Fernanda Oliveira Coelho

Parathyroidectomy Improves Survival In Patients with Severe Hyperparathyroidism: A Comparative Study

Background and objectives Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in CKD is associated with an increased risk for mortality, but definitive data showing that parathormone control decreases mortality is still lacking. This study aimed to compare the mortality of patients with severe SHPT submitted to parathyroidectomy(PTX) with those who did not have access to surgery. Methods This is a retrospective study in a cohort of 251 CKD patients with severe SHPT who were referred to a CKD-MBD Center for PTX from 2005 until 2012. Results Most of our patients had indication of PTX, but only 49% of them had access to this surgical procedure. After a mean follow-up of 23 months, 72 patients had died. Non-survivors were older; more often had diabetes, lower serum 25 vitamin D and mostly had not been submitted to surgery. The relative risk of death was lower in the PTX patients (0.428; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.67; p<0.0001). After adjustments, mortality risk was dependent on age (1.04; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.07; p = 0.002), 25 vitamin D (0.43; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.81; p = 0.006) and no access to PTX (4.13; 95% CI, 2.16 to 7.88; p<0.0001). Results remained the same in a second model using the PTX date as the study start date for the PTX group. Conclusions Our data confirms the benefit of PTX on mortality in patients with severe SHPT. The high mortality encountered in our population is significant and urges the need to better treat these patients.

Comprehensive cognitive and cerebral hemodynamic evaluation after cranioplasty

Decompressive craniectomy is an established procedure to lower intracranial pressure and can save patients’ lives. However, this procedure is associated with delayed cognitive decline and cerebral hemodynamics complications. Studies show the benefits of cranioplasty beyond cosmetic aspects, including brain protection, and functional and cerebrovascular aspects, but a detailed description of the concrete changes following this procedure are lacking. In this paper, the authors report a patient with trephine syndrome who underwent cranioplasty; comprehensive cognitive and cerebral hemodynamic evaluations were performed prior to and following the cranioplasty. The discussion was based on a critical literature review.

Evaluation of hemodynamic variations during anesthetic induction in treated hypertensive patients

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Debido a la alta prevalencia de la hipertension arterial sistemica, al aumento de la expectativa de vida y al perfeccionamiento de los metodos diagnosticos y de las tecnicas quirurgicas, esa comorbidad se hara comun en pacientes quirurgicos. El objetivo de este estudio fue el de evaluar el comportamiento de las variables hemodinamicas de los pacientes hipertensos tratados durante la induccion anestesica. METODO: Estudio de observacion sobre el comportamiento de las variables hemodinamicas (presion arterial sistolica, presion arterial diastolica y frecuencia cardiaca) durante la induccion anestesica de los pacientes hipertensos y normotensos, para operaciones electivas sometidos a anestesia general en cuatro momentos consecutivos durante la induccion anestesica: preparacion (MP), farmaco (MF), laringoscopia/intubacion (ML) y laringoscopia/intubacion 5 min (ML5). RESULTADOS: La muestra se compuso de 128 pacientes distribuidos en los grupos de pacientes hipertensos (GH) y normotensos (GN). Hubo una disminucion de la PAD en el momento MF en ambos grupos, con menor reduccion porcentual en el GH (18,3 ± 14,0% versus 23,0 ± 11,4%, p = 0,04). Hubo un aumento de las PAS y PAD en el momento ML en ambos grupos, con menores elevaciones de porcentaje en el GH (8,2 ± 16,3% versus 18,2 ± 21,2%, p < 0,01; 8,6 ± 20,2% versus 25,0 ± 27,9%, p < 0,01; respectivamente para PAS y PAD). En cuanto a la PAS y PAD, despues de la ML5, y a la FC no hubo diferencia entre los grupos. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes hipertensos tratados con niveles de presion controlados presentaron una mayor estabilidad hemodinamica durante la induccion anestesica.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Due to the high prevalence of hypertension, the increase in life expectancy, and improvement of diagnostic methods and surgical techniques, this comorbidity will be increasingly more common in surgical patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of the hemodynamic variables during anesthetic induction in treated hypertensive patients. METHODS This is an observational study on the behavior of hemodynamic parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate) during the anesthetic induction of hypertensive and normotensive patients scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia, at four moments: preparation (MP), drug (MD), laryngoscopy/intubation (ML), and 5 minutes after laryngoscopy/intubation (ML5). RESULTS The sample was composed of 128 patients divided into two groups: hypertensive (GH) and normotensive (GN). Diastolic blood pressure was reduced at MD in both groups, with a smaller percentage reduction in GH (18.3 +/- 14.0% versus 23.0 +/- 11.4%, p = 0.04). There was an increase in SBP and DBP at ML in both groups, with smaller percentage reductions in GH (8.2 +/- 16.3% versus 18.2 +/- 21.2%, p < 0.01; 8.6 +/- 20.2% versus 25.0 +/- 27.9%, p < 0.01, respectively for DBP and SBP). As for ML5, HR, SBP and DBP did not show significant differences between both groups. CONCLUSIONS Hypertensive patients under treatment and with controlled blood pressure levels demonstrated greater hemodynamic stability during anesthetic induction.

