Browsing by Author "Costa, S."
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- Alteplase for Massive Pulmonary Embolism after Complicated PericardiocentesisPublication . Marinho, Ricardo Cleto; Martins, J.; Costa, S.; Baptista, R.; Gonçalves, L.; Franco, F.Background: The occurrence of a high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) within 48 hours of a complicated pericardiocentesis to remove a haemorrhagic pericardial effusion, is an uncommon clinical challenge. Case summary: The authors report the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with signs of imminent cardiac tamponade due to recurring idiopathic pericardial effusion. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis that was complicated by the loss of 1.5 litres of blood. Within 48 hours, the patient had collapsed with clear signs of obstructive shock. This was a life-threating situation so alteplase was administered after cardiac tamponade and hypertensive pneumothorax had been excluded. CT chest angiography later confirmed bilateral PE. The patient achieved haemodynamic stability less than an hour after receiving the alteplase. However, due to the high risk of bleeding, the medical team suspended the thrombolysis protocol and switched to unfractionated heparin within the hour. The cause of the PE was not identified despite extensive study, but after 1 year of follow-up the patient remained asymptomatic. Discussion: Despite the presence of a contraindication, the use of thrombolytic therapy in obstructive shock after exclusion of hypertensive pneumothorax can be life-saving, and low-dose thrombolytic therapy may be a valid option in such cases. Learning points: A quick and systematic approach to a collapsed patient with signs of shock is mandatory; understanding the type of shock may help narrow the differential diagnosis and help in therapeutic decisions.After exclusion of cardiac tamponade and hypertensive pneumothorax, life-saving thrombolytic therapy can be administered in obstructive shock due to probable massive pulmonary embolism.Contraindications for thrombolytic therapy originated as exclusion criteria for clinical trials but should not prevent the use of this therapy in life-threatening situations.
- Long-Term Complications After Renal TransplantationPublication . Martins, L.; Ventura, A.; Costa, S.; Henriques, A.; Dias, L.; Sarmento, A.IN the past, every effort was directed at the prevention of acute rejection in renal transplant (RT) patients (pts). Ever since the introduction of the new immunosuppressive agents in the late 1990s, the short-term results of renal graft survival are considered satisfactory. In recent years, the prevention of long-term graft loss and the extension of life expectancy have gained new emphasis. The immunosuppressive agents though, namely calcineurin-inhibitors and steroids, may potentiate the development of several problems in RT pts: obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension,1 which are not only risk factors for cardiovascular disease but also for graft loss.2,3 We performed a retrospective analysis of all RTs performed at our unit that reached 10 years (y) with a functioning graft. The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term complications and, in view of the results, to seek a possible strategy that minimizes these problems.
- "Very urgent" kidney transplantation: results from one center.Publication . Costa, S.; Ventura, A.; Costa, T.; Martins, L.; Henriques, A.; Sarmento, A.Transplant Proc. 2003 May;35(3):1066. "Very urgent" kidney transplantation: results from one center. Costa S, Ventura A, Costa T, Martins L, Henriques A, Sarmento A. Nephrology Department, Hospital de Santo António, 4050 Porto, Portugal. PMID: 12947858 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]