The impact of preservation solutions for static cold storage on kidney transplantation outcomes: Results of a Brazilian nationwide multicenter study.

This study evaluated the current practices of selecting cold storage preservation solutions in Brazil and their impact on delayed graft function (DGF) incidence and 1-year outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 3,134 brain-dead deceased donor kidney transplants performed between 2014 and 2015 in 18 Brazilian centers. The most commonly used preservation solution was Euro-collins (EC, 55.4%), followed by Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK, 30%) and Institut Georges Lopez (IGL-1, 14.6%). The incidence of DGF was 54.4%, with 11.7% of patients requiring dialysis for more than 14 days, indicating prolonged DGF. Upon adjusting for confounding variables, HTK demonstrated a significantly lower risk of DGF than EC (OR 0.7350.82500.926), as did IGL-1 (OR 0.6050.7120.837). Similar protective effects were observed for prolonged DGF when comparing HTK (OR 0.4780.5990.749) and IGL-1 (OR 0.4780.6810.749) against EC. No significant association was found between preservation solutions and 1-year death-censored graft survival. In conclusion, EC was the most frequently used cold storage perfusion solution, demonstrating a higher incidence and duration of DGF compared with HTK and IGL-1, but with no impact on 1-year graft survival.

Distribution of kidney diseases in Joinville, Santa Catarina: analysis of a kidney biopsy data bank between 2008 and 2019 / Distribuição das nefropatias em Joinville, Santa Catarina: análise de um banco de dados de biópsia renal entre 2008 a 2019

Abstract Introduction: Studies based on kidney biopsies are important for the epidemiological understanding of nephropathies. Objective: To describe the main nephropathies diagnosed through renal biopsies, and compare them with regards to gender, time, healthcare insurance and age. Methods: A population-based retrospective study that reviewed all kidney disease diagnoses obtained by biopsy of a native kidney from pathology services between 2008 and 2019 in Joinville, Brazil. Results: Of 778 biopsies performed, 44.5% were primary nephropathies and 28.5% were secondary. The highest prevalence was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) [18.1%], followed by tubulointerstitial nephropathy (TIN) [15.9%] and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) [9.1%]. There was a growing increase in the prevalence of TIN among elderly and uninsured patients over the period. In the multivariate analysis, among the primary glomerulopathies, males had a higher risk for the occurrence of IgAN [OR=2.02; 95% CI 1.13-3.61; p=0.018], as well as being a protective factor for the occurrence of lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN) [OR=0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.49; p<0.001]. Advancing age and dependence on a public healthcare decreased the likelihood of having a diagnosis of LGN [OR=0.91, 95% CI 0.88-0.94, p < 0.001 and OR=0.45, CI 95 % 0.21-0.96; p = 0.036, respectively]. Patients without private healthcare insurance were more likely to have TIN [OR=1.77, 95%CI 1.16-2.70; p = 0.008]. Conclusion: Sex, age and type of medical healthcare insurance may be related to the occurrence of some nephropathies. The increased risk of TIN in individuals without a private healthcare plan may be an indication of inequalities in health care.