Assessment of Kidney Function in Patients With Cancer

Cancer patients are living longer. The sequelae of cancer treatment and the role of comorbid conditions present before the diagnosis, such as CKD, have been increasingly recognized. The interface between CKD and cancer is multifaceted. CKD is frequently observed in patients with cancer, and cancer treatment contributes to CKD development and progression. In addition, CKD has been recognized as an important risk factor for cancer development and reduced specific cancer survival. In this context, an accurate evaluation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during oncologic treatment is pivotal and is used to define surgery strategies, program prophylactic management of contrasted examinations, make decisions on cisplatin eligibility, and adjust drug prescriptions, particularly chemotherapy agents. Although the most commonly used equations to estimate GFR based on serum creatinine levels in clinical practice (Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study, and CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equations) have not been validated in patients with cancer in large prospective studies, there is increasingly evidence supporting the use of CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation to assess the GFR in patients with cancer, including for the use of chemotherapy prescriptions. Many patients with cancer may have changes in nutrition status and clearance measurements such as exogenous filtration markers might be extremely useful when clinical decisions differ depending on the GFR level. Future perspectives include the advent of new serum GFR biomarkers such as cystatin C, beta-trace protein, and beta-2 microglobulin as well as the GFR assessment by measuring total kidney parenchymal volume through image examinations.

Cognitive rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury

Annually, some 500,000 people are hospitalized with brain lesions acquired after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Brazil. Between 75,000 and 100,000 individuals die within hours of the event and 70,000 to 90,000 evolve to irreversible loss of some neurological function. The principal causes of TBI include motor vehicle accidents (50%), falls (21%), assaults and robberies (12%) and accidents during leisure activities (10%). Within this context, cognitive rehabilitation, a clinical area encompassing interdisciplinary action aimed at recovery as well as compensation of cognitive functions altered as a result of cerebral injury, is extremely important for these individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the basic concepts related to TBI, including mechanisms of injury, severity levels of TBI, the most common findings in moderate and severe TBI survivors, and the most frequent cognitive impairments following TBI, and also to discuss the strategies used to handle patients post-TBI. The study results yielded relevant information on a structured cognitive rehabilitation service, representing an alternative for patients and families afflicted by TBI, enabling the generation of multiple research protocols.

Sport-related concussions

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of lifelong disability and death worldwide. Sport-related traumatic brain injury is an important public health concern. The purpose of this review was to highlight the importance of sport-related concussions. Concussion refers to a transient alteration in consciousness induced by external biomechanical forces transmitted directly or indirectly to the brain. It is a common, although most likely underreported, condition. Contact sports such as American football, rugby, soccer, boxing, basketball and hockey are associated with a relatively high prevalence of concussion. Various factors may be associated with a greater risk of sport-related concussion, such as age, sex, sport played, level of sport played and equipment used. Physical complaints (headache, fatigue, dizziness), behavioral changes (depression, anxiety, irritability) and cognitive impairment are very common after a concussion. The risk of premature return to activities includes the prolongation of post-concussive symptoms and increased risk of concussion recurrence.

