The Prognostic Impact of Renal Failure in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

INTRODUCTION: Renal insufficiency (RI) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in patients (P) with coronary artery disease and in P submitted to angioplasty. In ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI), this impact has not been well demonstrated. AIM: To evaluate the impact of RI in P with STEAMI. METHODS: We evaluated 160 P admitted with STEAMI, mean age of 62+/-14 years, 76% male. We determined creatinine levels on admission. RI was defined as a level >1.5 mg/dl. Analysis of clinical, electrocardiographic and laboratory variables was performed, in relation to the endpoint defined as the occurrence of death at 30-day follow-up. RESULTS: There were 16 deaths (10%) at 30-day follow-up. P with RI (n=21) were older (68+/-11 vs 61+/-14 years, p<0.001), more often had diabetes (57 vs 24 %, p=0.004) and presented more often with Killip class > or =2 (57 vs 12%, p<0.001). The use of statins (62 vs 83%, p=0.05) and beta-blockers (24 vs 65%, p<0.001) was lower in P with RI. Mortality was higher in RI P (62 vs 2%, p<0.001). The univariate predictors of death were age > or =75 years, diabetes, Killip class > or =2 on admission, RI, non-use of statins and beta-blockers and use of diuretics. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of death at 30 days were RI (HR 29.6, 95% CI 6.3-139.9, p<0.001) and non-use of beta-blockers (HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02-1.01, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In P admitted for STEAMI, the presence of RI was an independent predictor of death at 30 days whereas the usage of beta-blockers was protective.

Hydrops Fetalis - Revisão de 16 Casos

Os autores fizeram um estudo retrospectivo de 16 casos de hydrops fetalis observados durante um período de 4 anos na Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa. Em 5 dos recém-nascidos (RN) a hydrops era devida a isoimunização Rh. Nos 11 casos de natureza não imune, uma causa ou a presença de anomalias associadas foram detectadas em 4 doentes: taquicardia supraventricular (2 casos), doença renal multiquística (1 caso) e mielomeningocelo (1 caso). Os restantes casos eram de origem idiopática. Dois doentes faleceram in útero e quatro no período neonatal – mortalidade perinatal de 37%. A mortalidade foi mais elevada nos RN com idade gestacional mais baixa, no grupo com hydrops não imune, e nos RN com complicações orgânicas ou metabólicas graves. São revistos os problemas clínicos mais frequentes nesta situação, em particular o diagnóstico e actuação pré-natal, a asfixia perinatal e as complicações no período neonatal.