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- Use of Therapeutic Hypothermia in Sudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse: A Retrospective StudyPublication . Brito, Sara; Sampaio, Isabel; Dinis, Alexandra; Proença, Elisa; Vilan, Ana; Soares, Eunice; Pinto, Filomena; Tomé, Teresa; Graça, André M.Introduction: Sudden and unexpected postnatal collapse is a rare event with potentially dramatic consequences. Intervention approaches are limited, but hypothermia has been considered after postnatal collapse. The aim of this study was to analyse sudden and unexpected postnatal collapse cases that underwent therapeutic hypothermia in the five Portuguese hypothermia centres. Material and methods: In this multicentre, retrospective and descriptive study, clinical, ultrasonography, amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and brain magnetic resonance findings of newborns with postnatal collapse that underwent therapeutic hypothermia are reported (2010 - 2018). Statistical analysis was performed by using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. Results: Twenty-two cases of sudden and unexpected postnatal collapse were referred for therapeutic hypothermia (82% outborn), all ≥ 36 weeks, with Apgar 5´ ≥ 8. Collapse occurred during the first two hours in 73% (all < 24 hours), 50% during skin-to-skin care, 55% related to feeding and 23% during co-bedding. Moderate-severe encephalopathy and severe acidosis were observed (median: Thompson score 16, pH 6.90, base deficit 22 mmol/L). Amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram was abnormal in 95% and magnetic resonance imaging showed severe brain injury in 46%. The mortality rate was 50%. A possible cause was identified in 27%. Discussion: The incidence rate of 2.7 sudden cases of postnatal collapse per 100 000 births, is possibly under-estimated. All infants suffered the collapse in the first day, mostly within the first two hours, as reported before. Possible causes were identified in less than a third of cases, but multiple predisposing conditions were identified, suggesting that prevention may be possible. Newborn positioning and skin-to-skin care have been the most discussed practices. A significant proportion of infants had poor outcomes. Lower Thompson score, electroencephalogram amplitude normalization and normal magnetic resonance imaging seemed to indicate better outcomes. Although conclusive trials on therapeutic hypothermia after postnatal collapse are not available, its use has been considered individually. No severe adverse effects directly related to hypothermia were registered in this study, but the results do not allow drawing meaningful conclusions. Conclusion: In our national sample of 22 infants who suffered sudden and unexpected postnatal collapse and underwent therapeutic hypothermia, a significant proportion had poor outcomes. Absolute conclusions from our experience with hypothermia in postnatal collapse cannot be drawn, but systematic reporting of cases and long-term clinical evaluation would facilitate understanding of the real benefits of hypothermia. As this procedure has not been validated with clinical trials for this indication, its use should be considered on a case-by-case approach. The potentially avoidable nature of unexpected postnatal collapse is evident from its association with certain behaviours and risk factors. Surveillance practices during the first hours should be implemented, whilst the benefits of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin care should continue to be widely promoted.
- Anuário Científico do CHUP 2020Publication . DEFIO Anuário Científico de 2020 é um documento integrador da produção científica do Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUP). O Serviço de Investigação Clínica do Departamento de Ensino, Formação e Investigação (DEFI), com a edição deste anuário, pretende partilhar a atividade científica hospitalar com a comunidade e os seus profissionais
- Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Celiac Plexus InterventionsPublication . Moutinho-Ribeiro, Pedro; Costa-Moreira, Pedro; Caldeira, Ana; Leite, Sílvia; Marques, Susana; Moreira, Teresa; Nunes, Nuno; Bispo, MiguelAbdominal pain related to pancreatic disease is often extremely disabling. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided celiac plexus block (CPB) is used to control pain associated with chronic pancreatitis. EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) is typically used to reduce pain associated with pancreatic cancer and can be considered early at the time of diagnosis of inoperable disease. EUS-guided celiac plexus interventions have been shown to be significantly effective in pancreatic pain relief, which is achieved in approximately 70-80% of patients with pancreatic cancer and in 50-60% of those with chronic pancreatitis. Serious complications from CPB and CPN are rare. Most frequent adverse events are diarrhoea, orthostatic hypotension, and a transient increase in abdominal pain. In this article, the Portuguese Group for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology (GRUPUGE) presents an updated perspective of the potential role of EUS-guided celiac plexus interventions, addressing the selection criteria and technical issues of different techniques and analysing recent data on their safety and efficacy.
- Diminuição da exposição do cirurgião à radiação na cirurgia de ante-pé - posicionamento alternativo do doente e intensificador de imagemPublication . Xará-Leite, Francisco; Videira, Sara; Carrapatoso, Manuel; Barbosa, Tiago; Rodrigues, Claudia; Gonçalves, Isabel; Costa, LuisA exposição à radiação ionizante acarreta riscos para a saúde das equipas médicas. Este aspeto é particularmente relevante na cirurgia minimamente invasiva do pé devido ao posicionamento do doente e do cirurgião relativamente à fonte de radiação X. Durante o posicionamento “clássico” do doente, o C-arm e a equipa desconsideram alguns dos mais elementares princípios de segurança, particularmente nos centros com acesso mais limitado a aparelhos que utilizem baixas doses de radiação. A nossa técnica de posicionamento do doente permite uma redução da dispersão da radiação para o cirurgião e equipa médica, e os princípios de redução de exposição à radiação citados devem ser ponderados por todos aqueles que executam este tipo de técnicas na sua prática clínica regular.
