Comparison of the ACC/AHA and Framingham algorithms to assess cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the predictions of Framingham cardiovascular (CV) risk score (FRS) and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) risk score in an HIV outpatient clinic in the city of Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil. In a cross-sectional study 341 HIV infected patients over 40 years old consecutively recruited were interviewed. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to assess agreement between the two algorithms. 61.3% were stratified as low risk by Framingham score, compared with 54% by ACC/AHA score (Spearman correlation 0.845; p < 0.000). Only 26.1% were classified as cardiovascular high risk by Framingham compared to 46% by ACC/AHA score (Kappa = 0.745; p < 0.039). Only one out of eight patients had cardiovascular high risk by Framingham at the time of a myocardial infarction event registered up to five years before the study period. Both cardiovascular risk scores but especially Framingham underestimated high-risk patients in this HIV-infected population.

Survey of infection in orthopedic postoperative and their causative agents: a prospective study / Avaliação de infecção no pós-operatório ortopédico e seus agentes causadores: estudo prospectivo

SummaryObjective:to evaluate the cases of wound infections in orthopedic postoperative period.Methods:postoperative patients who developed infection during the period from November 2012 to November 2013 were studied. Secretions were collected during surgery using sterile swabs, and sent for microbiological analysis.Results:during the period analyzed, 38 surgical procedures progressed to infection. The type of surgery presenting the largest number of infections was osteosynthesis, in 36 (94.7%) patients. Among the materials used, 18 (36%) surgeries that used external fixator were infected, and 17 (34%) using plate. The species of bacteria that caused the largest number of infections were Staphylococcus aureus, infecting 16 (43.9%) patients, followed by Acinetobacter baumannii, which infected four (10.5%) patients. Regarding the resistance profile of Gram-positive strains to antibiotics, 100% of Staphylococcus aureus strains were susceptible to vancomycin and 31.3%, to ceftriaxone. As for the Gram-negative bacteria, 100% of Acinetobacter baumannii strains were resistant to ceftriaxone, gentamicin and imipenem.Conclusion:infection control in the postoperative period is necessary, using antibiotics correctly and consciously, avoiding resistance of bacterial agents.

ResumoObjetivo:avaliar os casos de feridas infectadas em pós- -operatório ortopédico.Métodos:foram estudados pacientes de pós-operatório que evoluíram com processo infeccioso, durante o período de novembro de 2012 a novembro de 2013. Foi realizada coleta intraoperatória de secreções com o auxílio de swabs estéreis, e o material foi encaminhado para análise microbiológica.Resultados:durante o período analisado, 38 procedimentos cirúrgicos evoluíram para processo infeccioso. O tipo de cirurgia que apresentou o maior número de infecções foi a osteossíntese, em 36 (94,7%) pacientes. Em relação ao material utilizado, 18 (36%) cirurgias que empregaram fixador externo e 17 (34 %) que fizeram uso de placa se infectaram. A bactéria que causou o maior número de infecções foi a Staphylococcus aureus, acometendo 16 (43,9%) pacientes, seguida pela Acinetobacter baumannii, que acometeu 4 (10,5%) pacientes. Em relação ao perfil de resistência das cepas Gram-positivas aos antibióticos, 100% das cepas de Staphylococcus aureus foram sensíveis à vancomicina, e 31,3%, à ceftriaxona. Quanto às bactérias Gram-negativas, 100% das cepas de Acinetobacter baumannii apresentaram resistência a ceftriaxona, gentamicina e imipenem.Conclusão:o controle de infecções em pós-operatório se faz necessário, utilizando antibióticos de forma correta e consciente, evitando a resistência aos agentes bacterianos.