Fernando Wagner da Silva Ramos

Correlation between the Alvarado Scale and the macroscopic aspect of the appendix in patients with appendicitis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the possible association between the scale of Alvarado (EA) and macroscopic appearance (MA) of the appendix in patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS after receiving the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, EA data were collected. During appendectomy, MA data were collected. Data from patients without appendicitis were excluded. The Spearman correlation test was used to compare EA with Appendix MA (p < 0.05). Other variables were represented by simple frequency. The confidence interval (CI) of 95% was calculated for the correlation test. RESULTS Data were collected from 67 consecutive patients. The mean age was 37.1 ± 12.5 years and 77.6% of patients were male. The Spearman correlation test used for EA and MA was + 0.77 (95% CI 0.65-0.85, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION although correlation was not perfect, our data indicate that a high score on the scale of Alvarado in patients with appendicitis is correlated with advanced stages of the inflammatory process of acute appendicitis.

Effectiveness of combined regional-general anesthesia for reducing mortality in coronary artery bypass: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Neuraxial anesthesia (NA) has been used in association with general anesthesia (GA) for coronary artery bypass; however, anticoagulation during surgery makes us question the viability of benefits by the risk of epidural hematoma. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analyzes examining the efficacy of NA associated with GA compared to GA alone for coronary artery bypass on mortality reduction. METHODS Mortality, arrhythmias, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI), length of hospital stay (LHS), length of ICU stay (ICUS), reoperations, blood transfusion (BT), quality of life, satisfaction degree, and postoperative cognitive dysfunction were analyzed. The weighted mean difference (MD) was estimated for continuous variables, and relative risk (RR) and risk difference (RD) for categorical variables. RESULTS 17 original articles analyzed. Meta-analysis of mortality (RD=-0.01, 95% CI=-0.03 to 0.01), CVA (RR=0.79, 95% CI=0.32-1.95), MI (RR=0.96, 95% CI=0.52-1.79) and LHS (MD=-1.94, 95% CI=-3.99 to 0.12) were not statistically significant. Arrhythmia was less frequent with NA (RR=0.68, 95% CI=0.50-0.93). ICUS was lower in NA (MD=-2.09, 95% CI=-2.92 to -1.26). CONCLUSION There was no significant difference in mortality. Combined NA and GA showed lower incidence of arrhythmias and lower ICUS.

Beta-Thalassemia Minor and the risk of Atherosclerosis: the role of the erythrocytic oxidative stress and paraoxonase 1 levels as aggravating factors

Hemoglobin may be an additional source of reactive oxygen species in erythrocytes; thus, disturbances in the function and structure of erythrocytes could lead to oxidative stress. Self-oxidation of globin chains and iron overload are the suggested mechanisms to the increase of oxidative stress in betathalassemia major and beta-thalassemia minor. Several studies have evaluated the oxidant and antioxidant status of beta thalassemia patients, but the mostly focused mainly on the thalassemia major and intermediate forms. However, some studies found an increase of the oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in betathalassemia minor. In the last years, further evidences suggest that oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein is the key step to atherogenesis. Serum paraoxonase-1 that is expressed on the liver, has been found to be associated with high-density lipoproteins and antioxidant capacity, protecting both low and high-density lipoproteins of the lipid peroxidation. Some studies with beta-thalassemia minor found that, in addition to increased oxidative stress, the paraoxonase-1 levels were decreased. As the paraoxonase-1 inhibits the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein, could be suggested who subjects with betathalassemia minor may be more susceptible than healthy controls to the atherosclerosis development.

Transfusion reaction and hemovigilance: An imperative discussion in Brazilian hemotherapy services

Transfusion of blood components is considered safer, but it took years to reach this level. One of the most effective ways to make blood transfusion a safer practice is hemovigilance, which provides important data, including the history of feared transfusion reactions. In recent years in Brazil, there has been an improvement in the reporting of transfusion reactions, however due to the great diversity of hematology services, there are still transfusion reactions. The aims of this study were described the main types of transfusion reactions, as well as to evaluate the underreporting importance of transfusion occurrences of hemotherapy services in Brazil.

