Single-center study comparing short and mid-term results of evar in old and young populations

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the operative mortality rate and outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) between young and geriatric people in a single center. Methods: Eighty-five patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms who underwent EVAR between January 2012 and September 2016 were included. Outcomes were compared between two groups: the young (aged < 65 years) and the geriatric (aged ≥ 65 years). The primary study outcome was technical success; the secondary endpoints were mortality and secondary interventions. The mean follow-up time was 36 months (3-60 months). Results: The study included 72 males and 13 females with a mean age of 71.08±8.6 years (range 49-85 years). Of the 85 patients analyzed, 18 (21.2%) were under 65 years old and 67 patients (78.8%) were over 65 years old. There was no statistically significant correlation between chronic disease and age. We found no statistically significant difference between aneurysm diameter, neck angle, neck length, or right and left iliac angles. The secondary intervention rate was 7% (six patients). The conversion to open surgery was necessary for only one patient and only three deaths were reported (3.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in the mortality and reintervention rates between the age groups. The three deaths occurred only in the geriatric group and two died secondary to rupture. Kidney failure was observed in three patients in the geriatric group (4.5%). Conclusion: Our single-center experience shows that EVAR can be used safely in both young and geriatric patients.

Ventilación controlada por volumen y por presión en pacientes con enfermedades respiratorias crónicas intervenidos quirúrgicamente / Volume- and pressure-controlled ventilation in surgically intervened patients with chronic respiratory diseases

Fundamento: Existe una alta frecuencia en nuestro medio de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y asma bronquial que requieren intervenciones quirúrgicas electivas y precisan de anestesia general con ventilación mecánica controlada por volumen y por presión. Objetivo: Comparar ambos métodos de ventilación controlada en los pacientes con enfermedades respiratorias crónicas intervenidos quirúrgicamente de forma electiva en el Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech de Camagüey. Métodos: Estudio observacional analítico. El universo comprendió 83 pacientes y la muestra por 40 pacientes. Se conformaron dos grupos de estudio: grupo I, en el cual se utilizó la ventilación controlada por volumen y se prefijó el volumen tidal a 7 mL/kg, con frecuencia respiratoria de 10-12 respiraciones por minuto, índice de inspiración-espiración 1:2 y FiO2 de 20,5 por ciento, y grupo II, en el cual se empleó la ventilación controlada por presión y se prefijó la presión inspiratoria pico ideal para garantizar el volumen minuto adecuado en el paciente, con frecuencia respiratoria de 10-12 respiraciones por minuto, índice de inspiración-espiración 1:2 y FiO2 0,5 por ciento. En ambos grupos se calculó la compliance dinámica y se determinó la relación presión arterial de oxígeno y fracción inspirada de oxígeno. Resultados: Se encontraron cifras mayores de la relación PO2/FiO 2, cifras de PIP más bajas y una mejor compliance dinámica en el grupo II. Conclusiones: La ventilación controlada por presión es una modalidad ventilatoria que ofrece al paciente adecuada oxigenación con mejor compliance y control de la presión inspiratoria pico(AU)

Background: Our scenario presents high frequency of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma and who require elective surgery and general anesthesia with volume- and pressure-controlled mechanical ventilation. Objective: To compare both methods of controlled ventilation in patients with chronic respiratory diseases electively operated at Manuel Ascunce Domenech University Hospital in Camagüey. Methods: Analytical, observational study. The universe comprised 83 patients and the sample comprised 40 patients. Study group I, in which volume-controlled ventilation was used, and volume was adjusted to 7 mL/kg, with respiratory rate of 10-12 breaths per minute, inspiratory-expiration ratio 1:2, and FiO 2 at 20.5 percent; and group II, in which pressure-controlled ventilation was used and the ideal peak inspiratory pressure was set to ensure the patient's adequate volume per minute, respiratory rate of 10-12 breaths per minute, inspiratory-expiration index 1:2, and FiO2 at 0.5 percent. Dynamic compliance was calculated in both groups and the relationship between oxygen arterial pressure and inspired oxygen fraction was determined. Results: We found higher numbers of the PO2/FiO2 ratio, lower PIP numbers and better dynamic compliance in group II. Conclusions : Pressure-controlled ventilation is a ventilation modality that offers the patient adequate oxygenation with better compliance and control of peak inspiratory pressure(AU)

