Tratamiento intervencionista con stents en recién nacidos con cardiopatías congénitas complejas / Interventionist treatment with stents in newborns with complex congenital heart disease

Introducción: La colocación de stents mediante cateterismo cardiaco en recién nacidos con ciertas cardiopatías congénitas complejas constituye un puente hacia la cirugía correctiva, paliativa o trasplante cardiaco. Objetivo: Evaluar el resultado del implante percutáneo de stents en pacientes recién nacidos con cardiopatías congénitas complejas. Presentación de los casos: Se colocó stents en cinco pacientes; a uno de ellos en la aorta y a los cuatros restantes en el ductus arterioso. Un primer paciente con hipoplasia de cavidades izquierdas en el que predominaba el bajo gasto se le colocó stent en el ductus e inmediatamente se le condujo al salón de operaciones para cerclaje pulmonar. Otro paciente con la misma enfermedad, pero en el que predominaba el hiperflujo pulmonar, se intervino de forma inversa, medió 47 días entre uno y otro proceder. A un tercer paciente, portador de coartación aórtica, se le colocó stent en la aorta y se le hizo cerclaje pulmonar 14 días después del proceder hemodinámico. Las condiciones clínicas del cuarto paciente, con síndrome de hipoplasia de cavidades izquierdas solo permitió colocar stent en el ductus. Esta paciente fallece en evento no relacionado con el cateterismo cardiaco. El último paciente intervenido, portador de una atresia pulmonar, tolera la colocación del stent en el ductus y la evolución clínica posterior demostró que no requería realizar cerclaje pulmonar. Conclusiones: La colocación de stent en el grupo de pacientes analizado es factible y el momento de su implante según el evento hemodinámico apremiante pudiera ser una forma alternativa del cateterismo cardiaco(AU)

Introduction: The paliative placing of stents by cardiac catetherism in new borns with specific congenital hearts diseases is a bridge through a new kind of corrective, paliative surgery or heart transplant. Objective: To evaluate the result of the percutaneous implant of stents in newborn patients with complex congenital heart diseases. Cases presentation: There were placed stents in 5 patients, to one of them in the aorta and to the other four in the ductus arteriosus. The first patient with hypoplasia of the left cavities in which low output predominated had an stent placing in the ductus and he was immediately taken to OR to perform a pulmonary cerclage. Another patients with the same disease but with predominance of pulmonary hyperflow was intervened in the inverse way; there were 47 days between both procedures. A third patient, carrier of aortic coarctation, had an stent placing in the aorta and he also had pulmonary cerclage 14 days after the hemodynamic procedure. The clinical conditions of the fourth patient, who had syndrome of left cavities´ hypoplasia, just allowed to place the stent in the ductus. This patients died in a procedure not related to heart catetherism. The last intervened patient, who was a carrier of pulmonary atresia, tolerated the stent placing in the ductus and the subsequent clinical evolution showed that it was not needed pulmonary cerclage. Conclusions: The stent placing in the analized group of patients is suitable and the moment for its implantation according to the hemodynamic event can be an alternative form of heart catetherism(AU)

Smartphone-based stent tracking application for prevention of forgotten ureteral double-J stents: a prospective study

ABSTRACT Purpose: Retained or forgotten ureteral stents (FUS) have a potential to cause significant morbidity as well as medico-legal issues and increased cost. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of smartphone-based Ureteral Stent Tracker (UST) application and compare the results with basic appointment card system to prevent FUS, prospectively. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 patients who underwent ureteroscopic stone treatment procedure with indwelling DJ stents were equally distributed into two groups. In group-1, patients were followed using UST application. In group-2, only appointment cards were given to the patients. Two groups were compared in terms of stent overdue times and complete lost to follow up rates. Results: Forty-four patients in group-1 and 43 patients in group-2 completed the study. Among patients, 22.7% in group-1 and 27.9% in group-2 did not return for the stent removal on the scheduled day. In group-1, these patients were identified using the UST and called for the stent removal on the same day. After 6 weeks of maximal waiting period, mean overdue times in group-1 and group-2 were 3.5 days and 20 days, respectively (p = 0.001). In group-2, 3 patients (6.9%) were lost to follow up, while in group-1, it was none (p = 0.001). Conclusions: We found that the patients who were followed by the smartphone-based UST application has less overdue times and lost to follow up cases compared to the basic appointment card system. The UST application easily follows patients with indwelling ureteral stents and can identify patients when overdue.

