Thorax ultrasound in the management of pediatric pneumonias complicated with empyema

The aim of this work is to prospectively study the value of thoracic ultrasound (US) before pleural drainage in children with parapneumonic effusion (PPE). All children hospitalized for PPE, identified by thoracic radiography, underwent US to assess pleural loculation, echogenicity, and pleural fluid quantity. From August 2001 to July 2003, 52 children were examined. US was performed on 48 of these children, of whom 35 received chest tube drainage and 13 only received clinical treatment. US identified 38 patients with free flowing and 10 with loculated pleural fluid. About 25 of the free flowing (65.8%) and 10 (100%) of the loculated patients received chest tube drainage. Echogenicity was anechoic in 13, echoic without septations in 17 and echoic with septations in 18. Chest tube drainage was required in 6 anechoic (46.15%), 14 echoic without septations (82.35%), and 15 echoic with septations (83.33%). Quantity of fluid estimated by US varied from 20 to 860 ml. Effusion volume was higher in patients that were echoic with septations and loculated effusions. Pleural glucose and pH were lower, and LDH was higher in loculated PPE patients. In conclusion, US is an auxiliary exam for determining whether thoracic drainage is needed in parapneumonic effusion; loculated or echoic effusion should be drained, and free anechoic fluid needs further investigation.

Healing process in anastomosis of homologous venous grafts preserved in glutaraldehyde implanted aorta of rabbits

Aim. Autologous vein (AV) is sometimes not suitable or present for a vascular restoration. Homologous vein preserved in glutaraldehyde may be an alternative to AV, but little is yet known about this graft and its healing process after implantation in arteries. The purpose of this study was to compare the initial healing process of glutaraldehyde-tanned homologous venous grafts (group 1) with fresh autologous venous grafts (group 2), at 4 or 15 days.Methods. Forty Norfolk rabbits were allocated in 2 groups of 20 animals each. The grafts was interposed in the infra-renal aorta of the rabbit. Anastomotic tensile strength (TS), hydroxyproline (HP) determination, and histology (HA) were performed.Results. TS increased in both groups, from the 4th to 15th day, (p < 0.01) in both proximal (G1: from 364.5 &PLUSMN; 98.3 g to 491.8 &PLUSMN; 107.3 g; G2: from 366.26 &PLUSMN; 85.15 g to 518.46 &PLUSMN; 82.79 g) and distal anastomosis (GI: from 363.53 &PLUSMN; 96.26 g to 507.32 &PLUSMN; 91.01 g; G2: from 352.30 &PLUSMN; 102.41 g to 528.67 &PLUSMN; 48.58 g), with no difference between the groups. HP did not change (p > 0.10) in this same period and was similar in both groups, in the proximal (GI: from 677.99 +/- 153.98 mug/100 mg to 914.92 +/- 459.83 mug/100 mg; G2: from 668.65 +/- 170.28 mug/100 mg to 669.46 +/- 319.80 mug/100 mg) as well as in the distal anastomosis (G1:from 740.07 +/- 213.53 mug/100 mg to 923.52 +/- 270.57 mug/100 mg; G2: from 737.66 +/- 266.76 mug/100 mg to 707.68 +/- 171.25 mug/100 mg). Initial inflammatory and reparative features of the anastomosis were similar in both groups.Conclusion. We can conclude that the healing process of the glutaraldehyde-tanned homologous vein graft was similar to that of the fresh autologous venous graft.

Extrinsic compression of popliteal artery in asymptomatic athlete and non-athlete individuals - A comparative study using duplex scan (color duplex sonography)

Aim. Extrinsic compression of the popliteal artery and absence of surrounding anatomical abnormalities characterize the functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). The diagnosis is confirmed to individuals who have typical symptoms of popliteal entrapment and occlusion or important stenosis of the popliteal artery with color duplex sonography (CDS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or arteriography during active plantar flexion-extension maneuvers. However, variable result findings in normal asymptomatic subjects have raised doubts as to the validity of these tests. The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of popliteal artery compression in 2 groups of asymptomatic subjects, athletes and non-athletes.Methods. Forty-two individuals were studied. Twenty-one subjects were indoor soccer players, and 21 were sedentary individuals. Physical activity was evaluated through questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and cardiopulmonary exercise test. Evaluation of popliteal artery compression was performed in lower limbs with CDS, ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements and continuous wave Doppler of the posterior tibial artery.Results. The athletes studied fulfilled the criteria of high level of physical activity whereas sedentary subjects met the criteria of low level of activity. Popliteal artery compression was observed with CDS in 6 (14.2%) studied subjects; 2 of whom (4.7%) were athletes and 4 (9.5%) were non-athletes. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.21). Doppler of the tibial arteries and ABI measurements gave good specificity and sensibility in the identification of popliteal artery compression.Conclusion. The frequency of popliteal artery compression during maneuvers in normal subjects was 14.2% irrespective of whether or not they performed regular physical activities. Both Doppler and ABI showed good agreement with CDS and should be considered in screening popliteal arteries in individuals suspected of PAES.