Resumo Introdução: Estudos com base em biópsias renais são importantes para o entendimento epidemiológico das nefropatias. Objetivo: Descrever as principais nefropatias diagnosticadas por meio de biópsias renais e comparar com relação ao gênero, período, plano de saúde e à idade. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de base populacional que revisou todos os diagnósticos de doenças renais obtidos por biópsia de rim nativo de serviços de patologias entre 2008 a 2019, em Joinville, Brasil. Resultados: Do total de 778 biópsias realizadas, 44,5% eram nefropatias primárias e 28,5%, secundárias. A maior prevalência foi de glomeruloesclerose segmentar e focal (GESF) [18,1%], seguida por nefropatia tubulointersticial (NTI) [15,9%] e nefropatia IgA (NIgA) [9,1%]. Houve crescente aumento da prevalência de NTI nos pacientes idosos e sem plano de saúde ao longo do período. Na análise multivariada, entre as glomerulopatias primárias, o sexo masculino apresentou maior risco para ocorrência de NIgA [OR=2,02, IC 95% 1,13-3,61; p=0,018], bem como foi um fator de proteção para ocorrência de glomerulonefrite lúpica (GNL) [OR=0,20, IC 95% 0,08-0,49; p < 0,001]. O avançar da idade e a dependência de plano público de saúde diminuíram a chance para o diagnóstico de GNL [OR=0,91, IC 95% 0,88-0,94, p < 0,001 e OR=0,45, IC 95% 0,21-0,96; p = 0,036, respectivamente]. Pacientes sem plano privado de saúde apresentaram mais chance de NTI [OR=1,77, IC 95%1,16-2,70; p = 0,008]. Conclusão: Sexo, idade e tipo de assistência médica podem estar relacionados à ocorrência de algumas nefropatias. O maior risco de NTI em indivíduos sem plano de saúde privado pode ser um indicativo de desigualdades no cuidado à saúde.

The Mycophenolate-based Immunosuppressive Regimen Is Associated With Increased Mortality in Kidney Transplant Patients With COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs is a key risk factor of death because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), although no evident association between the class of immunosuppressive and outcomes has been observed. Thus, we aimed to compare COVID-19-associated outcomes among KTRs receiving 3 different immunosuppressive maintenance regimes. METHODS: This study included data from 1833 KTRs with COVID-19 diagnosed between March 20 and April 21 extracted from the national registry before immunization. All patients were taking calcineurin inhibitor associated with mycophenolate acid (MPA, n = 1258), azathioprine (AZA, n = 389), or mammalian targets of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi, n = 186). Outcomes within 30 and 90 d were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with patients receiving MPA, the 30-d (79.9% versus 87.9% versus 89.2%; P < 0.0001) and 90-d (75% versus 83.5% versus 88.2%; P < 0.0001) unadjusted patient survivals were higher in those receiving AZA or mTORi, respectively. Using adjusted multivariable Cox regression, compared with patients receiving AZA, the use of MPA was associated with a higher risk of death within 30 d (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-2.40; P = 0.003), which was not observed in patients using mTORi (aHR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.45-1.35; P = 0.365). At 90 d, although higher risk of death was confirmed in patients receiving MPA (aHR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.09-1.98; P = 0.013), a reduced risk was observed in patients receiving mTORi (aHR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.35-0.97; P = 0.04) compared with AZA. CONCLUSIONS: This national cohort data suggest that, in KTRs receiving calcineurin inhibitor and diagnosed with COVID-19, the use of MPA was associated with higher risk of death, whereas mTORi use was associated with lower risk of death.

Temporal Reduction in COVID-19-Associated Fatality Among Kidney Transplant Recipients: The Brazilian COVID-19 Registry Cohort Study.

Data from the general population suggest that fatality rates declined during the course of the pandemic. This analysis, using data extracted from the Brazilian Kidney Transplant COVID-19 Registry, seeks to determine fatality rates over time since the index case on March 3rd, 2020. Data from hospitalized patients with RT-PCR positive SARS-CoV-2 infection from March to August 2020 (35 sites, 878 patients) were compared using trend tests according to quartiles (Q1: <72 days; Q2: 72-104 days; Q3: 105-140 days; Q4: >140 days after the index case). The 28-day fatality decreased from 29.5% (Q1) to 18.8% (Q4) (pfor-trend = 0.004). In multivariable analysis, patients diagnosed in Q4 showed a 35% reduced risk of death. The trend of reducing fatality was associated with a lower number of comorbidities (20.7-10.6%, p for-trend = 0.002), younger age (55-53 years, pfor-trend = 0.062), and better baseline renal function (43.6-47.7 ml/min/1.73 m2, pfor-trend = 0.060), and were confirmed by multivariable analysis. The proportion of patients presenting dyspnea (pfor-trend = 0.001) and hypoxemia (pfor-trend < 0.001) at diagnosis, and requiring intensive care was also found reduced (pfor-trend = 0.038). Despite possible confounding variables and time-dependent sampling differences, we conclude that COVID-19-associated fatality decreased over time. Differences in demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment options might be involved.

