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OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the impact of ABO histo-blood group type on COVID-19 severity. BACKGROUND: ABO histo-blood type has been associated with different outcomes in infectious diseases. It has also shown a higher proportion of type A patients with SARS-CoV-2. In this observational study, extracted from an ongoing clinical trial on the efficacy of convalescent plasma transfused in COVID-19 patients, we describe the impact of ABO blood type on the risk of developing severe COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients (37 type A, 23 type O, 11 type B, 1 type AB) with severe (respiratory failure) COVID-19 were included. Control group was composed of 160 individuals randomly selected from the same populational basis. RESULTS: Blood group A was overrepresented (51.39%) in the patient group in relation to the control group (30%), whereas blood group O was less represented (31.94%) in patient than in control group (48%). Odds ratio (A vs. O) was 2.581 (1.381-4.817), CI 95%; p = 0.004. Also, blood group A patients appeared to have more severe disease, given by the scores of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and Simplified Acute Physiologic Score 3 (p = 0.036 and p = 0.058, respectively). CONCLUSION: Histo-blood type A is associated with a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 in relation to blood type O.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the addition of colchicine to standard treatment for COVID-19 results in better outcomes. DESIGN: We present the results of a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of colchicine for the treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19, with 75 patients allocated 1:1 from 11 April to 30 August 2020. Colchicine regimen was 0.5 mg thrice daily for 5 days, then 0.5 mg twice daily for 5 days. The primary endpoints were the need for supplemental oxygen, time of hospitalisation, need for admission and length of stay in intensive care unit and death rate. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients (36 for placebo and 36 for colchicine) completed the study. Median (and IQR) time of need for supplemental oxygen was 4.0 (2.0-6.0) days for the colchicine group and 6.5 (4.0-9.0) days for the placebo group (p<0.001). Median (IQR) time of hospitalisation was 7.0 (5.0-9.0) days for the colchicine group and 9.0 (7.0-12.0) days for the placebo group (p=0.003). At day 2, 67% versus 86% of patients maintained the need for supplemental oxygen, while at day 7, the values were 9% versus 42%, in the colchicine and the placebo groups, respectively (log rank; p=0.001). Two patients died, both in placebo group. Diarrhoea was more frequent in the colchicine group (p=0.26). CONCLUSION: Colchicine reduced the length of both, supplemental oxygen therapy and hospitalisation. The drug was safe and well tolerated. Once death was an uncommon event, it is not possible to ensure that colchicine reduced mortality of COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RBR-8jyhxh.

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As diferentes formas de avaliação são elementos centrais do processo de ensino-aprendizagem de qualquer programa educacional, e devem ser bem planejadas e implementadas em todas as propostas curriculares,especialmente na formação de profissionais na área da saúde. Uma avaliação do estudante adequada e de qualidade guarda estreita relação com a competência e capacitação do profissional que será entregue à sociedade. Neste contexto, a avaliação formativa e a capacitação dos professores para prover feedback efetivo, frequente, e de qualidade são fundamentais na formação dos futuros profissionais da saúde. Este artigo faz uma revisão sobre avaliação formativa, feedback e debriefing.

The different assessment forms are major elements of any teaching and learning process in educational programs, and should be considered as a core component to be planned and implemented in all curriculums, especially in the health professions education. A regular and qualified students’ assessment is closely related to competence and skills of the professionals that will be delivered to society. In this context, formative assessment and well-trained staff to provide effective and regular feedback are essentials in the formation of the future generation of health professionals. This article focuses primarily on formative assessment, feedback and debriefing.

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UNLABELLED: Cardiac sympathetic denervation and ventricular arrhythmia are frequently observed in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). This study quantitatively evaluated the association between cardiac sympathetic denervation and sustained ventricular tachycardia (SVT) in patients with CCC. METHODS: We prospectively investigated patients with CCC and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than 35% with SVT (SVT group: n = 15; mean age ± SD, 61 ± 8 y; LVEF, 51% ± 8%) and patients without SVT (non-SVT group: n = 11; mean age ± SD, 55 ± 10 y; LVEF, 57% ± 10%). Patients underwent myocardial scintigraphy with (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) for the evaluation of sympathetic innervation and resting perfusion with (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) for the evaluation of myocardial viability. A visual semiquantitative score was attributed for regional uptake of each radiotracer using a 17-segment left ventricular segmentation model (0, normal; 4, absence of uptake). A mismatch defect was defined as occurring in segments with a (99m)Tc-MIBI uptake score of 0 or 1 and a (123)I-MIBG score of 2 or more. RESULTS: Compared with the non-SVT group, the SVT group had a similar (99m)Tc-MIBI summed score (6.9 ± 7.5 vs. 4.4 ± 5.2, respectively, P = 0.69) but a higher (123)I-MIBG summed score (10.9 ± 7.8 vs. 22.4 ± 9.5, respectively, P = 0.007) and a higher number of mismatch defects per patient (2.0 ± 2.2 vs. 7.1 ± 2.0, respectively, P < 0.0001). The presence of more than 3 mismatch defects was strongly associated with the presence of SVT (93% sensitivity, 82% specificity; P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: In CCC, the amount of sympathetically denervated viable myocardium is associated with the occurrence of SVT. Myocardial sympathetic denervation may participate in triggering malignant ventricular arrhythmia in CCC patients with relatively well-preserved ventricular function.

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Introdução: A intoxicação aguda por antidepressivos tricíclicos é comum nas salas de emergência. Anormalidades no eletrocardiograma de 12 derivações (ECG) são associadas a este tipo de intoxicação, com implicações diagnósticas e prognósticas. O ECG pode ter valor incremental principalmente em situações de alteração de consciência, convulsões ou distúrbios do ritmo cardíaco associado. Objetivo: Revisar as principais alterações eletrocardiográficas descritas na intoxicação por antidepressivos tricíclicos e estabelecer suas implicações prognósticas no manejo desta condição clínica. Metodologia: Pesquisa bibliográfica no MEDLINE (PubMEd) limitada aos artigos publicados entre 1980 e 2010 em língua inglesa, utilizando-se unitermos (tricyclic antidepressant overdose OR tricyclic antidepressant intoxication OR tricyclic antidepressant poisoning OR tricyclic antidepressant ingestionAND electrocardiography). Dos 133 artigos identificados, foram selecionados 44 para a revisão...

Introduction: The acute poisoning by tricyclic antidepressants is common in emergency rooms. Abnormalities in 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) are associated with this type of poisoning, with diagnostic and prognostic implications. The ECG may have incremental value especially in situations of altered consciousness, seizures or heart rhythm disturbances associated. Objective: To review the electrocardiographic changes described in tricyclic antidepressant poisoning and to establish their prognostic implications in the management of this condition. Methods: Bibliographic search in MEDLINE (PubMed) limited to articles published between 1980 and 2010 in English, using key words (tricyclic antidepressant overdose OR tricyclic antidepressant intoxicationOR tricyclic antidepressant poisoning OR tricyclic antidepressant ingestion AND electrocardiography). Of the 133 articles identified, 44 were selected for review...

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