BACKGROUND. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a major cause of maternal mortality and adverse outcomes. A previous study in the intensive care unit (ICU) at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa, in 2000 found 10.5% mortality among eclampsia patients. OBJECTIVES. To describe the mortality and adverse neurological outcomes associated with HDP in a tertiary ICU, compare these with results from 2000 and describe factors associated therewith. METHODS. The data of 85 patients admitted with HDP to ICU at King Edward VIII Hospital from 2010 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Mortality and adverse neurological outcome (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <14 on discharge from ICU) were assessed. Two sets of analyses were conducted. The first compared those alive on discharge from ICU with those who died in ICU. The second compared good neurological outcome with poor outcome (adverse neurological outcome, or death). RESULTS. The mortality was 11.6%, and overall, 9% had adverse neurological outcomes. There was no significant difference in mortality between patients with eclampsia in 2010 - 2013 (11.0%) and those in 2000 (10.5%) (p=0.9). Factors associated with mortality were: intra- or postpartum onset of seizures; twins; failure to perform operative delivery when indicated; lowest GCS score <10; failure to use magnesium sulphate when indicated; respiratory failure; and lower respiratory tract infections. Factors associated with poor outcomes (adverse neurological outcome, or death) were: parity (better outcomes in primiparous patients); time of antenatal onset of hypertension (worse if earlier onset); HIV infection; failure to perform operative delivery when indicated; lowest GCS score <10; failure to use magnesium sulphate when indicated; use of anticonvulsants other than magnesium sulphate or benzodiazepines in eclampsia. CONCLUSION. The lack of improvement in ICU eclampsia mortality demonstrates a need to develop and implement a protocol for HDP management.

O denominado efeito magnetocalórico (EMC) vem sendo estudado visando sua aplicação em sistemas de refrigeração próximas à temperatura ambiente (uso doméstico). Os refrigeradores magnéticos operam com base em sólidos atóxicos que substituem os gases refrigerantes usados em compressores herméticos, como os CFC’s e HCFC’s, altamente poluentes. Algumas ligas da família Gd5(Ge xSi4-x) apresentam o efeito magnetocalórico gigante (EMCG), sendo que a liga Gd5Ge2Si2, apresentada em 1997 por Pecharsky e Gschneidner, possui transição magneto-estrutural de primeira ordem na temperatura de Curie (Tc = 273 K) e EMC por volta de 30 J.(kg.K)-1, sendo provável o seu uso nesses sistemas de refrigeração. Entretanto, quando submetida a uma pressão de compactação e posterior sinterização, o material perde suas características iniciais. Assim sendo, este estudo tratará da influência da pressão de compactação sobre as propriedades estruturais e magnéticas na liga de Gd5Ge2,15Si1,85.

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has been studied seeking their application in cooling systems near room temperature (domestic employ). The magnetic refrigerators work with nontoxic solids that substitute the refrigerant gases used in hermetic compressors, without relying on ozone-depleting coolants. Some alloys of Gd5(Ge xSi4-x) present the giant magnetocaloric effect (GMCE), and the Gd5Ge2Si2 alloy, announced in 1997 by Pecharsky e Gschneidner, have a first-order magneto-structural transition at the Curie Temperature (Tc = 273 K) and MCE around 30 J.(kg.K)-1, being probable their use in those cooling systems. However, when that material is sintered, it loses its initial characteristics during the powder metallurgy process. Therefore, this study will treat of the compacting pressure interferences on the structural and magnetic properties of the Gd5Ge2.15Si1.85 alloy.