Ectasia coronaria y miocardiopatía hipertrófica: una entidad infrecuente / Coronary artery ectasia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: case report

Resumen Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 54 años que consulta por angina de esfuerzo de 2 años de evolución en quien se identifica una dilatación ectásica del árbol coronario con lesiones ateroscleróticas críticas y miocardiopatía hipertrófica septal obstructiva. Una revisión bibliográfica revela que es una asociación infrecuente de la cual solo existen reportes de casos aislados.

Abstract We present the case of a 54-year-old patient who presented with a history of 2 years with angina. Invasive studies revealed critical coronary artery stenosis coexisting with obstructive hypertrophic miopathy. This is a rare association with only isolated case reports.

Síndrome de ALCAPA em uma Mulher Jovem / ALCAPA Syndrome in a Young Woman

Mulher de 18 anos com histórico de síncope, angina e palpitações há um ano. Uma indicação crucial era artéria coronária direita dilatada na ecocardiografia transtorácica. Os achados da tomografia computadorizada resultaram no diagnóstico da origem anômala da artéria coronariana esquerda proveniente da síndrome da artéria pulmonar.(AU)

Uso do doppler colorido das carótidas no diagnóstico de um paciente com fístula carotideocavernosa direta / Use of color doppler of carotids in the diagnosis of a patient with direct carotid-cavernous fistula

Adulto jovem de 18 anos que evoluiu após traumatismo craniencefálico leve com fístula carotídea direta. Apresentou zumbido e exoftalmia, ambos de característica pulsátil e à esquerda. Foi submetido a estudo com Doppler das carótidas, que mostrou elevadas velocidades do fluxo sanguíneo e índices de resistência reduzidos nas artérias carótidas comum e interna esquerdas, compatíveis com fístula carotídea direta. A angiotomografia computadorizada cerebral confirmou a fístula carotídea. Foi encaminhado para tratamento endovascular por embolização, com sucesso. O Doppler de carótidas pode ter papel importante no diagnóstico das fístulas carotídeas diretas e acompanhamento de pacientes submetidos à terapêutica endovascular.(AU)

Análise retrospectiva do teste de apneia e exames complementares na determinação de morte cerebral / Retrospective analysis of the apnea test and ancillary test in determining brain death

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigamos a frequência dos testes de apneia e o uso de exames complementares para o diagnóstico de morte cerebral em nosso hospital, assim como as razões para a não realização do teste de apneia e para utilização de exames complementares. Métodos: Neste estudo retrospectivo, examinaram-se os arquivos de pacientes com diagnóstico de morte cerebral entre 2012 e 2018. O exame preferido foi determinado quando um exame complementar foi realizado para o diagnóstico de morte cerebral. Analisaram-se a taxa e a frequência de uso desses exames. Resultados: Durante o diagnóstico de morte cerebral, o teste de apneia foi realizado em 104 (61,5%) pacientes, e não foi ou não pôde ser realizado em 65 (38,5%) deles. Realizaram-se exames complementares em 139 (82,8%) pacientes. O exame complementar mais comumente utilizado foi a angiografia por tomografia computadorizada (79 pacientes, 46,7%). Foi recebida aprovação para doação de órgãos nas reuniões com familiares após o diagnóstico de morte cerebral para 55 (32,5%) dos 169 pacientes. Conclusão: Nos anos mais recentes, identificamos aumento na taxa de testes de apneia incompletos e, concordantemente, elevação no uso de exames complementares. Os exames complementares devem ser utilizados nos pacientes quando há dificuldade para chegar à decisão do diagnóstico de morte cerebral, mas não se deve esquecer que não existe um consenso mundial a respeito do uso de exames complementares.