Prevalência da Síndrome de Burnout em cirurgiões plantonistas de um hospital de referência para trauma e sua correlação com carga horária semanal de trabalho: estudo transversal

Objective: to determine the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome (BS) for surgeons working in referral hospital for trauma in Maceio and to evaluate the possible correlation between BS and weekly workload. Methods: cross-sectional study with 43 on-call surgeons at Professor Osvaldo Brandão Vilela General State Hospital, Maceió, between July and December, 2015. A self-administered form was used to evaluate BS through the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and socio-demographic characteristics among participants. Spearmans S test was used to compare BS and weekly workload. Significant level was 5%. Results: among the surgeons studied, 95.35% were male and the mean age was 43.9 ± 8.95 years. The mean weekly workload on call in trauma was 33.90 ± 16.82 hours. The frequency of high scores in at least one of the three dimensions of MBI was 46.5%. Professional achievement was correlated with weekly workload (P = 0.020). Conclusion: the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome among on-call surgeons in referral hospital for trauma was 46.5%. In this sample there was correlation between weekly workload and the Burnout Syndrome. Objetivo: determinar a prevalência da Síndrome de Burnout (SB) em médicos cirurgiões que trabalham em hospital de referência para o trauma em Maceió e avaliar a possível correlação entre SB e a carga horária semanal de trabalho. Métodos: estudo transversal com 43 cirurgiões de plantão do Hospital Geral do Estado Professor Osvaldo Brandão Vilela, Maceió, entre julho e dezembro de 2015. Um formulário autoadministrado foi utilizado para avaliar SB por meio do Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) e as características sociodemográficas entre os participantes. Foi utilizado o teste de Spearman S para comparar SB e carga horária semanal. O nível de significância foi 5%. Resultados: entre os cirurgiões estudados, 95,35% eram do sexo masculino e a média de idade foi 43,9±8,95 anos. A média da carga horária semanal de plantão no trauma foi 33,90±16,82 horas. A frequência de pontuações elevadas em pelo menos uma das três dimensões do MBI foi 46,5%. Realização profissional foi correlacionada com a carga de trabalho semanal (P=0,020). Conclusão: a prevalência da Síndrome de Burnout entre cirurgiões plantonistas em hospital de referência para o trauma foi 46,5%. Nesta amostra houve correlação entre a carga horária semanal de trabalho e a Síndrome de Burnout.

Efetividade da associação da anestesia regional à anestesia geral na redução da mortalidade em revascularização miocárdica: metanálise ☆

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Neuraxial anesthesia (NA) has been used in association with general anesthesia (GA) for coronary artery bypass; however, anticoagulation during surgery makes us question the viability of benefits by the risk of epidural hematoma. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analyzes examining the efficacy of NA associated with GA compared to GA alone for coronary artery bypass on mortality reduction. METHODS Mortality, arrhythmias, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI), length of hospital stay (LHS), length of ICU stay (ICUS), reoperations, blood transfusion (BT), quality of life, satisfaction degree, and postoperative cognitive dysfunction were analyzed. The weighted mean difference (MD) was estimated for continuous variables, and relative risk (RR) and risk difference (RD) for categorical variables. RESULTS 17 original articles analyzed. Meta-analysis of mortality (RD=-0.01, 95% CI=-0.03 to 0.01), CVA (RR=0.79, 95% CI=0.32 to 1.95), MI (RR=0.96, 95% CI=0.52 to 1.79) and LHS (MD=-1.94, 95% CI=-3.99 to 0.12) were not statistically significant. Arrhythmia was less frequent with NA (RR=0.68, 95% CI=0.50 to 0.93). ICUS was lower in NA (MD=-2.09, 95% CI=-2.92 to -1.26). CONCLUSION There was no significant difference in mortality. Combined NA and GA showed lower incidence of arrhythmias and lower ICUS.

Ocorrência simultânea de síndrome de Evans e anemia falciforme em uma criança de 2 anos

The association of sickle cell anemia (SCA) and Evans syndrome (ES) seems to be uncommon. This study aimed to report a case of a child with SCA and SE. 2 year-old R. M. S. S. was admitted into a hematologic center with mucosal bleedings. Exam results revealed leucocyte 20.3 × 109/l, hemoglobin 4.6 g/dl, and platelets 28 × 109/l. Subsequently, myelogram was performed and showed erythroid-hypercellularity, which suggested hemolysis. Positive antiglobulin test corroborated the diagnosis of ES. Corticosteroid pulse therapies were conducted until normalization of platelet count. Sickle cells were detected in blood smears and hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed SS phenotype. Despite the fact the association appears to occur randomly, it causes severe clinical symptoms, which must be promptly recognized.