OBJETIVO: Avaliar os dados relativos à utilização de filtro de veia cava na Divisão de Trauma do Centro Médico da UCSD San Diego, CA/EUA. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo realizado na Divisão de Trauma visando avaliar a experiência acumulada e a conduta terapêutica nos doentes atendidos pela equipe da Divisão de Trauma e submetidos à colocação de filtro de veia cava como método de prevenção ou tratamento do TEP no período de janeiro de 1999 a dezembro de 2008. RESULTADOS: O estudo compreendeu 512 doentes, destacando-se o sexo masculino (73%). Quanto à causa do traumatismo predominou o acidente automobilístico, seguido por lesões provocadas por quedas. A relação homem/mulher foi 3:1. A faixa etária mais atingida foi 21 a 40 anos, representando 36% dos doentes. O percentual de filtros de cava profiláticos foi de 82% contra 18% de filtros terapêuticos. O traumatismo craniano foi a principal causa para indicação de filtros profiláticos seguido dos traumas raquimedulares. O índice de TVP pós-filtro foi 11%. CONCLUSÃO: Na presença de contraindicação ao uso de anticoagulantes em doentes vítimas de trauma grave, os filtros de veia cava inferior demonstraram ser uma opção efetiva e segura. Entretanto, deve-se aplicar rigor ao julgamento clínico para todas as indicações, mesmo após o advento de filtros "recuperáveis".

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the data on the use of vena cava filter in the Division of Trauma, UCSD Medical Center - San Diego, CA / USA. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted at the Division of Trauma to evaluate the cumulated experience and the therapeutic approach in patients attended by the staff of the Division of Trauma and submitted to placement of a vena cava filter as a method of prevention or treatment of Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE) from January 1999 to December 2008. RESULTS: The study comprised 512 patients, mostly males (73%). As to the cause, automobile accident injuries predominated, followed by injuries caused by falls. The male / female ratio was 3:1. The most affected age group was the one between 21 to 40 years, representing 36% of patients. The percentage of prophylactic vena cava filters was 82%, whilst 18% had treatment purposes. Head trauma was the main cause for the indication of prophylactic filters followed by spinal cord trauma. The rate of pos-filter deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was 11%. CONCLUSION: In the presence of contraindications to the use of anticoagulants in patients who suffered severe trauma, the inferior vena cava filters have proven to be an effective and safe optio n. However, one should apply rigorous clinical judgment to all indications, even after the advent of retrievable filters.

