Search

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of the alveolar recruitment maneuver and the breath stacking technique with respect to lung mechanics and gas exchange in patients with acute lung injury., Methods: Thirty patients were distributed into two groups: Group 1 - breath stacking; and Group 2 - alveolar recruitment maneuver. After undergoing conventional physical therapy, all patients received both treatments with an interval of 1 day between them. In the first group, the breath stacking technique was used initially, and subsequently, the alveolar recruitment maneuver was applied. Group 2 patients were initially subjected to alveolar recruitment, followed by the breath stacking technique. Measurements of lung compliance and airway resistance were evaluated before and after the use of both techniques. Gas analyses were collected before and after the techniques were used to evaluate oxygenation and gas exchange., Results: Both groups had a significant increase in static compliance after breath stacking (p=0.021) and alveolar recruitment (p=0.03), but with no significant differences between the groups (p=0.95). The dynamic compliance did not increase for the breath stacking (p=0.22) and alveolar recruitment (p=0.074) groups, with no significant difference between the groups (p=0.11). The airway resistance did not decrease for either groups, i.e., breath stacking (p=0.91) and alveolar recruitment (p=0.82), with no significant difference between the groups (p=0.39). The partial pressure of oxygen increased significantly after breath stacking (p=0.013) and alveolar recruitment (p=0.04), but there was no significant difference between the groups (p=0.073). The alveolar-arterial O2 difference decreased for both groups after the breath stacking (p=0.025) and alveolar recruitment (p=0.03) interventions, and there was no significant difference between the groups (p=0.81)., Conclusion: Our data suggest that the breath stacking and alveolar recruitment techniques are effective in improving the lung mechanics and gas exchange in patients with acute lung injury.

Takotsubo Cardiomiopathy is a rare cause of acute left ventricular aneurysm, in the absence of coronariopathy, only recently described in world literature. Symptoms may be similar to those from acute myocardial infarction with typical thoracic pain. The image of dumbbell or Takotsubo (a device used in Japan to capture octopus) suggestive ventricular ballooning is characteristic of that new syndrome and there is usually the disappearing of dyskinetic movement up to the 18th day from the beginning of the symptoms, in average.

A 43-year-old symptomatic woman (dyspnea and palpitation) had multiple coronary-pulmonary artery fistulae with high output; percutaneous embolization was successfully performed using controlled-release microcoils and disposable balloons.

The authors make a retrospective review of 53 new cases of Nephrotic Syndrome followed up in the Nephrology Unit from November 1988 to March 1994, bearing in mind the evaluation of casual changes of the disease standard regarding a previous study of 1988. Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical and evolutional aspects were studied. Forty-four cases of primary Nephrotic Syndrome (83%) were identified, 61.4% of which behaved as cortico-sensitive, 25% as cortico-dependent, and 13.6% as cortico-resistant; 8 cases (15%) of Nephrotic Syndrome secondary to infection, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Amyloidosis, and 1 case of congenital Nephrotic Syndrome (2%). The theory that the high number of cortico-dependent is, probably, related with a higher severity in the relapse diagnosis and/or changes in the children's standard of living is admissible. It was also observed that at present there is a lower number of hospital discharges, related to more careful attitudes adopted regarding the evolution of the disease.

Histology records from 63 nephrectomies were reviewed; 22 patients had unilateral totally dysplastic kidneys and 5 had polar or segmental dysplasia. A clinicopathological study of these cases was undertaken. In the first group, there was a slight male preponderance and 75% of the patients presented were under two years of age. Urinary tract infection was the most common complaint. 4 patients were diagnosed in utero by ultrasound and 5 infants presented an abdominal mass. Hypertension was documented in a newborn baby. Ipsilateral lower urinary tract anomalies were found in 12 patients and those of the contralateral kidney in 2 children. There were 3 cases of extrarenal anomalies. Histological examination revealed 13 cases of multicystic dysplasia and 9 of solid dysplasia. Metaplastic cartilage was found in 1 case. In the group of segmental dysplasia, age ranging from 27 weeks' gestation to 8 years, at the time of the diagnosis. They all had duplex kidneys and 4 had ureterocele. Histological study in these cases was similar to the one found in the previous series, although superimposed inflammatory changes were more pronounced. Some of the theories regarding the pathogenesis of this disorder are reviewed and the importance of its diagnosis is emphasised.