Aneurysm of the left main coronary artery is a rare angiographic finding, with few cases described in the interAneurysms in coronary arteries are rare entities, however, with potential severe complications. Usually they are multiple and atherosclerosis is responsible for more than 50% of the diagnosed adult cases in the Western world. The most affected places are, in order of frequency, the, proximal and mid portions of the right coronary, the proximal portion of the anterior descending branch, and the proximal portion of the circumflex branch 1,2 . Aneurysm of the left coronary trunk is extremely infrequent, with little more than 30 cases described in the literature.This report has the objective of presenting a case of aneurysm of the left main coronary artery and summarizing the available data from the literature about this uncommon entity and of its yet uncertain management. Case ReportThe patient was a 42-year-old male Caucasian fisherman with a 15-day history of acute myocardial infarction not treated with thrombolitics in his city of origin, as risk factors for coronary disease, smoking, and hyperlipemia where found. At cinecoronariography, occlusion of the right coronary, critical stenosis in the proximal portion of the anterior descending branch and circumflex branch, and an aneurysm of the left main coronary artery, measuring 23.6 x 15.8mm, with stasis of contrast in its interior and an important delay in distal coronary flow (Fig.1) were documented. The left ventricle maintained adequate contractibility, with a 62% ejection fraction. With no findings in the clinical history or laboratory examinations that night suggest vasculitis or endocarditis, and with the basal disease related to aneurysm, atherosclerosis seemed to us to be the most probable cause.The patient underwent myocardial revascularization, with the implant of the left internal mammary artery for the anterior descending and grafts of the saphenous vein for the first obtuse marginal branch and for the right coronary. The consensus as to the best strategy for treatment of aneurysm was to avoid the direct approach or closure of the aneurysm. The patient evolved well in postsurgery and was discharged from ITU on the second day. In the 180º post operative, the patient remains asymptomatic with noninvasive tests negative for myocardial ischemia.

Background: The use of polypropylene meshes for surgical repair of the abdominal wall contributes to a reduction of the of recurrence rates of hernias or defects. However, its intra-abdominal use comes along with the formation of adhesions and several complications. The study and the search for alternative materials, including bovine pericardium, have been regarded as an option for the correction and treatment of resulting hernias with better adaptations and effectiveness. Aim: Evaluating the inflammatory process of the bovine pericardium in comparison with the inflammatory process of synthetic polypropylene mesh. Method: Bovine pericardium mesh and polypropylene mesh were placed, both on the same animal. The first group had the mesh removed for analysis on day 20, and the second group on day 40. The variables congestion, granulation, giant cells, necrosis, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation and collagen were analyzed. Results: All variables were found in greater numbers as a response to the polypropylene mesh, except for the collagen, which, on day 40, was greater in response to the bovine pericardium mesh. Conclusion: The data in this study suggest that there is less inflammatory reaction in response to bovine pericardium mesh when compared to polypropylene mesh.

Transcutaneous energy transfer system and better biocompatibility could probably be the most important factors in the near future for VADs. This kind of advances will be capable of yielding better quality of life with reduced risk of complications for this population of patients.

Background: Portal hypertension (PH) can be measured indirectly through a hepatic vein pressure gradient greater than 5 mmHg. Cirrhosis is the leading cause for PH and can present as complications ascites, hepatic dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and esophagogastric varices, characterizing gastropathy. Aim: To evaluate the use of carvedilol as primary prophylaxis in the development of collateral circulation in rats submitted to the partial portal vein ligament (PPVL) model. Method: This is a combined qualitative and quantitative experimental study in which 32 Wistar rats were divided into four groups (8 animals in each): group I - cirrhosis + carvedilol (PPVL + C); group II - cirrhosis + vehicle (PPVL); group III - control + carvedilol (SO-sham-operated + C); group IV - control + vehicle (SO-sham-operated). After seven days of the surgical procedure (PPVL or sham), carvedilol (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (1 mL normal saline) were administered to the respective groups daily for seven days. Results: The histological analysis showed no hepatic alteration in any group and a decrease in edema and vasodilatation in the PPVL + C group. The laboratory evaluation of liver function did not show a statistically significant change between the groups. Conclusion: Carvedilol was shown to have a positive effect on gastric varices without significant adverse effects.

Background:Colorectal cancer has a higher incidence in the rectum and sigmoid. However, with the expansion of the diagnosis of superficial lesions interest in the diagnosis and in the role they play in colorectal carcinogenesis has increased. Aim:To verify the behavior of superficial lesions of the colon and rectum, comparing the pathological and endoscopic findings, below and above 65 years. Methods:Cross-sectional study with prospective evaluation of standard protocol, where 200 patients with colorectal superficial lesions were evaluated; they were submitted to colonoscopy and mucosectomy of these lesions. They were divided in two age groups, below and above 65 years. Results: One hundred-and-eight were women (54%) and 92 men (46%). Most colon lesions were localized in the right colon (95%) and the remaining (5%) in the rectum. In endoscopy, 77.20% were granular lesions in patients under 65 years and 77.90% above. Colon histology showed low grade intraepithelial neoplasia, being 69.79% in patients under and 73.70% in above 65 years. In rectum, above 65 years the incidence of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia was higher (66.70%). Conclusion:The superficial colorectal lesions have been more endoscopically diagnosed today, and the highest incidence is the granular type, both in the colon and rectum, regardless of age. Regardless the age, histologically colon lesions were more as low grade intraepithelial neoplasia. In rectum, there was distinction for both age groups, being more frequent high grade intraepithelial neoplasia in patients over 65 years.