Lung transplantation / Transplante pulmonar

ABSTRACT Lung transplantation is a globally accepted treatment for some advanced lung diseases, giving the recipients longer survival and better quality of life. Since the first transplant successfully performed in 1983, more than 40 thousand transplants have been performed worldwide. Of these, about seven hundred were in Brazil. However, survival of the transplant is less than desired, with a high mortality rate related to primary graft dysfunction, infection, and chronic graft dysfunction, particularly in the form of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. New technologies have been developed to improve the various stages of lung transplant. To increase the supply of lungs, ex vivo lung reconditioning has been used in some countries, including Brazil. For advanced life support in the perioperative period, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and hemodynamic support equipment have been used as a bridge to transplant in critically ill patients on the waiting list, and to keep patients alive until resolution of the primary dysfunction after graft transplant. There are patients requiring lung transplant in Brazil who do not even come to the point of being referred to a transplant center because there are only seven such centers active in the country. It is urgent to create new centers capable of performing lung transplantation to provide patients with some advanced forms of lung disease a chance to live longer and with better quality of life.

RESUMO O transplante pulmonar é um tratamento mundialmente aceito para alguma pneumopatias avançadas, conferindo aos receptores maior sobrevida e melhor qualidade de vida. Desde o primeiro transplante realizado com sucesso em 1983, mais de 40 mil transplantes foram feitos em todo mundo. Destes, cerca de 700 foram no Brasil. No entanto, a sobrevida do transplante é menor do que a desejada, com altos índices de mortalidade relacionados à disfunção primária do enxerto, infecções e disfunção crônica do enxerto, principalmente sob a forma da síndrome da bronquiolite obliterante. Novas tecnologias têm sido desenvolvidas para aprimoramento das diversas etapas do transplante pulmonar. Para aumentar a oferta de pulmões, o recondicionamento pulmonar ex vivo vem sendo utilizado em alguns países, inclusive no Brasil. Para suporte avançado de vida no período perioperatório, equipamentos de oxigenação extracorpórea e de suporte hemodinâmico vêm sendo utilizado como ponte para o transplante em pacientes gravemente doentes em lista de espera e para manter pacientes vivos até a resolução da disfunção primária do enxerto pós-transplante. Existe uma demanda reprimida de pacientes que necessitam de transplante pulmonar no Brasil e que nem sequer chegam a ser encaminhados a um centro transplantador, pois só existem sete deles ativos no país. É urgente a criação de novos centros capazes de realizar transplante pulmonar para oferecer a pacientes com algumas pneumopatias avançadas uma chance de viver mais e com melhor qualidade de vida.

Fístula arterio-venosa como tratamiento de EPOC grave / Arteriovenous fistula in the treatment of severe COPD

COPD patients have dyspnea limiting their exercise capacity due to different mechanisms. The origin of the arterial blood gases anomaly is an alteration of the ventilation/perfusion (V'/Q') ratio causing venous admixture which has not been addressed therapeutically so far. Theoretically an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) could increase venous content of O2 so that blood leaving the left ventricle has a higher than expected PaO2 .This, along with the associated increase in cardiac output leads to an increased delivery of O2 to tissues particularly skeletal muscle thus improving its performance. We present a patient with advanced COPD. Full conventional therapy failed to improve his dyspnea and hypoxemia which limits his exercise capacity. We made a peripheral arteriovenous fistula on him as a therapeutic intent. Spirometry showed an initial FEV1 of 0.74 L, a FVC of 1.97 L, he had hypoxemia (PaO2 :56.8 mmHg, oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2 ): 82.9 percent). A 6 min walking test with a distance of300 m corresponding to 61 percent of predetermined value that improved by 108 m providing O2 2 L/min. Echocardiography showed a pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 26 mm Hg and a 60 percent of left ventricle ejection fraction. The patient obtained 73.8 percent in Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), 38 points in COPD Assesment Test (CAT) and 6 points in BODE Index. After 4 weeks of AVF neither spirometric nor echocardiographic changes were observed, but there was an improvement in PaO2 to 68 mmHg and in SaO2 to 93 percent. The 6 min walking test showed an increase to 425 m. SGRQ improved to 3.88 points, BODE index improved to 3 points and CAT to 21 points. We conclude that in this patient an AVF determined an improvement in exercise capacity with a better control of disease that resulted in a better quality of life constituting an important non pharmacological aid in an advanced COPD patient who failed to improve with full medical therapy. In patients selection...

