INTRODUÇÃO: O tipo de proteção cerebral utilizado durante o implante de stent carotídeo é controverso em idosos. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os resultados dos dispositivos de proteção embólica cerebral (PEC), proximal e distal, em pacientes > 70 anos de idade, por meio da ressonância magnética ponderada de difusão (RM-PD). MÉTODOS: Entre 2008 e 2011, 60 pacientes com indicação de stent carotídeo foram randomizados para PEC com Mo.Ma® ou Angioguard®, dos quais 26 tinham > 70 anos de idade. Os resultados da RM-PD realizada antes e 48 horas após o procedimento foram avaliados por neurologista independente e cego para o tipo de PEC utilizado. Foram analisados o número de novos focos isquêmicos, sua localização e o tamanho. RESULTADOS: Novos focos isquêmicos cerebrais foram encontrados em 8/12 (66,7%) pacientes do grupo Mo.Ma® e em 12/14 (85,7%) pacientes do grupo Angioguard® (P = 0,37). A maioria das lesões (> 90%) era ipsilateral à artéria tratada em ambos os grupos, e o tamanho das lesões foi < 0,5 cm na maioria dos casos. O número de lesões por paciente foi menor com o dispositivo Mo.Ma® (mediana [variação]: 3 [1 a 8] lesões vs. 15 [2 a 76] lesões; P < 0,001). Todos os pacientes que tiveram mais de 40 lesões pertenciam ao grupo Angioguard®. CONCLUSÕES: Mesmo utilizando PEC (proximal ou distal), novas lesões isquêmicas foram observadas em ambos os grupos em pacientes idosos. Proporcionalmente maior número de pacientes com Angioguard® teve novos focos isquêmicos se comparados aos pacientes do grupo Mo.Ma®. O dispositivo de PEC Mo.Ma® parece diminuir o número de lesões por paciente.

BACKGROUND: The type of cerebral protection used during carotid stenting in the elderly is controversial. Our objective was to evaluate the results of proximal and distal cerebral embolic protection devices (EPDs), in patients > 70 years through diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). METHODS: Between 2008 and 2011, 60 patients with indication for carotid stenting were randomized to EPD with Mo.Ma® or Angioguard®, of which 26 patients were > 70 years of age. Results of DW-MRI performed before and 48 hours after the procedure were evaluated by an independent neurologist blinded to the type of EPD used. New ischemic lesions, their localization and size were analyzed. RESULTS: New cerebral ischemic lesions were found in 8/12 (66.7%) patients in the Mo.Ma® group and 12/14 (85.7%) patients in the Angioguard® group (P = 0.37). The vast majority of the lesions (> 90%) were ipsilateral to the treated artery in both groups and the size of the lesions was < 0.5 cm in most cases. The number of lesions per patient was lower with the Mo.Ma® device (median [variation]: 3 [1 to 8] lesions vs 15 [2 to 76] lesions; P < 0.001). All of the patients with more than 40 lesions were in the Angioguard® group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the use of EPDs (proximal or distal), new ischemic lesions were observed in both groups in elderly patients. A proportionately larger number of patients with Angioguard® had new ischemic lesions when compared to those with Mo.Ma®. The Mo.Ma® device seems to decrease the number of lesions per patient.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the dromotropic disturbances (vector-electrocardiographic), and the possible anatomic causes, provoked by selective alcohol injection in the septal branch, for percutaneous treatment, of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Ten patients with a mean age of 52.7 years underwent percutaneous septal ablation (PTSA) from october 1998; all in functional class III/IV). Twelve-lead electrocardiogram was performed prior to and during PTSA, and later electrocardiogram and vectorcardiogram according to Frank's method. The patients were followed up for 32 months. RESULTS: On electrocardiogram (ECG) prior to PTSA all patients had sinus rhythm and left atrial enlargement, 8 left ventricular hypertrophy of systolic pattern. On ECG immediately after PTSA, 8 had complete right bundle-branch block; 1 transient total atrioventricular block; 1 alternating transient bundle-branch block either right or hemiblock. On late ECG 8 had complete right bundle-branch block confirmed by vectorcardiogram, type 1 or Grishman. CONCLUSION: Septal fibrosis following alcohol injection caused a predominance of complete right bundle-branch block, different from surgery of myotomy/myectomy.