Esterilização histeroscópica ambulatorial pelo procedimento Essure: stent tubário / Outpatient hysteroscopic sterilization by the Essure procedure: stent tubal

A esterilização cirúrgica é um dos métodos contraceptivos mais populares. Métodos tradicionais de esterilização permanente (por exemplo, ligadura tubária abdominal ou laparoscópica) utilizam a anestesia geral ou regional, necessitando de incisão na parede abdominal ou introdução de trocaters, expondo a paciente aos riscos intrínsecos ao procedimento cirúrgico e à obrigatoriedade da recuperação pós-operatória. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dos Estados Unidos aprovou em 2002 o sistema de stent tubário Essure. O Essure oclui as trompas estimulando a fibrose tecidual e a subsequente cicatrização. Esse é um artigo de revisão, que tem o objetivo de apresentar esse método aos tocoginecologistas brasileiros, como uma alternativa eficaz e segura para uso na nossa população. O Hospital da Mulher Mariska Ribeiro é atualmente Centro de Referência no Brasil para o Essure já tendo realizado cerca de 1000 procedimentos.

Surgical sterilization is a popular contraceptive method. Traditional methods of permanent sterilization (eg, abdominal or laparoscopic tubal ligation) use general or regional anesthesia, requiring incision in the abdominal wall or introduction of trocars, exposing the patient to the inherent risks of the surgical procedure and the requirement of postoperative recovery. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States in 2002 approved the Essure tubal stent system. The Essure occludes the fallopian tubes stimulating tissue fibrosis and subsequent healing. This is a review article, which aims to present this method to Brazilian obstetricians and gynecologists as an effective and safe alternative for use in our population. The Hospital da Mulher Mariska Ribeiro is currently a Reference Center in Brazil for the Essure having already performed about 1000 procedures.

Modificações evolutivas da necessidade de cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica de emergência em indivíduos submetidos a intervenção coronária percutânea-análise de 9.938 pacientes / Evolutionary changes in the need of emergency bypass surgery in individuals undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions-analysis of 9, 938 patients

Introdução: As intervenções coronárias percutâneas (ICPs) em centros sem cirurgia cardíaca representam uma real opção no contexto atual da cardiologia intervencionista. O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar as mudanças na incidência e indicações para cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica de emergência em pacientes submetidos a ICP de 1992 a 2005. Método: No total, 9.938 pacientes submetidos a ICP em dois centros foram divididos em três grupos: período pré-stent, de 1992 a 1996 (n = 2.500), período intermediário, de 2002 a 2003 (n = 3.711), e período mais recente, de 2004 a 2005 (n = 3.727). Resultados: Com o advento dos stents passou-se a abordar uma população mais idosa (58,2 + 10,7 anos vs. 62,7 + 11,7 anos vs. 67,8 + 11,6 anos; P = 0,01), com lesões mais complexas, do tipo B2/C (52,2% vs. 72,7% vs. 79%; P < 0,01), mas com melhora nos resultados de oclusão aguda (7,8% vs. 1,7% vs. 1,1%; P < 0,01) e de cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica de emergência (1,2% vs. 1,1% vs. 0,7%; P < 0,01) e consequente menor mortalidade (3,3% vs. 2,2% vs. 2%; P < 0,01). Foram identificados como preditores da necessidade de cirurgia de emergência o padrão de acometimento coronário multiarterial [odds ratio (OR) 3,42, intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC 95%) 1,75-6,7], infarto agudo do miocárdio (OR 3,65, IC 95% 2,3-5,8) e complexidade das lesões [tipo B2/C, American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology – AHA/ACC (OR 3,27, IC 95% 1,6- 6,75)]. A característica que exerceu efeito protetor foi a utilização de stent (OR 0,58, IC 95% 0,4-0,85). Conclusão: Os avanços da técnica, do material e da farmacoterapia adjunta têm contribuído com a ICP no sentido de diminuir a necessidade de cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica de emergência.

Background: Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in centers without cardiac surgery represent a real option in the current context of interventional cardiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the incidence and indications for coronary artery bypass grafting in patientsundergoing PCI from 1992 to 2005. Method: Data from 9,938 patients undergoing PCI in two centers were divided into three groups: pre-stent period, from 1992 to 1996 (n = 2,500), intermediate period, from 2002 to 2003 (n = 3,711) and more recent period, from 2004 to 2005 (n = 3,727). Results: Since the advent of stents, an older population (58.2 + 10.7 years vs. 62.7 + 11.7 years vs. 67.8 + 11.6 years; P = 0.01), with more complex type B2/C lesions (52.2% vs. 72.7% vs 79%; P < 0.01) is being treated, with a lower rate of acute vessel occlusion (7.8% vs. 1.7% vs. 1.1%; P < 0.01), emergency coronary artery bypass grafting(1.2% vs. 1,1% vs. 0.7%; P < 0.01) and mortality (3.3% vs. 2.2% vs. 2%; P < 0.01). Predictors of the need of emergency bypass surgery were multivessel disease [odds ratio (OR)3.42, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.75-6.7), acute myocardial infarction (OR 3.65, 95% CI 2.3-5.8) and lesioncomplexity [type B2/C, American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology – AHA/ACC (OR 3.27, 95% CI1.6-6.75)]. The use of stents, however, conferred a protective effect against the need of emergency bypass surgery (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.4-0.85). Conclusion: Advances in technology, devices and adjunctive pharmacotherapy haveimproved PCI, reducing the need of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting.