Estudo da ação do extrato de Ginkgo biloba e amido hidroxietílico hipertônico na atenuação de alterações decorrentes de isquemia e reperfusão de órgãos esplâncnicos em ratos

A oclusão e reperfusão das artérias esplâncnicas ocasiona choque circulatório, causado principalmente pelo aumento de permeabilidade vascular e pela agressão celular provocada por radicais livres derivados do oxigênio. Este estudo tem por finalidade verificar a ação do extrato de Ginkgo biloba (Egb-761) e do amido hidroxietílico (AHH) na prevenção do choque circulatório produzido pela isquemia e reperfusão de órgãos esplâncnicos. O Egb-761 tem propriedades antioxidantes relatadas na literatura. O AHH, tem sido utilizado como recurso terapêutico do choque hipovolêmico. Ratos anestesiados receberam infusão contínua de Egb-761 ou AHH, sendo submetidos à isquemia (oclusão do tronco celíaco, artéria mesentérica superior e artéria mesentérica inferior por 30 minutos) e reperfusão (por 90 minutos) dos órgãos esplâncnicos. Foram feitas: análise histopatológica ileal, dosagem de malondialdeído ileal e determinação contínua da pressão arterial média (PAM). A PAM ao final do período de reperfusão foi significativamente mais elevada nos animais tratados com Egb-761 e AHH, que no grupo controle (F=18,29; p<0,001). Não houve diferença entre os grupos tratados e controle quanto à dosagem de MDA (H=4,61; p>0,10) e quanto às alterações histológicas (H=6,003; p>0,10). em conclusão, houve melhora nas condições hemodinâmicas, com atenuação do choque nos ratos que receberam Egb-761 ou AHH. Novos estudos serão necessários para se avaliar melhor as alterações histológicas e para esclarecer a formação de produtos finais da peroxidação lipídica.

Management of tracheobronchial foreign body in children

To study cases of foreign bodies (FB) in the tracheobronchial tree investigating the clinical and radiological FB characteristics, complications and endoscopic and surgical intervention. Medical and radiological records review of all FB aspiration cases treated at S (a) over tilde uo Paulo State University Hospital over the last 30 years. One hundred and sixty-four FB cases were analyzed; 57% were male, 84% of these were under 16 years old. The most common clinical manifestations were coughing (68.3%) and choking (54.9%). The most common FBs were seeds (peanut, bean, maize) and also small metal or plastic objects. Radiography was normal in 21.3%, atelectasis was present in 40.9%, hyperinsufflation in 17.1% and the FB was radio-opaque in 20.7%. FB time in the bronchial tree varied from hours to years. The most serious complications, as fibroatelectasis and difficult resolution pneumonia, were caused by the long time that the FB remained in the bronchial tree. FB extraction was by endoscopy in 89% of cases, while 6% required surgical extraction or resection of destroyed part of lung, and 5% spontaneously eliminated the FB. There was no mortality in this series. Coughing and choking were the commonest clinical findings. Most FBs were dried seeds. Complications were due to delays in diagnosis, and most would not have existed if the doctor had given credence to the history. Radiography can be normal as most FBs are radiotransparent. FB extraction was by endoscopy, but a few cases required surgery and others were spontaneously eliminated.

Urgent Endovascular Treatment of Thoraco-abdominal Aneurysms Using a Sandwich Technique and Chimney Grafts - A Technical Description

Introduction: So far the only endovascular option to treat patients with thoraco abdominal aortic aneurysms is the deployment of branched grafts. We describe a technique consisting of the deployment of standard off-the- shelf grafts to treat urgent cases.Material and Methods: The sandwich technique consists of the deployment of ViaBahn chimney grafts in combination with standard thoracic and abdominal aortic stent grafts. The chimney grafts are deployed using a transbrachial and transaxillary access. These coaxial grafts are placed inside the thoracic tube graft. After deployment of the infrarenal bifurcated abdominal graft a bridging stent-a short tube graft is positioned inside the thoracic graft further stabilizing the chimney grafts.Results: 5 patients with symptomatic thoraco abdominal aneurysms were treated. There was one Type I endoleak that resolved after 2 months. In all patients 3 stentgrafts had to be used When possible all visceral and renal branches were revascularized. A total number of 17 arteries were reconnected with covered branches. During follow up we lost one target vessel the right renal artery.Conclusion: The sandwich technique in combination with chimney grafts permits a total endovascular exclusion of thoraco abdominal aortic aneurysms. In all cases off-the shelf products and grafts could be used. The number of patients treated so far is still too small to draw further more robust conclusions with regard to long term performance and durability. (C) 2010 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of pentoxifylline and n-acetylcysteine on injuries caused by ischemia and reperfusion splanchnic organs in rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Total Endovascular Debranching of the Aortic Arch

