS. Resultados: Prevalência do relato de taquipneia (33,5%) e/ou febre (27,2%) como sinais inflamatórios, estando febre relacionada à leucocitose (P=0,030). Crianças/adolescentes tiverem crises menos frequentes (P=0,010) ede origem febril (P=0,000). Adultos apresentaram maior número de eventos (P=0,006), provocados por medicações/intoxicações (P=0,000). Nos idosos, crises ocorreram por distúrbios metabólicos/circulatórios (P=0,000), com menor ocorrência de febre (P=0,005). Conclusão: Crises epilépticas estão relacionadas à presença de febre e taquipneia, apresentando diferentes etiologias conforme faixa etária, com maior frequência de ocorrência entre adultos. Febre está relacionada à leucocitose, independentemente da idade.

The relationship between preoperative anxiety levels and vasovagal incidents during the administration of spinal anesthesia / A relação entre os níveis de ansiedade no período pré-operatório e os incidentes vasovagais durante a administração de raquianestesia

Abstract Background: It was aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative anxiety and vasovagal symptoms observed during the administration of spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery in the perianal and inguinal regions. Methods: The study included patients with planned surgery for inguinal hernia repair, anal fissure, hemorrhoid and pilonidal sinus excision. The study included a total of 210 patients of ASA I-II, aged 18-65 years. Patients were evaluated in respect of demographic characteristics, smoking and alcohol consumption, ASA grade and educational level. Correlations were evaluated between the number of attempts at spinal anesthesia and anesthesia history with vasovagal symptoms and educational level, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption and anesthesia history with anxiety scores. The instant (transient) state anxiety inventory part of the Transient State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (State Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI) was used to determine the anxiety levels of the participants. Clinical findings of peripheral vasodilation, hypotension, bradycardia and asystole observed during the administration of spinal anesthesia were recorded. Results: Vasovagal incidences during the administration of spinal anesthesia were seen to increase in cases of high anxiety score, male gender, and an absence of anesthesia history. Educational level and the number of spinal needle punctures were not found to have any effect on vasovagal incidents. Conclusion: The determination of causes triggering vasovagal incidents seen during the application of spinal anesthesia, better patient information of regional anesthesia implementations and anxiety relief with preoperative anxiolytic treatment will help to eliminate potential vasovagal incidents.

Resumo Justificativa: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a relação entre a ansiedade no período pré-operatório e os sintomas vasovagais observados durante a administração de raquianestesia a pacientes submetidos à cirurgia nas regiões perianal e inguinal. Métodos: O estudo incluiu pacientes com cirurgias agendadas para correção de hérnia inguinal, fissura anal, hemorroidas e excisão de fístula pilonidal. Foram incluídos 210 pacientes entre 18-65 anos e estado físico ASA I-II. A avaliação dos pacientes compreendeu história de tabagismo e consumo de álcool, classificação ASA e nível de escolaridade. As correlações foram avaliadas entre o número de tentativas de aplicação da raquianestesia e história de anestesia com sintoma vasovagal, nível de escolaridade, sexo, tabagismo e consumo de álcool, história anestésica e escores de ansiedade. O inventário do estado (transitório) de ansiedade, parte do Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (State Trait Anxiety Inventory - IDATE), foi usado para determinar os níveis de ansiedade dos participantes. Achados clínicos de vasodilatação periférica, hipotensão, bradicardia e assistolia observados durante a administração da raquianestesia foram registrados. Resultados: Observamos aumento dos incidentes vasovagais durante a administração da raquianestesia em casos com escores elevados de ansiedade, pacientes do sexo masculino e pacientes sem história anestésica. O nível de escolaridade e o número de punções com agulha espinhal não mostraram ter qualquer efeito sobre os incidentes vasovagais. Conclusão: Determinar as causas que desencadearam os incidentes vasovagais observados durante a aplicação da raquianestesia, fornecer boa informação ao paciente sobre a anestesia regional e promover alívio da ansiedade com tratamento ansiolítico no pré-operatório contribuirão para eliminar possíveis incidentes vasovagais.

Onda de Osborn asociada a hipotermia sin bradicardia presente. A propósito de un caso / Osborn´s wave associated to hypothermia without the presence of bradycardia. A propos of a case

La onda J de Osborn es una deflexión que se inscribe en el electrocardiograma (ECG) entre el complejo QRS y el inicio del segmento ST. La onda J tiene una alta sensibilidad y especificidad en la hipotermia, aunque no es patognomónica. Se han descrito casos en la hemorragia subaracnoidea, la hipercalcemia, la isquemia cardíaca aguda y la hipotermia severa. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino, alcohólico, encontrado en situación de bajo nivel de conciencia por sobredosificación de alcohol, que desarrolló un cuadro de hipotermia con la presencia de una onda de Osborn en el electrocardiograma sin bradicardia asociada (AU).

The Osborn´s J wave is a deflection inscribed in the electrocardiogram (ECG) between the QRS complex and the beginning of the ST segment. The J wave shows a high sensibility and specificity in the hypothermia, although it is not patognomonic. Cases have been described in subarachnoid hemorrhage, hypercalcemia, acute cardiac ischemia and severe hypothermia. The case of an alcoholic, male patient is presented. He was found in a situation of a low awareness level due to alcohol overdoses, and developed hypothermia with the presence of an Osborn´s wave in the electrocardiogram without associated bradycardia (AU).

Ressuscitação cardiopulmonar de adultos com parada cardíaca intra-hospitalar utilizando o estilo Utstein / Cardiopulmonary resuscitation of adults with in-hospital cardiac arrest using the Utstein style

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o perfil clínico de pacientes com parada cardiorrespiratória intra-hospitalar, seu atendimento e evolução, com registro baseado no estilo Utstein. Métodos: Estudo observacional, prospectivo e longitudinal em ambiente de terapia intensiva de pacientes com parada cardiorrespiratória incluídos durante 1 ano. Resultados: Foram 89 pacientes, com média de idade de 59,0 anos, 51,6% homens, submetidos às manobras de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar. Os episódios ocorreram no período diurno em 64,6% dos casos. A assistolia/bradiarritmia foi o ritmo inicial mais frequente (42,7%). A maior parte dos que apresentaram retorno à circulação espontânea evoluiu com parada cardiorrespiratória recorrente, principalmente nas primeiras 24 horas (61,4%). As médias dos tempos foram de 10,3 dias entre a internação e ocorrência de parada cardiorrespiratória; 0,68 minutos entre a parada cardiorrespiratória e ressuscitação cardiopulmonar; 7,1 minutos entre a parada cardiorrespiratória e a desfibrilação; 16,3 minutos de duração da ressuscitação cardiopulmonar. Houve associação entre sexo e duração da ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (19,2 minutos nas mulheres versus 13,5 minutos nos homens; p = 0,02), duração da ressuscitação cardiopulmonar e retorno à circulação espontânea (10,8 minutos versus 30,7 minutos; p < 0,001), entre cardiopatia e a idade (60,6 anos versus 53,6; p < 0,001). A sobrevida imediata após a parada cardiorrespiratória foi de 71% e, até a alta hospitalar e no sexto mês após a alta, de 9% e de 6%, respectivamente. Conclusão: O principal ritmo inicial detectado foi a assistolia/bradiarritmia com curto intervalo entre a parada cardiorrespiratória e a reanimação, porém com desfibrilação tardia. Mulheres apresentaram maior tempo de reanimação. Houve baixa taxa de sobrevida hospitalar.

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical profile of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest using the Utstein style. Methods: This study is an observational, prospective, longitudinal study of patients with cardiac arrest treated in intensive care units over a period of 1 year. Results: The study included 89 patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers. The cohort was 51.6% male with a mean age 59.0 years. The episodes occurred during the daytime in 64.6% of cases. Asystole/bradyarrhythmia was the most frequent initial rhythm (42.7%). Most patients who exhibited a spontaneous return of circulation experienced recurrent cardiac arrest, especially within the first 24 hours (61.4%). The mean time elapsed between hospital admission and the occurrence of cardiac arrest was 10.3 days, the mean time between cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 0.68 min, the mean time between cardiac arrest and defibrillation was 7.1 min, and the mean duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 16.3 min. Associations between gender and the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (19.2 min in women versus 13.5 min in men, p = 0.02), the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the return of spontaneous circulation (10.8 min versus 30.7 min, p < 0.001) and heart disease and age (60.6 years versus 53.6, p < 0.001) were identified. The immediate survival rates after cardiac arrest, until hospital discharge and 6 months after discharge were 71%, 9% and 6%, respectively. Conclusions: The main initial rhythm detected was asystole/bradyarrhythmia; the interval between cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was short, but defibrillation was delayed. Women received cardiopulmonary resuscitation for longer periods than men. The in-hospital survival rate was low.