Liga com memória de forma: estudo preliminar do grampo de judet de nitinol e sua possível aplicação em tórax instável / Shape memory alloy: a preliminary study of nitinol judet staples for future application in flail chest

Este artigo sucintamente descreve a evolução da liga metálica “inteligente”, com memória de forma na área de Saúde. A confecção de grampos de Judet em nitinol ocorreu no Laboratório de Transformação Mecânica da UFRGS (LdTM) e a simples verificação das qualidades superelásticas e de memória de forma foram contempladas no LdTM e no HCPA pela equipe envolvida no projeto. A título de ilustração, demonstramos com um caso clínico a aplicabilidade do grampo de Judet no cenário de instabilidade da parede torácica, a qual, além de prejudicar a mecânica respiratória, apresenta uma alta taxa de mortalidade. Os resultados preliminares evidenciaram a transformação provocada pelo calor, ocasionando o fechamento das garras dos grampos de Judet, que se manteve firme e sem alteração da consistência com o tempo, permitindo antever sua aplicabilidade num modelo experimental. Grampos de Judet em Nitinol são apresentados teoricamente como vantajosos em relação aos já existentes em aço inoxidável 316L, especialmente pela facilidade de manuseio e possível simplificação do procedimento cirúrgico. Detalhes no acabamento permitem a biocompatibilidade e o engenheiro projetista de materiais deve compatibilizar as ligas de níquel e titânio (NiTi) utilizadas nos grampos. O nitinol possui amplo emprego no cenário médico-odontológico e há normas técnicas bem definidas. A epidemiologia do trauma e a gravidade das lesões associadas à instabilidade da parede torácica evidenciam a oportunidade de estudos nessa direção. Concluímos sobre a necessidade de prosseguir para uma avaliação experimental, agregando a mensuração de parâmetros viscosos e viscoelásticos da mecânica respiratória, especialmente em seu componente de parede torácica (cw).

The aim of this article is to briefly describe the incorporation of nitinol (NiTi) – an intelligent nickel-titanium alloy presenting shape memory – for use in medical applications. Nitinol Judet staples were developed at the Mechanical Processing Laboratory (LdTM) at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Simple confirmation assays of superelasticity and shape memory were performed at the LdTM and Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre by the project team. A clinical case was used to demonstrate the applicability of nitinol Judet staples in the treatment of flail chest, a condition characterized by respiratory mechanics associated with fairly high mortality. The initial observation revealed a transformation resulting from heat exposure causing the closure of staple prongs. With time, the consistency of the Judet staples remained unchanged, indicating the feasibility of an experimental model employing these staples. The advantages of NiTi-made Judet staples in relation to 316L stainless steel staples are outlined, with emphasis on the ease of use and possible simplification of the surgical procedure. Finishing details ensure biocompatibility, with a focus on specific adaptations in the NiTi alloy employed to manufacture the staples; nevertheless, nitinol is widely employed in medicine and dentistry, with well-defined standards. The epidemiology of trauma and the severity of lesions associated with flail chest provide an opportunity for the proposed studies. The experimental assessment of nitinol Judet staples must now address viscosity and viscoelastic parameters of respiratory mechanics, especially concerning the chest wall.

