Impact of coronary intensive care unit in treatment of myocardial infarction.

Introduction:: The mortality rate attributed to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has decreased in the world. However, this disease is still responsible for high costs for health systems. Several factors could decrease mortality in these patients, including implementation of cardiac intensive care units (CICU).

Scurvy induced by obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Historically, scurvy has been associated with sailors of great navigational epochs. This disease has been known since ancient Egypt, but nowadays it is almost forgotten. Although its prevalence has decreased over the centuries, scurvy is still present in developed countries.

Myxedema ascites with elevated serum CA 125 concentration.

We report a case of myxedema ascites and markedly elevated serum CA 125 concentration. The cause of ascites and elevated tumor markers in hypothyroidism remains unknown. Diagnosis was characterized by no evidence of malignancy seen by transvaginal ultrasonography or abdominal computed tomography and ascites resolution with serum CA 125 normalization after adequate hormonal treatment.

[Tropical pyomyositis: atypical presentations].

Tropical pyomyositis is a primary infection of the skeletal muscles, that occurs mainly in tropical countries. At onset its manifestation is nonspecific, thereby hindering the diagnostic. The natural history of this disease is commonly benign, with rare complications.

Mortality decline after implementation of standard protocols for treating patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: To compare 30-day mortality in patients receiving different types of medication from 1992 to 1997, when no consensual treatment for acute myocardial infarction was available, versus 30-day mortality in patients being treated between 2000 and 2002 after standardization of that treatment was obtained in our service.

Methods: In the first and second study periods, 172 and 143 patients, respectively, admitted with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction were retrospectively assessed. Their diagnoses were confirmed, and the following statistical tests were performed: the chi-square test for comparing proportions and the Student t test and the Mann-Whitney test for comparing the means or medians.

Clinical profile, predictors of mortality, and treatment of patients after myocardial infarction, in an academic medical center hospital.

Objective: To evaluate clinical profiles, predictors of 30-day mortality, and the adherence to international recommendations for the treatment of myocardial infarction in an academic medical center hospital.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 172 patients with acute myocardial infarction, admitted in the intensive care unit from January 1992 to December 1997.

Results: Most patients were male (68%), white (97%), and over 60 years old (59%).