Avaliação das variações hemodinâmicas durante a indução anestésica em pacientes hipertensos tratados

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Debido a la alta prevalencia de la hipertension arterial sistemica, al aumento de la expectativa de vida y al perfeccionamiento de los metodos diagnosticos y de las tecnicas quirurgicas, esa comorbidad se hara comun en pacientes quirurgicos. El objetivo de este estudio fue el de evaluar el comportamiento de las variables hemodinamicas de los pacientes hipertensos tratados durante la induccion anestesica. METODO: Estudio de observacion sobre el comportamiento de las variables hemodinamicas (presion arterial sistolica, presion arterial diastolica y frecuencia cardiaca) durante la induccion anestesica de los pacientes hipertensos y normotensos, para operaciones electivas sometidos a anestesia general en cuatro momentos consecutivos durante la induccion anestesica: preparacion (MP), farmaco (MF), laringoscopia/intubacion (ML) y laringoscopia/intubacion 5 min (ML5). RESULTADOS: La muestra se compuso de 128 pacientes distribuidos en los grupos de pacientes hipertensos (GH) y normotensos (GN). Hubo una disminucion de la PAD en el momento MF en ambos grupos, con menor reduccion porcentual en el GH (18,3 ± 14,0% versus 23,0 ± 11,4%, p = 0,04). Hubo un aumento de las PAS y PAD en el momento ML en ambos grupos, con menores elevaciones de porcentaje en el GH (8,2 ± 16,3% versus 18,2 ± 21,2%, p < 0,01; 8,6 ± 20,2% versus 25,0 ± 27,9%, p < 0,01; respectivamente para PAS y PAD). En cuanto a la PAS y PAD, despues de la ML5, y a la FC no hubo diferencia entre los grupos. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes hipertensos tratados con niveles de presion controlados presentaron una mayor estabilidad hemodinamica durante la induccion anestesica.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Due to the high prevalence of hypertension, the increase in life expectancy, and improvement of diagnostic methods and surgical techniques, this comorbidity will be increasingly more common in surgical patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of the hemodynamic variables during anesthetic induction in treated hypertensive patients. METHODS This is an observational study on the behavior of hemodynamic parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate) during the anesthetic induction of hypertensive and normotensive patients scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia, at four moments: preparation (MP), drug (MD), laryngoscopy/intubation (ML), and 5 minutes after laryngoscopy/intubation (ML5). RESULTS The sample was composed of 128 patients divided into two groups: hypertensive (GH) and normotensive (GN). Diastolic blood pressure was reduced at MD in both groups, with a smaller percentage reduction in GH (18.3 +/- 14.0% versus 23.0 +/- 11.4%, p = 0.04). There was an increase in SBP and DBP at ML in both groups, with smaller percentage reductions in GH (8.2 +/- 16.3% versus 18.2 +/- 21.2%, p < 0.01; 8.6 +/- 20.2% versus 25.0 +/- 27.9%, p < 0.01, respectively for DBP and SBP). As for ML5, HR, SBP and DBP did not show significant differences between both groups. CONCLUSIONS Hypertensive patients under treatment and with controlled blood pressure levels demonstrated greater hemodynamic stability during anesthetic induction.

