Cardiac transplantation and neoplasms: experiences at Escola Paulista de Medicina of the Federal University of São Paulo

OBJECTIVE: To study the occurrence and types of neoplasms developed by patients who underwent an orthotopic cardiac transplantation under the Program of Cardiac Transplantation of Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo. METHODS: This is an observational study of 106 patients who underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation from November 1986 to September 2002 and survived at least thirty days following the procedure. The triple immunosuppressive regimen given included cyclosporin A, azathioprine and a corticosteroid agent. Only two patients received OKT3 in addition to the regimen established. Mean follow-up was 61.4 months (ranging from two months to 192 months). RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (21.3%) developed neoplasms - 56.5% of these were skin neoplasm, 30.1%, solid tumors, and 13.4% of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). Mean interval between transplantation and diagnosis of neoplasm was: 54.9 months for skin neoplasm; 24.8 months for solid tumors and 70.3 months for PTLD. CONCLUSION: Malignant neoplasms are relatively common in the population studied. Skin cancer was the most common type compared to the other types of neoplasms. Solid tumors were more frequently diagnosed than the lymphoproliferative diseases in the population examined.OBJETIVOS: Analisar ocorrência e tipos de neoplasias que se desenvolveram em pacientes submetidos a transplante cardíaco ortotópico, no Programa de Transplante Cardíaco da Escola de Paulista de Medicina da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). MÉTODOS: O presente estudo apresenta uma análise observacional de 106 pacientes submetidos a transplante cardíaco ortotópico, no período de novembro de 1986 a setembro de 2002, que sobreviveram por período superior a trinta dias após o procedimento. O regime de imunossupressão consistiu de terapia tríplice com ciclosporina A, azatioprina e corticosteróide. Apenas dois pacientes receberam, além da terapia tríplice, a adição de ortoclone OKT-3. O período médio de acompanhamento foi de 61,4 meses. (variação de dois meses a 192 meses). RESULTADOS: Vinte e três pacientes (21,3%) desenvolveram neoplasias, dos quais 56,5% apresentaram neoplasia de pele, 30,1% apresentaram tumores sólidos e 13,4%, doença linfoproliferativa pós-transplante (DLPT). O intervalo médio entre o transplante e o diagnóstico de neoplasia foi: pele - 54,9 meses, tumores sólidos - 24,8 meses e DLPT - 70,3 meses. CONCLUSÕES: A ocorrência de neoplasias malignas foi relativamente comum na população analisada. O câncer de pele prevaleceu em relação às demais neoplasias e os tumores sólidos foram mais diagnosticados do que as doenças linfoproliferativas nessa série de pacientes.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Sildenafil improves right ventricular function in a cardiac transplant recipient

We report the case of a male patient who underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation. A marginal donor was used, because the recipient's clinical condition was critical. He experienced cardiogenic shock due to right ventricular dysfunction secondary to pulmonary hypertension associated with vasoplegia. After the introduction of sildenafil, the patient recovered hemodynamically, his pulmonary vascular resistance decreased, the vasoactive drugs were withdrawn, and his right ventricular function improved.Relatamos caso de um paciente submetido a transplante cardíaco ortotópico, onde se utilizou um doador marginal pela piora clínica do receptor, que apresentava choque cardiogênico por disfunção de ventrículo direito secundária a hipertensão pulmonar associado à vasoplegia. Obtivemos recuperação hemodinâmica do paciente, com redução da resistência vascular pulmonar, retirada de drogas vasoativas e recuperação da função do ventrículo direito após a introdução de sildenafil.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Treatment of terminal cardic insufficiency by means of correction of secondary insufficiency and ventricular remodelling

