Resumo Fundamento: A angina instável (AI) é uma causa comum de internação hospitalar, a estratificação de risco ajuda a determinar estratégias para o tratamento. Objetivo: Determinar a aplicabilidade do strain longitudinal bidimensional (SL2D) para identificação de isquemia miocárdica, em pacientes com AI. Métodos: Estudo observacional transversal, descritivo, com duração de 60 dias. A amostra foi composta por 78 pacientes, sendo quinze (19,2%) elegíveis para análise do strain longitudinal. O valor de p < 0.05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: O grupo dos não elegíveis apresentou: menor proporção de mulheres, maior prevalência de diabetes mellitus (DM), do uso de AAS, estatinas e betabloqueadores e maiores diâmetros cavitários. As principais causas da não aplicabilidade foram: presença de infarto prévio (56,4%), ATC prévia (22,1%), RM prévia (11,5%) ou ambos (16,7%) e presença de alterações eletrocardiográficas específicas (12,8%). A avaliação do SL2D revelou um valor de strain global inferior naqueles com estenose maior que 70% em alguma coronária epicárdica (17,1 [3,1] versus 20,2 [6,7], com p = 0,014). A avaliação do strain segmentar demonstrou associação entre lesão grave nas coronárias CX e CD com redução do strain longitudinal dos segmentos basais das paredes lateral e inferior; (14 [5] versus 21 [10], com p = 0,04) e (12,5 [6] versus 19 [8], com p = 0,026), respectivamente. Conclusão: Houve aplicabilidade muito baixa do SL2D para avaliar isquemia na população estudada. Entretanto, o strain global apresentou correlação com presença de lesão coronária significativa, podendo, futuramente, ser incluído no arsenal diagnóstico da AI.

Abstract Background: Unstable angina (UA) is a common cause of hospital admission; risk stratification helps determine strategies for treatment. Objective: To determine the applicability of two-dimensional longitudinal strain (SL2D) for the identification of myocardial ischemia in patients with UA. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study lasting 60 days. The sample consisted of 78 patients, of which fifteen (19.2%) were eligible for longitudinal strain analysis. The value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The group of ineligible patients presented: a lower proportion of women, a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), use of ASA, statins and beta-blockers and larger cavity diameters. The main causes of non-applicability were: presence of previous infarction (56.4%), previous CTA (22.1%), previous MRI (11.5%) or both (16.7%) and the presence of specific electrocardiographic abnormalities (12.8%). SL2D assessment revealed a lower global strain value in those with stenosis greater than 70% in some epicardial coronary arteries (17.1 [3.1] versus 20.2 [6.7], with p = 0.014). Segmental strain assessment showed an association between severe CX and RD lesions with longitudinal strain reduction of lateral and inferior walls basal segments; (14 [5] versus 21 [10], with p = 0.04) and (12.5 [6] versus 19 [8], respectively). Conclusion: There was very low SL2D applicability to assess ischemia in the studied population. However, the global strain showed a correlation with the presence of significant coronary lesion, which could be included in the UA diagnostic arsenal in the future.

Abstract Lucio’s phenomenon is an uncommon reaction characterized by severe necrotizing cutaneous lesions that occurs in patients with Lucio’s leprosy and lepromatous leprosy. It is considered by some authors as a variant of type 2 or 3 reaction. Death can occur because of blood dyscrasia or sepsis. Precipitating factors include infections, drugs and pregnancy. We report a 31-year-old female patient exhibiting both clinical and histopathological features of lepromatous leprosy and Lucio’s phenomenon presenting favorable response to treatment. We complement our report with a literature review of the Brazilian cases of Lucio’s phenomenon published in Portuguese and English.

Abstract Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, representing a public health issue in some countries. Though more prevalent in adults, the detection of new cases in children under 15 years of age reveals an active circulation of bacillus, continued transmission and lack of disease control by the health system, as well as aiding in the monitoring of the endemic. Among patients under 15 years of age, the most affected age group is children between 10 and 14 years of age, although cases of patients of younger than 1 year of age have also been reported. Household contacts are the primary source of infection, given that caretakers, such as babysitters and others, must be considered in this scenario. Paucibacillary forms of the disease prevailed, especially borderline-tuberculoid leprosy, with a single lesion in exposed areas of the body representing the main clinical manifestation. Reactional states: Lepra reactions are rare, although some authors have reported high frequencies of this phenomenon, the most frequent of which is Type 1 Lepra Reaction. Peripheral nerve involvement has been described at alarming rates in some studies, which increases the chance of deformities, a serious problem, especially if one considers the age of these patients. The protective effect of BCG vaccination was found in some studies, but no consensus has been reached among different authors. Children must receive the same multidrug therapy regimen and the doses should, ideally, be calculated based on the child´s weight. Adverse reactions to this therapy are rare within this age group. This article aims to review epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of leprosy in patients under 15 years of age.

Hanseníase, também conhecida como lepra, é doença infecciosa prevalente no Brasil. Caracteriza-se por curso crônico, com fenômenos imunológicos agudos denominados episódios reacionais. No Distrito Federal, o Hospital Universitário de Brasília é referência na assistência da hanseníase. O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar o perfil clínico-epidemiológico dos doentes portadores de hanseníase do Hospital Universitário de Brasília. Foi realizada análise descritiva e retrospectiva de 1124 doentes portadores de hanseníase no período de 1985 a 2005. O padrão da hanseníase no nosso estudo concretizou-se por apresentar maior prevalência de reações do tipo 2, especialmente na forma lepromatosa e correlacionando-se diretamente com o índice baciloscópico. A significativa prevalência e freqüência de complicações graves como os episódios reacionais ressaltam a importância do estudo da doença e a necessidade de aprimoramento contínuo dos conhecimentos sobre a mesma.

Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy, is an infectious disease still prevalent in Brazil. It is a chronic illness with acute immunological phenomena known as leprosy reactions. In the Federal District of Brazil, the University Hospital of Brasília is the reference centre for leprosy care. The study aimed to characterize the clinical and epidemiological profile of Hansen's disease patients at the University Hospital of Brasília, by descriptive, retrospective analysis of 1,124 patients over the period from 1985 to 2005. The pattern of leprosy in this study demonstrated that type 2 leprosy reactions were common, especially in the lepromatous form and presented a direct correlation with the bacilloscopic index. The prevalence and frequency of severe complications, such as leprosy reactions, emphasize the importance of the ongoing study of leprosy and the need for continual improvement in the scope of knowledge concerning its treatment.