Relationship between Static Lung Compliance and Extubation Failure in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Background: Static lung compliance, which is seriously affected during surgery, can lead to respiratory failure and extubation failure, which is little explored in the decision to extubate after cardiac surgery.

Objective: To evaluate static lung compliance in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and relate its possible reduction to cases of extubation failure in patients submitted to the fast-track method of extubation.

Methods: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at a state university hospital admitted to the ICU under sedation and residual block were included.

Postoperative Period of Myocardial Revascularization Surgery: Retrospective Cohort Study of a Single Center.

Introduction: Risk factors and postoperative complications can worsen the condition of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting; some of these factors and complications are closely related to mortality rate.

Objective: To describe clinical factors and outcomes related to mortality of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and on invasive mechanical ventilation.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective data analysis of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting on invasive mechanical ventilation between 2013 and 2019.

Evaluation of Molecular Methods to Identify Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis in Blood Donation Candidates in Two Brazilian Centers.

In Brazil, blood donation is regulated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and all States follow the same protocol for clinical and laboratory screening. Brazil is an endemic country for Chagas disease (CD), caused by cruzi, and for leishmaniasis, caused by a species of spp. Screening for leishmaniosis is not routinely performed by blood banks.

Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis and Cardiomyocyte Diameter Are Associated With Heart Failure Symptoms in Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) constitutes the most life-threatening consequence of the infection. Our goal was to test in CCC the associations of the myocardial tissue phenotype with cardiac dysfunction, and heart failure (HF) severity, using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods: We performed a prospective observational cohort of patients with consecutive CCC with a CMR protocol, including ventricular function, myocardial T1, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Parasite load evaluation by qPCR and blood culture in Chagas disease and HIV co-infected patients under antiretroviral therapy.

Chagas disease also known as American trypanosomiasis, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by triatominae-contaminated feces. It is considered a neglected tropical disease that affects 6 to 7 million people worldwide. The reactivation of Chagas disease occurs when the chronically infected hosts are not able to control T.

Experiences in elderly people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in relation to the use of long-term home oxygen therapy: a qualitative study about feelings attributed to therapy.

Background: Elderly people are more likely to suffer severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and require long-term home oxygen therapy (LTOT) as part of their treatment. LTOT has advantages such as improvement in symptoms, but there are also disadvantages such as physical barriers, psychosocial barriers and emotional challenges. The aim of this study is to understand the experiences of elderly people with COPD using LTOT with respect to their feelings attributed to therapy.

Evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi parasitic load by real-time PCR and blood culture in long-term kidney transplant recipients.

Introduction: Acute Chagas disease involving reactivation can occur after organ transplant, and follow-up by direct parasitological or molecular methods is essential for monitoring the parasitic load in such patients. In contrast, there is a little data on the parasitic load in long-term organ recipients. In this study, we examined the parasitic load in long-term kidney transplant patients and assessed the possibility of late Chagas disease reactivation.

Differences in quality of life among older adults in Brazil according to smoking status and nicotine dependence.

Background: Research on quality of life QOL is limited in Brazil and few studies have examined the association between smoking status and quality of life. This study addresses this gap and also examines the association between smoking, nicotine dependence, and duration of smoking cessation on (QOL) among older adults in an urban area in Brazil.

Methods: Data are from a household survey conducted in urban areas of Uberaba, Brazil, in 2012 (n = 980).

Using a Chagas disease hospital database: a clinical and epidemiological patient profile.

Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) prevention and control rely on studies of its distribution, characteristics of individuals affected and mode of transmission. CD data in Brazil are scarce; a retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics of 80 patients treated at the Clinical Hospital of UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil, was performed.

Methods: Patient data records were analyzed.

Hepatic changes by benznidazole in a specific treatment for Chagas disease.

Chagas disease (Cd) is the third most common parasitic disease that causes damage to human health. Even a century after its description by Carlos Chagas and advances in its control, it remains a neglected disease. To eradicate the parasite or reduce the parasitic load, specific treatment for Trypanosoma cruzi (T.

Respiratory evaluation through volumetric capnography among grade III obese and eutrophic individuals: a comparative study.

Background: Excess trunk body fat in obese individuals influences respiratory physiological function. The aims of this study were to compare volumetric capnography findings (VCap) between severely obese patients and normal-weight subjects and to assess whether there is any association between neck circumference (NC), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and VCap among grade III obese individuals.

Design And Setting: Analytical observational case-matched cross-sectional study, University of Campinas.

PetCO2, VCO2 and CorPP Values in the Successful Prediction of the Return of Spontaneous Circulation: An Experimental Study on Unassisted Induced Cardiopulmonary Arrest.

Introduction: During cardiac arrest, end-tidal CO (PetCO), VCO and coronary perfusion pressure fall abruptly and tend to return to normal levels after an effective return of spontaneous circulation. Therefore, the monitoring of PetCO and VCO by capnography is a useful tool during clinical management of cardiac arrest patients.

Objective: To assess if PetCO, VCO and coronary perfusion pressure are useful for the prediction of return of spontaneous circulation in an animal model of cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation treated with vasopressor agents.