El paciente portador de EPOC tiene disnea que limita su capacidad de ejercicio por diferentes mecanismos entre los cuales está la incapacidad de la musculatura respiratoria para responder al aumento de las demandas, que puede ser secundaria a la disminución de la entrega de O2. La anomalía gasométrica propia de la enfermedad tiene como origen una alteración de la relación ventilación/ perfusión (V'/Q') que causa un aumento de la admisión venosa el cual no ha sido enfrentado terapéuticamente hasta el momento. Teóricamente una fístula arteriovenosa (FAV) podría aumentar el contenido venoso de O2 ,de modo que la sangre que sale del ventrículo izquierdo lo haga con una PaO2 mayor que la esperada. Esto, junto con el aumento del gasto cardíaco asociado llevaría a una mayor entrega de O2 a los tejidos mejorando de esa forma el desempeño de la musculatura esquelética. En un paciente con EPOC avanzada que con terapia máxima no logra mejorar la disnea ni la hipoxemia que limitan seriamente su capacidad de ejercicio, confeccionamos una fistula entre la vena safena interna y la arteria femoral superficial con intención terapéutica. La espirometría inicial mostró un VEF1de 0,74 L (26 por ciento del valor predeterminado) con CVF de 1,97 L (57 por ciento). Presentaba hipoxemia (PaO2 :56,8 mmHg y SaO2 :82,9 por ciento), un test de caminata de 6 min (TC6M) con un recorrido de 300 m que corresponde a un 61 por ciento del teórico que mejoraba al aportar O2 2 L/min a 408 m correspondiente a un 80 por ciento del teórico. El ecocardiograma detectó una presión sistólica de arteria pulmonar de 26 mmHg y una fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo de 60 por ciento. En el cuestionario respiratorio de Saint George el paciente obtuvo 73,8 por ciento su CAT (COPD Assessment Test) fue de 38 puntos y su índice BODE (Body mass, Obstruction, Dyspnea, Exercise capacity) de 6 puntos. Al mes de realizada la FAVno hubo cambios espirométricos ni ecocardiográficos, pero la PaO2 mejoró a...

Lung volume reduction surgery: an overview / Cirurgia redutora de volume pulmonar: uma revisão

This study intends to review the literature on the efficacy, safety and feasibility of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in patients with advanced emphysema. Studies on LVRS from January 1995 to December 2009 were included by using Pubmed (MEDLINE) and Cochrane Library literature in English. Search words such as lung volume reduction surgery or lung reduction surgery, pneumoplasty or reduction pneumoplasty, COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and surgery, were used. We also compared medical therapy and surgical technique. Studies consisting of randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials (randomized and nonrandomized), reviews and case series were analyzed. Questions regarding validity of the early clinical reports, incomplete follow-up bias, selection criteria and survival, confounded the interpretation of clinical data on LVRS. Patients with upper, lower and diffuse distribution of emphysema were included; we also analyzed as key points perioperative morbidity and mortality and lung function measurement as FEV1. Bullous emphysema was excluded from this review. Surgical approach included median sternotomy, unilateral or bilateral thoracotomy, and videothoracoscopy with stapled or laser ablation. Results of prospective randomized trials between medical management and LVRS are essential before final assessment can be established.

O objetivo deste estudo é revisar a literatura acerca da eficácia, segurança e viabilidade da cirurgia redutora de volume pulmonar (CRVP) em pacientes com enfisema pulmonar avançado. Estudos de CRVP de janeiro de 1995 a dezembro de 2009 foram incluídos através de pesquisa na Pubmed (MEDLINE) e Cochrane Library, na literatura inglesa. Palavras de busca tais como lung volume reduction surgery ou lung reduction surgery, pneumoplasty ou reduction pneumoplasty, COPD ou chronic obstructive pulmonary disease e surgery foram utilizadas. Também realizamos comparação entre terapia médica e cirúrgica. Os estudos analisados consistiram de randomizados controlados, estudos clínicos controlados, (randomizados e não randomizados), revisões e séries de casos. As questões acerca da validade através dos relatos iniciais, seguimentos incompletos, critérios de seleção indefinidos e análises de sobrevida confundiram a interpretação dos dados clínicos provenientes da CRVP. Pacientes com enfisema de predomínio em lobos superiores, inferiores e difuso, foram incluídos; também analisamos pontos chave, tais como morbidade e mortalidade peri-operatórias, assim como a medida da função pulmonar através do VEF 1. Enfisema do tipo bolhoso foi excluído desta revisão. Foram incluídas para análise também vias de acesso cirúrgico como esternotomia mediana, toracotomias unilateral ou bilateral e videotoracoscopia unilateral ou bilateral com grampeamento ou ablação por laser. Os resultados dos estudos prospectivos randomizados entre o tratamento clínico e a CRVP são essenciais para que alguma conclusão possa ser definitiva.

Prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada candidatos a transplante pulmonar / Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in lung transplant candidates with advanced lung disease

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o perfil funcional do esôfago e a prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico (RGE) em pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados prospectivamente, entre junho de 2005 e novembro de 2006, 55 pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram submetidos a esofagomanometria estacionária e pHmetria esofágica ambulatorial de 24 h de um e dois eletrodos antes de serem submetidos ao transplante pulmonar. RESULTADOS: A esofagomanometria foi anormal em 80 por cento dos pacientes e a pHmetria revelou RGE ácido patológico em 24 por cento. Os sintomas digestivos apresentaram sensibilidade de 50 por cento e especificidade de 61 por cento para RGE. Dos pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, 94 por cento apresentaram alteração à manometria, e 80 por cento apresentaram hipotonia do esfíncter inferior, que foi o achado mais freqüente. Pacientes com bronquiectasias apresentaram a maior prevalência de RGE (50 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: O achado freqüente em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada é RGE. Na população examinada, a presença de sintomas digestivos de RGE não foi preditiva de refluxo ácido patológico. A contribuição do RGE na rejeição crônica deve ser considerada e requer estudos posteriores para seu esclarecimento.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the esophageal function profile and the prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in lung transplant candidates. METHODS: From July of 2005 to November of 2006, a prospective study was conducted involving 55 candidates for lung transplantation at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Prior to transplantation, patients underwent outpatient stationary esophageal manometry and 24-h esophageal pH-metry using one and two electrodes. RESULTS: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80 percent of the patients, and 24 percent of the patients presented pathological acid reflux. Digestive symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity for GER of 50 percent and 61 percent, respectively. Of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 94 percent presented abnormal esophageal manometry, and 80 percent presented lower esophageal sphincter hypotonia, making it the most common finding. Patients with bronchiectasis presented the highest prevalence of GER (50 percent). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced lung disease, GER is highly prevalent. In the population studied, digestive symptoms of GER were not predictive of pathological acid reflux. The role that GER plays in chronic rejection should be examined and clarified in future studies.

Lung transplantation in india: a possible treatment option.

The burden of chronic respiratory diseases in India is on the rise, accounting for nearly 1 in 10 deaths. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is highly prevalent in India and is projected to be the third leading cause of deaths worldwide by 2020. Improved access to healthcare and better imaging modalities have led to an increase in the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis in India. For these end-stage lung diseases, lung transplantation is an effective and established treatment option in North America and Europe. The indications, techniques, outcomes and complications of lung transplantation are well documented. The criteria for recipient/donor selection are now better defined and the surgical technique has improved over the past 2 decades. Based on our experience of setting up a lung transplantation programme, we have outlined the resources required for the perioperative and postoperative management of such patients.

Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC): Parte II: tratamiento / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Part II: treatment

EPOC is a chronic irreversible illness capable of seriously damaging the quality of life, once confirmed the diagnosis, the treatment should be standardized. It proposes a phased approach to the treatment program that includes a withdrawal of smoking. The short-acting bronchodilators are listed as symptomatic therapy, the action long have been associated with a decrease in the number of exacerbations, so it can be used in moderate and severe COPD. The use of glucocorticoids inhalation is justified in severe COPD with more than three exacerbations per year. The chronic home oxygen therapy increases life expectancy in patients with stablehypoxemia, especially if they report an cor pulmonale. In the case of exacerbation of COPD is important to assess the need for hospitalization, if necessary, in addition to bronchodilatortherapy should be added antibiotics and corticosteroids.

