Echocardiography for prognostication during the resuscitation of intensive care unit patients with non-shockable rhythm cardiac arrest.

Aim: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) during cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) has been studied in victims of cardiac arrests. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of TTE in victims of cardiac arrest with non-shockable rhythms hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: This prospective and observational cohort study evaluated ICU patients with CPA in asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA).

Incidence and predictors of very late (>or=4 years) major cardiac adverse events in the DESIRE (Drug-Eluting Stents in the Real World)-Late registry.

Objectives: Our aim was to access the incidence of late major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and stent thrombosis (ST) in nonselected, complex patients followed for a period >/=4 years.

Background: Despite the efficacy of drug-eluting stents (DES) in reducing repeated target lesion revascularization, concerns regarding the occurrence of late and very late ST have partially obscured the benefits of this novel technology.

Methods: All consecutive patients treated solely with DES between May 2002 and January 2005 were enrolled into this prospective, nonrandomized, single-center registry.

How to assess intensive care randomized trials.

Randomized controlled trials are scientific investigations considered as the gold-standard to evaluate therapeutic interventions. Randomized controlled trials may examine the safety and efficacy of new drugs and therapeutic procedures or compare the effects of two or more drugs or any other intervention. In this article, we present the essential features of these studies, as well as, factors which may bias randomized controlled trials.

Endoscopic classification of the capillary-vessel pattern of colorectal lesions by spectral estimation technology and magnifying zoom imaging.

Background: Colonoscopy with spectral estimation technology and magnifying zoom imaging allows the characterization of the fine superficial capillary pattern of normal mucosa and of colorectal lesions. The endoscopic distinction of the capillary pattern of colorectal lesions might contribute to the differential diagnosis among normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic lesions.

Objective: By means of these latest technologic advances, the objective is to define a classification of the capillary-vessel pattern of colorectal lesions diagnosed during routine colonoscopy.

[How to critically assess intensive care cohort studies?].

Background And Objectives: Cohort studies are useful to identify risk and prognostic factors, assess disease natural history and verify the impact of diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. This article aims to guide readers on how to critically assess papers using a cohort research design.

Contents: For a critical appraisal of cohort studies, one must observe: the existence of selection and information bias, the continuity of the follow-up, the control of confounding variables, the significance of the results and its applicability in clinical practice.

Aerobic exercise and submaximal functional capacity in overweight pregnant women: a randomized trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of aerobic training on submaximal cardiorespiratory capacity in overweight pregnant women.

Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial in a referral center prenatal clinic during the period 2000-2002. Of 132 overweight (body mass index 26-31 kg/m2) but otherwise healthy volunteers, at 20 years of age or older, with gestational age of 20 weeks or less, and without diabetes or hypertension, 92 consented to participate and were randomized.