ABSTRACT Background: Stroke is a serious complication of sickle cell anemia (SCA). The transcranial Doppler (TCD) is the risk-screening tool for ischemic strokes. The objective of the study was to describe the clinical progression of children with SCA who presented with high risk for stroke by TCD or relevant changes by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and underwent the regular transfusion program (RTP) and/or hydroxyurea (HU) treatment between 2007 and 2018. Method: This was a neonatal retrospective/prospective cohort study with children born between 1999 and 2014 with the homozygotic form (HbSS) or Sβ0-thalassemia who underwent TCD at least once. Results: Of the 718 children screened during this period, 675 had HbSS and 43 Sβ0-thalassemia. In 54 children (7.5%), all with HbSS, a high-risk TCD (n = 45) or, when the TCD was inconclusive, an MRA with cerebral vasculopathy (n = 9) was used for detection. Of these, 51 started the RTP and the families of three refused treatment. Of the 43 children with a highrisk TCD who initiated the RTP, 29 (67.4%) reverted to low risk. In 18 of them (62%), HU was started at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) before transfusion discontinuation. None of these 29 patients had a stroke. Eight children (18.6%) maintained a high-risk TCD, even using the RTP/HU and two had a stroke. Conclusions: The TCD was confirmed as a viable tool for tracking patients with a risk for stroke. The RTP was effective in preventing the primary event. New strategies are necessary to prevent stroke using HU and new drugs, in addition to bone marrow transplantation.

ABSTRACT Cerebrovascular disease, particularly stroke, is one of the most severe clinical complications associated with sickle cell disease and is a significant cause of morbidity in both children and adults. Over the past two decades, considerable advances have been made in the understanding of its natural history and enabled early identification and treatment of children at the highest risk. Transcranial Doppler screening and regular blood transfusions have markedly reduced the risk of stroke in children. However, transcranial Doppler has a limited positive predictive value and the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular disease is not completely understood. In this review, we will focus on the current state of knowledge about risk factors associated with ischemic stroke in patients with sickle cell disease. A search of PubMed was performed to identify studies. Full texts of the included articles were reviewed and data were summarized in a table. The coinheritance of alpha-thalassemia plays a protective role against ischemic stroke. The influence of other genetic risk factors is controversial, still preliminary, and requires confirmatory studies. Recent advances have established the reticulocyte count as the most important laboratory risk factor. Clinical features associated with acute hypoxemia as well as silent infarcts seem to influence the development of strokes in children. However, transcranial Doppler remains the only available clinical prognostic tool to have been validated. If our understanding of the many risk factors associated with stroke advances further, it may be possible to develop useful tools to detect patients at the highest risk early, improving the selection of children requiring intensification therapy.

ABSTRACT Background: The etiology of stroke, a severe complication of sickle cell anemia, involves inflammatory processes. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of interleukin-10 polymorphisms and haplotypes on the risk of acute cerebral ischemia and high-risk transcranial Doppler in 395 children with sickle cell anemia from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: Interleukin-10 haplotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing. The outcomes studied were acute cerebral ischemia and high-risk transcranial Doppler. Clinical data were retrieved from the children's records. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the frequencies of polymorphisms and haplotypes between children with and without acute cerebral ischemia or children with or without high-risk transcranial Doppler. These data are consistent with a previous report that showed an absence of association between interleukin-10 plasma levels and high-risk transcranial Doppler velocity in children with sickle cell anemia. Conclusion: Interleukin-10 haplotypes were not associated with the risk of acute cerebral ischemia or high-risk transcranial Doppler velocity in children with sickle cell anemia from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Neste artigo, apresentamos algumas reflexões sobre o lugar da língua como conteúdo de ensino na aula de língua portuguesa, conforme pode ser observada em situações concretas. A investigação segue uma vertente de pesquisas que, na confluência dos estudos da linguagem e da educação, busca respostas para uma problemática envolvendo as atuais políticas públicas brasileiras para a educação, a formação docente e os estudos sobre o ensino da língua materna, em face da imperativa necessidade de melhoria dos atuais níveis de alfabetização e letramento de crianças, jovens e adultos. Nesse contexto, pretendemos identificar o tratamento dado às questões de língua, analisar como o professor utiliza o livro didático e verificar as relações entre a abordagem oficial e a prática pedagógica. A pesquisa é situada na Linguística Aplicada e adota procedimentos qualitativos e etnográficos. O corpus, ora restrito à fase de desenvolvimento da aula, constitui-se de informações colhidas numa escola pública estadual do ensino médio. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de intervenções na formação docente, com aprofundamento dos componentes curriculares sobre língua e sua didatização. Conclui-se que há necessidade de pesquisas e ações efetivas sobre a formação docente, no sentido de que se estabeleçam relações funcionais entre conteúdos teóricos e práticos.