Endoprótese auto-expansível de malha de poliéster revestida por silicone (Polyflex®) no tratamento de estenoses traqueais não-cirúrgicas / Self-expanding stent made of polyester mesh with silicon coating (Polyflex®) in the treatment of inoperable tracheal stenoses

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prótese Polyflex® quanto à sua eficácia, facilidade de implantação e complicações em pacientes com afecções traqueobrônquicas. MÉTODOS: Foram acompanhados, prospectivamente, dezesseis pacientes com estenoses traqueais secundárias à intubação orotraqueal (n = 12), neoplasia (n = 3) e granulomatose de Wegener (n = 1), não candidatos a tratamento cirúrgico. Desses, onze eram mulheres e cinco eram homens, com idade média de 42,8 anos (intervalo de 21 a 72 anos). Os pacientes foram submetidos à implantação de um total de 21 próteses Polyflex®. Os procedimentos foram realizados no centro cirúrgico, sob anestesia geral e as próteses implantadas através de laringoscopia de suspensão e aplicador próprio. RESULTADOS: Em todos os casos foi possível implantar a prótese e observamos resolução de sintomas. Os pacientes permaneceram com a prótese por tempo médio de 7,45 meses, variando entre 2 e 18 meses. As complicações pós-operatórias imediatas observadas foram disfonia em dois pacientes (12,5 por cento) e odinofagia em dois pacientes (12,5 por cento). As complicações tardias foram tosse em dez pacientes (62,5 por cento), migração em sete pacientes (43,75 por cento), formação de granulomas em dois pacientes (12,5 por cento) e pneumonia em um paciente (6,25 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: A prótese Polyflex® é fácil de implantar e retirar, é bem tolerada e efetiva na resolução dos sintomas, porém, está associada a alto índice de migração, principalmente em estenoses pós-intubação orotraqueal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Polyflex® stent in terms of its efficacy, ease of implantation, and complications in patients with tracheobronchial affections. METHODS: This was a prospective study, in which sixteen patients with inoperable tracheal stenosis secondary to orotracheal intubation (n = 12), neoplasia (n = 3), or Wegener's granulomatosis (n = 1) were monitored. Of these patients, eleven were women, and five were men. The mean age was 42.8 years (range, 21-72 years). Patients were submitted to implantation of a total of 21 Polyflex® stents. All procedures were carried out in the operating room under general anesthesia, and the stents were implanted via suspension laryngoscopy using the stent applicator. RESULTS: Stents were implanted and symptoms were resolved in all cases. The stents remained in place for a mean period of 7.45 months, ranging from 2 to 18 months. The complications observed in the immediate postoperative period were dysphonia (in two patients, 12.5 percent) and odynophagia (in two patients, 12.5 percent). Late complications were cough (in ten patients, 62.5 percent), migration (in seven patients, 43.75 percent), granuloma formation (in two patients, 12.5 percent), and pneumonia (in one patient, 6.25 percent). CONCLUSION: The Polyflex® stent is easily implanted, easily removed, well tolerated by patients and effective in resolving symptoms. However, its use is associated with a high rate of migration, especially in patients with post-orotracheal intubation stenosis.

Resultados imediatos e seguimento de pacientes uniarteriais versus multiarteriais com idade inferior a 50 anos submetidos a implante de stent coronariano / Comparison of immediate results and follow-up of patients with single-vessel and multivessel coronary artery disease younger than 50 years of age undergoing coronary stent implantation

OBJECTIVE: To assess the in-hospital results and clinical follow-up of young patients (< 50 years) with multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing stent implantation in native coronary arteries and to compare their results with those of patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 462 patients undergoing coronary stent implantation. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group I (G-I) - 388 (84 percent) patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease; and group II (G-II) - 74 (16 percent) patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45±4.9 years, and the clinical findings at presentation and demographic data were similar in both groups. The rate of clinical success was 95 percent in G-I and 95.8 percent in G-II (P=0.96), with no difference in regard to in-hospital evolution between the groups. Death, acute myocardial infarction, and the need for myocardial revascularization during clinical follow-up occurred in 10.1 percent and 11.2 percent (P=0.92) in G-I and G-II, respectively. By the end of 24 months, the actuarial analysis showed an event-free survival of 84.6 percent in G-I and 81.1 percent in G-II (P=0.57). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous treatment with coronary stent implantation in young patients with multivessel disease may be safe with a high rate of clinical success, a low incidence of in-hospital complications, and a favorable evolution in clinical follow-up

Long term follow-up of patients with hepatic hilar obstruction diagnosed and treated by endoscopic internal biliary drainage

This work presents our experiences in managing patients with hepatic hilar obstruction by internal endoscopic drainage. 29 patients 25 males and 4 females, with cholestasis secondary to hilar obstruction underwent endoscopic drainage using transpapillary stents. Their ages ranged between 55 and 65 years. The cause of obstruction was cholangiocarcinoma in 20 patients, carcinoma of the gall bladder in 6, sclerosing cholangitis in 2 patients and metastatic breast cancer in one patient. The success rate was 86.2%, cholangitis was the major complication [13.7%]. Analysis of the data indicates that in patients with hepatic hilar obstruction palliative treatment by endoprosthesis can provide relief of jaundice and improved survival