The detection of Trypanosoma cruzi by nested-PCR in elderly patients: relationship to the clinical and epidemiological profile.

Chagas disease, which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted primarily by triatomine bugs, although the incidence of new cases has decreased as a result of vector control. In Brazil, most of those affected have the chronic form of the disease and are generally elderly individuals who require appropriate clinical follow-up. In this work, we undertook a descriptive study in which 85 patients were interviewed and blood samples were collected for molecular analyses based on the amplification of parasite satellite DNA.

Atrial natriuretic factor: is it responsible for hyponatremia and natriuresis in neurosurgery?

Objective: To evaluate the presence of hyponatremia and natriuresis and their association with atrial natriuretic factor in neurosurgery patients.

Methods: The study included 30 patients who had been submitted to intracranial tumor resection and cerebral aneurism clipping. Both plasma and urinary sodium and plasma atrial natriuretic factor were measured during the preoperative and postoperative time periods.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of the Atraumatic Endotracheal Tube in the Pulmonary-Gas Exchange: an Experimental Study.

Objective: Mechanical ventilation is frequently necessary, in which case the use of an endotracheal tube is mandatory. The tube has an inflatable balloon in its distal extremity, whose aim is, among other functions, an efficient arterialization. However, serious injuries in the place of contact of the balloon with the trachea can be frequent.

Adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve in experimental bronchopleural fistula. A new therapeutic perspective.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of an adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve in experimental bronchopleural fistula during mechanical ventilation.

Methods: We studied six mechanically ventilated pigs in a surgically created, reproducible model of bronchopleural fistula managed with mechanical ventilation and water-sealed thoracic drainage. An adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve was placed between the thoracic drain and the endotracheal tube.

Ventilatory abnormalities in patients with cystic fibrosis undergoing the submaximal treadmill exercise test.

Background: Exercise has been studied as a prognostic marker for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), as well as a tool for improving their quality of life and analyzing lung disease. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare variables of lung functioning. Our data included: (i) volumetric capnography (VCAP) parameters: expiratory minute volume (VE), volume of exhaled carbon dioxide (VCO2), VE/VCO2, ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT), and end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2); (ii) spirometry parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC), percent forced expiratory volume in the first second of the FVC (FEV1%), and FEV1/FVC%; and (iii) cardiorespiratory parameters: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and Borg scale rating at rest and during exercise.

Hemodynamic, ventilatory and gasometric evaluation of an experimental bronchopleural fistula.

Purpose: To investigate the hemodynamic and ventilatory changes associated with the creation of an experimental bronchopleural fistula (BPF) treated by mechanical ventilation and thoracic drainage with or without a water seal.

Methods: Six large white pigs weighing 25 kg each which, after general anesthesia, underwent endotracheal intubation (6mm), and mechanically ventilation. Through a left thoracotomy, a resection of the lingula was performed in order to create a BPF with an output exceeding 50% of the inspired volume.

Brazilian recommendations of mechanical ventilation 2013. Part I.

Perspectives on invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support for critically ill patients are evolving, as much evidence indicates that ventilation may have positive effects on patient survival and the quality of the care provided in intensive care units in Brazil. For those reasons, the Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira - AMIB) and the Brazilian Thoracic Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumonia e Tisiologia - SBPT), represented by the Mechanical Ventilation Committee and the Commission of Intensive Therapy, respectively, decided to review the literature and draft recommendations for mechanical ventilation with the goal of creating a document for bedside guidance as to the best practices on mechanical ventilation available to their members. The document was based on the available evidence regarding 29 subtopics selected as the most relevant for the subject of interest.

Infliximab reduces cardiac output in rheumatoid arthritis patients without heart failure.

Objective: Human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) monoclonal antibody (infliximab) is used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the risk of worsening heart failure has been described in patients under chronic treatment, the acute cardiovascular effects of this drug are unknown in RA patients without heart failure.

Methods: 14 RA patients with normal echocardiography and no history of heart failure were evaluated during the 2-hour infliximab (3-5 mg/kg) infusion period, using a noninvasive hemodynamic beat-to-beat system (Portapres).

The white coat effect is not associated with additional increase of target organ damage in true resistant hypertension.

Background And Objective: White coat effect (WCE) (i.e., the difference between office blood pressure [OBP] and awake ambulatory blood pressure monitoring [ABPM]) may be present in hypertensive individuals.

Leptin and aldosterone in sympathetic activity in resistant hypertension with or without type 2 diabetes.

Background: The finding of adipocyte-derived hormone leptin as an overstimulator of sympathetic activity brought a new perspective to the pathophysiological mechanisms of obesity-hypertension.

Objectives: As aldosterone also increases sympathetic activity, we aimed to assess the relationship between sympathetic overactivity and plasma leptin and aldosterone levels in resistant hypertension (RHTN), comparing the groups with and without T2D.

Methods: Twenty-five RHTN patients underwent ambulatory electrocardiography to analyze heart rate variability (HRV) in time and frequency domains, which were stratified into two periods: 24 hours and daytime (DT), comprising the records between 2:00 p.