Flows of financial resources for health research and development in Brazil, 2000-2002.

Objective: To map and measure the flows of financial resources for health research and development in Brazil for the years 2000-2002.

Methods: After adapting the methodology developed for the Center for Economic Policy Research, data were collected on the sources and uses of resources for health research and development.

Results: The annual average value of resources apportioned to health research and development was approximately 573 million US dollars.

[Surgical correction of anomalous venous connection of the left lung without extracorporeal circulation].

Surgical correction of anomalous pulmonary venous connection from the left lung to the innominate vein (through a vertical vein) without cardiopulmonary bypass, was performed in two patients, with excellent evolution. After median sternotomy, the ascending vertical vein was cut obliquely close to the vein, and connected to the left atrial appendage. In the postoperative period, the patients were in NYHA class I and the hemodynamic study showed normal venous drainage from the left lung to the left atrium.

[A new reconstructive technique in cases of mitral insufficiency caused by the elongation of the chordae tendineae of the anterior cusp. A case report].

A new technique is proposed for mitral incompetence due to elongated chordae tendineae of the anterior leaflet. It consists in shortening the chordae tendineae of the leaflet level. First, we make a longitudinal orifice in the anterior leaflet just near its free edge and the elongated chordae tendineae.

A new technique for repair of mitral insufficiency caused by ruptured chordae of the anterior leaflet.

Prolapse of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve is the result of ruptured chordae, elongated chordae, or elongated or ruptured papillary muscle. Several techniques have been described for the correction of mitral valve insufficiency. However, when there is severe rupture of the chordae, the most widely accepted solution is valve replacement.