This paper discusses how teaching content is used in Portuguese language classes, as observed in practical situations. The study follows a research aspect at the confluence of language and education studies and seeks answers to a problem involving current Brazilian public education policies, teacher training, and studies on mother tongue teaching, in view of the imperative need to improve current Brazilian levels of literacy for children, youth, and adults. In this context, the purpose is to identify how language issues are handled, analyze how the teacher uses the textbook, and examine relationships between the official approach and the pedagogical practice. The work is conducted under the Applied Linguistics domain, and adopts qualitative and ethnographic approaches and techniques. The corpus, focused on a class' development phase, comprises information taken from a state high school. The results point to the need for interventions in teacher education, deepening curriculum components related to language and its didactization. We conclude that there is need for research and effective actions aimed at teacher training, so that functional relations are established between theoretical and practical content.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a potentially fatal complication of sickle cell disease in children between 2-16 years and transcranial Döppler has been recommended as a screening method in these cases. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this study was to correlate transcranial Döppler results to complications related to stroke in sickle cell disease and baseline characteristics of the population. METHODS: This was an observational study of children and adolescents with ages between 2-16 years with sickle cell disease who were followed in three centers. RESULTS: From January 2008 to July 2009, 902 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 6.5 years (range: 1.8-15.8), 52.3% were male, 74.4% had hemoglobin SS; 221 (28.6%) had at least one complication associated with sickle cell disease. A total of 773 patients performed transcranial Döppler; in 91.2% this was a method of screening. Conditional or abnormal transcranial Döppler results were more common in patients with sickle cell disease complications versus those without complications (ODDS ratio = 3.18; 95% Confidence interval = 1.92-5.27). There was a significant difference in the frequency of conditional or abnormal transcranial Döppler results in patients with abnormal laboratory results compared to those without abnormalities (OR=4.03); 95% confidence interval = 2.30-7.06. CONCLUSIONS: Conditional or abnormal transcranial Döppler results were significantly more frequent in patients with complications of sickle cell disease confirming the increased risk of stroke in this subgroup of patients. This observation reinforces the recommendation of transcranial Döppler as a screening test for all patients with sickle cell disease with ages between 2 and 16 years.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease is the most common monogenic hereditary disease in Brazil. Although strokes are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in these patients, the use of transcranial Doppler to identify children at risk is not universally used. OBJECTIVE: To develop Brazilian guidelines for the use of transcranial Doppler in sickle cell disease children and adolescents, so that related health policies can be expanded, and thus contribute to reduce morbidity and mortality. METHODS: The guidelines were formulated in a consensus meeting of experts in transcranial Doppler and sickle cell disease. The issues discussed were previously formulated and scientific articles in databases (MEDLINE, SciELO and Cochrane) were carefully analyzed. The consensus for each question was obtained by a vote of experts on the specific theme. RESULTS: Recommendations were made, including indications for the use of transcranial Doppler according to the sickle cell disease genotype and patients age; the necessary conditions to perform the exam and its periodicity depending on exam results; the criteria for the indication of blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy; the indication of hydroxyurea; and the therapeutic approach in cases of conditional transcranial Doppler. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian guidelines on the use of transcranial doppler in sickle cell disease patients may reduce the risk of strokes, and thus reduce the morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life of sickle cell disease patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os avanços no diagnóstico e tratamento das cardiopatias congênitas estão relacionados com os avanços na obtenção de imagens. As representações anatômicas obtidas com tomografia computadorizada, ressonância magnética e ecocardiografia têm ajudado, mas esses métodos não conseguem obter de forma precisa os dados hemodinâmicos. A angiografia rotacional 3D (3D-RA), um novo método de reconstrução tridimensional realizado no laboratório de cateterismo, tem sido amplamente utilizada em procedimentos neurológicos e urológicos. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o desempenho da 3D-RA na avaliação das cardiopatias congênitas MÉTODO: Revisão dos exames dos pacientes com cardiopatia congênita encaminhados para estudo hemodinâmico e que foram submetidos a aquisição de imagens pela 3D-RA. Foi utilizado equipamento Philips Allure FD10 e contraste de baixa osmolaridade para as angiografias RESULTADOS: No total, foram avaliados 53 pacientes, sendo utilizados, em média, 2,2 ± 1,1 ml/kg de contraste por paciente. Foi possível observar detalhes anatômicos não revelados em angiografias planares em 23% dos pacientes. Adicionalmente, 49% dos pacientes tiveram benefícios das imagens 3D para decisões terapêuticas. A exposição à radiação não foi estatisticamente diferente das angiografias planares. Nenhum paciente apresentou complicações relacionadas ao método CONCLUSÃO: A 3D-RA forneceu informações que algumas das angiografias convencionais não fornecem e que ajudaram no tratamento de pacientes selecionados portadores de cardiopatia congênita. O emprego desse método poderá reduzir o número de aquisições de imagem por procedimento e, como consequência, limitar a exposição do paciente à radiação e ao contraste.

BACKGROUND: Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease are associated to advances in imaging techniques. Anatomic images obtained by computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography have been useful but cannot provide accurate hemodynamic data. 3D rotational angiography (3D-RA) is a new 3D reconstruction method carried out in the cath lab that has been widely used in neurological and urological procedures. This study was aimed at evaluating the use of 3D-RA in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease METHOD: Review of catheterization results of patients with congenital heart disease referred for diagnostic assessment in which the 3D reconstruction method was employed. Philips Allure FD 10 equipment and low osmolarity contrast medium were used for angiographies RESULTS: Overall, 53 patients were reviewed and 2.2 ± 1.1 mL/kg of contrast medium were used per patient. Anatomic details not previously shown by 2D angiographies were observed in 23% of the patients. Furthermore, 3D-RA imaging was used to make treatment decisions in 49% of the patients. Exposure to radiation was not statistically different from 2D angiography. None of the patients had complications related to the method CONCLUSION: 3D-RA provided information not usually seen by conventional angiography which was useful in the treatment of selected patients with congenital heart disease. The use of 3D-RA may reduce the number of imaging tests per procedure and as a consequence, limit patient exposure to radiation and contrast media.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da irrigação com rejeito da dessalinização, oriundo de tanques de produção de tilápia-rosa, sobre as propriedades químicas e microbiológicas de solos cultivados com erva-sal (Atriplex nummularia Lindl.). Quatro áreas foram usadas, das quais duas foram irrigadas com rejeito salino e cultivadas, durante um e cinco anos, com erva-sal. As outras duas áreas foram conduzidas sem irrigação: uma cultivada com vegetação natural e outra com a halófita. Avaliaram-se os parâmetros relativos à salinidade e sodicidade do solo, e também as seguintes características: carbono da biomassa microbiana (Cmic); relação Cmic/carbono orgânico; atividade das enzimas fosfatase ácida, fosfatase alcalina, beta-glucosidase, protease, L-asparaginase, L-glutaminase. A adição de sais afetou as propriedades físicas e químicas dos solos irrigados com rejeito salino, com tendência à salinização e sodificação. A salinidade afetou as propriedades microbiológicas nos solos irrigados, mas o cultivo da halófita favoreceu a produção das enzimas estudadas. O cultivo da erva-sal em áreas que recebem rejeito salino pela irrigação melhora a qualidade biológica dos solos e sua fertilidade, mas não impede a salinização.