Abstract Objective: We investigated the frequency of apnea tests, and the use of ancillary tests in the diagnosis of brain death in our hospital, as well as the reasons for not being able to perform apnea testing and the reasons for using ancillary tests. Methods: In this retrospective study, the files of patients diagnosed with brain death between 2012 - 2018 were examined. The preferred test was determined if an ancillary test was performed in the diagnosis of brain death. The rate and frequency of use of these tests were analyzed. Results: During the diagnosis of brain death, an apnea test was performed on 104 (61.5%) patients and was not or could not be performed on 65 (38.5%) patients. Ancillary tests were performed on 139 (82.8%) of the patients. The most common ancillary test was computed tomography angiography (79 patients, 46.7%). Approval for organ donation was received in the meetings with the family following the diagnosis of brain death for 55 (32.5%) of the 169 patients. Conclusion: We found an increase in the rate of incomplete apnea tests and concordantly, an increase in the use of ancillary tests in recent years. Ancillary tests should be performed on patients when there is difficulty in reaching a decision of brain death, but it should not be forgotten that there is no worldwide consensus on the use of ancillary tests.

Angiotomografía de la arteria cística en preoperatorio y comorbilidad en colecistectomía laparoscópica por colelitiasis / Angiotomography of the cystic artery in preoperative and comorbidity in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis

La colecistectomía laparoscópica es el tratamiento de elección de la colelitiasis; sin embargo, se acompaña de comorbilidades y no está exenta de complicaciones mayores que pueden ser letales; la identificación del trígono cistohepático con disección y ligadura de la arteria cística son pasos obligatorios de la cirugía; la identificación de las variaciones de la arteria cística y los conductos biliares pueden minimizar las eventuales complicaciones. Al protocolo preoperatorio se implementó una angiotomografía con Tomógrafo Siemens Somatón Sensation ® de 64 cortes para identificar la arteria cística en pacientes con colelitiasis de la Unidad de Cirugía General del Hospital de Especialidades Teodoro Maldonado Carbo IESS de Guayaquil. Se escogieron 60 pacientes femeninos en forma aleatoria (edades 19-70 años, promedio 44,25 años) y la muestra se dividió en dos grupos de 30; al grupo estudio se aplicó angiotomografía hasta un mes antes de la cirugía y al grupo control se le aplicó el protocolo convencional. Se evaluó morbilidades relacionadas con: hemorragia operatoria por lesión de la arteria cística y en el posoperatorio: infección de herida operatoria, íleo y drenaje. La angiotomografía permitió identificar la arteria cística en el preoperatorio y contribuyó a disminuir comorbilidades que acompañan a la colecistectomía laparoscópica.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of cholelithiasis of choice; however, it is accompanied by comorbidities and is not exempt from major complications that can be lethal; the identification of the cystohepatic trigone with dissection and ligation of the cystic artery are mandatory steps of surgery; the identification of the variations of the cystic artery and the bile ducts can minimize the possible complications. The preoperative protocol was implemented with an angiotomography with Siemens Somatón Sensation ® 64-slice Tomograph to identify the cystic artery in patients with cholelithiasis of the General Surgery Unit of the Teodoro Maldonado Carbo IESS Specialty Hospital of Guayaquil. 60 female patients were chosen at random (ages 19 -70 years, average 44.25 years) and the sample was divided into two groups of 30; Angiotomography was applied to the study group up to one month before surgery and the conventional protocol was applied to the control group. Morbidities related to: operative haemorrhage due to cystic artery and postoperative injury: operative wound infection, ileus and drainage were evaluated. Angiotomography allowed to identify the cystic artery in the preoperative period and contributed to decrease comorbidities that accompany laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Uncommon Hemorrhagic Presentation: Case Report

Intracranial aneurysm rupture causes subarachnoid hemorrhage in 80% of the cases, and it may be associated with intracerebral hemorrhage and/or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in 34% and 17% of the patients, respectively. However, on rare occasions, aneurysm rupturemay be present causing isolate intracerebral hemorrhage or IVH without subarachnoid hemorrhage. We describe an unusual case of an anterior communicating aneurysm rupture presented with IVH, without subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although isolated IVH is rare, aneurysm rupture is a possible condition. Patients presenting with head computed tomography revealing IVH without subarachnoid hemorrhage should be promptly investigated with contrasted image exam to identify and treat possible causes, even in the absence of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Relationship between Obesity and Coronary Artery Disease Defined by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