Drug-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract The epidemiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) has changed remarkably over the last few decades. Currently a majority of affected patients are critically ill older individuals hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) with comorbidities and multiple organ failure. In the ICU, either nephrotoxicity alone or, most commonly, associated with ischemia, has been a relevant related factor in the pathogenesis of AKI in almost half of the cases. Virtually all mechanisms or processes potentially leading to renal injury have been associated with drug nephrotoxicity: acute tubular cell injury, changes in renal hemodynamics, intratubular obstruction, acute interstitial nephritis, hypersensitivity vasculitis, thrombotic microangiopathy, osmotic nephrosis, and rhabdomyolysis. Measurement of serum creatinine always should be performed before administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs, and even small increments in creatinine are an independent risk factor for increased mortality in hospitalized patients. The use of a nonnephrotoxic drug must be considered for patients at higher risk for renal injury. Patients must be adequately hydrated and sodium repleted before receiving a nephrotoxic drug. The concomitant use of two or more different nephrotoxic drugs must be avoided. Drug dosage should be adjusted in accordance with organ functional status, distribution volume, and drug pharmacokinetics. It always should be checked if a nephrotoxic drug had specific measures to prevent or attenuate its potential for renal damage. Currently, numerous drugs have been related to development of AKI. Of the vast array of drugs with potential for nephrotoxicity, those more frequently prescribed for patients in the ICU are discussed in this chapter: antiinfective agents (aminoglycosides, vancomycin, amphotericin B, polymyxins, highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART]), contrast agents, NSAIDs, and drugs blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (ACEI, ARB, and renin inhibitors).

Use of regional citrate anticoagulation for continuous venovenous hemodialysis in critically ill cancer patients with acute kidney injury

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) protocol for continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) in cancer patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Material and methods: One hundred twenty two consecutive ICU cancer patients with AKI treated with citrate‐based CVVHD were prospectively evaluated in this prospective observational study. Results: A total of 7198 h of CVVHD therapy (250 filters) were performed. Patients were 61.3 ± 15.7 years old, 78% had solid cancer and the main AKI cause was sepsis (50%). The in‐hospital mortality was 78.7%. Systemic ionized calcium (SCai) was 4.35 (4.10–4.60) mg/dL, severe hypocalcemia (SCai <3.6 mg/dL) was observed in 4.3% of procedures and post‐filter ionized calcium was 1.60 (1.40–1.80) mg/dL. Median filter patency was 24.8 (11–43) hours. Factors related to filter clotting were: no tumor evidence (OR 0.44, CI 0.18–0.99); genitourinary tumor (OR 1.83, CI 1.18–2.81); platelets number (each 10,000/mm3) (OR 1.02, CI 1.00–1.04); International Normatized Ratio (INR) (OR 0.59, CI 0.41–0.85) and citrate dose (each 10 mL/h) (OR 0.88, CI 0.82–0.95). Conclusion: Filter patency was relatively short and clotting was associated with active cancer disease, genitourinary tumor, lower citrate dose and lower INR. HighlightsRegional citrate anticoagulation was safe and associated with adequated metabolic control.The incidence of electrolytic and acid‐base disorders was similar to that observed in non cancer patients.Filter patency was relatively short 24.8 (11 – 43) hours.Factors related to filter clotting were, genitourinary tumor, platelets number and citrate dose.

Chronic Nicotine Exposure Reduces Klotho Expression And Triggers Different Renal And Hemodynamic Responses In Klotho-Haploinsufficient Mice

The klotho gene, which encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein and a secreted protein, is expressed predominantly by the distal renal tubules and is related to calcium phosphorus metabolism, ion channel regulation, intracellular signaling pathways, and longevity. Klotho deficiency aggravates acute kidney injury and renal fibrosis. Exposure to nicotine also worsens kidney injury. Here, we investigated renal Klotho protein expression in a mouse model of chronic (28-day) nicotine exposure, in which mice received nicotine or vehicle (saccharine) in drinking water, comparing wild-type (WT) mice, klotho-haploinsufficient ( kl/+) mice, and their respective controls, in terms of the effects of that exposure. Nicotine exposure was associated with a significant decline in renal Klotho expression in WT and kl/+ mice as well as a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate in WT mice. Although plasma electrolytes were similar among the groups, fractional excretion of sodium was reduced in both nicotine-exposed groups. The nicotine-WT mice presented augmented baroreflex sensitivity to nitroprusside and augmented sympathetic cardiac modulation. However, nicotine- kl/+ mice presented higher plasma levels of urea and aldosterone together with a higher α-index (spontaneous baroreflex) and higher peripheral sympathetic modulation, as evaluated by spectral analysis. We can conclude that nicotine downregulates Klotho expression as well as that renal and autonomic responses to nicotine exposure are modified in kl/+ mice.