OBJETIVE: This study evaluated retroperitoneal hematomas produced by bilateral injury of iliac arteries (uncontrolled hemorrhage), blood volume loss, transcapillary refill, the effects of volume replacement on retroperitoneal bleeding and the hemodynamic changes with and without treatment. METHODS: Initial blood volume was determined with Tc99m-labelled red cells, and bleeding was evaluated by means of a portable scintillation camera positioned over the abdomen. Previously splenectomized mongrel dogs (16.8 ± 2.2 kg) were submitted to hemorrhage for 30 minutes and randomized into three groups: I - no treatment (n=7); II - treatment with 32 mL/kg of Lactated Ringer's for three to five minutes (n=7); and III - treatment with 4 mL/kg of 7.5% NaCl plus 6.0% dextran 70 for three to five minutes (n=7). They were studied for an additional 45 minutes. RESULTS: Volume replacement produced transitory recovery in hemodynamic variables, including mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac index, with significant increase in dogs treated with 32 mL/kg of Lactated Ringer's and 7.5% NaCl plus 6.0% dextran 70 (p<0.001, against no treatment), along with a decrease (p<0.001) in the systemic vascular resistance index. Groups II and III had significant initial decreases in hematocrit and hemoglobin. The treated dogs (groups II and III) presented rebleeding, which was greater during treatment with 32 mL/kg of Lactated Ringer's (group II). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the rebleeding observed in treated groups, the utilization of hypertonic saline solution with dextran proved to be effective in the initial reanimation, producing evident transcapillary refill, while the Lactated Ringer's solution produced capillary extravasation and was ineffective in the initial volume replacement in this model of uncontrolled hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Combining the hemodynamic and immune benefits of hypertonic saline with the anti-inflammatory effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline (HSPTX) as a hemorrhagic shock resuscitation strategy reduces lung injury when compared with the effects of Ringer's lactate (RL). We hypothesized that HSPTX exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by interfering with nuclear factor kappa B/cAMP response element-binding protein (NF-κB-CREB) competition for the coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) in lung tissue, thus affecting pro-inflammatory mediator production. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 60 minutes of hemorrhagic shock to reach a mean arterial blood pressure of 35 mmHg followed by resuscitation with either RL or HSPTX (7.5% HS + 25 mg/kg PTX). After four hours, lung samples were collected. NF-κB activation was assessed by measuring the levels of phosphorylated cytoplasmic inhibitor of kappa B (I-κB) and nuclear NF-κB p65 by western blot. NF-κB and CREB DNA-binding activity were measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Competition between NF-κB and CREB for the coactivator CBP was determined by immunoprecipitation. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in the lung were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: RL resuscitation produced significantly higher levels of lung IL-8 levels, I-κB phosphorylation, p65 phosphorylation, and NF-κB DNA binding compared with HSPTX. NF-κB-CBP-binding activity was similar in both groups, whereas CREB-CBP-binding activity was significantly increased with HSPTX. CREB-DNA binding-activity increased to a greater level with HSPTX compared with RL. DISCUSSION: HSPTX decreases lung inflammation following hemorrhagic shock compared with conventional resuscitation using RL through attenuation of NF-κB signaling and increased CREB-DNA binding activity. HSPTX may have therapeutic potential in the attenuation of ischemia-reperfusion injury observed after severe hemorrhagic shock.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibition on transcription factor activation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human mononuclear cells. INTRODUCTION: The production of TNF-a following LPS stimulation is one of the key steps in bacterial sepsis and inflammation. The mechanism by which phosphodiesterase inhibition alters TNF-a production in the presence of LPS remains unclear. METHODS: Human mononuclear cells were stimulated with LPS (1 µg/mL), in the presence and absence of Pentoxifylline (PTX; 20 mM), a nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Western blotting of phosphorylated cytoplasmic I-kBa, nuclear factor-kB p65 (NF-kB), and nuclear cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) was performed. DNA binding of NF-kB and CREB was verified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. TNF-a levels were determined in the supernatant of stimulated cells in the presence and absence Protein kinase A inhibition by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: PTX was demonstrated to significantly reduce cytoplasmic I-kBa phosphorylation, nuclear p65 phosphorylation, and the DNA binding activity of NF-kB. In contrast, PTX markedly enhanced the phosphorylation and DNA binding activity of CREB. Cells concomitantly treated with PTX and LPS secreted similar levels of TNF-a in the presence and absence Protein kinase A inhibition. DISCUSSION: The increased level of cAMP that results from phosphodiesterase inhibition affects cytoplasmic and nuclear events, resulting in the attenuation of NF-kB and the activation of CREB transcriptional DNA binding through pathways that are partially Protein kinase A-independent. CONCLUSION: PTX-mediated phosphodiesterase inhibition occurs partially through a Protein kinase A-independent pathway and may serve as a useful tool in the attenuation of LPS-induced inflammation.

O diagnóstico e tratamento das lesões traumáticas da aorta torácica vêm gradualmente melhorando. Historicamente, as lesões traumáticas da aorta torácica eram causa freqüente de exanguinação, apresentando altas taxas de mortalidade. Por outro lado, após o desenvolvimento de sistemas modernos de atendimento às vítimas de traumatismos, com protocolos avançados de reanimação volêmica e rápida avaliação radiológica, o diagnóstico de lesões da aorta torácica tem melhorado significativamente. A ênfase atual está centrada na prevenção da progressão das lesões intimais menores e pseudo-aneurismas até a dissecção franca ou ruptura aórtica. As modalidades diagnósticas sofreram alterações, bem como o paradigma de intervenção cirúrgica imediata. A evolução de próteses endovasculares poderá desempenhar um importante papel no tratamento definitivo.