Distribution of kidney diseases in Joinville, Santa Catarina: analysis of a kidney biopsy data bank between 2008 and 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Studies based on kidney biopsies are important for the epidemiological understanding of nephropathies. OBJECTIVE: To describe the main nephropathies diagnosed through renal biopsies, and compare them with regards to gender, time, healthcare insurance and age. METHODS: A population-based retrospective study that reviewed all kidney disease diagnoses obtained by biopsy of a native kidney from pathology services between 2008 and 2019 in Joinville, Brazil. RESULTS: Of 778 biopsies performed, 44.5% were primary nephropathies and 28.5% were secondary. The highest prevalence was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) [18.1%], followed by tubulointerstitial nephropathy (TIN) [15.9%] and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) [9.1%]. There was a growing increase in the prevalence of TIN among elderly and uninsured patients over the period. In the multivariate analysis, among the primary glomerulopathies, males had a higher risk for the occurrence of IgAN [OR=2.02; 95% CI 1.13-3.61; p=0.018], as well as being a protective factor for the occurrence of lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN) [OR=0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.49; p<0.001]. Advancing age and dependence on a public healthcare decreased the likelihood of having a diagnosis of LGN [OR=0.91, 95% CI 0.88-0.94, p < 0.001 and OR=0.45, CI 95 % 0.21-0.96; p = 0.036, respectively]. Patients without private healthcare insurance were more likely to have TIN [OR=1.77, 95%CI 1.16-2.70; p = 0.008]. CONCLUSION: Sex, age and type of medical healthcare insurance may be related to the occurrence of some nephropathies. The increased risk of TIN in individuals without a private healthcare plan may be an indication of inequalities in health care.

Development and implementation of telehealth for peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplant patients monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic / Desenvolvimento e implementação do atendimento a distância para acompanhamento de pacientes em diálise peritoneal e tranplantados renais durante a pandemia de covid-19

Abstract The coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2) pandemic raised the need for social distance to reduce its spread. Chronic kidney disease patients on renal replacement therapy are especially susceptible to developing the most severe form of COVID-19, and, at the same time, require regular medical and multidisciplinary periodic follow-up. On an emergency basis, Brazil's professional regulatory bodies authorized telehealth assistance, which made possible to migrate from face-to-face to distance appointments in health services across the country, when necessary. This article's main objective is to describe the process of developing and implementing telehealth for monitoring renal transplant patients and patients on peritoneal dialysis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resumo A pandemia do coronavírus (Sars-CoV-2) trouxe a necessidade do isolamento social para a diminuição de sua propagação. Pacientes renais crônicos em terapia renal substitutiva são especialmente suscetíveis a desenvolverem a forma mais grave da covid-19, e, ao mesmo tempo, necessitam de acompanhamento médico e multidisciplinar regular com consultas periódicas. Em caráter emergencial, órgãos regulatórios profissionais brasileiros passaram a autorizar o atendimento da equipe de saúde por meio da teleconsulta, o que tornou possível a migração das consultas presenciais para consultas a distância nos serviços de saúde em todo o país, quando necessário. O principal objetivo deste artigo foi descrever o processo de desenvolvimento e implementação da teleorientação para acompanhamento de pacientes transplantados renais e em diálise peritoneal de um serviço de Joinville, SC, durante a pandemia de covid-19.

