Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors Vs Calcineurin Inhibitors in Chronic Graft Rejection After Lung Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The number of lung transplantations has been rising constantly. However, use of this therapeutic resource is limited by several issues that are difficult to resolve, such as chronic graft rejection and complications secondary to immunosuppression. METHODS: This systematic review compared mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor immunosuppression associated with low-dose calcineurin inhibitors with isolated calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppression on the new-onset chronic rejection development and mortality 12 months after lung transplantation. Three controlled randomized clinical trials (SHITRIT, NOCTET, and 4EVERLUNG) were selected from electronic databases. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of the data at 12 months postintervention showed that only 4EVERLUNG assessed chronic graft rejection, with a higher incidence in the control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = .197). Significant data were related to an increase in the number of adverse events (P = .0064) and improved renal function (P < .0001) in the mTOR inhibitor-based scheme. The other outcomes indicated a trend toward greater risk of death and acute graft rejection with the use of mTORs. CONCLUSIONS: The researchers suggest considering the use of mTOR inhibitors, whose greatest benefit is felt by patients with renal dysfunction, in association with the use of calcineurin inhibitors, because of the imminent risk of death among patients with renal failure.

Checklist validation for care provided to patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We created and validated a checklist for nursing care of patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for about 30% of all deaths recorded in Brazil. There is an arsenal of clinical and surgical treatments for CVD, with a significant number of patients evolving to surgical treatment. Thus, health professionals working in the perioperative period of cardiovascular surgeries need to be updated, trained and qualified to provide adequate and safe care to patients. DESIGN: We developed a checklist that defined essential parameters for quality care, to ensure greater agility and patient safety. METHODS: This methodology validation study comprised two stages: checklist creation for care provided by nurses to patients in the IPO of cardiac surgery, and content validation using the Delphi method. Participants were selected through an advanced survey conducted on the Lattes Platform website of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development. The STROBE checklist was used to guide the study. RESULTS: Three rounds of analysis by specialists resulted in average CVIs of: 95.8% for objectivity, 97.9% for simplicity, 91.0% for clarity, 93.1% for relevance and 96.5% for variety, suggesting high agreement among specialists. CONCLUSIONS: The checklist focused on nursing care of patients in the IPO of cardiac surgery and was validated with three topics, four categories, 16 items and 86 sub-items of care assignments to be applied in clinical practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This is a validated instrument that guides nurses' actions by admitting postoperative cardiac surgery patients to the ICU based on evidence, which provides more scientific and professional support to health teams' performance, with the objective of strengthening roles and establishing routines; thus presenting a powerful tool for planning nursing actions, providing quality care to patients, and facilitating communication between teams, thereby minimising risks.