The diagnosis and management of aortic lacerations has been gradually improving. Historically, aortic lacerations were a common cause of exsanguination with extremely high mortality rate. However, in modern trauma systems with advanced resuscitation and rapid radiology imaging, the diagnosis of an aortic injury is improving with an emphasis on preventing the progression of intimal flaps and pseudoaneurysms to frank dissection or rupture. Both diagnostic modalities and the paradigm of immediate operative intervention have changed. The evolution of endovascular stenting may play a future role in definitive care.

OBJETIVO: Analisar as lesões abdominais dos politraumatizados com trauma craniencefálico (TCE) grave. MÉTODO: Realizou-se avaliação retrospectiva dos prontuários das vítimas de TCE no período de 1996 a 1997. Foram selecionados para o estudo os com Escala de Coma de Glasgow (ECG) < 8 à admissão. Cinquenta e dois politraumatizados foram incluídos, com média etária de 37 anos, sendo 44 do sexo masculino. Avaliamos os dados demográficos, índices de trauma (RTS, ISS), exames complementares, tratamento e evolução. A análise estatística foi realizada com os testes qui quadrado, t de Student, exato de Fisher e cálculo do odds ratio, considerando-se p < 0,05 como estatisticamente significante. RESULTADOS: A média do RTS foi 5,18 e do ISS foi 27. O mecanismo de trauma mais freqüente foi o atropelamento, em 25 casos. Nenhum destes doentes teve diagnóstico de lesão abdominal apenas pelo exame físico. Quarenta e quatro doentes foram avaliados por lavagem peritoneal diagnóstica e 8 por ultra-sonografia ou tomografia computadorizada abdominal. Oito doentes (15%) apresentaram lesões abdominais, havendo 5 lesões hepáticas, 4 esplênicas e uma em cólon. Realizou-se 17 craniotomias e 8 laparotomias (4 não terapêuticas). As lesões abdominais estiveram relacionadas à pressão arterial sistólica menor que 90mmHg (p=0,05) à admissão e à presença de lesões ortopédicas de tratamento operatório (p<0,001). A letalidade foi 71%. CONCLUSÃO: Uma parcela considerável dos traumatizados com TCE grave apresenta lesões abdominais e o exame físico contribui pouco para o seu diagnóstico. Justifica-se a investigação objetiva do abdome com métodos complementares em todos estes casos.

BACKGROUND: The present study was carried out to analyze the abdominal lesions in victims of multiple trauma sustaining severe blunt head trauma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts and trauma protocols of patients admitted from January 1996 to July 1997, who sustained blunt head trauma and underwent head CT Scan. Those admitted with a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) < 8 were selected for this study. There were 52 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 44 male and 8 female, with a mean age of 37 years. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, trauma indices (RTS and ISS), diagnostic exams, treatment and evolution were evaluated. We employed the X² test, Student - t test, and Fisher exact test for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Pedestrian versus auto was the most frequent mechanism of trauma, occurring in 25 cases. The mean RTS and ISS were 5.18 and 27 respectively. None of these patients had the diagnosis of abdominal lesion based only in physical examination. Forty four were assessed with diagnostic peritoneal lavage and 8 with abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography. Eight (15%) patients sustained abdominal lesions, including 5 hepatic, 4 splenic and one colonic injury. There were 17 craniotomies and 8 laparotomies (4 non therapeutic). A higher incidence of abdominal lesions was observed in patients sustaining either shock on admission or orthopedic lesions requiring surgical repair. The mortality was 71%. CONCLUSION: Considering the incidence of abdominal lesions and the difficulties for their diagnosis in those patients sustaining severe head trauma, the objective assessment of abdomen by complementary methods is advisable in all cases.

