As fistulas arteriovenosas durais (FAVDs) podem se manifestar com sintomas agressivos, especialmente se existe drenagem cortical direta. Relatamos nossa experiência preliminar na embolização transarterial de FAVDs com drenagem cortical direta usando Onyx®. MÉTODO: Nove pacientes com FAVDs com drenagem cortical direta foram tratados: oito do tipo IV e uma do tipo III (Cognard). O tratamento consistiu na embolização transarterial usando Onyx-18®. Angiografias imediatas pós-tratamento, evolução clínica e angiografias de controle tardias foram estudadas. RESULTADOS: A oclusão completa da fístula foi alcançada em todos pacientes através de um só procedimento e injeção em apenas um pedículo arterial. No seguimento, oito pacientes ficaram livres de sintomas, um melhorou e nenhum deteriorou. Angiografias tardias de controle não mostraram evidência de FAVD recorrente. CONCLUSÃO: Nós recomendamos que a embolização transarterial com Onyx® das FAVDs com drenagem cortical direta, seja considerada como uma opção terapêutica, uma vez que mostrou ser factível, segura e efetiva.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) may have aggressive symptoms, especially if there is direct cortical venous drainage. We report our preliminary experience in transarterial embolization of DAVFs with direct cortical venous drainage (CVR) using Onyx®. METHOD: Nine patients with DAVFs with direct cortical venous drainage were treated: eight type IV and one type III (Cognard). Treatment consisted of transarterial embolization using Onyx-18®. Immediate post treatment angiographies, clinical outcome and late follow-up angiographies were studied. RESULTS: Complete occlusion of the fistula was achieved in all patients with only one procedure and injection in only one arterial pedicle. On follow-up, eight patients became free from symptoms, one improved and no one deteriorated. Late angiographies showed no evidence of recurrent DAVF. CONCLUSION: We recommend that transarterial Onyx® embolization of DAVFs with direct cortical venous drainage be considered as a treatment option, while it showed to be feasible, safe and effective.

INTRODUÇÃO: A reperfusão precoce da artéria responsável pelo acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico está associada ao salvamento da zona de hipoperfusão adjacente à área central isquêmica. Nosso objetivo foi analisar em uma série retrospectiva de pacientes a eficácia da trombólise intraarterial em restabelecer o fluxo no vaso tratado na fase aguda do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico e avaliar o grau de incapacidade por meio da escala de Rankin modificada (ERm) no seguimento mínimo de três meses, identificando variáveis prognósticas. MÉTODOS: Série de 30 pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico [tempo entre o início dos sintomas e o início da trombólise (Δt) < 6 horas no território carotídeo e < 12 horas no território vértebro-basilar) associado a oclusão de uma artéria cerebral, angiograficamente comprovada, e sem hemorragia ou sinais de infarto de grande extensão na tomografia computadorizada, submetidos a trombólise intra-arterial, combinada ou não a angioplastia intracraniana adjunta. RESULTADOS: A pontuação admissional na escala do acidente vascular cerebral do National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) foi de 15 ± 17. A trombólise intra-arterial foi iniciada com Δt de 266,3 minutos. A recanalização completa ocorreu em 21 pacientes (70%) e parcial, em 9 (30%). Angioplastia intracraniana adjunta foi necessária em 8 pacientes. Evolução favorável (ERm < 2) foi obtida em 53,3% da amostra total e em 64% dos pacientes com oclusão da artéria cerebral média. A boa evolução esteve associada a melhor fluxo colateral (P = 0,07), envolvimento da artéria cerebral média (P = 0,01), envolvimento do hemisfério cerebral direito (P = 0,07) e trombólise intra-arterial < 4,5 horas (P = 0,057). A evolução desfavorável associou-se a hiperglicemia (P = 0,003), NIHSS à admissão > 18 (P = 0,01), idade avançada (P = 0,01) e doses maiores de ativador de plasminogênio tecidual recombinante (rt-PA) (P = 0,08). CONCLUSÕES: A trombólise intra-arterial na fase aguda do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico, associada a angioplastia intracraniana adjunta, demonstrou ser um método eficaz, apresentando elevado porcentual de recanalização completa e evolução favorável em pacientes apropriadamente selecionados.

BACKGROUND: Early reperfusion of an occluded artery responsible for an acute ischemic stroke is associated to the salvage of the hypoperfused zone adjacent to the central ischemic area. Our objective was to analyze the efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis in reestablishing flow in the treated vessel during the acute phase of ischemic stroke in a retrospective series of patients and evaluate the degree of disability using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) in a minimum follow-up period of three months, identifying prognostic variables. METHODS: Series of 30 patients with acute ischemic stroke [time from the onset of symptoms and beginning of thrombolysis (Δt) < 6 hours in the carotid territory and < 12 hours in basilar territory] associated to the occlusion of a cerebral artery confirmed by angiography and without hemorrhage or major early infarction signs at computed tomography (CT) scan, undergoing intra-arterial thrombolysis associated to adjuvant intracranial angioplasty. RESULTS: The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 15 ± 17. Complete recanalization was observed in 21 patients (70%) and partial recanalization in 9 patients (30%). Intracranial angioplasty was required in 8 patients. Favorable outcome (mRS < 2) was obtained in 53.3% of the overall sample and in 64% of the patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion. A better outcome was associated to better collateral flow (P = 0.07), involvement of the middle cerebral artery (P = 0.01), involvement of the right cerebral hemisphere (P = 0.07), and intra-arterial thrombolysis < 4.5 hours (P = 0.057). An unfavorable outcome was associated to hyperglycemia (P = 0.003), initial NIHSS > 18 (P = 0.01), advanced age (P = 0.01) and higher doses of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-arterial thrombolysis in the acute phase of ischemic stroke and associated to adjunct intracranial angioplasty has proven to be an effective method with a high percentage of complete recanalization and favorable outcome in appropriately selected patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiac arrhythmias during and after pregnancy in women with Chagas' disease without apparent heart disease using dynamic electrocardiography. METHODS: Twenty pregnant women with Chagas' disease without apparent heart disease aged 19 to 42 years (26.96 ± 3.6) and a control group of 20 non-chagasic pregnant patients aged 16 to 34 years (22.5 ± 4.8). The patients were submitted to passive hemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi evaluation, and electrocardiography, echocardiography and 24-h dynamic electrocardiography. RESULTS: Supraventricular premature depolarizations were observed in 18 (90%) patients and ventricular premature depolarization in 11 (55%) patients of both groups during pregnancy. After delivery, supraventricular premature depolarizations were present in 13 (60%) chagasic patients and in 16 (89.4%) control patients (P<=0.05). Ventricular premature depolarization were observed in 9 (45%) chagasic patients and 11 (57.8%) control patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ventricular premature depolarization was similar for the chagasic and control groups during and after pregnancy. The incidence of supraventricular premature depolarizations was similar in the two groups during pregnancy, while after delivery a predominance was observed in the control group compared to the chagasic group.