High mortality among kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019: Results from the Brazilian multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant (KT) recipients are considered a high-risk group for unfavorable outcomes in the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). AIM: To describe the clinical aspects and outcomes of COVID-19 among KT recipients. METHODS: This multicenter cohort study enrolled 1,680 KT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 between March and November 2020, from 35 Brazilian centers. The main outcome was the 90-day cumulative incidence of death, for the entire cohort and according to acute kidney injury (AKI) and renal replacement therapy (RRT) requirement. Fatality rates were analyzed according to hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mechanical ventilation (MV) requirement. Multivariable analysis was performed by logistic regression for the probability of hospitalization and death. RESULTS: The median age of the recipients was 51.3 years, 60.4% were men and 11.4% were Afro-Brazilian. Comorbidities were reported in 1,489 (88.6%), and the interval between transplantation and infection was 5.9 years. The most frequent symptoms were cough (54%), myalgia (40%), dyspnea (37%), and diarrhea (31%), whereas the clinical signs were fever (61%) and hypoxemia (13%). Hospitalization was required in 65.1%, and immunosuppressive drugs adjustments were made in 74.4% of in-hospital patients. ICU admission was required in 34.6% and MV in 24.9%. In the multivariable modeling, the variables related with the probability of hospitalization were age, hypertension, previous cardiovascular disease, recent use of high dose of steroid, and fever, dyspnea, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting as COVID-19 symptoms. On the other hand, the variables that reduced the probability of hospitalization were time of COVID-19 symptoms, and nasal congestion, headache, arthralgia and anosmia as COVID-19 symptoms. The overall 90-day cumulative incidence of death was 21.0%. The fatality rates were 31.6%, 58.2%, and 75.5% in those who were hospitalized, admitted to the ICU, and required MV, respectively. At the time of infection, 23.2% had AKI and 23.4% required RRT in the follow-up. The cumulative incidence of death was significantly higher among recipients with AKI (36.0% vs. 19.1%, P < 0.0001) and in those who required RRT (70.8% vs. 10.1%, P < 0.0001). The variables related with the probability of death within 90 days after COVID-19 were age, time after transplantation, presence of hypertension, previous cardiovascular disease, use of tacrolimus and mycophenolate, recent use of high dose of steroids, and dyspnea as COVID-19 symptom. On the other hand, the variables that reduced the risk of death were time of symptoms, and headache and anosmia as COVID-19 symptoms. CONCLUSION: The patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were long-term KT recipients and most of them had some comorbidities. One in every five patients died, and the rate of death was significantly higher in those with AKI, mainly when RRT was required.

Exploring the causes of the high incidence of delayed graft function after kidney transplantation in Brazil: a multicenter study.

This retrospective multicenter (n = 18) cohort study evaluated the incidence, risk factors, and the impact of delayed graft function (DGF) on 1-year kidney transplant (KT) outcomes. Of 3992 deceased donor KT performed in 2014-2015, the incidence of DGF was 54%, ranging from 29.9% to 87.7% among centers. Risk factors (lower-bound-95%CI OR upper-bound-95%CI ) were male gender (1.066 1.2491.463 ), diabetic kidney disease (1.053 1.2961.595 ), time on dialysis (1.005 1.0071.009 ), retransplantation (1.035 1.3971.885 ), preformed anti-HLA antibodies (1.011 1.3831.892 ), HLA mismatches (1.006 1.0661.130 ), donor age (1.011 1.0171.023 ), donor final serum creatinine (sCr) (1.239 1.3171.399 ), cold ischemia time (CIT) (1.031 1.0431.056 ), machine perfusion (0.401 0.5420.733 ), and induction therapy with rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) (0.658 0.8000.973 ). Duration of DGF > 4 days was associated with inferior renal function and DGF > 14 days with the higher incidences of acute rejection, graft loss, and death. In conclusion, the incidence and duration of DGF were high and associated with inferior graft outcomes. While late referral and poor donor maintenance account for the high overall incidence of DGF, variability in donor and recipient selection, organ preservation method, and type of induction agent may account for the wide variation observed among transplant centers.

Development and implementation of telehealth for peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplant patients monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2) pandemic raised the need for social distance to reduce its spread. Chronic kidney disease patients on renal replacement therapy are especially susceptible to developing the most severe form of COVID-19, and, at the same time, require regular medical and multidisciplinary periodic follow-up. On an emergency basis, Brazil's professional regulatory bodies authorized telehealth assistance, which made possible to migrate from face-to-face to distance appointments in health services across the country, when necessary. This article's main objective is to describe the process of developing and implementing telehealth for monitoring renal transplant patients and patients on peritoneal dialysis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of the predisposition and clinical impact of BK virus replication in kidney transplant patients.