Background: Heart dysfunction and liver disease often coexist because of systemic disorders. Any cause of right ventricular failure may precipitate hepatic congestion and fibrosis. Digital image technologies have been introduced to pathology diagnosis, allowing an objective quantitative assessment. The quantification of fibrous tissue in liver biopsy sections is extremely important in the classification, diagnosis and grading of chronic liver disease. Aim: To create a semi-automatic computerized protocol to quantify any amount of centrilobular fibrosis and sinusoidal dilatation in liver Masson’s Trichrome-stained specimen. Method: Once fibrosis had been established, liver samples were collected, histologically processed, stained with Masson’s trichrome, and whole-slide images were captured with an appropriated digital pathology slide scanner. After, a random selection of the regions of interest (ROI’s) was conducted. The data were subjected to software-assisted image analysis (ImageJ®). Results: The analysis of 250 ROI’s allowed to empirically obtain the best application settings to identify the centrilobular fibrosis (CF) and sinusoidal lumen (SL). After the establishment of the colour threshold application settings, an in-house Macro was recorded to set the measurements (fraction area and total area) and calculate the CF and SL ratios by an automatic batch processing. Conclusion: Was possible to create a more detailed method that identifies and quantifies the area occupied by fibrous tissue and sinusoidal lumen in Masson’s trichrome-stained livers specimens.

Heart dysfunction and liver disease often coexist. Among the types of cardiohepatic syndrome, Type 2 is characterized by the chronic impairment of cardiac function, leading to chronic liver injury, referred to as congestive hepatopathy (CH). In this study, we aimed to establish a rat model of CH secondary to right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) related to monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups and randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Three experimental groups were submitted to intraperitoneal MCT inoculation (60 mg/kg) and were under its effect for 15, 30 and 37 days. The animals were then sacrificed, obtaining cardiac and hepatic tissues for anatomopathological and morphometric analysis. At macroscopic examination, the livers in the MCT groups presented a nutmeg-like appearance. PAH produced marked RVH and dilatation in the MCT groups, characterized by a significant increase in right ventricular free wall thickness (RVFWT) and chamber area. At histological evaluation, centrilobular congestion was the earliest manifestation, with preservation of the hepatocytes. Centrilobular hemorrhagic necrosis was observed in the groups exposed to prolonged MCT. Sinusoidal dilatation was markedly increased in the MCT groups, quantified by the Sinusoidal Lumen Ratio (SLR). The Congestive Hepatic Fibrosis Score and the Centrilobular Fibrosis Ratio (CFR) were also significantly increased in the MCT30 group. Hepatic atrophy, steatosis, apoptotic bodies and, rarely, hydropic swelling were also observed. SLR correlated strongly with CFR and RVFWT, and CFR correlated moderately with RVFWT. Our rat model was able to cause CH, related to monocrotaline-induced PAH and RVH; it was feasible, reproducible, and safe.

Fundamento: O modelo de hipertensão arterial pulmonar induzida por monocrotalina (MCT) é um dos mais reproduzidos atualmente, apresentando como limitação a ausência de lesões plexiformes, manifestações típicas da doença grave em humanos. Objetivo: Avaliar a gravidade da arteriopatia pulmonar induzida por MCT por meio dos achados anatomopatológicos pulmonares e cardíacos, evolução clínica e sobrevida em 37 dias. Métodos: Foram utilizados 50 ratos machos Wistar divididos em quatro grupos, sendo um controle (n = 10). Os três grupos restantes foram submetidos à inoculação de MCT (60 mg/kg i.p.) e ficaram sob o seu efeito por 15 (n = 10), 30 (n = 10) e 37 dias (n = 20). Ao final de cada período, os animais foram sacrificados, obtendo-se tecidos pulmonar e cardíaco para análise anatomopatológica e morfométrica. Empregou-se o teste Kruskal-Wallis, considerando nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Nos pulmões dos animais MCT foram constatadas lesões referentes à arteriopatia pulmonar, incluindo muscularização das arteríolas, hipertrofia da camada média e lesões neointimais concêntricas. Lesões complexas foram observadas nos grupos MCT, descritas como plexiforme e do "tipo" plexiforme (plexiform-like). A hipertrofia do ventrículo direito foi constatada pelo aumento da espessura e diâmetro dos cardiomiócitos e pelo aumento significativo da espessura da parede do ventrículo direito (p<0,0000). Conclusão: O modelo foi capaz de gerar arteriopatia pulmonar moderada-grave associada à hipertrofia do ventrículo direito secundária, com sobrevida de 50% em 37 dias. De nosso conhecimento, este estudo foi o primeiro a constatar a presença de lesões vasculares complexas, semelhantes às observadas em pacientes com hipertensão arterial pulmonar grave, em modelo isolado de MCT.