Estado actual del trasplante pulmonar / Lung transplantation: state of the art

Actualmente el trasplante pulmonar es considerado como tratamiento definitivo para algunas enfermedades pulmonares avanzadas. Los primeros trasplantes pulmonares experimentales en animales fueron realizados en los años 1940’s por el soviético Vladimir P. Demikhov. Sin embargo, pasaron aproximadamente dos décadas antes de que se realizara el primer trasplante pulmonar en humanos por el doctor James Hardy. Desafortunadamente los inicios clínicos del trasplante pulmonar no fueron muy exitosos debido a complicaciones quirúrgicas y efectos secundarios de los fármacos inmunosupresores. Gracias al mejoramiento de la técnica quirúrgica y al desarrollo de fármacos inmunosupresores más efectivos y menos tóxicos, la morbimortalidad ha disminuido significativamente. La selección y el cuidado del donador antes de la procuración de los órganos juegan un papel primordial en los resultados en el receptor. Debido a la escasez de donadores, algunas instituciones están utilizando criterios de selección más liberales con resultados satisfactorios. El manejo del paciente con trasplante pulmonar o del bloque cardiopulmonar requiere de un enfoque multidisciplinario que incluye al cirujano de trasplantes cardiotorácicos, al neumólogo, al anestesiólogo y al intensivista entre otros. En este artículo revisamos aspectos históricos y avances recientes en el manejo de estos pacientes incluyendo indicaciones y contraindicaciones, evaluación y cuidado del donador y del receptor, técnica quirúrgica y manejo peri- y posoperatorio.

Lung transplantation is currently considered an established treatment for some advanced lung diseases. The beginning of experimental lung transplantation dates back to the 1940's when the Soviet Vladimir P. Demikhov performed the first lung transplants in animals. Two decades later, James Hardy performed the first lung transplant in humans. Unfortunately, the beginning of clinical lung transplantation was hampered by technical complications and the excessive toxicity of immunosuppressive drugs. Improvement in the surgical technique along with the development of more effective and less toxic immunosuppressive drugs has led to a better outcome in lunt transplant recipients. Donor selection and management before organ procurement play a key role in the receptor's outcome. Due to the shortage of donors, some institutions are using more liberal selection criteria, reporting satisfactory outcomes. The approach of the lung and heart-lung transplant patient is multidisciplinary and includes the cardiothoracic transplant surgeon, pulmonologist, anesthesiologist, and intensivist, among others. Herein, we review some relevant historical aspects and recent advances in the management of lung transplant recipients, including indications and contraindications, evaluation of donors and recipients, surgical techniques and peripost-operative care.

Doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

O objetivo desta revisão é atualizar os conhecimentos sobre dianóstico precoce, prevenção e manejo da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), que é causa comum de morbidade e mortalidade. É recomendada realização de espirometria em todos aqueles que estão em risco de DPOC e desenvolvem sintomas respiratórios. A suspensão do tabagismo permanece como a intervenção mais eficaz para reduzir seus risco e lentificar sua progressão. A auto-educação é importante nestes pacientes. A terapia medicamentosa deve ser utilizada de acordo com a severidade dos sintomas. Agonistas beta 2-adrenérgicos e anticolinérgicos de longa duração, por via inalatória, devem ser prescritos a pacientes que permanecem sintomáticos a despeito da terapia com broncodilatadores de curta duração. Corticóides inalados não devem ser usados como terapia de primeira linha, mas têm o papel de prevenir exacerbações em pacientes com doença severa e episódios agudos recorrentes. A combinação da farmacoterapia com intervenções não-farmacológicas (como reabilitação pulmonar/treinamento com exercícios) pode melhorar os sintomas, nível de atividade e qualidade de vida, mesmo naqueles com doença severa. Exacerbações agudas da DPOC causam significante morbidade e mortalidade, devendo ser prontamente tratadas com broncodilatadores, corticóides orais e antibióticos.

The main goal of this revision is to optimize early diagnosis, prevention and management of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Targeted spirometry is used to early diagnosis in patients who develop respiratory symptoms, and who are at risk for COPD. Smoking cessation remains the single most effective intervention to reduce the risk of COPD and to slow its progression. Education, especially self-management plans, are key intervention in COPD. Therapy should be escalated in accordance with the increasing severity of symptoms. Long-acting anticholinergics and beta 2 agonist inhalers should be prescribed for patients who remais symptomatic despite short acting bronchodilator therapy. Inhaled steroids should not be used as first line therapy in COPD, but have a role in preventing exacerbation in patients...