Analisamos 145 doentes portadores de ferimentos penetrantes tóraco-abdominais e de tórax e abdome, operados no Serviço de Emergência da Santa Casa de São Paulo de julho de 1987 a fevereiro de 1996, sendo 72 (49,7%) produzidos por arma branca e 73 (50,3%) por projétil de arma de fogo. Foram estudados fatores relacionados à ocorrência de complicações pós-operatórias (pleuropulmonares, abdominais e sistêmicas), ao prolongamento do tempo de permanência hospitalar e à mortalidade ocorrida durante a internação. Caracterizamos os doentes quanto a sua gravidade, através da aplicação de índices objetivos de trauma, tanto fisiológico (RTS) quanto anatômicos (ISS, PATI, PTTI e PTI). Tanto nos ferimentos tóraco- abdominais quanto de tórax e abdome, o tratamento de escolha foi a drenagem pleural associada à laparotomia exploradora. Os ferimentos tóraco-abdominais apresentaram maior incidência de complicações em geral, em relação aos de tórax e abdome, quando a variável controle foi o ferimento produzido por arma branca. A análise por tipo de complicação mostrou que essa diferença foi dada pelo empiema pleural. Não encontramos diferença significante entre esses ferimentos com relação às demais complicações pleuropulmonares infecciosas, abdominais e sistêmicas. Os fatores que se correlacionaram com a evolução para empiema foram: o tipo de órgão lesado (estômago, esôfago e reto), a presença de fístula digestiva, o ferimento produzido por arma branca e a presença de lesão diafragmática. O prolongamento do tempo de permanência hospitalar foi determinado pela ocorrência de complicações e não pela lesão diafragmática. Houve doze (8,3%) mortes no estudo, sendo que a mortalidade correlacionou-se com maior média de lesões orgânicas por doente, com as lesões de rim, grandes vasos e esôfago, com a ocorrência de complicações especialmente de natureza infecciosa e com o ferimento produzido por projétil de arma de fogo. A análise dos nossos resultados permitiu concluir que os ferimentos penetrantes tóraco-abdominais apresentam maior número de lesões orgânicas por doente quando comparados aos ferimentos de tórax e abdome (sem lesão diafragmática), mas esses ferimentos não diferem quanto à mortalidade pós-operatória. Com relação à morbidade, a lesão diafragmática não foi fator determinante do prolongamento do tempo de permanência hospitalar e, na comparação dos ferimentos tóraco-abdominais e de tórax e abdome, a lesão diafragmática produzida por arma branca foi fator determinante do aparecimento de empiema pleural.

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 145 patients with diagnosis of thoracoabdominal injuries and thoracic and abdominal injuries, who underwent surgery in the Emergency Service of Santa Casa de São Paulo, from July 1987 to February 1996. Stab wounds occurred in 72 patients and gunshot wounds in the remaining 73. We focused the analysis on factors related to postoperative complications, length of stay and mortality. Patients were classified using trauma severity score, both physiological (RTS) and anatomical (ISS, PATI, P1TI and PTI). Thoracotomy was correlated with complications. Thoracoabdominal injuries, in general, showed greater incidence of complications when the control variable was stab wounds. The analysis by complication types proved that such difference was caused by pleural empyema. Factors correlating to the occurrence of pleural empyema were: type of injuried (stomach, esophagus and rectum), presence of digestive fistula, stab wounds, and diaphragmatic wound. Length of stay increased due to the occurrence of complications, and not because of the presence of a diaphragmatic wound. Death rates were closely related with increased number of injuries, renal wounds, great vessels and esophageal injuries, infections and gunshot wounds. We concluded that a greater number of organic damages was observed in those patients sustaining penetrating thoraco-abdominal wounds, despite the same postoperative mortality, when compared with those compromised with thoracic and abdominal wounds ( without diaphagmatic injury). Regarding morbidity, the increased incidence of pleural empyema in the thoracoabdominal injuries was related with diaphragmatic injury by stab wounds.