Background: Significant morbidity and mortality are related to conventional aortic replacement surgery. Endovascular debranching techniques, fenestrated or branched endografts are time consuming and costly.Objective: We alternatively propose to use endovascular approach with parallel grafts for debranching of aortic arch.Methods: Under general anesthesia, 12 F sheaths were inserted in the femoral, axillary and common carotid arteries for vascular accesses. ViaBahn grafts 10 - 15 cm in length were placed into the aortic arch from right common carotid, left common carotid and left axillary arteries, until the tip of each graft reached into the ascending aorta. Through one femoral artery, the aortic stent-graft was positioned and delivered. Soon after, the parallel grafts were sequentially delivered. Self-spanding Wallstents(R) were used for parallel grafts reinforcement. Ballooning was routinely used for parallel grafts and rarely for aortic graft.Results: This technique was used in 2 cases. The first one was a lady with 72 years old, with an aortic retrograde dissection from left subclavian artery and involving remaining arch branches. Through right common carotid artery a stent-graft was placed in the ascending aorta and through the left common carotid artery a ViaBahn was inserted parallel to the former. A thoracic endograft then covered all the aortic arch dissection extending into the ascending aorta close to the sinu-tubular junction. The second case was a 82 year old male patient with a 7 cm aortic arch aneurysm. Through both common carotid arteries ViaBahn grafts were introduced and positioned into the ascending aorta. Soon after, the deployment of the thoracic stent graft covered all parallel grafts of the aortic arch, excluding the aneurysm. Both cases did not have neurologic or cardiac complications and were discharged 10 days after the procedure.Conclusions: This technique may be a good minimal invasive off-the-shelf technical option for aortic arch "debranching". More data and further improvements are required before this promising technique can be widely advocated. (C) 2011 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modified 'Stent-Graft Sandwich' Technique for Treatment of Isolated Common Iliac Artery Aneurysm in Patient With Marfan Syndrome

Isolated iliac artery aneurysms are rare in the general population (0.03%) and represent 2% of all abdominal aneurysms, and the association with Marfan syndrome is even rarer. We report a Marfan syndrome case with an isolated common iliac artery aneurysm treated by using a modified 'stent-graft sandwich' technique, with preservation of the internal iliac artery perfusion. The modified 'stent-graft sandwich' technique involves building an appropriate proximal neck just in the common iliac artery for fittingly housing two new stent-grafts inside, both deployed simultaneously and each one going to both distal iliac arteries (internal and external).

O processo aterosclerótico em artérias de coelhos submetidos a dieta suplementada com gema de ovo: modelo experimental de baixo custo

OBJETIVO: Verificar a aterogenicidade do modelo de hipercolesterolemia por suplementação alimentar com gema de ovo em coelhos e seu uso como modelo de aterosclerose experimental de baixo custo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram utilizados 14 coelhos divididos em dois grupos de sete animais: grupo controle (G1), que recebeu ração comercial ad libitum, e grupo tratado (G2), que foi alimentado com dieta suplementada com gema de ovo. Ambos os grupos foram alimentados por 90 dias. Foram realizadas dosagens do perfil lipídico dos animais nos momentos 0, 30, 60 e 90 dias. Ao término do período experimental, os animais foram submetidos a eutanásia e retirada da aorta e de seus ramos diretos para realização de estudo anatomopatológico. RESULTADOS Apenas no grupo G2 houve aumento significativo nos níveis de colesterol total e frações. Ao exame macroscópico, foram observadas estrias gordurosas no arco aórtico e aorta abdominal e, à microscopia, acúmulos lipídicos discretos na íntima da aorta abdominal, renal, carótida, transição toracoabdominal e femoral. Portanto, a dieta com gema de ovo provocou aterosclerose leve no animal de experimentação e alterações equivalentes àquelas provocadas pelo colesterol purificado comercial quando fornecido em baixa dosagem. Assim sendo, a gema de ovo pode ser utilizada como fonte de colesterol alimentar de baixo custo em modelos de aterosclerose experimental.