The BK virus (BKV) produces a subclinical kidney infection in immunocompetent individuals. However, viremia may occur in kidney transplant patients with ongoing immunosuppression. BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVN) has no specific treatment and is a leading cause of organ transplant loss. In this study, we evaluated the predisposition and the clinical impact of BKV replication in kidney transplant patients during post-transplant monitoring in a reference institution in Brazil. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data generated during routine outpatient follow-up were retrospectively collected. BK viremia was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Of the 553 participants, 7.4% (n = 41) presented BKV replication. Of these, 16 (39%) lost their kidney graft and interstitial nephritis was identified on kidney biopsy in 50% of the cases. Among the evaluated variables, only the use of the immunosuppressant mycophenolate sodium was identified as a risk factor for viremia (OR 7.96; 95% CI 2.35 to 26.98). The graft survival estimate in BKV-positive patients was significantly reduced (24.8% vs. 85.6%) after 10 years of transplantation. We concluded that defining predisposing factors remains an important challenge for the prevention and control of BKV activity following kidney transplantation, especially considering the development of BKVN and its strong effect on graft maintenance.

Evaluation of the predisposition and clinical impact of BK virus replication in kidney transplant patients

ABSTRACT The BK virus (BKV) produces a subclinical kidney infection in immunocompetent individuals. However, viremia may occur in kidney transplant patients with ongoing immunosuppression. BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVN) has no specific treatment and is a leading cause of organ transplant loss. In this study, we evaluated the predisposition and the clinical impact of BKV replication in kidney transplant patients during post-transplant monitoring in a reference institution in Brazil. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data generated during routine outpatient follow-up were retrospectively collected. BK viremia was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Of the 553 participants, 7.4% (n = 41) presented BKV replication. Of these, 16 (39%) lost their kidney graft and interstitial nephritis was identified on kidney biopsy in 50% of the cases. Among the evaluated variables, only the use of the immunosuppressant mycophenolate sodium was identified as a risk factor for viremia (OR 7.96; 95% CI 2.35 to 26.98). The graft survival estimate in BKV-positive patients was significantly reduced (24.8% vs. 85.6%) after 10 years of transplantation. We concluded that defining predisposing factors remains an important challenge for the prevention and control of BKV activity following kidney transplantation, especially considering the development of BKVN and its strong effect on graft maintenance.

Use of Thymoglobulin® (antithymocyte immunoglobulin) in renal transplantation: practical guide.

The combination of immunosuppressive drugs is part of the treatment regimen of patients undergoing kidney transplantation (RT). Thymoglobulin®, a rabbit immunoglobulin directed against human thymocytes, is the most commonly agent used for induction therapy in RT in the US. In Brazil, Thymoglobulin® is approved by ANVISA for the use in patients who underwent kidney transplantation and despite being widely used, there are controversies regarding the drug administration. We prepared a systematic review of the literature, evaluating studies that used Thymoglobulin® for induction and for acute rejection treatment in patients undergoing RT. The review used the computadorized databases of EMBASE, LILACS and MedLine. Data were extracted from the studies concerning general features, methodological characteristics and variables analyzed in each study. From the results, a practical guide was prepared analyzing various aspects on the use of Thymoglobulin® in patients submitted to RT.