INTRODUÇÃO: As soluções salinas hipertônicas em pequeno volume, aplicadas em "bolo", empregaram-se originalmente no tratamento do choque hemorrágico e traumático grave, demonstrando a rápida restauração hemodinâmica e do fluxo sangüíneo orgânico regional. Os mecanismos de ação são diversos - 1. manutenção do débito cardíaco elevado (estímulo direto do miocárdio; aumento do volume intravascular); 2. manutenção da vasodilatação arterial periférica (efeito da hiperosmolaridade; aumento do volume plasmático); 3. redução do edema tecidual (fluxo de líquido do interstício decorrente do gradiente osmótico). Estes eventos promovem a recuperação da acentuada alteração na microcirculação, que freqüentemente são também observadas na sepse. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: O uso destas soluções tem sido objeto de vários estudos em modelos experimentais de endotoxemia hiperdinâmica aguda, entretanto, um maior número de estudos clínicos são necessários para melhor compreensão dos efeitos positivos, ou eventualmente deletérios, da utilização das soluções cristalóides hipertônicas em pequeno volume na terapêutica da sepse e falência de múltiplos orgãos. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o conceito do uso de soluções hipertônicas e o seu potencial no tratamento da intensa hipovolemia e deterioração da microcirculação, que ocorre na sepse e no choque endotóxico.

Small-volume resuscitation by means of bolus infusion of hypertonic saline solutions was first applied for the primary treatment of severe hemorrhagic and traumatic shock and promptly restored central hemodynamics and regional organ blood flow. Mechanisms of action are diverse - i. maintenance of high cardiac output (direct myocardial stimulation; increase in intravascular volume); ii. maintenance of peripheral arterial vasodilation (effect of hyperosmolality; plasma volume effect) and iii. reduction of tissue edema (shifting of tissue water along the osmotic gradient). These mechanisms promote the restoration of the severely impaired microcirculation frequently seen also in sepsis. Hypertonic volume therapy has been the object of several experimental studies of acute hyperdynamic endotoxemia, however, a greater number of clinical studies have to be developed for the better understanding of the positive, and perhaps hazardous, effects of small-volume resuscitation in sepsis and multiple organ failure. The aim of this paper is to review the concepts involving such solutions, and their potential use in treatment of profound hypovolemia and microcirculatory deterioration associated with sepsis and endotoxic shock.

Os autores analisaram 13 doentes com ferimentos hepático transfixante tratados com a colocação de balão hidrostático no trajeto do ferimento. Cinco doentes apresentavam ferimento abdominal exclusivo, enquanto 8 eram toraco-abdominais. Em todos os casos houve acometimento do lobo direito e em três o acometimento foi bilobar. O tempo médio de permanência do balão insuflado foi de 9 dias. Dois doentes necessitavam reoperação para a retirada do balão em virtude de existência de aderências que impediam sua mobilização. Não foram observados casos de sangramento após a retirada do balão. A permanência hospitalar variou de 5 a 36 dias. São discutidas as indicações e as vantagens da colocação desse tipo de dispositivo em doentes com ferimentos hepáticos profundos, transfixantes e com sangramento abundante.

Os autores relatam caso raro de um doente do sexo masculino de 28 anos de idade, politraumatizado que desenvolveu necrose da flexura esplênica do cólon devido a trombose da artéria cólica média após 18 horas do traumatismo. Embora rara, esta situação pode ocorrer naqueles doentes inicialmente submetidos a tratamento não operatório após trauma abdominal fechado.

We report an unusual case of a 28-year-old man who developed a colonic necrosis due to thrombosis of the middle colic artery 18 hours following blunt abdominal trauma. Although rare, this condition can occur in those patients whom non surgical treatment was initially performed.