Fatores envolvidos na migração das endopróteses em pacientes submetidos ao tratamento endovascular do aneurisma da aorta abdominal

A migração da endoprótese é complicação do tratamento endovascular definida como deslocamento da ancoragem inicial. Para avaliação da migração, verifica-se a posição da endoprótese em relação a determinada região anatômica. Considerando o aneurisma da aorta abdominal infrarrenal, a área proximal de referência consiste na origem da artéria renal mais baixa e, na região distal, situa-se nas artérias ilíacas internas. Os pacientes deverão ser monitorizados por longos períodos, a fim de serem identificadas migrações, visto que estas ocorrem normalmente após 2 anos de implante. Para evitar migrações, forças mecânicas que propiciam fixação, determinadas por características dos dispositivos e incorporação da endoprótese, devem predominar sobre forças gravitacionais e hemodinâmicas que tendem a arrastar a prótese no sentido caudal. Angulação, extensão e diâmetro do colo, além da medida transversa do saco aneurismático, são importantes aspectos morfológicos do aneurisma relacionados à migração. Com relação à técnica, não se recomenda implante de endopróteses com sobredimensionamento excessivo (> 30%), por provocar dilatação do colo do aneurisma, além de dobras e vazamentos proximais que também contribuem para a migração. Por outro lado, endopróteses com mecanismos adicionais de fixação (ganchos, farpas e fixação suprarrenal) parecem apresentar menos migrações. O processo de incorporação das endopróteses ocorre parcialmente e parece não ser suficiente para impedir migrações tardias. Nesse sentido, estudos experimentais com endopróteses de maior porosidade e uso de substâncias que permitam maior fibroplasia e aderência da prótese à artéria vêm sendo realizados e parecem ser promissores. Esses aspectos serão discutidos nesta revisão.

A total laparoscopic technique for endovascular thoracic stent graft deployment

Background: Limitations of endovascular thoracic aneurym treatment include small, tortuous, or severely calcified iliac Back, arteries. We present our experience with a total laparoscopic access to deploy thoracic endografts.Methods. A total laparoscopic left retrocolic approach was used in all cases. A Dacron conduit was laparoscopically sutured to either the iliac artery or to the aorta directly. The endograft was inserted through this conduit. After graft deployment, the Dacron prosthesis was tunneled to the groin and anastomosed with the femoral artery.Results. The laparoscopic procedure could successfully be performed in 11 patients. In six cases, the aorta was used as all access and in five patients, the iliac arteries were preferred. In one of these cases, the right iliac artery, was used for deployment of the endograft. After successful aorto- or ileo-femoral bypass grafting, all patients had an improvement of their ankle brachial index postoperatively. The mean operative time was almost four hours, including laparoscopy, laparoscopic anastomosis, endograft deployment, and femoral artery anastomosis or profundaplasty.Conclusion: Totally laparoscopic assisted graft implantation in aorta or iliac arteries provides a safe and effective access for the endovascular delivery system. However, further evaluation and long follow-up are necessary to ensure the potential advantages of this technique. It is a less invasive option to overcome access-related problems with thoracic endograft deployment, giving the patient the advantage of a totally minimal invasive procedure. (J Vasc Surg 2010;51:504-8.)

Biomechanical and histologic analysis in aortic endoprosthesis using fibrin glue

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Myocardial fibrosis rather than hypertrophy induces diastolic dysfunction in renovascular hypertensive rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the-effect of interstitial fibrosis alone or associated with hypertrophy. on diastolic myocardial function in renovascular hypertensive rats. Myocardial function was evaluated in isolated papillary muscle from renovascular hypertensive Wistar rats (RHT, n = 14), renovascular hypertensive rats treated with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) ramipril, 20 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) (RHT RAM, n = 14), and age-matched unoperated and untreated Wistar rats (CONT, n = 12). The ACEI treatment for 3 weeks allowed the regression of myocyte mass and the maintenance of interstitial fibrosis. Myocardial passive stiffness was analyzed by the resting tension - length relationship. The myocardial fibrosis was evaluated by measuring myocardial hydroxyproline (Hyp) concentration and by histological studies of the myocardium stained with hematoxylin and eosin or picrosirius red. Left ventricular weight was significantly higher in RHT (0.97 +/- 0.12 g) compared with CONT (0.66 +/- 0.06 g) and RHT RAM (0.69 +/- 0.14 g). The Hyp levels were 2.9 +/- 0.4, 3.4 +/- 0.3, and 3.8 +/- 0.4 mu g/mg of dry tissue for the CONT, RHT, and RHT RAM, respectively. Perivascular and interstitial fibrosis were observed in RHT and RHT RAM groups. There were lymphomononuclear inflammatory exudate and edema around arteries, involving adjacent myocytes in the RHT group. There was an increased passive stiffness in RHT and RHT RAM groups compared with the CONT group. In conclusion, our results indicate that the Impaired diastolic function in the renovascular hypertensive rats is related to interstitial fibrosis rather than to myocardial hypertrophy.

Follow-up study of morphology and cardiac function in rats undergoing induction of supravalvular aortic stenosis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)