- Risk Factors for Acute Surgical Site Infection after Spinal Instrumentation Procedures: A Case-Control StudyPublication . Amorim-Barbosa, Tiago; Sousa, Ricardo; Rodrigues-Pinto, Ricardo; Oliveira, AntónioBackground: Surgical site infection (SSI) prevalence in spinal instrumentation varies, depending on patient and surgery factors. This study aims to identify patient- and procedure-related factors associated with SSI after spinal instrumentation in 3 patient-specific groups: those undergoing surgery for degenerative, trauma-related, and pediatric deformity conditions. Methods: A case-control (1:2 ratio) analysis of SSI after spinal instrumentation, from 2009 to 2017, in a University Hospital and Spinal Trauma Centre was performed. Results: From a total of 2582 surgeries, 33 cases (1.3%) were identified with SSI according to study inclusion criteria: 14 (out of 1326) in the degenerative group, 11 (out of 207) in the trauma group, and 8 (out of 850) in the pediatric deformity group. Cases were matched with controls (n = 66) of the same group. Univariate analysis identified procedure and anesthesia duration in the degenerative group (P = .032 and .038, respectively), age (P = .014) and need for intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusions (both P = .039) in the trauma group and American Society of Anesthesiologists score (P = .022) and neuromuscular scoliosis (P = .002) in the pediatric deformity group as associated with SSI. After multivariate analysis, procedure duration was independently associated with SSI in degenerative surgery (odds ratio [OR], 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-4.82) and procedure duration (OR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.27-11.32) and number of levels instrumented (OR, 11.77; 95% CI, 1.55-89.40) in the trauma group. Conclusions: This study identified procedure duration as a risk factor for SSI after spinal instrumentation in degenerative and trauma spine surgery and the number of levels instrumented in trauma spine surgery. Awareness of these factors will help develop strategies to improve patient and health system overall outcomes.
- SARS-CoV-2 and hearing: An audiometric analysis of COVID-19 hospitalized patientsPublication . Sousa, Francisco Alves De; Pinto Costa, Rodrigo; Xará, Sandra; Nóbrega Pinto, Ana; Almeida e Sousa, CecíliaPurpose: COVID-19 associated hearing loss is still an ongoing matter of debate. No original studies exist on audiological effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients. The main objective was to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 may affect auditory function in clinically ill COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: COVID-19 patients with moderate-severe disease and without prior history of hearing abnormalities were enrolled from a tertiary referral center, and matched with controls. Participants performed an audiometric evaluation, and thresholds were compared. Results: 120 ears from 60 patients were enrolled. Patients with COVID-19 showed worse mean auditory thresholds starting from 1000 Hz through higher frequencies, when compared to controls (1000 Hz: 18.52 ± 5.49 dB HL in controls vs 25.36 ± 6.79 dB HL in COVID-19, p < 0.001; 2000Hz: 17.50 ± 5.57 dB HL in controls vs 21.96 ± 7.05 dB HL in COVID-19, p = 0.010; 3000Hz: 17.97 ± 8.07 dB HL in controls vs 25 ± 9.38 dB HL in COVID-19, p = 0.003; 4000 Hz: 20.16 ± 10.12 dB HL in controls vs 29.55 ± 11.26 dB HL in COVID-19, p = 0.001; 8000 Hz: 31.09 ± 12.75 dB HL in controls vs 40.71 ± 19.40 dB HL in COVID-19, p = 0.030; Pure Tone Average: 20.42 ± 4.29 dB HL in controls vs 24.85 ± 5.62 dB HL in COVID-19, p = 0.001). Statistical significance persisted after adjusting for confounders such as age, gender and various comorbidities (p < 0.05). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 may affect hearing in COVID-19 patients with moderate-severe disease. Results are in line with the previous suggested effects of COVID-19 on auditory system. This study is expected to encourage further research on this topic.
