A cirurgia cardíaca pediátrica como atividade filantrópica no país e missão humanitária no exterior

Cartas ao Editor

“…It is well known that the most common respiratory complications after cardiac surgery are related to the decrease in respiratory function and the presence of atelectasis [1]. Chest physiotherapy is widely indicated to minimize the adverse effects of cardiac surgery and immobilization along the hospital stay, such as vital capacity, functional residual capacity and the presence of atelectasis [2]. Conventional chest physiotherapy includes respiratory exercises and early mobilization of the patient.…”

“…Porém, essas estruturas de apoio, hospitais privados que atendiam ao SUS, não conseguiram sobreviver aos atrasos e descasos com a saúde, agora temos uma nova dificuldade, mas não vamos desistir. Nosso Serviço tem aumentado, a interiorização da Medicina é uma realidade com os egressos das primeiras turmas das Faculdades de Medicina retornando depois de Estágios e Residências juntando-se às fileiras para continuarmos a prestar o melhor atendimento possível às crianças portadoras de cardiopatias congênitas [1][2][3].…”

O ser-enfermeiro em face do cuidado à criança no pós-operatório imediato de cirurgia cardíaca

“…No Brasil, nascem por ano cerca de 6 milhões de crianças, das quais aproximadamente 45 mil são portadoras de alguma anomalia cardíaca; entretanto, a grande maioria não tem acesso a tratamento cirúrgico ou clínico, sabendo-se que 80% são portadoras de cardiopatias congênitas e necessitam ser submetidas à cirurgia cardíaca até o sexto mês de vida 1 .…”

Humanitarian Missions: a Call for Action and Impact from Cardiovascular Surgeons

“…By the very nature of the work, volunteers travel to areas that lack resources including equipment, personnel, and infrastructure. Thus, there are three major challenges to be faced in preparation for a humanitarian mission: 1) foreign setting; 2) sustainability; and 3) medical education [ 6 ] .…”

“…First, there is an understandable preoccupation with avoiding complications that may arise from working with unfamiliar colleagues in a foreign setting and caring for patients who speak a different language and may have never before seen a doctor. Complications that do occur are often attributable to insufficient screening of patients or inadequate follow-up, so it is of paramount importance to develop strong ties with local physicians who can offer preoperative insight and postoperative continuity [ 6 , 7 ] . This is a crucial collaboration at every step, since even surgical decisions such as valve prosthesis often rely on local and/or cultural dynamics, such as whether a patient will be able to afford or have access to warfarin, or if the nearest clinic to check an INR is a 2-day walk in good weather conditions from a remote village.…”