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of irrigation with saline effluents, from red tilapia production ponds, on chemical and microbiological properties of soils cultivated with saltbush (Atriplex nummularia Lindl). Four areas were used, from which two were irrigated with saline waste and cultivated with A. nummularia, during one and five years. The other two areas were not irrigated, and one was cultivated with natural vegetation and the other with the halophyte. The parameters related to soil salinity and sodicity were evaluated, as well as the following characteristics: microbial biomass carbon (Cmic); Cmic/organic carbon; the activity of acid and alcaline phosphatase enzymes, beta-glucosidase, protease, L-asparaginase and L-glutaminase. The addition of salts affected the physical and chemical properties of the soils irrigated with saline effluents, with a tendency to salinization and sodification. The salinity affected the microbiological properties of irrigated soil, but the cultivation with the halophyte improved the production of the studied enzymes. A. nummularia cultivation in areas that received saline effluents from irrigation improves soil fertility and microbiological properties, but does not prevent salinity.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o comportamento da função sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) pela ecocardiografia em pacientes com osteossarcoma tratados com doxorrubicina com e sem dexrazoxane. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 55 pacientes com osteossarcoma com ou sem metástase submetidos à quimioterapia (QT) com seis ciclos de doxorrubicina, divididos em dois grupos, conforme o uso de dexrazoxane. Grupo I: 37 pacientes, os quais receberam dexrazoxane (28 do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 15,4 anos). Grupo II: 18 pacientes, que não receberam dexrazoxane (15 do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 15,1 anos). Foram realizadas quatro avaliações ecocardiográficas: 1) antes do início da QT (avaliação inicial); 2) até duas semanas após o terceiro ciclo; 3) até duas semanas após o quinto ciclo e 4) até quatro semanas após o sexto ciclo da QT (avaliação final). A função sistólica do VE foi avaliada pela porcentagem de encurtamento (PE) com o ecocardiograma. Alteração da função contrátil ou toxicidade miocárdica foi definida com valores de PE iguais ou inferiores a 29% e/ou diminuição da PE, em valor absoluto, igual ou superior a 10 unidades do valor inicial de cada paciente. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto à idade, sexo e raça. A dose cumulativa de doxorrubicina foi significantemente maior no grupo II em todas as fases do tratamento: 174 x 203 mg/m²; 292 x 338 mg/m² e 345 x 405 mg/² (p < 0,0001). A ocorrência de disfunção sistólica do VE, de acordo com os critérios previamente definidos, foi de sete indivíduos no grupo I (18,92%) e de dois no grupo II (11,1%), diferença não significativa (p=0,248). A análise de variância com medidas repetidas não mostrou diferença significativa nas médias da PE ao longo do período de estudo (p=0,967). Entretanto foi encontrada diferença significativa (p=0,029) entre as médias da PE dos grupos I e II nas avaliações 2 (35,67 x 37,21%), 3 (34,95 x 38,47%) e 4 (35,26 x 38,22%). CONCLUSÃO: Os dados do presente estudo indicam que, nos pacientes com osteossarcoma ltratados com doxorrubicina com e sem dexrazoxane, a função sistólica do VE, avaliada pela média da porcentagem de encurtamento, apresentou melhor desempenho no grupo que recebeu a administração de dexrazoxane. A ocorrência de disfunção sistólica, porém, foi semelhante entre os dois grupos de pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left ventricular (LV) systolic function by means of echocardiography in patients with osteosarcoma treated with doxorubicin alone or in combination with dexrazoxane. METHODS: The study analyzed 55 patients with osteosarcoma, with or without metastasis, undergoing a six-cycle chemotherapy regimen of doxorubicin, who were divided into two groups according to dexrazoxane use. Group I: Thirty-seven patients who did not receive dexrazoxane (28 males, average age 15.4 years). Group II: Eighteen patients who did receive dexrazoxane (15 males, average age 15.1 years). Four echocardiographic evaluations were performed: 1) before the beginning of the chemotherapy (initial evaluation); 2) up to two weeks after the third cycle; 3) up to two weeks after the fifth cycle; and 4) up to four weeks after the sixth cycle of chemotherapy (final evaluation). The left ventricular systolic function was assessed by the fractional percentage of systolic shortening (FS%) on echocardiography. Alterations in the contractile function or cardiac toxicity were defined as FS% values equal to or lower than 29%, and/or by a drop in FS% by an absolute value equal to or greater than 10 units of the baseline value of each patient. RESULTS: No significant difference as to age, gender, and race was observed between the groups. The cumulative dose of doxorubicin was significantly higher in group II throughout all phases of the treatment: 174 x 203 mg/m²; 292 x 338 mg/m² and 345 x 405 mg/² (p < 0.0001). According to previously established criteria, the incidence of LV systolic dysfunction was not significantly different (p=0.248) between patients in group I (18.92%) and patients in group II (11.1%). The variance analysis with repeated measurements did not show significant differences in the means of fractional percentage of systolic percentage (FS%) throughout the study (p=0.967). However, a significant difference (p=0.029) was observed between the FS% means in groups I and II at evaluations 2 (35.67 x 37.21%), 3 (34.95 x 38.47%) and 4 (35.26 x 38.22%). CONCLUSION: Data in this study show that in patients with osteosarcoma treated with doxorubicin alone or combined with dexrazoxane, the LV systolic function, as assessed by the fractional percentage of systolic shortening mean, showed a better performance in the group that received dexrazoxane. On the other hand, the occurrence of systolic dysfunction was similar in both groups.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito direto e residual da adubação com lodo de esgoto, como fonte de P, na produtividade da soja, na qualidade dos grãos para consumo humano e no potencial de lixiviação do nitrato. O experimento foi realizado no campo e constituiu-se dos seguintes tratamentos: ausência de adubação química e de lodo; adubação química completa; soja com inoculação mais dose zero de lodo; soja com inoculação mais 1,5 t ha-1 de lodo; soja com inoculação mais 3 t ha-1 de lodo; soja com inoculação mais 6 t ha-1 de lodo; e soja com inoculação mais adubação química, exceto a nitrogenada. As maiores produtividades de soja, tanto no primeiro como no segundo ano agrícola, foram obtidas nas duas maiores doses de lodo. Os teores de vários elementos nos grãos de soja, nos tratamentos com lodo, não diferiram, significativamente, daqueles obtidos nos tratamentos testemunha ou com adubação mineral. Perdas de NO3- para o ambiente podem ocorrer, principalmente no período inicial do ciclo da cultura.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the direct and residual effects of sewage sludge soil application, as a source of phosphorus, on soybean yield, on grain quality for human consumption, and the potential of NO3- leaching. The experiment was carried out in the field, and the following treatments were compared: absence of chemical fertilization and sewage sludge; complete chemical fertilization; inoculated soybean plus dose 0 of sludge; inoculated soybean plus 1.5 t ha-1 of sewage sludge; inoculated soybean plus 3 t ha-1 of sewage sludge; inoculated soybean plus 6 t ha-1 of sewage sludge; and inoculated soybean plus chemical fertilization, except nitrogen. The highest sewage sludge doses resulted in highest soybean yield, in the first and second year. Contents of several elements in soybean grains, under sewage sludge treatments, were not significantly different from those obtained in the control and chemical fertilization treatments. Losses of NO3- to the environment may occur, mainly in the beginning of crop growth cycle.

A proposta deste trabalho foi estudar o potencial das linhagens fúngicas, consideradas potenciais degradadoras dos herbicidas quinclorac e propanil, para produção de enzimas ligninolíticas. Oito linhagens fúngicas foram cultivadas em meio de cultura líquido King's B suplementado com 0,05% de Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) e em meio de cultura líquido contendo farelo de trigo como substrato. Os sistemas enzimáticos avaliados foram: lignina peroxidase, manganês peroxidase e lacases. Os resultados demonstraram padrões diferenciados quanto à produção de enzimas ligninolíticas entre as linhagens, sendo que as maiores atividades enzimáticas estiveram relacionadas à produção de lignina peroxidase. Das oito linhagens, duas (P3SA1F e P11SA2F) apresentaram descoloração do RBBR, sugerindo a possibilidade de sua aplicabilicação em estudos de biorremediação

The aim of this work was to study the potential of fungus strains considered as prospective degraders for the herbicides quinclorac and propanil, for ligninolytic enzyme production. Eight fungal strains were grown in King's B liquid culture medium supplemented with 0.05% Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) and in liquid culture medium containing wheat bran as substrate. The enzymatic system assessment were: lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccases. Results indicated differential patterns of ligninolytic enzyme production; the highest enzymatic activities were related to the production of lignin peroxidase. Among the strains, two (P3SA1F and P11SA2F) showed RBBR discoloration, suggesting the possibility of their application in bioremediation studies.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito de freqüentes aplicações de lodo ao solo na atividade e no C da biomassa microbiana. Os resultados demonstraram que a utilização de doses excessivas de lodo pode prejudicar a microflora do solo.