Prevention of etomidate-induced myoclonus during anesthetic induction by pretreatment with dexmedetomidine

Myoclonus induced by etomidate during induction of general anesthesia is undesirable. This study evaluated the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) pretreatment on the incidence and severity of etomidate-induced myoclonus. Ninety patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were randomly allocated to three groups (n=30 each) for intravenous administration of 10 mL isotonic saline (group I), 0.5 µg/kg DEX in 10 mL isotonic saline (group II), or 1.0 µg/kg DEX in 10 mL isotonic saline (group III) over 10 min. All groups subsequently received 0.3 mg/kg etomidate by intravenous push injection. The incidence and severity of myoclonus were recorded for 1 min after etomidate administration and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events that occurred between the administration of the DEX infusion and 1 min after tracheal intubation was recorded. The incidence of myoclonus was significantly reduced in groups II and III (30.0 and 36.7%), compared with group I (63.3%). The incidence of severe sinus bradycardia was significantly increased in group III compared with group I (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in heart rate in groups I and II. There were no significant differences in the incidence of low blood pressure among the 3 groups. Pretreatment with 0.5 and 1.0 µg/kg DEX significantly reduced the incidence of etomidate-induced myoclonus during anesthetic induction; however, 0.5 µg/kg DEX is recommended because it had fewer side effects.

Cardiovascular Events of Electrical Cardioversion Under Optimal Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation: The Multicenter Analysis

PURPOSE: Electric cardioversion has been successfully used in terminating symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, largescale study about the acute cardiovascular events following electrical cardioversion of AF is lacking. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical consequences of acute cardiovascular events following electrical cardioversion of AF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 1100 AF patients (mean age 60+/-11 years) who received cardioversion at four tertiary hospitals. Hospitalizations for stroke/transient ischemic attack, major bleedings, and arrhythmic events during 30 days post electric cardioversion were assessed. RESULTS: The mean duration of anticoagulation before cardioversion was 95.8+/-51.6 days. The mean International Normalized Ratio at the time of cardioversion was 2.4+/-0.9. The antiarrhythmic drugs at the time of cardioversion were class I (45%), amiodarone (40%), beta-blocker (53%), calcium-channel blocker (21%), and other medication (11%). The success rate of terminating AF via cardioversion was 87% (n=947). Following cardioversion, 5 strokes and 5 major bleedings occurred. The history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (OR 6.23, 95% CI 1.69-22.90) and heart failure (OR 6.40, 95% CI 1.77-23.14) were among predictors of thromboembolic or bleeding events. Eight patients were hospitalized for bradyarrhythmia. These patients were more likely to have had a lower heart rate prior to the procedure (p=0.045). Consequently, 3 of these patients were implanted with a permanent pacemaker. CONCLUSION: Cardioversion appears as a safe procedure with a reasonably acceptable cardiovascular event rate. However, to prevent the cardiovascular events, several risk factors should be considered before cardioversion.

Association of protein C deficiency with heat stroke in cool environment.

Heat stroke in cool environmental conditions has been a rare occurrence. We describe a case of heat stroke occurring in cool conditions in a previously healthy male who on work up was detected to have underlying procoagulant state.

Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, brady-arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in Sudanese patients with acute myocardial infarction

Ventricular arrhythmias [VAS], including ventricular tachycardia [VT], ventricular fibrillation [VF] and Brady-arrhythmias, are life-threatening complications of acute myocardial infarction [MI]. To study the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, brady-arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death [SCD] in Sudanese patients with acute MI. This is a prospective cross sectional, hospital based study, conducted at Elshaab Teaching Hospital Khartoum Sudan. One Hundred Sudanese patients with acute MI were enrolled in the study in the period between August 2006 and December 2006. A questionnaire was constructed in sections to address the different aspect of the study group. ECG Monitor was used to confirm the complication in every patient. Of the study group forty seven [47%] patients were 55-65 years old, twenty eight [28%] were more than 65 years old and twenty five [25%] were less than 55 years old. Sixty nine [69%] were males. Twenty patients [20%] developed complications [ventricular arrhythmias [VAS], Brady-arrhythmias and SCD]. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, brady-arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death following acute myocardial infarction were significantly high in Sudanese patients. The increased incidence is even in all age groups. DM, smoking and past history of IHD are the commonest associated risk factors. Thrombolysis is under used and had no significant impact

Bradicardia asociada al uso de talidomida en pacientes con enfermedades hematológicas: experiencia en una sola institución / Thalidomide-associated bradycardia in patients with hematologic diseases: A single institution experience

