Browsing by Author "Laranjo, S"
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- Acute Kidney Injury after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: Risk Factors and Outcomes. Proposal for a Predictive ModelPublication . Cardoso, B; Laranjo, S; Gomes, I; Freitas, I; Trigo, C; Fragata, I; Fragata, J; Pinto, MFObjectives: To characterize the epidemiology and risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after pediatric cardiac surgery in our center, to determine its association with poor short-term outcomes, and to develop a logistic regression model that will predict the risk of AKI for the study population. Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included consecutive pediatric patients with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2010 and December 2012. Exclusion criteria were a history of renal disease, dialysis or renal transplantation. Results: Of the 325 patients included, median age three years (1 day---18 years), AKI occurred in 40 (12.3%) on the first postoperative day. Overall mortality was 13 (4%), nine of whom were in the AKI group. AKI was significantly associated with length of intensive care unit stay, length of mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death (p<0.01). Patients’ age and postoperative serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and lactate levels were included in the logistic regression model as predictor variables. The model accurately predicted AKI in this population, with a maximum combined sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 75.4%. Conclusions: AKI is common and is associated with poor short-term outcomes in this setting. Younger age and higher postoperative serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and lactate levels were powerful predictors of renal injury in this population. The proposed model could be a useful tool for risk stratification of these patients.
- Acute Vagal Modulation of Electrophysiology of the Atrial and Pulmonary Veins Increases Vulnerability to Atrial FibrillationPublication . Oliveira, MM; Nogueira da Silva, M; Geraldes, V; Xavier, R; Laranjo, S; Silva, V; Postolache, G; Cruz Ferreira, R; Rocha, IVagal activity is thought to influence atrial electrophysiological properties and play a role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). We evaluated the effects of acute vagal stimulation on atrial conduction, refractoriness of atrial and pulmonary veins (PVs) and inducibility of AF. An open-chest epicardial approach was performed in New Zealand White rabbits with preserved autonomic innervation. Atrial electrograms were obtained with four unipolar electrodes placed epicardially along the atria (n = 22) and an electrode adapted to the proximal left PV (n = 10). The cervical vagus nerve was stimulated with bipolar platinum electrodes (20 Hz). Epicardial activation was recorded in sinus rhythm, and effective refractory periods (ERPs), dispersion of refractoriness and conduction times from high-lateral right atrium (RA) to high-lateral left atrium (LA) and PVs assessed at baseline and during vagal stimulation. Burst pacing (50 Hz, 10 s), alone or combined with vagal stimulation, was applied to the right (RAA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) and PVs to induce AF. At baseline, ERPs were lower in PVs than in LA and LAA, but did not differ significantly from RA and RAA, and there was a significant delay in the conduction time from RA to PVs compared with the activation time from RA to LA (P < 0.01). During vagal stimulation, ERP decreased significantly at all sites, without significant differences in the dispersion of refractoriness, and the atrial conduction times changed from 39 ± 19 to 49 ± 9 ms (RA to PVs; n.s.) and from 14 ± 7 to 28 ± 12 ms (RA to LA; P = 0.01). Induction of AF was reproducible in 50% of cases with 50 Hz and in 82% with 50 Hz combined with vagal stimulation (P < 0.05). During vagal stimulation, AF cycle length decreased at all sites, and AF duration changed from 1.0 ± 0.9 to 14.0 ± 10.0 s (P < 0.01), with documentation of PV tachycardia in three cases. In 70% of the animals, AF ceased immediately after interruption of vagal stimulation. We conclude that in the intact rabbit heart, vagal activity prolongs interatrial conduction and shortens atrial and PV ERP, contributing to the vulnerability to the induction and maintenance of AF. This model may be useful in the assessment of the autonomic influence in the mechanisms underlying AF.
- Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis in a Pediatric Patient: A Rare and Demanding Clinical CasePublication . Oliveira, S; Marques, B; Laranjo, S; Lopes, LThyroid dysfunction is one of the most common adverse effects of amiodarone therapy, ranging from subclinical changes to overt clinical thyrotoxicosis (AIT) and/or hypothyroidism. Due to its heterogeneity, AIT lasts as a defiant entity, leading to a thorny treatment course, particularly in pediatrics. AIT can be classified as either type 1, type 2 or mixed form based on its pathophysiology. Differentiating between the main AIT subtypes is quite relevant, since there is specific treatment for both, however, this distinction may be difficult in clinical practice. We describe a rare case of AIT in a pediatric patient, with an uncommon congenital cardiac malformation, that started amiodarone therapy due to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. AIT was reported 26 months after drug onset, with a sudden and explosive emerging. This case highlights the current AIT management challenges on the highdemanding pediatric field pursuing, ultimately, an enhanced patient´s care.
- Bridging Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for a Late Rupture Following Aortic Coarctation AngioplastyPublication . Oliveira, N; Albuquerque e Castro, J; Martins, JD; Quintas, A; Laranjo, S; Valentim, H; Pinto, MF; Mota Capitão, LIntroduction Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair has been employed to treat late complications after aortic coarctation correction. However, its use in children has seldomly been reported. Case report We present the case of a 15-year-old child who presented with a ruptured aneurysm of the descending aorta complicated later by an aortic-oesophageal fistula following aortic coarctation stenting that was managed with multiple bridging endovascular interventions until a definitive repair was performed.
- Case Report: Mutation in NPPA Gene As a Cause of Fibrotic Atrial MyopathyPublication . Silva Cunha, P; Antunes, D; Laranjo, S; Coutinho, A; Abecasis, J; Oliveira, MMEarly-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) can be the manifestation of a genetic atrial myopathy. However, specific genetic identification of a mutation causing atrial fibrosis is rare. We report a case of a young patient with an asymptomatic AF, diagnosed during a routine examination. The cardiac MRI revealed extensive atrial fibrosis and the electrophysiology study showed extensive areas of low voltage. The genetic investigation identified a homozygous pathogenic variant in the NPPA gene in the index case and the presence of the variant in heterozygosity in both parents.
- Clinical Outcome of a Single Procedure Cryoballoon Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: a Real-World Multicenter Experience in PortugalPublication . Silva Cunha, P; Fonseca, P; Laranjo, S; Montenegro Sá, F; Valente, B; Portugal, G; Gonçalves, H; Nogueira da Silva, M; Brandão, L; Oliveira, MM; Primo, JBackground: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has been growing as an alternative technique, not only in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) but also in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Cryoballoon ablation has demonstrated encouraging acute and mid-term results. However, data on long-term follow-up of CB-based PVI are scarce. Objective: We sought to examine efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of CBA in PAF and persistent AF in four Portuguese centers. Methods: All patients that were treated with the cryoballoon catheter according to routine practices with a second-generation 28-mm CB in four centers were included. This was a retrospective, non-randomized analysis. Patients were followed-up for >12 months and freedom from atrial arrhythmias (AA) was evaluated at the end of follow-up. Results: Four hundred and six patients (57.7±12.4 years, 66% men) participated. AF was paroxysmal in 326 patients (80.2%) and persistent in 80 (19.7%). The mean procedure time duration was 107.7±50.9 min, and the fluoroscopy time was 19.5±9.7 min. Procedural/periprocedural complications occurred in 30 cases (7.3%), being transient phrenic nerve palsy the most frequent incident (2 out of 3 complications). Anatomic variations of the PV were present in 16.1% of cases. At a mean follow-up of 22.0±15.0 months, 310 patients (76.3%) remained in stable sinus rhythm, with at least one AF episode recurrence documented in 98 cases (24.1%). The recurrence rate was 20.5% in the PAF group and 37.8% in the persistent AF group. Conclusion: In this multicenter experience, a single CBA procedure resulted in 75.9% freedom from AF at a 22-month follow-up. This technique was demonstrated to be a safe and effective option in experienced centers for the treatment of PAF and PersAF.