- Limitations and perceived delays for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer in Portugal: A nationwide survey analysisPublication . Barata, Fernando; Fidalgo, Paula; Figueiredo, Sara; Tonin, Fernanda S.; Duarte-Ramos, FilipaBackground: We aimed to identify the perception of physicians on the limitations and delays for diagnosing, staging and treatment of lung cancer in Portugal. Methods: Portuguese physicians were invited to participate an electronic survey (Feb-Apr-2020). Descriptive statistical analyses were performed, with categorical variables reported as absolute and relative frequencies, and continuous variables with non-normal distribution as median and interquartile range (IQR). The association between categorical variables was assessed through Pearson's chi-square test. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare categorical and continuous variables (Stata v.15.0). Results: Sixty-one physicians participated in the study (45 pulmonologists, 16 oncologists), with n = 26 exclusively assisting lung cancer patients. Most experts work in public hospitals (90.16%) in Lisbon (36.07%). During the last semester of 2019, responders performed a median of 85 (IQR 55-140) diagnoses of lung cancer. Factors preventing faster referral to the specialty included poor articulation between services (60.0%) and patients low economic/cultural level (44.26%). Obtaining National Drugs Authority authorization was one of the main reasons (75.41%) for delaying the begin of treatment. The cumulative lag-time from patients' admission until treatment ranged from 42-61 days. Experts believe that the time to diagnosis could be optimized in around 11.05 days [IQR 9.61-12.50]. Most physicians (88.52%) started treatment before biomarkers results motivated by performance status deterioration (65.57%) or high tumor burden (52.46%). Clinicians exclusively assisting lung cancer cases reported fewer delays for obtaining authorization for biomarkers analysis (p = 0.023). Higher waiting times for surgery (p = 0.001), radiotherapy (p = 0.004), immunotherapy (p = 0.003) were reported by professionals from public hospitals. Conclusions: Physicians believe that is possible to reduce delays in all stages of lung cancer diagnosis with further efforts from multidisciplinary teams and hospital administration.
- Documento de Consenso sobre a realização de ressonância magnética em doentes com dispositivos cardíacos electrónicos implantadosPublication . Almeida, Ana G.; António, Natália; Saraiva, Carla; Ferreira, António Miguel; Hipólito-Reis, António; Marques, Hugo; Ferreira, Nuno Dias; Oliveira, MárioMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently considered an essential complementary method for diagnosis in many conditions. Exponential growth in its use is expected due to the aging population and a broader spectrum of clinical indications. Growth in its use, coupled with an increasing number of pacemaker implants, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy, has led to a frequent clinical need for this diagnostic modality in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). This clinical need has fueled the development of devices specifically designed and approved for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) environment under certain safety conditions (MR-conditional devices). More than a decade after the introduction of the first MR-conditional pacemaker, there are now several dozen MR-conditional devices with different safety specifications. In recent years, increasing evidence has indicated there is a low risk to MRI use in conventional (so-called non-MR-conditional) CIED patients in the right circumstances. The increasing number, as well as the greater diversity and complexity of implanted devices, justify the need to standardize procedures, by establishing institutional agreements that require close collaboration between cardiologists and radiologists. This consensus document, prepared jointly by the Portuguese Society of Cardiology and the Portuguese Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, provides general guidelines for MRI in patients with CIED, ensuring the safety of patients, health professionals and equipment. In addition to briefly reviewing the potential risks of MRI in patients with CIED and major changes to MRI-conditional devices, this article provides specific recommendations on risk-benefit analysis, informed consent, scheduling, programming strategies, devices, monitoring and modification of MRI sequences. The main purpose of this document is to optimize patient safety and provide legal support to facilitate easy access by CIED patients to a potentially beneficial and irreplaceable diagnostic technique.
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: The First 10 Years Experience of a Portuguese Pediatric Intensive Care UnitPublication . Meireles, Daniel; Abecasis, Francisco; Boto, Leonor; Camilo, Cristina; Abecasis, Miguel; Neves, José Pedro; Soares, Zélia Cristo; Vieira, MarisaIntroduction: In Portugal, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in pediatric patients since 2010. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients, indications, complications and mortality associated with the use of ECMO during the first 10-years of experience in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit located in Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte. Material and methods: Retrospective observational cohort study of all patients supported with ECMO in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, from the 1st of May 2010 up to 31st December 2019. Results: Sixty-five patients were included: 37 neonatal (≤ 28 days of age) and 28 pediatric patients (> 28 days). In neonatal cases, congenital diaphragmatic hernia was the main reason for ECMO (40% of neonatal patients and 23% of total). Among pediatric patients, respiratory distress was the leading indication for ECMO (47% of total). The median length of ECMO support was 12 days. Clinical complications were more frequent than mechanical complications (65% vs 35%). Among clinical complications, access site bleeding was the most prevalent with 38% of cases. The overall patient survival was 68% at the time of discharge (65% for neonatal and 71% for pediatric cases), while the overall survival rate in Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry was 61%. The number of ECMO runs has been increasing since 2011, even though in a non-linear way (three cases in 2010 to 11 cases in 2019). Discussion: In the first 10 years we received patients from all over the country. Despite continuous technological developments, circuitrelated complications have a significant impact. The overall survival rate in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was not inferior to the one reported by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. Conclusion: The overall survival of our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is not inferior to one reported by other international centers. Our experience showed the efficacy of the ECMO technique in a Portuguese centre.
- Burnout, engagement & leadershipPublication . Chan, Sónia