Thalidomide, an immunomodulatory and antiangio genie agent, is useful in the treatment of some hematologic and oncologic diseases. Up to 6.8% of thalidomide-treated patients present bradycardia. Herein the incidence of thalidomide-associated bradycardia in patients with hematologic diseases treated in a single institution is reported. In a 34-month period, 33 patients with different hematologic diseases (multiple myeloma [MM], 20; myelodysplastic syndrome, eight; Waldenstróm macroglobulinemia, two; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, two; malignant histiocytosis, one) were treated with thalidomide. Of them, five (15.1%) had bradycardia, all with MM. Bradycardia was detected with a daily thalidomide dose ranging from 100 to 300 mg and the time patients received thalidomide before cardiac event went from one to 18 months. In all affected cases the electrocardiogram showed sinus bradycardia with cardiac frequency between 32 to 48 beats per minute. Time to normal cardiac beat recovery ranged from 12 to 21 days after thalidomide discontinuation. There were no fatalities due to thalidomide-associated bradycardia. It is concluded that: a) thalidomide-associated bradycardia was detected only in patients with MM, b) herein the incidence of bradycardia was higher as compared with other series, and c) in patients with MM thalidomide therapy must be prescribed with caution particularly in those with cardiovascular diseases of any etiology.

La talidomida, agente inmunomodulador y antiangiogénico, es útil en el tratamiento de enfermedades hematologicas y oncológicas. Los efectos adversos asociados al uso de talidomida son múltiples e incluyen bradicardia sinusal que se presenta hasta en 6.8% de los casos. En el presente estudio se informa la frecuencia de bradicardia asociada al uso de talidomida en pacientes con enfermedades hematologicas atendidos en una sola institución. En un lapso de 34 meses se encontró que 33 pacientes con diversos padecimientos hematológicos (mieloma múltiple [MM], 20; síndrome mielodisplásico, ocho; macroglobulinemia de Waldenstróm, dos; linfoma no Hodgkin, dos; histiocitosis maligna, uno) recibieron tratamiento con talidomida. De ellos, cinco (15.1%) presentaron bradicardia, todos con MM. La dosis de talidomida al momento de la bradicardia fue de entre 100 a 300 mg por día y el tiempo que recibieron el fármaco antes del evento osciló entre uno y 18 meses. El electrocardiograma mostró bradicardia sinusal en todos los casos con frecuencia cardiaca (FC) de entre 32 a 48 latidos por minuto. Suspendida la talidomida la FC se normalizó en todos los enfermos en un tiempo que osciló entre 12 a 21 días. Ninguno de los pacientes falleció por esta complicación. Se concluye que: a) la bradicardia asociada a talidomida se identificó sólo en pacientes con MM, b) la frecuencia de bradicardia en nuestra serie fue superior a la informada en otras y c) en MM el tratamiento con talidomida debe prescribirse con precaución en aquellos pacientes con algún padecimiento cardiovascular de cualquier etiología.

The incidence and risk factors of hypotension and bradycardia associated with spinal anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: Hypotension and bradycardia after conduction of spinal anesthesia are common and may lead to intraoperative cardiac arrest or death. The present study was carried out to investigate the incidence and risk factors of hypotension and/or bradycardia in the patients receiving spinal anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors prospectively studied 1,220 patients to identify the incidence of hypotension (> 30% decreased systolic blood pressure) and bradycardia (heart rate < 60 beats/min) after spinal anesthesia. Historical, clinical and physiologic data were correlated with the incidences by univariate analysis. Logistic regression with a forward stepwise algorithm was performed to identify independent variables. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Incidence of hypotension and bradycardia were 36.8% and 4.9% respectively. The risk factors of hypotension included increasing age (OR = 1.019 ; 95%CI 1.017-1.031); analgesia level > or = T4 dermatome (OR = 2.068; 95%CI 1.486-2.879); body mass index > or = 30 (OR = 1.534; 95%CI 1.120-2. 100); cesarean section (OR= 1.723; 95%CI 1.244-2.386 and prehydration fluid < 500 mL (OR 1.472; 95%CI 1.071-2.023). The risk factors of bradycardia were increasing age (OR = 1.042; 95%CI 1.023-1.061) and analgesic level > or = T4 dermatome (OR = 2.246; 95%CI 1.101-4.584). CONCLUSION: The incidence of hypotension and bradycardia may increase with increasing age and analgesic level > or = T4 dermatome. Three other factors related to hypotension after spinal anesthesia were body mass index > or = 30, cesarean section, and prehydration fluid of less than 500 mL.