- Doença de Kawasaki e Fleimão Retrofararíngeo: Uma Doença?Publication . Garcia, AM; Laranjo, S; Pinto, F; Gouveia, C; Varandas, L
- Ductus Arteriosus: the Coming of Age of a Fetal VesselPublication . Laranjo, S
- Impacto da Estimulação Vagal na Indução e Interrupção de Fibrilhação Auricular no Modelo do Coração de Coelho in VivoPublication . Oliveira, MM; Nogueira da Silva, M; Geraldes, V; Postolache, G; Xavier, R; Laranjo, S; Rocha, I; Cruz Ferreira, R; Silva-Carvalho, LINTRODUCTION: Vagal activity is thought to influence atrial electrophysiological properties and play a role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we assessed the effects of acute vagal stimulation (vagus_stim) on atrial conduction times, atrial and pulmonary vein (PV) refractoriness, and vulnerability to induction of AF in the rabbit heart with intact autonomic innervation. METHODS: An open-chest epicardial approach was performed in 11 rabbits (New Zealand; 3.9-5.0 kg), anesthetized and artificially ventilated after neuromuscular blockade. A 3-lead ECG was obtained. Atrial electrograms were recorded along the atria, from right to left (four monopolar electrodes), together with a circular electrode adapted for proximal left PV assessment. Acute vagus nerve stimulation was obtained with bipolar electrodes (20 Hz). Epicardial activation was recorded in sinus rhythm, and the conduction time from right (RA) to left atrium (LA), and from RA to PVs, was measured in basal conditions and during vagus_stim. The atrial effective refractory period (ERP) and dispersion of refractoriness (Disp_A) were analyzed. Vulnerability to AF induction was assessed at the right (RAA) and left (LAA) atrial appendages and the PVs. Atrial stimulation (50 Hz) was performed alone or combined with vagus_stim. Heart rate and blood pressure were monitored. RESULTS: In basal conditions, there was a significant delay in conduction from RA to PVs, not influenced by vagus_stim, and the PV ERPs were shorter than those measured in LA and LAA, but without significant differences compared to RA and RAA. During vagus_stim, conduction times between RA and LA increased from 16+8 ms to 27+6 ms (p < 0.05) and ERPs shortened significantly in RA, LAA and LA (p < 0.05), but not in RAA. There were no significant differences in Disp_A. AF induction was reproducible in 45% of cases at 50 Hz and in 100% at 50 Hz+vagus_stim (p < 0.05). The duration of inducible AF increased from 1.0 +/- 0.2 s to 12.0 +/- 4.5 s with 50 Hz+vagus_stim (p < 0.01). AF lasted >10 s in 45.4% of rabbits during vagus_stim, and ceased after vagus_stim in 4 out of these 5 cases. In 3 animals, PV tachycardia, with fibrillatory conduction, induced with 50 Hz PV pacing during vagus_stim. CONCLUSIONS: Vagus_stim reduces interatrial conduction velocity and significantly shortens atrial ERP, contributing to the induction and duration of AF episodes in the in vivo rabbit heart. This model may be useful for the assessment of autonomic influence on the pathophysiology of AF.
- Lockdown Measures for COVID-19 Outbreak and Variation in Physical Activity in Patients with Heart Failure and Cardiac Implantable DevicesPublication . Silva Cunha, P; Laranjo, S; Lourenço, A; Rodrigues, L; Cardoso, I; Portugal, G; Valente, B; Delgado, AS; Cruz Ferreira, R; Abreu, A; Oliveira, MAims: The present study analysed the patterns of physical activity pre-, during and post-lockdown measures for COVID-19 pandemic in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) under remote monitoring (RM), and assessed the physical activity patterns during these periods. Methods: The raw data from 95 patients with CHF (age 67,7 ± 15,1 years, 71,5% male) corresponding to 2238 RM transmissions of the Medtronic Carelink™ network platform was obtained. The physical exercise profiles and the impact of the lockdown measures on the physical behaviour during and after the measures were analysed. According to the level of activity duration in the pre-lockdown, lockdown and post-lockdown periods, the patterns of behaviour were identified (non-recoverees, incomplete recoverees, recoverees and full-recoverees). Conclusion: RM of CHF patients with CIED using the Carelink™ network is useful for close follow-up and identification of heart failure risk status variations. After relieving the confinement measures there were two groups of patients that did not recover the previous physical activity levels. Physical inactivity in patients with CHF can have a significant impact on outcomes.
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