Background and study aims: The results of endoscopic treatment with elastic band ligation for esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis remain poor. In comparison with treatment with elastic band ligation, we have found lower rates of rebleeding and mortality with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injections. Thus, the aim of the current study was to describe our unit’s 10 years of experience with injection of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate to control esophageal variceal ruptures in patients with Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis. Patients and methods: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted. Sixty-three patients with Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis had been admitted to the center with an acute episode of esophageal variceal bleeding. All were treated with injection of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. The patients were assigned to 1 of 2 groups according to their Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis scores: group I (score range, 10 through 13 points) and group II (score, 14 or 15 points). The 3 variables studied were rates of initial failure to control bleeding, failure to prevent rebleeding (secondary prophylaxis), and mortality. Patients in the 2 groups (group I, n = 50; group II, n = 13) had similar characteristics. Results: Bleeding was successfully controlled in almost 75 % of the patients during the first 5 days after treatment, with no significant differences observed between groups I and II. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to mortality rate for the first 5 days after treatment. Thirty-four patients (54 %) were free of bleeding at 6 weeks after treatment, with a significant difference noted between the groups: group I, 64 %, versus group II, 15.4 % (P < 0.001). The overall mortality rate was 44.4 %, with a significant difference noted between the groups: group I, 34 %, versus group II, 84.6 % (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Endoscopic injection of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate is a valid treatment option to control esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with a Child-Pugh class C cirrhosis score in the range of 10 through 13 points.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of probiotics use, compared with placebo, in pediatric patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), using laboratorial and ultrasonographic parameters as outcomes. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed through MEDLINE and Lilacs databases. The articles selected were randomized controlled clinical trials published until November 2018, without any language restriction, dealing with pediatric patients with NAFLD. Patients were divided into 2 groups. One group received probiotic therapy and the other group, only received placebo. The primary outcome evaluated was the difference between the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) before and after receiving probiotics or placebo. The secondary outcomes evaluated were the serum aspartate aminotransferase levels, body mass index, serum triglycerides, waist circumference and level of liver steatosis on the ultrasonography. Results: A total of 46 articles were recovered, and 3 articles were included in the qualitative analysis, totaling 128 patients. Two trials revealed a significant decrease of alanine aminotransferase levels after treatment with probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus for 8 weeks; Bifidobacterium+Lactobacillus for 12 weeks), when compared to the placebo. The other variables did not show a statistically significant difference between both groups. Conclusions: Probiotic therapy has contributed to the reduction of ALT serum levels in pediatric patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is in line with results found by other authors in scientific literature. Regarding the secondary outcomes, the use of probiotics did not show benefits or damages compared to placebo.

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RBCCV 44205-759Padronização da dose de heparina sódica utilizada na cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio sem circulação extracorpórea Standardization of the sodium heparin dose used in off-pump myocardial revascularization surgery Abstract Objective: To evaluate a methodology of anticoagulation during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) that promotes safe anticoagulation during the procedure (Activated Coagulation Time (ACT) ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 200 seconds), using an initial dose of 1 mg of sodium heparin/kg weight.Method: 40 patients (30 men and 10 women), with ages ranging from 41 to 85 years, were submitted to off-pump CABS, using an initial sodium heparin dose of 1mg/kg of weight. Ten minutes after the drug was administered, if the ACT was = 200 seconds, we initiated the revascularization procedure. If not, we administered an additional dose of 0.5mg/ kg heparin. During the surgery, the ACT was measured at 30 minute intervals. After revascularization, heparin reversal was achieved with a dose of protamine chloride equal do the total heparin dose infused during the procedure (1:1). Conclusões: Os resultados apresentados demonstram a segurança e eficácia da anticoagulação monitorizada pelo TCA nos pacientes submetidos à RM sem CEC, utilizando doses de 1mg heparina sódica/kg de peso, capaz de manter-se efetiva durante todo o procedimento cirúrgico, independentemente de variáveis como sexo ou idade. Results:Descritores: Revascularização miocárdica. Heparina. Tempo de coagulação do sangue total.

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