Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2011;23(4):510-514
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2011000400018
Porphyrias are metabolic disorders related to heme biosynthesis pathway enzyme dysfunctions. The heme pathway is fundamental for the formation of a number of molecules, and such defects cause noxious precursors (porphyrins) to build up. Porphyrias are heterogeneously manifested by symptoms that can either be neurovisceral, cutaneous, or both, usually during outburst episodes called porphyric crises. This article presents a literature review and reports on a case of porphyric crisis initially diagnosed as acute abdomen and treated with an inconclusive exploratory laparotomy During the postoperative period, the patient progressed with tetraparesis, tetraplegia and respiratory distress, suggesting Guillain-Barre syndrome, which was precluded after cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed no albumin-cytological dissociation. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit due to her neurological disorders, which required ventilation support. After admission, she progressed with choluria and seizures. A porphyric crisis was suspected and confirmed upon a 24 hour urine porphyrins test. Supportive therapy was initiated, but due to unavailability in our hospital, heme derivatives were not given. The patient progressed with nosocomial infection, organ dysfunctions and eventually died. Porphyria should be considered as a differential diagnosis in acute abdomen cases of unknown origin and associated with neurological disorders such as paresis, hydroelectrolytic and psychiatric disorders, especially in patients with triggering factors, with a history of recurring crises and a family history of porphyria.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2011;23(3):374-379
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2011000300017
There are few reports in the literature regarding the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for double-dysfunction from both heart and lung contusions in polytrauma patients. This article reports a 48-year-old patient admitted after a traffic accident. He rapidly progressed to shock with low cardiac output due to myocardial contusion and refractory hypoxemia due to pulmonary contusion, an unstable chest wall and bilateral pneumothorax. ECMO was an effective rescue procedure in this dramatic situation and was successfully discontinued on the fourth day after the trauma. The patient also developed an extensive brain infarction and eventually died on the seventh day after admission
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2011;23(2):238-241
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2011000200018
This article describes a device for the reduction of intra-abdominal pressure. The device (ABDOPRE) includes a unique external servo-control mechanism, based on urinary bladder pressure measurement. The results of ABDOPRE use in the first four intra-abdominal hypertension patients are reported; the device resulted in a reduction of intra-abdominal pressure between 16% and 35% in 3 cases and in a paradoxical increase of the intra-abdominal pressure in an obese woman, likely due to inappropriate chamber size for the patient's anatomy. These results are promising and ABDOPRE may be useful in clinical practice.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2011;23(2):242-248
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2011000200019
Levothyroxine absorption in hypothyroid patients can be influenced by several factors, particularly medications and concomitant food administration. This is especially evident in intensive care unit patients, where a continual enteral diet and the administration of multiple medications changes its absorption. Changes or adaptations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, in conjunction with clinical abnormalities possibly related to under-treatment of hypothyroidism, render levothyroxine replacement therapy very challenging. Here, we report two intensive care hypothyroidism patients and their respective levothyroxine replacement management issues, focusing on a number of controversial issues, such as the optimal replacement dose, how fast the levothyroxine doses should be increased, triiodothyronine requirements, the interference of an enteral diet with absorption, and finally, the possible consequences of undertreated hypothyroidism and levothyroxine replacement monitoring useful clinical/laboratory parameters.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2011;23(1):104-107
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2011000100016
Intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the treatment of choice for carcinoma in situ and non-invasive high-grade superficial tumors of the urinary bladder. This treatment is well tolerated overall, but serious complications can occur. An elderly man with coronary disease and recurrent high-grade superficial carcinoma of the bladder underwent intravesical instillation of BCG and developed septic shock. He received wide range antibiotics, tuberculostatic and vasoactive drugs, corticosteroids, mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy without improvement. He died nine days after the intravesical instillation of BCG because of multiple organ failure.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2011;23(1):108-111
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2011000100017
A case of a mixed fungal yeast infection involving Saccharomyces cerevisiae - well known for its use in the bread and wine industries - and Candida albicans, is described in an intensive care unit patient. Mortality due to mixed fungal infections in the intensive care unit is high. An elderly smoker patient with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and untreated bladder neoplasm was admitted to the hospital with diarrhea and progressed to septic shock. The above-mentioned yeasts were identified in blood cultures. This case with fatal outcome provides an opportunity to discuss one of the emergent germs found in the intensive care unit, in a case with an atypical presentation.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2010;22(4):395-398
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2010000400013
Chronic renal failure is a high morbidity and mortality condition, with its terminal phase incidence and prevalence steadily growing year after year. According to the Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia [Brazilian Society of Nephrology], the main causes of renal failure are arterial hypertension, glomerulonephritis and diabetes mellitus. Several factors are implied on chronic renal failure patients' risk of mortality, particularly age, diabetes and associated co-morbidities. For patients below 50 years old, the 5 years survival rate is 62% and for those above this age and with diabetes mellitus, just 23%. Star fruit is native from Asia, and widespread in tropical countries; this fruit was reported as having a neurotoxin able to cause serious neurological changes in chronic renal disease patients. These may range from mild features, such as hiccup and confusion, to serious episodes with seizures and death. This neurotoxin apparently inhibits specifically the GABAergic conduction system. This paper describes a case involving a chronic renal disease patient who, after ingesting star fruit, featured malaise, nausea and vomiting, followed by repeated convulsions and died even though undergoing conventional hemodialysis therapy.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2010;22(4):399-402
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2010000400014
Ophidian accidents are not rare in Brazil. Its frequency is of about 30,000 cases/year in Brazil, although ranging between different regions. The gender Bothrops, which includes snakes popularly known as 'jararaca', is by far the most frequently involved, followed by the gender Crotalus, mainly represented by the rattlesnake. Other genders as Micrurus and Lachesis have lower epidemiological relevance. Critical cases are uncommon, and the most severe complications include renal failure and blood coagulation disorders. Adult respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ systems failure are described, although rare. This report is aims to describe a case involving a Bothrops ophidian accident progressing to adult respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ and systems failure, and to discuss the therapy used.