Guia prático para usar Thymoglobuline® (globulina antitimócito) em transplante renal / Use of Thymoglobulin® (antithymocyte immunoglobulin) in renal transplantation: practical guide

Resumo A combinação de imunossupressores faz parte do protocolo de tratamento de pacientes submetidos a um transplante renal (TR). A Thymoglobuline®, imunoglobulina policlonal de coelho dirigida contra timócitos humanos, é o agente mais usado como terapia de indução no TR nos Estados Unidos. No Brasil, a Thymoglobuline® está aprovada para uso em pacientes que foram submetidos a transplante e, apesar de ser amplamente utilizada, ainda existem controvérsias em relação ao seu modo de uso. Realizamos uma revisão sistemática da literatura avaliando os estudos que utilizaram a Thymoglobuline® na indução e no tratamento de rejeição em pacientes submetidos ao TR. A revisão utilizou os bancos de dados computadorizados da EMBASE, LILACS e MedLine e dos trabalhos selecionados foram extraídas informações sobre os dados gerais dos pacientes, as características metodológicas e as variáveis analisadas em cada estudo. Dos resultados obtidos, desenvolvemos um guia prático sobre o uso de Thymoglobuline® em pacientes transplantados renais.

Abstract The combination of immunosuppressive drugs is part of the treatment regimen of patients undergoing kidney transplantation (RT). Thymoglobulin®, a rabbit immunoglobulin directed against human thymocytes, is the most commonly agent used for induction therapy in RT in the US. In Brazil, Thymoglobulin® is approved by ANVISA for the use in patients who underwent kidney transplantation and despite being widely used, there are controversies regarding the drug administration. We prepared a systematic review of the literature, evaluating studies that used Thymoglobulin® for induction and for acute rejection treatment in patients undergoing RT. The review used the computadorized databases of EMBASE, LILACS and MedLine. Data were extracted from the studies concerning general features, methodological characteristics and variables analyzed in each study. From the results, a practical guide was prepared analyzing various aspects on the use of Thymoglobulin® in patients submitted to RT.

Use of antibiotics without medical prescription.

UNLABELLED: The inappropriate use of antibiotics for the treatment of infections is a worldwide problem that has implications for the cost of treatment and the development of resistant strains of bacteria. The use of antibiotics should follow specific criteria; they are on top of the list of self-medication drugs in countries that do not control their commercialization. OBJECTIVES: To determine the percentage of pharmacies that attend the public and sell antibiotics without medical prescription in a medium-sized city in Brazil, and analyze the variables involved in this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 107 of the 136 pharmacies registered in our city were evaluated. These pharmacies were visited by actresses who simulated having a sister with symptoms of a non-complicated rhino-sinusitis, so that they could obtain antibiotics without a medical prescription. Each pharmacy was visited only once; the only variable in the simulated clinical setting was the report of fever temperature, which was randomly assigned between 38.5 and 40 degrees Celsius. RESULTS: Antibiotics were offered in 58% of the pharmacies, and this offer was increased to 74% after the actresses insisted on having them. In 65.4% of the pharmacies, the actresses were attended by a pharmacist, and 84.2% of them said they would sell antibiotics. When the request for antibiotics was denied (26%), only 7.5% was due to absence of prescription. The most frequent reason for refusal to sell antibiotics, was because the attendant deemed it unnecessary (46.6%) CONCLUSION: Antibiotics can be easily bought in the great majority of the pharmacies in our town without a medical prescription and a clear indication. Fever temperature did not modify the attendant's indication of the drug.

Use of antibiotics without medical prescription

The inappropriate use of antibiotics for the treatment of infections is a worldwide problem that has implications for the cost of treatment and the development of resistant strains of bacteria. The use of antibiotics should follow specific criteria; they are on top of the list of self-medication drugs in countries that do not control their commercialization. OBJECTIVES: To determine the percentage of pharmacies that attend the public and sell antibiotics without medical prescription in a medium-sized city in Brazil, and analyze the variables involved in this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 107 of the 136 pharmacies registered in our city were evaluated. These pharmacies were visited by actresses who simulated having a sister with symptoms of a non-complicated rhino-sinusitis, so that they could obtain antibiotics without a medical prescription. Each pharmacy was visited only once; the only variable in the simulated clinical setting was the report of fever temperature, which was randomly assigned between 38.5 and 40 degrees Celsius. RESULTS: Antibiotics were offered in 58 percent of the pharmacies, and this offer was increased to 74 percent after the actresses insisted on having them. In 65.4 percent of the pharmacies, the actresses were attended by a pharmacist, and 84.2 percent of them said they would sell antibiotics. When the request for antibiotics was denied (26 percent), only 7.5 percent was due to absence of prescription. The most frequent reason for refusal to sell antibiotics, was because the attendant deemed it unnecessary (46.6 percent) CONCLUSION: Antibiotics can be easily bought in the great majority of the pharmacies in our town without a medical prescription and a clear indication. Fever temperature did not modify the attendant's indication of the drug.