The objective of this work was to verify the effect of frequent sludge soil amendments on the soil's activity and microbial biomass C. Results showed that the use of excessive sludge doses could be detrimental to the soil's microflora.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a degradabilidade do regulador de crescimento vegetal paclobutrazol em solo. Os solos foram coletados em regiões representativas de plantios comerciais de manga para exportação, em Petrolina, PE e em Lins, SP. Culturas bacterianas mistas, isoladas destas amostras de solo foram avaliadas quanto à sua capacidade degradativa em meio de cultura líquido suplementado com paclobutrazol. A determinação dos resíduos do regulador de crescimento, realizada a partir do 15º dia de incubação e quantificada por meio de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência demonstrou que o paclobutrazol é lentamente degradado e apresenta meia-vida de 95 dias.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the degradability of paclobutrazol in soil. Soil samples were collected in orchards of two main mango production regions for exportation, at Petrolina, PE and Lins, SP, Brazil. Blended bacteria cultures, isolated from the soil samples, were assessed in liquid culture medium enriched with paclobutrazol, to verify its degradative capability. Quantification of growth regulator residues by high performance liquid chromatography was performed 15 days after application of the compound, and showed that the paclobutrazol is slowly degraded and presents half-life of 95 days.

INTRODUÇÃO: Este trabalho analisou as alterações nos diâmetros da artéria pulmonar (AP) após a derivação cavopulmonar bilateral (DCPB). CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 18 pacientes submetidos a DCPB, no período de março de 1990 a janeiro de 1997, que possuíam exames cineangiográficos disponíveis no período pré e pós-operatório. As medidas da AP direita e esquerda foram realizadas em três locais: na origem, imediatamente antes da bifurcação e no início da artéria do lobo inferior. Em seguida, os diâmetros de cada local foram indexados à superfície corpórea ou ao diâmetro da aorta, medido na altura do diafragma. Os dados angiográficos e oximétricos foram submetidos a análise estatística. RESULTADOS: Quando analisados os diâmetros absolutos observou-se que a maioria sofreu aumento não-significante, no período pós-operatório, ao passo que o diâmetro II da AP esquerda apresentou diminuição. Os índices totais I e III apresentaram diminuição significante, no período pós-operatório, e no índice total II a redução não foi significante. A análise da variável seguimento pós-operatório demonstrou redução significativa dos índices totais nos pacientes com seguimento pós-operatório inferior a 23,6 meses. A presença de fluxo sangüíneo adicional determinou o aumento dos índices AP direita II e III, e pequena redução nos outros índices. As medidas da AP indexadas pelo diâmetro da aorta revelaram comportamento semelhante à indexação pela superfície corpórea. Na ausência de circulação venosa colateral (CVC) observou-se aumento significante da saturação de O2, por outro lado, a sua presença determinou um aumento não-significante, durante o período de observação.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyzed the alterations in the pulmonary artery (PA) diameters after bilateral cavopulmonary derivation (BCPD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients submitted to BCPD in the period from March 1990 to January 1997, with available cineangiographic examinations in the pre- and postoperative period, were included. Measurements in right pulmonary artery (RPA) and left pulmonary artery (LPA) were performed at three sites: at the origin, immediately before bifurcation and at the beginning of the inferior lobe artery. The diameters of each site were indexed with respect to body surface or diameter of the aorta at the level of the diaphragm. Angiographic and oximetric data were submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: On analyzing absolute diameters, it was observed that most suffered a non-significant increase in the postoperative period, while the LPA diameter presented a decrease. The total indexes I e III presented a significant decrease in the postoperative period, this reduction of the total index II being non-significant. Analysis of the postoperative follow-up variable showed a significant reduction in the total indexes in patients with a postoperative follow-up less than 23,6 months. Presence of additional blood flow elicited an increase in RPA I and III indexes and a small reduction in the other. The PA measurements indexed with respect to the diameter of the aorta showed a behavior similar to those with respect to body surface. In the absence of collateral venous circulation (CVC) a significant increase in O2 saturation was observed. On the other hand, its presence elicited a non-significant increase during the period of observation.