Abstract Background: Although associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, it is unclear whether obesity alone is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Objective: To investigate the role of obesity as a risk factor for CAD, defined by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Methods: This study retrospectively included 1,814 patients referred for CCTA in a hospital in São Paulo, from August 2010 to July 2012. CAD was identified by coronary calcium score and presence of coronary stenosis > 50%. Images were analyzed by two specialists, and the coronary findings were compared between obese and non-obese groups. A multivariate analysis model was used to assess obesity as an independent variable for the occurrence of obstructive CAD. Results: Among the study population, mean age was 58.5 +/- 11.5 years, 22.8% were obese (BMI = 30 kg/m2) and 66.3% were male. The prevalence of obstructive CAD was 18.4% in both groups. Obese patients had higher median calcium score compared to non-obese subjects (14.7 vs. 1.4, respectively, p = 0.019). In the multivariate analysis, obesity was not an independent factor for obstructive CAD (coefficient = -0.035, p = 0.102). Conclusion: Although no differences were observed in the prevalence of obstructive CAD between obese and non-obese individuals, coronary calcium scores were significantly in lower the latter group.

The use of high-resolution MRI to detect thrombosis and lipid-rich carotid artery plaques in a patient with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

SUMMARY Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a rarely agentic disorder of the lipoprotein metabolism intimately related to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease that can lead to high disability and mortality. Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia typically affects not only the aortic root, compromising the coronary ostia, but also affects other territories such as the carotid, descending aorta, and renal arteries. Multi-contrast high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a validated and useful method to characterize carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques quantitatively. However, very few studies have been done on assessing plaque composition in patients with Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia using high-resolution MRI. This report is to evaluate the value of MRI in accessing carotid artery disease in patients with Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. We describe a 28-year-old patient from Beijing, China, who presented to the Neurology Clinic with intermittent blurred vision of the right eye, headache, nausea, and vomiting for eight years without obvious causes. Familial hypercholesterolemia was suspected based on medical history and laboratory examination. Carotid Doppler ultrasound showed bilateral common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, and external carotid artery wall thickening with hyperechoic signals. Subsequently, high-resolution multi-contrast MRI of the carotid showed calcification with hypo-intense areas located at the middle layer of the plaque, with moderate stenosis. The plaque located at the right bifurcation of the common carotid artery extended to the internal carotid artery, causing lumen stenosis close to occlusion. The patient was treated with right carotid artery endarterectomy. At a 6-month follow-up, there had been no recurrence of the patient's symptoms.

RESUMO A hipercolesterolemia familiar homozigótica, uma doença patogênica rara do metabolismo da lipoproteína intimamente relacionada com a doença cardiovascular aterosclerótica prematura, pode conduzir a uma elevada deficiência e mortalidade. A hipercolesterolemia familiar homozigótica afeta tipicamente não só a raiz aórtica, comprometendo os óstios coronários, mas também outros territórios, como a carótida, a aorta descendente e as artérias renais. Imagens de ressonância magnética multicontraste de alta resolução (RM) fornecem um método validado e útil para caracterizar quantitativamente as placas de aterosclerose da artéria carótida. No entanto, muito poucos estudos foram feitos sobre a avaliação da composição da placa em doentes com hipercolesterolemia familiar homozigótica utilizando ressonância magnética de alta resolução. Este trabalho deve avaliar o valor da ressonância magnética no acesso à doença da artéria carótida em doentes com hipercolesterolemia familiar homozigótica. Descrevemos um paciente de 28 anos de Pequim, China, que se apresentou à clínica neurológica com visão turva intermitente do olho direito, dor de cabeça, náuseas e vômitos por oito anos sem causas aparentes. Suspeitava-se de hipercolesterolemia familiar com base no histórico médico e no exame laboratorial. O ultrassom Doppler carotídeo mostrou uma artéria carótida bilateral comum, artéria carótida interna e parede da carótida externa espessando-se com sinais hiperecoicos. Posteriormente, a ressonância multicontraste de alta resolução da carótida mostrou calcificação com áreas hipointensas localizadas na camada média da placa, com estenose moderada. A placa localizada na bifurcação direita da artéria carótida comum estendia-se até a artéria carótida interna, causando estenose do lúmen próxima à oclusão. O paciente foi tratado com endarterectomia da artéria carótida direita. Em seis meses de acompanhamento, não houve recorrência dos sintomas do paciente.