Realidade do uso da profilaxia para trombose venosa profunda: da teoria à prática / Reality check: use of deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis: from theory to practice

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento dos médicos sobre as indicações de profilaxia medicamentosa da trombose venosa profunda e fazer um paralelo com a utilização prática nos seus pacientes. Métodos: Foram pesquisados fatores clínicos, medicamentosos e cirúrgicos para trombose venosa profunda, em todos os pacientes internados no Centro Hospitalar Unimed de Joinville, durante 40 dias consecutivos, estratificando o risco conforme as Normas de Orientações Clínicas da Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular. Foi verificado se os pacientess com indicação para profilaxia medicamentosa da trombose venosa estavam recebendo-a. Posteriormente, os médicoss dos pacientes incluídos no estudo responderam questionário sobre trombose venosa profunda. Resultados: Foram estudados 239 pacientes (57 baixo risco, 124 médio risco e 58 alto risco para trombose venosa profunda). Da amostra, 76 por cento(183/239) não estavam recebendo profilaxia medicamentosa da trombose venosa profunda. Receberam profilaxia, 27 por cento (34/124) dos pacientes com risco moderado e 38 por cento (22/58) dos pacientes com alto risco. Dos 91 médicos entrevistados, o questionário mostrou que todos possuem conhecimento teórico dos fatores de risco e métodos de preservação da trombose venosa profunda, e 92,3 por cento, sabem, teoricamente, como utiliza-los. A maioria (57,14 por cento) afirmou sempre utilizar profilaxia em pacientes de risco, 38,46 por cento referiam conhecer a incidência de trombose venosa profunda, e 72,53 por cento já haviam tratado casos de trombose venosa profunda. Conclusão: A profilaxia medicamentosa para trombose venosa profunda é subutilizada em pacientes com indicação para recebê-la. Os médicos demonstram bons conhecimentos sobre o assunto, porém a teoria informada não condiz com a praticada por esses profissionais.

Incidência e impacto da infecção e doénça citomegálica diagnosticada pela antigenemia na sobrevida em longo prazo de transplantados renais / Incidence and impact of citomegalovirus infection and disease diagnosed by antigenemia in long-term surviral of renal transplant recipients

O citomegalovírus (CMV) é um dos principais agentes infecciosos que acometem pacientes transplantados renais. O diagnóstico de doença é feito por meio de evidência laboratorial de infecção, associada a quadro clínico compatível. Objetivo : Determinar a incidência de infecção por CMV em uma coorte de pacientes transplantados renais usando a antigenemia como ferramenta diagnostica. Em seis anos de acompanhamento, objetivou-se também avaliar o impacto dessa infecção/doença nas sobrevidas dos pacientes e dos enxertos. Métodos : Foram estudados, prospectivamente, todos os transplantes renais consecutivos realizados na Santa Casa de Porto Alegre, RS, entre janeiro de 1994 e fevereiro de 1995. Foram obtidas amostras semanais para a antigenemia, e os resultados foram correlacionadas ao desenvolvimento de doença. Resultados :Foram arrolados no estudo 74 pacientes. A incidência de infecção e doença por CMV foi de 33,3 por cento e 8,4 por cento, respectivamente. A sensibilidade da antigenemia em detectar os pacientes que desenvolveram doença foi de 100 por cento e a especificidade foi de 72,7 por cento, com valor preditivo positivo de 25 por cento e valor preditivo negativo de 100 por cento. No grupo de pacientes que apresentou doença por CMV, houve mais perdas de enxerto (85por cento) do que nos pacientes em que a infecção foi assintomática (29por cento), com impacto negativo nas curvas de sobrevida de enxertos e pacientes (Logrank; p<0,05). Conclusão :A antigenemia mostrou ser uma ferramenta com elevada acurácia no diagnóstico da doença citomegáiica, sendo que esta apresentou impacto negativo nas sobrevidas dos enxertos e dos pacientes em longo prazo(au)