INTRODUCTION: The survival of patients in end-stage and secondary mitral insufficiency is very poor in short periods of follow-up in spite of the progress that has been made in clinical management. The occurrence of secundary mitral regurgitation compromises survival and quality of life and recent papers have suggested that mitral intervention could improve functional classes. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a techniques of valvular prostheses implantation in the left A-V annulus, to correct mitral regurgitation and remodelling the basis of the left ventricle with shortening of the longitudinal axis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyze 33 patients in end-stage cardiomyopathies (15 ischemic, 13 dilated, 3 Chagas' disease, 1 puerperal, 1 viral) operated on from December 85 to September 99. The ages varied from 25 to 78 years (mean 58), 57.7% males. The period of follow-up was from 4 months until 4 years (mean 22 months). RESULTS: During hospital stay, 3 deaths (3/33) occurred and 2 others occurred after hospital discharge (2/30). In this period of follow-up 88% of patients improved 1 or 2 functional classes, the echocardiographic ejection fraction improved from 30 to 36% despite elimination of regurgitant flow and the stroke volume increased from 58 to 80 ml. CONCLUSION: Refractory cardiac insufficiency with mitral regurgitation can be palliative with valvular prosthesis implantation and remodelling of left ventricle in this period of follow-up.INTRODUÇÃO: A sobrevida de pacientes com miocardiopatia e insuficiência mitral secundária em classe funcional IV é muito pequena em curtos períodos de observação, apesar dos progressos consideráveis obtidos com o tratamento médico. Tem sido demonstrado que o aparecimento de insuficiência mitral secundária piora o prognóstico e a qualidade de vida e que a correção da insuficiência mitral permite melhor controle do paciente. OBJETIVO: O presente trabalho propõe o implante de uma prótese em posição mitral que elimina a insuficiência mitral e remodela a base do ventrículo esquerdo e o seu eixo longitudinal. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Analisamos 33 pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca refratária sob terapêutica máxima operados entre dezembro/95 e setembro/99. O grupo etário variou de 25 a 78 anos (mediana 58) sendo 57,7% do sexo masculino. O período de observação variou de 4 meses a 4 anos (mediana 22 meses). Quanto à etiologia, em 15 pacientes era isquêmica, em 13 dilatada, em 3 chagásica, em 1 pós-parto e em 1 viral. RESULTADOS: Ocorreram 3 óbitos na fase hospitalar (3/33) e 2 na tardia (2/30), estando 28 pacientes em observação. Neste intervalo de seguimento, 88% dos pacientes melhoraram 1 ou 2 classes funcionais, a fração de ejeção subiu de 20 a 36%, apesar da eliminação da fração regurgitante, o volume efetivo melhorou consideravelmente (58 para 80 ml) entre a aferição pré-operatória e a última evolução. CONCLUSÃO: A insuficiência cardíaca refratária com insuficiência secundária moderada a severa pode sofrer efetiva paliação com a eliminação de regurgitação e remodelação do ventrículo esquerdo, implantando-se prótese valvar no anel atrioventricular esquerdo.Escola Paulista de MedicinaAssociação do Sanatório Sírio Hospital do CoraçãoUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Off-pump myocardial revascularization: Critical analysis of 23 years' experience in 3,866 patients

Background. Surgical myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is not new, with the first consecutive series of patients appearing in the early eighties. There has been increased interest in this alternative approach, especially in patients with comorbidities. There is controversy regarding advantages, risks, and usefulness of this method of myocardial revascularization. We herein report a consecutive series of 3,866 patients, from the first case in September 1981 to the last in November 2004, analyzing applicability, mortality, morbidity, and surgical technique.Methods. From September 1981 to November 2004, 3,866 consecutive patients were revascularized without CPB. This figure represents an overall applicability of 30.8% considering a total of 12,553 revascularization procedures performed during this time. There were 2,822 males (73%) with ages from 12 to 93 years (median, 62 14). Mean grafts per patient was 1.9, and the internal mammary artery was used in 87.3% of cases. the main indications for surgery were chronic coronary insufficiency (89% of cases) and failure of angioplasty or stenting.Results. Hospital mortality was 1.9%, with low incidence of cerebrovascular accident (5 cases in the entire series). Morbidity, considering major postoperative complications, occurred in 12.5% of the patients. the applicability of the off-pump technique was 18% of cases in the beginning of our experience, increasing to 49% in the last 5 years with the use of stabilizers and maneuvers to expose posterior coronary branches.Conclusions. Off-pump coronary surgery is an alternative method of myocardial revascularization that should be considered for every patient. the preference of this technique over conventional revascularization should be based on the surgeon's own experience, on the patient's preoperative condition and on the coronary anatomy. Off-pump myocardial revascularization represents an important development in coronary artery surgery. Over the years it has evolved into a valid form of surgery with the same safety as the conventional operation and with more advantages in high risk patients.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Cardiovasc Surg, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Cardiovasc Surg, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc