Egg consumption and coronary atherosclerotic burden.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between egg consumption and coronary atherosclerotic burden. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Cardiac catheterization laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients referred for coronary angiography. MEASUREMENTS: Socio-demographic data (age, education level, and occupation), cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, systemic hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and family history of coronary artery disease), and egg-eating habits were assessed using a research questionnaire. Egg consumption was divided into three categories: less than one egg a week; one egg a week; and more than one egg a week. Coronary atherosclerotic burden was assessed by a blinded interventional cardiologist using the Friesinger Score (FS) obtained from the coronary angiography. This score varies from 0 to 15 and evaluated each of the three main coronary arteries separately. For this analysis, the FS was divided into three categories: 0-4, 5-9, and 10-15. RESULTS: The study sample was composed of 382 adult patients; 241 patients (63.3%) were male. The average age was 60.3 ± 10.8 years (range 23-89 years). The egg-eating category was inversely associated with dyslipidemia (p < 0.05) but not with the other cardiovascular risk factors. A significant association was found between egg consumption and FS (p < 0.05), showing that patients who ate more than one egg a week had a lower coronary atherosclerotic burden. By multivariate analysis, the atherosclerotic burden was independently associated with sex, age, hypertension and egg consumption. CONCLUSION: In this observational study of patients undergoing coronary angiography, the consumption of more than one egg per week was associated with a lower coronary atherosclerotic burden.

Função pulmonar após cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdiocom e sem circulação extracorpórea / Pulmonary function following on and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Objetivos: avaliar e comparar a função pulmonar de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio com e sem o uso de circulação extracorpórea. Métodos: a amostra foi composta por 40 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio, classificados em dois grupos: com circulação extracorpórea (grupo CCEC ? 20 pacientes) ou sem circulação extracorpórea (grupo SCEC ? 20 pacientes). Registros espirométricos da capacidade vital forçada (CVF) e do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) foram obtidos no período pré-operatório (considerado basal) e no primeiro, terceiro e quinto dias do período pós-operatório. Resultados: obser-vou-se que no geral os valores de CVF e VEF1 diminuíram no primeiro pós-operatório em relação ao basal (diferença média = 1,8±1,0, p<0,001 e 1,3±1,0, p<0,001, respectivamente), tendo recuperação parcial no terceiro e no quinto pós-operatórios, sem retornar aos valores iniciais (diferença média 1,2±1,1, p<0,001 e 0,9±0,9, p<0,001, respectivamente). Após controle para os valores basais, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos CCEC e SCEC quanto à CVF e ao VEF1 no quinto dia pós-operatório. Conclusões: a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio associou-se a um decréscimo significante na função pulmonar em todos os pacientes, havendo recuperação parcial da CVF e do VEF1 no quinto pós-operatório para os dois grupos, porém sem retorno aos valores basais. Não se observou associação estatisticamente significativa entre realização de circulação extracorpórea e função pulmonar no quinto dia pós-operatório.

Aims: To evaluate and compare the pulmonary function of patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery, with and without the use of extracorporeal circulation. Methods: The sample comprised 40 patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery, classified into two groups, depending on whether extracorporeal circulation was used (wECC ? 20 patients) or not (nECC ? 20 patients). Spirometric recordings of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) were obtained during the preoperative period (considered baseline) and on the first, third and fifth days postoperatively. Results: In general, the values of FVC and FEV1 diminished on the first day postoperatively compared to the baseline (mean difference = 1.8±1.0, p<0.001 and 1.3±1.0, p<0.001, respectively), with partial recovery on the third and fifth day postoperatively, with no return to the initial values (mean difference = 1.2±1.1, p<0.001 and 0.9±0.9, p<0.001, respectively). After controlling for baseline values, no significant differences were observed between the wECC and nECC groups as to FVC and FEV1 on the 5th day postoperatively. Conclusions: Myocardial revascularization surgery was associated to a significant decrease in pulmonary function in all patients, with partial recovery of FVC and FEV1 on the fifth day postoperatively for all groups, with no return to baseline values. No statistically significant association was found between extracorporeal circulation and pulmonary function on the fifth day postoperatively.

Aneurisma de aorta com ruptura para esôfago / Aortic aneurysm rupture into the esophagus

Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente portadora de aneurisma de aorta descendente com ruptura para o esôfago que, após aortoplastia com interposição de tubo de dacron e rafia da laceração esofágica, evoluiu com fístula esôfago pleural no terceiro dia pós-operatório. A paciente necessitou de reintervenção e cuidados intensivos, reabilitando-se adequadamente. A propósito deste caso incomum e do aprendizado adquirido no seu manejo, revisamos a literatura a fim de discutir a melhor alternativa de correção desta rara e, freqüentemente, fatal forma de apresentação das doenças da aorta.

We present the case of a patient with a descending aorta aneurysm rupture into the esophagus, which, after aortoplasty with Dacron tube interposition and suture of esophageal laceration, developed a pleural-esophagus fistula on the 3rd postoperative day. She needed re-intervention and intensive care, followed by adequate recovery. Considering this unusual case and the knowledge acquired through its management, we reviewed the literature in order to discuss the best alternative for the correction of this rare and often fatal form of presentation of aortic diseases.

Prevalência de estenose da artéria subclávia em pacientes candidatos a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio: registro multicêntrico / Prevalence of stenosis of the left subclavia artery in CABG candidates: a multicenter registry

Introdução: Aproximadamente 90 por cento dos pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) recebem enxerto de artéria torácica interna esquerda. A ocorrência de estenose da artéria subclávia esquerda pode resultar em falência do enxerto por limitação de fluxo coronário. A prevalência de estenose da artéia subclávia esquerda em pacientes com aterosclerose coronária grave, considerados candidatos a CRM, não é conhecida. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência e a eficácia da avaliação clínica para diagnóstico a estenose da artéria subclávia esquerda em candidatos a CRM. Método: Em um registro multicêntrico, realizou-se angiografia seletiva da artéria subclávia esquerda em pacientes com indicação de CRM na ocasião da cinecoronariografia. Estenoses maiores ou iguais a 50 por cento antes da origem da artéria torácica interna foram considerdas significativas. Resultados: Dos 205 pacientes estudados, 16 (7,8 por cento) apresentavam estenose significativa da artéria subclávia esquerda. A medida da pressão arterial não-invasiva diferencial entre...

Background: Approximately 90% of the patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) receive a left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft. Stenosis of the left subclavian artery can result in graft failure due to restricted coronary flow. The prevalence of stenosis of the left subclavian artery in patients with severe coronary atherosclerosis, deemed candidates to CABG, is not known. Objective: To assess the prevalence of stenosis of left subclavian artery in CABG candidates, as well as the diagnostic effectiveness of clinical evaluation. Methods: In a multicenter registry, selective angiography of the left subclavian artery was carried out in patients considered candidates to CABG during coronary cineangiography. Stenoses ≥ 50% proximal to the origin of the LITA were considered significant. Results: A total of 205 patients were included. Significant stenosis of the left subclavian artery was observed in 16 (7.8%) patients. Noninvasive differential arterial blood pressure measurement ≥ 10 mmHg between both arms showed low sensitivity (37.5%) and low positive predictive value (13.3%) for stenosis identification. No clinical predictors of significant stenosis were identified by univariate analysis. Conclusion: Stenosis of the left subclavian artery is not uncommon in CABG candidates. Noninvasive blood pressure gradient between both arms has low diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, in patients candidates to CABG, selective angiography of the left subclavian artery should be considered, because of the risk of reduced flow and coronary-subclavian steal syndrome in patients with non-diagnosed stenosis of the subclavian artery who receive a LITA graft.

Aortic aneurysm rupture into the esophagus.

We present the case of a patient with a descending aorta aneurysm rupture into the esophagus, which, after aortoplasty with Dacron tube interposition and suture of esophageal laceration, developed a pleural-esophagus fistula on the 3rd postoperative day. She needed re-intervention and intensive care, followed by adequate recovery. Considering this unusual case and the knowledge acquired through its management, we reviewed the literature in order to discuss the best alternative for the correction of this rare and often fatal form of presentation of aortic diseases.

Clinical and hemodynamic outcome following coronary artery bypass surgery in diabetic patients using glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solution: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether GIK infusion improves hemodynamic performance by reducing the use of inotropic agents, as well as the morbidity of diabetic patients submitted to CABG. METHODS: Patients with type 2 DM referred for CABG were randomized to receive GIK or subcutaneous insulin from anesthetic induction up to 12 hours postoperatively. The primary clinical outcome was the cardiac index (CI) and the secondary clinical outcomes were the remaining hemodynamic parameters; the use of inotropics and vasodilators, the glycemic control (maintenance of plasma glucose levels), and the postoperative morbidity. Hemodynamic and laboratory measurements were performed in the first 24 hours postoperatively, and the patients were followed up for 30 days to detect any surgery-related complications. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were randomly included in the study. IC did not show significant difference (mean cardiac index at 24 hours in both GIK group 3.49+/-0.94 and Control group 3.38+/-0.75; p=0.74). The GIK group revealed lower blood glucose levels in the infusion period (glucose at 12 hours GIK group 195.6+/-68.25 versus Control group 269.6+/-78.48; p=0.02), with a lower incidence of hyperglycemia in the GIK group, two (16%) against eight (64%) in the control group (RR 0.25; 95% CI 0.07-0.94; p=0.03). Postoperative infectious complications were less frequent in the GIK group than in Control group, three (25%) against 10 (80%), respectively (RR 0.30; 95% CI 0.11-0.83; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Studies have proven that GIK improves hemodynamic performance of both patients with or without DM submitted to CABG, what was not confirmed in this study. The use of GIK neither improved the CI improvement nor reduced the use of inotropic drugs, but it provided better glucose control. Secondary clinical outcome, including postoperative infections, was more frequent in the control group.

Glicose insulina e potássio (GIK) na revascularização do miocárdio de pacientes diabéticos: ensaio clínico randomizado / Clinical and hemodynamic outcome following coronary artery bypass surgery in diabetic patients using glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solution: a randomized clinical trial

Objetivo: Realizou-se um ensaio clínico randomizado a fim de determinar se a utilização de glicose insulina e potássio (GIK) melhora o índice cardíaco (IC), reduz o uso de inotrópicos e a morbidade de diabéticos submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM)...