Consideraçöes sobre cardiotocografia anteparto e índices de mortalidade perinatal / Respect antepartum cardiotocography and perinatal mortality rates

Estudaram-se 8.733 nascimentos consecutivos no Hosptial Universitário de Santa Maria (HUSM), onde foi observado um total de 205 (2,34 por cento) natimortos e 108 (1,23 por cento) neomortos. De todos os recém-nascidos, 546 (6,3 por cento) realizaram monitoragem anteparto (MAP). Dos 8.187 recém-nascidos (RN sem, MAP, houve 193 (2,35 por cento) natimortos e 99 (1,20 por cento) neomortos. Dos que realizaram MAP, 12 (2,19 por cento) nasceram mortos e nove (1,65 por cento) foram neomortos. Dentre os 546 RN com MAP, 375 (68,7 por cento) realizaram o exame num período de tempo menor ou igual 7 dias de parto. Destes, seis nasceram mortos (1,60 por cento). Dos 171 que tiveram parto em tempo superior a sete dias do exame, seis (3,63 por cento) nasceram mortos. Näo houve associaçäo estatisticamente significante entre a cardiotocografia anteparto realizada em períodos de tempo menor ou igual 7 dias e maior 7 dias do parto e natimortalidade. Näo houve associaçäo significativa entre a näo realizaçäo de MAP e a realizaçäo do exame em tempo menor ou igual 7 dias do parto com a natimortalidade, assim como näo houve associaçäo entre a näo realizaçäo de MAP e a realizaçäo do exame em tempo maior 7 dias do parto e a natimortalidade. Os resultados permitem concluir que embora näo se encontreasse associaçäo significante entre as populaçöes monitorizadas e näo monitorizadas, em funçäo da natimortalidade, o obituário intra-uterino foi menor no grupo monitorizado com tempo menor ou igual 7 dias do parto, quando comparado com o percentual de óbitos tanto do grupo monitorizado cujo tempo foi superior a sete dias do parto, que foi maior que o dobro, quanto ao da populaçäo geral de RN, tanto monitorizada quanto näo monitorizada

Controle da heparinizaçäo através do tempo de coagulaçäo ativado em cirurgia cardíaca com circulaçäo extracorpórea / Heparinization control by activated coagulation time in cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation

Os autores estudaram 20 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca com circulaçäo extracorpórea utilizando um protocolo de controle da heparinizaçäo através do tempo de coagulaçäo ativado (TCA). Avaliaram as variaçöes na série vermelha e no sistema de coagulaçäo entre os períodos pré e pós-operatório, bem como a variaçäo do TCA nos diversos tempos. As doses totais de heparina e protamina foram, respectivamente, 5,85 mg e 4,34 mg/kg de peso. Houve variaçäo significativa entre os eritrócitos, a hemoglobina e as plaquetas (p < 0,001). As variáveis referentes ao tempo de coagulaçäo, tempo de protrombina, tempo de tromboplastina parcial e fibrinogénio näo mostraram variaçäo significativa. O TCA näo mostrou variaçäo significativa entre os valores durante a perfusäo, e nem entre os valores basal e pós-protamina, basal e 30 min pós-protamina. Näo ocorreram complicaçöes hemorrágicas pós-operatórias que pudessem ser atribuídas ao sistema de coagulaçäo. Concluem ser o método excelente para a monitorizaçäo da heparinizaçäo com o sulfato de protamina, que foi utilizado em doses mais baixas